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Tonight on Patriots All Access (with video preview)

October 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Coming up on Patriots All Access tonight at 7 p.m. on WBZ-TV and immediately following on Patriots.com:

  • Dan Roche re-caps another big week in Foxborough as the Patriots bring an old friend back into the fold.
  • Steve Burton sits down with newly acquired wide receiver Deion Branch.
  • Scott Zolak gets Coach Belichick’s thoughts on the Branch trade and discusses one of his first encounters with Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis.
  • All Access will introduce viewers to the musical side of Patriots linebacker Tully-Banta Cain.
  • Lyndsay Petruny profiles a group of Patriots Wives making a difference in the community.
  • ESPNBoston.com’s Mike Reiss and Patriots Football Weekly’s Paul Perillo share their thoughts on Sunday’s game against Baltimore.

Video Preview:

Filed Under: Media

Around The League – Week Five

October 15, 2010 By 1 Comment

By Jeremy Gottlieb, Patriots Daily Staff

OK, so does anyone know what’s going on here? Seriously, is there a single person who can explain what the hell is going on in the NFL this season? There is absolutely no rhyme or reason to it, whether it’s the Saints mediocrity, the Rams winning two games in a row, the Colts having two losses in their division weeks before Halloween or what have you. Last season through five weeks, there were five unbeaten teams. This season? None. More teams seem closer to mediocre or worse than to elite status. Everything is all mixed up and backward and turned around.

The Packers Have Had Trouble Protecting QB Aaron Rodgers

Take those very Saints. Last year, they scored 192 points in their first five games en route to a championship. This year, they’ve scored 98 points over the same span. That’s 98. In five games. Their Super Bowl hangover is the kind that lasts into a second day. They are without Reggie Bush, but was he really that important, so valuable to their offense that his missing all but a game and a half of the season has set the entire operation back nearly 100 points? Then there’s Arizona, which stunned New Orleans this past week. The Cardinals’ two losses are by a combined 66 points and and they are scoring 10 fewer points per game than they are giving up. They’re also 3-2, in first place in their division and starting a 25-year old, undrafted rookie named Max Hall at quarterback. Of course they are.

The Green Bay Packers are taking the crazy pills too. Picked by many to go to the Super Bowl and coming off a breakout season in which they scored 461 points and were third in the NFL in total offense. This season, after winning their first two games rather handily, they’ve lost two of three (the game they won over that stretch was a two point nail biter at home against the Lions of all teams), and are averaging 16 points per game in that time. All of that, and it looks like things won’t be getting easier for the Pack thanks to injuries. Their defense went into last week’s game at Washington already missing five starters before defensive end Ryan Pickett suffered a season-ending ankle injury and all-world linebacker Clay Matthews, only the early favorite for Defensive Player of the Year, injured his hamstring, something that could linger for weeks. And on offense, more potential disasters. Tight end Jermichael Finley, around whom the entire passing game is based, tore cartilage in his knee and is out at least two months. And quarterback Aaron Rodgers, one of the top seven in the league at his position, suffered a concussion and is questionable this week (on another note, he shouldn’t play under any circumstances until at least next Sunday, but that’s another column). Finley’s backup Donald Lee was also hurt against the Redskins and starting running back Ryan Grant was lost for the season in Week 1, the biggest reason why the Pack are 26th in the league in rushing. Whether Rodgers misses time or not, there doesn’t seem to be much margin for error now for Green Bay. They may be lucky to make the playoffs, an outcome I’d bet no one predicted.

And so on. Super Bowl candidates like Dallas, Minnesota and San Diego are in shitsville while presumed doormats like Tampa Bay and Kansas City are 3-1 and looking great. Sure some things make some sense – the Steelers, Ravens and Jets are at the forefront of the AFC, the 49ers stink, the Texans are looking fraudulent again, etc. But the strange and unforeseen outweighs the normal and predictable. It’s almost the bizarro NFL. But that doesn’t make it uninteresting. In fact, it’s pretty cool. Not knowing what could possibly happen next kind of makes things even more fun than usual. This season, it’s all about the power of equality.

This Week’s Five Best Teams

1. Baltimore: The Ravens earn the top spot again, almost by default, again. They’ve beaten their two closest competitors on this list in Pittsburgh and the Jets and last week finally found their running game, with gimpy-kneed Ray Rice blasting off for 133 yards and two TDs on 27 carries in a 31-17 win over Denver at home.

2. Pittsburgh: The week off following that excruciating loss to the Ravens gave the Steelers some extra time to prepare for the return this week of Ben Roethlisberger. His first game back? At home against the Browns, who will be starting a rookie, third-string QB. Doesn’t get much more cushy than that.

3. New York Jets: The Jets did their best to let BrettFavre come back on them in last week’s Monday Night game, until he and they remembered he was BrettFavre. The subsequent INT for a touchdown sealed up the Jets fourth straight win, Mark Sanchez again didn’t turn the ball over and man do these guys look even more dangerous because of it. The road won’t get that much tougher with a game against the Broncos this week.

4. Atlanta: My favorite team to crap on despite knowing nothing about how good they actually are had to sweat out a road win at Cleveland last week. It was refreshing to read coach Mike Smith comment that the 4-1 Falcons could just as easily be 1-4, and the defense, this team’s weak spot the past three years, is second in the NFL in points allowed per game at 14. Things are looking really good down in Hotlanta

5. (tie) About 10 Other Teams: In keeping with this week’s theme, take your pick for this spot on the list. The Colts, Pats, Bucs, Chiefs, Titans, Giants, Packers, Bears and maybe even the Redskins all could stake a claim here. Parity is the new black.

This Week’s Five Worst Teams

1. Buffalo: The poor Bills. It made some sense that their putrid defense got rolled by the Pats and the Jets in back-to-back weeks. But the Jaguars? Buffalo allowed 30+ points for the fourth straight week in the loss to Jacksonville, the first time that’s happened in franchise history. They also let the Jags top the 200-yard mark on the ground, the third straight week that’s happened. They also led that game 13-3, before letting the Jags go on a 33-7 run to win it. I’ve been forced to pay attention to the Bills pretty much forever being a Pats fan and I’ve never, ever seen them this bad.

2. Carolina: Pretty much neck and neck with the Bills for the top spot, the Panthers are absolved only because they’ve come closer to winning one of their five games than Buffalo has. Last week, Carolina forced Bears backup QB Todd Collins into a 6-for-16, 32 yard, four INT performance… and STILL LOST 23-6. Yes, that was a caps lock worthy line. It’s a minor miracle that lame duck coach John Fox is still employed. At some point between now and Jan. 3 – the day after the regular season ends – he will not be.

3. San Francisco: At 0-5, Niners owner Jed York pronounced earlier this week that his team would win the NFC West. He may not be too far off considering the level of competition in that stinky division. But to come out and make such a claim in the face of the worsening and continuing failures of his team, which could and should have beaten the Eagles last week if it only had a competent quarterback and set of offensive coaches, is exactly why this franchise hasn’t been able to get its act together over the past 10 or so years. Take it easy, Jed – why don’t you stop talking for a while? Maybe sit the next couple plays out.

4. Cleveland: The Browns are in every game and they deserve credit for that. But they dearth of talent on this team is much more of a focal point, which is why even playing as valiantly as they have (and for a head coach like Eric Mangini, no less?!?!) all year won’t be enough to keep them from living on this particular list week after week after week.

5. (tie) Detroit: Good for the Lions. They finally won a game and it was a total blowout, too. The 44-6 thrashing of the Rams was their largest margin of victory since the pre-Matt Millen days and gave them their (ahem) third win in their last 38 games. Backup QB Shaun Hill was 21-for-32 for 227 yards and three TDs in the victory, and with no picks either. Sure, it was the Rams, looking like their old selves instead of winners of their previous two games. But Detroit has been getting closer and closer for weeks now and if they ever figure out how to play a lick of defense against anyone halfway decent, they might just do some things.

What’s Trendy

-The Giants: Another New York team, another set of soap opera-esque circumstances. The Giants, thought to be dead and buried alongside coach Tom Coughlin not quite three weeks ago after a brutal home loss to the Titans, are now arguably the favorites in the NFC East thanks to decisive wins over Chicago and Houston, the latter of which was especially impressive. Wide receiver Hakeen Nicks, perhaps the team’s best player all year, had a career day with 12 catches for 130 yards and two TDs in the 34-10 rout. And the defense came to play again too, with Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck rolling up three more sacks while contributing to an effort that held the once explosive Texans offense to just 11 first downs.

-Matt Forte, Bears: With his quarterback setting back NFL passing offenses decades in that Carolina game, Forte picked up the slack with 166 yards, a career high, and two TDs. Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz’s greatest achievement – the Rams offense of 1999-2003 – had a Hall of Fame runner in Marshall Faulk. Forte isn’t anywhere near Faulk’s level but there certainly is room in that offense for a guy like him to shine.

-The Redskins Defense: With (supposed) offensive guru Mike Shanahan and (supposed) elite quarterback Donovan McNabb in the fold, it’s interesting to see the ‘Skins winning games with their defense. Washington is ninth in scoring D (18.4 PPG) and has held the Eagles and high-flying Packers to 12 and 13 points, respectively, the past two weeks, both wins. With Indianapolis coming to town Sunday night, it will be as stout a test as this group has faced yet.

What’s Not

-The Saints: It’s not a breaking story that the Saints, who have been outscored by Jacksonville (??!!) this season, are having some problems in defense of their title. But a 30-20 loss to the Cardinals? Really? New Orleans had four turnovers, two of which became Arizona TDs, in the loss while also gaining just 22 yards on 13 red zone snaps. Yikes.

-Steve Crosby, Chargers: He’s not a player, he’s the San Diego special teams coach, and he presides over a unit that has cost this team all three of its losses so far. Two blocked punts allowed against the Raiders in the first four and a half minutes of last week’s game cost them nine points in a game they lost by eight. Three weeks ago in Seattle, they allowed two kick returns for TDs and in Week 1 at Kansas City, it was a punt return for a score. It doesn’t help that QB Philip Rivers had three turnovers against the Raiders (the last one in the red zone on the game’s final drive), but if the Chargers’ wealth of talent is wasted thanks to their lousy special teams, this guy should be fired last week.

-The Cowboys/Vikings Game: A battle of desperate teams that unfortunately has to have a winner. I say unfortunately because watching Minnesota and Dallas not live up to their ridiculously high expectations and squirm so much while doing so is a real treat. Dallas came out of a bye and committed 12 penalties, had three turnovers and allowed six sacks in a brutal home loss to Tennessee while the Vikings were victimized once again by BrettFavre himself in a close and late situation on Monday night at the Jets. Which brings us to…

And finally…

I’ll be as brief as possible here because I don’t really like to talk about him, but I loved how in the immediate aftermath of the latest pick thrown by BrettFavre in a crucial situation that cost his team a game, the excuses made by all of his favorite excuse makers started flying fast and furious. He threw the pick because of that nasty tendinitis in his elbow, or because of the pressure he felt due to the scandal involving his sending text messages of his junk to a sideline reporter when he played for the Jets, or because it was someone else’s fault and not his, or because of the mining incident in Chile or what have you. No one mentioned that none of these things were issues for the balance of the previous 25 or so minutes of the game when he threw three TD passes including the 500th of his career.

The point, yet again, is that BrettFavre is no longer a great, star player but a mediocre, over-the-hill, once great player who is still capable of flashing that greatness from time to time but not nearly enough. There has been a little more criticism of BrettFavre this year and a little less ball washing (thank god Tom Jackson didn’t go on another rant about how brave he was to throw a game/season-ending, hope crushing INT after the Jets game). But not enough to convince me that if he kept pulling his stale, sorry act until he turned 75, his most ardent suckups wouldn’t continue to defend him while deluding themselves that he’s still a top level, winning player.

His most recent look-at-me thing is that this terrible tendinitis, which naturally didn’t seem to flare up until right before the horrible throw he made right to Jets safety Dwight Lowery to lose the game, might force him to sit out a couple weeks, thus ending his consecutive games played streak. Funny how he says this while in the cross hairs of a league investigation of him for sexual harassment that could net him a suspension. Wow, what a coincidence. This fraud is going to keep playing anyone and everyone who will buy it until he’s tired of doing it anymore. And only then will we truly have some peace.

Filed Under: News

Ticket Watch – Ravens at Patriots

October 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

This is an in-demand game, as shown by the average ticket prices. Tickets are running about 160% above the season average thus far, and the amount of available tickets is pretty small.

Still, if you’re looking to go to this game, Patriots Tickets can help you find the best available deal.

See below for the average price per section, or click on the image to search for more:

Here are a couple of more specific links for tickets priced under $200 and $300:

48 tickets still available for less than $200 (Game avg. $304; WKLY Trend: -27%)

27 tickets in 100′s level, less than $300. Some with instant delivery.

Filed Under: TiqIQ

Worry Wart – Game Five vs. Baltimore

October 14, 2010 By 5 Comments

by Chris Warner, Patriots Daily Staff

In light of the greatest Patriots receiver ever getting traded for a third-round pick, we have to pull the bandage and review the third-rounders during Belichick’s tenure:

2010 WR Taylor Price; 2009 WR Brandon Tate, LB Tyrone McKenzie; 2008 OLB/IR Shawn Crable, QB Kevin O’Connell; 2007 none; 2006 TE David Thomas; 2005 CB Ellis Hobbs, OT Nick Kaczur; 2004 S Guss Scott; 2003 DT Dan Klecko, CB Asante Samuel; 2002 none; 2001 CB Brock Williams; 2000 RB J. R. Redmond.

Thirteen picks, maybe six keepers among them (we’re including Price and Tate in that mix). Add to that the seventh-rounder New England threw in–a round that has brought the likes of Patrick Pass, David Givens, Tully Banta-Cain, Matt Cassel and Julian Edelman to Foxboro–and it becomes apparent that the Pats were willing to settle for a PB&J to set Moss free (and, in the process, be free of him).

All right, on to new, more pressing worries. Baltimore comes to town this week, bringing a great offense, a storied defense and a whole lot of crazy with them.

Raven Lunatic

Raven Lunatic: Say whatever you want about linebacker Ray Lewis (big talk, big heart, big involvement in a double homicide), he has lead one of the league’s best defenses for over a decade. Sure, his pre-game dance makes him look like a poisoned whooping crane, but don’t say I didn’t warn you when the Pats have trouble moving the ball on the ground.

If They Could You Know They Woodhead: We absolutely love lil’ Danny Woodhead and what he’s brought to New England’s running game. We absolutely fear what the diminutive one could face against the Ravens’ monolithic front seven. (Woodhead’s 5-foot-9 the same way a compact car seats five: close, but not really.)

Ate Ball, Side Pocket: Our Tom Brady has done a great job avoiding sacks (credit the offensive line, too), but he’ll see the most pressure since the NY Jets game, and that wasn’t a lot of fun. He and the receiving corps need to get on the same page, which reminds us…

A Rolling Moss Gathered Some Stones: Only Wes Welker caught the rock more than Moss, but no one did as much with it. How will this affect the offense? Will Deion Branch and the younger receivers be able to make up the difference? How about the running backs and tight ends? Will we have a Taylor Price sighting?

All important questions, because on the other side of the ball –

Taking Some Flacco: Barring two ill-advised passes by Miami QB Chad Henne that made Rob Ninkovich into Mike Vrabel for a week, the Dolphins more or less moved the ball at will (see: 400 yards of offense). With Joe Flacco at the helm, Baltimore has developed a multi-layered, dangerous scoring attack. This could look like Godzilla taking on Tokyo.

We don’t know if 12 days is enough time to realign a passing offense and improve a forgiving defense. Let’s just hope the Patriots coaches do.

Email Chris Warner at [email protected]

Filed Under: Columns

From The506.com – Where Patriots/Ravens Will Be Shown

October 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

For a game that features CBS’ Top announcing team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms, this Sunday’s Patriots/Ravens game doesn’t get a very wide viewing area. This is mostly because of the 1:00pm start, resulting in a lot of games going on at the same time around the country.

Apparently Las Vegas needs to keep an eye on this one.

Filed Under: Media

First Impressions – Baltimore Ravens

October 13, 2010 By 3 Comments

By Greg Doyle, Patriots Daily Staff

Last time we saw the Ravens here in New England, they were running roughshod over the Patriots in a game that was one of the more embarrassing efforts of the Bill Belichick era.

From taking the first play of the game 83 yards for a score, to causing multiple turnovers, to going up 24-0 in the first quarter, to making Tom Brady look as bad as he’s ever looked, this was an complete and total ass-kicking. It is hard to remember after that massacre that in an earlier meeting during the regular season, the Patriots had actually beaten the Ravens at Gillette, 27-21. Now they’ll meet again for the third time in 12 months. Wes Welker, who missed the playoff game, is back but Randy Moss has, of course, left the building for good for the Patriots, and former Brady security blanket Deion Branch is back in the fold.

The Ravens are a very good team. Handing them a loss could become important around playoff time in terms of whether a fourth potential meeting in two seasons is played in Foxborough or Baltimore. Its a big game. The Patriots, the conventional wisdom is, are going a different direction on offense now that they’ve traded Moss. Its back to ball control, spreading it around and the days when Tom Brady’s favorite receiver was the open receiver. What better way to put that return to their roots strategy than against one of the better defenses in the NFL? On defense, the Patriots young group of defenders will try to continue the improvement they showed before the bye week against Miami against a Ravens team that has a lot of weapons but struggled on offense until last week versus Denver. It should be a great game.

So, lets take a look at a couple of the key Ravens for this game.

Joe Flacco (#5), Quarterback

Flacco is now in his third year and definitely has some outstanding moments. Two weeks ago against Cleveland he put up 3 touchdowns, no interceptions and a 128.7 QB rating. Other games this year he has been mediocre or bad, such as his 4 interception performance in week 2, a loss to the Bengals. For the year he has 5 touchdowns and 6 interceptions and a 72.1 quarterback rating. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Flacco, given new weapons this year such in Anquan Boldin and T.J. Houshmandzadeh at receiver, was supposed to become elite. Yet, at times you watch him this season and it looks like he’s regressed. He makes bad decisions or bad throws. It hasn’t gotten that much attention given the Ravens 4-1 start, but its there. Last year Flacco faced the Patriots twice and was pedestrian or worse in both games. In the first game which took place week 4 of the regular season, Flacco had 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions and a 78.7 QB rating. New England won the game 27-21. Baltimore scored only 14 on offense. In the playoff game, a Baltimore blowout win, Flacco wasn’t called upon to do much as the Ravens raced to a first quarter 24-0 lead. Still, it should be noted Flacco put up an astoundingly low QB rating of 10 in the game. That’s right. 10. His QB rating for 2 playoff games last year was 39.4 combined. So, his struggles stretches back to even late last year. In the last 7 games he’s played, Flacco has thrown 9 interceptions and 5 touchdowns. Not good. If the Patriots young secondary can keep him in his slump, it’ll go a long way towards the Patriots avenging that playoff loss from last season.

Anquan Boldin (#81), Wide Receiver

Boldin was traded for from Arizona this off-season and is the main piece in Baltimore’s receiving group that features similar type receiver. These would be plodding, slow receiver, but big and physical and with outstanding hands. Along with Boldin, you have Houshmandzadeh and Derrick Mason fitting this mold. Boldin is the best of the three. He’s leading the Ravens in receiving, averaging about 73 yards per game, which puts him 5 yards of his pace with Arizona last year. He’s found the endzone 3 times. You’d think a physical corner such as the Patriots Devin McCourty would be able to handle Boldin decently, but that leaves the other less physical Patriots corners to deal with the other physical receivers. This isn’t a game where you’ll see the Ravens firing it deep, but the ability of Boldin and the others, along with tight end Todd Heap, to be strong and out muscle the other Patriots defensive backs is a bit concerning.

Haloti Ngata Will Be A Load For The New England O-Line

DT Haloti Ngata (#92), Defensive End

Ngata, of Tongan ancestry, is more like a tackle, but in the Ravens 3-4 defense he is on the end of the line. He is a massive 345 former first round pick who has a couple plays a game where he seems to throw offensive linemen around like ragdolls. The Patriots offensive line is not a pure power line in the interior and could have trouble with a guy like Ngata. One way to try to attack him is to run outside of him because he is not overly fast or quick, but not terrible either. It is simply a better choice than trying to power block him. Ngata is not a great pass rusher, but has shown improvement throughout his career, including this season. When he does reach the quarterback, he usually punishes them hard. Last year was Ngata’s first Pro Bowl selection and he should earn another this season, as well as possibly adding All-Pro status to his resume.

Dawan Landry (#26) and Tom Zbikowski (#28), Safeties

The Ravens All-Pro playmaking safety Ed Reed is out for several more weeks and this is the tandem that’s been starting. Baltimore also has been missing starting corner Domonique Foxworth and he is out for the season. So secondary is an area of concern for the Ravens and they have given up some big numbers and plays in the passing game at times. Landry and Zbikowski have been criticized in the Baltimore press and by their fans for their coverage. Willing run support defenders, neither is the quickest guy in the world and neither top-flight cover guys. It would seem the middle of the field would be an area the Patriots will look to exploit, particularly with the many over the middle weapons they have. There has been some talk of giving backup Safety Haruki Nakamura some time, but you’d think the Patriots would be able to exploit him to. He may be a bit more athletic then these two, but he is very inexperienced outside the kicking game. Ravens coach John Harbaugh is very high on him, however, and he could get some run. In any event, look for the Patriots to use a variety of players in middle routes, including Wes Welker running his usual routes but also all the tight ends and perhaps use of Julian Edelman and newly reacquired Deion Branch down the seam. Without Ed Reed patrolling the middle, the Ravens are vulnerable here.

Filed Under: Opponents

College Scout – Defensive Linemen

October 9, 2010 By Leave a Comment

By Greg Doyle, Patriots Daily Staff

A pretty good crop of defensive linemen will be in the draft next year and, really, its even deeper than what is listed out here. The guys at 11-20 really probably aren’t that far off from the guys ranked 5-10 here. The Patriots may very well be looking in this area high with Ty and Gerard Warren end players who are both getting up in age and Ty Warren injured. We do not include pure 3-4 outside linebackers in these rankings and will have a separate list in future weeks for guys who project more obviously at that position in the Patriots system.

Is UNC DL Marvin Austin A Potential Fit For The Patriots?

1.) Marvin Austin (#9), North Carolina: A native of Washington, D.C., Austin is a dominating defensive tackle who would project to defensive end in the Patriots 3-4. He checks in at 6’4″ 310 and is very strong, yet quick. As a senior in high school Austin was named National Defensive Player of the Year by Scout.com and was perhaps the most highly recruited player in the nation. Last year, Austin racked up 42 tackles and 4 sacks for the Tarheels. Before this season even began, Austin became embroiled in controversy that centered around his allegedly receiving benefits from an agent and academic cheating. He has not played a game this season. There are obviously character questions with Austin, but as of late he’s been cooperating with all investigations and there is a chance he may be allowed to play some later this season. Even if he doesn’t, he is that good he should still be ranked #1 and will certainly be a top 5 pick at the very least. He’d fit perfectly with the Patriots if he can convince them he’s a good character.

2.) Jared Crick (#94), Nebraska: Crick has a year of eligibility left, but is a senior academically because of a redshirt season. Crick was overshadowed last season by fellow Nebraska defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh, who went #2 in the draft last season. But that is a mistake as Crick is almost as talented and has put together a great college career himself. A excellent pass rusher, Crick may be a bit light for the Patriots scheme at 285 lbs. But he has proven himself without Suh next to him, putting up excellent stats again this year on Nebraska’s very good defense. He should make some team happy and be an excellent NFL player.

3.) Cameron Heyward (#97), Ohio State: The son of former NFL running back Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, Cameron could surpass his dad’s solid NFL career if he lives up to his potential. Sadly, Cameron’s dad died several years back from a brain tumor. Heyward came into this season with 12 career sacks and is known as a very good pass rusher. He only has a half sack so far this year, but teams do focus on trying to contain him. He could be more dangerous in the NFL where teams may be able to focus on him less. While its uncertain if he has the size to play with the Patriots, its close. He comes in a 288 with a frame for more. He’d play end in a 3-4 and will undoubtedly be a first round pick.

4.) Marcel Darius (#57), Alabama: Whenever there is a player from Alabama, particularly on defense, as a draftable prospect its worth mentioning the Nick Saban – Bill Belichick connection. Saban, Alabama’s head coach, is of course a former Belichick assistant and close friend. They play similar defensive systems. This year, the Patriots took Brandon Deaderick, another defensive lineman, from Alabama in the draft and it appears he has some potential to be a good fit and player with the Patriots. At 6’4″ 306 lbs. Dareus is a perfect fit for the Patriots system. Only a Junior, there is a decent chance he comes out this year as he too has run afoul of a NCAA investigation and has already served a two game suspension this season. As a player, he is stout versus the run, a good pass rusher and has shown some versatility to play inside at nose. He’s been fighting an ankle sprain since coming back from suspension and has shown toughness in that regard. You can watch him today versus South Carolina on CBS at 3:30 PM EST>

5.) Robert Quinn (#42), North Carolina: Quinn is one of the top defensive lineman pass rushers in the draft. He is 270 lbs. and a pure playmaker on defense. There is some school of thought he could convert to an outside linebacker in a 3-4, but is probably better off down in a 4-3. He is an excellent athlete with good speed who’ll make certainly cause problems for NFL teams trying to deal with his pass rushing.

6.) Drake Nevis (#92), LSU: Its difficult to decide if Nevis would fit with the Patriots or not. He is very, very strong and stout versus the run. But he is an inside player, where the Patriots have Vince Wilfork, and only 6’1 305 which is a bit small for a nose tackle. Its questionable whether he has the quickness to play outside at end in a 3-4. A disruptor inside, he’s probably better off causing havoc inside at tackle in a 4-3 where many NFL guards will have trouble dealing with his pure strength, relentlessness and quickness in small areas. Watch him tonight versus Florida at 7:30 PM EST on ESPN

7.) Greg Romeus (#91), Pittsburgh: Romeus is a 270 lb. talented defensive end/pass rusher who has been out for a month with a back injury recovering from back surgery. Reportedly he’s getting close to returning and should play again this season. The Big East co-Defensive Player of the Year last year, Romeus really can get after the quarterback and is one of those relentless, hard charging defensive edge players who can cause sacks and strips of the ball. Last year, he racked up 8 sacks. He is also a fine athlete with the speed and athletic ability to drop into coverage and play pass defense. If he recovers well from his surgery, he has a solid shot at being a first round choice.

8.) Adrian Clayborn (#94), Iowa: Clayborn also has a connection to Bill Belichick thru his coach, Kirk Ferentz, who was also a former assistant. Clayborn is a 285 lb. defensive end who has the frame to put on more. He can definitely play in a 2-gap system and should be a Patriots target of interest this draft. Clayborn also is a very accomplished pass rusher and may be that rare player who can play the Patriots 2-gap run defense system, but also has the ability to rush the passer. He is coming off Big 10 Defensive Player of the Week honors this week after a fine performance last weekend versus Penn State where Clayborn dominated the Nittany Lions all day with 10 tackles, 3 for losses and a sack. Penn State scored 3 points in a 24-3 loss. They were held to 54 yards rushing and Clayborn had a major part in that as well. Next weekend you can see if he can deal with the Denard Robinson sensation with Michigan in a 3:30 PM EST game on ABC.

9.) Marcus Forston (#99), Miami: Forston is a 6’3″ 310 lb. academic Junior who may come out after a great year, so far, this season. He is a stout run defender who is very strong and would fit the Patriots system. He also has such power, he does get to the QB right up the middle. So far this year through 4 games, Forston has racked up 4 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He may need another year in school as he sat out all of 2009 with an ankle injury and redshirted. So, really, this is his first season starting as he was a key reserve as a freshman. Another year in school and Forston has the potential to come back next season as perhaps the highest rated defensive lineman in college. But, if he does come out this year, with his talent certainly some team will draft this 20 year old relatively high. And it may just become a steal as he is headed upwards.

10.) Allen Bailey (#57), Miami: Bailey is another Miami lineman and more polished player, but he plays outside at end. He is stout, but more of a penetrating, edge type player. He can get to the QB and had 7 sacks last season. While he does have the natural ability and strength to convert to the Patriots system at 288 lbs., it would take some coaching and he have to harness his attack mentality. Vince Wilfork converted, however, albeit from the inside. Watch him and Forston take on Florida State tonight in an outstanding rivalry game on ABC at 8PM EST.

Filed Under: The Draft Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Around The League – Week Four

October 8, 2010 By 3 Comments

By Jeremy Gottlieb, Patriots Daily Staff

Not that I’m complaining, but there’s something definitely wrong with the Colts. It’s not Peyton Manning, who passed John Elway for third on the all-time passing yardage list last week, and is arguably better than ever right now, at least statistically (70 percent completions, 1,365 yards, 11 TDs and just one pick through his first four games). It’s not Bob Sanders, the king of all overrated players, being injured again (he misses at least half the season every year and the Colts barely miss a beat). But it’s something. Indy is 2-2 after four weeks with both losses in the division. This is sort of stunning considering they’ve cornered the market on starting seasons 10-0, 12-0, 14-0, etc., and clinching the AFC South practically by Thanksgiving (including last season, when they decided to scoff at history at 14-0, pulling their starters halfway through a Week 16 game against the Jets which led to their insufferable GM Bill Polian taking a long, slow leak all over their fans by saying that, “people who really understand the game understand why we did what we did.”).

The Colts Have Uncharacteristically Struggled Out Of The Gate This Year.

Upon examining their first four games, it looks like the Colts are being bitten in the ass by some of the same issues that have plagued them in the past. They aren’t running the ball (75.5 yards per game, 29th in the league) and they are mediocre on defense (29th against the run, 24th overall). Obviously, with a quarterback like Manning and receivers like Reggie Wayne and Austin Collie (65 catches, 854 yards, seven TDs combined), a lack of a rushing threat isn’t the end of the world. But in all of the Colts near-miss seasons (of which there have been several), becoming one-dimensional and predictable on offense has hurt them somewhere down the line when it’s important, with the second half of last year’s Super Bowl loss to the Saints a prime example. The Colts’ approach in last week’s loss to Jacksonville down the stretch was questionable too, as the Jaguars play-calling suggested they were practically volunteering to go to overtime on the heels of the game being tied late in regulation on a TD pass from Manning to Collie, only coach Jim Caldwell (who has seemed overmatched from time to time since taking over for his predecessor, St. Tony Dungy) called a timeout, thus giving the Jags enough time to move into position for the game-winning field goal. Now they get the undefeated Chiefs in a game they’ll have to play without safety Melvin Bullitt, who has played a ton the past couple seasons in place of the always injured Sanders, but is now out for the year himself.

History suggests the Colts will rebound and be plenty scary down the stretch (their only Super Bowl win came in a year they didn’t actually win their division). But another loss this week and with games against Houston, Philly, Cincinnati and the Patriots all coming up before Turkey Day, there may be reason to wonder if one of the best runs of the past decade may be slowing down.

This Week’s Five Best Teams

1. Baltimore: No one is running away with anything this season, making these slots harder to fill. But the Ravens winning at Heinz Field – their own personal house of horrors – knocking off the reigning No. 1 team in the Steelers in the process, gives them the slight edge. It doesn’t hurt that the winning drive directed by QB Joe Flacco (24-of-37, 256 yards, TD) came in the final minute against the league’s top-ranked defense.

2. Pittsburgh: The Steelers were just over a minute away from being 4-0 without Ben Roethlisberger before Flacco’s heroics. It’s conceivable that Roesthlisberger’s return won’t go as smoothly as has been predicted. But the guy is a two-time champion, he’s healthy, he has a star running back in Rashard Mendenhall (89 carries, 411 yards, 4.6 YPA, four TDs) and he has a defense that’s as good as anyone’s. Watch out.

3. New York Jets: As painful as it is to admit, the Jets are really, really good and their stinkbomb against the Ravens in Week 1 seems to have been a fluke. Not only are they rolling without defensive stars Calvin Pace, Darrelle Revis and Kris Jenkins, they’re getting stunning numbers from not yet washed up LaDainian Tomlinson (56 carries, 341 yards, 6.1 YPA, three TDs) and even more surprisingly, QB Mark Sanchez, who has eight TDs and zero picks after throwing 20 last year. The Jets are 3-0 in the AFC East for the first time since 2000.

4. New Orleans: The Saints gutting out a two-point win at home against a team as bad as Carolina might suggest a lower spot on this list (or no spot at all), especially when you add a couple of turnovers and just one offensive TD in the game to the equation. But through their early season struggles, the defending champs are still 3-1 (and a shanked 29-yard field goal from being 4-0), they haven’t even come close to playing their best game yet and have the pathetic Cardinals and the not there yet Bucs in the next two weeks.

5. (tie) Kansas City/Atlanta: The Chiefs, of course, are now the league’s only unbeaten team (of course they are!), hence their presence here despite a bye last week. And the Falcons? Well let’s just say they made a certain Patriots Daily staff member who writes a column about the NFL look a bit, um… stupid, with their gritty, comeback win over the 49ers last week. Receiver Roddy White had six catches for 82 yards in the fourth quarter and also saved his QB and the rest of the team when he ran down Niners corner Nate Clements after Clements had intercepted a pass on what looked like the Falcons last gasp drive, forced a fumble and gave his team another chance to win (which of course, they did). Sorry for being a jackass, Atlanta.

This Week’s Fiver Worst Teams

1. Buffalo: In the Bills defense (since they don’t have any), it has been the Patriots and Jets who have run up and down the field on them the past two weeks. But really, 266 yards rushing against the Jets after 200+ against the Pats? And 444 total yards given up (including a large chunk by Jets third-stringers) won’t fly when you’re 0-for-10 on third down and have 109 yards passing. Even with a decent shot to win this week at home against a Jacksonville team sure to let down after its stunning win over the Colts last week, the Bills are going to be lucky to go 2-14 this season. Sad but true.

2. Carolina: Finally, signs of life from the Panthers, who led the Saints in the fourth quarter before succumbing last week. The near miss came with a high price though as star receiver Steve Smith was carted off the field with an ankle injury in the third quarter. It may not matter that much since rookie QB Jimmy Clausen can’t get him the ball and Smith’s all the Panthers have in the passing game.

3. Detroit: The Lions are now barely losing all of their games instead of being blown out in all their games. Baby steps. They scared the crap out of the Packers in Green Bay last week (26 points, 431 total yards, 24 first downs) and get the much improved Rams at home this week with QB Matthew Stafford on course to be back the week after. Detroit may well just be the best winless/8-67 on the road over the past 10 seasons/33 wins since 2000 team in history.

4. San Francisco: Clements carelessly fumbling away the Niners first win of the season while trying to score unnecessary points instead of just falling on the ball with a lead against the Falcons was a microcosm of his team’s sorry season thus far. The funny thing is, the Rams (2-2) are probably the best team in the NFC West right now (that’s right, the Rams) which means that even at 0-4, San Fran is very much still alive for a playoff spot.

5. (tie) Cleveland/Arizona: The Browns actually won a game last week, getting a solid defensive performance and another huge game from Peyton Hillis (think Mike Alstott, version 2.0), who ran for 102 yards and his fourth TD in four weeks against the Bengals. Cleveland had better watch out or they won’t be on this list much longer. As for the Cardinals, they must be the worst 2-2 team ever. Both of their losses have been by more than 30 points, they’ve allowed at least 364 total yards in each of their last three games and managed just 128 yards of their own in their 41-10 loss to San Diego last week. At least they’re now starting an undrafted rookie at QB just in time to face New Orleans this week.

What’s Trendy

- The Broncos passing game: If you had Kyle Orton as the best QB in the league through four weeks, you win. Orton threw for 348 yards against Tennessee last week and led the Broncos to a comeback win on the road in doing so. He’s averaging 355 passing yards per game and is on pace to finish with 5,676. And his receivers aren’t so bad either; witness both Brandon Lloyd and Eddie Royal going over 100 yards in the win over the Titans.

- Shaun Phillips, Chargers: It did come against the Cardinals and their woeful offense, but Phillips had four sacks, four tackles for a loss, two passes knockdowns and a 31-yard INT return for a score. The last time the Chargers got anything like that from a linebacker, it was Shawne Merriman before he got caught doing steroids and subsequently fell off the side of the earth.

- Terrell Owens, Bengals: Not much fun to give props to T.O. (especially after seeing the ridiculous ads for his even more ridiculous new TV show with Chad Ochocinco). But have to give credit where it’s due after he caught 10 passes for 222 yards and a 78-yard TD last week. Like him or not, he’s going to the Hall of Fame.

What’s Not

- The Broncos running game: Laurence Maroney, our dear old friend, had 11 carries for five yards against the Titans. Surprised? The rest of Denver’s runners weren’t much better, as Orton accounted for all but 19 of the Broncos total yards in the win. Denver is averaging a putrid 55 yards per game on the ground and injured starter Knowshon Moreno is no closer to coming back.

- The Bears offensive line: These guys allowed 10 sacks to the Giants, nine in the first half. Quarterback Jay Cutler kept on holding the ball way, way too long in the loss, but the concussion he suffered probably wouldn’t have happened if his line could block anyone for more than 0.3 seconds. Even overrated Giants defensive end/big mouth Osi Umenyiora, who hasn’t done anything in two years, had three sacks. If these guys were second graders, their report card would say, “Needs Improvement.”

- Andy Reid, Eagles: If you haven’t figured it out yet, I love pointing out ways/times/scenarios in which Reid, arguably the biggest fraud of a coach in the league, justifies his status as such. Last week, in the Eagles 17-12 loss to the Donovan McNabb-led Redskins, Reid had to call a timeout with fourth-and-goal at the 1 in the waning seconds of the first half (following a lengthy replay delay to see whether or not running back LeSean McCoy had crossed the goal line on the previous play). Coming out of the timeout, the Eagles didn’t have a play ready and were called for delay of game, causing them to settle for a field goal. Repeat, coming out of a timeout, they were called for delay of game. Par for the course for these guys in the Reid era. If your team is coached by Andy Reid and any clock management situation pops up, especially at a crucial moment in the game, you’d better start praying.

And finally…

The moment you’ve all been waiting for – two more cents on the Pats trading Randy Moss to the Vikings. It’s strange because as shocking as the news was, as seemingly dumbfounding as the decision might be, it kind of makes sense. For all of Moss’s immense talent and ability, for all the records he set in 2007 and the highlights that went with them, the Pats never won anything with him on the team, not even winning a playoff game the past two seasons combined. Through four games this season, three wins, he has just nine catches. And even though he opens up so much extra room in the passing game for Wes Welker and Aaron Hernandez and whomever, affecting the offense positively even when he’s not getting the ball, the Pats never had anyone doing anything like that when they were winning the Super Bowl in 2001, 2003 and 2004. They (and by they, I mean Bill Belichick) must have been convinced that they can not only win, but contend as well, without him. This is quite a leap of faith, considering those Pats had stellar defenses while these Pats have anything but. It’s not out of the realm of possibility, though.

Everyone who’s paid even an iota of attention to the Pats this season knows that Moss has been pissed off over not having a contract for next year. He’s proven over the course of his career that when he’s pissed off, he can and will disrupt his team. And even though, as Belichick went to great lengths to profess yesterday, Moss has yet to be any kind disciplinary problem (which may or may not be true), that doesn’t mean he won’t be down the road. What it looks like from this angle is that the team (and by the team, again, I mean Belichick) worried that Moss could have gone off at any second over his unhappiness with his contract status and that, combined with the feeling that they can win without him (along with the fact that he wasn’t likely to be on the team next year anyway), made the decision to trade him happen. The Pats are currently averaging 30 points per game, a number that will almost certainly decrease with Moss in Minnesota catching passes from (and eventually not winning with) BrettFavre. But what difference does it make if you win 41-14 or 24-14? None whatsoever.

Filed Under: News

Worry Wart – Bye Week, Hello Worries

October 7, 2010 By 8 Comments

by Chris Warner, Patriots Daily Staff

Something about New England’s 41-14 mastering of Miami caught our eyes. What do you think it was?

a)     Special teams scoring twice.

b)    Tom Brady reaching 100 wins.

c)     The defense giving up 400 yards of offense.

If you considered anything other than c, welcome to Worry Wart, first-time reader!

While we appreciated the contributions of linebacker Rob Ninkovich (two interceptions), running back Danny Woodhead (TD catch), returner Brandon Tate (kickoff TD) and safety Patrick Chung (too numerous to mention), we had trouble getting past the Patriots’ inability to stop the Dolphins. Sometimes this team looks as defenseless at a porcupine on its back.

All we’re saying is, the Pats can’t depend on three non-offensive scores all the time (although, with Randy Moss traded, they may have to). Thus, we have some concerns for the following three quarters of the season as New England rests this week at 3-1. Due to a more relaxed attitude for this coming Sunday, we shall present each point as ska song title in honor of Chung, whose mom had a hit in Jamaica in 1985 (see her perform that catchy ditty here).

A Message To You, Randy: Though The Specials actually spoke to Rudy in this seminal ska rebirth tune, our version seems appropriate given what the hell happened with Moss. How, exactly, does subtracting him from the offense make the team better overall? And who’s going to take Moss’ place in the lineup? Brandon Tate? Rookie Taylor Price? A third-round pick in 2011?

No, no and no. Those are your answers.

Ranking Full Stop: Third and short. Third and long. We’ll be calling it the “Third-And-Pick-A-Number” defense soon if this run of giving up first downs continues. Let’s face it, New England’s D blew more stops than Steve McQueen in a car chase.

Too Much Pressure: We’ll repeat it as much as the song by The Selecter does; Brady needs more time to throw the ball. The fact that Miami pass rusher Cameron Wake gave New England such problems says much more about the Patriots’ offensive line that it does about the former superstar for the British Columbia Lions.

(Was that previous sentence even real?)

You’re Wondering Now: On the other side of the ball, Miami QB Chad Henne had enough time in the pocket to adjust his helmet, make his reads and check his email before delivering each pass. What to do? Who can get to the passer? Does New England expect enough defensive help in a trade with Minnesota to make up for the loss of Moss?

Oh, wait, I forgot: they got a third round pick. Hooray. Pop the bubbly.

One Step Beyond: Why on earth did the Dolphins stop running the ball to the outside, out of reach of Pats defenders? Just like the band who performed the aforementioned tune, you can call this Madness. Ninkovich, Jermaine Cunningham and Tully Banta-Cain all do solid work at outside linebacker, but setting the edge doesn’t seem a strength with this D.

Pretty Boys: An underrated Joe Jackson song begs the question, are the Patriots tough enough on both sides of the ball? On offense, the tight end situation reminds one of a Ming vase: it’s great to look at, it’s well-crafted, and we wouldn’t touch it. Kudos also to BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Woodhead, two undrafted free agents who have gotten us past the former number one pick traded to Denver. But, with the game on the line, can this offense pick up the tough yardage and keep the football out of opposing team’s hands? Can they return to the grind-it-out ways of the past? Let’s hope guard Logan Mankins gets back in the picture.

On defense? Well, we feel like we’ve already made our point, so it’s your turn. In the comment space below, start a sentence with “This Patriots defense is so,” and give us your best. “So invisible the Where’s Waldo guy sent out a search party,” “So loose it moonlights as the ‘before’ pants on diet ads,” “So bad Michael Jackson named an album after it–and that was 23 years ago,” etc. Good luck!

Wrong ’Em Boyo: This ska-influenced tune from The Clash goes out to the kicker-snapper-holder combo of Stephen Gostkowksi, Jake Ingram and Zoltan Mesko, who have somehow avoided hurting the team thus far, but only just. While Gostkowski seems to have gotten over his early season inconsistency, Ingram’s hikes have kept Mesko busier than a catcher at a knuckleballer convention. Look for coaches to tighten up that exchange (a Clampdown, if you will).

Do Rocksteady: Based on a hit by The Bodysnatchers, this goes to New England’s lack of consistency over the first four games. What team do we have here, exactly? The one that handled Cincinnati and Miami, or the one whose defense got hammered by Buffalo and New York (and, while we’re at it, during the second half of the Cincy season opener)?

If the Patriots can figure all that out and come together as a team in the second half of the season, their fans will be Walking on the Moon.

(Sorry. I’ll never do that again.)

Email Chris Warner at [email protected]

Filed Under: Columns

We Want Answers

October 6, 2010 By 22 Comments

By  Dan Snapp, Patriots Daily Staff

Your guess is as good as mine.

The Patriots trading Randy Moss makes no sense, from the compensation (a measly third-rounder) to the timing (game five while tied for the AFC East lead) to the trading partner (October 31st opponent Minnesota). Vikings coach Brad Childress loves to tell the press all the times he thinks he outwitted Bill Belichick. Today, he’s right.

There’s got to be more to the story. There’s no way a team simply gives away* their top deep and red zone threat in the midst of a tight divisional race.

* While a third-round pick is nothing to be sniffed at, a 2011 pick does the Patriots no good in 2010 (and possibly no good in 2011, for that matter, given the looming lockout).

Throughout Moss’s time with the Patriots, he’s been the good soldier. We’ve never seen the petulance that famously followed him in Minnesota and Oakland. He had contempt for the press, but on Belichick’s Patriots, that’s a good thing.

So what happened? Do the Patriots think his skills have eroded? With fewer balls coming his way, has he become a locker room cancer? And as petty as it makes the organization sound, was Moss’s week one public admonishment of “not feeling wanted” a bridge too far?

We all have heard and get the old Branch Rickey quote, “Trade a player a year too early rather than a year too late,” but this really doesn’t apply, not for what they’re getting back. What’s a third-rounder to the New England Patriots? It’s a pick they’ve blown much more often than they’ve hit. And as much as the Patriots like to continually be future-facing, there’s only so much future for Tom Brady to still face.

There will some knee-jerk rationalizing to come, with terms like “bridge year” thrown out. There will be suggestions Belichick soberly looked at his squad and decided it ain’t happening this year. People will eventually say multiple picks in rounds 1-4 next year justifies the move.

I don’t buy it, because I don’t believe Belichick ever gives up on a season. There’s got to be something else.

Belichick will probably offer his usual platitudes, “We’re just trying to do what’s best for the organization … we saw good value in the deal … Randy’s been a tremendous player for the Patriots and we thank him and wish him well …” yada yada yada.

We’ve never asked for more explanation from Belichick, always taking him at his word whenever he stated his goal was to make the team better and win games.

Not this time. This time, the team got worse. We’d just like to know why.

Filed Under: Columns

Making The Grades – Game Four At Dolphins

October 6, 2010 By 3 Comments

By Jeremy Gottlieb, Patriots Daily Staff

OK, class – raise your hands if you saw that one coming? If you did, you may want to drop out of Patriots Daily University and enroll in fortuneteller school because I can’t imagine anyone in their right mind who could/would have dreamed up the scenario in which the Pats absolutely stomped on the Dolphins on Monday night in Miami. Maybe, just maybe, someone might have seen them exploding for 35 second half points and a 41-14 win that didn’t feel even remotely that close. But I reckon it would have involved the offense doing the damage, not just putting up a paltry 265 total yards and spending the rest of its time chilling on the sideline while the special teams did everything, And when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING. A kick return for a score, a blocked punt that led to a score two plays later, a blocked field goal for a score (the Pats first such TD since 1987!!!) and seemingly every kickoff by Stephen Gostkowski flying through the end zone and winding up somewhere near Palm Beach. Even our favorite punter of all time, Zoltan Mesko, got in on the act booming a couple of punts including one that traveled 60 yards in the air while simultaneously looking like a meteor. All this special teams goodness combined with some actual playmaking on defense thanks to the likes of Patrick Chung and Rob Ninkovich and a couple of nobody’s named BenJarvus Green-Ellis and the soon to be immortal Danny Woodhead providing the fireworks on offense made for a more than pleasant Monday evening and will surely provide for a very comfortable few days as we cruise through the bye week. It was a classic team win, early aughts-style, with everyone, known or unknown, pitching in and the glorious site of a beaming Bill Belichick racing around the bench area glad-handing, slapping pads and helmets and looking positively thrilled to close out the night.

So with that, let’s get at this week’s report card, certain to be a very, very special one, indeed.

OFFENSE: Overall Grade: B+

They may not have had to do too much on a night dominated by another phase of the game, but the Pats offensive players did plenty, regardless of how little time they actually spent on the field. After two quick drives that resulted in punts to start the game, the offense locked in, posting a 16-play drive (which took nine minutes off the clock) and a 13-play drive, both of which ended in field goals, to close out the first half, then a 12-play march early in the third quarter right on the heels of the Dolphins scoring a TD to close the Pats lead to just six points. Minus those first two drives of the game, the Pats did pretty much everything they needed to do when they needed to do it all night, providing the perfect supplement to the playmaking of the special teams and the defense.

Quarterbacks: A-

After the game, ESPN yokels Steve Young and Matt Millen gushed and slobbered about Tom Brady and how everything that happened for the Pats in the win was all because of him and how great and perfect he is. Um, yeah, what game were they watching? Look, Brady is great, and this was his 100th career win as a starting QB – faster (131 games) than anyone in NFL history, and he looks like he’s pretty much all the way back from his 2008 injury. He can still make all the throws, he’s as patient and in command as ever and even on a night like Monday, when other factors are propelling the Pats to a win and he only throws 24 passes against 32 running plays, he has a major impact on the outcome of the game. But this wasn’t his night and I’m sure he’d tell you and Young and Millen the same thing. He was excellent, nonetheless, routinely finding his favorite target Wes Welker every time he needed to involving Tate and Woodhead in the passing game and just generally stabilizing things the way he’s always done. 19-of-24, 153 yards, a TD pass and a 107.1 passer rating? All just fine, thank you. Brady took a trip in the time machine to his early, game manager-style days on Monday night, which was just what the Pats needed him to do.

Running Backs: A

Fred Taylor is injured, naturally. Laurence Maroney is dancing and stutter-stepping to the tune of 11 carries for five yards in Denver. Sammy Morris is pretty much a fullback. Kevin Faulk is maxing and relaxing and healing from his torn ACL. Enter Green-Ellis and Woodhead, the two undrafted no-names who have carried the Pats running game for two weeks now. The Law Firm got the start and killed it, again, ripping off 76 yards and a huge score on just 16 carries (4.8 YPA). He’s now got 174 yards and two TDs in his last two games and should definitely keep the starting job once Taylor’s latest injury has healed (if for no other reason than that he doesn’t get hurt every single time he steps on the field, a la Taylor). Not only is BJGE doing what he’s doing, he’s looking tough and nasty doing it. He’s taking guys on aggressively with the ball in his hands, not skipping and dodging and trying to be cute and/or audition for Dancing with the Stars. The combination of speed, toughness, agility and smarts he’s shown has been a revelation. Here’s hoping he gets the chance to keep it going. And then there’s Woodhead; dubbed Rudy 2 by one of my viewing companions, building on his superb debut last week against Buffalo, with another sensational performance. The diminutive, hobbity Woodhead played the Faulk role perfectly again, racking up 36 yards on eight carries and an 11-yard TD catch, pretty much all of which came on the same third quarter drive (the one in which the Pats stepped on the Dolphins collective throat after the lead had been cut to six). On the scoring play, Woodhead faked Miami’s $55 million prized free agent/self professed “best linebacker in the game,” Karlos Dansby, out of his jock then ran away from him into the end zone. Then, there he was was on the kickoff team 12 seconds later, a spot from where he had a big block on Tate’s TD return (oh yeah and he also had a tackle in punt coverage). A pox on the Jets for letting this guy go – actually, check that. No pox, just a great, big, profanity-laced thank you to Rex Ryan for letting Rudy 2 leave the Jets so that the Pats could pounce. I hate to repeat myself, especially from week to week, but right now, who cares? MORE WOODHEAD ACTION!!!

Wide Receivers: B+

Hey did you know Randy Moss had no catches for the first time in 51 games with the Pats? Do you care? Me neither, although he dropped a sure TD on that fake spike play at the end of the first half. But he took out Miami’s best defensive back and opened up so much space for the Pats to make plays in the passing game when they needed to and he seems to be just fine with it (so far). Again, just 24 pass plays, mostly of the short variety (Brady only threw 6.4 yards per pass attempt). But on a night like Monday, you don’t need the high-flying passing game, you just need guys to make a couple plays here and there and that’s just what happened. Welker caught eight passes for 70 yards and looked like his old self in cranking out first downs throughout the game, especially on that long drive following Miami’s second TD. Tate added four catches for 39 yards, one an acrobatic sideline grab that stopped the clock on the final drive of the first half. Sometimes, you can get away with your superstar posting a donut, the way it happened for Moss. The Pats sure did on Monday.

Tight Ends: A-

There was a stretch in the second quarter when Brady went to rookie Aaron Hernandez on one play after another and all Hernandez did was smoke anyone is his path. It wasn’t the same statistical result for Hernandez as it’s been – he did fire up five more catches but for only 29 yards (to his defense, he had a 26 roll wiped out by a holding penalty in the first quarter). But he’s obviously an integral part of the offense, a guy whom Brady and Belichick have the utmost faith in regardless of the fact that he’s one of just two players in all of the NFL yet to celebrate his 21st birthday (I wonder what that party will be like). Defenses are trying to handle him like a receiver since he so clearly can handle being covered by linebackers, and so far, he seems too strong for a lot of defensive backs. It’s going to be a real treat to see him continue to develop. Alge Crumpler played a little more than usual likely because of the commitment to the running game, and provided his regular bruising, beastly performance as basically an extra O-lineman. Crumpler’s added time led to fewer snaps for Rob Gronkowski, who had one catch for four yards.

Offensive Line: B-

The only near substandard aspect of the Pats offense on Monday night, though the line can and should be absolved given how good they’ve been all year. Matt Light’s holding penalty negated that long play to Hernandez and Light probably could have been whistled another time or two. Sebastian Vollmer really struggled against Miami’s speedy pass rushing specialist Cameron Wake, who left big SeaBass flailing on multiple occasions. Wake had a sack and dropped Brady three other times after the ball had been thrown and it all came against Vollmer. Still, the running game resulted in big nights for the two primary backs and that’s a feather in the O-line’s (especially Dan Connolly, who had another near perfect game) collective cap. It wasn’t these guys best effort but even so, it was enough to healthily contribute to the win.

DEFENSE: Overall Grade: B+

I have to play devil’s advocate just for a second here because for all the sunshine and puppies going around after this win, it’s important to point out that much, much more work is necessary on this defense. They still gave up 400 yards, still had moments in which Miami receivers were standing in the middle of the field with no one within 20 yards of them and they still had multiple plays on which defensive backs couldn’t make tackles. Four interceptions and the couple of sacks and so forth are great and contributed mightily to the end result. But there were still multiple examples of how much improvement is needed here, especially in the secondary. That being said, this game produced clearly the best effort of the season from the defense and they should be commended (especially Ninkovich, Chung and Jerod Mayo, who was absolutely monstrous) for not breaking despite being bent and bent and bent.

Defensive Line: B

There were a few moments early when the Dolphins ran the ball with conviction, away from Vince Wilfork and it looked like it would be an extra long night for the D as a whole considering the problems defending the pass. But after weathering the early early storm, the D-line toughened up and looked stout for the rest of the night. Wilfork still managed to make a few stops both from the nose and on the outside, including a classic crusher of Dolphins star Ronnie Brown in the backfield in the third quarter. Mike Wright spent a fair amount of time over the nose and struggled with that assignment initially before settling in nicely and registering a sack as well as another tackle for a loss. Gerard Warren also produced a highlight-reel stop against the run in the fourth quarter, rounding out a nice night for this group.

Rob Ninkovich Had Himself Quite A Night

Linebackers: A-

How about Mayo, eh? One week after his huge performance against Buffalo, he busted out again, posting 16 tackles, nearly coming up with a spectacular, diving interception and from time to time looking like the strongest, most athletic player on the field. The Pats have needed Mayo to step up and make plays, lead the defense and live up to not just his Defensive Rookie of the Year award from two years ago but his status as the 10th overall pick in that year’s draft for a while now and in three out of four games this year, with last year’s knee injury pretty much looking like its completely healed, he’s doing it. It feels good to write that given how disappointing he was last season and how much time I’ve spent ripping him after so many no-shows. He’s really looking like the man at this point and the Pats must be thrilled with that development. Mayo’s a monster right now. Ninkovich, as already mentioned, had the game of his life with the two picks (each perfectly timed given the way Miami was marching down the field right both times) and a sack also at a critical time. He’s not looking like Mike Vrabel in just the literal sense anymore. What a game for yet another no-name, undrafted dude. Jermaine Cunningham again looked like he’s making progress with a couple of pretty, pass-rushing moves off the edge that resulted in a couple of super near misses of Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne as well as a basketball blocked shot-esque knock down of a pass. Tully Banta-Cain and Brandon Spikes were mostly spectators but neither did anything to incriminate himself. It was a big night for the linebackers, such a welcome sight after so many mediocre showings over the past couple seasons.

Defensive Backs: C+

Chung’s TD return notwithstanding, it was a mixed bag for this group, which was better but still not very good. Devin McCourty was beaten a couple more times, missed a couple more tackles and had a brutal pass interference penalty that cost the Pats a three-and-out (and was absolved by Ninkovich’s second INT a few plays later) and Chung, who for all his ability and big moments this season, still needs a lot of work not just on his technique and awareness of where he is on the field and in coverage, but on his tackling. When Miami’s Davone Bess scored on 19-yard pass play in the first quarter, Chung not only took a rather circuitous route to him, but he also missed the tackle as Bess turned up field, getting dragged a couple yards before Bess shed him for good. Jonathan Wilhite put up his weekly clueless moment or two, again twisting in the wind on one pass play where he was totally out of position and another where he couldn’t tackle a receiver who was right in front of him. It’s getting harder and harder to remember Wilhite ever making a play and given that he gets roasted in one way or another at least once every week, I wonder how much more time he can afford to be given out there. Brandon Meriweather made a huge hit on a quick slip screen to Bess on which he read it perfectly and buried Bess for a six-yard loss. Of course, he then got up and did an embarrassing dance complete with a salute, before missing an easy tackle and getting cleaned out on a running play, respectively, a few minutes later, before leaving with a knee injury and not returning in the second half. You won’t hear too much complaining from this space if he misses any time. Meriweather’s injury gave new-ish acquisition Jarrad Page, a safety procured from Kansas City late in the preseason, a chance to play a lot of snaps and Page looked pretty good despite getting wiped out by a great block by receiver Brandon Marshall on Miami’s second TD. Page was in good position most of the time, didn’t miss any tackles or run himself out of any plays and came up with the Pats fourth pick of the game late in the fourth quarter (and I don’t think he did any dancing afterward either). Wonder if Meriwather was playing attention… Oh and Darius Butler barely played, only appearing late when the game was out of reach. Phew.

Special Teams: A+

Not much analysis required here. Tate’s 103-yard kickoff return for a TD (sprung by killer block from Sammy Morris). Chung’s blocked punt, two plays later a TD. Chung’s blocked field goal recovered and run in by Kyle Arrington for a TD. 35 points in the second half, 21 of which either off or directly a result of special teams plays. Plus, Gostkowski’s booming kickoff after booming kickoff and two field goals and Zoltan’s punting and Woodhead’s blocking and tackling gets this unit the highest grade possibly given here at old PDU (it also got the Dolphins special teams coach fired, which was predicted in my living room midway through the fourth quarter). Good work, men.

Coaching: A

A lot was made leading up to the game about Belichick continually reminding his charges, especially the defense, that they were being skewered in the media throughout the week. He showed them a grid of predictions in their own house newspaper, Patriots Football Weekly, all of which had them losing. He emblazoned into their heads that they were being disrespected, a lot like the way they were when Rodney Harrison was leading that charge back in 2003 and 2004. And it worked. They blew out a division rival and on the road, no less (their first road win against a winning team since November 2008). They killed it in the second half. They played a complete, 60-minute game in which ever facet of the game combined seamlessly to contribute to the win. It was a hugely important win in a hugely important game handled flawlessly by Belichick and his staff, especially special teams coach Scott O’Brien, who clearly saw something flawed in the Dophins punt and field goal teams that he got his guys to exploit perfectly. Belichick’s demeanor and behavior late in the game and afterward spoke volumes. He was thrilled because he saw the way his guys responded to the circumstances. On Monday night and leading up to it, once again, he was the master.

Filed Under: Games

That’s More Like It

October 5, 2010 By 5 Comments

By Bruce Allen, Patriots Daily Staff.

This was more like it. We’ll also take more like this one.

In perhaps the most encouraging Patriots game in a few years, the Patriots dismantled the Miami Dolphins last night, 41-14 in South Florida. Trailing 7-6 at the half, the Patriots outscored the Dolphins 34-7 in the second half, strongly answering questions that many had about this team.

Whether they can keep it up and be consistent remains to be seen, but at least we’ve gotten a glimpse of what this team is capable of, and frankly, it’s pretty exciting.

BJGE is always headed upfield

BJGE is always headed upfield

It wasn’t all good, of course. For much of the first half, we saw a lot of the same frustrating things that had been on display over the first three weeks of the season. The opposing offense moved the ball at will, there were missed assignments and missed tackles. The offense couldn’t get into the end zone.

Rob Ninkovich kept the Patriots in the game with a pair of interceptions in the first half, each as Miami was driving. The score could’ve been 21-0 at the half, so you had to feel good that it was only 7-6 going into the locker room, knowing that the Patriots would get the ball to open the second half.

Then followed 30 of the most entertaining minutes of football I can remember in some time. First Brandon Tate runs back the second-half kickoff for a touchdown. The Patriots defense then forced a punt from Miami, which Pat Chung blocked. The Patriots took advantage of the great field position with a TD run from BenJarvus Green-Ellis. After four years of Laurence Maroney hesitation at the line, and losing yards, it’s a pleasure to watch BJGE run the ball. Like Antowain Smith in the early part of the decade, it seems like BJGE always gets positive yardage.

When the Dolphins came back with a touchdown to get within a score, the fun really began. The Patriots faced a third and long, and with the crowd trying to get into things, Tom Brady hit Wes Welker for a big gain to keep the drive going. With Welker and Randy Moss both double-teamed, Danny Woodhead was singled-covered by linebacker Karlos Dansby and scored on an 11-yard pass from Brady.

Later, the Dolphins, desperate for points, lined up for a long field goal. Chung again broke through the line and blocked the kick, which was eventually scooped by Kyle Arrington and returned for a TD. Chung later intercepted a Chad Henne pass and returned it 51 yards for the final score.

It you flipped away even briefly, you probably missed at least one of these plays. It was such a dominating second half, that even the Patriots official Twitter account was talking trash.

The Monday Night Football crew, which prior to the game had been talking about the Patriots struggles, suddenly scrambled to come up with storylines, and while Jon Gruden had previously picked the Patriots as  9-7 non-playoff team, was suddenly saying they were one of the best in the league.

When Brady was finally taken out of the game, the fire he showed, couldn’t help but fire you up at home as well. Bill Belichick going up and down the bench shaking hands with his players demonstrated further how much this performance and this win meant to this team right now.

There is still much work to be done, but at least we know now that this team is capable of playing at a high level, on the road, in the second half of a game. It’s a start.

Filed Under: Games
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