Always look on the bright side of life
Its been pretty easy to be sad and depressed after our loss down in Miami, but I’m here to tell you that not all was bad. In fact, there were a fair number of some good signs coming out of that game that should get people excited going into the post season.
My First Positive Point: We Have Stopped the Runs
The first big positive was our run defense. Liam Cunningham just wrote an article about our run d so I won’t go into too much detail here.
For the first time since Wilfork went down, we held an opponent to under 100 total yards rushing. Thats huge for us! Hopefully that can keep up for us going into the Ravens game. Even though Ray Rice hasn’t had a great season, I would hate for him to suddenly have a terrific game against us.
My Second Positive Point: Gronk Who?
Yes we all miss Rob Gronkowski and our red zone offense at the end of the game really suffered without him, but we’re being positive here! Everyone, myself included, was worried going into this game that the Patriots passing attack would take a huge step back and regress to the poop factory that it was at the beginning of the year. Not true.
Brady was passing that ball around like it was hot! Both Julian “Minitron” Eldeman and Danny “Have you forgotten about Wes yet?” Amendola went over 100 yards receiving and both made their fair share of huge plays. These guys were open all day and Brady was hitting them on time and on target.
We’ve all seen Brady’s connection with Edelman but it was great to again see his developing connection with Amendola. After missing much of the season and not being the main story when he was on the field, it was encouraging to see him and Brady go off for some big yardage and clutch catches. (I know he dropped one in the end zone that could have won us the game, but positive people! Stay with me here)
Even the Hooman got into the action and had himself a Randy Moss/Gronk one handed catch in the back of the red zone.
My Third Positive Point: It’s Amazing What Happens When You Don’t Fumble
I wish we had seen more Stevan Ridley, especially in the red zone. Ridley, after having some fumbling issues, has slowly been making his way back into the lineup and on Sunday, while he didn’t get many touches, he certainly made the most of them.
He ended the game with 34 yards on eight carries. He had basically the exact same stats in the Browns game two weeks ago (8 for 35). I don’t know what, but I forget the kind of runner Ridley is, and every game he shows me how good he is. He hits the hole hard and has an amazing first step. No other back in the Patriots backfield has the talent that Ridley does and he has been showing why he is our top back in these last two games.
Hopefully he can hold on to the ball because while Josh McDainels may think they can, the Patriots can’t pass all day long, and Ridley is easily their best back.
Other Positive Points That Don’t Warrant Their Own Heading
Jamie Collins had another productive start. I think he could develop into a good coverage linebacker, which is something we haven’t had in a long time.
Chandler Jones is starting to become a pass rushing force. He has 11.5 sacks this season after having 6 in his rookie season. I like this trend.
I don’t know if I’d say Dont’a Hightower had a great game, but he did lead the team in tackles with 8, so being positive.
Josh McDainels won’t be swayed by public opinion. Even if that public opinion is right and he needs to run the ball in the red zone. But good for you Josh, stand up for what you believe in.
The Refs have learned from the Panthers game. It’s better to just not call the PI and not throw the flag than to thrown the flag, pick it up, and run away. Well done boys!
Final Positive: We witness the best post game speech by Tom Brady ever.
Photo via thebiglead.com
- Pete Rogers
@ftcsports
@petahrahgas
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| This will always cheer me up. |
My First Positive Point: We Have Stopped the Runs
The first big positive was our run defense. Liam Cunningham just wrote an article about our run d so I won’t go into too much detail here.
For the first time since Wilfork went down, we held an opponent to under 100 total yards rushing. Thats huge for us! Hopefully that can keep up for us going into the Ravens game. Even though Ray Rice hasn’t had a great season, I would hate for him to suddenly have a terrific game against us.
My Second Positive Point: Gronk Who?
Yes we all miss Rob Gronkowski and our red zone offense at the end of the game really suffered without him, but we’re being positive here! Everyone, myself included, was worried going into this game that the Patriots passing attack would take a huge step back and regress to the poop factory that it was at the beginning of the year. Not true.
Brady was passing that ball around like it was hot! Both Julian “Minitron” Eldeman and Danny “Have you forgotten about Wes yet?” Amendola went over 100 yards receiving and both made their fair share of huge plays. These guys were open all day and Brady was hitting them on time and on target.
We’ve all seen Brady’s connection with Edelman but it was great to again see his developing connection with Amendola. After missing much of the season and not being the main story when he was on the field, it was encouraging to see him and Brady go off for some big yardage and clutch catches. (I know he dropped one in the end zone that could have won us the game, but positive people! Stay with me here)
Even the Hooman got into the action and had himself a Randy Moss/Gronk one handed catch in the back of the red zone.
My Third Positive Point: It’s Amazing What Happens When You Don’t Fumble
I wish we had seen more Stevan Ridley, especially in the red zone. Ridley, after having some fumbling issues, has slowly been making his way back into the lineup and on Sunday, while he didn’t get many touches, he certainly made the most of them.
He ended the game with 34 yards on eight carries. He had basically the exact same stats in the Browns game two weeks ago (8 for 35). I don’t know what, but I forget the kind of runner Ridley is, and every game he shows me how good he is. He hits the hole hard and has an amazing first step. No other back in the Patriots backfield has the talent that Ridley does and he has been showing why he is our top back in these last two games.
Hopefully he can hold on to the ball because while Josh McDainels may think they can, the Patriots can’t pass all day long, and Ridley is easily their best back.
Other Positive Points That Don’t Warrant Their Own Heading
Jamie Collins had another productive start. I think he could develop into a good coverage linebacker, which is something we haven’t had in a long time.
Chandler Jones is starting to become a pass rushing force. He has 11.5 sacks this season after having 6 in his rookie season. I like this trend.
I don’t know if I’d say Dont’a Hightower had a great game, but he did lead the team in tackles with 8, so being positive.
Josh McDainels won’t be swayed by public opinion. Even if that public opinion is right and he needs to run the ball in the red zone. But good for you Josh, stand up for what you believe in.
The Refs have learned from the Panthers game. It’s better to just not call the PI and not throw the flag than to thrown the flag, pick it up, and run away. Well done boys!
Final Positive: We witness the best post game speech by Tom Brady ever.
Photo via thebiglead.com
- Pete Rogers
@ftcsports
@petahrahgas
