Patriots 2011 Regular Season

[PosImpos]

Tough game today.  Brady really wasn't at his best.

I think this is a good thing, though.  I've been thinking since the playoff loss in January that it would be for the best if the Patriots could struggle a little bit and work out the kinks instead of racking up high scoring wins that cover up their major defensive issues.

I'd rather the Pats go 11-5 and win a couple playoff games than go 14-2 again and lose another home playoff game.

What's it matter if they don't win the Super Bowl and by the way losing is never good.

Losing IS a good thing if the team is better for it.  All the winning this team has done the last couple of years hasn't translated to a single playoff win since '07.

I will be happy with this season if the Pats manage to win a playoff game or two.  Setting up the season as a "Superbowl victory or failure" dichotomy considering the lack of recent post-season success seems silly to me. 

[cman88]

losing helps teams evaluate themselves and get better for it...it exposes problems with the team that need to be fixed. The patriots were 14-2 last season...and yet lost in the first ruond of the playoffs...partly because they were overconfident because of their record.

its better the team loses in game 3 of the season and addresses their problems and fixes them than continues to win and ignores the elephant in the room

[PosImpos]

losing helps teams evaluate themselves and get better for it...it exposes problems with the team that need to be fixed. The patriots were 14-2 last season...and yet lost in the first ruond of the playoffs...partly because they were overconfident because of their record.

its better the team loses in game 3 of the season and addresses their problems and fixes them than continues to win and ignores the elephant in the room

exactly.  all-out offense isn't going to win us tough, tight games against good opponents without solid defense.  our defense isn't always going to "create" turnovers, either.  we need stops, especially in the red zone.  losses like the one the patriots suffered yesterday (in which they had practically no stops) force the team to reevaluate and work on those weak areas.

[Mike-Dub]

Tough game today.  Brady really wasn't at his best.

I think this is a good thing, though.  I've been thinking since the playoff loss in January that it would be for the best if the Patriots could struggle a little bit and work out the kinks instead of racking up high scoring wins that cover up their major defensive issues.

I'd rather the Pats go 11-5 and win a couple playoff games than go 14-2 again and lose another home playoff game.

What's it matter if they don't win the Super Bowl and by the way losing is never good.

Losing IS a good thing if the team is better for it.  All the winning this team has done the last couple of years hasn't translated to a single playoff win since '07.

I will be happy with this season if the Pats manage to win a playoff game or two.  Setting up the season as a "Superbowl victory or failure" dichotomy considering the lack of recent post-season success seems silly to me. 

All losing does is give you less of a chance at making the playoffs and less of a chance at home field.  Those problems that the teams have are what practice is for and where they should get worked out and found out.  Also Tom Brady isn't getting any younger, there are only so many years left with him and Belichick.  Every year we have Brady is Super Bowl or bust.

[cman88]

well, we will make the playoffs...its not like we're out of contention..its game 3 of the season.

I just think that generally when a team is winning they tend to ignore or overlook certain flaws. despite brady having an off day, their defense had chances to help them win the game and blew it...thats going to be an emmphasis this week in practice ive got to think..the bills threw down the field on that last posession like no one was there

[Mike-Dub]

http://www.csnne.com/10/02/11/Mayos-injury-not-expected-to-be-season-e/landing_patriots.html?blockID=571060&feedID=3352&awid=7482790009911747256-932

The leader of the Patriots' defense, linebacker Jerod Mayo, suffered a left MCL injury in the second quarter that, while not expected to be season-ending, will sideline him for a extended period of time.

Sucks it has to be an extended period of time, but it's a good thing it's not going to be season ending.

[Cman]

Mike Reiss has been doing a great job covering former Pats.
Who would've thought that Jonathan Wilhite  would be the one to outperform the rest (which include Tate, Meriweather, Sanders)?

CB Jonathan Wilhite (Broncos)
Week 4: Nickelback gets the start in a 49-23 loss at Green Bay, finishes with four tackles and an interception
 Week 3: Active as a reserve and registers a sack, 2 quarterback hits, 1 pass defended and 6 tackles in a 17-14 loss at Tennessee
 Week 2: Active as a reserve and registers a sack and 4 tackles in a 24-22 home win over the Bengals
 Week 1: Active as a reserve and doesn't register on the stat sheet in a 23-20 home loss to the Raiders

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots

[Cman]

This upcoming game against Dallas is going to be tough.
The Pats are banged up, coming off an emotional game against the hated Jets, and Dallas is coming off its bye and looking to gain some momentum.

One thing the Pats have going for them is home field...

[Eja117]

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcwest/post/_/id/33827/fire-sale-in-denver

Good to know the Pats are asking about available receivers because clearly the Chet Oucho sinking thing hasn't worked

[Bahku]

"NFL Player Rob Gronkowski Sorry For (Adult) Star Photos"

Not a big deal, but also not the smartest move by Rob Gronkowski ... who he associates with is his business, I guess, but having her put on his Patriots jersey was a bit over the line, IMO.

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2011-10-27/gronkowski-never-intended-to-hurt-pats-reputation?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk3%7C107812

[Donoghus]

Pats/Steelers week.  

I love when these two teams go head to head.  Pretty fun games to watch.

[Chris]

I am really curious to see the Pats defense this week if Mayo is back.  I have really liked what I have seen from Spikes at MLB these last few weeks, both on the field, as well as taking on a leadership role. 

I never saw Mayo as much of a leader, and it has seemed like the more they have asked him to lead, the more his play has actually regressed. 

So, perhaps when he comes back, they can take some of the responsibility off Mayo's shoulders (both as a leader, and player), let Spikes carry more of it, and let Mayo just settle in a little more on the weak side, where he can just let his talent do the talking.

[Donoghus]

I am really curious to see the Pats defense this week if Mayo is back.  I have really liked what I have seen from Spikes at MLB these last few weeks, both on the field, as well as taking on a leadership role. 

I never saw Mayo as much of a leader, and it has seemed like the more they have asked him to lead, the more his play has actually regressed. 

So, perhaps when he comes back, they can take some of the responsibility off Mayo's shoulders (both as a leader, and player), let Spikes carry more of it, and let Mayo just settle in a little more on the weak side, where he can just let his talent do the talking.

Yeah, I like the way Spikes has been playing lately.  Very solid and, Reiss has mentioned this, but he's becoming an emotional and vocal leader out there. 

This defense is slowly gelling and getting incrementally better.  That DAL game illustrated a "bend don't break" approach that worked so well back in the Super Bowl days.

If the offense keeps firing and the defense can get to middle of the pack or better, this team is going to be very difficult to stop in the AFC. 

[Cman]

I am really curious to see the Pats defense this week if Mayo is back.  I have really liked what I have seen from Spikes at MLB these last few weeks, both on the field, as well as taking on a leadership role. 

I never saw Mayo as much of a leader, and it has seemed like the more they have asked him to lead, the more his play has actually regressed. 

So, perhaps when he comes back, they can take some of the responsibility off Mayo's shoulders (both as a leader, and player), let Spikes carry more of it, and let Mayo just settle in a little more on the weak side, where he can just let his talent do the talking.

I know Mayo has been "practicing", but I doubt he plays this week. I think this is just to keep the Steelers guessing.

[Chris]

I am really curious to see the Pats defense this week if Mayo is back.  I have really liked what I have seen from Spikes at MLB these last few weeks, both on the field, as well as taking on a leadership role. 

I never saw Mayo as much of a leader, and it has seemed like the more they have asked him to lead, the more his play has actually regressed. 

So, perhaps when he comes back, they can take some of the responsibility off Mayo's shoulders (both as a leader, and player), let Spikes carry more of it, and let Mayo just settle in a little more on the weak side, where he can just let his talent do the talking.

I know Mayo has been "practicing", but I doubt he plays this week. I think this is just to keep the Steelers guessing.

Well, he practiced before their last game as well, so this wasn't something new just for this week.  I think with the Bye, he very well could be returning on Sunday.