As for top 3 RBs ever, how 'bout the 1987 Oklahoma State trio of Thurman Thomas, Barry Sanders, and whoever the next one was?
And just think, they were basically a couple of fluke occurances that were the 2008 season away from what 14 straight divisional titles?Ho-hum.
Should we give a nod to Andrews then? Get it?#Patriots held Von Miller to just one hurry. First game he hasn't had multiple pressures in since the 2014 playoffs. 32 straight games
Jules's over the shoulder catch on his tiptoes was damned good, too.DT's hands - or lack thereof
TJ's True colors coming out when he threw down Jules
Dion for slowly but surely rounding into shape (and he DID score)
Develin for doing the dirty work
Cannon & Friends for getting the job done all day
Go, Malcolm for shutting down Sanders
Flowers for not wilting in the cold
Van Noy for continuing to show up
Gost - not just the not-missing, the dead-centering
Ryan for keeping us consistently out of trouble
Jules for just (fucking) catching all those punts and for playing HARD AS NAILS receiver today - that one first down in particular, where he barreled through two Denver defenders...wow.
Seventeen straight seasons without having a division team win more games than they have.And just think, they were basically a couple of fluke occurances that were the 2008 season away from what 14 straight divisional titles?
I would add that it was very good not to hear from you in a professional capacity today.Agreed 100%. I was literally just talking about this with my father-in-law tonight. Not having a viable fullback definitely changed their approach to running the ball last year. I was a big fan of the completion to Develin that made it first and goal where he was just hanging in the flat with literally no-one covering him
16Seventeen straight seasons without having a division team win more games than they have.
I'd say none of the three RBs are all that special, but they're running behind one of the league's better O-lines, and certainly the best line the Pats have had in several years. Amazing turnaround from a year ago, and they didn't have to bring in blue-chip free agents to do it.They clearly aren't the best ever, but point is they are really good, and one of the best in the modern era. The 2005 Chargers are a good call.
As another aside, it's gonna be funny when Belichick franchises Develin and Felger blows up. I'm half kidding (if they choose not to on Hightower, why not?)
Edit - Gotta check to see if FB count as RB for franchise numbers...
Lewis is a special talent, although obviously with a giant injury caveat.I'd say none of the three RBs are all that special, but they're running behind one of the league's better O-lines, and certainly the best line the Pats have had in several years. Amazing turnaround from a year ago, and they didn't have to bring in blue-chip free agents to do it.
On first and twenty! That was the biggest play of the TD drive.Jules's over the shoulder catch on his tiptoes was damned good, too.
He's learned from his trip to Pittsburgh. He'll be back.Lewis is a special talent, although obviously with a giant injury caveat.
One issue this offseason is Blount has been good enough someone will likely pay him a middling multiyear deal
I remarked the exact same thing when I saw that shot.One other thing: Caught a glimpse of Michael Floyd on the sideline toward the end of the game - he looks a shit ton like Pedro.
Same here. I was pretty confused until they showed his name.I remarked the exact same thing when I saw that shot.
My game balls: Cannon (still can't believe how invisible Miller was), Ryan (game-turning play), and TJ Ward (entertainment value).
Hot Mugsy-on-Mugsy action in the game ball thread!!!I remarked the exact same thing when I saw that shot.
My game balls: Cannon (still can't believe how invisible Miller was), Ryan (game-turning play), and TJ Ward (entertainment value).
If it lasts longer than four hours please see your doctor.I will contribute to this thread once my erection has subsided.
I was watching the game with family and when they showed him on the sidelines late in the game, my brother in law said, "Hey, Pedro Martinez is on the Pats sideline!"One other thing: Caught a glimpse of Michael Floyd on the sideline toward the end of the game - he looks a shit ton like Pedro.
I had the same reactionOne other thing: Caught a glimpse of Michael Floyd on the sideline toward the end of the game - he looks a shit ton like Pedro.
Nah, the AFC east is wide open next year.It's 17 if you count next year.
Yes! Never really noticed it before but now it's obvious in every image I see of him.One other thing: Caught a glimpse of Michael Floyd on the sideline toward the end of the game - he looks a shit ton like Pedro.
In this picture, the resemblance is striking.Yes! Never really noticed it before but now it's obvious in every image I see of him.
Csonka, Kiick, MorrisName a better trio ever, let alone the Pats Brady era. This has to be near the top.
I second the motion....Trey Flowers and James Develin. I'm starting to think Develin's importance is grossly underrated.
This is where I am regarding Develin as well. That passing play where he stood wide open waiting for the ball for like 5 minutes was perfectly played. He was clearly unnoticed out there, and just hung out waiting, rather than running around drawing attention to himself.Trey Flowers and James Develin. I'm starting to think Develin's importance is grossly underrated.
http://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4798757/patriots-offensive-tactic-with-shea-mcclellin-sparks-thoughts-of-ravens-playoff-gameBrown missed some time in the first half (stomach) before returning, which caught the attention of his teammates. “He’s a tough player,” said safety McCourty, one of the team’s captains. “His stomach is hurting, and he’s not feeling well, but he goes back into the locker room and gets an IV because he wants to help the team. He knew once he went down, we had two defensive tackles out there, so he wanted to come back in.”
Not to derail the thread, but this comment got me thinking. 2 hours on the tarmac for an NFL team (at least a well-run and managed one like the Pats) shouldn't be as big of an inconvenience compared to your average Joe. In other words, teams should have charter planes to accomplish travel in the best way possible for the players (i.e. extra large, fully reclining seats, recovery chambers, etc.). A quick Google search turned up some nice plane interiors with executive-style first class seats, but I'm thinking more along the lines of this story about a Nike concept:Pats had to sit on the tarmac for 2 hours last night waiting for the plane to be de iced per Zo.
Pats did a good job stopping the runs.Malcom Brown deserves all the praise he can get:
http://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4798757/patriots-offensive-tactic-with-shea-mcclellin-sparks-thoughts-of-ravens-playoff-game
From the story...Seems the Pats sent the Broncos into a bit of a meltdown with top notch guys like TJ Ward blaming both the offense and the run D for all their problems. They've shown time and again that they're a good unit when they're front running, but tend to lose their shit when they face any adversity.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000759572/article/denver-broncos-frustrations-boil-over-after-loss-to-patriots
Talib really does seem like a huge asshole.When the beaten Broncos spilled into the locker room, before the door was opened to reporters and other outsiders, coach Gary Kubiak gathered his players and asked if anyone wanted to address the team. Veteran left tackle Russell Okung, who signed with the Broncos last March, stepped forward to speak, and cornerback Aqib Talib strongly objected. According to several witnesses, that set off a spirited shouting match between the team's defensive backs and offensive linemen -- one which Kubiak had to diffuse before it turned ugly.
It happened quick? Plus, we ended up saving a challenge so I guess it worked out.Why in the world did we not challenge the obvious TD by Lewis? It ended up not mattering because Blount blasted it in the next play, but it was clearly a TD.
They said on the post game that Bill did, in fact, throw the challenge flag, but it came out too late.Why in the world did we not challenge the obvious TD by Lewis? It ended up not mattering because Blount blasted it in the next play, but it was clearly a TD.
Belichick cares about his fantasy team tooWhy in the world did we not challenge the obvious TD by Lewis? It ended up not mattering because Blount blasted it in the next play, but it was clearly a TD.
If the refs don't agree that there's indisputable evidence, then your next challenge is your last.Why in the world did we not challenge the obvious TD by Lewis? It ended up not mattering because Blount blasted it in the next play, but it was clearly a TD.