Ups & downs

The entire O-Line should be on your Downs, in my opinion. Their sack count - for this game and the season thus far- is appalling. Where did the human wall go? Just curious when they're gonna start showing up to the games.

Why is Deltha O'Neal not on the down list... He needs to be cut. The one good play he made all day, the interception, cost the pats a 20yrd net because it was on a first down, and Rodney Harrison made that play anyway

Mike,

Why do you think they opted to use WIlhite over Wheatley in that package?

Thanks.

Laurence Maroney, Chad Jackson, Ben Watson. I think it's pretty obviously there is no eye for consistent offensive talent when it comes to high draft picks. If depth wasn't such a concern, I would cut Maroney. He does nothing productive when on the field and makes the offense predictable

Now we only need to bring only the Pats fans back on track. Come on guys show a bit of confidence in your team and stand by it even when it is trailing in the 4th quarter!

Go Pats

Wow, I thought that sports were supposed to be a relief from the economy; it seems like, from the early comments that the ill-tempered criticism is fueled by some internal malady, perhaps the late-night loss by the Sox. I won't say that I have been a critic of Cassel, but I will say that I have not been a supporter of his decision making, which seemed to improve with this game. The victory provides us with another example of coach Belicheck's wisdom and command of the role that team plays in football. I agree that Maroney is under performing, but let's not forget what he did in the final weeks of last season, no other back on the roster has his potential to alter the way the defense adjusts their gameplanning. O'Neal appeared to have a weak game, in fact, the interception was selfish if not stupid. The offensive line 's performance is a mix-bag, the run game was enhanced by their productivity just as the passing game is still emerging with their protection (or lack of). The end result--this was a big win, defensive schematics were unveiled, with new personal, that provides encouragement if not excitement.
What tops the list is that this was a game that Cassel defined with his fine performance; the receivers, running backs and even the offensive line will each look better because of the confidence that he gained from this game, as Moss stated earlier in the week, it's more important that Cassel has confidence in himself first,
because the other dimension of the offensive unit is proven.

I would have added Hobbs on that list of downs as well. Giving up inside position to Gore (HB) for a touchdown and he just doesnt appear to be close enough to his man when the ball is thrown his way (as it usually is). O'neal was cut from the Bengals for good reason. Its obvious that Wheatley and Willhite just arent ready if we have Oneal and Hobbs as are starters.

Id like to add Merriweather on the ups and if there was a middle category for up and downs Id say Harrison. he was burnt badly on the play to Bruce on the corner route. He was up on the INT. special ups to Sanders for running Bruce down on the broker play

Mike, you mentioned that Maroney didn't run with decisiveness. I actually feel that he usually doesn't run decisively, but yesterday it was another level. There was the one really obvious play where he could have easily had a first down by turning upfield and taking on a defender, but he chose to run out of bounds short of the sticks, leaving a 3rd and 1. There was another occasion when the defense got some penetration and he appeared to just stop in the backfield and give himself up.

We can guess that he is shy of contact because he's hurting. If that's the case, you want to have sympathy for the guy, but come on...

Luckily it didn't really cost the team yesterday, but how often can the Pats get away with putting him out there to run like that?

Big down for Maroney. Besides not hitting any holes, he had that one run on Second Down near the sideline where he could've easily put his head down and got the 1st Down, but he just went out of bounds shy of the 1st. That play changed me from a Maroney supporter to not believing in him anymore.

Maroney is proof that you can have all the ability in the world and get away with it in college but at the next level you can't. He is not smart enough to make the leap, yet, maybe never. His natural ability is negated by his dumb play and stupidiity. It's like watching some one run into the wall over and over again. Then the next guy walks walks by him and decides "okay, i will use the door handle, open the door " and then run through it.

I think Belichek is just hoping that at some point he will figure it out. It takes some people a long time to figure it out. I hope Maroney wisens up because if he does he will be very good back. But, I am getting real tired of him real fast.

I want to be the 10th person to comment on the play where Maroney did not put his head down and pick up a first down.

Let's beat this dead horse!

"gopats54", I think you're seeing what happens when you replace a QB with arguably the best pocket presence in the HISTORY of football with one who has absolutely zero awareness whatsoever. The offensive line is almost identical to what it was last year (except Yates starting instead of Hochstein/Neal). The difference is that in the face of pressure, Cassel seems to panic. Brady's reaction is the opposite.

Brad, I remember Mike saying during training camp that Wilhite had been used a lot against the slot receiver. And that's what we saw him doing yesterday. But if I'm not mistaken, when Hobbs went out for a few plays, Wheatley was his replacement.

Really? Was Cassel the QB in Super Bowl 42? I dont think its on Cassel as much as it is the line. Nick Kaczur is hurting and it shows. The entire line needs a wake up call. Its only week 5 so i just hope it gets taken care of. I trust it will.

I wasn't saying the QB was completely at fault. In fact, I'd argue that the accolades the line got under Brady were probably not deserved. They're not a dominating group, but Brady made them look like one. Cassel does not. You can assume that suddenly all 5 guys stopped playing well; or you can recognize that one of the best QBs in history was just replaced by a guy who clearly should not be a starter in the NFL.

Yea, I agree with the fact that the O-Line was kind of overrated last year, but they were still stronger in my opinion (until the Super Bowl when the Giants figured out how to defend against them- which it seems the rest of the NFL has also caught on to). Yes, Brady had a GREAT deal to do with the success, but he also couldn't have gotten some of those touchdowns without the enormous time that the O-Line gave him. Cassel isn't that bad. He's really not. He's not Brady, obviously (no one is), but he's not THAT bad. If the O-Line stepped it up a little more, I think he'd produce more, that's all. Whether it's absence of Brady or lack of O-Line help...I don't think anyone knows that unless you're on the actual team and/or study film.

Did Richard Seymour play yesterday?
If so, did he have to shower afterwards?

Give the man some credit: Cassel moved better in the pocket as the game went on.

Many have commented on the Maroney's failure to pick up the first down already but it bears further comment and further indignation. Indeed, it was one of the most disgraceful plays i have ever seen in football. The player had an easy first down and ran out of bounds to avoid a hit. It demostratres a complete lack of effort, committment, toughness and dedication to the team. Also, the marker was right on the sideline where he ran out so noone can claim he didi not know where the marker was. I always wondered whjy Maroney pussy footed so much in going into the holes -- The answer is now clear -- he is afraid to get hit.!

When a running back inthe NFL is afraid to get hit there can be only one result.

MIKE IS THERE ANY OTHER WAY TO LOOK AT THIS GIVEN THE OBVIOUS FACTS/EVIDENCE?

kevin faulk still has it. that direct snap to faulk has become famous now the 2pt conversation in the superbowl vs the panthers the 2pter at san diego in the playoffs and the key 4th down conversation. wouldn't it be sweet to have brian westbrook and kevin faulk on the same team and put them in the backfield at the same time?

Thanks MarkZ.