This one frustrates me. 4 out of the last 6 games in 2007 (including postseason), Maroney had 100+ yard games, so everyone’s wondering what’s going on. I feel like Maroney can sometimes be “bouncy” at the line, taking too much time to look for the holes. I’m really hoping it’s a case of needing to “warm up” and he’ll kick in soon (fingers crossed).

As far as LaMont, he’s been used as a “second half” back. That is, wait until the defense is worn out and bring in the bruiser. At 5-10 230 lbs, he’s a bowling ball with legs and arms and tends to crash through the line rather than bounce around.

No worries about hating Boston sports. The 2007 season gave us all pretty thick skins.

(that’s my nick for him)

He has showed potential, but I think injuries have slowed him down this season, and possibly being in Belichick’s doghouse. He’s a finesse back, so he relies on the O-Line opening holes and him seeing those holes, and then making the LB and secondary miss. If an opposing Defense is closing those holes, than Lamont is more productive with his bullrush style in my opinion.

I must admit to not knowing as much as I should about Willis, but from what I’ve read, they’re almost identical in many aspects. Jerod Mayo was brought in to bolster our somewhat aging defense with “younger and faster” players. What has surprised me is the number of snaps Mayo is getting. He routinely tops the list and that’s almost unfathomable in a Belichick defense; most guys don’t see starting spots until their second or third season. This says to me he’s both physically and mentally talented.

It’s my belief that ILBs in a 3-4 have to have a high football IQ and be good at reading offenses. Shoot the gaps or play man-to-man for an inside route? Mayo seems to be picking this up rather quickly. Any errors he makes are due to a lack of NFL reps and he typically doesn’t make them twice. And he’s got Tedy Bruschi right next to him as a mentor.

I think the now infamous Jim Mora quote says it all. After Brady went down, there was a slew of discussion about what the Pats should expect from this season. Technically, we have one of the easiest schedules in the NFL for 2008, so that could lean in our favor. Those numbers were based on 2007 performance when our 3 AFC division rivals (Bills, Jets, Dolphins) stank up the joint. With the Bills now 4-0, I don’t think the “easiest schedule in the NFL” sticks anymore. But I digress…

One of the burning questions has been is it Brady or Belichick? That is, did Belichick hit the QB lottery and he’s riding Brady’s cottails or is Belichick a great coach who created a system where talented players can flourish? Prior to the Miami game, I would’ve said the latter, but a 38-13 blowout from one of 2007’s worst NFL teams has shaken my faith a little. I still believe it’s Belichick and the system, but I’d feel more comfortable seeing a few things:

a) Cassel needs to get better at his reads. He needs to be able to quickly assess a defense and adjust
b) Develop a long ball with Moss. That’s where the big yardage will come from
c) The defense is too soft. Limit man-to-man coverage and start rushing more

Now, to really answer your question ;-), I believe the Patriots are still an 11-5 team and can get there if they do the above. When Brady stepped in for the injured Bledsoe in 2001, he had an 11-5 season and was able to take the team to a superbowl. The real question, in my mind, does Cassel have the goods to develop the way Brady did? The jury’s still out for me.

For me the AFC East crown is now our superbowl. If we can top the Bills I will be very satisfied regardless of playoffs.

Of course, that dream of repeating the 2001 season in underdog style is pleasant.

After the supposed “gimme win” against the Miami Dolphins, which turned into an ugly “gotcha” pretty quickly, I don’t think the fans will take any team for granted ever again… or, more realistically, at least until Brady comes back and we can relax in our recliners with the NFL’s best QB in charge of the troops.

Personally I’m in the “who are these dudes” middle ground, and that’s not just talking about the unfamiliar 49ers. I’m still getting used to the fact that the Patriots have stepped into the “who are these dudes” category themselves, and I’m still a bit unsure what kind of team they can be under Cassel.

Is my reaction.

For the last few years you’ve had poor seasons, and I would have laughed, but I will admit your offense is improved, and I will be hoping Martz goes too pass happy cause I believe Gore could destroy us.

If we lose this game we will enter full panic mode about our season, so there is some anxiety there for sure. It would be much nicer to face the Chargers and Broncos at 3-1 instead of 2-2. I feel since your division is so weak, a loss would not hurt your team as much. You could probably win the division with an 8-8 record. So I am hoping desperation and embarressment from last game propels our team.

I’d say he hasn’t played enough to give a really thorough answer and the 3 games he HAS played this season have been very different. However, here’s my thoughts based on these games and the preseason play (where everyone was calling for his head):

Strengths
- strong arm
- decent “running” QB, not as flatfooted as Brady
- 4 years in the system, knows the playbook

Weaknesses
- no pocket awareness, doesn’t “feel” defenders at his back
- still developing “game management”, most of it coming from coaches
- I don’t “feel” like the team is 100% behind him yet. They say they are,
but I don’t see it exhibited in their play

Hoodie runs a very traditional 3-4 with a very large front 3. Wilfork’s a beast at 325, but as a nose tackle, you have to be. Richard Seymour at 310 and Ty Warren at 300 round out the line. You won’t see a whole lot of spinning TE moves like the Colts’ Dwight Freeney; Seymour and Warren will work to plug the gaps and jam the line. Support will come from the 4 linebackers: OLBs Mike Vrabel and Adalius Thomas and ILBs Tedy Bruschi and rookie Jerod Mayo. Much of the pass rushing will come from our OLBs with Vrabel being the primary guy working to get in the backfield.

Thomas was a bit of a disappointment last year as he was an expensive FA and didn’t quite live up to expectations. He seems to be doing a lot better in 2008. Rookie OLB Shawn Crable has been absent from all 3 regular season games and Belichick has been cagey as to why. I’m a bit mystified as he showed lots of promise in the preseason. At 6-5, he’s the tallest of the OLBs and was batting down passes in the preseason, but word is he’s light at 243 lbs and needs to bulk up a bit. He’ll be a beast if he can add another 20 or 30 lbs.

The defense, as a whole, has been struggling rated 25th overall in the league. The front 3 are usually fierce, but we’re in the top 10 for the number rushing yards and 22nd for passing yards. Not bad, but the rushing yardage concerns me. When I watch the D, they appear to be playing “soft” and I had this complaint in the preseason, too. The CBs are giving up too much room.

I really like this cross-FanPosting over the 5 questions. Definitely allows for much more interaction.