Imagine a transcript of a conversation between the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills. Only the Pats' words had been recorded:
Oh my goodness…is that who I think it is? Oh snap! Buffalo Bills! I can’t believe it’s you! It’s so good to see you! How long has it been? A couple of months or something, right? Since week one? Daaaaaaaaaaamn! That long? Man, time really flies, right? Fo’ real!
So what’s up with you? Yeah, I heard that Dick Jauron was fired. The New York Jets told me. Man, don’t act surprised. You know the Jets have big mouths. They never shut up.
What’s up with me? Man, a lot has changed since week one for us, man. We’re not Super Bowl contenders anymore. Serious. All those experts that said we were going to the Super Bowl now doubt whether we can get beyond the Wild Card round. And to be honest with you, we can’t disagree.
We fell off, man. We’re not the same dominant team like a couple of years ago. We blow leads, we can’t score at will, our defense doesn’t scare anybody, and we’re getting out-coached. It’s tough, man. We’re disappointed about where we’re at right now. I mean, yeah, we lead the AFC East, but it’s not like we how it used to be. We’re not running away from Miami or the Jets this year.
You hear about Randy? Yeah, Moss can’t do anything nowadays. It’s not all his fault, either. He’s getting double-teamed almost everywhere he goes on the field. OK, maybe not everytime, but absolutely most of the time. You can see it in his numbers. He’s averaging 45.8 yards in the last four games. And has he struggles, so does the offense as of late.
A.D.? You mean Adalius Thomas? I guess you heard. Yeah, well, I think he’s gonna play out the season and do his best, but he wants out. He didn’t like being benched, he didn’t like being sent home for being late, and I’m sure he didn’t like being deactivated last week. I think Thomas wants out as soon as the season is over.
So how’s QB Ryan Fitzpatrick doin’? Well it’s never easy going from back-up to starting down the stretch. But Fitzie is a smart kid. He’s Harvard educated. He’ll figure it all out.
About Brady? Well the knee is better, but a few things are bothering him. He has a bad finger, bad ribs, and a bad shoulder. If there’s anything else, Tom ain’t saying. But he will play. Brady loves playing too much to accept being benched.
Look, it’s almost game time so we gotta concentrate on the task at hand. Let’s get this game under way and we’ll talk after the game is over, OK? It’s been good talking to you, Bills. Good luck the rest of the season.
A few things I’m looking for:
Ben Watson: He was the hero in the season opener, catching the two late touchdowns to win the game. Watson shouldn’t win the game, but have a significant contribution.
Four Wheel Drive: The coming snow storm and Buffalo’s 32nd-ranked run defense should be reason enough for the Patriots to have a run-first attack.
The Byrd Is the Word: Rookie S Jarius Byrd leads the league with nine interceptions. He makes opponents pay for their mistakes.
Still in search for their first true road win, the Bills oblige the Patriots as New England runs away with the game.
Questions? Comments? Send to talktome@randolphc.com
