Infield Infidel said:
Adding to the awesome is Wendell sprinting all the way downfield in case a cleanup block is needed. That'll give BB a bboner.
The Game Ball Thread: Week 11 at the Colts
- Thread starter SeoulSoxFan
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Adding to the awesome is Wendell sprinting all the way downfield in case a cleanup block is needed. That'll give BB a bboner.
Thumbs up to:
- Entire team minus Brady
- Brady on any pass thrown on a line to a receiver
Thumbs down to:
- Brady on any pass thrown on a lob or deep route
One of TB's most inconsistent games. Amazing that we won this one going away against a top rival on the road with Brady not really playing sharp.
- Entire team minus Brady
- Brady on any pass thrown on a line to a receiver
Thumbs down to:
- Brady on any pass thrown on a lob or deep route
One of TB's most inconsistent games. Amazing that we won this one going away against a top rival on the road with Brady not really playing sharp.
m0ckduck said:
You know what, I'm going to call bullshit on this one. Brady had a terrible first half and threw two of the dumbest interceptions I can recall him throwing, but he was lights out on third down all day long and played a pretty much perfect second half. It wasn't a great game and he doesn't deserve a game ball, but he had more to do with the team's success yesterday than you imply.
Probably lost in the grand scheme of things but those were some nice plays while the game was still in some doubt.E5 Yaz said:
At the beginning of the season those were the kinds of plays where the timing was simply not there.
Thank you.Tony C said:
The complaining about play calling in the first half was making me insane.
McDaniels called a helluva game.
That was Sergio Brown and I think you've pinpointed the moment Gronk decided to throw him out of the clubE5 Yaz said:
+1 to this, didnt get the frustration every time the Pats threw a pass, the running game was effective but its not like they were going to run every single down.8slim said:
LaFell wasn't involved enough to get a game ball, but those were two big league receptions at somewhat critical times.
To this point, Pats were 9 of 12 on 3rd down. A ground-and-pound attack doesn't work unless you have a QB who can make a stick throw on 3rd-and-medium when one of the early runs get stuffed.rodderick said:
The Pats never really needed a deep threat - what they needed was a receiver who could make a catch even when he didn't have much separation. They got a couple big conversions last night from LaFell on plays like that.Jed Zeppelin said:
I don't really think the first Brady INT was even that dumb. He was about to get pasted and had a guy downfield, the ball just drifted to the left on him because that's the direction Brady's body was turning to avoid the oncoming rusher. Sure, I'd rather have the ball and all, but instead of a 2nd and 17 at the Pats' 40, or whatever, it was basically a great punt. I don't mind taking that shot. Indy did nothing with the turnover anyways.
Game balls to defensive line and linebacks for complete domination of the Indy running game. The two Colt running backs had 14 carries and accumulated only 4 total yards. That's just nuts.
ngruz25 said:
Yeah I agree with this and I said it in the game thread. That play was on Vollmer. Brady had Tyms and was already stepping up to throw before he had a guy in his face which affected the direction of the ball. If Vollmer even makes a 1/2 second block that's either a TD or your typical long Brady throwaway.
The second pick was one of his worst ever, but I'm not going to really get on him for that first one.
Game ball to everyone.
Gray's wiki last night, anyone claiming this?
https://twitter.com/plarkin88/status/534199532524158977
https://twitter.com/plarkin88/status/534199532524158977
Can anyone explain why that wasn't a safety on the play where the ball went back into the end zone?
CaptainLaddie said:
I've been wondering this too. I have never seen a ball start in the field of play, end up in the endzone, and not be called a safety
Also, Pats must have noticed something about Colts ST, because Ghost kicked a few of those knuckle balls.
CaptainLaddie said:
As best as I can understand, it comes down to "impetus" or what force placed ball in end zone. Since the Colts never possessed the ball, the impetus of placing it in the end zone was still the force of the kick, even though it included a Colts player kicking it in unintentionally while trying to pick it up. So the ball is a touchback because the impetus of the kicking team placed it in the end zone.
I think its bullshit, because the Colts player, like all of us, thought he had to get the ball out of the end zone and was trying to do that when he got tackled. So even if the impetus placed it in the endzone, I think that goes out the window once the return man makes an attempt to bring it out. I'm not an expert, but if you catch a kick 8 yards deep in the endzone and try to bring it out and are tackled 1 yard into the endzone, isn't that a safety. So if that is, this should have been.
Edit: I'm sure Blandino will explain this one as a ""in real time" the referee perceived it to be "x", and you can see why when you play it full speed." Which is his BS line whenever they miss a call.
PaulinMyrBch said:
I don't think the intent of the return man has any affect on the rule. If you pick a ball off and try to return it and are tackled in the endzone it's still a touchback. Same in this case.
Really only comes down to the '"impetus."
Yea, I think you're right. That Cowboys play a few weeks ago was a touchback also and he was clearly trying to get up and run out before the fumble.DaughtersofDougMirabelli said:
So, I take back paragraph 2 and I'll leave it up as an example of typing before you think it through.
DrewDawg said:
I love how some people (not on this board) are saying he didn't even have to do anything in the second half because the running game carried the team. It was 14-10 at the half, and then the Pats scored on all of their possessions to put the game away. You don't need to throw the football 50 times in a half when you're completing 85% of your passes for 16 yards a pop and converting on every third down.
Anybody have Brady's stats from the second half?
Nobody thinks Brady played well in the first half last night. One terrible INT, one so-so INT, other passes off the mark, but this idea that he had a horrible game is insane. Marc Bertrand was over the top about it on the post-game show, it was ludicrous - and I say this as someone who generally likes the guy.
In the second half the offense had 4 drives, plus the end of the game drive by Jimmy G. They resulted in four touchdowns, three of which were sustained 80-yard drives. We didn't punt in the second half. While the OL and Gray were phenomenal and deserve the heaps of praise they are receiving, Brady was far better in the second half and looked pretty much exactly like the 12 we know and love. I realize it's an easy, semi-interesting topic to make hay out of, but Brady didn't play badly last night. He had a poor first half. There's a difference.
GAME BALL TO 2ND HALF BRADY.
EDIT: Re-thinking, tweaking. Like I do.
Nobody thinks Brady played well in the first half last night. One terrible INT, one so-so INT, other passes off the mark, but this idea that he had a horrible game is insane. Marc Bertrand was over the top about it on the post-game show, it was ludicrous - and I say this as someone who generally likes the guy.
In the second half the offense had 4 drives, plus the end of the game drive by Jimmy G. They resulted in four touchdowns, three of which were sustained 80-yard drives. We didn't punt in the second half. While the OL and Gray were phenomenal and deserve the heaps of praise they are receiving, Brady was far better in the second half and looked pretty much exactly like the 12 we know and love. I realize it's an easy, semi-interesting topic to make hay out of, but Brady didn't play badly last night. He had a poor first half. There's a difference.
GAME BALL TO 2ND HALF BRADY.
EDIT: Re-thinking, tweaking. Like I do.
Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt said:
9/11 for 173 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs and a perfect 158.3 passer rating in the second half. And Bertrand is a buffoon, he makes the Patriots.com postgame show unbearable, and I usually enjoy Perillo and Hart.
Easley is really starting to come along. In limited snaps, he was impressive. Same goes for Flemming, glad to see him walk off and smile at the end of the game. The 2014 draft class is looking quite solid, particularly if Jimmy G contines to develop.
He was pretty visible and happy in the post game handshake with his college pal Luck, hopefully that's a good sign.Tony C said:
He was walking around after the game and talking to Luck at midfield so it can't be too bad.Tony C said:
This might be for another thread, but is it fair to ask if the defense is actually better with Hightower and Collins than it was with Mayo? It sure looks like it to my untrained eye.Scoops Bolling said:
FL4WL3SS said:
The moment Mayo went down, I thought it was addition by subtraction. I really don't think he's a great fit in this particular 4-3 scheme, and I think Hightower/Collins are better in coverage then Mayo is (and one of them would be sitting in place of Mayo in the nickel package).
IMO, Mayo is to linebackers what Ninkovich is to defensive ends. He's smart, he keeps plays in front of him, and he doesn't "fuck up". That's the kind of guy BB looks for, but I've felt that Mayo's passivity has been a bit of a problem since they switched from the 3-4.
To be fair, it's not exactly the same unit. Browner alone makes a big difference, along with the DL changes.FL4WL3SS said:
I think Mayo's presence next year - I suspect they will keep him in N.E., but with an incentive-laden contract, a la Wilfork - will help, in that he's solid in his role, a great communicator, and that it will allow Hightower to go back to his role from the start of the year. The fact that the D looks better since his injury is more attributable, IMO, to the progression the D has made, and would've likely made with Mayo still suiting up.
Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt said:
Since Mayo went down against the Bills, Hightower (pass rushed 21.4% of passing downs since week 7) and Collins (13.9%) have been devastating when blitzing out of the nickel. They each have 9 total pressures in that time frame, which ties them for first of all ILB in the NFL since week 7. (As a point of reference, Mayo had 7 through the first 6 games of the season, Collins/Hightower each have 9 in the last 4 games).
They have been obscenely effective in disrupting the pocket, Collins continues to diagnose plays quickly and decisively (something he was doing well in limited snaps in the Bengals game), and they both are superb athletes in pass coverage. Losing Mayo sucks because of a lack of depth (Skinner? No thanks), but his injury paved the way for 2 superior ball players to get significant boosts in playing time.
Again, if this was a read and react 3-4 2-gap scheme, that's where Mayo can shine. His deficiencies aren't nearly as prevalent in that role, but they were an issue in this current scheme.
Interesting insight, thanks. Don't want to hijack any further, but will be interested to see how they all work together next year with more experience and instinctive EVERYTHING for the kids.
Kyle Arrington mostly held TY Hilton in check, so he gets a ball. I know he wasn't in single-man coverage against him all night but I think it was pretty much whenever Hilton was in the slot. But he sucks though.
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4772336/arrington-the-right-call-against-t-y-hilton
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4772336/arrington-the-right-call-against-t-y-hilton
I'm already looking forward to the game, but I'll say Aaron Rodgers wants to face NE. Especially since GB has put themselves in a good spot for the playoffs, and they'll get NE a week after Detroit plays NE. The NFC North winner will be either GB or Det. Saying he doesn't want to face NE would be sort of like saying NE/Tom Brady didn't want to face whomever/whenever. That may apply to Stafford, as well. I have no doubt it applies to Rodgers.DeJesus Built My Hotrod said:
I think Chandler Jones' injury more so than Mayo's has prompted the increased LB blitzing, since Ayers is more of a true LB that can drop into coverage (he already has 17 coverage snaps in 117 passing snaps vs just 13 for Jones in 248) and partially out of necessity since they need to generate pressure somehow with their best rusher out. I'm really interested to see what happens if / when Chander is back.Kenny F'ing Powers said:
Toe Nash said:
I have to admit, no one's ripped Kyle Arrington in recent years on this board more than I have. But this year, now that he doesn't have to deal with the pressure of working outside too often, he's been really solid. Having Revis and Browner has really allowed him to elevate his own game. He was lights out every time he was in the slot against Denver.
At this point last year the words "Fucking Arrington" rolled off my tongue what seemed like at least five times a game. I'm not sure if I've said it that many total times all year. I'm sure a lot of it is due to a reduced role, but he's been solid whenever he's been on the field. A bit of an unsung hero this year.
I'm gonna toss a game ball to one Colt. Old friend Adam V if only for impressing me with the FG that would have been good from damn near 60yds. Not bad for the old guy (even if it was indoors).
Pandemonium67 said:
Watching the video of Gronk's amazing catch and run for at least the 100th time, I noticed another aspect that is really fun. D'Quell Jackson is the first person to lay a hand on Gronk. Gronk spins him around so badly that he can't even stand up to resume the chase. He acts like a kid who just got off of a Mad Hatter's merry-go-round.
Super Nomario said:
Chandler got injured at the end of the Jets game. Through those first 7 weeks, Patriot inside linebackers blitzed 15.8% of passing plays (87 out of 551 snaps). Since the injury, the Patriots inside linebackers have blitzed 19.1% of passing plays (54 of 282 snaps), so the numbers certainly back up the theory.
Despite how well the Patriots defense has been playing, their lack of pass rush has me a little concerned. They technically had 21 total QB hurries, but a good portion of those came several seconds deep into a play. Luck had plenty of time throughout the course of the game, and it's a testament to the strength of the secondary that his damage was minimal. When Jones went down, I was OK with the trade off of losing his pass rushing ability to help shore up a very leaky run defense. Now that the run defense has solidified (in what part to the subtraction of Jones, I don't know) and the linebackers are playing at high levels, Jones ability to pressure the QB may be the missing piece to a defense that has really gelled.
DaughtersofDougMirabelli said:
The refs blew the play. If the kick could in any way have been reasonably argued to have taken the ball into the EZ, then it would have been a touchback (regardless of whether or not the Colts attempted to run it out). Here the ball was clearly at (or coming to) rest at the 4 yd line. The Colts muffed it into the EZ. That's a new impetus folks. Impetus does NOT require possession to precede it. Here's the language from the official NFL rulebook (the bold is mine) (http://static.nfl.com/static/content/public/image/rulebook/pdfs/14_2013_Scoring.pdf):PaulinMyrBch said:
The impetus is always attributed to the offense, unless the defense creates a new force that sends the ball behind its own goal line by muffing a ball which is at rest or nearly at rest, or by illegally batting or illegally kicking a ball ... B1 muffs a punt on his 5-yard line. In attempting to recover, he forces the ball (new impetus) into his end zone. See 3-15- 3.
[SIZE=8pt]a) where he recovers and is downed there. [/SIZE][SIZE=8pt]Ruling: [/SIZE][SIZE=8pt]Safety. [/SIZE]
This Blow-out should have been much worse!
