PatsBlog: A Patriots Blog

What an important game this Sunday! I hope to see the Patriots play their best while the Bears lose morale, make mistakes, become frustrated and give us victory. Like so much of football, the outcome will have been greatly influenced by what the coaches have gameplanned. Let’s take a look at how our offense should get it done.

Patriots Offsensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels will be looking to put up points against the only defense in the National Football League that has allowed fewer points than his own team. A defense that swarms to the ball with blazing speed, stripping and intercepting the ball for an alarming +9 turnover ratio. Their defense has shut out two opponents: the New York Jets and the unfortunate Green Bay Packers. Their only loss came against the Miami Dolphins, who scored 31 points at Soldiers Field in Chicago.

In that game on November 5 the Dolphins surrendered no fumbles, but Quarterback Joey Harrington threw two interceptions and threw for only 137 passing yards. I believe the key to the Dolphins win was stud running back Ronnie Brown’s 157 rushing yards on 29 carries with no fumbles. The Patriots have two good running backs in Corey Dillon and Lawrence Maroney who we need to have a good ball protecting game from.

This will be the toughest defense the Patriots will face all year, coached by Defensive Coordinator Ron Rivera who is gaining Belichick-like respect around the league for his defensive intellect. But the individuals on the field also play a huge part. Patriots center Dan Koppen will certainly earn his paycheck against Nose Tackle Tank Johnson and Defensive Tackle Tommie Harris. Harris already has 5 sacks this year, and last year the two combined for 8 sacks. Adelawe Ogunleye has a weird name, but he also is considered to be one the premier pass rushers in the league and his 3.5 sacks this year, together with DE Alex Brown’s 5 sacks and 2 interceptions would intimidate any offensive coordinator.

The linebackers are nasty too. Brian Urlacher is a perennial pro bowler, quality weakside linebacker in Lance Briggs, and the under-the-radar Hunter Hillenmeyer completes this strong linebacking corps. In order for our running game to get humming, Koppen, LG Logan Mankins, RG Stephen Neal and the Tight Ends need to block well and carry out our schemes effectively.

The Patriots signed punter Ken Walter, and placed punter Josh Miller on the reserve/injured list.  Josh Miller will miss the remainder of the 2006 season.  Miller, who joined the Patriots in 2004, was listed as questionable on the injury report this week.  That reminds me of when Jim Rome said, “Tom Brady could be on the way to the emergency room to have his throwing arm removed, and Hoody would still list him on the injury report as ‘questionable’ “

The rumor of Miller’s injury or possible release came earlier this week, when Ken Walter was spotted in town.

 If you don’t remember, Ken Walter, who was our punter from 2001 to 2003, was cut for a lack of leg strength.  Either way though, he was great at coffin corner punting, which could really help us in a game like tommorow’s, where field position might be the key.

I met Walter a couple of years back, and he’s a really funny and a good guy.  Although I’m dissapointed Miller is down, I’m excited to see Walter punt for us again.

One last note, Miller going on IR means there is one more spot left on the roster.  I think Hoody might use it to bring in Patrick Pass off of PUP, at least I really hope he does.

The Patriots are the most prestigious franchise in the NFL, period.  They have the coaches, the personell, the players, and the attitude to win it all every year.  That’s why the expectations are so high.  Back in 2001, the Pats could lose a game, and we would look at it as, ”well we gave it a good try…”  But this is not the case 3 suberbowl and 4 AFC East division crowns later, as now every play, every move, every action is scrutenized.  So now and again, a game like the Denver or Indy game of this year comes up.  We lose, and it seems like the entire world goes into shock.  ESPN analysts argue about how the Patriots are no longer an elite team.  Then, the next week, we humiliate a team, often infront of their home crowd, and then suddenly, according to Sean Salisbury and the rest of the crew, we’re super again.

This week against the Bears and their menacing defense is a chance to erase all of the rumors of our collapse, and once again prove that we are the elite of the elite.  Playing a menacing Bears defense, the offense will need to connect on all cylinders, and create a dual threat offense.  Corey Dillon is going to need to show up to today’s game if we’re going to win.  The Patriots will need to run a grind it out offense, and hopefully our o-line woes won’t haunt us. 

Defensively, we need to keep up the intensity.  Our linebackers are playing like they’re 25 and our defensive line with the big 3 is dominating every opponent offensive line.  With Harrison and Wilson still out, we could be in some trouble in the defensive backfield.  Last week, Ellis Hobbs was “the last man standing” from our starting defensive backfield from the beginning of the season (and he even missed some time with injuries).  Despite these woes, veteran cornerback Chad Scott has brought rejuvination to this squad.  You haven’t heard of him much? That’s because he’s doing his job.

I am truly confused on why the Patriots are 2-3 at home.  Hopefully this week, we can get going at home, and the crowd can once again become the 12th man.  If Hoody, Tom, and co. can get going early, I see us blowing away with this one.

Greg’s Prediction: Patriots 24   Chicago 7  

–Posted by Greg–

Pats win but did anyone seriously think that we might lose? More of a pressing concern to most was…
The Tom Brady situation. As is the norm in New England, every time there is any cause to worry about Brady, sports writers run with it. Brady had been looking somewhat shaky, his name as usual graced the injury report list, and the most shocking was the addition of veteran Quarterback Vinny Testaverde. I read a column this past week that actually asserted the possibility of Brady missing this Sunday’s start.
With all that said, Tommy came out and threw a beautiful game. No interceptions, 128 passer rating, 4 touchdown passes, some of the most attractive passes you will see on any given Sunday. Makes you feel glad to be a Pats fan during the Brady era. It is clear that Testaverde is no more a possibility to start games than was Doug Flutie in ‘05. Sighhh of relief.
The defense pitched a shutout which could serve as a key mental boost in the face of next week’s game versus Chicago at home. But my question is: how much credit should the shutout go to the Patriots’ defense and defensive schemes, and how much goes towards the utter ineffectiveness of Favre, backup Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay running game? I was hoping to see more interceptions from the D, after seeing Favre throw pick after pick last season, but a win is a win is a shutout.
I will end this rant with a couple thoughts on the Packers. I couldn’t say I was surprised that we won, although it was more lopsided a win than I expected. Sure, Green Bay came into the game 4-5, but those wins were against teams with a combined .384 winning percentage (10-26) against the Lions, Cardinals, Dolphins and Vikings. I do feel a little sorry for the Green Bay area. Football is all they have and they can’t stop loving Favre enough to get a young winning QB. As Kermit the frog would say, it isn’t easy being green these days.
Oh well, more wins for the rest of us.

Gene Mruczkowski Signed: Patriots signed ex-Patriots Gene Mruczkowski to a contract, terms of the agreement we not disclosed.  A versatile G/C, Mruczkowski should help fill some depth on the O-Line, as Billy Yates was the latest to go down.

Garrett Mills on IR: To make room for Gene, the Patriots placed rookie TE/FB Garrett Mills on injured reserve.  The Patriots 2006 fourth round draft choice, Mills did not see the field this year.  His finest moment came in the preseason opener, where he hauled in five catches for seventy-five yards.

Andre Tippett to the HOF?:  Andre Tippett became one of 25 semi-finalists for induction to the Hall of Fame.  Its about time!!!  I really hopes this Patriots’ legend can make in to Canton, and be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  Good luck to Andre!

Asante on Tap?  With the breakout year Asante Samuel is having, I think its about time he got a contract.  Reportedly, Samuel has begun preliminary contract negotiations with the Patriots, and with our cap space, we hopefully can get a deal done.

Congratulations Troy   I never got around to celebrating Troy Brown’s clinching of the franchise’s record in receptions previously held by Stanley Morgan.  Sorry Troy, but you’re never going to catch Stanley’s YPC record.

Bring it Favre!    This Sunday’s game will more than likely be the last time the Patriots will play Brett Favre (unless both teams play in the Superbowl).  Last time the two teams played was in 2002, and the Packers owned us, 28-10.  I have to say I am a little worried about today’s game, the Packers are rolling, and we’ve been stopped.  After hearing Brady in his press conference, I can tell this team, and Brady does not have much left in the tank.  If we somehow lose this must win game, we will have no confidence going into the big Bears game, and we will likely lose.  Greg’s Prediction: Patriots 27  Packers 17 

Ok, this is breaking news, straight from the ESPN ticker:

Patriots Sign QB Vinny Testaverde

We have signed Testaverde one day after his 43rd birthday, obviously making him the oldest player on the Patriots.  No word on the contract, but it is most likely 1 year and at or close veterans minimum (which is probably a lot for his age.)  This rumor was hot a couple of months ago, and it has finally come through.

 Testaverde will compliment Brady well, having experience that Cassel did not provide off of the bench.  The roster spot for the oldest skill position player in the NFL opened up after guard Billy Yates sustained a knee injury sunday against the Jets, and was placed on the reserved/injured list.

The roster spot for Testaverde is not good news for Patriots versatile runningback Patrick Pass.  Pass began practicing with the team last week after 8 weeks on PUP.  It looks like either a player like Cory Mays will go back to the practice squad, or maybe Pass will go on injured reserve.  If not, it looks like Pass may be done in New England (I hope not, he’s one of my favorite players)!!!

Lastly, the Patriots announced they will replace their worn down grass with artificial turf.  It is scheduled to be in place by our next home game against the Bears on November 26th.

You know, I just spent an hour on a really long preview article, and when I posted it, it didn’t go through.  So heck with it, I’m not rewriting it.  But here’s a preview from our soon to be PatsBlog writer, Andrew.  He submitted this article as a tryout for the site:

  So the Patriots are on the verge of tying for the best record in
the AFC.  How does this team compare with the Superbowl teams of
recent times?
     In 2001 the hometown team was 4-4 going into week 9.  Granted
this situation consisted of a Quarterback transition which undoubtedly
did play a role in the underdog role the Patriots brought into
Superbowl 36.  The old adage “You are only as good as your record”
probably can be misleading does it not?  Right now, the Jets, the
Panthers, and the Eagles all have 4-4 records.  The NFL’s traditional
reasoning should be to expect anything, even of the Jets.
     In 2003 the Patriots stood at 6-2 heading into week 9.  Only a
few weeks away waited the famous Goal Line Stand which, in my mind,
exemplified the glorious 2003 Patriots.  What the Patriots had was
style in their wins, like a Broadway play.  Although Bill Belichick
would be the first to deny this, the Pats had a swagger.
     Perhaps the record alone does not define the team.  For example,
the Indianapolis Colts routinely post great regular season records in
recent years without brining Superbowl rings home.  In 2004 the Pats
record was 6-1 heading into the ninth week.  But they had already beat
the Colts and the following season diminished the Pats’ briliance
somewhat.
     This Sunday is our chance to fully restore that greatness.  We
still have Tom Brady, a solid defense with Bruschi, Harrison, Seau all
healthy, two excellent running backs, great special teams, and a
serviceable receiving corps.  Why not expect great things?  Our only
weakness being the Broncos, it is well within reason to look forward
to a long post season run.  Let us tie the AFC best and reclaim our
swagger!

Remember, I still have 1-3 spots open for authors.  I can have up to 5 more contributors.  Also, sign up for the forum, its still not really started, but if you sign up, it’ll be getting closer.  You can be a moderator for the forum if you want to as well.