Re: Patriots Fans
 

I don't think the owners want to open their books and that is a big contention issue. It will show how poorly managed many teams are and how the owners have been "stealing" off the top.

I think the other issues can be worked out.

Re: Patriots Fans
 

The CFL starts June 30th!! It's an option:sh

Re: Patriots Fans
 

:r :r

Re: Patriots Fans
 

There's a lot of crappy MNF games this year. Further, teams like the Jaguars get not only one, but TWO games on MNF this year. What gives?

Re: Patriots Fans
 

Drew Bledsoe nominated for the Pats hall of fame.
Absolutely, he is the guy that Parcells drafted that turned a sorry franchise around:tu
Drew was very very good, to bad he would not put the work in to become one of great ones.

Re: Patriots Fans
 

I thought it was Mo Lewis who turned the Patriots franchise around...;)
Are they going to dedicate a statue in his honor, or are they just going to have him emulate his pocket awareness and stand on the pedestal himself?

Re: Patriots Fans
 

Ha, ha, don't forget when Brady got hurt in the 2001
conference championship game and Drew came in to win the game. :D

Re: Patriots Fans
 

Yeah, he marched them right down the field for a touchdown right before the end of the first half. Can't remember exactly, wasn't it against the Steelers?

Re: Patriots Fans
 

Yep Steelers. :noon

Re: Patriots Fans
 

:tu Bledsoe rocked. One of the best arms of his era. Not much bad to say. He played in two Super Bowl seasons; not many other QB's can say that.

Re: Patriots Fans
 

I go back to when the Patriots were founded and no doubt that Drew was critical to the current success of the team but I have to vote for Antwine, he was just amazing to watch. I could never support Parcells after he sold the team out while attending a Super Bowl with the Patriots in attendance.

Re: Patriots Fans
 

Bledsoe will always be my favorite Pats player. As many said, this franchise was a joke before he came here. Granted, Parcells had a lot to do with it too. He might not have been a mobile qb but man coul he sling the ball. He gets too much crap for not being able to move around but I could think of a bunch of others that were exactly like that but people praise them. Imagine if Parcells chose Mirrer :r

Re: Patriots Fans
 

People forget that when Bledsoe got hurt so badly taking that hit on the sidelines, we all thought that the season was over because the team was about to be turned over to an unproven career second stringer named Brady.. we all moaned and groaned and cursed our and Bledsoe's bad luck.

No doubt he was key in turning the franchise around. I'd like to see Brady help induct him into the Pats hall of fame.

Re: Patriots Fans
 

I think that I was the only person to have made money on betting on Brady that first game!!

Anyway, Bledsoe was a great pocket QB, his downside the NFL was starting to be more mobile right in the middle of Bledsoe's carreer and he did not change. If he was around about 5-6 years earlier he'd be one of the greatest QBs in the league.

Re: Patriots Fans
 

Finally a new season to think about. Thanks Mr Kraft for your hard work on the labor deal during your time of grief. A real class act!
Onto football:

I wondering:
Who will be our left tackle?
What kind of a pass rush will we have, (goodby Telly Banta-Cane)
Are the two rookie running backs any good?
Will we do the right thing and sign Logan Mankins to a long term deal, (Mr Kraft?)
Who will be the surprise free agent pick up to make the squad, or will that happen given the new practice/work rules?
Can Leigh Bodden regain his prior form?
Can McCourty avoid the sophomore slump? Ditto the two tight ends.
How much will Wilfork weigh with no mandated off season workouts?

All in all, it's nice not to think about labor deals and just think about the game. Hey, everyone in the NFL is unbeatten and the Red Sox are in first place. Ain't life grand!:)

Re: Patriots Fans
 

Uh, did the Patriots really just trade for Albert Haynesworth? :rolleyes:

I can hear the talking heads now, "if anyone can whip him into shape it's Belichick." Honestly, I think it's a LOT more likely that NO ONE can whip Haynesworth into shape. I heard them say the same thing about Shanahan and look how well that worked out. I wouldn't mind being proven wrong, but I think it ain't gonna happen.

(In the interest of full disclosure, I'm not a Pats fan.)

Re: Patriots Fans
 

As a Redskins fan, all I can say is: :tu:tu

:lr :lr

Re: Patriots Fans
 

I have a feeling he'll play for Belichick. Two big examples of "malcontents" that thrived with the Pats...Corey Dillon and Randy Moss. Playing for a coach who truly KNOWS how to win can make a player change some habits and buy into a system. shanahan won on the coattails of John Elway and Terrell Davis. He hasn't done anything in Wash, and after Elway was gone, he didn't do much in Denver.

I think he might have looked better in Purple, playing next to Kevin Williams, though. :p

Re: Patriots Fans
 

I thought he'd play for Shanahan. That's all I'm sayin'. Admittedly, Shanahan has seemed to veer toward 'crazy old man' town lately...

Re: Patriots Fans
 

The Pats generally run a base 3-4, and my guess is they use Haynesworth only when they flex to their 4-3 package.

Re: Patriots Fans
 

Clear the streets, and lock up your women :r

Re: Patriots Fans
 

Ochocinco,what the hell is going on in Foxboro?
I always liked him but his skills are greatly diminished.
At least he is a fun guy to have around,I don't think his clown act will fly? :sl

Re: Patriots Fans
 

Ochocinco - good move -- yes his skills are diminished, but he can still get open, he's not afraid to go over the middle, (ala Randy Moss), he plays every down, he's a good club house guy and he'll be lots of fun. Plus he didn't cost much.
Hainsworth, I don't know... He is one screwed up dude. IF Belicheck can get him to play and be a solid citizen off the field the Pats will have made the deal of the year -when he wants to be this guy is a pass rushing monster. If not, he will be cut and the Pats have not really lost anything except some wasted time in practice.
Ain't it great to have football to discuss again.

Re: Patriots Fans
 

All those three are laughable. He hates running across the middle, runs some of the worst routes in the NFL and takes plays off all the time. Lest you forget he is a 'look at me' guy, not exactly a good guy in the locker room with their current regime. :r

Re: Patriots Fans
 

I have big expectation of 85. The whole world is watching and he's getting to play with the best. This could be his last & best opportunity to show the world he can be that good.

Re: Patriots Fans
 

This is just like Christmas in July. I think that every year should be like this last week!!!
So, Banta-Cann=gone, Crumple=gone, and Ty Warren=gone? WOW, This is getting crazy!!! I can see Crumple, Banta-Cann.... ok he's getting up there (although I just love saying his name when he makes a play!!) but Warren? Never say him just to get cut!! Why in the world wouldn't we go after someone for him instead of just cutting him? He's going to be missed, do we really think that Haynsworth is going to step it up that much?

Re: Patriots Fans
 

If don't run routes the way Brady wants him to he will be gone in a heart beat? A tip off will be if Tom gets in his face like he did with Gallolway.

Re: Patriots Fans
 

It happened on a number of occasions with Palmer in Cincinnati, but clearly Mike Brown and Marvin Lewis didn't care. :rolleyes:

Re: Patriots Fans
 

I don't know if it's true, but I heard on WEEI today that because of the new CBA it may make sense to cut players then rehire them later at a discount price. The idea being let them get healthy on their own dime and then save money later. Also if the Patriots thought they could get something for him they would.

I don't know what goes on in Bill's head, but I'd sure love to know.

Re: Patriots Fans
 

The fact is: Just when you think that you do know, he throws something more drastic than a curve ball at ya!!! But I guess that's why we love the guy:banger

Re: Patriots Fans
 

I think that Banta-Cane, Crumple and Warren are ALL simple salary cap moves. If they are willing to come back at a lower price, Bill will rehire, if not, he feels that their on field worth has diminshed below their current salary cap number. This is not news, Bill has consistently done this over the years and every training camp there are moans and groans about him letting go of this or that "great" player. In virtually every case the players in question never again reach the level of play that they were at before and the substitute goes on to make us forget who was let go. Yes, there are exceptions, (Seymore and Ty Law come to mind). But, and this is a BIG but, they have to live within the salary cap. Look at a franchise like Oakland to see what you get when you sign guys to big contracts based upon past glory, but who are past there prime. Bill's way is better. Hey, lots of times I don't understand him either. But he is a far better judge of the true worth of a player than me, so I bow to his judgement. (Note, BTW, that he just re-signed Matt Light for two years).

Re: Patriots Fans
 

This actually suprised me more after letting go people like Warren. Light to me is over rated at what he does. Yes he makes a few key plays than lets the easiest plays go by him.
But I guess this is why I am not a coach

Re: Patriots Fans
 

Pats are really stocking up with big D linemen just signing Shaun Ellis, about time no pass rush has killed us.
I hope a few of them have something left in the tank?

Re: Patriots Fans
 

It was a fun preseason game Thursday night. Tough to judge just how good this team is as most of the starters did not play and I think the competition (Jacksonville) was suspect, but a few thoughts:
* I liked the rookie running back Ridley, good speed, good balance and willing to stick his nose in the line and not dance.
*Dane Fletcher had a great night at LB. Maybe some competition there?
*Nice to see Gostkowski back in uniform and kicking well.
*Solder looked solid at left tackle, but with Light re-signed, I expect he will see limited action this season
*Both QB's looked good, though Mallett was up against the last string for the Jags. I wonder if Bill will keep 3 QB's on the roster?
*Taylor Price looked real good at wide receiver, he was essentially red-shirted last year and could be a real break-out guy this year, especially once TB is throwing to him.
*If the Jags can be considered viable competition, it looks like the Pats have great depth, I'm sure a lot of their eventual castoffs will find jobs elsewhere at cut time.

Next up Tampa Bay, I expect the starters WILL see some playing time in the first quarter of this one.

Re: Patriots Fans
 

This team will be very tough to beat,we will now have a pass rush :D
If the Pats had one the last three years we could of had two more Super Bowl appearances :banger

Re: Patriots Fans
 

Yep :tpd:

Re: Patriots Fans
 

It does appear that the Pats have made some noteworthy additions, hope that the additons pay off for the team.:tu

Re: Patriots Fans
 

Playoff record 2001-2006: 12-2
Playoff record 2007-Present: 2-3

Unless that pass rush comes with some A/V equipment, you might be overreaching just a tad.

Re: Patriots Fans
 

I see the Pats tearing up the NFL this season all the way to the Super Bowl.:D
Chad is a weak link and he knows it,he don't have much time to get his act together or he will be on the bench.
“It’s like a machine out there and I’m that one part that’s not up with anybody else,” Ocho admitted. “I got a long way to go, personally.”

Re: Patriots Fans
 

Yup, 85 better learn some plays and execute them. He showed he has the hands; now it is time to learn Patriots football.

Re: Patriots Fans
 

If 85 doesn't learn the playbook to Belicheck's satisfaction- he will ride the bench and Taylor Price will get every opportunity to prove himself.

BTW.... I wonder if Hayneworth and Sean Ellis will play this week?

Re: Patriots Fans
 

Nice game by T Brady and the Offense last night, absolutely LOVED Welker's 99 1/2 yard catch and run. Unfortunately #85 was largely absent ...the jury is still out on him as far as I'm concerned. But, the tight ends played well, as did D Branch and B Tate, when in there. Kudos to Solder too, he generally did a good job on the O line. - Too bad about Koppen, he reportedly has a broken foot, he'll be missed.

Now as the the much advertised revamped Defense .. I guess the best we can say is that it's a work in progress. They did get 4 sacks, but the pressure was spotty and they made Henne look like a much better QB than he really is. Hopefully they can work out some of the kinks.

Next up San Diego.

Re: Patriots Fans
 

Defense neeeds work. We can't go another all offense season and expect different results in the end.

Re: Patriots Fans
 

Nice win vs San Diego but I'm STILL concerned about the defense. It was nice to see V Wilfork get the INT, but I'd rather see him and his line mates consistently rushing the passer and geting in the QB's face.
Most expected the shootout that this game was, it will be interesting to see how the defense fares vs newly rejuvenated Buffalo.

Re: Patriots Fans
 

Congrats to Buffalo- you deserved this one.
Well now we know what happens when Tom is NOT the Player of the week -Pats Lose.
4 interceptions were bad, (though I thought 2 of them were not Tom's fault), but the defense just plain stunk. Brady's heroics covered for them the first two weeks, not this week. If the Defense doesn't step up to the plate vs. Oakland we'll be at 500 and sinking like the Red Sox.

On the positive side:
Kudos to:
Welker, (what a joy to watch him play)
Gronkowski - (simply a BEAST)
The Offensive line-they did real good, interceptions were NOT because of QB pressure

We better score 38 next week because the Raiders will against this Defense

Re: Patriots Fans
 

I never wished for a competitor's play to be ruled a touchdown more than last Sunday. I had a feeling the Bill would beat us. 3-0; they are a team to watch!

Re: Patriots Fans
 

Don't get me wrong I love the Pats.
BUT they don't have the defense right now to get it through the playoffs I know it's early in the season but they don't have it.
They can gun sling with the best of them but they can not stop anyone right now.

Re: Patriots Fans
 

Defense is certainly going to be the Achilles heel for the Pats. I'm a Bills season ticket holder, the Pats D-line wasn't generating much push and just like the Bills, it looks like the Pats secondary is suspect. The Pats are starting to look like the Colts have for most of Manning's time there.... Great offense trying to outscore the other team. That said, Brady is still an incredible player and more times than not, they will win that shootout.

Re: Patriots Fans
 

Not a lot of passing goes on at Foxborough in December, and three of their last five games are there with the other two being @ Denver and @ Washington.

Re: Patriots Fans
 

Good win over the Raiders. Special thanks to R Seymore who was so intent on showing up his old team that twice he single handedly allowed the Pats to continue their first drive via dumb penalties to a go ahead touchdown. Once ahead the Pats never looked back.

Kudos to:
Welker: can't say enough about him- he his redefining the position of slot receiver.
Wilfork, ANOTHER pick- go Vince
O line- Overall good job on both pass and run blocking
Brady- he protected the ball after the 4 INT's last week
Offensive scheme: Hey we found a running game! Maybe taking a bit longer to score and keeping the defense off the field is somthing the coaching staff should think about more for the future. Good jobs by B-J Green-Ellis and S Ridley.

Concerns:
Defense - Not even Tom and company can score 30 + points EVERY week. If this unit doesn't play better, all the fancy offensive stats will go for naught
Mayo hurt- this suspect defense can ill aford to lose him for any length of time

Now the hype begins- bring on the Jets