After Tom Brady was lost for the season during the first game of 2008, the team was able to finish with a record of 11-5. Although they missed the playoffs through a fluke in the system, the team was competitive throughout the season.
It's a different story this season for the Indianapolis Colts who come into Foxborough with a record of 0-11 without Peyton Manning. Throughout this decade, a game with the Colts was a marquis match-up. It was slated for Sunday night, but NBC bumped it to 1pm as the Colts began to implode early.
It remains to be seen if Manning ever plays again. It's hard to believe what has happened to his team. The defense certainly has their issues.
The game opened up with a Las Vegas line of 21. That is unheard of. I expect it to be a competitive game.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Julian Arrives
Julian Edelman had a remarkable game yesterday. To think that he was a 7th round draft pick as a QB and then changed to WR and special team player. Now he plays defensive back.
I'm sure he will grade very well with the "coaches film" of the game. He made a bunch of tackles and helped stop QB Vince Young one yard short of the goal line. He played so well in the Pat's defense.
Is he the future in the defense?
I'm sure he will grade very well with the "coaches film" of the game. He made a bunch of tackles and helped stop QB Vince Young one yard short of the goal line. He played so well in the Pat's defense.
Is he the future in the defense?
Sunday, November 27, 2011
The Issue of Suh
The NFL is very self-conscious of its image. They have been cracking down on the behavior of players off the field. They have also issued fines on illegal hits made during the game.
Fans will be watching how they deal with Detroit Lion DL Nadamukong Suh after he stomped on an opponent during the game with Green Bay on Thanksgiving Day. Suh made it worse by not apologizing after the game during his press conference.
Suh was ejected after the play and faces a one or two game suspension. The league needs to take a send a message and and suspend Suh.
The game is violent enough without more things happening after the whistle is blown.
Fans will be watching how they deal with Detroit Lion DL Nadamukong Suh after he stomped on an opponent during the game with Green Bay on Thanksgiving Day. Suh made it worse by not apologizing after the game during his press conference.
Suh was ejected after the play and faces a one or two game suspension. The league needs to take a send a message and and suspend Suh.
The game is violent enough without more things happening after the whistle is blown.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Rex Playing Games
Jets coach Rex Ryan can always be counted on to say something outrageous. It doesn't matter if it's directed at his opponent or his own team.
He is resisting calls from people who are down on QB Mark Sanchez and want to bench him. Instead, he has taken a very public approach by saying Sanchez is his QB as long as he is here. On the other hand, he acknowledges that back-up QB Marb Brunell has been taken more snaps with the first team offense.
Ryan said he is using this tactic to motivate Sanchez. If that's the case, why is he being so public with it? Most coaches would keep it between himself and the player.
It doesn't make much sense as the team prepares for their game against the Buffalo Bills. If Sanchez is the starter, why doesn't he take all of the snaps with the first team? How is this going to motivate Sanchez if he knows that the coach is just playing mind games with him?
If Coach Ryan is that serious about lighting a fire under Sanchez why not bench him for a game? Otherwise, this whole situation looks foolish.
He is resisting calls from people who are down on QB Mark Sanchez and want to bench him. Instead, he has taken a very public approach by saying Sanchez is his QB as long as he is here. On the other hand, he acknowledges that back-up QB Marb Brunell has been taken more snaps with the first team offense.
Ryan said he is using this tactic to motivate Sanchez. If that's the case, why is he being so public with it? Most coaches would keep it between himself and the player.
It doesn't make much sense as the team prepares for their game against the Buffalo Bills. If Sanchez is the starter, why doesn't he take all of the snaps with the first team? How is this going to motivate Sanchez if he knows that the coach is just playing mind games with him?
If Coach Ryan is that serious about lighting a fire under Sanchez why not bench him for a game? Otherwise, this whole situation looks foolish.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Hello NIKE
NFL teams have so much great apparel. I love my classic red hooded sweatshirt with Pat Patriot. Now I have the replica hoodie that Coach Belichick wears. I didn't cut the sleeves. At $75 for this thing, I thought it would be best to wear it like a normal person.
It's interesting to note that NIKE will be the provider of all NFL uniforms and apparel in the 2012 season. Reebok is being thrown to the side after so many years. All of their apparel will now be collector's items, I guess.
Coach Belichick was questioned about this and whether NIKE would have a hoodie for him. That's a no brainer. I'm sure they will have several designs.
It's all about the money in the end. NIKE gave a better deal than Reebok.
It's interesting to note that NIKE will be the provider of all NFL uniforms and apparel in the 2012 season. Reebok is being thrown to the side after so many years. All of their apparel will now be collector's items, I guess.
Coach Belichick was questioned about this and whether NIKE would have a hoodie for him. That's a no brainer. I'm sure they will have several designs.
It's all about the money in the end. NIKE gave a better deal than Reebok.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Another One To IR
Concussions strike players with equal opportunity. How the team deals with the roster spot is another story depending on the time of the season and who the player is.
LB Jeff Tarpinian suffered a head injury (a nicer way for the team to say concussion) and was placed on season ending IR. His journey to the NFL was a good story after being signed as an undrafted free agent out of Iowa.
He survived until the final cut in training camp when the team released him on Sept 12th. They thought enough of him to add him to their practice squad two days later. On Sept 24th he was signed to the 53 man roster.
He played in seven games, including one start. He missed the last two games which must have made the team realize that it was time to move on without him.
LB Jeff Tarpinian suffered a head injury (a nicer way for the team to say concussion) and was placed on season ending IR. His journey to the NFL was a good story after being signed as an undrafted free agent out of Iowa.
He survived until the final cut in training camp when the team released him on Sept 12th. They thought enough of him to add him to their practice squad two days later. On Sept 24th he was signed to the 53 man roster.
He played in seven games, including one start. He missed the last two games which must have made the team realize that it was time to move on without him.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
27 Years Ago Today
It's hard to believe that today is the 27 year anniversary of Doug Flutie's famous "Hail Mary" pass to Gerard Phelan on the last play of the game between Boston College and the University of Miami.
The play is often considered one of the greatest in college football history. It resulted in a 47-45 win over the defending national championship team. Miami was ranked #12 and BC was #10 and Cotton Bowl bound.
Flutie was able to throw the ball from his own 37 yard line over a distance of 63 yards into the arms of Phelan in the end zone. Flutie ended with 4 TD's and 472 yards on the day. He became the first college QB to pass for 10,000 career yards.
Miami QB Bernie Kosar threw for a school record of 447 yards. He would go on to have a successful career with the Cleveland Browns until it was derailed by the arrival of rookie head coach Bill Belichick.
The play is often considered one of the greatest in college football history. It resulted in a 47-45 win over the defending national championship team. Miami was ranked #12 and BC was #10 and Cotton Bowl bound.
Flutie was able to throw the ball from his own 37 yard line over a distance of 63 yards into the arms of Phelan in the end zone. Flutie ended with 4 TD's and 472 yards on the day. He became the first college QB to pass for 10,000 career yards.
Miami QB Bernie Kosar threw for a school record of 447 yards. He would go on to have a successful career with the Cleveland Browns until it was derailed by the arrival of rookie head coach Bill Belichick.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
The Violent Game
Television networks do an extraordinary job in broadcasting NFL games. The experience you get while watching the screen is a product of today's technology.
I go to one game a year. I went last night to see the Pats beat the Kansas City Chiefs 31-3. I have been to about 40 games over the years. I enjoyed very one of them in the old stadium and Gillette. My friend's seats were very close to the field.
The speed of the game is amazing with the violent hits on the players in all three phases of the game. There are so many train collisions on kickoffs and punt coverage. It's so easy to see why players can't play a full season. Television seems to "sanitize" the extreme physical nature of the game, but seeing it in person makes you realize how brutal this game is.
The game is all about stopping the quarterback or whoever has the ball in their hands. The game has always been physical and violent, but the size and speed of the players today take it to another level where physical trauma is the norm.
Tom Brady took some tough hits while in the pocket or just moving around. To see him upended off his feet while running makes you realize that everyone is one play away from ending their career.
I go to one game a year. I went last night to see the Pats beat the Kansas City Chiefs 31-3. I have been to about 40 games over the years. I enjoyed very one of them in the old stadium and Gillette. My friend's seats were very close to the field.
The speed of the game is amazing with the violent hits on the players in all three phases of the game. There are so many train collisions on kickoffs and punt coverage. It's so easy to see why players can't play a full season. Television seems to "sanitize" the extreme physical nature of the game, but seeing it in person makes you realize how brutal this game is.
The game is all about stopping the quarterback or whoever has the ball in their hands. The game has always been physical and violent, but the size and speed of the players today take it to another level where physical trauma is the norm.
Tom Brady took some tough hits while in the pocket or just moving around. To see him upended off his feet while running makes you realize that everyone is one play away from ending their career.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Only One Out of It
At this point of the season, a team with a record of 10-6 should make the playoffs either with a Division title of Wild Card. The parity in the league is so noticeable when you look at the standings.
As of this week, only Indianapolis is totally out of it with their 0-10 record. Carolina, Minnesota and St Louis are on the brink of elimination with their 2-8 record. Every week will shave a couple of teams from the group.
Hopefully, the league doesn't have any teams with 7-9 records making the playoffs like Seattle did last year.
As of this week, only Indianapolis is totally out of it with their 0-10 record. Carolina, Minnesota and St Louis are on the brink of elimination with their 2-8 record. Every week will shave a couple of teams from the group.
Hopefully, the league doesn't have any teams with 7-9 records making the playoffs like Seattle did last year.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Who Is Starting?
Pats fans have been spoiled by the success of the team. Callers on sports talk shows whine that the team has not won a Super Bowl since 2004. They say Tom Brady is wasting his best years and that Coach Belichick is not the genius that everyone claims.
How would you like to be a Miami Dolphins fan? Their instability at quarterback was mentioned during their win over the Bills today. One of the announcers mentioned that 14 different players have started at quarterback for the Dolphins since 2004. I found this hard to believe,but I saw the list on-line.
Knowing every player on the list would be a challenge for any Dolphin fan. It's hard to believe, but here is the list since 2004;Chad Henne, Matt Moore, Chad Pennington, Tyler Thigpen, Cleo Lemon, Trent Green, John Beck, Joey Harrington, Dante Culpepper, Cleo Lemon, Gus Ferotte, Sage Rosenfels, A.J. Feeley and Jay Fieldler.
Meanwhile #12, has stated every game except for the 15 in 2008 when he got injured in the first game of the season. There is a lot to be said about stability at that position.
How would you like to be a Miami Dolphins fan? Their instability at quarterback was mentioned during their win over the Bills today. One of the announcers mentioned that 14 different players have started at quarterback for the Dolphins since 2004. I found this hard to believe,but I saw the list on-line.
Knowing every player on the list would be a challenge for any Dolphin fan. It's hard to believe, but here is the list since 2004;Chad Henne, Matt Moore, Chad Pennington, Tyler Thigpen, Cleo Lemon, Trent Green, John Beck, Joey Harrington, Dante Culpepper, Cleo Lemon, Gus Ferotte, Sage Rosenfels, A.J. Feeley and Jay Fieldler.
Meanwhile #12, has stated every game except for the 15 in 2008 when he got injured in the first game of the season. There is a lot to be said about stability at that position.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
A New #54
The NFL is like one big extended family. Players change teams so often that their opponents become their future team mates and vice versa.
OL Brian Waters was a great signing after the labor issue was settled. He played his entire 11 year career with the Kansas City Chiefs. He chose number 54, previously worn by Tedy Bruschi.
During an interview, Waters talked about meeting Bruschi at the pro Bowl in 2004. He asked Bruschi all about the New England experience. He said it helped him to sign with the Pats.
Ironically, that game would be the final one Bruschi would play before he suffered his stroke a few days later.
OL Brian Waters was a great signing after the labor issue was settled. He played his entire 11 year career with the Kansas City Chiefs. He chose number 54, previously worn by Tedy Bruschi.
During an interview, Waters talked about meeting Bruschi at the pro Bowl in 2004. He asked Bruschi all about the New England experience. He said it helped him to sign with the Pats.
Ironically, that game would be the final one Bruschi would play before he suffered his stroke a few days later.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Playing Hurt
After 10 weeks of the season NFL teams have been decimated by injuries. The plan was to make the game safer, but the Pats had 14 players that missed parts of practice today because they were in the trainer's room.
Jim Leonhard of the Jets was openly critical of the league by having his team play the Pats on Sunday night and then fly across country to play the Broncos last night.
The schedule doesn't help with injuries, but two games in five days is a recipe for disaster. That is not a good example of trying to make the game safer.
It's going to get worse with another eight games to go. It's a miracle for a player to make it through the season with out getting hurt or missing games.
Jim Leonhard of the Jets was openly critical of the league by having his team play the Pats on Sunday night and then fly across country to play the Broncos last night.
The schedule doesn't help with injuries, but two games in five days is a recipe for disaster. That is not a good example of trying to make the game safer.
It's going to get worse with another eight games to go. It's a miracle for a player to make it through the season with out getting hurt or missing games.
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