New England Patriots Discussion - Page 287

cmarq83 · 11-25-2011, 04:35 PM

Looks like Vick and Nnamdi might both be out on Sunday. I kind of want them to play just so we can see if this offense and defense can be tested and actually improve. This might be one of the last good shots they'll get to prove it before playoff time.

However, if Vick doesn't play that means they'll play Young, Moore, Tebow, Fitzpatrick, Beck, and Painter before the playoffs and everyone will be talking about how much the defense improved when in reality they just played crap. Then we'll be lit up by the Steelers for 40 in the playoffs.

nepg · 11-25-2011, 05:14 PM

Moore has been playing pretty well. Has looked a lot more like the QB a lot of the people around here thought he'd be than the ****-tastic noodle arm that he's shown in the past.

But...yeah...

I still think it's valuable to play well against garbage offenses. Confidence is a huge issue with that secondary. Look back to the Pittsburgh game. They had very good coverage all game, but no one was stepping up to make a play...jump a route...do something other than watch the guy run his route and catch the ball in front of you.

I'm perfectly happy with the likely easy path to the playoffs they have.

Matthew Jones · 11-26-2011, 12:46 PM

This is a non sequitur, but does anyone think that one of the most important things New England can do to improve the team this offseason is to hire more assistant coaches? A lot of players seem to have regressed this season, and it seems fair to wonder whether that is a result of the coaching staff being undermanned.

ElectricEye · 11-26-2011, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RavenOfProphecy

This is a non sequitur, but does anyone think that one of the most important things New England can do to improve the team this offseason is to hire more assistant coaches? A lot of players seem to have regressed this season, and it seems fair to wonder whether that is a result of the coaching staff being undermanned.

Could be the case. I defiantly want to see some kind of non-roster shakeup, with either a GM or a defensive coach who can actually contribute something meaningful brought in. More assistants could be part of that too.

As far as tomorrows game goes, I feel pretty good about it with two of Philly's better players being out. Not quite the layup the Chiefs were because they still have some guys who can hurt us potentially and they play defense better than a lot of people seem to realize, but I'm still feeling pretty confident. I really hope the offense has a "breakout" game sometime soon. We've been effective most of the time, but it would be nice to get another dominant type performance to build on late in the year.

...oh, and for about the millionth time, Taylor Price will have a chance to breakout. He won't, but we'll all hope for it and talk about it and wonder why it didn't happen afterwards.

AntoinCD · 11-26-2011, 01:08 PM

Philly really doesn't match up well with us defensively. They want teams to throw to the outer edges of the field against their CBs. However their safeties and LBs really lack great coverage skills. I'm expecting a big game from Gronk and Welker and possibly Hernandez.

Their pass rush could be dangerous, particularly with the offense's propensity to take deep drops and have long developing plays, but the screen game has really picked up and we could hurt any over pursuit.

We could also see a lot more of Vereen than we have becuase his style fits what can hurt the Eagles in both the running and passing game.

nepg · 11-26-2011, 01:55 PM

We could start a pool on when Taylor Price breaks out. It's too bad Chad is super durable and pretty much never gets hurt.

EDIT: lol, didn't realize 85 is questionable. HAHA

cmarq83 · 11-26-2011, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RavenOfProphecy

This is a non sequitur, but does anyone think that one of the most important things New England can do to improve the team this offseason is to hire more assistant coaches? A lot of players seem to have regressed this season, and it seems fair to wonder whether that is a result of the coaching staff being undermanned.

Obviously if the Patriots were to bring in a big named assistant my first (but unrealistic) choice would be Mangini. He's a good defensive coordinator who is good at developing defensive backs (Samuel, Revis, Haden). He's just the kind of guy this staff needs, being an established former head coach who isn't afraid to go against Belichick.

If not then I'd look at Del Rio if he's let go at the end of the season. He has a lot of experience in the league as both a player and a coach. He is a linebackers guy who was a pretty good defensive assistant before signing on as Jacksonville's head coach.

Matthew Jones · 11-26-2011, 02:39 PM

It's probably a pipe dream but someone like Al Groh would be nice.

ElectricEye · 11-26-2011, 02:44 PM

I think we all know BB isn't going to bring anyone with any kind of name credit in on either side of the ball though. It would be great to see and even make sense to bring in someone like Groh, but it won't happen. Really unfortunate.

cmarq83 · 11-26-2011, 02:46 PM

We did had Dom Capers one year though.

nepg · 11-26-2011, 02:48 PM

I don't think it's true that he won't bring in names. He brought in Capers not long ago and brought in Corwin Brown last year (thus, McCourty).

ElectricEye · 11-26-2011, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmarq83

We did had Dom Capers one year though.

Wasn't that more of an "observer" kind of thing? He was officially listed as "Special Assistant/Secondary", while Dean Pees was the defensive coordinator(who was god awful, but I think we're seeing now a lot of that was Belichick). No way of knowing for sure how much he contributed, but we certainly didn't do many of the things a Dom Capers defense typically does that year.

nepg · 11-26-2011, 03:00 PM

Capers was largely credited for the defensive play of the 2008 team.

luckyjackaubrey · 11-26-2011, 06:39 PM

Going to my first live Pat's game since Tommy Hodson was under center. 'Couldn't be more phsyched.

Matthew Jones · 11-26-2011, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckyjackaubrey

Going to my first live Pat's game since Tommy Hodson was under center. 'Couldn't be more phsyched.

Congrats! Make sure to take some pictures for us!

Don Vito · 11-26-2011, 07:17 PM

I am willing to wager that Bama safety/STer Vinny Sunseri will be a Patriot one day. He is such a Belichick type player.

Nalej · 11-26-2011, 08:40 PM

I would love to have Mangini back. Not sure how realistic that is since how butt hurt BB was when he left.
I hated him as well for SpyGate but that's died down and I love watching his segments on ESPN.
His subtle head nods when others are speaking stupidity makes me smile.
Him being a big Patriots and Tom Brady homer also helps his cause as well (with my perception of him, that is)

nepg · 11-26-2011, 09:38 PM

I'd love Mangini back as a Assistant Head Coach/Defensive QC (or some ******** title). He could resume his post as successor to Belichick.

descendency · 11-27-2011, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Vito

I am willing to wager that Bama safety/STer Vinny Sunseri will be a Patriot one day. He is such a Belichick type player.

And, at the current rate, a starter in 2012.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nepg

Capers was largely credited for the defensive play of the 2008 team.

The Delta O'Neal Shutdown Corner year?

Razor · 11-27-2011, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AntoinCD

Philly really doesn't match up well with us defensively. They want teams to throw to the outer edges of the field against their CBs. However their safeties and LBs really lack great coverage skills. I'm expecting a big game from Gronk and Welker and possibly Hernandez.

Their pass rush could be dangerous, particularly with the offense's propensity to take deep drops and have long developing plays, but the screen game has really picked up and we could hurt any over pursuit.

We could also see a lot more of Vereen than we have becuase his style fits what can hurt the Eagles in both the running and passing game.

I think we're going to stick it to the Eagles offensively tonight. We'll be able to run the ball well I think, and the pass rush can be neutralized with screens like we used to do. Defensively I'm somewhat iffy, but I really think that our offense is going to take care of business tonight.