We are on to Miami: Official week 1 pregame thread

[Pats2000]

Everyone and their mother knew our LB's had that issue. It's not the case now...so not sure why he says that.

Yeah considering we got faster and younger there, would think we fixed that.

 

[Triumph]

 

[PatsFanInVa]

I am going with "I pray they were trying to practice the hardest OZ plays they had" though I'm sure we weren't... we were just flunking the bread and butter plays. I saw somebody say the Oline looks questionable, yeah, like John Bobbitt thought his sex life with Lorena was questionable. I am going to put on my big fan pants by the 11th so I'm not THAT GUY... but yeah it looks like a slow start this year

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Hate to say it, but on a neutral field I probably take Miami slightly. They are better at CB and pass catcher than us. And while I believe Mac > Tua, the difference isn't big enough to offset the difference to the other key spots.

I agree but Byron Jones is out for this game, so I am not sure it is a big difference. Miami still has a CB #1 like you note, but after #1 there is a steep drop off without Jones.

 

[VJCPatriot]

What do you think? Got a feeling man.

I believe you're betting on Mac Jones being a complete bust this season because that's the only way Bailey Zappe gets on the field this year.

 

[Jim Beankie]

Let's see here...

1. Playing AWAY at Miami. The toughest place for this team to play over the years.
2. Offense is sputtering early. OL looking questionable. No Tyquan Thornton for at least another month.
3. Our 'QB coach' is Joe Judge of the 31st offensive rank Giants and our unofficial offensive "playcaller" is Matt Patricia, a dude who coached defense for the past decade.
4. Adds up to a close loss for the Patriots unless Miami pulls a New York Jets and butt fumbles their way to a loss.

The Steelers at Pittsburgh the week after isn't going to get any easier.

Dunno what BB is gonna say if we start 0-2, we're on to Baltimore. OOF, that prospect doesn't fill me with confidence either.

And the very next week we have the Packers at Lambeau field? Yeesh, the schedule makers really have it in against the Patriots. 1-3 or even 0-4 start is possible before we mercifully face the Lions in week 5.

The only times away at Miami has sucked was when the game took place in Dec/Jan because apparently the Pats don't [*edit: DIDN'T] understand the concept of heat acclimatization. The only early in the season loss in the last 19 years away at Miami was in 2014, which I remember pretty well because a friend went to the game and I told him he was cursed.

 

[Jim Beankie]

chess vs checkers

Oh finally! Where was this the last couple of decades? In 2020, 2-3 days before the game in Miami in Dec, they were practicing outside in NE in teens temps, and I was screaming at my comp (and on this board) saying WTF are you doing?!? Don't you have exercise physiologists on the team or some schitt?!?

Serenity now.

Edit: Sweet - I'll be in Miami next week (coming back a few days before the game). Maybe I'll check out a practice or something

 

[VJCPatriot]

On the other hand....

Last year Pittsburgh went 9-7-1, so they were worse than the Pats last year.

And Baltimore went 8-9, also worse than the Pats last year.

Is there any reason to think they're now better than New England? Maybe yes, but it's not remotely a stretch to think that they're still a notch below the Patriots.

You don't judge roster strength by just what happened last year. What have the teams done to strengthen for 2022?

Pittsburgh FA gains:
+LB Myles Jack
+G Daniel James
+C Mason Cole
+S Terrell Edmunds
+DT Montravius Adams
+CB Levi Wallace
+CB Ahkello Witherspoon
+OT Chukwuma Okarafor
+S Miles Killebrew
+ST/WR Gunner Olszewski
+QB Mitchell Trubisky

Say what you want about Trubisky, the Steelers have added a lot more players than the Patriots this offseason. Patriots kind of hamstrung by the cap, didn't make a lot of noteworthy additions except through the draft. Gotta give the free agency period to the Steelers.

So let's compare draft classes now.

2022 Steelers draft:
1st #20 QB Kenny Picket. Steelers might have gotten a steal for the future here in 1st round QB Pickett, that some even mocked as a top 3 pick in this draft class. Meanwhile the Patriots selected Cole Strange in the 1st. I wonder what position is more impactful? But oh yeah BB was 'forced' to pick a G this early because he gave away our starting G for a future 5th round pick.

2nd #52 WR George Pickens. Pickens looked like a man amongst boys in preseason and training camp. He's the most likely stud WR in the 2nd round of the 2022 draft pick. Remember that the Patriots had the chance to take this guy but took Tyquan Thornton, now injured, at #50 instead. You can say that there's a difference between bad draft decisions and bad injury, but the result on the field will be the same. We'll get a close look at Pickens in week 2, Thornton will be warming the bench after undergoing surgery for a broken collarbone.

3rd #84 Demarvin Leal DE. A possible impact pass rusher for the Steelers, they were surprise he was still around. This defender started 12 games and notched 8.5 sacks for the Aggies. Meanwhile the Patriots drafted Houston CB Marcus Jones who has the versatility to return kicks and possibly nickel corner. Pass rushers usually impact more on the field than corners, but the CB pick was sorely needed by the Pats as they lost pro -bowl CB JC Jackson in free agency due to being cheap.

Overall Pickett, Pickens, Leal > Strange, Thornton, Jones. Both in terms of immediate and possible long term impact. One team got their QB of the future, a possible stud very physical WR, and a pass rusher. The other team plugged a gap in the OL created by their own GM giving away a starting guard, drafted a young WR who won't see the field for another 6 weeks at the earliest, and a young CB who might help us in the ST game and hopefully at nickel slot.

Considering the Steelers bested the Patriots in free agency and the draft, I wouldn't consider our talent to be better on paper this year.

 

[jimnance]

Tua is the plural of the Latin Tuus, meaning mediocre QB who seemingly beats the Patriots.

So, "Have Tua lost to us" is ok as it implies more than one of these mythical Tuus creatures that only seem to throw 7 yard slants yet end up winning.

Thanks man. I only took one year of Latin.
We didn't cover Tuus. I assume Tuus is pronounced "to us". As in Tua will throw the ball Tuus.
Quod erat demonstrandum

 

[Triumph]

Oh finally! Where was this the last couple of decades? In 2020, 2-3 days before the game in Miami in Dec, they were practicing outside in NE in teens temps, and I was screaming at my comp (and on this board) saying WTF are you doing?!? Don't you have exercise physiologists on the team or some schitt?!?

Serenity now.

Edit: Sweet - I'll be in Miami next week (coming back a few days before the game). Maybe I'll check out a practice or something

Guessing BB will have practice closed to outsiders.

You could figure out where the team hotel is to hang out and meet some players.

 

[Dingleberry]

Thanks man. I only took one year of Latin.
We didn't cover Tuus. I assume Tuus is pronounced "to us". As in Tua will throw the ball Tuus.
Quod erat demonstrandum

My favorite of all time: "Aquila non capit muscas."

Dust that one out the next time you wonder why you are engaging in a ridiculous argument or just wasting time with things that are beneath you. It is the story of my life.

And eagle does not catch flies.

Unfortunately, catching flies can be fun!

 

[*ChungFu*]

An eagle does not catch flies.

But an eagle can contract lice.
Such is life.

 

[Patsfan1958]

Mac Jones video:


NOBULL on Instagram: "“It’s on me to be physically, mentally, and emotionally ready for whatever is to come. Training is everything.” - @macjones_10 #IAMNOBULL #JustTheHorns"

 

[Betterthanmost]

This exercise can prepare you for the Pats season. Highly recommended. Just a joke...

 

[Rob0729]

One thing that drive me a bit nuts about this game and Miami in general is that the spin from the people bashing the Pats is that the Dolphins have owned the Pats the last two years without addressing how Brian Flores and his knowledge of the Patriots played into it. The spin is Tua owns the Pats now, but did he.

He was the lesser QB in game one last year. He was 16 for 27 for 202 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT that game. Downright mediocre.

Even in the second game, he was 15 for 22 for 109 yards and a TD (with 38 yards on the ground). The Dolphins defense had as many TDs as the Dolphins offense in that game (two each).

Even the second game that they won in 2020, Tua only had 20 for 26 for 145 yards and one INT passing. He did have 9 yards and two TDs rushing, but those were drives at the end of the game when the Patriots defense looked completely gassed and slow (even for them).

I just wonder if they have the advantage anymore without Flores. Granted, if the Pats play like they played this preseason, it won't matter. But I think people are sleeping on the loss of Flores with Miami's advantage over the Pats.

 

[Dingleberry]

But an eagle can contract lice.
Such is life.

Indeed! We could go down a real rabbit hole about the myth of self-importance.

The Conqueror Worm

 

[Dingleberry]

One thing that drive me a bit nuts about this game and Miami in general is that the spin from the people bashing the Pats is that the Dolphins have owned the Pats the last two years without addressing how Brian Flores and his knowledge of the Patriots played into it. The spin is Tua owns the Pats now, but did he.

He was the lesser QB in game one last year. He was 16 for 27 for 202 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT that game. Downright mediocre.

Even in the second game, he was 15 for 22 for 109 yards and a TD (with 38 yards on the ground). The Dolphins defense had as many TDs as the Dolphins offense in that game (two each).

Even the second game that they won in 2020, Tua only had 20 for 26 for 145 yards and one INT passing. He did have 9 yards and two TDs rushing, but those were drives at the end of the game when the Patriots defense looked completely gassed and slow (even for them).

I just wonder if they have the advantage anymore without Flores. Granted, if the Pats play like they played this preseason, it won't matter. But I think people are sleeping on the loss of Flores with Miami's advantage over the Pats.

This is a great point. How can the loss of Flores not be factored into this matchup?

And the next time Tuus looks great against the Patriots will be the first time.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

After watching our truly offensive, offensive line, the only reason question I have is are we going to be trailing by 28 or 35……… by halftime!

 

[Tunescribe]

This exercise can prepare you for the Pats season. Highly recommended.

That's a tutorial for Jete fans.

 

[Zuma]

Today In Patriots History - Jan 12: 36th Anniversary of 'Squish the Fish' Game

Today In Patriots History Squish the Fish Game Sunday January 12, 1986 at 4:00 1985 AFC Championship Game, at the Orange Bowl New England Patriots 31, Miami Dolphins 14 Head Coaches: Raymond Berry, Don Shula Quarterbacks: Tony Eason, Dan Marino Odds: Miami favored by 5½ - Patriots win the...

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