New England Patriots Links 12/05/11 - Tom Brady: 'The Middle Part of the Game was Awesome'

by Marima on Dec 5, 2011 9:35 AM EST in New England Patriots Links

Andre Carter responds to a question about giving up points at the end of the game.

"We just know that in the end, as a team, we have the talent and we have the mentality, we just have to finish strong. It's something that we have to communicate as a group and as a team, and move on from there."

"I think in general it's a mindset. It's just knowing what you have to do and going out there trying to execute. Unfortunately, towards the end, final stretch of the game, Indy was just able to make big plays and that is something we have to eliminate."

Jerod Mayo talks about where they are at this point in the season, and how they ended the game.

"We always talk about how you have to play your best football after Thanksgiving. That's what we are trying to do. Unfortunately, during the fourth quarter today we didn't do that."

"It's kind of disappointing to be honest with you. Even though it's a win and it's hard to win games in the National Football League, at the same time, you want to finish so much stronger than that."

James Ihedigbo knows the defense can play better.

"Even though we won this game and we're sitting here at 9-3, there is a lot that we have to work on. We know that and we're going to continue to gear up and get better. We can do some things but we have to get better to be able to do that."

TEAM TALK

Game Notes: Patriots vs. Colts. Team and player milestones reached, records set, and trends continued.
Erik Scalavino analyzes the Patriots win over the Colts, saying the team will take the win, but they're not thrilled with it.
Post Game Pressers: Bill Belichick (3.24 min. video), Tom Brady (2.20 mi. video) and Wes Welker (3.40 min. video)
Post Game Interviews: Nick McDonald (1.52 min.), Nate Solder (1.08 min.) and Rob Gronkowski (1.29 min.)
Post Game Quotes: Patriots and Colts.
Locker Room Uncut - Patriots react after topping Indy. ( 3.35 min. video)
Patriots Today - Patriots improve to 9-3. (3.12 min. video)
Patriots Postgame Show - Adam Jones wraps up the Patriots 31-24 win over Indianapolis. BenJarvus Green-Ellis is his guest. (2 hour program)

LOCAL LINKS

Karen Guregian notes Bill Belichick was in full experiment mode yesterday, starting Matthew Slater, Niko Koutouvides and new pickup Nate Jones on defense. (Gamebook.pdf)
Tom E. Curran asserts the Patriots treated the Colts game like a preseason game, getting players real-time reps at spots they'd never played, and still won.
Jeff Howe says it's gotten to the point where the Patriots' lineup changes over the last month have literally had the players laughing about them.
Ian Rapoport reports the Patriots late fade tarnishes the win for the players.
Paul Kenyon recaps the Patriots win over the Colts, building a big lead and then holding on.
Mike Reiss declares the Patriots win was better than it looked.
Brandon Lawrence highlights Tom Brady's post-game presser: Brady was surprised that Gronk's 3rd TD pass was ruled a lateral, and thought 'the middle part of the game was awesome."
Bob Ryan says Belichick turned into that familiar uncomfortable coach at the podium, after his team turned a 31-3 lead into 31-24 in one quarter.
Mike Reiss gives us his rapid reaction after the Patriots 31-24 win over the Colts and tells us what it means.
Christopher Price tells us ten things we learned Sunday: Despite win, Patriots lack finishing touches.
Chris Gasper provides his take on the Patriots' 31-24 victory over the Colts Sunday at Gillette Stadium. (2.35 min. video)
Jeff Howe notes the Patriots are forced to show up for Monday meetings after their poor finish against the Colts.
Greg A. Bedard reports Rob Gronkowski is so much more than even his stellar numbers suggest.
Kirk Minihane says Rob Gronkowski is a sure thing on a team loaded with questions.
Karen Guregian writes how Rob Gronkowski thought he had broken the TD reception record for TEs before the refs changed it to a rushing TD instead.
Chris Forsberg reports Rob Gronkowski is fine with being tied for the most TD receptions by a TE , and thinks getting his first rushing TD was "cool".
Chad Finn focuses on the performance of new starting center Nick McDonald, who drew praise from his teammates.
Michael Vega looks at the effectiveness of the Patriots offense when Brady operates the no-huddle.
Ron Borges sees a Patriots secondary so scary, even the Colts were able to torch them.
Mark Farinella details the moments that the defense displayed that could sustain them against a more talented opponent.
Chris Forsberg notes Jerod Mayo was 'disappointed' with the Indy win.
Monique Walker notes Matthew Slater played safety for the first time in his career and he finished with a forced fumble and seven tackles.
Chris Forsberg analyzes Niko Koutouvides' first start at middle linebacker (six tackles) and his impact.
Mike Petraglia looks at Matthew Slater following in Julian Edelman's footsteps as the Patriots get away with a win.
Chad Finn gives us the drive-by-drive details in yesterday's win.
Mike Reiss takes a look at snaps played by Patriots' skill-position players in the team's 31-24 win over the Colts and analyzes what it means.
Mike Reiss looks at the positional groupings utilized by the Patriots, highlighting the continued usage of multiple TE sets.
ESPN Boston Patriots Game Center.
WEEI highlights Boomer Esiason's guest appearance on the Dennis & Callahan show this morning. Pats on track to meet Packers in Super Bowl.
Ian Rapoport Patriots Notebook: Peyton Manning said he appreciated Pats fans being so nice to him before the game; Jerod Mayo caught his first NFL interception; Nick McDonald lived his dream yesterday, earning his first start in the league; Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis were held to just two assisted tackles and no sacks, thanks to Matt Light and Nate Solder.
Boston Globe Patriots Notebook: Wes Welker passed 100 yards for the second straight week and the seventh time this season; Peyton Manning enjoyed his positive reception from the fans - Adam Vinatieri didn't fare so well; Chad Ochocinco energized fans with his only catch of the game; Belichick's challenges have been successful on six of eight tries this season; Pat Chung (foot) was inactive for the fourth consecutive game; More notes from the game.
Mike Reiss gives us his 3 up and 3 down for the Patriots.
Kirk Minihane tells us what went right and what went wrong in Sunday's game.
Mary Paoletti offers her Best & Worst for the Patriots Sunday.
Mark Farinella lists his Hots and Nots following last night's win.

NATIONAL NEWS

NFL Game Center - Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots. Recap, stats, analysis and highlight videos.
James Walker (ESPN) Seven things we learned about the AFC East.
Kevin Fishbain (Pro Football Weekly) Patriots players of the week: Week 13.
Peter King (SI) MMQB: Rodgers, Tebow respond with the pressure on in Week 13.
Don Banks (SI) Snap Judgments: There's no stopping the Broncos' playoff train now; and more from Week 13.
Matt Bowen (Nat'l Football Post) NFP Sunday rewind.
Clark Judge (CBS Sports) Week 13 Judgements.
Eric Edholm (Pro Football Weekly) Shorts and shells: Week 13.
Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Week 13 Monday 10-pack.

VIEW FROM INDIANAPOLIS

Tom Rietmann (Colts.com) Colts' comeback falls short.
Phil Richards (Indy Star) Too little, too late: New QB leads 4th-quarter scoring drives.
Phillip B. Wilson (Indy Star) Colts suffer communication breakdown.
Mike Chappell (Indy Star) Orlovsky finds little solace in statistics.
Phillip B. Wilson (Indy Star) Gronkowski has a field day.

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Comments

Did anyone else love what they saw from Nate Jones?

The guy was all over the field yesterday. He made a great open field tackle (for either a loss or no gain) on a RB screen that could have easily gone for 15-20 yards, and he looked good in coverage from what I could see.

Slater didn’t look so great, and Koutouvides was abysmal in coverage. Chung and Spikes cannot get healthy soon enough.

by nbradley07 on Dec 5, 2011 9:39 AM EST reply actions

Jones is small but was effective

loved his energy – plus the fact that he’s barely had time to unpack his bags before starting. Slater was fine and his forced fumble led to a touchdown. I’m thinking with a pre-season mindset, that BB put a vanilla scheme out there, especially with such a lead in the fourth quarter. I’m not excusing how porous they were though – in fact allowing Orlovsky to look like Manning was nothing but inexcusable.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Dec 5, 2011 10:48 AM EST up reply actions

didn't Niko recover the on side kick?

So he at least is providing some value on ST

NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.

by mmmmm on Dec 5, 2011 2:21 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

I get it now --

Belichick treated this game just like a preseason game. Koutouvides, Slater and Jones starting on defense. Starting. Backup to the backup Nick McDonald starting at center. Starting. At center. It all makes sense now. BB was just toying with the Colts – Brady could have run the no-huddle all day long and put up 62 like the Saints did, but they put up just enough for the first-time starters on D to get some experience. Gotta digest this a bit more, but that’s my thoughts right now.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Dec 5, 2011 9:40 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

Agree wholeheartedly.

I saw that Curran article last night and it made my sleeping a bit easier, knowing that that’s what probably happened.

It matters not how strait the gate, nor charged with punishments the scroll:
I am the Master of my fate. I am the Captain of my soul.

by BigRussNovak on Dec 5, 2011 12:14 PM EST up reply actions

totally agree

Orlovsky is a journeyman, but he has enough NFL experience that by the 4th qtr even he is going to find holes in defense with a) so many noobies and b) no real disguised coverages at all.

It also didn’t help that the offense could not sustain possession in the 4th.

NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.

by mmmmm on Dec 5, 2011 2:15 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

and it's not like his receivers are bad

If you set up conditions so that Orlovsky can read and make a throw, then guys like Garçon are going to make plays. This is the NFL.

NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.

by mmmmm on Dec 5, 2011 2:18 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

Bad time

to insert players that will get no playing time in the post season. BB needs to get the REAL players more time to get on the same page before the post season starts. Big mistake taking good playing time from the players that need to gel together as one unit.

by PVS53 on Dec 5, 2011 5:51 PM EST up reply actions

But this was a good time to rest players that needed an extra week off

like Chung and Fletcher. And if there were more injuries to come, these guys could fill in better with some ‘real time’ experience.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Dec 5, 2011 8:22 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe so but

if the first string can not be effective at the 12th week of the season, more playing time is needed for better communication between the first unit. Not seeing much imporvement with the first unit. There will be time to rest when we secure a bye in the post season.

by PVS53 on Dec 6, 2011 4:08 PM EST up reply actions

I'm not sure I can even identify the 'first unit' anymore

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Dec 6, 2011 5:27 PM EST up reply actions

^ This

I think the “first unit” are the ones that I’ve moved from pencil to crayon on my depth chart. Wilfork is the only one that is still written in ink.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
Belichick is looking for a new name for his boat: VI Rings sounds pretty good.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Dec 6, 2011 5:31 PM EST up reply actions

Missed this game yesterday

It wasn’t on TV for me and I couldn’t sneak out to watch it. But I’m kind of glad now. I would have broken something in the 4th quarter – a TV or a fist or something. However, from the nice info Marima dug up, I see Bill was experimenting during the game. And as Marima points out – they could have lit them up like the Saints. But Bill is always thinking and preparing. What’s the point? To prove to the media that they can destroy a winless team? He used this game wisely. I like what he did. Not only did he give guys playing time, but he rested others late in the season. Very smart.

by iLikeStuff on Dec 5, 2011 10:28 AM EST reply actions

My son was at the game and said it was a lot of fun - up to the 4th quarter anyway

He said fans were getting antsy and out of their seats, but watching from the aisles and walkways to make sure the win stood before they left. Closer than it needed to be, and frustrating to watch in the end, but I agree with Mike Reiss that the game wasn’t as close as the score.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Dec 5, 2011 10:50 AM EST up reply actions

Perspective is greatly appreciated for this game

I’m not sure it explains the fourth quarter though, since he had the semi “preseason” lineup in to start the game, and for three quarters they only gave up the 3 points. Also, Brady and company were in for half or more of the fourth quarter, and did nothing. So, you take the W, but it is still a little unsettling to have a finish like this. No doubt, I can’t wait to see Chung, Spikes and Fletcher this week, or I fear we run the risk of them not being in sync for the stretch run.
Full disclosure, I also have the Pats D in fantasy, just picked them up and thought this would be a good spot for them, and so for me this collapse has extra bitterness because it may have cost me the week, and I need a win to make the playoffs. I hope this also left a bad taste in BB’s mouth and he gets us prepared for 60 minutes vs Washington.

by furiousd on Dec 5, 2011 2:50 PM EST up reply actions

Reality Check

The Pats played a 0-11 team. The Pats offense played good. The defense gave up almost 100 yard on the ground. The greatest concern I have is the yards given up through the air. The Pats defense let a third string QB throw for 353 yards. This is not a good number. The Pats can only win when the offense can move the ball and score a lot of points. The defense gives up massive yards to good and bad teams alike. The post season will bring teams with good defenses that can and will slow down the Pats scoring machine, but the defense will give up lots of yards and scores. Nothing has really changed from last year that will get the Pats future into the post season. One of the best offenses and THE worst defense will not get the Pats to the SB.

by PVS53 on Dec 5, 2011 3:33 PM EST reply actions

what bruschi said
-————-
Guys, there is a reason why the pass defense has struggled. No continuity in the secondary. Also, it’s why the pass rush has been great at times - Carter, Wilfork, Love, Anderson have been working together 13 weeks.
-——————

this is my main concern with all the personnel changes in the secondary
especially as playoffs get closer

lack of continuity create communication and working together problems
irregardless of the talent level.

by prioris on Dec 5, 2011 4:08 PM EST up reply actions

You MAY be right, but you may be wrong.

Green Bay is essentially in the same boat. We’re still 4 games from worrying about the playoffs, and a lot can change in four weeks.

Right now, we’re looking at Texans, Patriots, Ravens, Broncos, Steelers, and Bengals, BEFORE we ever see the Super Bowl.
None of those teams (us included) are set in stone.

I’m opting to wait and see rather than calling the team a failure at this point. Surprises happen.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Dec 5, 2011 5:50 PM EST up reply actions

Green Bay reminds me of

the O7" Pats, lots of offense but can be scored upon. I do not think the Packers will be in the SB. I think they will have an average game in the playoffs and get beat. Even if they do make it to the SB, a smothering defense will keep Rodgers in check. Remember what the Giants did. History may be repeated.

by PVS53 on Dec 5, 2011 5:58 PM EST up reply actions

They were almost smothered yesterday.

And as far as history repeating itself….

When we played the Giants at the end of 2007, the score was 38-35. Same as the Green Bay game, and both games the Giants faced #12 at QB.

I thought it a little strange.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Dec 5, 2011 6:10 PM EST up reply actions

their secondary is porous but the GB secondary has highest number of turn overs in league. having a heavyweight like woodson in the secondary really helps also.

by prioris on Dec 5, 2011 8:59 PM EST up reply actions

GB is making an effort to do something about it also. Patriots are still in disarray.
Hopefully the Patriots secondary that will be in playoff needs to play together in these
last four games.

Mccourty’s QB rating against was a perfect 158.3 in the game … YIKES
A decision on mccourty will have to be made also in next couple games.
mccourty is a liability at this point.

by prioris on Dec 5, 2011 9:02 PM EST up reply actions