Ups & downs

What! Nobody has anything to say. Just a couple of weeks ago there was a lot of moaning going on here and the trolls were howling. Well the seasons over. Lets call this a rebuilding year. The Pats suck. That kind of stuff. Well here we are, tied for first. Like I said before. Relax, boys and girls there's lots of football to be played. Go Pats Go.

Mike, a little rough on David Thomas? An on-side kick success is a freakish thing. Even though it worked, I question the call. Not exactly the circumstance that would justify such a low risk/reward equation.

Also, if you are going to put Ellis as a down, put him as an up for the kick return. At that point in the game, it was quite a boost.

Cassell an up with 2 INTs?

Kevin Faulk is so far the team's offensive MVP. He keeps making big play after big play. Remember his running TDs in the 49er game and the countless 3rd down runs or catches for 1st down. I'm surprised he can still shake and bake at his age. I guess a little weed doesn't hurt. Oh, I forgot, that belonged to someone else.

Reiss, honestly you are probably the most bland, boring and uninspiring sports writer I have ever been forced to observe. You did not remark on any part of this game that involved how Cassels numbers are deceiving because the picks were bogus (one tipped and the other Welker slipped) and the receivers played worse than poorly (Moss had a few key drops, 2 in the end zone and Welker had a few key first down/long pass drops). Can you please become more interesting?

How about the offensive line as an "up?" They pass blocked pretty well today.

K23 - That is really uncalled for. If you want to read commentary on what college jersey is on display at someone's locker on Tuesday this week read the Herald. It's a joke over there because the guy waits for Reiss to post facts and spends the rest of his time on "interesting commentary" such as you suggested. I've got to say I think Mike does the best job I've seen on any sports blog of being objective, not getting caught up by little week-to-week set backs and providing a wide variety of statistics we are all interested in and diagnosing them. That's why I read here so religiously.

He put Cassel in the "up" category because he led the team to a come back that could have long term positive impact. I think those two picks may or may not have been his fault. His presence, among other things, is a lot better than it was just two weeks ago in San Diego. However, he has had quite a few errant tosses this year we have been lucky not to see INTs on so it all really evens out. I would suggest that second pick would still have been an INT had Welker not fallen down. They played Moss well today but he still had 100 yards. My guess is that's why he's not an up or down.

Cassel played great together ... at least 3 drops out there that should not have happenned ... Good to see Seymour and AD Thomas get after it today :)

Just like this year's team ... just get better each and every week

Solid performance ... 5-2

I agree with the "up" for Cassel.. Although I am still not a believer, as his pocket presence is weak, his ability to scan the field is weak, and he still has not proven he can throw for more than 15-20 yards....... but for the most part, his passes were crisp, and on target. I still would like to see him against defenses that are not as weak and have not lost some of their key players to injury.

But, a win is a win and there are no complaints, except for Hobbs who, IMO, is still one of the weakest starting CBs in the NFL. No one on one coverage skills at all.

I saw the highlights and heard only part of the game on the radio, but I am not sure one play should put Hobbs on the down list. The guy is a great returner, and the problem was not that the coverage was awful, but the two backs ran into eachother. True, it's still their fault for the collision, but that happens sometimes and one missed play shouldn't mark the whole game off

I agree that David Thomas shouldn't be a down because of the onside kick. That Patriots line up deeper for kickoff returns than most teams, and the Rams used that play at the perfect time. Credit them for making the play when they needed too.

Cassel is looking better every week. Even when his throws are off now, they are off by only a little bit instead of way off. It's clear his timing and chemistry is building.

Gick, did you even watch the game? Cassel was fantastic. He didn't get down when Welker and Moss dropped perfect passes in critical situations. He rushed for 22 yards himself. I thought he showed a lot of heart! I wonder if the crazys still want o'connell at the helm.hehe

K23:
Mike Reiss is the most informative Patriots reporter out there n my opinion. His coverage of this team is second to none and I think you need to realize that he takes a very un-biased approach. Anyone who saw the game knows that one of the picks was not Cassel's fault, but there is no need to call out Mike Reiss. I love this blog and visit it daily because it is so insightful. Good game by the Pats. Cassel is coming along nicely. I still believe!!!

The biggest improvement I saw in Cassel in the first half of the game is he was really stepping into this throws thus increasing ball velocity. Slowly he is getting better bit by bit and week by week.

Steve DeOssie and Steve Burton said it best on "5th. Quarter" when they stated Cassell played better today than he did last week when he was AFC offensive player of the week.His poise and pocket presence/awareness is growing,you can see it.He is doing what the coaching staff is asking him to do.I'm still troubled at the D's propensity in giving up big plays,but assuming both Morris and Jordan come back healthy 11-5 seems reasonable.

.... Reiss' objectivity is one reason he's known as the best Patriots beat writer in this area. He also writes very well and knows his football. Find someplace else to spill your drivel.

Mike you are being way too hard on Chris Hansen he averaged almost 50 yards a kick and you can be sure on the last one he was told to make sure of no return. After what Hall did on his kick off return to start the game I was more than happy to see 3 kicks into the endzone especially with gross yardages of 57, 56 and the last one of 36. Lighten up man!!!

Great team effort here..kudos to cassel, faulk, and the D line awesome!!! Seymour looked liked the beast of our SB years, gotta love it...To all you naysayers 5-2!! Who loves ya baby!!!!! IMHO, I think its time to sign either Law or Lynch to help our now depleted secondary..need some veteran savvy in there to help with the youngsters!!!! Go PATS!!!!

I think the whole team also deserve an UP for the 0 penalty. That was good, discipline football. James Sanders gotta stop running into his own teammate, although Ellis Hobbs is still Ellis Hobbs on the big play. #74 (sorry, i dunno his name) got pushed like 5 yards backwards on the 4th and inches that Green-Ellis failed to convert. Last but not least, BB deserves an Up for his heat moment with the Refs there at the end.

a little harsh to give a down to Thomas cause he was in the vicinity. Not to mentioned he got absolutely blown up by one of the Rams. May have been the easiest onside kick recovery ive seen in years.

It was a solid Patriots win today. Faulk continues to amaze me. Hobbs continues to make me pull my hair out. He's either feast or famine. The only thing not changing with Cassel is when the team is put in 3rd and long spots. Every time he takes a snap from that down and distance, the Defense tees off on him and he turtles.

I disagree with your "down" on Hobbs/Sanders.

Honestly, because they were the closest defenders on that play. The fact that James Sanders and Hobbs actually both played overall good games means nothing?

I prefer to look at the overall picture rather than one play that was the whole teams fault not any particular player.

Same goes with David Thomas???? Like, does that mean his value or whatever went down? Because of a play like that? Ok....

Maybe, more appropriately a player that was "down" was Matt Light, who allowed Chris Long to get two sacks on Cassel.

Normally I love your analysis, but I wasn't a fan of the "Down" category today Mike.

Cassel's interceptions were 1: Welker falls down, and 2: Moss tips it. There's a big difference between those and making bad calls throwing into heavy coverage. I think he played well despite some HUGE drops by the receivers.

Anyone heard from "Steeler Fan" lately? He was throwing it in our faces all season, but since the Pats are doing well, and The Steelers offense looked terrible yesterday, I wonder if he will show up? I doubt it

Did anyone else notice on Matt's first int that someone on the right end of the defensive line as definately in the neutral zone when thhe ball was snapped? I bet Matt thought it was a free play. I sure did. Watch it again, there should have been a flag.
I still am not happy with the way the right side of our offensive line blocks, 74 yates is useless most of the time,64 is improving but still lets too many get through (as did 72 yesterday.
Blame Thomas for the onside kick? I think that should have been put on the special teams coach as the whole line was playing fifteen yards off the line. that was just good study by the Rams.
Does any channel have a commentator who describes the plays anymore , I really don't care what some players brother did in fifth grade while a play is in progress. I'd rather know who made a tackle, (or didn't) when the camera is not at an angle to seee the nombers.

as who made the tackle, or missed

maybe / just maybe the TD play that Sanders and Hobbs crashed on was Sanders fault. Sanders was the one that came out of nowhere to crash into Hobbs. Hobbs plays WAY OFF as we all know. Which makes it hard to get beat deep. Hobbs also plays outside technique. Which forces the easy throw to the inside. Inside +overthetop= Sanders guy to cover. BIG MAYBE I know. I'm just saying look where Hobbs is typically beaten at on the field. Pee's said last year that (the closest man is not always the one at fault.) When Hobbs is beaten deep where is Sandeers anyway? He don't play close to the line for run support or blitz for a bunch of sacks?

Yes, my "ups".
#1) Richard Seymour was a monster when the game needed for him to be
#2) Matt Cassel, the coach was right again, why do we ever think otherwise?
#3) Kevin Faulk, he is just a football player.
#4) The offensive line, is it me, or is Steven Neal proof that the Patriots unit defines the importance of chemistry?
#5) Mike Reiss writes the best column I have read since Gammons used to grace the Globe with his insight.

I wish we had a qb like cassell on our team. We might win some games. You guys out East do not know how lucky you have it sometimes. 5-2 without the best player in the league on your squad due to season-ending injury.....not bad at all!

Couple things...Reiss does a great job, he can't possibly discuss everything on Monday morning - what would he do the rest of week?

I think Rich mentioned this earlier, but why isn't anyone talking about the "O" line?? I haven't seen them protect like that in years!! Great job to them, they are the reason that Matt was "up" - simply...he had enough time to look at the 2 and 3 options. First time I've seen him read the defense and hit the open receiver. Add an "up" to the O-line!!

Lot of balls dropped too, not common for Wes and Moss (2 each??) The INT's weren't really his fault...one was a tipped ball and on the other - Welker slipped on his route as Cassel was making the throw.

Bulger looked like he didn't want to be out there yesterday. I'm not sure if it was the pressure or or a bad date last week but he looked AWFUL!!

Re: Bad Announcers. Turn the volume off on your TV and play the radio announcers. Gino Capelletti and the other guy are very good.

Re: Ellis/Hobbs. Yeah, they don't deserve a down, or at least Hobbs does not. It seems pretty clear the safety, Sanders, missed completely and took out Hobbs.

It's true that Hobbs is not Asante Samuel, but he is still good, just not elite. Next year we are going to have upgrades to O and D line via the draft and that will help the defensive secondary, both by giving the Patriots better clock control and more pressure on the opposing QB.

Mike: You do get an "UP" for starting the "UP/DOWN" posts in your blog. It provides as a good a forum for discussing the positives and negatives in each game. Keep up the good work.

Reiss flat out kicks butt with his coverage of this team. Can you name another blogger who covers an NFL team who gives such up to the minute, ACCURATE coverage of everything New England Patriots ?

Keep up the great work Reiss.

As per Roethlisberger in Shittsburgh ... He is the most over-rated QB in this league bar none ... does anyone else not notice that every big play from him is a result of broken plays when he scrambles around for 6-8 seconds and then finds someone open as DB's can only cover for so long.

5-2 with no Brady, Maroney, Harrison and a secondary that is full of rookies and 2nd year players with little to no experience. Great work. Give up all the yardage ya want but keep them out of the endzone !

Reiss blog is where it's at. I tend to have way better Pats info than most of my friends as a result of his blog.

Keep up the good work Mike. And hey, no problem having a few beers during the game.

Moss MUST make that catch in the end zone. Any NFL reciever can pull down 6 or so balls a game so the balls he did catch does not offset the drop. For this reason I would give him a DOWN.

Agree with some commenters that the "down" for Thomas is a hard hit.

Hobbs has been great as a returner. He still scares me in coverage--"in the vicinity" is a great way to describe it. He's often "in the vicinity."

Yates is a liability; LaVoir is too. They're competent backups, but 50-50 propositions against a good defensive game plan.

Seymour had his best day in probably two years. Hope that continues--he's certainly worked for it.

Adalius Thomas is finally off the hook--looking very good yesterday.

The better Cassel performs, the more engaged Randy Moss is going to become. Hope the upward trend continues.

I went up to David Thomas in the locker room today and asked him his thoughts on the play. He agreed that he took an initial step in the wrong direction, and that he wished he didn't take that step and thus could have made a more competitive attempt to break up the play. That being said, he still wasn't sure that would have been enough to make the play because the Rams executed so well.
--Mike

Mike beat me to it. I was going to say that you can clearly see Thomas turned too fast and was slow to pick up the on-side attempt, that is also why he got blown up on the play.

I agree that both Moss and Welker could fringe on the down side also, both had drops and both indirectly contributed to a turn over. They played big in between but those were all bigger negative plays to me.

Good call Neilp on Hanson, he very well might have been told to kick it through on those longer kicks, and if I recall correctly K. Washington had a play on the last one, it just took a side-ways hop away from him.

Moss MUST make that catch in the end zone. Any NFL reciever can pull down 6 or so balls a game so the balls he did catch does not offset the drop. For this reason I would give him a DOWN.

DUMB DeDUMB DUMB DUMB DUMB!!!!! He was the reason the moved the ball downfield in the 4th quarter. You are lucky to have a receiver of Moss's skills.