Pat doesnt like that type of talk in here
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It's kind of interesting to think that they could actually base their decision partially on our expected matchups, but DJLN is absolutely right that it's a valid discussion. It will be fascinating to see where they land.
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We may be pretty tight cap-wise this year. Probably won’t do a ton of spending.

Hollywood and Omenihu on 1-year deals would be nice
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Um, that's pretty much what I said, wasn't it?

But for the sake of argument, then why are people bitching about his stamina and game shape?

You'd think people would have learned when we went through this exact same shit with Pat's ankle. People wanted him to sit out, and possibly miss the #1 seed, because they were scared he would get more hurt.

How did that turn out? Maybe people should stop being scared.
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At the risk of more verbal abuse I have to say that Thuney is "attacking" closer to the LOS like they used to do in Patriots Brady days. Those Patriot teams didn't form the U around Brady.....they kept their man as far away from the backfield as they could. I think that is why he attacks early.
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I think as we get closer and closer to a 3peat they are just concerned something is going to happen that keeps us from the 3peat. Lingering pain from the past? Who knows?
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Just think about that though. "Going for a 3-peat" which has never been done. A 15-2 team with the #1 seed and one of the best QB/HC combos ever.

And people are scared. I just don't get it.
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Not super easy to find old clips of the Patriots pass blocking, but this was the first one i could come up with looking for Nate Solder highlights (more of a lowlight, really).



Both of the OTs are taking 'conventional' sets there.

This one's a little more mixed:



Looks like some reps have the conventional approach, others more aggressive. I'd say more 'conventional' than not, but definitely a few where the LT isn't getting back as much as he's trying to come forward or at least hold his ground. And we do that at times as well, but primarily w/ RPOs (and I don't think the Pats were using the RPO game back then).

I really think it's as simple as a G doesn't get back and he's spent his entire career playing G. If it had something to do with Patriot pass rush sets, we'd have coached that way out of him by now. I mean he's played 66 games for KC now vs. 80 for NE.

Anything 'ingrained' from a half decade ago would've been largely re-written by this stage of his career.
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Pre-game (or playoff) jitters? :-)
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One thing we haven't discussed.

No matter who plays LT, they're going to be helped a little by the fact that by 1/18, Jawaan Taylor will be healthy for the first time in almost two months.
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I don't either.

That we even have the chance is exciting as fuck.

What is there to fear? That we don't do something that no other team has done?

It's crazy to me how most of us watched this team pre-Patrick and said, "just one Super Bowl before I die."

Now people are acting like spoiled fucking children.

Just enjoy the ride, folks.
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Whoever we face in game 1, it will be a team full of pass rushers. Feels like all the 4-7 seeds in the AFC just happen to be the best pass rushing teams.

There won't be any grace period for Humphries to play against cupcakes.

That said, Mahomes had good protection against Pittsburgh on Christmas if that happens to be our first opponent.
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Pitt is a team, I just do not see advancing. Russel just has looked terrible for a month now. Shocked if it is not SD or Houston.
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It's not even about enjoying the ride although I imagine whinging above stuff like this does get in the way of that.

After all they've done since Mahomes was drafted, why wouldn't you be supremely confident in this team right now?

Like I said, they've been aggressive the whole time. Scared teams don't trade Tyreek Hill. Worried teams don't trade up nearly every year in the draft.

This is THAT team. They're going to 3-peat. At this point, it's just about making that as easy as possible. Hence why having a pro bowl LT and all pro LG makes sense.

Of course, if DJ isn't up to it you go right back to Thuney. But it would be really nice to see this offense be as good as it can be in the playoffs. That's why the team is even considering playing DJ in the first place.
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I absolutely suck at 'enjoying the ride'.

I didn't even go to the Texans game because I was just kinda worn slick by sitting in Arrowhead, being grumpy due to bad football and then being annoyed with myself because I knew we were going to win anyway.

That whole damn Chargers game I was just frustrated and knew better. "Man, this is bad. We suck at everything. And NONE of it matters because we're still gonna win somehow..."

Just didn't wanna do that again. I wanted to be able to fast forward to the good bits. Just watch the first half, get annoyed, find something else to do and come back for the last 5 minutes.

"Enjoy the ride" just isn't in my DNA.

Suppose that really just makes me something of a miserable SOB but as the brilliant Marshall Poole once said in one of our nations greatest offerings to class and culture -- Open Range -- "I know it. That's just the way it is..."
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