Shots Heard 'Round The Web - Patriots Links 9/23/08

by Marima on Sep 23, 2008 10:19 AM EDT

SHOTS HEARD

The Patriots media center offers audio clips of WEEI's player conversations from their Monday broadcast at Gillette stadium. Listen to Matt Cassel, Vince Wilfork and Richard Seymour, Ty Warren, Tedy Bruschi, Bill Belichick, and Robert Kraft.

HOT SHOTS

"LB Mike Vrabel took exception to RB Ricky Williams diving at his ankles. Brown appeared to be in the clear when Williams chopped Vrabel down from the side." Williams called his block "borderline".
Rodney Harrison was upset by Williams' dirty play on Vrabel as well. The refs agreed, calling Williams on a dead ball personal foul for chop-blocking Vrabel.
BOOOOOOO to the fans who booooed the team! Ellis Hobbs was hurt by the reaction of fans who left the game too early. The "fan" reaction was embarrassing to witness.
Ben Watson was disgusted, but feels "It’s not bad that [the fans] were disappointed. We’re disappointed when we’re not doing things well."
Every game at Gillette Stadium since 2002 has been sold out and fans have seen just nine losses. The next home game is on Oct. 20 against the Denver Broncos.
Belichick noted that the offense needs to score when they're in the red zone, and they'll be working on that during the bye week.
Coach Hoodie openly confesses to reporters everything that went wrong: "We didn't move the ball on offense and couldn't stop them on defense." Got all of that?

SHOTS TAKEN FROM CLOSE RANGE

What the cameras didn't show: Captain Randy Moss gathering the offense together after a Miami touchdown to encourage the players. Belichick says Moss is one of the most consistent players he's had in practice, games, and preparation.
The Patriots brought in 6 defensive back free agents for workouts yesterday to keep their emergency lists fresh.
Karen Guregian types four little words that strike revulsion in the hearts of defenses everywhere: soft-in-the-middle.
Russ Charpentier concludes this game was an aberration and won't be the norm.
Eric McHugh notes the stellar performance put in by Ellis Hobbs which was overshadowed by the loss.
Bye week forecast: Watch film (as punishment?), rest, heal up, get back to work.

SHOTS TAKEN FROM AFAR

The Sporting News says it's defense, not Cassel, that's the biggest concern.
Mike Florio warns "Moss could turn into the guy he was during his last season in Oakland." Stay tuned...for the next media-fabricated episode of, "Moss Watch."
Ken Ilchuck has an informative piece on the spread offense, how it can be used to win games and the handful of quarterbacks that have made it successful.
Peter King comments on why he kept the Patriots in his "Fine Fifteen" rankings: "One horrible day in the NFL doesn't amount to a whole lot." Amen brother.

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Comments

Don't throw stuff, but...

Hi there all, I’m a ‘phin and Packer fan, new to this blog. I’ve been reading it off and on, and it seems like the only blog I’ve found where the fans aren’t all arrogant jerks (most of them on here are quite civil). It’s refreshing to not have a bunch of “your team sucks no YOURS sucks” going on.

I heard many fans were booing the Pats and leaving early on Sunday. What? Seriously, you guys have been spoiled. I’m sure the Pats will do just fine this year. It’s one game, and everybody wants to throw Matt Cassel to the wolves. The ‘phins have sucked for about a decade now, and last year won as many as your team lost. Enjoy your team’s success, guys! And realize that maybe your team won’t win a billion zillion games in a row by a billion zillion points every game.

I think, though, that Randy Moss needs to become the new team leader if the Pats hope to win games. He seems to slowly be drifting back toward when he did in MN—the whole “I love playing as long as we’re winning” mentality.

Thanks again for the non obscenity filled blog, guys!

by Sick of The NY Bretts on Sep 23, 2008 10:31 AM EDT reply actions

Hi, thanks for stopping by

nice to see a level headed ‘Fins fan, I stopped by there yesterday to be a good sport and it was like day care.
Moss seems to be drifting a little which doesn’t leave a good feeling IMO, but it’s still early.
I’m pulling for Rodgers over in GB because even though there is some implied behind the scene non football BS going on, Brett really needed make a choice, knock it off with the I will / I won’t thing over the past few years.

by SRD on Sep 23, 2008 10:44 AM EDT reply actions

don't buy into what the media's trying to sell you

By all team accounts, and that includes Cassel and Belichick, Moss has indeed been a leader on this team – even in the wake of Brady’s injury. On Sunday he took the offense aside to encourage them amidst the carnage, but the cameras only showed him sitting on the bench. Selective filming to promote the “Moss Watch” drama.

In 2006 the media buzz was all about Brady’s body language, with every move and facial expression analyzed and used as evidence that he didn’t really care about the team – only about his new celebrity status. Of course, that episode went off the air in 2007 because it was base-less. Just like this stuff with Moss. The media want a story that isn’t there, so they create one and hope it finds its way into reality.

Honestly, I was embarrassed by seeing the fans leaving in droves early as well as by the early booing. All I can say is it might just stem from the frustration of a season that without Brady just can’t go as was planned since last February – a redemption of sorts of last year’s perfect-except-for-one season. Doesn’t make it right, but just my opinion.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Sep 23, 2008 10:53 AM EDT reply actions

Matt Cassel and Aaron Rodgers

I never really thought about it much till now, but Cassel has to be feeling about the same as Rodgers. Both are replacing high caliber players. Rodgers seems to be more comfortable with the role so far than Cassel, but again, Pats fans need to cut Cassel some slack. Your defense let Miami run the exact same play three (four?) times with success! Blame those softies, not Cassel.

As for the Brett soap opera, I’m just glad the Jets have to deal with his waffling now.

And with Moss…well, he was a model citizen in Minnesota until Culpepper lost his magic. I’m biased, of course. Not really a Moss fan, as you can tell :) If NE has made him not act like a spoiled brat, good. No team should have to deal with that crap. I could start ranting about Terrell Owens, too, but I’m enough off topic as it is.

by Sick of The NY Bretts on Sep 23, 2008 11:01 AM EDT reply actions

Rodgers v. Cassell

The thing with these two getting thrown into the high profile is that Aaron knew it was coming. I think Cassell figured he’d be warming the bench and taking the knee for another few years.

by cia on Sep 24, 2008 9:40 AM EDT reply actions