Shots Heard 'Round The Web - Patriots Links 12/12/08

by Marima on Dec 12, 2008 9:11 AM EST in News Comment 12 comments

TEAM SHOTS

LOCAL SHOTS

Bill Burt looks at Raider Nation, and how the fans really feel about the Patriots.
Shalise Manza Young reports teammates show compassion as Cassel rejoins them following his father's death. No "rookie wall" effect for Jerod Mayo.
Chris Gasper notes Matt Cassel returned to the team and practiced yesterday; players hinted that he is expected to play Sunday.
Ron Borges compares JaMarcus Russell's situation to that of Matt Cassel.
Mike Reiss puts the Raiders in Focus, presents the Patriots Pro Bowl fan tally, follows the trail of a draft pick, analyzes the Pats efficient running game, and references a Fox Sports feature on an All-underpaid NFL team where three Patriots are represented.
Globe Patriots Notebook: Wilfork ready to play; Warren (groin) and Vrabel (neck) had limited practice; Mayo misses Bruschi's presence; speculation on whether Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha will shadow Moss or cover Welker.
Kerry J. Byrne says Patriots defense falls short when compared with the Raiders.
Jim Lezar calls all old-school Patriots back to the field before making his weekly picks. Of course, he picks New England over Oakland 30-17.
Projo.com presents its Patriots-Raiders pregame analysis, and offers its Patriots vs. Raiders Quiz, to test how much you know about the rivalry.

LONG SHOTS

Tim Graham (ESPN) Moss loses Pro Bowl fan balloting by 18 votes. No Pats at all.
Peter King (SI) makes his Weekend Pickoff and previews New England at Oakland.
Sean Leahy (USA Today) Gannon, Brown: JaMarcus Russell not working hard enough to improve.

VIEW FROM OAKLAND

John Ryan (San Jose Mercury News) Dr. Evil stole Al Davis' mojo!
Cory Sterling (raiders.com) analyzes Sunday's matchup, calling it one of the toughest battles the Raiders have had to face this year.
Steve Corkran (San Jose Mercury News) QB Russel needs to set the pace for Raiders.
Jerry McDonald (ContraCosta Times) Russell unfazed by criticism.

0 recs | Comment 12 comments

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Dr. Evil stole Al Davis' mojo

Funny piece, but so typical. Still-furious Raiders fans foam at the mouth recalling in detail the infamous Tuck Rule Game in 2002 and referee Walt Coleman. As always, these spittle-filled tirades seem to conveniently forget the equally infamous (and phantom) Roughing the Passer game in 1976, courtesy of referee Ben Dreith, that cost the Patriots the game and most likely a Super Bowl.

The difference is, New England has moved on.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Dec 12, 2008 9:59 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I miss you guys!

http://www.stampedeblue.com/2008/12/10/688985/chippy-titans-fans-sometim#comments

and here…

http://www.musiccitymiracles.com/2008/12/8/687070/how-the-titans-can-lose-th

There’s more if you look around. It was so much more fun with you guys. At least you offered some good insight instead of bathing us in drool.

Let's go Colts!

by AJforAZ on Dec 12, 2008 10:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

lol

I caught the StampedeBlue thread yesterday and had a good chuckle. Man, how mouthy and defensive Titans fans got when they perceived a slight.

Blogger at SBNation's New England Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit

by MaPatsFan on Dec 12, 2008 10:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

we're desensitised to it

After receiving so much pointless flak for being a Pats fan, you just get tired of moving down to their level.

That’s at least how I feel, I know there will always be jerks for each team.

"These players, a lot of other people didn't believe in them, but they believe in themselves. And that is all that matters."- Bill Belichick

by Mainiac on Dec 12, 2008 10:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

your Colts-Titans thread was pretty funny

at one point I was going to ~~instigate~~ interject something but you all were having so much fun going at it. It was way too much fun just watching.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Dec 12, 2008 12:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

no pro-bowlers...

Is bs. Welker should be an obvious choice, as should wilfork.

And Hobbs has the lead average for kick returns I think..

pro bowl voting is so lame. It should be coaches and players vote but can’t vote for their own team.

"These players, a lot of other people didn't believe in them, but they believe in themselves. And that is all that matters."- Bill Belichick

by Mainiac on Dec 12, 2008 10:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

that was just the fan vote though

So the coaches still have their say in the matter.

The fan vote is so messed up. Gotkowski’s season is clearly better than Carpenter, but it’s all about voting for your boys and not who’s earned it, so of course new york city gets more votes.

I don’t think fan voting is helpful at all. Why does Goodell talk about london and toronto china when we can’t even get our normal league stuff right.

I mean, Farve does not belong there, the Jets have only won because of Thomas Jones and Kris Jenkins.

"These players, a lot of other people didn't believe in them, but they believe in themselves. And that is all that matters."- Bill Belichick

by Mainiac on Dec 12, 2008 10:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No Welker = BS

The Little Engine That Can is on pace to own the record for total number of receptions, but because he has only 1 TD, he gets missed. How about being clutch, about marching the team down the field when nothing else is working? Welker = $$$$$$

Blogger at SBNation's New England Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit

by MaPatsFan on Dec 12, 2008 11:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Let's ask...

…those fans if they’d want Welker on their Fantasy team. Any guess as to the answer?

Blogger at SBNation's New England Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit

by MaPatsFan on Dec 12, 2008 11:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My son has Welker

and he was smart enough to pick up Cassel when another team dropped him for just one week. He’s been smiling and taunting his way on into the FF playoffs with them both. Can’t believe I raised a trash-talker.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Dec 12, 2008 12:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs