Lack of Patience Hurt Patriots

Mark Sanchez silenced his critics across the media and NFL world (including me) against the Patriots this past Sunday. Perhaps we should not all be so surprised when you take a look at the weapons around the second year quarterback. In my last post I spoke of how easy it should be for Sanchez to score if he got LaDainian Tomlinson, Dustin Keller, and Braylon Edwards involved in the offense, and that is exactly what he did. I still do not believe in Mark Sanchez as a truly consistent NFL leader, and there will come a time this season where this fact resurfaces to harm the Jets. For now I'll try and digest how this possibly happened to the Patriots against such a young and inconsistent quarterback. The true reason the Patriots lost this game 28-14 was due to their incredibly atrocious game plan.

The Patriots seemed to have no patience at all in the second half, as all they attempted to do was bomb deep passes unsucessfully to Randy Moss. What made Tom Brady a three time super bowl champion was a simple philosophy, one that he and the Patriots forgot against the Jets. "My favorite reciever is the open man" was always Brady's M.O. and now it seems that he cannot help forcing the ball to Moss. New England began the second half with a 14-10 lead, stopped the Jets opening drive, and got the ball back. At this point the Patriots needed so stay with what had gotten them to this very point, keep moving the chains. Work the underneath routes with the tight ends, Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, and churn out first downs. It is important to stretch out the defense with deep passes down field, but only after you have worked the underneath routes and running game. Moss did have an impressive touchdown reception, but it was followed by a two catch, ten attempt overall performance.

 A deep threat is an important part of any passing game and the Patriots will need Moss to provide that. However, he cannot be the only main feed for your offense, and the Patriots had no excuses for a zero point second half. The game plan was terrible in the closing quarters and the execution was even worse. Thankfully the Patriots have a good week of practice ahead of them and then a chance to hone their skills against an easy opponent this weekend, in the Buffalo Bills. Patriots 31 Bills 14.

Sources Used

www.espn.com

www.si.com
www.http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/basketball/nba/
www.weei.com

Patriots Over Jets

New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez was quoted saying "There is nothing wrong with going 15-1" after a loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Perhaps his coach Rex Ryan put him up to saying that because that comment is dillusional. Last Monday night Sanchez looked horrible with well under 100 yards passing and zero touchdowns. The Jets defense looked masterful, but the offense was non exisistant and inexcusably so. With the weapons at his disposal its a wonder that Sanchez is still unable to score touchdowns. All you'd have to do is throw the ball to LaDainian Tomlinson in the flat or Dustin Keller over the middle or maybe even try Braylon Edwards on a five yard slant or deep go route? Get creative, get more than six first downs, and you have to do better than 1/11 on third down conversions. Even a sub par performance from a mediocore QB could have led this group into the end zone against the stout Raven's Defense. The Jets will be losing alot more than one game this year with Sanchez at QB, just like they did last year.

Mark Sanchez had the best running game and defense in the NFL last year, but had a weak 12 touchdowns and 20 interceptions (with a QB Rating of 62.7). Yes, it was his rookie season and yes he did play much better in the playoffs last season, but he is in no way ready to win in the NFL. Sanchez threw a mere 68 times in those three playoff games, as he sat back most of the time letting the running game and defense carry the team. The Jets improved their overall roster immensely over the off season, but failed to address the most key position on their football team (the quarterback). They also did not re-sign their best running back in Thomas Jones (1,400 yards and 14 TD in 2009) abandoning one of their strengths. Any good coach knows to play to your strengths and the New York Jets have strayed away from one of their best strengths, running the football. With a less effective running game Sanchez is even more exposed as a poor passer and the Jets have the wrong man at the helm for their offense. Perhaps some day he will improve and emerge as a true leader, but its hard to see that coming any time soon.

The last time the Patriots faced the Jets Mark Sanchez threw four interceptions and lost a fumble in a   31-14 defeat. In New York this Sunday Sanchez will have a better outing, but will not be able to keep pace with the Patriots offense. The Jets strategy to win is to run the ball, get turnovers and stops on defense, and have the Quarterback not lose the game. (commonly named "game manager" approach). The Patriots offense is far too explosive with a healthy Tom Brady, his new tight ends, old favorites (Welker and Moss) and the momentum from an impressive week 1. Rex Ryan's defense will put some pressure on Brady and probably even cause a turnover or two, but in the end Patriots 24 Jets 13 does not get you a win.

Sources Used

www.espn.com

www.si.com
www.http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/basketball/nba/
www.weei.com

Why Shaq Lobbied for and Joined The Celtics

When Kobe Bryant won his fifth NBA Championship he boasted having more rings than Shaquille O'neal, the man so many said Kobe could not win without. Now Shaq has begun his road to redemption, by choosing a team that he knows has a great chance to reclaim the NBA throne. No longer in his prime Shaq will offer no bold statements of grandeur, but with a workman-like approach he will fly under the radar. Shaq will make his statements on the court and is going to take the NBA by surprise, yes as a bench player, but the impact will be felt.

The reason Shaq lobbied to join the Boston Celtics was because he felt they had the best chance to return to the NBA Finals. Even in the wake of the assembly of "Super Team" (the Miami Heat) Shaq wanted to join a new team that he felt had the best chance. Not asking to rejoin Kobe, Dwyane Wade, or Lebron James, but to join the aging Big Three. Shaq won without Kobe and he will join the Celtics to win without Wade. O'neal could have lobbied to join any number of teams (as their was interest) in the early offseason and  could have joined the Hawks or Pistons for eight million dollars (far more than the Celtics will pay him) towards the end. Shaq put it best by  saying: "..it was about being somewhere, being seen, and winning." (O'neal)

The main reason the Celtics lost against the Lakers in Game 7 was a serious lack of size and ultimately rebounding. With Kendrick Perkins out for the season finale the C's were left with an undersized power forward (in Glen Davis) and Rasheed Wallace for big men. The result was a Laker victory in rebounding (53-40) and another Championship for LA. Shaq O'neal gives the Celtics an immense rebounder and shot blocker that can still bully around most centers in the NBA.

When Shaq was lobbying to join the Celtics well before any contract was offered, I knew this was significant. Shaq's main goal is to win another ring, but he wants to do it on his own terms. He does not want to just jump aboard one of his old teams to win another title, he wants to earn it. Shaq felt and feels that Boston is the best place for him to get another crack at the Finals. With four rings he will only need one more to complete what I'll call the "Hand". Five rings give Shaq Hand status and all Boston Celtics fans should be thrilled for his arrival.

Sources Used

www.espn.com

www.si.com
www.http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/basketball/nba/
www.weei.com