2_LAW_4
Practice Squad Player
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2004
- Messages
- 115
- Reaction score
- 7
Idle Thoughts
Let me first begin by saying get well Brady. From what we know about our future HoF QB, he is a competitor, and it must be killing him to miss out on an entire year of football, especially the way last year ended. I remember hearing him do a press conference talking about how eager he was for the season to get underway just to close the chapter on a disappointing loss to the Giants. Definitely a bad string of luck for him these past two games.
Lets hope he can rebound next year and bring us another championship.
Which leads me to the season at hand.
I normally tend to read material posted on message boards, but what I have been reading lately has really prompted me to post this thread. I am as disappointed with the loss of Brady like all of you. I, like the next Patsfan loves Brady, and wants him, along with the team, to succeed, but now that he's out of the fold doesn't mean the season is lost.
Its interesting that many writers have immediately tabbed the Jets as the new favorites in the east. I for one disagree for a number of reasons:
1) They almost lost to a team that finished 1-15 last season. In my opinion, the 2008 Dolphins may have regressed from last years pitiful 1-15 mark. Remember, they lost Taylor and Thomas to name a few.
2) Although the Jets have added a few play makers on both sides of the ball, specifically Favre and Pace (while also beefing up that oline), they are not too far off the team that was 4-12 last season. Sure Favre is good for 2-4 wins on his own, but lets not jump the gun here and declare them favorites just yet. Lets see how the season unfolds before we pass judgement. And personally, I saw the Bills as the next contending team in the division, not the Jets.
What to look forward to?
- Competitive football - Last season we were leaps ahead of the competition. It was definitely fun football to watch, especially when we had double-digit leads after the first quarter, but its going to be interesting to watch more close games of football. I really enjoyed that 2001 season where the games were close, and either team had a chance to win. Judging by our favorable schedule, I see no reason that we don't finish with at least 10 wins (nine more to go).
- Blast From the Past - I think Belichick is going to revert back to his 2001 offensive game plans. He is going to find a way to eliminate (or disguise) our glaring weaknesses, and expose our strengths. Cassel will be relied upon, like Brady in '01, to just be efficient. Remember, in '01, Brady was voted to the probowl, but he had no business being there. He finished with 2800+ passing yards, 18 TDs, and 14ints. Not probowl numbers by any means, but he was efficient. He kept the offence in check and protected the ball.
We have a far superior offence than the one that won it all in '01 - better receivers, offensive line, and running backs. As long as Matt does what he did yesterday (two key stats: 14 of 18 and 0 ints), we will be fine.
- Elevating Our Overall Performance - The moment a key player of a team falls, you tend to hear other teammates stress the need for elevating everyone's performances to alleviate the loss of the key player. Like the 2001 team, the focus was squarely on Defense and the running game. I think the defense is going to come together (not that they haven't) and play an integral role that will help us to a double-digit win season. This defense is no pushover, we have a solid d-line, and a good mix of speed, athletic, and smart linebackers. Albeit our secondary is questionable, one corner, and Im hoping it will be Hobbs, needs to surprise us all and exceed expectations (sort of like what Samuel did two seasons ago) to really stabilize all levels of the defense and make it truly dominant.
- Brady on the sidelines - Just like Bledsoe did for Brady back in '01, expect Brady to be an active coach/mentor for Cassel on gameday (and leading up to gameday). This is Matt's opportunity to pick apart Brady's brain, and Im sure Brady will do everything in his means to help both Cassel and the Patriots succeed.
- Cassel - Let me start off by saying the Patriots offense is great. We have probowl receivers and offensive linemen, solid TEs and RBs. They can make any QB look good. Now consider this, Matt Cassel leads the Patriots into the postseason with an efficient season. People may cry QB controversy, but we all know that this is Brady's team. In the event that Matt has a good season, we can probably offload him in the offseason, and possibly pick up a high first rounder. Just looking for some positives here!
Additional thoughts:
If Brady is put on the I.R. it is my understanding of the C.B.A. that his salary will not count towards the cap (or is that just how it works in the N.H.L.?). If this is the case, I think the Pats should allocate some of that money to reworking current contracts by deferring salaries that are expected to rise next season into this season (save some cap space for next season).
Secondly, they should use some of the extra space to sign possibly Ty Law to the 4-6million he is asking for. Again, if the defense is playing un-penetrable, teams won't be scoring much, giving the offense every opportunity to win.
We have elite receivers that can make any QB look great. Why not bring in a Culpepper or Bledsoe as a veteran backup who can step in immediately? I hate the words "what if". But what if Cassel gets injured, or doesn't perform up to par, were going to need other viable options.
That is all from me.
Let me first begin by saying get well Brady. From what we know about our future HoF QB, he is a competitor, and it must be killing him to miss out on an entire year of football, especially the way last year ended. I remember hearing him do a press conference talking about how eager he was for the season to get underway just to close the chapter on a disappointing loss to the Giants. Definitely a bad string of luck for him these past two games.
Lets hope he can rebound next year and bring us another championship.
Which leads me to the season at hand.
I normally tend to read material posted on message boards, but what I have been reading lately has really prompted me to post this thread. I am as disappointed with the loss of Brady like all of you. I, like the next Patsfan loves Brady, and wants him, along with the team, to succeed, but now that he's out of the fold doesn't mean the season is lost.
Its interesting that many writers have immediately tabbed the Jets as the new favorites in the east. I for one disagree for a number of reasons:
1) They almost lost to a team that finished 1-15 last season. In my opinion, the 2008 Dolphins may have regressed from last years pitiful 1-15 mark. Remember, they lost Taylor and Thomas to name a few.
2) Although the Jets have added a few play makers on both sides of the ball, specifically Favre and Pace (while also beefing up that oline), they are not too far off the team that was 4-12 last season. Sure Favre is good for 2-4 wins on his own, but lets not jump the gun here and declare them favorites just yet. Lets see how the season unfolds before we pass judgement. And personally, I saw the Bills as the next contending team in the division, not the Jets.
What to look forward to?
- Competitive football - Last season we were leaps ahead of the competition. It was definitely fun football to watch, especially when we had double-digit leads after the first quarter, but its going to be interesting to watch more close games of football. I really enjoyed that 2001 season where the games were close, and either team had a chance to win. Judging by our favorable schedule, I see no reason that we don't finish with at least 10 wins (nine more to go).
- Blast From the Past - I think Belichick is going to revert back to his 2001 offensive game plans. He is going to find a way to eliminate (or disguise) our glaring weaknesses, and expose our strengths. Cassel will be relied upon, like Brady in '01, to just be efficient. Remember, in '01, Brady was voted to the probowl, but he had no business being there. He finished with 2800+ passing yards, 18 TDs, and 14ints. Not probowl numbers by any means, but he was efficient. He kept the offence in check and protected the ball.
We have a far superior offence than the one that won it all in '01 - better receivers, offensive line, and running backs. As long as Matt does what he did yesterday (two key stats: 14 of 18 and 0 ints), we will be fine.
- Elevating Our Overall Performance - The moment a key player of a team falls, you tend to hear other teammates stress the need for elevating everyone's performances to alleviate the loss of the key player. Like the 2001 team, the focus was squarely on Defense and the running game. I think the defense is going to come together (not that they haven't) and play an integral role that will help us to a double-digit win season. This defense is no pushover, we have a solid d-line, and a good mix of speed, athletic, and smart linebackers. Albeit our secondary is questionable, one corner, and Im hoping it will be Hobbs, needs to surprise us all and exceed expectations (sort of like what Samuel did two seasons ago) to really stabilize all levels of the defense and make it truly dominant.
- Brady on the sidelines - Just like Bledsoe did for Brady back in '01, expect Brady to be an active coach/mentor for Cassel on gameday (and leading up to gameday). This is Matt's opportunity to pick apart Brady's brain, and Im sure Brady will do everything in his means to help both Cassel and the Patriots succeed.
- Cassel - Let me start off by saying the Patriots offense is great. We have probowl receivers and offensive linemen, solid TEs and RBs. They can make any QB look good. Now consider this, Matt Cassel leads the Patriots into the postseason with an efficient season. People may cry QB controversy, but we all know that this is Brady's team. In the event that Matt has a good season, we can probably offload him in the offseason, and possibly pick up a high first rounder. Just looking for some positives here!
Additional thoughts:
If Brady is put on the I.R. it is my understanding of the C.B.A. that his salary will not count towards the cap (or is that just how it works in the N.H.L.?). If this is the case, I think the Pats should allocate some of that money to reworking current contracts by deferring salaries that are expected to rise next season into this season (save some cap space for next season).
Secondly, they should use some of the extra space to sign possibly Ty Law to the 4-6million he is asking for. Again, if the defense is playing un-penetrable, teams won't be scoring much, giving the offense every opportunity to win.
We have elite receivers that can make any QB look great. Why not bring in a Culpepper or Bledsoe as a veteran backup who can step in immediately? I hate the words "what if". But what if Cassel gets injured, or doesn't perform up to par, were going to need other viable options.
That is all from me.