Pats Pulpit: FanPosts

Historic Preseason Records,

JohnHannahRules — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:58:32 -0000

or, "Cool Yer Jets."

Year	Preseason	Regular	Post
2000	3-2	5-11	N/A
2001	3-1	11-5	3-0*
2002	3-1	9-7	N/A
2003	4-0	14-2	3-0*
2004	1-3	14-2	3-0*
2005	2-2	10-6	1-1
2006	2-2	12-4	2-1
2007	2-2	16-0	2-1

*denotes Super Bowl Victor

I admit that last night's display against Tampa was deplorable--but you can only say that as an outsider. There are some concrete things I took away from the 1st half (all I watched): The offensive line looked OK in pass protection, uneven in run-blocking. Matt Cassell is playing himself off the team. Ellis Hobbs still doesn't react quickly enough. The defensive line was somnolent at best. Jerod Mayo is, in fact, a rookie. We still have a good punter, and our kicker seems solid.

After that? Who can say. Only the coaching staff knows what they were looking for last night, or what they expected from various personnel packages. You'll read guesses and hand-wringing here and elsewhere, 'cause that's what us and them are here for. But keep that chart in the back of your mind (or right on your desk, if you have to).

Nothing is won in the preseason.

Plugging O-line Holes: Pats Sign Sene

JohnHannahRules — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 19:51:21 -0000

Well Pats fans, the oline woes have continued to multiply for the hometown team. Recently signed Barry Stokes hit the IR and is out for the season. There he joins early-pre-season signee Anthony Clement. Mike Reiss has a decent rundown on the financial hit to the team. But as he and every serious Patriot-watcher knows, the financial hit isn't the hardest hit.

The set-backs to Tom Brady's rampart and Maroney's vanguard continue to pile up. No offense to the kid, but Nick Kaczur is not an NFL-caliber left tackle. He and Wes Britt have been doing double-duty in camp lately, swapping in with the second team and moving from right to left.

Versatility is great. You've got to love it when some of your top guys can play anywhere on the line. But when you're banking on versatility in lieu of depth, or versatility as a strategy to deal with a lack of depth, well, that's cause for concern. [Footnote here to every JHR comment about unit cohesion on the o-line.]

Last week the Patriots picked up another youngster for Dante to mold. Stephen Sene was a rookie non-draftee FA picked up by the Rams this year. His bio is brief, but I did some checking around. Here's the skinny:

Sene comes from a tight-knit religious family in Colombia, South Carolina. He was heavily recruited by the SEC and ACC out of high school, ultimately going to South Carolina. After a redshirt year due to injury, he was poised to be a four-year SEC starter on the o-line. No mean feat. But things weren't quite right for Sene at SC.

It's not entirely clear but I think a combination of things were going on. He seems like a quiet kid, and his moral and spiritual life is very important to him. The big-time SEC atmosphere wasn't the right setting for him and he left.

In his first camp with Dodge City Community College in Kansas, he tore his ACL and didn't play a down. He became an assistant coach, working with the o-line. Liberty University tracked him down there and offered him a scholarship. He played two seasons with the Flames and became one of the premier offensive linemen in the Big South.

Not saying much, obviously, but you've got to give the kid credit for making the most of his second chance. He joins fellow Patriots rookie, linebacker Vince Redd, as the second Liberty alum in camp. Winning your league gets you some attention, apparently. Initially signed by the Rams, he was released at the end of July.

He was a project, and project o-linemen are longshots by definition. His admitted weakness is lower body strength, something he'll have to work on if he hopes to stick around for more than a year.

Normally, religion front-and-center in an athlete is a big downer for me. IMO, god doesn't give a shit about games--at least no god worth worshiping. But Sene's attachment to his faith seems an effortless extension of his persona rather than a pose or a shield. I find myself rooting for him to succeed here.

If he does, he'll probably wind up on the practice squad. MaPatsFan makes a good point about building from youth on the o-line in his preview post, echoing the concerns of others in regard to recent draft years. He's right about this year--we needed a quick infusion of youth in our linebacking corps. But in spite of the fact that we haven't hit for power in recent o-line drafts, there seems to be a solid foundation of youth there now.

In addition to Sene, Ryan Wendell, center from Fresno State, is another rookie in the trenches. Like Sene, he's a sharp, well-spoken kid who was a force in college. Jimmy Martin, with one year of tenure, rounds out a trio of young offensive linemen that the Patriots now have in camp. If they stick, they could form the nucleus of a strong o-line one or two years from now. In the meantime, however, it's into the deep end to sink or swim. For the sake of this year--at least the early weeks--I hope it's "swim."

Here's a decent video on Sene:

Pats are Pathetic

Fred Smorgasbord — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:44:36 -0000

The fact that BB is still allowed to coach the patriots say's Kraft is full of shit. He should have fired his cheating ass immediately upon learning about the video tape. But he didn't because Kraft will do what it takes to win. Don't give me the crap that everyone else is doing it. Where's your proof? The Pats are worthless. I have no respect for cheaters. And what's more, BB isn't done cheating. He is an intelligent man. He'll think of something.

Veteran Fantasy Players?

dorsey — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:19:25 -0000

I'm looking for experienced fantasy players who are committed to winning and don't set their rosters and forgot about the league.

-It is a Fleaflicker league

-Eight spots remain (12 team league total)

-Non-keeper, Redraft

-It is a Live Draft on August 24, 5:00 Central Time

Here is the link to play:

http://www.fleaflicker.com/showLeague.do?leagueId=44869&invite=true

League name: Fleaflicker Pro League

League password: champion

THANK YOU

NE Patriots At PressPassTV

presspasstv — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:56:44 -0000

As Patriots, winning is the only tradition we know. A ruthless powerhouse some say. Undefeated last season, not too shabby. Always being atop the rankings, we as patriots are truly a force to be reckoned with. However, under the helmet of these elite players, there are people.

Have you ever wondered what Lawrence Maroney does in order to give back to the community, or maybe what kind of slick, studly outfits Jarvis Green wears to a night out? Here at PressPassTV, our goal is to shine a new light on the sports world, and allow the fans to see what goes on off the field. From photoshoots to charity events, we've got you covered. The wondering is over sports fans, come check us out at Presspass.tv or our youtube page at youtube.com/presspass!

Romo studying Brady

Mainiac — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:43:45 -0000

In Peter King's Monday Morning Quarterback he talks a bit with Tony Romo, but the interesting thing is that Romo is trying to make his style match Brady's:

Now Romo was up showing me.

"Before,'' he said, "I'd drop back seven and I'd be looking, looking, looking ... ''

He looked left, center and right in the room, bouncing on his feet, moving forward as he did it, ending up about three yards ahead in this imaginary pocket, throwing to an imaginary receiver on the right.

"I've moved way up. See? I better throw it now or the pocket's gonna collapse on me," he said. "What I was doing was creating pressure where there should be none. When I watched film, I wanted to change that.''

"To get out of the traffic?'' I said.

"Yeah,'' he said. "And as I watched film of other quarterbacks, I noticed one, Tom Brady, who didn't do it. As he looked 1-2-3-4, boom-boom-boom, I saw his feet. They weren't coming forward. He was seeing his receivers though.''

Now he dropped back, imitating the stay-at-home Brady."

Brady's like, back-back-back, stay, look, stay, look, boom! Complete. That's what I want to be doing.

Now, I'm no Cowboys fan so I'd rather not see Romo improve, but it's certainly interesting to see how much respect Romo gives our boy Tom.

Who's going to give Belichick his 150th win?

Marima — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 16:10:59 -0000

Bill Belichick's NFL career coaching record, including post-season, stands at 142 - 85 (.626). With the New England Patriots alone, his overall win-loss record is a not-too-shabby 105 - 40 (.724). He needs only 8 more to reach 150 wins.

Coincidentally, the first opportunity for Coach Hoodie to hit that milestone will come in week 9 against the Colts, at their spanking new Lucas Oil Stadium, IF the Pats win all 7 games before them. How sweet that would be!

Poll

Which team will give Belichick his 150th win?

Camp Rules

JohnHannahRules — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:13:38 -0000

Actually, if you're a player, it bites. As Sports Illustrated's Stephan Fastis discovered, players regard it grimly. Some more stoically than others, to be sure, but the fact is that camp is something to be endured if you're a veteran; if a rookie, it is 6 or so weeks of desperate self-doubt.

photo: Boston Herald

Nevertheless, a critical time of the year. As the firehose of football sports-writing begins to flow in earnest, those of us who take this all a little too seriously (that would be you, Mr. Reading PatsPulpit at Work Man) need to keep some things in mind as we scour the intertubes for signs of hope. To help you cope, here are 5 general JohnHannahRules for pre-season camp:

1. Defense looks good before offense looks good.

2. Receivers, generally, look better than defensive backs.

3. Passing looks better than running.

4. Veterans sit out any chance they get unless they're on the cut bubble.

5. Journalists don't know what they're looking at but have to write something. Anything.

Taking these in order, I'll expand. (continued)

1. Defense before offense. Defense is a reactive art. Once a scheme is set, players react to what's in front of them. Naturally there's a little more to it than this, but it's essentially the case. This is why speed is at a premium on D (and why I think bad footing in snow or rain favors the offense). Offense is schematically more complex than defense and to be successful relies on unity and timing. Unity and timing need the rust shaken off them (at the very least) and that's what camp is for. In the meantime, the D cleans up. In fact, if your defense is getting scorched early in camp as a matter of course--especially in the running game--you should probably be a little concerned.

photo: ESPN

2. WRs before DBs. This is the one minor exception to rule one. Coverages are the toughest part of defense. This is why the debate about the most important unit on the field often comes down to DBs v. OL. As a Patriots fan (assuming you are one), by now you're used to talk about how important Rodney Harrison's coach-on-the-field ability is so important to their success. This is why: all four (sometimes five or six) of those guys need to be on the same page. That takes time.

3. Passing before running. This goes hand in hand in hand with #s one and two. Pass blocking is a bit easier than run blocking. While both take coordination and mutual anticipation, there are (at least) three things that make it so: (1) the line is backing up (hopefully slowly), so it's possible to see a screw-up before it becomes a problem and (2) rarely does the defense rush more than 5 defenders; (3) there is no room for similar error in blocking the running game, especially against NFL-caliber defenders. If you fail to "get a helmet on" one of the 7 "in-the-box" defenders to the zone of the run, the thing is going to blow up in your face. Again, synchronicity takes longer than reactivity.

4. Veterans sit when they can. If there is a legitimate reason, no vet reasonably secure in his job will push through an injury in camp. The reasons for this should be obvious, but I know how you get that little panic pulse when you see Wes Welkah on the PUP list. Chill. He's fine.

5. The Media a) knows nothing and b) writes something. That's their job, of course. Sometimes it's a column of useless nattering--not unlike this one. More often than not, it takes the form of this handy -- and hilarious -- fill-in-the-blanks example from Football Outsiders:

Headline: ROOKIE Shows off his moves

Copy: It was a routine short pass over the middle. ROOKIE caught the ball in stride for what looked like a four-yard gain. But then he made a move, juking out VETERAN DEFENDER and cutting upfield for an extra 20 yards.

It was only a minicamp drill, but the move opened eyes and turned heads. That catch wasn’t the first time in camp that ROOKIE left a defender tackling thin air. "We didn’t know what we had with this kid," said POSITION COACH after practice. "He really makes things happen."

ROOKIE has been making things happen for his entire football career. He broke every rushing record at TINY RURAL HIGH SCHOOL but wasn’t highly recruited because he was just REALLY SHORT feet tall and weighed REALLY LIGHT pounds. After a year in juco, he transferred to UNHEARD OF UNIVERSITY where he overwhelmed the competition, rushing for OBSCENELY GREAT STATS while doing it all for the RIDICULOUSLY NON-THREATINING TEAM NICKNAMEs: rushing, catching passes, returning punts and kicks, and even throwing some option passes.

Still, pro scouts were skeptical of his size and the level of competition. ROOKIE didn’t hear his name called on draft day, but several teams contacted him as a free agent. "I knew my size would be a liability. It has been all through my career," ROOKIE said. "I came here because I believe coach HEAD COACH will give me the best opportunity to show what I can do."

So far, HEAD COACH has been singing ROOKIE’s praises. "That kid gives us a lot of flexibility. He can do a lot of things as a rusher, receiver, and a return man. I also like his effort and intensity." Still, ROOKIE faces an uphill battle to make the roster. FEATURED BACK and VETERAN THIRD DOWN GUY are locks to make the roster, and THIRD-ROUND PICK is ahead of ROOKIE on the depth chart. The team may keep four running backs, so ROOKIE’s best chance to make the roster is to beat out DISAPPOINTING FORMER NO. 1 PICK WITH TWO DUI’S ON HIS RECORD and OBSCURE PRACTICE SQUAD GUY.

ROOKIE remains optimistic despite the odds. "I like being the underdog. It motivates me," he said. "This camp has showed me that I can play in the NFL." ROOKIE has faked and juked his way through an impressive college career. His next fancy move could fake him right onto the roster.

I think I've read that article already this year! Karen Guregian's piece on some rookie DB's follows this formula almost to the letter.

It's not her fault, though. No one knows what the coaches are thinking. And these coaches in particular are not likely to tell them much. Players are only available for set times; everybody gets the same milquetoast quotes. Just try making the rounds between the ProJo, the Globe and the Herald and see if you can find anyone with a scoop. You can't. Player access is incredibly restricted, so we all get the same pile of boring crap served up on different plates with slightly different gravy.

I just try to find the writers whose gravy I like the best. Er...

Ah, hmm. Well, you know what I mean.

Anyway, the point of these rules is: don't get too worked up. The only real look at the season-to-come is pre-season game #2. And even that is going to be a mixed bag. Enjoy the fact that football is back (f*ckin'-a right it is!) and, like the wily vet you are, save it for the season.

Happy football.

Running Down the Line

JohnHannahRules — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:57:55 -0000

When he was a coach (and a pretty good one at that), John Madden used to debate with another HC over where you start in building a team: Defensive backs or offensive line?

Naturally, I come out with Madden in saying it's the guys in the trenches. Very little print is devoted to the Pat's o-line concerns relative to the other stories out there. IMO, though, all those other issues (with the possible exception of Asante's replacement) are gravy. Unless this line can coalesce with a new roster over the next month to six weeks, it's going to be a very rocky season for the hometown team.

The big game was lost in the trenches; the Pats gave Brady no time and Maroney no lanes. True, it took Daniels waaaay too long to change his play-calling to quick-outs, screens, play-action and tosses to slow the upfield push. But that doesn't excuse the performance by what, until that game, was one of the most highly regarded units in the game. As frustrated as I was with the play-calling, I was more dismayed by the pass-blocking performance of the mountain men. This was a clear case of strength-on-strength, one which the Pats lost when it counted most.

Don't think those boys don't realize it, and don't for a second imagine that it hasn't kept them up at night this spring. Yet, with Kaczur's off-field issues, Neal's injury and uncertain replacements like Wes Britt fitting in, the fluidity and cohesion of this team-within-the-team has to be in question. And no one is doing a decent job of reporting or analysis on it.

On a personal note, I feel like the sporting press has been missing out on a great story here. For, like, the last 50 years or so. Offensive line play is a one-act drama played 30 times a game. The quarterback needs to know all, and an unfolding pass, read on the run, is a complex instant analysis. But the receivers don't need to make a unison read—just do your part. The o-line, on the other hand, must make a unison read and unison execution every time the ball is snapped. These guys have to be mentally tighter than any other unit on the field.

At the end of the day, if they fail, even the best skill-players can't bail the team out. Brady looks positively mortal when forced to scramble for time. But if the line is great, even an average skill-player can look great. Just look at the parade of running backs Denver had enjoyed. The real reign there has been an (until lately) superb line. Steve Hutchinson and Walter Jones made Shaun Alexander an all-star in Seattle. Seattle failed to protect Hutchinson in free agency; Hutchinson went to Minnesota, teamed up with Matt Birk and Bryant McKinnie, and did the same thing for (an admittedly greater) Adrian "Purple Jesus" Peterson. Everyone wondered, "Geez, what happened to Alexander?" Nothing! He was the same mincing, hit-shy guy he always was; it's just that Seattle's front office blew up his line. They dropped arguably their best run-blocker and couldn't plug the hole.

So the guys I'll be paying the most attention to this season are the front 5.

The left side looks as good as it ever has, but don't take that as unleavened praise. While Logan Mankins is becoming one of the game's premier guards, Matt Light, though better than average, wins his individual battles through craft more than outright athleticism and strength. Don't get me wrong—I'm a big fan. He's dogged and a tenacious pass-blocker. He does have trouble with some speed rushers, and has particular trouble with talented end/LB combos when both players combine speed with strength. It strikes me that I've just described the limits of a pretty damned good football player. One of the best at his position now playing. Young Logan, however, may become one of The Greats if he continues to improve.

Dan Koppen, though initially regarded as undersized, is beginning to enter Jeff Saturday and, perhaps eventually, Dermontti Dawson territory. He may never be as physically dominating as Dawson was, but he has the tools to emulate Saturday, who is practically an identically-sized center. All that separates them in my mind is tenure. For you aficionados of line play out there, try to get a glimpse of the way Koppen uses his hands. Folks, this is judo in a phone booth--especially when going up against NT's and DT's that outweigh him by large margins. Koppen neutralizes these guys by gaining what coaches call "inside control." Predicate to that is a split-second combat as helmets clash. The winner of that split-second usually wins the play, and Koppen wins that fight most of the time.

On the right, all is chaos. In truth, the Patriots haven't had a very solid or reliable guard-tackle tandem on this side of the line in recent memory. Last year was about as good as I can remember, as Kaczur began to come into his own at right tackle late in the year—a role that 's been a bit of a revolving door for the Patriots. Ryan O'Callaghan would have been my pick for the inside edge on this slot, as the Pats took a long look at him in last year's camp, and he saw significant playing time (for a back up) last year. Yet it's been fellow third year man-mountain Wesley Britt t who's been seeing the majority of 1st team snaps in Kaczur's absence.

Both Britt and O'Callaghan are huge prototypical run-blocking types. But the fact is, center and left have been the Patriots most successful running lanes. That means that right tackle has been notably weaker in the one area the position is expected to be stronger (at least in front of a right-handed Brady).

The Patriots have covered for this in the past largely through the service of excellent run-blocking tight-ends. My guess (oh OK, my fervent hope) is that, with none of our TE's showing much run-blocking prowess, this deficiency will be addressed through an "I" or "Pro" formation with a blocking back. Evans, Jordan and Eckel can all serve this role—in that order. (When he's treated to the luxury of a lead back, Laurence Maroney is f*cking scary. I think it's because he ran out of the "I" in college.) The Patriots' offense as a whole would, I think, benefit from a beefed-up running attack. It seems the staff agrees, signing LaMont. But all the cut-backs Maroney makes to the left rather than the right indicates that our right tackles -- in spite of their prodigious size -- haven't been getting much movement off the line.

It also does not speak very highly of our guard play over there. Neal is a favorite of writers, given his unorthodox entry into the NFL. (See him outlast comic-book proportioned and really classy guy Brock Lesner for his fourth consecutive NCAA wrestling title here.) He was also becoming a very solid guard, with his play toward the end of the '06 season putting him in the upper ranks of the league.

2007 was a hard year for Neal, though. His battle with shoulder injuries led his teammates to honor him with the Ed Block Courage Award. Had he not been injured early in the game, the Super Bowl may have turned out very differently. Lacking the brutal strength of Mankins, Neal is a lot like Koppen: crafty, heady, tenacious. But he's still on the PUP list.

Filling in for Neal now, as in the Super Bowl, is perennial utility man Russ Hochstein. Russ, Russ, Russ. What are we going to do with you? Famously called out by Warren Sapp before the SB with the Panthers, Hochstein had a superb day. He's been an able replacement up and down the line for the last few years. But when Neal went down suddenly in the 'Bowl, Hochstein turned in a turnstile performance against Justin Tuck and Co. To be fair, he had a lot of company, but the wall was crumbling up the middle—a disaster for pass or run. Yet, he may be the guy come the start of the season. Which Russ will we get?

Billy Yates, whose life I do not envy, is a back-up here. Yates' career resume looks like a yo-yo: signed, released, signed, released, active, inactive, practice squad, active, released, signed…. Ugh. It's enough to drive a man to drinking—which is what I'll be doing if this guy becomes a starter, waka waka waka.

Oh, who am I kidding? I'm drinking anyway.

Finally, in addition to a couple of veteran free agents, we also have a youngster in camp. Ryan Wendell, a former Fresno State Bulldog under coach Pat Hill, has been signed. He's a smart cat, and I like Fresno's playing style—they seem to develop tough, high-character guys. At only (!) 275 pounds, Wendell's a little slight for the NFL right now; most likely he's a project for Dante.

And I'll conclude with Dante, in whom all hope resides. In his 26 year long NFL coaching career, Dante Scarnecchia has earned a reputation as one of the finest coaches of the lineman's art in the game. Over the past several seasons, he has molded a young group of talent into one of the more envied units in the league.

The importance of position coaches is often overlooked. Belichick can never be accused of blindness here: witness the hiring of Dom Capers, a man who has forgotten more about defense than most coaches ever learn. For an example of how important this is on the line, check out the job Joe Philbin has done in Green Bay since coming on board. In four years, he brought them from sieve status to reliable redoubt--Aaron Rodgers should thank him.

In spite of my skepticism regarding the right side of the Patriots' line, I have no doubt that Dante's the man. I had an old coach once who used to say, "You can't mold sh*t." Thankfully, Dante has more to work with than that—a good deal more.

One thing he has going for him is the history his players have with each other. Holding the line constant can make up for a lot—rare is the Hutchinson type of player who can meld quickly into an established group (and if you look at the Vikings pass-pro, you'll see they still have a long way to go). This unit has been a unit for a long time in terms of the free-agent era. More than anything else, that is its greatest strength. Superior communication and mutual anticipation can go a long way. It can turn average players into an above-average unit, and an already good front five into one of the greatest in the game.

All in all, this is still one of the stouter offensive lines in the NFL. It isn't ironclad by any means, however, and this camp will be a very important time for them. Unit cohesion is going to have to extend further past the starting 5 than in the last two years in order for the Pats to have a legitimate shot at bringing home another trophy—and I don't mean the one named after Lamar Hunt.

Tom Brady Scouting Report

MattMiller — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 01:12:41 -0000

Hey guys, Matt from MockingtheDraft. Thought this may interest the crew over here:

http://www.newerascouting.com/qb-tom-brady/

We're going to start pro scouting soon and we are looking for an AFC East scout if anyone is interested.

Let me know if you have feedback on the format or the actual write-up.

Good luck in '08. I've been a closet Patriots fan since the Curtis Martin days. Getting Brady, no joke a player we were really fond of out of Michigan, helped.

Lamont Jordan signed..

OneMore — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 12:19:08 -0000

Looks like the Pats are looking for some insurance in case anyone gets hurt again this year. With Sammy Morris injured last year, Maroney injured off and on his entire career, and the suppporting cast trying to make up the difference --- I leave Kevin Faulk out because he is a Jack of all trades and is too versatile to list as just your run of the mill running back -- I believe the Pats are looking to secure their backfield. Jordan was a decent enough back-up for the Jets but never really made a splash with the Raiders ... Here's to hoping the Pats eke out whatever life he has left in those legs of his. Maybe they'll use him more along the fullback lines and have him blow through the line for Faulk, Maroney, or Morris. Orrrr they could cut him at the end of camp. Who knows what the evil genius is up to....

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/story/2008/07/26/patriots-jordan.html

"The New England Patriots signed veteran running back LaMont Jordan on Saturday, a day after he was released by the Oakland Raiders.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Raiders were unable to trade Jordan and released him Friday."

A little confused

OneMore — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:29:52 -0000

"Under orders from Roger Goodell to resolve their impasse with Brett Favre, the Green Bay Packers have begun making calls about their former franchise QB, according to online reports.

Goodell talked to Packers GM Ted Thompson, who confirmed the team was ready to move on without Favre. Goodell asked Thompson to begin exploring the market for the disgruntled QB, acccording to WEAU 13, an NBC television affiliate in Wisconsin.

The report also says Goodell told Thompson that he will reinstate Favre as an active player, should he make the request and that the commissioner has also spoken to Favre and promised his assistance."

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8370402/Report:-Goodell-tells-Packers-to-resolve-Favre-issue?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=5#

What right does Goodell have in telling a team how to handle a contract issue?? I do not understand where Goodell can actually order a team to resolve an issue that basically comes down to wanting to be traded...

What's next?? A player wants more money and Goodell orders the team to honor his request??

Pats sign Crable and O'Connell

Marima — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:58:43 -0000

Two more draft picks signed, two to go.

The New England Patriots signed third-round draft choice Shawn Crable and third-round draft choice Kevin O'Connell today. Terms of the agreements were not disclosed. Crable, a linebacker from Michigan, was selected with the 78th overall pick in April's draft. O'Connell, a quarterback from San Diego State, was selected with the 94th overall pick in the draft.

On July 17th fourth-round draft choice Jonathan Wilhite, cornerback from Auburn (selected 129th overall), was signed becoming the Patriot's third draft pick to sign following fifth-rounder Matthew Slater (receiver/safety/returner) and sixth-rounder Bo Ruud (linebacker).

First-round pick Jerod Mayo and second-round selection Terrence Wheatley are the last two picks left to be (or not to be) signed.

Patriots Fantasy Depth Chart

NYCowboy — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 04:03:35 -0000

Can Tom Brady reward his fantasy owners with another record breaking season? There's no doubt about his fantasy value and where he should be drafted, but there are many more Patriots to choose to help your fantasy team.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS FANTASY DEPTH CHART

Key:

PTR = Position Tier Rank. This is the tier level where the player should be slotted in drafts.

1 = Elite Player.

2 = Solid Performer

3 = Backend starter/Bench fill-in

4 = Roster filler or long-term prospect

0 = No value

ITR = In The Rotation

PB = Position Battle

S = Starter

QB PTR

Tom Brady – S 1

Matt Cassel 3

Kevin O’Connell 4

Matt Gutierrez 4

Summary: We all know Brady is great and will be a top pick in everyone’s draft. Last year's record breaking 50 TD performance is reason enough. One word of caution however. It wouldn’t be beyond Coach Bill Belichick to try and screw with everyone and run the ball much more this season then last, to keep defenses honest. Just don't expect a repeat of 2007.

Read the full depth chart summary here at The Fantasy Sports Forum

Intro for 2008 NFL season- AFC South

GoPats#12 — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:59:56 -0000

Here we go, continuing down the AFC lineup... Now for the AFC South. The AFC South is a pretty interesting division this year. The Colts are the most obvious pick, but don't discount the Titans so soon. The Jaguars are a high risk/high reward team, and the Texans are going to suprise some people, on both sides of the ball.

First off, the Indianapolis Colts...

The Colts are always the same. A good defense, juggernaut offense, and a great coach. The only thing that will remain the same this season is the great coach. As a diehard Pats fan, I hate the Colts with a passion; but that does not mean that I will not give the Colts their due in this article... Peyton Manning is a good QB in a terrific situation. Peyton always racks up huge stats, but that is because of more than his own skill. It helps that he has one of the best O Lines in the game at his disposal, who never let even a fly touch him. Also, one of the best WRs in Reggie Wayne, and a great running back in Joseph Addai. For these reasons, the Colts have one of the most feared offenses in the game. Not this year. In my opinion, the main reason for the Colts success is their double pronged attack, passing and running. Having one without the other is pointless. Marvin Harrison, a future Hall-of-Famer, is getting very old and racking up many injuries. He has been the main target of Peyton Manning over the last few years, and a big part of the Colts' success. With him slowing down, the Colts could as well.

Best Player- Joseph Addai

Playoffs- Yes (Possible upset)

Now, the Titans.

The Tennessee Titans could turn some heads this year. A largely unconsidered fact: the Titans actually beat the Colts last year, which means they can definitely compete with any team in the league. Many people have discounted Vince Young as a huge bust, but I'm not so sure. His numbers got better as the season progressed. As the season moved on, he began attempting more passes and becoming more of a complete QB instead of a running back. The last game of the year, Young set season highs in Completion % and yards per attempt. I see promise. Another plus is that the Titans were 5th in the league in rushing yards per game. That is amazing, considering all they had to speak of was Lendale White. Also, the Titans defense is one of the best in the game. They ranked 8th in PPG last year, 5th in YPG and rushing yards allowed, and 10th in passing yards allowed. They are young and Jeff Fisher is great at developing young linebackers, with Keith Bulluck to help mentor as well. LenDale White (Reggie Bush's backfield mate at USC), has been progressing ever since he came into the league. Watch for him to post better numbers than the 1,110 yards rushing and 7 TD's that he put up last year. The WR position is in turmoil in Tennessee. Their best receiver last year was Justin Gage, who only caught 2 TD's with an abismal 750 yards. They must bring in another receiver to be a serious contender.

Best Player- Keith Bulluck/LenDale White

Playoffs- No (Possible upset over Colts)

Now for the Jaguars of Jacksonville...

I love the potential of the Jags this upcoming season. They have an always stellar defense, David Garrard is a blessing in disguise, and they made some terrific moves this off-season. They could be a serious contender to take the AFC South. Let me explain. Last year, their defense ranked no lower than 15th in every major catergory. They strengthened that defense in the draft by taking DE's with their first two picks. Derrick Harvey, 6'5" and 252, is a monster. He will bat down tons of balls with his height and put pressure on the QB every play. Quentin Groves, the tree-trunk DE out of Auburn, is a freakin' machine. He finished tied for the most sacks in Auburn history, and runs the 40 in 4.5. Talk about scary. They also added veteran wide-out Jerry Porter from Oakland to help establish a more respected passing game. When opponents start dropping 4 DB's back in coverage, the Jags will have the game in hand. They have two top ten RBs, Maurice Jones Drew and Freddy Taylor. Fred Taylor is aging, pushing 33 this year, but last year was his first pro-bowl, so he doesn't seem to be slowing down at all. MJD is one of my favorites, with his 4.3 speed in the 40 and his bowling-ball stature (5'7", 212 lbs).

Best Player- Fred Taylor/MJD

Playoffs- Possible upset

Now, for the Texans. Saddle Up!

The Texans made some major changes this off-season, for the better. First of all, one change for the better out of their control, was that Andre Johnson is now healthy. Before his injury last year, he was on pace to have the best numbers of his career. Him and Matt Schaub has a great relationship, making them one of the more deadly combinations, especially in the redzone. Owen Daniels was a nice suprise for the team last year, and he will continue to be a great pass catching option. They shored up the once-weak O-Line with first round draft pick OT Duane Brown. They also grabbed West Virginia running-back Steve Slaton in the third round, who has big potential. They have banged-up, has been RB Ahman Green, whose best days are behind him. Along with Slaton, they grabbed former Titans running back Chris Brown to fill the RB role. That position is a hodge-podge of players, but I think that Chris Brown could post solid numbers because the defenses will be scared of Johnson and Daniels. The defense has some good potential this year. MLB DeMeco Ryans always leagds the team in tackles, and 2006 over-all first round pick Mario Williams has been steadily progressing, and last year had an over-whelming 14.0 sacks!!! I also love Dunta Robinson, a blazing CB with huge potential to be a star in the league.

Best Player- Andre Johnson

Playoffs- No

Next time, if I receive any positive comments about this blog, I will continue on to the AFC West. Thanks

Intro for 2008 NFL Season- AFC North

GoPats#12 — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:29:26 -0000

The AFC North is a pretty interesting division this year. The Cleveland Browns have HUGE upside, Cincy is worse than an 8th grade football team, Pittsburgh is quickly becoming a nightmare to defend against, and Baltimore is shaky in every catergory across the board... except running back. I will cover all of this and more in this blog post...

First off, the Browns.

The Cleveland Browns are on my list for Comeback Team of the Year. They found their quarterback of the future (future being used loosely) in Derek Anderson, Braylon Edwards is a solid No. 1 Wideout with Super Star potential, the Offensive Line is like a steel wall, and Kellen Winslow is one of the most productive tight ends in the game. Plus, Jamal Lewis is one of the most consistent and underrated backs in the league. Two 1,000 yard, 10 TD seasons in a row? Money in the bank! The OLine is revamped after signing Eric Steinbach and drafting Joe Thomas, a monstrous tackle from Wisconsin. Another point, Laurence Vickers, the Fullback, is one of the best in the game at his position. The defense, while inconsistent and downright awful at some points, did show flashes of brillance last season. I think the potential is there, and we could see a playoff contender this year.

Best Player- Braylon Edwards

Playoffs- Yes

Now for the Cincinnati Bengals...

Wow. Where to begin! First of all, half of the inmates at jails across the country probably had a stint with the Bengals. Chris Henry, one of the better receivers on the team, has been suspended from the NFL indefinitely. Ocho Cinco (Chadwick Johnson) is holding out for more cheddah, and Rudi Johnson's stats are on decline, going down faster each year, along with more injuries. The defense is wafer thin, and the offensive line is average at best. Carson Palmer is one bright spot, along with T.J. Whos-yo-mama. It seems like the Bengal front office forgot that you are supposed to have a tight end, so they are just having auditions pulling people off the street. Other than that, they look stellar this year.

Best Player- Carson Palmer/T.J. Houshmandzadeh

Playoffs- No freakin' way

We continue with a look at the Pittsburgh Steelers...

The Steelers haven't looked this good since the days of MEAN JOE GREEN!!! Big Ben is steady eddie, Willie Parker and first round draft selection Rashard Mendenhall are spliting carries, and Santonio Holmes is a great pairing with the more physical Hines Ward, who actually is wearing down, but can still draw attention, especially in the redzone. The offensive line is getting older, and won't be as dominant as it once was, especially with the loss of Alan Faneca to the Jets. The defense is getting old as well (James Farrior - 12 years in the league, Deshea Townsend- 11 years). However, the Steelers secured Ben Roethlisberger to a long term deal, and acquired reciever Limas Sweed out of Texas in the draft. He has star potential. Bottom line, even with the line a little outdated with some raw talent, this team should be a threat for years to come.

Best Player- Willie Parker/Big Ben

Playoffs- Yes

We conclude with a glimpse at the Baltimore Ravens...

Wow. That is all I have to say about the Ravens this year. They haven't even named their starting QB yet!! The team drafted Joe Flacco out of Delaware in the first round, showing Kyle Boller that this could be his first and last year at the helm. The offensive line took a hit when perennial all-pro Jonathan Ogden retired, and the defense is growing gray hair. Ray Lewis is 33, Ed Reed will be 30 in September, and Kelly Greg, the nosetackle, is 31. The team gave Terrell Suggs, an outside linebacker, the franchise tag, and fired headcoach Brian Billick. Willis McGahee is a great player, and can be counted on for a huge season. The birds also drafted Ray Rice, a personal favorite of mine, out of Rutgers. A big sleeper for me is their second third round pick, Tom Zbikowski, a hard-hitting free safety out of Notre Dame. The receiver core is a shambles, with Derrick Mason being 34 and Mark Clayton only an average wideout. In conclusion, I think that the Ravens had a great draft, but are still in rebuilding mode. They won't return to prime time until they add a good MLB to replace Ray Lewis, who is slowly detiorating.

Best Player- Willis McGahee

Playoffs- No

This has been another 2008 NFL season preview... if I receive any positive comment, I will continue on to another division. Thanks

Question about fanposts

GoPats#12 — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:19:41 -0000

Excuse me, but i don't know alot about blogging, as this is my first blog and I only joined yesterday. How do you make your writing curve to the side around a picture, as in the case of the Matt Ryan article?? I think that would make it look like a real article and would like to learn how. If you know please comment on this. I would like to be able to do that, and I would really appreciate the help. Thank you

Intro for 2008 NFL Season- AFC EAST

GoPats#12 — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:29:28 -0000

We all love the Patriots. I'm assuming that because of the nature of this blog. I think that we should look a bit at the bigger picture though...

The Patriots ended last year with a pretty loud bang. A bang for the wrong team. We bounced back heavily in the off-season, in my opinion. Even though Goodell didn't want us to have a first round pick, we got one anyway! Ha, suck on that one Mr. Commissioner! Jerrod Mayo looks promising, and Maroney should have a great year as a large part of the attack. I am a big fantasy footballer, and as i have listened to opinions throughout mock drafts, I am starting to wonder why everyone is against Brady. Sure, he is ranked as the best QB in the game, but I have heard many "Oh, he can't possibly have another season like that," and "Those stats were a complete fluke." I think not. Let us take a look at the AFC East why don't we, and see who the fluke really is.

As we all know, the Patriots have the best uniforms in the AFC East. However, there are other factors that will play into the success of our boys in blue.

Laurence Maroney- Maroney has been a little unreliable over the past few seasons, but towards the end of last year, he started coming on strong. In the regular season, he was consistent but not spectacular (he didn't have to be because of the vicious passing attack). Towards the end of the year he began to heat up. In the second to last regular season game (Miami) he set single-game career highs in rushing yards, yards per carry and recorded the longest run of his career while rushing for 156 yards on 14 carries (11.1 avg) and a touchdown in the Patriots' 28-7 win over the Dolphins... In the first postseason game against Jacksonville, he notched his first 100 yard playoff game, and then had another the next week against San Diego. The upside is there and he should be a larger part of the offense this season.

Stats courtesy of patriots.com

The Bills of Buffalo suck. That is a fact and can't be changed. At least that was true last year. Last year, they had a year of hell. The QB position was screwed even before the games started. JP Losman or Trent Edwards? Can I choose suicide? Lee Evans, a hyped up reciever, supposedly on of the Top 5 in the game, well (politely put) he was a HUGE bust!!! The team's offense as a whole was abismal. They ranked 30th in points per game, 30th in total yardage per game, 30th in passing yards per game, and 15th in rushing yards. However, we are not here to dwell on the past. This year, Marshawn Lynch is in tip-top shape, Lee Evans is prepared for a monster year, and the rest of the team still sucks! Maybe they will even finish with a winning record! Haha, only kidding.

HOLY #$@#!!!! DOES ANYONE SUCK MORE!!!!??????

J!E!T!S! JETS JETS JETS!!! The New York Jets are a gamble this year.
Thomas Jones is due for a bounce back season, Pennington has a million dollar brain and a wet noodle for an arm, and Cotchery is effectively taking over the No. 1 reciever role. The one bright spot is the O Line. Having signed one of the most consistent guards in the game, Alan Faneca, they have helped Thomas Jones' numbers significantly already. I see the Jets improving, and I think they could possibly break .500 this year. Maybe.

This has been a report of the AFC East. If I have any comments (hopefully positive), I will do another report on another division. Any advice is welcome. Thank you

Patriots announce Training Camp

Marima — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:18:33 -0000

via cachemediasrv.patriots.com

Woooo Hoooo! Finally!

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots will open their 49th annual training camp on Thursday, July 24 with practices scheduled for 8:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on the practice fields located behind Gillette Stadium. Training camp will run through Aug. 14, with practices open to the public on the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium. Patriots fans of all ages are welcome to attend. Parking and admission are free.

The practice schedule throughout training camp is tentative and subject to change. Fans who plan to attend practices are encouraged to check the Patriots website, www.patriots.com for daily updates. There is also a training camp hotline that fans can call, 508.549.0001

The Patriots website lists the tentative practice schedule through the opening weekend.

Can't wait!

NFL coaches vote Rodney Harrison dirtiest player in NFL

shake n bake — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:32:42 -0000

ESPN asked 18 NFL head coaches to vote for the player in the league that they felt was the dirtiest. Rodney Harrison recieved 11 votes. Roy Williams was the only other player to reciever multiple votes (2).The other 5 players to receive votes were Giants LB Antonio Pierce, Steelers WR Hines Ward, Titans center Kevin Mawea and Bears center Olin Kreutz. Rodney Harrison is tied for second in the league in personal fouls over the last 6 years (14). Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson led the league over that span (17)

Link

How do you guys feel about Rodney's play? Does he play dirty and if yes how do you feel about that? Is he the dirtiest? I'm embarassed when one of my teams players does something obviously dirty/illegal (Marlin Jackson making a horsecollar tackle a comment like this from me in the game thread, "Come on Marlin, you are way to good of a tackler to go for that Roy Williams horsecollar BS)" When Sanders missles in and gets a guy with his head instead of shoulders I mainly worry about Sanders being hurt, but I also wish he had gotten in a safer/cleaner hit. So what do you guys think about the survey and Rodney Harrison?