R-e-s-p-e-c-t

[cooz3]

nice distraction from the miserable redsox last night...talk about two ends of the spectrum.. as a local bostonian and pats fan that was a very satisfying win last night...say what you want about the patriots but this is a team that comes into games very well prepared and with a game plan that they stick to...regarding this team it is difficult to find an area they have not omproved themselves in during the offseason...or atleast not gotten worst

quaterback..a year of invaluable experience
running back...same
offensive line...same..but there has been some shifting so maybe undetermined yet
reciever...better and deeper
tight end...better and deeper

d-line..better
linebacker...same
secondary...deeper with green

and they are in another year with the same coaches and same system there is something to be said about that in todays NFL

i dont dispute that thier schedule is more difficult this year ..atleast on paper it is but i cant forsee a huge fall off with this team.. i am not annointing AFC east champs...AFC champs..or superbowl champs but i think they will be in the mix and these days thats all you need in the NFL...

COOZ

 

[Code Red]

I guess there's just no impressing some people.

Tell me, what part of that performance left you unimpressed? The Pats had better offence, defence and special teams. Better QB. Better coaching. Better gameplan. What exactly was missing that makes you think this is a .500 or worse team???

The Pats are for real. Hopefully it's a few weeks more before Vegas/the public realize it.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Boy ain't that a fact. I'll just go out on a limb and say whoever thinks this is a .500 team is an idiot.

End of story:thefinger

 

[dr. freeze]

Pats play great D, have a solid O-Line, a solid QB (it can be argued that less than a third of the teams have a solid QB) and clearly the best coach in the league right now.....they should be considered the team to beat, especially at home.....but this is the NFL and an injury or two and you are back to mediocre

 

[JT]

ace, hope you guys keep it up so you can give us a good battle in the Super Bowl.

 

[no all]

the pats D# looked awesome
everyone was flying to the ball and making BIG hits
this D is gonna be one of the elite one's this year
except for when they play the bears in week 10

 

[Nolan Dalla]

I totally agree with the take on the Patriots. That win over the Steelers finally convinced me this team is for real -- and very likley the best team in the NFL (yes, better than the overhyped Rams). I was one of the last of the critics basing my view on the fact that on paper this team doesn't exceed the average NFL team in talent. But Belichick is one helluva coach and a great defensive mind. It's not often that an opposing coach outthingks and outmotivtes Bill Cower. And Belichick basically walked all over the Steelers in terms of preparation. Will New England lose some games this season. Yes. But right now, this is clearly the best team in the AFC right now (anyone want to make a case Pittsburgh is the better team after getting trounced twice in a row by this club) and very possibly the best team in the NFL. No, I'm not over-reacting. Good teams win the big games. What has New England now won in terms of BIG games -- try FOUR in a row (dating back to last year's playoffs).

-- Nolan Dalla

 

[spanky2]

Yeah, and the Raiders sure got a FAIL DEAL last year with 'the fumble call'.... One of the WORST JOKES I have seen.. And you guys think N.E. "deserved " that so - called win ??? Come on ,that Stunk as bad as one of my 10 beer farts.
Did'nt bet last years game ,but if you guys think that was a big win,WOW !!! Bring on Ricky and the Fish,should be some good 'smash mouth ball.
P.S. Can't stand the Raiders,but they got SCREWED,HUGE !!!!!
SPANKY.........

 

[acehistr8]

Spanky, give it a rest.

1). You can argue all you want that the RULE is bad, but the CALL was correct and to the letter of the rule. No one that follows football would disagree about this. We can argue the RULE all we want, but the CALL was correct. Oh, and if the rule is so bad, when the competition committee met this year, why did they not get rid of it? They unanimously voted to keep it.

Aside from that, after the ruling talk to me about:

* Arguably (argued by pundits, not just me) the greatest kick in the history of the NFL. 45 yards through the snow in a blizzard. Was that luck too?

* The Raiders rolling over and dying. After that call they basically packed it in like a bunch of fvcking pansies. They allowed the Pats to drive at will in OT, conceding the game after the call. Anyone watching could see they were completely uninspired. They didnt want to play, they had their excuse already why they lost.

 

[thunderdoll]

I will never forget the Raiders sitting on the ball at the end of regulation. They had plenty of time left but they took the knee. Having the Patriots in that game I was nervous that there was so much time left. All they needed to do was get in field goal position. And that is almost a given with the prevent defense. When Gannon took the knee I actually cheered. Your right Ace. They had their excuse and they are sticking to it! LOL!

 

[acehistr8]

Thunderdoll you are so right I dont know how I could have forgotten about this!

The Raiders had the ball at their 40 yard line with 22 seconds left and 3 timeouts! You're telling me with Gannon, Rice and Tim Brown you dont at least take a SHOT at a few quick outs, slants or hell even draws with 3 TOs left?

And then let them drive 61 yards in OT without putting up a fight. Brady 8-8 in OT.

Anyway its completely pointless to argue this because no one side can make the other agree they are right.

 

[hellah10]

that under is looking pretty good now.....people found a weakness

 

[ChrryBlstr]

*LOL* @ hellah

 

[Stewy]

The Chiefs showed the weakness, using alot of motion in the running game freezes their linebackers for just a second and u must have a good running game or it won't work. I guarantee the Pats will get the problem fixed and win 9 games.

 

[thunderdoll]

I am worried because the Patriots have seem to forgotten about the quick pass offense that got them to the Super Bowl last year. Bradys strength was the feel he had for that quick pass. Controlling the ball and not making mistakes. Bledsoe didn't have the feel for the short pass. The Patriots also could not give Bledsoe the time he needed to throw the middle to long pass. Now they have Brady trying that same middle to long pass offense and he is having the same problem Bledsoe had with it. They can't give him the time. He is always being pressured leading to sacks and bad decisions. They started the year with that quick pass offense and it worked but the last two games at least it has been more of a conventional passing scheme leading to a lot of 3 and outs. Not to mention a defense that can't stop the run.

 

[Blitz]

Troy Brown has been out the last two games and that really hurts them in the quick pass game.

Plus they were a little banged up on O-line with Andruzzi out and some other nagging injuries.

 

[thunderdoll]

You are right Blitz they have been banged up. Missing Troy Brown has to hurt a lot too.

 

[Jhpga]

I was wondering why this topic came back up 4 weeks later then I realized they had lost 2 in a row.But they have lost 2 in a row to 2 damn good teams on the road.I think they'll cover the over 8.5.Wish I had that bet right now!!!!!!

 

[joey20]

Ok guys I'm a little confused on all the fuss about New England. They just got dominated by Miami and S.D. the week before. Also, here's a little trend for Sunday's game against G.B.

The PATS are 1-12 ATS as home favs of less than 10 pts against NFC teams.

Also, the OVER is 12-3 in G.B.'s last 15 overall, and the OVER is 12-5 in N.E.'s last 17 against non-divisional teams.

I liked the over before I found that out, now, I love it!!!!!

Opinions appreciated

The RAHHHHHHHHDDDDEEEERRSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PaTsJaMM]

Ok guys I'm a little confused on all the fuss about New England. They just got dominated by Miami and S.D.

How did they get dominated by San Diego? They lost by one TD. Sure, SD had a big advantage in run yardage but the Pats dominated other stats like:

1st downs Pats-25 SD -14
Total Yards Pats 440 SD 342
Pass Yards Pats 353 SD 104

Pats even won time of possession 33:13 to San Diegos' 26:47 despite being outgained on the ground.

Pats moved the ball on San Diego all day. But Brady threw 2 uncharacteristic INTs deep in Charger territory and they also lost a fumble. I am not making excuses for their loss as San Diego clearly outplayed us overall and deserved to win. I give nothing but props to them and think despite their loss to Denver that they are for real. But to say the Pats were "dominated" is clearly a stupid statement.

BTW to those who think the Pats are done, I hope you continue to lay the money against them. The Pats started 2-3 last year and were blown out in Miami 30-10, even with a healthy Troy Brown, who they have been without the past 2 games.

I won't make any guarantees, but I'd lay my money on Bill Belichik and Charlie Weis righting the ship. Hell, I consider it a flattering statement that so many people think a measley 2 game losing streak is catastrophic to this team

 

[hellah10]

goodie good.....keep on losing you overrated assholes