Tom Brady

Giants QB Eli Manning completed his first nine passes. That is a new Super Bowl record. QB Tom Brady didn’t start hot, but eventually found his rhythm and beat the consecutive passes completed record with 14 straight. He added two more, setting the record at 16.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Super Bowl XLVI"

ven’t breathlessly followed every minute’s Gronkowski update, nor do I know the name of Tom Brady’s childhood goldfish, but I’d like to consider myself an informed supporter. And I think the Pats, with or without Gronk, match up favorably with the fighting Coughlins.

Continue reading "Previewing (Or Reviewing?) the Super Bowl"

that loss, the team doesn’t feel the burning desire for revenge.

Maybe the remaining eight (Tom Brady, Logan Mankins, Matt Light, Kevin Faulk, Wes Welker, Vince Wilfork, Stephen Gostkowski, and Ross Ventrone) are fueled by revenge. They can pass the experience on to their teammates, but the teammates can’t feel it because they didn’t live through it. It has to belong to the individuals. The experience isn’t transferable.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Super Bowl XLVI"

Even more troubling, the Tom Brady-led offense wasn’t clicking. After scoring 30 or more points in the first five games, the offense struggled in a 20-16 win over Dallas and was practically unrecognizable against Pittsburgh’s defense in a 25-17 loss.

Continue reading "A Lot Has Changed Since the Regular Season Game"

Even though his play sucked by his admission, QB Tom Brady still was credited with the win. It was Brady’s 16th career playoff win, tying the NFL record owned by Brady’s boyhood idol, Joe Montana. Brady didn’t throw a touchdown, but he did cross the goal line on a QB dive in the fourth quarter for the deciding points. Brady was hit in the lower back by Ravens LB Ray Lewis as Brady went heels over head. High price to pay, but Brady would give up the body again in a heartbeat.

Continue reading "Pick Six: AFC Championship"

Regular season or post season. It doesn’t matter. The Patriots keep on breaking records. QB Tom Brady became the first player to throw five touchdown passes in one half of playoff football. He also tied a post-season record with six touchdown passes in a game. Brady did this while throwing for 300 yards in a playoff game for the first time. To top it off, Brady executed a well placed 48-yard quick kick to Denver’s 10-yard line.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Divisionals"

Bill Belichick doesn’t do reunions. The Patriots head coach is not the sentimental type. Only if he feels someone can make the team better, then Belichick will welcome a familiar face back.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Divisionals"

1. Want more records? On TE Rob Gronkowski’s 16th TD reception, QB Tom Brady surpassed Dan Marino for second on the single season passing yards record. New Orleans’ Drew Brees broke the Marino’s record last week and put it out of Brady’s reach with 389 yards on Sunday. Gronkowski, though, set the record for single season receiving yards by a tight end with 1,327 yards. It was a tug of war between Gronk and the Saints’ Jimmy Graham all afternoon, but a late 22-yard reception by Gronkowski, after New Orleans’ game was over, was the difference. Gronkowski also extended the touchdown receptions by a tight end record, raising the bar to 17. Not to be left out is Bill Belichick with his fifth season with 13 or more wins.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 17"

New England QB Tom Brady is 190 yards behind the new record holder. If Brady produces another explosive passing clinic, he could nip Brees for the record, ending the title reign after just six days.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 17"

It wasn’t a smooth transition, as QB Tom Brady was sacked three times in the first half, but Scarnecchia’s half time adjustments led to one sack allowed and 86 of the team’s 119 rushing yards. Patriots fans should be Tebowing in honor of Scarnecchia. Eh…on second thought…maybe not. But coach Scar deserves praise from Patriot Nation.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 16"

1. Behind Tom Brady’s good looks and nice guy personality is a competitor with an incomparable desire to win. After a week of Tim Tebow this and Tim Tebow that, Brady wanted to make a statement. Mission accomplished: 23-34, 320 yards, two TD passes and a rush TD. Tebow is a nice story, but when it comes to the best in the league, Brady expects the list starts with him. Don’t you think Brady envisioned Tebow’s face on the spot Brady spiked the ball after his touchdown run? I think so.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 15"

About a month ago, I wrote a critical article about Denver quarterback Tim Tebow, declaring results won’t matter as much as his performance to secure the franchise quarterback role with the Broncos. His inability to pass accurately for a full game was the foundation of my argument.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 15"

He broke the record with his 14th TD grab then extended it when QB Tom Brady quickly tossed a pass over a blitz to Gronk. The Big Gronkowski did the rest, breaking a LB Ryan Kerrigan tackle then racing to the endzone and to the arms of a waiting Pats fan to celebrate.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 14"

After setting some records this season, QB Tom Brady actually lost one. Green Bay’s Aaron Rogers set the record for consecutive games with a passer rating of over 100 with eleven. Brady previously shared the record with Steve Young.

Continue reading "Pick 6: Week 12"

a definitive 34-3, but there are those who still worry about the flow of the offense, specifically Tom Brady's sporatic accuracy and questionable decision making.

Count me among the concerned. With 10 interceptions already, Tom Terrific has already thrown six more than he threw all of last year and is on pace to obliterate his previous high of 14. His quarterback rating is an impressive 102.5 and many picks have come off tipped balls, but Brady simply does not seem in control of every facet of the game, as he has in years past. Easy throws, particularly screens and curls, are often strangely underthrown or off-target. His pocket presence seems untenable and things frequently just seem off, for a lack of a better word. Its as if he were nursing an injury that no one knows about.

Continue reading "Brady Off So Far"

Seen in the crowd was a man wearing a turkey apron and a sasquatch wearing a Tom Brady jersey. Two clear indications that A. Thanksgiving is this week, and B. Winter is right around the corner.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 11"

1. The Tom Brady we know and opponents fear is back, for one game at least. After a slow start, Brady regained his form and orchestrated a masterpiece in the second half as he threw for 329 yards and three touchdowns. Switching to a no-huddle attack really sparked the offense in the second half as two scoring drives came from the change of pace. The second drive included Brady connecting on 7-of-7 passes.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 10"

The other four were lack of timing between Ochocinco and QB Tom Brady.

Based on playing time, Chad Ochocinco is getting it. It’s taken longer than expected, but he’s getting it. Ochocinco might be weeks away from having the impact many thought he would.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 10"

Part of it was the lack of timing between Ochocinco and QB Tom Brady as Brady overthrew Ochocino a few times. But Ochocinco cut a flag pattern short in the second half. If he ran the pattern towards the pylon instead of turning towards the sideline, it would had been a reception.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week Nine"

l evaluation says no.

And just to sate you curiosity, the calendar ends with WR Wes Welker and QB Tom Brady. They’re not going anywhere:

Meriweather, Chicago Bears – He’s a part of the 29th-ranked defense in the NFL (25th pass defense). Merriweather started four games for the Bears but was demoted recently as safety play for Chicago has been a major disappointment.

Continue reading "Better Off Without Them"

A few streaks to mention:

19 straight home wins

22 straight games with a touchdown pass by Tom Brady

31 straight home wins by Brady 

3. One streak that came to an end was the number of regular season games with at least 30 points scored. To his credit, Dallas defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is behind New England’s last two sub-30 point games. He coordinated Cleveland’s defense when they held the Pats to 14 points in 2010. The Patriots won their next 10 regular season games after that loss. Could this be a precursor for the rest of the season? 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 6"

The Raiders had 18 offensive plays of 10 yards or more, 10 were 20 yards or more.

3. QB Tom Brady and company keep on streaking. Sorry to disappoint you ladies, but not that kind of streaking. Brady threw at least two touchdowns in his 13th straight game, tying Indianapolis’ Peyton Manning for the NFL record. And the Patriots’ streak of at least 30 points was extended to 12 straight games. That is second to the Greatest Show on Turf St. Louis Rams.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 4"

The first priority is protecting quarterback Tom Brady. The coaches have peace of mind with the experienced Light holding down the left tackle position. This is Light’s eleventh season and he has seen just about everything. He is better prepared for the complicated schemes and blitzes defenses throw at him.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 4"

1. After throwing four interceptions for all of the 2010 regular season, QB Tom Brady threw four in one afternoon. It’s the first four interception game since 2006 vs. Indianapolis. Truth be told, two interceptions were off of deflections with the pick thrown while targeting WR Chad Ochocinco arguably was Ochocinco’s fault for not running a sharp enough route.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 3"

To paraphrase, Bledsoe called QB Tom Brady a terrible back-up because Brady didn’t understand what it meant to be a back-up. Pictured below is Morris being hugged by Patriots owner Robert Kraft:

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 2"

1. QB Tom Brady’s regular season streak of pass attempts without an interception came to an end at 358. It was the only blemish on a career night. He completed 67 percent of his passes for a career high 517 yards and four touchdowns. Please note I said in the preview that Brady is getting older, not he’s old.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 1"

Quarterback Tom Brady said he would like to play until he’s 40. Head coach Bill Belichick is already assembling his contingency plan.

Everyone thought life without Brady in 2008 would be a catastrophe yet they won 11 games with Matt Cassel leading the way. Belichick is not expecting another serious injury to Brady, but for the first time in years Belichick kept three quarterbacks on the roster.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 1"

Quarterback Tom Brady says his favorite receiver is an open receiver. Through three preseason games, Brady has few favorites.

WR Taylor Price has five receptions, none from Brady. TE Rob Gronkowski, after a 42 reception and 10 touchdown rookie season, has just one catch. Chad Ochocinco came to New England via trade with high expectations but only has two receptions. WR Deion Branch doesn’t even have a reception.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Preseason Week 4"

wn and was 1/3 on fourth down attempts.

And who can forget an offensive line unable to protect QB Tom Brady as he shuffled around the pocket for his life? Brady was sacked only twice but he never had a chance to get comfortable in the pocket as Detroit closed in every time he dropped back to pass and landed several hits.

Continue reading "Same Old Patriots"

in an ideal situation as he learns how to play quarterback by watching one of the best in the game, Tom Brady. Learning the X’s and O’s is not as important as developing the work ethic and the intangibles required to excel in the NFL: toughness, guile, fearlessness.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Preseason Week 3"

er’s pass blocking gets more attention (because he must protect reigning NFL MVP, quarterback Tom Brady), but he’s a better run blocker right now.

New England has all the pieces i

Continue reading "Run Game Gaining a Lot of Ground"

Divisional

Two aberrations to explain: ’07 was the record-breaking aerial attack led by QB Tom Brady’s 50 touchdown passes and WR Randy Moss’ 23 TD receptions. And in ’08 the offense was led by first time starter Matt Cassel.

Continue reading "Patriots On the Run in 2011 and Beyond"

When he was ready to come back, head coach Bill Belichick rode Tom Brady’s hot hand and benched Bledsoe. There wasn’t even an open competition for the job.

The decision incensed Bledsoe, though he did an incredible job of not expressing it publicly. As angry as he was, Bledsoe didn’t tank it for the rest of the season. Instead he turned his attention to mentoring Brady through the rest of the season.

Continue reading "Drew Bledsoe to the Hall, Where He Belongs"

New York Jets DE Shawn Ellis said of New England QB Tom Brady, “He becomes a different quarterback when he doesn’t have wide-open guys and you hit him three or four times. He was skittish. I’ve never seen him like that. In the first half he was terrified.”

Continue reading "A Fueled Off-season"

The reinforcements have to step up big time.

Crow More, Tony: CB Antonio Cromartie called QB Tom Brady an “A-hole” and said “F*** him.” Cromartie has to back up the tough talk.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Divisionals"

Gonna say QB Tom Brady didn’t play in 2008? Brady is 4-3 not counting those results to the Jets.

Weekly teams try to understand what their opponent wants to do, anticipate their tendencies, and find weaknesses. Mangini and McDaniels understood these about Belichick and Brady when game planning against them. They were familiar with the playbooks and which calls to make in the right situations.

Continue reading "Chief Concern out of the Wild Cards"

A division rival would love to ruin our post season prospects with a good lick on QB Tom Brady.

Spartans vs. Wolverines: Both teams lost their bowl games, but Hoyer (Michigan State) and Chad Henne (University of Michigan) play for bragging rights.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 17"

New England lost just four fumbles this season. As impressive has been QB Tom Brady. He has just four interceptions. Since Brady’s last interception against Baltimore, he completed 65 percent of his passes for 2,539 yards and 24 touchdowns over 10 weeks and an overtime period.

Continue reading "Never the Patriots Turn(over)"

The game is well in hand with several minutes left, yet QB Tom Brady is still dropping back throwing to his receivers. It leads to accusations of running up the score. That doesn’t bother me. What does concern me is the starters remaining in harm’s way when the result isn’t in doubt.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 16"

They really wanted to knock the 1972 Miami Dolphins off of their pretentious perch.

Tom Brady’s 50 touchdown passes? It should once and for all settle the debate of greatest quarterback of the era after beating Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning’s three year old TD pass record. How many of Brady’s scores were when the game was well out of reach? And WR Randy Moss caught his 23rd touchdown reception a play after he and Brady just missed on a scoring connection on the previous play.

Continue reading "Going for Records"

To be the man, you got to beat the man. Words made famous by the legendary Ric Flair, one of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time, a world champion about 847 times.

Going by Flair’s standard, the Patriots aren’t “the man,” but they’ve compiled a good resume so far. A solid win over Baltimore, they held on to beat Indianapolis, they carved Pittsburgh’s defense, and throttled the New York Jets. All were big wins, but winning against the NFC elite is key as well.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 15"

He and QB Tom Brady quickly formed a bond and together they embarrassed opponents. Brady never had a receiver like Moss and Randy was Tom’s favorite toy.

But whatever the reason, the offense wasn’t clicking with Moss in 2010. And just four games into the season, head coach Bill Belichick dropped a bomb and traded Moss for a 2010 third round pick. A week later Belichick used a third round pick to acquire Branch from Seattle.

Continue reading "Branch Can, Though Carter Doesn't See It"

With his years of knowledge and his tutelage, the defense grew up quickly. 

Quarterback Tom Brady also stepped up. He pointed out the lack of leadership on the team last season. As the face of the franchise with three Super Bowl rings to his credit, Brady already was a leader with plenty of accomplishments to back him up. But with more and more veterans departing, Brady took it upon himself to be an even better leader. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 14"

One was from a broken play against Minnesota. QB Tom Brady bought time by rolling left out of the pocket and hit Tate when Brandon turned a sideline route upfield. It was a heady adjustment that resulted in a 65-yard catch and run. 

Continue reading "A Show of Hands by Tate, Please"

Patriots bring it like this every week? It’s easier to have more faith in the offense with QB Tom Brady at the controls. He stays cool, even as Brady and his teammates adjusted to a mid-season change in offense. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 11"

Maybe it started as an inside joke. A title to mock San Diego Chargers GM A.J. Smith that takes the name of a successful trilogy and puts an insulting twist on it. Maybe it was said among the owners and GMs and it was overheard by a player. But like many inside jokes, they don’t stay inside for long. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 7"

Maybe it started as an inside joke. A title to mock San Diego Chargers GM A.J. Smith that takes the name of a successful trilogy and puts an insulting twist on it. Maybe it was said among the owners and GMs and it was overheard by a player. But like many inside jokes, they don’t stay inside for long. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 7"

Other teams tried to find the next Tom Brady before. Miami is the closest so far with Chad Henne. He looks to be following in Brady’s footsteps, something Drew Henson and John Navarre couldn’t do. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 4"

bsp;

The dynasty came to an end the moment then-Kansas City safety Bernard Pollard lunged for QB Tom Brady’s leg and tore up Brady’s knee in the 2008 season opener. What was a Super Bowl favorite following the undefeated regular season of 2007 immediately became an aging team with no shot of winning it all without their field general. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 1"

With 18 games, the average drops to 55.5. Tom Brady’s 50 touchdown and Dan Marino’s 5,084 passing yards seasons would be eclipsed, but how remarkable would it be? 

Eric Dickerson owns the single season rushing record with 2,105 yards. It wouldn’t take long for a running back to come along and surpass the record. But how great of an accomplishment would that be when O.J. Simpson, the first player to break 2K, did it in just 14 games? 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Preseason Three"

n Connolly and the first string offensive line did a good job keeping the blitzing Saints off of QB Tom Brady and opening holes for the running game. 

Extra point: A pedestrian return g

Continue reading "Pick Six: Preseason Game 1"

d if WR Wes Welker sits this one out, who is the back-up plan? 

Tight Ends on the Loose: QB Tom Brady never had this much receiving talent at this position in his 10 years with New England. Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez get to prove if they are worthy of the high praise they received from draft evaluators. 

Continue reading "First Look"

the third down back. 

Healthy Competition: I’m not worried about WR Wes Welker or QB Tom Brady. The latter should be his old self for a full season. And based on his appearance during OTAs, Welker will eventually be just fine, despite being placed on the active/physically unable to perform list. I want to see the players who missed all but one game combined last year. 

Continue reading "Starting 11"

ion with a scale measuring the need, with 1 being not a need and 5 being ugent: Quarterback

Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer Need: 1 

As expected, Brady’s play improved halfway through the season as he recovered from knee reconstruction. He should be better in ’10, hopefully back to his old self. That doesn’t mean his 2007 self, as that season was an anomaly. Anywhere north of 25 touchdowns and 10 or less interceptions will be a great year if he isn’t battered throughout the year. 

Continue reading "Position by Position"

let money get in the way of keeping their receivers. 

Deion Branch developed a rapport with Tom Brady and was obviously Tom’s favorite target. But their chemistry didn’t matter when Branch wanted to be paid like a top receiver. Both starting receivers left in 2006 as David Givens signed with Tennessee as a free agent and Branch was traded to Seattle. New England thought the combination of Reche Caldwell and Jabar Gaffney could replace the departures. Nowhere close. The offense suffered, and the replacements didn’t make plays Branch and Givens consistently did. 

Continue reading "Stayings or Goings Part 1"

And Tom Brady can be confident that Holt will make the catch because he still has two of the best hands in the league and Holt won’t flinch to make the catch, even with a defender barring down to deliver a hit. 

Continue reading "Window Shopping"

Today soon-to-be Free Agent Vince Wilfork went on WEEI in Boston and said, in a 320-pund nutshell, that he wants a long term deal or he wants to be free to seek one elsewhere. The Patriots informed their free agents that they would contact them in early February so the fact that Wilfork hasn't been contacted yet should not be a red flag.

Continue reading "Wilfork Decision a Major One for Belichick"

ld the team at halftime…A tip of the cap to the Patriot players selected to the Pro Bowl: QB Tom Brady, NT Vince Wilfork, and Welker. WR Randy Moss and S Brandon Merriweather will attend as injury replacements.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Wild Card"

DL Haloti Ngata has a picture of his contact with QB Tom Brady’s helmet. LB Terrell Suggs will have the time of his personal foul written on the tape on his wrist. WR Mark Clayton spent extra time catching passes so he won’t drop another fourth down pass. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Wild Card"

We knew coming in that Tom Brady's return was the headline for the start of the 2009 and really that was just about the only really great thing that happened all year. If you were there on opening night (like I was) you probably saw the best game of the season. In the moments after Brady pulled off his greatest 4th quarter comeback of his career all seemed right in the world for the Patriots.

Continue reading "A Quick Look Back at the 2009 Patriots ..."

eep the continuity as best as possible, but I hope the offense goes the unpredictable route that QB Tom Brady suggested. The first step would be to start WR Sam Aiken. 

No big deal? Yeah, maybe. But this wrinkle could help the passing game along. 

Continue reading "Welker Remix"

After that, it’s a case by case basis. 

Quarterback Tom Brady said he will play and I hope every able bodied player joins him on the field. It looks like the Patriots right now are playing great football on both sides of the ball heading into the playoffs. It’s encouraging and they should keep the momentum, if not build on it. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 17"

Years later it was used against QB Tom Brady. I think it was the New York Jets when coached by Eric Mangini that turned the tables. That’s good company to be in for Fitzpatrick. 

2. The pass rush had their best day of the year. They totaled six sacks on the afternoon. They were led by OLB Tully Banta-Cain with three. And ILB Gary Guyton picked up his first career sack as well. This was New England’s best sack day since they had seven against Miami in week 16 of 2007. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 15"

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! 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 15"

As far as I’m concerned, QB Tom Brady’s knee is fine. It’s everything else that’s bothering him. 

What’s known is Brady has a bad ring finger on his throwing hand, hurt ribs, and there’s also the “chronic” throwing shoulder. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were other nicks and dings that Brady is playing through but won’t mention. 

Continue reading "The Cassel Treatment"

From the first losing streak since 2006, to QB Tom Brady calling out his teammates, to the distraction of the Tardy Four. New England’s focus has been put to the test. The coaching has been put into question. Players have been accused of not trying hard. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 14"

ut of players than by embarrassing them in front of everybody. 

After the loss to Miami, QB Tom Brady said about the team, “…I don’t think we fight very hard.” When asked to clarify on Wednesday, Brady said some weren’t putting in the hard work during the week to get the team out of the slump they’re in. 

Continue reading "The Message?"

Whether it is a slot guy or the tight end, QB Tom Brady doesn’t trust them. 

It’s not just that the Patriots are a first half team. They owned the second half in years past. Now they can’t put teams away, even with what used to be secure double-digit leads. Halftime adjustments are non-existent. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 13"

That’s understandable, considering QB Tom Brady said after the last game between the teams that Porter’s statement of genuine hate between the players inspired the Pats. 

The proof was in Porter’s state line for the game: He didn’t register a single tackle or sack. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 13"

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...

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

dy Moss and Wes Welker pretty much taken away, there wasn’t a consistent third option that QB Tom Brady count on. 

In all honesty, even if Seymour and Gaffney were still on the team, it wouldn’t had mattered. The final score might had been closer, but New England still would had lost. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 12"

QB Tom Brady continues to set new team records. He passed Drew Bledsoe in career completions and tied the franchise record with his seventh 3,000-yard season. 

6. It wasn’t all good. The blocked punt was the first blocked punt by the Jets since 1986, a span of 371 games. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 11"

We’ll get a good look at him to see if he really has pro potential. 

QB Tom Brady is a very different player from week two. So is Sanchez, but in a bad way. It will be a little cl

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 11"

The decision will live in infamy. In simplest terms, you play it safe and force the opponent drive the length of the field instead of risking a turnover. I understand why head coach Bill Belichick went for it on fourth and two, but that was the wrong side of the 50 to attempt the play. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 10"

on Vollmer and the rest of the offensive line, a unit that might play without C Dan Koppen, to keep Tom Brady safe. If the unit accomplishes that Sunday night, then maybe it’s safe to speculate Vollmer starting ahead of Light. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 10"

It’s being called the Rivalry of the Decade, and who can argue with that? They are the winningest franchises since 2001. They’ve had countless encounters in the playoffs. Each team has one of the league’s best at the quarterback position. These former division rivals continue to add memorable chapters to their history, and this game should be no different. 

Continue reading "Game of the Year"

WR Wes Welker wasn’t even targeted in the first quarter. But when Tom Brady looked for Welker in the second quarter, his first three receptions each went for first downs. 

6. S Pat Chung picked up his second sack in as many weeks. It was a great call as he came in on a delayed blitz to take down Miami’s Chad Henne. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week Nine"

The offense’s big three of QB Tom Brady and WRs Randy Moss and Wes Welker will get their share of votes. Beyond them…good luck. 

As much as we like ILB Jerod Mayo, his injury set him back. He’s eighth on the team in tackles. No one from the front seven has a chance of getting voted in. 

Continue reading "Pro Bowl Ben?"

Alright, Tom Brady. The grace period is over. Now it’s time to be yourself again. That means the accurate surgeon capable of lighting up the scoreboard with few errors should finally be back. You’ve had enough time to work out the kinks. No more excuses. 

Continue reading "The Real Tom Brady"

I'm gonna hit Tom Brady really hard." Something like that. Until then we wait...

Continue reading "Patriots Patiently Waiting for Joey ..."

triots bye came at a great time, as they now face five games that will determine the 2009 season.

Tom Brady has had three months of football without missing so much as a practice. While he showed some signs of rust in September, he also flashed the icy cold composure that won him three Super Bowls. The fact is that the Patriots, at 5-2, are under the radar, and their best players are just starting to get healthy and play their best.

Continue reading "The Real Season is About to Start ..."

QB Tom Brady might have his hands full, thanks to his wife Gisele (lucky), but I’m sure he’ll sneak in extra work to fine tune his game. 

Brady has already come a long way. He didn’t flinch when a Tampa Bay defender rolled towards his feet on Sunday. Brady stood and delivered a perfect strike for a completion.  

Continue reading "Good Bye"

It wasn’t as smooth as years past, but it’s understood with QB Tom Brady back after a season on the sideline and a defense that went through a lot of change. 

The bottom line is New England is 5-2 with a bye week ahead of them. What perfect timing! They’re already in London, England. Why not hang out a little for a vacation before coming back home? 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week Seven"

Way to bounce back, Tom Brady. He tied a personal record with six touchdown passes, five of them in the second quarter. The last time a player had five TDs passes in a quarter was 1950. I’m not ready to say Brady is back, but it was a great day to fine tune his game. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week Six"

How long should it take for QB Tom Brady to return to form? How much longer before he’s excelling on a consistent basis? When does Brady regain the confidence in his reconstructed knee to the point he doesn’t think about it anymore? 

Continue reading "Seven Weeks"

nge in leadership? New England replaced the injured QB Drew Bledsoe with unknown second year player Tom Brady. And when Bledsoe was healthy, he remained on the bench because Brady executed so well. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 5"

He’s outplayed beloved QB Tom Brady this year, and it’s not even close. 

I’d say a few words about the Ravens rush offense, but if I keep this up, I might start believing the Patriots have no chance against the Ravens. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 4"

ed to the Patriots 2001 Championship (no offense Drew Bledsoe, but you wouldn’t had done what Tom Brady did that year, or in the other two championship seasons). I just didn’t think it would be so unbalanced. 

Continue reading "Full Time Fred"

He’s close. You know it. He knows it. And it’s frustrating Tom Brady to no end to being just a little off. Brady had a handful of overthrows or didn’t put the ball in exactly the right spot. It should come back to him in time, but for now Brady will beat himself up until the touch returns. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 3"

The Patriots offense was virtually shut down by the New York Jets. QB Tom Brady was unable to get the offense into the endzone and was constantly rushed by a relentless New York blitz. It got people saying the Jets had the blueprint for beating the Patriots and with the rest of the league as witnesses, every opponent will follow suit. 

Continue reading "The Blueprint"

Super Bowl 43.

But when you look at the big picture, what did Patriots fans think would happen?

Tom Brady would come back after a devastating knee injury and immediately return to 2007 form? Even when Randy Moss and Benjamin Watson were the only receivers with whom he had any familiarity?

Continue reading "What Did New England Patriots Fans Expect?"

There were a couple of highlights (QB Tom Brady and the secondary), but everywhere else there was plenty of room for improvement: inability to gain first downs on short yardage runs, dropped passes, lack of a pass rush, etc. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 2"

A little over a year ago, I met Bob Hyldburgh as he was working on his book, "Total Patriots." Now that it is done, I sat down with him to learn more about the book and what's in it.

Continue reading "Total Patriots Interview"

Of the new arrivals, only TE Chris Baker caught any of Tom Brady’s 39 passes. 

Feeling His Way: It took him a while, but Brady found his rhythm in the second half. After completing 59 percent of his passes in the first half, Brady raised his game to 84 percent for 219 yards and two scores. His confidence in his knee will grow as the season progresses. 

Continue reading "Pick 6: Week 1"

QB Tom Brady instantly became a core player by leading the team to the first Championship in 2001. LBs Tedy Bruschi and Willie McGinest were long time Pats before and now own three rings. S Rodney Harrison was signed as a free agent in 2003 and was a part of two titles. CB Ty Law shined brightest on the biggest stage. And DT Richard Seymour started during his rookie year and established his importance to the team. 

Continue reading "The Core"

Besides the fact that QB Tom Brady is back, New England signed WR Joey Galloway to be the third receiver. And Fred Taylor will help a healthy (for now) Laurence Maroney carry the load at running back. 

Continue reading "Out of Reach"

Tom Brady – While the hit Brady took from Washington DT Albert Haynesworth looked bad, by how Brady was moving his arm on the sideline makes me believe his shoulder truly is just sore. I really would had liked to see how Tom bounced back after taking that hit, but can understand why the coaches pulled him from the game. Brady overall did play well. He even moved around in the pocket to buy time a couple of times. 

Continue reading "Pick Six"

I wanted to see how Tom Brady would play after his first major injury. I was curious about how the defense would play, taking certain interest in the pass rush. And the backfield has a standard to reach with Laurence Maroney back and Fred Taylor a new addition to the team. 

Continue reading "Dress Rehearsal"

d Mark LeVoir can get extensions? With Eli Manning and Phillip Rivers getting mega deals, what will Tom Brady ask for when his negotiations open up? If Ted has four oranges and Mike has seven, then what is the capital of Scandinavia? 

Continue reading "Fishy Deals"

What will Tate be when he’s fully recovered? Tate’s injury happened about a month after Tom Brady suffered his ACL-MCL tear. While Brady is already on the field trying to regain his feel, Tate remains on the sidelines. 

Continue reading "Waiting on Tate"