What Do You Want For This Patriots Season

Marciano490

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Nov 4, 2007
62,312
Usual corona caveats aside, so assuming there is a season, where do you see this team and what are your priorities?

After the last 20 years, I’m more SB or bust and I don’t think this team has the meat for that, especially with a better AFC East and two apparent juggernauts in KC and Baltimore.

That said, I’d love for this year to be about seeing what the team has and developing the players that can be part of the future. So, if Stidham can be very good down the road, I’d rather an 8-8 year with him than a 9-7 one off with Dalton or Newton to maybe snag the last wild card spot.

I’m not saying tank and I’m not saying throw young guys in strong currents with no paddle, but I hope the focus is on the next leg of the dynasty and I really don’t mind a middling season (or 2?) as a bridge.

Also, sweep the Jets.
 

tims4wins

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Jul 15, 2005
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I want to see Stidham start 16 games, and improve from game 1 to game 16. I want to see the younger defensive players get integrated. I want to see some development and signs of promise from Harry, Michel, and the rookie tight ends. I want to see a good defense and special teams that keep them competitive most weeks. I want a competitive team that gives itself a chance.
 

E5 Yaz

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They need to make further moves to improve their cap position for the next several seasons.
They need to incorporate a younger base into the core.
They need to be faster, particularly on defense.
They need to ignore the unrealistic expectations of fans and the media.
They need to avoid the acquisition of stop-gap types (unless necessitated by injury) in an attempt to keep any sort of meaningless streak alive.

If they can grab a WC spot without putting off their future, I'm all for it.

Also, sweep the Jets.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
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Oct 1, 2015
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I want Stidham to show that he can be the Man. He will lose some games, but I want us to see that he's got IT. I want them to make the playoffs and knock off one of the top teams in the league, even if NE doesn't advance very far. I want us to think, by season's end, that this team's future is VERY bright.

And I want the season to be fun. A whole lot of fun.
 

Seels

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Jul 20, 2005
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A clear idea of whether Stidham is our QB going forward or not.

A top 5 draft pick and firesale if he isn't.

Thuney signed to a long term contract

Harry to transition to an actual receiver.

Some progress in the offensive line, and glimmers of hope in the tight ends.
 

cornwalls@6

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Apr 23, 2010
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Commit to Stidham for the entire season. Don’t start anyone else, unless he gets hurt. I’m also not in favor of a stop gap, Dalton type. And we know what Hoyer is. Give the kid 16 games, then evaluate the future of the position from there. Beyond that, integrate the young, athletic defenders they just drafted, as well as the tight ends. Coach the shit out of the roster, and see how competitive it can be. I don’t think intentional tanking is ever in Bill’s DNA, particularly at this point in his career, so an on the fly rebuild, while still trying to compete, will be very challenging, and really interesting to watch. Assuming there is one, I’m pretty intrigued about this season.
 

RedOctober3829

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Compete for a playoff spot while prioritizing Stidham’s growth. Get an evaluation for the strengths and weaknesses of the roster so BB has a good idea where to invest the $94 million in cap room. If JS shows enough to continue on, that cap space can be spent on weapons to surround him as a rookie wage QB is gold. Let the rookies play a lot and let them learn trial by fire.
 

Marciano490

Urological Expert
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Nov 4, 2007
62,312
I’m sure it’ll hit different when the losing starts, but it’s not terrible coming into a season with low expectations. Every game doesn’t have to be a life and death assessment of the HFA battle to win another Super Bowl because Brady and the core are aging.

I’ll feel it in my bowels though when they finally put up those “Patriots miss the playoffs for the first time in 14(?) years” graphic.
 

Old Fart Tree

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Yeah that’ll suck. But since 2007 it’s always been a disappointment if they didn’t win the bowl. That’s been exhausting, especially with all the vitriol directed their way. As a fan of the team it just got tiring, and I came to understand what it’s like to be a Trump voter, because I cake to enjoy the gnashing of pats haters’ teeth as much as the victories themselves. That’s unhealthy and weird and I’m glad to go back to just being a fan of a team, no crippling emotional burden to it.

As for on the field, I just hope we see what we have in Stidham and one of these young receivers develops into a legitimate playmaker.
 

bernardsamuel

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Jan 4, 2006
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Denver, only physically
I'd like to have the Patriots experience a season in which injuries aren't much of an issue - and in the world as it is now, I guess I would need to add that I'd like the Patriots' season not to be compromised by illness as well. By the end of the season, I'd like to have the Patriots look like they're just a few free agent signings away from being able to win based upon superior talent, even as in the 2020 year they will have won more than expected (perhaps 7-9 wins is the base reasonable expectation, YMMV), because their coaching and their physical stamina are superior. I want a season in which the Stidham-agnostics will be converted into believers. As I might be purely guessing that this will be Slater's last season, I want to cherish a number of moments of the "how do we feel" question being posed to the team in the locker room after the game. Despite how the lead-up to it may facilitate a coronary, I'd like to have a few of our wins be of the nature that Zolak will again reference unicorns and Burger King.

...and this last item is a purely personal thing which will not be shared by most of my colleagues on this board. I'd like to have a season in which the Patriots will be so much fun to watch that my limited spans of attention and emotion just won't have room for sports-hate which I find hard to sustain these days. But f*ck the Jets anyway.
 

bigq

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I feel a sense of relief with Brady gone and I’m not sure exactly where that comes from. I just want them to be competitive and fun and I am really hoping Belichick can continue to show that he remains in top form as the greatest football coach the NFL has ever seen.
 

Captaincoop

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Jul 16, 2005
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Yeah that’ll suck. But since 2007 it’s always been a disappointment if they didn’t win the bowl. That’s been exhausting, especially with all the vitriol directed their way. As a fan of the team it just got tiring, and I came to understand what it’s like to be a Trump voter, because I cake to enjoy the gnashing of pats haters’ teeth as much as the victories themselves. That’s unhealthy and weird and I’m glad to go back to just being a fan of a team, no crippling emotional burden to it.

As for on the field, I just hope we see what we have in Stidham and one of these young receivers develops into a legitimate playmaker.
I'm not going to miss the crippling emotional burden of everyone else wishing their team was as good as mine. That was awesome and I already miss it.

Rooting for the Pats circa 1990, when it felt like they weren't even really part of the NFL, when we were totally irrelevant and other fans pitied us...now that sucked.
 

wiffleballhero

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Mar 28, 2009
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In the simulacrum
Make the playoffs.

Sounds a bit like fantasy, but the Pats often concede a bunch of the first four games and still end up with HFA and the bye. What kind of team can BB get to by November 1? Often a pretty good one. Looking like a winner on May 1 is usually not Bill's strong suit, thankfully.
 

j-man

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Dec 19, 2012
3,646
Arkansas
i am torn i want u to be in the thick of it but i want feglar take to be way off i think the only way i get that is u go 8-8 and win every game 45-42

1 start sidd all 16
2 sweep the JETS i dont like GASE
3 put in weis Off from 2000-04
 

ilol@u

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The same team (minus QB) that blew the #2 seed last year on a bullshit Ryan Fitzpatrick drive should still win about 8 games next year with below average QB play.
If Stidham is average, then this team will make the playoffs at 10-6.

Either way, I hope the team has a bunch of likeable players who play hard and not make boneheaded decisions. It'll be weird to finally have a season where it's not SB or bust.
 

SMU_Sox

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Jul 20, 2009
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This is a transition year going into 2021 when they have a ton of cap and are going to have 10 draft picks as it stands now. I want to see the youth movement.

Defense:

I want to see how Wino performs in year 2. I think Wino and Uche could be a fantastic LB combo whether they are on the edge or dropping back into coverage. Jennings is so powerful and technically sound I think people let his lack of uber athleticism deflate his value too much including me. I love the future of our OLB/edges because they have 2 guys who are athletic as all get out.

When the Patriots played the Vikings in 2018 they used Obi M in a SS role covering tight ends. I want to see Dugger by the end of the year start to do some of the same things. Chung is great but he is slowing down and his body is going to break down. Dugger has the athleticism to be Chung on steroids. Right now mentally he is light years away from that. I want to hear glowing ass reports by the end of the season about how impressed the coaching staff is with Dugger soaking it up in practice (iow the opposite of the Duke Dawson situation).

I would like to see Joejuan Williams either take some of the bigger X's this year or get to come on as a nickel corner against big slots. Maybe he gets some TE duty as well. I definitely want to see him earn more reps.

Offense:

Wide receiver wise I need to either see Harry have success on the outside and start to learn how to beat press or for them to start giving him some more reps inside where IMHO he is better served anyway and ideally we see both as he evolves as a receiver. One of the young guys needs to step up.

I'd like to see two of: Herron, Onwenu, Froholdt, and Causte step up and give them nice OL depth. Hopefully Cajuste develops enough to push Cannon for starting RT next year. If they have to trade Thuney then ideally Onwenu takes the job by the end of the year. If they really think bully-ball is the answer then wishing Onwenu hits the ground running.

Hoping Wynn starts to look like a quality starter.

Expect to see Asiasi making more consistent if small contributions by the end of the season. Anything above 250-300 yards receiving would be nice. Bonus points if Keene starts to flash and preview what is to come.

With Stidham I want to see improvement month to month but it would be nice if he lights the world on fire.

Ideally they need a young star to emerge on offense and defense because right now none of the guys on rookie contracts are playing at a pro-bowl level.

As for their record and how they win? I think they are still a defense and run oriented team right now but their defense will take a step back and the offense only starts to show promise by the end of the season. I think they go somewhere between 4-12 and 8-8 depending on how well Stidham and the youth perform.
 
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DJnVa

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Dec 16, 2010
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A fun, athletic defense that can run around and make plays.

Stidham showing he was what it takes to be a viable QB.

Harry and one of Michel or Harris to show they can be legit players that a good team can count on.

If those things don't happen, it would be better long-term if the Pats are bad enough that Lawrence or Fields was in play. But it would be hard to root for that in-season though. I don't want Stidham so bad he's out and Hoyer does just enough to eke out 7 or 8 wins.
 

mwonow

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I want to watch the young'uns grow by winning close games. Finish about .500 in the division. Win one more game than TB
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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I want to cross check the Brady suspension/concussion/criminal offense/misc. threads with the game threads and general discussion, so that we can call out everyone that typed something like "when Brady or BB is gone, I'm DONE with the NFL!!!!"

As to the team, tank and get the highest pick possible.
 

Pedro's Complaint

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Compete for a playoff spot while prioritizing Stidham’s growth. Get an evaluation for the strengths and weaknesses of the roster so BB has a good idea where to invest the $94 million in cap room. If JS shows enough to continue on, that cap space can be spent on weapons to surround him as a rookie wage QB is gold. Let the rookies play a lot and let them learn trial by fire.
This is basically where I am. Honestly, I'll be happy at the end of the year if the team has made a decision whether Stidham is the future or it needs to draft the next QB.
 

InstaFace

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0-16 with the #1 pick and a shit-ton of cap room. Stidham shows himself competent and with promise but we've sold all the aging talent on our roster for a cornucopia of draft picks with ridiculous returns.

Burn it all down for a year, like the Colts in 2012 or whatever, and then set fire to the league again. Remember the last time Belichick had a top-10 pick?
 

streeter88

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Looks like the majority of posters in this thread are thinking this is a rebuild season but expecting to eke out 8-8 or 9-7 and maybe even make the playoffs.

I don’t think this is how other teams’ fans view a “rebuilding season”.

I think 9-7 would be an excellent outcome. I hope Stidham keeps the job, improves as he goes along, and the skill players coalesce around him to make the offense respectable.

On defense, I hope the new young guys including Joejuan Williams, Dugger, JC Jackson, and the new LBs Uche and Jennings plus the guy who plays like his hair is on fire (Winovich) are productive.

And that Rohrwasser is good, keeps his nose clean, and kicks a 64 yarder sometime during the year.
 

ehaz

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Sep 30, 2007
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6-10 or something.

Minshew, Carr, Daniel Jones, Darnold and Haskins all play well enough.

Tank for Trevor or Fuck Around for Fields.
 

Phil Plantier

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I know you said 'corona aside,' but as long as there is a Patriots game this Fall, I'll be ecstatic. Even if they lose by 30. To the Jets.
 

BigSoxFan

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Disgrace for Chase

3-13 with key development by the young guys and trades of the vets for picks
 

Strike4

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I feel a sense of relief with Brady gone and I’m not sure exactly where that comes from. I just want them to be competitive and fun and I am really hoping Belichick can continue to show that he remains in top form as the greatest football coach the NFL has ever seen.
I'm looking for this from Belichick, too - almost like the Matt Cassel season. In every industry you'll have an innovative master but then the rest of the field begins to catch up. We've seen that in the past few years with other coaches adopting Belichickian moves, and from years prior (i.e. deferring on coin toss, drop kick, intentional safety, Brown at CB and many other things). I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do now that there is not the burden of staying the course due to the expectations and level of talent on the team. Belichick can be more free to innovate.
 

EL Jeffe

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I know Stidham has the arm talent and athleticism to be The Guy, but I want to see the mental processing side improve over the season. I also want to see more vertical throws out of the offense; Harry, Byrd, Lee, the rookie TEs...they have some guys who can get depth on their routes. A little less dink and dunk, and a few more downfield chunk plays (not just bombs, but some deeper routes that threaten safeties). I don't expect them to reinvent their offense, but I don't want them to be too conservative. I don't want to see Sony Michel with 22 carries for 70 yards every week.

I've been hard on N'Keal Harry, even before he was drafted, but it's easy to go a little overboard on the criticism and the "bust" prognostications. He's legitimately big, strong, and tough to tackle. He's got strong hands and good ball skills. I want to see him diversify his route tree and not just be a manufactured touches player. There's recent video of Harry out there working with a footwork coach, so maybe there's some reason for optimism. I want to see him develop into a volume catcher. Slants, posts, digs; not just bubble screens and back-shoulder outs. Better releases and cleaner footwork will go a long way, and it's WAY too early for me to say he can't get there.

One of the rookie TEs need to show they can develop into a winning TE1 of the future. TE is a tough position as a rookie to make an impact with, but I'd love to see some high-end flashes out of Asiasi and/or Keene.

I want to see if Wino can be a complete DE/OLB in the KVN mold. I know he can rush, and there were enough flashes in space and in the run to give me hope. He'll always be stiffer than KVN, but I want to see if he can find a way to consistently win on 1st and 2nd down.

I want to see Uche fly around the field and be an explosive nickel rusher. I think he's the most exciting NE rookie defender since McGinest, but I'm a confirmed Josh Uche Truther. (Maybe he's right there alongside Hightower and Milloy for me, but I get carried away with Uche. He's ridiculous.)

I want to see a team that plays hard, competes for 60 minutes, and is tough to play against; I think about the Dolphins in the 2nd half of last season. The record will take care of itself, I just want to see some of the younger players turn into genuine building blocks and feel like the post-Brady years aren't going to be the future Hugh Millen/Tommy Hodson years.
 
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heavyde050

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I know Stidham has the arm talent and athleticism to be The Guy, but I want to see the mental processing side improve over the season. I also want to see more vertical throws out of the offense; Harry, Byrd, Lee, the rookie TEs...they have some guys who can get depth on their routes. A little less dink and dunk, and a few more downfield chunk plays (not just bombs, but some deeper routes that threaten safeties). I don't expect them to reinvent their offense, but I don't want them to be too conservative. I don't want to see Sony Michel with 22 carries for 70 yards every week.

I've been hard on N'Keal Harry, even before he was drafted, but it's easy to go a little overboard on the criticism and the "bust" prognostications. He's legitimately big, strong, and tough to tackle. He's got strong hands and good ball skills. I want to see him diversify his route tree and not just be a manufactured touches player. There's recent video of Harry out there working with a footwork coach, so maybe there's some reason for optimism. I want to see him develop into a volume catcher. Slants, posts, digs; not just bubble screens and back-shoulder outs. Better releases and cleaner footwork will go a long way, and it's WAY too early for me to say he can't get there.

One of the rookie TEs need to show they can develop into a winning TE1 of the future. TE is a tough position as a rookie to make an impact with, but I'd love to see some high-end flashes out of Asiasi and/or Keene.

I want to see if Wino can be a complete DE/OLB in the KBN mold. I know he can rush, and there were enough flashes in space and in the run to give me hope. He'll always be stiffer than KVN, but I want to see if he can find a way to consistently win on 1st and 2nd down.

I want to see Uche fly around the field and be an explosive nickel rusher. I think he's the most exciting NE rookie defender since McGinest, but I'm a confirmed Josh Uche Truther. (Maybe he's right there alongside Hightower and Milloy for me, but I get carried away with Uche. He's ridiculous.)

I want to see a team that plays hard, competes for 60 minutes, and is tough to play against; I think about the Dolphins in the 2nd half of last season. The record will take care of itself, I just want to see some of the younger players turn into genuine building blocks and feel like the post-Brady years aren't going to be the future Hugh Millen/Tommy Hodson years.
Great post.
I want an exciting team that builds for the future but also gets a top 10 pick. So I guess I am rooting for a lot of competitive games and close losses.
My one caveat is I would love a SB championship, but I don’t think that is realistic.
 
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BigJimEd

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Jan 4, 2002
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AFC East title.

Stidham to show he's the guy.
Harry, rookies and other young guys to show development.
Especially want to see Uche and Duggar become major contributors.
 

InstaFace

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Sep 27, 2016
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It's 11 ... but don't worry, no one's catching them anytime soon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NFL_franchise_post-season_streaks
KC is almost halfway there right now, and they've got arguably the best QB in the league, and a top-5 coach. I wouldn't say they're favored to get another 6-7 in a row, nobody is, but it wouldn't shock me at this point, as long as Mahomes stays healthy and Reid keeps his edge.

I want to cross check the Brady suspension/concussion/criminal offense/misc. threads with the game threads and general discussion, so that we can call out everyone that typed something like "when Brady or BB is gone, I'm DONE with the NFL!!!!"
I'm on that list, and you're going to get little joy in my case. I will be sad the day Bill retires (or, let's acknowledge the possibility, they have to wheel him out of there on a gurney), but after that I will have little reason to put up with the exhausting burden of bullshit that comes with following the NFL. I may occasionally happen to watch a game if it's on, or I'm over a friend's place or whatever, and if I'm rooting I'll root for the Pats... but I genuinely look forward to not caring anymore. There are so many enjoyable things in life that don't come with the cognitive dissonance or constant need to make excuses for stupidity.

Until that day comes, though, I hope Belichick continues astounding the league, as he's one of the most fascinating stories in all of sports for me.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
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I thought about KC too but then I remembered that it won’t be long before they have to pay Mahomes upwards of $35-40 million a year as opposed to a few million that he’s currently getting. That will change their roster construction considerably.
 

Mugsy's Jock

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This is the first time I've heard this one -- if you coined it, kudos.

I'm also looking forward to seeing Stid the Kid play all 16 and show improvement throughout the season, and development of the kids. A low pressure season with Stidham having a game winning drive or two and enough emergences on the OL and the young LBs could be fun.

But damn, BB making the playoffs with this crew would be way up there on the Pats FU Mt. Rushmore.

Also, as noted above, sweep the Jets.
 

Saints Rest

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I will be rooting for an 11-5 season with Stidham showing some promise. Also Brady and Gronk flaming out and missing the playoffs.
I'm pretty close to this one.

To elaborate:
RE: the former -- I really just want to feel like they can be fun to watch and competitive every week. And that the season ends with us feeling like 2021 will be a better year.
RE: the latter -- I have no ill will toward TB12 or Gronk, and I actually like Tampa Bay, solely because my friend's son is Ali Marpet. But Brady and Gronk missing the payoffs might yield a bit of a recognition that winning is more "fun" than losing. Which might extend the window where players will buy into the Patriot Way.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
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I want to see N'Keal Harry become a stud. I think he has all the tools. Here's a video showing all his touches from this past season. There's some real gems:

0:54 - TD vs. Dallas - love his back shoulder catch, his awareness, how he gets both feet in bounds, and hangs onto the ball as he hits the ground
2:04 - TD vs. KC that the refs screwed the Pats on - makes the catch, jukes the first tackler, plows through the second tackler, keeps his balance, and stays in bounds for the score (that wasn't, thanks to the officials' incompetence)
3:07 - nice end-around vs. Cincy - outruns/stiff-arms the first tackler to the corner, lowers the shoulder against the second, who bumps him out of bounds
4:03 - another end-around vs. Cincy - reads the blockers well, hits the defenders with aggression
4:30 - TD vs Cincy - back of the end zone, runs his route but Brady doesn't see him, then as Brady keeps looking, he comes back, finds the open space, makes a sweet diving catch
5:59 - end-around vs. Buffalo - nice cut to use Karras' block, cuts back outside to elude two defenders, turns on the jets, and at the end isn't afraid to take on a tackler, picking up a few extra yards
6:38 - rec vs. Buffalo - simple hitch route, smooth catch, then breaks the one-on-one tackle that nets 7 extra yards
7:32 - rec vs. Miami - back shoulder catch, defender right on him, he makes a catch right on the sideline, keeping his feet in bounds
8:04 - end-around vs. Miami - gets to the edge and breaks another tackle (that's a theme with him), that gains an extra 14 yards


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSvO_r0tRWk


The kid can play. Let's hope he's healthy and gets a chance to shine this coming year.
 
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Jed Zeppelin

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Aug 23, 2008
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I want to see:
  1. Football of any kind
  2. Someone unironically declaring the East wide open
  3. Everyone else ironically declaring the East wide open when the Patriots still win it
In all seriousness, I think there is plenty of potential for this team to be scrappy and decent. Major specifics I will be hoping for:
  • Full healthy season for Wynn, return to health for Andrews and a bounce back year for Mason.
  • Tight end production—rookie tight ends can take time, but let's see some potential from either or both, and flash some of those tough-to-defend looks where a 2TE set becomes a 5 wide and vice versa.
  • Health from Harry and Sanu
  • Unleash Damien Harris
  • Explore that Stidham to Meyers preseason connection
Could be fun. A lot depends on the rookies on D filling in an adequate percentage of the guys they are replacing.
 

Dustin the Wind

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I want to see:
  1. Football of any kind
  2. Someone unironically declaring the East wide open
  3. Everyone else ironically declaring the East wide open when the Patriots still win it
In all seriousness, I think there is plenty of potential for this team to be scrappy and decent. Major specifics I will be hoping for:
  • Full healthy season for Wynn, return to health for Andrews and a bounce back year for Mason.
  • Tight end production—rookie tight ends can take time, but let's see some potential from either or both, and flash some of those tough-to-defend looks where a 2TE set becomes a 5 wide and vice versa.
  • Health from Harry and Sanu
  • Unleash Damien Harris
  • Explore that Stidham to Meyers preseason connection
Could be fun. A lot depends on the rookies on D filling in an adequate percentage of the guys they are replacing.
I will settle settle for number 1, anything on top of that is gravy. If everyone stays healthy, there is a lot to look forward to, especially the development of younger players.
 

RIFan

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I'm not going all in on rebuilding. Whether it's likely is beside the point, I want a playoff season and all of this to materialize.

Start by sweeping the division. They thought they had a chance, well they shouldn't have underestimated Bill.,
On D:
  • Major FU season from the D led by a swarming suffocating secondary.
  • Bentley steps up to fill the void from the departing LB's and shows he's the next generation leader of the D.
  • Michigan DE's disrupt from the outside.
  • Hold teams under 16 on average and contribute enough points to take the pressure off the O
From the offensive side
  • Some legit WHOA! moments from Stidham and Harry.
  • Stidham protects the ball and keeps them in the games
  • McDaniel rolls out some WTF packages that confuse the hell out of the D. Maybe run plays out of a wishbone just to mess with teams.
  • Have a TE emerge from the draft that gives us someone to build around for the next few years.
  • Regardless of the final result of the season leave with enough confidence that the dynasty isn't quite dead yet.
 

ShaneTrot

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They need to make further moves to improve their cap position for the next several seasons.
They need to incorporate a younger base into the core.
They need to be faster, particularly on defense.
They need to ignore the unrealistic expectations of fans and the media.
They need to avoid the acquisition of stop-gap types (unless necessitated by injury) in an attempt to keep any sort of meaningless streak alive.

If they can grab a WC spot without putting off their future, I'm all for it.

Also, sweep the Jets.
If you go to Over the Cap, you will see that the Pats are in great shape after this year. In 2021, they have $110,346,529 in cap space which is third behind the Colts and Chargers, and in 2022, they have the most cap space at $192,355,712.
 

Moosbrugger

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 21, 2005
348
wrong side of the bay
Yeah that’ll suck. But since 2007 it’s always been a disappointment if they didn’t win the bowl. That’s been exhausting, especially with all the vitriol directed their way. As a fan of the team it just got tiring, and I came to understand what it’s like to be a Trump voter, because I cake to enjoy the gnashing of pats haters’ teeth as much as the victories themselves. That’s unhealthy and weird and I’m glad to go back to just being a fan of a team, no crippling emotional burden to it.
I wish I had your emotional maturity. I would love to have Stidham come out of the gate hot so that the other fan bases have a collective "Oh, shit!" moment.
 

SoxJox

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 22, 2003
7,082
Rock > SoxJox < Hard Place
I want to see Stidham start 16 games, and improve from game 1 to game 16. I want to see the younger defensive players get integrated. I want to see some development and signs of promise from Harry, Michel, and the rookie tight ends. I want to see a good defense and special teams that keep them competitive most weeks. I want a competitive team that gives itself a chance.
Lather. Rinse. Repeat. I honestly feel Stidham is going to be a big surprise. But I don't know that he alone playing above expectations will make that much of a difference to overall team performance, but it will be an important part. I'll be satisfied with 9-7 and a WC.