Post Game Thread Ravens @ Pats

[sevengables_2207]

So 80% of the ST where the lone bright spots of the game because the other 20% ****ed it up ?

Allen was amazing and deserves ST player of the week consideration. Him pinning the Ravens repeatedly inside their own 5 yard line where game changers. Ghost was perfect as was the coverage for most of the day. I'd turn it around and say that ST played great in this game with the lone dark spot being the two return issues.

I addressed the omission of Allen late last night when another poster pointed it out. Honest mistake on my part for not mentioning him as I subconsciously included his stellar play as part of the nod to the coverage unit.

Be that as it may, you're right that those two gaffs marred an otherwise excellent special teams performance.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

the good thing is, the ST mistakes are clearly fixable....no more Jones on punts and slater needs to hang onto that ball.

I think after a week of practice we see griff whalen out there next week.

Both special teams' blunders were the result of Jones. He obviously muffed the punt, and on the subsequent kickoff they took him out and put freakin' slater in there. Slater is not qualified to return kickoffs or punts - the ball was going to land at the 1 and would have likely bounced into the end zone for a touchback. Slater instead decides to field it. Golden rule on special teams- if the ball is going to land within the 5 yard line don't try to run it back, let it go into the end zone.

 

[luuked]

I addressed the omission of Allen late last night when another poster pointed it out. Honest mistake on my part for not mentioning him as I subconsciously included his stellar play as part of the nod to the coverage unit.

Be that as it may, you're right that those two gaffs marred an otherwise excellent special teams performance.

Just arrived there.. should have read the entire thread first before writing replies.. sorry about that..

 

[Joker]

Both special teams' blunders were the result of Jones. He obviously muffed the punt, and on the subsequent kickoff they took him out and put freakin' slater in there. Slater is not qualified to return kickoffs or punts - the ball was going to land at the 1 and would have likely bounced into the end zone for a touchback. Slater instead decides to field it. Golden rule on special teams- if the ball is going to land within the 5 yard line don't try to run it back, let it go into the end zone.

Jones was out there with Slater on that play...the ball came down short of the goal line to Slater

 

[JMC00]

dont they have minutemen in both endzones

Not since they put in the Optum section

 

[luuked]

Both special teams' blunders were the result of Jones. He obviously muffed the punt, and on the subsequent kickoff they took him out and put freakin' slater in there. Slater is not qualified to return kickoffs or punts - the ball was going to land at the 1 and would have likely bounced into the end zone for a touchback. Slater instead decides to field it. Golden rule on special teams- if the ball is going to land within the 5 yard line don't try to run it back, let it go into the end zone.

Come on...

Slater has years of experience in games, ST practice and film review in the ST room - he is a veteran and should know better.

He simply ****ed up on that return and there is no reason to scapegoat anyone else. Slater not only could have played for a touchback but also had a gap to run through but instead decided to run into a wall of players.

**** happens but it's similarly unfair to blame Jones for the Slater fumble as it was when Dola got injured on a return.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Brady just doesn't have that fire in the belly since he did that Foot Locker commercial. He seemed like he wasn't really into it last night, and that interception was horrible, they should go to Garrapolo.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Come on...

Slater has years of experience in games, ST practice and film review in the ST room - he is a veteran and should know better.

He simply ****ed up on that return and there is no reason to scapegoat anyone else. Slater not only could have played for a touchback but also had a gap to run through but instead decided to run into a wall of players.

**** happens but it's similarly unfair to blame Jones for the Slater fumble as it was when Dola got injured on a return.

If you want to pin blame on someone after Jones, blame BB. Slater's hands are made of stone and with the exception of downing the ball, should not be handling the football in any manner. He shouldn't even be on the depth chart for KR duties

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Both special teams' blunders were the result of Jones. He obviously muffed the punt, and on the subsequent kickoff they took him out and put freakin' slater in there. Slater is not qualified to return kickoffs or punts - the ball was going to land at the 1 and would have likely bounced into the end zone for a touchback. Slater instead decides to field it. Golden rule on special teams- if the ball is going to land within the 5 yard line don't try to run it back, let it go into the end zone.

That's for punts, not kickoffs. Kickoffs are essentially free balls and if you let it go in the end zone, the kicking team can recover..... I always thought the 'rule' for kickoffs was if taking it in the end zone and there is any question, take a knee.....

 

[Huckleberry1]

I can understand why people were freaked out by the ST mistakes but that aside that was a really impressive win by the Patriots. They were not only the better team but they were physically dominant and that's huge heading towards the playoffs. Belichick made a clear decision to go big with this years offense by adding Bennett, bringing back Blount and Develin, and bringing more size to the receiving corps with Hogan and a Mitchell, and it really payed off last night and will reap big rewards for them in the playoffs. Now teams like Denver won't simply be able to pin their ears back and attack Brady as they will go big instead and run right at Ware and Miller. Last night was a great example of the versatility they have on offense, and they have the greatest player in NFL history running that attack.

I PITY THE FOOLS THAT PLAY THE PATRIOTS IN THE PLAYOFFS

Really, I do.


Lombardi # 5 is coming to New England in early February.

 

[luuked]

If you want to pin blame on someone after Jones, blame BB. Slater's hands are made of stone and with the exception of downing the ball, should not be handling the football in any manner. He shouldn't even be on the depth chart for KR duties

I'd go after Joe Judge first as he should be responsible for depth charts. Nevertheless, I still think Slater with all his experience should have known better than running into that flock of people.

 

[fightingirish595]

If you want to pin blame on someone after Jones, blame BB. Slater's hands are made of stone and with the exception of downing the ball, should not be handling the football in any manner. He shouldn't even be on the depth chart for KR duties

Agree, BB has to be accountable. He keeps putting the guy out there who continues to fail. We've all been saying for weeks jones shouldn't be anywhere near the football unless he's picking off a pass or recovering a fumble

 

[1960Pats]

Does anyone know why Pats haven't clinched a playoff berth yet at 11-2?

If the Pats were to lose their last three games they could be eliminated from the AFCE title by Miami. That could leave KC, Houston/Tenn and Pitt as the other 3 division champions (it irks me to use the word champion to describe a team who only has to beat out 3 of the other 31 teams) and the Pats could then lose out to Denver and Oakland for the final two playoff spots.

 

[1960Pats]

That's for punts, not kickoffs. Kickoffs are essentially free balls and if you let it go in the end zone, the kicking team can recover..... I always thought the 'rule' for kickoffs was if taking it in the end zone and there is any question, take a knee.....

I've been waiting for a kick returner to give up on a deeper kick only to have it hit the back of the end zone and bounce back into play as the returner is trotting back to the bench. I've seen a couple of those that were close.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I'd go after Joe Judge first as he should be responsible for depth charts. Nevertheless, I still think Slater with all his experience should have known better than running into that flock of people.

Yes- Joe Judge would have ultimate responsibility for putting Slater back there.

Agree- Love Slater but no need to run into that pile.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Agree, BB has to be accountable. He keeps putting the guy out there who continues to fail. We've all been saying for weeks jones shouldn't be anywhere near the football unless he's picking off a pass or recovering a fumble

Yep. We are past the stage of grooming a rookie.

Its December, HFA is undecided and these games matter big time.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

Plenty to like. I just hope they are able to quickly find an answer in the return game.

 

[1960Pats]

Both special teams' blunders were the result of Jones. He obviously muffed the punt, and on the subsequent kickoff they took him out and put freakin' slater in there. Slater is not qualified to return kickoffs or punts - the ball was going to land at the 1 and would have likely bounced into the end zone for a touchback. Slater instead decides to field it. Golden rule on special teams- if the ball is going to land within the 5 yard line don't try to run it back, let it go into the end zone.

Jones also came within inches of getting hit by another punt earlier. It's one thing to make a physical error but those are boneheaded plays that are being repeated. Getting hit by a bouncing punt is something he should have learned to avoid by now.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

I've been waiting for a kick returner to give up on a deeper kick only to have it hit the back of the end zone and bounce back into play as the returner is trotting back to the bench. I've seen a couple of those that were close.

Funny you say that because on Sunday there was one that bounced in the end zone and the ref blew it dead when it should have been a life ball. Can't remember the game as it was on Red Zone channel...

 

[Uptown]