Stats on Pats Weekly By Ian Abreu, southcoast247.com correspondent
Week XII Wrap-up
Deep down, I was hoping that the Pats had a legitimate shot. But I should have known better. I should have taken a journalistic approach towards this game; not a fan's approach. All of us so-called Patriots (6-5) fans should have realized by now that their defensive back field couldn't track down a midget running a skinny post on a wet turf--never mind a high-flying running back (Larry Johnson), complimented by the the best tight end in football (Tony Gonzalez). Sunday afternoon was a disaster from the get-go. Not only was both the run and pass defense atrocious, but the offense continued to sputter time and time again. I'l tell you one thing Pats fans, there wasn't much positive you could draw up from watching yesterday's debacle. In fact, Sunday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs (7-4) was probably the worst effort i've seen from a Bill Belichick team in God knows how long.
Pats Defense Continues to Flop
I sound like a broken record, don't I? Week in, week out, I keep saying the same old thing. "The Patriots defensive back field is depleted; they just don't have the talent, etc." Even though New England's pass defense has had their problems all season long, last night it came to a head. For the fourth consecutive week, an opposing quarter back (Trent Green) surpassed the 300-yard mark. Green went 19 of 26 for 323 yards. His biggest strike of the day came at 10:28 of the third quarter, as Green hooked up with wide out Dante Hall for 52-yard score. Hall cleared through safety Michael Stone like a hot knife through butter. But we've all become accustomed to that after watching Duane Starks in action this season. As far as the run defense was concerned, their entire front seven was almost non-existent. Chiefs go-to back Larry Johnson scampered for 119 yards with a touchdown. By the time the Pats were finally able to get out of the box and stop the run, it was too little, too late. I'd like to say poor effort; but I don't know if I can. Can you realistically get upset at people who just don't have the talent? My fellow Pats fans and I are used to play makers such as :Rodeny Harrison, Ty Law, Ted Johnson, Tyrone Poole, and Randall Gay. Look at the the Pats secondary as of now: Hank Poteat, Asante Samuel, Michael Stone, Eugene Wilson, Ellis Hobbs, and James Sanders. Yikes!
Offense Non-Existent
Tom Brady just couldn't get his act together. I don't care what he had to say during his post game press conference about the rain, or missed routes; all-in-all, he was plain old bad. Brady went 22 of 40 for 248 yards with one touchdown pass. That wasn't too bad, but what made Brady's performance flush down the toilet was his four pics, to go along with numerous over and under throws. Chiefs free safety Greg Wesley had a field day (no pun intended) against New England, picking off three of Tom's four pics. The funny thing about this is that he actually told certain teammates that he would have three interceptions by day's end; he obviously backed that up! Weird, isn't it? The running game had it's problems too, with Heath Evans, Patrick Pass, and Tim Dwight combining for only 74-yards on only 18 attempts. Don't forget, Dwight only ran the ball once on a reverse--it was good for 12 yards. So that leaves Pass and Evans at only 62 yards combined.
Coaching Problems
I can't believe I'm actually saying this. Bill Belichick was out-coached heavily by Dick Vermeil on Sunday. There were innumerable plays that were called that I just couldn't understand. For example, your down by 10, it's third and four, time is running out, and you decide to run the ball? What was that about? When your down late in the game, wouldn't you want to throw the ball? If worse comes to worse and the pass is incomplete, at least the clock stops. Evans was snuffed out for no gain by the way. "We just have to do a better job," a frustrated Belichick said during yesterday's post-game press conference. "We need to coach better, period." Ok, at least you admit you were out-coached. I say it's time to move on, no?
Make sure you check me back next week for a full wrap-up of the first meeting this year between yours truly and AFC East foes the New York Jets (2-9). This should be a "slam dunk" victory for the boys in blue. The Jets clearly have their problems; both a lack of leadership and an established quarter back are the two main reasons why New England should pounce on these floundering New Yorkers.
If you wish to give Ian some loving, or, bitch at him for that matter, then hit up his email. Ian@southcoast247.com. Don't be shy Pats fans!
Deep down, I was hoping that the Pats had a legitimate shot. But I should have known better. I should have taken a journalistic approach towards this game; not a fan's approach. All of us so-called Patriots (6-5) fans should have realized by now that their defensive back field couldn't track down a midget running a skinny post on a wet turf--never mind a high-flying running back (Larry Johnson), complimented by the the best tight end in football (Tony Gonzalez). Sunday afternoon was a disaster from the get-go. Not only was both the run and pass defense atrocious, but the offense continued to sputter time and time again. I'l tell you one thing Pats fans, there wasn't much positive you could draw up from watching yesterday's debacle. In fact, Sunday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs (7-4) was probably the worst effort i've seen from a Bill Belichick team in God knows how long.
