1.Thoughts are the Patriots so far:
KDC: Do the Patriots just win because their opponents are so stupid? Is that why when they run into smart teams in the playoffs, they lose their first game? (Or barely beat Green Bay last year w/Matt Flynn at QB, a man who had never started a game.) I’m saying the Patriots are smart & great with the fundamentals (I root against them every week, but let’s face facts – they’re smart and great with fundamentals), but when you’re driving against San Diego in the closing seconds of the half to get into field goal range & the Charges don’t even bother covering the sideline patterns (ensuring a free field goal), do you really need all those turnovers to help you win? Actually, yes, the Patriots did. They’ve got the smarts, but I don’t think they have the overall talent to do more than put up gaudy stats again this year. Predictably, the media will salivate about the greatness of Tom Brady (actually his stats), then stand amazed & aghast when New England doesn’t go far in the playoffs (again).
Momo:If you are a Patriots fan I would be worried about the defense. As great as a defensive mind that Belicheck is, their defense has been getting shredded, and its not just this year, this has been happening over the last few years. Teams like the Chargers routinely shoot themselves in the foot because they are still playing against the mystique of Patriot teams of the past. But teams like the Ravens and Jets are not intimidated by the "new" Pats. Brady is putting up monster numbers and will continue doing so but the trademark on defense in the end will be the Achilles heel of the Patriots.
2.What team is seriously deluded about their overall quality?
KDC: The Indianapolis Colts—I was visiting Indy last weekend & no one seemed to believe that the Browns could beat them. Considering they did almost nothing over the off-season while other established powers were beefing up their rosters, well…it already looked grim. Is it possible the Colts & fans never appreciated Peyton enough? They’re learning the hard way what a mediocre team they are without him. (And he doesn’t play defense, so Kerry’s Collins 19 points is respectable but not enough for Colt McCoy’s 27, which the Colts D gave up.) Much of this is of their own making. Runner-up: Pete Carroll at Seattle, who is proving (again) that any coach can be a horrible GM.
Momo: Its definitely the Colt. Jim Irsay and Bill Polian, two guys I like very much, did their fans and their team a complete disservice by not having a viable backup behind Peyton Manning. The way this team is constructed on offense, defense and special team is all dictated by having number 18 behind center. Peyton keeps the defense off the field, gives the special teams great areas to work and the front office thought they he would always be there. They thought Manning was just as indestructible as Favre, and this season proves that was not true. The Colts could have talked to Peyton while doing contract negotiations and informed him they were going to draft his replacement last year. Think the Colts wouldn't want to have Andy Dalton, or Ryan Mallet as a back-up, since they clearly don't believe in Curtis Painter. By not taking risks and constructing a balanced football team, the Colts are in a world of hurt. The big question is now if they have the number one pick will they draft Andrew Luck? I think they have to.
KDC: Do the Patriots just win because their opponents are so stupid? Is that why when they run into smart teams in the playoffs, they lose their first game? (Or barely beat Green Bay last year w/Matt Flynn at QB, a man who had never started a game.) I’m saying the Patriots are smart & great with the fundamentals (I root against them every week, but let’s face facts – they’re smart and great with fundamentals), but when you’re driving against San Diego in the closing seconds of the half to get into field goal range & the Charges don’t even bother covering the sideline patterns (ensuring a free field goal), do you really need all those turnovers to help you win? Actually, yes, the Patriots did. They’ve got the smarts, but I don’t think they have the overall talent to do more than put up gaudy stats again this year. Predictably, the media will salivate about the greatness of Tom Brady (actually his stats), then stand amazed & aghast when New England doesn’t go far in the playoffs (again).
Momo:If you are a Patriots fan I would be worried about the defense. As great as a defensive mind that Belicheck is, their defense has been getting shredded, and its not just this year, this has been happening over the last few years. Teams like the Chargers routinely shoot themselves in the foot because they are still playing against the mystique of Patriot teams of the past. But teams like the Ravens and Jets are not intimidated by the "new" Pats. Brady is putting up monster numbers and will continue doing so but the trademark on defense in the end will be the Achilles heel of the Patriots.
2.What team is seriously deluded about their overall quality?
KDC: The Indianapolis Colts—I was visiting Indy last weekend & no one seemed to believe that the Browns could beat them. Considering they did almost nothing over the off-season while other established powers were beefing up their rosters, well…it already looked grim. Is it possible the Colts & fans never appreciated Peyton enough? They’re learning the hard way what a mediocre team they are without him. (And he doesn’t play defense, so Kerry’s Collins 19 points is respectable but not enough for Colt McCoy’s 27, which the Colts D gave up.) Much of this is of their own making. Runner-up: Pete Carroll at Seattle, who is proving (again) that any coach can be a horrible GM.
Momo: Its definitely the Colt. Jim Irsay and Bill Polian, two guys I like very much, did their fans and their team a complete disservice by not having a viable backup behind Peyton Manning. The way this team is constructed on offense, defense and special team is all dictated by having number 18 behind center. Peyton keeps the defense off the field, gives the special teams great areas to work and the front office thought they he would always be there. They thought Manning was just as indestructible as Favre, and this season proves that was not true. The Colts could have talked to Peyton while doing contract negotiations and informed him they were going to draft his replacement last year. Think the Colts wouldn't want to have Andy Dalton, or Ryan Mallet as a back-up, since they clearly don't believe in Curtis Painter. By not taking risks and constructing a balanced football team, the Colts are in a world of hurt. The big question is now if they have the number one pick will they draft Andrew Luck? I think they have to.
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