The Official Patriots Analysis Thread

[RIyankee]

The Pats are 7-1. Here's their schedule...

Sep 9 Indianapolis Won 27-24
Sep 19 @Arizona Won 23-12
Week 3 BYE
Oct 3 @Buffalo Won 31-17
Oct 10 Miami Won 24-10
Oct 17 Seattle Won 30-20
Oct 24 N.Y. Jets Won 13-7
Oct 31 @Pittsburgh Lost 20-34
Nov 7 @St. Louis Won 40-22
Nov 14 Buffalo Won 29-6
Nov 22 @Kansas City Won 27-19
Nov 28 Baltimore Won 24-3
Dec 5 @Cleveland Won 42-15
Dec 12 Cincinnati Won 35-28
Dec 20 @Miami Lost 28-29
Dec 26 @N.Y. Jets Won 23-7
Jan 2 San Francisco Won 21-7

AFC Divisional Round - Indianapolis Won 20-3
AFC Championship - @Pittsburgh Won 41-27

Super Bowl XXIX @Jacksonville, FL
Feb 6

New England 24
Philiadelphia 21

MISSION ACCOPLISHED!!!

[RIyankee]

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (6-1) AT ST. LOUIS RAMS (4-3)

New England Patriots
OUT CB Ty Law (foot); CB Tyrone Poole (knee)
DOUBTFUL WR Deion Branch (knee)
QUESTIONABLE T Tom Ashworth (back); WR Troy Brown (shoulder); RB Corey Dillon (thigh); WR David Givens (knee); LB Larry Izzo (knee); RB Patrick Pass (thigh)
PROBABLE QB Tom Brady (right shoulder); QB Jim Miller (right shoulder)


St. Louis Rams
DOUBTFUL WR Dane Looker (ankle)
PROBABLE LB Brandon Chillar (hamstring); TE Cameron Cleeland (ankle); RB Arlen Harris (hamstring); LB Robert Thomas (ankle); T Grant Williams (neck)

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

With that schedule, they SHOULD finish 12-4 at the absolute WORST (with the Chiefs, Ravens, and Jets possibly being tough games)... but with all those injuries, who knows?

[JeffWeaverFan]

With both your corners out and the game being in St. Louis, I could see the Rams taking winning the game.

[RIyankee]

The Pats usually have problems against bigger, more physical WRs and TEs like Pittsburgh. St. Louis and KC WRs aren't that big.

[NYYFAN]

Can I start an "Official Raider Analysis thread"...

Ahhh never mind...

[JeffWeaverFan]

Originally posted by RIyankee
The Pats usually have problems against bigger, more physical WRs and TEs like Pittsburgh. St. Louis and KC WRs aren't that big.

I just think it's trouble when you go into that dome with both your starting CB's out and your RB questionable. Rams will win by at least 4.

[Sam18]

The Patriots will win. Just don't see them loosing 2 in a row. Although if they went winless for the rest of the year I wouldn't mind.

[NYYFAN]

Originally posted by JeffWeaverFan
With both your corners out and the game being in St. Louis, I could see the Rams taking winning the game.

And if Dillion is out that wont help either...

I say NE loses this week...starts losing streak...

[cubswin]

I think this could be a tough game for the Pats, though I'm more optimistic b/c Dillon started.

Their 1st drive reminded me of a question I had last week, though: why have the Pats used the screen so little this year? I'm glad they've cut back from past years, when they used it all the time (especially 2 years ago), but they sem to have cut very far back. I particularly was wondering this during the game last week v. the Steelers, who were in the backfield all game. Thought some screens could have been good yardage producers and kept the Steelers back a bit. Any thoughts?

[son of mel hall]

I'm stuck in the office and can only follow the game on gameday. How are they looking so far? It doesn't seem promising.

[son of mel hall]

Originally posted by cubswin
I think this could be a tough game for the Pats, though I'm more optimistic b/c Dillon started.

Their 1st drive reminded me of a question I had last week, though: why have the Pats used the screen so little this year? I'm glad they've cut back from past years, when they used it all the time (especially 2 years ago), but they sem to have cut very far back. I particularly was wondering this during the game last week v. the Steelers, who were in the backfield all game. Thought some screens could have been good yardage producers and kept the Steelers back a bit. Any thoughts?

I've been concerned about their depleted secondary.

I don't see why they don't use Faulk for the screen more; that's one of his strengths.

[cubswin]

Originally posted by son of mel hall
I'm stuck in the office and can only follow the game on gameday. How are they looking so far? It doesn't seem promising.

I'm a little behind (tivoing while working), score now 13-7, but actually playing fairly well. Offense is carving up Rams' D EXCEPT in the red zone. But good to see them moving the ball. Dillon is a man -- love having him on the team. Only Rams TD was defensive, on Brady fumble. Pats were pinned on a punt, then Rams got great penetration; Pats were probably hurt by crowd noise, as Brady was audibling at the line. Anyway, Brady got stripped -- not sure there was much he could do, trying to avoid the safety and get the ball away, just didn't have time.

Pats TD was beautiful -- on Rams 1, fade pass into corner, perfect lob from Brady, GREAT catch by Vrabel.

[cubswin]

Originally posted by son of mel hall


I've been concerned about their depleted secondary.

I don't see why they don't use Faulk for the screen more; that's one of his strengths.

Did gameday show that Troy Brown was playing D? Assante Samuel got hurt on the 2nd play of the game, was out for the 1st quarter but is now back.

[cubswin]

INFURIATING. NFL pulled an MLB on me today. Was watching and tivoing the game today. As the half approached, the recording ended, as it apprently got blacked out then b/c of the locl affiliate carrying the game. By that time, game had 2 minutes left.

Especially annoying is that I specificall was watching the Sunday Ticket feed b/c a few weeks ago, the programming schedule said that the locl network was showing the Pats, but they wound up showing the Chargers instead, leaving w/o the game.

Usually MLB enables this crap, while the NFL always seemed to realize that it's a good thing to let fans watch games, especially when they're paying for them...

[#1PaFan]

Originally posted by cubswin
INFURIATING. NFL pulled an MLB on me today. Was watching and tivoing the game today. As the half approached, the recording ended, as it apprently got blacked out then b/c of the locl affiliate carrying the game. By that time, game had 2 minutes left.

Especially annoying is that I specificall was watching the Sunday Ticket feed b/c a few weeks ago, the programming schedule said that the locl network was showing the Pats, but they wound up showing the Chargers instead, leaving w/o the game.

Usually MLB enables this crap, while the NFL always seemed to realize that it's a good thing to let fans watch games, especially when they're paying for them...

That happened here too and I have NO idea why.

[cubswin]

Originally posted by #1PaFan


That happened here too and I have NO idea why.

DirecTV said it was b/c local CBS affiliate showed the game. But (i) Sunday Ticket often shows games that are on the networks -- part of what makes it better than MLB Extra Innings, imo -- far more reliable (in the past, anyway) and (ii) why stop it halfway? Are you just trying to screw with people?

DirecTV said they'd do something if they could but that their hands are tied. When I suggested "taking care of it" through a credit to my next bill, they surprisingly became far less magnanimous...

[#1PaFan]

Originally posted by cubswin



DirecTV said it was b/c local CBS affiliate showed the game. But (i) Sunday Ticket often shows games that are on the networks -- part of what makes it better than MLB Extra Innings, imo -- far more reliable (in the past, anyway) and (ii) why stop it halfway? Are you just trying to screw with people?

DirecTV said they'd do something if they could but that their hands are tied. When I suggested "taking care of it" through a credit to my next bill, they surprisingly became far less magnanimous...

I've had the NFL ticket for several years now and that's never happened to me before. Of course, this is the first year I've had it AND my local stations so, for some stupid reason, I bet that FOX/CBS had something to do with it.

The funny thing was that I left the room just before that happened to let my dogs out. I really blamed my Bro with the remote, but I found the game on my local station. I just don't know WHY our local affiliate changed the game at that time anyway. VERY weird.

[cubswin]

Question about the fake, where Vinatieri connected w/Brown for a TD: was that formation legal? I only saw a clip after the game (thanks again, Directv/CBS -- no, I'm not pissed...), but it looked like Brown was lined up too far outside -- are the rules different for FG attempts than for other plays? Was the clip deceiving (maaybe Brown just cut outside from a legal position)? Did the refs miss something (WeaverFan need not reply )?

[#1PaFan]

Originally posted by cubswin
Question about the fake, where Vinatieri connected w/Brown for a TD: was that formation legal? I only saw a clip after the game (thanks again, Directv/CBS -- no, I'm not pissed...), but it looked like Brown was lined up too far outside -- are the rules different for FG attempts than for other plays? Was the clip deceiving (maaybe Brown just cut outside from a legal position)? Did the refs miss something (WeaverFan need not reply )?

I really don't know. It would seem to me that you would still need a basic, legal formation since obviously it's still a timed offensive play as opposed to a PAT. I never saw the play though.

[captainintangibles]

Originally posted by JeffWeaverFan

I just think it's trouble when you go into that dome with both your starting CB's out and your RB questionable. Rams will win by at least 4.

Ouch again.

When Dillon is healthy, these guys are going to be tough to beat.

[captainintangibles]

Originally posted by cubswin
Question about the fake, where Vinatieri connected w/Brown for a TD: was that formation legal? I only saw a clip after the game (thanks again, Directv/CBS -- no, I'm not pissed...), but it looked like Brown was lined up too far outside -- are the rules different for FG attempts than for other plays? Was the clip deceiving (maaybe Brown just cut outside from a legal position)? Did the refs miss something (WeaverFan need not reply )?

JWFsays: definetly illegal... clearly another example of favoritism for the 'patsies'.

[RIREDSOXFAN]

Originally posted by captainintangibles


JWFsays: definetly illegal... clearly another example of favoritism for the 'patsies'.

That play was absolutely legal. Troy Brown reported and went INSIDE the yard markers first, that's all he LEGALLY had to do. Would you care to give examples of this "favoritism" for the "Patsies"? You have no legs to stand on with this one-look it up.

The real story of yesterday's game was the Patriots kicking butt in St. Louis. Once again, Bill outcouched Mike Martz-could you believe how that guy managed the clock at the end of the game. I wonder how many fans in St. Louis today think the Patriots won because of favoritism, and how many think they won because the Rams coach suffered some serious brain cramps during the game.

After what the Steelers did to the Eagles yesterday, the Pats don't look quite so bad. The Steelers clearly showed that right now they are the best team in football.

[hugelongtermdeal]

Originally posted by RIREDSOXFAN


That play was absolutely legal. Troy Brown reported and went INSIDE the yard markers first, that's all he LEGALLY had to do. Would you care to give examples of this "favoritism" for the "Patsies"? You have no legs to stand on with this one-look it up.

The real story of yesterday's game was the Patriots kicking butt in St. Louis. Once again, Bill outcouched Mike Martz-could you believe how that guy managed the clock at the end of the game. I wonder how many fans in St. Louis today think the Patriots won because of favoritism, and how many think they won because the Rams coach suffered some serious brain cramps during the game.

After what the Steelers did to the Eagles yesterday, the Pats don't look quite so bad. The Steelers clearly showed that right now they are the best team in football.

I think that CI was making fun of JWF.

[RIREDSOXFAN]

Originally posted by hugelongtermdeal


I think that CI was making fun of JWF.

Silly me!

[RIyankee]

Originally posted by cubswin
I think this could be a tough game for the Pats, though I'm more optimistic b/c Dillon started.

Their 1st drive reminded me of a question I had last week, though: why have the Pats used the screen so little this year? Any thoughts?

My thoughts...

Kevin Faulk, their 3rd down back, missed much of the first half with a knee injury. Patrick Pass missed a couple of games as well. Since this is Dillon's first year with the Pats it's understandable that Weis wasn't comfortable using Dillon in many pass plays. That seems to have changed as the Pats are throwing Corey more as the season progresses.

Speaking of Pass, he's having his best season so far. He's working harder, getting better rushes, and looking more comfortable in the passing game. With the TEs being ignored in the passing game (they have been spending more time staying back to pass block), Pass should get more touches in the 2nd half this season.

Another reason is, as in 2002, opposing defenses are playing against the short pass while putting 8 in the box in order to force Brady to throw it deep. This can discourage screen passes.

[son of mel hall]

Originally posted by cubswin



Did gameday show that Troy Brown was playing D? Assante Samuel got hurt on the 2nd play of the game, was out for the 1st quarter but is now back.

sorry for the late response, but yes it did show brown on defense. at first i thought it was a mistake. Unbelievable.

[RIyankee]

Originally posted by son of mel hall


sorry for the late response, but yes it did show brown on defense. at first i thought it was a mistake. Unbelievable.

Bellichick had Troy Brown playing CB in training camp over the summer. The local media thought he was crazy. Now he looks like a prophet. He did a somewhat decent job though he got flagged for a cheap PI penalty for not turning around enough when the ball was in the air.

[WebsterMulligan]

Originally posted by RIyankee


Bellichick had Troy Brown playing CB in training camp over the summer. The local media thought he was crazy. Now he looks like prophet. He did a somewhat decent job though he got flagged for a cheap PI penalty for not turning around enough when the ball was in the air.

Was'nt Brown used on nickel and dime packages, last year?

[son of mel hall]

Originally posted by WebsterMulligan


Was'nt Brown used on nickel and dime packages, last year?

Really? I didn't know that.

[NDBoston]

Originally posted by WebsterMulligan


Was'nt Brown used on nickel and dime packages, last year?

He might have been use once in an emergency, but it wasn't a regular thing.

[son of mel hall]

Originally posted by RIyankee


He did a somewhat decent job though he got flagged for a cheap PI penalty for not turning around enough when the ball was in the air.

They called the penalty on him for "faceguarding," not playing the ball. I didn't see the play on television, as I was still chained to my desk.

[WebsterMulligan]

Originally posted by son of mel hall


Really? I didn't know that.

IIRC, he was incorporated into the defensive scheme, last year. I do recall the media discussing it (WEEI 850, perhaps). As ND, has indicated, it was likely for emergency purposes only. I suspect that the Pat's will make some sort of roster move, to get some help for the defensive secondary.

[son of mel hall]

Originally posted by WebsterMulligan


IIRC, he was incorporated into the defensive scheme, last year. I do recall the media discussing it (WEEI 850, perhaps). As ND, has indicated, it was likely for emergency purposes only. I suspect that the Pat's will make some sort of roster move, to get some help for the defensive secondary.

Thanks. They better get some help back there in the secondary. That is a seriously depleted unit. I wonder who's available not named Myron Guyton.

[NDBoston]

"Otis Smith. Phone call for Otis Smith"

[son of mel hall]

Originally posted by NDBoston
"Otis Smith. Phone call for Otis Smith"

Otis, my man. Welcome back.

[RIyankee]

Originally posted by NDBoston


He might have been use once in an emergency, but it wasn't a regular thing.

I'm pretty sure he was used on "Hail Mary" plays in past seasons.

[RIyankee]

Originally posted by son of mel hall


They called the penalty on him for "faceguarding," not playing the ball. I didn't see the play on television, as I was still chained to my desk.

I saw it. The ball simply hit Brown in the back and eventhough he turned his head slightly, the ref threw the flag. That's why I thought it was cheap. At this point, it's only nitpicking. But it's a stupid way to apply the PI rule. JMHO

[RIyankee]

That was a big "W" in St. Louis. Everyone is ripping Martz but the Rams problems are the following...

Weak O-Line - With Kyle Turley on IR, they are starting former Patriot Grant Williams at RT. That's bad.

Weak D-Line - The Rams defense is very athletic and fast, but not very big. The Pats blockers pushed then around for most of the game.

Bad personnel moves - DT Jimmy Kennedy is a bust. When he was still on the board at #12 in the 2002 draft, the Rams should have known better.

Torry Holt and Issac Bruce are overrated - They are very good WRs but aren't in Moss/Ward/Buress/T.O.'s class and are overpaid.

[RIyankee]

For the 2nd week in a row the Pats will face a weak O-Line against the Bills. However, the Bills "D" is playoff caliber.

Thoughts???

[cubswin]

If the Pats can keep turnovers to a minimum, which I think they will, I think they'll win by at least a touchdown.

[RIyankee]

I agree, the Pats must not make "killer" turnovers.

I think McGahee and the Bills "D" will make a game of it. But the Pats will win. I think the Bills O-Line is weak and the Pats D-frontline will dominate.

[reelbiggecko]

I see them doubling up on Moulds a lot, and Harrison & Co. spending a lot of time crashing down on the pocket to stunt McGahee and the running game. The more you make Drew have to air it out the better your chances of winning, because sooner or later he WILL make a mistake. The Pats just have to stop McGahee before he gets in a groove and they'll be fine.

(By the way, Travis Henry has the worst luck in all of professional football. It just sucks for the guy that he has the best seasons of his life, and it's just not good enough. I really want to see him go elsewhere and succeed next year.)

[RIyankee]

Originally posted by reelbiggecko

(By the way, Travis Henry has the worst luck in all of professional football. It just sucks for the guy that he has the best seasons of his life, and it's just not good enough. I really want to see him go elsewhere and succeed next year.)

I feel the same way about Bledsoe. He's in a bad situation right now.

[RIyankee]

WR Deion Branch has been upgraded from doubtful to questionable for the Bills game.

[WebsterMulligan]

Originally posted by RIyankee


I feel the same way about Bledsoe. He's in a bad situation right now.

I've always liked Bledsoe. Unfortunately, his best years are behind him, IMO.

[RIyankee]

Originally posted by WebsterMulligan


I've always liked Bledsoe. Unfortunately, his best years are behind him, IMO.

They said the same think about Jim Plunkett.

[WebsterMulligan]

Originally posted by RIyankee


They said the same think about Jim Plunkett.

Come to think of it, yes they did. I think Bledsoe could be a good fit, with the Cowboys.

[cubswin]

Troy Brown had an INT tonight.

And have I mentioned that I love having Dillon on the Pats?

[RIREDSOXFAN]

I love having ALL the players on this team. How can you not love Troy Brown? He's been my favorite player for years, and he's such a good example for kids. I have a son who is almost 12, tall kid, but with zero confidence athletically. He's a great student, has a lot of confidence in school, but none playing sports.
He's playing basketball this year (like I said, he IS tall,), but he's so afraid he's not good enough. It shows, because he plays afraid.
I know alot of people don't like the Patriots, but when you look at that team, there are alot of guys who were told they weren't good enough. One of the announcers was talking about that last night. Some of the Patriots best players were drafted low, cut by other teams, etc.
I show my son Troy Brown, who was drafted I believe 8th round, then cut, and brought back by the Patriots (thank God!). I can tell my son that nothing is beyond your grasp if you are willing to WORK for it.
My son will never be a pro athlete, but he can at least try, and have fun playing.
Athletes can be role models, and there are athletes out there who make great role models. Troy Brown is one of them.
Last week, when Troy was playing on defense, the announcers were talking about him and they relayed a conversation between Belichick and Brown. The subject was playing defense, and if he was ready and could do it. Troy basically said- "I'm a football player, it's football season, so I'll play football wherever you tell me to play". How can you not find that refreshing compared to the attitudes and antics of too many pro athletes.
Sorry to get wordy, but I just had to write this about Troy Brown. I don't have any idea how the season will turn about, but for me this Patriots team is so easy to love!