Even before Tom Brady played his first meaningful snap for the Patriots, playing against the Broncos at Mile High was always a game to look forward to. Was it because my sister was a John Elway fan and I wasn't, perhaps. Nevertheless, this year's game isn't as big of a deal as year's past. Do we really even want to win, who knows. Win or lose, here are some thoughts about tonight's game.
PEYTON, PATON, PAYTON- Yes, they are all pronounced the same way. Peyton for Peyton Manning. Paton for George Paton, the current GM. Payton for Sean Payton, the current head coach.
SPECIAL TEAMS- When it comes to the Patriots' special teams, there are certain places where I'd like to see some solid play and other places where I'm fine with witnessing a complete disaster. Places I would like to see some solid play are with the punting and protections of Bryce Baringer and the field goal attempts of Chad Ryland. Other than that, I really don't care what happens with special teams today. In my opinion, dumb special teams plays are a way to tank without really creating bad habits. I don't believe that anyone we have returning kicks or punts today is who we actually plan on having out there next season. So, it they are intentionally misplaying kicks, it really doesn't matter in the long run.
TACKLES- Special teams or defensively, I still would like to see some solid tackling by the team. In my eyes, this is a place where you want to see what you really have at game speed. Nowadays, you don't really get to practice tackling at game speed in practice or the offseason.
ZAPPE - I want to see enough from Zappe to have him be the lone holdover from the quarterback room. He was never really destined to be a starter in the NFL. If he can give us another great first half and then fizzle out in the second, that could definitely be something to work with. Being part of the" Belichick is coming back next year" group, can you picture having Zappe play the first half of games and then running a completely difference offense with a stud rookie quarterback the second half? The NFL would create a rule against switching quarterbacks at the half citing some competitive balance rule.
NO MORE INJURIES- While it's been my hope for the last few weeks, if we could not have injuries to either team, that would be great.
SPECIAL TEAMS- When it comes to the Patriots' special teams, there are certain places where I'd like to see some solid play and other places where I'm fine with witnessing a complete disaster. Places I would like to see some solid play are with the punting and protections of Bryce Baringer and the field goal attempts of Chad Ryland. Other than that, I really don't care what happens with special teams today. In my opinion, dumb special teams plays are a way to tank without really creating bad habits. I don't believe that anyone we have returning kicks or punts today is who we actually plan on having out there next season. So, it they are intentionally misplaying kicks, it really doesn't matter in the long run.
TACKLES- Special teams or defensively, I still would like to see some solid tackling by the team. In my eyes, this is a place where you want to see what you really have at game speed. Nowadays, you don't really get to practice tackling at game speed in practice or the offseason.
ZAPPE - I want to see enough from Zappe to have him be the lone holdover from the quarterback room. He was never really destined to be a starter in the NFL. If he can give us another great first half and then fizzle out in the second, that could definitely be something to work with. Being part of the" Belichick is coming back next year" group, can you picture having Zappe play the first half of games and then running a completely difference offense with a stud rookie quarterback the second half? The NFL would create a rule against switching quarterbacks at the half citing some competitive balance rule.
NO MORE INJURIES- While it's been my hope for the last few weeks, if we could not have injuries to either team, that would be great.
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