Content Post Idle thoughts: the "NEXT" edition.

[Vindicate]

I would still trade a first for AJ Brown is the opportunity was there. Would give the Pats a real shot at winning the Super Bowl. Sorry to offend the nursing home crowd.

Ah yes, the guy who said he's not concerned with winning but just getting yards is our ticket in, got it.

 

[n1997y]

Not for the first time today it occurs to me we really do need a sarcasm font and a symbol that denotes *the following is posted ironically/sardonically*

Using the /s terminator is one such indicator. If only people would use it. And it does depend on reading all the way through not flying off the handle in the middle of the rant.

 

[maust]

Using the /s terminator is one such indicator. If only people would use it. And it does depend on reading all the way through not flying off the handle in the middle of the rant.

That last is why I was advocating for a method that would be obvious from the jump. Subtlety not being the long suit of so many of our brethren here

 

[Gumby]

for a wide receiver.

FIFY (your post) and added your Avatar.

I would still trade a first for AJ Brown is the opportunity was there. Would give the Pats a real shot at winning the Super Bowl. Sorry to offend the nursing home crowd.

Just don’t cry when we’re slow to change your diapers.

And congrats on making such a wonderful first impression. Curious why you thought that kind of approach was a good idea. Maybe stfu until you learn some manners newby.

Hey @FoxboroFan23 , I didn’t even notice your post count when I replied. Hope you take no offense at being called out. All in fun.

@n1997y I think was a little harsh to you in his post. I disagree w ever using ‚stfu‘. We all have the right to express silly or random opinions sometimes; otherwise what’s the point of the board.

Anyway, I just hope you stick around & don’t get scared off posting.

 

[Mike the Brit]

1. We only allowed 13 points and we ARE currently #10 in scoring defense, but I wonder if we are running into a reaction of losing our DC and having to hand it over to a relative inexperienced kid who I believe is doing a great job GIVEN the circumstances. BUT this slow start on defense seems to be a trend and as our schedule starts to toughen up the effects of these slow starts on defense are going to cause more issues.

It seems like we always come out VERY vanilla and suss out what their game plan is, while they steadily drive down the field and score a few times before we start to stem the tide. That's exactly what happened AGAIN in Tennessee. They score on 3 of the first 4 drives while we give them nothing but basic defensive looks will no blitzing on the first 3 drives and only late on the 4th Later (2nd quarter on) we gave them lots of looks blitzing/dropping LB's and DB's all over the place and what do you know, they never score again (though they get into FG range a couple of times)

I'm not sure what I hope to see. It isn't like there is anyone out there who could come in and do much better without a major disruption. But I WOULD like to see at least some acknowledgement that there HAS been an issue at the start of games. They recognize it, and are doing something different to try and combat those slow starts.

Thanks, as always, for your efforts, Ken.

I don't know if you have access to the All-22, but the first two Carolina drives are quite revealing, I think.

First Drive

1. First play. Tavai misdirects inside, looks bewildered, and only realizes too late that he ought to be following the tight end coming across. 10 yards and a first down.

2. Dugger blitzes from the secondary but is easily picked up. Ayomanor comes across from the right, Carlton Davis gets completely beaten and falls on his backside. Big play.

3. The Titans try a reverse. Chaisson comes through unblocked but completely whiffs on the tackle so there isn't a big loss on the play.

4. Pollard is stopped up the middle by Tonga.

5. Ward throws badly behind Ayomanor.

6. Field Goal


Second Drive

1. Run for 3 yards over right guard.

2. Dike pierces the zone and Ward makes an excellent throw into a tight window for 18 yards. No idea how you'd stop that.

3. Everyone buys into the play action. Dike has inside leverage on Jones and a wide open space to his left. He runs left and leave Jones far behind. Ward throws inside, and ... that's all she wrote.

So I don't know how you'd have coached that better. Had some pass rush? That would have helped, certainly. Relied on Ward making mistakes? He only made one (missing Ayomanor on a short pass) and the throw to Dike for 18 yards was excellent. But Tavai, Davis and Chaisson were badly beaten or whiffed on a tackle. And Jones was beaten one-on-one for a huge play, although I'm not sure what else he should have done.

My guess is that it might be that not-very-good teams have well-rehearsed and scripted plays for their first couple of drives, but that it falls apart later. So it would be the opponents' offense, not the Patriots' defense, that is responsible for the weak performance at the beginning of games.

I'd be interested to get your thoughts.

 

[patfanken]

Hear are a couple of other items that I normally would have had on the original post. (next time I'll have to start earlier)

1. One of the nagging questions of this season was PARTIALLY answered yesterday. What is the state of our backup QB. Yeah, I know it was only 2 plays. Given how often QB's are being knocked out of games, it is probably assured that at SOME point of the season Josh Dobbs is going to see some action for an extended period or even a game or two. It was comforting seeing Josh come in and make a key throw under duress. Clearly, he was ready to play and did his job well.

2. Cleveland presents an interesting problem. They are among the best defenses in the league. They just held Miami to just 7 points. I know Miami is a mess right now, but we gave up 27 to them (our largest point total of the year).

The plus side is we will have a rookie on the road playing his 3rd game. They are also the YOUNGEST team in the league, so they should be making mental mistakes more than most teams. The offense has a fine RB and a QB I'd describe as Mac - like circa his rookie year under Josh. He should be good enough to move the sticks if you can't pressure or confuse him. 13-17 points SHOULD be their max. And scoring 20+ points WILL be the challenge for us against that D. Well, if we come and play our game, we SHOULD... IF we come ready to play, we should win a game that will be closely contested into the 4th quarter

3. I'm listening to the "day later" shows on the TV and Radio, and even here to a lesser degree, and I'm hearing what I would call somewhat muted compliments to Drake, Mike, and the Pats. Nice to hear, BUT I don't know why I'm not hearing about the 91% completion rate ONCE! Are there multiple 90% completion rate games all the time and I just missed them? Yet its a virtual afterthought today, and I can't stop marveling at the accomplishment.

Can't wait to start talking about this game.

 

[n1997y]

@n1997y I think was a little harsh to you in his post. I disagree w ever using ‚stfu‘. We all have the right to express silly or random opinions sometimes; otherwise what’s the point of the board.

Anyway, I just hope you stick around & don’t get scared off posting.

You’re probably right. I tend to accept the rules of engagement displayed by the counterparty and respond in kind but amplified. Sometimes the amplifier gain may be turned up more than it really should be. But generally, if you’re nice to me I’ll try to be nicer to you. And if you’re rude to me I will not be nice.

Agree with your hope @FoxboroFan23 sticks around and continues to contribute to our community. Hopefully without gratuitous insults spicing his posts. We have enough posters who lack civility already. Some of them are amusing, in the way the village idiot is amusing (here’s looking at ya Cap ) but that often undermines the value of what they’re trying to say.

 

[TommyD4207]

Thanks, as always, for your efforts, Ken.

I don't know if you have access to the All-22, but the first two Carolina drives are quite revealing, I think.

First Drive

1. First play. Tavai misdirects inside, looks bewildered, and only realizes too late that he ought to be following the tight end coming across. 10 yards and a first down.

2. Dugger blitzes from the secondary but is easily picked up. Ayomanor comes across from the right, Carlton Davis gets completely beaten and falls on his backside. Big play.

3. The Titans try a reverse. Chaisson comes through unblocked but completely whiffs on the tackle so there isn't a big loss on the play.

4. Pollard is stopped up the middle by Tonga.

5. Ward throws badly behind Ayomanor.

6. Field Goal


Second Drive

1. Run for 3 yards over right guard.

2. Dike pierces the zone and Ward makes an excellent throw into a tight window for 18 yards. No idea how you'd stop that.

3. Everyone buys into the play action. Dike has inside leverage on Jones and a wide open space to his left. He runs left and leave Jones far behind. Ward throws inside, and ... that's all she wrote.

So I don't know how you'd have coached that better. Had some pass rush? That would have helped, certainly. Relied on Ward making mistakes? He only made one (missing Ayomanor on a short pass) and the throw to Dike for 18 yards was excellent. But Tavai, Davis and Chaisson were badly beaten or whiffed on a tackle. And Jones was beaten one-on-one for a huge play, although I'm not sure what else he should have done.

My guess is that it might be that not-very-good teams have well-rehearsed and scripted plays for their first couple of drives, but that it falls apart later. So it would be the opponents' offense, not the Patriots' defense, that is responsible for the weak performance at the beginning of games.

I'd be interested to get your thoughts.

Chaisson missed the tackle, but blew up the play...also, it was against a wide receiver. That's a tough tackle.

 

[p8ryts]

Hear are a couple of other items that I normally would have had on the original post. (next time I'll have to start earlier)

1. One of the nagging questions of this season was PARTIALLY answered yesterday. What is the state of our backup QB. Yeah, I know it was only 2 plays. Given how often QB's are being knocked out of games, it is probably assured that at SOME point of the season Josh Dobbs is going to see some action for an extended period or even a game or two. It was comforting seeing Josh come in and make a key throw under duress. Clearly, he was ready to play and did his job well.

2. Cleveland presents an interesting problem. They are among the best defenses in the league. They just held Miami to just 7 points. I know Miami is a mess right now, but we gave up 27 to them (our largest point total of the year).

The plus side is we will have a rookie on the road playing his 3rd game. They are also the YOUNGEST team in the league, so they should be making mental mistakes more than most teams. The offense has a fine RB and a QB I'd describe as Mac - like circa his rookie year under Josh. He should be good enough to move the sticks if you can't pressure or confuse him. 13-17 points SHOULD be their max. And scoring 20+ points WILL be the challenge for us against that D. Well, if we come and play our game, we SHOULD... IF we come ready to play, we should win a game that will be closely contested into the 4th quarter

3. I'm listening to the "day later" shows on the TV and Radio, and even here to a lesser degree, and I'm hearing what I would call somewhat muted compliments to Drake, Mike, and the Pats. Nice to hear, BUT I don't know why I'm not hearing about the 91% completion rate ONCE! Are there multiple 90% completion rate games all the time and I just missed them? Yet its a virtual afterthought today, and I can't stop marveling at the accomplishment.

Can't wait to start talking about this game.

Load up on the runs, cover the tight ends.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

That's more about getting to run against the 25th worse running defense in the NFL rather than anything else.

CLE is ranked 3rd, BTW.

It's not the simple.
They had better design and execution yesterday.
If your statement was true, then they should have done better against Buffalo you know, the 2nd worst rushing defenses in the NFL.

 

[FoxboroFan23]

Somethings are better left unsaid..

Also an idiot if he thinks the biggest position of need on this team is WR.

Notably I didn't say that

 

[FoxboroFan23]

Hey @FoxboroFan23 , I didn’t even notice your post count when I replied. Hope you take no offense at being called out. All in fun.

@n1997y I think was a little harsh to you in his post. I disagree w ever using ‚stfu‘. We all have the right to express silly or random opinions sometimes; otherwise what’s the point of the board.

Anyway, I just hope you stick around & don’t get scared off posting.

I don't care man I work construction I hear stuff 10x worse on the daily. I thought Ken took a few shots at younger people in his post and given that, it was fair game for a little good natured ribbing. I honestly didn't think it was that big of a deal.

I wasn't hiding from responses. I try not to post too much during work.

Am I wrong about the WR / skill position issue being a generational thing? I think my comment is spot on.

I stand by what I said. I absolutely would make trades to improve the roster including at WR. I don't agree with the idea the Patriots should punt on the season. I remember about 25 years winning the Super Bowl with a second year QB. There have been other teams in recent NFL history to win a superbowl with a rookie contract QB. Russell Wilson in Seattle, I believe Flacco and Eli Manning too, tho I'm not 100%.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

I remember about 25 years winning the Super Bowl with a second year QB.

Yup, and our pass catchers this year are a way better group than the 2001 squad.

 

[mgteich]

I think the interim DC is doing fine. Opposition frequently does well on first possession and then the defense adjusts. We seemed to do that yesterday. I don't know that Williams would do any better.

I don't get it. Is the first quarter the pre-season?

We CANNOT afford to give away a possession or two and then adjust. It simply shows just how unprepared the coaches are to start the game.

 

[mgteich]

Hear are a couple of other items that I normally would have had on the original post. (next time I'll have to start earlier)

1. One of the nagging questions of this season was PARTIALLY answered yesterday. What is the state of our backup QB. Yeah, I know it was only 2 plays. Given how often QB's are being knocked out of games, it is probably assured that at SOME point of the season Josh Dobbs is going to see some action for an extended period or even a game or two. It was comforting seeing Josh come in and make a key throw under duress. Clearly, he was ready to play and did his job well.

2. Cleveland presents an interesting problem. They are among the best defenses in the league. They just held Miami to just 7 points. I know Miami is a mess right now, but we gave up 27 to them (our largest point total of the year).

The plus side is we will have a rookie on the road playing his 3rd game. They are also the YOUNGEST team in the league, so they should be making mental mistakes more than most teams. The offense has a fine RB and a QB I'd describe as Mac - like circa his rookie year under Josh. He should be good enough to move the sticks if you can't pressure or confuse him. 13-17 points SHOULD be their max. And scoring 20+ points WILL be the challenge for us against that D. Well, if we come and play our game, we SHOULD... IF we come ready to play, we should win a game that will be closely contested into the 4th quarter

3. I'm listening to the "day later" shows on the TV and Radio, and even here to a lesser degree, and I'm hearing what I would call somewhat muted compliments to Drake, Mike, and the Pats. Nice to hear, BUT I don't know why I'm not hearing about the 91% completion rate ONCE! Are there multiple 90% completion rate games all the time and I just missed them? Yet its a virtual afterthought today, and I can't stop marveling at the accomplishment.

Can't wait to start talking about this game.

Our Offense will be severely tested.

Our Defense should eat them alive.

 

[dliverey44]

I would still trade a first for AJ Brown is the opportunity was there. Would give the Pats a real shot at winning the Super Bowl. Sorry to offend the nursing home crowd.

Not offensive just a super bad idea. If Vrabel and company make the move for him, then I will trust it although I think its a terrible idea

 

[dliverey44]

Im not saying change the DC. I’m saying I don’t think they really have a DC now.

It seems what they have is a less experienced coach doing some of the DC job while also doing some or all of his regular job as LB coach.

I think that shows most evidently in the way the start the games, which is consistently a problem of coming out flat for the first several series. I think it may show in other areas although less glaringly. It seems to me there is a general feeling the defense is underperforming compared to expectations and this may be a reason for that.

I could be mistaken, but I thought I read that Vinny DePalma has taken on the inside LBs while Kuhr focuses on the bigger picture. So you're right that he is probably still doing some with the ILBs but also remember that Williams is a 1st time DC as well so there were/are going to be growing pains regardless, imo.

I may be in the minority but they are exceeding my expectations with their final results thus far, I expected there would be growing pains especially within the first 7 games. Admittedly I set my bar pretty low as far as the defense goes.

 

[dliverey44]

Thanks, as always, for your efforts, Ken.

I don't know if you have access to the All-22, but the first two Carolina drives are quite revealing, I think.

First Drive

1. First play. Tavai misdirects inside, looks bewildered, and only realizes too late that he ought to be following the tight end coming across. 10 yards and a first down.

2. Dugger blitzes from the secondary but is easily picked up. Ayomanor comes across from the right, Carlton Davis gets completely beaten and falls on his backside. Big play.

3. The Titans try a reverse. Chaisson comes through unblocked but completely whiffs on the tackle so there isn't a big loss on the play.

4. Pollard is stopped up the middle by Tonga.

5. Ward throws badly behind Ayomanor.

6. Field Goal


Second Drive

1. Run for 3 yards over right guard.

2. Dike pierces the zone and Ward makes an excellent throw into a tight window for 18 yards. No idea how you'd stop that.

3. Everyone buys into the play action. Dike has inside leverage on Jones and a wide open space to his left. He runs left and leave Jones far behind. Ward throws inside, and ... that's all she wrote.

So I don't know how you'd have coached that better. Had some pass rush? That would have helped, certainly. Relied on Ward making mistakes? He only made one (missing Ayomanor on a short pass) and the throw to Dike for 18 yards was excellent. But Tavai, Davis and Chaisson were badly beaten or whiffed on a tackle. And Jones was beaten one-on-one for a huge play, although I'm not sure what else he should have done.

My guess is that it might be that not-very-good teams have well-rehearsed and scripted plays for their first couple of drives, but that it falls apart later. So it would be the opponents' offense, not the Patriots' defense, that is responsible for the weak performance at the beginning of games.

I'd be interested to get your thoughts.

On the TD by Dike, the D line consisted of Ponder, Tonga, White and Farmer. They choose not to rush the passer on that particular play. LOL

White pisses me off everytime I watch him run into the, in this case TE and dance with him.

 

[FoxboroFan23]

Yup, and our pass catchers this year are a way better group than the 2001 squad.

Are they?

Diggs vs Brown is a pish
Boutte vs patten is a push
Henry>Wiggy
Redmond cs Stevenson probably a push

Pretty even.

Why would you be against upgrading the team? Patriots should be looking for avenues to improve every position, at all times. Being against upgrading the team is such a bizarre take

 

[TommyD4207]

Are they?

Diggs vs Brown is a pish
Boutte vs patten is a push
Henry>Wiggy
Redmond cs Stevenson probably a push

Pretty even.

Why would you be against upgrading the team? Patriots should be looking for avenues to improve every position, at all times. Being against upgrading the team is such a bizarre take

I loved Troy Brown as much as anyone, but holy ****, that's pretty disingenuous.