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Five Things to Watch This Week - Week 1

The Patriots play their first  game of the year at Joe Robbie Stadium Pro Player Park Pro Player Stadium Dolphin Stadium Dolphins Stadium Land Shark Stadium Sun Life Stadium against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday September 7th at 1:00 PM.

(Congratulations to the Dolphins for keeping the same stadium name 2 years in a row. Great job!)



Smoove.

Welcome back.

I'm going to be honest with you, Sports Fans... This is it.  We're approaching the end of the era this team as we know it.  The window isn't exactly closed on a certain Handsome Quarterback... But... it's getting tight.  There's this year... and maybe next year.  That's probably it.

Anything less than a Super Bowl this year is a disappointment.

The offense had a lot of momentum by the second half of last season.  The defense should be MUCH better.  My initial thought going into the preseason was that the defense was going to be SO GOOD that another meeting with Denver in the AFC Championship game was inevitable.

HOWEVER... Based on the number of flags thrown in the preseason, it looks like the NFL isn't going to let teams play defense this season.  So I don't know what to think.

Logan Power Rankings:

1) Mankins

2) Ted 'Theodore'

3) Ryan

4) berry

5) Thomas

11,996) 's Run

11,997) Airport


Here's five story lines I'll be watching closely this season:

1) Rob Gronkowski - Is there any chance he plays all 16 games this year?  Probably not.  But just once, I'd like to see him close to 100% for the playoffs.

2) Julian Edelman - He was the definite #1 guy the day I went to training camp.  Let's see if he can continue to meet our raised expectations.

3) Brandon LaFell  / Danny Amendola / Kenbrell Thompkins / Aaron Dobson / Josh Boyce - Can SOMEBODY from this group step up and contribute?  Just a little bit?  Please?

4) Stevan Ridley - Contract year for Ridley.  Don't drop the ball.

5) Shane Vereen - I'm rooting for this to be Vereen's breakout year.  I'm thinking he's THE GUY.


Are we going to keep beating the Michael Hoomanawanui jokes into the ground this season?

You know we are!



My prediction: Pats 27, Dolphins 21

*****

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


No wandering the desert this off season after losing in the AFC Championship game.  No pretending I wasn't sure if I still wanted to coach.

Of course I want to keep coaching this team.  Especially when we were so close.

You guys know how much I love to watch film.  I started watching the film of the playoff game against Denver right away.  Not good I tell you.

Then I took a break and spent a few hours watching film from my other film collection.   The Adrienne Barbeau films.

Ahhh.... That was the inspiration this team needed.  So we brought in Darrelle Revis.

He's the key to improving the defense this year.  Revis is gifted.  Revis is a physical specimen.  Revis oozes confidence.  Revis is smooth.


Just like a young Adrienne Barbeau.

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