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Five Things to Watch This Week - Week 4

The Patriots play their fourth game of the year at Arrowhead Stadium against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday, September 29 at 8:30 PM.

The Patriots barely beat Oakland last week.  Yes.  Oakland.  I can't remember the last time a win felt that bad.  That was ugly.  Yuck.

The defense looks... decent.  Not the great defense we thought it would be going into the season.  But decent.  The offense... Yikes.

Game balls to Julian Edelman (again) and Vince Wilfork.  Wilfork might have better hands than Amendola at this point.  Have we tried Vince as a receiver yet?


Here's five things I'll be watching for this week:

1) Chandler Jones - It sure is nice to feel like we hit on a first round pick.  We need Jones to keep producing at this level.

2) The O-Line - Still struggling.  The Chiefs get after the quarterback.  Can we PLEASE keep Brady somewhat upright this week?  Can we call backsies on that Mankins trade?

3) Vince Wilfork - Wilfork is playing a little better each week.  Also, seeing Vince running with the ball always makes me smile.

4) Aaron Dobson - Is this the week he makes the active game day roster?  Maybe!  It looks like he's still stuck on 1 catch for the season.  I honestly feel like there's some talent there with this guy.  I hope they give him a chance.

5) Tyroil Smoochie-Wallace - Still looking for big plays all day long from Tyroil Smoochie-Wallace.


Did Michael Hoomanawanui have a catch last week?

No.

/sad trombone

Did Stevan Ridley fumble last week?

Nope.


My prediction: Pats 17, Chiefs 14

*****

This year, we're going to have regular contributions from Fake Bill Belichick for your reading pleasure.

We all got together and watched film of Raiders game as a team.  There was definitely some things we could improve upon.  Lot of work to do.  We need to play better as a team.

Then I had Gronk and Brady stick around afterwards for some additional film time.

I popped in the laserdisc of one of my favorite movies ever -- Jaws.

I wasn't on The Indianapolis... But my first coaching job was with the Colts.

(I also had a date with Lorraine Gary once... But that's another story...)

Tom had seen it.  Rob hadn't.

     Me: So why did I have you guys stay late with me and watch this movie?

     Tom: The shark is... the opposing defense?  That when the boat is sinking... we need to work together better?

     Me: Good.  Good.  What else?

     Rob: Oh man... You believe this?  They blew up the shark!

     Me: Well that, too.  But did you take anything else away from this?

     Rob: That I'm sure as hell never going in the ocean again.

     Me(sighing):  OK.  Also... Tom... Smile you son of a bitch.  Yeah?

     Tom: Yeah.

     Rob:  We got any of those air tank things in training room?  I'm going to blow up Edelman's Passat.


Then we compared leg injuries.

True story.

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