arty:
SDS,
I'm from New England. On my home board I get requests for my opinion on the Pat games. I am certainly not clear on this game thiis weekend. The Pats have been lights out after a SU loss over the past 6 years (17-1 SU; 15-3 ATS). They have not lost to an NFC team at home in that timeframe.
But you certainly present valid points in Atlanta's favor. I hope you don't mind if I reprint your opinion on my home board. I will credit you appropriately. That is a very well written and supported writeup.
Re NE and Tom Brady it is important to note that last weekend he was without Wes Welker, his security blanket. Those two make sight adjustments at the line of scrimmage, something rook Edelman and newly acquired FA Galloway were unable to do. That was especially important vs the mad NYJ pass rush (I think that the Jets will prove to be the NFL's best Defense by year end).
But I do agree with you re the NE Offensive Line. They have regressed severely since the NYG pushed them around in the '07 SB. Last year Cassel, who is a deft pocket passer with the ability to pull it down and scramble (an asset Tommy Boy does not have) was sacked 47 times, the most in the NFL. Having said that, I do expect the Pats to make adjustments this week to afford the franchise's number one asset more comfort in the pocket - the return of Welker; more emphasis on the running game vs an average Atl run D; and more two tight end sets.
Re the Patriot D, although they suffered what appear to be major losses in the offseason, I think the football world is misreading this perception. The guys they lost were at the back ends of their careers, slow and living on reputation (yes that includes Seymour who regressed severely after signing his re-up three years ago), with the exception of starting CB Hobbs who simply wasn't up to the task. I think this D will actually be stronger this year. Mayo was the new Defensive signal caller so you have rightly noted his temporary loss as significant but without him they held the Jets to only one TD in New York last week.
That's about it. Hope you don't mind the counterpoints. Best of luck to you this weekend.
I'm from New England. On my home board I get requests for my opinion on the Pat games. I am certainly not clear on this game thiis weekend. The Pats have been lights out after a SU loss over the past 6 years (17-1 SU; 15-3 ATS). They have not lost to an NFC team at home in that timeframe.
But you certainly present valid points in Atlanta's favor. I hope you don't mind if I reprint your opinion on my home board. I will credit you appropriately. That is a very well written and supported writeup.
Re NE and Tom Brady it is important to note that last weekend he was without Wes Welker, his security blanket. Those two make sight adjustments at the line of scrimmage, something rook Edelman and newly acquired FA Galloway were unable to do. That was especially important vs the mad NYJ pass rush (I think that the Jets will prove to be the NFL's best Defense by year end).
But I do agree with you re the NE Offensive Line. They have regressed severely since the NYG pushed them around in the '07 SB. Last year Cassel, who is a deft pocket passer with the ability to pull it down and scramble (an asset Tommy Boy does not have) was sacked 47 times, the most in the NFL. Having said that, I do expect the Pats to make adjustments this week to afford the franchise's number one asset more comfort in the pocket - the return of Welker; more emphasis on the running game vs an average Atl run D; and more two tight end sets.
Re the Patriot D, although they suffered what appear to be major losses in the offseason, I think the football world is misreading this perception. The guys they lost were at the back ends of their careers, slow and living on reputation (yes that includes Seymour who regressed severely after signing his re-up three years ago), with the exception of starting CB Hobbs who simply wasn't up to the task. I think this D will actually be stronger this year. Mayo was the new Defensive signal caller so you have rightly noted his temporary loss as significant but without him they held the Jets to only one TD in New York last week.
That's about it. Hope you don't mind the counterpoints. Best of luck to you this weekend.
Thanks Malik. And I agree....I'd be surprised if Welker and company did not take the field on Sunday. However, the mere fact that they missed practice and were listed as "Q" on the official injury report informs us that they are not close to being 100%.
In another development, rookie Julian Edelman (did I spell that correctly?) who is Welker's immediate back-up and who caught 8 balls for 98 yards in his absence last week was also listed as "Q" on the Friday injury report with an ankle issue.
Bottom line: Guys like Welker are "pro's pros" and will do whatever necessary to line up on Sunday.....but these injuriy reports and missed practices give us solid reasons to wonder how well they can perform and how long they may be able to tolerate going full speed.
BOL with all your action in Week 3 Mailk!
HAPPY-BDAY SDS:grandmais:drink::toast:
Thanks SP! Hope yours was spectacular.
Side Note: My son (5th grade, 2nd-year of Pop Warner tackle football) plays tonight under the lights on the brand new sythentic field of a local high school. Last year on my B-Day he scored two touchdowns (an 80-yard scamper on offense and a 50-yard punt return on defense). I told him "no pressure" in regard to duplicating last year's performance.......that just seeing him play ball is the best present in thew whole world.
His team is undefeated and they play another undefeated team tonight. Truth be told they are a big underdog (the other team seems abnormally "big"). So a victory would be awesome!!
So I take it ATL+4.5 would be a 3* play now? Can't help but tail you after last week!
I grabbed Tenny+3 earlier this week as well.
Good luck to us! ...and Happy Birthday to you!
You got it AJ. The ATL +4.5 is a 3* play now (but I personally will grade this as a +4 play since I have 2* at that number). Glad to hear we're on the same page again. BOL brother! And thanks for the B-Day wishes!
Michelangelo ~
Great to hear from you. I've always found you to be one of the sharpest dudes around and all your points are spot on. So it's an honor that you wish to share some of my opinions on your home board. Please feel free to do so anytime.
There is no doubt that ATL is walking into the proverbial hornet's nest this weekend by tackling the task of facing a very determined NE team at home coming off of a loss. And I agree that Welker would have made a difference for Brady last week facing the constant threat of pressure. Brady knows he can count on Welker to be ready for the quick strike in a tough spot.
But it is precisely the comments you made about NE's O-Line that are a cause for concern. You accurately identified the origin of the problem and well documented the fact that those sacks-allowed numbers could have been worse if not for the fact that Cassel was so fleet of foot.
Belichick is the best in the business. So if anyone can camouflage the warts on that O-Line and on the defense Belichick can! But alas, I have a suspicion that these warts are too big to camouflage. If I am wrong, then I will pay for it with my pocketbook.
Great points as usual. Thanks for sharing. BOL this weekend my friend!
They fought hard but actually lost pretty soundly. That other team was freakishly huge and fast. So needless to say, there were a few tears shed last evening. He takes losing SO personal and will always blame himself by saying "If I could have done this on that play". My son is the ultimate competitor and a great team player....but he internalizes losses and takes them so personally!
Either way, win or lose, I can't think of a better way to spend my birthday than proudly watching my son play the sport I love most. He is an extremely gifted athlete whose ceiling is sky high in terms of potential.
Thanks for asking Malik! And of course BOL today with all your Wk 3 action!!
Good luck today, sds! Hope you run the table again and steer clear of Packer Props.
I'm right there with you: TEN, ATL, SF and Seattle (SBW)
Thanks AJ. Awesome job with that other thread buddy! And very happy to see we are on the same page again.
LOL ~ and no more Packer props!!! Although I'm VERY tempted to see what Aaron Rodgers' passing yards prop is today (j/k)
hno: BOL today my friend!
