TypicalBill
10-25-2002, 12:26 PM
New England Patriots Week 8 Team Report
(Sports Network) - This week's matchup against the high-flying Denver Broncos features one of the best offensive coaches in the game, Denver's Mike Shanahan, taking on a top-notch defensive mind in Bill Belichick. New England hasn't had the success that was expected since beginning the season 3-0, falling into a three-game skid following its 28-10 loss to Green Bay in Week 6, but Sunday's bye week could have helped to get the reigning Super Bowl champs refocused.
The pressure will fall on Tom Brady and the Patriots' offense this week, since Denver is scoring an average of 28.3 points in its last three games. In contrast, the Pats have averaged only 12.3 points during their three-game losing streak.
Like the Broncos, the Patriots rely heavily on the arm of Brady to win ballgames. Brady's 260 attempts are just one behind Brian Griese, and Brady has had his bye week. Since no one has stepped up to play the role of Clinton Portis for the Pats, Brady has not had the same success of his counterpart this week. New England is averaging 95.0 rushing yards per game, 13th in the conference.
Brady has thrown nine interceptions on the season, seven of which have come in the past three games.
"We've thrown a lot of interceptions and that's something that we never try to do. Ultimately, I'm the one that's holding the football," said Brady. "Sometimes you get into situations where you want the play to work so bad that you do things that really aren't possible. And that's throwing the ball into really tight spots, or taking chances with it, and you got to get back to being more discipline, and playing smarter out there."
RB Antowain Smith simply doesn't possess the speed to be a game-breaker in the NFL. He certainly has the size to be a productive player, but the Patriots don't have someone to change the pace of the offense like Denver does with Mike Anderson, Olandis Gary and Portis.
It seems that Belichick and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis don't have very much faith in Smith. The 30-year-old rusher has not carried more than 17 times all season, and is averaging 11 carries over the past two weeks. In Week 6, he ran 13 times for 75 yards (5.8 ypc). He has just one touchdown all season.
Until the Patriots can balance their pass-happy offense, opponents will be able to sit back in zone defenses and add an extra DB to put the pressure on Brady. New England must commit to the run more than past weeks, since Smith is a workhorse. He may not be the flashiest back in the game, but he has put up some solid averages.
The Link (http://football.com/cgi-bin/articycler/localize.cgi?CID=5&PID=902&HID=1&at=nfl1.shtml&articleTitle=Patriots+Team+Report:+Battling+the+Broncos&sfb=)
We will play them next.
(Sports Network) - This week's matchup against the high-flying Denver Broncos features one of the best offensive coaches in the game, Denver's Mike Shanahan, taking on a top-notch defensive mind in Bill Belichick. New England hasn't had the success that was expected since beginning the season 3-0, falling into a three-game skid following its 28-10 loss to Green Bay in Week 6, but Sunday's bye week could have helped to get the reigning Super Bowl champs refocused.
The pressure will fall on Tom Brady and the Patriots' offense this week, since Denver is scoring an average of 28.3 points in its last three games. In contrast, the Pats have averaged only 12.3 points during their three-game losing streak.
Like the Broncos, the Patriots rely heavily on the arm of Brady to win ballgames. Brady's 260 attempts are just one behind Brian Griese, and Brady has had his bye week. Since no one has stepped up to play the role of Clinton Portis for the Pats, Brady has not had the same success of his counterpart this week. New England is averaging 95.0 rushing yards per game, 13th in the conference.
Brady has thrown nine interceptions on the season, seven of which have come in the past three games.
"We've thrown a lot of interceptions and that's something that we never try to do. Ultimately, I'm the one that's holding the football," said Brady. "Sometimes you get into situations where you want the play to work so bad that you do things that really aren't possible. And that's throwing the ball into really tight spots, or taking chances with it, and you got to get back to being more discipline, and playing smarter out there."
RB Antowain Smith simply doesn't possess the speed to be a game-breaker in the NFL. He certainly has the size to be a productive player, but the Patriots don't have someone to change the pace of the offense like Denver does with Mike Anderson, Olandis Gary and Portis.
It seems that Belichick and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis don't have very much faith in Smith. The 30-year-old rusher has not carried more than 17 times all season, and is averaging 11 carries over the past two weeks. In Week 6, he ran 13 times for 75 yards (5.8 ypc). He has just one touchdown all season.
Until the Patriots can balance their pass-happy offense, opponents will be able to sit back in zone defenses and add an extra DB to put the pressure on Brady. New England must commit to the run more than past weeks, since Smith is a workhorse. He may not be the flashiest back in the game, but he has put up some solid averages.
The Link (http://football.com/cgi-bin/articycler/localize.cgi?CID=5&PID=902&HID=1&at=nfl1.shtml&articleTitle=Patriots+Team+Report:+Battling+the+Broncos&sfb=)
We will play them next.