Hector longo here with the halftime grades:
Offense
Line (C) … Not much push, and nobody has located either Julian Peterson or Lofa Tatupu yet to put a helmet on them.
Backs (C) … 11 carries for 47 yards against a Seahawks defense that gives up well over 300 yards a game. Even Kevin Faulk has been quiet.
Receivers (A+) … I give the grade because Wes Welker is on the field showing no ill effects from the pounding last week.
QB (C+) … No mistakes yet, making some sizzling throws, but nothing spectacular yet either.
Defense
Line (C-) … The loss of Vinny Wilfork hurts a ton. Mike Wright and Jarvis Green can’t fill the shoes of Wilfork and inactive Ty Warren.
Linebackers (F) … Seattle is pounding this team, and sorry it’s Rosie Colvin and Junior Seau, it’s not their fault considering they were on the scrap heap. Management’s refusal to tend to the age of the linebackers three years ago is the reason this team is in such dire straits, hiring a UPS Store owner and a surfer off the street during the week and playing them on Sunday.
Secondary (D) … I’ve had more than enough of James Sanders and Brandon Meriweather’s safety play. This is Seneca Wallace torching them here. Seattle has 187 yards of offense.
One minor halftime aside:
I’m truly tired of the Pats getting every break imaginable from the officials.
Watch Ellis Hobbs’ kick return, there was a clear block in the back in the open field ignored.
The field goal drive … helped by a gift “defensive hold” on a running play.
The TD march … A gift pass interference call on the coverage of Randy Moss.
And then, Brandon Meriweather drapes himself on John Carlson with no flag.
Finally, there’s an awful missed fumble call in the final seconds of the half, oh by the way, right in front of big big Bill and the Pats bench.
I appreciate the Pats discipline, but I clearly will argue till I’m blue that Bill Belichick intimidates these officials.
How else can you explain this team, with a slew of newcomers, being outflagged by the opposition 66-44 on the year, a difference of 125 yards?
That’s 2 flags for every 1.
Maybe, it’s me. probably is, but it is because of the stripes that this team is alive and in the game today in Seattle at halftime.
