Miami did have a great game plan, executed it to perfection, and got their first win of the season in convincing fashion. I have so many concerns about this loss I don't think I can list them all, but Cassel and the O Line need to improve immediately. Moss is already sulking. I normally hate an early bye week but it's really needed this year to get angry and get a plan in place for the season. What did I like about this game, same guys as Mike Reiss again, I wonder why. Ellis Hobbs' kick returns and Stephen Gostkowski's field goals and kickoffs. I'm not so sure about the AFC East right now, but you can't have everything and can't overreact over something you have no control over, just watch and enjoy. Besides it could be worse: Tyler Thigpen could be your quarterback. Or Beasley Reece could return to network television.
Oh well, talk to you in two weeks. I think I'm going NFL-less this week with the Pats bye and no games I'm really interested in. CBS has their weakest lineup since they got the NFL back. Heck the whole week sucks, I'll be running a race and just may go for a local hike afterwards.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Week Two: Same old JETS!!!!
We still may not be sure how well the Pats will do throughout the season without Tom Brady, but boy was I happy with the game yesterday!!!! Murphy's Pub wasn't as packed as it was for most games in past seasons, but it was 99 degrees out and the game was on the local CBS affiliate (I often stay home when the game's on locally to save $). But, the Cassel chants were going before the opening kickoff; everyone in the bar rallied around him all game.
Speaking of the game: A vintage play the disrespect card, plan thoroughly, make adjustments, Patriots style win. Will Cassel throw 50 yard deep routes to Moss and Gaffney? Not yet. Are we going to see any 48-13 wins this season? Unlikely but with Miami on the schedule twice you never know. But for a guy who hadn't started a game since 1999, he managed the game very, very well. No fumbles, no picks, made nearly every play he had to against a defense that, as much as I can't stand them, is pretty good. The defense? As my buddy Ed mentioned to me after a rare Jets big play, "this is all broken plays, they've done nothing else". That held true pretty much throughout, even on the TD Rodney Harrison got bumped into by another Jets WR and Pats DB, making his missed fade coverage basically a broken play. The Jets never threatened after cutting the Pats lead to six, and the fans were pouring out of the exits before it was over.
What I liked: Meriweather's overall play and the pick. All the Ups that the Globe's Mike Reiss wrote about, but I also want to add Ellis Hobbs to the list of guys who played exceptionally well. Standout all game long. Did I mention that J E T S still stands for Just End The Season?
What concerned me: Pass protection. A few more sacks than I'd like but the line with get healthier and this part of the game will get better.
Finally, if Walt from Annapolis is out there in cyberspace, Kyle Eckel is re-signed! The cult hero of many of the Murphy's Pub faithful is back!
Other team notes: while their drive was aided by a shady non-fumble call, I give Mike Shanahan a keg of Fat Tire of credit for going for two at the end of their game. I'd say the same thing even if the attempt was not successful. As a football fan, it's very refreshing to see a coach see that his defense is beaten down and go for two in the usually conservative NFL.
I can't wait for next week's game against the Dolphins!
Speaking of the game: A vintage play the disrespect card, plan thoroughly, make adjustments, Patriots style win. Will Cassel throw 50 yard deep routes to Moss and Gaffney? Not yet. Are we going to see any 48-13 wins this season? Unlikely but with Miami on the schedule twice you never know. But for a guy who hadn't started a game since 1999, he managed the game very, very well. No fumbles, no picks, made nearly every play he had to against a defense that, as much as I can't stand them, is pretty good. The defense? As my buddy Ed mentioned to me after a rare Jets big play, "this is all broken plays, they've done nothing else". That held true pretty much throughout, even on the TD Rodney Harrison got bumped into by another Jets WR and Pats DB, making his missed fade coverage basically a broken play. The Jets never threatened after cutting the Pats lead to six, and the fans were pouring out of the exits before it was over.
What I liked: Meriweather's overall play and the pick. All the Ups that the Globe's Mike Reiss wrote about, but I also want to add Ellis Hobbs to the list of guys who played exceptionally well. Standout all game long. Did I mention that J E T S still stands for Just End The Season?
What concerned me: Pass protection. A few more sacks than I'd like but the line with get healthier and this part of the game will get better.
Finally, if Walt from Annapolis is out there in cyberspace, Kyle Eckel is re-signed! The cult hero of many of the Murphy's Pub faithful is back!
Other team notes: while their drive was aided by a shady non-fumble call, I give Mike Shanahan a keg of Fat Tire of credit for going for two at the end of their game. I'd say the same thing even if the attempt was not successful. As a football fan, it's very refreshing to see a coach see that his defense is beaten down and go for two in the usually conservative NFL.
I can't wait for next week's game against the Dolphins!
Monday, September 8, 2008
Brady done for season. Are Pats? No Super Bowl, but Hell No They're Not Done!
Not necessarily, although the first weekend in February freed up for a potential hiking or skiing trip. Yeah, the Super Bowl is a pipe dream now, a lost cause. But the AFC East is still winnable. There's still talent around Foxboro. Still enough to win the AFC East? Very likely. The other three teams aren't all that. Cassel may surprise of all of us. You never know. After seeing the hit, I'm not blaming anyone on either side. That's football. This sucks, but football wise we've had it very good for a long while now, and it's supposed to be fun so I need to try harder than ever not to take things personally.
As for next week? Of course, beating the Jets will be tough in their home opener, the first home game in the Favre era. Fired up crowd, fired up team, all of Giants Stadium smelling blood in the river. But......in the words of the immortal Lee Corso......not so fast, my friend. Until they prove otherwise, they're still the Jets. I trust Bill Belichick and his staff to come up with the game plan to make things interesting, if not pull off what many would consider an upset. I'll still be at Murphy's Pub, win or lose. Who's with me?
As for next week? Of course, beating the Jets will be tough in their home opener, the first home game in the Favre era. Fired up crowd, fired up team, all of Giants Stadium smelling blood in the river. But......in the words of the immortal Lee Corso......not so fast, my friend. Until they prove otherwise, they're still the Jets. I trust Bill Belichick and his staff to come up with the game plan to make things interesting, if not pull off what many would consider an upset. I'll still be at Murphy's Pub, win or lose. Who's with me?
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Brady injured - everybody breathe, at least so you can sleep
Welcome to my little, humble Patriots blog from Alexandria, VA. I'll post comments on each week's game, other Pats developments, random Jets / Colts / Dolphins bashing, and whatever comes to mind.
Week One: PATS 17 Chiefs 10
As of 8:40 pm ET on Sunday night, I haven't seen the play that injured Brady yet. I was in transit from Colorado Springs to Alexandria via DFW Airport. I get to the airport, find a TV in one of the restaurants that had the NFL ticket, check some scores, 7-3 Pats 14:55 left in 3rd. Shoot, it's taking the offense a bit of time to get in synch this year. I walk around looking for another place to eat, find out Brady left the game in the first quarter. Crap. I eventually settle into a Chili's, where I was able to see the last 20 minutes or so of the game.
I'll only comment on what I saw. A workmanlike, circle the wagons, simplify the offense a bit for Matt Cassel, opening day last twenty minutes. I just saw the hit at 8:46 am, that doesn't look good at all. ESPN's Trent Dilfer spoke with a Pats player who thinks it's season ending. Breathe so you can sleep. What I saw started with a Laurence Maroney 20 yard juke, duke, and spin across the field for 20 yards or so gain. Then I don't recall seeing him again. did he get hurt too?
What I liked: Welcome back Sammy Morris!!!! Pounds the ball, goes outside for a couple of carries, finds the end zone, great to have him back in the offense. Mike Vrabel crashing the collapsing pocket for two sacks. Ellis Hobbs steps up after the KC touchdown and picks off backup Damon Huard. (I GUARANTEE about a million other Pats fans thought uh oh the game gets tougher now with him instead of Brodie Croyle) Brandon Meriweather helping out on the coverage. Seymour stuffing Larry Johnson.
What I really liked: The goal line stand at the end of the game.
Didn't like: Quite a few breakdowns in the blocking didn't help Cassel at all. Giving up a TD right after scoring one to make it tight again. The total breakdown that allowed KC's Darling (WR, not a darling) to make a huge gain down to the Pats 5.
Question: Did the announcers miss a penalty altogether? Because I swear KC got 5 plays from the original first and goal at the end.
Everyone try to sleep tonight.
Week One: PATS 17 Chiefs 10
As of 8:40 pm ET on Sunday night, I haven't seen the play that injured Brady yet. I was in transit from Colorado Springs to Alexandria via DFW Airport. I get to the airport, find a TV in one of the restaurants that had the NFL ticket, check some scores, 7-3 Pats 14:55 left in 3rd. Shoot, it's taking the offense a bit of time to get in synch this year. I walk around looking for another place to eat, find out Brady left the game in the first quarter. Crap. I eventually settle into a Chili's, where I was able to see the last 20 minutes or so of the game.
I'll only comment on what I saw. A workmanlike, circle the wagons, simplify the offense a bit for Matt Cassel, opening day last twenty minutes. I just saw the hit at 8:46 am, that doesn't look good at all. ESPN's Trent Dilfer spoke with a Pats player who thinks it's season ending. Breathe so you can sleep. What I saw started with a Laurence Maroney 20 yard juke, duke, and spin across the field for 20 yards or so gain. Then I don't recall seeing him again. did he get hurt too?
What I liked: Welcome back Sammy Morris!!!! Pounds the ball, goes outside for a couple of carries, finds the end zone, great to have him back in the offense. Mike Vrabel crashing the collapsing pocket for two sacks. Ellis Hobbs steps up after the KC touchdown and picks off backup Damon Huard. (I GUARANTEE about a million other Pats fans thought uh oh the game gets tougher now with him instead of Brodie Croyle) Brandon Meriweather helping out on the coverage. Seymour stuffing Larry Johnson.
What I really liked: The goal line stand at the end of the game.
Didn't like: Quite a few breakdowns in the blocking didn't help Cassel at all. Giving up a TD right after scoring one to make it tight again. The total breakdown that allowed KC's Darling (WR, not a darling) to make a huge gain down to the Pats 5.
Question: Did the announcers miss a penalty altogether? Because I swear KC got 5 plays from the original first and goal at the end.
Everyone try to sleep tonight.
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