***OFFICIAL NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS SEASON THREAD*** (13-4) - Patriots @ Broncos - Sun 3:05PM EST - Bra

[green rhino123]

would like them to win at least 2 of 3 divisional games tho

 

[prez t]

gronk is the missing piece . going back to 2011 , we havent lost a playoff game with Gronk at 100% , hes always been either not on the field or a shell of himself . him being at 100% in the playoffs is CRITICAL !!!

 

[DeadsetAce]

predictions on Bedard's three up and three down?

up:
1) Revis
2) Collins
3) Edelman

down:
1) Solder
2) Browner
3) Brady

i was close...2/3 on each one. Bedard had Ayers instead of Edelman (who he had 4th). and he had Ho-Ho instead of Browner. who wants to start a radio show?

 

[prez t]

i was close...2/3 on each one. Bedard had Ayers instead of Edelman (who he had 4th). and he had Ho-Ho instead of Browner. who wants to start a radio show?

ho-ho ?

id love to talk sports on the radio

 

[DeadsetAce]

my bad...feel like the guy has ten different nicknames

michael hooomanawanui

 

[prez t]

haha gotchu

im watching the game back right now , and my god -- this defense is frightening . they are particularly good when playing with a lead , and the opposing team is forced to throw a lot . the mixing up we do with players on the line , along with mixing in linebacker blitzes from collins , and the fact that our linebackers are pretty good at pass coverage makes this unit scary . rivers either had nowhere to go , no time to throw , or after completions dudes were all over the receiver . were getting pressure using so many diff players its crazy im beyond exicted to see what the front seven looks like once hightower and jones are back

 

[prez t]

Ryan Allen named AFC special teams player of the week ... ? did i miss something ?

 

[str8drop]

I'm pretty sure every punt he had on Sunday was downed like inside the 15

Edit: Just looked it up he had 5 punts; 4 punts inside the 15 and 1 touchback with a 49.4 yd avg per punt

 

[DeadsetAce]

not a good look for the offense when the punter is getting that much recognition

 

[nooera]

Offense was buns on Sunday aside from a few big plays

The ST on this team is ******* legit, though

 

[prez t]

Offense was buns on Sunday aside from a few big plays

The ST on this team is ******* legit, though

LOVE our special teams

the patriots have to be the only squad to have two separate white guys return kicks for 50+ yards in a single season

 

[rolaholic]

The special teams has always been solid for as long as I can remember. There's always guys that step up unexpectedly,I even remember big Dan Connoly breaking a really long return last time they played the Packers before this season.

I'm a little late but I just find it pretty dope that Reggie Wayne said that this seasons Pats secondary is the best he's faced in his 14 years in the league 

. Means a ton coming from a future HOFer like him and also the fact that he was around during the Law/Harrison days.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...e-wayne-this-pats-secondary-is-best-ive-faced

 

[DeadsetAce]

^ damn. good find, man. like you said, impressive coming from Reggie

 

[nooera]

Ty and Rodney's jimmies were definitely rustled

Revis > __________

 

[prez t]

snowing today in NE . i hope the weather is lousy for this Dolphins game

 

[DeadsetAce]

snowing today in NE . i hope the weather is lousy for this Dolphins game

we could use a nice snow game where we drop 45 on some fools

 

[prez t]

just signed Cannon to a 2 year 9M ext. is it April Fools ?

 

[rolaholic]

we could use a nice snow game where we drop 45 on some fools

From todays practice

Hopefully the forecast stays the same through Sunday 

. Love snow games,the offense usually runs wild and I can't even remember ever seeing a loss in a snow game 

 

[DeadsetAce]

my mom was saying the current game time forecast is low 40s...not exactly a wintery feel

 

[illoquent aka dsk]

just signed Cannon to a 2 year 9M ext. is it April Fools ?

*scratches head*

Don't really understand that one. Small sample size, but the rookie Fleming has outplayed him.

Pls just sign Revis in the offseason and I'll look past all this ****.

 

 

[DeadsetAce]

just signed Cannon to a 2 year 9M ext. is it April Fools ?

*scratches head*

Don't really understand that one. Small sample size, but the rookie Fleming has outplayed him.

Pls just sign Revis in the offseason and I'll look past all this ****.

it makes too much sense when you think about it (if it doesnt make sense to us, it makes sense to BB)

 

[illoquent aka dsk]

Welp.

Dominique Easley's rookie season could potentially be over.

The Patriots are considering placing their first-round pick on injured reserve as a means to get him in a healthier position for the 2015 season, according to a source. It's not so much of a setback as it is a way to hit the reset button for the defensive lineman out of Florida, the source explained.

Easley tore his right ACL in September 2013, and Dr. James Andrews conducted the surgery in October 2013. The Patriots drafted him in the first round of May's draft, and he took part in the final practice of minicamp in June before he made his training camp debut Aug. 11.

Easley has essentially been playing catch-up all season, and the Patriots have worked diligently to maintain his rehabilitation process by keeping him out of occasional practices and the Week 12 victory against the Lions. Easley has missed eight regular-season practices, including six for knee-related reasons. He has been out of both practices this week.

Easley also suffered a separated AC joint in his right shoulder during the Pats' victory against the Bengals in Week 5, and he missed two practices and the following game against the Bills.

Easley has 10 tackles, one sack and one interception this season.

Easley tore his left ACL in 2011, so he has been through this process before. However, the circumstances are drastically different this time around, as he was making the jump to the NFL, and that challenge increased in difficulty while recovering from the surgery and missing a chunk of the offseason workout process.

Rather than continuing to play catch-up, the Patriots are leaning toward protecting their first-round investment by getting him ready for a stronger run in 2015.

I'm still not mad at the Easley pick because he's shown flashes while playing catch-up all season and it was an area of need, but it should be noted that 3 out of the Pats' first 4 picks in the 2014 Draft were essentially "redshirt" years. Easley, Pretty Jimmy, James White. Our 2nd round pick from last season also had a redshirt year in 2014 (Dobson).

...not exactly comforting for a team that's in win-now mode. 

It's something that's absolutely worth questioning if it doesn't work out.

BB and management deserve a lot of credit for managing the balance between moves for the present & future. This might be a situation where they leaned too strong in one of those directions though.

 

[nepats617]

back from a mini hiatus, guys..

ok not really.  keep this up guys, posting left and right. IMO i think our season thread are by far most active (probably is after taking a 

at other season threads) and got knowledgeable fans droppin their dimes on/about the team. good stuff..

got a couple of thoughts...

marcus cannon extension? uhh what? i second DSK's *head stratching* and yes, if it doesnt make sense to us, then it's the opposite for william (word to DSA). I didn't read up the contract language. how is it constructed? i think that'll give us a better idea. Agreed, we've seen cannon in action plenty throughout the years. he has potential and is versatile but nothing to write home about and 4.5 mill a year is pretty hefty. I guess the pats are going for stability and cannon is still young and that may spell the end for connolly or some others until they take a pay cut or so.

On Easley; i really hope he doesn't go on IR. He didn't play/practice as much due to his knee(s) not being 100% but i thought he managed himself decently. Ditto for the team treading carefully with him.  Sure, would love to see more production from him but i think BB expected this all along and has sights on easley contributing more in 2015 and beyond. Although with this said, we could use him in the playoffs. The playoffs are a whole another beast. We need all the pass rush we need. chandler coming back will be huge as he can do work one on one without us sending xtra man in (

that sounded iffy)

Maybe lighten his workload and bring him on on obvious pass plays so he can penetrate and rush the QB. I know, i know that's pretty much what's he doing right now but do it more efficiently, i dunno?

I think our defensive line is flying under the radar. Great moves on BB adding branch. i like what i've seen from him so far and filling in the gaping hole

  that tommy kelly left when he got released. I think BB does good job on adding players in-season based on team's needs and he usually does great on those. I know i left out a few but on top of my head, Talib, and for this year, casillas, branch, ayers, and so on. So I'd like to see Easley not put on IR and contribute his part on the defensive line. I'm assuming, if he does get put on IR, zach moore will fill in the vacate spot?

On to Miami. Revenge for the season opening loss

 

[nooera]

Easley

I do still like the pick. Just come back stronger next year. But yeah, it would have been nice to get guys to come in and contribute right away. BB got lucky hitting on guys like Branch and Ayers.

Hyped for Sunday

 

[prez t]

the Easley news is frustrating , but if its better long term im okay with it . our front seven and the depth of the defensive line has been a pleasant surprise this season , and with Chandler Jones scheduled to come back soon i dont think the team will skip a beat

Chandler Jones
Chris Jones
Siliga
Wilfork
Alan Branch
Ninkovich
Ayers