The Real Football Thread

[Jusstickinaround]

Well, football season is once again upon us. I'm talking about the NFL, who's going to take it this year? I'm predicting the Colts are going to win it again, I'm not from there, but I think they still have the best team. Actually I'd love to see the Houston Texans win, but I'd also love to jam with Paul McCartney, what are the chances of that happening? Ha. Predictions my friends predictions.

[Class A Drummer]

Its obvious that the Giants are going to take it all this year.

[nhzoso]

I am so looking forward to the season. If it was'nt for the NFL I don't know what I would do with the winters we get up here.

Being a Pats fan I think the Pats have a very good chance, All the experts are picking em too so I am not being a homer in that regard.

The Colts will be decent, especially while they play in that weak division (6 easy wins) but they lost quite a few defensive players and it will be tough to repeat when you are current champs.

Anyone playing fantasy football, I have a free team on espn but have not joined a league yet, maybe we could create a DW league.

GO PATS

[jangus]

The Lions are on the way to the top baby. I dream..

I'm also digging the dw fantasy league. If someone sets that up count me in.

[TheGroceryman]

I think It'll either be the Chargers (If they can win a dam playoff game!) or the Pats. The Colts wont win another one, they didnt gain much at all during the offseason, while the Pats gained a HUGE bunch of receivers, including Randy Moss. And the Chargers, I mean, they have LT, so that's enough said.

Oh and I'm all in for a DW league. That would be great! I would make it myself if I knew how....

[drummerchick435]

I don't pay much attention to NFL football but I do pay attention to college football. I think that Alabama with our new coach ,Nick Saban, is going to do a lot better this year...anything is better than what we had with Mike Shula.

ROLL TIDE!!!

[KzSgDrummer]

I don't care if I sound boosterish, but the Patriots are looking darn good on paper. Moss, Stallworth, Welker, Washington, Caldwell, Brown, Childress.. if that isn't roster depth I don't know what is. Brady is going to have a field day passing the ball this year!

[matt986]

How bout them Cowboys???? Come on, show my guys some love...Here's why:

Offense: Flozell Adams, T.O, Terry Glenn, Patrick Crayton, Julius Jones, Tyson Thompson, and Jason Witten.

Defense: Roy Williams, Aaron Glenn, Terence Newman, Chris Canty, Marcus Spears, Demarcus Ware, Bobby Carpenter, Greg Ellis. Can you say BRICK WALL!!

I won't say they are going all the way, but they have a helluva shot and are probably one of the most underrated teams in football right now.

[nhzoso]

How bout them Cowboys???? Come on, show my guys some love...Here's why:

Offense: Flozell Adams, T.O, Terry Glenn, Patrick Crayton, Julius Jones, Tyson Thompson, and Jason Witten.

Defense: Roy Williams, Aaron Glenn, Terence Newman, Chris Canty, Marcus Spears, Demarcus Ware, Bobby Carpenter, Greg Ellis. Can you say BRICK WALL!!

I won't say they are going all the way, but they have a helluva shot and are probably one of the most underrated teams in football right now.

Heres one you forgot to mention...COACH: Wade Phillips???

This prediction from a very good source sounds about right to me.

"The Cowboys get a “B” grade all around. This team is not sensational, but they are very good. They do everything pretty well. Get ready for a sophomore slump out of Tony Romo who catapulted to stardom and a Pro Bowl way to quickly as QB of America’s team. As long as the circus is in town (Terrell Owens) expect the Cowboys to come up short because of all of his distractions. The offense will likely experience some growing pains under first-year offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. We’ll see just how valuable the Big Tuna really was to this team this season. My guess is that he was worth a lot more than people gave him credit for."

[drovja]

The more I see of the Cowboys, the more I like them this season. It even looks like TO won't be as much of a distraction this year (I know, wishful thinking.)

I'm not sure they can compete with The Perennials (I mean Patriots,) but here's hoping from a good ole Texas boy.

[matt986]

I guess we'll see when the Pats and Cowboys play this year..should be a great game

[ECVail]

I am a die hard Washington Redskins fan and it's hard. We've stunk it up for a good while now. Even with Joe Gibbs out of NASCAR and back to the 'Skins we still can't get it done.

I had big hopes for this year after getting London Fletcher to firm up our linebacking corps, but then the dumbest QB alive (next to Mike Vick) goes and bumps his knee in the last pre-season game. I can't handle another year of Mark Brunell!

Go Skins.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c114/ecvail/skinsIV.jpg

[PineyplayParadiddles]

How bout them Cowboys???? Come on, show my guys some love...Here's why:

Offense: Flozell Adams, T.O, Terry Glenn, Patrick Crayton, Julius Jones, Tyson Thompson, and Jason Witten.

Defense: Roy Williams, Aaron Glenn, Terence Newman, Chris Canty, Marcus Spears, Demarcus Ware, Bobby Carpenter, Greg Ellis. Can you say BRICK WALL!!

I won't say they are going all the way, but they have a helluva shot and are probably one of the most underrated teams in football right now.

Cowboys are the best, their new stadium looks amazing!

[Guinness]

Da' Boys are going to be contenders this year my friends. I'm exicted as hell. I'm going to try to make a home game this year. Even Randy Galloway seems to be in a stir...and that's unusual. Romo for president!!

[Mr. Pasquini]

I wanna say the Panthers will do well but I'm not sure... We'll just have to see, won't we?

http://www.charlottebca.com/customers/105122109525971/images/Carolina_Panthers.gif

[nhzoso]

So who wants to join a Fantasy league?? I have a free team that was given to me by espn for screwing up a baseball league.. I will create a league but not sure if we will have atleast 8, plus it will cost about $30 so remember that before you commit. Just PM me if your interested and we will go from there.

[nhzoso]

Ok time for predictions,

Superbowl

New England
vs
New Orleans

Of course the Pats win : )

[Mr. Pasquini]

No way, the Browns will take the super bowl
;)
right

[nhzoso]

No way, the Browns will take the super bowl
;)
right

Yeah sometime this century I am sure...but I meant this year : )

[intooder]

Ok time for predictions,

Superbowl
Everyone else wusses out, and the Colts win.

[JIM_fear]

I love watching the NFL, but I'll still take college over pro anyday. Go Devils!

[gretsch223]

Ok time for predictions,

Superbowl

New England
vs
New Orleans

Of course the Pats win : )

exactly

2020202020

[Erik Lund]

For anyone thinking that the Colts are going to win - I will remind them (the fools...) that the Patriots, despite completely imploding in the second half- were one pass away from still winning that game against the Colts - and Tom Brady (the BEST QB in the league) had absolutely no one to throw to ALL SEASON.

They just cut Caldwell the other day - and he led the team in receptions and yards- which goes to show you just how stacked they are in the WR area this year. Randy Moss will shut up all the Raider fans who think he's a bust - and even in the slight-chance case: if he is a problem with the team - the Patriots don't need him. They did well with NO ONE last year, so with the other WR's - Brady would still have more than enough people to throw to.

People don't seem to remember or realize he threw at one point - 13 TD's to 13 DIFFERENT PEOPLE! I could put a uniform on any of you guys and have Brady throw to you and he'd still win.

Almost everyone I know that has a fantasy team is using New England's defense - They are always in the top 5 and even without Harrison they are looking great. Merriweather and Thomas are gonna destroy.

And the Patriots also happen to be the best coached team in the NFL. You guys can say what you want, but once the Pats won a Super Bowl (for the first time in their franchise's history) everyone suddenly wanted to know what made Bill tick.

The Red Sox and Patriots have suddenly developed a lot of haters in the past few years, with the Sox winning in '04 and the Pats winning 3 of the last 6...I think it's 'cause there are so many wagon jumpers who don't know squat about the sports...They just like winners...And that makes the real fans look bad. I've been a fan since I was born, and it was tough getting killed all the time - and with the Pats getting killed in '96 by Green Bay... The best thing that ever happened to the Pats was that stank-arm QB (what's-his-face) getting injured and allowing the GREAT Tom Brady to shine.

Team of Destiny!

(Also - Tom's got a hot girlfriend again. I think part of the problem last year was that he didn't have some gorgeous girlfriend to go home to after the game. He had to slightly worry about his situation. No longer. Supermodel girlfriend "in tow")

[LinearDrummer]

Good to see the Cowboys being represented in this thread....
Romo is gonna take us to the promise land....

D-Boyz 4 life!!!

[nhzoso]

For anyone thinking that the Colts are going to win - I will remind them (the fools...) that the Patriots, despite completely imploding in the second half- were one pass away from still winning that game against the Colts - and Tom Brady (the BEST QB in the league) had absolutely no one to throw to ALL SEASON.

They just cut Caldwell the other day - and he led the team in receptions and yards- which goes to show you just how stacked they are in the WR area this year. Randy Moss will shut up all the Raider fans who think he's a bust - and even in the slight-chance case: if he is a problem with the team - the Patriots don't need him. They did well with NO ONE last year, so with the other WR's - Brady would still have more than enough people to throw to.

People don't seem to remember or realize he threw at one point - 13 TD's to 13 DIFFERENT PEOPLE! I could put a uniform on any of you guys and have Brady throw to you and he'd still win.

Almost everyone I know that has a fantasy team is using New England's defense - They are always in the top 5 and even without Harrison they are looking great. Merriweather and Thomas are gonna destroy.

And the Patriots also happen to be the best coached team in the NFL. You guys can say what you want, but once the Pats won a Super Bowl (for the first time in their franchise's history) everyone suddenly wanted to know what made Bill tick.

The Red Sox and Patriots have suddenly developed a lot of haters in the past few years, with the Sox winning in '04 and the Pats winning 3 of the last 6...I think it's 'cause there are so many wagon jumpers who don't know squat about the sports...They just like winners...And that makes the real fans look bad. I've been a fan since I was born, and it was tough getting killed all the time - and with the Pats getting killed in '96 by Green Bay... The best thing that ever happened to the Pats was that stank-arm QB (what's-his-face) getting injured and allowing the GREAT Tom Brady to shine.

Team of Destiny!

(Also - Tom's got a hot girlfriend again. I think part of the problem last year was that he didn't have some gorgeous girlfriend to go home to after the game. He had to slightly worry about his situation. No longer. Supermodel girlfriend "in tow")

Good post, hard to make an argument against it even for non Pats fans.. Although I will warn you that they look good on paper but they still have to play the games.

I tried to draft the Pats def. in my league on espn's live draft and accidentally took San Diego's...argggghhhh, Oh well could have been worse I guess. I also like the Saints in the NFC but not by leaps and bounds..Hard to actually pick a team from the NFC..Which says alot about the state of the conference. I would say that the top 6-7 teams in the league are in the AFC.. Atleast by the last few years records. This year looks to be about the same but like I said..They still have to play the games. GO PATS

[Erik Lund]

The first few games might look ugly - especially with Randy not playing preseason due to that leg injury - but whether they go 15-1 or 11-5, they're in the playoffs and will look better as the season goes on. Not many teams can say that.

[nhzoso]

The first few games might look ugly - especially with Randy not playing preseason due to that leg injury - but whether they go 15-1 or 11-5, they're in the playoffs and will look better as the season goes on. Not many teams can say that.


True, this sundays vs Jets is gonna be a big test right out the gate. Then they play S.D. (damn) I would be happy with 1-1 after these 2 games..

[drovja]

I'm excited to see what Brady can do with a typically underrated reciever like Wes Welker. I got to watch him in college, and the guy can flat play. Now that he's on a team known for utilizing the 'underdog' players, I think Wes is in for a big year.

[Jeff Almeyda]

Man, did Reggie Bush look like he needed to spend more time practicing and less time partying with NBA players and doing commercials. He looked terrible and the Saints got waxed yesterday.

[nhzoso]

Man, did Reggie Bush look like he needed to spend more time practicing and less time partying with NBA players and doing commercials. He looked terrible and the Saints got waxed yesterday.

Was a good game in the 1st half but then the Colts heated up and looked in mid season form by the end of the game....Did you hear how quiet that stadium got after the 1st play when Addai went down? The Saints will be fine, luckily they play in the NFC.

[Guinness]

I started Reggie Bush last night in my fantasy league and was more than disappointed. I have never seen an offense look that terrible in a long time. Luckily I have a few other studs to carry me through this weekend....I hope.

[slingerland755]

I'm a Falcon's fan....TOO BAD FOR ME! Atlanta's sports teams are still in the crapper.

[TheGroceryman]

To be honest, I think the Colts played a near-perfect game. The only imperfection that i saw was that fumble early in the game that scored a touchdown for the saints. Other than that, their defense was ridiculously dominating and FAST! Exactly like the defense that led them to the superbowl and eventually won it. On the offensive side, I mean Manning threw for 3 TD's NO interceptions, and I think 288 yards? And Addai had a fantastic game with 23 rushes and 118 yards. I mean everything was clicking for them that game. And the Saints are not a bad team anymore. If the Colts keep on playing like this, no one can beat them, they'll go on to win the superbowl.

[nhzoso]

To be honest, I think the Colts played a near-perfect game. The only imperfection that i saw was that fumble early in the game that scored a touchdown for the saints. Other than that, their defense was ridiculously dominating and FAST! Exactly like the defense that led them to the superbowl and eventually won it. On the offensive side, I mean Manning threw for 3 TD's NO interceptions, and I think 288 yards? And Addai had a fantastic game with 23 rushes and 118 yards. I mean everything was clicking for them that game. And the Saints are not a bad team anymore. If the Colts keep on playing like this, no one can beat them, they'll go on to win the superbowl.


True, but it's a long, long season. If they do that to the Pats, Ravens or Chargers then I will agree 100%.. Saints are good but I don't think their Offense is anywhere near clicking like it should be yet. It should have been a shootout, I am not buying Indy's def. is that good....Yet!

[michael drums]

Remember this prediction...


Indianapolis Colts WIN their 2nd Super Bowl in a row!!

The 2008 Super Bowl Champions!!

...and hold me to it...Play On! ;-)

[Erik Lund]

Michael - I will gladly remember your prediction come playoffs. If the Pats beat them - I want you to go out and buy 10 Joe McPhee albums.

[michael drums]

Michael - I will gladly remember your prediction come playoffs. If the Pats beat them - I want you to go out and buy 10 Joe McPhee albums.

You got it, Erik!! ;-)


Peace...Play On! :-)

[TheGroceryman]

I just watched the Pats beat up on the Jets. I thought the Patriots played well, their defense was ridiculously effective against the run. But I think the most important thing about the Patriots that make them so good is their offensive line. I mean sometimes they gave Brady literally like 5 seconds+ in the pocket. With that kind of protection, someone has got to get open, right?

[Erik Lund]

The Pats have had a great O line every year since that first Super Bowl win. They had some injuries two years ago that made them a little less effective - but man - Those guys don't just protect - they push the D line around!

Randy looked pretty damned great didn't he? 51 yd TD, consecutive catches of 22 and then 33 yards... Bring on the Chokers. I mean, uh, the Chargers!

Norv is gonna take these guys to the Super Bowl?...

[michael drums]

Hey...


The Cowboys looked GREAT tonight! Ummm...but, they have SERIOUS holes in their defensive secondary, special teams, and their tackling is just horendous!! UGHHH....

Their running game looks strong, Jones and Barber! Romo looked brilliant, at times, and held it together throughout the game! And the receivers had a REALLY GOOD game, ie...Whitten(TE), TO and Byrd!

Hope they can fill the gaps in their defense and special teams! Or it's gonna catch up to them, eventually!! :-(

The Giants didn't play too bad offensively, as Eli Manning looked better that I've EVER seen him! Too bad they lost the game as Eli played his heart out!! He deserves A LOT of credit for his effort...bein' he got hurt and STILL went out their and threw a TD pass to Plexico! Tough loss for them...

Play On! ;-)

[nhzoso]

Yeah some pretty good games today, and a few stinkers...I feel for the Cleveland fans.. Oh and for those who have questions about why they wear pads...try reading the following story..
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3012007

I pray this guy is able to walk again..I hate to see this happen.

[Guinness]

How bout' them Cowboys? Tony Romo for president! Going to the show this year...that's my bravado.

[Jeff Almeyda]

The Pats have had a great O line every year since that first Super Bowl win. They had some injuries two years ago that made them a little less effective - but man - Those guys don't just protect - they push the D line around!

Randy looked pretty damned great didn't he? 51 yd TD, consecutive catches of 22 and then 33 yards... Bring on the Chokers. I mean, uh, the Chargers!

Norv is gonna take these guys to the Super Bowl?...

I'm not a Patriots fan but, man, did they look awesome yesterday. They made some great off-season moves and Tom is the best QB in the league.

When Randy Moss is on, he is unstoppable. I mean, even if the corner has him covered step-for-step he can still outjump pretty much anyone alive. The Jets secondary was hopelessly overmatched.

[Erik Lund]

Tom to Randy - 9/9 - only 1 for less than 10 yards. His QB rating was something like 144... I am not ridiculous, and don't expect that many yards every game for Moss, but hey, why not? : )

Green looked great on defense too. He had 2 or 3 sacks.

I am really excited about playing San Diego next week. Gonna be a great game.

[Mr. Pasquini]

I'm just hoping Delhomme can step up his performance this year. I don't ask for the Super-bowl but I'd love it. That last game turned out alright but I didn't get to see it. If anyone saw the Panthers game, how was Delhomme's game; any less ridiculous than last year?

[michael drums]

I'm not a Patriots fan but, man, did they look awesome yesterday. They made some great off-season moves and Tom is the best QB in the league.

When Randy Moss is on, he is unstoppable. I mean, even if the corner has him covered step-for-step he can still outjump pretty much anyone alive. The Jets secondary was hopelessly overmatched.

Hey Jeff!! ;-)

As much as I respect your views on "drumming", you may wanna "re-think" that comment about Brady being the best QB in the league! Though, he WAS the best a few years ago! NO DOUBT!! But there's a guy named Peyton Manning that you may have forgotten about!

Jeff...one game against THE JETS, is far from making too much of the Pats and Brady!! You may wanna check the roster of the New York Jets and their stats from last year. That would put it in a little more perspective about the Pats vs. the Jets!

At least the Saints went to NFC Championship game last year and had a "decent" team! And the Colts were REALLY dominating against them Thursday!

The Indianapolis Colts ARE the defending champions and Peyton Manning is the best QB in the league...proven last year in the AFC Championship game!!

...Play On! ;-)

Oh...and I'm not even a Colts fan!

[LinearDrummer]

How bout' them Cowboys? Tony Romo for president! Going to the show this year...that's my bravado.

As happy as I am that We won there are some serious red flags.....
- Romo can't play that way every game
- The secondary is awful with or without Newman
- Fergie is out for the year which affects our run defense
- Terry Glenn is our only true deep threat and he could be out for the year....

I'm gonna be cautious and see how the next few games play out before crowning them a super contender....

[nhzoso]

Hey Jeff!! ;-)

As much as I respect your views on "drumming", you may wanna "re-think" that comment about Brady being the best QB in the league! Though, he WAS the best a few years ago! NO DOUBT!! But there's a guy named Peyton Manning that you may have forgotten about!

Jeff...one game against THE JETS, is far from making too much of the Pats and Brady!! You may wanna check the roster of the New York Jets and their stats from last year. That would put it in a little more perspective about the Pats vs. the Jets!

At least the Saints went to NFC Championship game last year and had a "decent" team! And the Colts were REALLY dominating against them Thursday!

The Indianapolis Colts ARE the defending champions and Peyton Manning is the best QB in the league...proven last year in the AFC Championship game!!

...Play On! ;-)

Oh...and I'm not even a Colts fan!


How many rings does peyton have??? Probably atleast 2 less than he should with the talent he has had around him in the past and present. Brady has won 3 with players like Givens, Patton, T. brown, all of whom's stats don't add up to even one of Mannings Wr's..Manning was a 1st overall pick and Brady a 6th rd pick hmmmmm wonder who is above and beyond expectations?

I agree Manning is a great great QB but I don't agree he is better than Brady. This could be argued for years and years and probably will with both sides having good points.

For my Money I will take Brady 10 out of 10 times..Especially after he gets his 4th ring this year., Oh and I am a Pats fan : )

[Guinness]

No doubt. Although, Newman should be back in the starting lineup within a few weeks. Rumor has it Greg Ellis is not to far after that. The nose guard position definitely has me a bit worried. In a 3-4 defense that is one of the most important positions and Ratcliff doesn't quite have the bulk to fill in on Ferguson's roll in that scheme. Wade Phillips is definitely going to have his work cut out for him trying to make an adjustment to that defense to accomodate all of those key injuries.

On another note..the offense looked great. I believe Romo is the real deal. He's going to have to carry this team for a while until they can get the D firing again, but if they can't get it going they can pretty much forget about advancing in the playoffs. If they played a team like New England or the Colts yesterday it would have been a completely different story.

Oh, and somebody needs to light a fire under Roy William's...



As happy as I am that We won there are some serious red flags.....
- Romo can't play that way every game
- The secondary is awful with or without Newman
- Fergie is out for the year which affects our run defense
- Terry Glenn is our only true deep threat and he could be out for the year....

I'm gonna be cautious and see how the next few games play out before crowning them a super contender....

[LinearDrummer]

No doubt. Although, Newman should be back in the starting lineup within a few weeks. Rumor has it Greg Ellis is not to far after that. The nose guard position definitely has me a bit worried. In a 3-4 defense that is one of the most important positions and Ratcliff doesn't quite have the bulk to fill in on Ferguson's roll in that scheme. Wade Phillips is definitely going to have his work cut out for him trying to make an adjustment to that defense to accomodate all of those key injuries.

On another note..the offense looked great. I believe Romo is the real deal. He's going to have to carry this team for a while until they can get the D firing again, but if they can't get it going they can pretty much forget about advancing in the playoffs. If they played a team like New England or the Colts yesterday it would have been a completely different story.

Oh, and somebody needs to light a fire under Roy William's...

Co-sign....
We're gonna have to outscore opponents cause whether its Parcells vanilla 3-4 or Philips attacking 3-4 the secondary still has to cover and I don't think they can....

As for Williams it time to realize what he is - a hard hittin safety who gets attention cause everyone sees him on "Jacked-up" highlights on ESPN but he couldn't cover his mama if his life depended on it...

Romo plays out of this world and having Ware n Ellis (or Spencer) create havoc on QBs is pretty much the recipe for us to win this year.....

[Jeff Almeyda]

Hey Jeff!! ;-)

As much as I respect your views on "drumming", you may wanna "re-think" that comment about Brady being the best QB in the league! Though, he WAS the best a few years ago! NO DOUBT!! But there's a guy named Peyton Manning that you may have forgotten about!

Jeff...one game against THE JETS, is far from making too much of the Pats and Brady!! You may wanna check the roster of the New York Jets and their stats from last year. That would put it in a little more perspective about the Pats vs. the Jets!

At least the Saints went to NFC Championship game last year and had a "decent" team! And the Colts were REALLY dominating against them Thursday!

The Indianapolis Colts ARE the defending champions and Peyton Manning is the best QB in the league...proven last year in the AFC Championship game!!

...Play On! ;-)

Oh...and I'm not even a Colts fan!


Well, next week will tell us alot as the Chargers are going to New England next week. The Chargers are one of the top 3 teams in the NFL.

As far as Brady VS Manning, right now, Brady holds 3 rings and Peyton has 1. If I had to win one BIG game, I'd pick Tom. If I wanted to break the single season record for passing, I'd pick Peyton.

Brady is like Montana, Manning is like Marino (but with a ring). They're both going to the Hall but there's little doubt that Brady will retire with more rings than Manning.

[Jusstickinaround]

How bout' them Cowboys? Tony Romo for president! Going to the show this year...that's my bravado.

Cowboys? How about them Texans? Yee Ha......I think they finally have a team that can win.

[drovja]

Co-sign....
As for Williams it time to realize what he is - a hard hittin safety who gets attention cause everyone sees him on "Jacked-up" highlights on ESPN but he couldn't cover his mama if his life depended on it...

I agree with you on what Roy Williams is. I think he already knows that though. His entire career has been spent around the line of scrimmage, making plays in the running game and popping recievers across the middle. The Cowboys have always had him do that, and it worked well for him. Now, since the rest of the secondary is so awful, he's having to try and step out of his comfort zone and be the cover guy, and it's not working so well.

[michael drums]

How many rings does peyton have??? Probably atleast 2 less than he should with the talent he has had around him in the past and present. Brady has won 3 with players like Givens, Patton, T. brown, all of whom's stats don't add up to even one of Mannings Wr's..Manning was a 1st overall pick and Brady a 6th rd pick hmmmmm wonder who is above and beyond expectations?

I agree Manning is a great great QB but I don't agree he is better than Brady. This could be argued for years and years and probably will with both sides having good points.

For my Money I will take Brady 10 out of 10 times..Especially after he gets his 4th ring this year., Oh and I am a Pats fan : )

Niiiiice...

Spoken by a TRUE Pats fan... ;-)

Hee...hee...

Play On!

[michael drums]

Well, next week will tell us alot as the Chargers are going to New England next week. The Chargers are one of the top 3 teams in the NFL.

As far as Brady VS Manning, right now, Brady holds 3 rings and Peyton has 1. If I had to win one BIG game, I'd pick Tom. If I wanted to break the single season record for passing, I'd pick Peyton.

Brady is like Montana, Manning is like Marino (but with a ring). They're both going to the Hall but there's little doubt that Brady will retire with more rings than Manning.

Well...

Jeff! Barring any injury...history will be against your position on Peyton Manning! He will, AT LEAST, win as many rings as Tom Brady. Probably more!

Umm...you seem to forget about the quality of the Miami teams, or lack thereof, that Marino played on. Yes, he had GREAT receivers during his career...but THAT'S IT!! Great for stats, but NOT for championships!

How can you even compare Manning & Marino? That's ridiculous, my friend! Marino threw for TONS of yardage. Manning is an Offensive General. If anything, Manning is much like Montana! As you will see by the end of his career, and all his rings.

Let's face it, Brady WAS great! And still is a VERY capable QB! But he has passed the torch to Peyton Manning, who WILL eclipse the Brady legacy...

...Play On! ;-)

P.S. Good Luck to ALL...and have fun!

[Erik Lund]

Tom Brady had absolutely no one to throw to last year - and if his receivers didn't drop those two passes and if SOMEBODY (...not gonna say his name) ran the correct route, the Patriots win last year's game and win another ring (like the NFC is gonna do anything) Payton *did* make an impressive effort and got the win, but it was the receivers on the Pats who lost that game.


Guess Michael didn't read this earlier:

"People don't seem to remember or realize he threw at one point - 13 TD's to 13 DIFFERENT PEOPLE!"

That would be "Tom" and that would be an "NFL record". Must be nice for Payton having Marvin Harrison all these years to throw to. Oh wait - the Pats just picked up a Moss with something to prove...hhmmm... And a bunch of other top-tier WRs....hhmmm...

I'm with Nhzoso - I'll take Tom 10 out of 10 times, and I don't look back. Until that loss, I don't think Brady had lost in a dome. He can flat out play anywhere and if it goes to NE in the winter...well, good luck Domies.

[michael drums]

Tom Brady had absolutely no one to throw to last year - and if his receivers didn't drop those two passes and if SOMEBODY (...not gonna say his name) ran the correct route, the Patriots win last year's game and win another ring (like the NFC is gonna do anything) Payton *did* make an impressive effort and got the win, but it was the receivers on the Pats who lost that game.


Guess Michael didn't read this earlier:

"People don't seem to remember or realize he threw at one point - 13 TD's to 13 DIFFERENT PEOPLE!"

That would be "Tom" and that would be an "NFL record". Must be nice for Payton having Marvin Harrison all these years to throw to. Oh wait - the Pats just picked up a Moss with something to prove...hhmmm... And a bunch of other top-tier WRs....hhmmm...

I'm with Nhzoso - I'll take Tom 10 out of 10 times, and I don't look back. Until that loss, I don't think Brady had lost in a dome. He can flat out play anywhere and if it goes to NE in the winter...well, good luck Domies.

Well...

Erik, you're just another (can't get outta the past) armchair Pats fan who's settin' himself up for a RUDE awakening!!

I take NOTHING away from TB! Matter of fact, I was pulling for him in EVERY Super Bowl he played in! Ohhh...bet you weren't expecting that, Huh? But you Pats fans need to "live in the present!"

Peyton is the new sheriff in town! And he will lay down the law again this year with his 2nd Championship in a row!! PERIOD!!

And remember...I'm NOT A COLTS FAN!

Peace out...Play On! ;-)

[nhzoso]

Ahhh christ...Now I have to change my avatar because the Pats have are really causing me alot of anguish with this stupid video taping crap. I work with a bunch of jets fans and it was actually getting close to violence today with a few of these morons.

I still don't know what great advantage is gained by it but maybe I am just too stupid. Whats to prevent a team from giving some poor sap (like me) season tickets if you just make sure you video tape the opposing teams coaches??? How can they really stop it?

Anyway's I do recognize that it is a rule and they most likely broke it so they should be punished but to what degree who knows.

Some idiots at work were actually saying they should forfeit all 3 SB victory's..LOL or even forfeit the jets game?? How ridiculous is that.

Thanks Bellichick from Pats fans everywhere that have to listen to all the idiots for the next 6 months.

[michael drums]

Yea...

Guess when the dynasty is crumbling, ya gotta stoop to cheatin'! Just like the ole story 'bout Humpty Dumpty, huh!!

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall! All the kings horses, and so on...

And I expect all the Pats fans to rally around them and make excuses like, "Well, everybody cheats!" Or, "It's not as bad as the steriod use in baseball!" Or, "Any way you can find to win is ok!" Geeesssshhhhh...

WTF was Belichick thinking??

:-(

[michael drums]

Ahhh christ...Now I have to change my avatar because the Pats have are really causing me alot of anguish with this stupid video taping crap. I work with a bunch of jets fans and it was actually getting close to violence today with a few of these morons.

I still don't know what great advantage is gained by it but maybe I am just too stupid. Whats to prevent a team from giving some poor sap (like me) season tickets if you just make sure you video tape the opposing teams coaches??? How can they really stop it?

Anyway's I do recognize that it is a rule and they most likely broke it so they should be punished but to what degree who knows.

Some idiots at work were actually saying they should forfeit all 3 SB victory's..LOL or even forfeit the jets game?? How ridiculous is that.

Thanks Bellichick from Pats fans everywhere that have to listen to all the idiots for the next 6 months.

Idiots??

It ALL starts with Bellichick!! HE'S THE IDIOT!

Ummm...They SHOULD forfeit the Jets' game!! The cheating...THAT'S RIDICULOUS!!

Listen to yourself, nhzoso!! Now I'M LMAO!!

See...settin' yourself up for RUDE awakening, like I said in a previous post! Well...Here's the RUDE AWAKENING!! ;-)

Wow! Hee...hee...

[Guinness]

Stealing signals has been going on since the beginning of baseball, football...you name it. I don't consider it cheating, because everyone does it...the Pats just got caught. The same reason why about half of the coaches call plays with the play sheet covering their lips. You don't think that about every team has a lip reader somewhere in the crowd just looking for some kind of competetive advantage? Football is BIG MONEY. Get as much information and break the code. Bill is a hell of a coach..old stone face. He doesn't offer any emotion and hardly any information for a reason, he doesn't give any team the tinniest insight into what he's got up his sleeve. I guess the spy's are going to have to be a bit more discreet for now on..but I promise you there will be a guy somewhere in the crowd watching. That's for sure.

[michael drums]

Stealing signals has been going on since the beginning of baseball, football...you name it. I don't consider it cheating, because everyone does it...the Pats just got caught. The same reason why about half of the coaches call plays with the play sheet covering their lips. You don't think that about every team has a lip reader somewhere in the crowd just looking for some kind of competetive advantage? Football is BIG MONEY. Get as much information and break the code. Bill is a hell of a coach..old stone face. He doesn't offer any emotion and hardly any information for a reason, he doesn't give any team the tinniest insight into what he's got up his sleeve. I guess the spy's are going to have to be a bit more discreet for now on..but I promise you there will be a guy somewhere in the crowd watching. That's for sure.

Oh...Ok, everybody does it! Then that makes it right... :-(

I totally disagree, Guinness! Unless, of course, you're an "expert" in the daily goings on of any AND ALL NFL teams!

Look...if Bill Belichick is a "he__ of a coach", as you say...does he NEED to cheat??

Kinda sounds contridictory to me!

"Everybody does it", is NOT a "green light" for cheating! OR a legitimate reason to do so!

Money or no money...Play On!

[nhzoso]

Stealing signals has been going on since the beginning of baseball, football...you name it. I don't consider it cheating, because everyone does it...the Pats just got caught. The same reason why about half of the coaches call plays with the play sheet covering their lips. You don't think that about every team has a lip reader somewhere in the crowd just looking for some kind of competetive advantage? Football is BIG MONEY. Get as much information and break the code. Bill is a hell of a coach..old stone face. He doesn't offer any emotion and hardly any information for a reason, he doesn't give any team the tinniest insight into what he's got up his sleeve. I guess the spy's are going to have to be a bit more discreet for now on..but I promise you there will be a guy somewhere in the crowd watching. That's for sure.

True but this kind of sensible logic spoils it for guys like michaeldrums. He would rather live in fantasy land and suddenly get on a high moral ground, although how you do that and be a cowboys fan I will never know but it is funny to listen too.

I agree they broke a rule but lets not get carried away here. it's not like it helped them in that game so how can they forfeit it??

I hope all Pats fans wear a "if you aint cheatin you aint trying" Bright tee shirts just to rub it in the face of all the whiners (IE Tomlinson) hahahahahahahaha

Ya still have to beat us on the field and if you don't then i am sure this issue will come up again...LOL

[michael drums]

Yea, ok...


I guess having TB and RM isn't good enough, huh? Oh, and what about the Pats defense? Not good enough, either?

Whatever, Pats fans...

Let's PLAY BALL!!

[Guinness]

Ha! I have to admit, if we make it to the show it will be the Pats lined up in front of us. I honestly do think the Patriots are going to win it again this year. The AFC is just to strong of a conference. I am a Cowboys fan...always have been, but I'm also a realist. I can only pray that we can advance in the playoffs this year, because these defensive problems aren't giving me a lot of hope right now at the moment. I just hope we can win at least 11 or 12 games this season..then we'll give em' hell next year, but you know what they say. "Any given Sunday"

It's a crap shoot.

True but this kind of sensible logic spoils it for guys like michaeldrums. He would rather live in fantasy land and suddenly get on a high moral ground, although how you do that and be a cowboys fan I will never know but it is funny to listen too.

I agree they broke a rule but lets not get carried away here. it's not like it helped them in that game so how can they forfeit it??

I hope all Pats fans wear a "if you aint cheatin you aint trying" Bright tee shirts just to rub it in the face of all the whiners (IE Tomlinson) hahahahahahahaha

Ya still have to beat us on the field and if you don't then i am sure this issue will come up again...LOL

[Guinness]

Wow! The league came down hard on Bill. They stuck him with a $500,000 personal fine and threw in another $250,000 for the team and if that wasn't enough, if they make the playoffs they lose a first round draft pick. If they don't make the playoffs it's going to cost them a 2nd and 3rd round pick.

That's harsh, man!

[nhzoso]

The fine was as expected with all the players crying about the commish being a management guy if he did'nt place a stiff fine it was pretty inevitable.

Good ol Mangini selling out the ex coach...The ol saying goes...no honor among thieves. This may actually hurt Mangini too.

As far as the 1st rd pick, well they only lose their own 1st rd pick which will probably be 32 anyway and they still get the 49ers 1st rd pick which will probably be top 20, so no big deal really.

mike I can see saying he cheated and got caught and should be fined or even suspended for a game but to say they should forfeit? Come on man I don't think you really believe that.

I just hope that they kick the snot out of the big mouth chokers this sunday night..Should be a great game.

[KzSgDrummer]

All I have to say to my team is: why?

Week 1 vs the Jets-------- W 38-14
Week 2 vs the Chargers- W 38-14

For the love of God I hope we keep putting up numbers like this so we can shut up those who want to question our record from recent AND in years past. While they have legitimate beef over us cheating, it's silly to think we all need to go back and revise the record books.

[Erik Lund]

"Guess when the dynasty is crumbling, ya gotta stoop to cheatin'"

Yeah, we looked real crumbled out there today... You wanna take back any of those silly rants, Michael? You probably don't, but I'll just assume you do, since you have to.

I thought the Chargers were supposed to be our competition this year? All the haters saying Randy wouldn't keep it up...ESPN had a vote and the majority of people said 8-10 TD's this year. He's already got 3...And 100+ yards again today.

Brady - 25-31 today. 3 TD's and a bunch more yards. His QB rating is off the charts. All the haters?...Whatever.

LT didn't even reach 50 yards today. He can *totally* shut his mouth now, thank you very much.


This is the best the AFC is gonna throw at the mighty Patriots?! Just give out the rings tomorrow and get it over with.

[KzSgDrummer]

^ Sounds good to me!

[Jeff Almeyda]

Well...

Jeff! Barring any injury...history will be against your position on Peyton Manning! He will, AT LEAST, win as many rings as Tom Brady. Probably more!

Umm...you seem to forget about the quality of the Miami teams, or lack thereof, that Marino played on. Yes, he had GREAT receivers during his career...but THAT'S IT!! Great for stats, but NOT for championships!

How can you even compare Manning & Marino? That's ridiculous, my friend! Marino threw for TONS of yardage. Manning is an Offensive General. If anything, Manning is much like Montana! As you will see by the end of his career, and all his rings.

Let's face it, Brady WAS great! And still is a VERY capable QB! But he has passed the torch to Peyton Manning, who WILL eclipse the Brady legacy...

...Play On! ;-)

P.S. Good Luck to ALL...and have fun!

After last night, you may wish to change your stance on Brady being "very capable". He IS the best player in the NFL. I'm picking him to start for my team every time.

The Patriot team that I've seen these last two weeks is head and shoulders above anyone else in the league. Jesus, they DISMANTLED the Chargers. LT got nothing all day.

The Colts look good but the Pats look unstoppable.

Alas, my poor Giants look horrible. Go Yanks!

[Erik Lund]

"The Colts look good but the Pats look unstoppable"

I thought the Colts looked shakey this week, no?

Adam Vinatieri looked downright weak...

[KzSgDrummer]

The Colts did look somewhat shaky yesterday, and for that I think you gotta give the Titans a lot of credit. They seem to know how to get under Indy's skin, and games between those two always end up being close matches.

Indy plays Houston next week, and while I want to say they should be able to trounce those guys, it must be said that the Texans have put up wins as convincing as the Pats these past two weeks, so I wouldn't put it past them to give Peyton et al a good, solid run for their money.

And yes, Vinateri did look shaky. Surprisingly or not, I got blasted by some of my fellow Pats fans for even suggesting that V. was playing less than perfect, as if he were still here in New England. Go figure!

[TheGroceryman]

Yea I agree with Jeff I really think the Patriots are unstopable. If Brady keeps playing the way he does, I see no way anyone can beat them looking at their schedule. Besides from the colts game and MAYBE the cowboys game, I wouldnt be surprised if they go15-1 or even 16-0. I mean their defense dominated the chargers front 7 that L.T. couldnt get above 50 yards.

As for the Giants, they're so unpredictable. Their defense is an abomination. Horrible. My prediction is they dont win more than 4 games. Just pitiful; and disappointing!

[nhzoso]

I think it's funny as hell that ravens head Coach accused manweiny of cheating this weekend..LOL Hope this is not a trend with all the coaches coming up with reasons why they lost other than they just sukk.

pretty sure it's just some backlash for what he did to Bellichick

[Bonzo]

75 posts and no mention of the best team in the NFC??? The Bears repeat as NFC champs with little problem. There's no defense even close in the NFC. And I'm guessing Rex will be replaced by week 4, so that solves that problem. I look for them to whip the 'boys in Soldier Field Sunday night.

[bballdrummer34]

GO BEARS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nhzoso]

75 posts and no mention of the best team in the NFC??? The Bears repeat as NFC champs with little problem. There's no defense even close in the NFC. And I'm guessing Rex will be replaced by week 4, so that solves that problem. I look for them to whip the 'boys in Soldier Field Sunday night.

LOL, solves that problem??? Hows that, who's the back up John Elway?? I agree the NFC is weak and even a team with Grossman has a shot but dont fool yourself bro... griese sucks too.

[Erik Lund]

I think it's funny as hell that ravens head Coach accused manweiny of cheating this weekend..LOL Hope this is not a trend with all the coaches coming up with reasons why they lost other than they just sukk.

pretty sure it's just some backlash for what he did to Bellichick



Well, the Ravens actually won that game and pretty handidly, so there goes that theory (come on man! I need smart color commentary from fellow Pats fans with all the controversey!)


The Pats will destroy the Bills. Maybe Brady can sit out the second half or at least the 4th quarter. Let's get 50 pts early and rest his little arm. No need to risk injury when you're up 5 TDs...I'm guessing a lot of bench guys get to shine tomorrow!

Hope the Packers can win tomorrow. not that I really care - but it would be nice. Also - Houston will put up a good fight tomorrow against the Colts. They might be able to squeak out a W what with the Colts not quite gelling yet.


Rex and McNabb might be playing some of their last halves of football...Chicago will rejoice if they are getting whooped at half-time. Philly fans will cry, and move on.



But back to the team here: Seriously - who is gonna stop Mr. Moss? What defense out there thinks they have the secret? 'Cause then we'll just start using Stallworth...

GO PATS!

[Erik Lund]

This just in:

Tom Brady continues to be ridiculous. Look at that QB rating!

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Be careful all. Tampa Bay is just getting warmed up. Two in a row and the defense is new and hungry.

[TheGroceryman]

Oh my! Patriots are too good! Brady cannot be stopped, and he will not be. No doubt the pats are winning the superbowl and going undefeated for the whole season. They should just spare the embarrassment of all the teams and save a couple months of playing and just hand them the ring right now. Just ridiculous.

And I am shell shocked about how the Packers beat the Chargers. Brett Favre played really well, tying marino for all time touchdown passes, in the same amount of games too, 240.

And I'm watching the Giants game, and the turnovers are killing them. Very very much. 2 ints with eli and i think they're just about to get a fumble in the red zone when they're down 7 in the fourth quarter. Not clutch.

[Erik Lund]

"And I am shell shocked about how the Packers beat the Chargers."


More shocking is the Norv-run offense that has kept LT at about 40 yards a game. All the fantasy guys must be going nuts...

[matt986]

How about them cowboys?!?!?!?!?! And they've done it without terry glenn, without greg ellis, without Jason Ferguson, and without a healthy terrence newman.....AND they beat the BEARS at HOME by 24 POINTS!!! God it's great to be a cowboys fan right now..but we're over do..its been over a decade since we have done anything notable....

[michael drums]

75 posts and no mention of the best team in the NFC??? The Bears repeat as NFC champs with little problem. There's no defense even close in the NFC. And I'm guessing Rex will be replaced by week 4, so that solves that problem. I look for them to whip the 'boys in Soldier Field Sunday night.

Uhhh....

WHAT????

NOT!!!!

The Bears are TERRIBLE!!

Apparantly there's something in the water in Crystal Lake, Buddy!!

'Cause you are hallucinating!! :-(

WOW...they are looking HORRIBLE!!

[michael drums]

"Guess when the dynasty is crumbling, ya gotta stoop to cheatin'"

Yeah, we looked real crumbled out there today... You wanna take back any of those silly rants, Michael? You probably don't, but I'll just assume you do, since you have to.

I thought the Chargers were supposed to be our competition this year? All the haters saying Randy wouldn't keep it up...ESPN had a vote and the majority of people said 8-10 TD's this year. He's already got 3...And 100+ yards again today.

Brady - 25-31 today. 3 TD's and a bunch more yards. His QB rating is off the charts. All the haters?...Whatever.

LT didn't even reach 50 yards today. He can *totally* shut his mouth now, thank you very much.


This is the best the AFC is gonna throw at the mighty Patriots?! Just give out the rings tomorrow and get it over with.

NEVER!!!

Stickin' with the Colts, Erik!! ;-)

Get those tissues ready, PAL!!

[Guinness]

How about them cowboys?!?!?!?!?! And they've done it without terry glenn, without greg ellis, without Jason Ferguson, and without a healthy terrence newman.....AND they beat the BEARS at HOME by 24 POINTS!!! God it's great to be a cowboys fan right now..but we're over do..its been over a decade since we have done anything notable....

Amen! It is good to be a Cowboys fan...especially today! Romo just got through exploiting the best defense in the league and we get the Rams next Sunday. Life is good...at least for another few weeks, then the Pats come to town and the real test begins. I think Jennifer Engle from the Star Telegram said it best today when she drew the analogy of the Cowboys being "the tallest midget" right now in football. The NFC is a much softer conference, but you got to admit this cowboys team has a punchers chance in any game the way they are playing right now.

How bout' them Cowboys?!

[LinearDrummer]

I'm gonna curb my enthusiasim with Tha Boyz unitl the big showdown with the mighty Patriots....who by the way I'm hearing talk of an undefeated season....

Moss vs Newman....
Romo vs the Pats linebackers pressure.....
TO goin across the middle with Rodney Harrison patrolling the field....

Ooooo football is sweet this year!

[TheGroceryman]

And I'm guessing Rex will be replaced by week 4,

In the respect Bonzo was dead on, the Bears announced they're replacing him this week with some other guy, so michael drums we wasnt THAT off.

[michael drums]

In the respect Bonzo was dead on, the Bears announced they're replacing him this week with some other guy, so michael drums we wasnt THAT off.

Uhhh...


Apparantly you missed last Sunday nights game, Grocery!! Here, let me remind you...

Cowboys - 34

Bears - 10

I'd say you were way off! ;-)

...Play On!

Oh, btw...ask Bonzo what his prediction is NOW?! Dohhh.... :-)

[TheGroceryman]

Oh woops, i just realized I was ridiculously unclear in my post. I wasnt referencing Bonzo's prediction that the Bears are going to repeat as NFC champs, I was talking about his predicion that Grossman would get replaced by week 4, and he did... so sorry for being so unclear.

[michael drums]

Oh woops, i just realized I was ridiculously unclear in my post. I wasnt referencing Bonzo's prediction that the Bears are going to repeat as NFC champs, I was talking about his predicion that Grossman would get replaced by week 4, and he did... so sorry for being so unclear.

Oh...OK.

No problem, Groceryman!

Then it WAS a very good prediction...

Play On! ;-)

[nhzoso]

Griese, Grossman, ehhh not much improvement. Perhaps the Bears should have been more aggressive in the off-season, Schaub, Garcia, hell even Culpepper would have been an improvement over those 2. I don't understand how you can get to the SB, with those QB's and think they you are going to be lucky and do it again. GM should be canned.

[Erik Lund]

Maybe Flutie Flakes can help the Bears...

This week has been so great!

We learn that the Chargers are actually awful and will probably fight for .500.
We learn that the Bears are actually awful and could try 12 QB's before this is over...
We learn that the Steelers actually aren't so iron clad
We learn that Favre is actually still pretty good. (Looking like ol' Tom Brady: same talent at WR TB used to have and still winning games!)


And tonight we will learn that the Bengals' weren't a threat to the Patriots. (although it's probably pretty well understood)

I want to predict a score, but with Cleveland putting up 51 against the Bengals with a 2nd string QB... 45-24 but I'll be way off I'm sure.

Go Pats!

[michael drums]

Maybe Flutie Flakes can help the Bears...

This week has been so great!

We learn that the Chargers are actually awful and will probably fight for .500.
We learn that the Bears are actually awful and could try 12 QB's before this is over...
We learn that the Steelers actually aren't so iron clad
We learn that Favre is actually still pretty good. (Looking like ol' Tom Brady: same talent at WR TB used to have and still winning games!)


And tonight we will learn that the Bengals' weren't a threat to the Patriots. (although it's probably pretty well understood)

I want to predict a score, but with Cleveland putting up 51 against the Bengals with a 2nd string QB... 45-24 but I'll be way off I'm sure.

Go Pats!


And...OF COURSE you didn't mention the Colts and the Cowboys. No surprise!

Uhhh...they're BOTH undefeated, Erik! Hello!

That Peyton guy is pretty good.

That Tony guy is " " "

Look for a Bengals upset tonight. ;-)


Play On!

[Erik Lund]

I didn't mention them because there was nothing great (for me) to mention about them. They both won. Cowboys had it easy with St. Louis, and while I'm always glad to see the Broncos lose, I wouldn't have minded either way.

[michael drums]

I didn't mention them because there was nothing great (for me) to mention about them. They both won. Cowboys had it easy with St. Louis, and while I'm always glad to see the Broncos lose, I wouldn't have minded either way.

Uhhhh...

Erik...you like who you like.


And it's obvious it's NOT Indy or Dallas.

Nothing great????

So what your saying is the Pats haven't had it easy??


Are you serious??

[michael drums]

Well...


I'll have to give the Pats credit for last nights' game. Yes, I thought the Bengals could have upset them, especially at home, but it wasn't to be.

The Patriots "D" played a REALLY good game. The Bengals "D", on the other hand, was pretty lame. But that's not unusual for them, so far, this year. Just take a look at their defensive stats, and it reads like a horror story! Ughh...

I believe they're in last place, or near last place in, at least, 4 categories! So I'm not gonna give ALL the credit to the Patriots, but I was impressed with them, last night.

But let's see how they do against some formidable opponents, such as Indy, Dallas, or even Green Bay, though I don't think they play G.B. this year.

I'll give 'em their due, but they REALLY haven't played any competitive teams so far...


Play On! ;-)

[nhzoso]

Problem is teams are considered competitive till after they get beat down by the Pats.

As a rabid Pats fan I must honestly say that I am more worried about Playing Cleveland this weekend then I am about Dallas. I know the Pats will be up for that game but they may rest on their laurels (spelling) against the Browns.

[michael drums]

Problem is teams are considered competitive till after they get beat down by the Pats.

As a rabid Pats fan I must honestly say that I am more worried about Playing Cleveland this weekend then I am about Dallas. I know the Pats will be up for that game but they may rest on their laurels (spelling) against the Browns.

I wouldn't worry too much, nhzoso.

As much as I like Derek Anderson, who I wish had never been kicked outta Baltimore(for Kyle Boller, no less), I don't think the Browns' offense can establish any momentum and/or cohesion against the Pats defense.

Not to mention the Browns' suspect defense against the Pats' impressive offense...


Play On! ;-)

[KzSgDrummer]

Problem is teams are considered competitive till after they get beat down by the Pats.

Exactly.. I'm hearing more and more, "well NE has only played mediocre teams so far," which is true of two of the four they've played (obviously the Jets and Bills) while the other two were supposedly serious contenders. Obviously they've proved to be otherwise, but that doesn't mean the Pats have gone into every game thus far expecting some 21 point or more blowout.

[TheGroceryman]

Hmmm.... what game to comment on first, hmm.

I think i'll talk about the jets, giants game. I was really surprised that the giants won, their defense really surprised me. Jets had absolutely no running game at all, and they shut down pennington second half pretty well. So props to the giants D! But, i have to say eli really hasnt improved that much, a pretty mediocre performance from him in my opinion.

Other notable performances, umm, Tom Brady of course another amazing performance. If he keeps up this pace, he'll beat Peyton for the single season touchdown record at 49 TD's, which is kinda ridiculous because thats averaging more than 3 TD's a game...

CHARGERS! Yea! Finally, they look like that dominating team they were last year! They win 41-3 against the Broncos! Yes! I hope they can keep it up, i hate to see such a talented team struggle.

Thats about all i can remember at the moment, im pretty tired. RIght now I'm watching the Packers dominate the Bears, ah man Brett Favre is a beast.

[michael drums]

Yea...


And the Colts look pretty good too, Groceryman!

You seemed to be "too tired" to remember them winning big yesterday, against the Bucs. ;-)

And YES! The Chargers broke outta their slump in a HUGE way, using the Broncos like a punching bag! I wonder what the Norv Turner bashers have to say, now?

How 'bout them Packers? Oops! How'd that happen? My guess is the lack-luster 1st half they had, and all the turnovers throughout the game! Yea, they were up 17-7 at halftime. But they REALLY didn't look like an undefeated team with their offense. Seemed a little confused with what they were tryin' to do offensively. And I think it carried over to the second half...scoring ONLY 3 POINTS! Ughh...

Anyway, enjoy tonights' game ---> Cowboys @ The Bills...

might be a better game than you think! ;-)

[Erik Lund]

"How 'bout them Packers? Oops! How'd that happen? My guess is the lack-luster 1st half they had, and all the turnovers throught the game! Yea, they were up 17-7 at halftime. But they REALLY didn't look like an undefeated team with their offense. Seemed a little confused with what they were tryin' to do offensively. And I think it carried over to the second half...scoring ONLY 3 POINTS! Ughh... "


Not sure how you could call is lack-luster...Favre had almost 300 yards at half-time...

Tony Romo better have a good game tonight. Because next week he's going to experience first-hand what Peyton had to go through for years + Randy Moss/Donte Stallworth/Wes Welker ie a crushing blow to the ego.

[michael drums]

"How 'bout them Packers? Oops! How'd that happen? My guess is the lack-luster 1st half they had, and all the turnovers throught the game! Yea, they were up 17-7 at halftime. But they REALLY didn't look like an undefeated team with their offense. Seemed a little confused with what they were tryin' to do offensively. And I think it carried over to the second half...scoring ONLY 3 POINTS! Ughh... "


Not sure how you could call is lack-luster...Favre had almost 300 yards at half-time...

Tony Romo better have a good game tonight. Because next week he's going to experience first-hand what Peyton had to go through for years + Randy Moss/Donte Stallworth/Wes Welker ie a crushing blow to the ego.

Yea...

300 yds, and NOT enough P O I N T S!! The score matters, Erik. Not the passing yds. As proved, most definitely, by the G.B. Packers last night.

If your not scoring points, what does the yds. passing give ya??

Uhhh...a defeat of 27-20 at the end of 60 minutes of football. That's what! ;-)

And I wouldn't count your chickens yet, Erik! The Pats could actually fall to the Cowboys. It's gonna be their toughest test yet, this year. So be careful you don't get over confident with the Pats. You know what happened last year...

Go Boys... :-)

[TheGroceryman]

Regarding the Pats and Cowboys game, does anyone have any stats on the Cowboys defense? Cause it wont matter how good Romo plays because if its gonna be a shootout then Brady will definately win. But I really dont think the Cowboys can win, I mean the Pats dominate on both sides of the ball, Brady has like a perfect QB rating with a huge arsenel of WR's and their defense can stop the run really well.

And I guess I spoke too soon Michael, Greenbay suffered a disappointing loss :(. I guess i should've predicted they would lose after all those turnovers that I witnessed in the first half.

EDIT: COOL! i made a smiley face! :)

EDIT #2: Or a frowny face i guess you would call it.

[michael drums]

Regarding the Pats and Cowboys game, does anyone have any stats on the Cowboys defense? Cause it wont matter how good Romo plays because if its gonna be a shootout then Brady will definately win. But I really dont think the Cowboys can win, I mean the Pats dominate on both sides of the ball, Brady has like a perfect QB rating with a huge arsenel of WR's and their defense can stop the run really well.

And I guess I spoke too soon Michael, Greenbay suffered a disappointing loss :(. I guess i should've predicted they would lose after all those turnovers that I witnessed in the first half.

EDIT: COOL! i made a smiley face! :)

EDIT #2: Or a frowny face i guess you would call it.

Whatever, Dude...

Geessshhh. What are you...2?

So I guess I CAN toot my own horn about my prediction that the Bills/Cowboys game might be better than you think.

You're Welcome...

SMHIUD

[Erik Lund]

The Packers didn't score because of a few turnovers NOT by Favre (for a change) - that doesn't mean he didn't look great in the first half. I'm just saying "lack-luster" is the wrong choice of words...

Now the 2nd half was another story. That could be called any number of negative things...But the game is about adjustments, and GB didn't adjust.

Not that I care (again). Just commenting on what I saw.

And no - I'm 100% confident in the Pats against the Cowpokes...Cowboys needed a miracle to beat the Bills... Forgive me for not being too cautious with my optimism. Romo looked absolutely horrible and I don't think facing the best team (and possibly one of the best of all time when things are said and done this year) on 5-days-rest is gonna be the recipe to "bounce back".

Only reason Tom and the Pats lost to the Colts last year is 'cause Tom was single and unsure if he was gonna take a supermodel home each night... Now that's he's got a permanent one, there are no worries in Patsland.

[Jeff Almeyda]

Yea...

300 yds, and NOT enough P O I N T S!! The score matters, Erik. Not the passing yds. As proved, most definitely, by the G.B. Packers last night.

If your not scoring points, what does the yds. passing give ya??

Uhhh...a defeat of 27-20 at the end of 60 minutes of football. That's what! ;-)

And I wouldn't count your chickens yet, Erik! The Pats could actually fall to the Cowboys. It's gonna be their toughest test yet, this year. So be careful you don't get over confident with the Pats. You know what happened last year...

Go Boys... :-)

I hate the Pats but I hate the Cowboys more. We need both The Pats and the Colts to be undefeated before their epic match-up because it's becoming obvious that these two teams are heads and shoulders above the rest of the league.

It will be the best game of the year, can't wait the few weeks!

[michael drums]

I hate the Pats but I hate the Cowboys more. We need both The Pats and the Colts to be undefeated before their epic match-up because it's becoming obvious that these two teams are heads and shoulders above the rest of the league.

It will be the best game of the year, can't wait the few weeks!

I can't disagree with you here, Jeff.

Though, I still believe the Cowboys (at home) are gonna give the Pats a run for their $$.

But if Dallas is gonna win, they better play a different game then they did last night, against the Bills. Ughh...

Romo did NOT look good until the last few minutes of the game. 5 picks and a fumble? Are you kidding me? :-(

However, he was resilient in the second half and on the last drive to get them within field-goal range(BARELY)

And a fantastic kick by the rookie, Nick Folk...Twice! To clinch the victory. Wow!

But will it be enough momentum, to beat the Pats in Texas Stadium?

We shall see in 5 days...

Play On! ;-)

[cnw60]

So what's up with this last second timeout thing on FG's?

I've followed the NFL for at least 30 years and I've never seen that tactic used, now it's happened 3 times this year. First time - it was like, OK, Shanahan's a crafty guy, 2nd time, you gotta give the Chargers credit for learning the lesson from getting beat the week before, now the 3rd time - it's starting to get old... don't you think?

Maybe it'll stop when teams start getting burned by it - if the kicker misses the 1st attempt and then nails the 2nd one - then it'll be more like, 'thanks for the mulligan'.

[michael drums]

So what's up with this last second timeout thing on FG's?

I've followed the NFL for at least 30 years and I've never seen that tactic used, now it's happened 3 times this year. First time - it was like, OK, Shanahan's a crafty guy, 2nd time, you gotta give the Chargers credit for learning the lesson from getting beat the week before, now the 3rd time - it's starting to get old... don't you think?

Maybe it'll stop when teams start getting burned by it - if the kicker misses the 1st attempt and then nails the 2nd one - then it'll be more like, 'thanks for the mulligan'.

Yes, cnw60!

That's exactly what Mike Greenberg said this morning on Mike & Mike. What if the kicker "misses" the 1st attempted field-goal after that "slick" time-out?

Good call there, cnw60.

And that's why I think the rule should be changed ASAP...

Peace...

[Erik Lund]

"Though, I still believe the Cowboys (at home) are gonna give the Pats a run for their $$."


Yeah, well you were spot-on about the Pats-Bengals...

[michael drums]

Yea Erik...

I get it right, sometimes. ;-)


And I'll be honest with you. It wouldn't hurt me much (actually...at all) to see the Pats fall to the Cowboys.

Ya see...I'm actually a Cowboys fan! And have been for 30+ years...


Ooops, you got it outta me! :-(

How'd that happen?

Ok, guys...don't beat me up TOO much, ok?

Gulp...

[Erik Lund]

We all have our mistakes, Michael.


I just dragged a song into the wrong playlist...see? We're all human.

[michael drums]

We all have our mistakes, Michael.


I just dragged a song into the wrong playlist...see? We're all human.

Yep, Erik.


You're the example... ;-)


Hee...hee...

Enjoy the Pats & Cowboys!

[matt986]

The cowboys actually looked good against the Bills in my opinion. Here's why.

The Bills offense only scored three points. That fewer than any other game so far this year for the cowboys.
(two touchdowns were interception returns by the bills defense and the other was a kickoff return.)

The offensive line looked pretty good all things considered.

The kicker was AWESOME. This kid is a diamond in the rough.

Most importantly, have any of you ever see a QB throw five interceptions and fumble the ball once and THEN lead his team downfield twice in the 4th quater to win the game?

Furthermore, how about the fact that he led them to 9 points in 20 seconds?

I cant think of another quaterback in the leage that could come back from 6 turnovers and STILL win the game. That takes a hell of a quaterback. I know you guys will say Brady could do it, but I guess we'll never know since Brady has never been in that kind of a position before.

The dallas new england game should be the best of the season, and possibly a Super Bowl preview. It should be a great game and I hope both teams leave with healthy rosters.

[michael drums]

Well matt...


Brady and Manning coulda' done it WITHOUT having 5 interceptions AND a fumble! That's the difference.

But don't get me wrong, matt. I really like Romo! It's just the fact that he's gonna have to get "knocked down" a bit, before he can "rise up" to be the QB everybody says he can be.

It's still the Manning/Brady show now. But Romo will get to the top, in due time. Barring any injury, of course!

And as far as the Cowboys/Pats game, this Sunday, being a SB preview...NAH. That's countin' your chickens...

though it "should" be a good game.

Play On! ;-)

[TheGroceryman]

If the Cowboys arnt getting to the superbowl then who is... The NFC is a pretty junky conference, the boys are clearly the best team in the conference. I mean the Bears, Lions, and Packers are pretty good but with the lions getting crushed by the skins, the Bears looking pretty unpredictable with quarterback issues, and Favre probably not going to be able to put up good numbers throughout the whole season singlehandedly, the Cowboys seem the most stable. But it wont matter who gets in the superbowl in the NFC because we all know this league is AFC-dominant. :P

[LinearDrummer]

I had a dream - Cowboyz 41 Patriots 3....
Just slept like a pussycat :P

[nhzoso]

If the Cowboys arnt getting to the superbowl then who is... The NFC is a pretty junky conference, the boys are clearly the best team in the conference. I mean the Bears, Lions, and Packers are pretty good but with the lions getting crushed by the skins, the Bears looking pretty unpredictable with quarterback issues, and Favre probably not going to be able to put up good numbers throughout the whole season singlehandedly, the Cowboys seem the most stable. But it wont matter who gets in the superbowl in the NFC because we all know this league is AFC-dominant. :P

Well besides the Cowgirls I like think the Redskins are looking better and better every week, I also would not count out the NY football Giants.

What the hell is wrong with the Saints?? What a complete and utter let down they have been. Brees looks like he merged with Rex Grossman and created some kind of mega scrub QB.

[Guinness]

I don't know if I can handle another game like last weeks...I was so stressed out watching the Bills do what they did last weekend..shew! Talk about a come back. All I know is as long as Romo is in the game the Cowboys have a chance. As bad a game as he had last week and he still managed to fight thru it to a victory. It is definitely going to be a good game, I just hope my heart can take it. Go Cowboys!

[Erik Lund]

I haven't seen too many Cowboy games, so I'm wondering how Romo performs after getting whacked a few times. 'Cuz the Patriots will most definately get to him. I don't see the D-line for the Cowboys getting to Brady. The Pats have the best O-line in the Enneffell. Brady has had all sorts of time this year.

Countdown!

[Jeff Almeyda]

I haven't seen too many Cowboy games, so I'm wondering how Romo performs after getting whacked a few times. 'Cuz the Patriots will most definately get to him. I don't see the D-line for the Cowboys getting to Brady. The Pats have the best O-line in the Enneffell. Brady has had all sorts of time this year.

Countdown!

The nonsense ends today. The Cowboys are going to be manhandled in a few hours. The Pats will show everyone that the only team that can possibly beat them is Indy.

I'm actually a Giant fan. I HATE the Cowboys and respect the Pats. It's gonna be great!

[TheGroceryman]

Hmm... I'm watching the Dallas Pats game right now, its in the 2nd quarter and i'm pretty disappointed in Dallas, Brady already has 2 TD's in the first quarter... and its 14-3 right now... Jeff I think your prediction might be valid once this game is over, I'm really looking forward to what the Colts can bring the Pats in a few weeks' time.

Other than that, not many surprises so far in the games that have finished, nothing to really mention i dont think.

[KzSgDrummer]

Well, Junior Seau just sealed the fate of that match. A pretty good game all around..

[Mr. Pasquini]

Heh, did you see the Panthers MURDER the cardinals in the last quarter? That was great!

Yay panthers!

http://www.charlottebca.com/customers/105122109525971/images/Carolina_Panthers.gif

[TheGroceryman]

Oh my, Tom Brady is a fricken monster. 5 TD's!!! WOW! He's on pace for beating Mannings single season TD record, damn. I have to say the game was a good one at the half, but I guess Brady was too much.

Oh and now we learn that the chargers are finally back. Now they're looking like the team we saw last year. LT is his old self again racking up 198 yards and 4 TD's!

And now I'm watching the Saints and Seahawks game and I'm very satisfied that the saints are winning, it hurts to see them struggle.

Oh and if anyone didnt realize i'm not really a fan of a particular NFL team, i just like watching football : ).

P.S. Mr. Pasquini, how did you do that panther thing?

[Mr. Pasquini]

Oh my, Tom Brady is a fricken monster. 5 TD's!!! WOW! He's on pace for beating Mannings single season TD record, damn. I have to say the game was a good one at the half, but I guess Brady was too much.

Oh and now we learn that the chargers are finally back. Now they're looking like the team we saw last year. LT is his old self again racking up 198 yards and 4 TD's!

And now I'm watching the Saints and Seahawks game and I'm very satisfied that the saints are winning, it hurts to see them struggle.

Oh and if anyone didnt realize i'm not really a fan of a particular NFL team, i just like watching football : ).

P.S. Mr. Pasquini, how did you do that panther thing?

Use the IMG code with a random picture from the internet. There's a box that looks like a mountain at the top of the box or it's (image URL (no parenthesis))

[Erik Lund]

Pats are going undefeated this year. Sorry, Old Dolphin Guys...

[Jeff Almeyda]

Right now, Tom Brady is playing as well as anyone has ever played this position. He has no appreciable weaknesses. Great football mind, confidence and poise, great arm...

Here's Tom Brady: The Cowboys take the lead in the 2nd half and the place is going nuts. Tom marches the Pats down the field and scores a TD, shuts everyone the hell up and proceeds to rack up like 17 unanswered points. Just incredible.

We will tell people 20 years from now about how great Brady was this season.

[Erik Lund]

I was watching the game with 3 buddies, all Patriot-haters. One of them played football in high school and college and kept saying that Tom Brady is overrated. Said he had an average arm and the only good thing about him is his smarts.

Even after the game today - with all those great passes and the ability to score whenever they need it, he kept the same position on Brady... The haters love to hate.

If Moss had kept that TD pass I would have pooped my pants...he normally comes down with those...

[Erik Lund]

and Michael conveniently absent... It's okay Michael. Come back.

[Jeff Almeyda]

and Michael conveniently absent... It's okay Michael. Come back.

Yeah, C'mon Mike. At least you're not a Met fan.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

I had a dream - Cowboyz 41 Patriots 3....
Just slept like a pussycat :P

Was that 41 total yards and N.E. 3 touchdowns in the first half??

[nhzoso]

Was a good game, I was worried for about 10 seconds then I saw Brady walking on the field dripping confidence and I was reassured.

I read that they are discussing possibly having a superbowl overseas in England or something??? Thats just downright sacriledge (spelling), I would be so pissed if my team made the superbowl and I had to go to frickin England to see it live?? Whats up with the NFL wanting to play games overseas? Is'nt the money here in the States enough?

They are even playing a reg. season game in london I thin this year or next?

They charge us reg. season prices for pre-season games and then take a reg. season game and play it in london?? Greed may be the downfall of the greatest league in the country.

GO PATS!

[TheGroceryman]

I think the reasoning behind the overseas game thing is to try to make football a unviversal game. They want Europe or England or whatever to see how cool this game is! So they can stop playing their "football" that only use the feet.

So... how bout them Giants huh? Their defense is really doing pretty dam well. And Eli didnt do THAT bad... But I guess you cant really say much against a horrible team like the falcons... lets see what they bring to the plate next week...

[michael drums]

and Michael conveniently absent... It's okay Michael. Come back.

Well Erik...


As usual, you have spoken, again, without thinking that, maybe, I might have been outta town, since last Thursday, and haven't had a chance to respond until now.

But that's "par for the course", with you! ;-)

Anyway...

Yes, the Pats looked strong against the Cowboys. I give credit where credit is due. Congrats to them, though...

I thought that "running up the score", with less than two minutes to go and up by 2 touchdowns, was absolutely class-less! :-(

Belichick should be ashamed of himself, AGAIN, for showing total lack of sportsmanship!

Mark my words...that's gonna come back to him and the Patriots, ten fold!

Count on it.

Ugh...

[jangus]

Pats are going undefeated this year. Sorry, Old Dolphin Guys...

That's what I've been saying and I'm not a Pats fan. They are just playing really well. They're playing like they have something to prove, and they are definitely proving it.

Who do you think will be the first team to beat the Pats? Place your bets, folks. I'm rooting for Pats against Indy.

'72 Dolphins and '08 Patriots

[nhzoso]

Yes, the Pats looked strong against the Cowboys. I give credit where credit is due. Congrats to them, though...

I thought that "running up the score", with less than two minutes to go and up by 2 touchdowns, was absolutely class-less! :-(

Belichick should be ashamed of himself, AGAIN, for showing total lack of sportsmanship!

Mark my words...that's gonna come back to him and the Patriots, ten fold!

Count on it.

Ugh...


LOL, yeah thats a pretty typical response when the Pats beat a team nowadays. LT cried about celebration last year, Cleveland cried about a late hit at the end of the game last week when clearly Vrabel was pushed onto him, and now this popular boo hoo hurt feeling. Hey if they dont like it then stop it. It was Eckels 1st NFL TD so why not give it to him.

It's not like they did a trick play, they gave it to him and he ran right up the middle! Please there is no room for whining in football : )

[Erik Lund]

And it was 4th down too.

I love Bill Simmons:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/bostonblog/071015



So now I speak without thinking Michael? Or have I spoken once again while you were out of town since a Thursday and I was supposed to know? I mean, I've let your condescending attitude go for a while, but I don't need your little winking punctuation faces along with your insults.



I am so glad the rest of the world hates my Patriots. And I am so glad they are actually doing something about it: i.e. "Crushing Every Team" Not only because it distracts me enough from my horrendous Red Sox (seriously, how do we NOT have Elisbury starting? and can we please kidnap Gagne until 2010?) but because they're just so much fun to watch. I was jumping up and down saying "Go for it!" and there they were - going for it. Dallas can't stop a 4th string back, and I had to put up with 2 weeks of hearing how they were gonna beat the Pats? The 90's were last decade. The Pats own this decade.

[michael drums]

LOL, yeah thats a pretty typical response when the Pats beat a team nowadays. LT cried about celebration last year, Cleveland cried about a late hit at the end of the game last week when clearly Vrabel was pushed onto him, and now this popular boo hoo hurt feeling. Hey if they dont like it then stop it. It was Eckels 1st NFL TD so why not give it to him.

It's not like they did a trick play, they gave it to him and he ran right up the middle! Please there is no room for whining in football : )

Yea!

Nor any room for sportsmanship!

[michael drums]

And it was 4th down too.

I love Bill Simmons:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/bostonblog/071015



So now I speak without thinking Michael? Or have I spoken once again while you were out of town since a Thursday and I was supposed to know? I mean, I've let your condescending attitude go for a while, but I don't need your little winking punctuation faces along with your insults.



I am so glad the rest of the world hates my Patriots. And I am so glad they are actually doing something about it: i.e. "Crushing Every Team" Not only because it distracts me enough from my horrendous Red Sox (seriously, how do we NOT have Elisbury starting? and can we please kidnap Gagne until 2010?) but because they're just so much fun to watch. I was jumping up and down saying "Go for it!" and there they were - going for it. Dallas can't stop a 4th string back, and I had to put up with 2 weeks of hearing how they were gonna beat the Pats? The 90's were last decade. The Pats own this decade.

Yea...

and apparantly you didn't catch that smiley wink right next to what I said, to indicate what I said was not to be taken too seriously.

Erik, you take what I say out of context. Then again, that's not any different than what you say to others when you mis-understand them, also.

And you just hang-on to that Patriots wagon, Pal! The same one the Red Sox are on...

Geeessshhh...

[Erik Lund]

"and apparantly you didn't catch that smiley wink right next to what I said, to indicate what I said was not to be taken too seriously."


Read this again:

"I mean, I've let your condescending attitude go for a while, but I don't need your little winking punctuation faces along with your insults."

[michael drums]

"and apparantly you didn't catch that smiley wink right next to what I said, to indicate what I said was not to be taken too seriously."


Read this again:

"I mean, I've let your condescending attitude go for a while, but I don't need your little winking punctuation faces along with your insults."

Awwww...


You can dish it but can't take it, huh?

Condescending attitude???? :-|


Just 'cause I'm right, doesn't mean you go fishing for adjectives, Erik...

wow!

btw...try to stay on topic.

[KzSgDrummer]

I thought that "running up the score", with less than two minutes to go and up by 2 touchdowns, was absolutely class-less!

On the surface I'd agree with you that it was totally unnecessary. But one look at the situation should make you realize that they didn't have much of a choice. Here's what happened:

---Pats' Gostowski kicks the field goal with 3:59 left, putting them up 41-27
---on Dallas' next drive, Romo gets intercepted on the very first play. 3:45 left. Dallas' time of possession: 14 seconds
---Pats now have 3:45 to advance a whopping 20 yards to the end zone
---2:00 left, Pats are 1st and goal on the 9-yd line after Welker makes an 11-yd catch on third and 10
---Two plays later backup fullback Kyle Eckel scores on a 1-yard TD run
---Dallas gets the ball with 0:19 left

OVERALL: 7 PLAYS, 20 YDS, 3:26 TIME OF POSSESSION

Now short of expecting the Pats to go three-and-out on that series in the name of pity, I really don't know what other choices they had besides just working their way down the field as they did. Once again: 7 plays, 20 yards, 3:26... that's an average of less than 3 yards per play. Perhaps they could've been a bit more gracious in eating up the gameclock (realistically when would that ever happen??), but they didn't step onto that field with the intent of scoring quick with some flashy passing to Moss and rubbing it in Dallas' faces; rather they did the exact opposite and kept things as low-key as possible.

And come on, 20 yards to advance with 3:45 on the clock and a pliable Dallas defense (all those third down conversions!) -- who besides Miami or Saint Louis isn't going to make it into paydirt under those kind of circumstances? And it's not like Brady can start kneeling down with over three minutes left!


LASTLY, here's some insight into why they put Eckel in on that last TD run:
"Bill Belichick wasn't paying back Wade Phillips or sending a message to the Cowboys when the Patriots celebrated their last touchdown with 19 seconds to go. Rookie backup fullback Kyle Eckel is a Navy product. Belichick's father, Steve, who died two years ago, was an assistant coach at Navy for 33 years. The touchdown -- Eckel's first in the NFL -- was to honor Steve Belichick, not rub the Cowboys' noses in the loss."

Source: http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/columnists/charean_williams/story/269663.html

.

[matt986]

As I diehard cowboys fan, I have to say that the Patriots deserved every bit if that win. The cowboys didn't bring their A game, and against a team like the pats, if you dont bring your a game, you might as well not bother getting off the bus. New England won, fair and square, no way around it. Rememer, its not teams like dallas that new england has to worry about. Its the sleeper teams that shouldnt have a chance against them. The serious underdogs that will eventually get the pats. If they go undefeated, power to them.

As football fans we have to quit whining and recognize a phenominal team when its due. The Pats have had something special this past 5 or 6 years and no one should try to take that away from them.

Even if they were caught cheating ;-)

Anyhow, the pats played really well and Dallas didn't. that's the bottom line. Hopefully they play better against the vikings next week.

[nhzoso]

Well I thought the Cowboys played a good game, they just don't have the talent yet to match up with the Pats. They did'nt have any bad turnovers or blown coverages like the Bills game they were just outmatched.

[LinearDrummer]

Was that 41 total yards and N.E. 3 touchdowns in the first half??

Yeah Yeah....
So just when we started to believe we could hang we got pimped slapped in the fourth quarter....I still think we are the team to beat atleast in the NFC....

The Vikings scare me...Adrian peterson looks like the reincarnation of Eric Dickerson....I saw the replay of the Viking-Bear game last night and he was a BEAST!
He ran over, ran around and shaked n baked defenders like he was on Madden 07 playstation....

And Brady is not the best QB in the league...I'll take Peyton and Farvre ahead of him anytime...thats right I'm hatin....can't stand the Pats.....

[da cheese walks]

the real football thread??

*cough*

[TheGroceryman]

the real football thread??

*cough*

Whats that supposed to mean?

[Mr. Pasquini]

Oh my, Tom Brady is a fricken monster. 5 TD's!!! WOW! He's on pace for beating Mannings single season TD record, damn. I have to say the game was a good one at the half, but I guess Brady was too much.

Oh and now we learn that the chargers are finally back. Now they're looking like the team we saw last year. LT is his old self again racking up 198 yards and 4 TD's!

And now I'm watching the Saints and Seahawks game and I'm very satisfied that the saints are winning, it hurts to see them struggle.

Oh and if anyone didnt realize i'm not really a fan of a particular NFL team, i just like watching football : ).

P.S. Mr. Pasquini, how did you do that panther thing?

You seem like you keep up with a lot of teams, what do you think of the Panthers' performance this past week? Do you think this momentum will carry through or was it all just a fluke? I tend to think they may have just caught their groove, everything was so well streamlined, what do you think?

[Erik Lund]

Brady is easily the best QB in the Enneffell. Anyone who has seen him in the past 7 years, and watches what he's doing THIS year and *still* feels the need to dismiss it is just plain hatin'...Screw Marino, screw Montana, screw Young and everyone else...Brady is already ahead of all of them. And after 7 years he *finally* has his team in place to win it all. Manning is a putz and always has been. He's so lucky he came out last year: he had been WHOOPED every year before...If anyone remembers, here's how great the Pats and Tom Brady had been: In the year they beat the Eagles, Brady had to face Pittsburg, the best defense - the Pats put up a ton of points. Next they faced the Colts, and, against the best offense in the Enneffell, the Pats held them to 3 pts while putting up 20 (OR SO)

then they smacked the Eagles around just enough to win...they didn't need to prove anything after that post-season....

This year, they didn't even need a running game to dismantle the CowBOYs. They are still the hated team of the Enneffell, so whatever but:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2...tonblog/071015

[TheGroceryman]

You seem like you keep up with a lot of teams, what do you think of the Panthers' performance this past week? Do you think this momentum will carry through or was it all just a fluke? I tend to think they may have just caught their groove, everything was so well streamlined, what do you think?

Heh, well with a 44 year old quarterback carrying your team, you cant really expect much. I was really surprised testaverde won that game... I mean i kind of think it was a fluke since he only had like 4 days to get comfortable with the offense. And with the Colts coming up in two weeks things dont look that good... Do you know if testaverde is going to start again or is the other quarterback going to be healthy?

[Erik Lund]

Just another day at the office.

Randy Moss is ridiculous. Anyone else see that one handed catch? (or course you did)

[Jeff Almeyda]

Just another day at the office.

Randy Moss is ridiculous. Anyone else see that one handed catch? (or course you did)

This team is terrifying. Where are their weak spots?

I have a feeling that they are going to whip the Colts in a couple of weeks. We'll see...

[nhzoso]

This team is terrifying. Where are their weak spots?

I have a feeling that they are going to whip the Colts in a couple of weeks. We'll see...

Well the defense is not quite where they want to be yet. They are giving up alot of big runs, maybe being up 42-7 in the 2nd qtr will do that but I know with Seymour coming back hopefully next week they will start to buckle down on def.

Colts have a tough game tonight, should be fun...And Hey......HOW ABOUT THEM RED SOX? YEsssssssssssss

[Erik Lund]

All is right with my sports teams. Won a bunch of money on my Red Sox, and the Patriots look invincible. I expect them to totally whup the Colts, and after that, for the rest of the world to realize no team can handle them.

The defense is still very good - in the top 10 in most categories, and I'm pretty sure it's because they haven't needed to step it up. In the past they had to just to stay in the game, but this year it's almost an afterthought.

The Patriots' D is a bunch of proud guys, and they haven't needed a big stop really - but I am confident that they can still come up with it. The Humble Pie is probably mostly defense these days...

[TheGroceryman]

Umm i have to say the 21 offensive points given up to a really bad team isnt that good for the Patriots. But it really doesnt matter since the offense can put up like 40+ points with ease...

[LinearDrummer]

The real football thread??

*cough* ?



Whats that supposed to mean?

Probably a silly Rugby fan who doesn't think you need pads to play.....

[michael drums]

This team is terrifying. Where are their weak spots?

I have a feeling that they are going to whip the Colts in a couple of weeks. We'll see...

Well Jeff...

They are VERY weak with their running game. Though, it seems, that right now, they don't need it much.

Which is certaintly an anomaly in football!

Most often the running game is necessary to open up the passing lanes. But it seems like the Pats aren't utilizing it since it isn't needed. That is...so far.

I give 'em credit! They're showing a VERY strong offense, and a strong enough defense, to keep them un-defeated. But can they keep this up?

We'll REALLY find out what they got come November 4th! Pats @ Colts!

Should be a good game tonight...Colts @ Jaguars!

Colts will win ----> 31 - 17

Enjoy...

[michael drums]

And...


The Patriots REALLY haven't played very good teams...YET!

Come November 4th, they're gonna be playing against a team that's as good, if not better, as them. Also...the Colts have played tougher teams than the Pats, and are still un-defeated.

They looked awesome last night against the Jags! Everybody seems to overlook the strength of the Colts defense, too! That Bob Sanders guy is incredible!

Good luck, Pats fans...you're gonna need it come 11/04/07...


Play On! ;-)

[Mr. Pasquini]

Heh, well with a 44 year old quarterback carrying your team, you cant really expect much. I was really surprised testaverde won that game... I mean i kind of think it was a fluke since he only had like 4 days to get comfortable with the offense. And with the Colts coming up in two weeks things dont look that good... Do you know if testaverde is going to start again or is the other quarterback going to be healthy?

I still think he played a decent game.

Yea, Delhomme is out for the rest of the season. With Testaverde's showing the other week I bet he'll be starting, he played hard. Maybe Jake ruining his arm was a blessing in disguise, I think Delhomme is probably the worst third quarter QB in the league (He plays great first and second quarter, third quarter he gives up a lot of interceptions and fourth he tries to play catch-up... not an effective policy).

I hope the D-Line keeps up their momentum; it was great to see how aggressive they were. Maybe Peppers will get back to being the great athlete he normally is...

[da cheese walks]

Probably a silly Rugby fan who doesn't think you need pads to play.....

nah....not a sports fan at all...but us europeans could take offense to the "real football" title....because "real football" here is soccer...or as we like to call it football....

it was a joke by the by....dont worry!

[TheGroceryman]

nah....not a sports fan at all...but us europeans could take offense to the "real football" title....because "real football" here is soccer...or as we like to call it football....

Well American football might catch on in Europe since Roger Goodell is trying to globalize the NFL like never before.... Like next weeks Giants vs. Dolphins in London.

[da cheese walks]

Well American football might catch on in Europe since Roger Goodell is trying to globalize the NFL like never before.... Like next weeks Giants vs. Dolphins in London.

i seriously dont think itll catch on anywhere except america....rules are mind-boggling from what ive seen of it....kick,line-up,kick,line-up,fall over,line-up.......its like Gaelic games...nowhere other than in Ireland or to the irish does it make sense....

[nhzoso]

i seriously dont think itll catch on anywhere except america....rules are mind-boggling from what ive seen of it....kick,line-up,kick,line-up,fall over,line-up.......its like Gaelic games...nowhere other than in Ireland or to the irish does it make sense....


Not sure about that, they sold 90,000 seats in 40 minutes. Pretty impressive. Too bad it will be a blowout because The Dolphins absolutely sukk.

[TheGroceryman]

Well today we learned that the Pats are amazing once again... killing the redskins 52 - 7... I hope Peyton and the Colts will give them a run for their money next week in probably the most anticipated regular season game.

[michael drums]

Yea...


Grocery. And this game (Pats crushing the Skins 52 - 7), is certaintly proof of how "watered down" the NFL is right now! I mean, let's face it...it's the Pats & Colts league, and everybody's livin' in it. Or should I say, losing in it!

Though, I think, MAYBE, the Chargers may be trying to do something...finally! And you can't rule out the Cowboys yet.

But let's face it...not many competitive teams, right now, in the NFL. :-(

Next weeks' Pats-Colts game should be THE best game of the year! I'll be glued to the set, for sure...


Play Ball! ;-)

[2bsticks]

Great time to be a Boston fan. Congrats to the Red Sox on winning the World Series and the Patriots crushing the Skins. Ever since Jets coach Mangini (not Mike) started the camera on the sidelines complaint the Patriots appear to be on a mission of shoving it down their opponents throats every week.

Looking forward to a great game next Sunday in Indy. Go Pats.

[nhzoso]

Yeah looks like the football gods are paying Manweeni back for being a rat bastard..1-7 HAHAHHA, I love that almost as much as the Fins being 0-8.

As for a prediction in the big game this weekend, I will be rooting like mad for my beloved Pats and the wife will have to hide the remote from me ( they have a way of breaking during close games: ) If I had to bet money I would say.....

Colts-----31
Pats------27

God I hope I am wrong, this game is basically for home field advantage in the Playoffs where I am sure these 2 will meet again.

[TheGroceryman]

Wow! The Pats and Colts game is winding down, 4 minutes left. Indy winning by 3. Pats have the ball. Very interesting game. The Pats seem like they didnt really play their best ball in the first half. They're D-line was being pretty weak and gave addai a lot of running room. And Tom Brady with 2 Picks! Either Tom brady is really off today or the Colts D is excellent, and I think it is the latter. Ah craud, the Pats just scored the go-ahead touchdown. 3 minutes left... Lets see if history repeats like back in January and lets see if Manning can lead the Colts to another game-winning drive.

Anyways, on another note, today we learn the Adrian Peterson is ridiculously good. He ran for 296 yards and 3 touchdowns against the Chargers. 296 yards is a single game record for rushing, and hes a rookie.

[Erik Lund]

The Pats looked terrible (and I'm not even gonna talk about those bogus calls against them) because until the 4th quarter, they decided to try and run the ball...A lot... I didn't understand it at all. They haven't needed to establish any kind of running game all season, and for some reason they decided to try it against their toughest opponent...I was *begging* them to go back to the pass. I didn't need to see two runs in a row for 2-3 yards... Then when Tom went to throw it seemed to be 3rd and 8 every time...

Okay - I AM gonna talk about the bogus calls... That 2nd pass interference was complete garbage as was every time the Pats made a stop they needed or got the yards they needed, and a flag would go up against them and we didn't get to see any video of the infraction... The fix was in! My Patriot-hating friends I watched the game with were the first to think so...

Brackett had a great interception for Tom's 2nd of the game...ugh...but in the end - It's what Tom has done in the past: Win in the 4th quarter - and now with his new toys, it was a little easier (3 plays for 60+ yards and a score, and a passer rating of almost 150 the last 3 possessions)

Bring on the BYES, whoever they are!

[michael drums]

Hey guys...


Well, it's been a while since I've posted, but I've been outta town, working my future new job.

Anyway...I have to give the Pats congrats, for winning on Sunday! Wow! I actually thought the Colts were gonna win, but the Pats' defense really stepped up in the last quarter. And Mr. Brady looked like his old self(not that old) when it counted. And that Moss guy...Whew! Some nice catches on his part!

Well...I guess the talk will start soon, if it hasn't already, about the Pats goin' undefeated for the whole year. It'll be tough to do in a 16 game season, but if any team can do it, I'd have to say, it'd be this team.

Should be interesting to see how the Colts bounce back from this loss...


Peace Out! ;-)

[TheGroceryman]

Should be interesting to see how the Colts bounce back from this loss...


I think they'll bounce back pretty well against a demoralized chargers' defense, giving up 296 rushing yards to Adrain peterson... In my opinion, i dont think the colts-chargers game will be that close at all really. Apparently the whole NFL has finally realized how to stop LT and the chargers strong offensive line, and I think the colts really quick defense wont have trouble stopping LT.

[michael drums]

Yep...


I actually thought the Colts would beat the Chargers in a closer game than most thought it'd be but...I was wrong anyway!

But what a game, huh? Wow! Went down to the wire, but didn't think it would after Peyton Manning threw 4 interceptions(he throw his 5th...HIS FIFTH, to end the game) Unbelievable! Never thought I'd see him do that...EVER!

Anyway...this could be the end of their defense of their Super Bowl reign!

They better step it up...ASAP!

Peace! ;-)

[nhzoso]

Pretty sure it was 6 int's, says alot though that they still had a chance to win at the end and Adam missed a chip shot. Not sure it says alot about how good Indy is or how Bad S.D. is though. Rivers looks horrible.

[michael drums]

Pretty sure it was 6 int's, says alot though that they still had a chance to win at the end and Adam missed a chip shot. Not sure it says alot about how good Indy is or how Bad S.D. is though. Rivers looks horrible.

Yes...

You're correct, nhzoso. It was 6! And STILL...unbelievable.

And yes...Vinatieri missed a chip shot...AND one right before the half that was a short one also. Just as unbelievable as the 6 interceptions by Manning. WOW!

Think the Packers are for real? The Cowboys? It's starting to get very interesting in the NFC. Favre vs. Romo coming up!

Are the Colts gonna be able to bounce back after 2 tough losses in a row?


Play On! ;-)

[Erik Lund]

The Colts are horrible, and after re-watching my buddy's TiVo'd Pats-Colts game, it was clear the league wanted the Pats to lose. If you go on ESPN.com check out Bill Simmons' newest article. I agree 1000% with it. So many terrible calls and no-calls against the Pats - the one with the Colt ripping off the Pats player's helmet right in front of the ref after the play (in anger)...ridiculous. The ref just watches and does nothing...The fix was definitely in. 146 yd penalties (all pretty questionable) to the Colts' 25 yds (one call questionable)...watching it the 2nd time, I knew what I was looking for (bad calls) and got even more angry at them knowing they were coming (and rewinding and re-watching...) Simnmons posed a good question: Is this just one game - a complete abomination? or are the Pats gonna have to deal with playing against the refs the rest of the season as well?

The Colts will lose 4 games this season. 5 including the post-season. If they were really some great team to reckon with, the loss to the Pats should have pumped them up to come out and kill the Chargers, but Manning's SIX interceptions...just dreadful. I hope we see less commercials with him as a result. And the Chargers look pretty frickin' terrible too. I thought they were coming back but decent teams know how to shut down LT now since they have no QB...

Wasn't surprised by the Cowboy's victory. Them and the Packers will be fun to watch duking it out.

[Erik Lund]

Vinatieri's other miss was a 42 YD attempt. Not a short one by any means (and in the rain) but normally a "gimme" for him. Guess it's just that Colt-loser mentality rubbin' off on him.

[michael drums]

Wow Erik...


How do you REALLY feel??


Dude...you sound like a bitter ex-Baltimore Colt fan. You think the Colts will lose 4 games, then lose in the playoffs?

That's a pretty bold prediction, there. Then again...not any bolder than mine, when I predicted that the Colts would repeat this year.

It's starting to look like MAYBE...the chance to repeat, for the Colts, is slipping away. But great QBs', like Peyton Manning, tend to bounce back from bad(probably an understatement)games and become their usual selves again. Time will tell whether the Colts are still hungry for another SB...soon enough!

Peace...

[matt986]

yes, but the true question is, can the colts do it without the help of the officials? For me, there is no debate. Tom Brady is better than payton manning now, was better last yr, and will always be better than the commerical boy. Even with the refs handing the colts the game, brady still won. Hell, I would take tony romo over manning..at least he spends his time practicing and improving instead of filming commercials. AND he can do it with only 1 star reciever, not three.

Ohh, and he doesnt make excuses either. Manning (both of em, actually) is the biggest cry baby in the NFL. I remember an article a while back in sports illustrated after the league tightened up the rules for hitting QBs after manning complained that the pats were hitting him with "unecessary" strength. They asked drew bledsoe, a seasoned vet at this point, what he thought of the changes. He said "I remember when Quaterbacks didn't have to wear skirts on the field. We're football players too and we should be acting like it."

Amen reverend.

[matt986]

And PS, anyone see all the excuses the analysts were making for payton on sports center? about him not having all the starters, blah blah blah...makes me sick.

Any by the way, he threw 6 ints and lost. anyone remember a few weeks ago when romo through 5 ints and WON against buffalo? Just goes to show how much the league loves payton. Romo got no credit for pulling his team back and scoring 2 times in 19 seconds but payton gets every excuse in the book for why he sucks.....welcome to the new World Wrestling Federation fellas.....

[michael drums]

Wow matt...


You seem to not say how you really feel also. Like Erik. :-)

Well, not to stick up for Peyton Manning but...his "go to" guys weren't playing Sunday(Marvin Harrison and Dallas Clark), and STILL almost won the game! And would have if Venitieri not missed those 2 field goals(one a chip shot from 29 yds.)

Yes...he threw 6 interceptions! There's no disputing that. That sure didn't help the team. But if you take Randy Moss and Wes Welker out of the Patriot games...I GUARANTEE you, they are a different team. And I don't mean a better team.

You obviously dislike the Colts and Peyton Manning especially, so I'd say you may be a little biased. Your comments about PM and his off-the-field projects have nothing to do with his playing.

If anyone should be "anti-Colts", it should be me! Who grew up a Baltimore Colts fan, and we all know what happened there. So I should be one to throw mud at the Colts.

But they DID win the Super Bowl last year. And they will always be a threat to win, at least another one, for next 5 or 6 years or so. Anyone that follows the NFL, currently, would agree.

I'd also be careful what you say. It can come back to bite you. Take it from me! :-(

Oh, btw...I'm a HUGE Cowboys fan, and that's who I'm really pulling for anyway. So if the Cowboys keep winning...you won't hear my cryin'! ;-)

Play On! :-)

[matt986]

When Brady won with the pats in 2001, he didn't have a go to guy. Hell, there wasn't a noteworthy receiver on that team. Come to think of it, No one knew who tom was either..he was just the backup..and he still won. Tom has won 2 of his 3 without a single receiver we all could name before that season on his team. That makes a real QB. PM is the second most over rated QB in the league, only behind M. Vick in his glory days.

[Erik Lund]

Amen

and I'm not religious. (20 character count!)

[michael drums]

Ummm...


Obviously 2 Patriot fans here. Well, if you look back at that '01 Patriots' team there WAS "go to" guys on that team, ie...Wide receivers Troy Brown, Terry Glenn, and Charles Johnson. Running back Kevin Faulk. And kicker Adam Vinatieri. Not necessarily scrub players here.

So I wouldn't say they were a fluke, matt. Though they only beat the Rams in the Super Bowl 20-17. Not exactly total domination.

Look, it's obvious you are a Pats fan, and I can appreciate that. But I wouldn't count your chickens before they hatch. Anything can happen. The Colts are now without Dwight Freeney for 3 - 6 weeks. Marvin Harrison is still out. And Dallas Clark. Injuries, especially to key players like the Colts have, are very detrimental to a team, regardless of how good a team they are.

So the old saying applies, I guess...A team is only as good as it's lack of injuries. And, right now, the Patriots have less key players out with injuries than the Colts. So keep your fingers crossed that your Patriots stay injury free.

Play On! ;-)

[Erik Lund]

jesus. If you're gonna say the Colts are even close to the Pats - injuries or otherwise, then you didn't see the game, or you watch with blinders. It was one of the worst officiated games I've ever seen in any sport.

Peyton has had more weapons for years - and what did you just bring up? Charles Johnson? Please.


I know it's fun to hate the Pats if you're not from New England, but seriously...You people are looking for any reason to say they aren't a good team. They are a RIDICULOUS team, and they will be - after this season - considered the greatest team in the history of the ENNEFFELL.


have fun cheering for your losers. I wouldn't be so spikey, but I am done listening to people make up reasons why they're not a good team.

[michael drums]

Hey Erik...

First of all, you need to chill out, man. I don't think anyone's knocking the Pats here. Though I, STILL, can't understand why Belichick felt the need to cheat against the Jets. But I won't say anything more about that. It's neither here nor there at this point.

Seriously, no one is knockin' the Patriots! For god's sake, they're 9-0 man. You really can't argue with the facts. As I've said before, I give credit where credit's due. But Erik, I wouldn't get too confident...yet.

Yes, the Patriots are the best team right now. Can they go undefeated? Probably not. Very tough to do in a 16 game season. Just like I don't think the Dolphins will go winless this year. The Pats will lose a game and the Dolphins will win a game.

Anyway, I can appreciate your passion for the Pats. I've got the same for the Cowboys. But I'm not gonna go crazy with any predictions of how far they'll go this year.

I learned that when I predicted that the Colts would win their 2nd SB in a row. It still could happen, but what's transpiring, right now with them, points to that not happening.

Erik...relax and try the decaf, buddy. ;-)


Play On!

[matt986]

First off, I'm a cowboys fan. I just hate PM.

But second of all, the colts did this to themselves by not having enough depth. And I heard someone on ESPN sayin that colts recoevers werent on the same page as PM but think about this...should a great QB be able to be on the same page with any reciever? Look at tom brady, he has had a different group of recievers pretty much every year and still manages, year after year, to put up great numbers. The QB debate ended a long time ago for me. Commercial boy can have his glary and the super bowl/ wins the league handed him on a golden platter. Ill take tom's three hard faught rings any day.

And for the record, every single team in the nfl does what new england did against the jets, they just happened to get caught. Doesnt chan ge anything aparently, at least with the way they are destroying teams.

[remnantdrummer]

I root for the 0-10 Miami Dolphins... playing for first pick in the draft...

[michael drums]

Ehh...

whatever matt. I'm not gonna try and change your mind about the Patriots. You LOVE 'em! I get it! They're undefeated. Get that also. They're the best team right now. Ditto. You HATE Peyton Manning. Check.

But to say that "every" team cheats, is a bit far-fetched. All I ask is that you do not fish to justify what they did. EVEN if it were true, that every team does cheat...doesn't make it right.

Also...depth of a team varies. But "usually", the back-ups aren't as skilled and/or knowledgeable about their teams playbook. Again...if the Patriots, or any team, has significant injuries to key players, as the Colts do...they're NOT gonna be as effective as if they were at full strength. That's simple math, matt.

So keep your fingers crossed that your Patriots stay healthy...or else! :-(


Play On! ;-)

[nhzoso]

OKAY I gotta chime in here on the cheating thing because I see it tossed around so casually all the time and 99% of the time the person is ill informed but continues to run with it anyway.

Were the Pats Cheating? Yes

Does every team do it? Yes and NO

Is there alot to be gained from it? NO

I know your saying yes and NO what kind of answer is that? Well here it is..

The Pats had a camera on the jets sideline, This is the rule they broke.

Can they have a guy in the press box with a camera pointed at the Jets sideline?? YES

Can they have a guy on their own sideline with a camera pointed at the other team. YES

Does every team in the NFL do this without being on the opposing teams sideline. YES

Now if you can tell me what the big advantage is of having the camera on the opposing teams sideline vice your own sideline or the press box or some shmuck in the stands I would love to hear it.

Of course Bellichick is considered a genius so haters now say well there must be a reason why he did it or he would not have done it. Please He is not Einstein.

I believe he misinterpreted the rule, of course no one wants to hear that because that is to easy and makes the Pats really Look like a great team and frankly people are tired of hearing about the Boston based teams.. Too bad deal with it.

Do you honestly believe he is so much smarter than any other coach in NFL history, he cannot make an honest mistake.. And even if he did it on purpose now explain to me the big advantage.

Don Shula showed his true colors last week too. I thought he was a great coach and always admired him but when he piped up about an asterisk I said to myself, this guy bases his whole career off one undefeated season how sad.. he did not have a problem with it when it happened or the 8- 9 weeks after it. But when they beat the Colts and it now looked very good that they may go undefeated he opens his dentures. Of course he back tracked because he does'nt want people to look to closely at some of the games the Dolphins won during that season with a few very very bad calls that happened to go their way..

I just wish people would shut up with all the whining even some of my fellow Pats fans with all the talk about the Colts piping in noise crap.. This is the NFL and whining should not be allowed. Now I agree there were some horrible calls in that game against the Pats that make you wonder what the hell was going on but the whole country saw it and I am sure it was just a bad day for the ref's so lets leave it alone and move on.

Lets all hope the Pats go undefeated andThe Dolphins win more games than the 49ers : )

[Erik Lund]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/071109&sportCat=nfl

[michael drums]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/071109&sportCat=nfl

Geessshhh...


You Patriot fans are whiners! Even in victory! :-(




Just enjoy the ride, for Gods' sake.


And stop your cryin', guys. Ya know...you could be Dolphin fans! ;-)

[TheGroceryman]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2...9&sportCat=nfl

Geesh, i havnt heard that much whining and crying since i went over to my uncles house to see his newborn baby...

[Erik Lund]

Whining? He's right on every point.

[Erik Lund]

And he's a more fun read than other sports guys. "Cobra Kai Yankees"? Brilliant!

[michael drums]

Whining? He's right on every point.

He's a whiner on every point. And completely biased. :-(


Pass the tissues...he's got issues!


Get a grip, kiddies!


Geeesshh...

[Erik Lund]

How is being right become being a whiner? Oh that's right - since he's pointing out the terrible calls that almost cost the team he routes for the game. If that crap happened to your team you'd be saying the same thing.

You remind me of Bill Plashke.

[Wavelength]

Hmm. If it's "real football", then how come the players are holding the ball with their hands all the time? If if were up to me (sadly, it ain't) the sport would be called Limb Ball...

[Erik Lund]

Funny you bring that up Wave. This year is starting to be "Year of the Kicker" - The guys using their feet are putting up the best numbers by kickers ever. Longer field goal averages, more attempts...


The only punter who doesn't have enough attempts per game to qualify for league leaders is on the Pats...Because they don't need to punt very often. (They're very good)



Oh here's some football talk for you from the Whiner.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/071116&sportCat=nfl&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1

[michael drums]

How is being right become being a whiner? Oh that's right - since he's pointing out the terrible calls that almost cost the team he routes for the game. If that crap happened to your team you'd be saying the same thing.

You remind me of Bill Plashke.

OH! That's right!

I forgot. Patriot fans and biased news reporters are always right.

How stupid of me! :-(

[michael drums]

Funny you bring that up Wave. This year is starting to be "Year of the Kicker" - The guys using their feet are putting up the best numbers by kickers ever. Longer field goal averages, more attempts...


The only punter who doesn't have enough attempts per game to qualify for league leaders is on the Pats...Because they don't need to punt very often. (They're very good)



Oh here's some football talk for you from the Whiner.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/071116&sportCat=nfl&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1

Well Erik...

All I can say is, the Patriots BETTER win it all this year. Or there's gonna be A LOT of football "experts" whining...STILL!

Hee...hee... Just think about that. The Patriots dominate the whole league in '07-'08...and lose the SB! Or worse...don't even make it to the SB! (Remember last year) :-0 Oops!

;-)

[Erik Lund]

Every football thread in every discussion boards I've seen (espn.com/foxsports.com/here) is playing out the same way: Every week, the Pats-haters say the same thing across the boards - and every week saying "The Pats are gonna lose" blah blah blah or "they're gonna lose because everyone's looking past this team" blah blah blah

Well, the *Pats* don't look past anyone - they treat every team like they're the best team in the NFL which is why they do well. Starts with the coach and the mentality of the team that he inspires - down to the players all seeing the results and eatin' that Humble Pie.

[michael drums]

Every football thread in every discussion boards I've seen (espn.com/foxsports.com/here) is playing out the same way: Every week, the Pats-haters say the same thing across the boards - and every week saying "The Pats are gonna lose" blah blah blah or "they're gonna lose because everyone's looking past this team" blah blah blah

Well, the *Pats* don't look past anyone - they treat every team like they're the best team in the NFL which is why they do well. Starts with the coach and the mentality of the team that he inspires - down to the players all seeing the results and eatin' that Humble Pie.

Oh Yea?

Well...

I'm glad I'm not included in those "supposed" Pats-haters boards.

Simply 'cause I've never said I hate the Patriots. ;-)

Play On! :-)

[Erik Lund]

You give the same arguments as the Pats-haters.

[michael drums]

You give the same arguments as the Pats-haters.

Yep!


I remember last year! ;-)


Good Luck!

[michael drums]

Umm...umm...umm


Pats - 56

Bills - 10


NFL competitive?


Ain't seein' it.


But...at least the Cowboys are still winnin'! ;-)

[Erik Lund]

well, I guess I should be worried about the Steelers now....

[Jeff Almeyda]

Umm...umm...umm


Pats - 56

Bills - 10


NFL competitive?


Ain't seein' it.


But...at least the Cowboys are still winnin'! ;-)

I don't think it's a matter of the league not being competitive. The NFL is the best run major sports league in the world and it's profit-sharing and drafting systems are second-to-none. EVERY team shares equally in the TV money and thus there is not the great disparity between the big and small market teams that we see in baseball.

The reason the Arizona Cardinals stink every year is because the owners decide to pocket the money and not spend it and because of poor management of the money that they do spend.

I think you're just unwilling to admit that the Pats are that friggin good. I guess scoring SEVEN straight touchdowns on their first seven posessions of the game just means that the Bills stink. Well, when John Madden says that this is the best offense he's ever seen and that Brady is having the best season of any quarterback, ever, I think guys like us should shut up and listen.

[Erik Lund]

Totally agree Jeff.


Also - with everyone on the sports forums saying the Pats are the "new Yankees" blah blah blah - apparently they don't know that the Pats are about $12 million under the tax.

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

I don't think it's a matter of the league not being competitive. The NFL is the best run major sports league in the world and it's profit-sharing and drafting systems are second-to-none. EVERY team shares equally in the TV money and thus there is not the great disparity between the big and small market teams that we see in baseball.

The reason the Arizona Cardinals stink every year is because the owners decide to pocket the money and not spend it and because of poor management of the money that they do spend.

I think you're just unwilling to admit that the Pats are that friggin good. I guess scoring SEVEN straight touchdowns on their first seven posessions of the game just means that the Bills stink. Well, when John Madden says that this is the best offense he's ever seen and that Brady is having the best season of any quarterback, ever, I think guys like us should shut up and listen.

This is going to sound stupid. I do not like American Football as a sport, but we'll leave that outside the thread. There's just a few things I want to say in this thread.

I caught bits of the match last night late-night (couldn't sleep, bad back because of a virus) and the difference in class between the two teams was absolutely astounding. I remember Brady; the amount of time he had to pass was extraordinary, ten seconds or thereabouts and it genuinely surprised me that he didn't get absolutely bowled over every time he got the ball. I'm not a fan of the sport, but even someone like me could see that he really is something exceptional. Sometimes I wish that the sport had true international credentials to see players like him out of the US, but it's never going to catch on in the UK because we're more akin to watching (and playing in my case) Rugby (Union and League), which is a much more fluid game than American Football.

If anyone ever watches the English Premiership, it's pretty easy to tell between the rich clubs and the poorer clubs; but I don't find that to be the case with the NFL. ALL the teams look to be 'rich' and the disparity between the quality of the teams is fairly inexplicable with regards to financial dispositions.

[Erik Lund]

Oh and another thing...Has anyone noticed that the Patriots are converting at a rate of 100% when they "go for it" when up a bunch? The new word this season that EVERYONE seems to use and feel they understand is "class": "The Patriots have no class" blah blah blah... Every time the Pats have gone for it on 4th down and up a bunch, they have succeeded.

I would just say that the other teams didn't show up...I mean, if the Pats kick a FG they will get their 3 pts...At least this way, the other team has a real chance of stopping them, no?

Anyway - the most overused word this season by every non-Patriot fan is "class".

[michael drums]

I don't think it's a matter of the league not being competitive. The NFL is the best run major sports league in the world and it's profit-sharing and drafting systems are second-to-none. EVERY team shares equally in the TV money and thus there is not the great disparity between the big and small market teams that we see in baseball.

The reason the Arizona Cardinals stink every year is because the owners decide to pocket the money and not spend it and because of poor management of the money that they do spend.

I think you're just unwilling to admit that the Pats are that friggin good. I guess scoring SEVEN straight touchdowns on their first seven posessions of the game just means that the Bills stink. Well, when John Madden says that this is the best offense he's ever seen and that Brady is having the best season of any quarterback, ever, I think guys like us should shut up and listen.


Well Jeff...


Aparrently you haven't watched much NFL football this year. If you don't think it's a matter of the NFL not being competitive...you've got blinders on.

It's got NOTHING to do with TV money. More to do with free agency, and which owners wanna spend the money for quality players.

Yes, the Patriots are playing absolutely incredible right now. You can't argue with a 10-0 record and an incredibly efficient offense. But to bring up what John Madden says, as if he's the Grand Poobah...PLEASE!

He sticks his foot in his mouth more than anyone! :-(

It's his opinion, and nothing more...until next week, when he changes it.

Look, I give the Patriots alot of credit, they're unbeatable right now. But you can't deny the fact that the non-competitiveness of the other teams in the league is quite real.

I mean, look at the Ravens this year. The Chargers. The Bears. Really good teams LAST year. But now. UGHH! :-(


Play On!

[Erik Lund]

The Bears were *not* a great team last year. They were a great DEFENSE. Rex was just as bad last year, but no one cared enough to change anything since they were winning thanks to the D.

This year, Rex was horrible, they have no real backup option, and the D is not the same (Urlacher is not the same this year with his bad back)

[michael drums]

The Bears were *not* a great team last year. They were a great DEFENSE. Rex was just as bad last year, but no one cared enough to change anything since they were winning thanks to the D.

This year, Rex was horrible, they have no real backup option, and the D is not the same (Urlacher is not the same this year with his bad back)

HUH???

The Bears were 15-4 last year, Erik! They played in the Super Bowl, man!

OHH...So you DO agree that injuries can determine a teams' success?

Well...

I think the Colts would agree.

Peace Out!

[nhzoso]

well if your argumnet is that the league in not competitive than you are probably right to a degree, not many are competitive with the Pats but this is something very special which in this day and age you won't see again. The Pats are like the dynasty's of old, Pitt in the 70's Dallas 70's and 90's S.f. 90's but the only difference is that was when there was no salary cap and teams could buy all the players they wanted like the Yankees and Red Sox do in Baseball.

But now with a salary cap and all teams with the same amount to spend to see a team like this come along is very very rare and will probably never be seen again in our lifetime.

I think all teams are within 5-6million of the cap so not sure how much more competitive you can get. If you take the Pats out of the equation the rest of the league is very competitive so that argument is just sour grapes. Just because the Pats look so dominant does not mean that any team on any given Sunday cannot beat them.. Unfortunately for the rest of the league the Pats understand this and prepare very hard every week and it shows.


Game preparation is huge, it's not like they are taking 6 days off in between laying some smack down on the next opponent. They Prepare better than any team in history and thats why they are undefeated and will go down as one of the best if not the best team in history!

[TheGroceryman]

Okay i think its safe to say that the Pats ARE the most dominant team the NFL has ever seen, i mean Tom Brady already has 37 TD passes, on pace for like 59, practically decimating Peyton's record, Moss already has 15 or so TD receptions, a franchise record, they have scored at least 34 points in EVERY game, (except Colts game, that one doesnt count...), TB has thrown at least 3 TD passes in every game, i mean... their Defense holds the opponent to like im guessing an average of lower than 20 points... I mean, if that doesnt spell unbeatable i dont know what does.

[michael drums]

Okay i think its safe to say that the Pats ARE the most dominant team the NFL has ever seen, i mean Tom Brady already has 37 TD passes, on pace for like 59, practically decimating Peyton's record, Moss already has 15 or so TD receptions, a franchise record, they have scored at least 34 points in EVERY game, (except Colts game, that one doesnt count...), TB has thrown at least 3 TD passes in every game, i mean... their Defense holds the opponent to like im guessing an average of lower than 20 points... I mean, if that doesnt spell unbeatable i dont know what does.

Thanks Groceryman, for exemplifying my point. The NFL is NOT competitive.

Everything you just said proves my point. And that makes the NFL quite boring, actually.

But, before you get all in an uproar, I won't take anything away from the Patriots and what they've accomplished (so far) this year. Like I've said before, I'll give credit where credit is due...I mean, they STILL have to go out there and play football. And they are definitely playing better than every other team.

But I'm gonna stop short of calling them "the most dominant team the NFL has ever seen". I mean, come on! That's coming from a biased person( A Patriots fan) You may need to go back and review the past SB winning teams in the history of the league, and see for yourself the "competitiveness" of the league during those years. I'm sure you'll agree there's A LOT less nowadays.

I sure hope, for you Pats fans, that they DO win in all this year. 'Cause I can imagine how you'll feel, if they choke! :-(


Good Luck! ;-)

[michael drums]

well if your argumnet is that the league in not competitive than you are probably right to a degree, not many are competitive with the Pats but this is something very special which in this day and age you won't see again. The Pats are like the dynasty's of old, Pitt in the 70's Dallas 70's and 90's S.f. 90's but the only difference is that was when there was no salary cap and teams could buy all the players they wanted like the Yankees and Red Sox do in Baseball.

But now with a salary cap and all teams with the same amount to spend to see a team like this come along is very very rare and will probably never be seen again in our lifetime.

I think all teams are within 5-6million of the cap so not sure how much more competitive you can get. If you take the Pats out of the equation the rest of the league is very competitive so that argument is just sour grapes. Just because the Pats look so dominant does not mean that any team on any given Sunday cannot beat them.. Unfortunately for the rest of the league the Pats understand this and prepare very hard every week and it shows.


Game preparation is huge, it's not like they are taking 6 days off in between laying some smack down on the next opponent. They Prepare better than any team in history and thats why they are undefeated and will go down as one of the best if not the best team in history!

Sour grapes?? Are you kidding? That doesn't make sense, man!

If there's no other team at, or near, the level of the Patriots...The competition level is less than adequate! It doesn't matter if the other teams are competitive within themselves, if the Patriots are so far above the rest.

Come on, Pats fans. I know it's hard to admit it! I can understand. You think everybody wants to knock down the best team, for the sake of knocking them down.

Well, I can tell you one thing...I'm NOT one of those persons! I actually like the Patriots, and was pulling for them in EVERY SB they played in - XXXVI, XXXVIII, & XXXIX, which they won all 3!

Play On! ;-)

[rendezvous_drummer]

We all know DA BEARS are the best team...

[nhzoso]

Sour grapes?? Are you kidding? That doesn't make sense, man!

If there's no other team at, or near, the level of the Patriots...The competition level is less than adequate! It doesn't matter if the other teams are competitive within themselves, if the Patriots are so far above the rest.

Come on, Pats fans. I know it's hard to admit it! I can understand. You think everybody wants to knock down the best team, for the sake of knocking them down.

Well, I can tell you one thing...I'm NOT one of those persons! I actually like the Patriots, and was pulling for them in EVERY SB they played in - XXXVI, XXXVIII, & XXXIX, which they won all 3!

Play On! ;-)

Well they actually have played in 4 SB's but got there asses handed to em by the Bears in 85, Who coincidentally many consider one of the best teams in history. But according to your argument I guess they are all wrong also. I mean they spanked every team and won the SB by a record margin. It was'nt even close so I guess because they smoked everyone the competition was a joke.. I guess you can make that argument for every championship team.

It's not the Pats, Bears, 49ers, Steelers fault that they were so much better than every other team that it made it look almost unfair. Come on man like I said a team like this comes along once a decade and the Pats are this decades. Whether a Pats fan or not if you can't see that then there is no point in arguing any further. It;s not like the Pats have spent 30 million more than any other team, this is through drafting, trading, and not overpaying players IE: Vinatieri, Branch, McGinest, Samuel. To do what they are doing in this day and cap is truly remarkable and you may never see it again.

Oh yeah don't forget that the 49ers lost again, Looks like the Pats are a given for a top 5 pick which knowing them they will trade and get much more than they would have by using it. Who knows maybe Detroit can pick another WR....LOL I LOVE IT!

[michael drums]

Uhhh...


Whatever.


It is what it is. A non-competitive NFL!


Deal with it...


Peace. ;-)

[michael drums]

We all know DA BEARS are the best team...

Hee...hee...


Can't knock you for your loyalty, rendezvous! ;-)


Though...they REALLY suck, man! :-)


Sorry. :-(

[nhzoso]

Uhhh...


Whatever.


It is what it is. A non-competitive NFL!


Deal with it...


Peace. ;-)

WOW nothing like a good comeback filled with facts and good opinions.

So I see we have reached the point where I have obviously proved my point as evidenced by your well thought out reply. Sorry man did not mean to confuse you with facts, obviously your knowledge of the NFL only goes so far.

The NFL is the most competitive league out of the big 4 so...

Deal with that!

Peace ;-)

[michael drums]

WOW nothing like a good comeback filled with facts and good opinions.

So I see we have reached the point where I have obviously proved my point as evidenced by your well thought out reply. Sorry man did not mean to confuse you with facts, obviously your knowledge of the NFL only goes so far.

The NFL is the most competitive league out of the big 4 so...

Deal with that!

Peace ;-)

Apparently you didn't catch the last 4 or 5 posts that I've given prime examples of, nhzoso!

Nothing like good vision and common sense!

Just get outta the Patriots butt, dude! There's enough up there already...


Geeesssshhhh... :-(

[michael drums]

And as far as my NFL knowledge goes...


I've been following the NFL since 1969, and have yet to find someone with more credentials than myself.

And obviously...STILL haven't!


Smoke that!

[rendezvous_drummer]

Hee...hee...


Can't knock you for your loyalty, rendezvous! ;-)


Though...they REALLY suck, man! :-)


Sorry. :-(

I honestly don't care for american football haha, just love the saying, DA BEARS.

[nhzoso]

Apparantly you didn't catch the last 4 or 5 posts that I've given prime examples of, nhzoso!

Nothing like good vision and common sense!

Just get outta the Patriots butt, dude! There's enough up there already...


Geeesssshhhh... :-(


Well if you consider those 4 or 5 sorry excuses as good vision then you are the Stevie Wonder of NFL Knowledge. Congrats Stevie : )

Just get your head out of your own Butt, I hope your lonely in there.

Eat That!

[TheGroceryman]

Okay! First off im gonna say that i am completely unbiased since i am not a fan of any one team. I just like football :), so i follow it. I dont know why im not a fan of a team, im just not nationalistic like that i guess... oh and im only 16 so i dont know much history in the NFL.

Anyways, on the topic of the NFL being competitive or not, sorry michael drums, but I'm gonna have to side with nhzoso. I mean, its uncompetitive in the sense that some teams are just ridiculously better than others (as proven by the embarassment the bills got from the pats as everyone knows...) (and by last years superbowl and the AFC vs. NFC duel, I mean come on, we all know that the AFC is home to MUCH better teams than the NFC, and its shown by the past few superbowls, the AFC's been winning, a lot!). BUT, it is quite competitve. For example, last years AFC championship game, both teams played their hearts out, it wasnt a walk in the park for either of them. I mean, EVERY game each team plays their hearts out, we never see blowouts that often to be honest. The Pats are getting lucky, or the other teams have just gotten unlucky. Like the Colts, half their team is injured, the Chargers, teams have finally found out how to stop LT, the Bears, their Defense is finally not carrying their team anymore.

In this year, we've seen A LOT of changes in teams effectiveness. The first 5 picks of this year's NFL draft (i think?) are now like above .500 now (not 100% on this, but i think its pretty close to that). And the teams that were great last year are in desperate need of rebuilding. I mean thats a pretty competitve league to me... one year apparently changes A LOT in this league.

To sum it up, things are constantly changing in this league. Any team can win on any given sunday, and thats why seeing a dominating team like the pats should be embraced, and not hated on, for this only comes about very few times in the NFL.

EDIT: ooo nhzoso, thats a low blow. Ouch! comparing his vision to the blind stevie wonder, oh thats harsh!

[michael drums]

Well if you consider those 4 or 5 sorry excuses as good vision then you are the Stevie Wonder of NFL Knowledge. Congrats Stevie : )

Just get your head out of your own Butt, I hope your lonely in there.

Eat That!

Well,

it's apparrent that's you're the Pinball Wizard of the NFL, nhzoso. Get a clue, hero of The Who!


You're so far up there dude, a suppository wouldn't help...


Wow! :-(

[michael drums]

Okay! First off im gonna say that i am completely unbiased since i am not a fan of any one team. I just like football :), so i follow it. I dont know why im not a fan of a team, im just not nationalistic like that i guess... oh and im only 16 so i dont know much history in the NFL.

Anyways, on the topic of the NFL being competitive or not, sorry michael drums, but I'm gonna have to side with nhzoso. I mean, its uncompetitive in the sense that some teams are just ridiculously better than others (as proven by the embarassment the bills got from the pats as everyone knows...) (and by last years superbowl and the AFC vs. NFC duel, I mean come on, we all know that the AFC is home to MUCH better teams than the NFC, and its shown by the past few superbowls, the AFC's been winning, a lot!). BUT, it is quite competitve. For example, last years AFC championship game, both teams played their hearts out, it wasnt a walk in the park for either of them. I mean, EVERY game each team plays their hearts out, we never see blowouts that often to be honest. The Pats are getting lucky, or the other teams have just gotten unlucky. Like the Colts, half their team is injured, the Chargers, teams have finally found out how to stop LT, the Bears, their Defense is finally not carrying their team anymore.

In this year, we've seen A LOT of changes in teams effectiveness. The first 5 picks of this year's NFL draft (i think?) are now like above .500 now (not 100% on this, but i think its pretty close to that). And the teams that were great last year are in desperate need of rebuilding. I mean thats a pretty competitve league to me... one year apparently changes A LOT in this league.

To sum it up, things are constantly changing in this league. Any team can win on any given sunday, and thats why seeing a dominating team like the pats should be embraced, and not hated on, for this only comes about very few times in the NFL.

EDIT: ooo nhzoso, thats a low blow. Ouch! comparing his vision to the blind stevie wonder, oh thats harsh!

It's ok, grocery! ;-)

It's possible 2 people can be missing the point. And you just happen to be one of them.

Uhh...Sorry! With all due respect, of course!

And I'm not worried about what a Patriots', bandwagon jumpin', fan(atic) thinks. (nhzoso)

Really I'm not...


Happy Thanksgiving! :-)

[michael drums]

I honestly don't care for american football haha, just love the saying, DA BEARS.

Hee...hee...


Yea, it's does sound cool to say DA BEARS.

I can understand that...


Play On! ;-)

[nhzoso]

So who does everyone have in the Turkey day Games,

GB 43 Det 27

Dallas 27 NYJ 23

Indy 31 Atl. 16

And I will be stuffed, buzzed and happy as a clam

Oh and another great article from Bill Simmons, I forgot about some of this stuff that has happened this year and it's only week 11....
http://proxy.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/071116&sportCat=nfl

[TheGroceryman]

Yea nhzoso i think your predictions are pretty accurate in my book. Except i dont think the Indy game will be that one-sided. I think it'll be closer, you know, Indy is so beat up injury-wise i dont think they're really that dominant any more on defense.

[KzSgDrummer]

I highly doubt the Jets will stay within shooting distance of the Boys.

[nhzoso]

I highly doubt the Jets will stay within shooting distance of the Boys.

I am sure thats what the Steelers thought last week too : ) Thats what I love about this game, on any given Sunday. Plus I think the switch to Clemens at QB is a big boost for the Jets.

[Erik Lund]

Michael you sound like every other non-Pat fan out there. You used to say "any given Sunday" blah blah blah - and now it's "Oh the league is so non-competitive"

If the Pats face the Boys or the Packers in the Superbowl, there's a chance the two teams will be 16-0/15-1. Never happened before. And it took a bunch of Stevie Wonders out there ref-ing the Pats/Colts to keep it competitive - but the top teams are all very good. Just because there are some Dolphins and Jets and 49'ers out there doesn't mean it's not the most competitive league in sports - 'cause it is. So keep watching for another 40 misguided years and enjoy your team.

Play on? Maybe you should sit out the next couple plays.

[aydee]

Michael you sound like every other non-Pat fan out there. You used to say "any given Sunday" blah blah blah - and now it's "Oh the league is so non-competitive"

If the Pats face the Boys or the Packers in the Superbowl, there's a chance the two teams will be 16-0/15-1. Never happened before. And it took a bunch of Stevie Wonders out there ref-ing the Pats/Colts to keep it competitive - but the top teams are all very good. Just because there are some Dolphins and Jets and 49'ers out there doesn't mean it's not the most competitive league in sports - 'cause it is. So keep watching for another 40 misguided years and enjoy your team.

Play on? Maybe you should sit out the next couple plays.

Jets? did you say Jets, Erik? The sack exchange still around? Are Mark Gastineau and Joe Klecko still playing? I haven't been watching for a while?

[Erik Lund]

The Jets are playing the Sharks this week. It's a dance-off at center field.

[Jeff Almeyda]

It's ok, grocery! ;-)

It's possible 2 people can be missing the point. And you just happen to be one of them.

Uhh...Sorry! With all due respect, of course!

And I'm not worried about what a Patriots', bandwagon jumpin', fan(atic) thinks. (nhzoso)

Really I'm not...


Happy Thanksgiving! :-)

Michael,

There are only 4 major sports leagues in the US. Look around and tell which of the other 3 is more competitive than the NFL.

Take MLB, for example. It is impossible for the KC Royals to generate even a fraction of the royalties that teams like The Yanks, Mets and Red Sox generate. There is no salary cap. The game is regionalized, there is no profit-sharing of TV revenues. Hell, the big teams have their own NETWORKS now.

Last year A-Rod made just about as much money as the ENTIRE Florida Marlins. If that doesn't point out the inequities in the game then nothing will.

The NFL teams that can't keep up with the Patriots are just being beaten, it's that simple. There are no inherent inequities in the structure of the sport that prevent small market teams from competing with large market teams. The profit-sharing and hard cap take care of that. So it IS competitive in that everyone has the same financial wherewithal at the outset. If the Pats or anyone else win it's because they made better decisions, have better players, got lucky or whatever. It's NOT because the league is non-competitive.

Also, please do me the favor of replying to this post in a civil tone. I find your writing style to be unnecessarily confrontational and I don't want this to degrade into simple name-calling.

[Erik Lund]

"Also, please do me the favor of replying to this post in a civil tone. I find your writing style to be unnecessarily confrontational and I don't want this to degrade into simple name-calling."


Here, here!

[nhzoso]

WOW that was way too close. Not used to that this year. Philly may have a QB controversy knowing how their season has been going. Great game plan by the Eagles.

[Guinness]

No joke! That was a nail biter. At least Dallas will have some good film to analyze before they go and woop up on the Pats in the Super Bowl...:-)

[LinearDrummer]

WOW that was way too close. Not used to that this year. Philly may have a QB controversy knowing how their season has been going. Great game plan by the Eagles.

Ahhh yes the Mighy Pats have some holes in their armour....
Fisrt time in my life I've ever cheered for Philly while watching a game :D

Cowboys and Packers will be the game of the year.....

Sometimes I wish that the sport had true international credentials to see players like him out of the US, but it's never going to catch on in the UK because we're more akin to watching (and playing in my case) Rugby (Union and League), which is a much more fluid game than American Football.

You were one of the guys who tried to explain rugby to me in another thread, and I appreciated that however I just don't see the same speed and athleticism as the NFL....

Just goes to show that some sports you have to grow-up watching and play as a youngsta to appreciate more than others....

[TheGroceryman]

Uhh... can someone fill me in on why the Pats didnt dominate the Eagles? Cause, unfortunately i couldnt watch the game and dont know much about what happened in the game except that it came to the wire and eventually the eagles qb threw a horrible throw in the endzone that got picked off.

How bout them colts huh? thats what we like to see.

[LinearDrummer]

Uhh... can someone fill me in on why the Pats didnt dominate the Eagles? Cause, unfortunately i couldnt watch the game and dont know much about what happened in the game except that it came to the wire and eventually the eagles qb threw a horrible throw in the endzone that got picked off.

How bout them colts huh? thats what we like to see.


Heres a quick summary -

On defense Philly mixed up its blitz schemes using Linebackers and DBs and was able to pressure Brady....
On offense Philly ran alot of In-routs over the middle to counter the Pats cover2 defensive scheme that takes away the outside routs.....

But what really helped Philly is that 22 point spread - largest one in NFL history I think...
They were pissed off, felt disrespected and just flat out came to brawl.....

[michael drums]

Ehh...


The Eagles played over their heads. And the Pats took 'em too lightly.

It's as simple as that, really.


Oh, sorry...uhhh...I've been away for a while for Thanksgiving! Hope everyone had a nice one!

Hey, Erik. Glad to see you haven't lost a beat...


uhhhh....WHATEVER!

[cnw60]

yep - it's too bad the NFL's not more competitive. Jeez, when a 5-6 team from the junior conference takes the invincible Pats (at Foxboro on top of everything else) down to the wire....

what's that phrase again - 'on any given Sunday'...??? Of course this game might just cinch the unbeaten season. After a reality check like that - it might be tough to catch them napping again.