Every time I hear that monicker for a swashbuckler I think of the old joke my father used to tell me:

Father: Where are your buccaneers?
Me: I don't know.
Father: On the side of your buccanhead.

Bahdum, ssssss.  Thank you very much - I'm here all weekend.

Ugly is my word for this game.  Ugly, messy, stinky.  There were very few bright spots in what was an abysmal showing.  However, as I've mentioned before, relax.  This is preseason and it's not about winning, although winning would be nice.  It's a science experiement.  It's about putting players in situations and examining the outcome.  It's about getting as many players on the field as possible.  And it's about getting a look at players so coaches can decide who to send home.  A few rambling thoughts:

• A most excellent observation by standingpat during the game thread, the defense was "bend don't break" and very generic, as if BB was purposely "hiding" his good stuff.  This was evidenced by CB Ellis Hobbs playing very soft for the first part of the game.  Bucs QB Brian Griese made the same observation.
• Adam?  We heart you and thanks for the rings, but DANG!!  G-man spanks a 53 yarder.  2 games in a row he's money.
• Welker looked like he'd shaken off the rust from a post season groin injury which put him on the PUP.
• Cassel stretched out Moss midfield and I thought he was going to get crushed.  Brady never does that as it spells disaster for tall skinny guys like Randy or little skinny guys like Wes.  2 de-merits, Matt.
• Speaking of Cassel, he's in the fight of his career and he's losing.  No excuses at this point, because the vets were on the field.  Matt can't blame "The Chad" or CJ Jones for his woes when Moss and Welker were on the field for a crapload of snaps.  He managed only 3 points in 6 drives.  Not good.
• S Brandon Meriweather appeared to be in considerable pain when he left the game in the first quarter.  If it's serious, batter up - John Lynch.
• Kevin O'Connell, after looking pretty good in his first NFL outing against the Ravens, throws an interception on his first play against Tampa Bay.  Later, he admits he forced that one and the ball should've ended up in the stands.
• ILBs weren't plugging the gaps during Tampa Bay running plays.  Even veteran Bruschi was having a tough night.

General observations: There were some glaring individual mistakes on the field.  But, this is where I gotta say Belichick is smarter than me.  He's playing very basic, vanilla offenses and defenses.  There's nothing exotic nor is there anything special about what he's putting on the field.  It's all about evaluation in a "live" situation, against someone wearing a different helmet.

Buccanhead...I kill myself.

Yes, New England Patriots fans, preseason game number two is upon us.  For your viewing pleasure, tune in to The NFL Network or WCVB / Channel 4 @ 8:00 PM.  I'll have the game thread opened up around 6'ish as well.

After preseason game number one against the Ravens, I have a few things I'll be looking for, so here's a breakdown:

Quarterbacks - Matt Cassel did not have a good game.  Communication with wide receivers was off, despite a lot of reps in training camp.  Hopefully Belichick and the coaching staff worked on that aspect of Cassel's game and he comes out with a little more polish than we witnessed.  Matt Gutierrez wasn't much better, but he's backup to the backup; I'm less concerned about him.  Kevin O'Connell was a welcomed surprise and I hope to see more of the same.  Tom Brady did not make the trip to Tampa Bay due to a sore foot.  Which foot it is has not been revealed.  Happy place...happy place...ohhhhmmmm.  Seriously, relax.  Preseason is not the time to push an injury, especially with your star quarterback.

Wide Receivers - After Welker got off the PUP a few weeks back, he commented how it'll take some time to get back in the swing of things, that he was working to get his timing back with the QB's, specifically Brady.  Apparently, it didn't take long.  Mike Reiss has reported that the triumvirate is looking as sharp as ever.  Look for more playing time from Moss, Welker and Gaffney.  C.J. Jones is fighting for his job.  He did not have a good showing and will need to step up.  "The Chad" is another that needs to amp it up a bit.  I really hope he succeeds; we could really use the skills he projects to have.

Running Backs - LaMont Jordan was killer against the Ravens.  At this point, I really feel like he could own the redzone/goal line RB job.  I think Maroney and Morris will see more playing time as well as Faulk.  I'd like to see a few successful options to Kevin before a feel better.

Offensive Line - JHR is the guru, but overall the O-line struggled against the Ravens and has been hampered by injuries.  Barry Stokes has been IR'd and the boys are getting older.  A younger OL is a necessity, IMO but we needed to fix linebacker first.  Let's just hope we don't need Kevin O'Connell scrambling skills all around.

Linebackers - An area focused on so heavily, the linebacker corps appear to be shaping up nicely.  OLB draftee Shawn Crable is really looking good while ILB Jerod Mayo is turning into a stud and Pierre Woods was an animal against the Ravens.  OLBs Mike Vrabel and Adalius Thomas will see more reps as will ILB Tedy Bruschi.  I think if this lineup proves successful, fan favorite ILB Junior Seau will retire.  I'd like to see ILB Victor Hobson do well.  He's been struggling after moving from OLB for the Jets.  Rookie ILB Gary Guyton continues to impress.

Cornerbacks - Hobbs and Bryant continue to be the starters in my mind and rookie Terrence Wheatley has really gotten himself noticed in a field of 10.  Why so many?  Belichick's looking for something, some secret sauce that'll spell disaster for opposing teams.  With that many cornerbacks on the roster, this says to me he thinks this will be a key position for 2008.

Safeties - The Denver Broncos released veteran John Lynch and Belichick promptly snatched him up.  Lynch is known for being a super hard hitter and has signed a one year deal with the Patriots.  This appears to be a direct response to the loss of Tank Williams, the hybrid safety/linebacker guy who was such a good fit for the nickelback position.  I'll be watching John.

Defensive Lineman - Jarvis Green is back and Richard Seymour is feeling pretty good.  An interesting note: Belichick had the guys practice switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3.  A 4-3 is a good overall defense, but is very effective against the run so look for it during an obvious running situation.

As we progress through Training Camp, I will attempt to summarize the interesting points from the various news sources out there.  For more detailed information, I will always include links to the full stories at the bottom of these entries.

Nick Kaczur is practicing.  As you may recall, he appeared on the PUP at the beginning of TC.  OL was a thin position this summer with injuries, so it's encouraging to see some of the guys coming back.  You may recall, Nick was involved in the illegal use of Oxycontin and subsequently complied with a sting of the dealer.  Kaczur has plea bargained down to a speeding charge and must comply with any drug treatment programs the Patriots decide are necessary.  Think what you will - star athletes getting star treatment.  He's back.  We need him.

5 out of 6 TC practices have been full pads.  There's no easing into preparation for the gang; Belichick is making them earn every break they get and is pushing them from the start.  It's a fine line, though.  Coaches worry about wearing out their players or the injuries associated with full pad practices vs. getting them ready for the long hall of an NFL season.  That's why Belichick's the coach; I think he's got it down by now.

WR Robert Ortiz was released to make room for FA RB LaMont Jordan.  In my story Training Camp Shootout: Wide Reciever, I predicted this would happen given his limited roles with previous teams and mostly NFL Europa experience.  I'm a bit confused by the move to pickup LaMont given we already have 5 running backs (Morris, Faulk, Maroney, Evans, Green-Ellis) and 4 are vets.  It could indicate Belichick intends to strengthen the running game significantly and feels the need to have more RBs to rotate in and out.  At 5-10 230 lbs, LaMont is a bull, so he could also see action as a blocking back or in third down situations, similar to a Kevin Faulk role.

Here's an interesting tidbit from Reiss's blog regarding filling gaps by the defense:

This practice was especially physical for the front seven of the defense, specifically in how gaps are filled in the running game. Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork and Richard Seymour comprised the 3-man line, with Adalius Thomas and Pierre Woods at outside linebacker and Tedy Bruschi and Tank Williams at inside linebacker.

Hmm... I thought Tank was a safety.  I guess you never know with BB.  At 6-2 223 lbs, he's big, but not what I'd call a classic ILB size-wise.  Maybe it's an attempt to teach Tank all facets of the Patriots' defense.  Maybe Tank is a multi-faceted player and will be used all over the field.  I'm keeping an eye on this guy.  I was happy when they brought him on board and I'm liking the move more and more.

And, one final thought related to running backs: our OL was dominated in the SB, where it mattered most.  5 sacks and 9 hits on Brady had a significant impact on the outcome of that game.  The Giants correctly assumed we'd try an aerial assault and loaded up on pass rushers.  This year, however, I believe Belichick plans to run the ball down opponent's throats.  As soon as he sees defensive run stoppers replaced with pass rushers, the RB freight train will begin.  Yet another weapon in the arsenal - try to defend the run?  Loft it to Moss, Welker, or Gaffney.  Try to defend the pass - Morris, Faulk, Maroney, Jordan, Evans.  Make defenses worry about too many things and they're spread to thin.

CB Terrence Wheatley inked a deal today to make him the second to last draftee to sign.  Here's the team's press release on Wheatley's:

Wheatley, 23, played in 40 games with 28 starts for the University of Colorado over four seasons (2003-04, 2006-07). The 5-foot-9-inch, 183-pound cornerback recorded 156 tackles (124 solo), 1.5 sacks, 14 interceptions for 154 yards and two touchdowns, 31 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Wheatley also gained 1,350 yards on kickoff returns in his collegiate career. His 14 interceptions tied the second highest total in Colorado history, while his total of two interception returns for touchdowns was one shy of the school record. As a senior in 2007, Wheatley was a first-team All-Big 12 selection by the Associated Press and the league's coaches, starting 10 games and totaling five interceptions and 12 passes defensed. He became the first Colorado player in 25 years to record three interceptions in a game when he achieved the feat against Texas Tech.

The Patriots also signed FA offensive lineman Lavdrim Bauta, putting the Patriots at their maximum 80 man roster.  More from his press release:

Bauta, 24, was a three-year letterman for Duke before transferring to Villanova for his final collegiate season in 2006. As a senior with Villanova in 2006, Bauta started 10 games at right tackle. In 2005, Bauta started all 11 games at tackle for Duke while also being named to the ACC All-Academic Team.

The only unsigned draftee left is Jerod Mayo.  Jerod?  Please don't make me nervous.  I'm sure you're going to sign.  All this posturing by your agent is just making fans nervous.  Ok, so you were a first rounder and all.  Go for it because we want to see you at training camp.  We want to see you mind melding with Tedy.  Don't do this to us.  SIGN...SIGN...SIGN!  Do you really need another  Porsche?

Now that OTAs (Organized Team Activities) are over, there's not much going on other than the occasional free agent acquisition packing his bags.  Sad, but new rules regarding how many players can be carried into training camp limit NFL teams to an 80 man roster.

Post some links?  Naahhh.  Write another story about Wes?  That moves from man crush to...well, let's not go there.  Ok, let's make another red snapper  and think about it.

On November 16, 1959 Boston businessman Billy Sullivan created the eigth and final AFL franchise, the Boston Patriots.  Playing in one AFL championship game in 1963, they wouldn't make the playoffs for another 13 years.  In 1970, the AFL and NFL merged and the Patriots were placed in the AFC East, where they remain today.  In 1971, they moved to a new stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts and changed their name to the New England Patriots.

A Superbowl XX visit in 1986 turned into a 46-10 loss to the Chicago Bears.  They wouldn't make the playoffs for 8 more years.  A number of ownership changes ensued when the team was sold to Victor Kiam  in 1988, James Orthwein  in 1992, and finally Robert Kraft  in 1994.

In 1993, Head Coach Bill Parcells  was hired and the red and white uniform was retired, favoring today's blue and silver.  Parcells would bring them to Superbowl XXXI which they lost to the Green Bay Packers, 35-21.  Pete Carroll would follow as coach and take the Patriots to two playoffs, but the true foundation of the Patriots's dynasty was built in 2000 when Bill Belichick arrived in New England as Head Coach of the New England Patriots.

That year, Drew Bledsoe suffered a serious injury inflicted by NY Jets linebacker Mo Lewis.  This gave then backup quarterback Tom Brady a shot at the starting job which he embraced, leading the Patriots to a Superbowl XXXVI win against the greatest show on turf, the St. Louis Rams.  Let's not forget Drew taking over for an injured Brady in the AFC Championship against the Steelers.  The Patriots beat the Steelers 24-17, paving the way to the Superbowl - thanks Drew!

My favorite moment in Patriots history is not sitting in Mosi's Endzone during a freezing New England winter.  Nor an impossible catch by Moss.  My favorite Patriots moment is watching Tedi Bruschi enjoy the spoils of years of hardwork and dedication by wrestling with his sons on the field before Superbowl XXXIX on Feb 6, 2005.

What's your favorite moment?

 
via cache.boston.com 

As many of you know, Mike Reiss is a sports reporter for the Boston Globe and scribes about the goings on with our favorite team, the New England Patriots. Mike's fact-based writing style provides us Patriots nuts with great reference material; you will often see him quoted here, more so than any other reporter.

I knew Mike Reiss was prolific, but I realized just how crazy he was during the Goodell/Specter press conferences.  Reiss's Pieces , Mike's Patriots blog, was being updated constantly with the goings on.  I think it really connected us fans with what was happening at the time.

I've done enough jabbering.  Let's get to the Q&A.

A Colts blogger of ours did an excellent analysis suggesting it will take time for the Patriots's new acquisitions to add value to the defense.  Have Belichick and the front office done enough to fill the gaps between the old guard (Bruschi, Vrabel, Seau) and the new guard (Crable, Mayo) while our rookies come up-to-speed?

Reiss: Time will obviously tell, but I'm going to say a definitive "yes" right now. One area that stood out to me at recent organized team activities was the versatility among many of the defenders, and how the Patriots have a lot of different parts that will allow them to do different things. I could be way off on this, but I think this defense is going to be a lot more dynamic than we've seen in recent years. I sense they're going to try some new things -- a little 3-4, a little 4-3, different sub-package combinations -- and I wonder how much the influence of new secondary coach Dom Capers is playing into that. It might be stuff that we don't see for a few weeks and then all of a sudden it pops up. In terms of the new defenders, I think Fernando Bryant looks like he's a starter at one cornerback spot. I also envision Jerod Mayo and Victor Hobson teaming up with Tedy Bruschi to provide a 1-2-3 combo at inside linebacker. I wouldn't be surprised if Brandon Meriweather is in the starting lineup at safety and much improved, with Tank Williams a major factor in sub packages, bridging the gap between safety and linebacker. On paper, the Patriots might be a bit weaker on the back end of the defense (it hurts to lose Asante Samuel), but I think they'll be stronger in the front seven. Overall, this rates as one of my top storylines going forward -- how will this defense be re-shaped? I might be reading the tea leaves wrong, but it's one reason I particularly enjoy following a Bill Belichick-coached team. Good luck figuring out what's coming next.

The Red Sox won the World Series, The Patriots narrowly missed having a perfect season and the Celtics are inches away from a championship. Have we become spoiled?  Are our expectations now too high?

Reiss: Can I turn this question over to safety Rodney Harrison? Entering his 15th NFL season, Harrison was asked this exact question at the Patriots Charitable Foundation Golf Tournament on Monday. His answer: "No question, fans are spoiled. Having a baseball team, world champions. A football team. Now possibly with our basketball team. Just a great legacy and history of winning championships around here. Hopefully it continues." As for my own opinion, I think Harrison is probably right in some respects. I'd just add that it seems to me that many fans realize this is a great era of sports in town that we'll be reflecting upon fondly when we all look back. Given all the ups and downs of the Patriots since their inception -- not just wins and losses, but ownership instability and off-field incidents -- I don't think any long-time Patriots/football fan who lived through that can ever really be considered spoiled.

Tom Brady won't be around forever.  Do you think the Patriots see something in Kevin O'Connell indicating he's the future of this franchise?

Reiss: I don't know if I would word it that way. Obviously, a team wouldn't draft a player in the third round, specifically a quarterback, if it didn't think it had a chance to be a big part of the future of the franchise. But in this case, I think it's as much as being a No. 2 as it is the possibility of being a future starter. More than 60 quarterbacks started at least one game last year in the NFL. That's an astronomical number, and a reminder of the importance of the backup spot. Can Matt Cassel be that guy? I don't think anyone knows the answer, because it's a question that can only be answered if he's thrust into that role, and he hasn't been. So in that case, I like the idea of improving your odds by adding a highly touted player to the mix. I also like the idea that Cassel's contract expires after this season and the team gives itself built-in insurance. That's just smart long-range planning. I'd also point out that there have been positive signs from Matt Gutierrez, a rookie free agent who signed with the club in 2007. The Patriots have been fortunate that Tom Brady has been an ironman, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't prepare for the possibility of having to call on a backup.

There's been a lot written about Chad Jackson and his return to full time play. Do you think he could be the Donte Stallworth replacement we're looking for?

Reiss: Yes, but I don't have the highest confidence at this point. Maybe it's that I caught out of the corner of my eye Jackson running the wrong route in the weekend mini-camp, when there wasn't a defense on the field. I don't want to base my opinion solely on that -- it would be short-sighted to do so -- but I also know there needs to be a trust and bond that develops between quarterback and receiver and that doesn't seem to be there at this point with Tom Brady and Jackson. That's what training camp is for, and it's probably fair to say that's why Jackson will be one of this camp's most intriguing stories to follow.

It's early and there's been limited access to Patriots voluntary camps (ie: Passing Camp), but which new acquisition do you see as adding value quickly?

Reiss: Not including the obvious choice of first-round pick Jerod Mayo, cornerback Fernando Bryant would be at the top of my list. I also think Victor Hobson is going to help, and people will be looking back and saying 'How could there not have been more interest in the free agent market for him?' The third name I'd add to the list is Tank Williams; much of today's game is played with offenses calling on three- and four-receiver packages, and he adds value as an extra defensive back who has linebacker-like skills.

A big Thank You to Mike Reiss for his time and thoughtful answers.  Very cool, Mike.  Don't forget to check out Mike's articles as well as Reiss's Pieces at boston.com 
 

ESPN has a great article on Jerod Mayo and his possible ascension to Tedy Bruschi's spot once the NE legend retires.

Mike Reiss has 5 mini-camp observations , including FA safety Tank Williams intercepting a Brady to Faulk pass.

Again from Reiss, a lengthy interview with Tom Brady .  In this interview, Tom talks about losing the Super Bowl, his ankle, and off season goings on.

In news around the league , Raiders's rookie holdout Darren McFadden signs a six year $60m deal.  Call me crazy, but this is just nuts.  No offense to Darren, but he hasn't played a second on the field.  It's insulting to the vets, in my opinion.

It's time to talk football and the New England Patriots's roster.  In this Spotlight On series, I will pick a position and dive into the players with a few tidbits on each (not too much - I can't come close to Marima's skill at analysis ;-)).  So, let's get cracking.

After our resident Colts's blogger, shake n bake, crafted a most excellent analysis of the Patriots's rookies and how long before they may be useful , It got me thinking, "Have the Patriots's done enough to shore up issues for our linebacker core?"

The concerns with our linebackers have been well documented and in the draft, Belichick wanted to get younger and faster on defense .  Given that it takes some time to come up-to-speed, have we done enough?  Have we plugged the gap between the old guard (Bruschi, Seau, Vrabel) and the youngins (Mayo, Crable)?  Let's check it out.

The Patriots and NFL columns are years experience and NOT what you'll find on the Patriots's website ; they use current year the player is in (ie: a newborn is in his first year).

Eric Alexander - mostly lining up on special teams, Eric sees spot duty as an LB.  A proficient special teams tackler, Eric is brought in to the strongside OLB position when called for.

Tedy Bruschi - What can you say, Tedy's Tedy.  He's the heart and soul of this defense, not to mention a clear leader; he is continuously voted defensive captain by his teammates.  At 35, it is safe to say he's only got a few years left of active duty.  Noone wants to see him go, but it's a fact of this business; it's a young man's game.

Shawn Crable - A new guy in town, Shawn will play OLB and is a tall, big dude.  I'm really hoping he turns into the pass rusher he projects to be, but he may need to get bigger and stronger to muscle offensive lineman.

Gary Guyton - He needs to bulk up a bit, but this ILB has a great vertical and long jump, and is super fast for his position.  He seems to have good hands and can get down with OLs as well as blitz when needed.

Victor Hobson - Vic comes to us as an FA from the Jets and will fill that  "middle ground" between old guard and new.  An OLB in Mangini's 3-4, he would be a better fit for ILB due to his lack of speed.

Larry Izzo - Leading or tying for the special teams tackle record 7 years out of 8, Larry is Mr. Special Teams for the Patriots.  Voted special teams captain 6 years in a row (2001-2006), he's the heart and soul of that unit.

Jerod Mayo - We expect big things from this young man.  Jerod will, more than likely, play ILB, but he's more than capable to play OLB if called upon.  He's not tall and may not have the long arms for wrapping up, but he sure seems powerful.

Vince Redd - Projected to play OLB, at 6-6 260 lbs this kid is freakin huge.  With those long arms, OLB is just where he needs to be - batting down balls, wrapping up RBs and receivers, and terrorizing quarterbacks.

Bo Ruud - OLB is the place for Bo, but he needs to bulk up.  He doesn't have much experience in a 3-4 and may have a lot to learn, but he is apparently a film junkie.  Since High School, his football brothers and he would watch and study film.  Let's hope his geekness translates to the field.

Adalius Thomas - A lot was expected of Thomas in his first year, and he had a very average 2007, but that's not totally his fault.  A more natural OLB, he was asked to take on ILB duties for a while.  He certainly has the experience and his time with the Ravens proved he has the skills.  I'm looking forward to 2008.

Mike Vrabel - A veteran Patriot, Vrabel is the ideal OLB - he makes quarterbacks really nervous.  He may not register a sack, but lots of QBs are looking over their shoulders.  Mike will also line up as TE on red zone and goal line packages.  He's got receiver-like hands and it's a real kicker to see a linebacker catching touchdown passes.

Pierre Woods - A special teams ace, Pierre is a very productive tackler, consistently leading that unit by either tying or coming up with the most tackles in a game.  Pierre will sometimes jump in as a reserve LB.

I'm really psyched about this feature.  The SBNation AFC East writers, cajoled and threatened by Buffalo Rumbling's BrianG, got together and traded questions about each other's teams.  So far, everything's been rather cordial, but I'm sure the gloves will come off by Week 3.  In this story, you'll find my questions to the other head writers.  In another story, I'll post questions posed to me with my answers.  Without further adieu, here's the skinny from Buffalo Rumblings , The Phinsider and The Jets Blog .

The Patriots @ Bills Week 11 matchup turned out to be the highest scoring game for the Patriots.  Many decried this as proof positive NE was running up the score.  Is this how most Bills fans feel or was it a case of NE just playing 60 minutes?

Buffalo Rumblings : I can tell you right now that there were a lot of peeved Bills fans at Ralph Wilson Stadium that night - I was one of them.  I personally didn't feel that the Pats ran up the score - Buffalo's defense didn't even attempt to play football that night; a junior high team could have thrown up 56.  What irritated me was that New England's starters played so long - Tom Brady played into the fourth quarter, for crying out loud.

I don't hold anything against the Pats for that game, though - they dominated Buffalo through and through that night, and could have easily scored 60+.  Rest assured that the Bills will have that game on their mind when we play y'all on November 9.  I appreciate you bringing it up, though - now I'm glad I asked you about Spygate. ;)

Junior High team, huh?  Not to call you out, but with a 7-9 2007 regular season, seems like the Bills played a lot of Junior High teams.  They've made some moves on defense this year, so we'll have to wait and see.

Depth is good.  Talent and depth is better,  but at least "The Tuna" has his head in the right place.  It sounds like a team he used to coach, doesn't it?  The Pats didn't have a lot of stars, but he sure was able to put them on the road to 3 Lombardis.

The Patriots just signed former Jets linebacker and free agent, Victor Hobson to a one year deal.  I view this a good move to fill the gap between the old guard (Bruschi, Seau, Vrabel) and the new guard (Crable, Mayo) while the rookies come up to speed.  Why did the Jets not re-sign Hobson?  Performance?  Cap space?

The Jets Blog : For the role you just outlined, Victor Hobson is perfect.  He's a good insurance policy until the rookies get their feet under them, but I don't see Hobson starting 16 games in New England and racking up 140 tackles.  I like Hobson, but he was playing the Weakside OLB in Mangini's 3-4, and he was too slow and too short to do the position justice.  He's much better suited for the inside in a 3-4, but he's still not quite fast enough to be a more than a good ILB.  So why did he play on the outside in New York?  It was a matter of necessity and the Jets just didn't have the personnel to do anything else. 

Hobson was a casualty for a number of reasons, performance being the main one.  Like I noted, he'll add solid depth and should be able to play inside.  But for the Jets, that's a spot that is already occupied by Eric Barton, a veteran leader and willing tackler, along with David Harris, the second year player who statistically would have matched up with Patrick Willis had he started a full season.  I think that Hobson is well suited to play inside, but at a minimum, the Patriots should be looking to start their young guys by the end of the season in Hobson's place.

I like Hobson, especially for a 1 year deal.  He'll fill the gaps between the veterans and the youngins, giving the latter enough time to reach NFL playing level.  And, most importantly, give Bruschi or Seau some time to rest their bones.  As much as I hate to admit it, they're starting to need it.

Props to Brian Galliford at Buffalo Rumblings , Matty I at The Phinsider and Brian Bassett at The Jets Blog .  Great job guys.  Check out their blogs for my answers.