Are you serious? You'd rather hand it off to a 5'8 3rd down back than a power back like Jones? If we're playing in the snow, you have to use the bigger back. Washington isn't going to wear the Pats defense down like TJ can. Using the bigger back in a bad weather game is a no-brainer.
Yeah, we didn't have one for much of the year either. That comment, however, was made while comparing your rushing offense to your passing offense. As you have pointed out you are only average rushing the ball.
When I opened the thread, I thought it was going to say something like "expect nice weather in Foxboro, instead of the snow storm that everyone was talking about"
Absolutely. Somebody who runs much lower to the ground rather then a standup runner like Jones. And I don't care if he wears them down, I only want him to get past them.
Really horrendous weather tends to take the edge off a point spread because it pretty much reduces both teams and especially their star players to mediocrity. At least, that's the way I've always looked at it. So, don't expect Leon Washington, for example, to be able to juke worth a shit with sleet on the surface. But neither will Randy Moss be able to burst open with speed and get much separation. Wet, cold balls also cause turnovers, big time, which further reduces the game to a running game of slow, methodical, ground-sliding, fumble-controlled running for whatever yards they can get. I kinda look forward to a real sloppy game. If we have any chance at all of pulling an upset, that's the one thing that might significantly help us.
The line started out at 24 1/2 points.....it's down to 22 now. It might get to 20 points come kickoff time.
My guess is, any Patriots fan that layed 24 1/2 is shitting about now. The local sports announcer on the evening news on ABC called the final score at 27-17.
The bad weather will even the playing field, so to speak. Conventional wisdom calls for a ground game. Brady will put it in the air anyway and so should Clemens. Lets see some sloppy play on both sides and maybe a miracle can happen. I can dream.
I just realized that the Pats changed their stadium turf to a synthetic turf last year. If they didn't, it would be a muddy mess....just like the Steelers had at home 2 weeks ago against Miami. So I'm guessing the point spread should stay around 22/ 21.
Since you're dreaming, dream about the perfect storm. It snows Saturday night in Foxboro and there is a lot of snow in the stands. The Jets come out on the field and Mangini has appointed a designated antagonizer who starts getting into it with the fans on the sideline. They start throwing snowballs at him. Mangini goes to the ref and complains about it. The ref, in turn, goes to make an announcement. Before he can start 10 Jets surround the biggest fattest guy on the team who proceeds to moon the fans on the 50 yard line. Everybody throws a hissy and throws more snowballs then ever because they never heard the announcement. Mangini pulls the team off the field, the ref forfeits the game and the Jets break the Pats chance of a perfect season and it all happens before the opening kickoff.
I don't want to ruin the party, but, yesterday I was reading through the rulebook (thinking of things to do beside studying for finals) and it states that a game cannot be forfeited because of the actions of the fans...
Wes Welker is probably Brady's most solid go-to, so I'd have Rhodes watch him like a hawk and try to jump his routes for the INT. Reavis has to stick like glue to Moss. As far as Clemens' throws, Coles has solid hands and Cotchery isn't bad even with the broken finger, but I wouldn't rule out a couple to Baker also. Aside from that, it's ball-control, ball-control, ball-control. Jones and Washington with maybe a few shovel-passes and a trick play or two. Unfortunately for Leon, the sloppy field will negate any chances of a clean return for the TD, but I expect our STs to come up big on forcing Partriots fumbles. Nugent will be solid with 3-4 FGs, IMO. This is his kind of weather... Ohio State weather.
This being New England, everything is subject to change. Still, NOAA'a latest for Foxboro.... Looks like more drips than flakes. The passing game will suffer some. I'd expect more turnovers than normal. The way I see it, the Patriots are 14th ranked running against the Jets ranked 30th against the run. The Jets are ranked 19th running, while the Patriots are 13th defending the run. The Jets are -3 on giveaway / takeaways while the Patriots are leading the league at +18. If the weather forces more running and makes turnovers more likely, I don't see how bad weather really hurts the Patriots. Mind you, there is apt to be fewer scores by both teams. If you are betting against the point spread, yes, the Patriots are less likely to cover in the rain and wet. Still, I like the Patriots' chances of a flat W. I would kind of like to see the Patriots try to run the ball. They are 14th in running when they barely run at all against teams like the Eagles, Ravens or Steelers. It has just been so much easier to pass against teams who load the box and blitz. We'll have to see how the Jets try to defend.
Thanks Captain Obvious... In a game of 3-10 vs 13-0, looking at the stats is ALWAYS going to bring you to the conclusion that the 13-0 team is going to win flat out.... This thread is pretty much insinuation in how the weather will change the game, which it is very likely to do, especially if there is snow buildup from Saturday night/Sunday morning....
