Trying to figure out why the New England Patriots became The Big Easy in The Big Easy.
Actually, it’s not that difficult.
You can’t be a serious contender without a pass rush.
I’d be surprised if Saints quarterback Drew Brees required a shower after Monday night’s game. He probably could have played another 60 minutes.
And when have you ever seen the Patriots as confused as they were on offense?
Quarterback Tom Brady was throwing 5-yard passes on third-and-eight. The entire offense was out of sorts.
Brady looked very ordinary.
And what can you say about a defense that gives up an average of 9.6 yards per play and allows an opposing quarterback to go 18-for-23 with 371 yards (an average of more than 20 yards per reception) and throw for five TDs?
The game itself proved to be a disappointment after the weeklong build-up.
New England was like the young man who spends a week preparing for his first prom (i.e. getting fitted for a tuxedo and buying a corsage for his date) and then discovering that his car won’t start on prom night.
But that happens more often than not.
You seldom have a game with that much hype that actually lives up to it.
But, if you are a Patriots fan, don’t despair.
It counts as just one loss.
Maybe being embarrassed as an organization on national TV will ignite a spark under them.
Then again, maybe they just aren’t very good. They certainly aren’t good on the road. A win over hapless Tampa Bay in London is their only road win !
The positive is you don’t have to be very good to win the AFC East.
Based on Monday’s performance, even that’s not a lock….
The University of Maine men’s hockey program has had some dynamic lines over the years, led by the one centered by Jim Montgomery with Paul Kariya on one side and Cal Ingraham on the other.
It’s always a treat to watch a prolific line move the puck and feed off each other.
The current Maine line of Tanner House between Gustav Nyquist and Brian Flynn is one of the best ones to play in this decade.
In its last three games since being reunited, the trio has combined for 21 points. Center House has five goals and three assists; right wing Nyquist has 2 & 5 and Flynn has 2 & 4.
They move the puck quickly and read off each other well.
They were exceptional last year but teams were able to put their best checkers on them because there wasn’t much scoring punch on the other lines. There is more punch this year.
Nyquist is the game-breaker with his nifty moves, puck control and vision. He’ll spin away from a defenseman or do a stop-and-start that will leave a defenseman lunging.
He is leading the team with 21 points (8 goals, 13 assists).
Flynn is deceptively fast and is clever with the puck. He gets his shot off in a hurry and is usually accurate with it. He reminds you a little of former Black Bear Billy Ryan. He is second on the team in scoring with 4 & 10.
Nyquist and Flynn are skilled players who aren’t afraid to get their noses dirty in high-traffic areas (corners and the imaginary third circle between the two faceoff circles).
House is the glue.
He digs out loose pucks, wins faceoffs, provides a net-front presence and is the defensive conscience of the line as is the center’s role in Maine’s system.
House has evolved into a goal scorer this season with seven to go with five assists.
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