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The 2011 New England Patriots

Re: The 2011 New England Patriots

Got back from the Patriots game and it's a relief they won this weekend. All in all, I had a good time at the game. Brady obviously didn't really have a sharp game. They really should have lost with the turnovers by Brady and some key plays at the end. Moore knocking the ball out of the hands of the receiver in the end zone for a sure TD and the missed FG. WOW that was a game the Patriots didn't deserve to win but we'll take it.

The rematch with the Giants could be like the last 2-3 games they played each other. Hopefully Brady will work out his problems because he will face another solid defense in the Giants. As usual Chad was his insignificant self. After Spikes picked it, I didn't quite understand the play calling there. Run the ball and chew the clock out because they were having some success, plus they had the lead. I don't know if it was Brady calling that play or O'Brien or McDaniel but that was really unexpected after they just got the ball back. Branch was covered well on that play and he was just forcing it in there.

Woodhead holding the ball like a loaf of bread on that return was just awful. Everyone was saying Flacco sucks but he definitely outplayed Brady today and with luck, he should have won that game. That missed pass where the receiver was well past the defender by at least 10 yards was just bad luck but fortunate for the Pats.
 
Re: The 2011 New England Patriots

ScottK said:
To be fair, he was inactive yesterday as his father had passed away.
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Wait till the Super Bowl then he can be his insignificant self again. Rumor has it he still doesn't know the playbook yet
 
Re: The 2011 New England Patriots

BCeagle said:
After Spikes picked it, I didn't quite understand the play calling there. Run the ball and chew the clock out because they were having some success, plus they had the lead. I don't know if it was Brady calling that play or O'Brien or McDaniel but that was really unexpected after they just got the ball back. Branch was covered well on that play and he was just forcing it in there.
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I don't mind the idea of them looking to strike quickly there, but a quarterback of Brady's caliber should be able to see that play was covered. And I think the intended receiver was actually Slater. So he threw into coverage to Matthew Slater? Midway through the fourth quarter of a conference championship game? Yikes. Makes me think back to 2-3 years ago, where they'd force the ball to Sam Aiken and I'd wonder how on Earth that play could even be in the playbook.
 
walrus said:
I'm so ****ed at Brady throwing that INT in quadruple coverage, W T F was he thinking
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He was thinking "mookie bet $20 that we'd be able to put up 40 on the purple browns and I'm letting him down!!"

He could feel my eyes there sitting on the 35y line in my stillers toque and polamalu jersey. The heat was on! :p
 
Re: The 2011 New England Patriots

My thoughts in the Ravens game:

1) Sterling Moore, if the Pats win the SB there's no need for you to ever have to buy a drink for yourself in this town again. Much like Dave Roberts, that play will go down in Boston sports lore. Heads up, great play.

2) Wilfork was a beast. I saw him toss the center 10 steps back into the backfield multiple times. I also loved the one handed takedowns just by grabbing the jersey. He's going to be a huge key, maybe their only advantage on defense, going into the Giants game.

3) *** is Brady's problem? The first pick was bad enough, but the second was inexcusable. That as a TJ Yates through, and he's a rookie. If he plays like that in the SB the game will be over by halftime.


Onto the Super Bowl. This is the most improbable SB appearance I can remember. Even the '85 team I thought had a better shot of making the big dance than this one (where they got killed as expected). Terrible D. No deep threat. No top RB. A WR playing in the secondary. Yet here they are. I don't have a good feeling about the upcoming game, no so much because of the opponent but because I can see their luck running out sooner or later.
 
Re: The 2011 New England Patriots

Rover said:
My thoughts in the Ravens game:

1) Sterling Moore, if the Pats win the SB there's no need for you to ever have to buy a drink for yourself in this town again. Much like Dave Roberts, that play will go down in Boston sports lore. Heads up, great play.

2) Wilfork was a beast. I saw him toss the center 10 steps back into the backfield multiple times. I also loved the one handed takedowns just by grabbing the jersey. He's going to be a huge key, maybe their only advantage on defense, going into the Giants game.

3) *** is Brady's problem? The first pick was bad enough, but the second was inexcusable. That as a TJ Yates through, and he's a rookie. If he plays like that in the SB the game will be over by halftime.


Onto the Super Bowl. This is the most improbable SB appearance I can remember. Even the '85 team I thought had a better shot of making the big dance than this one (where they got killed as expected). Terrible D. No deep threat. No top RB. A WR playing in the secondary. Yet here they are. I don't have a good feeling about the upcoming game, no so much because of the opponent but because I can see their luck running out sooner or later.
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Giants seem to have their number, style of D is a big concern...they are more like Ravens than not. Have to hope Gomer's brother has one of those days like he was having mid-year. Hopefully 2 weeks is enough time for Gronkowski to fully recover. I'd suit Ocho if for no other reason than the deep threat. Maybe Slater is just as fast but he lacks experience.

What worked for SF? Well, two long balls and a running QB. We certainly don't have the running QB part. Of course, SF only had 2 receivers.

So, if the G-men are able to produce a balanced attack and get pressure on Brady it could be a long evening. If the Pats can stop either the run or the pass and figure out how to stifle the NY pass rush (via blocking, screens, short routes etc.) then they can win.

Don't know how the NY LB's are in coverage but hopefully the Pats can get a certain defense on the field and then run the hurry up to take advantage of mismatches.

And tell Welker to not fumble two punts.
 
Re: The 2011 New England Patriots

Jason A said:
I don't mind the idea of them looking to strike quickly there, but a quarterback of Brady's caliber should be able to see that play was covered. And I think the intended receiver was actually Slater. So he threw into coverage to Matthew Slater? Midway through the fourth quarter of a conference championship game? Yikes. Makes me think back to 2-3 years ago, where they'd force the ball to Sam Aiken and I'd wonder how on Earth that play could even be in the playbook.
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There should have been a receiver running a short pattern in case the deep man was covered, else throw it away or take a sack. But don't give the ball back.
 
Re: The 2011 New England Patriots

While I'm pessimistic about the SB, I'll say these things could work in the Pats favor: First and foremost, the people left from the 2007 debacle need to come out ready to kill. Especially the O line (Mankins & Light) who were the reason why the team lost last time. Not sure if anybody else was there (like Connolly). Waters needs to play like this is his one and only chance for a ring, because it may be. If the line dominates, the opens up the run game and then the pass to the TE's. Giants don't have a great D, unlike Baltimore, so the O needs to redeem itself.

I'd dress Ochostinko instead of Underdog as again this is it for him. Also keep a play or two in mind for Faulk, a tried and true vet. There's no tomorrow for either of these guys.

So establish the run to keep the D honest and have Brady receive an electric shock anytime he thinks about throwing into double coverage. Eli Gump is probably good for one pick also so they'll have to capitalize on that.
 
Re: The 2011 New England Patriots

Rover said:
Giants don't have a great D, unlike Baltimore, so the O needs to redeem itself.
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Maybe not in the backfield but the Giants front 4 scares the dickens out of me. I don't see how the Pats are favorites at this point. Eli is on fire and Cruz might as well be Randy Moss
 
Re: The 2011 New England Patriots

So I'm not up on what exactly constitutes possession in the NFL rulebook, but if I was a ref, that strip[ by Moore is a TD in my book. It's a catch, touchdown, and then the ball comes free after the play. Pats are lucky as hell to have gotten that call, shades of the Brady tuck call of a decade ago. In any case, that receiver should be kicking himself, as he relaxed, kinda nonchalanted it once he had the ball, thinking the play was all over, allowing the defender the chance to knock it out. You play hard till the whistle.

Also, why weren't the Ravens able to challenge that call? I know they would have reviewed it if it was a touchdown, but since it was ruled incomplete, they couldn't. But why couldn't Harbaugh have thrown out the challenge flag?

Pats had no business winning this game, but they did anyway. I think they beat the Giants handily, But then, I thought that in 2008 as well.

That Niners punt returner must be the saddest guy in the world right about now. First thing they teach you is if you're not gonna field it, get as far away from the ball as you can, to prevent stuff like that from happening. And then the fumble at the end.
 
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Re: The 2011 New England Patriots

rufus said:
So I'm not up on what exactly constitutes possession in the NFL rulebook, but if I was a ref, that strip[ by Moore is a TD in my book. It's a catch, touchdown, and then the ball comes free after the play. Pats are lucky as hell to have gotten that call, shades of the Brady tuck call of a decade ago. In any case, that receiver should be kicking himself, as he relaxed, kinda nonchalanted it once he had the ball, thinking the play was all over, allowing the defender the chance to knock it out. You play hard till the whistle.

Also, why weren't the Ravens able to challenge that call? I know they would have reviewed it if it was a touchdown, but since it was ruled incomplete, they couldn't. But why couldn't Harbaugh have thrown out the challenge flag?

Pats had no business winning this game, but they did anyway. I think they beat the Giants handily, But then, I thought that in 2008 as well.
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On TD's, you have to have possession throughout the whole play. 2 feet, football move/going to the ground, ball has to be in possession the entire time. No doubt that was an incomplete pass.

And he can't challenge because it was under 2 minutes to go, all reviews have to be from the booth. Should it have been reviewed? Probably, but there is still no way they call that complete.

Tuck rule was 100% the right call. They reviewed the rule after that season and every single coach agreed the rule needs to be in there.
 
Re: The 2011 New England Patriots

rufus said:
Also, why weren't the Ravens able to challenge that call? I know they would have reviewed it if it was a touchdown, but since it was ruled incomplete, they couldn't. But why couldn't Harbaugh have thrown out the challenge flag?
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Inside 2:00 so all reviews are handled by the booth. The "catch" wasn't a catch because his foot wasn't down. Also, the rules regarding a catch in the field and a catch in the end zone aren't the same. More than likely that play was reviewed in the booth before the FGA and there was no need to look at it further.
 
Re: The 2011 New England Patriots

Rover said:
2) Wilfork was a beast. I saw him toss the center 10 steps back into the backfield multiple times. I also loved the one handed takedowns just by grabbing the jersey. He's going to be a huge key, maybe their only advantage on defense, going into the Giants game.
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I haven't read anything explaining it in-depth, but just reading some tweets from Ian Rapoport of The Herald, and it seems like they lined up Wilfork as a true NT on a dozen or so key plays in the game and placed the DEs over the guards so they couldn't double-team Wilfork. Sounds to me like the original Buddy Ryan 46 -- to cover the center and both guards. Interesting that they'd only do that in certain situations, perhaps so the Ravens would have trouble adjusting to it? Now it's on tape, of course . . .
 
Re: The 2011 New England Patriots

Rover said:
While I'm pessimistic about the SB, I'll say these things could work in the Pats favor: First and foremost, the people left from the 2007 debacle need to come out ready to kill. Especially the O line (Mankins & Light) who were the reason why the team lost last time. Not sure if anybody else was there (like Connolly). Waters needs to play like this is his one and only chance for a ring, because it may be. If the line dominates, the opens up the run game and then the pass to the TE's. Giants don't have a great D, unlike Baltimore, so the O needs to redeem itself.

I'd dress Ochostinko instead of Underdog as again this is it for him. Also keep a play or two in mind for Faulk, a tried and true vet. There's no tomorrow for either of these guys.

So establish the run to keep the D honest and have Brady receive an electric shock anytime he thinks about throwing into double coverage. Eli Gump is probably good for one pick also so they'll have to capitalize on that.
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IMO since they're playing another good defense, watching them play, they seem to play better in a no huddle offense to keep the D from substituting, get them tired, and hinder the defensive calls without a defensive huddle. The Pats will have to exploit what the Giants give them. Play Chad since it's his only chance to redeem himself for his mediocre season and give Pats a deep threat to open it up for other receivers if he makes some catches.

If they have to, insert one of the TE as a blocking back to give Brady more time if the NYG defense is putting tremendous pressure on Brady. Also, they can use the backs as a safety valve if the receivers are covered. We need Green-Ellis to have a good game running to keep the defense honest. After Spikes, picked the ball off Flacco, I didn't understand why they didn't run some plays since they were up, had good field position at the 50, and a chance to run the clock down with the lead, and add on to the lead if they were patient and methodical.
 
Re: The 2011 New England Patriots

BCeagle said:
, I didn't understand why they didn't run some plays since they were up, had good field position at the 50, and a chance to run the clock down with the lead, and add on to the lead if they were patient and methodical.
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Remember when the O coordinator and Brady had a fight during the game, thats why, Brady is so arrogant(maybe its confident) he'll throw the ball anywhere anytime even when it doesn't make sense
 
Re: The 2011 New England Patriots

While I still won't predict a Pats win, there's way too much woofing on the Giants' side already. For a team that won because a player muffed two punts all on his own, you'd think Coughlin would be keeping a lid on these guys. I'm also not sure when Eli Manning became Joe Montana but I know its true from reading the press coverage, even the non-ESPN stuff!
 
Re: The 2011 New England Patriots

If the Pats get the ball first, they need a drive like the opening one against Denver. Getting ahead early has HUGE benefits.
 
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