Bossman
Footballguy
Full practice? Wow, unexpected but certainly appreciated.
I could still see one or all 3 of these guys sitting this week vs. the lowly Texans.
Dola will likely will have limited snaps if he does play.
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Indefinite New England Patriots Thread (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter captain_amazing
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I could still see one or all 3 of these guys sitting this week vs. the lowly Texans.
Dola will likely will have limited snaps if he does play.
Bossman
Footballguy
I didn't realize Bolden retired. I thought he was just unsigned.Anarchy99 said:
If Bolden and NE did want to partner up ... Pats would likely only need to give up a very late draft pick to BUF
since BUF's options would be; give up nothing (since Bolden would rather stay retired than play for you) and take this 7th rd draft pick .. or stand pat and get nothing.
The guy would need to get back into shape but last that I saw, he was a pillar of fitness. He's got to be lightyears ahead of anyone else they could bring in at this stage as far as talent and experience.
I believe we're past the guaranteed contract date now so if the Pats got him and wanted out of the contract later on ... no harm to release him.
Casting Couch
Footballguy
I thought Anquan Boldin retired on his own accord.Bossman said:
Mr.Blonde
Footballguy
I saw a tweet from Ben Volin (Boston Globe) that Gronk did not practice today. Here we go, I suppose...
He did, but he was under contract to the Bills when he did so. They can't make him play for them, but they can prevent him from playing for another team.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
Apparently Gronk was seen at the start of practice but ultimately did not participate.
Bossman
Footballguy
Well, seems that BB was listening to me.
Last year I complained that the Pats games had become ho-hum.
Other than the occasional hiccup (SEA), With Brady at the helm, they were expected to win by a comfortable margin and did.
Watching JG and Brissett start the first four games made me aware of the pre-game and in-game anxiety that I was missing when Brady was starting.
Even the playoffs disappointed me as the Pats rolled the Texans and Steelers with ease. This was the best the AFC had to offer?
So the SB happens and in-game anxiety times 10. Sheesh. I like a close game but having to have a 25 point comeback is extreme.
Now this year, BB remodels the team, out with a bunch of players, in with new players ... key injuries to Edleman and Hightower.
and voila! ... Nail biters. The team has obviously taken a step backwards and is back in the pack with the rest of the league.
Game one was very close until KC closed it out in the 4th. Game 2 not so much ... NOS defense still sucks. Game 3 has a last minute score to win the game.
Sure it would be fun to see the Pats crush every opponent ... but isn't what we saw last week more entertaining? Back and forth game ... last minute lead changes.
During the game, every score matters. Every first down. A turnover is HUGE. Now that the outcome isn't so pre-determined, I'm diggin it.
Last year I complained that the Pats games had become ho-hum.
Other than the occasional hiccup (SEA), With Brady at the helm, they were expected to win by a comfortable margin and did.
Watching JG and Brissett start the first four games made me aware of the pre-game and in-game anxiety that I was missing when Brady was starting.
Even the playoffs disappointed me as the Pats rolled the Texans and Steelers with ease. This was the best the AFC had to offer?
So the SB happens and in-game anxiety times 10. Sheesh. I like a close game but having to have a 25 point comeback is extreme.
Now this year, BB remodels the team, out with a bunch of players, in with new players ... key injuries to Edleman and Hightower.
and voila! ... Nail biters. The team has obviously taken a step backwards and is back in the pack with the rest of the league.
Game one was very close until KC closed it out in the 4th. Game 2 not so much ... NOS defense still sucks. Game 3 has a last minute score to win the game.
Sure it would be fun to see the Pats crush every opponent ... but isn't what we saw last week more entertaining? Back and forth game ... last minute lead changes.
During the game, every score matters. Every first down. A turnover is HUGE. Now that the outcome isn't so pre-determined, I'm diggin it.
SengerCJ
Footballguy
Bossman
Footballguy
Agreed. CAR would have been punting from inside their own 20.
Pats were in a position to get the ball back in good field position with 2 mins and 3 tiemouts.
The way the Pats offense had just drove the field twice for 14 points ... seemed inevitable they would have been able to get into FG range there.
Franknbeans
Footballguy
very lucky to not be 1-3
Bossman
Footballguy
I wish the media would grow some coconuts and ask BB some hard questions in these post game interviews.
How about:
"coach, do you blame your players or coaching for confusion in the secondary and blowing coverage on several occasions today?"
"with the talent that you have on defense, how do you explain the amount of mental mistakes being made?" "and Would you consider simplifying the defense?"
"Your defense is ranked 32nd in the NFL. Do you regret not keeping your defensive personnel intact from last year?"
"Coach, your defense is now ranked as the worst defense that you have coached in your 20 year head coaching career. Is there anything that you can do as coaches to turn this defense around that you haven't been able to correct to this point? .... or are you limited by the lack of talent and effort on your players part?"
"Coach, the way your defense is playing, would you recommend Jameis Winston off of waivers to replace injured Derick Carr in my lineup this week?"
How about:
"coach, do you blame your players or coaching for confusion in the secondary and blowing coverage on several occasions today?"
"with the talent that you have on defense, how do you explain the amount of mental mistakes being made?" "and Would you consider simplifying the defense?"
"Your defense is ranked 32nd in the NFL. Do you regret not keeping your defensive personnel intact from last year?"
"Coach, your defense is now ranked as the worst defense that you have coached in your 20 year head coaching career. Is there anything that you can do as coaches to turn this defense around that you haven't been able to correct to this point? .... or are you limited by the lack of talent and effort on your players part?"
"Coach, the way your defense is playing, would you recommend Jameis Winston off of waivers to replace injured Derick Carr in my lineup this week?"
Anarchy99
Footballguy
While I don't disagree, by the same token they could be unlucky to not be 3-1 . . . ir works both ways. The defense has multiple issues . . .
- They clearly aren't on the same page as some guys are playing man while others are playing zone on the some plays. And when they are more on the same page, they aren't covering the right zones or right players.
- Taking the wrong angles on routes or tackles. It seems like the secondary is always on the wrong side of receivers, making catches way too easy. And once guys have the ball, they always give up an extra few yards.
- Not getting QB's on the ground. Multiple times the defense has opposing QB's all but dead to rights, but they don't actually tackle him, the play gets extended, and they give up first downs that should have been 10 yard losses.
- Too many penalties in situations that don't warrant penalties. The Gilmore hands to the face penalty flat out cost them the game yesterday. All he needed to to was stay in the vicinity of the receiver, as Newton was in the process of getting sacked and had no chance to get rid of the ball. In opportune penalties are hurting the offense too.
- I am also wondering if BB is making too many substitutions and having too many sub-packages, which is leading to the confusion of what the defense is doing from play to play.
- Related to that, it seems like BB has multiple plays in a row where they don't want to or try to put pressure on the QB. If your secondary could cover, that might be a decent plan, but when you let guys get open and leave them uncovered, you are going to get lit up.
The perplexing part is it's not just the new guys that are having issues. McCourty seems to be out of position a lot. Butler seems like he is getting picked on. Gilmore has has way more bad plays than good ones.
They are first in the league in offense by yardage . . . by 125 yards. But they are last in the league on defense by yardage . . . by almost 250 yards. They are allowing a yard more per play than any team in the league. Maybe they need to simplify what they are running defensively until the players catch up and understand what their roles and responsibilities are.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
BB is never going to answer a coaching, strategy, or personnel question. And by asking those types of questions, they won't get called on again the rest of the year at a press conference.
Bossman
Footballguy
Interesting how the Bills defense is better now without Gilmore.
Seems maybe Gilmore wasn't the upgrade at CB that everyone thought he would be.
Patricia was tearing into those guys pretty good on the sidelines in the first half. Must of been quite a session among them behind closed doors in the locker room at halftime.
... then they proceed to come out and allow CAR to drive the length of the field before fumbling at the 13 yard line.
Next CAR possession, drive the length of the field for a TD.
Then CAR drive the length of the field for another TD.
Then forced a CAR punt. First and only punt of the game for CAR.
Then CAR drive the length of the field for game winning FG.
. Yikes.
Either these guys don't take coaching well, ... or the coaching is bad, ... or these guys just aren't very good.
"Do your job" isn't cutting it anymore.
Seems maybe Gilmore wasn't the upgrade at CB that everyone thought he would be.
Patricia was tearing into those guys pretty good on the sidelines in the first half. Must of been quite a session among them behind closed doors in the locker room at halftime.
... then they proceed to come out and allow CAR to drive the length of the field before fumbling at the 13 yard line.
Next CAR possession, drive the length of the field for a TD.
Then CAR drive the length of the field for another TD.
Then forced a CAR punt. First and only punt of the game for CAR.
Then CAR drive the length of the field for game winning FG.
. Yikes.
Either these guys don't take coaching well, ... or the coaching is bad, ... or these guys just aren't very good.
"Do your job" isn't cutting it anymore.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
BB was on WEEI for his weekly interview and was not remotely panicked. He said the biggest issue is getting people on the same page. He sounded like he was happy with the team's skill level and effort. It's getting harder to rely on In Bill We Trust, but he sounded way more upbeat than I would have thought.
SeniorVBDStudent
Footballguy
Well, he is kind of "stuck" with Butler and Gilmore. So what's the benefit of ripping these guys in the media?
20% of the solution is getting Wise, Flowers and Hightower to amp up the pass rush, and 80% is getting Gilmore/Butler/McCourty/Chung/Rowe functioning as a unit.
The disturbing element is you would have expected that the KC game would have been all that was needed to address the second point.
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Why is it getting harder to rely on In Bill We Trust?
I would be a lot more worried if the defense was playing like this in December but how many times do you have to watch the same movie before you know what comes next?
Bossman
Footballguy
Seems the off season free agent acquisitions have yet to pay off this year other than Cooks.
Suppose you could argue Gillislee ... but to this point I don't think he's been an upgrade over Blount.
Allen has dropped what few targets he's had. Kony Ealy wasn't good enough to beat out Geno Grissom? Gilmore is dumb.
They really needed to upgrade at O-Line and they completely ignored the position.
Now Brady gets his clock cleaned on every 3rd snap.
You have a 40 y.o. QB ... isn't the O-Line more of a priority than WR? ... or CB? ... or RB?
Guess they figured Scarneccia would polish that Tuurd ... so they just ran with whatever they had.
SeniorVBDStudent
Footballguy
In hindsight, Winston's pitiful performance was the only reason Pats won last week.
The thought has occurred to me that we simply don't have enough "locker room guys" to meet the standard. Time will tell.
The thought has occurred to me that we simply don't have enough "locker room guys" to meet the standard. Time will tell.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
You guys make me laugh, as if it is so easy to manage and coach an NFL franchise.
They drafted 2 offensive tackles out of their 4 draft picks. How is that ignoring the position? At the time, they didn't know that Vollmer would retire, Solder would get hurt and not be the same after coming back, and Cannon would get hurt.
The other thing no one seems to piece together is that for years Brady had the two select release on short, underneath timing routes. Now they are running routes much farther down the field . . . that requires way more time to develop and more time for Brady to be exposed in the pocket. When the play is designed to be 20 yards plus down field instead of a three yard rub route, well it takes more time to have to block. I am not sure why they insist on trying to be a more vertical attack when it seems like there have been plenty of times when they could have been successful on dump offs to the backs or guys running across the middle underneath, but that's what they have opted for so far.
IMO, Brady has missed easy throws to a wide open Allen much more than Allen has had drops. It seems clear to me that Brady and Allen are not on the same page so Brady won't throw to him.
Ealy didn't work out. Big whoop. They moved down 8 picks to get him, which essentially is close to nothing. Just because he is playing well for now with the Jets doesn't mean he would do anything for NE.
Admittedly Gilmore has been a liability, but maybe if they let him and Butler just play man to man coverage from here on out they will do better.
Bossman
Footballguy
The offensive line woes were obvious in the SB. BB did nothing to address ... unless you consider drafting a guy with aids in the 4th round a stop gap (or whatever the hel his Non-football illness is)
The entire league knows the formula for beating NE. QB pressure. Every team is bringing it every week. Brady is getting killed.
The number of sacks, QB hits has to be a NEP record ... if not an NFL record. I can't see him finishing the season.
The idea of not trading JG makes complete sense to me now. Just seems like a strange strategy to go into a season with your 40 yo HOF QB dangling in the wind.
Take back Cooks, Gilislee, and Gilmore and give me 3 quality OL ...and I'll take my chances with Brady standing upright in the pocket to win them another SB.
The entire league knows the formula for beating NE. QB pressure. Every team is bringing it every week. Brady is getting killed.
The number of sacks, QB hits has to be a NEP record ... if not an NFL record. I can't see him finishing the season.
The idea of not trading JG makes complete sense to me now. Just seems like a strange strategy to go into a season with your 40 yo HOF QB dangling in the wind.
Take back Cooks, Gilislee, and Gilmore and give me 3 quality OL ...and I'll take my chances with Brady standing upright in the pocket to win them another SB.
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Perhaps, but that wasn't the point. When has their defense looked this bad for this long?
Disagree, I think this defense has been worse, and I don't think this team is as talented as that one was either.
Either way, I certainly don't think we've seen this "movie" often (if ever).
SeniorVBDStudent
Footballguy
Lol, well what? One decent home game in the fog against a struggling team doesn't change anything I said, nor does it prove what you seem to think it does.
AngryPatriot
Footballguy
Wow, that sucks! McLellan coming back, Harris plays more, Flowers..? I'd like to see Bulkhead more involved but Lewis is looking good.
Anarchy- you heard something about Mitchell? thx
Anarchy- you heard something about Mitchell? thx
Anarchy99
Footballguy
Yes. Per Mike Reiss on 10/15, Mitchell does not appear to be getting healthier. Could easily miss the miss entire season.
Here was the blurb from Reiss: "My sense is that receiver Malcolm Mitchell, who was placed on IR on Sept. 7 (knee), is not close to being a consideration to begin practicing at this point, if at all this year."
Bossman
Footballguy
Wonder if Jamie Collins is available via trade.
Defensive leader out for the season. This team is in trouble.
They'll need to score a ton of points. Not sure if this new Edleman-less offense is capable.
Just a matter of time before Gronk is sidelined.
Starting to feel like a wasted season of the few Brady has left. Such a shame.
tombonneau
Footballguy
Who says they didn't. Jumping the bay was probably an easy sell for Bowman midseason.
Spike
Footballguy
Absolutely. Absent a trade bringing in someone significant, I think the season just went down the tubes.Wonder if Jamie Collins is available via trade.
Defensive leader out for the season. This team is in trouble.
They'll need to score a ton of points. Not sure if this new Edleman-less offense is capable.
Just a matter of time before Gronk is sidelined.
Starting to feel like a wasted season of the few Brady has left. Such a shame.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
In other years, I might agree NE might be in trouble. But there are no really dominant teams this year in either league. Some may emerge, but every team so far has displayed some flaws and issues.
I still se the defense being able to get to the middle of the pack and the offense likely to improve some. They won't win 42-10. But they can win games 30-24.
Even as constituted, there's KC and PIT and even they have shown chinks in the armor.
Which team(s) are out they that can be counted on to score 28-30 points and has a defense to limit the Pats offense?
I still se the defense being able to get to the middle of the pack and the offense likely to improve some. They won't win 42-10. But they can win games 30-24.
Even as constituted, there's KC and PIT and even they have shown chinks in the armor.
Which team(s) are out they that can be counted on to score 28-30 points and has a defense to limit the Pats offense?
Again, doesn't change anything I said, nor does it prove what you seem to think it does.
You said it was getting harder to believe in In Bill We Trust. There consistently have been Chicken Little's throughout the Belichick era thinking they will not turn things around after early season troubles yet time and time again Bill figures out how to fix whatever ails the team and they finish with a division title. It is what it is, we have seen this play out before several times.
No, I did not. Here is what I wrote:You said it was getting harder to believe in In Bill We Trust. There consistently have been Chicken Little's throughout the Belichick era thinking they will not turn things around after early season troubles yet time and time again Bill figures out how to fix whatever ails the team and they finish with a division title. It is what it is, we have seen this play out before several times.
Even if they have played better lately (and they still haven't been good, a few fortunate calls/plays away from giving up quite a few more points), I stand by it.