Content Post Idle thoughts: The "long way to go" edition.

[Bill Lee]

Are you guys dating or something? I made a suggestion otherwise known as an idea prior to feedback being requested on an existing idea and you're defensive over it? Weird.

The context was another user who said they aren't using the tools we have. I interpreted your sober if not willy-waving post as suggesting that this is because the forum owner doesn't listen to feedback. Sorry if I should have read it differently.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

We’re still a brand new team. By my count 12 guys were brought in this offseason that are either starters or playing major roles. Thats not counting special teams. Milton, chiasson, landry, davis, woodson, spillane, moses, Campbell, wilson, diggs, hollins, Henderson. Thats ALOT of turnover. Staff is all new. Its going to take several weeks before this team is playing its best.

We are going to look good at times and bad at times. Just be ready for the bad. We will get our ass kicked by meh teams, i feel like that already happened with the raiders and thought it was alot worse than the score said in that second half. Will get our asses kicked again. But hopefully we can snatch one more in the early going and be 2-3 heading into that soft October stretch. Should have gonzo back and things sorted out more. Except at lb and safety i struggle to see that getting much better. But who knows maybe we can make a little run… whether we do end up a playoff team or not id just love to not be completely out of it by October again and i can spend countless wasteful hours on that playoff seed calculator thing in December

 

[Bill Lee]

You paying my customary rates? And I’ll need access to Ian’s source tree.

You get Ian's rate, marginal if not negative.

 

[BobDigital]

I don't want to keep pounding over the same points again and again... but overall i feel confident, health aside, this team will get better as the year goes on.

There main weaknesses have been CB, LB and WR. All 3 positions should get better as we go. Spillane and he coaches will figure it out, we have young WRs which will at some point contribute. Gonzo will be back at some point and Woodson along with the young CBs will gel a bit.

The only spot that really worries me is the OL. So far i am concerned about the Moses situation.. He was brought here to be a solid steady option. And his health issues and play are trending down. Hopefully this will not be an issue all year.... but i really don't want him having to take a week or two off to get healthy.

 

[Zoomnbyu]

The context was another user who said they aren't using the tools we have. I interpreted your sober if not willy-waving post as suggesting that this is because the forum owner doesn't listen to feedback. Sorry if I should have read it differently.

I'll take part of that, I could have made it clearer. Virtual beers all around.

 

[n1997y]

You get Ian's rate, marginal if not negative.

Ah, but the love he gets!

I am not worthy.

 

[n1997y]

I'll take part of that, I could have made it clearer. Virtual beers all around.

Great. Now you’re trying to get us all drunk?

I’ll drink to that!

 

[Bill Lee]

Guess I was wrong, online discussions some times converge on more understanding rather than less.

Now, back to the great PatFanKen discussion.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

Through 2 games, Spillane and Ellis are pretty close to the worst two linebackers in the game (PFF: 68 and 70 out of 70).

What's up with that?

 

[TommyD4207]

The coverages have been atrocious, beyond the obvious lack of speed with Austin playing in place of Gonzalez. They simply look lost in coverage, out of place, behind the play. This is an execution thing, this can improve.

Besides that the defensive front is doing their job, currently they lead the entire NFL in sacks and they’ve been tough to run on at 3.0 YPA (5th best).

Fix the coverage mistakes and this is a top five defense.

Austin can't be on the field that much, he's just not good, he's on the slow side, and somehow manages to make up for his lack of speed for being out of position and taking terrible angles.

 

[TommyD4207]

We can’t be a top defense with our LBs and Safeties. Good QBs are going to pick us apart because of deficiencies at those positions.

Safeties are ok. I'd say Woodson is good, actually, and Hawkins is still a little too streaky for my tastes. Linebackers are ****ing terrible though, you're absolutely right on that.

 

[TommyD4207]

Through 2 games, Spillane and Ellis are pretty close to the worst two linebackers in the game (PFF: 68 and 70 out of 70).

What's up with that?

Elliss sucks and Spillane is clearly trying too hard. He's in the right spots, but he can't wrap up to save his life.

 

[signbabybrady]

Safeties are ok. I'd say Woodson is good, actually, and Hawkins is still a little too streaky for my tastes. Linebackers are ****ing terrible though, you're absolutely right on that.

When do we get to see a good streak lol

 

[TommyD4207]

When do we get to see a good streak lol

He's in the 'make one good play, make 2 bad plays' rut, we'll call it the Jelani Tavai Memorial Rut. He's still young, and can hopefully clean it up, although some players never do (Kyle Arrington). Consistency can be just as important as skill sometimes.

 

[signbabybrady]

He's in the 'make one good play, make 2 bad plays' rut, we'll call it the Jelani Tavai Memorial Rut. He's still young, and can hopefully clean it up, although some players never do (Kyle Arrington). Consistency can be just as important as skill sometimes.

Do you think Tavai can save the LBs?

 

[TommyD4207]

Do you think Tavai can save the LBs?

The Jelani Tavai Memorial Rut is named that for a reason. He's the streakiest player they have on the roster.

Short answer: No.

 

[signbabybrady]

The Jelani Tavai Memorial Rut is named that for a reason. He's the streakiest player they have on the roster.

Short answer: No.

The Tavai I remember before everyone turned on him was a good tackler and better than what Spillane has shown so far and way better than Ellis.

 

[TommyD4207]

The Tavai I remember before everyone turned on him was a good tackler and better than what Spillane has shown so far and way better than Ellis.

Jelani Tavai's career, his entire career, is one really good game, followed by 3 terrible games.

That was "before everyone turned on him", as well as why "everyone turned on him". He's not NEARLY good enough to get away with saying what he said. He's not nearly a good enough player. He's a glorified JAG who was on the 2024 'sign your own players for no reason' gravy train.

 

[signbabybrady]

Jelani Tavai's career, his entire career, is one really good game, followed by 3 terrible games.

That was "before everyone turned on him", as well as why "everyone turned on him". He's not NEARLY good enough to get away with saying what he said. He's not nearly a good enough player. He's a glorified JAG who was on the 2024 'sign your own players for no reason' gravy train.

I still think we could use someone who the last 2 seasons has over 100 tackles each year.

 

[TommyD4207]

I still think we could use someone who the last 2 seasons has over 100 tackles each year.

The only benefit to Tavai being on the field is that Elliss isn't. I don't think there will be much improvement.

Patriots desperately need an off-ball linebacker in the draft, even if somehow Spillane turns it around.