Checking In

Patriots

Expectations are so high for the Patriots that any season that doesn't end with a Super Bowl win is seen as a disappointment on some level.  Unfortunately, the season ended against a team that matches up well against them.  But it's worth remembering that the Patriots put together yet another amazing and enjoyable season.  It sure beats being a Jets fan.

Congratulations to the Ravens on beating the Patriots.  The Ravens definitely outplayed the Patriots, dominating the line of scrimmage on both offense and defense.  Flacco had far more time and space to operate in than Brady did.  Combine that with the fact that the Ravens played mistake-free football while the Patriots left far too many points on the board, and the game didn't feel as close as the score indicated.

With that said, I loathe the Ravens defense.  Don't get me wrong, their defense is incredibly effective.  They're a talented group that has played much better in the playoffs.  But there should be no need for them to focus on headhunting to the extent they do.  I'm all for hard hitting defenses, but I don't like seeing defenders launching themselves, aiming their helmets at receivers' heads.  It happens now and then as part of the game, but the Ravens sure seem to go out of their way to hit that way.  The play that stands out for me was one where a Patriots receiver (Welker?) had caught the ball at about the ten and was on the turf.  Pollard takes two steps and dives helmet first at the receiver.

After Goodell's penalties from Bountygate were challenged, overturned, whatever, it was comical to see that the NFL's focus after the game was what to do about Brady lifting a foot while sliding.  Remember that Reed had been suspended one game for repeated shots at prone receivers' heads and that the suspension was overturned.  Given how Goodell's suspensions had been neutered all season, you knew there was no way Reed or Pollard could be suspended for the Super Bowl because of their head shots in the AFC Championship.

Another Ravens/Patriots game, another week of the Ravens yapping in the press pre and post-game about how the Patriots disrespect them before, during and after the game.  Where this comes from, I have no idea, since the Ravens are the ones who do all the talking.  Well, unless the wife of a Patriot saying something stupid after a loss.  Nice of Ray Lewis to forgive Welker's wife for her silly Twitter post, though.  Forgiveness is very important to Lewis, for obvious reasons.

The Patriots offense has major struggles with defenses that can generate pressure without blitzing and whose defensive backs employ tight, physical coverage.  It makes it harder for the Patriots to get down the field effectively.  The quick hitting passes are still fairly effective, but a greater percentage of those  passes are broken up and the receivers who come up with catches are hit hard, likely leading to more drops later in the game.  If the defense can also keep the Patriots from picking up two yards on the ground when they show run, the Patriots are in real trouble.

I had hoped that Lloyd would help open up the offense more.  During the regular season, Lloyd did well catching mid range passes down the sideline.  It seemed like that type of play would be open against the Ravens defense.

On the Patriots fake punt, I'd love to know what Zoltan Mesko's responsibilities were if they'd run the fake.

I've never seen an offensive lineman do the weird leg kick thing that the Ravens' Oher does.

Not having Gronkowski was a huge deal against the Ravens, not only because the Patriots passing offense broke down inside the Ravens 40 but because Gronkowski also made the running game much more effective.  Not having Edelman was a big loss as well.  I love Deion Branch and I believe that he runs routes effectively but Edelman is much more of a weapon.

Where do the Patriots go from here?  I'd love to see the Patriots keep Welker, Talib, Edelman and Woodhead.  We'll see who they prioritize and what needs they address via the draft.  I think their top needs are receiver, cornerback and safety.  A tall receiver who can stretch the field and would Brady to throw ball over cornerbacks' heads keep the defense from being able to overplay the short pass.  (A healthy Gronk would help, too.)  Boldin and Smith allow Flacco to throw balls high to both receivers in traffic and know that if he's on target, the worst that can happen is an incompletion.  The Patriots haven't had that type of threat since Randy Moss checked out.

(I imagine a press conference where Woodhead and Edelman announce they're hopping in an old VW van to sign with the Broncos and pursue opportunities they'd rather not discuss.)

Celtics

I'm really curious to see what the Celtics do the rest of the season.  Losing Rondo for the season is a major blow because he's the only true point guard on the roster.  However, I think their offense will open up more going forward.  I don't get to watch many Celtics games but I loved hearing that the Celtics moved the ball much better in their first couple games after Rondo's injury.

Rondo amazes and frustrates me.  Point guards who are a threat to score (not a ball hog, just a threat) can open up the offensive end far more than point guards who are not.  Especially in the fourth quarter or when the other team's defense tightens up, Rondo becomes a liability in the halfcourt offense.  In transition, he can be an absolute wizard.  But if he decides that he's not going to drive and doesn't trust his shot, he doesn't help the Celtics offense.  Late in the game, the Celtics offense relies more and more on on jump shots because of Rondo's offensive limitations.

I love seeing a point guard help facilitate more on offense.  Pick and rolls, penetration, forcing the defense to respect the open shot all help open up the offense.  It's fun to see a point guard who penetrates to make the defense help and switch, leading to other offensive players cutting and moving to open space.  Point guards who do this to the Celtics cause huge problems.  Even if the first shot doesn't fall, the offense is more likely than normal to get an offensive rebound because of the defense is in constant movement and is not set to box out.

Here's hoping Rondo comes back next season fully healed.  In the meantime, I hope he watches some games and decides what he wants to add to his game to be more effective once he's back.  Rondo is a valuable player but he'd be far more valuable if he was comfortable sticking the open jump shot and going to the free throw line in a tight game.