Questionable for this Sunday:
Wes Welker (ankle)
Rob Gronkowski (hip)
Aaron Hernandez (ankle)
Julian Edelman (hand)
Dont'A Hightower (hamstring)
Patrick Chung (shoulder)
Out for Sunday:
Steve Gregory (knee)
Brandon Bolden (hip)
Tracy White
A lot of talk about the record in relation to how the team is playing, but it just isn't that big of an issue as far as performance is concerned, (always an issue as far as seeding, obviously). In the three losses we are a total of minus-four points. The wins? A total of plus fifty-five.
Are we having trouble putting teams away? I don't really think so ... I think it's more of an issue of those little things that sometimes go your way, and sometimes don't. I also think Bill is just not being aggressive enough in play-calling, and not taking those little chances that he has in the past that can make-or-break a close game.
Like going for it on 4th-down ... if we had done so last week when we had one foot to go, (instead of settling for the field-goal), and one of the best "sneak" QBs in the league, it would have been a win. I could pick out similar such plays in all three losses, but you get the idea.
You have to take chances in life to succeed, and I don't see the coaching staff doing much of that yet this year. It's rather unlike Belichick, and a bit disconcerting in that regard, but at the same time it's probably one of the easiest things to remedy.
In a division like ours, a three-and-three record isn't as much of a problem as it would otherwise seem. All-in-all I think we're in great shape, and in lieu of injuries, a turnaround isn't much of a stretch. A bit out of sync maybe, (especially late in games), but a big rebound is within our grasp.
The defense is a major improvement over last year, and the running game, (at least up to last Sunday), has been extremely encouraging. This team is stacked talent-wise, and I think that's why people are worried. But no matter how talented you are, consistency and cohesiveness still take time.
I think we're almost there.
