Q & A with Pats Pulpit, the Playoff edition

While Brady may have full confidence in “Welker Jr.”, it remains to be seen if Edelman can be as productive and dangerous as Welker has been; Welker has significantly more experience in the league, so I’d be hesitant to say he’s a clone. That being said, Edelman had 10 receptions for 103 yards, so there could be hope for the kid.

Regarding the ribs, Week 13 was a re-injury of the pre-season injury – read into that what you will. The finger was first reported December 6th.

Week 4 was practically a lifetime ago, and both teams have overcome so much. Post-season we’re both 0-0. This is a whole new ballgame.

Hoodie usually shops there during their two-for-one sale.

Taylor looked good against Houston, but Ravens’ D is a whole different story. We may have some success on the ground, but I don’t think it’ll be that significant. Normally, I’d feel very confident in the passing attack with Welker underneath, but I’m not so sure now that Edelman is in. Love the kid, but…

As far as matchups, Brady will pick on your secondary. Baltimore is ranked 19th in opponent yards per completion, so I’d expect him to air it long.

We’ve been running some 2 back sets which appear to be successful, ie: BenJarvus Green-Ellis clearing the way for Fred Taylor. It’ll be interesting to see if we have the same success against a rushing D as strong as the Ravens.

Yeah, our rushing D is ok at best. However, with Vince Wilfork back and the emergence of rookie DT Myron Pryor, you may see more 4-3 than normal.

and Rice gets to the 2nd level then he’s gone for six.

Multiple different ones. We’re commonly known as a 3-4 team, but used a 4-3 quite a bit at the beginning of the year. We were thin at linebacker with Jerod Mayo’s 5 week outage, so the 4-3 was good to utilize.

We do a fair amount of nickel and dime, but one of the most intriguing D’s of late is the “Joker Front” – no DL’s but 5 LB’s and 6 DB’s. Basically, the LB’s “wander around”, getting into position at the last possible second. It’s worked rather well as QB’s have a hard time making adjustments.

when they don’t play across from Suggs.

With all of that attention on the one side, someone can usually sneak through on the other side.

In 2007, he was doubled a lot and essentually shut down (though Vrabel had a record year on the other side)
In 2008, he was injured, so Vrabel was doubled and there went our pass rush.
This year he seems to have plenty of attitude issues, but despite what he says, he’s not getting the job done.

We’ve had our moments, but are not considered a good pass rushing team. If there’s any success to be had, it’ll come from 2 places: DE/OLB Tully Banta-Cain around the edge or ILB Jerod Mayo up the middle. The Pats have been playing with a 0-5-6 alignment called the “Joker Front”. The 5 LB’s mill around until the last possible second and then set. 6 DB’s can help protect the backfield and force a QB to hang in the pocket too long. Of course, this formation can be vulnerable to a rushing attack.

I thought him looking for a flag during that play was a little weak. As far as him being the only QB act this way, I’m too biased to comment on it. I mean, the guy had his knee reconstructed; I’d want a cage and MMA fighters around me, possibly some firearms. Maybe he’s being over sensitive when guys get around his knees.

He’s getting Welker comparisons because he runs and cuts like Welker more than any other WR in the receiving corp. He had the “Welker Jr” nickname from the MNF season opener against Buffalo and he was in for just a few plays! It’s a bit easier for us Pats fans to see because we watch them all season, but the similarity in styles is ridiculous.

where they kept calling him Welker, until they realized that Welker hadn’t actually changed his number.

Supposedly he’s hurt, but he’s not “knock me down once and I’m out” hurt. Mr. Bundchen has taken a few good shots and got back up. Maybe he IS hurt and is wearing armor plating. Tough to say.

The Floppy Goose

Can’t get away from the guy.

Brady cries for a holding penalty from the sideline….. and gets it.

We have trouble against top RB’s. I’m not sure why, but a workhorse back gives us a ton of trouble. I won’t be surprised if Rice has a good day.

Hmmmm. Elephant shot?

…we’ll call it a good day. Why? I’ll gladly give you 4 yards on the ground with Rice 30 times, on average, because that will chew up 15-20 minutes of the clock. That means you’re left with only 5-10 minutes of passing the ball, judging by average TOP. That leaves us plenty of time to pass the ball down the field. 140 yards is the equivalent of 2 TDs. If you’re going to use 2/3 of your time with the ball to get 14 points, you’re going to be in trouble.

Definitely not Sam Adams Boston Lager. Might just stick with my true Baltimore heritage and throw down the Natty Bo.

Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA. If things are going bad and I need a few shots, Blanton’s single barrel bourbon.

Rich Eisen impersonation of Spock.

Excuse the MCL comment. Just got a little upset by this.

The phrase “Brady said jokingly.” leads me to believe Brady was being sarcastic.

So I’m trying to butter up to those officials before the game and during the game so that we do get a call once in awhile. If it helps our team win, I’m all for it.

So is this enough evidence that Brady is Gay, and is just hiding behind Gizelle or whatever the He&& her name is?

Whether they should have (or I would have) is irrelevant, because obeying the calls on the field is also in the rules.

They could play without helmets and pads and not stop until all players are dead or unconcious for all I care. I have a feeling that there would need to be more than 53 on a team, though.

We can argue all we want about individual penalties and it won’t get us anywhere. Heck, at the Monday Night opener against Buffalo, Vince Wilfork was called for a clean tackle on Trent Edwards. His only transgression was tackling around the waste; the refs invoked the Brady rule, saying he was near his knees, and the yellow came out.

The Ravens, like the Steelers, have an aggressive defense. I hear the same barbs from them as I do from this fanbase: the game is being sissified by all these contact rules. That may or may not be true, but the facts don’t lie. Baltimore ranks highest in penalty yards per game and tied for second highest in penalties per game. It’s a simple decision by your coaching staff: continue to play this style of defense and get flagged or learn to work within the system.

You flag anyone.

Funny, I turn it on and the first thing I see is a Corey Ivy holding call on the opposite side of where the ball was thrown on the field then a pass interference on Moss where Moss threw his body into the defender, then the next play Brady throws it to Moss in the endzone but it’s incomplete, and of course the camera goes to Brady and he is pointing at the refs.

Laugh Out Loud

You say this is a football blog? It’s a school-yard.

Exactly why we love it. Dirty, rude, and ugly. Just like our great city of Baltimore.

How is it being a Patriots fan in Idaho? Do you even know what states are considered to be in New England?

This is a 13 year old type of rant attempting to be a slap across the face that is supposed to get us all up in arms. Putting zingers in wile you make a point (instead of just rambling) is much more appreciated here.

Excuse me sir but we mapped out a plan for world peace yesterday. Today we are taking a break by goofing on your Freddy Mercury QB.