Perception vs Reality

[Michelangelo]

Thank you guys.

I hope that maybe I helped a little bit.

Whoever or however you bet don't bet more than you can shrug off if things don't go your way.

Have fun.

Been a pleasure sharing the board and thoughts with all you guys and gals (if there are any left!). I love the input you bring.

 

[Cobra07751]

Disclaimer: I am a Patriots fan. But I've been able to watch this team develop and mature.

Four things happened before the season that would prove to be harbingers of things to come.

The first was the draft. The Patriots scored bigly in the draft -

Four offensive starters - Will Campbell, Jared Wilson, Treyveon Henderson, Jack Westover. Two more guys who will have minor roles today - Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism.

And two guys on Defense who will start today - Craig Woodson, and Elijah Ponder.

The second was free agency - four starters on Offense - Stephon Diggs, Mack Hollins, Garrett Bradbury, and Morgan Moses.

And six guys on Defense - Khris Tonga, Milton Williams, Harold Landry (Injured being replaced by Elijah Ponder), Robert Spillane (injured sharing time with another offseason signing - Jack Gibbons, K'Laveon Chaisson, and Carlton Davis.

That's a ton of new faces at the core of this team! You don't know them? Of course you don't.

Thirdly - as the preseason wore down Vrabel cut two guys who raised eyebrows around here because they were amongst last year's best - Kyle Duggar, and Jabril Peppers. This was the final tipoff that Vrabel was remoulding this team with his kind of players.

Fourthly - as the season was about to kickoff it was announced that Defensive Coordinator, Terrell Williams had been diagnosed with cancer and he would be unable to fulfill the role he was hired for. Step in Zack Kuhr? Who? Yea the guy who has been responsible for developing a Defense that has allowed only three offensive touchdowns in the first three Playoff games is a guy nobody ever heard of.

////

So this is who the Patriots are. A bunch of rookies and castoffs who wanted to play the game the way Mike Vrabel wanted them to play. The perception is that they are a bunch of who's thats. But the reality is they have been molded to be winners by Vrabel and his coaching staff.

And don't forget the lynchpin - I know in the playoffs he hasn't played up to his regular season rave but he's a kid in his second year who played his college football in the arm weather south. So the perception that many of you have as he's struggled to maintain accuracy in these cold weather Playoff games is that he is way overrated. Well today he is back in that warm weather. Watch out!

And finally a misperception about the Seattle Defense. Maye just got sacked five times in each of his three playoff games. That was by three of the best pass rushes in the NFL. But today he faces a pass rush that has only 10 sacks in their last 7 games (I always consider recency). Maye won't be fumbling today. And he will have the time to find his downfield targets - you know one of the two most important stats that he led the NFL YPP at 8.9; and accuracy at 72%.

Thought you might want to know the Patriots before you lay your money down.

I'll be on the Pats +5 -111 (Pinnacle now)

Buona Fortuna

During the season Maye was 48% when throwing into tight windows, but in the playoffs it has come down to 15%. Inclement weather could be the culprit. I’m on the Pats +5.5. BOL today!

 

[JohnnyMags]

Good Luck Big M

 

[uscmd]

MA, best of luck.

 

[G-Man!]

.

 

[uscmd]

chin up MA.

 

[Michelangelo]

Sorry if I misled anyone. Very disappointed in the offensive playcalling here. You can send Josh McDaniels packing as far as I'm concerned.

Congratulations to all the Seattle backers. You beat the crap out of us. Kenneth Walker is a spectacular runner. Your defense was sensational.

Like Coaster said, Maye needs another year of seasoning. And the two rookies on the left side of our line need to be replaced.

Later guys.

 

[uscmd]

CLASS ACT.

 

[G-Man!]

No apology needed Mic.
Your info was very good. The game was closer than the score.

BOL to you.

 

[Coaster]

Sorry if I misled anyone. Very disappointed in the offensive playcalling here. You can send Josh McDaniels packing as far as I'm concerned.

Congratulations to all the Seattle backers. You beat the crap out of us. Kenneth Walker is a spectacular runner. Your defense was sensational.

Like Coaster said, Maye needs another year of seasoning. And the two rookies on the left side of our line need to be replaced.

Later guys.

Thanxs for all your input.
You are a class act.
Next year looks very good for NE, they are a young team.

 

[TonyMar]

Couple things…..New england and their weakest schedule ever didn’t do maye any favors tonight

secondly…. Once mcdaniels realized he needed to harness his quarterback or the game outcome was going to be even worse? He did his best to protect maye’s future, didn’t work. maye?

the worst qb performance in superbowl history thru the meaningful game deciding…. first 3 quarters. Hopefully maye appreciated the experience, may never play in that game again

 

[Serbone]

Turns out Maye had a shoulder injection, that more than possibly affected his throws, his turnovers.

Patriots' Maye: Had injection for shoulder before Super Bowl

Patriots QB Drake Maye acknowledged he received a pain-killing injection for his injured right throwing shoulder before Sunday's loss, but maintained he was "good to go" for the game and just didn't make enough plays in the end.

www.espn.com

 

[skoda]

Turns out Maye had a shoulder injection, that more than possibly affected his throws, his turnovers.

Patriots' Maye: Had injection for shoulder before Super Bowl

Patriots QB Drake Maye acknowledged he received a pain-killing injection for his injured right throwing shoulder before Sunday's loss, but maintained he was "good to go" for the game and just didn't make enough plays in the end.

www.espn.com

First time hearing of injection? NFL says painkillers are not formally required to be disclosed, yet….. Think NBC fumbled by not mentioning in 6 hour pre-game or did Maye in his interview before Kickoff

 

[Bozzie]

Pats got 100% out coached on both side of the ball is the real deal.

Wasn't even close in execution

 

[Greenbacks]

Sorry if I misled anyone. Very disappointed in the offensive playcalling here. You can send Josh McDaniels packing as far as I'm concerned.

Congratulations to all the Seattle backers. You beat the crap out of us. Kenneth Walker is a spectacular runner. Your defense was sensational.

Like Coaster said, Maye needs another year of seasoning. And the two rookies on the left side of our line need to be replaced.

Later guys.

I doubt you got out coached by a 2nd year coach. You usually don't get out coached in blowout losses. Seahawks were the better team man for man. Future looks bright for your team.

 

[uscmd]

I rewatched the game, skipping the time between plays. I was left stunned at just how solid, how complete the Seattle team was.

punter....Mr coffin corner
place kicker, in the wind, 5/5
the defense, wow. The way they abused the 2 rookies on NE o-line, L side
the Sea O=line
Walker III. Solidly built, fast, and those jump cuts
Darnold. Not his best game. 1 sack, 0 int, 0 int
Stopping the run, and controlling los, with a 4 man rush. 7 in coverage, or rushing qb, to foul things up.

NE, went several drives, w/o even a 1st down. When I was about 25, I had a cat that was pretty wild, would fly through the room scratching people. I had him declawed. (i was young)
After he healed up, whenever he wanted something he'd raise up his paw, and look at me with "you owe me" in his eyes.

Mayes injection, after that 'crap the bed' performance, brought my cat to mind.
6 sacks, -43 yds, 2 ints, and the only lost fumble in the game. Watching him, watching the defense, presnap, was really sad. His 2nd season, vs the best defense in the league. The 3 items above, are 'negative plays.' Hes had 84. His arm, looking at the throws, did not look impaired. Also hes 23. He needs to man up, own it, learn from it, let it motivate him to learn his trade.

Its been a great year, my thanks to all of you, who shared their thoughts, making the RX, the great resource that it is.

Salute

 

[Serbone]

So
Maye had an injection into shotldr
Campbell had torn MCL
Did anybody include that in their posts?

 

[uscmd]

Campbell has been a turnstile all year. Hes escaped, so far. Critique wise. No mention of his shoulder. Campbell is 22.

Mayes injection, has been discussed.

I think the seasons success caught NE by surprise. That they were aiming for 2026. So no deals at trade deadline, leaving O line as is. 2 guys that could be all pros. start a sb at age 22.
Campbell 22, 1st rnd 4th pick from lsu
Wilson 22, 3rd rnd, 95th pick from Georgia.

NE brought in 30-40 new players, and that means time.

If Maye had a bad wing, it sure didn't show on several of his passes into tight windows. imho, his main problem, is reading defenses. Hes been criticized for this, all year.
Serbone if you get a chance, watch the game again. Just watch Maye, presnap, and how many defenders are around his feet.

BOL Serbone, glad we got to share info this yr.

 

[Willie99]

I'm hurting too my friend, not even hitting a 0-3 on the first quarter in a $ 500 pool consoles me (OK, that's stupid, of course that helps)

I'm still cranky

 

[skoda]

onto some roundball

I'm hurting too my friend, not even hitting a 0-3 on the first quarter in a $ 500 pool consoles me (OK, that's stupid, of course that helps)

I'm still cranky

onto some roundball W....



Back to M....

Never thought about until now...

Patriots become 15th team to be shut out in first half of a Super Bowl and no team has ever recovered​

NFL teams are 0-14 in Super Bowl history when being shut out in the first half of a Super Bowl​

With the Seahawks leading 9-0 after the opening two quarters, the Patriots became the 15th team to score zero points in the first half of a Super Bowl and unfortunately for New England, the previous 14 teams went 0-14, and out of those 14 losses, 10 of them came by double digits.

Sorry if I misled anyone. Very disappointed in the offensive playcalling here. You can send Josh McDaniels packing as far as I'm concerned.

Congratulations to all the Seattle backers. You beat the crap out of us. Kenneth Walker is a spectacular runner. Your defense was sensational.

Like Coaster said, Maye needs another year of seasoning. And the two rookies on the left side of our line need to be replaced.

Later guys.

Back to the M....

Both Lucky not playing Bengals in 2026. NE cost the Bengals a playoff spot this year minus Burrow!


New England didn't even get into field goal range until they were down 19-0 in the fourth quarter. Dobbs, running ability has made a difference in spot starts and would have added at least another element for the Seattle defense to have to deal with.

It would have been great for Tennessee fans to see Dobbs playing on football's biggest stage, but it ultimately didn't happen, even if, in retrospect, it probably should have.