PATRIOT'S TALK...Will somebody in the media finally shout it out...PLAY SELECTION is a big problem with their slow starts and yesterday's (especially) loss. In the final 35 or so seconds, there were NO throws to the sidelines, three went to the middle and then cost them valuable timeouts. Also, why does Brady not have a play that gets the ball to the receiver right at the sideline marker so he can step out? Yes, I'm calling out Josh McDaniels for the poor play calling. They also could have thrown shorter sideline passes to get closer to the goal line and get a first down. They were on (about) the 20 yard line and could have gotten a first down at the 6 or 8 yard line. THAT could have made it easier. Remember when that was an automatic touchdown? Welker is gone you say? Well they can still have the same pass route if McDaniels would use it. Edelman AND Amandola are just as good as Welker. ALSO...the play calling, especially at the beginning of the game, is very PREDICTABLE. Why McDaniels doesn't call more misdirection plays, screen passes, etc. is beyond me. Gronk missing is an easy excuse but, as we've seen a couple of times, the other tight end has a pretty good pair of hands. (Humanuana...forgive me for the misspelling) should get more targets but that's up to McDaniels. Guys can't make receptions if you don't throw the ball to them.
ALSO...in the press conference after the loss Brady only stayed for 53 seconds then gritted his teeth and excused himself. Does anybody doubt that it was because he didn't want to yell at the refs who let the TWO pass interference calls in the end zone (just before the final interception). Tom is a classy guy and, above all, a TEAM GUY and that would have hurt the team. Bill Belichick feels the same way but, as you have seen these past 10 years, he keeps his mouth shut and focuses on the winning of games. A wise man once said, "If a battle cannot be won, then don't fight it." We all know you can't win over the refs so...I'm complaining to the league to stop killing our sport. The Pats have already been ROBBED of one win (the Jets) and probably another...that pass intereference call that the refs decided was an uncatchable pass in the end zone. Of course it was uncatchable...Gronkowski was being held and shielded from going for the ball and maqking a catch that he's done many times in the past. Remember, if you complain often enough they have to listen.
ALSO, opposing pass rushers have said, not too loudly though, we love playing the Patriots because we ALWAYS know where Brady is going to be. Back at the start of the AFL there was a quarterback named Len Dawson (for KC) who was great in college but was just not a solid pocket passer. His coach, Hank Stram, a genius. devised a "MOVING POCKET" that they used quite often to throw off pass rushers. Dawson became a champion quarterback ahaves history has shown. It was just another option for Dawson to use. If Brady had "something" to slow down those pass rushers that are killing him it would be a great help. Mr. McDaniels. it would also help if you would devise a play or two that called for an occasional roll out by Brady. Remember Steve Grogan's slight move to his left as he stepped back from the center?
ANOTHER SUBJECT...Player suspensions. Who does it hurt when a player is suspended from playing for any reason? THE FANS who came to see him play. The league must find another way to punish a player for an infraction. MONEY is the obvious fine not suspensions.
Shawn Thornton was just suspended for 15 games for beating on a guy who, supposedly was so hurt he had to be carried off the ice. It was two punches. I don't believe he was THAT hurt, if at all.
Thornton, (from an unnamed source) said it was out of frustration at the refs letting this guy get away with so much stuff. Also, this guy only picked on non-fighters and would refuse to mix it up with guys that were fighters. "If you want to be a tough guy you have to be ready to fight anybody, not just the guys who are non combative," said one of the players. Thornton has never been suspended or even fined for his play in his entire career. Wake up NHL executives. If you REALLY want to end fighting (which you call violence) then penalize the FIRST guy to throw a punch and let the other guy who is just protecting himself, go free. Well that's all I have to say on that matter.
Comments are welcome.....STAY TUNED