Thursday Morning Third Down Back

And then there's this: “I think they’re going to be so far ahead that people are going to say, ‘Oh, ho-hum, [Manning] played a good game, they won by two scores, the Colts won their second championship,’ ’’ Dungy told The New York Times. “He is going to have those rings Sunday night. I don’t think it’s going to be close. Great job, Tony. If the Pats went to the Super Bowl after Belichick left the team, everyone would be killing him. But nobody ever says a negative word about Dungy. Complete bullshit.

Still not over last Sunday's loss.  To paraphrase the great philosopher Emmitt Smith, "We just got debacle'd". Julian Edelman and Kevin Faulk showed up.  That's about it. Here's what I'd like to see this offseason:   - Get "tougher" on defense (both physically and mentally).  And a pass rush would be nice.   - Resign Vince Wilfork.  Let Matt Light go.   - New offensive coordinator. Bill O'Brien just isn't getting the job done.  There's no creativity there.  I could have called a better game last Sunday.  Even Brady didn't seem comfortable with the plays being called most of the season.   - I'm guessing Welker will be out next season.  I'd like to see them draft at least 2 WRs. The good news?  We have 4 of the top 53 picks in the next draft. (The bad news is that we'll probably be trading those for picks in 2013...)

Playoff Football!  Playoff Football!  Playoff Football! It's Wild Card Weekend.  The Patriots host the Baltimore Ravens Sunday January 10th at Gillette Stadium at 1:00 PM.  Thanks for coming along for the ride with me this season. I'll save the negative comments for next week.  I just don't see us losing a home playoff game (Unless Baltimore brings Avon Barksdale and Stringer Bell) (Anyone else think Avon looks like Kevin Faulk ?). Just THREE things to watch this week.  We'll keep it simple. Running Game - Here's the gameplan I'd like to see:  run, run, run, play-action deep to The Moss.  Boom.  Hopefully, we'll see a lot of Taylor, Faulk and Morris (and maybe some Maroney).  Baltimore's secondary is it's weakness.  Let's set 'em up then kill 'em. D-Line - If Vince Wilfork and Ty Warren play, we're in good shape.  If not, we're boned. Stephen Gostkowski - Will the game come down to Gostkowki's big leg?  Maybe! ...

The Patriots play their sixteenth and final regular season game on the road against Houston on Sunday January 3rd at Reliant Stadium. Convincing win last week.  Just in time to get my hopes up for the playoffs.  Are we healthy?  Are we a dominant team?  Are we a second-tier team?  I have no idea.  But I like our coach.  And I like our QB.  So I guess we'll take that and roll the dice. League rankings: Points scored - 7th.  Points allowed - 4th.  Huh... That sounds like a pretty good team actually.  I'm not saying they'll win it all, but they still could be dangerous. Do I like idea of having to go to San Diego AND Indy?  Absolutely not.  But neither one of them is unbeatable. Unfortunately, this game against the Texans this week barely matters.  Here's what I'll be watching for this week: Brian Hoyer -  Let's give Tom a break this week. Sammy Morris -  Heck of a week last week.  Let's see i...

Up Tom Brady Sammy Morris Brandon Meriweather Wes Welker Randy Moss Down The Mannings!  Sweet, sweet Manning tears.  I love it.

By Patty O'Tool The Patriots play their fifteenth regular season game at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday December 27th at 1:00 PM at Gillette Stadium.  A win here and we own the AFC East. Anyone else sad about football season being almost over already?  Where does the time go? Here's what I'll be watching for this week: Tom Brady - He's still hurting.  Shoulder, finger and ribs.  And I'm sure the cold isn't helping the knee.  This doesn't bode well for January. Ben Watson - Will we see him this week?  Maybe! Fred Taylor - He's been a great interview as team spokesman this year.  I hope he comes back next year.  What?  When are we going to see him on the field ?  He's supposed to PLAY, too?  Oh. Vince Wilfork - Speaking of "players I hope come back next year", if I'm Vince's agent (and I've been lobbying hard, but he doesn't seem to return my calls), I sit down at the negotiating table and show...

by Just a Guy on a Couch I'm just a guy on a couch but . . .  . . . if not for the complete ineptitude of the Buffalo Bills, the Pats lose this game.  Stupid offsides penalties, defensive pass interference, dropped passes by open receivers and a BIIIIIG offsides on the successful onsides kick.  . . . more poor tackling by the Patriots defense means a quick exit from the playoffs on the horizon.  I'm beginning to think these guys sweat mayonnaise or Vaseline or something.  . . . I know Buffalo ranks dead last in the NFL in run defense but still, it's nice to see Maroney running like he has.  Bad run D or not, he was putting a ton of effort into his runs.  . . . Mike Wright showed up to play today, and it's a good thing.  Sacks, QB pressures, and making tackles 15 yards down field.  . . . nice adjustment by Pees after Buffalo's first drive.  Having the defensive front out of their stances really seemed to be effective in forci...