The Patriots Gave Us a TOUGH Loss

by ChrisHarris on Dec 14, 2009 6:51 PM EST

OOOOOH MAAAAN... Yesterday's game was a TOUGH loss. I felt like we really had a chance to win that thing! The guys came out and fought hard both ways, but things just didn't work out how we wanted them to.

In the first half, I think the Pats got some help from the referees on that questionable pass that landed them their first touchdown. But hey... I get paid to play and the refs get paid to ref, so what are ya gonna do?

For a while now, we've been working on doing a better defensive job on third downs, and our efforts seem to be paying off. However, on the negative side, I wish we could have done a better job in the red zone. They scored two touchdowns out of three opportunities in there, and we just can't allow that happen.

I can't tell you enough how much I truly felt we should have won that game! But, you know, we made some stupid mistakes. We had too many penalties... WAY too many penalties. One in particular that really hurt us was when we were flagged for roughing the passer. Had that not happened, the game could have potentially stayed 17 to 10, and then we would have had a chance to go down and tie the game.

One thing I can say I'm proud of is how this team never stops fighting. It's these moments, when we're on the receiving end of a tough loss, yet we're still able to hold our heads high, that really reveal the honorable degree of character the players on our team have. They simply don't quit!

So now we're gonna move on to Minnesota, where, unfortunately, things aren't going to get any easier for us. BUT... I can guarantee you that we're still going to give them our best shot, just like we've been doing against all the teams we've played this season. We're gonna get back to the drawing board and prepare ourselves for what will surely be a VERY entertaining night game. I promise the energy we're gonna bring will be ELECTRIC!

I'm excited about next week and I hope y'all are too! I know it's been a tough year, but hang in there with us, alright?! HANG IN THERE!!! ;-)

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i refuse to even say his name but the patriots head coach is a complete douchebag

“thats a lot of talk from a team that just lost another game” screw you, you know that Randy was pouting like a little girl. Oh and i wonder how much money slid to the refs

by carolinabrave89 on Dec 14, 2009 8:06 PM EST reply actions

I agree it was a douchebag move by Belichick.

I don’t really know why he wanted to get involved, but Gamble really should of kept his mouth shut unless we won the game.

Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.

by James Dator on Dec 14, 2009 8:14 PM EST up reply actions

It's not like

We’re spouting off at the mouth, beating our own chests. We shut him down and we’re not even really taking credit for it – just blaming Moss for the most part. We complimented Moss as a player, admitting that he is a great player and he would be almost unstoppable if he came off the line hard every time.

Look, I don’t entirely blame the Patriots for what they said. What are they going to say? They aren’t going to start accepting the shots taken at Randy – that wouldn’t be a smart move for them at all. It’s fairly obvious to everyone that Moss tends to quit when things aren’t going right for him (this isn’t a new thing), but the Pats aren’t going to just come out and admit that through the media. Maybe the shots at the Panthers are a little unecessary but they are going to do whatever it takes to deflect the criticism off of Moss.

by R-F on Dec 14, 2009 10:17 PM EST up reply actions

Not really.

Gamble was certainly bragging about how he and the secondary had shut Moss down because they knew exactly what to do.

Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE

by MichaelProcton on Dec 14, 2009 10:58 PM EST up reply actions

"Knew what to do"

What? Take him out of the game early. Yeah, they did that through gameplanning. I’ll admit they were bragging about the gameplan – but that gameplan is really nothing new to anyone in the NFL.

Gamble was certainly bragging about the gameplan – but I don’t think he was beating his own chest saying how he shut him down personally. He may have been bragging about not letting him get going early, but if he was really beating his own chest he wouldn’t have dogged Moss. Gamble could just say Moss was shut out because of how good Gamble shut him down the whole game, but instead he gave excuses for why Moss didn’t catch alot of balls.

Sorry, maybe I should have clarified. I don’t take Gamble bragging about the DC’s gameplan as showboating or anything. It’s not like the gameplan was anything that hasn’t been done before.

by R-F on Dec 14, 2009 11:05 PM EST up reply actions

I just prescribe to the 'walk softly and carry a big stick' approach.

For someone who’s been burned by opposing WRs as much as Gamble has this season I don’t really think he’s in a position to be demeaning a future HOFer.

Yes, he played a great game yesterday… but making a statement to the media like that is so… un-Panther-like.

Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.

by James Dator on Dec 14, 2009 11:18 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe so

I’ll give you that – he could have just kept his mouth shut. But what he said was painfully obvious to alot of people. It wasn’t groundbreaking stuff.

by R-F on Dec 14, 2009 11:24 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks!

I appreciated your play and effort yesterday. You really brought it. I wish more of the other players could get a hold of your drive and determination. Keep up the good work.

by Cwilly1 on Dec 14, 2009 10:00 PM EST reply actions

Why didn't we adjust to the constant catches made by Welker?

Shouldn’t Meeks assign somebody to jam him on the line?

Or … if it’s so hard to do that, then why doesn’t our offense adopt the same tactic, and have our own 10-catch slot receiver?

by bigdavis on Dec 14, 2009 10:22 PM EST reply actions

No pressure whatsoever.

If you give Tom Brady 10 seconds with the ball and Wes Welker that long to get open, the pass’ll get completed.

Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE

by MichaelProcton on Dec 14, 2009 10:59 PM EST up reply actions

Welker isn't a nobody

Welker is a great player. He’s caught alot of balls against alot of defenses since he’s come to NE and we won’t be the last. Having said that, you give any team Tom Brady, Randy Moss, and that o-line and it doesn’t take all that much to have a good slot receiver.

We could probably have stopped Welker if we wanted to. Maybe jam him and double him – maybe more. That would leave us more open to getting beat by the run game, Watson, and Moss (who even when not trying could still beat single coverage down the field). But even with Welker catching alot of balls, it isn’t like they put up points galore on our defense.

by R-F on Dec 14, 2009 11:09 PM EST up reply actions

i agree

welkers a very good reciever and hes been doing this all year. if he wasnt good then someone would of shut him down by now.

the defense played well for the most part. yards dont mean anything if they dont put up points and for the most part they didnt. our run offense is still great but im allitle dissapointed in stewart. the last 2 games he hasnt looked himself. but anyway the real problems were the passing game and penalties. everetts browns penalties killed any possible chance of a comeback. its not like he was fustraite and laid out the kicker, the kicker just flopped after brown brushed his foot. but overal the penalties stoped us from actually performing on offense. our passing game was also inconsitent. i have to admit i like Moore. he looks solid. besides his deep ball thought he didnt do to much. his recievers did drop the ball a few times (moose) and some of his passes were overthrown. but i dont blame him. he played well but our passing game needs to be adddressed. i think we just need a reciever. i dont care who or how much as long as they can play ill be happy

by pantherpride on Dec 14, 2009 11:54 PM EST up reply actions

Welker was already great in Miami.

Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE

by MichaelProcton on Dec 15, 2009 4:46 PM EST up reply actions

Not sure

Why you replied to me, but he certainly was not “already great” in Miami. Of course, you could argue that he had the ability but due to the people around him, he just wasn’t showing all of his talent, but I’m not sure how that makes him a great player. He was a great returner in Miami, but as a receiver he was just alright. He definitely took it to the next level in NE.

2 years TOTAL in Miami: 96 catches, 1,121 yards, 1 TD.

1 year AVERAGE in NE: 109 catches, 1166 yards, 5 TD.

He averages more catches, yards, and TD in 1 year in NE than his two year total in Miami. His receiving numbers weren’t good in Miami (of course a little due to the team…but I don’t see how you could call him “great” in Miami with numbers like that).

by R-F on Dec 16, 2009 3:57 PM EST up reply actions

Because he was underutlized and had little talent around him.

Futher, those were years in which Miami wasn’t exactly a pass-first team. Compare that to the Patriots, who’ve been bombing it up every chance they get since Welker arrived.

Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE

by MichaelProcton on Dec 17, 2009 2:25 PM EST up reply actions

Big 43!!!!

When Chris put that hit on Moss and forced him to fumble, it was the final blow that put moss down and out. He just wanted to go home and play PS3 or something. Even my buddy, a die hard pats fan was questioning Moss and his play especially when he quit on a route late in the game which resulted in an INT. (I believe) Maybe getting sent home a couple days earlier from practice made Moss uneasy for the week.

On another note Panthers should of came out with the victory, a couple of missed passes and a couple of missed open receivers made the difference. Defense is playing great but it’s just the offense is struggling.

by pantherfan95323 on Dec 14, 2009 11:05 PM EST reply actions

I don't know if I have an opinion one way or the other...

But Brady took responsibility for that pick and he, Belichick, and Tedy Bruschi (writing for SI) all defended Moss’ effort.

Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE

by MichaelProcton on Dec 15, 2009 5:02 PM EST up reply actions

Chris..

I just want one favor from you…

~~Next time you see Davidson, put your foot in his ass.~~

No, I know you can’t do that. It’s just sad to see a defense play so well and an offense coordinator that can’t put his offense in a position to capitalize.

We should have won by all means yesterday. The defense played a winning game but the offense (mainly the play calling) let us down tremendously.

Helpful reminder for James at seasons end: 2nd Rnd CSR Fan Draft Pick.

by D-Ranged1 on Dec 15, 2009 1:58 AM EST reply actions

They certainly got help from the refs

but you guys held the #2 offense to 20 points, you can hold your heads high. It’s not your fault the offense couldn’t score 21. On a sidenote, I am so pumped for next year, our defense is going to be downright scary.

The early bird catches the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

by Flowing Willow on Dec 15, 2009 3:09 AM EST reply actions

Great game Chris!

Although the refs were a little biased toward them in my eyes we had one drive where we got to our 40 and then they just started throwing flags for illegal formation.

One of South Africa's only Carolina Panthers and fans.

by chinchillas sword on Dec 15, 2009 5:01 AM EST reply actions

Those first 2 flags were bogus

I’m talking about the first 2 times we got called for Illegal Shift (a procedure penalty different from illegal formation) — the ref said we had 2 men in motion that didn’t come to a stop for a second before the snap. Bull! Go back if you’ve recorded the game and see if you can find 2 men in motion at all, much less not coming to a stop. One cost us a first down.

I also thought the roughing the kicker penalty was marginal, though if the punter flops, not much you can do. It wasn’t flagrant on Brown’s part, but it sure came at a bad time. The penalty against Richard Marshall was BS, too, and very costly.

The only call that went our way, that made it hard to claim the refs were on the take, to get the Pats into the playoffs, was the downing at the one by Wesley.

Another close game (closer than the final would indicate) where we shoulda, woulda, coulda won.

by bigdavis on Dec 15, 2009 9:46 AM EST up reply actions

Nice game from the defense Chris

including yourself, way to come up in run support. It has to be difficult for the defense to have such a good game and watch the offense misfire over and over. It was a very winnable game for the Panthers if they had reduced the mistakes.

I appreciate the way you man up and admit the defense didn’t play a perfect game…but the play of the defense gives us hope for next year when we get our injured starters back.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Dec 15, 2009 8:27 AM EST reply actions

Hey Chris, good game with the Pats

Do me a favor against the Vikings and pick Favre a few (dozen) times. If you guys get pressure on him, he’ll be his old INT throwing self.

Good luck and good health to you guys.

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Dec 15, 2009 10:52 AM EST reply actions

Ha...

The Panthers, get pressure? What an absurd notion.

Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE

by MichaelProcton on Dec 15, 2009 5:03 PM EST up reply actions

I live in MN, I'll try to sneak in and rub banana peels on the O-line's shoes.

Will that help?

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Dec 18, 2009 12:04 PM EST up reply actions

Haha...

You don’t think the equipment staff will notice something fishy?

Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE

by MichaelProcton on Dec 18, 2009 3:28 PM EST up reply actions

No charge for the banana peel treatment

Seeing Favre scramble was payment enough.

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Dec 21, 2009 10:41 AM EST up reply actions

It happens

Pep was in several times in Brady’s face. We’ve been decent at pressure this year, just not consistent. Injuries are a large part of that.

The early bird catches the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

by Flowing Willow on Dec 20, 2009 12:46 PM EST up reply actions

Really?

You think Kemoeatu would have been penetrating hard?

Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE

by MichaelProcton on Dec 20, 2009 1:50 PM EST up reply actions

Injuries to Leonard, Tyler, Peppers, Johnson, Brayton, Brown,

all those guys can penetrate and all have missed time. As a side note, how awesome was the D-line last night!!!! : D

The early bird catches the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

by Flowing Willow on Dec 21, 2009 8:49 AM EST up reply actions

Good job on the INT, Chris.

I was laughing my butt off when you picked that.

Thanks

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Dec 21, 2009 10:42 AM EST up reply actions

We’re definitely hanging in there with you, Chris! Great game Sunday, and good luck crushing the Vikes.

by flyfishinva on Dec 15, 2009 11:38 AM EST reply actions

Tough loss but I gotta say...

it’s cool from our perspective watching the defense become a turnover creating machine. + 3 will win most games.
Lets keep it going on Sunday! Primetime Baby!

by paydirt16 on Dec 15, 2009 12:01 PM EST reply actions