So what's the plan? (1 Viewer)

[Franknbeans]

Given that they lost their #1 and #2 receivers from last season. Don't sugar coat it. We want to hear what Belichick will pull out of his ### to make up for these losses.*

* Knowing that it is near impossible to get any idea of what Belichick is really thinking, feel free to hazard your best guess.

 

[Big Score]

Haven't you been paying attention?

Clearly it is going to be Doug Gabriel

 

[Franknbeans]

Haven't you been paying attention? Clearly it is going to be Doug Gabriel

I paid attention enough to know he was inactive last Sunday

 

[Workhorse]

Well, if they can continue to run the ball like they did yesterday, they'll be in pretty good shape...

 

[djcolts]

Bill Simmons said that the 2 TE set will be "unstoppable, you'll see." That's all that needs to be said.

 

[PatsWillWin]

1. Enhanced Running Game

Dillon/Maroney looks like a deadly combination (along with Faulk) - they'll rely on the running game more just as they relied on the passing game last year when the running game bottomed out.

2. Gabriel/Jackson - weren't in the game yesterday. They're not going to catch 80+, but they will be decent threats to stretch the field and demand respect from the defense. These two in particular have a lot of upside, and you add Brown going underneath and Caldwell into the mix (whatever the hell he can do), and its a servicable, if not spectacular, group.

3. Ben Watson - a TE is not a substitute for a WR, but Watson will be creating huge mismatches all season, and he can certainly get downfield.

4. Tom Brady - Givens was a 7th round pick, and Brady has had success with guys like Patten and Brown at his advanced age. Not to trash on the WR's that are and have been here before, but Brady has NEVER had an overhwleming amount of talent around him at the WR position. In some ways, losing Branch is nothing new.

 

[redman]

Haven't you been paying attention? Clearly it is going to be Doug Gabriel

I paid attention enough to know he was inactive last Sunday

He had an injury, so that plus the fact that he's the newest guy in their offense and they were playing the Bills (who I'm sure they figured they'd handle at home) makes that unsurprising to me. Gabriel figures to be a fairly valuable guy, but it'll still be WRBC in NE, and I also figure they'll run a bit more now that they have Maroney who looks to be a legit running threat.

 

[BGP]

And if all else fails, they just make a trade for a WR.

 

[reg]

And if all else fails, they just make a trade for a WR.

No need to trade. Ty Calico is available.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

And if all else fails, they just make a trade for a WR.

No need to trade. Ty Calico is available.

So is Chuck Rogers.Im sitting on Watson and Caldwell in one league. But somehow I think that Troy Brown has value now.

 

[switz]

They need to activate Childress from the practice squad, he's the only guy that looks like he could potentially be a good WR... the rest they have are either has beens, former shells of themselves, or never-weres

 

[Kit Fisto]

They need to activate Childress from the practice squad, he's the only guy that looks like he could potentially be a good WR... the rest they have are either has beens, former shells of themselves, or never-weres

Childress played yesterday.And aside from Terry Glenn, when have the Pats ever had a top-flight WR?

 

[switz]

They need to activate Childress from the practice squad, he's the only guy that looks like he could potentially be a good WR... the rest they have are either has beens, former shells of themselves, or never-weres

Childress played yesterday.

Ummm.... I watched the entire game and didn't see him....

 

[redman]

They need to activate Childress from the practice squad, he's the only guy that looks like he could potentially be a good WR... the rest they have are either has beens, former shells of themselves, or never-weres

Childress played yesterday.

Ummm.... I watched the entire game and didn't see him....

How 'bout checking the Gamebook and seeing if he took the field? Just a thought.

 

[Big Score]

They need to activate Childress from the practice squad, he's the only guy that looks like he could potentially be a good WR... the rest they have are either has beens, former shells of themselves, or never-weres

Childress played yesterday.

Ummm.... I watched the entire game and didn't see him....

Well look at yourself dude. You're wearing sunglasses. Take 'em off when you're watching football.

 

[switz]

They need to activate Childress from the practice squad, he's the only guy that looks like he could potentially be a good WR... the rest they have are either has beens, former shells of themselves, or never-weres

Childress played yesterday.

Ummm.... I watched the entire game and didn't see him....

How 'bout checking the Gamebook and seeing if he took the field? Just a thought.

He's listed as a substitution... he must have come in for one or two plays, or maybe played special teams... I never saw him in there in a passing situation... my mistake. I still stand by him being the only, maybe aside from Jackson, WR with potential anymore

 

[Kit Fisto]

They need to activate Childress from the practice squad, he's the only guy that looks like he could potentially be a good WR... the rest they have are either has beens, former shells of themselves, or never-weres

Childress played yesterday.

Ummm.... I watched the entire game and didn't see him....

I was at the game and he played.

 

[Sweeper]

History will repeat itself once again ...... TROY BROWN.

 

[DoubleG]

@ NE homers pounding their chest at 1-0. Look, that Pats won. Yes, winning an NFL game counts for something. But you beat the friggin Buffalo Bills....

...by TWO points...

...AT HOME!!!

6-10 - sorry (although 6-10 may be enough to win the division :X )

 

[PatsWillWin]

They need to activate Childress from the practice squad, he's the only guy that looks like he could potentially be a good WR... the rest they have are either has beens, former shells of themselves, or never-weres

Childress played yesterday.

Ummm.... I watched the entire game and didn't see him....

How 'bout checking the Gamebook and seeing if he took the field? Just a thought.

He's listed as a substitution... he must have come in for one or two plays, or maybe played special teams... I never saw him in there in a passing situation... my mistake. I still stand by him being the only, maybe aside from Jackson, WR with potential anymore

Actually Childress was on the field quite a bit from early in the 1st quarter.

 

[Kit Fisto]

@ NE homers pounding their chest at 1-0. Look, that Pats won. Yes, winning an NFL game counts for something. But you beat the friggin Buffalo Bills.......by TWO points......AT HOME!!!6-10 - sorry (although 6-10 may be enough to win the division :X )

Please quote said Pats homers bragging about winning yesterday, because I'm sorry, I just don't see any in this thread.Nice though.

 

[zamboni]

@ NE homers pounding their chest at 1-0. Look, that Pats won. Yes, winning an NFL game counts for something. But you beat the friggin Buffalo Bills....

And facing the fired up Jets next week. Gang Green may be big underdogs, but Mangini & Co. will be pumped to beat his mentor.

 

[redman]

@ NE homers pounding their chest at 1-0. Look, that Pats won. Yes, winning an NFL game counts for something. But you beat the friggin Buffalo Bills....

And facing the fired up Jets next week. Gang Green may be big underdogs, but Mangini & Co. will be pumped to beat his mentor.

Well Mangini certainly got a nice tuneup for Brady the Pats against Collins and the Titans. NE was playing its backup WR's, and the Bills looked surprisingly good on offense to start the game. I'm no Pats fan but that's still a team that's going to win 11 games and the division.

 

[PMENFAN]

They need to activate Childress from the practice squad, he's the only guy that looks like he could potentially be a good WR... the rest they have are either has beens, former shells of themselves, or never-weres

Childress played yesterday.

Ummm.... I watched the entire game and didn't see him....

How 'bout checking the Gamebook and seeing if he took the field? Just a thought.

He's listed as a substitution... he must have come in for one or two plays, or maybe played special teams... I never saw him in there in a passing situation... my mistake. I still stand by him being the only, maybe aside from Jackson, WR with potential anymore

Bam Played. Didn't see the ball, but was active and in the game. I like the guy, but he's a 3/4 guy. Gabriel and Jackson will be the 1/2. Make that Jackson/Gabriel. Brown, Caldwell and Childress the other 3. They'll be fine. Jackson didn't practice until last week. And Gabriel just got there. This is a system based on knowledge and consistency. You don't just show up and play. That's why they weren't active. Troy Brown is somewhat of a has been, but he's still solid. He'll have 45 catches but he's still a very solid player and a favorite of mine. Tons of heart. They struggled against a very good Bills D w/ a new scheme that nobody had seen. You had nothing to scheme against. They did far better in the second half than the first. The Bills will be far better that many give them credit for. Theri front 4 is very good. Their coach will continue to make idiotic game decisions. But, on skill they've got good defensive talent. On offense they were very creative and had some unique wrinkles that gave the Pats problems in the first half. Still they only put 10 on the board through the whole game, and that was all early. Shut out in the second half. I expect the Pats passing game to improve every week. Look at the Pats under BB. The hallmark of the team is week by week improvement in every aspect of the game. I expect not less this year.

 

[Franknbeans]

We hear the Patriots believe they got a steal in surrendering a reported fifth-round pick in the 2007 draft to the Raiders for WR Doug Gabriel. New England believes Gabriel will be a big-play, downfield weapon this season. The Pats also love his size — at 6-2, 215 pounds, he’s bigger than departed WR David Givens.

 

[code]

We hear the Patriots believe they got a steal in surrendering a reported fifth-round pick in the 2007 draft to the Raiders for WR Doug Gabriel. New England believes Gabriel will be a big-play, downfield weapon this season. The Pats also love his size — at 6-2, 215 pounds, he’s bigger than departed WR David Givens.

I heard similar comments that the Pats may head into the postseason with D.Gabriel / C.Jackson / B.Watson as the primary receivers...protected a bit by a run first offense...

 

[pizzatyme]

They need to activate Childress from the practice squad, he's the only guy that looks like he could potentially be a good WR... the rest they have are either has beens, former shells of themselves, or never-weres

Childress played yesterday.And aside from Terry Glenn, when have the Pats ever had a top-flight WR?

Umm, Deion Branch?

 

[KGB]

Defense and run the ball.

Old school football.

 

[Franknbeans]

-- Patriots Could Re-Sign Childress to Practice Squad --

Wed Sep 13, 2006 --from FFMastermind.com

The Boston Globe reports WR Bam Childress could wind up back on the New England Patriots practice squad. The Patriots released Childress yesterday to clear room to re-sign WR/KR Jonathan Smith. Smith initially had been claimed off waivers from Buffalo on Sept. 3 but was released last Saturday, with Childress taking his spot on the roster.

 

[PatsWillWin]

I've been waiting to hear that the Patriots are sending an undisclosed draft pick to the Redskins for David Patten. I've given up on it by now, for but a large part of the summer, I thought it would happen given that Patten is now their WR4.

 

[Spike]

The plan will be the same that it always is on offense - spread the ball around. This will be done both rushing and passing the ball.

 

[redman]

I've been waiting to hear that the Patriots are sending an undisclosed draft pick to the Redskins for David Patten. I've given up on it by now, for but a large part of the summer, I thought it would happen given that Patten is now their WR4.

I could see the 'Skins go for that, as Thrash would be fine as their WR4 and it would enable them to put Mike Espy on their active roster.

 

[aposulli]

1) Gabriel was inactive because he was injured, as well as Chad Jackson. Gabriel should be playnig this week, but I'm not so sure about Jackson.

2) Childress was the #3 WR as the Pats only had 3 WRs active on Sunday (Brown, Caldwell, Childress), but this week Jonathan Smith will be that guy. Hopefully the Pats will have at least 4 Active WRs this week.

3) Anyone who thinks that this group has the potential to be "spectacular" is clearly more in love with Tom Brady than Bill Simmons. And anyone who thinks Troy Brown will be good for more than 5 or 6 fantasy pts per game on average... wishful thinking.

 

[aposulli]

I've been waiting to hear that the Patriots are sending an undisclosed draft pick to the Redskins for David Patten. I've given up on it by now, for but a large part of the summer, I thought it would happen given that Patten is now their WR4.

Either BB inquired about Patten already, or he wants to wait to see if Patten will get outright cut.Not sure why the Skins are holding onto him unless they were offered something for him but are holding out for a better offer (fat chance).Skins aren't even using their #2 WR, let alone David Patten

 

[aposulli]

Side note: Anyone who was paying attn to every moment of the Pats game might've seen them show a closeup of Bam Childress on the sideline... and it appeared as if he has a lazy eye.

...wonder how that works out for him. :lazyeyedsmiley:

 

[PatsWillWin]

Side note: Anyone who was paying attn to every moment of the Pats game might've seen them show a closeup of Bam Childress on the sideline... and it appeared as if he has a lazy eye....wonder how that works out for him. :lazyeyedsmiley:

Couldn't tell from my seats at the 30 yard line - but the stealth bomber was SICK.

 

[Kit Fisto]

Couldn't tell from my seats at the 30 yard line - but the stealth bomber was SICK.

Sure was! Damn if that thing's not intimidating, I don't know what is!

 

[conan2]

Couldn't tell from my seats at the 30 yard line - but the stealth bomber was SICK.

Sure was! Damn if that thing's not intimidating, I don't know what is!

Yessir...I said we were among the few people who were glad to see that thing flying over their heads!As far as the Pats go, the passing game is no doubt downgraded from last year. But, there is no doubt that the running game gets a big upgrade. In addition, their schedule is much easier this year than last, particularly against the run. With that kind of running game and Tom Brady at the helm, I have no doubt that the passing game will do enough to help them win games...no matter who is catching the ball.In many ways I feel Sunday's game will be a boost to the team. Sure it was a win, but you could tell from the players attitudes post game that it felt like a loss to them. They know they've got A LOT of work to do. But this team has consistently done that work and has consistently improved week-to-week. I have no reason to doubt that now.

 

[PMENFAN]

Couldn't tell from my seats at the 30 yard line - but the stealth bomber was SICK.

Sure was! Damn if that thing's not intimidating, I don't know what is!

Yessir...I said we were among the few people who were glad to see that thing flying over their heads!As far as the Pats go, the passing game is no doubt downgraded from last year. But, there is no doubt that the running game gets a big upgrade. In addition, their schedule is much easier this year than last, particularly against the run. With that kind of running game and Tom Brady at the helm, I have no doubt that the passing game will do enough to help them win games...no matter who is catching the ball.In many ways I feel Sunday's game will be a boost to the team. Sure it was a win, but you could tell from the players attitudes post game that it felt like a loss to them. They know they've got A LOT of work to do. But this team has consistently done that work and has consistently improved week-to-week. I have no reason to doubt that now.

I thought the D stiffened nicely against an O that they hadn't seen anything of. They played very soft in the beginning, gave up 10 points int he first 18 minutes, and nothing the rest of the way. Not great, but not bad. Offensively, they ran the ball right at them. Pass protection was horrendous early, as the Bills ran some stunts that caught the Pats off guard, and they came clean many times. Not what I expected. That wont happen. New schemes, without a chance to scout, at all. As the game progressed, the pats slowed them down. I expect much better play this week. The secondary play was solid, but not spectacular. Tully Banta-Cain played pretty good. Senior Seau was solid, but not great. His histrionics are a bit annoying, but you cannot say he doesn't love the game. He overpersued a couple of times, but did lead the team in tackles. Vince Wilfork was a beast. Seymour was handled early, dominant late. Let's get Gabriel and Jackson on the field, and see what they can do. I think the passing O will be fine.

 

[David Yudkin]

Let's get Gabriel and Jackson on the field, and see what they can do. I think the passing O will be fine.

I happen to think that you're in denial, but maybe I'm being too critical.No one the Patriots send out on the field will mandate double coverage. Pretty much ever. Maybe at some point Gabriel or Jackson will become their deep threat, but for now they don't have anyone to get seperation or go long. The best option is actually Watson with Faulk the next leading candidate. But neither is a WR.No matter who they play, only Brown has any real NFL experience in the Pats' system. I don't think Caldwell is more than average, Gabriel will have to learn the play book with no lead time, and Jackson is a rookie.While one game does not a season make, the Pats already saw what Buffalo did and Brady had trouble buying time and finding anyone open.They may be able to run the ball and keep the score down, but I suspect it will be two months before the WR corps gels and learns the system before they start being acceptably productive.Until then, I see a lot of screens, short passes, and gimmick type plays (RB lining up as WR, TE in motion, TE or WR screens, etc.). They should still be able to win their fair share of games, but good teams should be able to beat NE. Average to below average won't.But given their schedule, I think they will still win a lot of games and win the division. But that's about as far as I have them going. One dimensional teams have problems in the post-season.