Shots Heard 'Round The Web - Patriots Links 12/19/08

by Marima on Dec 19, 2008 12:02 PM EST in New England Patriots News

TEAM SHOTS

LOCAL SHOTS

Shalise Manza Young reports Cardinals riding Kurt Warner's rebirth, and notes Cassel plays tribute to his father with mental toughness.
Chris Gasper focuses on Matt Cassel's tough going, and how he gave the Patriots his all last week.
Chris Gasper says Cardinals might rest Anquan Boldin. I definitely think they should, for his own good of course.
Karen Guregian says Matt Cassel felt team's vibe last week, and beefed-up ball security is essential to victory Sunday.
Jim McBride makes his Weekly Pro Picks, opting for the Patriots over Cardinals in the snow.
Mike Reiss puts the Cardinals in Focus, reports Boldin might be held out of game, Patriots practiced outdoors, Matt Light sits out of practice, and notes the NFL's two top YAC-ers will be at Gillette - Welker and Boldin.
Projo.com offers its Patriots vs. Cardinals pregame analysis.

LONG SHOTS

Tim Graham (ESPN) Cassel continues to dazzle NFL insiders, Role reversal: Cassel winning, Leinart sitting.
Mike Sando (ESPN) Unlikely outcomes for Cassel and Leinart; MVP watch: Warner, Manning reconsidered; A Case for the Cardinals four receivers.
Peter King (SI) Week 16 Picks and Game Previews. Picks Pats over Cards 29-10.
Fox Sports Week 16 Expert Picks. Patriots across the board.
ESPN Sunday Countdown Week 16 Picks.

VIEW FROM ARIZONA

Kent Somers (Arizona Republic) Edge's role could increase at New England.
Mike Tulumello (East Valley Tribune) Tough challenge heading East; Looking ahead...Boldin, Arrington ailing.

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Comments

The Patriots have the largest difference in penalty yardage between them and their opponents

take from that what you will, but expect me to bring it up next time I see a “the league hates the Pats” comment

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/extra-points/2008/fo-mailbag-opponent-penalties

Shonn Greene for Heisman
Doak Walker award winner
144 yards per game
6.2 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA

by shake n bake on Dec 19, 2008 6:55 PM EST reply actions

Or...

maybe, just maybe, their a well coached, well disciplined team who doesn’t get penalized a whole lot. Yeah, I like that one better.

Blogger at SBNation's New England Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit

by MaPatsFan on Dec 19, 2008 9:07 PM EST up reply actions

Belichick always preaches that it’s the little things, the details, that can make all the difference in a game…field position, clock management, the 2-minute drill (unlike Jacksonville Thurs. night, where their final 11 seconds could have been used far more efficiently than it was), and no stupid penalties.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Dec 19, 2008 9:38 PM EST up reply actions

discipline is definately part of it

but their opponents have been penalized more than the average team with the same crews that flagged the Pats the least in the league.

Shonn Greene for Heisman
Doak Walker award winner
144 yards per game
6.2 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA

by shake n bake on Dec 19, 2008 11:05 PM EST up reply actions

so what does that tell you about our opponents?

They’re undisciplined. The NFC West is undisciplined, the rest of the AFC East is undisciplined…etc…

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Dec 20, 2008 11:29 AM EST up reply actions

not going to push this further

because I think it’s just the Pats being disciplined on their end and being lucky with their opponents penalties, but here’s the average penalties and yardage for their opponents. (The AFC East is probably the most disciplined division with zero teams in the top half and 3 of the bottom 4)

Raiders 103 784
Steelers 84 730
Niners 90 685
Rams 87 659
Chargers 85 656
Phins 73 624
Phins 73 624
Colts 83 599
Broncos 67 598
Chiefs 67 526
Bills 64 492
Seahawks 63 491
Jets 66 488
Jets 66 488

ave 76.5 603

That’s dead average in # of penalties (between 16th and 17th) and less than average penalty yards (between 19th and 20th)

Shonn Greene for Heisman
Doak Walker award winner
144 yards per game
6.2 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA

by shake n bake on Dec 20, 2008 1:22 PM EST up reply actions

my answer was a bit of a flip response,

but I will never buy into a conspiracy theory. Go on any fan site after or during a game, and everyone thinks their team is getting robbed.

Look at the Colts – Patriots game of the remaining undefeateds last year. The Patriots got called for 10 penalties for 146 yards, while the Colts committed 4 for 25. It was the battle of Good vs. Evil, remember??? St. Dungy up against that big bad bully Belichick. Don’t even try to suggest the league giving the Pats a break with the penalties. I’ll grant you certain refereeing crews having good games and lousy ones, but that happens every week with at least one team or another being on either side of it.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Dec 20, 2008 3:41 PM EST up reply actions