I voted that we were outcoached.
The Patriots themselves aren't unstoppable, they're just a well-managed team by guys who know what they're doing. Conditioning was a problem, and that falls under the coaches responsibility. Now, obviously it can be up to a player whether he wants to train hard, be prepared, be fit, but a coach can take over that control in numerous ways. Do you think Belichick would have let his team be unconditioned if he noticed it in the week prior to the first game? I doubt it. Would he do something about it if he noticed? Probably definitely.
I was super-pissed after the game at #27 and 28, I thought Sapp and Caroll played terrible and by all means deserved a pink slip, they looked completely inept out there. What irritates me more is that Bennie Sapp gave up 2 scores and 200 yds, but not only that, this is a guy that the coaches and FO chose to keep on the team as a backup corner, and cut Will Allen (someone who has a significantly better chance of dealing with the Pats offense, not to mention played great in the offseason) just because of money.
I'll give Brian Daboll more up than down so far, as he's done a tremendous job with Henne and making the passing game much more formidable. But look at the 4th and goal drive, the fade-out to Hartline. We got rid of/brang back Larry Johnson...I dont even think he was active in the game. Why not use him in the red zone when your team needs to bang one in? Conservative, sure, but we really needed the score. Coaching decision.
Also, tight end coverage was piss poor, and guess who else the team got rid of that I believe would have helped: A.J. Edds. Sure, Burnett sounds good, but think of the players that took his spot that probably provided little to no value this whole game. Personnel decisions.
Special teams looked like it always does. Defense coverage schemes looked totally lost. As good as Daboll was, the Dolphs continued to use classic drive-killing offense plays, like the 2nd and 23 3 yard dump, followed by the 3rd down Davone Bess scamper for 2 more yards.
This is all coaching, and poor coaching at that. Yes, the Patriots are a great team, but we've beaten them before and with even more difference between talent level. A good coach makes sure none of the other options in that FH poll happen. That Patriots are better than us because they know what they're doing, and after 3 years of Tuna Rule, I think we've still got a ways to go, both in on and off the field management. As long as the coaches can learn from these mistakes, we can only get better.
Also, Fergie.
:3w::hi5::thanks:
