Don't Panic Yet
Some of my favorite ones include “Character Flaws in These Patriots.” Basically, after a 3-3 start, the general consensus is that Camelot has crumbled. The dynasty is dead. Type in any other hyperbolic “End of Days” phrase coupled with “Patriots” in Google and you’ll probably find it.
Maybe it is a seven-year championship rut. Or maybe it is because all of the Mayan 2012 buzz is making Patriots Nation that much more irritable than usual.
I assume somewhere today a certain head coach is wearing a cut-off sweatshirt, laughing hysterically. This is indeed the definition of a panic loss. But it shouldn’t be. The loss should be considered a gift.
People say the loss against the Seahawks is one of the worst in the Brady/Belichick era. However, look at it objectively, this loss wasn’t that bad. The Seahawks have one of the NFL’s best defenses. They play in one of the loudest, violate stadiums. They are led by a championship coach who has waited 13-years for a shot to finally beat the team that fired him after a 27-21 record and two playoff appearances. Don’t you think Pete and his young, talented team had circled that game since the 2012 schedule was released?
Is this that bad of a loss? It was the perfect storm for the Seahawks. If the Patriots have learned anything over the past few years, they know the old adage of “it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish” definitely applies these days in the NFL.
Look at the last handful of champions. Since the Patriots won their last super bowl, only the Colts in 2006 and the Saints in 2009 looked like legitimate title contenders at the midway point of the season.
At 3-3, this Patriots team still looks like one of the best ones in the Belichick era. Do people seriously think Tom Brady has somehow forgotten how to win? This team has lost by a combined four points in these three loses. Now that they have been in close games and faced some adversity, Tom Brady and his new cast of stars will be ready for any close games as the season progresses.
Offensively, this offense looks like one of the best the NFL has ever seen. With Aaron Hernandez coming back, Brady has arguably the two best tight ends in the NFL back at full strength in the coming weeks. This will make the best possession receiver in the NFL Wes Welker, even more dangerous. Then throw in a guy led the NFL in receiving yards just two years ago with Kyle Orton throwing to him as the fourth target? Tom Brady must be salivating like Pavlov’s Dog right now.
Also, now that an unheralded defensive back called out Brady, think he will not have a chip on his shoulder the rest of the season?
What is even more promising about this Patriots team appears to be the fact they can run the ball, and stop the run. The Seahawks have one of the strongest run games and pride themselves as establishing a physical run game. On Sunday, on the road, the Patriots held Marshawn Lynch to 41 yards on 15 carries.
The secondary, which Ty Law called the “worst in the league” appears to be the whipping boy right now. But before pressing the panic button on these Patriots, realize that New England has a coach that has been able to win super bowls with Troy Brown playing nickel back. I don’t’ think he has somehow forgotten how to coach defense.
The Patriots got a steal in the draft with Alfonzo Dennard and he will just get even better as the season progresses. Ask Justin Blackmon about Dennard. After torching Prince Amukamara in the first half against Nebraska two years ago, Dennard shut the talented Oklahoma State wideout down in the second half.
He was slowed this season with hamstring problems, and has looked solid as he’s eased into the system. Perhaps a seventh round draft pick with first round talent may be what fixes the tragic flaw. He didn’t allow a pass competition against some quarterback named Peyton Manning last week. Not a bad debut I guess.
With 10 games left, the Patriots have the luxury of addressing their problems early. Based on recent NFL history, right now, the Patriots’ tragic flaw getting exposed early in the season will only help the team peak when it matters the most-in the playoffs.
