OT: The Official Patriots vs. Chargers Thread

[TRAGChick]

(you-all have the floor; I just wanted to start it. )

[Saint John]

I think the entire the Chargers coaching staff did a great job of preparing their team. Coaches prepare, BUT players must execute to make the coaches look good. Unfortunately for Chargers fans, the players didn't execute. They gave that game away. Stupid penalties and a couple of VERY bad plays doomed them. The Patriots, like typical champions, will pounce on your mistakes. Schottenheimer will probably get a lot of undeserved blame. HOWEVER, his decision to challenge the interception and fumble was very, very stupid. I think he felt it slipping away. People might harp on that decision, but I really felt the game was already over. By that point, I knew the Patriots were going to win. Still, that doesn't excuse his poor decision. I just don't think it should have even come to that. The key play was Troy Brown stripping the interception. The PLAYER should KNOW that on fourth down you simply bat the ball down and if you DO intercept it, you immediately go down. That was almost as dumb as the "headbutting" penalty earlier in the game. Coaches are responsible for preparation and players for execution. This game was simply a case of the players letting the coaches down, NOT the other way around.

[AR]

I think the entire the Chargers coaching staff did a great job of preparing their team. Coaches prepare, BUT players must execute to make the coaches look good. Unfortunately for Chargers fans, the players didn't execute. They gave that game away. Stupid penalties and a couple of VERY bad plays doomed them. The Patriots, like typical champions, will pounce on your mistakes. Schottenheimer will probably get a lot of undeserved blame. HOWEVER, his decision to challenge the interception and fumble was very, very stupid. I think he felt it slipping away. People might harp on that decision, but I really felt the game was already over. By that point, I knew the Patriots were going to win. Still, that doesn't excuse his poor decision. I just don't think it should have even come to that. The key play was Troy Brown stripping the interception. The PLAYER should KNOW that on fourth down you simply bat the ball down and if you DO intercept it, you immediately go down. That was almost as dumb as the "headbutting" penalty earlier in the game. Coaches are responsible for preparation and players for execution. This game was simply a case of the players letting the coaches down, NOT the other way around.

Both games today were great.

[larryfromnextdoor]

I think the entire the Chargers coaching staff did a great job of preparing their team. Coaches prepare, BUT players must execute to make the coaches look good. Unfortunately for Chargers fans, the players didn't execute. They gave that game away. Stupid penalties and a couple of VERY bad plays doomed them. The Patriots, like typical champions, will pounce on your mistakes. Schottenheimer will probably get a lot of undeserved blame. HOWEVER, his decision to challenge the interception and fumble was very, very stupid. I think he felt it slipping away. People might harp on that decision, but I really felt the game was already over. By that point, I knew the Patriots were going to win. Still, that doesn't excuse his poor decision. I just don't think it should have even come to that. The key play was Troy Brown stripping the interception. The PLAYER should KNOW that on fourth down you simply bat the ball down and if you DO intercept it, you immediately go down. That was almost as dumb as the "headbutting" penalty earlier in the game. Coaches are responsible for preparation and players for execution. This game was simply a case of the players letting the coaches down, NOT the other way around.

Both games today were great.

i agree ed!!! great day of football,, HOWEVER, i had nothing at stake, .. was great watching and not rooting for a team .. americas team decided to take a year off..

[conversationpc]

Glad to see the Colts are going to be hosting the AFC Championship game!

[Saint John]

Glad to see the Colts are going to be hosting the AFC Championship game!

.... and then watching the Super Bowl.

[ohsherrie]

I'd be happy for the Colts if they were still in Baltimore. I was a fan of the Colts when I was a teenager and Unitas was their quarter back.(I was a Jets fan in the '67 superbowl though ) When the name left Baltimore it just wasn't the Colts to me anymore. I quit being a real football fan when there was no longer any loyalty to their cities or their teams. It's all about money now. Sort of like the music business.

[AR]

Glad to see the Colts are going to be hosting the AFC Championship game!

Not me.

[Saint John]

Glad to see the Colts are going to be hosting the AFC Championship game!

Not me.

Hey Ed, I really thought the Bears and Ravens would be fucked by their QB's. I live in Chicago and am a huge Bears fan. That said, I just don't envision him (Grossman)having 3 good games in a row to win the Super Bowl. McNair, like Grossman, blows. Who would let a guy who, on the last play of a fuckin' Super Bowl, threw a pass that didn't cross the goal line when you're down by seven points? As the game was slipping away from the Ravens he seemed indifferent. The guy (McNair)is tough physically, but mentally he's weak not to mention stupid and a poor decision maker. Even though I'm a Bears fan, if we do get by the Saints, I can't see us beating either AFC team.

[conversationpc]

I'd be happy for the Colts if they were still in Baltimore. I was a fan of the Colts when I was a teenager and Unitas was their quarter back.(I was a Jets fan in the '67 superbowl though ) When the name left Baltimore it just wasn't the Colts to me anymore. I quit being a real football fan when there was no longer any loyalty to their cities or their teams. It's all about money now. Sort of like the music business.

Irsay conned the city of Indianapolis into building them a new stadium and gave them millions of dollars besides that. Of course, they raised local taxes to pay for it. Now the city's government (Democrat controlled, of course) is telling the police, fire fighters, etc., that they don't have the money to give them raises.

[Enigma869]

I think the entire the Chargers coaching staff did a great job of preparing their team. Coaches prepare, BUT players must execute to make the coaches look good. Unfortunately for Chargers fans, the players didn't execute. They gave that game away. Stupid penalties and a couple of VERY bad plays doomed them. The Patriots, like typical champions, will pounce on your mistakes. Schottenheimer will probably get a lot of undeserved blame. HOWEVER, his decision to challenge the interception and fumble was very, very stupid. I think he felt it slipping away. People might harp on that decision, but I really felt the game was already over. By that point, I knew the Patriots were going to win. Still, that doesn't excuse his poor decision. I just don't think it should have even come to that. The key play was Troy Brown stripping the interception. The PLAYER should KNOW that on fourth down you simply bat the ball down and if you DO intercept it, you immediately go down. That was almost as dumb as the "headbutting" penalty earlier in the game. Coaches are responsible for preparation and players for execution. This game was simply a case of the players letting the coaches down, NOT the other way around.

Fairly good synopsis, Saint John. You forgot to mention Marty going for it on 4th and 11 in the first half, when he could have easily had his kicker, Nate Kaeding kick what would have been a 48 yard field goal!!!! While a 48 yarder isn't automatic, Kaeding is a pretty good kicker and on his way to the Pro Bowl! Hell, the Pats rookie kicker (you know...the guy who will be forever in Vinatieri's shadow) made a 50 yarder! That decision by Shottenheimer epitomizes what a HORRIBLE post-season coach he is! He simply cannot make the right decision, when it needs to be made. I definitely agree that players need to execute. That said, their coach also needs to put them in a position to win the game, by making the correct decisions, and once again, Marty failed, abysmally!

John from Boston

[Red13JoePa]

I noticed that Schottenheimer picked up on the formation tipping off the direct snap on the 2-pt conv and tried to take a TO and was ingnored.





Also, I admire Ladanian Tomlinson for taking a stand against the bush league mocking tactics NE has been doing for years. More guts than any of the Eagles had when they did it to the Eagles 3 times in the Superbowl.

[Saint John]

I noticed that Schottenheimer picked up on the formation tipping off the direct snap on the 2-pt conv and tried to take a TO and was ingnored.





Also, I admire Ladanian Tomlinson for taking a stand against the bush league mocking tactics NE has been doing for years. More guts than any of the Eagles had when they did it to the Eagles 3 times in the Superbowl.

Great point and one that the Marty bashers will probably forget. He should've been granted that timeout.

As for LT, he should've been a lot more pissed at his OWN players for basically giving the game away.

[Red13JoePa]

Color me a "playa hata" then but I think any time that shit goes on the offender has a right to expect a shot right upside his earlhole.


Tom Brady is absolutely magical, though.
I mean he just flipped a switch and drummed up the winning drive.
Even his picks get fumbled back to NE once the clock ticks a certain hour.

[Enigma869]

Also, I admire Ladanian Tomlinson for taking a stand against the bush league mocking tactics NE has been doing for years. More guts than any of the Eagles had when they did it to the Eagles 3 times in the Superbowl.

I agree with much of what you say on these boards, 13, but...this is a CLUELESS statement!!!!!! New England and "bush league" in the same sentence is completely laughable!!!! I don't know how much you know about football, beyond Penn State and JoePa. Football is the ultimate trash talking game. I grew up playing the game, and it goes on at EVERY level! I heard from several unobjective reporters (i.e. not from SD and not from NE) that San Diego was trash talking the entire game! Another reporter said it best (about LT whining about the two Patriot players...and not the whole team, mocking Merriman's dance at the end of the game). As he said, at least New England is smart enough to wait until they've won the game, unlike many of these other idiotic teams. Shottenheimer said a year ago, after beating the Patriots in the regular season "They had a good run"! Yeah...sure they did Marty! Too bad it's over for them

San Diego was already planning their Super Bowl rally, so not only were they completely overlooking the Patriots, but were even overlooking the Colts! They should have learned from Pittsburgh, when they did the very same thing against the Pats a few years back! Whether or not you're a fan of the Patriots, they are the consummate TEAM! San Diego should have SMOKED the Patriots, based upon the talent deficit, between the two teams! The Patriots have an embarrassing group of receivers, and nobody even close to Tomlinson's talent, but yet, when the game was on the line, they (once again) found a way to win! The Patriots should get pummeled by the Colts next Sunday, based on talent. That said, I'm smart enough to ever bet against Belichick or Brady! I think it's hilarious to watch all the "experts" pick against the Patriots EVERY single week! I guess eventually, they'll be correct! As a lifelong Patriots fan, I hope it's not this upcoming game!

John from Boston

[belar]

As a disgruntled Rams fan I would like to request that someone PLEASE beat the Patriots!! If they win another Super Bowl I don't think I'll be able to take it.

Go Colts!

[Enigma869]

As a disgruntled Rams fan I would like to request that someone PLEASE beat the Patriots!! If they win another Super Bowl I don't think I'll be able to take it.

Go Colts!

Oh yeah, I remember those guys..."The Greatest Show On Turf". Another team the Patriots weren't supposed to beat! In fact...14 point underdogs, as I recall! The most ridiculous spread I've ever seen in a Super Bowl! Too bad the Rams were another team that spent too much time telling everyone how good they were, instead of simply showing up and playing the game! Maybe someday people will actually come to the realization that football is the ultimate TEAM game, and that individually GREAT players can almost always be beaten by superior teams! Ask Peyton Manning and Dan Marino!


John from Boston

[journeyjeremy]

yeah im from boston, yea they got some breaks, but damn those black clouds over marty will never go away, he is cursed like no other. AR what happened to those ravens, i wanted to come down for the game against the Pats and your boys let me down, im upset.

[belar]

As a disgruntled Rams fan I would like to request that someone PLEASE beat the Patriots!! If they win another Super Bowl I don't think I'll be able to take it.

Go Colts!

Oh yeah, I remember those guys..."The Greatest Show On Turf". Another team the Patriots weren't supposed to beat! In fact...14 point underdogs, as I recall! The most ridiculous spread I've ever seen in a Super Bowl! Too bad the Rams were another team that spent too much time telling everyone how good they were, instead of simply showing up and playing the game! Maybe someday people will actually come to the realization that football is the ultimate TEAM game, and that individually GREAT players can almost always be beaten by superior teams! Ask Peyton Manning and Dan Marino!


John from Boston

Yeah, the greatest show on turf didn't last too long, unfortunately. Football here is once again more or less a joke. It feels like the old Big Red days again! Baseball will always rule here anyway.

[Red13JoePa]

this should be an intriguing matchup, in Indy this time.

Last time they met postseason there were winter storms hammering Foxoboro and the NFL asked that class act Belichick to over the field from the elements to be as sportsmanlike as possible, but in the interest of creating more of a homfield advantage against the speedy Colts he at least TRIED to get away with not covering it....dunno if the league was able to force them to cover the field or not, but what a complete tool.

[Saint John]

this should be an intriguing matchup, in Indy this time.

Last time they met postseason there were winter storms hammering Foxoboro and the NFL ask that class act Belichick to over the field from the elements to be as sportsmanlike as possible, but in the interest of creating more of a homfield advantage against the speedy Colts he at least TRIED to get away with not covering it....dunno if the league was able to force them to cover the field or not, but what a complete tool.

A coach's job is to give his team the best chance to win. Bill always does that. I would've done the same thing. New England earned homefield advantage at their house, under the conditions THEY'RE used to playing under. Why cover the field? This isn't baseball or golf, it's football. I don't expect the Colts to put a hole in the roof this weekend to accomodate the Patriots. They EARNED the right to play under the dome, and that's where the game will be played. People are just jealous because the two constants, Brady and Belichick, keep winning even though coordinators and players keep coming and going. Those two, along with Troy Brown, are simply amazing in their sport.

[Red13JoePa]

Why? Because the league asked him to.
It's kind of a general rule that you cover and protect your field from the elements anyway.

[Saint John]

Why? Because the league asked him to.
It's kind of a general rule that you cover and protect your field from the elements anyway.

The league can't "ask" him to do anything. The only NFL rule is that you "cover the field 24 hours prior to kickoff." THAT, he HAS to abide by. Other than that, I'd have let the field get soaked, trashed, etc......as would ANY championship coach. Nice guys finish last. Ask LT and Schottenheimer.


I have ZERO respect for LT anymore. Here's his EXACT quote, "They showed no class, and maybe that comes from the head coach." THAT is bush league and the sign of a sore loser. I didn't see him reprimanding his OWN teammates as they danced, taunted and headbutted the whole game. They gave away the game...plain and simple. He played great as usual but his comments are inexcusable.

[Red13JoePa]

Why? Because the league asked him to.
It's kind of a general rule that you cover and protect your field from the elements anyway.

The league can't "ask" him to do anything. The only NFL rule is that you "cover the field 24 hours prior to kickoff."

Exactly, and he at least TRIED to get away with not doing that. the league should've fucking forefeited them that game.

[Saint John]

Why? Because the league asked him to.
It's kind of a general rule that you cover and protect your field from the elements anyway.

The league can't "ask" him to do anything. The only NFL rule is that you "cover the field 24 hours prior to kickoff."

Exactly, and he at least TRIED to get away with not doing that. the league should've fucking forefeited them that game.

I agree, IF he tried to violate the "24 hour" rule. I agree 100%. Although they would never forfeit the game. I'd have fined the shit out of him and maybe had the game moved to Indy if the field was trashed. However, prior to the 24 hours, I'd have let the field get trashed. They EARNED the right to do that. I agree with you on the other point, though.

[Red13JoePa]

On the plus side, I will agree w/ yourself and Enigma that despite my sour grapes the guy is clearly a gridiron genius.


And Brady IS a class act.

[journeyjeremy]

we all remember when indy got called out by the league last year for pumping in fake cheers through the sound system, no wonder for years it had been touted as the loudest place. Thats a bunch of bullshit, pumping in fake cheers, and a true testament to how poor the indy fans are at really cheering. Its easy, yell and clap (then lose to the pats)

jr

[Enigma869]

I have ZERO respect for LT anymore. Here's his EXACT quote, "They showed no class, and maybe that comes from the head coach." THAT is bush league and the sign of a sore loser. I didn't see him reprimanding his OWN teammates as they danced, taunted and headbutted the whole game. They gave away the game...plain and simple. He played great as usual but his comments are inexcusable.

Amen to that Saint John! The funniest thing about LT's tirade was he was talking about how it was somehow disrespectful for the Patriots to mock Merriman's VERY disrepecful sack dance!!!!!!! Doing that dance is BEYOND disrespectful, so as far as I'm concerned, if the Patriots did mock it...GOOD FOR THEM!!!! What they're really doing is sending a message to the league and saying: "If you want to celebrate, at least wait until you win something first"!!!!!!!

John from Boston

p.s. Sorry I'm weighing in so long after we all went back and forth. We had a serious ice storm and no power here for the past 2 days!!!!!! You never realize how much you appreciate running water and heat, until mother nature steals it away!

[TRAGChick]

I have ZERO respect for LT anymore. Here's his EXACT quote, "They showed no class, and maybe that comes from the head coach." THAT is bush league and the sign of a sore loser. I didn't see him reprimanding his OWN teammates as they danced, taunted and headbutted the whole game. They gave away the game...plain and simple. He played great as usual but his comments are inexcusable.

Amen to that Saint John! The funniest thing about LT's tirade was he was talking about how it was somehow disrespectful for the Patriots to mock Merriman's VERY disrepecful sack dance!!!!!!! Doing that dance is BEYOND disrespectful, so as far as I'm concerned, if the Patriots did mock it...GOOD FOR THEM!!!! What they're really doing is sending a message to the league and saying: "If you want to celebrate, at least wait until you win something first"!!!!!!!

John from Boston

p.s. Sorry I'm weighing in so long after we all went back and forth. We had a serious ice storm and no power here for the past 2 days!!!!!! You never realize how much you appreciate running water and heat, until mother nature steals it away!

Oh my God! Don't worry about it!

You and your loved ones / family / friends' safety comes first!!

You guys doing alright now?

[Enigma869]

Oh my God! Don't worry about it!

You and your loved ones / family / friends' safety comes first!!

You guys doing alright now?

Thanks for asking, Nora. My wife and little 3 month son are doing MUCH better now that we're back in our own home and the heat is working again Have to love winter in New England!!!!

John from Boston