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This was part of a post I made on the Dolphins week thread, but I though at least this part of it was worthy of its own, because. as I look at the team that Bill amassed for that first great season, I see a raft of similarities to what he is trying to build with this one
a. A tough BIG DL to pound OL's and contain the run game - Is Baremore this Generation's Richard Seymour (I'd take Seymour-lite ) check
b. Big tough physical and VETERAN LB's who make all the moves and changes that Bill wants at the LOS presnap and will punish runners and beat up pass catchers. Back then it was McGinest,, Cox, and Roman Phifer. This year it is Hightower, Van Noy and Judon
c. He brought in a touch somewhat slow, but steady CB in Otis Smith. Jalen Mills perhaps who adds position flexibility to that description
d. And had 2 veteran hard hitting Safeties check.
e. A strong Running game that will move the chains - Guys who you can count on to at LEAST get you to makeable 3rd down - check
f. A strong OL that will be better than the sum of its parts. Actually this could be a MUCH better OL given that that one only had 2 real talents in Light and Woody and Light was a rookie. Gregg f#cking Robinson-Randell was our RT and IIRC he was out of the league a year or 2 later. The others like Andruzi were just blue collar guys who were more tough than talented. Check plus.
g. Solid steady WR's - in 2001 we had no one who would scare a DC either, and only Patten and Brown put up ANY numbers. and freakin' Wiggy was the TE : And while the complaints about the WR's are well documented, this is certainly a more talented group than the one we had in 2001, especially after Glenn left after game #3
h. And then we come to the QB - You want your QB to stay within the system. Make good decisions. and above all move the chains. I know I'd feel better if this were Mac's 2nd year, but he is what we have and he certainly fits the system to a T,
i. Finally you can't watch that clip without coming to the conclusion about how important turnovers were to the success of the Pats, especially in the playoffs. We had FIVE in Pittsburgh in a 7 point game. No win there without all 5. Most of the games we play this year will be a touchdown or less games. Our plus minus turnover ratio will play a key role in deciding what kind of season we have. Like in 2001 the margin of victory will will often be narrow, especially with a rookie QB., But anyway you look at it Mac is EXACTLY what Brady was in 2001 (lacking that extra year of maturity)
When you think about it,, it IS kind of spooky. Maybe you can think of even more comparisons or maybe you think I'm full of sh!t, let me know.
a. A tough BIG DL to pound OL's and contain the run game - Is Baremore this Generation's Richard Seymour (I'd take Seymour-lite ) check
b. Big tough physical and VETERAN LB's who make all the moves and changes that Bill wants at the LOS presnap and will punish runners and beat up pass catchers. Back then it was McGinest,, Cox, and Roman Phifer. This year it is Hightower, Van Noy and Judon
c. He brought in a touch somewhat slow, but steady CB in Otis Smith. Jalen Mills perhaps who adds position flexibility to that description
d. And had 2 veteran hard hitting Safeties check.
e. A strong Running game that will move the chains - Guys who you can count on to at LEAST get you to makeable 3rd down - check
f. A strong OL that will be better than the sum of its parts. Actually this could be a MUCH better OL given that that one only had 2 real talents in Light and Woody and Light was a rookie. Gregg f#cking Robinson-Randell was our RT and IIRC he was out of the league a year or 2 later. The others like Andruzi were just blue collar guys who were more tough than talented. Check plus.
g. Solid steady WR's - in 2001 we had no one who would scare a DC either, and only Patten and Brown put up ANY numbers. and freakin' Wiggy was the TE : And while the complaints about the WR's are well documented, this is certainly a more talented group than the one we had in 2001, especially after Glenn left after game #3
h. And then we come to the QB - You want your QB to stay within the system. Make good decisions. and above all move the chains. I know I'd feel better if this were Mac's 2nd year, but he is what we have and he certainly fits the system to a T,
i. Finally you can't watch that clip without coming to the conclusion about how important turnovers were to the success of the Pats, especially in the playoffs. We had FIVE in Pittsburgh in a 7 point game. No win there without all 5. Most of the games we play this year will be a touchdown or less games. Our plus minus turnover ratio will play a key role in deciding what kind of season we have. Like in 2001 the margin of victory will will often be narrow, especially with a rookie QB., But anyway you look at it Mac is EXACTLY what Brady was in 2001 (lacking that extra year of maturity)
When you think about it,, it IS kind of spooky. Maybe you can think of even more comparisons or maybe you think I'm full of sh!t, let me know.
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