There are many words being written about WR Chad Jackson.  Hailed as the guy to replace the departed Donte Stallworth, there's at least 1 story PER DAY in the Globe and Herald on this third year Patriots receiver.  If you're having a hard time recalling who he is, you get a hall pass.  Injury plagued for the 2006 and 2007 season, Jackson has caught 13 balls for 152 yards and 3 TDs.

So far, he's looking super sharp at Passing Camp.  During media day, many reporters said he was catching well, running sharp routes, and appeared to really know his playbook.  All signs he's been working hard in the off season.  That's good, because we're going to need him.  Chad had this to say:

Everything is coming along for me easy now, and all I'm doing right now is just concentrating and getting the plays down to be on the same track with the quarterback and the coach.

At 6'1" and 215 lbs, I really hope he's the receiver that can steamroll over defensive backs like Stallworth did; we really need a guy who's like a running back after catching the ball, someone who can take some and dish it out down the middle if need be.  I love Wes, but he's an F117 Stealth Fighter .  We need Jackson to be an A10 Warthog .  I'm sorry I knocked you down, Mr. Defensive Back.  Just stay down and breath.  You'll be ok in a few minutes.

I'm really rooting for this kid, partly because we really need that type of receiver and partly because I'd like to see him do good after 2 troubled, injury plagued seasons.  It'd be lousy if he didn't get a shot just because of an injury.  Stay healthy Chad.

This voluntary (yeah right) first practice is a chance for everyone to dust off the cobwebs and for the rookies to get their first taste of BB's system.  Speaking of Belichick, he views this an important part of the preparation:

"It's a teaching camp," said Belichick. "We try to install a good part of our system and give them a chance to execute it and get familiar with it and hear it called and try to run it, just getting a chance to go through it on the field in a team setting.

Injury riddled for the last couple of years, WR Chad Jackson is ready to hit the field and prove his worth.  The departure of Donte Stallworth certainly created an opportunity for him, but he's gotta deliver.

via cachemediasrv.patriots.com

Rookies and recent acquisitions traded catches from Brady with the likes of Mistah Buttah himself, Randy Moss:

He looked as smooth as ever. He makes catching the ball look so easy. It’s funny to watch guys like C.J. Jones, Matthew Slater or even Kelley Washington take one rep and Moss the next. The guy is one of the truly natural wonders of the football world. He’s special.

Rookie Matthew Slater lined up on offense as a WR.  You may recall he did double duty as a WR and S during rookie camp.  Belichick loves guys like this; he will most likely spend a lot of time on special teams, but it's good to know the kid is versatile.

Sammy Morris is back and looking strong despite missing the last half of the 2007 season with a chest injury.  Considered fragile, I hope he can stay healthy; I've always liked him because he seems like a sure and decisive RB.  He finds the holes and goes for it rather than bouncing around.

With the departure of Asante Samuel, the CB position is begging for someone to come and take it.  The field is crowded with FAs Fernando Bryant, Jason Webster and Lewis Sanders vying for a spot with rookies Terrence Wheatley and Jonathan Wilhite.  It remains to be seen if Asante's shoes can be filled.

Terrence Wheatley
via multimedia.heraldinteractive.com

Ohhhmmm...Ohhhmmm...  Yup, he's off his rocker again.  The guys are coming with a new white vest that's just the right size and buttons in the back.  They have a room reserved and it has nice, soft walls.  Ahhhhh....

Truthfully, Spygate has exhausted me.  Writing about it has consumed me and frankly, I've grown a bit tired of it.  From a ridiculous number of articles to too many press conferences, I've grown weary.  I'm sure you've grown tired of reading about it, too.  This story is my attempt to bring some kind of closure to it, at least for now.  I'm sure the fires will burn on and many more articles will be written.  At any rate, I'll try my best to stay away from this subject and get back to what this blog should be concentrating on: football and the New England Patriots.

I am caught between the proverbial rock and hard place.  I have come to believe continually writing about Spygate is merely feeding the wheel; it's perpetuating the very thing we don't want perpetuated.  However, it is necessary to report on the goings on and provide as much information as possible so we are as aware as we can be.

A scathing article by Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan starts off:

Here is what Bill Belichick has done: He has placed Patriots fans on the defensive for the rest of their lives.

Fairly accurate, in my mind.  How many words have us Patriots fans written on our own blogs and those of rival fanbases, trying our darndest to explain away what has happened?  He goes on to write:

The sports community now associates the Patriots with cheating. The three Super Bowl championships are, and forever will be, under suspicion. The thought will never go away.

Not so easy to read, is it fellow Pats fans?  It's a jagged little pill to swallow.  Like visiting a kid brother in jail, we are torn between scorning him for putting us in this position and hugging him in support during a difficult time.  He is, after all, family.

In another piece by Peter King, the tone is ratcheted down a bit, but no less critical:

It is inconceivable to me -- and, obviously, to Roger Goodell and former Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh, too -- that Belichick would misinterpret the rule about videotaping.

In a somewhat more positive vein, veteran QB Trent Dilfer had this to say:

I don't take one thing away from them. Not at all. I'd have zero bitterness toward them as an opposing player. The Patriots have been the best-coached, most-talented team of this era, and they deserve to be thought of that way.

Chargers Defensive Lineman Luis Castillo says:

I'd never, not for one second, put an asterisk next to what they've accomplished. This game can't be planned or orchestrated just because you might know what our defense is going to do on a particular play. Would it help? Of course. But it takes a lot more than that to win any games, and to win a Super Bowl.

As I've written before, all of this leaves me angry and confused.  Angry because he didn't need to do this.  He had the talent on the field to pull off win after win; 2007 proved that.  Confused because I don't know how I'm supposed to feel.

Patriots Fans - In most every instance, especially this one, there are two opposing viewpoints or two sides to every story.  While our emotions drive us to unconditional support, it is vital that we keep an open mind.  While a position in support of our views makes us feel warm and fuzzy, a well articulated, negative view is far more valuable.  It will make you think in a different way.  It will create a few more synapses than just agreeing with the masses, like lemmings walking off of the cliff.  I once read a great quote and I paraphrase, "The definition of a wise man is one who can hold two opposing viewpoints in his mind at the same time."

Rival Fans - Please be patient with us.  We are trying to work this out.  Our knee jerk reaction will be to defend that which has brought us so many great moments, so give us a little breathing room.  I certainly understand if you feel, in some way, like your team may have been cheated and would've had a shot if not for the taping.  But, please excuse me if I think getting an edge through questionable practices is more prevalent than the NFL and other teams are willing to let on.  It's what keeps me sane when thinking about this.  It's not much, but it's what I have to cling to.

Now that I've slayed the demons and expunged my soul, it's time to talk about football.  It's time to start throwing around some X's and O's, to talk 3-4 defenses and figure out what Belichick's up to with our draftees, UFAs and FAs.

Thanks for indulging me.  The fat lady has sung.  Ohhhmmm...Ohhhmmm...

Celtics take it, 97 - 92

Quarterbacks have a history of cozying up to their Offensive Lineman.  After all, they stand between him and hospitalization.  Watches, expensive dinners and vacations are all rumored to be perks O linemen enjoy.  Tom took it a step further and gave all 5 a $65,000 Audi Q7 SUV (Matt Light's is rumored to beep if he makes a false-start at a red light - DOH!!).

High School and College offensive line coaches will now have a queue of defensive linemen at their door, "Coach?  Ahhhh... I played a little left guard in Pop Warner.  Any room for another O linemen?"

The bar has been set.  O line perks have been adjusted upwards, "A watch?!?!  Brady gave his guys a freakin' car!!"

Bill Belichick fires a salvo back at Matt Walsh on CBS News tonight:

FOR HIM TO TALK ABOUT GAME PLANNING AND STATEGY AND PLAY CALLING AND HOW HE ADVISED COORDINATORS, IT'S EMBARRASING, IT'S ABSURD. HE DIDN'T HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE OF FOOTBALL. HE WAS OUR THIRD VIDEO ASSISTANT.

And this:

On Matt Walsh saying he was told by superiors to avoid detection:
"I NEVER TOLD ANYBODY TO DO THAT. ALL I CAN TELL YOU IS WHAT THE FACTS ARE. YOU LOOK AT THE TAPE. YOU SEE HIM FILMING THE GAME. YOU TELL ME HOW DISCREET IT IS."

Finally:

On videotaping signals after the league's 2006 memo:
"I MADE A MISTAKE. I WAS WRONG. I WAS WRONG."

The strategy is clear - discredit Walsh as a low level, peripheral, support employee with little to no knowledge of football operations.  Oh, let's not forget this statement from Mike Martz, head coach of the Rams during the XXXVI Superbowl:

"I was stunned at Matt Walsh’s allegation that he was on the sideline in New England Patriots apparel during our walk-thru. I find that insulting, disturbing and a slap in the face to both our team security and NFL security, who both do outstanding jobs. I promise you that if he was on the sideline, he was not in New England Patriots apparel because he would have been identified.

There is a boatload of information out there that I won't cut and paste in here, but it's clear to me the campaign to discredit Walsh has begun and it'll be a "he said, she said" kind of thing.  Who you believe depends on where you sit in this whole mess.  Hate the Patriots?  Walsh is credible and the victim.  Love the Patriots?  Walsh is a disgruntled employee looking for his 15 minutes of fame.

Belichick continued to tape after being instructed, in a 2006 NFL memo, it was against the rules.  He was caught and both himself and the organization were punished.  I've already written that I believe the NFL totally botched this thing and are circling the wagons because noone wants our fine government investigating.  Ross Tucker, a writer for SI.com and former offensive lineman had this to say:

"Bending rules is a fact of life in the NFL," Tucker writes. "From ballboys allowing the opposing team's footballs to get soaked, to hotel employees scouring rooms for game plan sheets after a team heads to the stadium, there are several ways to get in on the act. Seemingly no organization, no matter how accomplished or destitute it may be, is immune from the win-at-all-costs mentality. Some teams cheat and never get caught. Others simply refrain from breaking the rules but bend them right to the breaking point."

Hmm...  What a tangled web we weave.  Who you believe is a matter of where you sit.  Bring it on, Arlen.  Let's clear this thing up.

Undrafted, but not unwanted, linebacker Gary Guyton comes to the Patriots following a standout senior year at Georgia Tech and a very impressive Combine.  The 6’2”, 242 lb Guyton touts his “whole game” as his best attribute.  In an interview with Cecil Lammey of Draft Guys TV, Guyton displays the confidence fans love to see in their young players.  “I can bring anything to the table that you need .  I can come down and hit the ball, destroy blockers, get off tackles, cover…everything you need.”

Most notably as a senior Guyton switched to weak side linebacker and started all 13 games, racking up 78 tackles (13.5 for losses), five sacks and five pass breakups.  He returned two fumbles and an interception for touchdowns. Guyton also caught three passes for 54 yards and a touchdown and scored two two-point conversions.  By the end of the season, the staff and opposition alike were calling him the team's best defensive performer .

The Patriots rely heavily on the versatility of their players, especially in veteran linebackers Bruschi, Vrabel, and Thomas. While Guyton has found his weak side sweet spot, he also has vital experience at playing strong side and special teams, which will enable him to play where he is needed most.

The Combine showcased Guyton who had the best vertical jump, best broad jump, and 2nd best 40 of all participating linebackers.  On the long list of positives from his NFL profile, the standouts are:  Good character on and off the field, good use of his size and strength, shows burst as blitzer, flashes explosiveness as a hitter and can wrap up and make the tackle, uses long arms and strong hands to supply a pop to blockers and disengage.

Why wasn’t he drafted?   Critics point to his needing to add more bulk to his frame, and become more instinctive when diagnosing run/pass plays, especially when playing deep in the zone.  A bit too hesitant, he needs to get quicker at changing directions and trying to slip blocks.  Russ Lande, Draft Expert from the Sporting News, feels he hasn’t received “a lot of publicity because of Georgia Tech teammate Philip Wheeler [drafted in the 3rd round by the Colts.]  

However, it is Lande’s opinion that Gary Guyton is the more well rounded, better NFL prospect .  “He’s a well-built athletic linebacker who can chase down running plays in pursuit just as easily as helping out in pass coverage.  If you want a big-time playmaker, he’s not your guy, but if you want a very well rounded linebacker who stays on the field for three plays, Guyton’s the man you need.”

Uhhmm, dude?  Pssst... this is a blog about football, not sailing.  Have you been drinking?  Family trouble?  Not in the least.  When I jumped in as interim head writer, it was with the understanding this was a trial run from two standpoints: SBNation wanted to see what I could do and I wanted to get my feet wet and decide whether or not to take on the gig full time.  Well, we've inked the deal.  Both myself and SBNation have decided this is a good fit and will continue for the long term.  I'm writing this post to tell you I'm in it for the long haul and will be taking care of this blog for a while.

There is some secret squirrel stuff I can't disclose under penalty of wearing a Peyton Manning jersey (we take a blood oath, dontcha know), but help and good words has, on the surface, come from the strangest of places.  BigBlueShoe at Stampede Blue , BrianG at Buffalo Rumblings and Grizz at Blogging The Boys have been keeping track and offering help and helpful advice.  These guys know their stuff, not just about football and their teams, but about SBNation.

Most of all, I want to thank Tom Masse for starting this thing and giving it care and feeding over the years.  A great writer and Patriots fan, we all look forward to your forthcoming posts.  I also want to thank the readers and commentors who swing by and offer their thoughts and opinions.

That's what keeps this boat sailing.

News has come out that this will be Willie McGinest's last season.  He was with us for our three super bowl wins, and he was a great player.  I'll never forget when he stuffed Indy on 4th and goal at the 1.  Unless we come up against them, I'll be routing for the Browns this year in his honor.

Here is a list of his Patriot highlights:

Career GP/GS: 171/146 (18/16):

McGinest begins the 2005 season ranked fourth among the Patriots all-time sack leaders with 72.0 career sacks. He needs one more sack to pass Tony McGee (72.5) for third place on the Patriots all-time sack list.

McGinest's 72.0 career sacks rank second among all active NFL linebackers entering the 2005 season. He trails only new teammate Chad Brown's mark of 78.0 career sacks.

McGinest led the team and finished tied for seventh in the AFC with 9.5 sacks in 2004. His 9.5 sacks last season were his most since 1996 when he registered the same amount.

McGinest has recorded 11.5 career postseason sacks, ranking him third on the NFL's career postseason sacks list, behind only Bruce Smith (14.5) and Reggie White (12.0).

McGinest has played in 155 games during his 11- year career with New England, ranking second in games played among active Patriots players (Troy Brown, 162).

McGinest was named to his second Pro Bowl following the 2003 season after recording 79 tackles (58 solo), his highest tackle total since 1999.

McGinest set a Patriots record and led the NFL with 5.0 sacks in the 2003 postseason. His total included 3.0 sacks in the divisional playoff against Tennessee (01/10), where he set a Patriots record and tied for the third-most sacks in a playoff game in NFL history. ? McGinest earned the NFL's Levitra Play of the Week honors by providing one of the most memorable plays of the Patriots' 2003 season when he stuffed Indianapolis' Edgerrin James on the goal line with 11 seconds remaining to preserve New England's 38-34 win over the Colts (11/30).

McGinest finished tied for the Patriots lead with 5.5 sacks in 2002 along with Richard Seymour. It marks the fifth time in his career that he either led the team or was tied for the team lead in sacks.

McGinest led the team in sacks in 1995 (11), 1996 (9.5), 1999 (9), 2000 (6) and 2004 (9.5). His 11 sacks in 1995 were the most by a Patriot since Andre Tippett's 12.5 sacks in 1987.

McGinest earned back-to-back Miller Lite Player of the Game honors following his two-sack performances against Denver (10/28/01) and Atlanta (11/4/01). He became the first Patriot to record multiple sacks in consecutive weeks since Chris Slade accomplished the feat on 09/12/93 and 09/19/93. He has recorded multiple sacks in 17 games during his career (including playoffs), including three games in 2003.

McGinest led the Patriots with two sacks during the 2001 postseason, including a 16-yard sack of Kurt Warner in Super Bowl XXXVI.

The Patriots have qualified for the playoffs in seven of McGinest's 11 NFL seasons. He has played in a team-record 16 postseason games with New England, including 14 starts and has totaled 72 tackles (51 solos), including 11.5 sacks for 78 yards.

McGinest was voted defensive co-captain for the 2000 season by his teammates.

Earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in the 1999 season opener at the N.Y. Jets (09/12/99) when he was credited with two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He recovered the fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in a 30-28 victory over the Jets.

He was voted to his first Pro Bowl in 1996, after his first season playing defensive end.

In 1996, he earned AFC Defensive Player of the Month for his performances during the month of October when he combined for 21 tackles, including four sacks, one interception and three passes defensed to help the Patriots complete a 3-1 record during the month.

Earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance vs. Buffalo (10/27/96) when he posted seven tackles (5 solo), including a sack, had two passes defensed and returned his first career interception 46 yards for a touchdown.

Closed out the 1995 season in Pro Bowl form, recording 15 solo tackles and five sacks in the final three games of the season, including multiple-sack performances vs. the Jets (12/10/95) and at Indianapolis (12/23/95).