Amnorix - it's time for the Hoodie Bowl

[JD10367]

Denver is better than people thought they'd be, especially on D. On O, I grudgingly concede that Knowshon was a good pick, and the formerly-unhappy WR has got game. Orton is a game manager who isn't asked to do too much, but if the O-line can chop-block... er, I mean, pass-protect--then he can get the job done.

Playing in Denver is always an advantage for the Broncos.

McDaniels will add nothing to this week. As mentioned, EVERYONE knows what Brady can do. It's not like he's new to the league. And, trust me, Belichick always has tricks up his sleeve that he hasn't shown his minions. Belichick knows what it is that he has and hasn't shown McDaniels, so Belichick will gameplan accordingly.

It'll probably be a close game, especially if Brady continues his off-target first-half performances. But the Broncos have yet to play an opponent as good as the Patriots, IMO. Yeah, their stats are better than the Pats, but they also played weaker teams. The Pats are on a weird roll where each team they play is undefeated at the time (Buffalo was 0-0, the Jets were 1-0, the Falcons were 2-0, the Ravens were 3-0, and the Broncos are 4-0).

If the Broncos win, or keep it within 7, I'll concede that they're for real and have a solid shot at winning the AFC West, especially if the Chargers keep shitting their pants and underachieving.

Really, nothing would surprise me this weekend. Big Pats win, squeaker win by either side, big Broncos win. Although, of course, as a Patriots fan I feel the latter is a very slim possibility.

[RJ]

The Broncos can beat the Patriots, provided none of their defenders goes within three yards of Tom Brady. Any violation of Tom Brady's Personal Space will result in a 15 yard penalty and automatic first down.

[JD10367]

Originally Posted by RJ

The Broncos can beat the Patriots, provided none of their defenders goes within three yards of Tom Brady. Any violation of Tom Brady's Personal Space will result in a 15 yard penalty and automatic first down.

Yeah, yeah, we get it. The fouls were a bit ticky-tack. But, frankly, everyone knows that star players get star treatment. Michael Jordan made a living off it in the NBA. If you whack a Brady or a Peyton they're gonna call it quicker than if you hog-wrestle Joe Flacco or JaFatAss Russell. It's not right, but that's how it goes.

On the one hand, I agree with Rodney Harrison. The QBs are protected too much. On the other hand, "it is what it is". Everyone knows the rules. Everyone knows that if you even graze a QB's head with your hand it's getting called. Everyone knows that if you hit the knees it's getting called. Whether you meant it or not ain't worth shit. I'm pretty sure that Squirmin' Herman didn't tell the Chiefs D at the start of last season's opener, "Okay, no matter what, we have to take Brady out!" The NFL has put the QB in a protective bubble.

[RJ]

Originally Posted by JD10367

Everyone knows that if you hit the knees it's getting called.

I think Brady is the only QB in the league who gets that call on Suggs.

[JD10367]

Originally Posted by RJ

I think Brady is the only QB in the league who gets that call on Suggs.

I disagree, especially since they beefed up the rules BECAUSE of Brady's injury last year. Brady gets that call, but so does Peyton, Big Ben, Brees, Rivers.... as I said, maybe Russell in Oakland doesn't get it. Which is wrong. But the human refereeing element in sports is always an issue. Baseball umpires have their own strike zones, and vary from pitch to pitch. Basketball refs have their own ideas of what a foul looks like. Football is no different. Unless they're going to have a refereeing committee in an overhead booth and LITERALLY review each play for 30 seconds to make a decision, there's no way around it.

[Just Passin' By]

Originally Posted by RJ

I think Brady is the only QB in the league who gets that call on Suggs.

Go watch a replay of the penalty called on Wilfork for hitting Edwards in the Buffalo game. The notion that only Brady gets that call is absurd.

[Pioli Zombie]

As a Patriots fan going to Denver is one game I'm always nervous. I've learned to hate the Broncos because they give us fits. But after beating Atlanta and the Ravens, if the Patriots can gpo in there and beat Denver they are all the way back.
Posted via Mobile Device

[JD10367]

Originally Posted by Pioli Zombie

But after beating Atlanta and the Ravens, if the Patriots can gpo in there and beat Denver they are all the way back.

Uh... no. If they beat Denver, they are not "all the way back". In the first place, Denver is not the measuring stick for that. In the second place, the Pats were never "not back". In the third place, they don't hand out hats and T-shirts for beating Denver in early October. It's just another game in a long line of tough games.

Now, if Brady does NOT have a shaky first half, and has a nice 70% completion rate day of 400 yards and 4 TDs, then maybe HE is "all the way back". That's about it.

[Deberg_1990]

Will Belliturd shake McDaniels hand? Or blow him off?

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Will Belliturd shake McDaniels hand? Or blow him off?

McDaniels, like Dimitroff in Atlanta, Weis at ND, Crennel in neverneverland, and Pioli in KC, remains a member of the extended Belichick network.

Mangina is dead, and his long slow demise in Cleveland is a joy to behold, though I pity the poor, long-suffering Browns fans who drove BB out of their town, and then had their team leave on them only to watch them both win SBs a few years later.

[Amnorix]

My thoughts, randomly stated:

1. Patriots have always had trouble with Denver, epsecially at Mile High. With Shanahan, especially, but even before him with Dan Reeves.

2. Patriots had TREMENDOUS turnover this past offseason. Much more than normal for any NFL team, much less one that went 11-5 last year. Lots of coaches left, not just McDaniels, and a number of senior players retired or were traded. Because of that, we started off very slow. Squeaking past the mediocre Bills, and losing to the Jets. But we're improving faster than any team in the NFL, as Brady gains more confidence and the defense learns each other's names (with Mayo out, only something like 4 starters otu of 11 returned on the defense). The Pats team that played the Ravens was exponentially better than the pathetic version that squeaked by Buffalo.

3. Patriots defense is surprisingly good. If Mayo comes back, and he may be back this week as he seemingly participated in practice last Friday, then look out. This defense may be much better than anyone had anticipated before the season started.

4. McDaniels is a good coach, and I have no doubt he has several very explicit thoughts on the weaknesses of the Patriots players. That said, it's not as if every other team in the NFL hasn't been attacking the Patriots' perceived weaknesses for years. You think Mangina didn't speak with other coaches and try to give them tips when he was HC of the NYJ? Haven't Patriots coaches left to go to other franchises before. Other players have moved on too -- Ty Law, Lawyer Milloy, Drew Bledsoe, the list is nearly endless.

I think it will be a tough game, but I think the Patriots can and will take Marshall out of the game, as they did TO and Tony Gonzalez, while the Broncos will struggle to contain the rapidly improving Pats offense.

I admit that I don't believe, yet, that the Broncos are "real". In fact, the entire AFCW seems pretty unreal to me, and not in a good way.

[Garcia Bronco]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

My thoughts, randomly stated:

1. Patriots have always had trouble with Denver, epsecially at Mile High. With Shanahan, especially, but even before him with Dan Reeves.

John Elway, who won't be playing in this weekends game, was 16-0 all time versus the PAts. That means in John's 16 year career, one entire regular season was spent just beating the Patriots.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

John Elway, who won't be playing in this weekends game, was 16-0 all time versus the PAts. That means in John's 16 year career, one entire regular season was spent just beating the Patriots.

I've noted the key words in your post. I suggest that you would agree with me that Orton doesn't equal Elway.

[Garcia Bronco]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

My thoughts, randomly stated:



2. Patriots had TREMENDOUS turnover this past offseason. Much more than normal for any NFL team, much less one that went 11-5 last year. Lots of coaches left, not just McDaniels, and a number of senior players retired or were traded. Because of that, we started off very slow. Squeaking past the mediocre Bills, and losing to the Jets. But we're improving faster than any team in the NFL, as Brady gains more confidence and the defense learns each other's names (with Mayo out, only something like 4 starters otu of 11 returned on the defense). The Pats team that played the Ravens was exponentially better than the pathetic version that squeaked by Buffalo.

Well considering the Ravens had to beat the Patriots and the refs it's not suprising that the Pats were able to squeak by the Ravens.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

Well considering the Ravens had to beat the Patriots and the refs it's not suprising that the Pats were able to squeak by the Ravens.

So the Ravens say. They seem to complain about the refs alot when they lose to the Patriots. I dont' blame them -- the Brady rule is annoying for defensive players. I'm not hugely in favor of some of them myself. But learn the rules and play by them is all you can do.