Baltimore Ravens

1. DT Vince Wilfork was in beast mode all afternoon. Six tackles and a sack doesn’t begin to explain his influence on the game. Wilfork had at three tackles for a loss and his share of pressure on QB Joe Flacco. It was a dominant performance by a team leader showing what it takes to get to a Super Bowl. It was arguably Wilfork’s best game in the biggest game of the year.

Continue reading "Pick Six: AFC Championship"

After a playoff win over San Diego, several Patriots mocked then-Chargers LB Shawn Merriman’s “Lights Out” sack celebration right on the Chargers logo at midfield.

In a thorough dismantling of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship played in Pittsburgh, WR Deion Branch was caught on camera asking the fans, “Where’s your towels? Where’s your towels?”

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: AFC Championship"

New York Jets DE Shawn Ellis said of New England QB Tom Brady, “He becomes a different quarterback when he doesn’t have wide-open guys and you hit him three or four times. He was skittish. I’ve never seen him like that. In the first half he was terrified.”

Continue reading "A Fueled Off-season"

The Patriots haven’t lost to the New York Jets in the playoffs. I did not know that. N.E. is 2-0 thanks to a 26-14 win back in 1985 and a 37-16 blasting in 2007. Naturally these results have no bearing on what happens on Sunday, but I find these facts interesting.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Divisionals"

It’s kinda hard saying Baltimore, Indianapolis, or the New York Jets concern me considering the results from the regular season games. The Pats throttled the Jets in the second go-round. I don’t take any team led by QB Peyton Manning lightly, but the Colts have a lot of injuries and needed a furious comeback to make that game close. And the Ravens, with their suspect secondary, hasn’t seen this version of the Patriots.

Continue reading "Chief Concern out of the Wild Cards"

Are the Patriots the best team in the league? 

Depends on who you ask. Some shout out yes from the highest mountaintop. Others say no, it’s the Atlanta Falcons. Power rankings might suggest. Bottom line is these opinions and polls are subjective. 

Continue reading "Best In the League?"

They made a great statement against the Baltimore Ravens. Yes the Ravens aren’t the most potent offense in the league. But they have the pieces to dictate games and impose their will. 

Continue reading "Stepping Up, Step Forward"

I’ve heard that sometimes a great offense is a good defense. Well the inverse is true too: sometimes a great defense is a good offense. I think that’s partially what is in mind with the change of offensive philosophy. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 6"

What happens in preseason games doesn’t matter. 

That’s garbage. Try telling that to a head coach after a piss-poor performance by his team as his hair goes gray during the post game press conference. 

Continue reading "A Running Concern"

When CB Terrence Wheatley walked off the Gillette Stadium field last Thursday with a couple of trainers, it crossed my mind it would be for the last time as a Patriot for Wheatley. But his chance of sticking around went up with CB Leigh Bodden going down. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Preseason Four"

The loss was the equivalent of a mugging. The Patriots didn’t see it coming, and before they knew it, New England was on the ground, wondering what happened. 

There’s no sugar-coating this. They got whipped. Baltimore came out with a fury and the Pats had no answer for the rapid flurry of haymakers. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Wild Card"

Don’t buy it when the Baltimore Ravens say they put the week 4 loss behind them. LB Ray Lewis avoided talking about it by saying it was in the past, but it’s on his mind. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Wild Card"

The linebackers have a big challenge on their hands. Baltimore’s offensive line is big and physical with a run first mentality. The ground game, led by RBs Ray Rice and Willis McGahee, averaged 137.5 yards per game at a 4.7 yards per gain clip. 

Continue reading "Line of Defense"

With WR Wes Welker expected to be out for the playoffs, all the attention went to his replacement known as “Mini Wes” to some (I prefer Fat Welker), Julian Edelman. 

Sunday Edelman had a Welker-like day as he caught 10 passes for 103 yards, including a 25-yard catch and run that would make Wes proud of Edelman. 

Continue reading "Welker Remix"

It’s the kind of injury that believers in playing it safe use as an example. WR Wes Welker injured his knee when he planted his left foot to change direction, but the knee gave away. People believe he tore his ACL and MCL, ending Welker’s season just before the playoffs. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 17"

In 2005, the Patriots “lost” the season finale to the Miami Dolphins. Because of that “loss,” the Pats hosted the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card game instead of facing Pittsburgh. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 16"

After the Patriots’ loss to the Indianapolis Colts, the first thing I did when I started my car was turn off the radio. I almost didn’t turn on my t.v. When I did, I absolutely didn’t tune in to ESPN or NFL Network. This lasted through the next day until the Monday night football game. I didn’t read the newspapers for almost two days. 

Continue reading "Looking Ahead"

Pro Bowl balloting is open to the public. Choose wisely. 

This year New England fans will have a tough time rationalizing Patriot players worthy of being selected. The offense’s big three of QB Tom Brady and WRs Randy Moss and Wes Welker will get their share of votes. Beyond them…good luck. 

Continue reading "Pro Bowl Ben?"

Alright, Tom Brady. The grace period is over. Now it’s time to be yourself again. That means the accurate surgeon capable of lighting up the scoreboard with few errors should finally be back. You’ve had enough time to work out the kinks. No more excuses. 

Continue reading "The Real Tom Brady"

Hopefully RB Laurence Maroney doesn’t think he’s off the hook after rushing for 123 yards (7.7 average) and a score. If anything, the expectations have gone up. It’s nice to see you blow up in one game as the undisputed primary ball carrier. But can you do this week after week after week? 

Continue reading "Staying On the Run"

I’ve been high on safety Brandon Merriweather since his second-year breakout season. He finished 2008 second on the team in tackles, led the team in interceptions with four, and forced two fumbles. What really stood out was the significance of the turnovers, as twice they were the difference in wins. 

Continue reading "Killer B's"

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, for nbenching WR Joey Galloway. While we may not know what Sam Aiken and Julian Edelman will contribute week to week, I’d take my chances with them over the 15-year veteran until Galloway learns the offense, if he ever does. 

Continue reading "Pick Six"

Maybe the week two Jets game was like a flash forward of this game against Baltimore. 

Obviously the Ravens’ defense will play much like Gang Green’s crew that kept the Patriots offense out of the endzone. Baltimore will rely on many of the principles taught by Cocky Green Giant, with a few twists naturally. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 4"

Continue reading "The Blueprint"

Great, another University of Michigan linebacker we will eventually put on IR. 

OK, OK, that’s uncalled for and it’s unfair. I’m jaded by Shawn Crable because I had high hopes for him, but he never made the field in 2008 and will miss all of ’09 as well. Maybe it’s because his legs are too skinny to endure the stress from pro football. 

Continue reading "Another Burgess"

Hello, and welcome to week one of the NFL season. 

No, I haven’t been in a cave for the week. But like the Patriots, I’m forgetting about the season opener. 

Was the home team that bad? No, not really. There were a couple of highlights (QB Tom Brady and the secondary), but everywhere else there was plenty of room for improvement: inability to gain first downs on short yardage runs, dropped passes, lack of a pass rush, etc. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 2"

OK, now I’m sold. 

Since the end of the regular season I’ve been waiting for the Patriots to get a rush linebacker I could believe in. Whether it was a rookie day one draft pick, a free agent, or by trade, I wanted someone that could get to the quarterback better than Mike Vrabel did in 2008. His trade to Kansas City made the need urgent. 

Continue reading "A Burgess Believer"

In the world of journalism, it's the greatest compliment when an article you wrote inspires others to express their own opinion on the same subject.

Back in February, I wrote an article asking the question should teams draft tight ends in the first round. It was a relevant question because Oklahoma State's Brandon Pettigrew could be the only TE selected within the first 32 picks.

Continue reading "Great Minds Think Alike"

To read any of my past blogs, click here.

1. The only kicker the Baltimore Ravens have ever known was released Thursday. The 41-year old Matt Stover, the lone remaining Raven from the franchise’s move from Cleveland, was informed by management it would be moving in another, and I’m assuming younger, direction. The release of Stover hasn’t left me sleepless, but it once again made it clearly evident that in the NFL’s salary cap age, very few players stay in one place for their entire career, and it’s unfortunate. I appreciate professional sports are a business, and generally, in most respectable businesses, it’s all about taking the necessary steps towards greatness and therefore making more money because of it. My gripe is that there’s something to be said about a guy who spends his entire career with the franchise you root for, makes him feel like a bigger part of your life and a permanent part of your community. He's one of you. Since the majority of my readers are supporters of the Boston sports franchises, I’ll relate this to the Patriots. As of today, ESPN lists 60 players on New England’s current roster. Of those 60, only 12 have spent their entire career with the Pats while having played more than five seasons, and there isn’t much of a guarantee all 12 will be suiting up come Week 1 of 2009. With the release of players around the NFL like Derrick Brooks (14 years with Tampa Bay), Marvin Harrison (13 with Colts) and Fred Taylor (11 with Jags) loyalty doesn’t seem to exist between management and its players without a large financial compromise by the player. I’ll admit, sometimes it is the player’s inability to realize he is not what he once were (i.e. Harrison), but my point is enjoy your favorites while they’re here, because they’ll be an expendable cap casualty before you know it.

Continue reading "The Sports Don's Sunday Musings: Volume V"

It was bound to happen sooner or later. Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels turned down opportunities after last season, but he knew teams would keep knocking on his door. He was waiting for the right opening, and the chance to be the Denver Broncos' head coach might be exactly what he wants.

Continue reading "McDaniels Leaves the Nest"

When I was a sophomore in high school playing on the JV basketball team, we went into our Christmas break undefeated and feeling pretty good about ourselves. Over the break we were scheduled to play one game against a team from the division below us. We practiced a few times, nothing too serious, and went into the game feeling good. But the week and a half layoff killed us and we lost by four, our only loss of the season.

Continue reading "Picks for the NFL weekend"

When I heard that LB Jerod Mayo received 49 of 50 votes for Defensive Player of the Year, I asked two questions: 1. Who got the one vote, then later, 2. Who the hell voted for Keith Rivers?

I won't argue Rivers won't be a good player down the road. In limited playing time, he had 37 tackles with an interception. But to compare a player that only played seven games versus someone who started 16 is illogical. Even if Rivers' number were projected to 16 games he's far behind Mayo's production. Sorry Rivers that you got your jaw broke by Pittsburgh Steelers WR Hines Ward, but that's football.

Continue reading "Stray Votes"

According to The Boston Globe, DE Richard Seyour will miss today's game. With Big Sey is out, DE Jarvis Green probably starts in Richard's place.

While it's nothing new to the team, I'm going to repeat head coach Bill Belichick's mantra that worked so well in the past and this season:

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 17"

I can't believe I'm about to say this. It makes me feel dirty just thinking about it. But it's what has to be done.

Go Jets.

 Ugh! I'm gonna need a shower.

As much as I despise New York and their teams (the Yankees once again came through with more than $400 million reasons to hate them more this off-season), for once, I want the Jets to win.

Continue reading "Sacreligious"

Usually I’m not one to consider a conspiracy in sports but the “flex schedule” set up by the NFL has gotten me perturbed to say the least. With their slaughter over the Cardinals last week the Patriots did their part in the efforts to make the playoffs. As luck would have it the Seahawks, allowing a glimmer of hope for New England, downed the Jets. In the final week of the regular season the Jets and Dolphins were to meet in an AFC East clash that will determine the fate of the division. With the entirety of the East playing at 1pm all of the NFL would know by early evening their AFC East divisional winner.

Continue reading "A Final Punishment?"

As I watch the Patriots season I can help but be reminded of baseball seasons past. As an avid Red Sox fan the race for the pennant is always one that leaves fans on the edge of their seats, gaspin

Continue reading "Sizing up the Playoff Picture"

Well it's a clear as day now. In order to get in, the Patriots must win out and get some much needed help.

Assistance wasn't provided last night as Dallas gave away their final game at Texas Stadium to visiting Baltimore. And how the Ravens won was unbelievable. Two consecutive runs gained 159 yards and two touchdowns. The Cowboys looked more like security detail clearing the way through the paparazzi than defenders going in for the tackle.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 16"

Next Tuesday the NFL Network will announce the AFC and NFC Pro Bowl teams. Unlike last year, there won't be as many Patriot players sprinkled throughout the roster, but that doesn't mean there are no deserving players on the team. Of course I'm a homer, but I'll try to exercise a bit of common sense and select players who should be on the AFC team:

Continue reading "Pro Bowl Pats"

As bad as that loss to the Steelers was, I hope for a rematch. 

Yes, Pittsburgh out-everythinged the Patriots on Sunday. It was a completely convincing win. The Steelers showed why they rank first in a handful of defensive categories. We saw first hand why they are the best team in the AFC. 

Continue reading "Another Shot at the Steelers for the Patriots"

The New York Giants are at -3.5 over the Washington Redskins.  The Baltimore Ravens are at -7 at the Cincinnati Bengals.  The Miami Dolphins are -7.5 to St. Louis, and the Indianapolis Colts are -5 at the Cleveland Browns. 

Continue reading "NFL Week 13 Musings"

Is this game against Miami a must win?

Personally I hate that phrase because it suggests that if a team loses the game, there's no hope for the rest of the season. I don't think that's the case for the Pats. They stand at 6-4 and while one loss hurts their chances of reaching the playoffs, it doesn't completely kills their chances of advancing to the second season.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 12"

How about the New York Giants? They are favored by a full touchdown to beat the Baltimore Ravens in New York. So, maybe the game won’t be all that close. Maybe we all know who will win, but maybe we should watch in hopes of seeing a great team play ball. The biggest problem I have with this idea is Eli Manning.

Continue reading "Planning A Long Nap On Sunday"

The ultimate All-Star linebacker of the Baltimore Ravens, Ray Lewis is all things awesome about professional football. He is a cunning and talented field general with winning in his blood.  As only a freshman at the University of Miami Lewis compiled 81 tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss, and four pass blocks in addition to being named to the freshman All-American team.In his sophomore season, Lewis earned 1st team All-American and All-Big East. Lewis led the conference with 152 tackles, nine tackles for a loss, two sacks, and an interception.Lewis was once again named to All American and Big East honors in his junior year. He lead the Big East in tackles, was the runner up for the Butkis Award, and set the record for the second most tackles in Hurricane history with 160 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, four blocked passes and a touchdown. Lewis decided to forgo his senior season at Miami to enter the NFL draft. He would later finish his Bachelor’s Degree.

Continue reading "The General"

I have some bad news for LB Vince Redd. You're losing your 47 jersey. But your roster spot is safe. For now.

Even though I'm not down with the move, the Patriots believe safety John Lynch can come in and be productive in the ways they plan on using him.

Continue reading "Lynch in, Easy on the Mayo"

It's official. My VCR is dumb. I programed it to record the Patriots-Ravens preseason game and it failed to do so. Usually I wouldn't miss a preseason game, but I had a date. This woman was about a 9-9.5 so I'm sure y'all would understand.

Continue reading "Go to the tape"

After seven rounds and 252 picks, one thing stands out. 41 defensive linemen were drafted and 39 offensive linemen were granted employment.

Did someone say monkey see, monkey do? They always said the NFL is a copycat league and it couldn't be more obvious.

Continue reading "Draft Review"

And while the Baltimore Ravens appreciate his two years with them, it creates more urgency to find a long term franchise passer. Kyle Boller is a good backup, but he had his chance. Without McNair, does this mean they trade up to ensure they get Matt Ryan? Who in the top five is willing to fall back to eighth overall?

Continue reading "Chain Reaction"