New England Patriots Discussion

[ElectricEye]

Originally Posted by Jvig43

Idk why all the hate on Spikes, he's looked very good when he was healthy this year.

He's been out there, that's for sure. Wouldn't say he's been good though. Decent, but I like some of the things Fletcher is able to do athletically a lot more than what Spikes has shown.

[Nalej]

I'm a fan of Spikes when he's blitzing. That dude's a stud missile.
With Carter out, we need pressure from anywhere we can get it.

[ElectricEye]

I've been a lot more impressed with Fletcher as a pass rusher. He did some real nice things in that area last week, with Moore making a great play to get out of a huge stop for loss of yardage.

Spikes doesn't have the closing speed to be a factor there, Fletcher does.

[Jvig43]

Ehhh I've been much more impressed with Spikes than with Fletcher. Spikes might be slower, but he's much more of a force when taking on blockers and filling gaps. Also I don't think Tebow scores that first td against us if that were spikes wrapping him up. Idk Fletcher hasn't made any real standout plays the way I think Spikes has (which isn't much either tbh).

[Nalej]

Chung's a hammer!

[ElectricEye]

Cool special teams guys.

[descendency]

Chung back in?!?! YAYAYAYAY.

[Jvig43]

Ughhhhh here we go again. We seriously are not going to stand a chance in the playoffs with our defense playing like it is. Were going to need Brady to score every single drive.

[descendency]

What a ******** call leading to a TD.

[ElectricEye]

We got screwed a bit there, but the worst play on that drive far and away was Stevie Johnson toasting McCourty with all of like 2 feet between him. He got behind him like it was nothing.

[ElectricEye]

I'm telling you guys, pay attention to Fletcher. He's doing things.

[descendency]

This pass defense is worse than Washington U...

[ElectricEye]

We've been burned in both man and zone so far. Just pathetic.

[Jvig43]

I want to cry right now haha. There's just no hope for this defense.

[ElectricEye]

Alright, let's thank Miami for being so painfully mediocre, but good at the right times.


The real season starts in two weeks. It's put up or shut up(better yet, hire a defensive coordinator) this year for me.

[nepg]

I'm a big fan of the "FU" points at the end of this game.

[Jvig43]

Go Bengals and Broncos.

[AntoinCD]

Pretty good chance if we wanna win the Superbowl we're gonna have to beat Pittsburgh, Baltimore and then GB/NO or SF. That's not easy. If our offense clicks though I don't think Pitt can keep up, Baltimore can't and then the SB against either GB or NO would be awesome for any lover of offense.

[descendency]

Originally Posted by Jvig43

Ehhh I've been much more impressed with Spikes than with Fletcher. Spikes might be slower, but he's much more of a force when taking on blockers and filling gaps. Also I don't think Tebow scores that first td against us if that were spikes wrapping him up. Idk Fletcher hasn't made any real standout plays the way I think Spikes has (which isn't much either tbh).

The one that Ninkovich failed to make?

Fletcher makes standout plays every game. He's usually a guy that guesses the snap count and shoots an open gap every game.

Dane Fletcher is awesome for us.

Spikes needs to stay healthy though. He's the best 2 down linebacker we have on this team.

[descendency]

Originally Posted by ElectricEye

We got screwed a bit there, but the worst play on that drive far and away was Stevie Johnson toasting McCourty with all of like 2 feet between him. He got behind him like it was nothing.

The worst play was where McCourty seemed to not even get off the ball when it was snapped. Had Fitzpatrick put the ball with a touch more air in it, it was a TD, easy.

[Blackluck]

Anyone know why the DB's play so far off the receivers? Is that scheme or lack of confidence? Looking to the future, I'm thinking an elite safety would go a long way in helping this defense, although it doesn't appear that guy is in this draft; maybe FA...

Interestingly the Packers ended up statistically with a worse defense than we did; both are also far 'ahead' in worse pass defense. The Pats - rightly so, for the most part - get hammered for their porous defense, but rarely do I hear the same level of criticism against the Packers. That said, if (a huge if) they make it to the SB, I fear the outcome against the Saints or Packers.

[Jvig43]

Originally Posted by descendency

The one that Ninkovich failed to make?

Fletcher makes standout plays every game. He's usually a guy that guesses the snap count and shoots an open gap every game.

Dane Fletcher is awesome for us.

Spikes needs to stay healthy though. He's the best 2 down linebacker we have on this team.

Haha opps yeah that one. disregard that part of my comment.

[BradysKnee]

Originally Posted by Blackluck

Anyone know why the DB's play so far off the receivers? Is that scheme or lack of confidence? Looking to the future, I'm thinking an elite safety would go a long way in helping this defense, although it doesn't appear that guy is in this draft; maybe FA...

Interestingly the Packers ended up statistically with a worse defense than we did; both are also far 'ahead' in worse pass defense. The Pats - rightly so, for the most part - get hammered for their porous defense, but rarely do I hear the same level of criticism against the Packers. That said, if (a huge if) they make it to the SB, I fear the outcome against the Saints or Packers.

Its a defensive philosophy. They are playing for field goals. They essentially let teams get into the red area and then tighten up a bit as the field has been shortened (less area to cover).

The thinking is Brady and Co. will score more if they contain the opponent to FGs. It works often for them, but not my preferred philosophy... But I guess we are the AFC top seed so I shouldn't question it too much. Ultimately it might work out against higher octane offenses but we'll see.

[descendency]

Both the Patriots and Jets at home this week. :D

[descendency]

Originally Posted by Blackluck

Anyone know why the DB's play so far off the receivers? Is that scheme or lack of confidence?

Trying to rely less on the crap at safety and because the current DBs are just not playing that well in press.