Kraft Voted to Give Goodell The Power

[NEPatsfan]

The Pats though once again look like a team that is limited to relying heavily on the QB to produce to win. I don't see that they did a ton to improve the run game so teams can pin their ears back and come after the QB and both Buffalo and Houston have the weapons on defense to make life very difficult for any QB but especially a guy in his first few starts.

Yes the Patriots have lots of talent on both sides of the ball. Nobody knows how good or bad Garrapolo is going to be. Heck plenty of even great QB's struggled very early on in their career so say he throws a couple of untimely interceptions in a couple of these games and all of a sudden a win turns into a loss. Just too much of an unknown in Garrapolo for me to give the Patriots the benefit of the doubt in those 4 games even with 3 of them being home games.

Lewis is back, and the Pats run via the quick short pass. Blount should be there for the heavy short runs. Not really sure what the run game has to do with any of it.

And the Pats def should be able to handle the three home opponents in that stretch, not much pressure on Jimmy G if they do so.

 

[cdumler7]

Lewis is back, and the Pats run via the quick short pass. Blount should be there for the heavy short runs. Not really sure what the run game has to do with any of it.

And the Pats def should be able to handle the three home opponents in that stretch, not much pressure on Jimmy G if they do so.

The run game has a lot to do with it because usually with a young QB you want to lean on the run game to take the pressure off them. And the short passing game works great with Brady who has spent years building timing with some of these players but we are talking about a guy who has never started who will have defenses throwing everything they can at him to confuse him. Throw in the short passing game can be negated by dropping players into the short zone areas making a QB have to hold onto the ball a bit longer. That is what the Broncos did in the playoffs and Buffalo did once last year that caused Brady some problems if I remember right. If you are thinking Jimmy G is going to come in and the offense isn't going to miss a beat then I think you are sorely mistaken. Not often a guy in his first few starts all of a sudden is playing like a HOF QB.

 

[NEPatsfan]

How is he not going to be asked to do much? Have the Patriots really done enough to improve their biggest weakness in the run game from last year? I'm not really seeing it. Yeah they added a piece or two to the OL but they were not a great unit in either pass or run blocking last year. Brady getting the ball out so quick really helped that OL look better than they were. I don't think Garrapolo in his first few starts of his career will have that same ability. Throw in teams are going to be throwing the kitchen sink at him to get him to make a mistake.

I'm thinking Stork won't be tipping the snap like he did in Denver. That alone will be a massive improvement.

Only one coach that I'm aware of was fired from last years squad, guess which one, and who he was replaced with.

 

[NEPatsfan]

The run game has a lot to do with it because usually with a young QB you want to lean on the run game to take the pressure off them. And the short passing game works great with Brady who has spent years building timing with some of these players but we are talking about a guy who has never started who will have defenses throwing everything they can at him to confuse him. Throw in the short passing game can be negated by dropping players into the short zone areas making a QB have to hold onto the ball a bit longer. That is what the Broncos did in the playoffs and Buffalo did once last year that caused Brady some problems if I remember right. If you are thinking Jimmy G is going to come in and the offense isn't going to miss a beat then I think you are sorely mistaken. Not often a guy in his first few starts all of a sudden is playing like a HOF QB.

You're right, the Pats have no chance. 0-4 to start against 3 lower teir teams and one upper tier team.

 

[cdumler7]

I'm thinking Stork won't be tipping the snap like he did in Denver. That alone will be a massive improvement.

Only one coach that I'm aware of was fired from last years squad, guess which one, and who he was replaced with.

I understand that the OL should show some improvement but we are talking bottom-10 to maybe mediocre group. When we then talk about a downgrade at the QB position to counter that improvement to me the offense could be out of sync or Garrapolo could misread something or hold onto the ball too long getting it stripped and while the defense is good turnovers are always the great equalizer and if he has trouble holding onto the ball it could lead to a couple of losses. To me it is just not possible to assume that everything is going to keep running well without Brady.

 

[NEPatsfan]

I understand that the OL should show some improvement but we are talking bottom-10 to maybe mediocre group. When we then talk about a downgrade at the QB position to counter that improvement to me the offense could be out of sync or Garrapolo could misread something or hold onto the ball too long getting it stripped and while the defense is good turnovers are always the great equalizer and if he has trouble holding onto the ball it could lead to a couple of losses. To me it is just not possible to assume that everything is going to keep running well without Brady.

They won't be as strong, but their opponents in that 4 game run, include 3 going to Gillette, and are mediocre to poor at best, facing one of the top tier defenses in the NFL. He doesn't have to be HOF to start his career.

 

[cdumler7]

You're right, the Pats have no chance. 0-4 to start against 3 lower teir teams and one upper tier team.

I never said that. I said there are more questions surrounding these 4 games than if Brady is the one starting. I said my opinion is they go 2-2 during that stretch which isn't terrible by any means. With 2 of the games being against divisional opponents (usually tougher and tighter games than what they should be) and 2 teams that won their division last year it is not the easy schedule you are trying to make it sound like. And to suggest that 3 of these teams are lower tier when 2 of those teams finished 8-8 or better is just you wishing that is what they were. Houston has added a few nice pieces to an already playoff caliber team and Buffalo is now entering year 2 with the coaching staff so they should show some improvement. Throw in Tyrod Taylor is a huge wild card. His ability with his legs to make plays means some unknown plays could happen during the game that really tip the scales their way.

 

[NEPatsfan]

I never said that. I said there are more questions surrounding these 4 games than if Brady is the one starting. I said my opinion is they go 2-2 during that stretch which isn't terrible by any means. With 2 of the games being against divisional opponents (usually tougher and tighter games than what they should be) and 2 teams that won their division last year it is not the easy schedule you are trying to make it sound like. And to suggest that 3 of these teams are lower tier when 2 of those teams finished 8-8 or better is just you wishing that is what they were. Houston has added a few nice pieces to an already playoff caliber team and Buffalo is now entering year 2 with the coaching staff so they should show some improvement. Throw in Tyrod Taylor is a huge wild card. His ability with his legs to make plays means some unknown plays could happen during the game that really tip the scales their way.

You realize Tyrod is 0-3 v the Pats with 3 tds and 4 ints with a 73.3 rating right? ARe you expecting to suddenly figure out the Pats def?

 

[cdumler7]

You realize Tyrod is 0-3 v the Pats with 3 tds and 4 ints with a 73.3 rating right?

Did I say he had success against the Pats? I said he showed some promise and his ability to run makes him a little bit of a wildcard when it comes to a close game. Again not saying you guys go 0-4 or anything of that nature. I just think with such an unknown at the QB position 2-2 sounds about right until we actually see this guy having to go out and win games. I don't think that should be insulting to Patriots fans in any way as that is showing even with an unknown at the QB position people still see them going out and winning games even without Brady. They have talent on both sides of the ball that make up for a lot. Still because I don't believe in them having a running game and Garappolo having some up and down moments in those games I just don't think they have a good enough defense to go out and completely win these games without the offense helping. They have a very good defense just not a win the game on their own defense when the offense is struggling.

 

[NEPatsfan]

Did I say he had success against the Pats? I said he showed some promise and his ability to run makes him a little bit of a wildcard when it comes to a close game. Again not saying you guys go 0-4 or anything of that nature. I just think with such an unknown at the QB position 2-2 sounds about right until we actually see this guy having to go out and win games. I don't think that should be insulting to Patriots fans in any way as that is showing even with an unknown at the QB position people still see them going out and winning games even without Brady. They have talent on both sides of the ball that make up for a lot. Still because I don't believe in them having a running game and Garappolo having some up and down moments in those games I just don't think they have a good enough defense to go out and completely win these games without the offense helping. They have a very good defense just not a win the game on their own defense when the offense is struggling.

So 4.3 yards a carry doesn't count as a running game anymore? How about 4.8 yards a carry?

 

[cdumler7]

So 4.3 yards a carry doesn't count as a running game anymore? How about 4.8 yards a carry?

Not sure what those numbers have to do with anything...Patriots last year averaged 3.7 yards per carry which was 28th in the league and were 30th in yards rushing. So one of the 5 worst rushing teams no matter how you look at it.

 

[NEPatsfan]

Not sure what those numbers have to do with anything...Patriots last year averaged 3.7 yards per carry which was 28th in the league and were 30th in yards rushing. So one of the 5 worst rushing teams no matter how you look at it.

Their two best running backs avg. Both of whom are back and healthy. Something they didn't have all season, and in particular in the post season. Coudl they go down again? Sure, but assuming no preseason injury they will both be ready to go at the start. You seem to ignore that little tid bit.

 

[cdumler7]

Their two best running backs avg. Both of whom are back and healthy. Something they didn't have all season, and in particular in the post season. Coudl they go down again? Sure, but assuming no preseason injury they will both be ready to go at the start. You seem to ignore that little tid bit.

So in limited carries they had decent averages...Ok? Plenty of RB's can have a great average on limited carries. Right now we just don't know 1) if they can stay healthy for an entire year 2) how healthy they are returning and 3) can they actually do what they were doing before injury for an entire season?

I mean Dion Lewis did that on 49 carries! Heck we have seen some RB's get close to that number in a single game so again have to see can he be a high carry RB to actually contribute through the entire season? Blount has had only one season over 200 carries and that was 201 his rookie season. So neither are high volume RB's. Heck for Blount he has struggled to last for 16 games in a season and when he has again it has been with very limited carries. So you are asking me to trust that these 2 guys can all of a sudden be something they have not been in their NFL careers?

 

[NEPatsfan]

So in limited carries they had decent averages...Ok? Plenty of RB's can have a great average on limited carries. Right now we just don't know 1) if they can stay healthy for an entire year 2) how healthy they are returning and 3) can they actually do what they were doing before injury for an entire season?

I mean Dion Lewis did that on 49 carries! Heck we have seen some RB's get close to that number in a single game so again have to see can he be a high carry RB to actually contribute through the entire season? Blount has had only one season over 200 carries and that was 201 his rookie season. So neither are high volume RB's. Heck for Blount he has struggled to last for 16 games in a season and when he has again it has been with very limited carries. So you are asking me to trust that these 2 guys can all of a sudden be something they have not been in their NFL careers?

You're right, they'll suck the fist four games.

Blount had 705 yards carrying, with a 4.3 avg. I think he'll be fine for the first few games, especially the home games. Lewis is a rising star who went down with an injury early. He's dangerous both in the run and the passing game. (You clearly didn't get to see much of him when he did play. The sky is the limit for the kid.)

 

[cdumler7]

You're right, they'll suck the fist four games.

Blount had 705 yards carrying, with a 4.3 avg. I think he'll be fine for the first few games, especially the home games. Lewis is a rising star who went down with an injury early. He's dangerous both in the run and the passing game. (You clearly didn't get to see much of him when he did play. The sky is the limit for the kid.)

See you keep jumping to this wild conclusion that just because I find some fault in the Patriots that I think they are a terrible team. I don't at all. I think they are one of the top-3 most talented teams in the league right now WITH Brady. Without Brady we will have to see how Garappolo does.

And as for the RB position Blount is one of the most inconsistent RB's in the entire league. I don't think that is a shocking statement. Look at his career and the inconsistencies in the number of carries, yards per carry, and so on. When he is on he is a tough RB in this league. The problem with him though is he is all over the board of what player you get even week to week.

As for Lewis he is definitely an explosive player but he is also very small for the position meaning he cannot handle large bulk carries without a higher risk of injury. He is more of a specialist than a starting RB. Now it is great to have those type of players because teams have to gameplan for them well and those type of players even with 10 touches can completely change the game. Still again this is why I don't trust the Patriots run game in I just don't know what we will get from it especially without the treat of Brady and the quick passing game.

With the Brady suspension can we agree that there are some things more up in the air than if he was going to be playing? For me at least I would say worst they would be after those 4 games with Brady would be 3-1. Without Brady I just don't know what they are when they are missing such a key piece to the puzzle that makes that offense go.

 

[NEPatsfan]

See you keep jumping to this wild conclusion that just because I find some fault in the Patriots that I think they are a terrible team. I don't at all. I think they are one of the top-3 most talented teams in the league right now WITH Brady. Without Brady we will have to see how Garappolo does.

And as for the RB position Blount is one of the most inconsistent RB's in the entire league. I don't think that is a shocking statement. Look at his career and the inconsistencies in the number of carries, yards per carry, and so on. When he is on he is a tough RB in this league. The problem with him though is he is all over the board of what player you get even week to week.

As for Lewis he is definitely an explosive player but he is also very small for the position meaning he cannot handle large bulk carries without a higher risk of injury. He is more of a specialist than a starting RB. Now it is great to have those type of players because teams have to gameplan for them well and those type of players even with 10 touches can completely change the game. Still again this is why I don't trust the Patriots run game in I just don't know what we will get from it especially without the treat of Brady and the quick passing game.

With the Brady suspension can we agree that there are some things more up in the air than if he was going to be playing? For me at least I would say worst they would be after those 4 games with Brady would be 3-1. Without Brady I just don't know what they are when they are missing such a key piece to the puzzle that makes that offense go.

Lewis was the starting RB 6 of the 7 games he played in last season prior to injury. He's the starter.

My point is you are making assumptions not based on the facts. Jimmy G. will be fine, simply because he won't be asked to carry much of the load, and he is facing 3 of the 4 opponents at home, and they aren't that great of opponents to begin with.

 

[cdumler7]

Lewis was the starting RB 6 of the 7 games he played in last season prior to injury. He's the starter.

My point is you are making assumptions not based on the facts. Jimmy G. will be fine, simply because he won't be asked to carry much of the load, and he is facing 3 of the 4 opponents at home, and they aren't that great of opponents to begin with.

Aren't you doing the same? I mean you keep saying Jimmy G will be fine based on what? Most of his time actually playing so far has been against prevent defenses and he didn't exactly light the league on fire when facing the easiest defense.

And you say that Dion Lewis is the starter which is fine but the most carries he has ever received in a game was 15 and that was week 1 of last year. Beyond that game he never had double digit carries so if that is your starting RB they don't view him much as an actual ball carrier. Heck I would almost call him more of a receiver before I would call him a RB as there were more games that they used him as a receiving threat than that of a running threat. So no right now I don't exactly believe in the Patriots running game. Last year they were not that great and after a while they didn't even try to pretend they had a threat of a running game and put the offense squarely on the shoulders of Brady. Now that worked most of the time but they did struggle some especially against better defenses which hey Houston and Arizona have top flight defenses and Buffalo is an above average defense. So yeah that is why I could see Jimmy G and the Patriots struggling a little.

 

[NEPatsfan]

Aren't you doing the same? I mean you keep saying Jimmy G will be fine based on what? Most of his time actually playing so far has been against prevent defenses and he didn't exactly light the league on fire when facing the easiest defense.

And you say that Dion Lewis is the starter which is fine but the most carries he has ever received in a game was 15 and that was week 1 of last year. Beyond that game he never had double digit carries so if that is your starting RB they don't view him much as an actual ball carrier. Heck I would almost call him more of a receiver before I would call him a RB as there were more games that they used him as a receiving threat than that of a running threat. So no right now I don't exactly believe in the Patriots running game. Last year they were not that great and after a while they didn't even try to pretend they had a threat of a running game and put the offense squarely on the shoulders of Brady. Now that worked most of the time but they did struggle some especially against better defenses which hey Houston and Arizona have top flight defenses and Buffalo is an above average defense. So yeah that is why I could see Jimmy G and the Patriots struggling a little.

You keep putting to much emphasis on the running game. The Pats are not a running team. Lewis will not need to run a lot, and will be used as a threat out of the backfield in the passing attack. He will get carries to keep it honest. Blount will come in to relieve him at times, and carry the rock late in games.

The pats have a two headed monster in the TE game, which is where the offense will focus this year, something that plays well to a newer QB.

It won't be the same as with Brady to be sure, but the drop off won't be as big due to the schedule. It will be somewhat minor. The primary difference likely being the overall final score. The Pats will likely win the three home games, but with a smaller differential, but wins nonetheless.

 

[cdumler7]

You keep putting to much emphasis on the running game. The Pats are not a running team. Lewis will not need to run a lot, and will be used as a threat out of the backfield in the passing attack. He will get carries to keep it honest. Blount will come in to relieve him at times, and carry the rock late in games.

The pats have a two headed monster in the TE game, which is where the offense will focus this year, something that plays well to a newer QB.

It won't be the same as with Brady to be sure, but the drop off won't be as big due to the schedule. It will be somewhat minor. The primary difference likely being the overall final score. The Pats will likely win the three home games, but with a smaller differential, but wins nonetheless.

I guess we will just have to see. The main thing I am having trouble balancing here though is you keep saying Jimmy G won't have as much on his shoulders but then keep telling me to not worry about the run game because the Pats are a passing team. So to me if the offense goes through the QB being successful in the passing game then yeah lots of pressure on Jimmy G to be big to start off his career for the Patriots to win. I see teams really getting up on the LOS and making those early windows tight and forcing him to either throw into a tight window or hold onto the ball a bit longer putting more pressure on the OL to hold up and Jimmy G not to have the big turnover.

 

[NEhomer]

I'm not callng the games but I don't see Jimmy winning the majority....we'll see. But hey dumler, our QB may or may not suck but we know yours does.