Tag: Deion Branch
In Defense of Ochocinco
Chad Ochocinco is averaging just 1.8 receptions and 27.2 yards per game this season. I couldn't care less. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Chad Ochocinco has nine catches, 136 receiving yards and no touchdowns in six games this season. These numbers are far and away the worst they've ever been for Ochocinco, who averaged five catches and 74 yards per game in his first 10 seasons. Ochocinco has given the Patriots virtually nothing as he takes his sweet time learning their offense.
I could not care less. I have absolutely no problem with Ochocinco, and I'm getting increasingly tired of all the Chad-bashing.
Ochocinco: Just the Fifth Receiving Option
Every team has a receiver who contributes less than the others. There has to be a fifth receiver. In years past, a tight end usually filled that role. Tom Brady knew this, so he either lived along the sidelines or used slot receivers to cover the middle of the field. Now, with the the Patriots' Dynamic Duo of Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski, Brady has two huge targets to throw to in the flat. Gronkowski is too big and strong, and Hernandez is too quick. No defense has figured out how to shut one down without springing the other, and Hernandez's speed let's him double as a deep-threat.
Ochocinco doesn't need to run the flat routes that older Patriots' wide receivers had to because the Patriots' tight ends match up better against opposing linebackers than Ochocinco ever could. Just remember: Hernandez is as tall as Ochocino with 50 extra pounds of muscle; Gronkowski is five inches taller and 70 pounds stronger.
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Posted on October 16, 2011 Categories Football, PatriotsTags Aaron Hernandez, Chad Ochocinco, Deion Branch, Matthew Slater, New England Patriots, Randy Moss, Rob Gronkowski, Steve Smith, Taylor Price, Tom Brady, Wes WelkerLeave a comment on In Defense of Ochocinco
Patriots Report Card: Week 2
Deion Branch's eight-catch, 129-yard game highlighted a terrific Week 2 performance from the Patriots receivers, who caught 28 passes for 403 yards and three touchdowns. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
Welcome back to Goose's Gabs' weekly report card for your New England Patriots. After a record-setting offensive explosion in Week 1, the Patriots continued their near-unstoppable passing attack Sunday, beating the Chargers 35-21. So who stood out and who hung back? Read on and find out!
Tom Brady followed his record-setting game against the Dolphins with another record-setting game against the Chargers. Throwing for 423 yards, Brady's two-week total of 940 passing yards broke the record set earlier Sunday by the Panthers' Cam Newton. Brady completed 77.5 percent of his passes, including converting five of the Patriots' seven third downs. His three-touchdown, zero-interception day earned him a 135.7 rating, and he completed passes to seven different receivers.
Running Backs: B+
Three Patriots running backs combined for 91 yards and a touchdown. BenJarvus Green-Ellis' 16-yard score late in the game following a Chargers fumble turned what could have been a 28-28 tie into a 35-21 almost-insurmountable Patriots lead. Green-Ellis led the team with 70 yards on 17 carries, doing most of the damage in the second half. Danny Woodhead was rarely used Sunday, but ran in a matter-of-fact two-point conversion in the third to give the Patriots a 28-14 lead. Stevan Ridley got his first two NFL carries, averaging 4.5 yards per play and displaying the spinning agility that dazzled Patriots fans during preseason.
Continue reading Patriots Report Card: Week 2
Posted on September 20, 2011 Categories Football, PatriotsTags Aaron Hernandez, Antonio Garay, Antonio Gates, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Cam Newton, Chad Ochocinco, Danny Woodhead, Deion Branch, Devin McCourty, James Ihedigbo, Jerod Mayo, Kyle Love, Leigh Bodden, Mark Anderson, Matt Light, Mike Tolbert, New England Patriots, NFL, Philip Rivers, Richard Goodman, Rob Gronkowski, Rob Ninkovich, San Diego Chargers, Stephen Gostkowski, Stevan Ridley, Tom Brady, Vince Wilfork, Zoltan Mesko
Tom Brady's record-setting 517 passing yards and four touchdown throws highlighted an A-level offensive performance against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)
Welcome to Goose's Gabs' weekly report card for your New England Patriots! Each week I'll analyze every Patriots position group, identifying particularly noteworthy performances from the previous week's game.
In their 38-24 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football, the Patriots answered many of the questions fans had about the offense entering Week 1. Between 622 total offensive yards, 38 points, and 27 first downs on 8-for-13 third-down efficiency, few can still worry about this team's ability to score points. Their ability to prevent points is another question, but for now all is well in New England.
So let's play teacher and hand out some grades!
Tom Brady set both a Patriots and Monday Night Football record with 517 passing yards. Only four other quarterbacks have ever racked up more passing yards in a game, and none since 1996. Coupled with a 66.7 completion percentage and four touchdown passes, it's impossible to give Brady anything other than a straight A. His third-quarter interception allowed Miami to tie the game, but even that couldn't keep him from a 121.6 QB rating. Although one game is too early to tell, Brady certainly looks poised for another big year, able to throw the ball short and deep, over the middle and to the sidelines.
Posted on September 15, 2011 Categories Football, PatriotsTags Aaron Hernandez, Albert Haynesworth, Andre Carter, Anthony Fasano, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Benny Sapp, Cameron Wake, Chad Henne, Dan Connolly, Dan Koppen, Dane Fletcher, Danny Woodhead, Deion Branch, Devin McCourty, James Ihedgibo, Josh Barrett, Marc Anderson, Matthew Slater, Miami Dolphins, Nate Solder, New England Patriots, Patrick Chung, Ras-I Dowling, Rob Gronkowski, Stephen Gostkowski, Tom Brady, Wes Welker, Zoltan Mesko