Given how mercilessly Belicheck's offense just picked us apart like little leaguers, I'm curious if anyone thinks AJ Edds and the info extracted by BB was a factor is making us look silly. He seems to always pick up AFC east players and then goes onto stomp their ex-team first time up.
I've often wondered this. Since he cant tape practices he picks up players that the teams recently cut.
From a good source I know that AJ Edds told Belichick the following: 1)Our defense is out of shape. 2)Benny Sapp sucks.
Did anyone else see Kyle Arrington shadowing Reggie Bush in the 2nd half? Seems like when he did, Bush was nullified. Wonder if we'll see other teams using a CB to cover Bush strategy
I did not notice that. You would think that them putting Arrington as a spy on Bush would have opened up other opportunities. Perhaps it did and that is why Henne had an even better second half? Hopefully someone has it recorded and can give us a run down on it.
Eh, meanwhile the season rolls onwards, I do think there is some validity to it, but there is nothing that can be done now. Interesting that LJ said the Texans called him after we waived him.
Well, at the time they were saying "oh, but Edds doesn't know the game plan!" which seemed ultra lame as there are other aspects to an approach an opponent would want to know, such as responsibilities for gaps, etc, that Edds would know. LJ at the very least would have known blitz pickup schemes and audible structures, maybe not the audibles down to the "T", but the outline.
It's funny. After watching the game again, Brady only had 10 or so passes where he took a shot and did complete a few of them. The others looked like pitch and catch oportunities by a QB that seemed to know exactly what the defense was trying to do. If he carves up San Diego in a similar manner there is no AJ factor. Otherwise, you may be on to something.
Given the fact that he has played in exactly zero games in this defense, and was cut before any game plans were being installed... I'd say no. And the Pats game plan wasnt hard. Spread us out so either Sapp or Carroll are on the field... and then throw to whoever they were covering.
That probably hasn't changed much since last year. I'd say Belichick had a better handle on our defense than he did our offense. IMO, if Edds gave them any usable info it was on the offense from going against them in practice.
I'm sure from practices that Edds would have been able to discuss particular players and their weaknesses (whether he did or not is another matter) that the reserve DB's were weak, that Jones still takes risks that gets him burned, and that the Pats could exploit these and should concentrate here. This would not go to game planning but particular player weaknesses - which is always useful information (e.g., which routes a player struggles to cover). The plain fact is, players like Sapp, Jones & Carroll just did not do their job, period. Nor did the pass rush (and I think Belichick probably had a good idea how to attack the front 7). What will be more irritating is if Edds eventually becomes a solid contributor to the Pats. With BB's coaching, there's a good chance he could become another very good LB in the line of Bruschi & Vrabel. If that happens, Soprano/Ireland will be and remain unforgiven. Forever. Unless they win a SB. Which is highly unlikely.
I am sure Belichick picked Edds brain to some degree. This only makes sense. Of course the Dolphins also picked up Yeatman, from the Patriots, and that didn't seem to help the Dolphin defense stop the Patriots offense. So all these game actually proved is that Belichick remains one of the top coaches in NFL history and Sparano remains what he has been since he got here. A mediocre head coach who keeps saying that the problems with the Dolphins are fixable, and he never fixes them. Sparano has 15 games left to prove he can actually fix this team. If he can't, Ross need to hire someone who can.
Will Allen resigned should help with our DB depth. Too bad Brown or Williams were not resigned. And lousaka polite is a better Fullback than Soliai. Some of these moves are mind boggling.
All they had to do was look at the tape last year and see how freaking horrible Benny Sapp was. AJ didn't have to tell them that, it was clearly evident!!! The guy made one INT in the preseason and got to keep his job for it. I think its clear that Belicheat picks up player from rival teams in the division. That is 4 games that he has the upper hand or at least extra information. They can beat the Bills at this point without it, but it seems like they always pick up a few of the jets and fins players. You know they are using that to get an edge and advantage.
If this is true, it makes you wonder why Sparano cut him in the first place. I always thought it was the job of the head coach to keep the best players on the roster and cut the players who are not effective. Now all of a sudden Allen is better than Sapp and he will upgrade the defensive secondary? If Allen is actually so much better than Sapp, why did Sparano cut him in the first place? Allen appeared to play well in the last pre-season game and did not appear injured. Yet Sparano still decided to cut him and kept Sapp. Once again, another example of a coach and front office having no idea what they are doing.
If Belicheat so fit to tape oposing teams illegally, of course he would debrief Edds and get what ever he could out of him
I'm sure Edds gave them some helpful tips, but that was only going to get them so far. The bottom line is that our defense still had to cover and rush the passer, neither of which they did very well.
Again I think we're underrating how good the Pats pass protection personnel was. These guys are really good. Waters-Mankins-Solder (even as a rookie)-Light are all pretty damn good. Conolly isn't great but he does his job especially up the middle against a tired DL. Houston's personnel is great too but I don't think they're as good. Wade Smith is not Mankins and Briesel is not Brian Waters. I expect Jared Odrick and the Fins DL to come out pissed.
Belicheat has already turned Ninkovich into a serviceable LB, and the Dynamic Duo cut him in 2008 I believe.
I think Edds was not much of a factor because the patriots had already been working on thier no huddle before he went. Edds probally told them more about our O line the our D line.
They can sure get away with holding anyway. I'd not be surprised if there is a mandate from the league to allow some leeway when it comes to OL holds on teams like the Pats, and when Peyton is playing, the Colts.
This. I went back and watched the replay twice, and NE was holding numerous times. I think they got away with murder, quite frankly.
He should never have been cut. I know they were trying to sneak him on the practice squad but that was not very likely to happen.
Hernandez and gronkowski are the best TE combo in the NFL. I wouldn't be worried. Noone is stopping them this yr
