Unlike most guys who reminisce about their high school football playing days I actually get worse as more time goes by. And as much as I stunk, our team was even more of a travesty.

Let me put it this way, after transferring to a new high school and missing all of double sessions, I was recruited by the Assistant Dean/Assistant Coach ten days before the season started because they were low on numbers.

In our first game, after about five practices, I did not leave the field. I played offense, defense, and every special team except the field goal unit because we didn’t attempt one (nor an extra point). And remember, I was a horrible 190-pound offensive and defensive tackle. The only reason I played was because I actually knew how to run and could put my equipment on without help.

Continue reading "In Football, the Coach is King"

Praise Belichick, tomorrow is mini-camp! Sure, there's isn't going to be a whole lot of news but we have to take what we can get as we're battling thru the void. But take solice, next month training camp opens and the 2008 season will be under way. Some random thoughts as I've had some time to reflect upon 2007 and what's coming in 2008...

What would it have been like if the Pats had gone 19-0? Has anyone really stopped to think about it? It could never be topped by any other team, but it also could never be topped by another Patriots team. Would all future seasons be a disappointment even if they won a Super Bowl? It would always be, 'yeah they won a Super Bowl, but they lost those two games in October'. I'd still rather be 19-0 than 18-1 of course, but there would've been baggage that came with 19-0. Seriously I'm just going to keep telling myself that.

Continue reading "Random Thoughts from the Football Void"

The New England Patriots opened their full-squad mini-camp on Friday, and henceforth Patriots Nation can look forward to a bright future of laying renewed smackdowns upon the ungrateful rest of the NFL.

Yes, the 2008 Patriots were together as one on the field today for the first time and we're all reminded that there actually will be another season of Brady, Moss, and pals going after that elusive fourth Lombardi Trophy. 

But a vital cog in the Pats offensive berserker has been missing, which has left me asking...

Where in the world is Wes Welker?

The alliterated receiver, famous for his "Weather, Women and Wins" response when asked the difference between New England and Miami, was noticeably absent from passing camp two weeks ago, and again on Day One of mini-camp.

Continue reading "Where in the World is Wes Welker?"

If you've ever read anything I've had to write in this space regarding Spygate, you probably know my feelings toward Mark Schelereth. Schelereth was convinced last month after seeing the actual tapes that Matt Walsh turned over that the Patriots had used them to "cheat" in the same games they taped. Despite everyone involved saying that was not the case. Well today ESPN's ombudsman came out with her review of how ESPN handled Spygate and she makes sure to point out how they really failed to give balanced coverage.

Secondly I wanted to link to a site made by some dedicated Patriots fans who wanted to make sure that the actual facts of Spygate were recorded somewhere on the internets. If you're looking for the truth behind Spygate and not just fanatical ranting and raving about how the Patriots cheated check out this site.

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Rosevelt Colvin signed with the Houston Texans today and many Patriots fans like myself are breathing a huge sigh of relief that he didn't sign with the Colts or the Jets. All signs seemed to be pointing to Rosey ending up in Indy since he played college ball at Purdue and the penchant of former Pats to sign with a direct rival. But Colvin will continue to terrorize Peyton Manning, now twice per season, in the AFC South and I couldn't be happier that the Pats won't have to deal with his playmaking.

I have to come clean on something... I was never a huge Colvin fan. He absolutely made some huge plays in some huge games... Sack/Forced Fumble on Peyton in last year's clash of the undefeateds that sealed the game, interceptions of Phillip Rivers in the 2006 playoffs and 2007 home opener are just a couple that spring to mind...

Continue reading "Phew...Colvin Signs with Texans"

This was posted today on Pro Football Talk:

Patriots intent on extending NT Wilfork

The word we’re hearing out Boston is that it’s only a matter of time before the Patriots begin negotiating a new contract with NT Vince Wilfork. Wilfork’s rookie deal extends through 2009, but the coaches’ belief that he’s the most important cog in their defensive scheme is reason enough for them to be particularly proactive in locking him up. However, a deal for Wilfork won’t be nearly as easy to come by as fellow DL Ty Warren’s was a season ago. For starters, Wilfork’s wife, Bianca, who handles his business endeavors, is known as a tough and shrewd negotiator, and won’t settle for anything less than a blockbuster offer. But the most significant complicating matter is the uncertainty surrounding the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement, which is putting a kink in numerous teams’ contract structuring. Still, it’s more a matter of “when” than “if” when it comes to Wilfork and the Patriots.

Continue reading "Some good rumors regarding Big Vince..."

That's right people, ME! I cannot even begin to say how much I LOVE Ebay. If you're diligent you can almost always find a deal for something you really want and that was the case today when I just happened to do a search for "Patriots Chargers Tickets". I found two seats for just a little over face value that weren't even nose bleeds. If you want tickets to an NFL game try eBay before you have to donate a kidney so you can afford Stub Hub or some other ticket broker that jacks the charges up on you.

So I'll be going to the big Sunday Night clash that will be a rematch of the AFC Championship. Not bad. Not bad at all. Now I just need my sister/partner-in-Patriot-crime Mary to join me.

 Early sign ideas: We Own U (with the "U" being made to look like a lightning bolt)

Continue reading "Guess Who Just Got Tickets to the Pats/Chargers Game..."

You know when Patriots uber-blogger  Mike Reiss takes a two-week vacation you're in the final and most brutal stretch of the NFL Off-season, or as I call it: "The Void". Somewhere deep down inside the pit of my stomach the small initial spark of excitement for the 2008 NFL season has ignited as we passed the one-month mark until training camp opens, thus I began preparations for the season ahead.

My 5 Tasks Accomplished This Week: 

1. Somehow managed to find and purchase two just-over-face-value tickets to the Patriots v. Chargers Sunday Night clash in early October on eBay. The Football Gods have  been generous before when New England travels to San Diego, a.k.a. Whale's Vagina, and they came through again. Now I just need to convince the sister to fly out for it.

Continue reading "Greetings Patriots Fans From The NFL Void"