Reactions going into the bye week?

[Celtics_Champs]

What are your reactions about this team going into the half?

Mine are mixed, but more positive. For the best team in the AFC according to record, I'm pretty pleased with the way this team has played. We dominated the crap ones, ran into a trap game, then survived against two playoff caliber teams.

I really like:

-The way our offense is rolling along. Tops in the league for the first couple weeks, they ran into some tough defenses that has always gave Brady and Co. trouble, the Ryan twins. In these two weeks, Brady struggled, but got the job done, showing signs of vintage Brady.

-Our defensive line. The addition of Haynesworth was huge for 2 reasons, first, he's starting to make his presence felt. Second, it made the pats switch to the 4-3, and that has been great. Adding guys like Carter who's stepped up with his sacks last game, Mark Anderson who's been the consistent pass rusher, and Shaun Ellis who made a big run stop last game, adding those guys have all been great in the 4-3. It's helped Wilfork become one of the best DT's in the game today, he was always one of the best, but now he's making these great playmaking plays now that they can't double him at some points. Almost got his third pick of the year last game, and he forced a big fumble. Maybe I'm too hyped up about this D-Line, I mean our defense is still one of the worsts if you compare the stats, but if you really break it down, and watch, the D-line is one of the best parts of our team.

-Kyle Arrington. Leading the NFL in picks (although some of those are thrown right at him), he's made some crucial plays.

-Brandon Spikes. This guy is really playing well lately. He knows how to stop the run. Struggles in pass coverage. But when Mayo gets back, I expect this guy to take off when it comes to tackles. He really has been a playmaker all by just stuffing the run.

Things that worry me about this team:

-Our secondary. What the heck happened to McCourty? Sophmore slump? I hope so, cause he was playing like an all-pro last season, now he's playing like Darius Butler. Leigh Bodden? Cmon man! What happened to this guy. He got injured and fell off the face this teams earth apparently. He was so good for us in 09 that they gave him a contract, and now he's what, 5th on the DB depth chart? Our FS position needs work. James Ihedibo, who I'm not going to get on cause he's been playing alright, should NOT be starting. Cutting James Sanders still stings imo. Where's Ras-I been? Hurt? With the exception of Patrick Chung and Kyle Arrington, the secondary has been the worst part of this team so far, they just can't stop the big receivers like Vincent Jackson.

-Chad Ochocinco. Yikes, this guy just doesn't have a good football IQ like I may have thought. It's been 10 weeks since he's got here, and I appreciate him for working his butt off, and not opening his mouth on the limited touches. But man oh man, he really just doesn't look right out there.

-Special Teams is brutal. Giving up big returns, only getting to the 20 yard line on punts and kick returns. They put ridley back there, he looks okay, but they really need to get better in this department. Obvious exceptions are Mesko, Gostko, and the long snapper who have yet to mess up yet. *knocks on wood*

Things that might not worry me about this team, but lets improve...

-Offensive line needs to start playing better against these heavy blitzing teams. Brady is getting knocked down and sacked way too many times. Injuries play a role here with Koppen and Vollmer being out.

-Linebacker core, minus Spikes and an injured Mayo needs to start playing better too. Guyton looks friggen awful.

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So what do y'all think about this team so far?

[KGboss]

offense has been record breaking so far. Brady is playing like the MVP again, but outside from last week the defense needs a lot of improvement.

Also, I hope they heal up good in these two weeks. This injury bug in Boston this past year is beyond ridiculous for all the teams.

[ZedgetRedd]

I think the Defense has gotten better since the Bills game. Numbers are probably awful, but they have managed to bend and not break, especially in the Cowboys game (Although Garret certainly helped).

Offense has been good but I don't like how much we are relying on Welker and the tight ends. Ocho is a complete bust, Branch can disappear in games sometimes and I don't think Taylor Price (somebody we all had huge expectations for) has appeared in a game yet. Regardless, we are 5-1 and have beaten some good teams to get there, so this season has definitely been a good one so far.