New England Patriots Thread Mod Warning Post #253

Tristram · 13-12-2017 12:15AM

I hope he improves on what he has given the Browns this year. He has been diabolical for the most part and hasn't seemed interested. I'd say the Browns are only too glad to see the back of him now that they can have Gordon and Coleman on the field at the same time. Maybe he will do better with the Pats - it's happened plenty of times before - but I would not be optimistic.

TOss Sweep · 13-12-2017 12:19AM

To be fair to him the Browns QB situation helped no one

Tristram · 13-12-2017 12:22AM

I get what you're saying but having watched more Browns football than I care to admit I think my previous comment was being fair to him. His lack of effort has been downright unprofessional. Browns kept putting him out there though

But sure hopefully something changes when he gets to NE.

j8wk2feszrnpao · 13-12-2017 11:03AM

Britt has played 9 games for just 18 receptions!
Still, gotta be better than Dorsett (who has just 7).

BizzyC · 13-12-2017 03:15PM

I think Britt is a decent signing, he's shown flashes of top notch talent, but he's just never been in a situation where he could contributed on a regular basis.
If he keeps his head down and works, he could give us a more physical presence on the outside that we've been missing with Mitchell out...

Hazys · 13-12-2017 09:00PM

Injuries mounting up.

Our best OL player Marcus Cannon was put on IR.

TOss Sweep · 13-12-2017 11:58PM

Hazys wrote: »

Injuries mounting up.

Our best OL player Marcus Cannon was put on IR.

This made sense he has been out since early November and getting no closer to recovery and we needed the roster spot.

AbusesToilets · 15-12-2017 12:32PM

I"m not confident of Brady's health holding out. He's clearly struggling with achille's and possible hand issues. He was pretty diabolical with some of his throws against the Dolphins, even accounting for the rush pressure. With Cannon out for the season, I'm seriously worried about going up against the likely playoff teams, such as the Jags or Vikings.

eagle eye · 15-12-2017 06:07PM

Yeah it's not good at the moment, the OL have been terrible of late which is becoming a real concern. One thing about age that you cannot shake off is the longer recovery time from injuries. Those little niggles that you could shake off in a day or two when you were younger last a while as you get older.

This weekend is huge, if we can somehow beat the Steelers then we should get a week off in January. If we keep winning then Brady might get a couple of weeks off to recuperate and we have a chance in the playoffs.

It's more than just Brady who needs a rest. We have a few players that aren't at 100%.

Tbh I'm not that hopeful at the moment. I'd like to see a huge improvement in the OL and the receivers.

TOss Sweep · 16-12-2017 02:11AM

As bad as our O-line have been Shaq Mason and David Andrews have been solid only given up 3 sacks between them. PFF have them rated in their Top 20 and Andrews the 3rd best Center right now. I think we struggle with Solder 's inconsistency Thuney has been bad and Waddle is a better Guard than Tackle but having said that he played well on Monday at times.

Oddly this year I am not worried as I probably should be to be honest. Last season we finished with 24 sacks and 73 hits in the regular season. Right now with 3 games left we are on 29 sacks and 71 hits. Down on last season but if Brady can stay healthy and we get all of our short term injured guys on the field no reason why we can't repeat. After all we seem to pull it out when it matters.

ftse100 · 18-12-2017 08:06AM

Right well safe to so that was a great game to watch. Hard to know what to make of our defense.

bruschi · 18-12-2017 09:17AM

ftse100 wrote: »

Right well safe to so that was a great game to watch. Hard to know what to make of our defense.

great game to watch alright, thrilling ending.

To take it sector by sector.

The offence did well. They didnt have a massive amount of time on the field and Brady was spreading the ball well. Then it started to clog up a bit, so he just did what he did and threw it to Gronk every time. Cooks was unlucky to get a out of bounds call on the game winning drive, but was ineffective. Lewis had a great game. Hopefully Burkheads injury isnt serious (havent heard anything since on it) but he is a vital cog right now. Gillislee isnt being missed at all as a result of their play. Great drive to win it too. Gronk is a superstar.

Defence. Awful. Could not get off the field. So many third down chances left behind. The time of possession said it all. Left Brady with little time or chances. Butler was average, fortunate enough that AB left the game. But Bryant destroyed Gilmore. Really worrying. A lot of missed sacks too, I know Ben is hard to take down, but even so.

Refs- we were blessed. To be honest. That TD for James is an awful rule. It was called right, but I dont like that one bit. He caught it and put it over the line. Its a TD. The catch rule is ridiculous right now. Rowe got away with PI too on the last play, one of those let them play type plays, but still, could have gone their way.

Will take the win though. No1 seed now in our hands again, so should run it through now. That will be the saving grace to be honest.

PhuckHugh · 18-12-2017 11:17AM

Very tough on Steelers - Lose Brown then have that TD over turned - I know it's the rules but you'd be seething if it was called on Pats.

Pick off aside, Brady was Brady - Total clutch in 4th quarter. Gronk of old was back and great to see ... How bad is Burkhead?

I have nothing to say about that D except a lot of expletives... Home advantage in playoffs is important as that D on the road .....

How the fcuk did Juju get that far down the pitch with 55 seconds to go --- HOW????

Hazys · 18-12-2017 03:04PM

Gronk's play was immense last night but his antics on the field brought back the old fun loving Gronk we all love not the once off dirty Gronk.

It was hilarious when he caught his first pass of the day for a first down, he was laying on his back, he threw a first down sign above his head. On the game winning drive, after every catch he was doing some cartoon powering up motion and when he caught the 2pt play, he finally powered up to full Gronkenstein to spike the ball!

j8wk2feszrnpao · 18-12-2017 04:48PM

Hazys wrote: »

Gronk's play was immense last night but his antics on the field brought back the old fun loving Gronk we all love not the once off dirty Gronk.

It was hilarious when he caught his first pass of the day for a first down, he was laying on his back, he threw a first down sign above his head. On the game winning drive, after every catch he was doing some cartoon powering up motion and when he caught the 2pt play, he finally powered up to full Gronkenstein to spike the ball!

Gronk was ridiculous. When he plays like that, he's just unstoppable; although leaving him one-on-one with a guy half his size out wide is just asking for trouble.

TOss Sweep · 18-12-2017 07:03PM

As good as Brady was Gronk was the key for me and the plays he made last night stress why it is important we have the quick option in Edelman OR the beast that is Gronk. Both are go to guys for Brady and open up the rest of the field for Brady

BKWDR · 18-12-2017 09:05PM

Real super bowl vibe off that game last night....heart in mouth stuff.

Gilmore really drew most of my F bombs

Last two games, must wins. Think #1 seed will be vital, the bye and HFA against steelers you would think. But previous years, resting starters when the #1 seed was still in play... Like the Bills are gonna be fighting next week as they are do or die for a playoff spot. But if its a must win game against the jets for #1 i hate the thought we might rest starters etc considering who the steelers have

ELM327 · 19-12-2017 07:51AM

Very very lucky win there. We were dominated for large parts of the game. As evidenced by the 3rd down completions for PIT and the time of possession.

Very unlikely series of events, from the no catch (which is the wrong call realistically, but the correct call applying the rules as they stand) to them not kicking the field goal and the fake spike to the INT.

Delighted with the W as I wasn't expecting it with 28 seconds to go. Not confident at all in our defense and I can't believe that Brady is expected to carry the team with a sub par OL and many missing pieces. On the missing pieces - the one that returned (Gronk) had a monster game yesterday. Some amazing catches in traffic, picking one up almost off the ground. He was sometimes helped by 1v1 on the outside against a small CB but still.

I started this season with a lot of hope that this was the best NE team since 2007 but they have - for the most part and mainly on Defense - flattered to deceive.

PS: Another game where I thoroughly enjoyed Romo's commentary.

PhuckHugh · 19-12-2017 10:36AM

ELM327 wrote: »

Very very lucky win there. We were dominated for large parts of the game. As evidenced by the 3rd down completions for PIT and the time of possession.

Very unlikely series of events, from the no catch (which is the wrong call realistically, but the correct call applying the rules as they stand) to them not kicking the field goal and the fake spike to the INT.

Delighted with the W as I wasn't expecting it with 28 seconds to go. Not confident at all in our defense and I can't believe that Brady is expected to carry the team with a sub par OL and many missing pieces. On the missing pieces - the one that returned (Gronk) had a monster game yesterday. Some amazing catches in traffic, picking one up almost off the ground. He was sometimes helped by 1v1 on the outside against a small CB but still.

I started this season with a lot of hope that this was the best NE team since 2007 but they have - for the most part and mainly on Defense - flattered to deceive.

PS: Another game where I thoroughly enjoyed Romo's commentary.

Romo is fantastic ...

Should Steeler's first TD (Rodgers) have been called back for penalty?

ELM327 · 19-12-2017 10:55AM

There were a few dubious calls out there alright but I can't as an NE fan complain about the officiating seeing as they handed us the game in the end!

StringerBell · 19-12-2017 11:02AM

I can't get my head around why anybody thinks they should have kicked the FG on 3rd down, you just don't. Its purely results based thinking.

You go for that every day and twice on Sunday. The chance to win the game there and then with the knowledge that the vast majority of the time you will still have a FG to tie it up if needs be? Its a no brainer. Sometimes **** happens, sometimes people **** up a play. This scenario Ben threw the wrong pass, Romo was excellent in commentary again, and he flagged up the fade before the ball was snapped and was still calling for it when the ball was picked. He was 100% correct, that throw to a crowded area was the wrong play, the fade gives you the chance to win it there and then, and minimises the risk of INT massively.

The loss in that regard is on Ben. Which you won't hear too much about, but he ****ed up the play. Nothing wrong with the call to try win it on 3rd at all. It would have been insane to just kick the FG with that much time left.

ELM327 · 19-12-2017 11:14AM

It was the right call to go for it on 3rd with the time left but it was a badly called play, badly executed (throwing into 3 defenders).

If they - like romo called - threw the fade it was either a catch or an incomplete pass which leads to a FG and OT.

dfx- · 19-12-2017 11:28AM

I don't think the 3rd down INT is really on Ben. Rogers was his only option in traffic. He might've thrown it away, I suppose - but you're there to win it..

The problem for me is the disorganisation/lack of readiness for that play after the long replay that Rogers was the only option. In direct contrast to the Patriots being ready for it.

Doogs27 · 19-12-2017 11:30AM

ELM327 wrote: »

If they - like romo called - threw the fade it was either a catch or an incomplete pass which leads to a FG and OT.

I feel like Ben would have benefitted from having Romo on his helmet radio rather than Off. Cord. Or Tomlin. He calls it so well on the fly.

He's very refreshing so far.

Hazys · 19-12-2017 03:40PM

7 years ago today

https://instagram.com/p/Bc41zTnD_ag/

TOss Sweep · 19-12-2017 04:20PM

dfx- wrote: »

I don't think the 3rd down INT is really on Ben. Rogers was his only option in traffic. He might've thrown it away, I suppose - but you're there to win it..

100% on him. I think when he checked down and realized he had two options

- Throw into triple covergae

or

- Throw it away

He should have taken the latter as the ability to win is now gone. Throw it away stop the clock kick the field goal and go to OT

The problem for me is the disorganisation/lack of readiness for that play after the long replay that Rogers was the only option. In direct contrast to the Patriots being ready for it.

This is where a QB of Ben's caliber should have realized what his best option was. He failed to do so and lost the game. 10 seconds is two plays. Rogers in triple coverage the sensible option is to throw it away at that point.

j8wk2feszrnpao · 19-12-2017 04:24PM

Hazys wrote: »

7 years ago today

One of my favourite moments. I've gone back to that clip a number of times since then.

StringerBell · 20-12-2017 04:35PM

dfx- wrote: »

I don't think the 3rd down INT is really on Ben. Rogers was his only option in traffic. He might've thrown it away, I suppose - but you're there to win it..

The problem for me is the disorganisation/lack of readiness for that play after the long replay that Rogers was the only option. In direct contrast to the Patriots being ready for it.

If Ben was a rookie or an inexperienced QB I'd probably agree with you, but he isn't.

You put the game in his hands and let him go and win it for you, he is experienced enough to know what type of pass he should be attempting there, he had time at the line to direct his receiver to run a fade route and go win the ball. If he overthrows him they kick the FG, if he drops the catch they kick a FG, the least likely outcome is gonna be a INT.

I expect that level of game management and situational nous from a top level QB.

Edit: As TO says, even when he gets to the point where his option is that pass or to throw it away, you throw it away.

D9Male · 20-12-2017 06:52PM

The Steelers really made a balls of that play. It is moments such as the last few minutes on Sunday that define seasons, careers even. Players have to be ready and all on the same page.

It was absolutely the right thing to do to go for the TD and win. But the execution was so poor, Keystone Cops poor. Offences practice two minute drills all the time. They should know what to do in that situation. All of them.

bruschi · 20-12-2017 09:56PM

What's worse about the situation really was the second down, throwing for 5 yards not near the sideline. Bad call. The Steelers were on the sideline and they should have had their plays ready to go for the next two Downs seeing as the review was taking so long. Not only did they seem unprepared, but Ben's comments after would leave me to believe he got his Downs mixed up and when he threw the fake spike, he thought it was second down.

New England Patriots Thread Mod Warning Post #253

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