Patriots mental lapses have been costly

In 2008, the Patriots were still following up from 2007 and setting NFL records - although of a different nature. Last year, the Pats were called for only 72 penalties and after declined or offsetting they were flagged for only 57 accepted penalties - the fewest ever during a 16-game season. A strong minded Bill Belichick team that came together and barely missed the pay-offs with an 11-5 record under Matt Cassel. 2009 looks to be a year where flags will be flying as the Patriots right now have been flagged 17 times after only two game. The worst offender is Tom Brady with three delay of game penalties against the Jets. 3 - The defense has been performing quite well and outside of two questionable (ya homah) roughing the passer calls one each for Vince Wilfork and Adalius Thomas and one encroachment call (Wilfork) shows this is the most disciplines area. Notice not one call against the defensive backs?! 3 - Clearly Brady had some issues under pressure and picking up the defensive schemes, but three in one game - two back-to-back - is just too much for a quarterback known to keep his cool in pressure situations - like coming back from behind to score two touchdowns with less than five minutes to player versus the Bills in week one. 4 - The other mental mistakes are clearly on special teams, where captain Sam Aiken has picked up two special team penalties and others adding to the woes are BenJarvis Green-Ellis and Punter Chris Hanson. 7 - The offensive line has been asked to do alot, but so far two false start and a holding call have gone against them. Holding, illegal formation and tripping round out the offensive issues. The tripping call was on Matt Light, but he was line up as tight end on the play. The Patriots play against a well disciplined team in the Atlanta Falcons (wow how quickly things change!) and hopefully the Patriots special teams and offense are more disciplined themselves and reduce mental mental mistakes. IN BILL WE TRUST!!