One Final Attempt to Screw the Patriots

[cdumler7]

The Broncos are really amping up the smack talk today...

Aqib Talib said "Gronk is the best Tight End I have ever seen play the game."

Wade Phillips called Brady a "Competitor"

 

[CreepCreep2014]

Every QB complains, they want the call. Big fucking deal. Brady is just more emotional about it. Rivers is the worse, then Brady. Plus, they are right sometimes, but what are you going to do....let's just play the game!

 

[ohiopatsfan]

While the Pats may have a slight advantage in the passing game, the Broncos are definitely superior in the running game. If the weather in Denver dictates a strong running attack rather than passing on virtually every down, the Pats could really be hurting. I don't know how much Steven Jackson has left in the tank. His brief appearances in the last two games were, at best, mediocre, albeit he didn't carry the ball that much. Bolden will not run very much and White is strictly a receiver. I believe there is still one roster spot still open (Mayo moved to IR) and there is always the possibility of activating Montee Ball. Ball has the advantage of having played quite a few games in Denver. Should be a good game, regardless of who wins. As for the choice of Hochuli as the lead ref, I don't see any bias and also didn't find any Denver connection. He did have that one blown call that gifted a game to Denver that San Diego should have won, but I don't believe that was intentional.

 

[CreepCreep2014]

While the Pats may have a slight advantage in the passing game, the Broncos are definitely superior in the running game. If the weather in Denver dictates a strong running attack rather than passing on virtually every down, the Pats could really be hurting. I don't know how much Steven Jackson has left in the tank. His brief appearances in the last two games were, at best, mediocre, albeit he didn't carry the ball that much. Bolden will not run very much and White is strictly a receiver. I believe there is still one roster spot still open (Mayo moved to IR) and there is always the possibility of activating Montee Ball. Ball has the advantage of having played quite a few games in Denver. Should be a good game, regardless of who wins. As for the choice of Hochuli as the lead ref, I don't see any bias and also didn't find any Denver connection. He did have that one blown call that gifted a game to Denver that San Diego should have won, but I don't believe that was intentional.

Could not agree more!! Have to stop the run, or it is going to be a long game. Have to make Manning beat you with his arm, and I never thought I would say those words..NE just can't run, they just can't right now. Short passes will be key.

 

[BigKen]

The weather forecast for tomorrow is a high of 47 and scattered showers.

It's going to be a decent day for football unless the scattered showers become full rain.

Too bad the Patriots aren't playing in Carolina. The field was covered with almost 2 inches of solid ice last night, the temps are in the low 30's and it's a blizzard. Perfect Brady weather.

The Patriots flew out yesterday morning just in case this massive snowstorm changed course. Probably will help a bit to get acclimated to the altitude and the time change.

 

[richig07]

Lol... Getting the excuses ready ahead of time. Not a bad strategy.

I don't know if Ed will throw a flag any time a Pats player "farts on the field", as you put it. However, I do know, that every single time a call doesn't go in favor of the Pats. There will be a lot of crying about it.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Lol... Getting the excuses ready ahead of time. Not a bad strategy.

I don't know if Ed will throw a flag any time a Pats player "farts on the field", as you put it. However, I do know, that every single time a call doesn't go in favor of the Pats. There will be a lot of crying about it.

It will be a long day. Hocule loves pulling his crew together to discuss if it was or wasn't an infraction. Plus that gives Blandino time to weigh in.

 

[bunchofpixels]

I'm not sure what the fuss about tackling Gronk low is all about. It's just common sense. Yes, his long legs are going to make him injury prone. Hopefully the Patriots can take advantage of him while he lasts.

 

[ohiopatsfan]

I don't think any NFL player, except for a very small minority, intentionally sets out to permanently injure another player. I do remember that one DB for Oakland (can't think of his name) who put Daryl Stingley in a wheelchair as being known for doing things like that, but he is a rarity in the sport. The only way to bring down a beast like Gronk is to hit him low, so that is going to continue. Injuries are unfortunately a part of the game. As for the game today, it will probably be the team who more often controls the line of scrimmage and makes the fewest mistakes that will most likely win. That should become obvious fairly early in the game. Although a blowout is always possible, I expect a close, hard fought game.

 

[Fencer]

The word "Final" in the thread title shouldn't really have been there. Whether or not this actually is an attempt to screw the Pats, there will be plenty more in the future.

Anyhow, there's been an officiating focus this season on "OPI committed by the Patriots". Other than that, however, I haven't as a Pats fan felt particularly victimized by refereeing bias.

 

[Rex Racer]

I'm not sure what the fuss about tackling Gronk low is all about. It's just common sense. Yes, his long legs are going to make him injury prone. Hopefully the Patriots can take advantage of him while he lasts.

I don't think anyone has a problem with tackling him low. It's the diving into his (or any other ball carrier) knees that is the problem.

I don't think any NFL player, except for a very small minority, intentionally sets out to permanently injure another player. I do remember that one DB for Oakland (can't think of his name) who put Daryl Stingley in a wheelchair as being known for doing things like that, but he is a rarity in the sport. The only way to bring down a beast like Gronk is to hit him low, so that is going to continue. Injuries are unfortunately a part of the game. As for the game today, it will probably be the team who more often controls the line of scrimmage and makes the fewest mistakes that will most likely win. That should become obvious fairly early in the game. Although a blowout is always possible, I expect a close, hard fought game.

You were thinking of Jack "the Assassin" Tatum.

Sadly I have to disagree with you on the very small number of defensive players that are trying to injure someone. I think there are far too many guys playing D that have eschewed good tackling form, instead lowering their heads and diving right into players hips and knees. I'm constantly amazed that these defensive players continue to take the chance that they will get their own bell rung badly by using their helmet as a battering ram, but way too many of them are doing it.

 

[redseat]

Wish Lewis was able to play today

 

[richig07]

It will be a long day. Hocule loves pulling his crew together to discuss if it was or wasn't an infraction. Plus that gives Blandino time to weigh in.

Yeah, don't you hate when refs take an extra second to get the call right?

 

[TP76]

Refs did a good job, non-factor as it should be... Belichick and the OL did not. I guess BB learned absolutely nothing from 4th and 2 against the Colts in the AFCCG.

We need OTs in the draft badly. Cannon and Vollmer were marginally better than a slight breeze in slowing down Denver's rush.

 

[mrwallace2ku]

I only can remember 1 bad call...some BS PF for a return team running out of brounds to long before coming back into play....thought that didn't belong in a Champ Game. Some baldy side judge decided he needed some sun time on that naked dome.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Yeah, don't you hate when refs take an extra second to get the call right?

If it was an occasional extra second with his crew not at all. Today was an abnormality. Only a couple huddles. Normally he's on tv more than the starting QB.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Only blatant bad call/no call I saw was the holding on Gronk by Talib.
But if the ref did not see it, it can't be called.

 

[cdumler7]

Only blatant bad call/no call I saw was the holding on Gronk by Talib.
But if the ref did not see it, it can't be called.

Yeah I thought they did a good job or at least of for the most part staying out of the way. They allowed some of the holding and hand checking to happen as it is the playoffs and to me you should allow just a bit more.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Yeah I thought they did a good job or at least of for the most part staying out of the way. They allowed some of the holding and hand checking to happen as it is the playoffs and to me you should allow just a bit more.

Yup, except I never heard of the "went out of bounds and did not come back in" call.

 

[cdumler7]

Yup, except I never heard of the "went out of bounds and did not come back in" call.

I've heard of it just never heard of it being a 15 yard personal foul type penalty.