An Independent Patriots Blog
You never want to make too much out of one game, especially in week three, but it would be hard to argue that after week one the Pats and Ravens look like the two best teams in the AFC. The Pats don’t have an exactly killer schedule this year so I wouldn’t say that homefield advantage hangs in the balance but neither team should lose more than four games so there could definitely be some implications down the road.
In simplest terms this game could determine where the rematch is.
On behalf of the team, players, myself, we want to pass along our best wishes to Chuck Fairbanks. Chuck is headed into some surgery today. I just want to pass along our best wishes to Chuck and his family. Chuck has been a good friend for a long time and he’s meant a lot to this organization. Really, at the time he came here, he did a great job in turning the Patriots around, making them into one of the top teams in the AFC. Also, some of the things he brought to the Patriots and the league in the ‘70s were things that stood the test of time and have been a big principle of this league for many, many years and the disciples and the people that were with him, such as the 3-4 defense, the way he organized the draft, personnel meetings, things like that and some of the great coaches that were here under Chuck.
Bill Belichick Press Conference Transcript
Fairbanks-Bullough 3-4!!
Indeed if you look at the snaps that Welker missed because Edelman was preferred to him it works out at 16% of offensive snaps. Welker averaged 11% of snaps off the field in 2011, and well over 20% in both 2009 and 2010. Edelman might be the player picking up the snaps that Welker is spending off the field, but there is nothing to suggest that spending those snaps off the field is unusual for him.
I don’t know, but I’d certainly bet D’Anthony Batiste will be checking under his every night after Sunday.
Hmm, honest answer or voice of BB answer… let’s go honest. It’s going to take a very special game from the Cardinals to beat the Patriots. Defensively there’s no question that this is a talented group at all three levels. Calais Campbell and Darnell Dockett are no joke. But there are holes to attack, especially the outside linebackers, and the hurry up and spread should really put the pressure on Arizona and keep them from playing the way they’d like to.
Is it possible the Cards defensive line comes out on fire, the Pats o-line comes out flat, and things get dicey? Absolutely. But I still don’t believe the Cardinals have enough weapons outside of Larry Fitzgerald to put up enough points to keep up with the Pats. Last week the Pats defense looked the best they’ve looked since 2007, but I still think they’ll have some growing pains. Still, they’re offensive line is pretty brutal, and Chandler Jones should have a big day. Greg Bedard thinks he could have four sacks.
But ultimately it’s going to take a very special game, where all the bounces go the Cardinals way, for them to beat the Patriots in New England. Those games have happened in the past, see 2006 Jets/2010 Browns, but I just can’t imagine it happening this Sunday on the Pats home opener.
Definitely the 49ers, that should be an excellent game especially in December on Sunday Night Football. Coming off a short week after playing the Texans on Monday night should make it even a little more challenging. But ultimately you want your team to be ready to play tough physical football in the playoffs and the 49ers should provide the perfect pre-playoff warm-up for us, especially for our offense.
Great news and not entirely unexpected given the tone of the last few days. This really solidifies things at the defensive tackle position. Now let’s go get some pass rush and call it an offseason! Vince Wilfork’s new deal with Patriots really is a one-year, $8M deal that includes $3M guaranteed and deal has an […]