Ryan & Sanchez Out-Perform Belichick & Brady? You Bet!
Monday, September 20, 2010
The Patriots were “outed” Sunday at the Meadowlands. They were out-played, they were out-coached and, in the end, they were knocked out of first place in the AFC East.
As optimistic as we were after their week one win over Cincinnati, we should be equally pessimistic about this team after yesterday’s 28-14 loss to the Jets.
Strength vs. Strength: In a match-up of one of the league’s best offensive units (New England) and one of the best defensive units (NY Jets), the Jets won out. Early on it in the game it looked as if the Patriots would be able to move the ball at will against the Jets D but that changed as the game wore on. What was even more surprising was the fact the Patriot offense struggled more after Darrelle Revis left the game with an injured hamstring.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTTom Brady found Wes Welker early in the game but couldn’t or wouldn’t throw to him as the game wore on. He also, predictably, targeted Randy Moss too often even though there were many instances where Moss was not open.
The running game was virtually nonexistent against the Jets D. All in all it was a subpar day for the offense which managed only two scores on the day.
Weakness vs. Weakness: Score another victory for the Jets here. Quarterback Mark Sanchez was crucified this past week following his pitiful opening day performance against the Ravens with many questioning whether or not he is capable of leading his team to a Super Bowl. The second year QB went 21-30 for 200 yards, 3 TD and 0 INT against the Patriots defense whose young corners got torched most of the day.
In fairness to Devan McCourty, second-year corner Darius Butler was the toast of the town in East Rutherford Sunday. That’s because he was getting toasted by Jet wide receivers all day long.
The Patriots front seven was also getting abused by the Jets offensive line which opened up holes for LaDanian Tomlinson and Shonn Green to combine for 128 yards on just 26 carries.
Coaching: Rex Ryan’s loud mouths were flapping their gums all week long much like their head coach. The thing is, they not only talked the talk, they walked the walk. Meanwhile, Belichick’s troops took the high road but exited New Jersey with their tails between their legs.
What’s even more disturbing is this continuing trend of the Patriots not being a good second half team. Narrowing it down even more, they have been horrible in the third quarter coming out of the half time locker room. Maybe they’re not making good enough adjustments at half time, or maybe they miss having that tape of opposing coaches sideline signals to dissect at half. Whatever the case may be, it’s becoming a trend.
The Stoic Brady: Why I continue to be the only member of the media banging this drum is beyond me but something has changed Tom Brady over the past few years and not for the better.
This guy used to be a fiery leader on the field on game day. Now he simply exits the field and sits on the sidelines emotionless during games. It’s very disappointing to watch.
You would think that a guy who just signed a contract making him the highest paid player in the NFL would at least want us to think that he cares when things are going poorly. He could get angry with himself or try to fire up his teammates. He could even do these things when all is going well. He certainly did earlier in his career. No more, however. And it bothers me.
Mark Sanchez was seen talking to his offensive teammates, slapping their shoulder pads on the sideline. Not Tom Brady. Why? I have no idea. But I absolutely, positively don’t like it!
Not So Tough: Let’s face it Pats fans, the team that we root for is now a finesse team. They made that transition in 2007 when they lit up the scoreboard on a weekly basis embarrassing their opponents. The problem is, in the few instances where they have met teams that were both talented and tough, they came out on the short end of things.
In Super Bowl 42, the N.Y. Giants punched them in the mouth, so-to-speak, and the Pats ended up losing the game and a chance of a lifetime. Last year in the playoffs, a tough and physical Baltimore team did the same in Foxboro embarrassing New England in front of its home crowd. And yesterday at the Meadowlands, the Jets did it again to the Patriots. This isn’t to say that they can’t beat any of these teams on any given day, they can. But, clearly, the blueprint to beat New England is to get physical with them and hope that they don’t hit you for too many big plays which they did not do to the Jets on Sunday.
The Road Ahead: The Patriots host the Buffalo Bills next Sunday in what should be an easy win. Assuming they improve to 2-1, all eyes will then be on south Florida Sunday night when the Jets visit the Dolphins.
Miami is off to a 2-0 start and swept the Jets last year. A Dolphins win would put them at 3-0 for a showdown in Miami with the Pats the following Monday night. A Jets win would have Miami, New England and New York all at 2-1 on the season with the Jets being the only team still unbeaten in division play.
