Does anyone doubt we can beat the Patriots

[Bach]

I have doubts. Our pass defense is weak.

Still want to get another shot at them though.

 

[theebs]

absolutely a finesse team..their receivers hate contact and their OL doesnt push anybody around...defensively they have some good blitz packages, but they allow run lanes to open and play soft in the secondary

their offense has been the same for weeks...they have so much confidence in their passing game they dont fill the need to do much else, and I think its starting to catch up with them...they (entire team) got punched in the face last night

David

Well I strongly disagree. I wouldnt be suprised to see them come out in one of the next two weeks and pound the ball on someone just to put it on film before the playoffs.

WHen I think of their team, finesse is one of the last things that comes to mind.

 

[dbair1967]

Well I strongly disagree. I wouldnt be suprised to see them come out in one of the next two weeks and pound the ball on someone just to put it on film before the playoffs.

WHen I think of their team, finesse is one of the last things that comes to mind.

yeah, maybe they can run on the Jets



regardless, if the weather gets bad up there in January they are probably going to be limited in terms of their passing game...they would have a hard time beating Indy or Pittsburgh if their huge edge in the passing game becomes negated...same thing with Green Bay, though GB plays more physical on both sides of the ball when compared to New England

David

 

[theogt]

Beats me.

It's pretty obvious that we blitz MORE - much more - whether they have a higher success pct., I couldn't say for sure.

It should also be obvious, just from watching the games, that our blitzes are more effective. I'd expect them to improve next year as well.

 

[aikemirv]

THIS current Cowboy team will have been together for 18 games if we play them in SB(as opposed to just 6).

I believe we have a GREAT shot. If you pressure Brady and Moss they are taken out of their game. So far the problem is... opposing teams cant finish what they start against the Pats.

Feeley could have methodically drove down the field and ate up the clock and scored and won the game. He stopped taking what they gave him. He went for what was never there... AND LOST.

Romo wont do that.

I agree that Feeley should not have thrown it, but that was one of the stupidest play calls of the year by Reid. 2nd and 4 with 3:50 to go, I would have definitely run the ball twice and eaten a good 1:30 off the game clock and get it down to the 2 minute warning before going after the TD!

 

[superpunk]

It should also be obvious, just from watching the games, that our blitzes are more effective. I'd expect them to improve next year as well.

Perception is a funny thing. Every once in a while we really nail one and all of a sudden Bradie James is coming free. I don't think it's outside of the realm of possibility that is just "appears" more effective because we do it more.

Either way, the results are good. I was addressing the everyone rush and run into each other aspect that complaints never ceased about due to Zimmer, and that clearly continue today. Not on whether our blitzes are in general more effective this year than last.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I'm more with David. When you think of the Pats, you think of the big, strong, Parcells-style players on both sides of the ball and running the ball in bad weather. At least I do. But this year they throw so much, it's hard to not call them a finesse team.

IMO you've bought in to the hype a little bit, theebs. No team is equally great at everything. Their best players are certainly Moss, Welker, and especially Tom Brady, so they're going to be better throwing it. Any team would love them to try to prove that they can beat you with Maroney and Heath Evans just to make a point.

But last night more than anything, I think the message was that they aren't unbeatable. All these 30 point wins had fans and I'm sure even some opponents thinking they didn't have a chance. Last night showed that they do. And that's hugely important.

 

[theebs]

yeah, maybe they can run on the Jets



regardless, if the weather gets bad up there in January they are probably going to be limited in terms of their passing game...they would have a hard time beating Indy or Pittsburgh if their huge edge in the passing game becomes negated...same thing with Green Bay, though GB plays more physical on both sides of the ball when compared to New England

David

So you think if the game is close and the wind is blowing and the ball is frozen they can not put two tight ends on the field and pound the football and throw it short to the tight end?

I believe they can run on anyone. They lost morris and maroney is suffering from some minor injury for the millionth time.

I happen to think Tom Brady is one of the toughest players in the league and he is their quarterback and sets the tone.

I think their defense is old and slow, but I do not see any team in the league going to their place regardless of the weather and scoring on them at will.

Again, that is what is most impressive to me about them, they can play any style of football they want and they excel at all of them. If you think they are soft because they dont run the ball that is fine, dont be confused by that meaning they cant run the ball.

Nobody will beat them in Foxborough, I am pretty sure of that.

 

[dbair1967]

It should also be obvious, just from watching the games, that our blitzes are more effective. I'd expect them to improve next year as well.

good point

if you look at Wade's stops as DC, his teams defenses improved greatly from yr one to yr two...the guy is a great defensive mind...

with the youth our team has on defense, the sky's the limit for later this yr and into next yr...we may end up with a very good defense this yr if everyone stays healthy from here out, but next yr we could have a dominating defense

David

 

[Chief]

With Maroney back nearly to full strength, I think they'll become more balanced from here on out.

To me, they're like a comet that flashes brightly, then flames out. At least I hope.

Remember, this team has a lot of age on it, and older teams generally fade late in the year.

 

[theogt]

Perception is a funny thing. Every once in a while we really nail one and all of a sudden Bradie James is coming free. I don't think it's outside of the realm of possibility that is just "appears" more effective because we do it more.

Either way, the results are good. I was addressing the everyone rush and run into each other aspect that complaints never ceased about due to Zimmer, and that clearly continue today. Not on whether our blitzes are in general more effective this year than last.

Those complaints were a daily ritual with Zimmer around. This is the first I've seen of it since. Could be because it's less of a problem now.

Or maybe that's just my perception.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I have doubts. Our pass defense is weak.

Still want to get another shot at them though.

While I agree that is it suspect.... hopefully its getting better... we dont know because we are playing these weak teams with the lesser QB or NEW QB's.....

One thing we have learned about our team this year.... if the defense is giving up the points... the offense is coming in and answering...

Maybe thats how we have to view the Pats - Cowboys SB if it happens.... the Pats will get theirs.... AND WE CAN ANSWER... maybe we are looking at a high scoring SB... rare... but possible

41-38 - Folk Here wins it.... the 3 points finally swing out of favor of the Pats

 

[dbair1967]

So you think if the game is close and the wind is blowing and the ball is frozen they can not put two tight ends on the field and pound the football and throw it short to the tight end?

I believe they can run on anyone. They lost morris and maroney is suffering from some minor injury for the millionth time.

I happen to think Tom Brady is one of the toughest players in the league and he is their quarterback and sets the tone.

I think their defense is old and slow, but I do not see any team in the league going to their place regardless of the weather and scoring on them at will.

Again, that is what is most impressive to me about them, they can play any style of football they want and they excel at all of them. If you think they are soft because they dont run the ball that is fine, dont be confused by that meaning they cant run the ball.

Nobody will beat them in Foxborough, I am pretty sure of that.

well considering they probably should have lost last night to a team that really isnt that good, I'd say its definitely possible

David

 

[CaptainAmerica]

One thing that jumped out at me last night is Philly showed how important it is against the Pats to tackle well. The Eagles did a good job of playing physical and getting the guy on the ground all night.

 

[theebs]

I'm more with David. When you think of the Pats, you think of the big, strong, Parcells-style players on both sides of the ball and running the ball in bad weather. At least I do. But this year they throw so much, it's hard to not call them a finesse team.

IMO you've bought in to the hype a little bit, theebs. No team is equally great at everything. Their best players are certainly Moss, Welker, and especially Tom Brady, so they're going to be better throwing it. Any team would love them to try to prove that they can beat you with Maroney and Heath Evans just to make a point.

But last night more than anything, I think the message was that they aren't unbeatable. All these 30 point wins had fans and I'm sure even some opponents thinking they didn't have a chance. Last night showed that they do. And that's hugely important.

I thought they were unbeatable in august. I got a bunch of greif for saying that during the panthers-pats preseason game when I saw the pats just running the ball every play to get maroney work and scoring easily. It dawned on me then during that 3rd preseason game that they are about as versatile as a team as I have ever seen.

the oilers run and shoot was finesse, the falcons run n shoot was finesse etc...those teams had to throw the ball. This pats team can put thomas and brady on the field with evans at fullback and play smash mouth football. It just makes no sense for them to do it. They have every matchup advantage.

again, I didnt buy any hype, I have not needed to, I trust what my own eyes tell me. People are beginning to question them this morning because they won a game by a normal amount. How good do you have to be to create that environment.

again though, why would they want to put brady and thomas on the field with evans and maroney and pound the ball, they wont score enough. I fully believe that if they get say jax or pitt in the playoffs in the second round at home and the ball is slick and the field is wet/snowy they will pound the hell out of the football and the other defense. Other teams have to gameplan for the arial show so any week they decided to load up with two tight ends and run it with maroney they will be able to.

I think pittsburgh will give them a heck of a game in two weeks. I dont think they can cover long enough, score enough or play mistake free for 60 minutes though.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

But now we know the Panthers are horrible. I don't think the Pats could run it on us, for instance.

I'd love to see them play Jax in bad weather. The Jags are such a huge, physical team on both sides of the ball, and Garrard is such a good game manager, I really think they could give them all kinds of problems.

Anyway, I'll always believe that any coach -- especially Belichick -- would rather run the ball down your throat every play if they could. It's safer, simpler, and has less potential for turnovers and mistakes. It's also more demoralizing for the defense when they're getting pushed around. But Brady is phenomenal, so they throw it all the time. I'm not saying they *can't* run it, because they can... But they're now a much better throwing team.

And besides, forget the offense... A big point last night was that their D isn't that great.

 

[burmafrd]

Actually this year they have NOT shown the ability to play smash mouth. Untill they do I refuse to buy into all this hype like some here have. Brady can be rushed into making bad plays just LIKE ANY OTHER QB THAT HAS EVER PLAYED. Pressure- constant pressure- is the key there. Not necessarily blitzing, since the risks there are self evident.
As regards their D: their LBs are old and fairly slow except for Thomas. Their safeties are not all that, and Harrison has CLEARLY lost a step. They have very good corners and a fine line- but the holes are there.
And just remember this: their O only scored 24 pts last night- the other 7 came from Samuels.

 

[khiladi]

Everybody is talking like the Patriots and Cowboys are destined to meet in the Super Bowl... talk about getting ahead of yourself... there is a lot of football to be played...

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Everybody is talking like the Patriots and Cowboys are destined to meet in the Super Bowl... talk about getting ahead of yourself... there is a lot of football to be played...

The nerve of some people???

On a bulletin board... I know right? Wow...

 

[chinch]

they would have a few losses, including to us if they tried to play smashmouth. also welker might be DOA by week 15 if not sooner they way they're using him and the hits he's taking.

in the cold, rain, snow you can't chuck it up... no team has won without even attempting to run.

also they had no turnovers yesterday, barely won, and were spotted 7 with the pick-6 and two late INTs where only 30yards were needed for a rock-solid FG kicker to send it to OT.

the well eventually will run dry.

You have to remember they can lineup in jumbo sets and play smash mouth football also.

That is what is most impressive to me about them, they can approach every game about 5 ways and be successfull. Last night they decided to see if the eagles could cover a 4 wide look all night. The eagles did a good job and the pats still put 30 on the board.

I bet if the eagles and pats played again today and the pats decided to run the ball and play power football they would blow them out.

Again though, the pats versatility is what is most impressive to me about them, they will beat you equally as bad about 5 different ways. It must be virtually impossible to prepare for them.