RelocatedPatFan
Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2009
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Without breaking news (about other teams), what do we have to talk about
Looking ahead
Tough games for the back 9 of the season.
@Carolina (Week 11) - Monday Night
vs Denver (Week 12) - short week, but at home
@Miami (Week 15)
The rest of the games are all winnable (well even the ones above are), but I would have more of an expectation for a win. The games listed above we'll still be favored -- with the possible exception of Denver. I'd expect (without any more major injuries) to close the season out between 13-3 and 11-5 and landing the #2 or #3 seed in the playoffs.
1 Time doesn’t make a habit
The Patriots offense looked different for the first time this year. It looked like the offense we (mostly) hoped would be fielded this year or really our offense from last year. Granted, we don’t usually think 50+ points (with the exception of the one guy who always votes 59-0 in the predict the score” threads). Still, is this offense something we can expect to see more of in the future? I would say, without a doubt that it will either be this offense or perhaps something better. While the points totals might not be as high, I’d say we can be better
We haven’t talked about Shane Vereen. Vereen adds a dimension to this offense that definitely makes us better. His running/quickness, ability to receive will make us remember those Kevin Faulk days. While Danny Woodhead is making headlines in San Diego, I hope Vereen will make us remember what a threat he can be in the open field and 3rd down situations.
Where’s Kenbrell Thompkins
Do we care? This kid was a great story making the team and through the first few games. But, Brady is completing less than 50% of passes thrown his way and he was a healthy scratch for the game. Is this a good problem to have or just a problem? Still, can’t complain with Gronk, Amendola, Edleman, and the emergence of Dobson. Just so many passes to go around (still a healthy scratch isn’t the best sign). Though Boyce might not even know what the iside of the Patriots bus might look like, so it can always be worse.
Is this one of BB’s best coaching jobs
We’re 7-2, lost key contributors on the field. Both sides, though the defense has been the hardest with IR players. And not just players, but extremely talented players (Wilfork/Mayo) and Talib, but he’ll be returning. Gregory was starting to improve and I don’t think he tackled or injured a patriot player the last couple of games either.
What to expect from this defense
Do we have any right to think this defense can handle a top tier offense? We won’t have long to wait because Denver comes to town in 3 weeks. We should get Talib back with a game vs Carlina under his belt. If Talib can handle his assignment 1-1, then that will allow McCourty to help out the rest of the team. If the offense manages to my expectation, the defense can greatly improve by having more rest and better field positions to work from. Still, bend but don’t break might drive me insane if I wasn’t so used to it.
Did the 3 touchdown passes the Steelers got seem too easy
Just disgusted with how easy they looked. One was a somewhat acrobatic catch, but 3 others looked like practice level catch and throws.
Would now be a good time to extend Talib?
With his injury status the last couple of years, would we be able to get him at a slight discount? Probably not given the need for quality CBs in this league. Still, might be worth some back door discussions (which we’ll never hear about until something is done or after the season).
Side note – Mike Tomlin
I just liked the way he laid it out there in his post game speech (for the parts I heard). While most of us could have held BB’s conference if he was on the losing side, Tomlin just sounded honest without giving too much detail or throwing people under the bus.
Looking ahead
Tough games for the back 9 of the season.
@Carolina (Week 11) - Monday Night
vs Denver (Week 12) - short week, but at home
@Miami (Week 15)
The rest of the games are all winnable (well even the ones above are), but I would have more of an expectation for a win. The games listed above we'll still be favored -- with the possible exception of Denver. I'd expect (without any more major injuries) to close the season out between 13-3 and 11-5 and landing the #2 or #3 seed in the playoffs.
1 Time doesn’t make a habit
The Patriots offense looked different for the first time this year. It looked like the offense we (mostly) hoped would be fielded this year or really our offense from last year. Granted, we don’t usually think 50+ points (with the exception of the one guy who always votes 59-0 in the predict the score” threads). Still, is this offense something we can expect to see more of in the future? I would say, without a doubt that it will either be this offense or perhaps something better. While the points totals might not be as high, I’d say we can be better
- Why Better – Reason #1
Health, plain in simple. If it was an injury that was making Brady less accurate than he has been, then perhaps he’s feeling better. Though some of those guys were so open, you’d swear he was throwing against Patriots defenses of season past. Lots of talk about age and rookies being the demise of TB, but other QBs can continue to excel even if they are older. That was always a head-scratcher to me, but sports fans (generally) are more driven by passion than level-headed-ness.
- Why Better – Reason #2
Gronk looked real good. Matter of fact, he looked like the TE we expected we’d have. Now, I didn’t really focus in on his blocking in the run game, so I’d like to hear from people who did watch that aspect of his game. But, fro ma receiver TE, he looked formidable (ok – all time great pretty much). He is still rusty., did you see that pathetic attempt at “gronking” the TD? Clearly #12 needs to feed him a steady suppy of TD passes so he can improve that aspect of his game
- Why Better – Reason #3
Dobson. Dobson doesn’t look like a typical Round 2 bust anymore. Still some things to be worked out, but clearly the chemistry is improving. With a healthy Gronk drawing attention, we now have an outside threat that can compliment this teams offense. Can he handle it all on his own, seems unlikely, but give him time and maybe he’ll keep improving. Not sure what his ceiling is, but he has the physical traits of a #1 WR. Don’t think he needs to reach that level for us to consider him a solid success.
- Why Better – Reason #4
Balance. And by balance, we seem to be getting all our guys (the ones still on the team) healthy and our commitment to the run game is there (well it better be, I don’t want to hear about Josh getting cute). I think this is where we want to be ultimately. TB can be in a position to take whatever the defense is giving him and that makes us dangerous. I expect the 2nd half of the season for this offense to be in the top 5…strike that top 3 (games 9-16).
We haven’t talked about Shane Vereen. Vereen adds a dimension to this offense that definitely makes us better. His running/quickness, ability to receive will make us remember those Kevin Faulk days. While Danny Woodhead is making headlines in San Diego, I hope Vereen will make us remember what a threat he can be in the open field and 3rd down situations.
Where’s Kenbrell Thompkins
Do we care? This kid was a great story making the team and through the first few games. But, Brady is completing less than 50% of passes thrown his way and he was a healthy scratch for the game. Is this a good problem to have or just a problem? Still, can’t complain with Gronk, Amendola, Edleman, and the emergence of Dobson. Just so many passes to go around (still a healthy scratch isn’t the best sign). Though Boyce might not even know what the iside of the Patriots bus might look like, so it can always be worse.
Is this one of BB’s best coaching jobs
We’re 7-2, lost key contributors on the field. Both sides, though the defense has been the hardest with IR players. And not just players, but extremely talented players (Wilfork/Mayo) and Talib, but he’ll be returning. Gregory was starting to improve and I don’t think he tackled or injured a patriot player the last couple of games either.
What to expect from this defense
Do we have any right to think this defense can handle a top tier offense? We won’t have long to wait because Denver comes to town in 3 weeks. We should get Talib back with a game vs Carlina under his belt. If Talib can handle his assignment 1-1, then that will allow McCourty to help out the rest of the team. If the offense manages to my expectation, the defense can greatly improve by having more rest and better field positions to work from. Still, bend but don’t break might drive me insane if I wasn’t so used to it.
Did the 3 touchdown passes the Steelers got seem too easy
Just disgusted with how easy they looked. One was a somewhat acrobatic catch, but 3 others looked like practice level catch and throws.
Would now be a good time to extend Talib?
With his injury status the last couple of years, would we be able to get him at a slight discount? Probably not given the need for quality CBs in this league. Still, might be worth some back door discussions (which we’ll never hear about until something is done or after the season).
Side note – Mike Tomlin
I just liked the way he laid it out there in his post game speech (for the parts I heard). While most of us could have held BB’s conference if he was on the losing side, Tomlin just sounded honest without giving too much detail or throwing people under the bus.
