2008 Patriots Game Thread

[Dojji]

What did we see out of Cassel today that warrants any further discussion about keeping him over Brady?

 

Because Brady never had a bad game where his supporting cast absolutely sucked and he looked off his rhythm all night.

 

If you want to make the point that 2 straight 400 yard passing games prove nothing, then be consistent -- a bad game on the entire offense against the league's best defense also proves nothing.

[See Red]

He's played two good games out of, like, twelve. That's not impressive. And the good games were against teams that are completely incapable of defending the pass.

[schillingouttheks]

What did we see out of Cassel today that warrants any further discussion about keeping him over Brady?

 

The Pats still lose this game with Brady, but they would have scored a f***ing touchdown after the first four minutes and made the game slightly closer instead of an embarrassment.

 

Oh well.

 

If the Pats are to make the playoffs, they better win out - and I think they do. If they lose to one of Seattle, Arizona (despite their good year), Oakland or Buffalo, they deserve to sit out in January. I don't see the Jets losing another game. If they do, it would be huge, because I see it coming from Buffalo or Miami, evening out the overall and divisional records (assuming the Pats and Jets finish 11-5). It then goes to common opponent before conference record. Assuming the Jets lose that one divisional game and the Pats win out, they would have at least a 2-game advantage on the Jets in terms of common opponent (the Jets lost to Oakland, who the Pats would have beaten, and they lost to the Broncos tonight, who the Pats obliterated). So, hopefully the Jets lose one divisional game and finish the year 11-5 tied with the Pats. That would give New England the division.

 

I see Baltimore potentially losing at least two of their last four games. They have an extremely difficult schedule... vs. Redskins, vs. Steelers, @ Cowboys, vs. Jaguars. If they lose two of those and the Pats win out, the Pats get that 6th spot (or the Jets would have it if the above scenario played out with this one).

 

I don't see Indianapolis falling out of a wild card spot. They might lose to Tennessee, but they would still have the tie breaker over the Patriots. They hold on to the 5 slot.

 

Obviously, the Pats need some help to get into the playoffs, but they're very much still in it. If I were a betting man, I would say they would have to take over the Ravens' spot if they hope to play in January.

 

The Dolphins can also complicate things becauuuuuuse, well, they're also 7-5 and face an easy remaining schedule as well.

[Dojji]

The Pats still lose this game with Brady, but they would have scored a f***ing touchdown after the first four minutes and made the game slightly closer instead of an embarrassment.

 

 

Cassel did his part to get that touchdown. Moss dropped a TD twice, and he and Welker both dropped several big gains.

 

Brady can't function when his weapons have hands made of Oleo either. Anyone manage to forget Reche Caldwell yet?

[schillingouttheks]

Cassel did his part to get that touchdown. Moss dropped a TD twice, and he and Welker both dropped several big gains.

 

Brady can't function when his weapons have hands made of Oleo either. Anyone manage to forget Reche Caldwell yet?

 

I know that we wouldn't have been playing in the AFC Championship Game without Caldwell...

 

I know Moss dropped the TD. Cassel also threw a pick to kill the game to Timmons, and Taylor should have picked the ball off in the end zone because of how awfully placed the ball was (even though Randy should have caught the TD on the previous play), among others I would find if I re-watched the game.

 

I'm not placing all the blame on Cassel. He did some good things, and he also did some horrific things. All in all, it was a less-than-impressive performance.

[TheKilo]

Because Brady never had a bad game where his supporting cast absolutely sucked and he looked off his rhythm all night.

 

If you want to make the point that 2 straight 400 yard passing games prove nothing, then be consistent -- a bad game on the entire offense against the league's best defense also proves nothing.

 

That's the point, sir.

 

No one should be making these judgments based off of such small sample sizes.

 

In 12 games, Cassel has had 3 games I would consider "above average":

 

Broncos

2nd Jets game

2nd Dolphins Game

 

You can throw in the Buffalo game if you want to be generous.

 

In this 12 game sample, how anyone would advocate trading Brady to keep Cassel is beyond me. He simply has not done enough with the offensive weapons around him. He's an average QB.

[See Red]

That's the point, sir.

 

No one should be making these judgments based off of such small sample sizes.

 

In 12 games, Cassel has had 3 games I would consider "above average":

 

Broncos

2nd Jets game

2nd Dolphins Game

 

You can throw in the Buffalo game if you want to be generous.

 

In this 12 game sample, how anyone would advocate trading Brady to keep Cassel is beyond me. He simply has not done enough with the offensive weapons around him. He's an average QB.

 

Correct, though I've said it before and I'll say it again... Cassell's numbers in the Broncos games were above average... his play was not.

[YanksHater213]

stick a fork in the pats

 

get brady healthy for 09

let the lions give cassel millions and millions

make sure morris comes back 100%

shore up the secondary

[Dojji]

We absolutely need to upgrade the secondary next offseason. Once we get Thomas back our D-line will be back to adequate but we can't stop a 3rd down conversion to save our souls right now, meaning our D has gone from "bend but don't break" to "please God get a stop!"

 

Some of us who were glad to be rid of Rodney Harrison need to rethink things I think. Apparently Mayo and Merriweather weren't as ready as we thought, but it might just be a question of the QB being able to ignore the players covered by our talented guys and go after the ones the scrubs are trying to catch up with. We definitely need to RADICALLY upgrade our defensive frontline talent and depth in ALL facets though.

[TheKilo]

Just heard on WEEI that the Pats and Bucs will play in London next season.

[Paradisecity]

I think Mayo has played pretty well.

 

Deltha ONeal, on the other hand...

[Cocos Disciples]

Just heard on WEEI that the Pats and Bucs will play in London next season.

 

That's pretty cool.

[mtbykr]

After watching the game, the only thing I could take away from it was at least this would end the 'let's trade brady and keep Cassel' talk........apparently the insanity is more than I originally thought. Cassel played OK on Sunday, the whole team lost this game. There were several key drops by Moss and Gaffney that really hurt the pats.....and Cassel made some terrible throws. The defense couldn't get off the field on 3rd down and the O couldn't stay on the field on 3rd down. Cassel is what he is; he has done better than expected (at least by me) but he shouldn't even be in the same conversation with TB.

 

Normally the pats fill injuries well, and I think they have done a good job thus far....but it's really showing just how deep the injuries have gone. They need to win out to have a playoff chance, and then get some help. Anything can happen once you get into the playoffs, but it's a tough road for the pats to get there!

[TheKilo]

I'm so sick of the injuries excuse...especially when the Pats play the easiest schedule in the league.

[mtbykr]

I'm so sick of the injuries excuse...especially when the Pats play the easiest schedule in the league.

Maybe I wasn't clear, but I wasn't making an excuse. The pats never make an excuse for injuries and I wasn't either. I was simply pointing out that it's noticeable on the field, that their level of play is down due to the personal that are being sent out there. During the 03-04 superbowl run the pats had more key injuries than anyone in the league and still won it all. In the past they have been able to step up and play with the injuries, but this year the level of play has declined. I believe it's due to 2 main things; Rodney and AD. (we all know about TB ) In the past they have had Rodney out there directing traffic, and he's been able to make up in game knowledge what they have lost in talent. Sanders and Merriweather are great talents, but they are having trouble adjusting pre-snap and making sure everyone else is where they should be. The loss of AD was big because it cost the pats a ton of flexibility and they are having to adjust to 2-3 guys doing what AD was capable of. There are rumors though out there that AD could be back for the playoffs if the pats happen to make it....he hasn't yet been put on IR.

 

The pats two biggest problems this year are: they can't get off the field on 3rd down....and they are terrible in the redzone.

[mtbykr]

A good point today in the globe's 'mailbag':

 

Mike, I know this isn't the type of Patriots performance we are used to and there are a few glaring holes in this team. However, I feel that there is one hole that no one has touched on and it is the attitude factor. Yesterday after the hit on Wes Welker, no one got in Ryan Clark's face. Whether the hit was legal or not is not the point. A defender just lit your teammate up and the offense did nothing about it. It was like the Patriots were scared. I think it just proves what kind of leader Tom Brady was. Had that happened when Brady was in there, I am positive he would have gotten in Clark's face, then made sure to embarrass him the next play. It's easy to have that killer instinct when you are undefeated but now they need it more than ever. I think of all the bad things that have happened to the Pats this year, and that made me the most upset. By not reacting to the hit the Pats gave the Steelers the attitude edge for the rest of the game and it showed. Your thoughts?

Dave

 

A: I think it's a good point, Dave, all around. Thanks for bringing it up.

[mtbykr]

another guy goes down.

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/12/jason_webster_t.html

 

The Patriots have announced that CB Jason Webster has been placed on season-ending injured reserve with an ankle injury. Webster hurt his ankle in the first quarter of Sunday's loss to the Steelers.

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Crazy that they are looking at him, his injury must be getting better:

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/12/patriots_hostin_1.html

 

The Patriots are hosting free-agent outside linebacker Rosevelt Colvin on a visit today at Gillette Stadium, according to a league source.

 

Colvin, who played for the team from 2003-2007, has not played a game this season after being released by the Houston Texans at the end of training camp.

 

The Patriots are a bit thin at outside linebacker, as Adalius Thomas remains sidelined with a forearm injury, and Pierre Woods was knocked out of Sunday's loss to the Steelers with a mouth injury. Colvin could potentially bolster the team's depth.

[mtbykr]

It's official, he's back:

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/12/colvin_signs_wi.html

 

 

Linebacker Rosevelt Colvin inked a one-year contract with the Patriots this morning, according to a league source.

 

Colvin, who played for the Patriots from 2003-2007, has been out of football this season after being cut by the Houston Texans at the end of training camp. He addresses a need at outside linebacker, where the Patriots have been without Adalius Thomas (forearm) and also had Pierre Woods leave Sunday's loss to the Steelers in the third quarter with a mouth injury.

 

Mike Vrabel and Woods have been starting at outside linebacker in the 3-4 alignment in recent weeks. The top backups are rookies Gary Guyton and Vince Redd.

 

The Patriots had an open roster spot after placing cornerback Jason Webster on injured reserve Tuesday, and thus did not have to make a move to create room for Colvin.

 

The Patriots have also contacted veteran linebacker Victor Hobson in recent days, according to a league source. Hobson was with the Patriots in training camp, and like Colvin, has not played this season.

 

If the Patriots are further looking to bolster their linebacker ranks, Hobson could be a top option. He has experience at both inside and outside linebacker in the 3-4 alignment, but is probably more suited for the inside spot.

[TheKilo]

NFL doesn't suspend Clark for Hit on Welker:

 

http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/12/03/nfl-defends-ryan-clarks-hit-on-wes-welker/

 

Here's the hit:

 

[youtube=Clark]ShbtuyXZbFk

 

I think they got it right.

[Cocos Disciples]

Makes sense, seems there was no way he was going to stop himself once he saw that Wes didn't catch it.

[YanksHater213]

I immediately thought suspension, but Coco is right, he couldn't stop himself.

 

I still think he should be fined though. Welker could have gotten really hurt with wrecklessness like that.

[See Red]

Makes sense' date=' seems there was no way he was going to stop himself once he saw that Wes didn't catch it.[/quote']

 

Yeah, really no way he could've pulled up there.

[TheKilo]

Pass was tipped, too. Welker was fair game at that point as crude as that sounds.

[mtbykr]

I don't think a suspension was in order.....however I'm surprised there is no fine, especially considering some of the ticky tac fines they have been handing out this year. I would rather them let these guys play...so let's hope they are consistent in this from here on out.

[ARod2212]

Hit him with the shoulder, not the helmet. No penalty for a good hit.

[mtbykr]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/12/seau_in_foxboro.html

 

 

The agent for linebacker Junior Seau said that the 18-year NFL veteran is visiting the Patriots today, and revealed that Seau landed in the Boston area at 3:45 p.m. Eastern Time.

 

Marvin Demoff, Seau's agent, said that if Seau is healthy it shouldn't be difficult for the sides to reach a deal that would put Seau back in a Patriots uniform.

 

"I don't think the contract will be an issue," said Demoff. "If Junior is there and nothing is different from what they thought last night, I would suspect they'd do a contract, and he'd be a Patriot tomorrow. I don't think any promises were made to Junior or by Junior to them before he got on the plane."

 

Demoff said that Seau got a call from Patriots coach Bill Belichick and vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli last night.

 

"Whatever transpired in the conversation yesterday between Junior and the Patriots it got him on a plane to continue talking," said Demoff.

 

Seau had surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder in February. Demoff said that should not be a problem, if Seau returns to the playing field.

 

"His shoulder has been fine since sometime in August," said Demoff.

 

 

Another report has Bruschi with a serious knee injury that may sideline him as well.

[mtbykr]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/12/ad_to_injured_r.html

 

 

The Patriots have placed LB Adalius Thomas (forearm) on season-ending injured reserve this morning.

 

With the roster spot, the Patriots finalized the expected signing of LB Junior Seau.

 

 

So much for the hope of AD being ready for the playoffs if they pats were able to make it there. Rumor is there is still a small chance he could have been ready, but the odds were going down and the pats needed to make a move with all the LB's going down and the potential for Bruschi being out.

[TheKilo]

lol Seau

[CrespoBlows]

Conspiracy......

[mtbykr]

Pats not playing well....in addition Bruschi got hurt in the 1st and looks like a season ending knee. Wilfork got hurt as well and it doesn't look like he'll be back.

 

 

Seau and Colvin, who have been out of football this year and had one day of practice....are now the starting LB's for the pats.