FOXBOROUGH – Patriots coach Bill Belichick held his standard day-after-game press conference (11:45 a.m.) at Gillette Stadium and here were a few of the notable nuggets:
1) Jets’ defensive approach against Randy Moss. Belichick made the point that the Jets played a lot of deep-field coverage, and rolled a safety over the top of Moss for most of the game. That essentially meant he was double-covered. It seemed as if the Jets’ focus on taking away Moss and the long ball opened up opportunities for the shorter passing game.
2) Field position not overlooked. The Patriots’ average starting point was their own 42-yard line. The Jets’ average start was their 21. Belichick noted that the Patriots’ special teams work – from kicker Stephen Gostkowski’s kickoffs, to Kevin Faulk’s punt returns/ballhandling – was exemplary. “This was a big field-position game yesterday, and I thought that in the kicking game that our special teams units and [coach] Brad [Seely] did a great job,” he said.
3) Billy Yates credited for a nice block. A key play in the game came on third-and-9 in the third quarter, with Kevin Faulk taking a screen pass 22 yards to set up a touchdown. Belichick credited right guard Billy Yates with a key block to spring Faulk. "It was an excellent play by Billy Yates, coming over to get [David] Harris and keep him out of the play to get Kevin started," Belichick said.
4) Depth at running back shines. In training camp, one popular question was "Will the Patriots keep five running backs?" They did, and yesterday all chipped in to the Patriots' winning effort, with each playing double-digit snaps. "I think our depth in the backfield paid off for us in the game," Belichick said.
5) Players are working today. The coaching staff plans to go over corrections from the game this afternoon, and media members will have access to the locker room around 3 p.m.
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Mike, I haven't been able to watch the game yet but do you know if the defensive "green-dot" helmet has been used in the regular season? And if so, who was wearing the green? tia
Im glad you mentioned Yates. i thought he played very well, and blended in with the 0-line equally as well. Other keys Gostowski's kicks thru the end zone, great work. And on Defense Hobbs and O'neal played great at db, and great pick by "Hands" Meriweather.
PlanB: Mike Vrable had the helmet with the green dot. That means he was the leader in the defensive huddle.
Yates made several nice blocks down the field...and I thought the guy was useless. I should know better than to doubt Bill Belichick.
Mike,
Right as Tom Brady went down with his knee injury, Rodney came over to check on him. Since then, has he given Brady any advice on how to recover from this same injury he faced 2 years ago?
Sean,
He probably told him about HGH
Why do people think Belichick would keep a player on the roster for years if they couldn't play? Matt Cassell has been on the team for four seasons now. Surely he has learned from QBs like Flutie, & Testeverde, as well as Brady.
Do you think Belichick never contemplated Brady going down?
Do you think the Coach wasn't prepared?
If he couldn't play Cassell wouldn't be on the team. He just needs to find his comfort level to be successful!Trust in Belichick!
PATRIOT TEAM: YOU ARE DOING WHAT I EXPECTED OF A COACH BELICHEK
TEAM TO DO, PLAY HARD IN ALL FACETS OF THE GAME. WE CAN DO THIS,
WE CAN CERTAINLY MAKE THE PLAYOFFS, THEN WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE
WE CAN DO. SUPER BOWL WOULD BE NICE - BUT WE WANT TO WIN THE
DIVISION - THAT IS OUR GOAL.
LET ALL THE SPORT ANALYST ON ESPN - MIKE GREENBERG, HE IS THE ONE
THAT CAN EAT HIS OWN WORDS - MATT CASSELL, YOU ARE DOING GREAT.
WE DO NOT NEED MIKE GREENBERG PRAISING THE INJURY OF TOM BRADY
TO THE EMBARASSMENT OF BRETT FAVRE - BRETT FAVRE RETIRE..........
P-A-T-S
PATS
PATS!
PATS!!!
ESPN...did you watch the game yesterday? Can you remember 2001 season? Next time you pick a team against the Pats this season, do some research and save your face.
Double coverage and the safety rolling over the top explains why Cassel couldn't go deep to Moss. But they were in the "Red Zone at least five times.
That is Moss Territory.
All you have to do is lobthe ball up and let him go up and get it. Brady threw him that ball many times into double covergae in the end zone and he pulled it in nearly every time.
My guess is Cassell has trouble with that "Fade" pass. He should have thrown it to a wide open Thomas and didnt that time either.
Bottom line, you have to get the ball to the best player on the field.
Oh Matt? I'd like to intriduce you to Randy Moss. Randy-Matt, Matt-Randy.
Now Matt--- throw him the damn ball!
To Bill G-
If Matt starts throwing picks then you'll be the 1st to complain..let him progress and read coverages better before you want him to chuck the ball down field like Tom did..Tommy didn't do it his 1st few games either.
our new england fan are proud of every player ,coach and etc .got great jobs but ..keep it up til super bowl ...let s go pats!!!!!!!
UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE...The Patriots are still THE PATRIOTS!
I love this team! Did you see Rodney say "we know how to play defense," "this is how we win games." and then Randy's comments to the press, "all you haters keep hating, we're coming"
Trust in the system, do your job
Hey Bill,
I have Moss as my #1 Fantasy WR. A little louder with you're comment please so Matt Cassell can hear you. Thanks
Tyrone
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