They must use some pretty serious staples, otherwise it would come in chunks like the old Orange Bowl and its sandy soil.
Isn't the new sod only in one of the end zones? Shouldn't be affecting all that many plays.Even without freezing, new sod isn’t taking root in a week. Footing is going to be iffy at best.
They're not that good, they spelled Chefs wrong.Credit where it is due.
The KC groundskeepers did an amazing job.
They just tweeted this out
They look to have re sodded the entire field between the hash marks tooIsn't the new sod only in one of the end zones? Shouldn't be affecting all that many plays.
Looks like they put it down the entire length of the hash lines as wellIsn't the new sod only in one of the end zones? Shouldn't be affecting all that many plays.
Great googly-moogly.They're not that good, they spelled Chefs wrong.
Came across this article, doesn't mention anything about the NFL. I think it was the Pats choiceIIRC, the NFL ordered the Pats to put in the turf.
We can argue that it will hurt Edelman with all his quick cuts. Or that Hill won't be able to get traction.I wonder who benefits from potentially loose sod? I can't see that this new sod will work well in terms of the footing. It looks like a field that is built for show, not for go.
Generally speaking I think the Chiefs are the faster / quicker team so I would say it benefits the Pats. Plus isn’t Mahomes a little gimpy right now? Could affect his mobility.I wonder who benefits from potentially loose sod? I can't see that this new sod will work well in terms of the footing. It looks like a field that is built for show, not for go.
Isn't the conventional wisdom that footing issues generally favor the offense because "they know where they're going, whereas the defense has to react?" (OTOH--I suppose that might not hold true in the micro-world of pass rushing.)I wonder who benefits from potentially loose sod? I can't see that this new sod will work well in terms of the footing. It looks like a field that is built for show, not for go.
This is where I was at earlier in the week. I also really wonder about the impact of the heated field. It would be one thing if it were frozen, but this seems like a recipe for a muddy mess.Isn't the conventional wisdom that footing issues generally favor the offense because "they know where they're going, whereas the defense has to react?" (OTOH--I suppose that might not hold true in the micro-world of pass rushing.)
This is an interesting take regarding how the Pats used different blitz/coverage schemes to confuse Mahomes. I'd expect more of the same. One of the commenters in this thread makes the point that Watkins is open right at the break but Mahomes didn't see him. I think the Patriots will disguise their defenses like this with varying looks but all designed to do one thing: confuse Mahomes into not seeing the option that will be open. I think it's as simple as this: if he picks it up (Watkins in this case), KC wins. If not, they don't.
Interesting article and a humorous look at an extended reign of high level play by the Pats. Funny that he referred to the Pats series of left footed punters as legends.Bill Barnwell on ESPN.com: Fact-checking Patriots' 18-year NFL dynasty: What's real, what's a myth:
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25787154/fact-checking-patriots-18-year-nfl-dynasty-real-myth
Thanks, I could not find anything.Came across this article, doesn't mention anything about the NFL. I think it was the Pats choice
https://www.concordmonitor.com/Patriots-turning-to-turf-in-2006-was-a-smart-move-6396478
This one too...Thanks, I could not find anything.
Thanks. From that article:
Almost at the 53 hour mark!Full participation at practice again today.
Speaking of myths, from that article:Bill Barnwell on ESPN.com: Fact-checking Patriots' 18-year NFL dynasty: What's real, what's a myth:
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25787154/fact-checking-patriots-18-year-nfl-dynasty-real-myth
That's the Carson Palmer rule. After Brady got hurt, they instituted a clarification to the rule, but the rule was instituted after Palmer's injury.Before the 2009 season began, the NFL instituted a "Brady Rule" banning forcible hits below the knees on quarterbacks in the pocket. Frustrated Cincinnati Bengals fans wondered why the league hadn't been as concerned about low hits after Kimo von Oelhoffen destroyed Carson Palmer's knee during the 2005 playoffs, and it's fair to say they have a gripe.
Everybody saw how badly Mahomes was limping after having his knee bent backwards vs. IND, yet not a lot of discussion on this compared to weather, crowd noise, field conditions, etc. Maybe he’s 100% fine, no issues. Or maybe he comes out in pregame wearing a brace, or seems to favor it. Or isn’t darting around much... all under the watchful eye of BB and staff.Generally speaking I think the Chiefs are the faster / quicker team so I would say it benefits the Pats. Plus isn’t Mahomes a little gimpy right now? Could affect his mobility.
IDK it seems like a waste of resources to focus on this at all since the information will be readily apparent in the natural flow of the game. Let's say we never find out? That probably means Mahomes was in the pocket all day. I'd take that.How would that affect the early defensive sets? Do they bait him out of the pocket to see if he’s affected by it? And if so
By my count, Mahomes was 16 of 24 for 156 yards after that, with 3 sacks. He was only 1 of 5 for 17 in deep pass attempts after that. Then again, hard to tell how much was just the Chiefs taking the foot off the gas - they were up 14-0 at the time of the play, and already in FG range to make it 17-0. Mahomes only dropped back to pass four times in the final quarter.Everybody saw how badly Mahomes was limping after having his knee bent backwards vs. IND, yet not a lot of discussion on this compared to weather, crowd noise, field conditions, etc. Maybe he’s 100% fine, no issues. Or maybe he comes out in pregame wearing a brace, or seems to favor it. Or isn’t darting around much... all under the watchful eye of BB and staff.
How would that affect the early defensive sets? Do they bait him out of the pocket to see if he’s affected by it? And if so (or if he stays in the pocket), do they go to cover 2, rush 5, inside blitz, etc.
He’s probably fine, but if not, a lot could be turned upside down very early.
No matter what, they will always be the Chefs to me.Great googly-moogly.
Dunno. We’re going to find out on Sunday though.I think many underestimate that KC would love to play a ball control game. Can the Pats defense stop what many say the KC defense cannot?
It's 2019, guys. Scrape the "keep Brady off the field" stuff off the playbook. The way you beat the Patriots is by being aggressive, taking the lead early, and then rushing the passer. Make the Patriots play keep up, score, go for their throat. If you try to control the clock, they'll kill you. The Chiefs have the perfect roster to pull off what I described, I'm hoping they'll overthink it and try to run the ball and be careful to avoid turnovers in the passing game.Ok, as the lone Chief fan here, I will now express my impatience at the educated takes regarding this game, today expressed by Chris Gasper (who I respect and find a refreshing escape from the idiotic trolling of F&M). He and others have said that the Chiefs were impressive, but not very, against the Colts, and that the Pats will administer a death by a thousand cuts against the Chief defense to keep Mahomes off the field. But that’s exactly what KC did last week! They were content to keep the ball, control the clock, and make the Colts have to go downfield (albeit with the lead, but that’s how they got the lead). KC wants to keep Brady off the field too; it’s not like their offensive playbook consists only of 89-yard plays to Hill. Mahomes has shown the patience to accept the 6-yard gain to keep the chains moving. I think many underestimate that KC would love to play a ball control game. Can the Pats defense stop what many say the KC defense cannot?
I completely agree with this take. The Pats aren’t coming from two scores down to win. Any other outcome seems possible.Dunno. We’re going to find out on Sunday though.
I am usually fairly optimistic on the Pats chances in any given game. This one I feel like practically any outcome could happen. I could see a blow out either way, I could see a close game that comes down to the final minutes. About the only outcome that I think is unlikely is NE coming back if KC gets out to a big lead early. I know the Pats did it (twice in the same game!) against the Ravens, who were obviously a better defense then than KC is now but that’s the one scenario that would surprise me.
Of course as I said, I’m generally pretty optimistic of the Pats chances so this thinking probably indicates that I secretly think they’re going to lose.
Good stuff. There's little evidence the Pats can firmly handle passes to the RBs out of the backfield.Ok, as the lone Chief fan here, I will now express my impatience at the educated takes regarding this game, today expressed by Chris Gasper (who I respect and find a refreshing escape from the idiotic trolling of F&M). He and others have said that the Chiefs were impressive, but not very, against the Colts, and that the Pats will administer a death by a thousand cuts against the Chief defense to keep Mahomes off the field. But that’s exactly what KC did last week! They were content to keep the ball, control the clock, and make the Colts have to go downfield (albeit with the lead, but that’s how they got the lead). KC wants to keep Brady off the field too; it’s not like their offensive playbook consists only of 89-yard plays to Hill. Mahomes has shown the patience to accept the 6-yard gain to keep the chains moving. I think many underestimate that KC would love to play a ball control game. Can the Pats defense stop what many say the KC defense cannot?
Good stuff. There's little evidence the Pats can firmly handle passes to the RBs out of the backfield.
Any thoughts on the (heated) field's slickness or softness in the expected game conditions?
I completely agree with this take. The Pats aren’t coming from two scores down to win. Any other outcome seems possible.
That’s right, this team won’t dig a hole that deep. I wonder if anybody asked BB this week if he had any idea about why the big difference in Pats performance this year home vs. away. Not that he’d give the reason if he had one. Still, I don’t see any reason why they can’t turn that around and kick ass on the road. 35-7 at the half against a very good Chargers team is pretty wild. If I were the Chiefs I’d be afraid of the Patriots peaking, road or not.Not this team.