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It Is What It Is » Sunday NFL Notes: New year, same old Rex Ryan

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It Is What It Is » Sunday NFL Notes: New year, same old Rex Ryan

Chris Price’s Sunday notes have the Jets being a near-lock to open the Pats’ season, but the rings will already be handed out sometime in June. Also some good insight into the Pats’ search for a Vereen replacement, with Pierre Thomas and Ahmad Bradshaw now potentially leading the list. Obviously, they’re not the names that Reggie Bush and CJ Spiller are, but I think both are strong possibilities as the Pats have shown interest in Thomas before and Bradshaw could be a good low-risk signing.

Hey Mike! Thanks for staying level-headed during the craziness of free agency unlike some fans. People seem to forget that we’re Super Bowl champs! Kind of a fun two-part question – who do you THINK the Pats will host in the opening game of the season, and who would you LIKE them to host?

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Most signs are pointing toward the Jets right now and I’m fine with that. Still, there are elements both for it and against it. 

The first game of the season is always weird and usually has little reflection on who these teams will be for the season. There’s also a lot of unknowns going against a team with a new coach. You can look back at old film and know they’re probably going to blitz a fair amount and they’ll probably use Revis/Cromartie in press man, but otherwise, especially on offense, there are some question marks.

But on the positive side, the new players and coaches are not battle-tested together yet, so there’s less chance of them playing together like a well-oiled machine. Plus, mistakes are always the deciding factors in September and you have to like you chances facing Geno Smith in the first game of the season.

Regardless of who the opponent is, the openers are always the same – clunky, usually mistake-filled, especially with missed tackles. But the Pats are at home and we know how tough to beat they are there. So whoever it is… BRING IT.

How do you see the chandler signing effecting wright and who do you see winning the 4th wide receiver spot: tymes or dobson

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There is a bit of overlap between Chandler and Wright but not enough to really put them directly into competition. Chandler’s still closer to a “Y” tight end while Wright is more a fit for the “F” tight end spot, ala Hernandez. They can definitely co-exist and I certainly thing there’s a place for a Gronk/Chandler/Wright package in the red zone. Throw Blount and LaFell in there and, to quote Wooderson, “we’re talkin’ some f’n muscle”.

Had some Tyms vs. Dobson debate yesterday. First, Dobson showed real promise his rookie year and the injuries have been unfortunate. He deserves every chance to come in and compete for that 4th WR spot on the game day roster that Tyms had toward the end of last year.

But here’s the thing – we know Tyms has deep ball ability, it’s a standout skill. What’s Dobson’s standout skill? Good size, good speed, good hands… generally good, but what is it that’s going to set him apart? I am not sure. Is he the better all-around receiver? Probably. But is Tyms’ talent that is unlike any other receiver on the roster, enough to give him the edge.

They will be two to focus on. If you watch the Garoppolo preseason video I posted a couple weeks ago, you see plenty of Dobson and Tyms in it. I still come away thinking Tyms is the better player, at least in than sample set, where Dobson was still coming off an injury.