Tyrone Mckenzie

Thankfully the NFL Network aired a replay of Thursday’s preseason game on Friday afternoon. I might not get to the game on my DVR now: 

1. It brings me no comfort knowing the two best running backs are also injury-prone. On just 17 carries, Fred Taylor and Sammy Morris combined for 106 of the Patriots’ 120 rushing yards. They also missed 14 games combined last year. Owner Robert Kraft’s decision to build Brigham and Women’s/Mass General Health Care Center as part of Patriot Place looks smarter by the day. Hopefully there’s an express lane just in case for Taylor and Morris. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Preseason Game Two"

The freshmen are on campus (at least the ones who have all their admission papers completed and signed) and the upperclassmen are due to arrive on Thursday. Training camp is under way. 

There is no shortage of storylines we’ll discover during camp. Everyday there will be a new perspective on a competition or a personal story of achievement to learn about. 

Continue reading "Starting 11"

In anticipation of the NFL Draft, each position will be evaluated for the team’s need at that position. Each position will be rated for the Patriots’ need, with 1 not a need and 5 being ugent:Linebackers

Continue reading "Draft Evaluation: Linebackers"

Because I’ve been immersed in my mock draft and inspired to write a few articles, I haven’t posted for a while. During this time, a lot of news regarding the Patriots crossed the news wire. I should had said a little something about every bit of news, but I was distracted. 

Continue reading "Steps Behind"

Free agency starts in about three weeks, but teams have been waiting more than a month for the shopping season to commence. I don’t know the complete list of free agents available, though already there are a few high profile names out there. But which of these players fit New England? 

Continue reading "Window Shopping"

Head coach Bill Belichick added Corwin Brown to the coaching staff. The former Notre Dame defensive coordinator now commands the New England secondary. It’s a homecoming for Brown, as he was a fourth round draft pick of the Patriots back in 1993. 

Continue reading "A New Coach"

Seven games down and the Patriots are back where they are supposed to be: atop the AFC East. 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. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week Seven"

A little while ago, The Sporting News picked a breakout player from each team in the NFL. For the Patriots, the selection was safety Brandon Merriweather. 

Merriweather? That was a little surprising. I figured going from a part-time player to starting all 16 games, leading the team in interceptions with four, and a few game-changing plays made for a breakout year. 

Continue reading "Breakout Player"

There’s been a lot of talk of contracts of late: Why has Vince Wilfork’s talks stalled when Nick Kaczur and 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"

Earlier this week the Patriots further streamlined the linebacking corps by releasing rookie free agent ILB Antonio Appleby. Released before the University of Virginia product was OLB Angelo Craig. 

Continue reading "Deep Thoughts"

With the announcement that rookie LB Tyrone McKenzie will miss the 2009 season with a torn ACL in the right knee, I have a suggestion for the Patriots front office: 

Don’t draft linebackers on the second day! 

Continue reading "Future Draft Strategy"

Paging through the Sunday edition of the Boston Herald, there’s a small story about quarterback-turned-receiver/runningback Julian Edelman, when I noticed something about him. 

Like a lot of receivers today, he’s wearing a low number. But he’s not wearing just any low number. I wasn’t sure looking at the jersey because Edelman had the ball tucked over the second number. But on the shorts, I was able to confirm my hunch: he had “11.” 

Continue reading "Numbers Game"