Could it be that we're still not sure which Patriots we are witnessing? The championship caliber Pats team that have spoiled us or a new look Pats still searchng for their groove? I must admit, I'm a bit impatient and having a bit of an identity crisis for them. The suspense is getting to me. Who is this team and how far will they go?
We really need a viable thrid option at WR. Getting the ball to the tight ends is good when they go that route but I don't know. Unless Sam Aiken or that Tate guy grab the third spot I'm not as comfortable with the schedule that's coming up.
We've become accustomed to Brady hitting 7 or 8 receivers a game. Today 5. Miami 8. I'm with you. I'd really like to have my mind at ease by the time the play-offs hit.
I didn't get to see the game but would we be assessing the defense unfairly against the Wildcat or were they really that confused and missed tackles and such?
Regarding the Patriots defense, they did look a little lost out there in regards to the wildcat at times. The Dolphins used Pat White more than they have in the past, and he had a big run in the 2nd quarter, but I think is far as they standard wildcat plays we've seen so far this year, the Patriots held their own. They even sniffed a few new plays out-- one that pops into mind is a double-reverse out of the wildcat that the Dolphisn tried in the second half.
The 10 minute drive the Dolphins had to start out the 3rd quarter was ugly to watch... the Dolphins did a great job of blocking the Patriots front 7 and allowing their ball cariers to move it down field, and there was some sloppy tackling by the Patriots secondary. To be fair, lots of decent defenses, such as the Jets, Colts, or Saints, have had lapses against Miami. So while I agree that this defense is still a work in progress and far from dominant, I think we have to look at the fact that they held the Dolphins to 17 points, which is pretty solid in the long run.
Guys I am huge Pats fan and have been my whole life having grown up in Boston. I was really surprised by the tone of this thread. This team is improving each week!! They lost to Jets and Broncos NOT because they were vastly outplayed but because players (primarily on offense) were not making key plays.
Since then this team has beat up on two "weaker" teams (both of which won today I might add) and really "handled" a key division opponent which has been giving them fits of late. I mean while they did not blow them out they really controlled the game and was anyone ever really worried that they would n't win this game. The running game showed up today when it had it to and it is undermanned.
We simply can't expect a 50 td season every season. The defense was solid today and this team can win against any team in the league on a given Sunday RIGHT NOW! That being said what "groove' are we waiting for? They are competing quite well in a league that is designed (can you say salary cap) for parody.
we are 6-2 and have a tough stretch ahead. we need to take one game at a time but we can beat the Colts, jets and Saints. if we do i don't care by how much. this team is doing what they need to do to win. THAT is the 'groove" i am looking for!!
Actually, the purpose of this thread IS to question the tone of us fans which on here at least is down to a low roar. Most of us here were on a thread during the draft together plus others during the off-season. We were also optimistic for the most part despite questionable draft and off-season moves. We eventually accepted what was happening and moved on.
I don't know if I speak for everyone but we do share your optimism, cautiously. I don't think anyone here lacks spirit but perhaps are careful not to be overzealous.
This is a league which measures success by results, not performance the team are 6-2 yet you are right there is some disquiet, probably because of the upcoming schedule. This is not the dominating team we are used to seeing but there are also many positives too.
The play of the draft class is getting better and better each week. Anyone hear Joey Porter's name yesterday against the Dolphins? No, because our rookie second round pick Sebastian Vollmer completely shut him down. Now how many of us whooped for joy when he was taken, not many thats for sure!
This is a team that is easing it's way into things. Tom Brady is coming back from a very serious injury, personally I cannot believe I was foolish enough to think from game one he was going to be the Brady of old. Now, after a few false dawns he is stsrting to look like his old self, his hook ups with Randy Moss yesterday were game changing.
Our defense BADLY needed an overhaul after last season and its got one. We are a LOT younger on the defensive side of the ball than we have ever been under Bill Belichick and although there have bee and will continue to be some growing pains the defense has played above what we could have we expected it to be and that bodes well for the future.
The only real area of concern for me is the lack of pressure even now we are failing to get on the opposing QB. If we dont find a way to pressure Peyton Manning and Drew Brees they will pick you apart play by play.
We have been spoilt over the years, we did dominate the game yesterday and should have won by more than 10 points but we made too many silly mistakes but hey we still beat a divisional opponent by 10 points!!!
Over the next few weeks we will get to see how we stack up against the best and even if we lose to them this team is making progress and come play-off time I tell you this, nobody will want to play the Patriots.
I am cautiously optimistic this team will have enough, come playoff time, to be true contenders for the title. The defense has struggled at times, but compared to last season at this time, I believe we have made vast improvements in the secondary. The pass rush is the biggest concern going forward. If we can't apply pressure when we need to, well lets just hope we find a way.
The offense is making strides each week and should be considered among the leagues best already.
The next few weeks will tell us all we need to know.
We have a tough, physical secondary, a d-line and linebackers that can stop the run, and we make tackles when it counts. We solved a new offensive wrinkle on the fly yesterday - Pat White was running a straight-up college-style option offense, not the Wildcat - giving up only 7 points to it. I'm not worried about the defense in the least.
I AM worried about playing the Saints and Colts in the next three weeks, but I think this Patriots team is a team which should absolutely be there in the playoffs and make some noise.
And I'm personally not making a big deal of that game because frankly beating a mediocre - AT BEST - team at home should not be worth making a big deal out of.
Over the next few weeks we will get to see how we stack up against the best and even if we lose to them this team is making progress and come play-off time I tell you this, nobody will want to play the Patriots. I agree with ya neil, and I am not sure these teams are looking forward to playing us. Not only are these the best teams we will play/have played this season but the same goes for them. Neither team has had to play a team of our caliber either. The Colts, and I am not putting them down, have yet to play a top calber team. The best team they played was the Texans, yesterday, and although they are up and coming, they are not in the top tier yet. And I bounced back and forth between that game and the Pats and I will tell you this, the Texans lost that game more than the colts won. Penalty after penalty at critical points in that game. Turnovers and missed FG's were their downfall. We do not make the same mistakes (I hope) so it will be interesting to see. Have the Colts been playing to the level of the opposition ? We will see. Dallas Clark was a 1 man wrecking crew for them yesterday. With Rodney Harrison retired, I don't know who will have the responsibility of covering him, but whoever does, this will be key. Saints, well they almost dropped that one yesterday and woke up in time to win. Well needless to say we will need to have some long sustained drives to kepp both QB's on the sidelines. Yesterday the Texans got back in the game in the 3rd quarter keeping Peyton Manning on the sideline for all but 3 plays. I hate to say it, but Maroney is running well, (don't want to jinx him) he is running to the hole and not dancing around at the line. We will need for him to continue on and hope we get Fred Taylor back to fill in. 1 down 4 to go in this killer string of 5 games. Play em 1 at a time and we will do awright....Go Pats
The team is still evolving as younger players get better and gain experience. I think by week 12 we will know what kind of team this is and if they are a Super Bowl contender or just another division winner.
The D looks vanilla, but this is due to being spoiled as the 3-4 would confuse opponents into throwing picks to smart veteran corners etc. - just give it some time to gel.
And I'm personally not making a big deal of that game because frankly beating a mediocre - AT BEST - team at home should not be worth making a big deal out of. Agree with you completely Draw, cept it is a divisional win and those are important (ie. see last yr.) so I will celebrate, but just a little...no more than say if we beat Buffalo....lol
Oh don't get me wrong I'm glad to get the win and it's a huge deal in the actual playoff race. I just think that it's silly to call people out for not being exuberant over winning a game they should win.
