|
It's all come down to this
Time to get serious folks: S-Day is here. Tell us exactly what the Pats have to do today to beat Carolina. Does Brady have to have a three-touchdown day? Do the linebackers have to concentrate on stopping the run, or stopping Delhomme's short passing game? Pretend you're Bill Belichick: What's your strategy? There will be a new Top 10 list every day.
Page 1 Put Bill in a Vince Lombardi outfit and you will win! Dean , Plano, TX First, I like the Pats starting out on defense with and early stop to build momentum. The first offensive series should be smashmouth style - with one deep pass to Bethel Johnson to put a quick 6 on the board. From there, stack the line on defense, allow for man to man in the secondary, and encourage them to throw. Then disguise blitz/coverage packages to confuse. Walter needs a strong game - by kicking away from coverage. Special teams will have their chance to set up returns - and they will. With this, the game should be in hand by the end of the third quarter. G-Man, Baltimore There are three things the Pats need to control: The Run, The Run and The Run. Jaybo, Carver,MA The PATS have to play tough D. If they do this, they will win R, Center Harbor, NH This is just not going to be easy, as its isn't the Patriot's way. I expect the unexpected from the Carolina coaching staff. I think Delhomme comes out in the shotgun with 4 wide receivers and Foster, and I think they will move the ball effectively in the opening drive as veterans like Derrick Mason and Ricky Prohl make catches against the Patriots nickle and dime backs. I actually would not be surprised to see the Patriots struggle out of the gate, and even fall behind the Panthers by a score. I think the Pats coaching brain trust will do its job, analyze the Cat's plan, and begin to make adjustments as the second quarter wears on, and that this game will become a battle of field position for a while. I believe that ultimately the Patriots will win this game in the end, but it will be a nail biter until the last 0:04 of the game. They gave us all 2 weeks to grow our fingernails back, and we'll need every nail... Mike , Stoneham, MA The Patriots need to go into the game with the same physical style they had in SBXXXVI. I remember one big thing that worked for them against the Rams. Simply put..Hit Marshall Faulk on EVERY PLAY. Whether he was blocking, carring the ball, or running a route they knocked him silly all game. The Panthers pair of running backs seems to be there best weapon. Hit them hard and often. Hit them so bad they won't even want the rock any more. If the Pat's secondary could outwit a "MVP" like Manning they could have a potential field day with Delhomme. Chris , Pottsville, PA Score more points than the Panthers. Tom, Wayland S-Day? Stop Stephen Davis!! "S" imple! Jim, Millersville, Maryland On defense, I'm not worried. Three weeks ago, Steve McNair was deathly afraid of throwing in Ty Law's direction, and two weeks ago Peyton Manning learned why. If Law defends pro-bowler "Marvelous" Marvin Harrison and they finish the game with the same number of catches, he should have little trouble taking Steve Smith out of the game. With Smith on the virtual sidelines, the Pats only have to stop Stephen Davis. Between Ted Washington in front and that non-pro bowl saftey in back, he's not going to get anywhere. How many breakthrough runs have the Pats given up this year? And how many times has that non-pro bowl saftey come up with open field tackles when he was the last man between the runner and a touchdown? The Cats will be lucky to put up 10 points. So, the key is that the Pats need to put some points on the board, and the way to do that against the Carolina defense is with lots of screen passes. That will either allow the Pats to get around the Cats' vaunted front four, or force them to stop pass rushing so much and spread out their defense, which they don't like to do. So, that's what I'd place at #1 on the top 10 list: screen passes. My prediction: when this game is over, Reliant Stadium will be covered with black fur. Adi, West Roxbury 1. Show up 2-10. See #1 Go Pats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jamie, Waltham
|
