Pats can't mask excitement

Twelve months after finishing 11-5 but out of the playoffs, the Patriots saw the return of master-of-their-division hats and T-shirts to Fortress Foxboro yesterday.

[Planted West Coast Fan]

If the patriots continue to play as a team for 60 minutes, they will go all the way and WIN the super bowl!

[Fling Wing Phlyer]

Seems like the Patriots young defense is now starting to figure out how to win and the veteran offense is starting to believe in itself again. Perhaps Bill Belichick's chastizing of four top play makers for arriving late to a team meeting did more good than is seen in the media. Add to that the play and leadership of guys like Welker, Faulk, Banta-Cain, Springs, and Merriweather might be enough to propel them deep into the playoffs. I think that the Patriots and the Chargers might be the two most dangerous AFC teams in the playoffs right now.

[the good stuff]

are you kidding me all the way they beat up on shiiiitttttyyyyy teams lets see them beat the really good teams something they have yet to do i love the pat's but with them losing 90 percent of there defense it is going to show in the playoffs

[the good stuff]

they miss seymour and it shows we need someone to get after the quaterback

[Eddio]

where would they be without Wes Welker????

[The Truth 34]

3 reasons the Patriots will NOT win the Super Bowl:

1.They can not win on the road. 2-5 record.After this weekend it will be 2-6.

2.Ever since the NFL took away Belichick's collection of illegal videos he's not that good of a coach or "second half adjuster".

3.No pass rush,weak secondary,Maroney fumbles too much, and simply put they - don't have the talent to compete with San Diego,Indy,Minnesota,or Philly.

[Eddio]

where would they be without Wes Wwelker?????

[XandOgeek]

Eddio wrote:

where would they be without Wes Wwelker?????

Where would Wes Welker be without Randy Moss? You need to be tough to be a good slot receiver, and Welker certainly is that. But once you sort through all the traffic, the guys covering you aren't as good as those assigned to the outside receivers. Moss isn't as tough as Welker, but he has to be covered with a team's No. 1 corner, with safety help over the top.

[the good stuff]

they can score all the points they want but at the end of the day DEFENSE WINS CHAPIONSHIP'S AND THEY WERE EXPOSED BY INDY, JETS, SAINTS,

[Tony K]

The Truth 34 wrote:

3 reasons the Patriots will NOT win the Super Bowl:
1.They can not win on the road. 2-5 record.After this weekend it will be 2-6.
2.Ever since the NFL took away Belichick's collection of illegal videos he's not that good of a coach or "second half adjuster".
3.No pass rush,weak secondary,Maroney fumbles too much, and simply put they - don't have the talent to compete with San Diego,Indy,Minnesota,or Philly.

The road record does bother me, but the secondary being young and still inexperienced(although yesterday was a step in the right direction) worries me more against good teams like Indy and New Orleans.
I think Mulroney's playing minutes and days are numberedin NE after yesterday's fumble. You'll be seeing alot more of Morris, Faulk and Taylor.
Play selection must be better if they want to get even past the first round. Most plays are so predictable, I find myself yawning. They need to mix it up; also throw in some trick plays like a double reverse or a flea flicker.

[MDPatsfan]

The Truth 34 wrote:

3 reasons the Patriots will NOT win the Super Bowl:
1.They can not win on the road. 2-5 record.After this weekend it will be 2-6.
2.Ever since the NFL took away Belichick's collection of illegal videos he's not that good of a coach or "second half adjuster".
3.No pass rush,weak secondary,Maroney fumbles too much, and simply put they - don't have the talent to compete with San Diego,Indy,Minnesota,or Philly.

1. They will win on the road. They lost to Denver in OT (Mayo was out in that game). They lost to the Colts (probably had the 1st down, but couldn't challenge).
2. I can't believe you are bringing up the illegal video crap! The team went 18 and 0 without any videos! What an idiotic statement!
3. The team ranks 20th with sacks, 11th with interceptions. That's not too bad for a young defense that is now finding their identity. The secondary is their biggest weakness. But if the offense can put up the points, the Pats can win. Maroney's fumbles have been unfortunate this year. The one on Sunday was a touchdown. Watch the replay. The ball clearly broke the plane before it was fumbled. Maroney has only had 5 career fumbles since he entered the NFL. Unfortunately, a majority of them were this season. The Patriots don't have the talent? That is laughable! Stop lying to yourself. The Patriots are one of the most talented teams in the NFL. But hey, we don't have to argue about it. Let's just watch and see where they end up.

[TMD]

MDPatsfan wrote:

<quoted text>
1. They will win on the road. They lost to Denver in OT (Mayo was out in that game). They lost to the Colts (probably had the 1st down, but couldn't challenge).

I'm sorry. I didn't realize Mayo played offense. They lost that game to Denver 20-17. You can't beat anybody in today's NFL scoring 17 points. Well, except Buffalo...

Faulk did NOT make that first down. The play has been replayed about a million times in slo-mo. By the time Faulk had gained possession of that pass his foot, body, and the ball were on the inside of the 30. Sorry, no first down...

.

2. I can't believe you are bringing up the illegal video crap! The team went 18 and 0 without any videos! What an idiotic statement!

Correction - they went 18-1. Why do Pats fans always forget that last lost?

.

3. The team ranks 20th with sacks, 11th with interceptions. That's not too bad for a young defense that is now finding their identity. The secondary is their biggest weakness. But if the offense can put up the points, the Pats can win.

They rank 20th out of 32 teams in sacks and you think that's good? They have no pass rush. That, actually, makes the interception ranking quite impressive. And, btw, ANY team can win if they outscore the other team. That is the definition of "winning".

.

Maroney's fumbles have been unfortunate this year. The one on Sunday was a touchdown. Watch the replay. The ball clearly broke the plane before it was fumbled. Maroney has only had 5 career fumbles since he entered the NFL. Unfortunately, a majority of them were this season.

He did the same thing in the Indy game. Now, why is it that almost all of his fumbles occur on, or near, the goal line? Maybe he should start holding the ball with both hands in those situations. Hmmmm...

.

The Patriots don't have the talent? That is laughable! Stop lying to yourself. The Patriots are one of the most talented teams in the NFL. But hey, we don't have to argue about it. Let's just watch and see where they end up.

You're certainly right. We DON'T have to argue about it. I'm sure all the columnists and pundits are wrong when they say the Colts, Vikings, Chargers, Cowboys, Steelers, Saints, and Eagles are the most talented teams in the league. Nobody really mentions the Patriots since they started cutting and trading away all of their talent, and what was left, retired.

But, hey, don't let me rain on your parade. When your Pats go visiting in SD, you'll see what a talented team looks like, and find out, really quickly, how hard it is to win a game only scoring 17 points.

[Bewitched]

TMD wrote:

<quoted text>
I'm sorry. I didn't realize Mayo played offense. They lost that game to Denver 20-17. You can't beat anybody in today's NFL scoring 17 points. Well, except Buffalo...
Faulk did NOT make that first down. The play has been replayed about a million times in slo-mo. By the time Faulk had gained possession of that pass his foot, body, and the ball were on the inside of the 30. Sorry, no first down...
.
<quoted text>
Correction - they went 18-1. Why do Pats fans always forget that last lost?

.
<quoted text>
They rank 20th out of 32 teams in sacks and you think that's good? They have no pass rush. That, actually, makes the interception ranking quite impressive. And, btw, ANY team can win if they outscore the other team. That is the definition of "winning".
.
<quoted text>
He did the same thing in the Indy game. Now, why is it that almost all of his fumbles occur on, or near, the goal line? Maybe he should start holding the ball with both hands in those situations. Hmmmm...
.
<quoted text>
You're certainly right. We DON'T have to argue about it. I'm sure all the columnists and pundits are wrong when they say the Colts, Vikings, Chargers, Cowboys, Steelers, Saints, and Eagles are the most talented teams in the league. Nobody really mentions the Patriots since they started cutting and trading away all of their talent, and what was left, retired.
But, hey, don't let me rain on your parade. When your Pats go visiting in SD, you'll see what a talented team looks like, and find out, really quickly, how hard it is to win a game only scoring 17 points.

TMD - Ready to go Duck hunting Jan 1st? GO BUCKEYES!

[TMD]

Bewitched wrote:

<quoted text>
TMD - Ready to go Duck hunting Jan 1st? GO BUCKEYES!

Hey Sam!

Can't wait for the game to start. All the smack talk from the PAC10 crowd is really getting annoying. They'll find out really quickly just how good tOSU's defense is:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/bowls09/news/st...

Ohio State led the Big Ten in total defense, rushing defense and takeaways, ranking fifth, fifth and tied for fourth nationally in those categories, respectively. Ohio State also ranks fifth nationally in points allowed, 13th in third-down conversion percentage, 17th against the pass and fifth in first downs allowed. In addition, it leads the nation in first-down rushing defense and fewest runs of 10 or more yards allowed, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Anybody who thinks this will be a walkover for the Ducks is crazy!

[Bewitched]

Great article......didn't realize that it's been 13 years since tOSU had been out in Pasdena.

I was never worried about the defense. A lot is on T. Pryor whether he can make all the right decisions. I think he CAN do this.

lol My question to you is...... are the Ducks really going to be wearing feathers? How embarrassing, to get 'plucked' in front of the whole nation!

Got the brats, the kraut, and most importantly, the beer on standby for kickoff time tomorrow.......... "chears" to my fellow Buckeye Fan & Happy New Year!

[TMD]

Bewitched wrote:

Great article......didn't realize that it's been 13 years since tOSU had been out in Pasdena.
I was never worried about the defense. A lot is on T. Pryor whether he can make all the right decisions. I think he CAN do this.
lol My question to you is...... are the Ducks really going to be wearing feathers? How embarrassing, to get 'plucked' in front of the whole nation!
Got the brats, the kraut, and most importantly, the beer on standby for kickoff time tomorrow.......... "chears" to my fellow Buckeye Fan & Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

[TMD]

Bewitched wrote:

Great article......didn't realize that it's been 13 years since tOSU had been out in Pasdena.
I was never worried about the defense. A lot is on T. Pryor whether he can make all the right decisions. I think he CAN do this.
lol My question to you is...... are the Ducks really going to be wearing feathers? How embarrassing, to get 'plucked' in front of the whole nation!
Got the brats, the kraut, and most importantly, the beer on standby for kickoff time tomorrow.......... "chears" to my fellow Buckeye Fan & Happy New Year!

...BUCKEYES WIN 26-17!!!

[Football Fan 92]

The Pats need to finish strong. The SB is not set in stone people. Don't count anyone just yet. Go Pats!

[Bewitched]

TMD wrote:

<quoted text>
...BUCKEYES WIN 26-17!!!

I bet you're luvin' you some Ballard right about now! lol

[TMD]

Bewitched wrote:

<quoted text>
I bet you're luvin' you some Ballard right about now! lol

It's about time he earned his scholarship! That ball took FOREVER to come down!

Great game. The tOSU defense was, of course, the difference. Pryor finally had presentable passing stats. He may just develop as a passing QB yet. Now if we could just get him to put some zip on those passes...

The Big10, as a whole, is having a great bowl season. Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, all winners. Northwestern nearly pulled off the upset of Auburn. Keep your fingers crossed for Iowa and Michigan State!