Well, if you didn't realize it a game or so ago....the Patriots are very beatable. They almost lost last night in Baltimore and you know every team is just dying to get a shot in on the Pats now that the 'blueprint' for beating them is out there. Still, it will take a team with the ability to execute that blueprint for 60 minutes to get the job done.
It's true that the 'Blueprint' is out on the Pats but you have to have the D front line like the Ravens and Eagles in order to execute it. Unfortunately for the Pats, the Steelers may have that D line as well, making their next game interesting.
In truth, the 'Blueprint' is a change in coaching strategy against the Pats; or what is more commonly known as a 'strategy' against regular teams, but I guess against super teams it’s a 'Blueprint'. Also, this may be a product of the team hitting a post playoff clinching ‘lull’ that a lot of teams have hit in the past and not a result of a ‘Blueprint’ being out on them.
Two things to remember:
1) If coach B makes an adjustment in the Pats strategy to counter this 'Blueprint' then the Pats are back to running up the score.
2) Its not uncommon for teams to hit a 'lull' in their season. What's not common is to construct brilliant comebacks and actually win tough games in a 'lull'. And many teams in the NFL would kill to have their QB throw for 260 with 2TD's and only one pick. That’s a great day for Eli or for 90% of the rest of the league. It's only a down game for Brady or Payton.
I think if given the scenario: team (A) needs one win to get in the playoffs, then team (A) would choose to play any team in the NFL before they would choose to play the Pats. That would be the criteria I would use to say that teams are dying to play them, as if they were an exposed easy victory to be had, like the lions have become.
Any team is beatable. But this team is very experienced and as calm and cool under pressure as any team can be; even in their 'lull' and even with a ‘Blueprint’ out on them.
P.S. Can we get a freakin NBA post? Blessed be the genius that is Cobra on the NBA, whether it be on this or the ‘other’ site.
First of all...the NBA post is coming this afternoon. I have to spread out the posts throughout the day, yo.
I think you make a very good point with #2. It's human nature to get bored or become 'lax' when you are dominating something/someone. That may be the case. Still, I think the Pats have some holes. Whether or not teams can exploit those holes is a whole different story.
grifter
said
i don't buy the 'blueprint' talk. three teams came close to beating the pats: the colts, eagles, and ravens. one other team made it interesting: the cowboys. the one thing they all have in common is that they weren't scared. the colts have seen them too many times, the cowboys are cocky as hell, the eagles had nothing to lose, and the ravens are full of pride. unfortunately for the colts and cowboys, they didn't face the same pats team that's been playing the past couple of weeks. the dirty little secret is that the defense, while good, isn't great. they're smart, but their age is starting to show. it's easy to play great D when you're up by 21 and you know the other team has to chuck the ball. in a close game, or heaven forbid, if they're behind and the other team can pound the ball, the pats might be in a little bit of trouble. that said, they're still undefeated. some players were visibly irked after the game, which is weird considering they won. so i'm wondering... even if they go 16-0, will that tired defense have the legs to stand up to another brutal running attack (jacksonville, anyone???)?
It's certainly making for a very intriguing end of the season. With the way the Pats are now, I could really envision the Colts and San Diego giving them a run for their money in the playoffs. Also, you are right on about the remark about their D getting tired, which makes me think that Dungy may end up looking like a genius for holding out all of his injured players until they were in top shape.
Jeremiah
said
Players were irked after the game even though they won. That team is never happy with it's play, which is a good thing.
The GM
said
I thought it was pretty humorous that New England kicked off from Baltimore's 35 at the end of the game.
Also, that last TD catch was quite debatable about it being a bobble or a catch. If it had been ruled a bobble, Gaffney is currently unemployed.
2008 Cubs Preview
It's true that the 'Blueprint' is out on the Pats but you have to have the D front line like the Ravens and Eagles in order to execute it. Unfortunately for the Pats, the Steelers may have that D line as well, making their next game interesting.
In truth, the 'Blueprint' is a change in coaching strategy against the Pats; or what is more commonly known as a 'strategy' against regular teams, but I guess against super teams it’s a 'Blueprint'. Also, this may be a product of the team hitting a post playoff clinching ‘lull’ that a lot of teams have hit in the past and not a result of a ‘Blueprint’ being out on them.
Two things to remember:
1) If coach B makes an adjustment in the Pats strategy to counter this 'Blueprint' then the Pats are back to running up the score.
2) Its not uncommon for teams to hit a 'lull' in their season. What's not common is to construct brilliant comebacks and actually win tough games in a 'lull'. And many teams in the NFL would kill to have their QB throw for 260 with 2TD's and only one pick. That’s a great day for Eli or for 90% of the rest of the league. It's only a down game for Brady or Payton.
I think if given the scenario: team (A) needs one win to get in the playoffs, then team (A) would choose to play any team in the NFL before they would choose to play the Pats. That would be the criteria I would use to say that teams are dying to play them, as if they were an exposed easy victory to be had, like the lions have become.
Any team is beatable. But this team is very experienced and as calm and cool under pressure as any team can be; even in their 'lull' and even with a ‘Blueprint’ out on them.
P.S. Can we get a freakin NBA post? Blessed be the genius that is Cobra on the NBA, whether it be on this or the ‘other’ site.
First of all...the NBA post is coming this afternoon. I have to spread out the posts throughout the day, yo.
I think you make a very good point with #2. It's human nature to get bored or become 'lax' when you are dominating something/someone. That may be the case. Still, I think the Pats have some holes. Whether or not teams can exploit those holes is a whole different story.
i don't buy the 'blueprint' talk. three teams came close to beating the pats: the colts, eagles, and ravens. one other team made it interesting: the cowboys. the one thing they all have in common is that they weren't scared. the colts have seen them too many times, the cowboys are cocky as hell, the eagles had nothing to lose, and the ravens are full of pride. unfortunately for the colts and cowboys, they didn't face the same pats team that's been playing the past couple of weeks. the dirty little secret is that the defense, while good, isn't great. they're smart, but their age is starting to show. it's easy to play great D when you're up by 21 and you know the other team has to chuck the ball. in a close game, or heaven forbid, if they're behind and the other team can pound the ball, the pats might be in a little bit of trouble. that said, they're still undefeated. some players were visibly irked after the game, which is weird considering they won. so i'm wondering... even if they go 16-0, will that tired defense have the legs to stand up to another brutal running attack (jacksonville, anyone???)?
It's certainly making for a very intriguing end of the season. With the way the Pats are now, I could really envision the Colts and San Diego giving them a run for their money in the playoffs. Also, you are right on about the remark about their D getting tired, which makes me think that Dungy may end up looking like a genius for holding out all of his injured players until they were in top shape.
Players were irked after the game even though they won. That team is never happy with it's play, which is a good thing.
I thought it was pretty humorous that New England kicked off from Baltimore's 35 at the end of the game.
Also, that last TD catch was quite debatable about it being a bobble or a catch. If it had been ruled a bobble, Gaffney is currently unemployed.