A real interesting look at home the Pats season started, and ended.
The Pats opened the season with a 42-27 loss at home to the KC Chiefs.
The offense coordinated by Andy Reid. The QB.....Alex Smith who many consider average.
The Pats defense looked terrible with zero playmakers, and were victimized by running back running patterns down the field. They gave up over 500 yards of total offense.
Fast forward to the Super Bowl. The head coach, a disciple of Any Reid. The quarterback, Nick Foles, average at best. Running back Clements hurt the Eagles multiple times down the field with a wheel route and seam route. The Eagles scored 41 points. And amassed over 500 yards themselves.
Bill Bellichick didn't adjust from what I could see, or maybe he just couldn't given their defensive talent level.
For the Pats, the season started and ended the same way.
The Eagles saw the success of KC, and Jacksonville's near miss too. They utilized it. BB should have been ready for hit IMO.
And Rodney Harrison said he saw players running free even late in the year....so there were some deficiencies for sure.......
Hard to look at their defense and think great team Pats defense was just worse
Good post, Joey.
And good thread, BillKo.
I think at some point there will need to be an adjustment on what is considered average, when this kind of play, and intangibles are demonstrated on the biggest stage.
Just cause you have a laser arm, or great wheels, or Cam Newton's histrionics, doesn't mean you are great. Winning makes people better than average... especially championships. Just look at exhibit A... Eli Manning.
I think at some point there will need to be an adjustment on what is considered average, when this kind of play, and intangibles are demonstrated on the biggest stage.
Just cause you have a laser arm, or great wheels, or Cam Newton's histrionics, doesn't mean you are great. Winning makes people better than average... especially championships. Just look at exhibit A... Eli Manning.
I think Smith is better than average too, that's why I said is perceived by some....not me though lol. I think he's improved and is a good NFL QB. Not great, but good.
Foles......still a lot to prove. Very small sample size after failing as a starter in STL. But, he did have big time success under Chip Kelly, which to me, is a gimmick system of easy throws and accumulating stats.
I still say he's an average QB....let's see where is career path goes.
Quote:
Is when a team doesn't have a guy or two who motors the team. He generally game plans around shutting down what you do best and forcing others to beat you. The Eagles used everyone often, notably going to Algholor so often early and mixing in Clements out of the backfield. They were forced to defend the entire field, not an easy task. Good thread though, and good observation.
Good post, Joey.
And good thread, BillKo.
AND 1. GREAT POSTS