American Football

[mauiguy90]

Sorry, didn't realize you still wanted to play...Thought we had a truce but ho, hum... Guess I couldn't expect less from a loyal Pats fan. After all, if Pats fans don't support their team, who will?

But you have me all wrong! I have always said that they the Pats are an excellent team. However, its been established already that the coaching staff cheated this year, cheated last year(accdg. to Mangini) and likely continue to cheat this year as well.

Matt Estrella, 26, ... videotaped hand signals from the Jets' defensive coaches on the sideline, defying an edict from Goodell, who warned teams before the season that he wouldn't tolerate cheating..."(The Jets) knew they did it," the person with knowledge of the situation said in an e-mail to the Daily News. "They caught the guy a year ago, but couldn't do anything about it. When Eric came, he said that's what they used to do. Bill is going to be (ticked) at Eric. He kissed and told."

Yes, the Patriots will make the playoffs and will go far, maybe even win the Superbowl. Yep, the Pat's are part of sports history now--"Cheating Sports History".

http://www.newspapertree.com/sports/1679-b...-sports-history

Belichick and New England Part of that Cheating Sports History

by Drew Bonney

From Barry Bonds steroid issues (which everyone has to be sick and tired of hearing about) to NBA referees gambling on games and making calls that will save their knee caps from getting shattered by big mob bosses -- where is the honesty?

Posted on September 24, 2007

There are a few timely definitions in The Merriam–Webster Dictionary that refer to the word "cheat."

I'm going to use one of them. "Cheat – to violate rules (as of a game) dishonestly."

The sports world is, again, clouded with new controversy. This time on the freshly cut, green grass at Giants Stadium. The New England Patriots blew away the New York Jets 38-14 in what was a laugher. Newly acquired wide receiver Randy Moss kept slipping by Jets defenders on his way to a 183-yard day and a touchdown.

But, the Patriots were cheating.

Jets head coach Eric Mangini, a former assistant coach under Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, came armed, according to the New York Daily News. Mangini had knowledge of the Patriots' surveillance methods and finally decided to act.

National Football League security confiscated a video camera on the sidelines during the Jets-Pats Spy vs. Spy game. The camera was locked up and sent to the League offices. NFL commissioner Rodger Goodell determined, from the tapes, that the Patriots broke the rules.

Mangini said the Patriots got away with the same thing last season. Now, the Green Bay Packers have accused the Patriots of doing the same thing last year. They had a cameraman escorted off Lambeau Field after he was questioned.

Even a couple of teams from Pennsylvania have, now, questioned the Patriots 'sharp' play calling.

Now, the Philadelphia Eagles are suspicious that few of their blitz packages too suspiciously didn't work during Super Bowl XXXIX. Eagles cornerback Sheldon Brown said that every time defensive coordinator Jim Johnson signaled a blitz, the Patriots would use short dump passes or screen passes to break up the play. Brown said it seemed to happen every time a blitz was called.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward is also suspicious that the Patriots had some inside information during the 2001 AFC Championship game. Hines stated that they knew a lot of Pittsburgh's calls.

Now I know why Mangini and Belichick stopped giving each other post-game hugs at mid-field.

There isn't anything to be done with all the hind-sight accusations that are surfacing. It would be a waste of time to point fingers. Eagles all-pro running back Brian Westbrook said, "…It's not worth my time."

There are so many cameras on NFL sidelines these days that it's hard to know just what all of them are really shooting.

Mangini may have exposed Belichick's 'scouting' on the sidelines.

Never mind that some observations have it that the Patriots would have won the game anyway, but just not as easily. The Patriots later came out in Week Two and showed up the San Diego Chargers on national television, 38-14.

Cheating has existed in the sports world since, well, the beginning of time. Now it has been thrown in our face everywhere we turn. Technology is probably the reason. There is more media coverage than ever before. We can watch Sports Center for six hours straight and never get tired of it. The World Wide Web has helped expose controversies as well.

From Barry Bonds steroid issues (which everyone has to be sick and tired of hearing about) to NBA referees gambling on games and making calls that will save their knee caps from getting shattered by big mob bosses -- where is the honesty?

Let's look at some cheating controversies in the last century.

The year is 1919. "Say it ain't so, Joe." The Chicago White Sox are facing the Cincinnati Reds in the World Series. The 'Black Sox' were implicated in throwing the series to the Reds. Their names and reputations were tarnished and many baseball fans turned their back on America's Past Time.

The Olympics are known for producing national heroes. And in 1988 Canada thought they had one. Ben Johnson had broken the world record, running a 9.79 in the 100. But, it was not to be. Johnson had been taking steroids since 1981.

Now for boxing. I'm not sure if this was cheating, but why not. Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield fought in 1997 and Tyson took a bite out of both ears of Holyfield. What was he thinking? Was he hungry? If he was trying to "cheat," he was just plain stupid. Tyson claimed he bit the both ears, due to Holyfield's constant head butts. Referee Mills Lane didn't see it that way.

Yes folks, another baseball incident. Danny Almonte was to be known as the 'Little Unit' (kind of like Randy Johnson being called the 'Big Unit'). He threw a no-hitter in the 2001 Little League World Series and was ready to lead his team to the title. But, there was one 'little' problem with this 'Unit': he wasn't 12-years-old. He was 15-years young.

And finally, Floyd Landis was caught for illegal levels of testosterone after the Tour de France from last year. He was America's sweetheart for a couple weeks. Then, nope, he was caught on the dope, or "doping" as it is called.

Remember what Hank Williams said way back when:

"Your cheatin' heart will make you weep,

"you'll cry and cry and try to sleep.

"But sleep won't come the whole night through.

"Your cheatin' heart will tell on you."

However, I know you won't have trouble sleeping tonight. You would stick with the Pats no matter what they did! Sleep tight...

Edited November 18, 2007 by mauiguy90

[mauiguy90]

My "incessant bragging" has been about the 2007 New England Patriots, who are undefeated, with no insinuations of any "cheating", or other questionable activities, since the confiscation of the video camera, before its' recording could be viewed, during the Jets game. This team has not had a single question raised about the reasons for its success by any informed, intelligent football analyst, or fan, for that matter.

Guess you haven't been reading my posts, my man! I have loads of quotes from people, especially players and coaches, that question the Pats success because of their "cheating ways". Don't make me post them again!

By the way, where are your quotations and links to those quotations from all these people claiming that the Pat's didn't cheat. Verify, verify, verify,... I'll give you a head start! When you start your search, look under "New England Patriots Cheating".

P.S. If you don't bother to post links, I'll understand that you couldn't find any... Of course, you may find lots from Howie Long and Madden from the Raiders, who are famous for dirty play themselves!

Edited November 18, 2007 by mauiguy90

[Old Man River]

During the Arizona/Oregon game televised by True on Friday morning, they had a phone connection with Teddy Bruschi (who played for Arizona). Doug Flutie and Craig James were doing the color and James asked Bruschi what is going on with the Pats as everyone in the NFL is talking about them (about the cheating scandal). Bruschi just said he didn't get involved in that and the players just played one game at a time.

Living in Bangkok we don't hear that much anymore about the cheating scandal, but it was apparent the scandal is still a hot topic among players and coaches in the NFL.

[mauiguy90]

On another note, although UBC has limited coverage of the NFL, they did manage to cover the Colts-Chargers game, as well as the Browns-Steelers game, which were both close games. (Manning had an awful game!) The Steelers made a tremendous comeback, best I've seen for awhile.

Here's a cool Steeler's You Tube video:

Heavy Metal: Steelers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cjf3AvEa_oY

Just watched the whole thing now...oops!!!

Edited November 18, 2007 by mauiguy90

[CalicoConsulting]

Monday night, starting at 7, UBC 4 showed Dallas/New York and Pittsburgh/Cleveland, two great games. So I didn't watch the 4:30pm game today. I just watched CBNC's coverage of Colts/Chargers, starting at 6:00 pm, followed by NFL Game Day, and now Leno's interviewing Terry Bradshaw.

Tomorrow, UBC4, starting at 7 pm, two more games. I no longer watch anything live. Sunday night, Monday night.

And Jay just talked about a scandal with the Steelers. No, not the Pittsburgh steelers, those cheating signal stealers in New England. *groan*

Edited November 18, 2007 by CalicoConsulting

[CalicoConsulting]

Hi again.

Two or three years ago, I was published in TMQ's column. More recently, I was publicly acknowledged twice this year by Mike Florio, and that was sweeter than the emails. But I just went for the big time again, where I've often failed. Dr Z. Without a wine question this time, so wish me luck, friends.

Oh, and Favre is doomed in the Senior Bowl. Yo Vinny! Here's some Geritol!

Weird observation of the evening, after watching NFL Game Day. T.O. has done much in his career. Undeniable talent. Undeniable ego, too, but he's clever and skillful (aside from last year), so I forgive that. But this is the first time he's ever been a "team leader." No, really, look at the kids in Dallas with the dunderheaded coach and the well-intentioned meddling owner. This isn't New England. T.O. is a leader in Dallas. It makes him happy. He'll probably retire there. That might be what the guy needed all along. PLUS, he can read Hooked On Phonics faster than Dubya. Rock on, T.O.

[patsfangr]

GREAT SURPRISE! TrueVisions is broadcasting the Patriots @ Bills game LIVE! This was NOT on their schedule. I don't know what they did, but I'm a happy camper.

I'm wondering if this means that they'll have all, or at least more, of the 'prime time' games. This is from NBC, so maybe it will be only the Sunday Night games. Mondays, of course, are on ESPN.

[mackayae]

Monday night, starting at 7, UBC 4 showed Dallas/New York and Pittsburgh/Cleveland, two great games. So I didn't watch the 4:30pm game today. I just watched CBNC's coverage of Colts/Chargers, starting at 6:00 pm, followed by NFL Game Day, and now Leno's interviewing Terry Bradshaw.

Tomorrow, UBC4, starting at 7 pm, two more games. I no longer watch anything live. Sunday night, Monday night.

And Jay just talked about a scandal with the Steelers. No, not the Pittsburgh steelers, those cheating signal stealers in New England. *groan*

That was a funny show, the Tonight Show with Terry Bradshaw. Even Marie Osmond was funny. Terry is a riot.

[mackayae]

SNF and MNF from GOALTV.

Edited November 19, 2007 by mackayae

[patsfangr]

SNF and MNF from GOALTV.

I don't recall seeing "Goal TV" on TV before. Is this a new contractual agreement for TV?

[mackayae]

Must be. I believe GOALTV is from HK. They are primarily an EPL format. I believe this is the first time I am happy to see a soccer channel.

I believe Brady missed one pass in the first half, pretty impressive. I'm not counting the two drops and the one grounding.

[patsfangr]

Must be. I believe GOALTV is from HK. They are primarily an EPL format. I believe this is the first time I am happy to see a soccer channel.

I believe Brady missed one pass in the first half, pretty impressive. I'm not counting the two drops and the one grounding.

Belichick will get on his case at halftime about that miss! :-)

Great line by Al Michaels: "Other than Indianapolis, the Patriots are making every team in the NFL look like the Washington Generals."

Meanwhile, Pouting Peyton Manning is playing with receiving corps similar to what Brady has had for his entire career, prior to this season; and PP is looking very "ordinary", isn't he?

[Old Man River]

GREAT SURPRISE! TrueVisions is broadcasting the Patriots @ Bills game LIVE! This was NOT on their schedule. I don't know what they did, but I'm a happy camper.

I can't find the Pats/Bills game anywhere on my TV. Where on True is it?

[patsfangr]

GREAT SURPRISE! TrueVisions is broadcasting the Patriots @ Bills game LIVE! This was NOT on their schedule. I don't know what they did, but I'm a happy camper.

I can't find the Pats/Bills game anywhere on my TV. Where on True is it?

It just ended, OMR. It was on TrueSport 4. They have shown future schedule spots, indicating that they will be showing the Monday Night game tomorrow morning (Tenn @ Denver), as well as next week's Sunday Night game (Philadelphia @ New England).

All of this is on a NEW network, called "GOALTV". It appears that they kept trying to make a deal with a network that carries these "prime time" NFL games; finally found this outfit.

I sent them a "Thank You" note (copy below); and I hope that every NFL fan here will do the same. It appears that we will now get all of the night games, broadcast LIVE here on Monday and Tuesday mornings. GREAT work by TrueVisons!

My note:

I, and many other fans of American football (National Football League) made many requests to TrueVisions for increased coverage of the sport we love so much. You tried to find a way to get the USA "prime time" (night) games for us, but had some difficulty finding a network that would work with you.

But you did NOT give up. You kept trying. And now, you have found "GOALTV", which is bringing us the "live" coverage of the NFL games played on Sunday and Monday nights in the USA, and shown here on Monday and Tuesday mornings.

I am VERY grateful to TrueVisions for your efforts to bring us this programming. You have listened to your customers; and you have done everything you can to make us happy.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!

[mackayae]

3 games on Thanksgiving. I wonder if True/GOALTV will be covering this?

[patsfangr]

3 games on Thanksgiving. I wonder if True/GOALTV will be covering this?

Can't say for sure, Mack, since the TrueV website has still not caught up with the "live" schedules of the prime time games they will be showing via "GOALTV". None of those live broadcasts (including the Titans - Broncos game that is now showing) show up with a search on the website, although re-broadcasts of both the Patriots-Bills game, and the Titans - Broncos game ARE shown in the search. ???? :-)

I have seen promo graphics during the games for the broadcasts of the Sunday and Monday night games next week. (Eagles @ Patriots on Monday morning; Dolphins @ Steelers on Tuesday morning). More importantly, here's a copy of the note I received in response to my "Thank You" note to TrueVisions:

Dear Khun. George:

As you know that, we have a plan to show four NFL games a week but unfortunately, the license was not mutually agreed. We have only two. However, as we have strived to improve our sports program line-up consistent with what the subscribers told us about their viewing interests, Truevisions is now able to secure the right for four NFL games a week through the season. Instead of showing only early Monday morning, the games will also be shown at 8.00 am on Monday and Tuesday morning. Please be advised.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused but assure that it was never our intention.

Thank you for your letter. Write us again whenever we can be of further help to you. Please contact us at 02-7252525 or [email protected]

Unfortunately, the way they worded it sounds like they may not have realized that I was THANKING them, not criticizing them. But, hopefully, that's just a language thing from their end, since I clearly said "Thank you" ... TWICE ... in the content, and acknowledged that I appreciated the apparent new deal with "GOALTV".

Bottom line is that I don't think we'll be getting the Thanksgiving Day games, since I haven't seen any promos for them on the "GOALTV" broadcasts. But, I wouldn't count it out just yet. Guess we'll have to check in at 1:00 AM Friday morning, if we're that interested in those games. :-) The really good news is that, as TrueV confirmed in their note, we WILL have 4 "live" games every weekend, for the rest of the season!

[grantbkk]

LOOKS LIKE WE WILL GET FOUR LIVE NFL GAMES A WEEK FROM THIS WEEK:

To: Truevisions_Care; Truevisions_Care

Subject: Customer Request to True Visions ---NFL

Dear Sirs: I accidentally found an unadvertised live NFL Sunday Night Football game broadcast between the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills on channel 64 that started at 8:15 AM this morning. First I want to thank you for broadcasting the game. Now I wonder why the game is not scheduled in the electronic guide (it was scheduled to be a badminton game) or in your True Visions website guide. Is this live broadcast a mistake by a content provider and beyond your control or does someone actually know about it in advance? If you have prior knowledge could you please send me an e-mail or an SMS to my mobile phone when you discover you are going to broadcast a unscheduled NFL game. I will be able to act as you agent to get the word out so more fans can enjoy the event.

Thanks in advance for your consideration in this matter. grantbkk

Dear Mr. grantbkk:

As you know that, we have a plan to show four NFL games a week but unfortunately, the license was not mutually agreed. We have only two. However, as we have strived to improve our sports program line-up consistent with what the subscribers told us about their viewing interests, Truevisions is now able to secure the right for four NFL games a week through the season. Instead of showing only early Monday morning, the games will also be shown at 8.00 am on Monday and Tuesday morning. Please be advised.

Thank you for your letter. Write us again whenever we can be of further help to you. Please contact us at 02-7252525 or [email protected]

02-7252525àPress 9 for Englishà Press 8 for Gold and Platinumà Enter subscriber number …. and followed by(#)à Press 1 to submità Then press number 1 for Billing and Payment, 2 for Technical, or 3 for General Information…, your line will be transferred to the representative shortly.

We are so grateful for your trust in our service and support us all time.

Best regards,

True Visions

[Old Man River]

GREAT SURPRISE! TrueVisions is broadcasting the Patriots @ Bills game LIVE! This was NOT on their schedule. I don't know what they did, but I'm a happy camper.

I can't find the Pats/Bills game anywhere on my TV. Where on True is it?

It just ended, OMR. It was on TrueSport 4. They have shown future schedule spots, indicating that they will be showing the Monday Night game tomorrow morning (Tenn @ Denver), as well as next week's Sunday Night game (Philadelphia @ New England).

All of this is on a NEW network, called "GOALTV". It appears that they kept trying to make a deal with a network that carries these "prime time" NFL games; finally found this outfit.

I sent them a "Thank You" note (copy below); and I hope that every NFL fan here will do the same. It appears that we will now get all of the night games, broadcast LIVE here on Monday and Tuesday mornings. GREAT work by TrueVisons!

My note:

I, and many other fans of American football (National Football League) made many requests to TrueVisions for increased coverage of the sport we love so much. You tried to find a way to get the USA "prime time" (night) games for us, but had some difficulty finding a network that would work with you.

But you did NOT give up. You kept trying. And now, you have found "GOALTV", which is bringing us the "live" coverage of the NFL games played on Sunday and Monday nights in the USA, and shown here on Monday and Tuesday mornings.

I am VERY grateful to TrueVisions for your efforts to bring us this programming. You have listened to your customers; and you have done everything you can to make us happy.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!

Thanks for the heads up on this.

[mackayae]

I received the same email from True. We're on a roll.

Edited November 20, 2007 by mackayae

[patsfangr]

Since you suggested a little research, mauiguy, I did some. You may be somewhat embarassed by the results. Let me introduce this by asking that you take special note of the comments about the Patriots' history with those two "teams from Pennsylvania" you mentioned as jumping on the "Patriots cheated" bandwagon. (In case you might miss it, I've included your notes in quotations below.) Now, please, read carefully. And if you have a response to the absolute facts presented here, please do so with other absolute facts, rather than the anonymous innuendo, assumptions, and undocumented accusations that you've presented from obscure "media" sources, like the notorious gossip rag, the New York Daily News.

In the Super Bowl that followed the 2001 season, the Patriots beat the Rams. The Patriots had not played the Rams since Bill Belichick took over as Head Coach in the 2000 season. The two teams they beat in the Playoffs to reach the Super Bowl were the Raiders and the Steelers. They had not played either of those teams during Belichick’s 2 seasons as Patriots Head Coach either. So, you tell me. Was that Super Bowl win “tarnished by the ‘spygate’ scandal”?

In the Super Bowl that followed the 2003 season, the Patriots beat the Panthers. The Patriots had played the Panthers only once before, since John Fox took over as the Panthers HC. That was in the third pre-season game of the 2002 season. The Patriots won that game, 23-3. Super Bowl 38 was played 1 year and 5 months after that pre-season Patriots win. Their Defensive Coordinator during that 2003 season was John Trgovac. He had been their DL Coach in 2002. The 2003 season was also the rookie season for Panthers superstar DE, Julius Peppers. Any chance that, not only the signals, but the defensive schemes of the Panthers just MIGHT have changed between the pre-season game in August of 2002, and Super Bowl 38, in February of 2004?

Their Playoff wins on the way to Super Bowl 38 were against the Titans and the Colts; both of whom they had played, and defeated, during that Regular Season. They had also defeated the Titans during the 2002 Regular Season, and the Colts during the 2001 Regular Season. They hadn't lost to either team.

So, explain to me why it makes sense to consider that Super Bowl win “tarnished by the ‘spygate’ scandal”.

The Patriots beat the Eagles in Super Bowl 39. Since Belichick’s move to Head Coach of the Patriots, they had played the Eagles 4 times prior to that game. Three of those (2002, 2003, and 2004) were pre-season games, which, you may or may not know, are mutual agreements between the teams, not governed by league schedulers. The Regular Season game was in 2003. The Patriots won all 4 of those games. The 2003 Regular Season win was by a score of 31-10. Apparently, the Eagles had no “cheating” suspicions then, since they agreed to play the Patriots again in the 2004 pre-season.

In those 2004 season Playoffs, the Patriots beat the Colts, again. (At this point in time, the Colts had never beaten Bill Belichick’s Patriots!) They then beat the Steelers; the team they had defeated in the 2001 Playoffs; then again to open the 2002 season (following MUCH “the best team didn’t win” whining from the Steelers); then once more, in October of the 2004 season. This made the Steelers, like the Colts, a team that had NEVER defeated Belichick’s Patriots since he took over as Head Coach in 2000.

There you have it. There’s the entire Playoff picture of the Patriots 3 Super Bowl seasons. Given all of that factual history, I can’t imagine how any person with even an ounce of common sense or objectivity can claim that there is even a HINT of “tarnish” on any one of those Lombardi Trophies. In 2001, they hadn’t even played any of the teams they beat. In 2003 and 2004, none, not ONE, of the teams they faced in any of the playoff games or Super Bowls, had EVER defeated a Belichick coached Patriots team. Isn’t it just a bit more likely that he is a better football coach than the guys on the opposite sideline; than it is that he beat them because he had “videotape of their defensive hand signals”.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

("Report" from mauiguy: "Now, the Philadelphia Eagles are suspicious that few of their blitz packages too suspiciously didn't work during Super Bowl XXXIX. Eagles cornerback Sheldon Brown said that every time defensive coordinator Jim Johnson signaled a blitz, the Patriots would use short dump passes or screen passes to break up the play. Brown said it seemed to happen every time a blitz was called.) :-) Could that have ANYTHING to do with the fact that the Patriots had played, and defeated the Eagles FOUR times over the past 3 seasons, and had "legal" NFL film of everything they did? Ever heard of "film study"? That's "legal", NFL provided, film that I'm talking about. Formations and pre-snap player movement give "clues" as to what's coming. Well coached QBs and WRs SEE that, and react accordingly, with plays specifically prepared during practice to counteract it.

("Report" from mauiguy: "Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward is also suspicious that the Patriots had some inside information during the 2001 AFC Championship game. Hines stated that they knew a lot of Pittsburgh's calls.") I LOVE this one! The Patriots, with Belichick as HC, HAD NOT EVEN PLAYED THE STEELERS PRIOR TO THAT GAME! What did they do, Hines, bribe your coaches?! LOL!!!

(per mauiguy: "There isn't anything to be done with all the hind-sight accusations that are surfacing. It would be a waste of time to point fingers. Eagles all-pro running back Brian Westbrook said, "…It's not worth my time.") Well, it sure was worth MY time. :-)

(per mauiguy: "Mangini may have exposed Belichick's 'scouting' on the sidelines.") Yeah, even of teams HE HADN'T PLAYED!

(per mauiguy) "However, I know you won't have trouble sleeping tonight. You would stick with the Pats no matter what they did! Sleep tight...") Oh, I will, mauiguy. I will. And I will have pleasant dreams of the 9 clearly honest victories that the Patriots achieved to EARN those 3 Lombardi Trophies. Those dreams will be followed by dreams of the 10 consecutive victories they've rolled up this season as a resounding answer to those who have ignored logic, and documented facts like those I detailed above, to find reasons to condemn a guy who doesn't "make nice" with the press, and other people outside of his team.

Whatever the reasons for Bill Belichick's decision to use an on-field camera to record signals that are available to him, and other NFL coaches, by other means that are not prohibitted by the league, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind, nor should there be in the mind of any person who understands and follows the NFL, that Belichick and the Patriots, have earned everything they've achieved. Belichick has literally studied the game of football like the best of the worlds military leaders study battle strategies and tactics. He researches the tendancies of coaches, and the strengths and weaknesses of opposing players like a chess master researches the games of his opponents. He has a superior understanding of the game, in every detail of every situation. This is what he teaches his players - all of whom are selected with "football intelligence" as a primary criteria. He teaches "situational football". They are taught, more intensely, and with greater success, than are players on other teams to understand the circumstances of every down and distance, game score, and clock situation. They are taught to recognize formations and movements of opposing players, and how to react to effectively counteract those formations and movements. That's what Patriots practices focus upon. Those who follow the team are fully aware of that, since it has been documented in books, as well as media accounts of how Belichick works.

One last time, I ask you to read that history of the 9 victories that resulted in the Patriots' 3 Super Bowl wins. Read it, and be man enough to acknowledge that it is ludicrous to suggest that there was anything but great player selection, great coaching, and great execution of that coaching by intelligent, dedicated, talented athletes, that earned them those 3 Super Bowl wins.

[CalicoConsulting]

Since I watched the Patriots/Panthers Super Bowl in China -- first NFL game I'd seen in 5 years -- I turned of the sound and read lips. When Delhomme threw the long bomb to Muhsin Muhammed, he yelled "Moose, you know you're my m@th@rf@ck@r!" Could I have sold that information to the Patriots?

[Old Man River]

Since I watched the Patriots/Panthers Super Bowl in China -- first NFL game I'd seen in 5 years -- I turned of the sound and read lips. When Delhomme threw the long bomb to Muhsin Muhammed, he yelled "Moose, you know you're my m@th@rf@ck@r!" Could I have sold that information to the Patriots?

They already knew.

[Old Man River]

DAY ONE

The Patriots 4 picks netted them:

S Brandon Meriweather (U of MIA)

WR Wes Welker (Dolphins)

WR Randy Moss (Raiders)

SF R1 pick next year.

Patsfangr, so basically when the Pats give up their #1 pick next year due to the cheating scandal, they will still have SF's #1 pick and given SF's play this year that will be an extremely high pick, correct?

[patsfangr]

DAY ONE

The Patriots 4 picks netted them:

S Brandon Meriweather (U of MIA)

WR Wes Welker (Dolphins)

WR Randy Moss (Raiders)

SF R1 pick next year.

Patsfangr, so basically when the Pats give up their #1 pick next year due to the cheating scandal, they will still have SF's #1 pick and given SF's play this year that will be an extremely high pick, correct?

That is, indeed, correct, OMR. Just one more example of the outstanding player acquistion work that is the first step in the Patriots stairway to the top. Well, actually, it's the second. The first was Bob Kraft's decision to hire Bill Belichick as the Head Coach. :-)

Just an FYI from a Pats fan, most of us do not expect the Patriots to take a player if that pick is in the top 5, as it now appears it may be. It's more likely that Belichick will trade down, to get a lower Round 1 pick, and additional later picks this year, and/or next. This type of move is typical of the team. He uses multiple picks, usually from Round 4 and higher, to maximize the number of quality players he has to choose from in training camp; rather than putting all our eggs in one basket in the crap shoot that is the NFL Draft.

The exception has been the DL positions, where we have 3 Round 1 picks starting. But, even there, none of them was a top ten level Round 1 pick. Apparently, in BB's view, that position is the one with the highest degree of certainty in transferring college success, to success at the NFL level. Last year, it was S Brandon Meriweather, who's still in the learning mode in the Pats complex defense, and plays only on STs, and as a backup/nickel back. Two years ago, it was Maroney, who's disappointing us with his fragility, and his tendancy to "dance first, and drive forward later". Belichick prefers "downhill" runners, and Maroney may not be long for this team, if he doesn't change his style quickly.

[CalicoConsulting]

Yeah, but will you trade Tom Brady to the Panthers? We have plenty of good draft picks to give you. We'll give you even more draft picks to take David Carr off our hands. He's better than Weinke, but so's Ulysses. Or his mamma.

[patsfangr]

Yeah, but will you trade Tom Brady to the Panthers? We have plenty of good draft picks to give you. We'll give you even more draft picks to take David Carr off our hands. He's better than Weinke, but so's Ulysses. Or his mamma.

Sorry, Michael, can't do it. Wan't to hear some reasons why not? Check out this interview from WEEI, a Boston radio station.

Really, every NFL fan should listen to this, and get a great feel for what makes Brady tick. He gives a great insight into himself, and the team. It's in a totally relaxed environment, so there's no rush, and no "media speak". It's very much on a conversational level. His comments about "still improving" with Moss, Stallworth, and Welker after only 10 games are positively scary! :-) Also lots of good comments on the "running up the score" crap.

Hope you enjoy it, whatever your "loyalties" may be.

http://media.weei.podzinger.com/archive/DennisAndCallahan/2007-11-20_Tom_Brady.mp3

[patsfangr]

There's a guy here who likes links to media articles. So, here's one with another view on Belichick from a guy who has a fairly well respected position in the field, Peter King. (Don't believe he's ever worked for the New York Daily News.) ;-)

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writ...qbte/index.html

[CalicoConsulting]

What if we throw in a few thousand Rae Carruth jerseys?

[Old Man River]

I didn't (yet) see the Eagle/Pats game. Was it simply a case of the Pats not getting up for this game (mentally), since they have clinched their playoff berth, or was it a case of the Eagles coaching staff devising a way to make the game close?

[patsfangr]

I didn't (yet) see the Eagle/Pats game. Was it simply a case of the Pats not getting up for this game (mentally), since they have clinched their playoff berth, or was it a case of the Eagles coaching staff devising a way to make the game close?

I'm a little late in posting comments about this game, because I just began breathing agian about 5 minutes ago!

Outstanding offensive game plan by the Eagles; and outstanding execution by AJ Feely. This had to be the best game of his career.

Still, while I give those kudos to the Eagles, the Patriots defense played a terrible game. Their failure to adjust to the continuous attack on the middle of the field by the Eagles passing game was inexcusable - for both the players and the coaches.

But the good news is that Brady was still Brady. Take away Moss? OK. I'll just go to Welker (13 catches for 149 yards!), with an occasional critical completion to Gaffney. Brady is amazing! Defense stinking up the field, and the team down by 4 points well into the 4th Quarter. Brady puts together another of his tremendous "under pressure" drives, and puts them in front. The defense continues to fold until our "1 man defense" (in this game), Asante Samuel, makes his second interception of the game, this one in the end zone, to prevent the Eagles from re-taking the lead. Putting this one with his interception for a TD to open the scoring, he was responsible for 14 points, 7 for us, and 7 that would have been against us. Great game for Samuel.

Bottom line is that we remain undefeated, have clinched the AFC East championship, and are one step closer to getting Home Field Advantage throughout the Playoffs. But this one put me one step closer to a stroke! :-)

On to Baltimore!!