Pats Pulpit

no agenda, no concern

melagrano — Thu, 15 May 2008 23:19:01 -0000

is'nt it obvious that spector has an agenda and that is the comcast deal and the nfl is feeling the reprcussions of his wrath. He want's to mess with the anti trust laws, if roger clemons did not get jailed or seriously in trouble for his actions, what the hell does arnold think is going to come about with the pat's issue. MLB was about steroids and the whole organazation, sypgate is about bb cheating, got caught, got fined, got penalized, that's it. Arnold, do you really think your constituents are going to back you in another wannabe Mitchell report? Do you think they want to go thru that fiasco all over again? And last but not least pat's bloggers, ask yourselves this, If arnold spector really cared about the integrity about the game, then why did he not concern himself in the matter of the CHEATING REFEREES IN THE NBA?

ANSWER: NO AGENDA!

If there was ever a proof positive, definate reason to evoke an anti trust law and truly care abot the integrity of a game and and organazation that was a perfect time to seek out and do something about it, but Mr. Arnold Spector was never heard from or seen on the matter, again, because he did NOT HAVE AN AGENDA, and he truly is a fraud as a human being

mela......

McGinest to retire after 2008 season

Mainiac — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:25:43 -0000

News has come out that this will be Willie McGinest's last season. He was with us for our three super bowl wins, and he was a great player. I'll never forget when he stuffed Indy on 4th and goal at the 1. Unless we come up against them, I'll be routing for the Browns this year in his honor.

Here is a list of his Patriot highlights:

Career Highlights

Career GP/GS: 171/146 (18/16):

McGinest begins the 2005 season ranked fourth among the Patriots all-time sack leaders with 72.0 career sacks. He needs one more sack to pass Tony McGee (72.5) for third place on the Patriots all-time sack list.

McGinest's 72.0 career sacks rank second among all active NFL linebackers entering the 2005 season. He trails only new teammate Chad Brown's mark of 78.0 career sacks.

McGinest led the team and finished tied for seventh in the AFC with 9.5 sacks in 2004. His 9.5 sacks last season were his most since 1996 when he registered the same amount.

McGinest has recorded 11.5 career postseason sacks, ranking him third on the NFL's career postseason sacks list, behind only Bruce Smith (14.5) and Reggie White (12.0).

McGinest has played in 155 games during his 11- year career with New England, ranking second in games played among active Patriots players (Troy Brown, 162).

McGinest was named to his second Pro Bowl following the 2003 season after recording 79 tackles (58 solo), his highest tackle total since 1999.

McGinest set a Patriots record and led the NFL with 5.0 sacks in the 2003 postseason. His total included 3.0 sacks in the divisional playoff against Tennessee (01/10), where he set a Patriots record and tied for the third-most sacks in a playoff game in NFL history. ? McGinest earned the NFL's Levitra Play of the Week honors by providing one of the most memorable plays of the Patriots' 2003 season when he stuffed Indianapolis' Edgerrin James on the goal line with 11 seconds remaining to preserve New England's 38-34 win over the Colts (11/30).

McGinest finished tied for the Patriots lead with 5.5 sacks in 2002 along with Richard Seymour. It marks the fifth time in his career that he either led the team or was tied for the team lead in sacks.

McGinest led the team in sacks in 1995 (11), 1996 (9.5), 1999 (9), 2000 (6) and 2004 (9.5). His 11 sacks in 1995 were the most by a Patriot since Andre Tippett's 12.5 sacks in 1987.

McGinest earned back-to-back Miller Lite Player of the Game honors following his two-sack performances against Denver (10/28/01) and Atlanta (11/4/01). He became the first Patriot to record multiple sacks in consecutive weeks since Chris Slade accomplished the feat on 09/12/93 and 09/19/93. He has recorded multiple sacks in 17 games during his career (including playoffs), including three games in 2003.

McGinest led the Patriots with two sacks during the 2001 postseason, including a 16-yard sack of Kurt Warner in Super Bowl XXXVI.

The Patriots have qualified for the playoffs in seven of McGinest's 11 NFL seasons. He has played in a team-record 16 postseason games with New England, including 14 starts and has totaled 72 tackles (51 solos), including 11.5 sacks for 78 yards.

McGinest was voted defensive co-captain for the 2000 season by his teammates.

Earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in the 1999 season opener at the N.Y. Jets (09/12/99) when he was credited with two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He recovered the fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in a 30-28 victory over the Jets.

He was voted to his first Pro Bowl in 1996, after his first season playing defensive end.

In 1996, he earned AFC Defensive Player of the Month for his performances during the month of October when he combined for 21 tackles, including four sacks, one interception and three passes defensed to help the Patriots complete a 3-1 record during the month.

Earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance vs. Buffalo (10/27/96) when he posted seven tackles (5 solo), including a sack, had two passes defensed and returned his first career interception 46 yards for a touchdown.

Closed out the 1995 season in Pro Bowl form, recording 15 solo tackles and five sacks in the final three games of the season, including multiple-sack performances vs. the Jets (12/10/95) and at Indianapolis (12/23/95).

Herald Appologizes

Ogor — Wed, 14 May 2008 05:30:41 -0000

This will appear in tomorrows paper, the sneak peak is compliments of Mike Reiss' blog:

On Feb. 2, 2008, the Boston Herald reported that a member of the New England Patriots' video staff taped the St. Louis Rams' walkthrough before Super Bowl XXXVI. While the Boston Herald based its Feb. 2, 2008 report on sources that it believed to be credible, we now know that this report was false, and that no tape of the walkthrough ever existed.

Prior to the publication of its Feb. 2, 2008, article, the Boston Herald neither possessed nor viewed a tape of the Rams' walkthrough before Super Bowl XXXVI, nor did we speak to anyone who had. We should not have published the allegation in the absence of firmer verification.

The Boston Herald regrets the damage done to the team by the publication of the allegation, and sincerely apologizes to its readers and to the New England Patriots' owners, players, employees, and fans for our error.

Statement from the New England Patriots

Marima — Tue, 13 May 2008 22:11:35 -0000

The New England Patriots have issued the following statement regarding NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's meeting with Matt Walsh.

We want to address the allegation that the Patriots taped the Rams’ walkthrough prior to Super Bowl XXXVI. For the past three-and-a-half months, we have been defending ourselves against assumptions made based on an unsubstantiated report rather than on facts or evidence. Despite our adamant denials, the report ran on February 2, 2008, the day before Super Bowl XLII. That game was the second-most watched program in television history and it is unfortunate that today’s news will not also reach an audience of that size. We hope that with Matt Walsh's disclosures, everyone will finally believe what we have been saying all along and emphatically stated on the day of the initial report: 'The suggestion that the New England Patriots recorded the St. Louis Rams' walkthrough on the day before Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002 is absolutely false. Any suggestion to the contrary is untrue.

rams tape

melagrano — Sun, 11 May 2008 15:34:09 -0000

ok, according to my close and personal source from NEPW, there is in fact another tape out there of a rams walk thru. Now, before we get into this I must tell you that John Thomase and my family source know each other very well. John does stand by his source in the Feb. 3rd article in the Herald. He also states that the source and the tape that started this whole fiasco was indeed about a walk thru. He never said that Matt Walsh was the bearer of this news or tape. There is another person or source out there with the real scoop and, or tape. Now, whether or not this source comes out, or this tape comes out, or actually exists is a whole other situation. Which brings us back to the same situation as the Matt Walsh events. In the end to sum this all up, it is up to Thomase to reveal this source, in return the source bring out the tape, which we all know will NEVER happen. If not, there should be another Herald article by John explaining all of this, either way it puts him in a very awkward situation to prove and protect his credibility. As far as the Arnold Specter and Matt Walsh meeting later this week, nothing new should come about because everything is out in the open now and unless Specter can bring about new information or prove something different, nothing will happen. The only thing that can hurt the Pat's organization now is, the original source, and the original tape that started this whole thing actually come out to the public. I was told chances are unlikely that this will happen. Then, finally, hopefully, this will be in the past.

How long before the rookies help the Pats?

shake n bake — Sat, 10 May 2008 15:58:24 -0000

*I tried to lead MaPatsFan into answering this one for me on Stampede Blue since I didn't have the time to research it when it first popped into my head, but he didn't either so I did it once I had the time.*

The Patriots spent all but one of their picks in the 2008 draft on defenders, but how long before this influx of youth brings young starters to an old D. Here's a breakdown of the Patriots starters last season and how long it took them to become starters.

06/07 no defensive starters, Meriweather (round 1) the only defender from those drafts on the roster.

2005
Ellis Hobbs (3rd round), full time starter in his 3rd season, Games started by year- 8,9,16
James Sanders (4th), starter 3rd year, GS-2,5,15

2004
Vince Wilfork (1st), starter 2nd year, GS-6,16,13,16

2003
Ty Warren (1st), starter 2nd year, GS-4,16,16,15,16
Eugene Wilson (2nd) starter 1st year (lost starting job in 2007), GS-15,14,16,4,6
Asante Samuel (4th) starter 3rd year, GS-1,8,15,15,14

2002
Jarvis Green (4th), 6th season, GS-4,7,1,5,4,10

2001
Richard Seynore (top 10), 1st season, GS-10,16......

2000-1997
No defenders currently on roster drafted

1996
Tedy Bruschi, 4th season, GS-0,1,7,14,16....

Picks by other teams
Rosevelt Colvin signed by Patriots after 4th season in the league. Became a Pats starter in 3rd year on team/7th in league.

Mike Vrabel signed after 4th season. Started in 1st season with Patriots/5th in league

The only current defenders to start for the Patriots as rookies were a 6th overall pick and a safety who later lost his starting job. None of the current LBs were starters before their 4th year in the league and Colvin needed two years of experience in the Pats system in addition to 4 with the Bears before he became a starter. D-linemen find there way into the lineup the fastest with Seymore starting as a rookie and Vilfork and Warren starting in their second year. 3 of the 4 starting DBs drafted by the Pats started in their 3rd season. LBs took the longest with none of the starters seeing the majority of starting time before they had been in the league for 3 or more years.

The Patriots' future on D might have been improved, but it will probably take 3-4 years before this draft has any real effect to make the Pats D younger. Mayo is a fantastic player, but the demands of Belichick's defense will likely keep him on the bench for one, two or maybe up to three years. Wheatley might be able to work his way onto the field in a secondary depleted by free agency, but he'll likely follow the path of Hobbs and Samuel before him and spend 2 years learning before he's ready. Crable is an even surer bet to take years to be ready to play LB since early round picks made their way into the Pats lineup faster (really?, who'd have guessed that). The Pats have found DBs in the 4th round so Wilhite may contribute eventually. After the fourth round the majority of Pats draft picks especially on defense are cut and disappear off the map or spend their careers on the bench.

*I'm sure you guys will be able to point to a few mistakes and wrong assumptions I made here. I used Pro Football Reference for the games started info and NFL.com's draft history for the draft history.*

NFL Battling Comcast

OneMore — Thu, 08 May 2008 13:13:33 -0000

I used to have the NFL network, I watched it constantly, during the season and the off season, I'd sit there for hours and watch show after show -- and then they put it on a higher tier. That really pissed me off, so I decided not to jump up to the next tier -- now it seems Comcast decided to play hardball with the NFL because they wouldn't sell x amount of games to them. Talk about screwing over your customers.

"Tagliabue’s one-page declaration is an exhibit in the league’s filing, which contends that Comcast, the nation’s largest cable operator, is discriminating against the NFL Network. He said that Brian Roberts, Comcast’s chief executive, warned him on Jan. 27, 2006, that, having decided not to sell the eight-game package to Versus, “Your relationships with the cable industry are going to get very interesting.”

In Tagliabue’s view, Roberts’s statement “foreshadowed Comcast’s retaliation” later that year to relegate the NFL Network to the sports tier, which requires an extra fee"

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/08/sports/football/08broadcast.html?ref=sports

Wonder if Spector will investigate this??

AMAZING

melagrano — Thu, 08 May 2008 12:38:24 -0000

Matt, Matt, Matt, unbelievable Matt. Well we should of expected it another fraud in the great world of sports, another dog trying to fetch a bone. Matt Walsh surprisingly or not surprisingly has NOTHING! The part that urks me the most is that and I quote, "We never claimed to have incriminating evidence on video of the walk thru." Are you f-----g kidding me? I heard those exact words quoted on ESPN radio this morning by Mike and Mike and I freaked out. What the hell did you say then Mr. Lawyer? What was this tape and everything we have been talking about for the last 3 months about then? Well now we know why it took so long to turn over the tapes, BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING, now we know why Matt and his dogs seeked out indemnity, BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING. The lawyers also claimed (no quote), that it was the Boston newspapers that suggested all of the walk thru information and heresay as well as other matters concerning this case. WOW, what a lot of balls just turning the page like that when it all comes out. Well, I wish I could see what the hell the discussion is going to be about on the 13th. Oh yeah, by the way Mr. Arnold Spector, when all is said and done are we going to hear an apology from you? I THINK NOT. It's men like Spector that make politicians look like total fools and are loathed by the public. Well, I spoke my piece, I feel better now. I am left with one word that sums this all up, and it's the word I started this post with, AMAZING!

Walsh Sends Tapes, No Walkthrough

NESilver — Thu, 08 May 2008 05:13:31 -0000

The New York Times is reporting that Matt Walsh has finally sent the National Football League the videotapes he claimed to have in his possession from his tenure with the Patriots. Among the eight tapes, there was no evidence to support the accusations levied against the Patriots that they had taped the Rams walkthrough prior to the Super Bowl.

Ex-Patriots Assistant Sends the N.F.L. Eight Tapes

I hope this finally puts to rest this whole Spygate fiasco. The article pretty much just sums up what we already knew - the Patriots filmed other team's signals since Bill Belichick became the head coach in New England (though it does provide some more elaborate details on what was actually filmed).

I suppose it's also worth mentioning that Matt Walsh and Roger Goodell are still scheduled to meet on May 13th, so we'll probably have some more info come out by then. As of now, though, that seems to be the entire film collection he took once he was fired.

Perry Ellis and Matt Light

Redz — Tue, 06 May 2008 23:28:43 -0000

Matt Light is going to be at Macy’s Downtown Crossing for a cool Perry Ellis event this Thursday May 8th. Great chance for fashion and sports fans alike to meet Light as he answers audience questions and talks about his life on and off the field, all while viewing the Perry Ellis Spring and Summer Collections.

Customers who purchase $50 or more of Perry Ellis apparel will receive a Perry Ellis football and entry into the VIP line. (While supplies last).

This Site

coltsfanawalt — Tue, 06 May 2008 07:06:18 -0000

I have been away for over a week on business, and I've been catching up on football talk. A couple of observations about this site.

1. It is becoming more of an interesting place than ever before to browse. It's nice to see good posts and info about your team.

2. It seems to be more populated. Not long ago, it felt like no man's land.

3. You are big homers like we are. That's how it is suppose to be. Of course you have plenty of reason to be optimistic. Your team is already great, and you have had a solid offseason. I would like to think the Colts also have good reason to be optimistic. I eagerly anticipate our matchup.

4. I think you are a good representation of Pats fans. You are the kind of site that can make others be more fond of your team and its success. I enjoy reading and blogging here.

Enjoy the offseason. These next few months always get me primed and impatient for the start of the regular season. It gets so bad that I even look forward to the preseason games. There ought to be a ten step progam for addicts like me, but I doubt I'd allow it to reform me.

We both have a bye week earlier than I prefer. Hopefully we won't need it later. Here's to a great season.....

Patriots Draft GPA

Jay Miles — Mon, 05 May 2008 04:03:31 -0000

A look at the AFC East Draft GPA from progridironfootball.com

The Pro Gridiron Football Draft GPA will grade each teams pick and giving it and overall score...Like a report card. I will look at each player picked, the players available at the pick, the value of the pick, and how the pick will fit with the needs of their team.

Patriots GPA: 2.85 C+

Best 2 picks: Jarod Mayo, LB Tennessee

Terrence Wheatley, CB Colorado

New England added much need linebacker depth and got younger at the position with drafting Mayo, Crable, and Ruud. I would have like to seen them add some depth at the offensive tackle position. Decent draft for New England.

To view the Draft GPA pick by pick visit progridironfootball.com

2 signings already

melagrano — Sun, 04 May 2008 15:36:18 -0000

The patriots have just signed the punter Mike Dragosavich and tight end Tyson DeVree to undisclosed contracts. Drago (for short) has hit the roof according to the news sources in the Dana Farber Bldg. He was very impressive right off the bat obviously or else BB would not have signed him. Tyson DeVree on the other hand was signed strictly for depth reasons. I thought he would have been for blocking purposes but his size was not enough for that type of play. Imagine just one day in minicamp and already 2 signings. Now obviously there will be more contracts coming into effect, but for now BB must have gotten these guys for little money and as we always hear, "great value". The point is you don't get the signing and value unless your a player and BB thinks guys are good enough, then that's good enough for me.

Colt's Harrison questioned in shooting

Ogor — Sat, 03 May 2008 06:07:44 -0000

Almost assuredly they are completely unrelated and he was just interviewed because he owned near-by establishments. The first thing that came to my mind is, if this were a Pat's player, ESPN and every other team fan would be roasting him over the fire right now. Anyway, again its probably not related in any way, but I thought it was interesting to post and see how many colts fans find their way over here to post.

For the full article:

Colt's Harrison Questioned in Shooting

Favorite Draft Choice

foxborofan — Thu, 01 May 2008 11:06:08 -0000

Hey Gang,

who was your favorite draft choice and why? I like Terrence Wheatley because we really needed a cornerback after Asante left. And Terrence looks like he is the perfect cornerback. He has alot of speed and is very confident. And not afraid to get in the middle of it. The other thing I like about him is he's being labeled a shutdown corner, having the ability to to really make teams throw to other places.

Who's your favorite?

2008 Pats Season

PaulRevere — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:49:55 -0000

Well, it looks like the draft actually played into our hands pretty well. I've just had a look at our schedule and I'm going to go ahead and give a conservative regular season win estimate of 14. Just like last year, I don't see a single game that we shouldn't win. I really wish the powers that be would allow us to play Indianapolis in Foxboro for once. Anyways, no big deal. My overall prediction for this season is:

Regular Season Record: 14-2 or 15-1

Overall Record: 17-2 or 18-1 AND Super Bowl Champions in both cases

Ladies and Gentlemen Mr. Kevin O'Connell

melagrano — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:37:50 -0000

That's right Pat's fans, remember the name Kevin O'Connell. Trust me when I tell you that BB is not comfortable and 100 per cent sure about Matt Cassell. (my personal family source from NEPW). I am just telling you what I know, and I know that BB just does not think that Matt is the answer after Tom is gone. Now, back to Kevin, he has had tremendous upside his senior year and has shown a great deal of talent in every aspect of the qb position. I was also informed that at least 10 teams were seriously interested in this guy, but for some reason was overshadowed by qb's like flacco, braum, and deservingly so, Matt Ryan. The reason those qb's were picked before KO was because the overall exposure in the conferences those guys played in. Anyway, O'Connell first and best quality is his arm strength and accuracy. He has both of those qualities down pat. (no pun intended). 2nd, he is a qb that will step up in the pocket like Brady, but if nothing is there he has excellent scrambling ability. He will move out, and he just won't move out he can and will throw on the run with accuracy as well. Oh by the way, his speed is not to shabby either. Now listen up Pat's fans, am I saying that Kevin is the next Tom Brady? no. Am I saying that he is the next qb in our system? no. What I am saying is that if Kevin O'Connell pans out and is going to mature the way BB wants and expects him to then, bye bye Matt, he will be gone at the end of next year, and Kevin will replace him as our 2nd in charge. Bottom line, if O'Connell becomes what BB hopes for then we have another GREAT qb for many years to come after Brady, without missing a beat!

Wheatley

coltsfanawalt — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 02:44:31 -0000

Congratulations on your picks, especially this one at this point. I hear the term "shutdown corner" associated with this guy. A solid day one of your draft.

I think you knew you'd get a good player in round one, and a young linebacker was certainly in order. I just feel like that second pick was the one to be impressed by.

I'm looking forward to our matchup this November. Enjoy the rest of the draft.

the draft

melagrano — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 21:25:02 -0000

siked, siked, siked, finally we picked a position that is needed desperatly! Actually, the pat's have always picked well, it's just that this position as we all know was needed awhile ago. I saw some tape on mayo after the pick and this guy is the real deal. He has unbelievable ability to chase down oppenents and most of all FINISH. With our current linebackers, and the addition of Hobson and Mayo, I can honestly say we are pretty much all set in the linebacker position. A great acquisition, now if we can sure up our corners we will be back at full force. Oh man, suit up now, I can't wait to see Hobson against his old team, killing the QB, and Mayo young and fresh working with Vrabel and Brushci and dominating the field with those guys. YES, YES, YES!

What exactly will hit the fan May 13th?

Marima — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:37:26 -0000

Time for Matt Walsh to finally put up or shut up.

According to Mike Fish , "Former New England Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh, who has told ESPN.com he has potentially damaging information about the team's taping practices, reached an agreement Wednesday to meet with league officials and turn over any videotapes he might have to support his allegations."

First of all, it's about time. Beginning the new season with every single talking head and blogger on the planet prefacing each mention of Belichick or the Patriots with a Spygate reference would not only be unfair, but completely and utterly revolting. Let's just see what he's got and get the entire distasteful affair out in the open and over with.

It has been my contention that this investigative process has taken so long because Walsh doesn't actually have the Rams practice tape he once insinuated that he had. All of the nit-picky legal indemnification and protection is to protect him from having the Krafts sue the pants off of him once it comes out.

My guess is that the only thing that will hit the fan on May 13th is a lot of hot air.