Rodney Harrison out for year

[KingPK]

No, but if the D does have a bad game, the offense can pick them up. And anyone that says the Pats receivers are "average" are just saying that because there is no Marvin Harrison or TO that Brady throws to all the time, though Branch might be turning into one.

 

People are just not giving the offense (not Brady, the entire offense) the credit it deserves and aren't saying the Patriots win by being the most balanced team in the league, which is the truth in my view. The way they play is their defense makes their opponents make a mistake or choke under pressure and then the offense crams it down their throats.

[Ripper]

I understand where you are coming from but what I am saying is that the 2000 Baltimore Ravens offense put up 5301 of total offense.

 

The 2003 Pats put up 5258. but people were pretending the offense (namely Brady) won that Super Bowl.

 

The 2004 Pats put up 5884. Better but still... nothing amazing. Yet noone was praising the efforts of Tony Banks or Trent Dilfer. The offense for that team, while I will admit was ALOT worse than New Englands serviceable offense, did what they were supposed to do(well...once they sat Banks down). Not turn the ball over, wait for the D to set them up and the kicking team or the offense would make you pay. The same thing has built a dynasty now, and the defense takes a back seat to the QB whos job is not to screw up. I just find it a little funny.

[UZI Suicide]

The Pats offense is ok, but as someone said earlier, they win because of the defense. The defenses causes a ton of turnovers and puts the offense in a position to score points.

 

Tom Brady is a great QB but he is overrated. Their defense wins the game for them most of the time. He's in a great situation because he can make mistakes and New England will still win because of the defense. When he's forced to win games for them (like in 2002) they don't do as well.

[2GOLD]

Exactly how did the defense win the Carolina Super Bowl?

By giving up 75 yard touchdown bombs?

[UZI Suicide]

Well you're right, the defense didn't win that game for them, but I don't think Brady did either. I think it was just a simple fact of both defenses not playing well, leading to the offenses scoring TD's, but New England were just the ones who got the ball last.

 

Although I guess I'd put that win on Vinateri if I had to.

[the max]

So, rather than give any credit where it is due (He's marched them downfield twice in the biggest game of the year), it's just luck?

 

I disagree.

[UZI Suicide]

Against Carolina he only got them 47 yards down the field and Vinateri did the rest. I don't know how many yards it was against the Rams but I know that until the last drive he was pretty crappy in the game. The Pats D forced 3 turnovers in that game and shut down Marshall Faulk, a very good performance against one of the most prolific offenses in NFL history. That's what kept them in the game.

 

The late game drives are great but they aren't Montana or Elway-esque, I don't even remember the last time Brady actually led a game winning drive that ended in a TD. He just dinks and dunks down the field until they get close enough for Viniateri.

[nl5xsk1]

I don't mean you individually, Loaded Glove, but that kind of mentality cracks me up "Yeah, he's QB'ed 3 Super Bowl winners, and is undefeated in the playoffs and OT, but he only leads them to winning FGs not TDs". Jeez, man, a game winning field goal is good enough since it, y'know, wins the game.

[Black Lushus]

I was just going to say what niskie said until I say his post...so what if he's not scoring TDs in the last seconds of the game, they only need FGs...i'm sure if they actually needed a TD he can work that out as well...when you're down by 2, you're not going for the endzone with every pass, you're doing quick 10 and 15 yarders to set your clutch kicker up...

[USC Wuz Robbed!]

Yeah, the Patriots are a team. They're not there to run up their stats. They're just there to do their part. Brady's role is to put them either in the endzone or in field goal range. They're not about to risk throwing an interception if they can win on a FG.

[Precious Roy]

Kevin Faulk expected to miss 8 weeks with a leg injury....when it rains it pours

[Boon]

Corey Dillon's going to have to step up big.

[nl5xsk1]

Kevin Faulk expected to miss 8 weeks with a leg injury....when it rains it pours

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Corey Dillon's going to have to step up big.

 

Don't worry, Boon, I'm sure the Pats can find another guy to fumble all the fucking time. Every year I say to myself "this is the year that the Pats finally replace Faulk with a back that doesn't fumble so damn often." And every year I'm disappointed when Faulk makes the team.

 

Just give his PT to Pass. And put Dwight & Johnson as the two kickoff return-men.