As a New England die-hard....I was just as shocked and disappointed watching Brady go down for the season yesterday as anyone in this area...and i'll get much bashing for this theory, and people will just think i'm drinking the "hometown kool-aid"....but i'm really optimistic about this whole situation....I honestly think if it wasn't this it would have been his ankle anyway....at some point this team was going to have to rely on another QB at least for a game or two...as it turns out its for an entire season, which is scary for sure but i've been mulling this over and i've followed this team since childhood and i'm confident about the following:
1) The pressure is now completely off this team...nobody expects them to be near the dominant force they were....this team has had more pressure on them the last 2 years more then any franchise i've ever witnessed....they are hated nationally for being so good, now everyone besides pats fans are glad that goliath seemingly is in trouble....they are now in an UNDERDOG roll beleive it or not (already dogs next week @ NYJ)...Belechick and the Pats in an underdog scenario has always been dangerous, regardless who is at QB.
2) I honestly think this energizes the coaching staff...I really think these guys were coasting with so much talent for so long they fell asleep at the wheel a bit....look at the superbowl..and maybe they didn't even notice it, even they did the work but still "expected" a win every week...now they have work to do...a serious challenge week to week more then ever now...I really think this will have other guys step it up, its gut-check time and the whole organization needs to elevate their performance...with guys like Bill Belechick, Scott Pioli and Bob Kraft running the show i'm confident this team will do what it takes every week to prove the critics wrong....they're going to win games.
3) This offense was just getting too ridiculous throwing the ball...teams were catching on to this at the end of last year and moss wasn't doing anything....then they would STILL try to throw it...this team has a healthy Sammy Morris, an emerging star running back with Maroney and a good vet in Lamont Jordan...add in Kevin Faulk and now being Brady-less these guys are going to get the ball a lot more....they were tough and effective yesterday when they ran....the Pats will be pounding the ball more now which they had gotten away from, this is a good thing because this may end up being Maroney's best season.
4) Yesterday at the end of the game it reminded me of when Brady first became the starter 7 years ago....it was a hard fought win and Belechick was pumped up, hugging guys running off the field, there was an energy that reminded me of the team that surprised the world in 2001 with Brady at QB....I'm not saying lightning will strike twice and Cassell saves the world, but if he just listens to this coaching staff, makes good decisions and plays as mistake free as possible, this team will still win 10 to 11 games IMO...You will see the Pats get back to what they did when Bledsoe went down and Brady came in...conservative field position football...running the ball, short passes, screens....smart, mistake free football....i'm still confident this team will be in the playoffs...a weak schedule helps this tremendously.
Patriots nation will still have plenty to cheer about in 2008...with Bill Belechick at the helm....don't EVER count this team out.
As a New England die-hard....I was just as shocked and disappointed watching Brady go down for the season yesterday as anyone in this area...and i'll get much bashing for this theory, and people will just think i'm drinking the "hometown kool-aid"....but i'm really optimistic about this whole situation....I honestly think if it wasn't this it would have been his ankle anyway....at some point this team was going to have to rely on another QB at least for a game or two...as it turns out its for an entire season, which is scary for sure but i've been mulling this over and i've followed this team since childhood and i'm confident about the following:
1) The pressure is now completely off this team...nobody expects them to be near the dominant force they were....this team has had more pressure on them the last 2 years more then any franchise i've ever witnessed....they are hated nationally for being so good, now everyone besides pats fans are glad that goliath seemingly is in trouble....they are now in an UNDERDOG roll beleive it or not (already dogs next week @ NYJ)...Belechick and the Pats in an underdog scenario has always been dangerous, regardless who is at QB.
2) I honestly think this energizes the coaching staff...I really think these guys were coasting with so much talent for so long they fell asleep at the wheel a bit....look at the superbowl..and maybe they didn't even notice it, even they did the work but still "expected" a win every week...now they have work to do...a serious challenge week to week more then ever now...I really think this will have other guys step it up, its gut-check time and the whole organization needs to elevate their performance...with guys like Bill Belechick, Scott Pioli and Bob Kraft running the show i'm confident this team will do what it takes every week to prove the critics wrong....they're going to win games.
3) This offense was just getting too ridiculous throwing the ball...teams were catching on to this at the end of last year and moss wasn't doing anything....then they would STILL try to throw it...this team has a healthy Sammy Morris, an emerging star running back with Maroney and a good vet in Lamont Jordan...add in Kevin Faulk and now being Brady-less these guys are going to get the ball a lot more....they were tough and effective yesterday when they ran....the Pats will be pounding the ball more now which they had gotten away from, this is a good thing because this may end up being Maroney's best season.
4) Yesterday at the end of the game it reminded me of when Brady first became the starter 7 years ago....it was a hard fought win and Belechick was pumped up, hugging guys running off the field, there was an energy that reminded me of the team that surprised the world in 2001 with Brady at QB....I'm not saying lightning will strike twice and Cassell saves the world, but if he just listens to this coaching staff, makes good decisions and plays as mistake free as possible, this team will still win 10 to 11 games IMO...You will see the Pats get back to what they did when Bledsoe went down and Brady came in...conservative field position football...running the ball, short passes, screens....smart, mistake free football....i'm still confident this team will be in the playoffs...a weak schedule helps this tremendously.
Patriots nation will still have plenty to cheer about in 2008...with Bill Belechick at the helm....don't EVER count this team out.
I agree bro, I live in NH, and I gotta say that as painfull as it was to watch him go down, this is a great opportunity for Cassel, and if there were 2 recievers that make good adjustments and still catch balls, Id go w Welker and AIR Moss...I will be happy with 10-6, but I dont think 11-5, 12-4 is out of qeustion..And the best part, is the Pats will get no respect from Vegas these next few weeks, hit em now while the gettins good!!
I agree bro, I live in NH, and I gotta say that as painfull as it was to watch him go down, this is a great opportunity for Cassel, and if there were 2 recievers that make good adjustments and still catch balls, Id go w Welker and AIR Moss...I will be happy with 10-6, but I dont think 11-5, 12-4 is out of qeustion..And the best part, is the Pats will get no respect from Vegas these next few weeks, hit em now while the gettins good!!
Whatever, they'll be lucky to make the Playoff this year. A QB like Brady is one of the best QB of all time, you can't lose a guy like him and expect to still be a SB contender. Karma is a bitch, cheating and running up the score on teams, this is what you get. I was a Patriots fan from 93' til' 01' when Drew Bledsoe was there and the team was clean. Sorry but I lost all respect for the Patriots organization and will never will look at them again.
Whatever, they'll be lucky to make the Playoff this year. A QB like Brady is one of the best QB of all time, you can't lose a guy like him and expect to still be a SB contender. Karma is a bitch, cheating and running up the score on teams, this is what you get. I was a Patriots fan from 93' til' 01' when Drew Bledsoe was there and the team was clean. Sorry but I lost all respect for the Patriots organization and will never will look at them again.
I agree bro, I live in NH, and I gotta say that as painfull as it was to watch him go down, this is a great opportunity for Cassel, and if there were 2 recievers that make good adjustments and still catch balls, Id go w Welker and AIR Moss...I will be happy with 10-6, but I dont think 11-5, 12-4 is out of qeustion..And the best part, is the Pats will get no respect from Vegas these next few weeks, hit em now while the gettins good!!
Vinnie Tesaverde at 45 years old could win 10 games with those weapons....Moss will be grabbing more 10 yard over the middle and underneath stuff and relying more on breaking tackles after the catch....Belechick is a master of the short dink and dunk game...he won a superbowl in 2001 doing this with a 6th rounder.
I agree bro, I live in NH, and I gotta say that as painfull as it was to watch him go down, this is a great opportunity for Cassel, and if there were 2 recievers that make good adjustments and still catch balls, Id go w Welker and AIR Moss...I will be happy with 10-6, but I dont think 11-5, 12-4 is out of qeustion..And the best part, is the Pats will get no respect from Vegas these next few weeks, hit em now while the gettins good!!
Vinnie Tesaverde at 45 years old could win 10 games with those weapons....Moss will be grabbing more 10 yard over the middle and underneath stuff and relying more on breaking tackles after the catch....Belechick is a master of the short dink and dunk game...he won a superbowl in 2001 doing this with a 6th rounder.
Yep, they threw too damn much towards the end of the year. Especially in the Super Bowl, on the last drive. All they needed was to move the ball within FG range, to tie the game, but somehow, it didn't seem like they wanted to continue the game any longer.If I remember correctly, they had over a minute left, and 1 or 2 timeouts left. Yet, they were lobbing the ball downfield, like they needed a TD or something
Yep, they threw too damn much towards the end of the year. Especially in the Super Bowl, on the last drive. All they needed was to move the ball within FG range, to tie the game, but somehow, it didn't seem like they wanted to continue the game any longer.If I remember correctly, they had over a minute left, and 1 or 2 timeouts left. Yet, they were lobbing the ball downfield, like they needed a TD or something
I like how Matt Cassel can create plays... thats about it.
he'll now be similar to a robot....a Belechick robot...go in, protect the ball, throw it away when your in trouble, don't force plays, hand it off clean, don't make mistakes....if he's smart enough to stay inside that window, they'll win games.
I like how Matt Cassel can create plays... thats about it.
he'll now be similar to a robot....a Belechick robot...go in, protect the ball, throw it away when your in trouble, don't force plays, hand it off clean, don't make mistakes....if he's smart enough to stay inside that window, they'll win games.
Hey Robbie, I think there biggest ally is the weak schedule. They've put themselves in a suituation where they can't afford any serious injuries to key players Moss, Maroney, Seymour, Harrison etc.. I do think they'll play conservative run orientated football. I don't think it's like when Bledsoe got hurt at all. Cassell doesn't have Bradys' skills. No surprise there. Also think teams are gunning for them this year, certainly Jets and believe other teams too. They put a bullseyes on their back when they blew out all those teams last year. They won't catch a lot of teams not being "up" for them. I do believe playoffs are possible, but wouldn't be surprised if they stuggled. The NFL is a rough, rough league and without there best player it's going to be tough.
Hey Robbie, I think there biggest ally is the weak schedule. They've put themselves in a suituation where they can't afford any serious injuries to key players Moss, Maroney, Seymour, Harrison etc.. I do think they'll play conservative run orientated football. I don't think it's like when Bledsoe got hurt at all. Cassell doesn't have Bradys' skills. No surprise there. Also think teams are gunning for them this year, certainly Jets and believe other teams too. They put a bullseyes on their back when they blew out all those teams last year. They won't catch a lot of teams not being "up" for them. I do believe playoffs are possible, but wouldn't be surprised if they stuggled. The NFL is a rough, rough league and without there best player it's going to be tough.
I grew up in Mass and have since moved to Conn. I too must be drinking hometown Kool Aid because it sucks to lose a player like Brady but we'll be ok. We wont win as many games ( I projected 13-15 wins) I still think we can do 10 or 11. Brady was a product of Bill's system. Bill has a great system where he controls his players and puts them in the best position to be sucessful based on their talent and upside potential. There is a reason why they have held on to Cassell, I havent figured it out but Bill sees something he likes in this kid. Time will tell and we shall see in the upcoming weeks how this will all pan out. In the meantime I will be watching the lines in Pat's games closely and pounding the books hard for their lack of respect.
I grew up in Mass and have since moved to Conn. I too must be drinking hometown Kool Aid because it sucks to lose a player like Brady but we'll be ok. We wont win as many games ( I projected 13-15 wins) I still think we can do 10 or 11. Brady was a product of Bill's system. Bill has a great system where he controls his players and puts them in the best position to be sucessful based on their talent and upside potential. There is a reason why they have held on to Cassell, I havent figured it out but Bill sees something he likes in this kid. Time will tell and we shall see in the upcoming weeks how this will all pan out. In the meantime I will be watching the lines in Pat's games closely and pounding the books hard for their lack of respect.
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