Sunday games open thread: the Patriots bye week edition

by MaPatsFan on Nov 1, 2009 12:40 PM EST Comment 72 comments

Ugghh, no Patriots football. Miami vs. NYJ will be the one to watch for me. A Miami win will drop the Jets to 4-4 while bringing the Phins up to 3-4. That seems ok to me. Go Phins? I need a shower...

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Jets-Dolphins

3-3 at the half, so as you might have guessed it’s been a defensive struggle. I would say both rookie quarterbacks – I take the liberty of calling Henne a rookie – are experiencing some serious growing pains with imprecise throws and shaky decision making. They appear to have reached the “now there is film on us!” plateau. So that is good for us.

Of interest is also the Jets running defense. Miami hasn’t been able to do much, whether it’s out of the wildcat or not. This is a surprise with the loss of Jenkins in the middle, but Pouha seems to be filling in adequately.

by hythlodaeus on Nov 1, 2009 2:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Final

Dolphins 30 – Jets 25

Things got really crazy in the second half. Both offenses opened up a bit, but the most important development was on specielt teams, where Ted Ginn returned two kickoffs for TDs. The Jets could win it in the end, but failed to score on fourth down.

So, losses for Jets and Bills. It can’t be much better from a Patriots perspective.

by hythlodaeus on Nov 1, 2009 4:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

insane game. it was scary for us at the end but I'll take any win no matter how ugly.

Don't question my fandominium.
"the notorious D.I.B."- samdaman

by dolphinsinbuffalo on Nov 1, 2009 4:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Jets are just giving games away lately

They should have beaten the Bills in that six-pick game, and they should have won today. They’re going to end up missing the playoffs, and they’ll be able to point to these two games as the reason why.

by RSNexile on Nov 1, 2009 7:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I accept Henne as a "rookie." It's his first year anyway.

Head Weatherman/ Injury Specialist of the Phinsider.

Bender: Who wants dolphin? Leela: Dolphin? But dolphins are intelligent. Bender: Not this one. He blew all his money on instant lottery tickets.

by Farorefox on Nov 2, 2009 9:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Basically the same as Cassel last year.

He’ll improve alot with experience.

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Nov 2, 2009 10:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I liked Cassel. (Sometimes I think you guys oughta have kept him).

Head Weatherman/ Injury Specialist of the Phinsider.

Bender: Who wants dolphin? Leela: Dolphin? But dolphins are intelligent. Bender: Not this one. He blew all his money on instant lottery tickets.

by Farorefox on Nov 2, 2009 11:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Money didn't make sense

He was printing his own cash last year. Brady’s still better, and you can’t pay a guy starter money to sit on the bench. I just wish he was already under contract for a couple more years, but whatever.

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Nov 2, 2009 11:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeaah, but I cringe at returning knee injuries on QBs, and you had a young one who was still getting it done.

I don’t think anyone really knows what Brady is yet either. If you guage him off the Jets game, he’s terrible (No QB’s had a good time against them) and if you judge him off Tenn/Tampa, he’s the greatest thing ever. I don’t know where he is coming from, yet.

Head Weatherman/ Injury Specialist of the Phinsider.

Bender: Who wants dolphin? Leela: Dolphin? But dolphins are intelligent. Bender: Not this one. He blew all his money on instant lottery tickets.

by Farorefox on Nov 2, 2009 11:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The physical stuff can heal, it's his knowledge that's most useful.

I think he’ll be fine. We’ll see how he does against JT and Porter this weekend. It should be a good test.

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Nov 2, 2009 12:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm most afraid of Brady's comeback ability. And the Dolphin's ability to give the comeback.

Head Weatherman/ Injury Specialist of the Phinsider.

Bender: Who wants dolphin? Leela: Dolphin? But dolphins are intelligent. Bender: Not this one. He blew all his money on instant lottery tickets.

by Farorefox on Nov 2, 2009 12:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

60 minutes, Baby, 60 minutes

Anything less is disrespectful.

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Nov 2, 2009 12:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I would agree that that's the odd part about the Fins' season so far

Not closing out the deal in the 4th quarter. Maybe as Patriots fans we’re sensitive to that, especially after losing the AFC Championship game in 2006 after being up 21-6 at the half. After that, the constant mantra for 2007 was “sixty minutes.”

Has the team admitted why they think that had been an issue in its earlier games?

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Nov 2, 2009 12:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not that I've heard.

But a lot of us are feeling that the playcalling by the OC is a big culprit. Like in the Saints game, the running game was working pretty well and we had a pretty good lead going into the half. Then in the second half, they decide to abandon the run and get into a QB shootout between Henne and Brees? It just made no sense whatsoever.

"Why don't you put that in a memo and entitle it 'Shit I Already Know'!" - Sarge from Red vs. Blue

I can't brain today, I have the dumb.

28 "Phinsider Feud" Points

by Chupathingy on Nov 2, 2009 12:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed, that was more than a bit of a head-scratcher

Abandon what works and try some other stuff.

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Nov 2, 2009 12:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It hurts. We could be up 2 games with Ws against the only two remaining teams.

Sometimes I question our drive to win? Has being bereft of a title since the 70s done something to our mindset? Revel in your 3 SBs my friend.

Head Weatherman/ Injury Specialist of the Phinsider.

Bender: Who wants dolphin? Leela: Dolphin? But dolphins are intelligent. Bender: Not this one. He blew all his money on instant lottery tickets.

by Farorefox on Nov 2, 2009 2:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Never look back, yesterday's done

Only looking forward, and hoping….

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Nov 2, 2009 2:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I like the way Pantera said it.

“Yesterday don’t mean shit, cuz tomorrow’s the day you have to face.”

"Why don't you put that in a memo and entitle it 'Shit I Already Know'!" - Sarge from Red vs. Blue

I can't brain today, I have the dumb.

28 "Phinsider Feud" Points

by Chupathingy on Nov 2, 2009 4:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He's not doing too badly

Brady is third in passing yardage (2,032), and the Pats are third behind Minnesota and New Orleans in scoring (198 points).

He’s coming from being out of the league for a year. Of course no one knows, but he says he’s feeling great and I personally think he’s only going to get better as the season moves along.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Nov 2, 2009 12:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Just our luck to catch him back on his A-game. Couldn't possibly squeak out a B.S. win like the Jets did.

Head Weatherman/ Injury Specialist of the Phinsider.

Bender: Who wants dolphin? Leela: Dolphin? But dolphins are intelligent. Bender: Not this one. He blew all his money on instant lottery tickets.

by Farorefox on Nov 2, 2009 12:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd rather that loss was to the Phins.

Losing to the Jets just leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Gotta go brush, or hurl, … something.

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Nov 2, 2009 12:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

or a mixture of both

Head Weatherman/ Injury Specialist of the Phinsider.

Bender: Who wants dolphin? Leela: Dolphin? But dolphins are intelligent. Bender: Not this one. He blew all his money on instant lottery tickets.

by Farorefox on Nov 2, 2009 2:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

pulling off both against the jets was good though

and being 3-0 in the division isn’t too shabby. Lots of games left to play still and no one’s clinched anything yet.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Nov 2, 2009 12:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

A whole lot of football left.

Jets hot early and fall off.
Phins get a late start and some close games.
Pats rusty in an on again – off again start.
Bills still looking for a foothold.

Jets have a bye week. A win would put us two games ahead of the Jets.
A loss puts us one game ahead with the Phins over the Jets on tie breakers.

It’s just starting to get good.

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Nov 2, 2009 12:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, this kind of thing makes

me love this division. It’s tough rivalries all the way around and usually it ends up a close call between 3 of the teams that comes down to the last week.

"Why don't you put that in a memo and entitle it 'Shit I Already Know'!" - Sarge from Red vs. Blue

I can't brain today, I have the dumb.

28 "Phinsider Feud" Points

by Chupathingy on Nov 2, 2009 2:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hell I just wanna see a good game. I'm tired of this damn roller-coaster week-in and week-out.

If you’re gonna beat us, just don’t let us get our hopes up.

Head Weatherman/ Injury Specialist of the Phinsider.

Bender: Who wants dolphin? Leela: Dolphin? But dolphins are intelligent. Bender: Not this one. He blew all his money on instant lottery tickets.

by Farorefox on Nov 2, 2009 2:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

the fins fans were callin’ em the jesticles

by sirpinochle on Nov 1, 2009 4:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I call them "that pile of shit"

Current Phinsider Feud Points: 23

Sparano: Joey Porter, What is best in life?

Porter: To crush The Jets, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of Mark Sanchez

by Patssuck456 on Nov 1, 2009 6:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

luckily we sweeped those Jets, I'm hoping you guys beat them next time you play them

Don't question my fandominium.
"the notorious D.I.B."- samdaman

by dolphinsinbuffalo on Nov 1, 2009 4:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Crazy stat line of the week

Maurice Jones-Drew: 5 rush for 172 yards, 2 TD.

by hythlodaeus on Nov 1, 2009 5:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

lol yeah and still probably a loss for them. Its too bad, I wanted to see the Titans go 0-16.

Don't question my fandominium.
"the notorious D.I.B."- samdaman

by dolphinsinbuffalo on Nov 1, 2009 6:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

But Vince Young seems to play well

15/18 for 125 yards, 1 TD and 0 Int.

Last week Alex Smith, this week Vince Young, next week ?

by hythlodaeus on Nov 1, 2009 6:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

With any luck, Brian Hoyer

It would be great to need Brady for no more than 35 minutes. :)

by RSNexile on Nov 1, 2009 7:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well once Vince throws an INT as a starter, then he will cry about it and suck again.

Don't question my fandominium.
"the notorious D.I.B."- samdaman

by dolphinsinbuffalo on Nov 1, 2009 7:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hopefully the bench splinters in his backside are fresh enough, he'll think twice.

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Nov 2, 2009 11:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, I hope he has a complete falling out when we play them.

Don't question my fandominium.
"the notorious D.I.B."- samdaman

by dolphinsinbuffalo on Nov 2, 2009 11:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well I'm predicting...

…Matt Leinart?

by The Hill on Nov 1, 2009 7:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

How about..

David Carr, coming in for an injured / poorly playing Eli Manning?

by hythlodaeus on Nov 2, 2009 5:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Chad Henne?

Head Weatherman/ Injury Specialist of the Phinsider.

Bender: Who wants dolphin? Leela: Dolphin? But dolphins are intelligent. Bender: Not this one. He blew all his money on instant lottery tickets.

by Farorefox on Nov 2, 2009 9:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Uh, I hope not

Perhaps he will fill the bill of “disappointing, former franchise quarterback” in a couple of years. Then we’ll see ;-)

by hythlodaeus on Nov 2, 2009 9:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe...

…they’ll think before running their mouths?

by The Hill on Nov 1, 2009 6:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

No, Rex is his Father's son

Current Phinsider Feud Points: 23

Sparano: Joey Porter, What is best in life?

Porter: To crush The Jets, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of Mark Sanchez

by Patssuck456 on Nov 1, 2009 6:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Are you saying the

the ~~little idiot~~ apple doesn’t fall far from the ~~big idiot~~ tree?

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Nov 2, 2009 12:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He's already talking about how the better team lost.

What a dork! You’ll get nowhere without respect.

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Nov 2, 2009 8:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I know, that was poor taste

He’ll get a pass though ‘cause "that’s just Rex Ryan."

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Nov 2, 2009 8:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Normally I just like to win and play well

but against the Ryan-led Jets I’m all for running up the score in a massive blowout to shut him up.

by hythlodaeus on Nov 2, 2009 9:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Amen, brother

If you can’t respect your opponent – especially after they beat you TWICE – you’ve got no place on the field.

In contrast, listen to Belichick this week. Just try to find one disparaging remark. Won’t happen. Respect.
You don’t realize how much you miss it ‘til it’s gone. They’ll play 60 minutes this week out of respect.

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Nov 2, 2009 11:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah but then we have to hear him

cry about how Tom Brady is a gimmick for offense and how his defense let you win

by kozam9707 on Nov 2, 2009 2:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He can move his lips all he wants, but who's listening? Just Jets fans.

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Nov 2, 2009 2:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And unfortunetly

anyone with the NFL channel, the seem to like his cocky behavior (even though it is humorous to see him blubber about how the loss wasn’t their fault)

by kozam9707 on Nov 2, 2009 2:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I feel sorry for Bills fans

That’s the most underachieving team I’ve ever seen, and I have to think it’s all on the coaches, the QBs, and the O-line (though they at least have the excuses of inexperience and injuries).

Jairus Byrd, though, is just phenomenal. Seven picks in four games? He’s their MVP on both defense and offense.

by RSNexile on Nov 1, 2009 6:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

If only...

…the offense could do something with the turnovers!

by The Hill on Nov 1, 2009 7:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i picked all the games correctly

except the cardinals game.

its funny to think of all the teams prematurely crowned this season and have ended up struggling- jets, ravens, giants

and the pats getting better and better and going to peak at the right time this season

by sirpinochle on Nov 1, 2009 9:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

obviously the next 5 games will say a lot

but right now i think it is either the pats or the colts in the afc… and we are improving every week and the colts could turn out to be a paper tiger with the weak schedule they have had.
our secondary is getting better and better- brees and manning will tell us if this confidence is misplaced-
GO PATS

by sirpinochle on Nov 2, 2009 3:26 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

The fins will be rooting for you

if they are undefeated if you play them ;)

by kozam9707 on Nov 2, 2009 2:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

For the honor of the East.

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Nov 2, 2009 2:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Isn't the Jets winning the division

one of the signs of the apocalypse?

"Why don't you put that in a memo and entitle it 'Shit I Already Know'!" - Sarge from Red vs. Blue

I can't brain today, I have the dumb.

28 "Phinsider Feud" Points

by Chupathingy on Nov 2, 2009 3:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Definitely the end of the world as we know it.

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Nov 2, 2009 3:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow.

I just re-read sirpinochle’s comment above and realized that I completely mis-read that whole thing. And that my comment above makes no sense in the context of the whole thing.

LOL

"Why don't you put that in a memo and entitle it 'Shit I Already Know'!" - Sarge from Red vs. Blue

I can't brain today, I have the dumb.

28 "Phinsider Feud" Points

by Chupathingy on Nov 2, 2009 4:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I must say

Being a dolphins fans, there’s always a hatred to the AFC East rivals, but the with the pats, I just have to respect what they ave done and hope that the ’fins can acquire a success similar to theirs sooner than later.

Also, the respectfulness and classiness of the people on this forum far, far outshine the (pardon my language) fucking douchebag behavior over at GGN. Honestly, Ryan has seemingly turned them all into fucking asshole, classless crybabies who look for excuses rather than accept that they got outplayed and actually lost.

P.S. Brady is my fantasy QB

P.S. again, No QB scares me as much as him when it comes to gametime

by kozam9707 on Nov 2, 2009 2:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

It really wasn't all that long ago

when the Pats could not win in Miami. The Fins record of two seasons ago was an aberration and I don’t know of any Pats fan that is chalking this Sunday’s game up in the win column already. The only thing that can be counted on is a hard-fought game.

After some of the matches you’ve had so far this season though, I’m surprised an automatic warning doesn’t flash on every TV screen in Miami before each game warning cardiac patients to avoid that channel.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Nov 2, 2009 3:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah no kidding!

Some of these games have been a little rough on the ol’ ticker.

"Why don't you put that in a memo and entitle it 'Shit I Already Know'!" - Sarge from Red vs. Blue

I can't brain today, I have the dumb.

28 "Phinsider Feud" Points

by Chupathingy on Nov 2, 2009 4:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Apparently you guys

are the only ones who don’t think the wildcat is just a gimmick and that we should be steamrolled every game (then again I think the wildcat has left a lasting impression on pats fans, lol)

by kozam9707 on Nov 2, 2009 4:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Then I saw Wildcat, and I'm a believer, not a trace, of doubt in my mind.

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Nov 2, 2009 6:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Are there rules saying you have to have the QB on the field?

If there aren’t, I don’t know why you’d leave him hanging out there. Run Ronnie Brown as your Wildcat guy and load the offence with WRs or TEs or whatever. Otherwise your rather expensive QB is hanging out there looking like a pretty big target as a fake-WR.

Token foreign guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.

by Comedic.Sans on Nov 2, 2009 8:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

In that offense, the RB is the QB

There HAVE to be 7 men on the line.
The outside 2 men are eligible receivers (regardless of jersey numbers).
Anyone lined up behind the line of scrimmage may receive the snap, pass, or run the ball.
One man may be in motion (at a time).
The offense may shift, but has to be set again after the shift.

No special rules that I know of.

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Nov 2, 2009 9:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That's what I thought

so I always thought it a little strange to have the QB hanging off to the side where he’s probably not going to be blocking or receiving (unless he’s Favre, who apparently loves to blindside cornerbacks when they aren’t looking – classy, dude).

Unless the point is to have the QB on the field because he’s got the headset, but even then, the Wildcat runs like an option play. Not to worry, if they have Henne out there as a receiver he’s probably one less guy they have to cover.

Token foreign guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.

by Comedic.Sans on Nov 2, 2009 9:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

We actually have a wildcat heavy formation

where instead of having the QB as a WR decoy, we throw in an extra TE

by kozam9707 on Nov 2, 2009 9:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ah, there I go

That makes a lot more sense to me than hanging a QB out there to get rolled over. If he’s there to block, may as well throw out a TE. If he’s receiving, why not use an actual WR?

I suppose the proviso on that is if he’s a Vick/White-type who can potentially run as a receiver and get the necessary yardage. I haven’t seen it from White yet, though.

Token foreign guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.

by Comedic.Sans on Nov 3, 2009 1:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Allegedly, he's got some speed. Perhaps he could return Punts like Ginn returns K-offs.

Head Weatherman/ Injury Specialist of the Phinsider.

Bender: Who wants dolphin? Leela: Dolphin? But dolphins are intelligent. Bender: Not this one. He blew all his money on instant lottery tickets.

by Farorefox on Nov 3, 2009 8:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well also its so we dont

have to keep running him on and off the field, he can just trot over to the WR spot and kinda stand there.

Also we can use him in a trick wildcat play, for example in our game against the Texans last year, Ronnie did a hand off to Ricky as if it would be a standard sweep play, but Pennington came into motion as well, Ricky handed it off as a reverse to Pennington who then just lobbed it down field to a WIDE open Patrick Cobbs for a 50 something yard TD

by kozam9707 on Nov 3, 2009 9:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs