SB Nation Boston Editor's Pick

5 Observations on a boring Monday

by Brady's Revenge on Aug 30, 2010 6:21 AM EDT

1. If Patrick Chung continues to progress at the accelerated rate we are seeing, is there anyone out there still opposed to trading Mike Vrabel and Matt Cassel for a second round pick?

2. What have the Patriots done to prevent teams this year from running at the opposite side of where Wilfork lines up just as the Ravens did last year, especially with Warren now gone for the season?

3. You can all but guarantee Adalius Thomas would love a shot at Bill Belichick after the way he thought he was treated towards the end of his playing days in New England. Add another sub plot to the Jets and Pats rivalry.

4. As bad as the Pats defense looked against the Rams, so to can be said for the Jets and Dolphins offense throughout the preseason. I don’t care who both these teams brought in that have people thinking that they have surpassed the Patriots for the division, it all comes down to the inexperienced play of two young QB’s. And so far, that grade has been an “F” for Henne and Sanchez.

5. Oh where have you gone Logan Mankins a lonely Patriot Nation turns its eyes to you?

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Comments

I heard Marc Bertrand on 98.5

saying the Pats would be better off if they kept Vrabel. The guy was so negative (there are too many holes for the team to improve this season) and such a whiner that I bet he would have complained about the age of the defense had they kept Vrabel. No winning with him at all.

Anyway, we needed youth and legs on defense and got it. This year will be a coaching challenge to keep the rookie mistakes to a minimum while building their confidence as the season progresses. There were some glaring mistakes for sure, but there’s still time to teach and correct before the games count.

I was hoping the Pats never had to run into AD again. Maybe Rexy will be the one who really and truly appreciates him, lets him play where he wants to and gets him to actually make plays. I’m done with him.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Aug 30, 2010 8:47 AM EDT reply actions

i wished they had kept him

since bru and rodney retired before the 09 season and AT decided to be a a moron and be a cancer on this team…they def could have used his leadership

Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
I love my ZX-6r Kawasaki.
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life

by NinjaZX6R on Aug 30, 2010 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I think we all loved Vrabel no doubt, but I think of it like he was a parting gift.

I bleed gatorade and poop pigskins

by Yardpenalty.com on Sep 3, 2010 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions

AD would help that D, but they were going to be tough anyway

Sure it will hurt a bit more if he’s the one who sacks TB, but really if it’s Taylor or Scott it hurts almost as much to me.

Vrabel was a good player, but if he is what it took to get the pick it still makes sense. Pats were basically stuck because 99% of the league new they didn’t want to keep Cassel and they had significant $$ against him. So Vrabel was a tough piece to lose for sure but I’d rather give him up vs a draft pick in this scenario.

by JonnyNYC on Aug 30, 2010 11:14 AM EDT reply actions

Another observation - A Rule Change Polian doesn't like

So let me get this right, they add rules for Peyton and the Colts, and now Peyton and the Colts say they should change more rules for them?

“We never would have come back against the Patriots last year with this rule. But not just us think about how many teams come back in the last few minutes.” – roughly what Peyton said.

1. Gee Peyton if you didn’t fall behind by 21 points, you wouldn’t need every frigging second on the clock would you.
2. The rule change is for every team, so every team must adapt. Did you hear NE or Pittsburgh complain when they changed the contact rules for DBs? Suck it up.

by JonnyNYC on Aug 30, 2010 11:17 AM EDT reply actions

Dear lord, such whiners

They rely on that hurry-up offense to catch other teams with too many men on the field ALL THE TIME. Since the 2-minute drill isn’t affected, maybe 28 of the 32 teams don’t care and the Jags, Titans and Texans will LOVE IT.

For the record, I don’t like the change – just as I don’t like the re-enforcement of the pass interference rules in 2004. Polian had a hand in both of them, but didn’t realize the impact this umpire change would have on his team. Maybe he’s not so infallible after all? What could make a big difference is which teams get assigned the big and slow umps, and which teams are assigned guys that are quick and in shape. Just one more way for the refereeing to be inconsistent from game to game and week to week around the league.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Aug 30, 2010 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

I can agree with that

You don’t want the officials to be in the headlines of the game, you don’t want them hurt either but this rule is going to create a lot of buzz and conversation around the if the officials are slowing down the game.

In the NCAA’s the clock is stopped until the ball is reset on first downs, which I actually always liked for the NFL and actually seems like it could be a progression of the current complaint. It doesn’t solve Peyton’s direct issue of catching teams of sides, but it does prevent slow or chunky officials from slowing down the game on their own.

I would not like that at all – i was a fan of the refs and umps wearing helmets and gear. I mean if I was a 50 year old dude with 22 massive kids flying around me, I’d want more then a zerba t-shirt and yellow hanky.

by JonnyNYC on Aug 30, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions

hate the rule but its good for us when we play the colts

at least for the defense.

Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
I love my ZX-6r Kawasaki.
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life

by NinjaZX6R on Aug 30, 2010 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Polian

Would this not be a conflict of interest when Polian can sway rule changes for the betterment of his team without thinking of the NFL as a whole instead? I am sure Polian is working on a plan to have a rule in place so that the Colts will start at midfield next year!

by Brady's Revenge on Aug 30, 2010 12:56 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Mike Reiss commented on that too, the conflict of interest

plus, he’s a pushy bastard who needs to be removed from the committee pronto.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Aug 30, 2010 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Chung shows promise.

Vrabel had 2 sacks in 14 games with the Chiefs last year. He was and is washed up. Cassell was not and is not a quality NFL starter.

I had no problem with the deal then and have no problem with it now. BB has done exceptionally well with trades; free agent signings and draft picks, not so well. But he could be vindicated if the picks from the last two years show a lot this season.

Fire BB.

by BabeParilli on Aug 30, 2010 11:37 PM EDT reply actions