Really liking our physicality (and other observations)

[Double G]

I know that I'm going to get roasted by a few of you when I say this but I don't give a damn. I'm aware that this is only the first preseason game and the team still has a lot of work to do, but I have a great feeling about this year. Last year, before the season started, I didn't quite have that feeling. As a matter of fact, before the Chiefs game, I had a queasy feeling in my stomach but just dismissed it as diarrhea from the bean dip. Now I think that feeling might have been justified. Last year, I worried about the defense (specifically the secondary), the lack of a bonafied #2 receiver opposite Moss, and relative age in our LB corps. This year, the only worry I had going in was how Brady would react. Tonight a lot of fears subsided for me. I have a feeling we're going to be seeing great things from the team this year. For now, I will take it one game at a time. So here's to good health and similar results for next week! :eat3:

No roasting from me; I felt the same way last year going into the Chiefs game. Mentally, I was still hung over from that SB loss and I saw nothing in the preseason to get me excited about the 2008 Patriots.

This team is on a mission this year and it starts at the top; BB is in a mission and it trickles down to the entire team. When was the last time you saw the starting QB play well into the second quarter of the first preseason game? Usually, it's one, maybe two series and he's out; not last night.

This team is going to be scary offensively; three WR's who can catch and FINALLY a tight end who can catch and be a threat in the red zone (when was the last time we had one of those, 2003 or 2004?).

They are on a mission.............

 

[Kontradiction]

No roasting from me; I felt the same way last year going into the Chiefs game. Mentally, I was still hung over from that SB loss and I saw nothing in the preseason to get me excited about the 2008 Patriots.

This team is on a mission this year and it starts at the top; BB is in a mission and it trickles down to the entire team. When was the last time you saw the starting QB play well into the second quarter of the first preseason game? Usually, it's one, maybe two series and he's out; not last night.

This team is going to be scary offensively; three WR's who can catch and FINALLY a tight end who can catch and be a threat in the red zone (when was the last time we had one of those, 2003 or 2004?).

They are on a mission.............

Yessir. Hopefully that mission ends in South Beach.

 

[signbabybrady]

----------------------

I know that I'm going to get roasted by a few of you when I say this but I don't give a damn. I'm aware that this is only the first preseason game and the team still has a lot of work to do, but I have a great feeling about this year. Last year, before the season started, I didn't quite have that feeling. As a matter of fact, before the Chiefs game, I had a queasy feeling in my stomach but just dismissed it as diarrhea from the bean dip. Now I think that feeling might have been justified. Last year, I worried about the defense (specifically the secondary), the lack of a bonafied #2 receiver opposite Moss, and relative age in our LB corps. This year, the only worry I had going in was how Brady would react. Tonight a lot of fears subsided for me. I have a feeling we're going to be seeing great things from the team this year. For now, I will take it one game at a time. So here's to good health and similar results for next week! :eat3:

Kontra,
I forget you in Fla or the west coast???

 

[Kontradiction]

Kontra,
I forget you in Fla or the west coast???

Florida. No longer Jacksonville Beach, however. Unfortunately I got laid off, couldn't find any work up there so I had to move in with my 'rents again temporarily (in a little town called Port St. Lucie in South Florida... just north of West Palm). Good news is I have 12 credits after this semester until I finish up my Bachelor's. Hopefully, by that time, the economy will clear up and I'll be back up in Jax.

 

[signbabybrady]

Florida. No longer Jacksonville Beach, however. Unfortunately I got laid off, couldn't find any work up there so I had to move in with my 'rents again temporarily (in a little town called Port St. Lucie in South Florida... just north of West Palm). Good news is I have 12 credits after this semester until I finish up my Bachelor's. Hopefully, by that time, the economy will clear up and I'll be back up in Jax.

I thought it was Fla.....you will have to head down to South Beach for the festivities when we make it.

 

[mayoclinic]

Re: Really liking our physicality (and other observations).

What bothers me about Maroney is that his vision is poor. On the very first series, he had a chance to bounce to the outside for a possible big gain (think Antowain Smith & Corey Dillon); instead, he just plowed ahead for nothing. The end result: 3 & Out. During another 1st-quarter series, LaMa had a chance to one-cut up the middle where a good lane had been created; instead, he kept stringing out until he got strung out. Not a good sign - at all.

Maroney is such an enigma. He has some of the best physical tools and open skill ability in the league, but he just doesn't seem to hit the hole very aggresively or decisively.

I've been swamped with work this summer and have missed most of training camp, but I'm loving what everyone seems to be reporting in terms of the increased aggresiveness and attitude in the preseason. Last summer we still seemed stunned by the SB loss, and there were some glaring holes. This year we seem deeper, stronger, and hungrier than ever. I can't wait to see how it translates into the regular season. Thanks everyone for the detailed comments.

 

[signbabybrady]

Re: Really liking our physicality (and other observations).

Maroney is such an enigma. He has some of the best physical tools and open skill ability in the league, but he just doesn't seem to hit the hole very aggresively or decisively.

I think your sentance is kind of an enigma....in part you mention his physical tools and open skill ability but than you complain he doesn't run it into the hole aggressively. Do you want him to try to get into open space or do you just want him to bang it up in tight spaces?

 

[mayoclinic]

Re: Really liking our physicality (and other observations).

I think your sentance is kind of an enigma....in part you mention his physical tools and open skill ability but than you complain he doesn't run it into the hole aggressively. Do you want him to try to get into open space or do you just want him to bang it up in tight spaces?

I mean't open field ability. When he has gotten some space to run, LoMo has excelled. I guess I'd like to see the Pats use him more as a receiver or find other ways to create some space for him. Making something out of nothing seems to be his weak point, and he usually seems to be running into tight spaces.

 

[mgcolby]

I thought it was Fla.....you will have to head down to South Beach for the festivities when we make it.

Not to derail an excellent thread...but ... I assume you are going to the Fins game in Miami?

Me too, we got kicked out last year...long story. :banned:

We are going again. Although we won't be in the southbeach area but I would love to park near fellow patsfans this year.

 

[mgcolby]

Yessir. Hopefully that mission ends in South Beach.

Any chance you know some Fins fans that would like to buy some lower bowl seats 19 rows from the field for $8 over face do ya?

I bought Dolphin season tickets to ensure my family could sit together this year, so needless to say I have a ton of tix I need to sell.

Any help would be awesome.

Thanx

 

[Kontradiction]

Any chance you know some Fins fans that would like to buy some lower bowl seats 19 rows from the field for $8 over face do ya?

I bought Dolphin season tickets to ensure my family could sit together this year, so needless to say I have a ton of tix I need to sell.

Any help would be awesome.

Thanx

Yeah. Some of my cousins, uncles, and extended family are Dolphin fans. That's probably why they are the one team in the division that I can stand the most. Unfortunately for you, they're rabid Dolphin fans meaning that they already have season tickets. Sorry man, can't help you much. For what it's worth, I may be interested in hooking up with you over PayPal for tickets for when the Pats come to town. But that's still kind of far off for me and anything can happen over the time period. I'll let you know.

 

[Leave No Doubt]

I loved the fire they showed, the intensity, BB's face during the game, Brady slamming his helmet down after the INT and it's only game 1 of preseason

Good OP Kontra, I'd only add a mention of Dave Thomas; he had some great plays.

Edelman's a beast and so is Vollmer. I'm stoked, there's absolutely no doubt in my mind BB's going to be masterful with this roster.

I have that 04 feeling

 

[signbabybrady]

Not to derail an excellent thread...but ... I assume you are going to the Fins game in Miami?

Me too, we got kicked out last year...long story. :banned:

We are going again. Although we won't be in the southbeach area but I would love to park near fellow patsfans this year.

I like to do road trips but haven't done the Miami trip....I will someday but I keep putting it off for other cities...Last year I did the west coast swing both San Fran and San Diego . The year before Dallas. I have Done buffalo and NY (both NY teams) several times.

This year if I ever get working again will be New Orleans for the trip down memory lane.

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

Great post Kontra....

I too had to wait till today to watch. Took a few hours to watch over the first half and will pick away at the rest later. Tom did look a little rusty at times (but comfortable). He was sticking it in so hard that a few of the newer (to him) receiviers had some struggles. Hell, even Baker's first TD hit him so fast on the inside shoulder that is kinda suprised him. Love the anger at the pick by Tom. Clearly had his lead shoulder high and got to much air, but to see that fire (in a pre-season gig), was AWESOME.

Galloway looked a little rough, but I think some of that will improve as they get more and more reps to get comfortable together. He clearly hasn't been catching balls from the likes of TB in his career. He looked like the ball was gettin in there way faster then he expected and he just couldn't handle it. On that TD drop. by the time he swung his head on the inside slant, the ball was alread there. That's a simple timing thing. The other drop was on Brady. Not a great ball that would have been tough for any receiver (Moss was also open 5 yards away ).

That second bomb was pretty ugly, but for the most part, the longer balls were snot on. He and moss looked scary comfortable ALREADY. They are a deady combo. Couple bonehead drops from Moss, but otherwise, really nice.

LoMo, I don't know what to think. Clearly, the o-line was far better on Pass bllockin then run-blocking, but still. I watched Faulk 9 yd run in the 2nd and the OLine didn't perform any better on that play then they did for LoMo. Faulk, just has better vision. LoMo........... and I'm not a basher of his either, did look like he struggled. Just couldn't punch though. For 1 preseason game I'm chauking it to coming off the injury, but I WANT so much more. Diapointed that FT wasn't there though. I'm excited to see him play. My sense is that he will be BB's pre-season suprise (as Moss was in 2007 (rememeber the Moss on the bubble crap. hahahhaa)

JE................. the bomb. I love this kid. I really think he'll make this team. He looked pretty comfortable with the 1's out there though, did he not? Run back was sweet, but lets face it, the iggle player (forget who it was) took a terrible angle and Jules got srung by a Chung block (I think it was him). That made that play.

Defense, looked solid. I like alot of the additions. I think Alexander is gone, he looked so out of postion on every play. Looked terrible, and he's probably the only one I'd say that about (although most others had a bad play here and there). For the most part, I think it's a matter of them gelling more. The push up front was sick.

Loved it overall.

I still have half the game to go too. Nice to be watching BALL again.

 

[Kontradiction]

I like to do road trips but haven't done the Miami trip....I will someday but I keep putting it off for other cities...Last year I did the west coast swing both San Fran and San Diego . The year before Dallas. I have Done buffalo and NY (both NY teams) several times.

This year if I ever get working again will be New Orleans for the trip down memory lane.

I've been to a few away games and I have to say that the Miami one is always the best for a number of reasons. I love going down to that area first and foremost and secondly the Fin fans, while there are a few *******s in the crowd, are usually pretty courteous to rival fans. They'll crack on you throughout the game (to be expected if you're wearing your jersey) and have a beer with you afterward. Much more good natured than Jets and Bills fans.

 

[signbabybrady]

I've been to a few away games and I have to say that the Miami one is always the best for a number of reasons. I love going down to that area first and foremost and secondly the Fin fans, while there are a few *******s in the crowd, are usually pretty courteous to rival fans. They'll crack on you throughout the game (to be expected if you're wearing your jersey) and have a beer with you afterward. Much more good natured than Jets and Bills fans.

Oh I definitely plan on doing the Miami trip but with them in the division I just keep saying next year for the other trips I have done.

and Yes the Bills fan suck.....some drunk a-hole decided to take out his frustration on my car when he left early from the drubbing we gave them in 07 while I was watching the end of the game inside. They tried to pull of my license plate (failed) and instead got the emblem/hood ornament instead. Nothing major but still ******ed.

The Jets fans I actually found to be fun...they give you some crap but I haven't seen anything ugly like Buffalo. And I actually bought a Mo Lewis jersey off the back of a fan :rocker:...Doesn't fit but it hangs in my room.