Shots Heard 'Round The Web - Patriots Links 10/13/08

by Marima on Oct 13, 2008 9:48 AM EDT in New England Patriots News

On a good note folks, at least we figured out how to stop the Chargers from publicly trash-talking and bad-mouthing the Patriots after we play them.

LOCAL SHOTS

Jim Donaldson notes the Patriots' weaknesses were obvious to Norv Turner - take advantage of a young quarterback and a weak secondary. That's the new blueprint.
Chris Gasper states the Patriots fell flatter than a tortilla in last nights play-from-behind road game streak-breaker.
Karen Guregian feels this was more about Rivers' ability to throw it downfield and the Patriots having no answer.
Kevin O'Connor says that Rivers, and the Chargers, ran right through them. Witty, but painfully accurate.
Rich Garven bluntly reports that the Patriots offense was offensive, especially that goal-line stand.
Shalise Manza Young pinpoints the opening drive in the second half - when the Patriots couldn't score in four tries - as the game-breaker.
Mike Reiss gives us his Ups (yes, there were two) and Downs of Sunday's game, what the Chargers were saying, comments from Matt Cassel, reactions from Rodney Harrison, and Bill Belichick's post-game Q & A.
Ron Borges continues his theme that "with Tom Brady, it seems, went the Pats’ aura of near-invincibility." The Chargers went for the throat at the outset, our weak secondary.
Borges also gives us his Best and Worst of yesterday's debacle.

HOT SHOTS

Chris Gasper reports that Patriots owner Robert Kraft spoke with Tom Brady after his surgery. Kraft said yesterday that the surgery went well and that Brady is in good spirits and will return to Boston soon for rehabilitation.
Mike Reiss checks in with former Patriot LB Junior Seau, who had his 2007 AFC Championship ring presented to him personally by Robert Kraft.
Peter King has an interesting Bill Belichick vs. Paul Brown piece in his Monday Morning Quarterback, "The Way We Were" section.

LONG SHOTS

Tim Graham (ESPN) calls it what it was. "What a waste: Pats blow 1st and goal from the 1."
Bill Center (San Diego Union-Tribune) agrees that the Goal-line denial by defense was crucial to victory over Patriots.
Graham analyzes the game thusly - offense failed to show up, cornerbacks looked awful, O-line looked shaky, the injuries hurt, and the team fell apart. Any questions? Players say that the week away had nothing to do with the loss.
Peter King (SI) Quote of the week III: "He really has a great attitude. I'm not sure I could be as up as he is. In the end, please God, we hope to have him here for another 10 years.''
-- New England owner Robert Kraft on Sunday, in a news briefing with reporters about the knee surgery Tom Brady underwent last Monday. Brady is expected to return, healthy, for the start of training camp next July.

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Tell me now

our chances against Denver. I’m going to the game, and I’m pumped! I think we have a chance…I will always think we have a chance.

How do you think this week will go in Foxboro?

New England has the Best Fans in the Land!

by Pats Chick on Oct 13, 2008 11:44 AM EDT reply actions

Recent history is not inspiring, but every week is a new game

In the past few meetings, we’ve struggled quite a bit with the Broncos (especially at their stadium) even when Brady is under center. Every week is a new game though, and I’m hoping we have enough healthy guys and fire to take it to them in Foxborough. I think the last time we beat Denver was the “take the safety on the punt snap and then drive for the winning score” game a few years back? Someone correct me if I’m mistaken.

by jctsai12 on Oct 13, 2008 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions

difficult to say

The broncos have a bad defense, but in order to take advantage of that we will have to at least have a mediocre offense. Hopefully the Pats will use last weeks loss as fuel for the Denver game, and devise some schemes that will be successful.

Cutler will try to beat us long like Rivers did, and we will need to pressure him to stop it. They will probably be favored in this game, and we will have to improve from last week to win. It would be a huge victory if we can win this game but it will not be easy.

by Mainiac on Oct 13, 2008 1:08 PM EDT reply actions

nothing's going to be easy from here on out

The Chargers just provided every team we’ll be playing a free cheat-sheet to victory, although listening to Norv Turner, it wasn’t that hard to figure out. Go long, get an early lead, confuse Cassel, and win. Granted, Rivers is a top quarterback and has decent weapons at his disposal, but whether Denver will be allowed to copy San Diego’s plan for a gimme win is up to the Patriots.

I wasn’t expecting what happened Sunday. What bothered me wasn’t the loss, it was the roll-over-in-submission kind of loss. But there is most definitely hope, and I believe that the Pats can beat Denver. They’ll get back home, figure things out, work on their issues, and put on a better show next week. Maybe if we get some of our injured players back, that would certainly help things too.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Oct 13, 2008 2:27 PM EDT reply actions