Seems to me like many Patriots fans out there aren't quite as depressed by last night's debacle as they were after the loss to the Colts. Around this time every year you start to really know how good your team is, or isn't. The Saints are good. Really good. The Patriots are not.

It has been easy to coast off of the success the Pats have had earlier this decade. Beating them meant a lot to the Saints, but New Orleans would be wise to not get too high off this win. This is not the 2007 Patriots that they beat.

But I am no longer concerned with the Saints. Let's talk about the Pats. We've all seen games over the years where Brady isn't getting any time in the pocket and the Pats end up losing. See vs. the Jets in 2006, the Super Bowl in 2007, even the first Jets game this year. Matt Light and Stephen Neal were being worked back in after having missed some time, and they were clearly not quite ready to handle a challenge like the Saints at the Superdome just yet. The O-Line is the least of my worries though. We've seen these games before, and they are fixable.

Continue reading "Picking Up the Patriots Pieces"

Wow, the weeks after the Patriots lose are certainly depressing. This is the 4th time in 2009 that I've found myself entering a football-free bubble. When the Patriots win I pretty much watch every bit of football news I can get my eyes on. Everyone loves to hear all the commentators glow over their team.

But after a loss there are only a few things I can bring myself to watch. First and foremost is listening to Tom Brady and Bill Belichick's interviews from WEEI that are posted as podcasts on Monday and Tuesday respectively. Nowhere else will you find Coach Belichick more open and relaxed. Sure you still get some of the standard responses: somethings were good, some things were not so good... we've got to coach and play better...

But generally the Coach is willing to go into a little more depth about the games. Win or lose I never miss either appearance. Hearing their voices reminds me that it's a long season with ups and downs, and certainly no one takes losses harder than them.

Continue reading "Patriots Turn the Page to the Miami Dolphins"

Miami has historically always been a tough place for Tom Brady and the Patriots to win a game, and this week will provide just the test the Pats need. Miami is never a pushover, despite the fact that they will be missing RB Ronnie Brown, the heart of the offense, NT Jason Ferguson, the heart of the defense,  and Jake Grove, the center signed almost specifically to deal with Vince Wilfork.

Due to these key injuries it's likely the Pats will win this game, and in doing so getting their first true road win of the year. In December. Yikes.

A game like this is exactly what Doctor Hoodie ordered for the Patriots. They need a win that can jump start their push to the playoffs. Finishing off the Dolphins in Miami, almost guaranteeing another AFC East title, could be just the kind of win that could turn the Patriots season around after Monday night's debacle in the Superdome.

Continue reading "Win at Miami Just What Patriots Need"

So you can probably feel the universal glee from all those who cover the NFL and loathe the Patriots that SI's Team of the Decade is struggling right now. As impressive as the 2007 Patriots were it has set an unattainable precedent that will not (and should not) be met again.

And that's fine. We can talk about turnover on the defense... a lack of leadership, pass rush, or pass coverage.. Tom Brady's rust... the lack of a viable third receiving threat. Look, you can pick any excuse you want, and there are plenty of them to choose from. But that's not the Patriot way.

This morning Randy Moss, Adalius Thomas, Derrick Burgess and Gary Guyton were late for an 8am meeting at Gillette due to snowy conditions and Belichick sent them home. It's not like BB wouldn't have done the same thing in the middle of September, but right now, in mid-December, after losing 3 of 4, it was the right chance for Bill to turn the screws on this Patriots team a bit.

Continue reading "Rumors of the Patriots Demise Run Rampant"