AboutJason Webber Expertise I can answer most questions regarding the New England Patriots gameplay style, recent history (last ten years), roster questions, as well as other football knowledge. I know a great deal about penalties, different formations, and general history of the game, with a focus on the New England Patriots.
Experience I am a very devoted Patriots fan, and football is my favorite sport to watch. I know a great deal about the workings of football, on offense and defense.
Education/Credentials Graduated in the top 6% of my Engineering class at The Pennsylvania State University.
Expert: Jason Webber Date: 10/31/2005 Subject: Team Analysis
Question Can you give me an analysis of the team and basically tell me their stregnths and weaknesses, in a sorta overall team way, and also in a star position by position way. Im trying to get into football, cause alot of my classmates make fun of me because i dont know anything about football.
Answer Basic Overview: The Patriots are playing real "hit-or-miss" football this season. They have been showing up to the field every other game. The defense has taken significant hits from injuries including All-Pros Rodney Harrison and Richard Seymour. Tedy Bruschi came back from a stroke this past week and had a great game. The rushing defense has been a problem. The secondary is riddled with injuries (the Patriots started the 4th different strong safety of the year this past week). The offense has been a strong point, but hasn't performed the same as recent years when the opposition starts to get away from them. I feel that these problems will be rectified now. I feel that the loss of the coordinators in the off-season hurt the Pats early on, but they are adapting, and the recent bye week will help. The lack of offense has forced the defense to be on the field longer, thus hurting defensive numbers.
This week vs. the Bills showed otherwise. The Pats were down 16-7 and came back in the final half of the fourth quarter. The defense made the plays it needed to, and the offense mustered some points. Bright spots of the game, Asante Samuel's pick and overall good D, Eugene Wilson's hits and great D, Bruschi's return, and Brady's 4th quarter offense.
Position by Position:
QB - Tom Brady: He's the best in the game at winning. He may not put up the stats that Peyton Manning does, but his 3 Supberbowl rings, winning percentage, and stats prove he's got the stuff.
RB - Corey Dillon/Patrick Pass: Dillon hasn't been what he was last year, although he's shown flashes. Pass has the opportunity to fill in, but he's nothing too special (fumbled the ball on a tweaked hamstring vs. the Bills). The position has been injury prone; Dillon with leg injuries, Pass with hamstring, Faulk out the season.
WR - Branch/Givens/Davis: They've been the bright spot on the offense to give Brady the weapons he needs to win.
TE - Daniel Graham/Ben Watson: They've shown what they can do, but haven't performed consistently. They both had big games against the Atlanta Falcons.
OL: Injury to Matt Light hurt a lot. Kaczur (rookie) has been mediocre in replacement. Mankins (1st round, rookie) has been good and bad. Rest of the line has been relatively consistent.
DL - Warren/Wilfork/Green: They've been consistent in spite of Seymour being injured the majority of the season. They haven't been stopping the run very well though.
LB - Vrabel/McGinest/Bruschi/Colvin/Brown: Solid unit, especially with the return of Bruschi. He's the defensive field general and instructs the defense on how to line up the play. Vrabel's been solid, Colvin's out to prove himself this year. Brown's been less than expected to fill the Bruschi/Ted Johnson hole.
CB - Samuel/Starks/Hobbs: They've been ok this year. Samuel had a pick in a good defensive effort vs. the Bills. Starks has been getting beat. Hobbs is young, but showing up. Another injury prone position with Poole hitting the Injured Reserve list recently. Randall Gay has also been injured.
S - Wilson/SS of the game?: Eugene Wilson has been performing EXTREMELY well. He's learned the hard-hitting style of safety that Rodney Harrison plays with. He can also make the big play, intercepting passes. Strong safety has seen four starters since the beginning of the season. Harrison hit the IR after the first game. Guss Scott is on the IR. James Sanders is injured. Arturo Freeman started vs. the Bills.
K - Adam Vinatieri: He's been his usual consistent self. Missed a few kicks, nothing terrible though. Made game-winning kick vs. Pittsburgh.
P - Josh Miller: Has been pretty good throughout the year. Nothing amazing, nothing terrible.
SpTeams: Not much to say here. They've had mediocre coverage on kicks. They've been negatively affected by the injuries on defense. The usual depth on special teams has been called upon to fill in on defense and the special teams play has suffered.
I hope this covers what you need/want. Ask another question if you want clarification on anything or just more information. Thank you.
