What's Slater really saying?

[amfootball]

The Patriots have the top ranked scoring defense in the league with 260 Points Against. This clearly pisses off the Tampa Bay fans in this forum, but the facts are the facts.

QB play is so much more important.

 

[amfootball]

Why would that be true? Slater is still there. McCourty is still there. Hightower is still there. That's a pretty strong core right there.

It is difficult to be a leader when your play is not good on the field. In other words, how much is the defense listening to Hightower when he is getting trucked every play?

 

[Huckleberry1]

QB play is so much more important.

What does that have to do with the defense?

 

[Huckleberry1]

It is difficult to be a leader when your play is not good on the field. In other words, how much is the defense listening to Hightower when he is getting trucked every play?

No sh.t.

 

[Triumph]

I know there’s a few on here who will call me a troll and to **** off but serious comment/question…

Slater is obviously one of the best ST players of all time and a top notch professional but how can any player feel inspired/motivated by another player whose on the field for like a dozen plays a game?

Because Slater has been with BB and the Pats forever and a day. He is the longest tenured Patriot and a Captain. Leaders are typically people who speak up for a whole group and they pack credibility.

Slater would not have delved into the subject if there wasnt a rift between players and coaching staff.

The defense spoke out post Indy loss and after this loss my guess is that some defensive players aren't pleased with the gameplan and thats called by Stevie Belichick.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Denver Broncos also have a top rated scoring defense (260 pts), yet they are 7-8. The better teams are those that can balance their strengths with their weaknesses like the Chiefs, Packers, Cowboys, Bucs, Cards and Rams. No coincidence 4 of them have won their divisions and all are in the playoffs.

You were the one blaming Steve Belichick, he coaches the defense. But then again you were simply doing it to be an @sshole, as always.

 

[Huckleberry1]

The nepotism is finally rearing its ugly head.

Are all you Bucs fans going to try and come back here and pretend you are Patriot fans when Brady retires, or are you going to stick with your team?

 

[borg]

It is difficult to be a leader when your play is not good on the field. In other words, how much is the defense listening to Hightower when he is getting trucked every play?

One has to wonder how much locker room juju Hightower retained after returning from his Covid sabbatical last year.
Factor in his lame duck contract status and his true underlying motivation for returning this season ($8.6 mill ?)

The man has been "getting trucked" on a regular basis and physically, he looks like a shell of his former self.

The team has some major holes to fill this offseason and MLB is as high on my list as Tackle (2?) and DB

 

[RobertWeathers]

One has to wonder how much locker room juju Hightower retained after returning from his Covid sabbatical last year.
Factor in his lame duck contract status and his true underlying motivation for returning this season ($8.6 mill ?)

The man has been "getting trucked" on a regular basis and physically, he looks like a shell of his former self.

The team has some major holes to fill this offseason and MLB is as high on my list as Tackle (2?) and DB

I don't expect he'll be back next year.

It's like watching Vincent Brown in 1995. Just doesn't have that explosiveness and agility anymore

 

[TheRazorsEdge]

I'd be fine if it was like, Master Splinter in the locker room. If he could train turtles to be elite martial artists - he could def make a receiver out of Harry.

 

[TheRazorsEdge]

One has to wonder how much locker room juju Hightower retained after returning from his Covid sabbatical last year.
Factor in his lame duck contract status and his true underlying motivation for returning this season ($8.6 mill ?)

The man has been "getting trucked" on a regular basis and physically, he looks like a shell of his former self.

The team has some major holes to fill this offseason and MLB is as high on my list as Tackle (2?) and DB

I think he's still respected in the room and prob an asset to younger backers who need to pick his brain. Prob is....there isn't any young backers for him to guide on field- they are all hurt or STers...he isn't teaching kvn or Collins anything they don't know already.

If Mcgrone and Raekwon McMillan don't make a splash next year we could be quickly approaching a Monty Beisel - Chad Brown , band aid situation.

Yikes.

 

[Biffins]

There's probably something going on, but we won't know anything about it till after the season and some players leave and then yap about it.

Till then, we can speculate.

 

[borg]

If Mcgrone and Raekwon McMillan don't make a splash next year we could be quickly approaching a Monty Beisel - Chad Brown , band aid situation.

Yikes.

Those were dark days...lots of band aids and straw grasping.
Bruschi post heart attack
Seau post SD retirement

Bill had to use premium draft picks to fortify....Mayo #10 in '08 , Hightower #25 in '12
Looking that way again

 

[RobertWeathers]

He prefers taking a dump in the handicap stall as well, but Patricia always beats him to it.

Fat Matt definitely needs that maneuverability for additional operating room

 

[RobertWeathers]

Those were dark days...lots of band aids and straw grasping.
Bruschi post heart attack
Seau post SD retirement

Bill had to use premium draft picks to fortify....Mayo #10 in '08 , Hightower #25 in '12
Looking that way again

Plus Roman left and BB hater Ted Johnson retired.

 

[Tunescribe]

I'm hearing that the defense isn't taking well being blamed for the loss, especially after Mac threw the team under the bus last week with his poor practices comments. They see how Mac had his worse game of the season and aren't happy about being blamed for the loss. Everything will be fixed when the Pats hang a 50burger on the jags.

Mac did not play well yet the offense still put up 21 points. Blame for the loss lies mostly with the defense -- poor execution primarily, but the game plan was figured out by Buffalo ahead of time and the Pats still stuck with it, failing to adjust. I don't know if this was a factor (and certainly not an excuse), but BB obviously was fighting illness last week and his game-day input with the defense is crucial.

 

[pazrul72]

100% pure speculation on my part but when I hear difficult decisions outside of gillette my mind went to JC and Hunter just having children. I can see the coaches expecting them to continue putting in extra hours and the new daddy's being like f that I am going to be with my family. Plus a regular good night sleep to be at your athletic peak? Good luck with that, it's not a thing for months.

 

[TheRazorsEdge]

I really think Slater's words shouldn't be dissected. If there was any real issue in the locker room I'd bet my house Slater wouldn't be the guy leaking things out or taking subliminal shots at players.

He's literally saying: As a team we have to decide wether or not to believe what's being said about us (defense isn't good, wrs are below average , Mac is a boring average qb...) Or to ignore the noise and keep fighting toward the ultimate goal.

It isn't far fetched to think some guys (Mac Jones! Myles Bryant! Jonnu Smith!) Need to be reminded to put the bad stuff behind them and keep fighting.

 

[borg]

100% pure speculation on my part but when I hear difficult decisions outside of Gillette my mind went to...............

......the resurgence of covid hysteria in a hypersensitive region.

 

[Halifax_Pats_Fan]

The rewards of leadership is often never immediately felt. You have to take an unpopular stance originally and in doing so people try and bury you. Stick to your guns and be consistent and you come out the other side. It can also weed out those that are thin skinned.

It's about accountability.

It may be unpopular but I appreciate Mac's comments. He has no problem blaming himself and often does in the media, merited or not.

I have been following this team for a long time. I am not a fan of the approach re: airing **** out in the media but it has been said and whatever or whoever needed to hear this needs to be the focus, and not focus incessantly on the approach used.

DMac said it himself. The choice is simple.