2253 replies to this topic

[TheoShmeo]

It takes four wins.

Of course, Bill Belichick and his well versed players will talk about only about the Ravens.

We'll hear all week about how strong the Ravens are and especially how good that defense is. Belichick will rave about Ed Reed and tell us that Joe Flacco is quickly becoming one of the best QBs in the NFL. We'll be reminded by the Patriots and the media that if not for a Mark Clayton drop, the Ravens would have been knocking very loudly at the door of a week four win in Foxboro. And we'll hear that Edelman, Aiken and Stanback are capable of stepping up or else they would not be on the roster. Some of the bigger yahoos in the media will reference the Patriots' buzzards luck with injuries post-SpyGate and leave the supposed karmic conclusion unstated. Others will connect the dots without shame, if they haven't begun to do so already.

Looking ahead to the actual game, I like the fact that that Pats were undefeated at home this season. I like the fact that they'll be getting Warren, Faulk, Bodden and hopefully Wilfork back. And I like the fact that Brady will be pissed off all week about not having gotten the ball for that last drive against the Texans, and will be a man possessed in preparation for that game. I'm not suggesting that Tom is ever lax in his preparation for any game, much less any playoff game. Still, I like that he's going to be extremely focused.

I don't like the fact that I don't have a lot of confidence in Bill O'Brien's play calling or have even the hint of a rational explanation for the Patriots' inability to score much in the second half of games. I don't like that a passing, WR centric offense is now down to one quality and experienced WR. That they never adequately replaced Jabar Gaffney was a problem before yesterday. It's now obviously a bigger problem. And I don't like that the Pats seemingly give good QBs a ridiculous amount of time in the pocket to pick them apart, as Matt Schaub did yesterday.

I'll wonder if Maroney's absence yesterday means that BB has given up on the player, Maroney is hurt, Maroney had a bad week of practice or it was some kind of Belichick message to him. More to the point, I'll wonder if Maroney will play against the Ravens.

The good news, for me, is that I expect the Pats to start their playoff march with a win. In the end, I think that the combination of playing at home and their overall talent and coaching advantage will be enough to gut this one out. I'm less sanguine that they can keep it going against San Diego but that's for the next game thread, if we get there.

But the four game march begins with a victory.

Edited by TheoShmeo, 04 January 2010 - 04:58 AM.

[dwightinright]

I want this one, because I really, really, really, really want to play and beat the Chargers next week. One of the most satisfying wins of the Patriots run was winning out in SD a few years ago. No team talks more, and (to this point) has accomplished less.

That said, I'm sure this week will be full of trash-talk from the Ravens, and, should we win, talk of how we can only beat them with the refs help.

Bring it on.

Anyone seen an early line?

[mascho]

I want this one, because I really, really, really, really want to play and beat the Chargers next week. One of the most satisfying wins of the Patriots run was winning out in SD a few years ago. No team talks more, and (to this point) has accomplished less.

That said, I'm sure this week will be full of trash-talk from the Ravens, and, should we win, talk of how we can only beat them with the refs help.

Bring it on.

Anyone seen an early line?

Saw an early line last night, New England -4.

[jsinger121]

Saw an early line last night, New England -4.

With Welker healthy thats likely New England -7.

[RedOctober3829]

No excuses period. It's a new season now and you play as hard as you can with the players you have. Talk about how we can win with the players on the field instead of saying what we could do with who isn't here.

[Mystic Merlin]

No excuses period. It's a new season now and you play as hard as you can with the players you have. Talk about how we can win with the players on the field instead of saying what we could do with who isn't here.

Yep.

GB isn't crying about Kampman or Harris; NY isn't crying about Jenkins or Washington; Indy isn't crying about Sanders; SD about Williams; etc.

Everyone has lost key players.

[Nator]

No excuses period. It's a new season now and you play as hard as you can with the players you have. Talk about how we can win with the players on the field instead of saying what we could do with who isn't here.

Hell yeah. Everyone else (especially the TE's IMO) must maximize opportunities as they present themselves. You might only have 3 or 4 thrown your way, so make them all count.

[ElcaballitoMVP]

I think we'll see a lot more of the running game in the post season (esp. if we get past the Ravens and have to play teams like the Chargers and Colts). BB will go back to shortening the game and keeping the opposing offenses off the field as much as possible.

[CrouchingTonyHiddenPena]

I think we'll see a lot more of the running game in the post season (esp. if we get past the Ravens and have to play teams like the Chargers and Colts). BB will go back to shortening the game and keeping the opposing offenses off the field as much as possible.

Agreed. Also I envision more two TE sets for a better blocking scheme/pass protection. Baker might have a much bigger role from here on out.

Looking back at previous SB winners:

In 2001 it was Antowain Smith & Kevin Faulk at RB with Troy Brown and David Patten at WR. A shocking win for us in the end.

In 2003 we were a bit better with Antowain & Kevin still at RB but having Branch, Brown Givens & Bethel at WR. Still, not Randy Moss or Wes Welker (although Troy Brown is close) by any means. They got it done.

In 2004 they picked up and rode a retread clock-killin' badboy at RB that tried to run you over every down as opposed to avoiding you (still miss C-K-CD). We had Faulk, Branch, Brown & Givens, Bethel & Patten back as well for good measure. The best offensive team on paper of the three yet, in a slow evolution of better weapons for Brady without breaking the bank.

So, here's my eToast to hoping a healthy and rested Fred Taylor morphs into the brief second-coming of Corey Dillon & Baker into the second-coming of a prime Daniel Graham for the stretch run. Break out the old playbooks. YASU!

Edited by CrouchingTonyHiddenPena, 06 January 2010 - 03:33 AM.

[jsinger121]

The common theme with those 3 teams was the defense was elite on 2 two of those teams (03 and 04) and very good on the other (01). This defense hasn't been able to stop anyone at key times to put the ball back in the offense's hand in order to chew up the clock.

[CrouchingTonyHiddenPena]

The common theme with those 3 teams was the defense was elite on 2 two of those teams (03 and 04) and very good on the other (01). This defense hasn't been able to stop anyone at key times to put the ball back in the offense's hand in order to chew up the clock.

I agree. With rebuilding our aging defense, we have put more stock in prime offensive weapons. Now we have a good but inexperienced young handful on defense, and we're minus a HUGE offensive weapon.

The defense is the only side of the ball that scares me, not the offense.

Edit: just trying to be the punch in any potential turdbowl in advance. A large chunk of morale is needed after Mr. Welker went down.

Edited by CrouchingTonyHiddenPena, 05 January 2010 - 02:42 PM.

[ElcaballitoMVP]

The common theme with those 3 teams was the defense was elite on 2 two of those teams (03 and 04) and very good on the other (01). This defense hasn't been able to stop anyone at key times to put the ball back in the offense's hand in order to chew up the clock.

All the more reason to run the ball more and reduce the number of chances opposing offenses have against our defense.

[Seagull]

All the more reason to run the ball more and reduce the number of chances opposing offenses have against our defense.

I agree once past the Ravens. I would love to see Maroney given another shot to show he can create some damage if he adopts a punishing running style. I'd even like to see some more I-Formation, though I'm not crazy about any of the up-back options other than Jumbos for short yardage. Maybe we'll see TE's in motion for blocking purposes.

However, against the Ravens, the secondary is definitely the weak spot and the D-line a strength, especially against the run. I expect Kevin Faulk to get the majority of snaps at RB, partially for pass protection and partially as the best check-down option. Fred Taylor is probably the number two option for both purposes, though we haven't seen much to go on since he's been inactive for most of the year. But I don't want to see them abandon the run, or just run those shotgun draws. They need a more balanced attack.

Edited by Seagull, 06 January 2010 - 09:19 AM.

[Tony C]

speaking of Taylor, I didn't see last week's game -- how did he look? if healthy, he's a huge plus factor.

[dwightinright]

7 carries for 33 yards, 2 TDs, lost a fumble in his own end zone. He looked healthy. Not much more you can say than that with only 7 carries.

[SoxScout]

Still a bunch of tickets available for a playoff game in 4 days. Interesting.

[dcmissle]

Still a bunch of tickets available for a playoff game in 4 days. Interesting.

People are not into it, and are spoiled. They see this run ending well short of the AFC championship game and don't want to buy in. For the great majority of Pats' history, fans would give their left nut for a playoff game at home.

[Mystic Merlin]

People are not into it, and are spoiled. They see this run ending well short of the AFC championship game and don't want to buy in. For the great majority of Pats' history, fans would give their left nut for a playoff game at home.

Yep.

Their loss. I'm going to thoroughly enjoy myself Sunday.

[mascho]

God I love the Ravens.

Ray Lewis: "Brady's Injuries are a Set-Up"

[Mystic Merlin]

Yes, it's all an elaborate ruse, Ray. The wincing, the trips to the locker room, the missed practice time. All of it. Just to prepare for a playoff matchup with the Ravens.

Of course, there's no real indication of why the Pats would do this, aside from annoying Ray Lewis.

Man, I really wish Bart Scott was still a Raven.

EDIT - However, be sure to note that NBC took that quote out of context. Lewis preceded that bizarre aside by sucking Brady off.

Edited by Mystic Merlin, 06 January 2010 - 06:09 PM.

[dynomite]

God I love the Ravens.

Ray Lewis: "Brady's Injuries are a Set-Up"

He's a first-class dick, but that's a little out of context:

"I think sometimes, that's the biggest set-up ever. Look at all the great ones, man. All the great ones, man, every time you say they're hurt, they come out and have their best games. So, forget all that!"

...

According to Ian R. Rapoport of the Boston Herald, Lewis used a high, shrill voice while mocking the idea that anyone should think Brady's injuries are affecting him.

"Oh Tom has this! Let's try and do this, let's try and do that," Lewis said. "As soon as you try to do that, it leaves people man-on-man, then he hurts you.

Seems to me he's just saying that great players play great no matter the circumstances. He's saying that if you go into the game expecting anything less than Brady's best he'll beat you.

Edit: But let me be clear -- this Ravens team whines more than anyone else in the league, and I'm excited for the opportunity to hear which official cost them their season on Sunday night.

Edited by dynomite, 06 January 2010 - 06:10 PM.

[drleather2001]

I had a dream the Pats lost 34-38. I was mad.

They started off strong, going up 10-7 as the 1Q ended (the Ravens scored first, and then the Pats ran back the KO to tie it, then kicked a FG on their next drive).

Then I left to go do something and looked on the internet 2 hours later to see the bad news.

That's all.

Edited by drleather2001, 07 January 2010 - 02:58 PM.

[dynomite]

I had a dream the Pats lost 34-38. I was mad.

34 points without Welker? HOAX

[mikeford]

I had a dream the Pats lost 34-38. I was mad.

They started off strong, going up 10-7 as the 1Q ended (the Ravens scored first, and then the Pats ran back the KO to tie it, then kicked a FG on their next drive).

Then I left to go do something and looked on the internet 2 hours later to see the bad news.

That's all.

Sounds like they blew another lead in the 2nd half.

Typical.

[SeoulSoxFan]

Sounds like they blew another lead in the 2nd half.

Typical.

Hell I had a dream they handled the Ravens 31-14 and woke up to a nice ham & egg muffin sandwich and s steaming pot of coffee.

Pats match up pretty well against the Raven fellas. They can run but the real weakness in the Raven's D is their secondary. Wilkfork and Warren (a key and he has to play Sunday) will control the line much, much better than Oakland.

Fact is Ravens had a struggle beating teams with better than .500 record, and they're playing on the road with a banged up Ed Reed.

[SoxScout]

Sounds like they blew another lead in the 2nd half. Typical.

Kind of like Papelbon, everyone and their mother said he was straightened out, no need to worry about his regular season in the postseason, and it all comes back 4694x magnified in the playoffs.

...

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 24. Northwest wind between 7 and 9 mph.

Edited by SoxScout, 08 January 2010 - 09:36 AM.

[dwightinright]

Jaworski was on the radio this morning and said that after watching the coach's film of the Texans game he noticed that the Texans did not alter their coverage scheme after Welker was injured, and roll more help over to Moss, they covered Edelman as if he was Welker. He said he watched more film of Edelman and that he is "very good" and while he's not Welker, Edelman can give them the production they need.

[SoxScout]

Good news, Pats fans!

Randy Moss was not present at the portion of Patriots practice open to the media today. Moss has been a full participant at practice and has not been on the injury report all week, but yesterday he limped out of the locker room, and on Wednesday he had his knees heavily wrapped in ice.

http://www.boston.co...missing_at.html

[drleather2001]

Oh what the fuck.

[Captaincoop]

Good news, Pats fans!http://www.boston.co...missing_at.html

Holy everloving fuck.

[Beomoose]

Good news, Pats fans!http://www.boston.co...missing_at.html

Note to self: remove all matches and flammable liquids from my house before the game.

[Nator]

Oh what the fuck.

Gotta be a ruse. Gotta be.

[Ed Hillel]

Felger just came.

[TheoShmeo]

Paging ElcaballitoMVP, please report to the thread with an update on Moss, stat.

[mascho]

Felger just came.

I, however, did not.

Might need to upgrade to a full case from a 12-pack for Sunday...

[dcmissle]

The Hillel and Shmeo posts are just flipping hilarious.

Let's all do ourselves a favor and not jump to conclusions. This season has been tough enough, and if it goes past Sunday will be tougher still.

Be good to yourselves and enjoy.

[dcmissle]

The Hillel and Shmeo posts are just flipping hilarious.

Let's all do ourselves a favor and not jump to conclusions. This season has been tough enough, and if it goes past Sunday will be tougher still.

Be good to yourselves and enjoy.

EDIT - mascho's too; forget the beer, dial up the Jamesons.

[TheoShmeo]

The Hillel and Shmeo posts are just flipping hilarious.

Let's all do ourselves a favor and not jump to conclusions. This season has been tough enough, and if it goes past Sunday will be tougher still.

Be good to yourselves and enjoy.

Thanks Daddy!

Asking our resident source if there is actually an issue isn't exactly jumping to conclusions.

And I thought Ed's post was indeed pretty funny. But Felger will only have that reaction if Moss' injury -- if there is one -- was somehow self-imposed.

[Nator]

EDIT - mascho's too; forget the beer, dial up the Jamesons.

I'm upgrading to Peyote. Not sure what I'll end up seeing on Sunday, but I should be entertained regardless of the score.

Edited by Nator, 08 January 2010 - 01:37 PM.

[Ed Hillel]

And I thought Ed's post was indeed pretty funny. But Felger will only have that reaction if Moss' injury -- if there is one -- was somehow self-imposed.

Why was Randy running his routes so hard in a meangingless game!?!?

[dwightinright]

No one reported his limping yesterday?

Anyway---HOAX!!!!

[ElcaballitoMVP]

As of last night, I was told everyone was healthy and will play, including Wilfork and Warren. I'll try to find out if there is anything to this report, but this is news to me.

[dcmissle]

Speaking of injuries. As I posted in the Ravens thread, this guy has his hands full in the pocket as it is, and in fairness to him, he has been hobbled a bit. You can put the final sentence of this PFT entry in 20-point type:

One star preparing for Sunday's Ravens-Patriots game was a surprise no-show at practice Friday. Another left practice early.

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco exited practice Friday because of a sore hip, according to multiple reports in Baltimore.

According to the Twitter account of old PFT scribe Aaron Wilson, Flacco isn't concerned.

"It's a little stiff, but it feels good. I got a little bruising," Flacco said. (We can hear a certain Michael Scott phrase arriving in the comments.)

"It feels great right now. I just got to make sure it stays that way on Sunday."

Jim John Harbaugh says Flacco will be fine for Friday's game. And look for him to get a workout.

The Patriots are likely to use every resource possible towards slowing down Ray Rice, making a streaky Flacco beat them in cold conditions.

(emphasis added)

[jsinger121]

Update from Foxborough: Bill Belichick just said that the absence of Randy Moss from practice today was not injury related.

Moss was not available when reporters were in the locker room after practice.

http://www.boston.co...hick_no_in.html

[Dr. Gonzo]

Thank Christ

[Shelterdog]

http://www.boston.co...hick_no_in.html

Well if he said it it must be true.

I've given up guessing who's going to play in a football game. Everybody's hurt at this point in the season, every team lies about injuries and every body who thinks they know something blows it out of proportion.

[Trlicek's Whip]

http://www.boston.co...hick_no_in.html

Great, he's taking himself out of practices the week before the playoffs. Just like MN and OAK and everywhere he's ever been. Randy being Randy I KNEW IT!

Critizing Moss on SoSH = ALIVE

[shawnrbu]

I've been enjoying the Twit war between Pats fan Maria Menounos and Ravens fan/former cheerleader Stacy Keibler.

[mascho]

I've been enjoying the Twit war between Pats fan Maria Menounos and Ravens fan/former cheerleader Stacy Keibler.

As have I. Now only if it ends like that Miller Light catfight ad from a few Super Bowls back....