PatsBlog: A Patriots Blog

The Patriots are 16-0!  We’ve been saying it all along, Pats fans before the season, and NFL fans after week one (before the videotaping incident). I usually don’t do recaps, but I thought I’d try it out: I think the big reason why the Giants surprised the Patriots last night is because the Patriots weren’t expecting an aggressive aerial attack, let alone an agressive game.  They knew they would have to stuff a Giant’s run attack led by Brandon Jacobs, but they weren’t expecting Eli Manning to chuck the ball deep on the opening series.  However, after that, the Patriots were able to respond well.Several minutes after a Gostkowski field goal, the Pats marched down the field for a touchdown in a very methodical drive based upon the passing game.  Although Randy Moss gave us a quick scare, he was back, and scored a touchdown, to give the Patriots the lead. The Patriots were immediatley stunned however, as Hixon returned a kick for a touchdown to make it 14-10 Giants.  The Patriots were able to regain the lead late in the half, when Gostkowski booted his 3rd field goal of the night.  However, Eli Manning constructed a beautiful two minute drive, throwing his 2nd touchdown, giving the Giants a 21-16 lead.The second half did not start well for the Patriots.  A quick three and out, and the Giants regained possession.  Another quick score, and the Patriots were facing their biggest deficit of the year, 28-16.Tom Brady and the Patriots wouldn’t be phased.  Late in the 3rd, the Patriots drove down the field for a touchdown, capped off by a Laurence Maroney 6 yard plunge.  Although the stats didn’t show it (19 carries, 46 yards, 2 touchdowns), Laurence Maroney run particularly well.  He was hitting the hole hard, breaking tackles, and driving his legs.  The Maroney touchdown put the Patriots right back in the game.For the next few minutes, the ball went back and forth between the Giants and the Patriots.  However, a particularly sloppy Giants drive gave the Patriots the ball back with a five point deficit.  The Patriots took advantage of the situation.  Although an initial play action bomb to Randy Moss didn’t work out (behind Moss, but it should have been caught), the Patriots went for another bomb the next play.  This time, the play was a success, as the Patriots took the lead 31-28.With the touchdown throw, Tom Brady became the first member of the fifty touchdown club, breaking Peyton Manning’s single season touchdown mark of 49 in the process.  With 23 touchdowns on the season, Randy Moss broke Jerry Rice’s record of 22 touchdown catches in a season.The next drive, the Giants struggle’s continued.  Thanks to a great read by Rodney Harrison, Ellis Hobbs was able to intercept an Eli Manning pass with an amazing grab (for a corner).  The pick gave the Patriots the ball in excellent field position.  They took advantage, as Laurence Maroney found the endzone for the second time in the game. Although the Giants made their way down the field for another touchdown, a failed onsides kick gave the Patriots the ball and the win, 38-35.Believe me, undefeated is great.  I couldn’t be more excited, but there is still a long way to go.  The undefeated title will mean nothing if the Patriots don’t win the Superbowl.  If the Patriots don’t win the Superbowl, then you can have the asterisk.

Teams that went undefeated:2007 Patriots*1972 Dolphins1942 Bears**Did not win Superbowl

Winning the Superbowl is more important than ever.  No pressure, Pats!

The Patriots are one week away from a perfect regular season.  They have the oppurtunity to be the first team to go a full 16-0.  What will that mean for the franchise?

For Patriots fans, it’s something that will never be forgotten, because it will likely never be repeated.  To us, the season is unblemished, perfect in every way.  However, many fans across the country will think different things.  They will call the Patriots “cheaters,” people like Don Shula will say there should be an asterisk.  Along with the undefeated title, there will be a permanent bias, a blemish on a perfect season.  The undefeated record will come with a price.

 Is it fair?  Of course not.  Any person who actually took the time to think would realize that the Patriots weren’t even cheating.  They recorded and took signals as they would record and analize a game tape.  It’s no different.  They wanted the signals as a reference point to help them to prepare for future games (they certainly did not use them in the same game).  All teams change their signals (another fact that the majority of fans can’t comprehend).  By all means, I am not supporting the Patriots actions.  They disobeyed the rules, and they should have been punished.  However, all of the hype from the “Spygate” scandal is one giant misconception, and it’s sad that the Patriots will be looked down upon for that.

Nothing much to say, except that I feel bad for the guy.  The Patriots may be looking to fill the opening with a running back, since Eckel went down last week.

In response to the many complaining fans across the country, the NFL has agreed to allow the Patriots v. Giants games to be broadcasted on NBC, CBS, and the NFL Network.  Prior to the announcement, the game would have only been available to 40% of households, now it is available to every household.

 Hopefully, this will bring on the end of the NFL Network era.  It’s pathetic.  The games get so little publicity, as the majority of fans are unable to watch their team’s games (when on NFL network).  Being in Southwestern Connecicut (without satellite), it would have been impossible for me to watch tomorrow’s game.  Hopefully, we won’t have to worry about this next year.

Not what I wanted to see, but what can I say?  The following eight players were selected to the Pro Bowl:

Tom Brady, Dan Koppen, Matt Light, Logan Mankins, Randy Moss, Asante Samuel, Mike Vrabel and Vince Wilfork.

Of those on the list, I am especially glad to see Mike Vrabel, as well as Logan Mankins, Vince Wilfork, and Asante Samuel.  It was a nice surprise to see Koppen, who is the only Patriot who will not start.  Moss and Brady were virtual locks.

In no way should I be complaining about eight players, however, one name is missing: Ty Warren.

Another game, another win.  Overall, it was the Patriot’s poorest offensive performance of the year, which may have been due to the horrible weather (and it didn’t even snow!).  Defensively, it was the team’s best game of the year, with a particularly good game from Richard Seymour, who looked to be back in his old form.  Offensively, it was also nice to see Maroney get going, as he recorded a career high in carries as well as his third career 100 yard rushing game.

With the win, the Patriots wrapped up the AFC.  So what does that mean?  Will Belichick rest the starters?  With Miami coming up, I don’t see why not.  However, it is crucial to consider that Belichick is an arrogant person, and he may actually want the title of being undefeated.

However, with only two weeks to go, all I can think about it playoffs.

The Boston Herald reports:

The Patriots would normally be stuck for the longterm in a situation like this, but the 2008 draft brings a fascinating wrinkle that could actually knock Maroney down the depth chart, if not hasten his departure from New England altogether.

His name is Darren McFadden.

The Arkansas junior and Heisman Trophy finalist is expected to declare for the draft in the spring. The Patriots, thanks to a brilliant draft-day trade with the 49ers, own San Francisco’s first-round pick. If the season ended today, that pick would be No. 2 overall.

Word around the league is that the Pats have scouted McFadden extensively and are fans of his game.

I wouldn’t say Maroney is on his way out of New England, but his injuries have been a concern.  It’s good to see that Patriots scouts agree with my infatuation for McFadden!

Today, the New England Patriots hosted veteran defensive end Bobby Hamilton at Gillette Stadium.  Hamilton, who won two Superbowls with the Patriots, most recently played with the Jets, and visited the team earlier this season.

I would be really excited to see Bobby Hamilton return again, as he was one of my favorite players until he left for the Raiders after the 2003 season.

 If the Patriots signed Hamilton, it may be because they are looking to play more of a 4-3 with Colvin out, the Pats have been struggling defensively, without a core linebacker rotation.  With Hamilton, the Patriots would have the potential to develop a 6 man rotation along the defensive line.

From Newsday:

According to league sources familiar with the situation, the Jets were caught using a videotaping device during a game in Foxborough last season that resulted in the removal of a Jets employee. After Gillette Stadium officials saw him using the recorder early in the game, he was told to stop and leave the area. He had been filming from the mezzanine level between the scoreboard and a decorative lighthouse in an end zone. The camera was not confiscated by the Patriots or stadium security.

This isn’t shocking, it’s just sad.  It seems that every team cheats. First the Dolphins, then the Patriots, then the Colts, and now the Jets.  It just seems that there won’t be an end.

 You have to wonder if the Jets cheating in the 1st matchup led to their victory in the second matchup in 2006.

 I think that most teams in the NFL cheat.  And now that more and more teams are being exposed, it is starting to remind me of baseball and steroids. 

This dilemna is just starting.

Round 1, Pick 2: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas

McFadden didn’t win the Heisman, so what?  He is a rare breed at runningback.  A player of his caliber only comes around once every 5-10 years (or maybe twice in this case).  I would best compare him to Ladainian Tomlinson, or Adrian Peterson.  McFadden has the true combination of speed and power.  At 6-2, 215, he is a bruiser, but with 4.3 speed.  It will be years before the Patriots get to draft at a position like this, yet alone pick up a player of McFadden’s caliber.

Other Possibilities: Jake Long, OT, Michigan; James Lauranitis, LB, Ohio State 

Round 1, Pick 32… Nobody (the Patriots are so good that they don’t think it would be fair to select twice in the first round.  Therefore, they will forfeit this pick)

Round 2, Pick 64: Vince Hall, LB, Virginia Tech

I’m not sure Hall will be around at this point, but if he is, this has got to be the pick.  Hall could be the potential replacement to Tedy Bruschi, but my only question is, can he fit into the 3-4 system?

Round 3, Pick 70: DeJuan Tribble, CB, Boston College

Randall Gay and Asante Samuel will both be free agents this year, while Chad Scott is coming off of a major injury.  Tribble will be the best player available at this point, plus he fits a need.  Tribble has a good combination of athleticism and instincts, and he has the potential to be a great starter in this league.

Round 3, Pick 96: Bo Ruud, LB

I am confident that Ruud will be a good fit in the 3-4.  If he is around here, he will be the obvious pick to make.