Monday, December 10, 2007

Bah, Humbug!

Well, that didn't go so well, did it?

It could have been worse, it could have been better. It was the best of times, it was the worst of ... just shut up.

That goes double for you, Anthony Smith. Next time, just shut up and play the game. Way to get their attention. Smith might as well have had a target on his back. Smith's play yesterday was even more embarrassing than his lame "guarantee" last week.

About the Patriots, as former Arizona Cardinals coach Denny Green said of the Chicago Bears last year, "Let's just crown their asses."

Anthony Smith and the secondary got burned, repeatedly. The offensive line, "anchored" at the center position by Sean Mahan, couldn't generate the push they needed to convert short-yardage situations, especially inside the red zone. Mahan got tossed around like a rag doll. Again.

Was the offensive line’s inability to generate an inside push the reason for the end-around call at the goal line? Do we detect a lack of confidence? The play-calling was at times curious, to say the least.

Special teams -- again-- surrendered a long kickoff return, plus a turnover. Daniel Sepulveda's punts continue to look average, at best, and Alan Rossum continues to look slow. He is contributing virtually nothing on returns. At least Sepulveda didn't get any punts blocked, and Rossum didn't fumble. Yes, it could have been worse.

The team is getting almost nothing from its 2007 draft class. Too late to do anything about that.

Next up: Jacksonville.

Buckle up. It could be a bumpy ride.