SBLII: Patriots vs. Eagles, the Build-Up

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tims4wins

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Regarding the whole how good is Foles question... just one data point, but his career passer rating is is 87.4. The NFL-wide passer rating this year was 85.1. That includes everything - his 27:2 season, everything. So it seems that he is basically an average QB by that metric. Maybe slightly above average. But also with a huge variance.
 

jsinger121

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The white team has been worn by the winning team 6 years in a row and 12 of the last 13.
 

jablo1312

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They got away from the all out rotations somewhat in the NFCCG: https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2018/1/23/16922630/eagles-vs-vikings-snap-count-analysis-philadelphia-tweaks-running-back-rotation-corey-clement-blount

Brandon Graham and Cox both played 79% of the snaps, and that includes a couple where I'm assuming they came off the field near the very end when the game was beyond decided. Could be a one game thing, could not; rotations definitely could have been affected by the Eagles being up by 20+ for half of the game and not having to worry about defending the run as much. Still, something to keep an eye on early in the game for sure. Word is Jernigan is a little banged up, which could be part of why his snap count was relatively low last week.
 

Ralphwiggum

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I think the Miami game this year is the only game in the last two years they have lost wearing white, including obviously the Super Bowl last year.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

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I guess the players believe in the white jersey thing, so they're going to take advantage of it even if it's superficially silly.
I know it's really, really, really dumb. But...

Maybe white uniforms actually help somehow? Maybe it's easier to see white jerseys get tugged, so more flags are called? Maybe the white is easier to lose in your peripheral vision, so it's easier to lose site of players?

I'm choosing to believe there's a scientific reason for this.
 

TheoShmeo

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I'm not surprised the Pats chose to wear the whites. I see Belichick as using every possible advantage, tangible or intangible, no matter how small. I hate to pick a scab but the spygate filming likely did very little to advance the cause of winning, but even a slight advantage was worth pursuing in Bill's mind. Same here. Maybe it buoys the Pats' players in some ways and messes a little with the Eagles' mindset. Even if it's negligible, anything is better than nothing.

PS: Unrelatedly, Chris Long leaving the Pats for Philly in light of the rotations noted above remains curious to me. I recall him saying that he left because he wanted to be used more but I would be surprised if the Eagles D wasn't also rotational in 2016 and that Long didn't know that. Maybe there was more to it and the usage answer was a polite reply. This is not a huge thing but as they prepare to face a D with him on it, and given that he is playing quite well, the question presents itself.
 

CSteinhardt

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I know it's really, really, really dumb. But...

Maybe white uniforms actually help somehow? Maybe it's easier to see white jerseys get tugged, so more flags are called? Maybe the white is easier to lose in your peripheral vision, so it's easier to lose site of players?

I'm choosing to believe there's a scientific reason for this.
There are studies showing that red uniforms provide a competitive advantage. Haven't seen the same for white.
 

tims4wins

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I'm not surprised the Pats chose to wear the whites. I see Belichick as using every possible advantage, tangible or intangible, no matter how small. I hate to pick a scab but the spygate filming likely did very little to advance the cause of winning, but even a slight advantage was worth pursuing in Bill's mind. Same here. Maybe it buoys the Pats' players in some ways and messes a little with the Eagles' mindset. Even if it's negligible, anything is better than nothing.

PS: Unrelatedly, Chris Long leaving the Pats for Philly in light of the rotations noted above remains curious to me. I recall him saying that he left because he wanted to be used more but I would be surprised if the Eagles D wasn't also rotational in 2016 and that Long didn't know that. Maybe there was more to it and the usage answer was a polite reply. This is not a huge thing but as they prepare to face a D with him on it, and given that he is playing quite well, the question presents itself.
Long actually played less snaps this year but was more effective. Ditto Blount.
 

bradmahn

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I'm not surprised the Pats chose to wear the whites. I see Belichick as using every possible advantage, tangible or intangible, no matter how small. I hate to pick a scab but the spygate filming likely did very little to advance the cause of winning, but even a slight advantage was worth pursuing in Bill's mind. Same here. Maybe it buoys the Pats' players in some ways and messes a little with the Eagles' mindset. Even if it's negligible, anything is better than nothing.

PS: Unrelatedly, Chris Long leaving the Pats for Philly in light of the rotations noted above remains curious to me. I recall him saying that he left because he wanted to be used more but I would be surprised if the Eagles D wasn't also rotational in 2016 and that Long didn't know that. Maybe there was more to it and the usage answer was a polite reply. This is not a huge thing but as they prepare to face a D with him on it, and given that he is playing quite well, the question presents itself.
Rather than paying time, usage refers to how they play. Scwartz's Wide 9 scheme sends defensive ends upfield (way up on the hillside) to rush the passer. Belichick asks his end of line defenders to drop back in coverage, set the edge, and rush the passer. If you've been watching James Harrison the last few weeks, you've seen it in action.
 

TheoShmeo

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Rather than paying time, usage refers to how they play. Scwartz's Wide 9 scheme sends defensive ends upfield (way up on the hillside) to rush the passer. Belichick asks his end of line defenders to drop back in coverage, set the edge, and rush the passer. If you've been watching James Harrison the last few weeks, you've seen it in action.
Right, makes sense. Thanks for the knowledge.
 

BusRaker

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I know it's really, really, really dumb. But...

Maybe white uniforms actually help somehow? Maybe it's easier to see white jerseys get tugged, so more flags are called? Maybe the white is easier to lose in your peripheral vision, so it's easier to lose site of players?

I'm choosing to believe there's a scientific reason for this.
There's been many studies showing teams wearing dark colors get penalized more in all sports. Damn racist society

 

Leather

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What's with the baby blue on the SB logo? That's going to look bad on like 30 out of 32 teams' uniforms.
I really wish they had kept some sort of local/unique aspect to the logos. If not the numerals/trophy logo itself , have the host city design the "super bowl" text/backing that goes underneath it. Just to add a little local flair. I always liked the idea of the locally-designed logos, because it adds some notion that the SB is an *event*, like the Olympics, or World's Fair, as opposed to just a game.

I mean, it's hilarious that the NFL has a big "unveiling" of each year's logo and...well, in the words of the local reporter at the unveiling: "It looks just about the same as this year’s iteration, only with one more numeral. "

The local Super Bowl committee did a pretty good job at coming up with a marketing campaign and it seems like such a missed opportunity for the NFL to shit-can all of that in favor of bland, silver, monolithic crap every year.

But that's the NFL, I guess, where "classy" is synonymous with "boring."
 
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bakahump

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I know its been talked about in numerous game threads, but does anyone else worry about Blount and Long having intimate knowledge of the Patriots Schemes?

While terminology will be changed some things they do will always be the same and Blount and Long would obviously have that knowledge

Even a slight advantage can be significant.

Is there any other quick examples of both a significant Defensive and Offensive starter facing their previous team in the SB?
 

DJnVa

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Everyone saying "they should wear red" knows that they can't right?
 

bibajesus

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I know it's really, really, really dumb. But...

Maybe white uniforms actually help somehow? Maybe it's easier to see white jerseys get tugged, so more flags are called? Maybe the white is easier to lose in your peripheral vision, so it's easier to lose site of players?

I'm choosing to believe there's a scientific reason for this.
Semi related. Is it illegal for a player to wear gloves the same color as the opposing teams jersey? It might be an effective way to get away with a few holds.
 

Leather

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Semi related. Is it illegal for a player to wear gloves the same color as the opposing teams jersey? It might be an effective way to get away with a few holds.
I don't know but yellow gloves and cleats should be outlawed.
 

rodderick

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Tom Brady was 48 of 64 for 702 yards, 8 TDs and 0 INTs and a 149.9 passer rating in his last two games against a Jim Schwartz defense. Of course personnel is completely different, but those are absurd numbers. I didn't watch the Eagles too closely this year, I know their defense is very good by pretty much any metric, but looking at their starters on that side of the ball, it doesn't look like they are overwhelming in the individual talent department.
 

Dr. Gonzo

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This was the last time that the Pats played a meaningful game against a Jim Schwartz defense was a October 2014 game in Buffalo. Pats won 37-22.

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2014101201/2014/REG6/patriots@bills#menu=gameinfo|contentId:0ap3000000409387&tab=analyze

That Buffalo D was no slouch either, DVOA had them as the #2 D. They seemed to attack the D with the deep ball as LaFell had a 56 yard touchdown and old friend Brian Tyms had a 43 yard touchdown. Therefore if the game plan is to attack the Schwartz defense vertically, the current iteration of the Pats offense is a great fit.

Edit: Glad to see @rodderick and I on the same page
 

Lose Remerswaal

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I know its been talked about in numerous game threads, but does anyone else worry about Blount and Long having intimate knowledge of the Patriots Schemes?

While terminology will be changed some things they do will always be the same and Blount and Long would obviously have that knowledge

Even a slight advantage can be significant.

Is there any other quick examples of both a significant Defensive and Offensive starter facing their previous team in the SB?
Just you.

This happens all the time and in situations much closer together than a full year later and never send to have much effect. At least no one has ever said it helped in the game or game planning
 

edmunddantes

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Just you.

This happens all the time and in situations much closer together than a full year later and never send to have much effect. At least no one has ever said it helped in the game or game planning
Except for the famous example of the coach switching sides.

Bucs vs Raiders.
 

Rudi Fingers

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I'm not surprised the Pats chose to wear the whites. I see Belichick as using every possible advantage, tangible or intangible, no matter how small. I hate to pick a scab but the spygate filming likely did very little to advance the cause of winning, but even a slight advantage was worth pursuing in Bill's mind. Same here. Maybe it buoys the Pats' players in some ways and messes a little with the Eagles' mindset. Even if it's negligible, anything is better than nothing.
I think the crowd will be pro-Eagles, and Belichick may think the white uniforms are a minor thing that will help put the Patriots into the "visiting team" mindset.
 

bakahump

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Just you.

This happens all the time and in situations much closer together than a full year later and never send to have much effect. At least no one has ever said it helped in the game or game planning
Fair enough. we might have to chalk this up to we dont know it does help (as you say absence of qoutes supporting the notion) so we cant say it does.

Remember I am adding the criteria of "Starter" for both teams. So not like a Special teamer or Practice Squad guy.

It would be interesting to see what the record of the "New Team" is against the "Old team" in all these examples.

Anything more then about .500 might be more then just noise, yes?
 

pokey_reese

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SI going with 27-16, Patriots, huh? The gamethread would be all peaches and cream and patting each other on the back, right?
You are discounting the fact that the Pats would be down 16-0 going into the second half, before scoring 27 unanswered points thanks to some questionable calls.
 

Al Zarilla

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You are discounting the fact that the Pats would be down 16-0 going into the second half, before scoring 27 unanswered points thanks to some questionable calls.
I know; it’s never easy. Doesn’t SI realize the Pats have never won a SB by more than 4 points except for LI when they didn’t lead until the last second of overtime?
 

HurstSoGood

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There's been many studies showing teams wearing dark colors get penalized more in all sports. Damn racist society

Might this be due, primarily, to home field/court/ice advantage?
Home teams dressing in their whites vs away darks?
Doesn't seem like a stretch.

Unless the aways are the whites. In which my theory is flawed.
 
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