PatsBlog: A Patriots Blog

Attending my first game of the season, I couldn’t have asked for a more dominating performance by the Patriots. Going in, I was expecting the margin of victory to be sizeable, but certainly no 45 points. Although the offense wasn’t its prettiest, it was very effective, running the ball with ease, and passing the ball with more precision than style. Defensively, the team excelled at all levels. Although Washington moved the ball in the start, the defense was able to calm down, make strong tackles and keep Washington’s offense from scoring (they scored against our second stringers).

Who’s Up

1. Mike Vrabel - Dominating performance from #50. He controlled the perimeter, and of course, applied constant pressure (forcing three fumbles on three sacks). Mike Vrabel is a top ten linebacker in this league, it’s about time he got noticed.

2. Matt Cassel - Nice touchdown run, nice deep pass to Gaffney on fourth down. Wait… Cassel threw the ball on fourth in the fourth, that wouldn’t be running up the score, would it? Of course not.

3. Laurence Maroney - Although he didn’t carry the ball much last week, he looked very effective on fourteen carries yesterday. He hit the hole hard, not doing much east-west before hand.

Who’s Down

1. The Obnoxious Two Fans Sitting Behind Me - This guy behind me kept repeating everything I said, like about Richard Seymour being back, alignments, Gutierrez on special teams, etc. Not to mention, they spilled beer all over my Rodney Harrison jersey (which I had taken off for my new Randy Moss one)

2. Tom Brady - What’s this? 29/38? That’s less than 80%! Only three touchdowns? That’s tied for his worst this year. I’d expect to see more from this “Franchise” quarterback. Dissapointing, flat out, dissapointing.

3. Redskins - Need I say more?

What They’re Talking About
They’re talking about a lot of things this week. Seymour is back, we’re still undefeated, Tom Brady chasing the record, etc. But the big story coming out is if the Patriots were running up the score. The answer is yes, they were. But does it matter? No. Football is a 60 minute game, so if they want to play it out, they can, there’s no rules against it. And we all know Belichick doesn’t care what his perception is, so why not get the backups going a little bit?

A Look Ahead

Next week will be the biggest test of the season, as the Patriots are going up against the Indianapolis Colts. Right now, the Patriots have a chip on their shoulder from last season, but the Colts do too. Why hasn’t anyone been talking about a team that hasn’t lost since 2006?

With everybody’s mind on the Colts game, many people are forgetting that we have a game today.  And the game today isn’t going to be a breeze either, as we are playing a strong Redskins team.  Although the fans may not be focused, I think the players are (thanks to Hoody) and I don’t think the upcoming Colts will be on their minds.

The Redskins are a very good team, and it will probably show today.  They have one of the most menacing defensive backfield in the league, with players such as Sean Taylor, LaRon Landry, Shawn Springs, Fred Smoot, and Carlos Rogers.  Their defensive line is led by Phillip Daniels and Andre Carter, two good ends.  The linebacking core is also good, led by rising second year man, Rocky McIntosh, as well as veterans such as London Fletcher.

Their offense is pretty good as well.  They have one of the top five offensive lines in the league, a group that includes Chris Samuels, Pete Kendall, Casey Rabach, Jason Fabini, and Todd Wade.  They’ve also got a terrific 1-2 punch at runningback, with Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts.  It doesn’t end there either, their receivers are great as well.  Led by Antwaan Randle El, Santana Moss, James Thrash, Brandon Lloyd, our boy Reche, and Keenan McCardell, they have the ability to strike quick.  At quarterback, they are led by a guy who will be a star in this league, as he has a combonation of speed, power, and arm strength.

When you look over thier roster, and you see how good they are, you have to question, are the Pats overlooking the Skins?

Players to Watch - Redskins

1. Jason Campbell, QB

2. Ladell Betts, RB

3. Sean Taylor, S

4. Rocky McIntosh, LB

5. Carlos Rogers, CB

Players to Watch - Patriots

1. Laurence Maroney, RB

2. Wes Welker, WR

3. James Sanders, S

4. Randall Gay, CB

5. Tom Brady, QB (Record Tracker - 27 TDS)

Keys to the Game - Patriots

1. Get the Run Game Going - the Redskins front seven doesn’t match the ability of its secondary, so I think to be successful on offense, the Patriots will really have to establish the run this game.

2. Stay Cool on Defense - The Redskins have the ability to get the ball rolling quickly on offense, but if the Patriots just stick to their assignments, they shouldn’t have to worry.

3. Srtike Early - If the Patriots can develop a nice early lead, we won’t have to worry too much.  The Redskins have a good offense, but it isn’t overly explosive, and we should look to exploit that.

Greg’s Prediction:

Patriots 34 Redskins 20 (probably will be more of a blowout, but you can’t count out the Redskins)

The big news this week was the sighting of Richard Seymour at practice for the first time since being eligible to come off of PUP.  In response, Bill Belichick released defensive lineman Santonio Thomas, who was on the team for depth.  That must mean that there is a chance that Seymour plays this week, or certainly next.  The Patriots could also potentially sign Chad Jackson to the roster, as he is likely ready to go.  Signing Jackson may give him a chance to showcase himself, and why he believes he should be held over Kelley Washington.

Six touchdowns. Six! Now of course, they were mostly the work of the receivers (Moss and Stallworth in particular), but wow, six. This team is so dominant that its… almost boring.

But seriously, I can’t write anything about it anymore. We can’t be stopped. It’s so amazing to watch, and as a fan, I am so spoiled.

I remember last year, before the Championship Game against the Colts, I wrote (quote) “Patriots fans should be appreciating this. As fans, we have been completely spoiled, and if the team loses tommorrow, it could be the end of the dynasty. I wish I had appreciated the last few years more.”

I guess I was wrong about the end of the dynasty thing, but about being spoiled, I’m not. Right now, Boston fans are so spoiled. We’ve got the Red Sox in the Series, the Celtics on the brink of contention, and the Patriots admist a dynasty, and possibly the greatest performance by a single sports team ever. Right now, if you turn on ESPN, you’ll see a story about Brady and Moss, the Red Sox comeback, or the Celtics’ preseason trials. It’s not very often a city has this kind of success.

So instead of doing a game recap of yesterdays 49-28 demolishing, I’m just going to try and send a message about what we’re experiencing. I will guarantee you right now, that the Patriots will never be this good again (except maybe next year). Appreciate it. Because three or four years down the road, Bruschi, Harrison, Seau, and Troy Brown, will all be retired, Brady will be on the tail end of his career, and the Patriots will be forced into rebuilding mode.

You are spoiled, I am spoiled, we all know that. But don’t let it get to you. Take a step back, and ask yourself, “has I team ever played like this, will I ever see it again?” The answer is no. So appreciate what we’ve got, because before you know it, it will be gone, and then, you will wish you had this team back.

Laurence Maroney is playing so all that speculation is pointless. I’m sure the Dolphins were thrilled to see him dressed today. Go Pats and good luck Sox…

         With Sammy Morris out possibly for a month and the AP reporting that Laurence Maroney is not rushing (no pun intended) back onto the playing field from his groin injury, who is left to carry the Patriots running game?  As we saw at the end of Sunday’s game against Dallas, Kevin Faulk will probably be the go-to guy.  After that?  The depth chart has full backs Heath Evans and Kyle Eckel.  Not even the practice squad provides any immediate relief.  Unless Belichick can come up with some kind of converted back it will most likely be Faulk on every down, which may not be the end of the world.  But teams can’t win on a premier passing game alone, can’t they?

      Perhaps it’s a good thing that we play Miami this week with our depleted ranks in the backfield.  One strategy we saw last week was the quick screen pass, a la 2001, to supplement the traditional running game.  When the Cowboys blitzed Brady the Pats countered with the screen pass, but it could also be used when we no longer have our full strength compliment of running backs.  This is the only answer short of a trade, or making someone like Vrabel into a back.  What would Miami do against Adalius Thomas rushing at them with the football?  It’ll be interesting to see how Belichick plays out the hand he has been dealt next week.

            I believe it still is a win-in-the-bag game but the situation at running back makes it slightly more interesting.  NBC’s Chris Collingsworth called this year’s Patriots the best offense he’s ever seen.  Imagine what it will be like once Maroney comes back?  And Sammy Morris to compliment him?  The Colts game is a couple weeks from now and I would like to see Maroney on the field by then so we can keep the opponent’s offense off the field, so I am okay with him not coming back too soon.  But I would like for him to come back and earn his paycheck sooner than later.

             The Pats have basically sewn up the AFC East so this game really doesn’t mean that much but it’ll be a good time for the team and team personnel down in South Beach before the following week against a quality opponent in the Washington Redskins.  The most interesting thing to watch this week is how the Pats cope without Maroney and Morris. Its time for Faulk to shine this week.

Interesting day. First off, the Boston Herald is reportaing that running back Sammy Morris will be out this week against the Dolphins with a chest injury, and could miss up to a month. I guess this leads to only one solution: sign Antowain Smith!

After week 6, players on PUP are allowed to return to practice. Although Richard Seymour and Troy Brown were among name that didn’t return, players like Chad and Eddie Jackson did (who are coincidentally both coming off of torn ACLs. If Chad plays well, I would expect Kelley Washington to be released. If Chad plays poorly, I would expect Kelley Washington to be released, unless Belichick really wants to let go of a future star.

The Patriots hosted free agent running back Kevan Barlow at Gillette Stadium this morning. Barlow, has not been with an NFL team this season, but played with the Jets last year. I guess this means that Sammy Morris is hurt pretty badly, and Maroney isn’t ready to come back.

If we’re in the market for a running back, why not look to our past. I’m pretty sure Corey Dillon won’t come back, but how about Antowain Smith? He was released last season by the Texans, but had a very productive 2005 with the Saints. The good thing about signing Antowain (my favorite player of all time if you couldn’t guess) would be that he is a power runner (which could complement Maroney nicely if Sammy isn’t back), and he already knows the offense, so plugging him in would be much easier than plugging in a stranger like Kevan Barlow.

If the football gods can hear me, please make my year, and let the Patriots sign Antowain Smith!!!

Another dominating performance. This team just won’t let up. In my mind, there is no question this is the most talented team yet, but the question is, will they put it together in the end?

Who’s Up
1. Wes Welker - Obvious pick here. There is no question he is going to continue to be a threatening force in this offense. And, oh yeah, he’s decent on special teams too.

2. Donte Stallworth - This was his breakout game. Now, what are teams going to do? Randy Moss has been slowed down the last couple of weeks by intense coverage, by that coverage now has to loosen with Donte ripping it up. Doesn’t it?

3. Rodney Harrison - He started real slow last week, but looked like he was picking the pace back up this week. Good game.

Who’s Down

1. Sammy Morris - The hype extinguished almost as fast as Patrick Pass’. After a poor performance, Sammy went down, and it looked pretty serious too.

2. Nick Kaczur - did not look good in protection. Guys were flying by him

3. Dallas - Oh yeah, that sure was the game of the century. Bring on the Colts!

Team MVP’s
Offense: Wes Welker, WR. The nobrainer here. If 11 catches and two touchdowns didn’t convince you, just look at his return stats.

Defense: Junior Seau, LB. I’m officially on the Junior Seau bandwagon after 16 years of thinking he was overhyped. And no, it’s not because of the interceptions, its because of the energy. This guy has made such a difference to our defense, there’s no question why he’s a captain. I’ll make a deal, every week he gets an interception, a forced fumble or recovery, a sack, or 8 tackles, I’ll give him MVP.

What They’re Talking About

The talk this week is all about the wide receivers. Moss has been fantastic all year (except for the last two games because of tighter, double, even triple coverage), Welker has been great and consistent all year, and Donte Stallworth is now coming out. What does that mean? The best 1-2-3 receiver combo in the NFL, if not in NFL history. That’s what they’re talking about.

Look Ahead

What’s 0-6 and smells like a fish (great rhyme, don’t tell me), it’s the Dolphins. But we all know that no game against the Dolphins is a guarantee for the Patriots. Just ask every person in the world born before 2004.