Just as a quick foreward so as not to alarm anyone, I'm Sean Morency and the newest writer for the blog. I previously had my own blog (Kind of a Big Deal here at blogger.com) that was more of a personal digital journal with a small (edit: almost nonexistent) following, but CW made the executive decision to bring me on board, so hopefully I can contribute some entertaining pieces and induce some laughter for those who desperately need to procrastinate from the repellent "real world" tasks that they have to attend to. Without further adieu, here's my debut for team Alt-Tab
Additionally, from what I saw of the (nearly flawless) execution of the Pats game plan, Brady was entirely content to rely on short crossing routes by Welker (with the except of his 99 yard touchdown sprint borne out of an idiotic coverage scheme by the Dolphins), Deon Branch sitting down in soft spots in the zone, and blatantly exploiting the linebacker/safety coverage of our budding star tight ends in Gronkowski and Hernandez. Even with Brady slinging the ball 48 times, that doesn't leave alot of room for Ochocinco to grab many passes when he is primarily a moderate to deep route runner with a Pro Bowl corner back in Vontae Davis marking him. What's to say that the game plan didn't include a wrinkle to use Chad as pseudo-decoy when on the field to take the top off the secondary, opening up those spots underneath for other players to wreak havoc? The guy only played 25 % of the offensive plays that were fun (18 of 70), perhaps another subtle indication that Belichick knew how to dissect the Dolphins without the need for down the field go-routes.
We all knew what we were getting in Ochocinco; part talented receiver with deceptive smarts and precise route running ability as well as part time entertainer who likes to be paid attention to via his utilization of social media. If it had been a situation where Chad said something like "Didn't come here for this #frustrated," Bruschi's reaction would be completely understandable. But Chad is simply expressing his delight and pride at being part of organization that he perceives as being the best in the business. Even masters of their craft express delight from time to time. I'm pretty sure after Michelangelo finished his work on the Sistine Chapel said the Italian equivalent of "Shit, that's pretty damned impressive what I just finished."
But since tight lipped confidentiality rivaling that of the FBI is how most Patriots personnel handle the media, including Bruschi when he was on the team, Chad's exuberant twitter posting probably came off a "team felony" of sorts to the former line backer turned professional douche-bag...er, I mean football analyst.
Yes Chad Ochocinco didn't figure prominently in our first game of the season. Does that mean he's not working hard, that he doesn't care about running precise routes, and that he won't be a useful piece going forward? Absolutely not. Bruschi, cool your jets bro. You more than anyone should know how gameplan's and player utilization changes week to week in New England. It was one game for gods sakes. Save your righteous tirades for people who actually deserve them, like Jon "Captain Hyperbole" Gruden or every member of the Jersey Shore.
Tedy Bruschi- "Drop the awe factor, OK, Ocho? Chad, drop the awe factor," Bruschi said. "You’re not a fan, all right. You’re not someone who’s on another team or watching TV. You’re not an analyst. You’re a part of it. They want you to be a part of it. So get with the program because obviously you’re not getting it and you’re tweeting because you’re saying, ‘It’s amazing to see’? It’s amazing to see because you don’t understand it. You still don’t understand it and it’s amazing to you because you can’t get it.Don't get me wrong, Tedy Bruschi was one of my all time favorite Patriot players. His no-bullshit, do your job mantra combined with his uncanny play making ability undeniably contributed to the fastidious devotion to the game of football by every member of the team during the 2001-2004 run. That being said, in this instance I believe Tedy is coming off extremely harsh as well as a "holier than thou" asshole. Yes, Chad Ochocinco did not exactly delight fantasy owners nor wow anyone watching the game with his box score production of one reception for 14 yards. But to indict the guy with this harsh condemnation on his work ethic and commitment to the team after one game?? Talk about some extreme reaction-ism. Let's all keep in mind this is not, as many idiotic WEEI callers firmly believe, the same as when we brought in Randy Moss. Despite the obvious differences in receiving style and demeanor, Moss had the benefit of multiple off season workouts prior to training camp, meaning he had much more time to absorb the offensive system deployed by the Patriots. It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest, despite the tireless work ethic that Tom Brady openly vouches Chad possesses, to figure that Ochocinco is still 2 or 3 weeks behind on what exactly his role in the offense is and how much of the playbook he currently understands. Our other "big season" acquisition, both literally and figuratively, Albert Haynesworth received limited reps on his side of the ball as well. The learning curve in this system is steep, and patience is a necessary virtue before we can fairly evaluate whether or not Ochocinco is producing.
"Stop tweeting and get in your playbook," Bruschi added. "Wake up! If you’re just waking up now — I don’t know when this was, six minutes ago? — get out your bed and get to the stadium and watch some film if you still think it’s amazing. If you’re in it and you know what you’re doing and you execute out there you don’t think it’s amazing. You know why? Because it’s what you’re supposed to do."
Additionally, from what I saw of the (nearly flawless) execution of the Pats game plan, Brady was entirely content to rely on short crossing routes by Welker (with the except of his 99 yard touchdown sprint borne out of an idiotic coverage scheme by the Dolphins), Deon Branch sitting down in soft spots in the zone, and blatantly exploiting the linebacker/safety coverage of our budding star tight ends in Gronkowski and Hernandez. Even with Brady slinging the ball 48 times, that doesn't leave alot of room for Ochocinco to grab many passes when he is primarily a moderate to deep route runner with a Pro Bowl corner back in Vontae Davis marking him. What's to say that the game plan didn't include a wrinkle to use Chad as pseudo-decoy when on the field to take the top off the secondary, opening up those spots underneath for other players to wreak havoc? The guy only played 25 % of the offensive plays that were fun (18 of 70), perhaps another subtle indication that Belichick knew how to dissect the Dolphins without the need for down the field go-routes.
We all knew what we were getting in Ochocinco; part talented receiver with deceptive smarts and precise route running ability as well as part time entertainer who likes to be paid attention to via his utilization of social media. If it had been a situation where Chad said something like "Didn't come here for this #frustrated," Bruschi's reaction would be completely understandable. But Chad is simply expressing his delight and pride at being part of organization that he perceives as being the best in the business. Even masters of their craft express delight from time to time. I'm pretty sure after Michelangelo finished his work on the Sistine Chapel said the Italian equivalent of "Shit, that's pretty damned impressive what I just finished."
But since tight lipped confidentiality rivaling that of the FBI is how most Patriots personnel handle the media, including Bruschi when he was on the team, Chad's exuberant twitter posting probably came off a "team felony" of sorts to the former line backer turned professional douche-bag...er, I mean football analyst.
Yes Chad Ochocinco didn't figure prominently in our first game of the season. Does that mean he's not working hard, that he doesn't care about running precise routes, and that he won't be a useful piece going forward? Absolutely not. Bruschi, cool your jets bro. You more than anyone should know how gameplan's and player utilization changes week to week in New England. It was one game for gods sakes. Save your righteous tirades for people who actually deserve them, like Jon "Captain Hyperbole" Gruden or every member of the Jersey Shore.
