2010 Patriots Post-Season Thread

[PosImpos]

I've got no problem with the Packers winning now.

Or the Steelers

I'll definitely be rooting against both teams.

Steelers are going to win another Super Bowl.  Book it right now.

[Rondo_is_better]

Steelers Packers this February

[PosImpos]

Steelers Packers this February

I actually think the Bears are going to go to the Super Bowl.  They have more experience in big games, it'll be on their turf, and they know the Packers better than anyone.

Doesn't matter, though.  As long as Polamalu plays, the Steelers will make it to the Super Bowl and win there.  They are the best team remaining.

[KungPoweChicken]

This Pats' loss almost stung me as badly as game seven.

[DKClassic]

Any ideas where the Patriots go from here Draft wise?

[PosImpos]

‎Deion Branch: "We picked the wrong time to play our worst game."

Get used to it, buddy.  It may not have been that way when you were last on the team, but these days, playing their worst in the biggest games is what the Patriots are known for.

Any ideas where the Patriots go from here Draft wise?

O-line and pass rush, I'm guessing.  Might look at a potential big-play wide receiver, too, since right now our offense depends too much on the TEs and little slot receivers.  We don't have a single tall, athletic, big-play-making WR.

[rondohondo]

‎Deion Branch: "We picked the wrong time to play our worst game."

Get used to it, buddy.  It may not have been that way when you were last on the team, but these days, playing their worst in the biggest games is what the Patriots are known for.

The Pats need a dominate pass rusher. I really wanted them to get Peppers this past off-season.

I would sign Richard Seymor back if he is willing to come back . Then use the 1st round picks to try and grab a pass rusher.

It also wouldn't hurt to draft a young stud WR with speed to stretch the field .

[Rondo_is_better]

pass rush pass rush pass rush

[KungPoweChicken]

We haven't seen much of him, but does anyone think Taylor Price could contribute next year (anyone who perhaps saw him play in college)?

On the draft side of things, I'm in favor of pass rushers and another cornerback. I cringe every time Butler is out there in coverage. Protecting Brady should be a priority, too. But there are only so many meaningful picks.

[PosImpos]

Well, on the flip side, technically the Patriots are set up pretty well to continue to improve over the next few years and remain a top team through the rest of Brady's prime.

That said, I've completely lost confidence in Brady and Belichick.  They can win plenty of regular season games and look great, but they've now lost three straight playoff games, and they haven't come up big when it really mattered in a long time.

This Patriots team just doesn't have an edge anymore, and teams that do have an edge - Jets, Steelers, Ravens etc - have had a disproportionate amount of the post-season success lately.  If I had to point out one thing the Patriots are really missing, it's that edge.  You need to have that hard-hitting, bruising, slug-it-out edge to your team in order to succeed in the playoffs.  The Jets have gotten to the AFC Championship game two years in a row despite being an underdog all the way because of that, and the Steelers look poisd to win their second Super Bowl in three years because of their edge.

[Roy H.]

Brady is 5-5 in his last 10 playoff games.  That's a respectable record, but is definitely below the standard established by Tom Terrific when he started out 9-0.

[PosImpos]

Brady is 5-5 in his last 10 playoff games.  That's a respectable record, but is definitely below the standard established by Tom Terrific when he started out 9-0.

Have to blame Bellichick as well.  The Patriots have come out looking rather lame and unfocused in the last two playoff games they've played, and that has to fall on Bill.  Not to mention some of the head-scratching decisions he made in this game.

[KungPoweChicken]

In defense of Brady and Belichick in the Ravens debacle, that particular Patriot team probably didn't even belong in the playoffs. All the other losses, however, have been huge disappointments--absolutely no edge, as another poster said.

[Eja117]

Any ideas where the Patriots go from here Draft wise?

Maybe a QB.  Maybe something a little below the radar. A part time starter in the 6th round with a compensatory pick.

[rondohondo]

Well, on the flip side, technically the Patriots are set up pretty well to continue to improve over the next few years and remain a top team through the rest of Brady's prime.

That said, I've completely lost confidence in Brady and Belichick.  They can win plenty of regular season games and look great, but they've now lost three straight playoff games, and they haven't come up big when it really mattered in a long time.

This Patriots team just doesn't have an edge anymore, and teams that do have an edge - Jets, Steelers, Ravens etc - have had a disproportionate amount of the post-season success lately.  If I had to point out one thing the Patriots are really missing, it's that edge.  You need to have that hard-hitting, bruising, slug-it-out edge to your team in order to succeed in the playoffs.  The Jets have gotten to the AFC Championship game two years in a row despite being an underdog all the way because of that, and the Steelers look poisd to win their second Super Bowl in three years because of their edge.

Thats because since 2007 they have become a much more offensive minded team . The team had to get younger through the draft on defense and this is unfortunately the growing pains you are seeing the past 2 playoffs.

 Bill is trying to get back to being a dominate Defensive team through the draft. He has drafted guys like Mayo, McCortey, Chung, Meriweather in hope of getting a speedy Defense.

They have a good core of young defensive players in Wilfork, Mayo,McCortey, Chung,  but they are still missing a Clay Matthews type of outside linebacker to play in the 3-4.

They have struck out trying to find that great outside linebacker through free agency with Rosevelt Colvin and Adalius Thomas. I think they are going to continue to build the defense through the draft .

I would love for them to sign Nnamdi Asomugha as a shut down corner.

Are there any pass rushers who will be FA?