New England Patriots Links 11/10/09 - Coming Soon: The War of 18, 12
by Marima on Nov 10, 2009 9:51 AM EST
in News
26 comments
Dan Guttenplan evaluates the potential areas of concern leading up to the pats' toughest stretch of the season.
Watching a Patriots game this season has become similar to the morning commute to work. You have a good idea how it’s going to play out before it starts, and you’re really just hoping to avoid any accidents on the way there.
The Patriots completed the predictable portion of their schedule yesterday. After struggling with Miami’s Wildcat offense for about 40 minutes (when the Pats only led 17-16), the Patriots countered with a 71-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady to Randy Moss. A two-point conversion from Brady to Moss made it 24-17. The Patriots defense then switched to a 4-4-3, crowding the line of scrimmage to slow down the Wildcat. The final score — Patriots 27, Dolphins 17 — was just an afterthought on an afternoon when New England fans never really had a feeling their team would lose.
Ian Rapoport focuses on the admirable play of Sebastian Vollmer.
What happens when Matt Light returns?
"We’ll deal with the situation when he comes back," coach Bill Belichick told the Herald. "I don’t know when that’s going to be. Both guys have shown they can play that position very competitively, and we’ll deal with it when it’s an option. The last couple weeks, it hasn’t been an option."
Christopher Price offers some players thoughts on preparing for Peyton.
Outside linebacker Adalius Thomas says that one of the best ways to prepare to face Manning is to engage in a little self-scouting.
"I think that he knows so much and he’s such a student of the game and he studies so much that any little thing or clue that you give him, he’ll pick up on," Thomas said. "So you have to be very mindful of what you’re doing and showing beforehand. You have to study yourself like Peyton would study you a little bit in order to understand what it is he sees and what you might be giving away."
"You can show him 13 players on the field," Thomas said with a laugh, "but other than that, I don’t think you can give him anything new."
TEAM TALK
- Erik Scalavino dissects the Moss TD and 2-point conversion, plus Monday news and notes from Gillette Stadium.
- Bill Belichick Monday Presser (23 min. video) Plus Transcript.
- WEEI Patriots Monday: Tom Brady (23:40 min.), Chris Baker (10:25 min.), Vince Wilfork (15:38 min.), Ty Warren (14:10 min.), Bill Belichick (34 min.)
- Patriots Today: Pats hit midpoint with big division win over Fins. (12:15 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Gerry Callahan reminds us that we're lucky: We get to see the two best quarterbacks, head-to-head, under pressure, in their primes. And you just know they will meet again in January, which is the way it should be. Manning vs. Brady, twice a season.
- Albert Breer points out that in the Patriots offense, the "primary receiver" doesn't exist.
- Ian Rapoport notes the friendship and similarities between Brady and Manning.
- Dan Duggan looks at how Brady and Manning have fared in their previous 10 head-to-head matchups, including three playoff games.
- Eric Wilbur notes a win over the Colts would be sweeter than a victory over the Saints.
- Tony Massarotti feels the ultimate question this week is whether the Pats can contain Manning enough to pull out a win on the road.
- Shalise Manza Young focuses on hard-hitting safety Brandon McGowan.
- Mike Reiss notes TE Stuffer Brandon McGowan's tough assignment this week is Dallas Clark.
- Steve Buckley says the biggest game is always the next game for Bill Belichick.
- Mike Reiss looks at and analyzes the snaps played by Patriots defenders, the snaps played by offensive skill position players and the Patriots' positional groupings in the team's 27-17 win over the Dolphins.
- Christopher Price offers highlights from WEEI's Patriots Monday interviews: Tom Brady, Vince Wilfork, Ty Warren, Bill Belichick.
- Steve DeOssie presents the Patriots' Week 9 Report Card.
- Ron Borges grades the Patriots in his Week 9 Report Card.
- Mark Farinella lists his Miami-Pats Hots and Nots and game notes. He also points out the Wildcat vs. the Pistol formations and how the Sports Hub host ranting about it got it wrong.
- Monique Walker reports the Patriots are waiting on center Dan Koppen's status.
- Boston Herald Patriots Notebook: Shawn Springs is wary of Peyton Manning; Leigh Bodden says this is one reason he signed with the Patriots, to be a part of stellar competition like this; Dan Koppen was walking around without a limp; and Sammy Morris made his first locker room appearance since he was injured.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Tedy Bruschi (ESPNBoston) Five observations from Sunday's win over the Fins: Once responsibilities were defined, Patriots handled everything Miami threw at them.
- Mike Reiss (ESPNBoston) History shows Colts-Patriots will be worth watching.
- Dan Shaughnessy (SI) Patriots-Colts has become the Ali-Frazier of NFL rivalries.
- Charles Robinson (Yahoo! Sports) Are the Patriots as good as their record? (4:18 min. video)
- Tiki Barber & Jason Cole (Yahoo! Sports) Saints or Colts finish undefeated? (4.46 min. video)
- Judy Battista (NY Times) Patriots find answer to Dolphins offensive tricks.
- Nolan Nawrocki (Pro Football Weekly) "Bill"ding a winner. The rebuilding styles of Parcells, Belichick and Polian.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Keep an eye on the AFC wild-card race.
- KC Joyner (ESPN) Pat's short pass attack key versus Colts. (50 second video)
- Michael Lombardi (NFL.com) Separation among top contenders starting to crystallize.
- Michael Lombardi (Nat'l Football Post) Sunday Best. The Wildcat is dying a slow death (10 plays, 7 yards against the Patriots.)
- Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Week 9 Checkdown: Defining each division race.
- NFL.com Week 9 Can't Miss Play: Davis gets Mossed. (40 second video clip.)
VIEW FROM INDIANAPOLIS
- Indianapolis Star Manning vs. Brady: Who has the edge?
- Phil B. Wilson (Indy Star) Colts-Pats Matchup: Sunday preview and analysis.
- Mike Chappell (Indy Star) Colts, Patriots love their epic showdowns.
- Indianapolis Star Colts vs. Patriots: A classic NFL rivalry.
- Tom Spalding (Indy Star) High-flying Indianapolis Colts get their own airplane to match.
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18, 12 - very, very nice
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 10, 2009 9:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Stole it from the Herald, but it was too good to pass up
Keep the faith!
by Marima on Nov 10, 2009 10:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
colts run game
looks very anemic some analysts were saying (matt williamson i think). i think their biggest strength against us will be their ability to give peyton a good amount of time to throw and peyton’s ability to make the best of a collapsing pocket.
I think this game comes down to how improved our secondary is, and stopping the big plays. If we can hold the colts to 20 points or less like has been done last too games, things are looking good for us.
"These players, a lot of other people didn't believe in them, but they believe in themselves. And that is all that matters."- Bill Belichick
by Mainiac on Nov 10, 2009 10:12 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
we simply HAVE to shut down Dallas Clark. He has been an assassin this year. I worry about him a lot more that Reggie Wayne (but yeah, I worry about him too).
by mmmmm on Nov 10, 2009 5:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I didn't realize the NFL instituted the rouge, among other things
The Patriots completed the predictable portion of their schedule yesterday. After struggling with Miami’s Wildcat offense for about 40 minutes (when the Pats only led 17-16), the Patriots countered with a 71-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady to Randy Moss. A two-point conversion from Brady to Moss made it 24-17.
So the Pats were up 17-16, scored a TD and a two-point conversion, and suddenly were up 24-17, leaving me with two questions:
1) When did the Dolphins get the rouge to take them from 16 points to 17?
2) Why was the Pats’ two-point conversion only worth one point? Because I have to tell you, I was at the game and while the officials weren’t perfect, they didn’t seem like complete morons.
Ok, so everyone gets a little sloppy here or there. I’m just shocked this wasn’t written by Shaughnessy or Borges.
by RSNexile on Nov 10, 2009 10:14 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
He mixed it up
The Patriots were down 16-17 after that TD pass by Ronnie Brown with 4:51 left in the 3rd quarter.
The Patriots then took a 24-17 lead, 1:36 min. later, with the Randy Moss TD from Tom Brady, plus the 2-point conversion.
A bit sloppy is right. Here is the gamebook scoring summary.
Keep the faith!
by Marima on Nov 10, 2009 10:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Anyone watch the Steelers and the Broncs last night?
Looks like someone woke up the sleeping bear. Steelers look legit again, all of a sudden.
As Mr. Sloan always says, there is no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in pie. And there's an "I" in meat pie. Anagram of meat is team... I don't know what he's talking about. --Shaun of the Dead
by JohnHannahRules on Nov 10, 2009 10:55 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
yes... didn't look like much of a game in the 2nd half
Pittsburgh looked like it was on a mission, and the Broncos were more than willing to comply.
Keep the faith!
by Marima on Nov 10, 2009 10:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Cin vs Pit
will be an awesome game
"These players, a lot of other people didn't believe in them, but they believe in themselves. And that is all that matters."- Bill Belichick
by Mainiac on Nov 10, 2009 11:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I picked that game to be Ravens vs Broncos Part II
With a better defense.
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 10, 2009 12:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Why did the Colts ever leave the AFC East?
Sad, sad day…
by The Hill on Nov 10, 2009 11:42 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Elitist snobs, that's why.
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 10, 2009 12:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nah -- Indy is definitely a "South" team in a Southern state.
Don’t let them fool you for a second. More in common with Kentucky than Illinois or Ohio.
It made some sense to have them in the East when they were in Baltimore…
As Mr. Sloan always says, there is no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in pie. And there's an "I" in meat pie. Anagram of meat is team... I don't know what he's talking about. --Shaun of the Dead
by JohnHannahRules on Nov 10, 2009 1:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, it's southern now with "Aw shucks!" as the QB. I'll give you that.
I remember one T-shirt that said, “Hoosier Mama” Which is funny because if you say it, it sounds like “Whose ’ur Mama?”. Could be no one knows.
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 10, 2009 2:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe that's where T.J.'s mother lives
Keep the faith!
by Marima on Nov 10, 2009 3:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
New O-Line when Light gets back...
…
Vollmer-Mankins-Koppen-Kazcur-Light
That would be so solid.
by The Hill on Nov 10, 2009 11:43 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
You really think Neal is the weak link?
Don’t forget, too, that Koppen is hurt and we may be looking at Dan Connolly for a bit.
As Mr. Sloan always says, there is no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in pie. And there's an "I" in meat pie. Anagram of meat is team... I don't know what he's talking about. --Shaun of the Dead
by JohnHannahRules on Nov 10, 2009 1:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well...
…from a point of looking down the line, Neal is definitely the oldest and definitely the most not-awesome one on the line. He’s very passable and he does his job, but I feel that he’s not the best for the job, if it came to all of those players fighting for the line.
by The Hill on Nov 10, 2009 7:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What's Neal's contract status?
He’s older and has had injury issues. He might not be the weak link, but he could be the most expendible if the urge is to keep Light and make sure Vollmer gets on the field, too.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Nov 10, 2009 4:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
ok thats the dolphins not the colts the patroits are going to have to play hard ball to beat the 8-0 colts…….but there is no way tom brady who makes 65 million with his good for him and peyton manning who makes 100 million……i just cant wait to see this game i hope the best team WINS THE INDY COLTS
by colts_Fan843 on Nov 10, 2009 3:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
The best team (The Patriots) will win the Indy Colts?
Hey, that’s better than free agency! I think Manning would be a pretty fair backup QB. There’s got to be some other guys we could use. Suggestions anyone?
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 10, 2009 3:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Dwight Freeney would be okay, too.
And I suppose I could tolerate Reggie Wayne as a third receiver and Dallas Clark in the TE rotation. That Manning guy can play fullback, he’s pretty big.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Nov 10, 2009 4:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Our secondary...
…would be unreal. In fact, I’d say all offensive and defensive starters would have been at a Pro Bowl at some point in time.
by The Hill on Nov 10, 2009 7:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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