For all those who tuned in to the Patriots-Lions game on Saturday, they saw a Pats team that looked very familiar.
Remember the pass defense that would get carved into ribbons? It was there as they gave up 272 yards and three touchdowns in the first half. Detroit QB Matthew Stafford was 12-14 for 200 yards. One of the two incompletions was a drop.
Posted by Randolph Charlotin | No comments yet
The best stat from Thursday’s shredding of Tampa Bay is the Buccaneers out-gained New England 244 to 200. That’s total yards to rushing yards.
Once the Patriots stretched out the passing game, the ground game took over. By the end of the night the Pats gashed and slashed their way through a helpless T.B. defense. It was a thing of beauty.
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“Hey there little Bill Belichick! How you doing? What can I get for you?”
“You said you want a safety? Well what kind of safety do you want? Do you want a pass coverage safety? Or do you want a big run-stuffing safety? Or how about four-down safety?”
Posted by Randolph Charlotin | No comments yet
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.
Posted by Randolph Charlotin | No comments yet
Patriot fans know there are three certainties in life: death, taxes, and Bill Belichick will trade down during the draft.
It’s not just a pattern; it’s as reliable as the seasons, the sun rising, and celebrity controversies.
Posted by Randolph Charlotin | No comments yet
Congratulations to the Detroit Lions on their first win since 2007. It was a long wait, but they finally got it. Wish you the best success, until you play the Patriots.
Posted by Randolph Charlotin | No comments yet
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.
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As the draft approaches, it's obvious that the Patriots need an outside linebacker that can effectively rush the quarterback and maybe another cornerback to add to the competition between Ellis Hobbs, Jonathan Wilhite, and Terrence Wheatley. Finding the kind of LB that would fit in New England will be tougher this year.
Continue reading "A Difficult Search for Patriots-type Players"
Posted by Randolph Charlotin | No comments yet
Boy, we don't even get a chance to let the fact that the Patriots are out of the playoffs for the first time since 2002 soak in before the team is involved in off-season news.
On Monday, three teams fired their head coaches, with two of the head men out of work have Patriots ties. Rod Marinelli was canned after a 0-16 season with Detroit, snitch Eric Mangini was let go by the Jets for missing the playoffs two out of three years, and Cleveland had enough of Romeo Crennel after 40 losses in four seasons. Crennel and Mangini were both former defensive coordinators for the Patriots.
Posted by Randolph Charlotin | No comments yet
The Carolina Panthers have a great team, but they play the Detroit Lions and won’t even get tested.
The Miami Dolphins are improving and quite intriguing, but they play the Oakland Raiders, a team that probably couldn’t compete in Canada, let alone the NFL.
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Dan Orlovsky, 4th season - Detroit Lions
55.1 pct 253 yds 1 TD 2 Int 59.3 rating 0-1 W-L
Trent Green, 15th season - St. Louis Rams
Posted by Randolph Charlotin | 1 comment
It isn't a surprise that the Patriots signed veteran running back LaMont Jordan. During the off-season they brought Kevin Jones to Foxborough for an interview and likely a physical as they wanted to gauge his recovery from off-season surgery. Ultimately New England passed on Jones and he signed with Chicago. A few weeks later, the Pats sign Jordan.
Posted by Randolph Charlotin | No comments yet
We're all familiar with an all points bulletin. This isn't as grand. This is a few points bulletin:
I want an independent investigation opened into Super Bowl XXXVII. Tampa Bay had an unfair advantage because head coach Jon Gruden coached the Raiders the year before and knew all of their plays. Anyone who's watched their Super Bowl highlight video hear jubilant defenders running to Gruden saying variations of "It was just like you told us." That's because he designed the offense Oakland ran and coached quarterback Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon on how to run the system. Gruden knew practically every strength, weakness and tendency of the Oakland offense and with the Bucs exploited the Raiders. Gruden didn't need video tape because it was all committed to memory. He's a cheater! Scandal!
Posted by Randolph Charlotin | No comments yet
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.
Posted by Randolph Charlotin | No comments yet
Today the news broke that the Detroit Lions are looking to move Shaun Rogers via trade or release and, while I do not understand or agree with their decision, the Jets must try to acquire the seventh year defensive tackle.
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