Game Thoughts - The Pats can never make it easy edition

[Rob0729]

Here we go:

• It sucks about Gronk. Yes, we probably won't see him again until next summer. Those types of hits should be illegal, but it was a legal hit. Get well Gronk! See you in August.
• The refs absolutely sucked today. New game, same story. On the Browns' first drive, the ball was loose before the whistle. That should be reviewable and by rule the Pats could recover, but not advance the fumble. Talib gets a penalty because Talib's facemask took down Gordon because his hand was caught in it. The Browns had some horrible calls go against them that they were able to overturn.
• Shane Vereen is the new Gronk. Veronk. I think the Pats can survive the loss of Gronk with Vereen stepping up and the return of Dobson and Thompkins. They should have enough threats at full strength to still have a good offense.
• These slow starts by the Pats' offense is maddening. They show late in games that they are as good or better than any offense in the league. Why can't they get it going earlier?
• Revising the LeGarrette Blount trade, the Pats absolutely committed highway robbery on the Bucs. Blount has turned into a solid player for the Pats. Have the Bucs gotten anything out of their Olympian and 7th round pick.
• Brady is amazing. Again, I am concerned about his slow starts, but the way he is taking over games in the second half is amazing.
• I thought the defense did pretty well today. I know they gave up 26 points, but overall they did pretty well. Unfortunately, the Browns had a couple of really big plays on blown coverage that need to be corrected, but the offense put them in bad position all game and they held up for the most part.
• I hope I never have to listen to Don Criqui and Steve Tasker ever again. What an embarrassment to broadcasting.
• There is something wrong with Spikes. He is slow when 100%, but he looks like he is running in the mud. His injury may be a big reason why the run defense has been horrible the past two games (although it was good today).
• The Browns have a very good defense. They are only several pieces away from being a good team. Not that this game should have been this close today, but they are better than their record.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

For some reason, I have a feeling gronk has very little damage. Looking at it, it was nasty, but I get this feeling we will see gronk very soon. I haven't been drinking or anything, but I almost feel gronk will be back soon. Call me nuts, just got a feeling.

 

[Rob0729]

For some reason, I have a feeling gronk has very little damage. Looking at it, it was nasty, but I get this feeling we will see gronk very soon. I haven't been drinking or anything, but I almost feel gronk will be back soon. Call me nuts, just got a feeling.

Unfortunately, you are nuts. It is an ACL tear. Pretty much confirmed by several reports. I wouldn't have been shocked to see him in the playoffs if he suffered it in September, but he is most likely going to be ready to go in August of next year.

 

[BelizePats]

You are dreaming. It looked no different than what happened to Rodney. He is done. It makes me sick to have that happen to him.

 

[NYCPatsFan]

Thanks for the game thoughts Rob.

I am still in a disbelief regarding Gronk's injury and fear that his loss is a massive one that cannot be overcome. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the Pats lose the next two against teams (Fins and Ravens) who have never made it easy for us even with Gronk.

Woud love to hear your thoughts on how the O can manage without Gronk.

Can we look @ our O's first six games and assume we should do better now that Brady has had experience with the new guys? Sounds logical on paper but will that translate into reality?

 

[PatsFan24]

The good news is the AFC isn't that good, so the Pats still are one of the best teams in the conference. The bad news is they will probably have to go win up in Denver without their best offensive weapon, after Brady.

 

[Rob0729]

Thanks for the game thoughts Rob.

I am still in a disbelief regarding Gronk's injury and fear that his loss is a massive one that cannot be overcome. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the Pats lose the next two against teams (Fins and Ravens) who have never made it easy for us even with Gronk.

Woud love to hear your thoughts on how the O can manage without Gronk.

Can we look @ our O's first six games and assume we should do better now that Brady has had experience with the new guys? Sounds logical on paper but will that translate into reality?

You can make the argument that the last two defenses, especially pass defenses, the Pats just faced are better than the next two. Both the Dolphins and Ravens gave up a lot of points today to inferior offenses. I think the Pats could lose either game and possibly both, but I think the Pats can do fine on offense against both.

This offense is till much better than the first six games. Vereen is back. Thompkins and Dobson have really come along assuming one or both are back next week. Amendola is close to 100%. They are still much better now even without Gronk than they were in December. All you have to do is look at the fourth quarter today.

 

[Rob0729]

The good news is the AFC isn't that good, so the Pats still are one of the best teams in the conference. The bad news is they will probably have to go win up in Denver without their best offensive weapon, after Brady.

Denver is losing right now, granted by one point. It isn't a given they will win HFA.

 

[NYCPatsFan]

Thanks.

unfortunately I had to leave @ half from the bar where I was watching and kept tab until I reached home and saw the local CBS channel keep us posted on the last few plays (right before the PI btw, which Marino, Sharpe and Boomer said was not one). So, couldn't see how the O did on the fourth Q without Gronk. Glad to read yours and hope your prediction comes true.

GO PATS!

 

[p8ryts]

Defensive strategy sucked. Single coverage on Gordon nobody deep.