OT: Patriots Play Small Ball... Just Like Michigan!
Rich Rodriguez's trademark is, along with the spread offense, the utilization of "tiny track stars covered in butter." A lot of us have been annoyed by the "ahh, if only he had another 2 inches!" commentary on Dee Hart (re: why he doesn't have a 5th star) and in general, skepticism that such short players at RB and WR can let Michigan consistently succeed and stay healthy. This criticism is, of course, ridiculous.
Offensive reign of terror against Big Ten defenses this season aside...
Pretty good ESPN article today about how the Pats' Wes Welker, Danny Woodhead, and Deion Branch all have heard the same doubts about themselves and just laugh:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=garber_greg&id=58…
November 18th, 2010 at 12:20 PM ^
So that's the short of it?
November 18th, 2010 at 12:28 PM ^
Don't forget about Julian Edelman. This 2010 Patriot's offense is full of moxie.
November 18th, 2010 at 1:19 PM ^
Welker, Edelman and Woodhead. The Pats are good because they have too much GRITS! Throw in Tom Brady, the GRITS goes to the next level. OMFG!
November 18th, 2010 at 2:39 PM ^
Does Tom Brady have grit, or is he just awesome. I think you can say that Tate has grit and moxie, but it just sounds strange giving those attributes to someone like Brady or even P. Manning.
November 18th, 2010 at 12:39 PM ^
Yeah, but the Patriots don't play in the Big Ten brother.
November 18th, 2010 at 12:48 PM ^
Way to rub it in to the Big Ten purists.
November 18th, 2010 at 1:00 PM ^
But keep in mind they also went out and got Randy Moss in the past to have a tall deep threat and they used him until he managed to talk himself out of town.
Personally I'm excited to see what Denard does with a big target like Conway. Having a big guy with a great vertical will give Denard an outlet when he scrambles. He can just put it up so either Conway gets it or no on gets it.
I love our small guys, but having a big dominate WR is another weapon for Denard to use.
November 18th, 2010 at 1:14 PM ^
And if Sammy W. comes to the party we're gonna really scare some folks.
November 18th, 2010 at 1:30 PM ^
In case you haven't noticed, our offense is already scaring people. It's just our defense that needs to be able to do the same.
November 18th, 2010 at 2:31 PM ^
Does it count if our defense scares me?
November 18th, 2010 at 1:48 PM ^
The dude's gut has got its own zipcode.
November 18th, 2010 at 2:41 PM ^
I am amazed at how much wiggle he has for being such a big guy. I love watching him get all those YAC.
November 18th, 2010 at 3:23 PM ^
They get a bunch of players that are undervalued throughout the league, and put them together into a system that treats them more as cogs than anything. Starters are replaceable and no one person is above the team. All of this is done under one of the greatest minds in his field, Bill Belichick.
The Patriots are my second favorite team in the NFL because of this. They do things so efficiently and effectively. The moves they make always seem to be two steps ahead of the game.
November 18th, 2010 at 4:32 PM ^
BUT THE PATS CHEAT!!!1! THEY TAPE AND STEAL THEIR OPPONENTS PLAY SIGNALS!!!!!!!