Success

It makes sense when you consider that it's fairly well-known that BB doesn't want to leave the team in bad shape when he finally retires. He wants to set them up for success after he leaves. And he has also said that he doesn't want to coach too far into his 70's, like Levy. He spent like the typical offseason "winner" in FA, which he never does. He's all in this year.

I mean, I really didn't mind EJ. He blew some coverages, but was more solid than most fill-in kinds of guys....

The Pats aren't "rebuilding." BB probably will not coach much longer, and they're trying to win 1 more while he is still the coach. NE has one of the oldest teams in the league. Mac Jones looks good because he is incredibly well-coached. We'll have to see if he's still the franchise guy once he has to carry a team.

I liked how Stevenson played - I know he muffed one, but overall, he made good cuts & seemed like a tough runner.

Anyone concerned that we haven't signed anyone? I get that Jackson moves into the role now - but we're going to need better depth.

The only thing I'd disagree w/ is TN. I don't think their game last week was a fluke. They are down their 2 top WR's and top RB, among many others. I don't think it will be too close tomorrow. Especially since it's in NE. In a way, maybe that's better. Let them roll until next Monday, if that's the way it plays out.

It feels like a bit of a must-win. I just feel like if we can't beat them at home, what are the chances we beat them in NE? I know it doesn't work that way, especially w/ division games. But if we don't get the W, the pressure on that 2nd game is enormous. Getting swept would cost us the division for sure, and really cast doubt on our chances in the playoffs.

Ever been to the Pats boards? They have the best RB's in the league. Mac Jones is already better than Brady was early in his career and will win multiple SB's. Their D is like the '85 Bears. A new dynasty is starting, and the rest of the league just has to deal.

Well, when you put it THAT way. I mean, that really isn't much of a list as far as QB's go. That post gave me more hope.

Wouldn't we be hearing about someone by now? I know it's just been a day, but every day counts. You would think they'd want someone to have a full week, even as depth.

Gotta admit - I'd feel a little better if we signed someone. I'm good rolling w/ Jackson, but now our depth is basically gone. I have to think they're considering a vet.

As it has been for almost my entire adult life - it's all about the Patriots. Some therapist a few years down the line doesn't know it yet, but they're going to hear more about Belichick than they ever imagined when they started their career.

Who was around for our 1st SB? The Giants lost PHIL SIMMS late in the season. Bad memory, but happens all of the time in sports. If anyone listens to Bill Simmons (not recommended), he calls it the "Ewing Theory," based on a season where the Knicks lost Ewing and actually seemed to play better.

Not scientific, but I feel like Tre is going to be one of the guys who surprises everyone w/ a shorter recovery & that he's back by September.

The biggest thing w/ losing Tre - how many more points will opposing teams score? How many more passes will they complete? Tre wasn't the top player on a middlin' defense. Tre was the top player on a D of great and good players, and the secondary in particular has one of the best safety tandems in the league. Like the OP said, it's just not going to be night & day back there without him, as good as he is. We'll still have a top pass defense.

I mean, the irony.

Humble brag.

Anyone think they play him at nickel, and move one of the other guys (or an acquisition) outside?

Dane doesn't have to be White, or anything close to how good White is. He needs to be capable and coachable. What we need from him is play that's good enough so that White's loss doesn't create a vulnerability that opposing DC's and QB's can exploit.

He tore his ACL, and he's out for the season.

It's not nonsense or fantasy to suggest that this kind of thing COULD be a rallying event. In fact, it's frequent sports history.

Well, they think they're a shoo-in for the division now. A quick glance at their boards & it's equal parts celebratory and assured that losing White will end the Bills chances. Man, does that fanbase grate on me.

Gotta see how it goes the rest of the way. I'm open to Dane Jackson emerging, or any possibility. If whatever they put together for the rest of this season works, there won't be a reason to make CB a high priority. They'll know more about where Tre stands on draft day, also - hopefully, he can get back on the field in a reasonable timeframe and still be a big part of next season.

Man, don't look at twitter or any rival boards. Fans are different in the internet age.

True. I feel like they can be a resilient team and get past this - but we won't know for a few weeks. The hope is always that we can look back and say something like, that was terrible at the time, but the team really came together & made it work. I can't help but think about a bad memory - how it must have felt for Giants fans when they lost Phil Simms before the '90 SB. And there are many other examples in sports history. This year alone, many wrote the Ravens off after their early-season injuries.