FaninPatsyLand said:I find it funny that the ONLY reason people are claiming the New England defense is pathetic, is directly due to all the injuries. Pioli and Belichick can do no wrong... (admittedly, they're probably the best in the business at this point), but they made some very questionable decisions this past offseason.
I seem to remember them going out and trading for Duane "I'm a nightmare for Patriot fans" Starks to fill the hole that was void from Ty Law's departure. Well he came in and stunk up the joint, but I guess that was due to injuries? What about Monty Beisel, wasn't he supposed to be some god anchoring the middle of that defense in Bruschi's place? How did he turn out?
Sure Rodney Harrison is a good player, but how good is your defense really if ONE injury can bring down the level of play that much? We heard how our offense sucked because all we had was Ricky Williams after he quit on us a year ago. How come that rule isn't applied here.
Seems a tad bit hypocritical to me..
I think most figured the fins were bad in these past yrs because of your head coach Wanny. He did suck. Williams quiting just compounded everything and I wasn't following the fins close enough but i remember seeing them play last season early and the offensive line was just god awful. I couldn't tell you if that was caused by injuries or not, like I said most of us put the blame on to Wanny.
With regards to Harrision it wasn't just Harrison. Bruschi was out but we knew that right after last yrs pro bowl. I think one of the biggest losses was Ted Johnson retiring just before preseason. Starks was a reach and although i don't believe injury was the cause of his terrible play he is now on IR and had shoulder surgery. I see him gone at seasons end. Tyrone Poole although not a top notch CB was good enough to make a difference but over these last two seasons played a total of 5 games maybe. This season he went out in game one with a sprained ankle and never returned. Again he'll be gone at seasons end. So we started out behind the eight ball and it went down hill from there with the eventual loss to Faulk and Light on offense and Seymour and Harrison on defense. Injuries are a part of EVERY team I agree and I can honestly say that we are now getting back a lot of these players and it has made a difference on both sides of the ball. The NE vs miami game was the start of the same guys starting in the secondary and 4 weeks together with those same guys have made a difference. We are coming together as a team and playing better defense every week. Belichick Has done a great job of keeping it together this yr, He has shuffled around the line up and patched in players here and there some just signed a few weeks before taking the field. He's done so with out either Weis or Crennel and he has got this team poised to clinch the AFCE. I give him credit for that and don't think many other head coaches would have faired as well as he's done with everything thrown at him this season.
How far NE goes in the playoffs I can't say but I don't feel anybody is going to take down this yrs colts, they are just too good but I not counting anyone out just yet either. I would be happy to just have a chance to take them down in the playoffs and win it all or go home after week one I can't say I'm disappointed with the Pats this season. We'll be back next season and god knows it can't get any worse than it was injury wise than it was this yr. We've had a lot to be thankful for in NE and I see more to come for the next couple of years or better.