new england patriots

Had a chance to take a quick look back at the game this morning and it was about what I expected. Came away even more impressed with the Bengals front. Couple them with a flat Patriots offense and the result fits.

Here are my notes, though they speak more to the big picture…

– Gotten a lot of messages from people ready to give up on the receivers, but I think that’s a decision for after the season. No question it was ugly, and though Amendola was back, he joined in on the drop parade. What I don’t like most is just that both Dobson and Thompkins continue to not catch the ball with their hands, often double-catching it or letting it hit their chest. This is something both of them really have to work on.

– If you told me we’d have to go to Cinci without Wilfork, Ridley, Vereen, Gronk and a rusty Amendola this summer I probably would’ve thought a 13-6 loss would’ve been too optimistic.

– The Pats always have a stinker early in the season. Most NFL teams do. And the stupid thing is to fly off the handle and give up. The Giants shutdown the Pats even when they had Moss and Welker with the same kind of play we saw from the Bengals yesterday. That’s what it looks like when the Pats lose, but in the long run, when the Pats get healthy, they should be better prepared to deal with games like that. Vereen would’ve been especially useful.

– I know everyone has fallen in love with being universally praised, always being in the top 5 of power rankings, and at least a couple times per game shredding a defense, but the Patriots are no longer that team. And really, how often does that team win the Super Bowl? Most had the Ravens dead and buried last year. The Giants were 9-7 in 2011. I’m not really interested in going 16-0 every year now. What interests me is using the regular season to build a resilient team who has faced a variety of challenges.

– Here are two facts: The Patriots offense will only get better this season. The Patriots defense is the best we’ve seen in years and even got by okay without Vince Wilfork. If you don’t think that could possibly be a good combination for a playoff run then you’re not paying attention. I’m not saying run over to Betfair and put money on the Pats running the table, but this team still has the mark of don’t-get-blown-out Patriots of old.

– And really, there’s not that much wrong with losing a few games. It wouldn’t hurt to get up in to the teens in the draft to get a shot at a good defensive tackle, or possibly an elite wide receiver. Not at the expense of making the playoffs of course, but consistently drafting in the low-20s makes things harder.

– This second quarter of the season will be the toughest one of the year i think. The key? Beating the Jets and Dolphins in Weeks 7 and 8. That would put a steel grasp on the division and get them almost to the Week 10 after which I expect we’ll have most everyone back.

Some game-specific notes…

– For me the play of the game was the 3rd and long conversion by the Bengals from their own two yard line. That kickstarted the only touchdown drive of the day. It still took a fourth-down attempt by the Bengals to get that touchdown. This defense might give up plays, but they have a short memory and make you earn every single yard.

– The Pats’ short-yardage offense is concerning to me, Blount just can’t seem to plow for those critical 1-2 yards. Need Ridley back for those. Or even give Bolden a shot.

– I give up on Leon Washington. He finally started as the kickoff returner, something I’ve been waiting all year for, then promptly leaves the game with an ankle injury. 

– Brandon Spikes proved his value yesterday. He won’t get a new contract in-season, but I think he’s worth giving another deal to. He’s an impact player. Period.

– Credit to Mayo for balling out yesterday too. Best I’ve seen him play this year. Hope it continues.

– Praying Tommy Kelly is at practice Wednesday. I just don’t know how they’d get by without him.

– No question Brady missed some open guys yesterday and had that bad old look he usually gets in games when he’s “seeing ghosts”. The lack of reliable receivers only exacerbated it. Outside of Dobson’s long gain I didn’t see very mean times where the ball came out in rhythm, was caught cleanly, and the receiver turned up field to collect some YAC.

– What a test the Saints will be. We’ll get a true sense of what this defense is without Wilfork (and maybe Kelly, eeek), and the offense will have to show they can put some points up. Gronk and Ridley back would be a huge boost. The whole team should play with something to prove.