Open Thread: New England Patriots @ Tennessee Titans, Week 17

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 12:50 PM EST in New England Patriots News

In addition to those I mentioned in the preview (Ben Watson, Vince Wilfork, Kevin Faulk, Bam Childress and Chad Scott), offensive linemen Gene Mruczkowski and Wesley Britt are inactive for today's game. That means more pressure and less rest on the rest of the offensive linemen.

Vinnie Testeverde is the 3rd (emergency) quarterback, so it looks like Tom Brady will start. How long he'll play and when we'll see Matt Cassel is anybody's guess. I still think we'll see Testeverde for more than just kneel-downs.

This game isn't meaningless, but it's far from gravely important. So sit back and enjoy it.

And Go PATRIOTS!!

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Pac-Man sound effects

If we have to hear this all day, I think I'll lose my mind.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 1:06 PM EST reply actions

Nice Bledsoe-like throw by Vince Young

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 1:12 PM EST reply actions

Looks like they're playing in Gillette in October

That field is a wreck. How come you don't hear everyone whining about Tennessee's field? At least you can grow grass there.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 1:23 PM EST reply actions

I guess Tony

Dungy hasn't complained about it.

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 1:27 PM EST up reply actions

That's hard to believe ...

... since Tennessee beat them a few weeks ago. I guess Dungy didn't think the Titans were a threat .. or that he didn't think Indy would collapse (again).

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 1:31 PM EST up reply actions

Great run by Corey Dillon

He actually outran a couple guys too.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 1:24 PM EST reply actions

And the flags start flying

No surprise there. The good news is they actually called the holding .. and no surprise, that's why Henry got through the line.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 1:35 PM EST reply actions

Randy Cross

calls last weeks shot on Brady a "spear".

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 1:41 PM EST reply actions

As does EVERYONE (except the league)

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 1:42 PM EST up reply actions

Dillon is having a GREAT game already!

What a couple great back-to-back plays. Nifty moves to pick up the first down and then some bruising combined with finesse for the touchdown.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 1:42 PM EST reply actions

Blocked extra point

Somehow reminds me of Gillette again.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 1:43 PM EST reply actions

Gotta love that defense!

Jarvis Green with the big play again.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 1:46 PM EST reply actions

A nice move by Maroney too .. picks up first down

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 1:49 PM EST reply actions

last week

jones-drew was the rookie of the year and this week he isn't even mentioned as a candidate.

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 1:49 PM EST reply actions

Jones-Who?

A lot of players seem to be This- or That-of-the-Year during CBS's Patriots broadcasts. I wonder why that is?

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 1:52 PM EST up reply actions

Teams that need to win

Tennessee needs to win to keep playoff hopes alive? Dallas (losing 13-0 to Detroit) is trying to win their division? They don't play like it.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 1:51 PM EST reply actions

never

heard this rule before

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 1:53 PM EST reply actions

I've heard it before ..but rarely noticed/enforced

I'll give Hochuli's crew credit. They do tend to catch everything, and I mean EVERYTHING. It's a double-edged sword. But if they're going to call illegal substitution, they should do something about Fisher being halfway out on the field.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 1:56 PM EST up reply actions

Why is Fisher out at the hashmark?

Why doesn't Indy have to give defenses time to make substitutions?

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 1:53 PM EST reply actions

isn't that

the point of running the hurry-up offense?

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 1:55 PM EST up reply actions

Only if you're Poster Boy

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 1:56 PM EST up reply actions

what a cheap shot

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 2:00 PM EST reply actions

Typical of the Albert Haynesworth Titans

I'm surprised he didn't try to stick him in the figure four after a cheap shot on the knee.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 2:04 PM EST up reply actions

Another shot at the knees!

Get Brady out of there! They're clearly trying to take players out.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 2:11 PM EST reply actions

What a dirty team! Sore losers!

They're losing and they're out of the playoffs, so they're going to try to injure Patriots players. Tennessee should be embarrassed!

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 2:13 PM EST up reply actions

Another dirty play!

Caldwell is down, and then he has two guys hit him, and one guy trying to twist his neck or choke him. The Pats should score a touchdown and then sit the starters. Send some Rick Robeys out there and give the Titans a little bit back.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 2:17 PM EST up reply actions

Jeff Fisher=Pr*ck

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 2:13 PM EST reply actions

Take that Tennessee!!

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 2:21 PM EST reply actions

Corey Dillon does it again

Patriots offense looks good. Good sign heading into the playoffs. Defense looks good, too, holding a team on a six-game win streak that has done a lot of talking to 3 points so far.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 2:23 PM EST reply actions

However if

Harrison is out for the playoffs,that greatly reduces their chances of winning the Super Bowl.

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 2:25 PM EST reply actions

Globe's Mike Reiss:

S Rodney Harrison has left the sideline to return to the locker room, presumably for x-rays. Harrison walked to the locker room without help.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 2:29 PM EST up reply actions

Patriots D stiffens at the goalline

Even Dick Enberg noticed that the Titans blocking "suddenly got better." Or maybe Hochuli's crew decided they couldn't call holding every time.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 2:30 PM EST reply actions

YOU'RE A LOSER FISHER!!!

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 2:32 PM EST reply actions

"Are you kidding ME?"

Missing a 23-yard field goal? Down 19-3 at the end of the first half? And you want to go to the playoffs?

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 2:33 PM EST reply actions

how many times

has pacman been arrested this year?

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 2:37 PM EST reply actions

'Just' once this year .. once last year too

Maybe Cincy will trade for him

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 2:42 PM EST up reply actions

Check that ... twice

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 2:43 PM EST up reply actions

7 times

in the two years with the titans he has been arrested or investigated by police as a "person of interest". His car was also seized in a drug arrest while being used by one of his "friends".

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 2:46 PM EST up reply actions

Another one.

He was just recently charged with spitting ata woman in a nightclub. Not sure if he was actaully arrested as it is a misdemeanor.

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 2:49 PM EST up reply actions

According to the Washington Post ...

It's two official arrests. He's obviously involved in lots more, and probably even more but it gets swept under the rug.

The Post has a great little list of all the arrests of NFL players this year. Check it out: Washington Post.com

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 2:55 PM EST up reply actions

Another dirty play. Piling on. Never called.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 2:40 PM EST reply actions

Halftime stats

Penalties
New England: 5 called, 3 assessed, 30 yards
Tennessee: 7 assessed, 58 yards

Dirty plays: Tennessee 4, New England 0

Pure luck plays: Tennessee 1 (almost 2 on Young's Bledsoe hook shot), New England 0

Brady: 12 of 16, 165 yards, 8 different receivers
Young ("rookie of the year"): 4 of 11, 74 yards, 2 receivers

Time of possession: Patriots 17:33, Titans 12:27

Bonus stat:
ADAM Jones in 2006: TD returns (3), arrests (2)

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 2:52 PM EST reply actions

Nice tackle by Sauerbrun

A couple blocks in the back that went unnoticed. But Tennessee's offense has gone nowhere, so if all they have is punt and kick returns, it should be a close game.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 2:57 PM EST reply actions

Gostkowski

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 2:58 PM EST up reply actions

Right. Thanks for catching that.

Pfft. Adam Vinatieri.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 2:59 PM EST up reply actions

With all Tennessee's late and dirty hits?

Can you imagine if they had called that?

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 2:58 PM EST reply actions

It comes

directly from the head coach.

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 2:59 PM EST up reply actions

brady still playing.

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 3:02 PM EST reply actions

Great play by Brady, avoiding the rush

Big penalty on the pass interference.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 3:03 PM EST reply actions

I demand FieldTurf be installed immediately!

Missed FGs by both teams, a blocked extra point, poor footing and divots everywhere! It's an outrage!

(That's my Tony Dungy impersonation)

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 3:06 PM EST reply actions

Oh brother. Listen to Cross talking Vinatieri

"It's time to remind people." What a meathead.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 3:08 PM EST up reply actions

Young goes down like he's shot

Welcome to the World Cup

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 3:09 PM EST reply actions

Bogus calll

Hobbs was defending himself against ANOTHER dirty choke (#36).

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 3:11 PM EST reply actions

What a joke

Mystery personal foul on Seymour.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 3:13 PM EST reply actions

I've never seen a team as dirty as Tennessee

and New England is getting penalized for it? This is disgusting.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 3:14 PM EST up reply actions

OK. Oakland used to be far dirtier ...

... but for the "modern" NFL, this is stomach-turning.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 3:15 PM EST up reply actions

free points for tennessee

if the refs have anything to say about it.

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 3:15 PM EST reply actions

45 yards on 3 penalties on that drive

otherwise, Tennessee doesn't cross the 50

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 3:18 PM EST reply actions

Titans gained 17 yards without the penalties

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 3:19 PM EST up reply actions

listen to the crowd now!!

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 3:22 PM EST reply actions

Too funny

They're cheering the out of town scores. Too bad they have to win this game before they can back into the playoffs. (Maybe Jones can try to steal a berth?)

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 3:26 PM EST up reply actions

Touchdown! Time to sit Brady now?

Defense is playing great (outside of the retribution penalties). If Tennessee doesn't get another miracle kickoff return, it's time to start sitting starters.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 3:24 PM EST reply actions

fisher is the biggest loser

on the planet

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 3:26 PM EST reply actions

got the call on your own player

what a moron.

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 3:27 PM EST up reply actions

Justice!

They actually called the instigator! And no surprise who it is.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 3:27 PM EST reply actions

Another pure luck play

by the "rookie of the year" ... and B. Jones acts like he just won the Super Bowl.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 3:28 PM EST reply actions

This game is interminably long

Of course .. all the penalties and play stoppages. A lot of other games are already more than halfway through the fourth quarter.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 3:30 PM EST reply actions

I'll keep exchanging FGs for TDs.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 3:30 PM EST reply actions

late hit

out of bounds

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 3:32 PM EST reply actions

Late hit out of bounds .. no call

Nice return by Space Invaders Hobbs

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 3:32 PM EST reply actions

First Patriots 3-and-out since opening drive

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 3:38 PM EST reply actions

huh????

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 3:40 PM EST reply actions

I don't understand that penalty at all

The ball is about 15 yards over the receiver's head. The receiver created most of the contact. I guess the officials are just trying to even up the stats.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 3:41 PM EST reply actions

more ref-aided points for titans

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 3:42 PM EST reply actions

Is that football?

Well, another Tennessee score aided by the refs

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 3:43 PM EST reply actions

3rd Q penalties

New England: 5
Tennessee: 1

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 3:46 PM EST reply actions

Actually, 2 on Tennessee

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 3:48 PM EST up reply actions

some games are alraedy over

as patriots end the 3rd quarter.

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 3:47 PM EST reply actions

adam jones = dumb criminal

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 3:51 PM EST reply actions

"That's my boy"

quote from vince youngs' mother after throwing interception.

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 4:00 PM EST reply actions

Yea! RookieOfTheYear made the tackle

He's SO dreamy!

Huh? What's that? .. Oh. He threw an interception first.

And he facemasked Asante Samuel, but that wasn't called.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 4:00 PM EST reply actions

Cassel finally in for Brady

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 4:01 PM EST reply actions

That holding flag flew in from about 30 yards away

But no one saw the facemask. Please.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 4:02 PM EST reply actions

I think Parcells

is going to hang himself.

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 4:05 PM EST reply actions

Maroney

the real rookie of the year.

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 4:12 PM EST reply actions

I wouldn't go that far

But at least he's a real football player

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 4:13 PM EST up reply actions

No recent word on Harrison

You'd think CBS might try to find out something about such an important player. Clearly, even if he's OK, there's no reason to risk him in this game.

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 4:16 PM EST reply actions

Just as I was posting ...

Not that they had a thing to say, but he "suffered a leg injury." OK. Where is he? On the sideline? In the locker room? On his way to the hospital? CBS!

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 4:17 PM EST up reply actions

Young will

probably be a decent quarterback--certainly better than vick. I would have chosen and still think Leinart will be a pro bowl qb.

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2006 4:21 PM EST up reply actions

Patriots finish 12-4

Great regular season. Probably could have been 13-3. Pretty much right where I expected them to be without Deion Branch and Willie McGinest and Adam Vinatieri and David Givens.

This is what championship teams do. This is how they play.

And just so I don't forget: Happy New Year, everyone! Let's hope it brings another SB title and much happiness and prosperity for all!

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2006 4:25 PM EST reply actions