I think this comment from elsewhere has it correctly:

      This is something that no-one's talking about. Belichick (or
      Pees) also deserves blame for another decision...the DEFENSIVE
      calls after Manning took over at the 30. You're up by 6, you have
      no timeouts, less than 2:00 to play. Ideally you want to stop a
      TD, but if you're going to give up a TD, you want to force the
      other team to get it quickly. Plus, you're D-line is gassed and
      unable to get any pressure, and missing their best pass
      rusher. So move those safeties up to the line, and BLITZ BLITZ
      BLITZ. Don't keep anyone back, unless they're supposed to jump
      routes, and instruct them not to tackle a receiver who does catch
      it unless they can force them out of bounds. The disadvantage of
      the blitz is that it risks giving up the "big play"--but this
      isn't that bad of an outcome... you would get the ball back down
      by 1 with plenty of time left. The advantage is that it forces
      the other team to at least do something quickly--and score or no
      score, you want them to do it quickly. Plus, it increases the
      chance of a game-winning turnover. Purds made the good point that
      Indy went all out to stop the first down on 4th-and-two...because
      a first down was just as bad as a TD. This is the reverse. NE
      should have gone all out to try to force a turnover or even an
      incompletion, because giving up a TD is only marginally worse,
      and is much better than giving up a short or medium gain.

--
Rich Carreiro                            rlcarr@...

Wasn't too long ago that the Pats offense could sustain drives taking 8-12
minutes regularly. Since Randy Moss came aboard that has changed and
scoring drives often take just a few minutes with the long bombs down the
field. The result is that the Pats defense is on the field way too much.
Last night was a prime example. They scored 34 points, had drives that
could have produced 14 more points at least yet the defense was walking on
their tongues early in the fourth quarter. In the old days that much
offense meant a well rested defense in the fourth. Don't get me wrong I
like RM a lot but the way he is being used has changed the face of the Pats
offense and the result is loses where there used to be wins in these big
games.

Nice to see Vollmer establish himself on the left side. He stood up well to
a big test with Freeney. Here is a vote to plug Matt Light into Kaczur's spot.

Harry

Knowing that he was going to go for it on 4th down, the 3rd-and-2
play should have been a run.  It would have eliminated the two
minute warning as a clock stoppage, may well have picked up the
first down on its own, and even if it didn't, the 4th down may
well have been 4th-and-1 or 4th-and-inches.

--
Rich Carreiro                            rlcarr@...

And another one:

http://smartfootball.com/game-management/belichicks-decision-to-go-for-it-on-4th\
-and-2-from-his-teams-own-29

--
Rich Carreiro                            rlcarr@...

http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/16/defending-belichicks-fourth-down-d\
ecision/

As for people asking about why more prevent later in the game,
they did lose both Banta-Cain and Ninkovitch to injuries during
the game.  Maybe the loss of depth at LB and the loss of QB pressure
(esp from losing TBC) is why they went more to a prevent?

--
Rich Carreiro                            rlcarr@...

It's late and I'm off to bed but I agreed with the fourth and 2 call then...and
now.

Go Pats!
Zip
----- Original Message -----
From: "George" <patswingr@...>
To: <patriotzip@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, November 15, 2009 11:59 PM
Subject: [patriotzip] The Worst Single Game Coaching Job In The History of The
Patriots!


> Absolutely the worst coaching job that Bill Belichick has EVER done,
> anywhere, anytime. HOW THE F*** CAN YOU NOT PUNT THE BALL IN THAT
> SITUATION?!
>
> Not to mention the inability to stop the Colts on the TWO previous drives,
> when they scored TWO TDs over a period of 3 MINUTES AND 54 SECONDS!!
>
> It's been a very long time since I have said that I am ashamed of my team.
> But, right now, I am thoroughly ashamed of the Patriots! And I am absolutely
> LIVID at Bill Belichick!
> George
>
>
>


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.425 / Virus Database: 270.14.67/2505 - Release Date: 11/15/09
19:50:00

packy001@... (Mark Morse) writes:

> I don't know why there wasn't a review by the officials upstairs on
> the spot of the ball. Faulk didn't bobble the ball as the official
> behind him called it. Thats why he made the placement behind the
> 1st down mark.

Because the ball was snapped before the 2 minute warning, only
the Pats or Colts could challenge it.  But because NE was out of
timeouts due to their incredibly stupid use of timeouts, they
were not allowed to challenege it.  Booth review only happens
for plays that begin with 2:00 on the clock or less.

--
Rich Carreiro                            rlcarr@...

Ultimately, BB will be criticized for the call to go fo it on 4th down. 
However, the Patriots prevent defense, prevented them from winning this game. 
The conservative play calling in the second half didn't help and Maromey's
fumble was huge.

I don't know why there wasn't a review by the officials upstairs on the spot of
the ball.  Faulk didn't bobble the ball as the official behind him called it. 
Thats why he made the placement behind the 1st down mark. 

 <font face="comic sans ms" color="#438059" size="5">Mark </font>

How can you not punt there?  Do you distrust your D that badly?
Not to mention the absolutely terrible clock and timeout management
that left you unable to challenge the call.  Big-time F for BB in
this one.

(Of course, if Faulk had caught in cleanly it would have been
a first down.  By juggling it a bit he didn't have possession
until he was driven back behind the sticks.)

--
Rich Carreiro                            rlcarr@...

 

The latest from NFL.com...

"The Patriots declared RB Sammy Morris out of Sunday night's game against the Colts after originally listing him as questionable with a knee injury.

The Patriots also placed rookie WR Brandon Tate (knee) on season-ending injured reserve and signed former Cowboys WR Isaiah Stanback from the practice squad."

fdb

--- In patriotzip@yahoogroups.com, Rich Carreiro <rlcarr@...> wrote:
>
> RB Sammy Morris, LT Matt Light, WR Julian Edelman, S Brandon Meriweather,
> ST Eric Alexander, and C Dan Koppen all practiced today.
>
> But will they play?
>
> --
> Rich Carreiro rlcarr@...
>

The latest from NFL.com...

"The Patriots declared RB Sammy Morris out of Sunday night's game against the
Colts after originally listing him as questionable with a knee injury.

The Patriots also placed rookie WR Brandon Tate (knee) on season-ending injured
reserve and signed former Cowboys WR Isaiah Stanback from the practice squad."

fdb


--- In patriotzip@yahoogroups.com, Rich Carreiro <rlcarr@...> wrote:
>
> RB Sammy Morris, LT Matt Light, WR Julian Edelman, S Brandon Meriweather,
> ST Eric Alexander, and C Dan Koppen all practiced today.
>
> But will they play?
>
> --
> Rich Carreiro                            rlcarr@...
>

RB Sammy Morris, LT Matt Light, WR Julian Edelman, S Brandon Meriweather,
ST Eric Alexander, and C Dan Koppen all practiced today.

But will they play?

--
Rich Carreiro                            rlcarr@...

Wrong Borges actually has a decent Brady interview today:

http://bostonherald.com/sports/football/patriots/view.bg?articleid=1211592&forma\
t=text

--
Rich Carreiro                            rlcarr@...

The challenge in facing the Colts is that they, much like our Patriots,
have so many buttons they can push to move their offense. That's why Dan
Pees has said that the hope is always to slow them down, since it's nearly
impossible to stop them. They have a deep and talented group of WRs, plus
Clark from TE, plus RBs Addai and Brown, who present a danger both as
receivers and runners.

Those options make it an evolving chess match in every game. Every option
can't be covered on every play. Who'll guess right, our defense, or their
offense? There is no question in my mind that the most important factor for
our defense is finding a way to present a very strong pass rush up the
middle against Manning; and doing so with no more than 4 rushers most of the
time, 5 on occasion.

We do, as has been said, have an advantage when we have the ball, since they
have some significant injuries to their defense. We'll need every advantage
we can get.

There is no question that the Patriots can win this game. There is also no
question that the Colts can win it. It will come down to which defense has
the most success in slowing down the other offense. It will, I am almost
certain, come down to the last possession of the game. In those
circumstances, every play is critical. Officiating is critical. As such, I
think it's literally impossible to predict a winner, with any degree of
confidence. It will, I am totally certain, leave me a nervous wreck, either
way!

George



-----Original Message-----
From: patriots-bounces@... [mailto:patriots-bounces@...] On
Behalf Of RandyZ. Pierce
Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2009 4:03 AM
To: Bosco Patriot Listt
Cc: patriotzip@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Dallas Clark

One thing which has been on my mind recently involves the defensive strategy
against Dallas Clark.  We know that McGowan has done very well in his two
prior prime Tight End match-ups (Gonzalez of Atlanta and Winslow of Tampa).
Gonzalez had one catch for 15 yards and WInslow had 2 for 9 yards which is a
pretty solid victory by Brandon.  My concern is that the approach of both
are now on tape and Peyton Manning will have considerable footage to review.
Was it simply a matter of McGowan's performance or was the scheme a
fundamental factor as well?  With time to game plan I could see the latter
leading to a concern if the Colts can plan for how to exploit our approach.
If the latter I have a fair bit of confidence McGowan will be joining the
Pats in rising to a tough challenge.

I heard Reiss suggest McGowan would play Clark very physical with help over
the top in a multi-defensive back approach to the game.

Anyone else have any thoughts about what to expect?

Go Pats!
Zip


_______________________________________________
patriots mailing list
patriots@...
http://lists.bosco.net/mailman/listinfo/patriots

One thing which has been on my mind recently involves the defensive strategy
against Dallas Clark.  We know that
McGowan has done very well in his two prior prime Tight End match-ups (Gonzalez
of Atlanta and Winslow of Tampa).
Gonzalez had one catch for 15 yards and WInslow had 2 for 9 yards which is a
pretty solid victory by Brandon.  My
concern is that the approach of both are now on tape and Peyton Manning will
have considerable footage to review.  Was
it simply a matter of McGowan's performance or was the scheme a fundamental
factor as well?  With time to game plan I
could see the latter leading to a concern if the Colts can plan for how to
exploit our approach.  If the latter I have
a fair bit of confidence McGowan will be joining the Pats in rising to a tough
challenge.

I heard Reiss suggest McGowan would play Clark very physical with help over the
top in a multi-defensive back approach
to the game.

Anyone else have any thoughts about what to expect?

Go Pats!
Zip

Interesting that in Reiss' mailbag he has this question and answer:

Q: While it's hard to argue with their home record since opening Gillette
Stadium, it's no secret that the crowd noise
leaves a lot to be desired. Do you agree that it's not much of a home-field
advantage for that reason? Also, have Bob
and Jonathan Kraft considered closing off the open areas of the stadium -- or
looked at any other options -- in order
to seal in the noise? -- Tom (Boston)

A: Tom, from my experience at different NFL venues, I'd put Gillette Stadium in
the mid- to lower level in terms of
home-field advantage from a crowd-noise perspective. I don't think closing the
stadium in is a consideration. One thing
that did interest me this past week was Dolphins coach Tony Sparano citing the
crowd noise as a main reason that
quarterback Chad Henne was penalized for delay of game after calling a timeout
late in the fourth quarter when the
Dolphins didn't have any. I thought that was a sign that while the crowd noise
isn't earsplitting, it has been a factor
at times.




***

I was actually proud of the crowd on most third down situations but the
intensity all through the game is lacking most
of the time.  I certainly don't think the stadium management does enough to
enhance this approach and I know the crowd
can ramp up as I've heard it in some past games.

STill I'll take the little victory against Miami...without Rex Ryan leaving us
all personal messages asking for noise
even...

***

Now I absolutely expect a loud Colts stadium and I hope we handle the noise
better than we did against NY.  Good
offensive communication is fundamental for our offense and we better be prepared
for the noise.

Go Pats!
Zip

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/rap_sheet/index.php/2009/11/11/tom-brad\
y-i-called-peyton-manning-and-said-tell-me-about-your-knee/

--
Rich Carreiro                            rlcarr@...

George