New England doesn't seem motivated

[ethurst22]

I'm looking at yesterdays game and NE doesn't look motivated. They look tired.

Maybe its the weight of expectations every year. Belichick looks like hes not interested half the time. I truly give him one more year and he might just hang it up and retire. He's already a HOF coach.

Another issue was NE game plan. I felt like they could run on Miami and they were content to throw the ball. Another strange issue is that tight ends have killed Miami this year and NE didn't get the TE in the game plan. Where was Ben Watson in the game plan?

When Miami put the clamps on Welker, it's like NE had no other options. The fullback blast to Morris at the goal line was an atrocious play call. Maroney could have gotten into end zone if Brady had faked the dive and pitched it to him. Miami was waiting on that play because Morris ran it as a Dolphin.

Bill B looks like hes not having any fun. I wouldn't be surprised if he hung it up after one more year. If Bill B goes, I don't see Brady playing past age 35.

[Brian Fein]

To me I thought if they threw bombs to Moss and Aiken every play, they'd have won 64-10.  For some reason, they played a conservative, un-Patriot-like offense, and that's what cost them that game.

I agree with you, though, that they don't see like the Patriots of old...

[gocowboys31]

It's not that the pats are  bored, they're just not that good anymore. They can't run the ball to run the clock out at the end of games, and finally the philosphy of we can just plug in anybody at any position is  cacthing ip with them.


Not paying Asante Samuel was a mistake, letting Richard Semoyur go for a win now team was a mistake. Those are two playmaking, difference making type players. There is a reason belichick keeps gambling on offense, because his defense in particular the secondary is horrible. 0-5 on the road should tell the story.

[SportsChick]

Um, They're 1-5 on the road. Not much better, but they do have a road win

[Brian Fein]

Um, They're 1-5 on the road. Not much better, but they do have a road win

Against the Bucs, in London.  Was that REALLY a road game?  There's WAY more Pats' fans in England than Bucs fans...

[MaineDolFan]

I kind of think that a game in LONDON should be credited as a "road game", Brian.  Any time you play away from your HOME is on the road.  Especially when you needed to fly to another frikkin' country (which, by the way, is the numbest thing ever). 

Maybe in a year or two the NFL can start games in Iraq, too.  Brazil.  Alaska.  You know, to spread global knowledge. 

[Sunstroke]

I'm certain there are a few dozen natives on the island of Madagascar that are totally jonesing for some quality NFL action...

[Spider-Dan]

It would be more accurate to say that NE has not won a game in an opponent's stadium, which is what is traditionally thought of as a "road" game.

Neutral-site games are neither "home" nor "away"; they are usually considered "neutral-site".  In the case of NE vs. TB, it was actually considered a "home" game for TB, but only because they lost a home game to get it (much like the NO vs. NYG game at the Meadowlands right after Katrina was considered an "away" game for NYG).

[Doc-phin]

I think Brady's mechanics have changed a little.  His throwing motion is just a little off when he throws deep and their offense thrives on the deep play.  Without connecting on the deep play, the rest of what they do suffers.  Not to mention Moss in known for not giving it his all unless he feels like it.

They are still a very good team, IMO.  We got lucky that they weren't on their A game.

[StL FinFan]

Their old swagger is gone.