New England Patriots Links - 1/12/10 - Let the analysis begin
by MaPatsFan on Jan 12, 2010 8:56 AM EST
in New England Patriots News
Email
PrintAdalius Thomas figures he will not be a Patriot next season. He hasn’t had any indication about his future aside from the Patriots aside from the events of his season.
"Based on that," Thomas said. "I’ll let you figure that one out."
Thomas arrived here three years ago as a marquee free agent, and his tenure will likely end after a season lacking production and high in turmoil. Thomas was clearly upset when Bill Belichick made him inactive in Week 6. The rift between player and coach grew wider late in the season, when Thomas was sent home after arriving late one morning and then defiantly refused to apologize the next.
So today may have been Thomas’s final game.
"It could be," Thomas said. "I don’t know. It’s something I can't control. I wouldn't be surprised."
Julian Edelman said, ‘Tom Brady told us not to quit’
He caught the only two scores of the day for the Patriots from Tom Brady, a pair of touchdown passes as he filled in for the injured Wes Welker as the team’s slot receiver.
But he’ll also remember how the Patriots fell behind 24-0 after one quarter and never recovered in a 33-14 loss to the Ravens, drawing the curtains on their 2009 season.
As the Patriots headed to the locker room, Edelman, who caught six balls for 44 yards, said the message from Brady was clear through the game - don’t quit.
Afterward Edelman spoke about his day, falling behind 24-0 and what it was like to have Wes Welker on the field as honorary captain.
Boomer Esiason weighs in on Old, slow Pats need for change Here are some highlights from the Q&A and a link to the audio.
The only Patriots player who showed up on Sunday was the one who everyone was worried about: Julian Edelman. It looked like the rest of the team didn’t show up.
Well I agree with you. I couldn’t say it any better than that. It was like a bunch of impostors running around in Patriots uniforms. Tom Brady alluded to that after the game yesterday. The disappointment and dismay that Patriot fans are feeling this morning is just — they’re stunned. Most of us who cover the NFL were stunned. We know that the Ravens come with great intensity, we understand the whole Ray Lewis thing, but to not show up and to play the way they did, especially in the first quarter — it’s like they were sleepwalking — was a major disappointment. And I really can’t put my finger on it. I have no idea why they would put themselves in a situation like that.
- Christopher Price offers some highlights from Belichick's last appearance on The Big Show and Hoodie doesn’t sound in a rush to name an offensive coordinator
- Christopher Price: Patriots Put The Wraps On 2009 Season
- Patriots.com: Locker room uncut - Stunning end to the season
- Patriots.com: Bill Belichick Press Conference - 1/11/2010
- Patriots.com: Rout by Ravens ends 2009 season
- WEEI: Tom Brady on WEEI - 1/11/2010
- WEEI: Sammy Morris and Chris Baker on WEEI - 1/11/2010
- WEEI: Bill Belichick on WEEI - 1/11/2010
- Patriots.com: Erik Scalavino notes Patriots begin period of introspection
- sportingnews.com: Despite Gripes About Welker, Hindsight Not So Clear on Sitting Starters - Michael Tunison - The Sporting Blog - Sporting News
- Baltimoresun.com: The inside scoop and analysis on the team from The Baltimore Sun's Ravens columnist and Ravens beat writer
- ESPN: Brady's final thoughts: 'We'll be back'
- kansascity.com: It’s a happy reunion for Haley, Weis
- Mike Reiss: Wrap-up bits from Bill Belichick
- SI.com: NFL Playoffs, Super Bowl Schedule
- Dan Shaughnessy: Boston was title town with Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics; is it over?
41 comments
|
1 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
It's my birthday.
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 Jan 12, 2010 11:06 AM EST reply actions
You have got to be kidding!
24? Hell, I’m 40 and still ready to take on the world. Enjoy every minute of your life and never complain about being old—that’s my philosophy anyway. If you don’t like getting old, consider the alternative.
"If you know how to cheat, start now." - Earl Weaver
He's kidding, I'm 46 today.
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 Jan 12, 2010 11:47 AM EST up reply actions
Thanks guys! I feel like a kid again.
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 Jan 12, 2010 1:26 PM EST up reply actions
I am a kid!
Offensive Coordinator > Guard > Tackle > DE > OLB > RB > WR > CB
by Richard Hill on Jan 12, 2010 1:27 PM EST up reply actions
My wife's 46th was in November.
She robbed the cradle. ;-)
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 Jan 12, 2010 1:30 PM EST up reply actions
My wife...
is exactly 26 days older than me, so for the better part of July I tease her about being a “cradle robber.”
"If you know how to cheat, start now." - Earl Weaver
My wife absolutely HATES the time when she is a year older.
She is happier for my birthday than I am.
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 Jan 12, 2010 3:14 PM EST up reply actions
Haha I can see that
Although I’m sure you wouldn’t play that up at all though, would you?
Keep the faith!
Who me?
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 Jan 12, 2010 3:30 PM EST up reply actions
At 42, I started Tae Kwon Do for the second time (after a 14 year hiatus)
I feel better now than I did at 35. Eyesight is changing, hair is thinning (or maybe it just burrows in and pops out the ears – haven’t figured it out) and some of it is turning gray. Inside, I’m as immature as ever.
As you said, it beats the alternative of a dirt nap.
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 Jan 12, 2010 12:08 PM EST up reply actions
For almost the second time?
I’m getting two solid hours of Tae Kwon Do workouts for my birthday (still have to teach). I’m going to be sore on Thursday, but everyone else will be stronger too. They don’t do cakes for me anymore; when I see all that fire, I have a tendency to punch it. Makes a mess. ;-)
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 Jan 12, 2010 11:46 AM EST up reply actions
Happy Birthday!
Offensive Coordinator > Guard > Tackle > DE > OLB > RB > WR > CB
by Richard Hill on Jan 12, 2010 1:25 PM EST up reply actions
Exploding birthday cake? I like the image
Maybe you should’ve put all that fire underneath the offence a few days ago. Only Edelman seemed to get the memo.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Jan 12, 2010 4:58 PM EST up reply actions
I wish I could have.
I wasn’t as fired up myself once I saw Welker got hurt.
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 Jan 12, 2010 5:04 PM EST up reply actions
I wonder if he would be willing to learn the fire punch?
“Get out there and block or I’m going to set you on fire and punch you!” It might work.
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 Jan 12, 2010 5:14 PM EST up reply actions
happy birthday
the big 40..
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum!
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
Thanks, 46.
Which is closer to 50, but who (else) thinks about that?
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 Jan 12, 2010 5:35 PM EST up reply actions
Belichick on his approach to contributions from other coaches.
Assessing not just the mix of players, but also coaches. At the end of the press conference, Belichick was asked about the makeup of the coaching staff and if he gets enough push-back from some of the young coaches he’s helped groom. It’s important for every coach to get challenged, which Belichick acknowledged. "Romeo [Crennel] or Charlie [Weis], they wouldn’t really be afraid at times to say ‘What are you doing? Are you serious? Really seriously considering that?’ And then there is certainly another level of coach that at that time, or at this time, they wouldn’t say that to me. I understand that. I was like that. There was a point of time where I would never say [anything], whether it was to Ted Marchibroda or Red Miller. Then there was a point in time where I would, mostly with Bill [Parcells]. … We try to have an open communication, an open forum. Some things aren’t open, it’s ‘this is the way they’re going to be.’ I think that is something, as a head coach, you have to be conscious of. And I am."
Even Bill knows that the staff is missing the experienced, mature voices that are absolutely necessary to success, not just in football, but in any complex endeavor. Doctors and scientists don’t single-handedly cure diseases; lawyers and judges don’t craft brilliant arguments by themselves; football coaches don’t just magically cough up masterful game plans after hours of watching film along in a dank dungeon. A second (or third, or fourth) pair of experienced, discerning eyes is critical in creating ANY sort of successful work, be it a game plan or a scientific model.
Glad that BB realizes this. Hopefully, he brings in some mental crutches.
That's a good sign going forward.
Toadies aren’t the key to success.
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 Jan 12, 2010 1:09 PM EST up reply actions
It's a good thing our leaders know what's wrong...
…hopefully that will lead to fixes. We could be in a situation like Oakland or St. Louis where nothing will change.
Offensive Coordinator > Guard > Tackle > DE > OLB > RB > WR > CB
by Richard Hill on Jan 12, 2010 1:26 PM EST up reply actions
Al Davis: Problem? What problem? Just whine baby! I mean win. What was the question?
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 Jan 12, 2010 1:32 PM EST up reply actions
He's fast? Yes!
Offensive Coordinator > Guard > Tackle > DE > OLB > RB > WR > CB
by Richard Hill on Jan 12, 2010 1:33 PM EST up reply actions
I think it goes a long way to dispelling the myth that BB and TB did it all themselves.
Everyone has been so quick to blame these two – TB and BB – for not doing this, not doing that, not changing this, not adjusting that. The reality, though, is that these are two men, albeit in prominent positions, out of hundreds and hundreds who are charged with the success of the organization. No matter how talented they may be, there still needs to be a support structure for both players and coaches.
Think for example, about Brady’s ability to read defenses. We tend to think of this skill as something innate, something that Brady just “does,” because he’s so great. But the reality is that his “ability” to read defenses is the product of extremely hard work and study during the week. Much of this study, no doubt, is done in conjunction with the coaching staff.
Brady has always had a strong rapport with his offensive coaches, which no doubt contributed to the productivity of those in-weeks strategy sessions. The confluence of the brain power of Weis (or McDaniels), Brady and Belichick was near perfection. The three together were, so to speak, greater than the sum of their parts. Now, we replace Weis/McD with O’Brien, account for Brady’s injury, and factor in that Belichick is wearing a million and one different hoodies these days. We are left with a brain trust that is far less formidable, simply because each “member” of the trust isn’t benefiting as much as he used to from the association. Because in-week preparation is such a big part of his game, it is no wonder why Brady looked, at times, pedestrian.
Everyone is so quick to say that Brady is declining, or Belichick has lost touch, but I’m willing to bet that if an experienced OC is brought in, Brady will thrive again. Compare him to Manning, who has benefited from having the same OC his ENTIRE career. If Brady gets somebody he can really, truly work with and learn from, a real mental partner, he’ll be back on top in no time.
by nbradley07 on Jan 12, 2010 3:31 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Loved that line.
Belichick is wearing a million and one different hoodies these days.
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 Jan 12, 2010 3:48 PM EST up reply actions
what about the friggin' pom pom...
am i the only person who wanted to go there and cut it off!?!?! lol
I guess I missed 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 Jan 12, 2010 4:54 PM EST up reply actions
It's kind of hiding back there. I wonder if he even saw it.
Maybe it was a spying tribble.
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 Jan 12, 2010 5:02 PM EST up reply actions
Thanks
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 Jan 12, 2010 3:14 PM EST up reply actions
Esiason nailed it
I really think Boomer Esiason put his finger on the sore spot. Losing is disappointing but, hey, it’s been an up-and-down year and the Ravens are a really good team, so it wasn’t all that surprising. The frustrating part was the team never really showing up to play.
The defense started to play a bit after the first quarter. They had some three and outs and a turnover.
The offense never did. Drops by Edelman, Aiken, Morris, Watson, Faulk. Some of those were bad throws, but many were catchable balls.
Might as well have forfeited the game at the opening coin toss. “We don’t care, you can have it.” I some ways, it would have been less disappointing.
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 Jan 12, 2010 3:18 PM EST up reply actions
Playcalling wasn't just bad, it was actually demoralising to watch, too
There’s something… unholy… about watching screen-pass after screen-pass getting blown up in the backfield. Even if you throw 10 long bombs that all fall short, go long, or go out of bounds, well… at least you had a chance of a TD, a completion, yardage or whatever. But when you get blown away when throwing screens behind the line of scrimmage… ugh.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Jan 12, 2010 5:02 PM EST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Media requests: Please email patspulpit at gmail.com
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
