"Patriots will walk into the playoffs."

[jsull87]

Considering that this team just fielded the second worst pass defense of all time with an offense that had no deep threat and made it to the Super Bowl through a harder schedule against harder divisions, where do you see six losses coming from with this unit?

I don't think it's unreasonable if your on the pessimistic side to see 5 or so losses on the schedule.

Ravens (Away)
Denver
Houston
San Fran
Then Split one or 2 of the Jets/Buffalo games where anything can happen.
Plus the usual upset against a poor team.

Personally i always predict us going 13-3 and do again this year as that is usually enough to get us the 1 seed and also keep us hungry during the season with a couple of losses.

 

[goheels22002]

Considering that this team just fielded the second worst pass defense of all time with an offense that had no deep threat and made it to the Super Bowl through a harder schedule against harder divisions, where do you see six losses coming from with this unit?

After the road game to the stoked-for-revenge Ravens, the game I hate the most on the schedule is the Rams in London. Weird travel and Jeff Fisher with a load of young talent including Sam Bradford and the best running back in the league.

Then its at Buffalo, San Francisco, Houston and the Denver game.

All six of these teams have better than average to very good pass rushers. If the Patriots offensive line isn't up to par, this could be nerve wracking season.

If push came to shove I'd guess the Patriots go 12-4 and go 5-1 in the Division. But injuries and posters on this board have me concerned about 1) the offensive line, 2) the defensive backfield and 3) the defensive line.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that 12-4 with a bye is the worst case scenario provided our key players stay healthy.

In 2012, looks like we are going to score MASSIVE POINTS on offense. And I'm pretty stoked about our retooled defense in action too!

 

[slash83]

I'm seeing 14-2 or 13-3 no better or worse IMO.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

After the road game to the stoked-for-revenge Ravens, the game I hate the most on the schedule is the Rams in London. Weird travel and Jeff Fisher with a load of young talent including Sam Bradford and the best running back in the league.

Then its at Buffalo, San Francisco, Houston and the Denver game.

All six of these teams have better than average to very good pass rushers. If the Patriots offensive line isn't up to par, this could be nerve wracking season.

If push came to shove I'd guess the Patriots go 12-4 and go 5-1 in the Division. But injuries and posters on this board have me concerned about 1) the offensive line, 2) the defensive backfield and 3) the defensive line.

The rams? The game you hate the most...is the rams game?


I think they will lose to the ravens. They will also lose to either Houston or SF...but not both


Pats
Texans
Ravens

Top 3 in AFC

 

[pherein]

The rams? The game you hate the most...is the rams game?

Hey, don't underestimate the Ram's, lol, they will sneak up on you.

 

[pherein]

The ultimate question, if I can be so bold, is how is the defense. If they are the same, that ant good, and if they are only marginally better, that ant good.
I think everyone knows the Patriots offense is fine, maybe better than last year.

But the defense needs to at least be middle of the road. 49ers have a mediocre vanilla offense but we keep making Smith look like a HOF QB. They exploited our weakness, defense.
Plus you will be playing against their 1-5 ranked defense. I think we proved you can put 32 pts on that defense, but if your defense can't play just normal, and allow them only the 24 pt NFL norm, its going to be a problem. Just from my perspective.

 

[Deus Irae]

The ultimate question, if I can be so bold, is how is the defense. If they are the same, that ant good, and if they are only marginally better, that ant good.
I think everyone knows the Patriots offense is fine, maybe better than last year.

But the defense needs to at least be middle of the road. 49ers have a mediocre vanilla offense but we keep making Smith look like a HOF QB. They exploited our weakness, defense.
Plus you will be playing against their 1-5 ranked defense. I think we proved you can put 32 pts on that defense, but if your defense can't play just normal, and allow them only the 24 pt NFL norm, its going to be a problem. Just from my perspective.

Outside of the health issue, I don't see any way this team is as bad defensively as it was last year.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

Outside of the health issue, I don't see any way this team is as bad defensively as it was last year.

I couldnt agree more, I think last year it bottomed out in the rebuilding process, the younger guys should be better with experience and I think theres a good chance one of the first round picks may be big contributor right off the bat.

 

[Alternator]

The ultimate question, if I can be so bold, is how is the defense. If they are the same, that ant good, and if they are only marginally better, that ant good.
I think everyone knows the Patriots offense is fine, maybe better than last year.

But the defense needs to at least be middle of the road. 49ers have a mediocre vanilla offense but we keep making Smith look like a HOF QB. They exploited our weakness, defense.
Plus you will be playing against their 1-5 ranked defense. I think we proved you can put 32 pts on that defense, but if your defense can't play just normal, and allow them only the 24 pt NFL norm, its going to be a problem. Just from my perspective.

Patriots defense was fine by points allowed, especially once the injured guys started coming back. You're freaking out over a terrible yards allowed stat that has such a low correlation to winning that it's not statistically different from random chance.

Yes, the Patriots defense benefited from teams that had to go for it on fourth down because they were so far behind, but why count that against them? The offense should be as good as ever, so that factor will remain constant. Anyone worrying about an offensive collapse should bear in mind that even our backups put the O-line on par with Green Bay's. You don't see people here freaking out about how the Packers are doomed, do you?

It's unlikely that we suffer so many injuries concentrated on one position again, so the defense should improve just based on health, even ignoring the free agents and rookies. Take a deep breath, exhale slowly, and relax. The Patriots are going to be contending for homefield advantage as long as Brady stays upright.

 

[pherein]

Outside of the health issue, I don't see any way this team is as bad defensively as it was last year.

I completely agree, but its just speculation at this point, and I get so nervous when our fans talk about how everything will be different based on draft choices, trades, and etc in the off season.
I mean look at the Eagles. You would think last year they would have a decent pass defense, more than either of our teams accusations this year on defense,lol. But you can never tell.

Heck I admit I bought into the porter, greer, jenkins backfield of the Saints last year, and what happened with that. Greer showed again hes so under rated in the NFL, almost a shut down CB again. Teams just completely avoid him and passed toward Robinson, porter, harper. Jenkins is actually really good.
Rogers torched robinson in his 1st game, 70% of the passes were his way. Rogers knew,lol.
So, its not good enough to just have 1 revis or a greer and jenkins combo. I think todays offenses, especially in the playoffs, will exploit the weak passing lanes so well, even a guy like Smith can have success. A balanced DB is better than a few expert CB and FS, Im starting to think.
You guys are much more knowable about your DB's, but are you seeing that balance?

Besides that DB issue. There are LB coverage issues. We have them also. Especially if you have no pass rush. Do you see a pass rush this year?

 

[pherein]

Patriots defense was fine by points allowed, especially once the injured guys started coming back. You're freaking out over a terrible yards allowed stat that has such a low correlation to winning that it's not statistically different from random chance.

Yes, the Patriots defense benefited from teams that had to go for it on fourth down because they were so far behind, but why count that against them? The offense should be as good as ever, so that factor will remain constant. Anyone worrying about an offensive collapse should bear in mind that even our backups put the O-line on par with Green Bay's. You don't see people here freaking out about how the Packers are doomed, do you?

It's unlikely that we suffer so many injuries concentrated on one position again, so the defense should improve just based on health, even ignoring the free agents and rookies. Take a deep breath, exhale slowly, and relax. The Patriots are going to be contending for homefield advantage as long as Brady stays upright.

Yeah, Im familiar with the ridicules NFL yards stat,lol.
Im talking about these stats

NFL Football Stats - NFL Team Opponent Yards per Game on TeamRankings.com

NFL Football Stats - NFL Team Opponent Plays per Game on TeamRankings.com

NFL Football Stats - NFL Team Opponent Yards per Play on TeamRankings.com

NFL Football Stats - NFL Team Opponent First Downs per Game on TeamRankings.com

NFL Football Stats - NFL Team Opponent Third Downs per Game on TeamRankings.com

and you can look up the rest. They are still not very good, if not bad. Like yours, our defense allowed the opposing offense to stay on the field so long, it kills a lot of clock time for us to score more. Making our supposedly high power unbeatable offense, completely inept.

Im relaxed thanks but I can be worried at the same time,lol. Love to see you guys in NO.

 

[Deus Irae]

I completely agree, but its just speculation at this point, and I get so nervous when our fans talk about how everything will be different based on draft choices, trades, and etc in the off season.
I mean look at the Eagles. You would think last year they would have a decent pass defense, more than either of our teams accusations this year on defense,lol. But you can never tell.

Heck I admit I bought into the porter, greer, jenkins backfield of the Saints last year, and what happened with that. Greer showed again hes so under rated in the NFL, almost a shut down CB again. Teams just completely avoid him and passed toward Robinson, porter, harper. Jenkins is actually really good.
Rogers torched robinson in his 1st game, 70% of the passes were his way. Rogers knew,lol.
So, its not good enough to just have 1 revis or a greer and jenkins combo. I think todays offenses, especially in the playoffs, will exploit the weak passing lanes so well, even a guy like Smith can have success. A balanced DB is better than a few expert CB and FS, Im starting to think.
You guys are much more knowable about your DB's, but are you seeing that balance?

Besides that DB issue. There are LB coverage issues. We have them also. Especially if you have no pass rush. Do you see a pass rush this year?

The pass rush looks as if it's going to have a lot of players trying to be this year's Carter/Anderson. Whether any of them work out is something we'll only know moving forward. It's an absolutely legitimate question for you to ask. Personally, I'm hoping that Carter is able to get fully recovered and gets signed by the team. Let me point to what I do see, though, in the absence of injury:

1.) Better safety play
Even if Gregory is barely serviceable in New England, that's enough to be a significant upgrade over the S2s of last year, who weren't even that. Chung-Gregory should be significantly better than Chung-Barret/Brown/McCourty/Joe the plumber/etc...

2.) Better corner play
McCourty pretty much has to be better than last year. Dowling was the starter before going down, and he's returning. Arrington will be moved inside, at least in passing packages, so his downfield weakness should be better protected. Moore, assuming he makes it, should be more experienced and a better player and, if someone beats him out for the 4th CB spot, that would obviously be an upgrade.

3.) Better linebacker play
A healthy Spikes (If such a thing exists and is not just a unicorn tale) makes the LB corps better. The additions should help as well, although I can't fairly pimp the likes of Hightower (rookie) or Carpenter (disappointment so far in his career) until they demonstrate their worth in games.

 

[Frezo]

Hey Pherein

What are NO's backup QBs like? What should we watch for?

Thanks

 

[pherein]

The pass rush looks as if it's going to have a lot of players trying to be this year's Carter/Anderson. Whether any of them work out is something we'll only know moving forward. It's an absolutely legitimate question for you to ask. Personally, I'm hoping that Carter is able to get fully recovered and gets signed by the team. Let me point to what I do see, though, in the absence of injury:

So, am I right in thinking that an important part of the game thursday is for Pats fans to focus on Chandler Jones, wilfork? because I do see the saints as having a really good OL.
So, front DL and LB blitzes will be so important to watch.
I know our patented screen to pull defenders in will be used. Its still funny how some teams fall for that play. " Oh no our OL is completely crumbling", and then the OL run 15 yards forward and a dump pass to thomas,lol

1.) Better safety play
Even if Gregory is barely serviceable in New England, that's enough to be a significant upgrade over the S2s of last year, who weren't even that. Chung-Gregory should be significantly better than Chung-Barret/Brown/McCourty/Joe the plumber/etc...

I really like chung. I know its 1/2 here about his ability, and I kind of agree that he needs to step up. So he will get a chance to against henderson who is very fast, because I expect a deep ball. Would chung be more involved in blanketing Colston, Moore or graham?

2.) Better corner play
McCourty pretty much has to be better than last year. Dowling was the starter before going down, and he's returning. Arrington will be moved inside, at least in passing packages, so his downfield weakness should be better protected. Moore, assuming he makes it, should be more experienced and a better player and, if someone beats him out for the 4th CB spot, that would obviously be an upgrade.

I like McCourty,lol. So, McCourty and I never heard of Arrington. This is his 4th season right?
So, assuming these 2 guys vs a Moore, Colston, Henderson, or speed like Morgan in cover
what do you think? Can they cover them? BB going to go to zone?
This is also going to be a very exciting match up, well 1st quarter,lol.
For example if greer was playing, he can cover Gronk, Lloyd, or Herz. Not all the time, mind you, they are just great WR/TE, but he can make them ineffective. On the other side of the ball its crap shoot,lol. Who do you think McCourty is ready to shut down?

3.) Better linebacker play
A healthy Spikes (If such a thing exists and is not just a unicorn tale) makes the LB corps better. The additions should help as well, although I can't fairly pimp the likes of Hightower (rookie) or Carpenter (disappointment so far in his career) until they demonstrate their worth in games.

Same, Love Spikes. Hightower vs Graham is going to be so fun to watch. Im not so interested if Hightower stops Graham. Frankly I don't see that happening. Much like Gronk is unstoppable, but Grahams real talent is the catching of the ball. Hes not a good runner like Gronk. So, its hard for coverage to stop his crazy athletic catches. I just want to see if Hightower can hang with him and make him earn it. Get a pissing match going,lol. See how Graham and Hightower reacts to that. IF Hightower can hang with his speed thats really saying something, and something I hope happens, because Hightower and spikes would be ...very good.

Im so excited opinions , not that I know anything

I think NE understands that we have a ego at this point about our offense, and its warranted in a way, same as NE. We have produced for 7 years as a top offense, and as you know things can get out of line and it becomes the norm or expected. Understand we are pretty new to this emotion.
2006 produced a lot of saints fans that dont share our ways. But we are trying to understand success.
WE just don't quit get is, but the success is there. Its not as easy as everyone things,lol

 

[pherein]

Re: Hey Pherein

What are NO's backup QBs like? What should we watch for?

Thanks

Chase Daniels is a very competent 2nd. His CMP% is 75%, better than a jets QB I wont mention. Chase could be plugged into the Falcons to replace Ryan and get the same or better results. Hes not a baller, hes more emotional than Brees or Brady, and doesn't look for the long ball in his head.
Granted I would consider chase replacing Smith in the 49ers an upgrade, but chase will never be elite, ever.
The problem has been his emotions to win and pushing to hard. He is actually a good running QB. Canfield has been a bust so far and its disappointing.
I would think that your 2,3,or 4th string will have a decent QB to fight with chase. Equal to a 49er game, or ravens at QB. I think hes better than sanchez, and Im not trying to be rude about that. I think chase makes better decisions. But, chase is slow to start most of the times, and then clicks later. Im still convinced pass rush will destroy his play for a game.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

...

He also sees only three or four possible losses on the schedule (I see five, possibly six).

...

I think that one of the reasons the Pats have done so well, year after year, since 2000 is that Bill Belichick looks at the schedule in April and sees 16 "possible losses."

 

[Kontradiction]

So, am I right in thinking that an important part of the game thursday is for Pats fans to focus on Chandler Jones, wilfork? because I do see the saints as having a really good OL.
So, front DL and LB blitzes will be so important to watch.

When the starters are in (assuming Jones is running with the ones), the interesting thing to watch will be his stunts and moves. It will also be interesting to see how he takes advantage of playing with Wilfork and the amount of one on one time he'll get with your OT being that Wilfork will consistently be double teamed. I'm also interested to see how the weight loss will impact Wilfork. Will he shoot the gaps and rush downhill more than he used to? Will he be able to hold up against double teams with power like he used to? Should be some interesting match-ups on the line of scrimmage.

I know our patented screen to pull defenders in will be used. Its still funny how some teams fall for that play. " Oh no our OL is completely crumbling", and then the OL run 15 yards forward and a dump pass to thomas,lol

While the Pats haven't traditionally fielded the most talented defenses over the last few years, but their defenses are pretty smart and disciplined. I can't imagine that they will get drawn in nearly as badly as other teams.

I really like chung. I know its 1/2 here about his ability, and I kind of agree that he needs to step up. So he will get a chance to against henderson who is very fast, because I expect a deep ball. Would chung be more involved in blanketing Colston, Moore or graham?

I would suspect Moore. I expect Dowling to match-up with Colston and Hightower or Mayo to match up with Graham. Chung covering Graham is an absolute nightmare and Brees would be an idiot if he saw that on the first or second series of the game and didn't consistently attack it.

I like McCourty,lol. So, McCourty and I never heard of Arrington. This is his 4th season right?
So, assuming these 2 guys vs a Moore, Colston, Henderson, or speed like Morgan in cover
what do you think? Can they cover them?

Based on what I've heard so far, I like Dowling on Colston. I think that could be a good match up for us. The rest? Who knows? If McCourty plays like he did last year, he'll probably get abused. Arrington is better in the slot and should be able to stick with Henderson unless Henderson runs the 9 route, as Arrington's main weakness is his ability to cover in man downfield.

BB going to go to zone?

I don't think BB will dedicate himself to any one scheme or coverage in this game. While I do think we'll roll out a very vanilla defense, I see the Pats playing more bump and run than zone. That's based on everything I've heard reported during TC and what I saw in the playoffs and late last season.

This is also going to be a very exciting match up, well 1st quarter,lol. For example if greer was playing, he can cover Gronk, Lloyd, or Herz. Not all the time, mind you, they are just great WR/TE, but he can make them ineffective. On the other side of the ball its crap shoot,lol. Who do you think McCourty is ready to shut down?

I'm going to go ahead and disagree here. I don't think anyone can make a healthy Gronk or Hernandez ineffective.