No Balls

[bradshaw2ben]

It was over when they decided to play zone against Brady.

This. Despite an insurmountable decade long mountain of evidence, the chose to do the one thing that guaranteed defeat. I'd rather lose because one of those smurf receivers beat Artie Burns deep then die the slow guaranteed death that was zone d vs Brady.

They didn't play zone against Brady. They played man under but not press... and they don't have the personnel to press.

Furthermore, their man coverage got tooled by Hogan and Edelman, as did the middle zones when they played zone. And, our safeties once again got burned multiple times in a game.

[jeemie]

It was over when they decided to play zone against Brady.

This. Despite an insurmountable decade long mountain of evidence, the chose to do the one thing that guaranteed defeat. I'd rather lose because one of those smurf receivers beat Artie Burns deep then die the slow guaranteed death that was zone d vs Brady.

They didn't play zone against Brady. They played man under but not press... and they don't have the personnel to press.

Furthermore, their man coverage got tooled by Hogan and Edelman, as did the middle zones when they played zone. And, our safeties once again got burned multiple times in a game.

Belichick himself said we played a lot of rush 3 with zone behind it last night, B2B.

I'll trust his description of what we were doing, thank you very much.

[Legacy User]

MM biting on the flea flicker was a microcosm of how NE constantly schools us....

2001, 2004, and now 2016

3 SB trips denied by the Pats

And I see no end in sight

Maybe Tomlin needs to wear the hoodie w no sleeves

[jeemie]

MM biting on the flea flicker was a microcosm of how NE constantly schools us....

2001, 2004, and now 2016

3 SB trips denied by the Pats

And I see no end in sight

Maybe Tomlin needs to wear the hoodie w no sleeves

I'm not going to get on Mitchell for biting on the flea flicker...that was a fantastic sell job...the running back ran all the way into the line before he pitched it back.

I would have gotten on the refs for what I think was a blatant hold on our pass rusher...if CBS had ever bothered to show a replay of it.

I don't really believe in game fixing conspiracies...but there were key calls the refs made yesterday that ALL went New England's way...so blatant that I do sometimes have a problem believing mere incompetence was responsible for it.

[bradshaw2ben]

Belichick himself said we played a lot of rush 3 with zone behind it last night, B2B.

I'll trust his description of what we were doing, thank you very much.

they played c2 zone over man under-- thank YOU very much. They also played some zone. Also, 2 man on sides without trips is a form of man coverage but it could be called a zone.

Anyway, the point is: you can play man under and zone if you are dropping 8 guys.

What you guys really should be talking about is press coverage. THAT we did not play, and the reason is: we don't have the players for that. Yet.

[BethlehemSteel]

MM biting on the flea flicker was a microcosm of how NE constantly schools us....

2001, 2004, and now 2016

3 SB trips denied by the Pats

And I see no end in sight

Maybe Tomlin needs to wear the hoodie w no sleeves

I'm not going to get on Mitchell for biting on the flea flicker...that was a fantastic sell job...the running back ran all the way into the line before he pitched it back.

I would have gotten on the refs for what I think was a blatant hold on our pass rusher...if CBS had ever bothered to show a replay of it.

I don't really believe in game fixing conspiracies...but there were key calls the refs made yesterday that ALL went New England's way...so blatant that I do sometimes have a problem believing mere incompetence was responsible for it.

You were one of my main detractors on this preferred outcome stuff.....you've admitted before you may be turning the corner.

I'm gonna rewatch the game and make notes on all the missed stuff

How come Edelman didn't get called for the blatant push off on his Td then cbs angle out on the replays failing to show it and Gay waving at the officials?

[Steelperch]

Belichick himself said we played a lot of rush 3 with zone behind it last night, B2B.

I'll trust his description of what we were doing, thank you very much.

they played c2 zone over man under-- thank YOU very much. They also played some zone. Also, 2 man on sides without trips is a form of man coverage but it could be called a zone.

Anyway, the point is: you can play man under and zone if you are dropping 8 guys.

What you guys really should be talking about is press coverage. THAT we did not play, and the reason is: we don't have the players for that. Yet.

We don't have the players for c2 either apparently. If there is one skill Burns brought to the NFLits bump and run, press coverage skills. He rarely got to use that skill set.

[Legacy User]

Although it might have slowed it down somewhat, I don't the Steelers could have covered the Pats man to man-- I mean, they did quite a bit of man coverage and got burned, even when they had safety help. I figure it must be about Brady manipulating the defenders with his eyes or something, because when they show the view from behind Brady, the pass routes never look that special. Our guys are never that open, either.

We have no one healthy and on the roster who can cover Julian Edelman, for starters.

The Patriots as a team are just better than us, especially on defense. Branch was a huge addition for them and Butler was an amazing find-- nearly as good a value pickup as Antonio Brown.

I'm not sure our defensive plan nor our offensive playcalling did us any favors, and I agree with Swissvale that they were stupid to punt from NE's side of the field... but the other team was just better, especially without Bell.

Add Bell/Bryant/Heyward/Green and Gronkowski tonight-- maybe it's a better show... but NE is better, even if both teams were coached in an average way.

Brady routinely abused Polamalu for goodness sakes.

The offense needed to put up 30 or more and per usual could not do it.

The defensive plan was obviously garbage but the offensive game plan coupled with dropsies was a disaster. But NE had some drops too and a couple bad throws from Brady and were that not the case it was easily a 40 burger.

I think Haley has done Ben a lot of good, but this team needs to do some real soul searching on offense. I pray Alien returns and stays clean and that they finally realize that they need to come out like the barn is on fire every drive. THAT is the only way to beat the Pats.

[Legacy User]

What you guys really should be talking about is press coverage. THAT we did not play, and the reason is: we don't have the players for that. Yet.

Those 5'10 white guys are just too much to handle in press.....

[jeemie]

Although it might have slowed it down somewhat, I don't the Steelers could have covered the Pats man to man-- I mean, they did quite a bit of man coverage and got burned, even when they had safety help. I figure it must be about Brady manipulating the defenders with his eyes or something, because when they show the view from behind Brady, the pass routes never look that special. Our guys are never that open, either.

We have no one healthy and on the roster who can cover Julian Edelman, for starters.

The Patriots as a team are just better than us, especially on defense. Branch was a huge addition for them and Butler was an amazing find-- nearly as good a value pickup as Antonio Brown.

I'm not sure our defensive plan nor our offensive playcalling did us any favors, and I agree with Swissvale that they were stupid to punt from NE's side of the field... but the other team was just better, especially without Bell.

Add Bell/Bryant/Heyward/Green and Gronkowski tonight-- maybe it's a better show... but NE is better, even if both teams were coached in an average way.

Brady routinely abused Polamalu for goodness sakes.

The offense needed to put up 30 or more and per usual could not do it.

The defensive plan was obviously garbage but the offensive game plan coupled with dropsies was a disaster. But NE had some drops too and a couple bad throws from Brady and were that not the case it was easily a 40 burger.

I think Haley has done Ben a lot of good, but this team needs to do some real soul searching on offense. I pray Alien returns and stays clean and that they finally realize that they need to come out like the barn is on fire every drive. THAT is the only way to beat the Pats.

It was worse. Like I keep saying, if Bell had not gotten injured, they would have not opened it up on offense until much later. You could tell Haley had the KC game plan in mind again.

[bradshaw2ben]

Belichick himself said we played a lot of rush 3 with zone behind it last night, B2B.

I'll trust his description of what we were doing, thank you very much.

they played c2 zone over man under-- thank YOU very much. They also played some zone. Also, 2 man on sides without trips is a form of man coverage but it could be called a zone.

Anyway, the point is: you can play man under and zone if you are dropping 8 guys.

What you guys really should be talking about is press coverage. THAT we did not play, and the reason is: we don't have the players for that. Yet.

We don't have the players for c2 either apparently. If there is one skill Burns brought to the NFLits bump and run, press coverage skills. He rarely got to use that skill set.

We sure do not have the players to play c2. It starts with Mike Mitchell and, if they're going to use the big nickel look they've been using for the past few weeks-- Robert Golden, too. I believe Burns will get to use more of his press man skills the day we have a # 2 and #3 who can do it, as well. Gilbert might fit that, but who knows if he'll even be here next year. Golson fits if he's healthy but that's a big if. Gay is not really suited to do it in the slot and I think his days of being an effective outside CB at the #2 are waning if not done.

I think we can win a lot of games with minor tweaks and additions to this squad-- but I'm not sure we can beat the elite 1-5 teams without another Sean Davis and some complementary CBs to Burns.

[bradshaw2ben]

Although it might have slowed it down somewhat, I don't the Steelers could have covered the Pats man to man-- I mean, they did quite a bit of man coverage and got burned, even when they had safety help. I figure it must be about Brady manipulating the defenders with his eyes or something, because when they show the view from behind Brady, the pass routes never look that special. Our guys are never that open, either.

We have no one healthy and on the roster who can cover Julian Edelman, for starters.

The Patriots as a team are just better than us, especially on defense. Branch was a huge addition for them and Butler was an amazing find-- nearly as good a value pickup as Antonio Brown.

I'm not sure our defensive plan nor our offensive playcalling did us any favors, and I agree with Swissvale that they were stupid to punt from NE's side of the field... but the other team was just better, especially without Bell.

Add Bell/Bryant/Heyward/Green and Gronkowski tonight-- maybe it's a better show... but NE is better, even if both teams were coached in an average way.

Brady routinely abused Polamalu for goodness sakes.

The offense needed to put up 30 or more and per usual could not do it.

The defensive plan was obviously garbage but the offensive game plan coupled with dropsies was a disaster. But NE had some drops too and a couple bad throws from Brady and were that not the case it was easily a 40 burger.

I think Haley has done Ben a lot of good, but this team needs to do some real soul searching on offense. I pray Alien returns and stays clean and that they finally realize that they need to come out like the barn is on fire every drive. THAT is the only way to beat the Pats.

I look at last night's offensive structure and plan of attack and I compare to the last time we beat the Pats in 2011. At that time, we were built to win on Ben's arm. We attacked the intermediate. Miller made smart decisions and reads vs the blitz. Ben had windows to throw into and receivers who caught the football. We were not obsessed with running the football, yet still controlled the clock. We used the short passing game to move the chains and set up the bigger passing game. There's just no comparison.

This team may never beat Brady/Belichick with Mike Tomlin; I think they sure as hell aren't going to beat them with Todd Haley in charge of gamplanning and calling plays for the offense. I said it after last year's playoff loss and I'll say it again. An edge rusher and safety are needed but Todd Haley is one of the biggest issues keeping this team from being great.

[bradshaw2ben]

What you guys really should be talking about is press coverage. THAT we did not play, and the reason is: we don't have the players for that. Yet.

Those 5'10 white guys are just too much to handle in press.....

Quicks defeat press in the slot. First off, Edelman is off the line, meaning you can't get your hands on him so easily and B. he has a two-way go.

[955876]

Todd Haley is one of the biggest issues keeping this team from being great.

Todd Haley has a boss.

Does Tomlin bother to be a part of the offensive plan for the AFCCG or was he too busy with more important decisions like deciding between Ayers & Tousant?

[Legacy User]

Todd Haley is one of the biggest issues keeping this team from being great.

Todd Haley has a boss.

Does Tomlin bother to be a part of the offensive plan for the AFCCG or was he too busy with more important decisions like deciding between Ayers & Tousant?

Butler and Haley's game plans were both below the line if you will. Obviously me being the head coach, I don't need to get involved in that......I have more important tasks...like challenges and avoiding making any type of adjustments. I tip my hat to the Patriots for taking us to the wood shed yet again.

[Kodiak]

Butler and Haley's game plans were both below the line if you will. Obviously me being the head coach, I don't need to get involved in that......I have more important tasks...like challenges and avoiding making any type of adjustments. I tip my hat to the Patriots for taking us to the wood shed yet again.

Lot of bitching about Haley, me included. But that was good enough for 30+ if guys make the plays that were there. On the other hand, it was "there" because of Ben making some tough throws that would have been tough catches....not something to hang your hat on as an OC, especially if you look at the other side of the ball and how easy they schemed it for Brady.