Opinion
Post Game Thread: New England Patriots defeat Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 35-7
by MaPatsFan on Oct 25, 2009 4:05 PM EDT
in Opinion
24 comments
Big surprise. Wes Welker is all over the field, making sure he's open for Tom Brady when he's needed. Overall, I'm happy they won, but there are things that need to be fixed. Brady is overthrowing Randy Moss, Sebastian Vollmer and Logan Mankins need to watch the holding, and I'm still not convinced Laurence Maroney is past the "Dancing El Mo". On the positive side, the defensive backfield is much improved, IMO. Brandon Meriweather is a MAJOR stud of late. More to come tonight after I look at the numbers.
Discuss.
24 comments | 0 recs
Preview: New England Patriots @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Wembley Stadium
by MaPatsFan on Oct 25, 2009 10:07 AM EDT
in Opinion
6 comments
Yes, even the New England Patriot cheerleaders are getting into it. I thought it appropriate because my daughter is at a cheerleading competition today and it's my way of sending a little mojo her way. While getting ready this morning, there were far too many estrogen moments for me to be in the same room. "Mom!!! This bow is, like, way to big. O.M.G.!! I look like Minnie Mouse!! Like, O.M.G." Time for me to leave.
As our Patriots prepare for a matchup against Tampa Bay, this romp in jolly old London has an odd vibe to me. It's almost as if our boys can't wait to get to the bye week, relax a bit, and re-tool for a second-half-of-the-season sprint that includes Miami, New York, and Indy. An 0-6 Buccaneers in a game that Belichick and the players are less than happy about playing (not their public persona, though) just doesn't seem like the way to go into the bye.
6 comments | 0 recs |
Is a British NFL franchise a good idea?
by MaPatsFan on Oct 23, 2009 4:12 PM EDT
in Opinion
33 comments
Yeah, it's got all the hype, pomp, and circumstance. But, for once I agree with Boston Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy: this is nuts. Belichick hates this, the players hate this, and it's up in the air as to whether or not those outside the US even give this a second look. True, we have some diehard non-US fans who follow the team, but they are lonely soldiers fighting the battle for truth, justice, and the NFL way. Surrounded by rabid soccer (sorry, football) fans, one must take their life in their hands to discuss touchdowns, a good running game, and Tom Brady.
Roger Goodell thinks they'll be more Britian-based games to come:
LONDON (AP)—NFL commissioner Roger Goodell expects the league to start playing multiple regular-season games in Britain in the next few years—an expansion that could lead to putting a franchise in London.
Goodell said Friday that "every indicator" shows the British market can support more games and that having a franchise here is of "tremendous interest" to the league. But he stopped short of giving a timeline for expanding the NFL’s overseas presence.
"The interest and the enthusiasm for our game continues to grow, and we want to feed that," Goodell said. "We want to respond to that by hopefully bringing more to the UK."
Could lead to putting a franchise in London? Is he nuts? The logistics alone seem ridiculous. Forget, for a minute, the 6 hour plane flight; the Patriots going West deal with that as to West teams coming East. There's typically a 5 hour time difference. For those who travel, myself included, it can take a toll on you. Sure, these are young guys in peak form, but it still does a number on the human body. That and defence instead of defense or flavour instead of flavor just doesn't seem right (sorry Comedic.Sans).
I don't mean to, in anyway, insult our non-US based fans. Far from it. I think it's awesome that folks outside the US are such rabid fans, especially when it's so hard to BE a fan. Games aren't broadcast, you have to find an internet feed...it makes it all the harder. But, I just can't see it happening in the very near future. I'd say it'd be about as successful as FIFA trying to setup a "football" franchise in the US. Yeah, there's some interest in what we yanks call soccer, but not nearly the same level as american football, where I learned about spirit fingers.
Now, do I fault the NFL for doing this? I think it was the D.A. show on 98.5 where they were hammering the league for being greedy, for going after markets like this. Well, that's the very definition of capitalism. The NFL is as successful as it is because it doesn't sit around, throwing $100 bills on the floor like rose petals. The NFL, like most other successful businesses, is always looking for new markets, new pockets to pull money out of, if you will. That's how businesses grow and stay successful. Because sooner or later, that old cash cow won't be producing as much milk as you thought it would.
I'm indifferent as to whether or not it's a good idea. I think European NFL fans will be cheering their bloody heads off, but it remains to be seen if it will be successful. That being said, it simply makes good business sense to give it a go. That soccer stuff is for the birds. Maybe we can show the rest of the world what a real sport is.
33 comments | 0 recs |
Junior's back, but why? New England Patriots sign Junior Seau
by MaPatsFan on Oct 14, 2009 6:22 PM EDT
in Opinion
13 comments
"In eight months, I’ve been working out for a chance to make a choice. The chance, I didn’t have control of. Bill had control of that. But the choice was to be prepared for that chance. So for eight months, I have been training to receive a chance, and to have a choice. And here we are."
This is why Junior Seau is back. In a sport so full of dopes and idiots, thugs and morons, in walks a man of honor who has earned respect in the locker room and on the field. Junior stays ready. He stays ready for the phone call that may come.
"Junior", says Bill.
"Yeah Coach", replies Seau.
"We need you."
"I'm there, coach. Whatever you need."
A man of honor.
I am not delusional. I'm not totally blind with a man crush on Junior Seau. The man's 40 years old. And, in a sport where careers can end before a player cracks his third decade, my eyes are open to the fact that Junior's contributions on the field may not be at the same level as a Jerod Mayo or a Gary Guyton. But he has value to Bill and that's all I need.
In a defense that's horribly thin at linebacker, Seau seems to be filler, a backup role player that might see 15 to 20 snaps on a good day. He knows the system and he's played with many of the best in that system (Tedy Bruschi anyone?). Is he the ILB that will stand arm-in-arm with Jerod and hold down the middle? I don't think so. Could he be the guy who jumps in every now and then for a Mayo/Guyton inside? Probably. More importantly, as he enters his 20th NFL season, Junior's been around.
He has a love for the game and a love for the players in it, specifically the New England Patriots. He's stated many times that this is the only team he'll play with and Belichick is the only coach he'll play for. He'll do anything for Belichick; the two trust each other that much:
"The best thing I do is I lean on Bill Belichick," Seau said. "And the reason I say that is that Bill doesn’t kick around tires and say, ‘I’m just going to go grab a guy that’s 40 years old off the surfboard and say come and join us.’ He has a plan. And his plan is something that we’re going to try and implement, whatever it may be.
Junior is a lot of things. Is he past his prime? Sure, and he knows it. But what he has that this team needs is a fire, a veteran presence at linebacker that we're missing. Maybe Belichick brought him back because he's the spark that this team needs.
One thing I know is that you can’t coach courage. You can’t. You give me an A, B gap, I’m going through there, until I break glass. I will go through the A and B gap until I break glass. And that’s what I do.
Can't coach courage. When so many are whining about their paychecks, Junior is talking about courage.
A man of honor.
13 comments | 0 recs |
When do we get our Tommy back?
by MaPatsFan on Oct 13, 2009 6:53 PM EDT
in Opinion
11 comments
I'm a musician. Bear with me while I share my personal experiences and make a correlation to pro football. As a musician, I've spent countless hours practicing scales, staring at sheet music or tablature, and learning hours of songs. I've also spent countless hours performing everywhere from biker bars to Irish pubs in Faneuil Hall. The progression of a musician, to simplify it a bit, is a) practice your butt off (or woodshed as we call it), b) practice with other musicians, and c) play a gig in front of people. Typically, you need "a" AND "b" to get "c". In a band, you could practice your behind off and know every note and change down to a "T". If others in the band haven't done their homework, the whole band suffers and people walk out the door and the club manager doesn't hire you back and...but that's a different story.
11 comments | 1 recs |
Game Prep: Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots
by MaPatsFan on Sep 29, 2009 6:03 PM EDT
in Opinion
27 comments
When QB Joe Flacco and his Baltimore Ravens roll into town, our New England Patriots may face their toughest opponent yet. Remember Rex Ryan's Jets defense? Well, before taking the HC job in Joisey, Rex coached the Ravens defense, in various capacities, since 1999. You can rest assured they haven't forgotten what they've learned.
27 comments | 0 recs |
Keys to Winning: Falcons @ Patriots
by MaPatsFan on Sep 27, 2009 9:26 AM EDT
in Opinion
4 comments
Today, we face the Atlanta Falcons, a team we only square off with once every four years. Tied with the Saints at 2-0, both teams are currently at the top of the NFC South. NO takes on Buffalo today. As 1-1 teams in the AFC East, NE and Buffalo will hope the other's matchup turns into a loss for them so either can sit alone at 2nd place in the East. I'm sure Atlanta and NO are thinking the same.
But we're here to talk about the Falcons @ Patriots and the keys to winning.
4 comments | 0 recs |
What is the Impact of a Welker-less New England Patriots?
by MaPatsFan on Sep 22, 2009 8:53 PM EDT
in Opinion
24 comments
There are many possible reasons for Sunday's 9-16 loss to the New York Jets. Blitzing and pass rushing by the Jets' D, poor special teams play, numerous dropped balls, and a little rust from Wonderboy, Tom Brady. I don't believe, in most cases, one player can win or lose a game. I believe players can make big plays or commit grave errors CONTRIBUTING to the game's outcome, but they don't necessarily, on their own, determine the outcome of a game.
In some cases, rare cases, a single player makes so many positive plays that he is hard to ignore, that he might approach the level of game changer. The little engine that can, Wes Welker, is one of those players. Sidelined for the Jets matchup with a "knee injury", Wes was sorely missed. Why? Welker is Brady's safety valve, his check down receiver, and one of his favorite screen guys.
When in trouble, when all of his receivers are covered, he knows Welker's there to take the "long handoff", to make something out of nothing and, quite possibly, move the chains for us. Did the lack of Welker's presence hurt the Pats? Could he have changed the outcome for us? Let's hear it.
24 comments | 0 recs |
Showing 1 - 8 of 143 Older
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
