Way back in July, when Tom Brady was still upright, Rodney Harrison was getting ready to make up for the Tyree catch, and Fernando Bryant looked like our starting left cornerback, Randy Moss told the Boston Globe he was scared.

With the entire record setting offense of 2007 returning, a cream puff schedule that looked like 12-4 at worst and a host of promising rookies on defense, the expectations of what the 2008 Patriots could do frightened the record-setting receiver.

In hindsight, all of Patriots Nation should’ve been scared too.

Perhaps the preseason appearance of crutches in Brady’s locker, a joke played on reporters by the team, was an omen.

It took 14 offensive plays for the 2008 New England Patriots and their reigning NFL dynasty to forever be altered, and become literally scary for it’s fans, players and coaches.

Continue reading "2008 New England Patriots: Epilogue To An Injury-Filled Season"

While most of the Patriots-following world are thinking about Cassel and the Franchise Tag, McDaniels and the Broncos, or Pioli and the Chiefs, I'm thinking about how the Pats are going to address a defense that has been the team's weak link for the past three seasons.

One needs to look no further than the two defenses playing in the AFC Championship to see what New England lacks by comparison. Playmakers.

One more defensive play made could've been the difference for the '08 Pats getting into the playoffs. But even if they had gotten there, no one can argue that the Pats D is on the same level as the Ravens and Steelers, and thus it needs to upgraded. 

Pass rush and pass defense are complimentary elements of defensive football. If you don't pressure the quarterback, he's going to find open receivers. But if the coverage is poor, the quarterback will be able to get the pass out no matter how fast the pass rush is coming.

Continue reading "The Free Agent The New England Patriots Need"