Remember last year's last two games... Jets... Fins? So does Belichick

[oldrover]

Devin McCourty, Matthew Slater say Bill Belichick is using last year’s finish as big motivation

“Huge sense of urgency,” Devin McCourty said Wednesday. “It’s kind of like we were in the same position last year, same opponents last two weeks of the season. Obviously, the same goals. Last year, whatever we thought of how good a position we were in and blah, blah, blah, the season didn’t end the way we wanted to.

“I think the biggest thing we always talk about is past games [like] last year, the biggest thing is learning from those experiences. Obviously, those games have no bearing on this year’s games but just learning [and asking], ‘What did you do during that week? Did you go the extra step to try to prepare? Did you go the extra mile at the toughest part of the season? Two games left, Christmas, New Year’s, holidays. Just trying to put in a little extra.

“Obviously, Coach Belichick reminded us of that and guys were here last year, we’ve got to urge the team to have that sense of urgency, lead by example out there. Short week. Tried to get ahead [Tuesday]. And then now trying to put it on the practice field and get ready for Saturday.”

One of the many reasons why every day is a great day to be a Pats fan.

 

[Joey007]

I think it's a great idea for us to play hard all the way through, even if we have everything clinched after next week.

 

[Ring 6]

Devin McCourty, Matthew Slater say Bill Belichick is using last year’s finish as big motivation



One of the many reasons why every day is a great day to be a Pats fan.

Thank god.
Biggest gaffe of BBs tenure in my opinion

 

[oldrover]

Thank god.
Biggest gaffe of BBs tenure in my opinion

I wouldn't say 'gaffe'... I'd call it a failure or disappointment. A gaffe is more like asking a woman when her baby is due, and then finding out she's not pregnant.

 

[FourierSeries]

I wouldn't say 'gaffe'... I'd call it a failure or disappointment. A gaffe is more like asking a woman when her baby is due, and then finding out she's not pregnant.

This is what comes from giving fat chicks the time of day.

 

[Froob]

Coaches deserve a lot of blame for that collaspe too. Hope they all learned something. That Dolphins game plan was probably Bill's worst ever. Coaching has been excellent this season though, big bounce back from now they finished the season.

 

[Tony2046]

Last year was more about managing injuries. So I'm not sure I would call it a disappointment without reason.

 

[Froob]

Last year was more about managing injuries. So I'm not sure I would call it a disappointment without reason.

Should have at least sat Brady instead of attempting to go halfway in Miami. Suh injury may have made a difference in the end.

 

[Joey007]

Coaches deserve a lot of blame for that collaspe too. Hope they all learned something. That Dolphins game plan was probably Bill's worst ever. Coaching has been excellent this season though, big bounce back from now they finished the season.

What bothered me about that gameplan was that it was the only BB gameplan I ever remember where I felt like he didn't know what the Hell he wanted to do.

No decisiveness, played like the #1 seed was clinched early in the game, and then seemed to change his mind later when it was too late... Perhaps it was all because he knew how bad that team was in terms of Offensive personnel in the game?

But then again, if you had that little confidence in your offense, why even play Brady in that game. I still can't get my head around it. That game was confusing and frustrating all around.

 

[AtomicDawg]

What bothered me about that gameplan was that it was the only BB gameplan I ever remember where I felt like he didn't know what the Hell he wanted to do.

No decisiveness, played like the #1 seed was clinched early in the game, and then seemed to change his mind later when it was too late... Perhaps it was all because he knew how bad that team was in terms of Offensive personnel in the game?

But then again, if you had that little confidence in your offense, why even play Brady in that game. I still can't get my head around it. That game was confusing and frustrating all around.

Yeah it seemed like Brady took a lot of brutal hits in that Miami game. Not sure why he even started that game. Thankfully this year none of those factors (OL injuries/bad play) are going on with this team.

 

[ashley]

I expect us to go out this week and totally dominate the Jets. We are playing a lot better than they are and don't have the injury concerns like last year. Nothing would make this Christmas better than putting a real beating on the Jets

 

[jah]

Last year was more about managing injuries. So I'm not sure I would call it a disappointment without reason.

I dunno, at least in week 17 I seem to remember the team being very lethargic.

 

[Tony2046]

I dunno, at least in week 17 I seem to remember the team being very lethargic.

Could have been. But Edelman wasn't back, Amendola was banged up, the oline was patchwork and were apparently keying off the defense on snap counts during away games. Combination of things but yes they could have had a better game plan but I wonder how much of that was game planning around injuries.

They do look a lot different this year.

 

[Gumby]

They tried to rest a bunch of guys last year, but still left TB in to try and pick up the slack. Instead he just got beat up. They should have either gone all in or all Polian-surrender route.

IMO, these type of games (superficially don't matter much to Pats, won't change cellar position for jesters-this year/Miami-last year) are ones where you need to start with all your talent and go full bore for at least 20+ minutes. Put them in a deep hole and demoralize them. Then you can just run the ball the rest of the game rotate out your guys and take it easy.

If you let them hang close at beginning, they may find a sense of pride and a reason to show up like philly or fish did last year.

 

[Ring 6]

I wouldn't say 'gaffe'... I'd call it a failure or disappointment. A gaffe is more like asking a woman when her baby is due, and then finding out she's not pregnant.

His approach to those games would be like asking a 90 year old fat woman when the baby is due

 

[fnordcircle]

No ****ing half measures. Play to win or rest. What they did last year still confounds me.

 

[Bradyking12]

Really hope the Colts win so we can rest starters in week 17

 

[TinhWoodhead]

Really hope the Colts win so we can rest starters in week 17

they have the bye week to rest... fans want to see starters play.

 

[BTTA]

they have the bye week to rest... fans want to see starters play.

Nothing could be more irrelevant than what we want in any given week.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

I expect us to go out this week and totally dominate the Jets. We are playing a lot better than they are and don't have the injury concerns like last year. Nothing would make this Christmas better than putting a real beating on the Jets

IMO we got our early christmas gift by beating the broncos.