The Game Goat Thread: Wk 17 @ Miami

[SeoulSoxFan]

No big injuries. There's something positive.

Otherwise, NE drops a critical game to a 5-10 Dolphins team. Playing in MIami has been a bit of a nightmare, and Tennehill now owns a 4-2 record playing the Pats at home.

Not sure how to designate Goats for a game like this. Pretty much the whole team gets one, but if I had to be more specific it'll be the OL (injuries or not).

Oh and the Jets lost. Rex is dead. Long live Rex!

 

[jsinger121]

No injuries = a win in my book.

 

[Old Fart Tree]

Honestly, what the hell WAS that? I subscribe to the whole "you're never as good as you look as you win or as bad as you look when you lose," but they looked GHASTLY.

 

[Stitch01]

Hated the approach. Seemed unsure if they wanted to rest guys or try to win and didn't really accomplish much of either. Odd game. Glad the playoffs are coming and guys are coming back.

I still think they win it all.

 

[jsinger121]

Honestly, what the hell WAS that? I subscribe to the whole "you're never as good as you look as you win or as bad as you look when you lose," but they looked GHASTLY.

Its called playing vanilla

 

[soxhop411]

If we get the #2seed we face either Cincinnati, Houston, or Kansas City.”

 

[jsinger121]

If we get the #2seed we face either Cincinnati, Houston, or Kansas City.”

yes

 

[Silverdude2167]

If that team takes the field in two weeks it will be a short postseason.

That team will not take the field in two weeks, so very little can be taken from that game positive or negative.

 

[Sportsbstn]

Coaching staff set the tone right off the bat just running every down. The Pats have gone into vanilla or super conservative mode far too much in the last 4 games and it has hurt them. No major injuries is literally the only positive in this game. Get healthy on both sides of the ball and get back to running the Patriots offense.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

@RyanHannable Tom Brady is now 1-5 in games in Miami played in December/January.

 

[theXman]

Great to have no injuries.

I'd say the "goat" is the purposeful execution of a "vanilla" offensive scheme.

I've seen a lot of Patriots beat reporters and posters here describing the offensive approach as "vanilla". I tend to agree.

What has me curious is - Why? Let's assume they are purposely limiting the playbook and changing how they'd typically approach a game. Is it for playoff opponents to have less game tape? Is it because their current offensive personnel can't reliably execute anything other than "vanilla"? Is it simply calling plays that minimize injury risk as BB & Co. are confident with #2 seed? If thats the case, why not give the ball to Jimmy G?

Edelman's absence certainly play a large factor in their gameplan but I think there is also some combination of the above considerations playing a role. Curious as to the opinions of this board.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

If we get the #2seed we face either Cincinnati, Houston, or Kansas City.”

Texans would serve nicely, thank you.

 

[JimD]

Bill Belichick for not going full '4th week of preseason' and nailing Brady to the bench. Even worse that he let him keep playing after the ankle scare.

 

[jsinger121]

Great to have no injuries.

I'd say the "goat" is the purposeful execution of a "vanilla" offensive scheme.

I've seen a lot of Patriots beat reporters and posters here describing the offensive approach as "vanilla". I tend to agree.

What has me curious is - Why? Let's assume they are purposely limiting the playbook and changing how they'd typically approach a game. Is it for playoff opponents to have less game tape? Is it because their current offensive personnel can't reliably execute anything other than "vanilla"? Is it simply calling plays that minimize injury risk as BB & Co. are confident with #2 seed? If thats the case, why not give the ball to Jimmy G?

Edelman's absence certainly play a large factor in their gameplan but I think there is also some combination of the above considerations playing a role. Curious as to the opinions of this board.

Playing vanilla can help limit injuries.

 

[soxhop411]

“@NEPD_Loyko: Text from someone close to the team: ”We only had 37-38 players who were full-go today“ #Patriots”

 

[Dollar]

Its called playing vanilla

Yeah, it's not really that surprising that the play-calling was so vanilla. Just remember last year, when they came out in Week 17 against the Bills and ran some of the most boring offense you'd ever see. But then two weeks later, BB and Josh broke out a number of "special" plays against the Ravens that were crucial in advancing. This game was ugly as ugly can be, but I don't think we'll see more of the same in the divisional round.

If I had to give a goat, I'd give it to the offensive line, both in pass protection and run blocking. That's the area that needs the most improvement and health going into the playoffs, IMO.

 

[Ed Hillel]

No injuries is great, but this OL outside of Vollmer really sucks. I know Edelman will help, but I don't think they are beating 3 caliber defenses with this shitshow up front. Trying to score against the KC D, which has played like the 2000 Ravens the past 10 weeks, would be an extreme challenge.

 

[Ralphwiggum]

Bill Belichick for not going full '4th week of preseason' and nailing Brady to the bench. Even worse that he let him keep playing after the ankle scare.

This is where I am.

I'm ok with them deciding health was more important than seeding, and I know you can't sit everyone, but Brady and Gronk should not have seen the field in that case.

 

[DJnVa]

Hated the approach. Seemed unsure if they wanted to rest guys or try to win and didn't really accomplish much of either.

I still think they win it all.

There's only so many guys you can rest with their current injury situation. I hated the approach, but I don't know what they're actually dealing with.

They avoid Pittsburgh (probably), and the Jets imploded so that was fun.

Other than that, get healthy and we'll see Houston, KC, or Cincy in a few weeks.

 

[dcmissle]

This is where I am.

I'm ok with them deciding health was more important than seeding, and I know you can't sit everyone, but Brady and Gronk should not have seen the field in that case.

Agree. Cause all it takes is one play, and it almost happened.

 

[DJnVa]

No major injuries is literally the only positive in this game.

Of course that's also literally also the most important thing.

 

[Ed Hillel]

The second half offense didn't look "vanilla" to me, it just looked like they sucked, mostly because the OL got dominated.

 

[Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt]

Goat to the GOAT HC. Love ya, BB, but - the game plans fom the last two weeks being what they were, why not just rest McCourty, Chung, Dola, et al, and play Brady and Gronk much more sparingly???

 

[Reardon's Beard]

This was an ultra conservative game whose goal was to, more or less, cover the spread and get the hell out of Miami.

I'm convinced that was their foremost concern, perhaps even more than securing the number one seed. I never saw anything in the game plan that made me think that was their number one goal in this game. It's hard to believe but has to be considered in light of what we saw this afternoon. I think neither health nor player availability gave them any sort of confidence they could run as designed.

The Brady and Gronk time is the question mark, but I guess you just don't sit All Pros in the NFL. They have to play for a number of reasons beyond the individual game.

 

[Van Everyman]

Goat to the GOAT HC. Love ya, BB, but - the game plans fom the last two weeks being what they were, why not just rest McCourty, Chung, Dola, et al, and play Brady and Gronk much more sparingly???

I just don't think it's that easy. You can't rest everybody, and if you do, you actually probably risk people getting hurt because of miscommunications and so forth. This idea, at some suggested, that the patriots just should've taken the last two weeks off isn't how football works. You can expect to win in the playoffs when you haven't played football in three weeks.

 

[DJnVa]

Goat to the GOAT HC. Love ya, BB, but - the game plans fom the last two weeks being what they were, why not just rest McCourty, Chung, Dola, et al, and play Brady and Gronk much more sparingly???

You just can't rest them all. Math won't let you.

 

[RedOctober3829]

OL is still a huge issue no matter how many players are healthy. Vollmer will help but the interior is pathetic. Can't run the ball up the middle or pass protect. LaFell has been disappointing to say the least. Honestly not sure what McD could've done today to score points with the OL issues.

 

[scotian1]

Give it to the whole defense that allowed Ryan Tannehill to throw for 350 yards.

 

[DJnVa]

Give it to the whole defense that allowed Ryan Tannehill to throw for 350 yards.

Vanilla doesn't just mean on offense.

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

OL is still a huge issue no matter how many players are healthy. Vollmer will help but the interior is pathetic. Can't run the ball up the middle or pass protect. LaFell has been disappointing to say the least. Honestly not sure what McD could've done today to score points with the OL issues.

Well Kline and Jackson have been beat up. And Jackson and Mason may have hit the rookie wall (Andrews too). The optimist in me says that having a bye to get some health and fresh legs in the interior coupled with Vollmer and Edelman coming back all point to the opportunity for improved play from the interior.

People underrate the effect that Edelman could have on the Oline. Getting the ball out faster, getting LaFell in more favorable matchups and playing at a quicker tempo all have the possibility of taking pressure off the Oline.

I understand why people are concerned because what we just saw wasn't fun but there are many days between now and the Pats game. Many things could change between now and then and almost all of them are positives for the Pats.

 

[Ralphwiggum]

The Brady and Gronk time is the question mark, but I guess you just don't sit All Pros in the NFL. They have to play for a number of reasons beyond the individual game.

That's just not true. If they had won last week I would have been shocked to see Brady for anything more than a series.

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

Give it to the whole defense that allowed Ryan Tannehill to throw for 350 yards.

The defense can't reasonably be given any grade besides incomplete this week. I'd be concerned if I thought that would be the same unit as what will be on the field in the divisional round but that shouldn't be the case.

 

[Ed Hillel]

OL is still a huge issue no matter how many players are healthy. Vollmer will help but the interior is pathetic. Can't run the ball up the middle or pass protect. LaFell has been disappointing to say the least. Honestly not sure what McD could've done today to score points with the OL issues.

We know LaFell had a severe foot injury this offseason and he also commented earlier this year that he's usually in pain. I wonder if he has been Yao Minged with a Lisfranc.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Well Kline and Jackson have been beat up. And Jackson and Mason may have hit the rookie wall (Andrews too). The optimist in me says that having a bye to get some health and fresh legs in the interior coupled with Vollmer and Edelman coming back all point to the opportunity for improved play from the interior.

People underrate the effect that Edelman could have on the Oline. Getting the ball out faster, getting LaFell in more favorable matchups and playing at a quicker tempo all have the possibility of taking pressure off the Oline.

I understand why people are concerned because what we just saw wasn't fun but there are many days between now and the Pats game. Many things could change between now and then and almost all of them are positives for the Pats.

I get what you're saying about 11. But if they can't run it effective opposing defenses will tee off on the line to get to Brady. I'm still optimistic about this team but there are more than enough issues to be worried about.

The game plan will open up with Edelman, healthier DA, and Vollmer in there.

Lets just hope Brady's ankle keeps him from being fully effective. Next week is critical todevelop chemistry among the injured guys returning. Would be a shame if Brady had to sit out all week.

 

[twibnotes]

We know LaFell had a severe foot injury this offseason and he also commented earlier this year that he's usually in pain. I wonder if he has been Yao Minged with a Lisfranc.

Did he have hand surgery too?

 

[Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt]

You just can't rest them all. Math won't let you.

Well of course, that goes without saying, or so I thought, but there's no reason Brady needed to be out there if that's the game plan. Play Jimmy G and let Michael Williams play more in place of Gronk.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Well of course, that goes without saying, or so I thought, but there's no reason Brady needed to be out there if that's the game plan. Play Jimmy G and let Michael Williams play more in place of Gronk.

Just not the way it works. Brady and Gronk were both healthy. What message does it send to the team that they'd sit 2 healthy players and send players out to risk further injury? As much as they mean to the team, they couldn't do that with all the injured players.

 

[ShaneTrot]

@RyanHannable Tom Brady is now 1-5 in games in Miami played in December/January.

The only conclusion would be that Miami is cheating!!! I kid.
I was annoyed that they played Brady in the second half.

I am concerned that Jackon, Mason, Stork and Andrews have hit the wall. They should be able to move guys in the running game. That is the interior offensive line in the playoffs and they are terrible.

 

[Stitch01]

Vanilla doesn't just mean on offense.

Curious what ITP and company think of the defensive game plan when the all 22 comes out. The more vanilla they were the better I feel

 

[bsj]

Belichick.

If he had gone full tilt for the 1 seed I would have understood.

If he had played all 2nd stringers I would have understood.

But instead they tried a weird middle ground that left important players in the game, vulnerable to be injured, yet playing a very "conservative" relaxed game, which I'm pretty sure we've repeatedly heard is when injuries are more likely to occur.

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

Belichick.

If he had gone full tilt for the 1 seed I would have understood.

If he had played all 2nd stringers I would have understood.

But instead they tried a weird middle ground that left important players in the game, vulnerable to be injured, yet playing a very "conservative" relaxed game, which I'm pretty sure we've repeatedly heard is when injuries are more likely to occur.

You have that last bit wrong. It's generally acknowledged that playing at less then full speed is likely to add to injury but that is in no way the same thing as playing conservatively.

E.g. You can call a conservative draw on 3rd and long but still run that play at full speed/effort to not increase odds of injury

 

[Ralphwiggum]

Just not the way it works. Brady and Gronk were both healthy. What message does it send to the team that they'd sit 2 healthy players and send players out to risk further injury? As much as they mean to the team, they couldn't do that with all the injured players.

I buy this for Gronk, maybe. But Brady should not have seen the field if they weren't going to try to win, or he should have been lifted early. I don't think the rest of the team would have taken issue with that.

 

[Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt]

Yeah, that ridiculous. The team would have nothing to say if Brady and Gronk had played much less or not at all. We know this because it has happened - although not nearly often enough IMO.

 

[TheoShmeo]

There are a lot of goats in my book.

But the single biggest one is the O-Line. They are not giving Tom adequate time to throw (especially without 11 in there), and they re not opening up holes for the RBs.

In truth, the offense has looked totally out of whack since the 20 minute mark of the Titans game, and I put most of the blame for that on the line. When your tackles are Cannon and Fleming, I guess that's not altogether shocking. Talk about not stepping up.

Thank heavens the Jets lost today.

And Seabass, please come back for the first playoff game.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

If that offensive line doesn't have anyone back this team will not win in 2 weeks let alone make the super bowl.

 

[ShaneTrot]

The defensive line was great against the run, what happened to the pass rush? No Jones but that Miami offensive line blows.

 

[Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt]

FWIW, Seabass will be back for the divisional round, according to Fred Kirsch of patriots.com.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Yeah, that ridiculous. The team would have nothing to say if Brady and Gronk had played much less or not at all. We know this because it has happened - although not nearly often enough IMO.

I disagree. If they had the luxury to sit them today great. But with all of the injuries(40 or so healthy players) they had to play. If there was nothing to play for then by all means but they had a shot to get 1 seed and would've been disservice to completely punt the game.

 

[Mugsy's Jock]

Goat to Gost. I mean HE wasn't supposed to half-ass it out there today.

Guy has missed kicks two out of the last three weeks. What the actual fucking fuck? He's gotta go.

[If your think your sarcasm meter is working properly, please consider having it checked for everyone's safety.]

 

[Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt]

I disagree. If they had the luxury to sit them today great. But with all of the injuries(40 or so healthy players) they had to play. If there was nothing to play for then by all means but they had a shot to get 1 seed and would've been disservice to completely punt the game.

With the way they called this one, they ostensibly DID punt the game. And how do all the other injuries affect NOT PLAYING BRADY for the vast majority of this one?dw