Close but, "No Cigar"

Tom Brady after today's loss

-Foxboro, MA

The tittle is quite fitting since todays game was enjoyed in a cigar bar called El Matador, located in Roslyn, Ny. I was greeted at the door with a nice cigar and a cold drink. Then I settled in to watch my Patriots.

Now onto the game.

Early in the game Aaron Hernandez was taken out of the game, due to injuries, which meant a shuffle to the patriots offense. Loosing one of their reliable receivers was tough on the offense, and it showed.
The cardinals defense capitalized on this locking up the backfield. Now even though Brady still has some weapons, gronkowski and welker, to name a few. There was still a struggle against this cardinal defense. Brady's backfield was all locked up. Though even with Aaron on the field there still was a struggle. The first play in the first quarter by the Patriots was bounced off Hernandez and into the hands of Peterson. Mistakes like that will cost you. Countless errors and mistakes where just stockpiling against the offense. Though none as bad as the holding that cost the win which I will speak about a little more later on.

As for the defense, they certainly did work to prevent the moving of the chains. You could argue it that it wasn't enough. Though you could see the effort and drive of these players. Especially in the last quarter, where they really stuffed the offense. Coming up with a interception to give the patriots hope for a win.Now its not to say that they can't get better. Even with all the pressure they seem to put onto the offense some how few plays slip through the cracks. 20 points is just too much to give up, hands down. If you want for the team to succeed the defense need to prevent the points. It's just that simple. As we are beginning to see that the patriots offense is not like it has been in the past. The defense was allowed to let a few points through since Brady was just going to make it rain. Now, the defense will have to do more to stuff the offense and stop all opportunities. Though the defense is better than seen in recent years, it's still not enough.

With that said, it's the offense that really needs to work well. The need for perfect the timing between Brady and the receivers needs to improve. Without it you get no yards. Which this game clearly showed. You can have a arm like Tom's and expect yards with out having the receivers there to catch the ball. Unless you have the hands waiting for the ball you're not going anywhere. Luckily the Patriots don't have to just rely on the throwing game. Ridley Surely proved his worth in these two games. Churning those feet for an average of 7-9 yards a game. Which is outstanding. It certainly came in handy this game. Giving them several first downs which turned into points thereafter.

Ok, now the play we really want to vent, rant, curse, and yell about. Danny Woodhead's near winning touchdown run. Watching the game I was livid. They were so damn close. Then it was ripped away from them. All for a hold that could have been avoided. The promised land was in their grasp. Even so, they still should have been able to come up with at least a good enough field goal distance. This is where you need a well-oiled offense. Passes need to be completed and the line mustn't cause flags on the play. Although giving good protection, certain things just can't be overlooked. I hope to see the Patriots work on passing completion. As for the line I hope to see less self inflicting actions such as holding, false starts, or offsides in the future

Sadly it just didn't happen. With the score of 20-18 I know the patriots are going to keep this one close to them. I wouldn't be surprised if they came back, in turn, and demolish in week 3. A sad loss, yes. Though I feel with this one we will see a different Patriots team next week. Let's hope and see.