It meant they had passed a lot of tests before flunking the final exam.
But at least they passed a few tests.
We saw some things Sunday that we have not seen all year. At times there really was honest-to-God pressure on Manning, who was quite often forced into making passes that he did not want to make. We also saw some actual, recognizable coverage at times on behalf of the defensive backs.
Of course, the last drive was painful to watch. The minute the Giants crossed midfield you knew the game was lost. If it wasn’t Sergio Brown’s awful pass interference - lassoing the guy might have been less conspicuous - it would have been something else. When the Patriots really needed pressure, and when they really needed coverage, they couldn’t get it. So maybe I am deluding myself.
Still, I don’t see how any Patriots fan could have watched that game without feeling better about the general state of the defense, and, yes, I know that wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, running back Ahmad Bradshaw, and center David Baas didn’t play for the Giants. I would urge you not to give up on these guys yet.
As for the offense …
Brother Bedard covered the subject fully in yesterday’s paper. They all can do better, and that starts with the quarterback, who, since that puffball opener in Miami, has looked distressingly mortal. It’s a little scary to watch Tom Brady miss open guys.
Is he injured again? Or is he entering the inevitable transition nearly all 30-something athletes encounter, when acts that once were routine occur with less frequency? You find yourself great on some occasions, less so on other occasions
There are still eight games to play. We are going to learn a lot.
2. WHAT’S UP WITH PEYTON?
The question may not be when Peyton Manning returns. It’s whether it is advisable for him to do so.
An orthopedic surgeon of my acquaintance explains that “nerves regenerate, if they do at all, fairly slowly.’’ A shoulder injury involving nerves requires a recuperation time of 12-15 months, for example.
