Has anyone noticed (1 Viewer)

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

Through ten games they are fourth in rushing attempts and fourth in yards. Seems like they can run fairly well. They are tenth in pass attempts.

I think these numbers are skewed because there's been so many games now where they take the 4th quarter off in terms of passing and attacking.I bet if you just looked at 3quarters of football, they'd be up at the top of the lists.They also have no punting game Early on I saw that NE's weakness was their running game but nobody except for the Colts that day really could do anything about it.You have to get pressure on NE and try to force them to run when they want to pass. It's extremely hard because they have a talented offensive line and of course, the X factor in Moss.I don't know if any of you saw the Lions/Giants game yesterday but towards the end of the game, the Lions were down 16-10. Kitna was scrambling and chucked the ball up a mile in the sky into the endzone and a Giant defender and a Lions receiver went for the ball.It was picked off and everyone after the play just couldn't believe Kitna would throw the ball up for grabs.I was kinda of one of those people then I thought, this is exactly the same thing Brady did for Moss on the big play vs. the Colts when down by 10 and he got praised for the same play.That is why I think Moss is the X factor because you can be playing even with NE or even slightly outplaying them like Indy was at the time and you can just throw the ball up for grabs with a reasonable shot for a big play. Other teams like the Lions who do the same thing don't have that option.

 

[rabidfireweasel]

Through ten games they are fourth in rushing attempts and fourth in yards. Seems like they can run fairly well. They are tenth in pass attempts.

I think these numbers are skewed because there's been so many games now where they take the 4th quarter off in terms of passing and attacking.I bet if you just looked at 3quarters of football, they'd be up at the top of the lists.

So they have gotten up to fourth in attempts and yards by running in the fourth quarter? I thought people were complaining that they passed too much in the fourth quarter. Against Dallas, both Morris and Maroney were hurt.

 

[-OZ-]

The Patriots are a Dynasty team in the age of free agency. There is no competition. No teams are great. I despise them because they are so EASY to hate. More so than any other team because their coach is SUCH a jerkof$ and Brady, who I used to love, is annoying as well. Again, in this game, they go for it on forth down and goal when they have a safe lead. I don't ever recall seeing this. Yes, I hear people say, ' so defend them', but guess what, no one has ever tested that theory, at least in the 35 years I have been watching football. They will lose. Statistically, it is against them. So I will wait......... And hope. AND REJOICE when they lose. Hey, to go from a team that I actually root for to a team that I despise, is quite an achievement. Character in man is critical.

Aside from playing exceptional football, how is Brady annoying?Aside from Rodney Harrison, what players on the defense lack character or deserve to be labeled "punks"?Aside from Moss on offense, same question. And he's even kept in check this year.

 

[Workhorse]

NE doesn't need a running game.

They only need the threat of one.

Seriously.

While Maroney has not had a great year, teams still have to respect the potential he has whenever he touches the ball. Seems like all Brady needs is to have one defender in the box in order to exploit a seam in the D, what with the plethora of quality hands on that team.

Which is exactly why the single-back play action and the shotgun/fake-draw play-action have been working all year long.

 

[stbugs]

Through ten games they are fourth in rushing attempts and fourth in yards. Seems like they can run fairly well. They are tenth in pass attempts.

I think these numbers are skewed because there's been so many games now where they take the 4th quarter off in terms of passing and attacking.I bet if you just looked at 3quarters of football, they'd be up at the top of the lists.They also have no punting game Early on I saw that NE's weakness was their running game but nobody except for the Colts that day really could do anything about it.You have to get pressure on NE and try to force them to run when they want to pass. It's extremely hard because they have a talented offensive line and of course, the X factor in Moss.I don't know if any of you saw the Lions/Giants game yesterday but towards the end of the game, the Lions were down 16-10. Kitna was scrambling and chucked the ball up a mile in the sky into the endzone and a Giant defender and a Lions receiver went for the ball.It was picked off and everyone after the play just couldn't believe Kitna would throw the ball up for grabs.I was kinda of one of those people then I thought, this is exactly the same thing Brady did for Moss on the big play vs. the Colts when down by 10 and he got praised for the same play.That is why I think Moss is the X factor because you can be playing even with NE or even slightly outplaying them like Indy was at the time and you can just throw the ball up for grabs with a reasonable shot for a big play. Other teams like the Lions who do the same thing don't have that option.

Moss is a fantastic WR, but you are going a bit overboard thinking that Brady to Moss is the only case of this. If you watched the highlights of that same Detroit-NYG game your talking about, you saw Calvin Johnson come down with a jump ball over a defender from Kitna for a TD. Kitna has RoyW and Calvin to do that. There are plenty of guys like that and usually there tends to be at least one on all of the really good QB teams.I think it is testament to Brady as well to think that he can take advantage of Moss after never having a guy like that. The other thing to note is the jump ball is only one type of TD, Brady has thrown a bunch to where he thinks only Moss can get it and Moss is just that good that he makes those catches. All of the good TD WRs make those type of plays. Brady and Moss has been ridiculous this year, but that is more to opportunity. Brady to Moss hasn't invented a new type of TD catch.

 

[tri-man 47]

NE doesn't need a running game.

They only need the threat of one.

Seriously.

While Maroney has not had a great year, teams still have to respect the potential he has whenever he touches the ball. Seems like all Brady needs is to have one defender in the box in order to exploit a seam in the D, what with the plethora of quality hands on that team.

Maroney is now at 436 yards and one score, but he has 4.6 ypc. So yeah, nothing really wrong there. They've just spread the running to various backs at the goal line. But his overall performance hasn't been bad - it's just been limited. From my fantasy perspective, I wish I'd get more out of him, but it is a thing of beauty to watch NEP in action.

 

[sdsjr3]

Moss is a fantastic WR, but you are going a bit overboard thinking that Brady to Moss is the only case of this. If you watched the highlights of that same Detroit-NYG game your talking about, you saw Calvin Johnson come down with a jump ball over a defender from Kitna for a TD. Kitna has RoyW and Calvin to do that. There are plenty of guys like that and usually there tends to be at least one on all of the really good QB teams.I think it is testament to Brady as well to think that he can take advantage of Moss after never having a guy like that. The other thing to note is the jump ball is only one type of TD, Brady has thrown a bunch to where he thinks only Moss can get it and Moss is just that good that he makes those catches. All of the good TD WRs make those type of plays. Brady and Moss has been ridiculous this year, but that is more to opportunity. Brady to Moss hasn't invented a new type of TD catch.

Not to hijack, but in watching that game, I'm not sure what Det was thinking. That ball should've gone to Roy or Calvin. McDonald is not the guy you want catching a jump ball.But yes, Det DOES have the "X" factor, they just don't utilize it well. And Roy had the SURE TD overthrown by Kitna. I like Kitna, but man, he cost the Lions that game with that one overthrow. Completely blown coverage by the NYG.Back on track, all I kept thinking last night was..."I've never seen Peyton throw bullets on the money the way Brady does" I used to watch in awe as Peyton dissected opposing defenses, but Brady is taking that to another level. I think the Pats just run the ball now and then just so the backs aren't bored to death. Seriously, they have absolutely NO NEED to put the ball in their hands. I can't help but watch the Pats in awe...and I'm a Jets fan...I should be hating every minute of it. But it's just SOOO impressive that as a football fan, you have to respect and enjoy what you're seeing on the field.

 

[Ghost Rider]

There is a difference between not being able to run the ball and not trying to run the ball. The Patriots obviously fall under the category of the latter.

 

[WiDDoW_MaKeR]

Yes, there is a flaw. This team is weak at the RB position. Maroney has shown nothing and Faulk is injured now. This team will lose. If it takes all the way to the SB, and it has to be the Cowboys, that would be fine with me. Certainly, if Dallas can ever get both starting CBs in at the same time, things might be different. Moss is NOT that good. Christ, if a team could just cover him instead of looking at the name on the back of his jersey, they would do well.

Dallas has no running game either.

Dallas already has over 1000 yards rushing, between Julius Jones and Barber.

 

[nysfl2]

Moss is a fantastic WR, but you are going a bit overboard thinking that Brady to Moss is the only case of this. If you watched the highlights of that same Detroit-NYG game your talking about, you saw Calvin Johnson come down with a jump ball over a defender from Kitna for a TD. Kitna has RoyW and Calvin to do that. There are plenty of guys like that and usually there tends to be at least one on all of the really good QB teams.

I think it is testament to Brady as well to think that he can take advantage of Moss after never having a guy like that. The other thing to note is the jump ball is only one type of TD, Brady has thrown a bunch to where he thinks only Moss can get it and Moss is just that good that he makes those catches. All of the good TD WRs make those type of plays. Brady and Moss has been ridiculous this year, but that is more to opportunity. Brady to Moss hasn't invented a new type of TD catch.

Not to hijack, but in watching that game, I'm not sure what Det was thinking. That ball should've gone to Roy or Calvin. McDonald is not the guy you want catching a jump ball.But yes, Det DOES have the "X" factor, they just don't utilize it well. And Roy had the SURE TD overthrown by Kitna. I like Kitna, but man, he cost the Lions that game with that one overthrow. Completely blown coverage by the NYG.

Back on track, all I kept thinking last night was..."I've never seen Peyton throw bullets on the money the way Brady does" I used to watch in awe as Peyton dissected opposing defenses, but Brady is taking that to another level. I think the Pats just run the ball now and then just so the backs aren't bored to death. Seriously, they have absolutely NO NEED to put the ball in their hands. I can't help but watch the Pats in awe...and I'm a Jets fan...I should be hating every minute of it. But it's just SOOO impressive that as a football fan, you have to respect and enjoy what you're seeing on the field.

To continue the hijack, great comment on the throw to McDonald. That's a fine pass to one of your 6'4" receivers, who have a 6 inch height advantage on their defender and can go up and get that pass, but you sure as heck don't throw it to McDonald. I'm wondering if Kitna just forgot which receiver was running that pattern and thought he was heaving it up to one of the big guys. I'm also not convinced that Kitna's overthrow of Roy was his fault. Roy W. seemed to have a hard time locating the ball, and didn't appear to be running full speed as he looked for it. I think Kitna was leading him properly to allow Roy to catch the ball in stride and get a sure TD.

 

[Sleeper 43]

Would it be far fetched to think chick is saving Maroney for the potentially sloppy winter coming up and wants him fresh, especially after losing depth in Sammy Morris.

 

[Workhorse]

Would it be far fetched to think chick is saving Maroney for the potentially sloppy winter coming up and wants him fresh, especially after losing depth in Sammy Morris.

I don't know. I think Maroney might be in Belichick's dog house a bit. Just a hunch based on last night's inactivity and Maroney's denial of a foot injury after the game.

 

[Mikey16x]

yea i was going to post the same thing before i say nys had it... it was still kitna's fault... when you have calvin johnson who made a moss like grab before and roy williams... you should never be throwing a jump ball to shaun mconald.

 

[posty]

I never would have guessed that they are 5th in the league in rushing...

 

[moleculo]

By the way, they are 7th in the league in rushing yards and 5th in carries. Some weakness.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe2007.htm

This is something that i hadn't realized. Thanks

 

[stbugs]

Moss is a fantastic WR, but you are going a bit overboard thinking that Brady to Moss is the only case of this. If you watched the highlights of that same Detroit-NYG game your talking about, you saw Calvin Johnson come down with a jump ball over a defender from Kitna for a TD. Kitna has RoyW and Calvin to do that. There are plenty of guys like that and usually there tends to be at least one on all of the really good QB teams.

I think it is testament to Brady as well to think that he can take advantage of Moss after never having a guy like that. The other thing to note is the jump ball is only one type of TD, Brady has thrown a bunch to where he thinks only Moss can get it and Moss is just that good that he makes those catches. All of the good TD WRs make those type of plays. Brady and Moss has been ridiculous this year, but that is more to opportunity. Brady to Moss hasn't invented a new type of TD catch.

Not to hijack, but in watching that game, I'm not sure what Det was thinking. That ball should've gone to Roy or Calvin. McDonald is not the guy you want catching a jump ball.But yes, Det DOES have the "X" factor, they just don't utilize it well. And Roy had the SURE TD overthrown by Kitna. I like Kitna, but man, he cost the Lions that game with that one overthrow. Completely blown coverage by the NYG.

Back on track, all I kept thinking last night was..."I've never seen Peyton throw bullets on the money the way Brady does" I used to watch in awe as Peyton dissected opposing defenses, but Brady is taking that to another level. I think the Pats just run the ball now and then just so the backs aren't bored to death. Seriously, they have absolutely NO NEED to put the ball in their hands. I can't help but watch the Pats in awe...and I'm a Jets fan...I should be hating every minute of it. But it's just SOOO impressive that as a football fan, you have to respect and enjoy what you're seeing on the field.

I didn't watch that game. If Kitna threw a jump ball to McDonald, that shows the difference between a good fantasy QB with great WRs and a great NFL QB. Brady would never throw a jump ball to Welker, but he will all day to Moss now. Romo will do it with TO and Kitna should only do it with Roy/Calvin.I am not a Pats fan either, but the funniest thing is that is as much as people think they are running up the score/passing too much, I was amazed that they are 10th in pass attempts and 4th in rushing. Sure, a lot of rushes come at the end, but that means that they are on the "run more" side of the average team. Brady is amazing and I have watched almost every game because he is my QB in my main league and he has impressed me with how well he knows how to utilize each WR/TE to their best abilities. With Moss, he lets him do what he does best, with Welker he finds him in space and lets him turn inthe PR/KR and with Stallworth and Watson, well they just get wide open because no one can cover all 4.

Actually, on the Peyton note, I watched a few games in his 49 TD season and he looked a lot like Brady then. All his WRs were healthy and he just picked apart defenses. I think Brady has been better this year but not by a whole lot.

 

[FavreCo]

NE doesn't need a running game.

They only need the threat of one.

Seriously.

While Maroney has not had a great year, teams still have to respect the potential he has whenever he touches the ball. Seems like all Brady needs is to have one defender in the box in order to exploit a seam in the D, what with the plethora of quality hands on that team.

Which is exactly why the single-back play action and the shotgun/fake-draw play-action have been working all year long.

As it does with GB also. Favre also now lines up with 4 and 5 wide. What exactly are teams like Baltimore and SF thinking with that archaic crap they run. Maybe if more that 2 guys were running pass routes, someone would be open.

 

[rabidfireweasel]

By the way, they are 7th in the league in rushing yards and 5th in carries. Some weakness.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe2007.htm

This is something that i hadn't realized. Thanks

The smash mouth Steelers have only 25 more rushing attempts and than NE through ten games. This despite the fact that Maroney has missed three games and Morris has only played in 5 and a half. No one has more than 100 carries. The team is committed to the run. Despite how often they throw in the red zone, they are still a top ten team for rushing td's.

 

[PatsFanCT]

Through ten games they are fourth in rushing attempts and fourth in yards. Seems like they can run fairly well. They are tenth in pass attempts.

I think these numbers are skewed because there's been so many games now where they take the 4th quarter off in terms of passing and attacking.I bet if you just looked at 3quarters of football, they'd be up at the top of the lists.

They also have no punting game

Early on I saw that NE's weakness was their running game but nobody except for the Colts that day really could do anything about it.

You have to get pressure on NE and try to force them to run when they want to pass. It's extremely hard because they have a talented offensive line and of course, the X factor in Moss.

I don't know if any of you saw the Lions/Giants game yesterday but towards the end of the game, the Lions were down 16-10. Kitna was scrambling and chucked the ball up a mile in the sky into the endzone and a Giant defender and a Lions receiver went for the ball.

It was picked off and everyone after the play just couldn't believe Kitna would throw the ball up for grabs.

I was kinda of one of those people then I thought, this is exactly the same thing Brady did for Moss on the big play vs. the Colts when down by 10 and he got praised for the same play.

That is why I think Moss is the X factor because you can be playing even with NE or even slightly outplaying them like Indy was at the time and you can just throw the ball up for grabs with a reasonable shot for a big play. Other teams like the Lions who do the same thing don't have that option.

He didn't " just throw the ball up for grabs" to Moss on that play. Moss beat the coverage and had a ten yard cushion to boot. Even Dungy mentioned that play when talking about Moss' ability to get open.

 

[teet0]

NE has no kicking game either. I swear, they haven't shown anything in terms of punts and field goals.

 

[NJ OAK]

I think the Eagles noticed this also.

 

[The Leprechaun Hunter]

Prediction:Maroney runs for 297 yards against Pittsburg.Call it a hunch.

This post didn't get the love it deserves.

 

[AllVolUT]

There is a difference between not being able to run the ball and not trying to run the ball. The Patriots obviously fall under the category of the latter.

One can only assume that once the weather turns, the running game will become more prevalent. But then again, I think Belichick knows a little more about this matter than myself. Not much, just a little.

 

[cstu]

Where's the problem? Their leading rusher tonight is averaging 12 YPC!