Three And Oh.
This team is going to be special. Despite the adversity, this 2013 incarnation of the Patriots is going to be special. The last few times that we've been 3-0 (2007 and 2004) we ended up being pretty special.
I am not saying that 3-0 is where we hang our hats. I am not saying that we've even looked impressive. Our team has looked sloppy, Brady has thrown some bad balls, and there are some injuries (you may have heard).
No one wants to rush Gronk and Amendola back only to be injured again, but they are practicing. Vereen is out until at least week 11 due to his IR designation. Matthew Slater is out indefinitely, and will be missed on all 4 Special Teams units.
Still, here we are. 3-0. Against Tampa, we saw the shaky offensive play that has been characteristic of this year, but we also saw an opponent held to 3 points. Say what you will about their QB play or the rib injury to Vincent Jackson, but Doug Martin was held to 88 yards on 20 carries as well.
Likewise, say what you will about Brady's mistakes. There were plenty of them. He is simply not as accurate as we expect him to be with his deep passes. I think we saw him opt out of throwing the deep ball on a terrible incompletion to Sudfeld while Edelman was WIDE open deep. Also, his turnovers have all been at critical moments or in the red zone. He has played poorly, but we are not wishing that we had Brian Hoyer back. He's Tom Brady, he can led us to victory.
To say that we are fortunate to be 3-0 is not an understatement, it is antiquated thinking. When we see our Patriots at 3-0, we expect them to be the 2007 or 2004 Patriots. We expect them to compete for 19 wins rather than just the big one that they truly need. 3-0 may not be the start of a 16-0 or 14-2 season, but the object of the regular season is to make the playoffs. 3-0 teams make the postseason 75% of the time.
For the record, the 2007 Patriots scored 38 points in each of the first 3 games. After 3 games, they had let up a total of 35 points. In 2004, the stats were a little less drastic, but the 2004 offense clicked from the beginning. Likewise, each of these teams had an above average Defense.
I think that the 2013 Patriots have a Defense that can play at a level reminiscent of the old days, but the Offense has not proven to be as electric as 04 or 07. In fact, the Offense has been as stale and as clunky as it ever has looked (erhm 2009). However, we may have seen the turning point of the season when Dobson juggled a ball in the 2nd quarter, but came down with a first down. I believe the drive was capped with a Thompkins TD.
I am not even expecting Gronk or Amendola to play against Atlanta, and I think it will be a tough road game to win even with their talents on Offense. Still, I just can't count this team out of a game because they have competed for 60 minutes in each contest. That's all I can ask for. We will need the effort every week because that's what this team will be built on.
I am not saying that 3-0 is where we hang our hats. I am not saying that we've even looked impressive. Our team has looked sloppy, Brady has thrown some bad balls, and there are some injuries (you may have heard).
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| Ridley has been a mystery this year |
No one wants to rush Gronk and Amendola back only to be injured again, but they are practicing. Vereen is out until at least week 11 due to his IR designation. Matthew Slater is out indefinitely, and will be missed on all 4 Special Teams units.
Still, here we are. 3-0. Against Tampa, we saw the shaky offensive play that has been characteristic of this year, but we also saw an opponent held to 3 points. Say what you will about their QB play or the rib injury to Vincent Jackson, but Doug Martin was held to 88 yards on 20 carries as well.
Likewise, say what you will about Brady's mistakes. There were plenty of them. He is simply not as accurate as we expect him to be with his deep passes. I think we saw him opt out of throwing the deep ball on a terrible incompletion to Sudfeld while Edelman was WIDE open deep. Also, his turnovers have all been at critical moments or in the red zone. He has played poorly, but we are not wishing that we had Brian Hoyer back. He's Tom Brady, he can led us to victory.
To say that we are fortunate to be 3-0 is not an understatement, it is antiquated thinking. When we see our Patriots at 3-0, we expect them to be the 2007 or 2004 Patriots. We expect them to compete for 19 wins rather than just the big one that they truly need. 3-0 may not be the start of a 16-0 or 14-2 season, but the object of the regular season is to make the playoffs. 3-0 teams make the postseason 75% of the time.
 |
| Take as long as you need, Gronk. |
I think that the 2013 Patriots have a Defense that can play at a level reminiscent of the old days, but the Offense has not proven to be as electric as 04 or 07. In fact, the Offense has been as stale and as clunky as it ever has looked (erhm 2009). However, we may have seen the turning point of the season when Dobson juggled a ball in the 2nd quarter, but came down with a first down. I believe the drive was capped with a Thompkins TD.
I am not even expecting Gronk or Amendola to play against Atlanta, and I think it will be a tough road game to win even with their talents on Offense. Still, I just can't count this team out of a game because they have competed for 60 minutes in each contest. That's all I can ask for. We will need the effort every week because that's what this team will be built on.
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