Pats Texans 1/3/10

[Bahku]

This game didn't matter today.  It would actually be better for us to play against the Colts in the second round, assuming we win in the first, than to play the Chargers in San Diego.

The main worry for us right now should be Wes Welker.  If he's injured for the playoffs, we're pretty much done.

 
Exactly ... so why in the name of all that's holy did he even play Brady, Welker and Watson?!? Now Wes is probably done for the season, because Bill played him in a near meaningless game!

I thought taking him out for the final drive was genius, and this is why.

If they win somebody becomes the hero (and possibly a lot more tradeable) like Hoyer, Slater, Watson, Green-Ellis, Edlemen, or Moss or someone

If they lose the media can't go after any of BBs players cause it's all his fault. No having to listen all week long to how Randy can't get it done or whatever

They were bringing a lot of pressure on Tom and he was getting sacked and then threw an interception. Not a bad motivational tool to the players to say "I can put in younger players you know. Nobody is above playing poorly you know."

It avoids any potential injury issue to Tom. It would be pretty aweful to get to the playoffs just to lose Tom now.

I think it makes the team hungrier for round 1.

Huh? So you play a star QB with broken ribs and lose one of the best receivers in the NFL just because you want to either make somebody else a hero or deflect blame from the coach?!? Sorry, but that makes no more sense than what Bill did in this one ... if that's "genius" then we can do without it. 

I was saying if they lose they can deflect blame TO the coach.

Which is exactly what's happening.

Everyone is blaming the coach.

Nobody is blaming Brady's **** poor play. Or the offensive line's. Or the defence's.

It wouldn't have been fun listening to that for a week before the playoffs

Kris Brown basically gift wrapped this one for the players (and so did Butler) and the players still couldn't get it done.

Did it appear to you that maybe the Texans were playing like they wanted it more?  Did you see them just bowl over the whole defense on that last TD?

Playing bad and staying in the game isn't a right.

I wish BB had done this weeks ago

Whatever the motivations, it was stupid to play Brady and Welker in a meaningless game, but if you ARE going to risk them, then you should at LEAST try to win the game! What's the point of risking those players and then lying down and giving the game away in the last five minutes?!? It's moronic and senseless, and Bill should be rethinking that one ... especially when he tries to explain throwing in the towel to Wes after risking his injury. No genius in this one ... not remotely.

I dont think you can blame the welker injury on BB.  He was healthy before the game.  And got hurt without getting touched.  It was a freak thing, but somebody has to play.  You cant blame BB for playin wes in the first quarter of the game. 

Yes, I can blame it on Bill, because Wes should NOT have been playing in this game ... and neither should Brady or Watson, especially if you're going to throw in the towel at the end. Really makes no sense whatsoever ... I have been a huge Bill supporter, but this one was just sad.

[Bahku]

This game didn't matter today.  It would actually be better for us to play against the Colts in the second round, assuming we win in the first, than to play the Chargers in San Diego.

The main worry for us right now should be Wes Welker.  If he's injured for the playoffs, we're pretty much done.

 
Exactly ... so why in the name of all that's holy did he even play Brady, Welker and Watson?!? Now Wes is probably done for the season, because Bill played him in a near meaningless game!

I thought taking him out for the final drive was genius, and this is why.

If they win somebody becomes the hero (and possibly a lot more tradeable) like Hoyer, Slater, Watson, Green-Ellis, Edlemen, or Moss or someone

If they lose the media can't go after any of BBs players cause it's all his fault. No having to listen all week long to how Randy can't get it done or whatever

They were bringing a lot of pressure on Tom and he was getting sacked and then threw an interception. Not a bad motivational tool to the players to say "I can put in younger players you know. Nobody is above playing poorly you know."

It avoids any potential injury issue to Tom. It would be pretty aweful to get to the playoffs just to lose Tom now.

I think it makes the team hungrier for round 1.

Huh? So you play a star QB with broken ribs and lose one of the best receivers in the NFL just because you want to either make somebody else a hero or deflect blame from the coach?!? Sorry, but that makes no more sense than what Bill did in this one ... if that's "genius" then we can do without it. 

I was saying if they lose they can deflect blame TO the coach.

Which is exactly what's happening.

Everyone is blaming the coach.

Nobody is blaming Brady's **** poor play. Or the offensive line's. Or the defence's.

It wouldn't have been fun listening to that for a week before the playoffs

Kris Brown basically gift wrapped this one for the players (and so did Butler) and the players still couldn't get it done.

Did it appear to you that maybe the Texans were playing like they wanted it more?  Did you see them just bowl over the whole defense on that last TD?

Playing bad and staying in the game isn't a right.

I wish BB had done this weeks ago

Whatever the motivations, it was stupid to play Brady and Welker in a meaningless game, but if you ARE going to risk them, then you should at LEAST try to win the game! What's the point of risking those players and then lying down and giving the game away in the last five minutes?!? It's moronic and senseless, and Bill should be rethinking that one ... especially when he tries to explain throwing in the towel to Wes after risking his injury. No genius in this one ... not remotely.

I'm sure if he had known at the beginning of the game that the players themselves weren't going to try to win, then maybe he would have played different players.

He gave them a chance to win the game. They played cruddy the whole game. So then when it mattered he gave the chance to players that played like they cared.

He pinpointed a player who was playing horridly for the whole game and made a switch at an important time. If he had switched out James Sanders for Pat Chung or Stephen Neal for Dan Connolly we aren't having this conversation.

But because he subbed out a star Qb for a rookie QB, who then came in and played better but lost anyway everyone will be taking a big dump on BB all week, which is fine.

What if they had won? Then what would we be saying?  We'd be saying this Hoyer kid is awesome. BB must love him. But he's the exact same player.

But he DIDN'T try to win ... he pulled Brady OUT on the last possession, when it was MOST important that he PLAY ... and Hoyer played better?? Guess I missed that, cuz I doubt he'll ever be a Tom Brady-level player. Really senseless, as are the defenses of a good coach who messed up big in this one.

[Cman]

Yes, I can blame it on Bill, because Wes should NOT have been playing in this game ... and neither should Brady or Watson, especially if you're going to throw in the towel at the end. Really makes no sense whatsoever ... I have been a huge Bill supporter, but this one was just sad.

I think you've got to play the starters for at least a quarter -- look at Indy and SD -- they are playing Peyton and Rivers. 

I have no problem with Welker, Brady, Moss playing at least a quarter. 

I don't blame BB for that, but I do blame him for keeping up the charade of trying to win for the entire game...

The only benefit I see of having Brady play so much is that, with Welker likely out the rest of the season, BB wanted Edelman and Brady to get as much game time experience as possible...

[Rondo2287]

Bakhu, I agree it didnt make sense to play the whole game like you want to win and then pull them in the last series, but I think the starters should have played the first quarter. 

In the end I think brady may have come in in the second half to get rythem with Edelman for the future like Nick said earlier. 

[Donoghus]

Peculiar ending there.  Not exactly sure what was going on with the Hoyer switch although Brady was getting pressured pretty hard that last possession he was on thy e field when he threw that pick.  Got hit pretty hard.  Maybe Belichick at that point said the heck with it. 

I have absolutely no problem with Brady being out there getting reps in, especially, after Welker went down.  Its most likely that Welker is done and Edelman is going to have to step in.  As I mentioned early on when the game was going on, I'm guessing Brady (and Belichick) probably want to work some reps there. 

Let's face it, it was a throwaway game for the Pats (and don't give me this 3 or 4 seed stuff).  Belichick has never been one to go with the "norm" or sit his starters an entire game.  You can't entirely field a team of "backups".  You're going to have to throw some starters out there. I think the Welker injury may have thrown a kink into Belichick's plan and kept Brady out there longer than he wanted but I think the plan was to have him out there at least part of the game to get work in.  You still can't simulate game conditions on the practice field no matter how hard you try.

[Rondo2287]

Peculiar ending there.  Not exactly sure what was going on with the Hoyer switch although Brady was getting pressured pretty hard that last possession he was on thy e field when he threw that pick.  Got hit pretty hard.  Maybe Belichick at that point said the heck with it. 

I have absolutely no problem with Brady being out there getting reps in, especially, after Welker went down.  Its most likely that Welker is done and Edelman is going to have to step in.  As I mentioned early on when the game was going on, I'm guessing Brady (and Belichick) probably want to work some reps there. 

Let's face it, it was a throwaway game for the Pats (and don't give me this 3 or 4 seed stuff).  Belichick has never been one to go with the "norm" or sit his starters an entire game.  You can't entirely field a team of "backups".  You're going to have to throw some starters out there. I think the Welker injury may have thrown a kink into Belichick's plan and kept Brady out there longer than he wanted but I think the plan was to have him out there at least part of the game to get work in.  You still can't simulate game conditions on the practice field no matter how hard you try.

TP well said

[Eja117]

This game didn't matter today.  It would actually be better for us to play against the Colts in the second round, assuming we win in the first, than to play the Chargers in San Diego.

The main worry for us right now should be Wes Welker.  If he's injured for the playoffs, we're pretty much done.

 
Exactly ... so why in the name of all that's holy did he even play Brady, Welker and Watson?!? Now Wes is probably done for the season, because Bill played him in a near meaningless game!

I thought taking him out for the final drive was genius, and this is why.

If they win somebody becomes the hero (and possibly a lot more tradeable) like Hoyer, Slater, Watson, Green-Ellis, Edlemen, or Moss or someone

If they lose the media can't go after any of BBs players cause it's all his fault. No having to listen all week long to how Randy can't get it done or whatever

They were bringing a lot of pressure on Tom and he was getting sacked and then threw an interception. Not a bad motivational tool to the players to say "I can put in younger players you know. Nobody is above playing poorly you know."

It avoids any potential injury issue to Tom. It would be pretty aweful to get to the playoffs just to lose Tom now.

I think it makes the team hungrier for round 1.

Huh? So you play a star QB with broken ribs and lose one of the best receivers in the NFL just because you want to either make somebody else a hero or deflect blame from the coach?!? Sorry, but that makes no more sense than what Bill did in this one ... if that's "genius" then we can do without it. 

I was saying if they lose they can deflect blame TO the coach.

Which is exactly what's happening.

Everyone is blaming the coach.

Nobody is blaming Brady's **** poor play. Or the offensive line's. Or the defence's.

It wouldn't have been fun listening to that for a week before the playoffs

Kris Brown basically gift wrapped this one for the players (and so did Butler) and the players still couldn't get it done.

Did it appear to you that maybe the Texans were playing like they wanted it more?  Did you see them just bowl over the whole defense on that last TD?

Playing bad and staying in the game isn't a right.

I wish BB had done this weeks ago

Whatever the motivations, it was stupid to play Brady and Welker in a meaningless game, but if you ARE going to risk them, then you should at LEAST try to win the game! What's the point of risking those players and then lying down and giving the game away in the last five minutes?!? It's moronic and senseless, and Bill should be rethinking that one ... especially when he tries to explain throwing in the towel to Wes after risking his injury. No genius in this one ... not remotely.

I'm sure if he had known at the beginning of the game that the players themselves weren't going to try to win, then maybe he would have played different players.

He gave them a chance to win the game. They played cruddy the whole game. So then when it mattered he gave the chance to players that played like they cared.

He pinpointed a player who was playing horridly for the whole game and made a switch at an important time. If he had switched out James Sanders for Pat Chung or Stephen Neal for Dan Connolly we aren't having this conversation.

But because he subbed out a star Qb for a rookie QB, who then came in and played better but lost anyway everyone will be taking a big dump on BB all week, which is fine.

What if they had won? Then what would we be saying?  We'd be saying this Hoyer kid is awesome. BB must love him. But he's the exact same player.

But he DIDN'T try to win ... he pulled Brady OUT on the last possession, when it was MOST important that he PLAY ... and Hoyer played better?? Guess I missed that, cuz I doubt he'll ever be a Tom Brady-level player. Really senseless, as are the defenses of a good coach who messed up big in this one.

Hoyer definitely played better today.

And you still haven't answered the question about what if they had won

[QuinielaBox]

Will be nice to get a good win on the road, if the Pats hang on.

With that said, I'll scream if everything breaks the Steelers way and they end up in the playoffs (possibly as the Pats 1st round opponent).  They should have been out of contention 2 weeks ago but for bungling all around the AFC.  So far, the Steelers are getting all they need. The 4:15 games will be interesting.  Unfortunately, it's going to come down to the Jets or Steelers getting in -- I would have loved to have rooted for the Bengals this afternoon, now I think I'll be indifferent.

We are a significant member of the bungling in the AFC. The only team playing worth their record is probably San Diego.

[Cman]

Will be nice to get a good win on the road, if the Pats hang on.

With that said, I'll scream if everything breaks the Steelers way and they end up in the playoffs (possibly as the Pats 1st round opponent).  They should have been out of contention 2 weeks ago but for bungling all around the AFC.  So far, the Steelers are getting all they need. The 4:15 games will be interesting.  Unfortunately, it's going to come down to the Jets or Steelers getting in -- I would have loved to have rooted for the Bengals this afternoon, now I think I'll be indifferent.

We are a significant member of the bungling in the AFC. The only team playing worth their record is probably San Diego.

Yeah, I think that is right.
And in the NFC, I hate to say it, but the equivalent team would be Minnesota.

[Bahku]

This has now come down to the offensive line ... looks like most of the inured D will be possible, and as such, should be at least moderately OK, and that sets up our season to hinge on Brady/Moss and creating their magic of a couple of years ago ... but if the OL doesn't give Tom enough time to throw, we're done. The running game has been decent of late, but it has been that way because of the options run for Welker.

This injury has really just left me sick ... this guy is such a joy to watch and such an over-achiever of the highest order, (on and off the field), he deserves much more than the guilt of ruining the Patriots' season, (which was clearly on his face as he left the field). Very, very sad development ... but to be fair, the Pats have shot themselves in the foot many times this season, and that's where the blame lies. We love ya, Wes.