2018 New England Patriots CHAMPIONS

perkdog

Ok so figured it’s time to kick off the Pats thread. I’m not anticipating any type of Super Bowl run this year, I’m seeing Brady fall back a little bit but padding his stats. I’m confident they will win the division which isn’t saying a whole lot but either way GO PATS!!!

erikthredd

I think the toughest part of their schedule is weeks 1-3 with Houston(because of Watson),Jacksonville & Detroit(because of Matt Patricia.) their next toughest opponents are possibly the Packers & Vikings(both games in NE) then at Pittsburgh but Brady owns the Steelers so that one can go either way.
Picking the contenders in the AFC looks to be a crapshoot this year. So many teams like Pittsburgh,Jacksonville,Houston,Oakland,Denver & Kansas City can go either way IMO.
I think Brady's stats might take a hit just because their offense might run it more after drafting Sony Michel & signing Jeremy Hill. This wouldn't be a bad thing if it means Brady has less wear & tear over the season. Its gonna be great just having football starting up again with basketball coming soon as well.

perkdog

I think the Pats stable of RB’s are going to get huge work in the passing game, I see Brady throwing just as much as the past few years.

erikthredd

Hopefully Michel can get on the field and Burkhead's knee holds up. Their WR core is thin and I'd hate to see the same happen to their RB's.

bronco2078

bill took away every good player to spite brady . I think 9-7 and brady gets some sort of injury

perkdog

@bronco2078 said:
bill took away every good player to spite brady . I think 9-7 and brady gets some sort of injury

Seriously I Wouldn’t put it past him doing that lol

MCMLVTopps

Paul...

I've been a Patriot's fan since the days (seems like ancient history now) of the Boston Patriot's and Vito "Babe" Parilli. I wish I still had the enthusiasm for the Pats and the NFL that I once did. However, recent events, including the new Nike affair have just turned me almost completely away from the game.

I'm a firm believer that social issues shouldn't be displayed by NFL players, most of whom have no clue, nor could they tell you why they take a knee during the Anthem. I also firmly believe that those who do this, have abundant opportunities outside of game time to voice their displeasure of social issues.

My military time, especially my Vietnam experiences changed me in such a manner as to value any and all military service and our flag. To me, the flag represents the sacrifices made by many and our great country...sadly, I have personal memories I wish I could erase, but they are always there. I'm glad you didn't have to see that side of life.

Not to sound like Debbie Downer here, but, I do hope the team does well, and you enjoy the season. I just don't feel the spark.

Al

perkdog

AL, I totally understand your viewpoint. I can only wonder what it was like to serve and come home to being called “Baby killer” like my father was when he came back from Vietnam. I’m sure these Kneelers are reminding veterans of that terrible treatment. I really cannot tell you how much that bothers me, however I don’t allow the insanely ignorant masses ruin what I enjoy. Thanks for posting and please chime back n from time to time my good friend

MCMLVTopps

Tks Paul.

Yeah, tough times then. It was a terrible mistake to be there, but, there we were, no escape. Too many politicans involved.
Your dad knows, hopefully he's still with you.

How exciting it was to see the California coastline as we approached Travis AFB northeast of San Francisco. 3 guys and myself changed quickly into civies and took a taxi to San Francisco airport and tried to "blend". A thrill to land at Logan!!

Stay well my friend, enjoy the season.

Al

DIMEMAN

@MCMLVTopps said:
Tks Paul.

Yeah, tough times then. It was a terrible mistake to be there, but, there we were, no escape. Too many politicans involved.
Your dad knows, hopefully he's still with you.

How exciting it was to see the California coastline as we approached Travis AFB northeast of San Francisco. 3 guys and myself changed quickly into civies and took a taxi to San Francisco airport and tried to "blend". A thrill to land at Logan!!

Stay well my friend, enjoy the season.

Al

Welcome home AL! I remember that trip home too in April 1968. Being away from this great nation and stuck in Vietnam for a year is a life changing event. And when I see the Flag and NA disrespected I see RED!

2dueces

I don't think the pats fall that much. Weak division counts for 5 wins. 10-6. But I do see some teams challenge them in the playoff.
Pittsburgh Houston Jacksonville Chargers
I do think they slip a bit and in a few years younger teams will start winning the division.

erikthredd

The Pats signed WR Riley McCarron to the active roster from the practice squad. I doubt he sees much time at WR but will probably be handling the punt returns. Also 2nd round pick CB Duke Dawson got IR'd and might be able to come back week 9 depending on his recovery.
What is it with NE and their long list of 2nd round defensive backs who are either not any good or are always injured? The list is long going back 10 years: Dawson, Cyrus Jones, Jordan Richards, Tavon Wilson, Ras I-Dowling, Darius Butler & Terrence Wheatley. Tavon Wilson was decent & Butler got better after leaving NE.

perkdog

Game day!! I expect a tough matchup against the Texans but I think we got their number. GO PATS!!!

erikthredd

@perkdog said:
Game day!! I expect a tough matchup against the Texans but I think we got their number. GO PATS!!!

I think it comes down to the Fatties on both sides of the ball today. Houston has a great front 7 so they gotta keep Brady upright which should go without saying. Then NE's front 7 has got to contain Watson,can't let him taking off everytime he sees an opening. My only worry is Houston has had months too prepare for this game,as the Chiefs did a year ago, and hopefully we don't see the Run Pass Option on every play.

perkdog

https://deadspin.com/team-no-trade-gronk-no-trade-make-gronk-sad-1828919795/amp

perkdog

Interesting read after speculation over Gronk in the off-season, just not sure how much truth to it.

erikthredd

NE just made offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels the highest paid coordinator in football with a 5yr deal at 4+M a year. I'll go out on a limb and say he takes over for Belichick as head coach before that five years is up.

perkdog

Brady to Gronk no big deal

perkdog

Pats Offense looking good, I like how they are trying different plays with Patterson. D looking great!

erikthredd

The defense too,I love that they're going after the QB on every play. Hopefully this is what they do every game and not just because they're playing against a mobile QB.

erikthredd

The refs & the Texans coaching staff were caught sleeping on that drive.

perkdog

The fact that Houston with 3 time outs didn’t challenge that Gronk play just shows how inferior Houston’s staff is to NE lol. It definitely was not a catch and it ended up costing them

erikthredd

I'd be surprised if that Jeremy Hill knee injury wasn't an ACL tear. That hit didn't look good at all.

perkdog

Agreed, Develin is a thick heavy dude, nothing good came from
that hit.

erikthredd

Good win to start the season, i'll take it.

perkdog

Yep a W is a W, the game was not as close in my opinion as it ended. Amendola wouldn’t have muffed that punt. James Develin had a crazy game, he caught a crucial 3rd down pass but took out Hill and leg tackled Burkhead to stop him from getting the first down ontheir last drive.

erikthredd

Dorsett looked like he filled that Amendola/Edelman role really well too,he even scored that TD on play we always saw Amendola make in the left side back of the endzone. That kinda sucked with Hill going down. I got a feeling we see Brandon Bolden coming off the practice squad this week.

erikthredd

Dez tweeting out that he wants to play in NE:
_A fan tweeted at him: @DezBryant please come back, please have Kim, call Jerry first thing Monday.

Bryant responded: Naw I’m ok.. I rather go somewhere I can show case my skills for real.. if I line up next to Gronk hogan Edelman I’m for sure getting a 1 on 1 match up plus I won’t be getting criticized controlled for expressing my love for the game..Washington is cool as well._

https://weei.radio.com/blogs/ryan-hannable/dez-bryant-rumors-free-agent-wide-receiver-seems-indicate-twitter-he-would-play

perkdog

I’d take Dez but I don’t think Big Bill buys into his personality too much lol

erikthredd

Probably not. Scott Zolak on friday was hinting NE has something in the works where they might be bringing in another WR "on Golden Tate's level or better" was the exact quote. so there might be another WR heading to the Pats soon. I don't think Zo would put that out there unless he knew something is close to getting done.

bronco2078

Randy moss had personality

erikthredd

@bronco2078 said:
Randy moss had personality

Justacommeman

Nice nice win

m

erikthredd

NE might have caught a break for next week's game in Jacksonville with Leonard Fournette's pulled hamstring. It doesn't look like it will be a longterm injury but could affect him in next week's game.

perkdog

They need to keep up that pass rush while dropping 7 back to rattle Bortles who isn’t that good to begin with but he can scramble. Tell ya this much Watson looked absolutely horrible I thought, so this victory might not be as solid as it sounds against the Texans, originally I thought they were going to be legit.

erikthredd

@perkdog said:
They need to keep up that pass rush while dropping 7 back to rattle Bortles who isn’t that good to begin with but he can scramble. Tell ya this much Watson looked absolutely horrible I thought, so this victory might not be as solid as it sounds against the Texans, originally I thought they were going to be legit.

When healthy,and they are, that Texans defense is one of the best and I was worried about Watson & the RPO because scrambling QBs killed them last year. Three of their first 4 games last season were against mobile QBs who ran that offense and NE had the worst defense in history after 4 games trying to stop it then we had the SB as well.
Maybe Watson takes a step back this year trying to return from that injury but NE got past them with a W and thats all that matters. (and i admit I'm kind of a Watson fan after watching him play so well last season before IR,I wouldn't count the Texans out yet after one game where the QB is coming off a an ACL)

The Pats pass rush looked great without having to blitz and IIRC they had 12 QB hits. If Fournette is hampered and NE can contain Bortles, I won't say it will be an easy win but thats a winnable game for them. I am looking forward to see if Gronk & Ramsey match up after all of Ramsey's trash talk about Gronk not being that good,

erikthredd

Jeremy Hill has a torn ACL and is done for the season.
https://weei.radio.com/blogs/ryan-hannable/jeremy-hill-injury-news-patriots-running-back-reportedly-has-torn-acl

perkdog

I knew Hill was going to be all done, Develin crashing into that knee was catastrophic. And I like Watson but I would have freaked out had he led them to a victory after playing like he was lost in the first 3 Quarters.

erikthredd

The Pats just cut WRs Riley McCarron & Chad Hansen and with Jeremy Hill going on IR they have three open roster spots. They worked out former Browns/Bills WR Corey Coleman earlier today. Brandon Bolden probably takes up one of those roster spots.

Barndog

muff a punt, find a new employer. I like it!

thisistheshow

As a Pats fan, that was a great game. It really looks like we addressed weaknesses and are moving forward. It was awesome.

Justacommeman

@thisistheshow said:
As a Pats fan, that was a great game. It really looks like we addressed weaknesses and are moving forward. It was awesome.

I’m excited about this year

m

perkdog

I’m cautiously optimistic, I mean I think our pass rush was very good- I want to see that again not just against a lost Deshaun Watson. The offense I’m not concerned with especially weathering it until we get Edelman back. I’d definitely like to add Corey Coleman if we can. And as soon as that kid muffed that punt I knew he was getting cut lol

stevek

@Barndog said:
muff a punt, find a new employer. I like it!

Belichick doesn't fool around which is one reason why in my opinion he is the greatest NFL head coach of all time.

bronco2078

@stevek said:

@Barndog said:
muff a punt, find a new employer. I like it!

Belichick doesn't fool around which is one reason why in my opinion he is the greatest NFL head coach of all time.

easy now , we had a putt muffer that he took 2 years to cut. You get time added if you came from rutgers

stevek

@bronco2078 said:

@stevek said:

@Barndog said:
muff a punt, find a new employer. I like it!

Belichick doesn't fool around which is one reason why in my opinion he is the greatest NFL head coach of all time.

easy now , we had a putt muffer that he took 2 years to cut. You get time added if you came from rutgers

Yea I know...according to some Patriots fans, Belichick is prone to countless mistakes and the only competent thing he's ever done is win Super Bowls.

thisistheshow

I am sure most Patriots fans,like me,are VERY excited with how the defense looked. I feel much better about the upcoming season now.

perkdog

@stevek said:

@bronco2078 said:

@stevek said:

@Barndog said:
muff a punt, find a new employer. I like it!

Belichick doesn't fool around which is one reason why in my opinion he is the greatest NFL head coach of all time.

easy now , we had a putt muffer that he took 2 years to cut. You get time added if you came from rutgers

Yea I know...according to some Patriots fans, Belichick is prone to countless mistakes and the only competent thing he's ever done is win Super Bowls.

No he has done some other good things, definitely close to being even as far as good things and mistakes.

stevek

@perkdog said:

@stevek said:

@bronco2078 said:

@stevek said:

@Barndog said:
muff a punt, find a new employer. I like it!

Belichick doesn't fool around which is one reason why in my opinion he is the greatest NFL head coach of all time.

easy now , we had a putt muffer that he took 2 years to cut. You get time added if you came from rutgers

Yea I know...according to some Patriots fans, Belichick is prone to countless mistakes and the only competent thing he's ever done is win Super Bowls.

No he has done some other good things, definitely close to being even as far as good things and mistakes.

Yea, i guess some people out there think that Albert Einstein was nothing more than a glorified patent clerk who just got lucky fooling around with some numbers. LOL

It astonishes me that some of you Patriots fans still don't see the pure genius in Bill Belichick.

Oh well, it's not my intent to interfere with this good thread, so carry on with the fantasy that Tom Brady is the one most responsible for the huge success of the Patriots during the Belichick/Brady era.

You guys have the rings, that's all that really matters anyway.

erikthredd

The Pats just signed former Broncos WR Bennie Fowler.
https://weei.radio.com/blogs/ryan-hannable/patriots-roster-move-new-england-signs-another-wide-receiver-bennie-fowler

edit: they signed WR Corey Coleman too.
https://weei.radio.com/blogs/ryan-hannable/patriots-roster-move-new-england-reportedly-signs-hard-knocks-star-wide-receiver

bronco2078

@stevek said:

@perkdog said:

@stevek said:

@bronco2078 said:

@stevek said:

@Barndog said:
muff a punt, find a new employer. I like it!

Belichick doesn't fool around which is one reason why in my opinion he is the greatest NFL head coach of all time.

easy now , we had a putt muffer that he took 2 years to cut. You get time added if you came from rutgers

Yea I know...according to some Patriots fans, Belichick is prone to countless mistakes and the only competent thing he's ever done is win Super Bowls.

No he has done some other good things, definitely close to being even as far as good things and mistakes.

Yea, i guess some people out there think that Albert Einstein was nothing more than a glorified patent clerk who just got lucky fooling around with some numbers. LOL

It astonishes me that some of you Patriots fans still don't see the pure genius in Bill Belichick.

Oh well, it's not my intent to interfere with this good thread, so carry on with the fantasy that Tom Brady is the one most responsible for the huge success of the Patriots during the Belichick/Brady era.

You guys have the rings, that's all that really matters anyway.

this is all just a way for you to support the doug pederson beat a genius to win a superbowl theory. Bill lost that game doug didn't win it. That patriots have been flailing away for the last year blindly in a huge ego driven shitstorm between team bill team brady team gronk team kraft .Nobody has any idea whats going on they could go 7-9 this year especially if tom gets nicked up.