After more nonsense talk on the radio about Laurence Maroney's running ability or lack thereof, I decided to check the team's media guide to see where he stands in comparison to other Pats running backs. Through the 2008 season, he has 1,673 yards on 388 carries for a 4.3 average.
His average actually places him #1 all-time for a Pats running back. The only caveat is the list is based on backs with a minimum of 450 carries. That issue aside, he is ahead of some huge names: Corey Dillon, Carl Garrett and Craig James all had 4.2. Don Calhoun, Andy Johnson and Kevin Faulk have 4.1. Let's not forget Jim Nance and Curtis Martin with 4.0.
Through three full seasons Maroney is already #17 on the Pats all-time total rushing yards. He should easily pass Andy Johnson and Steve Grogan this season.
Nobody seems to recall that Kevin Fauk took a lot of abuse early in his career because he was prone to fumbling. Every carry was an adventure. Now in the twi-light of his career, he has become an indispensable part of the Pats offense. Time changes everything.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Dancing with Maroney
All of the talk shows are focused on the running of Laurence Maroney. There is nothing this guy can do that will satisfy some people. The team had 107 yards rushing yesterday, with Maroney carrying 17 times for 43. His production could be better, but you need to look to see where he gained his yards. Nobody ever looks at that. The fact that he was a 1st round draft pick makes him a prime candidate to be blamed for everything. He has a style of running that drives people crazy, but once he gets past the line of scrimmage he can be lethal.
Drafting a running back is a crap-shoot. While listening to a show today, a caller rambled on about all of the backs taken in the draft after him and what they are doing now.
After going to the Super Bowl in 1985, the Pats drafted Reggie Dupard #1 in the 1986 draft. This is like listening to Reggie talk all over again.
Drafting a running back is a crap-shoot. While listening to a show today, a caller rambled on about all of the backs taken in the draft after him and what they are doing now.
After going to the Super Bowl in 1985, the Pats drafted Reggie Dupard #1 in the 1986 draft. This is like listening to Reggie talk all over again.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
London Post-Game Thoughts
After today's win, I'm sure the experts and talk show callers will be finding fault. All week,
I've been hearing stuff like "Brady needs to step up." I'm not sure what they want from him. He did throw for over 300 yards today, but had two interceptions. We'll be hearing about this over the next two weeks.
We'll also be hearing the nonsense about the drafted players who are no longer on the team or not performing up to expectations. People are down on 2nd round pick NT Ron Brace, who has been a weekly "inactive". Last year at this time, we were hearing the same about Brandon Merriweather. He's had a great start this year and made one of the key defensive plays of the game.
The offensive line had numerous penalties, including three by Logan Mankins. Coach Belichick brushed aside the notion that the crowd noise was a distraction. As usual, it was about playing better and coaching the play better.
I always get a kick of the report cards that come out by writers. I wonder what grades they will give out. It makes me wonder whether we were watching the same game.
I've been hearing stuff like "Brady needs to step up." I'm not sure what they want from him. He did throw for over 300 yards today, but had two interceptions. We'll be hearing about this over the next two weeks.
We'll also be hearing the nonsense about the drafted players who are no longer on the team or not performing up to expectations. People are down on 2nd round pick NT Ron Brace, who has been a weekly "inactive". Last year at this time, we were hearing the same about Brandon Merriweather. He's had a great start this year and made one of the key defensive plays of the game.
The offensive line had numerous penalties, including three by Logan Mankins. Coach Belichick brushed aside the notion that the crowd noise was a distraction. As usual, it was about playing better and coaching the play better.
I always get a kick of the report cards that come out by writers. I wonder what grades they will give out. It makes me wonder whether we were watching the same game.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Serious About the Dress Code
When the Pats and Tampa Bay play in London tomorrow all players should check that their uniform is in order. At every NFL game, the league office sends representatives to ensure that all players are wearing the proper colors, including socks, and not displaying any logos not approved by the league.
The league fined Bengals WR Chad Ohcocinco $10,000 this week for wearing a black chin strap instead of the league-mandated white. The league takes this policy very seriously due to sponsorships and controls the type of clothing the coaches are allowed to wear on the sidelines.
Coach Belichick must be treading a fine line with the league as he has not been wearing the throw-back equipment that is used during the AFL legacy games.
The league fined Bengals WR Chad Ohcocinco $10,000 this week for wearing a black chin strap instead of the league-mandated white. The league takes this policy very seriously due to sponsorships and controls the type of clothing the coaches are allowed to wear on the sidelines.
Coach Belichick must be treading a fine line with the league as he has not been wearing the throw-back equipment that is used during the AFL legacy games.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Almost All Aboard
The Pats finally left for their "business trip" to London. Coach Belichick has often stated that they are not going there for sight seeing. His philosophy has always been: you don't travel if you have no chance of playing.
With that in mind, the team left without LT Matt Light, WR Julian Edelman, RB's Sammy Morris and Fred Taylor. Adelius Thomas made the trip according to news reports.
It will be interesting to see who is on the 45 man roster on Sunday. Either Terrence Nunn or Brandon Tate should see action as the team has only three healthy receivers.
With that in mind, the team left without LT Matt Light, WR Julian Edelman, RB's Sammy Morris and Fred Taylor. Adelius Thomas made the trip according to news reports.
It will be interesting to see who is on the 45 man roster on Sunday. Either Terrence Nunn or Brandon Tate should see action as the team has only three healthy receivers.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Who Is Flying Across The Pond?
The last few days have brought a lot of news as the team prepares to leave for London on Thursday after practice. Adelius Thomas has spoke out about being benched. He talked the company line about putting the team first. It's clear to see that he's not happy. I think the team would have released him if he didn't carry a salary cap hit of over $7m.
WR Julian Edeleman "broke" his arm against the Titans. He's another one who has an injury that we'll never know the extent of. It doesn't look like he has a ticket.
This opens the door for 3rd round pick Brandon Tate coming off the P.U.P and Terrance Nunn from the practice squad. They will be on the plane.
With the release of TE Michael Matthews, the team is down to Chris Baker and Ben Watson. They will draw a third TE from one of their offensive linemen.
I wonder if the team will do a group photo over there. Coach Belichick is not happy about having to practice Friday on a cricket field according to the comments at his press conference today.
WR Julian Edeleman "broke" his arm against the Titans. He's another one who has an injury that we'll never know the extent of. It doesn't look like he has a ticket.
This opens the door for 3rd round pick Brandon Tate coming off the P.U.P and Terrance Nunn from the practice squad. They will be on the plane.
With the release of TE Michael Matthews, the team is down to Chris Baker and Ben Watson. They will draw a third TE from one of their offensive linemen.
I wonder if the team will do a group photo over there. Coach Belichick is not happy about having to practice Friday on a cricket field according to the comments at his press conference today.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Brady's New Role
In Sunday's Boston Globe sports section ,there was a story about a new role that Tom Brady has taken on. He is now an alternative player representative for the Pats. This has big implications as he is now involved with the workings of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA). Each team has a representative and two alternatives.
Matt Light is the primary with Brady and Adalius Thomas as the two alternates. These positions serve as "union stewards" for the players concerning their rights as outlined in the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The CBA expires after the 2011 season. Owners and the NFLPA must reach an agreement to avoid a lockout and disruption to the 2011 season. As it stand now, the 2010 season will have no salary cap. This could lead to the disparity that exists in baseball between the big market teams and the small ones.
The main contention is the amount of revenue to be split between the players and owners. Currently, the players get 60% of it. With new revenue streams being developed, the pot grows bigger. Owners feel that the players are getting too much. They also want to lengthen the season by eliminating at least one pre-season game. The issue of compensation is very tenuous.
Brady is placing himself at the negotiating table with the owners. He is one of the league's marque players and will certainly generate sound bites whenever he speaks on any labor related issues. He will also be facing off against the Kraft family, the team's owners. Brady has a special relationship with the Krafts. However, his contract expires after 2011 season and will command some of the top money given to any player.
The CBA negotiations have been going at a snail's pace. Eventually, something will happen. Everything might work out in the end or there could be a disruption to the 2011 season. It will be interesting to see where all of this takes Tom Brady. Will it influence his career outside of football once his playing days end? Is this the start of something bigger for him?
Matt Light is the primary with Brady and Adalius Thomas as the two alternates. These positions serve as "union stewards" for the players concerning their rights as outlined in the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The CBA expires after the 2011 season. Owners and the NFLPA must reach an agreement to avoid a lockout and disruption to the 2011 season. As it stand now, the 2010 season will have no salary cap. This could lead to the disparity that exists in baseball between the big market teams and the small ones.
The main contention is the amount of revenue to be split between the players and owners. Currently, the players get 60% of it. With new revenue streams being developed, the pot grows bigger. Owners feel that the players are getting too much. They also want to lengthen the season by eliminating at least one pre-season game. The issue of compensation is very tenuous.
Brady is placing himself at the negotiating table with the owners. He is one of the league's marque players and will certainly generate sound bites whenever he speaks on any labor related issues. He will also be facing off against the Kraft family, the team's owners. Brady has a special relationship with the Krafts. However, his contract expires after 2011 season and will command some of the top money given to any player.
The CBA negotiations have been going at a snail's pace. Eventually, something will happen. Everything might work out in the end or there could be a disruption to the 2011 season. It will be interesting to see where all of this takes Tom Brady. Will it influence his career outside of football once his playing days end? Is this the start of something bigger for him?
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Don't Look for a Trade
Tuesday is the trading deadline for teams in the league. After listening to Coach Belichick during his Friday press conference, I doubt if the team will entertain any offers.
Experts and talk show callers keep saying the Pats need to do something to open up their passing games due to the ineffectiveness of Joey Galloway who was expected to be the team's third receiver. Coach Belichick indicated that it would take too much time to bring a new player into the system.
Everything is pointing towards WR Brandon Tate, a 3rd round pick from North Carolina in this year's draft. Tate has been on the PUP list since the start of training camp and is eligible to come off after next week. Once he does, the team has a four week window to either activate him to the 53 man roster or place him on season-ending Injury Reserve.
Tate was expected to be a higher draft selection, but suffered a season ending knee injury last year against Notre Dame and missed the last seven games of the season.
He is considered a top return specialist and holds the NCAA career record for combined return yards for punts and kickoffs.
Experts and talk show callers keep saying the Pats need to do something to open up their passing games due to the ineffectiveness of Joey Galloway who was expected to be the team's third receiver. Coach Belichick indicated that it would take too much time to bring a new player into the system.
Everything is pointing towards WR Brandon Tate, a 3rd round pick from North Carolina in this year's draft. Tate has been on the PUP list since the start of training camp and is eligible to come off after next week. Once he does, the team has a four week window to either activate him to the 53 man roster or place him on season-ending Injury Reserve.
Tate was expected to be a higher draft selection, but suffered a season ending knee injury last year against Notre Dame and missed the last seven games of the season.
He is considered a top return specialist and holds the NCAA career record for combined return yards for punts and kickoffs.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Pats & Titans Clash
The 0-5 Titans come into town with a lot to prove. Last year they were 5-0 and on their way to winning their first ten games before finishing 13-3. The team is virtually the same as last year, lead by Jeff Fischer, the longest tenured NFL coach. Their defense seems to be the biggest difference giving up an average of 367 yards this year vs 263 in 2008. Their pass defense ranks #31, giving up an average of 288 yards.
This team is not the same as the 0-5 Rams or Raiders. They lost the game in week 1 in overtime and are a couple of plays away from being 2-3. The Pats must do a better job preventing long drives like the Broncos had last week. Stopping teams on 3rd down was a problem last year and continues this season.
This has resulted in a negative time of possession for the Pats offense. Brady has not completed a pass over 40 yards this season. The offense needs to sustain drives, particularly in the 2nd half.
The Past have to get a ground game going. Most teams have been able to take away the running game and double cover Randy Moss.
The Past defense must stop 2nd year running back Chris Johnson who leads the league in yards from scrimmage. QB Kerry Collins has been equally effective this year.
This team is not the same as the 0-5 Rams or Raiders. They lost the game in week 1 in overtime and are a couple of plays away from being 2-3. The Pats must do a better job preventing long drives like the Broncos had last week. Stopping teams on 3rd down was a problem last year and continues this season.
This has resulted in a negative time of possession for the Pats offense. Brady has not completed a pass over 40 yards this season. The offense needs to sustain drives, particularly in the 2nd half.
The Past have to get a ground game going. Most teams have been able to take away the running game and double cover Randy Moss.
The Past defense must stop 2nd year running back Chris Johnson who leads the league in yards from scrimmage. QB Kerry Collins has been equally effective this year.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Pierre Woods
There is a great story on Patriots All Access about Pierre Woods and his adjustment to the NFL. It's based on how he continues to drive a 1996 F-150 truck in an era when all players have a special ride. His truck has 256, 000 miles on it and looks it. He got it from an uncle when he was in college. He has another car for his wife and kids, but this is his personal vehicle.
You have to remember that Pierre was an undrafted free agent from 2006 from Michigan . Nobody wanted him. Any of the 32 teams could have drafted him. He was able to get an invitation to the Pats training camp in 2006 and scratched his way onto the roster with his play on special teams. He has never made the big money that goes to other higher draft picks.
You have to remember that Pierre was an undrafted free agent from 2006 from Michigan . Nobody wanted him. Any of the 32 teams could have drafted him. He was able to get an invitation to the Pats training camp in 2006 and scratched his way onto the roster with his play on special teams. He has never made the big money that goes to other higher draft picks.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
A Great Tight End
Tight End is a unique position. It takes a lot to have both pass catching and blocking skills. Most do one aspect better than the other. Some guys make a career of specializing in one and being a situational player.
Former Pats linebacker Mike Vrabel carved out a role as a situational tight end while he was here. He was used primarily inside the red zone and at the goal line. Many times he was a blocker for a running play or a decoy receiver to draw coverage from the defensive backs.
Now he is with the Kansas City Chiefs and resuming that role with former Pats QB Matt Cassell. During last Sunday's 26-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Vrabel caught a 1 yd TD pass from Cassell.
His career stats are truly impressive
11 catches
11 TD's, including two huge receptions in two different Super Bowls
Many tight ends can only dream of stats like this.
Former Pats linebacker Mike Vrabel carved out a role as a situational tight end while he was here. He was used primarily inside the red zone and at the goal line. Many times he was a blocker for a running play or a decoy receiver to draw coverage from the defensive backs.
Now he is with the Kansas City Chiefs and resuming that role with former Pats QB Matt Cassell. During last Sunday's 26-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Vrabel caught a 1 yd TD pass from Cassell.
His career stats are truly impressive
11 catches
11 TD's, including two huge receptions in two different Super Bowls
Many tight ends can only dream of stats like this.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Junior Arrives, Somebody Leaves
The Pats are expected to announce the signing of 40 year old LB Junior Seau. The move has been greeted with positive reviews, particularly for the leadership and mentoring skills that Seau will bring. It's uncertain how much playing time the 40 year old will get as he starts his 20th NFL season.
His arrival means that somebody on the 53 man roster must go. The easiest thing is for someone to develop an "injury" and be placed on season-ending Injured Reserve. If that's not the case, somebody will be cut.
One primary candidate is WR Joey Galloway who has been a healthy scratch the last two games. The Pats signed him in the off-season as a free agent . They might have to carry some "dead money" against their cap if they release him. Another choice is rookie LB Scot Lockett who was recently claimed after being released by Cleveland. Another possibility is OL Rich Ohrberger, a 4th round draft pick who could be moved to the practice squad.
No matter what happens, there will be a couple of players who will anxiously await the announcement by the team. A door closes, but may open another opportunity.
His arrival means that somebody on the 53 man roster must go. The easiest thing is for someone to develop an "injury" and be placed on season-ending Injured Reserve. If that's not the case, somebody will be cut.
One primary candidate is WR Joey Galloway who has been a healthy scratch the last two games. The Pats signed him in the off-season as a free agent . They might have to carry some "dead money" against their cap if they release him. Another choice is rookie LB Scot Lockett who was recently claimed after being released by Cleveland. Another possibility is OL Rich Ohrberger, a 4th round draft pick who could be moved to the practice squad.
No matter what happens, there will be a couple of players who will anxiously await the announcement by the team. A door closes, but may open another opportunity.
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