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- Nov 14, 2006
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Here we go:
- Despite the fact, they did try to make it interesting at the end of the game, this was by far the most disgusting game I have seen by the Pats in a while. The Pats should have won this game by two or three TDs. Stupid coaching decisions (the pooch punt on the kick off), special teams (dogged it for giving up 14 points), Brady (two stupid throws on INTs), o-line, and everyone else. Absolutely disgusting.
- Let's start with that pooch punt onside kick. You are up 14-0 and in control of the game. The downsides of doing something like that far out weigh the positives. Since Ebner kicked it 20 yards down field, the chances of the Pats recovering it were minimal. Got too cute and gave the Eagles a shot to get back in the game.
- I don't get why since Edelman has gone down that McDaniels and Belichick have decided to become a vertical offense. There have been a few big plays over the last four weeks, but they have been outweighed by the many drive killers that have happened far too often.
- Stupid mistakes is the difference today. As I said that coaching decision to onside kick was big. They screwed up the blocking assignments on the block punt for a TD. Brady should have thrown away that pick six rather than force it into Amendola covered tight by two defenders. Brady made a bad decision on the other pick.
- I don't know why James White doesn't get more involved in the passing game. He isn't close to what Dion Lewis or even Shane Vereen, but he has proven to be a receiving option for Brady. But they seem to use him sparingly until the game is starting to fall apart.
- I know this isn't a popular position, but I think Gronk needs to get over himself and realize he isn't above the team or that he deserves special treatment. The "I'll come back when I am 100%" crap isn't going to fly. He needs to be everyone else on the team and if you can play even if you are not 100%, you play. We have heard stories of Brady playing when he was hurt so bad that he needed to have help taking off his shoulder pads because he cannot lift his arm over his head, The Pats have zero margin for error after a loss today and they need to win all the rest of their games. If he is still not healthy enough to play, that is one thing. But it is a diva position to expect to sit out until you are 100%. I never liked how they babied him last year.
- On that third down conversion right before the two minute warning by the Eagles, the RT clearly moved before the ball was snapped. Should have been a penalty.
- They also desperately need Hightower back. He seems to have affected the pass rush and run defense more than when Collins was gone. I think Collins may be the better player, but Hightower is the steak and potatoes guy. The defense only gave up 14 points and played lights out at times, but it was a bit deceiving since the Pats' offense was on the field so much due to the Eagles scoring on special teams and defense and the onside kick.
- The good news is barring a disaster, the worst this team can do is end up being the #3 seed. Sooner or later the Pats are going to win a game and the Jets are going to lose one. So the division is an almost certainty. But now the first round bye is anything but a lock. Denver has the tie breaker and unless Gronk comes back and is close to his former self next week, the Pats are likely to lose at least one more game.