Thursday Morning Third Down Back

Welcome back! After a full off-season of "When is my team going to make a big move?", Adam Schefter tweets: "Filed to ESPN: Washington traded DT Albert Haynesworth to the New England Patriots for a fifth-round pick in 2013. " My first reaction was... WHA?! Not a great guy, sure. But here's the thing though... What if this actually works out?  What if he shows up and plays? A fifth round pick in 2013 isn't much to give up.  And d-line is already a source of strength for the Patriots.  So if he acts up, he's gone. I'm sure conditioning is going to be a problem.  I can't imagine he kept himself in great shape during the lockout. Belichick is totally in the "Eff you, I'm Keith Hernandez" zone. Plus this trade gives me the excuse to run this video all season:

The Patriots play their first playoff game against the Jets at Gillette on Sunday, January 16th at 4:30 PM. I'm so ready for this game.  This is the playoffs, people ( PLAYOFFS?! ).  Let's all act like we've been here before. Did anyone actually watch the Jets - Colts game last week?  The Jets may have won, but Mark Sanchez looked GAWD AWFUL.  How deep can you really go in the playoffs with a guy like that? But you know what does scare me just a little?  The Jets running game.  We are thin thin thin along the defensive line.  If I was Rex Ryan... I would be into feet.  But I would also steal the Week 15 game plan from the Green Bay Packers and run the ball 120 times.  They came into Foxboro and ran the ball all over us. The other item from this week that everyone is flipping out about is Antonio Cromartie is blasting Tom Brady.  Really?  This is news?  This is the same guy that can't remember all his kids' names (unles...

The Patriots play their fifteenth regular season game on the road at The Ralph on Sunday December 26th at 1:00 PM and their final regular season game at home on Sunday January 2nd at 1:00 PM. Another great week of Patriots football... Just like I called it! Actually, the Packers played a really good game and exploited our weaknesses.  We were short on d-line help, and they went after that.  That was one of the better coaching jobs we've faced all year. But let's stay positive.  We're moving on.  We did just put up 31 points on the "best scoring defense" in football.  So there's that. 1) Devin McCourty  - McCourty for defensive rookie of the year.  He's a big part of the reason why the defense has been as good as it is.  And he should be even better next year. 2) Dan Connolly - Can we make him the permanent kick-off return guy ?  That was awesome.  3) Jerod Mayo - 181 tackles so far?  He's a beast. 4) Wes Welker - 83 ...

The Patriots play their fourteenth regular season game against the Packers at Gillette on Sunday, December 19th at 8:20 PM. I apologize.  I was waaay off last week.  I predicted the Pats would win 20 to 14 .  I really thought the elements would be more of a factor.  I thought the Bears would, you know, show up.  I'm very happy to report that I was wrong on all accounts. Six weeks ago I was talking with my buddy KC Masterpiece trying to figure out what was wrong with Brady (mechanics?  head not in the game?  bad haircut?).  The Pats had just got theyselves blowed out at Cleveland.    Things have turned out OK since then, huh?.  They've beaten the absolute iron of the NFL.  And they're not just winning.  They're CRUSHING teams.  How will the Patriots ever score with Randy Moss?!  Yeah, that one somehow worked out OK, too. You know what?  I'm calling my shot right now.  I don't think t...

The Patriots play their thirteenth regular season game on the road at Soldier Field on Sunday December 12th at 4:15 PM. Hey!  Wake up, readers!  There's another game this week.  Between all the Red Sox hysteria and afterglow from the Jets victory, it's a little too easy to forget that the Pats have to play again this Sunday. Ho hum.  Another AFC Offensive Player of the Week award for #12.  Tom Brady has been getting an awful lot of love from me lately, so we'll give him a break this week.  If he's not the league MVP, I'll be super pissed.  This week I'll let Dan Wetzel make the case for me . According to the Football Outsiders guys, the 2010 Patriots are so good offensively :      (T)hey are now close to surpassing their 2007 selves for the title of "greatest offense in DVOA history"  (Don't worry... "DVOA" isn't a dirty porn thing or anything like that...) OK.  Enough about the offense.  Let's give ...

The Patriots play their twelfth regular season game at Gillette on Monday, December 6th at 8:30 PM. In honor of the Patriots playing on Monday Night Football this week, we've brought in special guest columnist Jon Gruden. Thanks Pat!  Doesn't it seem like we've been waiting for this game FOR-EV-ERRR?  I know I've been looking forward to it.  I woke up at 4:00 AM this morning, I'm so excited for this game.  My wife made me go downstairs.  I like to pop in my DVD of "The Incredibles" when I get this excited.  It helps calm me down.  I really like that Syndrome guy. Here's five things I'll be watching for this week. 1) Tom Brady - You want to talk about a guy having an MVP caliber season?  WATCH THIS GUY RIGHT HERE.  The Patriots are only going to go as far as Number 12 takes them, and right now his back is looking pretty strong.  Can he pick up the blitz and get rid of the ball against the best defenses in the NFL?  YOU ...

The Patriots play their eleventh regular season game on the road against the Detroit Lions on Thursday November 25th at 12:30 PM. I'm feeling pretty thankful this year.  We're 8 and 2.  How are we 8 and 2?!   Holy crap.  I'll take it. Last week was great.  I've still got a buzz from that win.  Sweet, sweet Manning tears. Here's five things I'm thankful for this year: 1)  Tom Brady - The Best Quarterback we've ever had. 2)  Bill Belichick - The Best Coach we've ever had.  Maybe the best coach ever.  You think I'm being a little generous in my praise?  Brady and Belichick are 119 and 36 together.  Bill Walsh and Joe Montana were 114 and 44.  So... yeah... They're really THAT good. 3)  A Surprisingly Frisky Running Game - I've been on board the BenJarvus Green-Ellis train as long as I can remember.  And I can't tell you how many times I shouted "Woodhead!" last week (some of them were even while watching...