8-25-08 Dale and Felger talk Patriots preseason

Let's turn our attention to the Patriots. The team that is now oh and three in the pre season they'll play their fourth and final exhibition game. This Thursday night against the Philadelphia Eagles. You heard Tom Brady earlier this morning on with the NC said that he tried to convince telecheck that he was okay to play. Last week and I believe that he also set I have no credibility with Belichick anymore and I believe that -- Because I think Brady is one of those guys who was the warrior and who will you know tape and up split it up do what you gotta do I'm gonna go play kind of guys and telecheck knows that. I also honestly don't care if he takes a snap on Thursday or not now I'm maybe naive here you know maybe he does need it. You know it it's certainly. Runs against the grain of what we have believed we've always felt that you know the first davis' first string offense needs time together especially the third pre season game. I guess I have such unmitigated faith in Brady. That I just feel he's going to be fine no matter what may be disagree.

Well I think that that's fair I think he's their opening day as well and I think. He's okay not playing in the pre season. It's not what -- looking nordic preference either I -- really -- I -- an argument example if if this was just -- you know being -- manager on the situation taking it real slow start because let's face -- they came off -- Came -- whopper of the year last year they want to take it easy on his guys if you feel any little thing you're going to shut down. All that stuff. Why is -- playing Randy Moss. Because if you look at Randy Moss in these games certainly the other night. Pierre I mean he many Muslims differently sketch of balls from someone other than Tom Brady I think we're seeing a little glimpse of what Oakland saw. When Randy Moss doesn't believe in his quarterback the White -- anymore. Well let me ask you some let's go to the Michael -- report card on WEEI dot com which is up for two today just 1 up this morning. And -- like how it worked at an argument let's go to your offensive line rate which is an up and it's hard to argue terrible. How much of this. Is Bill Belichick saying the offensive line can't stop anybody right now. If Tom Brady does -- I don't care it's Gutierrez -- counselor whoever ideas. Our season doesn't go very far that -- tells -- paper dale that is not how I'm just asking I don't doubt in my opinion is that it doesn't have much to do with that he's. He's put Brady Brady back there before in the past I've I've seen pre season games we've got whacked around pretty good last year with the the Tennessee game where he got. -- while a couple of times in that Tennessee game last year at July and -- kept him in there so I did I think now and -- first with the offensive line intact and he just got knocked around or was it. A bunch of flotsam and Jets and and he got whacked around I have to go back is probably closer -- starting offensive line up and yes I'm just look I agree with -- completely about play at the offensive line. It's my biggest concern so far of the -- here's the concern -- let me let me boil it down. I understood -- not. Game planning you know in the pre season -- that a lot -- true that there are not and and -- D emphasizes this pre season more than most all fine well and good. What the track record against the recent track record is for this team to play while the third preseason game yup and the overall track record ever since he's gotten here. Is that if they have a pre season clunker in the usually have one year. The next week they sort of straighten it out right and you see them get back on track and last year they lost their first two pre season games. Then won the third once they did lose back to back to start the pre season a year ago I mean I'll give -- a million examples.

Going ended Friday's game the last six years they've won five of those 63. Pre season games and only one they lost. Was a game in Carolina in 2004 which. Is still the best pre season game I've ever seen they played terrific they've played a first half against the Panthers the Panthers cared it was that's a global rematch remembered -- you know we're getting revenge or whatever but. On the week before dale they went to Cincinnati and got rolled up 31 to three and as a road. That was the game adults -- benched his entire defense for a time in the second quarter and then made them go back out there -- the third quarter after the intermission. So that was in 4 they get bombed by Cincinnati the next week they North Carolina and play a great game they lost by a field goal. In garbage time but there's a really strong track record of that it happened it happened and it. 5 as well they lost to a new wall in your home to what they give up 37 points -- number. -- not based on court it was but those those -- at that point he made a bunch of plays defense would like crap but we're all saying I what's going on. They go the next week to Green Bay and went 27 to three and looked in mid season form Zeke it is examples of that. Threw out Belichick's tenure here recently specifically. So to have that game in Tampa couple weeks ago fine they -- in Tampa in the pre season that makes sense no problem -- they just got out of camp. Fine no problem well okay it'll come back here and straighten it out and we'll see the momentum and and and and and and we'll see the -- around here against the Eagles. Not only did you not the turnaround. Worse it got worse at three that's the concern they do take the third pre season game at least they have in the recent past they do take that game answers.

Getting it anywhere downplaying that last over down here last week talking of the guys. They were down playing at night but the other really flies in the face of what I've always heard what I've always believed that you know if if any pre season game matters it's that one. Fourth pre season game you put your starters in for a series get them the hell out. You know don't let Andre Tippett -- the patent -- Veres all the down for the season in with a pre season injury. And it's funny too we were talking about this earlier look around football right now. I mean. Ask me if Tom Coughlin wishes he Osi Umenyiora wasn't playing as much Shawne Merriman. Jeff Saturday eight key guy for the Indianapolis Colts sort of talent and MR I want to play but -- just like not know I'm just saying you're having a rash of these injuries. Around football right now season ending in two cases that we know of possibility was Saturday it could be as well key guys going down. You you gotta play them the erratically you have to prepare them. Kind of -- thankful that Brady isn't playing right now the way things ago I still look at the point I mean it ballots second -- it was just pointing out anecdotally that they that you've had some big stars going down here -- last sure happy.

Every pre season but the thing with this team is their starting defense aside from three or four guys have. Pretty much been out there that defensive line has been out there arm. And still give a few pointers not just that the playing bad dale and sluggish. Getting bumped. It was 24 to three at the half on Friday it should have been 31 to three basket doesn't fumble. Through the back of the and I don't have been 31 to three have to on the third pre season game after you Dutch whacked the week before. In the first half of pre season games this year they've been outscored 5429. Net is as -- ones against ones for the most port. 54. To nine. Public third down conversions against is on -- dot com if you want to read it third down conversions burst out. The last two games starters these are starters now dale in the first half of the last two games have allowed thirteen of sixteen. First down conversions. Look I've already agreed idea why not just M concern I mean it is getting role now having said that I'm concerned and agreeing with everything you've said so far. I.

Chances are -- on the wall and blacks to.

Kansas City Chiefs because -- the Kansas City Chiefs. I I think that you know when I look at the first four games of the regular season schedule. For the Patriots I think they're probably going to be okay. Now that's not to a dangerous game to not to down play I agree with everything you're saying about how they played so far and has Brady said. We're not used to having to deal -- coming off back to back losses around here in -- coming off three straight losses. And and this has Brady talking not me he said he knocked us around already for the way this is gone.

Again I go back to the way Bill Belichick historically treats at third pre season game -- he puts on it. I go back to the track record of this team always almost always without exception turning it around a week after a bad game in the pre season. And this year it didn't get better -- check it. It got worse and that. Look I'm not saying the call in six and ten but I'm just saying if that doesn't put up a little bit of a flag in your brain and you're just not watching.

A little bit of a flag but. I think part of part of that whole thing you talked about it they turn it around after they get waxed. Part of that is -- number twelve. The huge part. He is that good. He is that that concerned about winning and losing he's that much of -- competitors here that games here on Friday that it wants him on the sideline. I mean -- I didn't -- camera shot I don't know. My guesses yet he was here to -- so obviously you're saying that the team Brady has become such a singular. Factor here. That he cannot be there and it was he'll look around ago I'm not I don't know announcement I'm not suggesting that the an excuse -- probably played let's -- at all my point is when they've done that turnaround after a bad game. I think a lot of it has to do with a play at number twelve so and that does that they do need to do something that back -- quarterback situation. Well it's the Wachovia number twelve but I think Manning Gutierrez I'd -- to put up for sale sign on Matt Cassell front lawn -- good enough -- pretty solid and none of them. And I know. We read your piece on WBI dot com -- back up quarterback he would -- batter. I don't and then here's where Michael and I do agree. I you know some of these guys -- Brady -- icing and -- who would you rather -- out. Brady winner Matt Gutierrez if I if I got and it's crazy -- when it's based on -- not on not on fact you haven't seen them play. -- don't play more than that pretty errors up a deal like data these as a pretty decent coaching as well. Over the course of his career yeah I take Brady Quinn over Matt Gutierrez -- not stale. My my point is nobody is comfortable with -- backup quarterback being the guy to lead them to the county and a better position that you are now.

I don't know I'll talk on the Michael tell me who you meet Matt I gave -- guys who I'd rather not available. Okay but but how do you who's available it will Oregon while Kelly welcomes available I'd take him. I don't want Vinny Testaverde but frankly in a pinch I'd take him over what they've got I'd certainly want -- absolutely over those guys. I had a discussion of course he would. Surely if if if you're talking about one of those guys and you rather have them my Anderson and I -- it was available up until about ten days ago he was there. All you guys it'll move we'd lose our. Leftwich was certain there are up until two weeks ago. I heard side for a million bucks and Pittsburgh don't think that that decent a little bit of a security blanket for either.

I first started I -- up this with Glen last week. And talking about backup quarterbacks and he said there have been times and Vinny Testaverde was an example Doug Flutie was another example used. Where they had the veteran back up. You know there just in case something happened. He said it's not the way you would prefer to run things you'd always prefer to take a young guy develop on. Nobody's going to be around for the next three years four years whatever the time is as opposed to the one year wonder guy like any wise. You know where you know it's not going to be here next year anyway.

Well here's the problem. They haven't developed a young guys it's Brady. And at and the more young quarterbacks that come through here and don't get better. Rohan Davey Matt -- gotten worse -- on Gutierrez. Kliff Kingsbury now they've. They've tried not to do that again dale develop a young guy. The more guys to come through here and fail TJ -- all the starters -- just a week into -- for a little bit JT Osama. The more guys that come through your like this and don't develop. The more you gotta think that Brady was just it from left field fluke. But because it may not have it if if the team's going to look like it doesn't under -- cast on a lot of it wasn't his fault. A lot of it wasn't his fault he was in second in the early on the -- occult but 21 the entirety not like he was better the week before the people think right and and last and on Friday US Poland a lot of second and third and longs or his fault because the line. The all these factors that we're talking about but still. He's not good enough it's not good enough. And if the team's going to just freaked out pulled up the tent if Randy Moss looked like that just because -- up on the ball. I mean you -- you look long and hard which he got behind Tom Brady.

I just think that of all the issues you have thats about ten in my list. I mean I got they got issues -- have got me concerned in the pre season you know I don't know why Tom Brady would you little depth throughout the roster not do it at this fight -- that is -- I don't want depth I said. Of the of the problems I'm concerned about. That's weight on my list. -- I have confidence that Tom Brady is going to play because he always does and beat them play really well. So what's the populist offensive line. If he can't protect him he can't play properly it's or jackets are it is the it is the top of my list it is the biggest concern I have. They shuttle guys in and out here. You know that there's that merry go around that we go through every summer here where some some veterans signed and two days later twelve Olympic I'm going to retire. That little guy over their Daunte was yelling at me I'm getting out I don't know what it is but to me. That's where I'm I'm most frightened for this team because without a good offensive line he can't throw they can't run at a offense doesn't perform as well. -- that D fence is going to be okay. Maybe not great but okay I'm counting on this offense being otherworldly. Maybe not to the level was last year but really good in a bad offensive line isn't any good they can't do.

You got -- questions on the -- line -- or -- number 2 but should be number two -- the young guys on defense and how many are really going to have an impact this year because if they don't. The defense isn't quick enough and there was one play that stood out to me -- as much as any other. In that game Friday night it was on the kickoff return for a touchdown Quintin -- blows by John Lynch John Lynch has got about five yards -- on down to the safety now -- they don't receiver you're talking about it Atlanta got the angle. He's got about seven yards and Dempster -- blows right by -- John Lynch. Much we like him playing for bill ballot check in the veteran thing. I don't he can run anymore dale I don't think the guy can run I saw on that play well Rodney doesn't have a step that he used to if you don't have these young guys. You know assimilating themselves to the defense at all includes second third your guys like Meriweather and Boyd's. If these guys on in there the defense isn't quick enough and a quarter certainly are good enough. If -- pressure on the quarterback 617779850. Toll free 8885258. And I didn't equipment before go to break. Real quick real quick did you see the first play of the game. Yes Randy Moss the record -- played it was called by the Jimmy Fund auction winner with that have been -- if you got hurt on the play. -- Of all people taking him I mean while that would have been. Not what you look beat the epitome of now which are looking for the.