Bean said:
Just because you don't agree with it; doesnt mean its unobjective or ridiculous drivel.
True enough!
Bean said:
I personally think the Pats game is the biggest chance of an upset of all 4 games this weekend. (as in the Pats winning). I give them that because of Belichik and Brady. But my "ridiculous drivel" is more 'reactive' arguments to all the "the Pats are back OMG!" that I keep hearing from wishy-washy Patriot bandwagoneers. (not just here mind you, and not saying you ARE one either).
True enough! But I thought that was you a number of posts ago, who was predicting a 3 touchdown victory by the Bronco’s? I by the way, have done no such thing. I’m pulling for the Patriots, I can think they can win, although from this weekend on, they’re going to have to play their best football each game or they will be done.
Bean said:
When the FACTS are:
Of all the teams that New England BEAT in the regular season; their combined record is: 64 – 96
While I don’t argue that point, it’s not telling the whole story, and is misleading here because of two factors: 1, the Pats were not healthy and fielding consistent personnel for 2/3’s of their regular season, and 2, the Pats are a team, who’s core players have a demonstrated history of playing better and winning post season games.
Bean said:
That INCLUDES:
-A 23-20 win BARELY beating an 11-5 Pittsburgh team with a wounded Big Ben.
Game 3 of the regular season, wherein the Patriots ALREADY had 5 of their 10 defensive secondary personnel out for the season on IR or were regular members on the weekly injury report, and during which both Matt Light and Rodney Harrison left the game fairly early on, and subsequently went out for season on IR, let’s also add.
Bean said:
-A great 28-0 win against a very inconsistent 11-5 Tampa Bay team (they showed us that again and again all year; and their grand finale' being their loss to the Redskins)
True enough. However, Tampa won their way into the playoffs, and as such is a playoff caliber team. And the win was not just a win, it was a shut out, wherein the Pats controlled all phases of the game.
Bean said:
And finally in the postseason a 28-3 win with 2 near fumble recoveries for touchdowns by the opposing team, their tremendous homefield advantage in the freezing cold against a team used to warm weather (florida), and against a QB playing with a BROKEN limb (ankle I'm pretty sure) who hadnt played in 7 weeks.
Again, true enough, but to tell the full story, you have to give the Jags D some credit for being an especially strong and physical football team for creating those near fumbles. I don’t think for example, that anyone would say that Peyton Manning is a so-so QB because he has been intercepted several times in recent years during post season play against the Patriots. You have to give the Patriots D some credit for having created both the pressure and deception on those plays.
Bean said:
How much objective material do you want?
This has been your most objective post on this subject, although you still have presented the factual information from a biased position of not quite telling the WHOLE truth, giving what I feel is a more balanced account of games and events.. That’s fine, you’re not a Patriots fan. But as you’ve posted your assertions about the Patriots this season, I’ve also felt compelled, as a Patriots fan, to present what I feel is a more complete picture.
Bean said:
I grant you, that they are BETTER than they were; they are doing much better. But they still lack a running game; their secondary, while settled in, has yet to test itself against a GOOD offense.
I wouldn’t say they lack a running game. But clearly Corey Dillon, as I’ve discussed earlier, has for one reason or another, not had anywhere near the production this year compared with last year. And that undeniably, is a deficiency compared to last year’s results. Kevin Faulk has, I believe, brought enough to the table to be able to make up for some of that, but no question I’d rather have Dillon in there as well gaining 100+ yards a game. I don’t think anyone can argue with the problems the Pats had earlier with their secondary, or your assessment of them being more “settled in”. But, as you know, even having a “patchwork” secondary last season, they were able to stuff the Colts in the post season AFC game.
Bean said:
A good team must have one of two things to win BIG games:
A) An offense that can play however they need to play to win(look at the Patriots of years past and ESPECIALLY of the Colts offense this year). If you can pass and run well; then you're QUITE deadly-especially if your QB can read defenses. (reading a run protection defense, calling a fake handoff, and then 20 yard passes to the slot or the TE will KILL ANY team)
And I would argue that Tom Brady does that as well as anyone this year, in fact his total production of yards passing, in spite of inconsistent personnel this year, has exceeded Peyton Mannings. And in spite of their overall POOR production against the Broncos in the first game this year, Brady & the Patriots damn near mounted a comeback in the 2nd half! 3 incomplete passes in a row to end a drive that could have tied that game.
Bean said:
B) If missing (A) then you must have a terrific defense against both the passing and running attack. Special teams are quite important if missing (A) too.
And the Patriots have demonstrated at least recently, that they can do this against at least some playoff caliber teams. I agree it remains to be seen what they can now do against the very best teams, which is why the teams have to actually play the games And why it’s so much fun to follow the games this time of year!
Bean said:
This assumes GOOD teams already have at least one dimension of offense (running or passing attack). You can't win games on defense alone in BIG games. At the very least you need to put some offensive points on the board.
Which is why I believe the Bears will lose this weekend to the Panthers, who right now might be the most balanced team in the league, although they struggle with consistency.
Bean said:
I am done with my ridiculous drivel and I will end this with a friendly: "Let's see how the Broncos game turns out".
Let the games begin!
