Bleacher Report - Articles by Matt's Pats Blog

Wilfork, Kaczur in Different Extension Boats

Matt's Pats Blog — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:10:44 -0400

The Patriots finalized a contract extension with OL Nick Kaczur today. "I'm obviously excited because this is one of the best, if not the best, organization in football, the way you get treated from Mr. Kraft to everyone here," said Kaczur.

Meanwhile, NT Vince Wilfork is humming a different tune. His contact extension talks have stalled, and he claims the team said reason is because they're wary about extending players with the looming 2010 Lockout.

Wilfork doesn't buy it: "There's 31 other teams out there, and a lot of them are making moves. They're in the same situation we're in. I understand what he's saying, but at the same token, it's not stopping the other teams from making their moves, and what they have to do. "

It'll be interesting to see how the Kaczur singing affects talks with Wilfork.

Special (Teams) Baby

Matt's Pats Blog — Mon, 25 May 2009 12:17:05 -0400

Former Patriots special teams captain Larry Izzo, who was with the team for eight great years, named his newborn "Boston." This doesn't quite make up for signing with the Jets this year, but it's a start.

The Buffalo Bills' newest receiver, Terrell Owens, blames his old quarterback and offensive coordinator for his departure from Dallas (passive aggressively, of course, through Twitter). This guy just LOOOVES his quarterbacks, huh? Can't wait to see what he has to say about Trent Edwards, after being dismantled by the Pats in week one.

Brady has been practicing without restriction, and has tossed with Moss at least 12 times this year.

Peter King thinks Joey Galloway will be the X-Factor for the Pats this season. "Imagine splitting a healthy Galloway and Moss wide to either side, with Welker in the slot and a good receiver like Kevin Faulk in the backfield."

Mike Sando 49ers-Patriots-draft-swap.html">revisits the 2007 Patriots—49ers draft day trade which the Pats sent their 28th overall pick for the 49ers' 2008 first round pick and their 2007 fourth rounder. The fourth round pick was used to trade for Randy Moss, while the first rounder was later traded to be used for LB Jerod Mayo and LB Shawn Crable.

Let's not forget how Deion Branch netted the Patriots the 24th overall pick in '07 (where they took Meriweather), allowing the Pats to make this deal. Essentially, the Pats traded Deion Branch for Randy Moss, Jerod Mayo, and Shawn Crable.

New England Patriots Draft Updates

Matt's Pats Blog — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 11:31:17 -0400

The Patriots traded out of the first round and drafted hard-hitting safety Patrick Chung from Oregon with the 34th overall pick. Chung is extremely versatile and was a workhorse in college. He looks to play the vacant Rodney Harrison "enforcer" role for the team.

The team drafted Boston College DT Ron Brace with the 40th pick, and Connecticut CB Darius Butler with the 41st pick. Brace was overshadowed by DT B.J. Raji at BC, but was integral to their stout run defense. Butler was projected by many to be a 1st round pick, and arguably the 2nd best CB in the draft; he was an absolute steal at No. 41.

With the 58th pick, the team drafted German-born OT Sebastian Vollmer out of Houston.

On day 2, the team traded their first 3rd round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 2010 2nd round pick and a 7th round pick this year.

With the 83rd pick, the Pats drafted UNC WR Brandon Tate. Tate, who is also a great return-man, was projected to be a first round pick before suffering a knee injury which sidelined him for half of the season. The Pats have the luxury of letting Tate heal and develop behind their already stacked WR corps.

The Pats traded the 89th overall pick to the Tennessee Titans for a 2010 2nd round pick.

CB Darius Butler on Pats' Radar?

Matt's Pats Blog — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:25:02 -0400

At least one NFL team suspects that Bill Belichick's presence at the UConn Pro Day means the Pats will draft CB Darius Butler with the 23rd overall pick. Check his highlights on YouTube.

Wes Welker is excited to catch passes from Tom Brady once again (saying he was excited to catch Brady's balls just didn't sound right.)

Mike Reiss notes that BenJarvus Green-Ellis is not eligible for the practice squad, and he'll likely be fighting against Laurence Maroney for a roster spot.

Mike Florio of SportingNews.com thinks the Patriots should trade TE Benjamin Watson, even though he won't warrant much in return.

LT Matt Light will take over as the Patriots' player representative, now that LB Mike Vrabel is gone.

PatsFans.com has a discussion about the possibility of the Pats trading a second-round pick for disgruntled WR Chad Ocho Cinco.

Former Pats QB Matt Cassel will wear No. 7 in Kansas City, in case you were wondering.

Matt Cassel Sent to Kansas City for a Second Round Pick?!

Matt's Pats Blog — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 14:18:28 -0500

The Matt Cassel era in New England ended just about when everyone expected it to.

The team traded their "franchised" QB to the Chiefs. The Pats will reportedly get a second round pick as compensation, though that has not been confirmed.

It is also rumored that this was part of the Mike Vrabel deal.

The Chiefs have the third overall pick in the draft, as well as TE Tony Gonzalez and RB Larry Johnson who want out. One of them could also end up as part of the overall package.

UPDATE: ProFootballTalk is reporting that the Chiefs will send their second round pick for both players.

Spread Eagle: Week 15 NFL Picks (1-0)

Matt's Pats Blog — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:57:58 -0500

(home team in bold)

SUNDAY, 1:00

Jets (-7.5) over Bills

Colts (-16.5) over Lions

Packers (-2.5) over Jaguars

Rams (+3.5) over Seahawks

49ers (+6.5) over Dolphins

Chargers (-4.5) over Chiefs

Bucs (-3.5) over Falcons

Titans (-3.5) over Texans

Redskins (-6.5) over Bengals

SUNDAY, 4:05

Cardinals (-3.5) over Vikings

Panthers (-7.5) over Broncos

Pats (-7.5) over Raiders

Steelers (+2.5) over Ravens

SUNDAY, 8:15

Giants (+2.5) over Cowboys

MONDAY, 8:30

Eagles (-13.5) over Browns

THURSDAY, 8:30

Bears (-2.5) over Saints [WIN]
The Saints score nearly 11 less points when on the road, and they're going into a foreign climate which will slow down their quick-strike offense in Chicago. Look for a lot of action from Matt Forte when the Bears have the ball, which will eat up the clock and cause Drew Brees and Co. to cool off (literally) on the sidelines. The Saints bid adieu to their playoff hopes this evening.

Bruschi Done For Year? Career Over?

Matt's Pats Blog — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:53:49 -0500

One of the cornerstones of the Patriots defense was hurt last Sunday after taking a blow from teammate Mike Richardson in their game against the Seahawks. After the game, the Pats stayed out on the west coast, but sent LB Tedy Bruschi home to have tests taken on his knee.

Although league sources are claiming it was not a serious knee injury, it should keep him sidelined at least four weeks, and the IR-happy Patriots are likely to place him on the Injured Reserve list.

It is also widely assumed this could be Bruschi's last year with the club, as he has clearly lost a step and some ability. If this is the case, we may have just witnessed Tedy's last game in a Patriots uniform last weekend.

But we certainly hope not.

Thanksgiving Day NFL Picks: Bet on Kurt Warner, Cardinals

Matt's Pats Blog — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:31:01 -0500

(Home team in bold)

THURSDAY: 12:30

Titans (-11.5) over Lions

Even though the Jets handed the Titans their first loss of the season last week, we're still talking about a top-three team in the league squaring off against the absolute worst team.

At this point, I would be surprised if the Lions could compete in the Big 12 South. I don't even want to hear about how they'll be a different team on Thanksgiving; they're a bunch of turkeys until proven otherwise.

THURSDAY, 4:15

Cowboys (-12.5) over Seahawks

We refer to the Lions as the worst team in the league; well, the Seahawks are the most disappointing in the league.

Expected to run away with their division going into the season, the've been hurt with enough injuries to be able to use it as an excuse, but there are other things you need to consider.

Let's remember that they haven't had an intimidating offense in two years, and their defense has been good enough to cover up the mediocrity of their attach. This year, they rank 25th in points scored and points allowed Last year, they were top-10 in both points for and points against.

Beyond mere performance flaws, take into consideration the fact that their coach is going to coach a divisional rival next year, and the motivation has got to be lacking.

THURSDAY, 8:15

Cardinals (+3) over Eagles

How the Cardinals can be laying points against this Philly team right now is baffling. The only way the Eagles are going to slow down this offense is if Kurt Warner slips on the turd left on the field by the Eagles' offense.

Spread Eagle: Week 12 NFL Picks (1-0)

Matt's Pats Blog — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:07:52 -0500

THURSDAY, 8:15

Steelers (-11) over Bengals [WIN]

The Bengals could have shocked the world by defeating the Eagles in Week 11, but instead they couldn't close out any of the several opportunities they had, so they were forced to settle for "raising a few eyebrows" after tying them. One thing about playing Philly is, whether you win, lose or tie, you're going to get bruised up.

I can't imagine that these Bengals, a mere 4 days after playing four quarters plus a full overtime period against a physical team like that, are going to heal themselves before going into another smash mouth-type of game. The Steelers sport the league's top defense right now, and they have very few holes. With a well-rested Cincinnati team, maybe this one would be closer than 11 points, but not given the current circumstances…

Tom Brady's Back at Gillette

Matt's Pats Blog — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:14:12 -0500

After several detours along his road to recovery, Tom Brady has now begun rehabbing his multiple knee surgeries. According to reports, the All-Universe quarterback has been working out at Gillette Stadium with his teammates since last week.

Fans, media, and teammates alike are excited to see him back with the team and working out. It couldn't come at a better time either, as the Pats are scheduled to take on division (and lifetime) rival New York Jets on Thursday.

After going under the knife on Oct. 6 to repair his torn ACL, Brady suffered an infection in his knee. This infection forced him to have three more surgeries, and it is now expected to be under control.

However, this is just speculation based on his presence with the team; it is still unknown as to the actual status of his knee. In fact, the Patriots organization still has not disclosed Brady's exact knee injury, citing team policy.

In an interview this weekend, Patriots president Jonathan Kraft explained that Brady believed any communication with the media would be a distraction to the team, which is why he has chosen to stay out of the spotlight.

Class.

Jets Sign CB Ty Law

Matt's Pats Blog — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:36:56 -0500

After flirting with a return to the Patriots, veteran CB Ty Law agreed to a contract with the New York Jets. Law, who played 10 seasons in New England, was once considered the best cornerback in the league. During his short stints in New York and Kansas City, Law seemed to lose more than a step, but he has maintained his smart play and continues to grab interceptions.

Jets coach Eric "back-stabbing" Mangini claims there is "definitely a chance" that Law could play against the Patriots this Thursday.

On a side note, the Jets dropped CB Justin Miller to make room for Law. Miller was considered a top return man in 2006 but hasn't been used much recently. Don't be surprised if the Pats try to sign him.

Adalius Thomas Gone for the Year?

Matt's Pats Blog — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:32:02 -0500

ESPN.com is reporting that several team sources have claimed OLB Adalius Thomas broke his forearm in the first half of the Bills' game and is most likely gone for the season.

Thomas, who has been extremely effective this season while being used only at the OLB spot, is tied for the team lead with five sacks. His absence on the field will surely be felt by an already injury-plagued defense.

Thomas' replacement will most likely come from within, possibly going to undrafted rookie LB Gary Guyton who has been effective at every linebacker spot. The team could also give Roosevelt Colvin a call, as he's familiar with the system and is currently sitting at home. Colvin would most likely be a last-resort type of option; don't expect to see him on the roster again.

Pats Knock Off Bills: Week 10 Wrapup

Matt's Pats Blog — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:02:33 -0500

And then there were two. Entering Week 10, the AFC East was completely up for grabs, with three teams tied for first place and the fourth-place Dolphins only one game back. This game, although not a must-win for either team, had huge implications for both clubs.

The Pats were coming off a close loss to the Colts (a game which could have gone either way), and the Bills had lost three of their last four (including back-to-back losses to division foes Miami and New York) after starting the season at 4-0. The end-result was set ahead of time: win and stay in first place.

The game started in New England's favor. The Bills started with ball, and proceeded to give it to Marshawn Lynch for a seven yard gain. By some crazy twist of fortune, they decided to pass the ball on the next two downs. On second down, the pass rush got to QB Trent Edwards and he under-threw his target. And on the next down, Richard Seymour completely bested the Bills' LG to get to Edwards for a sack.

After forcing Buffalo to go 3-and-out on their first possession, Matt Cassel led the Pats downfield quickly. On first down, the Bills committed an unnecessary roughness penalty, giving New England 15 yards for free. Then a couple plays later, the Bills failed to challenge a deep pass to Wes Welker where he stepped out of bounds, giving the Patriots more free yardage.

Two plays later, Cassel scrambled up the middle for a touchdown. Bills LB Kawika Mitchell seemed to run away from the QB, expecting him to dump it off before he reached the line of scrimmage—this opened up a gigantic hole for Cassel to exploit.

Two possessions later, on the Bills' first play of their 3rd drive, Edwards tossed an ill-advised deep pass to Lee Evans who couldn't reach the ball. Luckily it fell right in to Ellis Hobbs' hands. With the ball and good field position, the Pats were able to add three more points with a Gostkowski field goal.

The game continued like this for most of the remainder, with the Pats getting the ball back on their own eight yard line with 11:05 left in the 4th quarter, up 13-3. Clearly there was enough time for the Bills to tie the game if they could stop the Pats on this drive. Unfortunately for Buffalo, the Patriots conducted one of the most spectacular drives I have ever seen. In fact, the drive set a franchise record. It was perfect.

The drive started slow with Kevin Faulk rushing for one yard to the right. Then Cassel failed to connect with Moss. A pass to former-Bills WR Sam Aiken gave them the first, and the cycle continued: short rush on first down, little or no gain on second, and a first down on third. Repeat.

Nineteen plays and over nine minutes later, the Pats handed the ball to surprising rookie RB BenJarvis Green-Ellis for a touchdown. The TD capped off a record-setting drive, matching their franchise record of a 19 play drive against the Jets in 2002. Let me re-iterate: the drive was perfect, eating up a ridiculous amount of clock, and ending with a touchdown.

Even though the Bills reached the endzone quickly on their next possession and followed up with a very close/genius on-side kick, the game was out of reach. At the end of the day, the Pats walked off with a 20-10 win and a spot at the top of the AFC East. This marked the 10th straight time the Patriots have beaten the Bills.

Every team in the East, other than the Bills, ended up walking away a victor, with the Jets knocking off the Rams and the Dolphins squeaking by the Seahawks. This leaves the Pats and Jets tied for first (and going head-to-head on Thursday), with the Bills and Dolphins tied for 3rd.

On to the player stock market:

Buy:

BenJarvis Green-Ellis: Remember, this guy is only on the roster because of how many injuries we've had at the RB position. You may have forgotten that little detail because he's tearing it up. In fact, many of my peers agree with me when I say I like Green-Ellis more than I like Maroney. Go figure, an undrafted rookie free agent being better than a first-round pick. "My goal is to get a touchdown on every play," said the RB after the game. He finished with 105 yards on 26 carries and one touchdown. The kid looks good.
Wes Welker: Brady and Moss got all the records and limelight last year. This year is Wes' turn. By catching a pass in the 3rd quarter, Welker set an NFL record for being the first player in history to catch at least six passes in the first nine games of the season. I still can't understand how Miami got rid of this guy—he is the ultimate slot receiver, and serves as a great security blanket for Cassel.
Randy Moss: Moved up to No.17 on the NFL's overall receptions list. He seems to be doing whatever the Pats want him to do (slants, reverses, etc.), even if it means he gets a bit hurt (which he did during the game, only to return a few plays later). Great team player.
Jerod Mayo: Clearly the defensive rookie of the year to this point, Mayo remained solid in run stopping, pass rushing, and even in pass coverage. The kid can play ball, and Belichick knows it: Mayo was yet again on the field for nearly every play. Expect to hear his name for a long time on this team.
Secondary: Two interceptions, but they owe most of their success to…
Defensive Front-Seven: A great showing from the defensive line and the linebackers (especially Mike Vrabel, Richard Seymour, and Ty Warren). Their strong pass rush caused Edwards to miss his mark on several throws, allowing our questionable secondary to succeed.
Offensive Line: I don't remember seeing the Bills pressure Cassel or consistently stop the run. That means only one thing: great job by the OL.

Hold:

Special Teams: Gostkowski missed a field goal, but most likely due to the wind. The coverage was terrible, allowing a huge return in the 4th quarter which set up the Bills' only touchdown. Otherwise, this was a decent showing from the group.

Sell:
Nobody. The team performed well overall and nobody deserves to be in this category.

Spread Eagle: Week Seven NFL Picks

Matt's Pats Blog — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 01:22:18 -0400

SUNDAY, 1:00

Dolphins (-2.5) over Ravens
This game is going to come down to the fact that the Dolphins' offense is good enough to outscore the Ravens' offense, despite the fact that Baltimore sports the league's No. 1 defense.

Cowboys (-6.5) over Rams
I don't care if Micky Mouse is quarterbacking the Cowboys, they're leaps and bounds better than the Rams.

Bears (-2.5) over Vikings
The Vikings are an interesting team. They have all of the pieces in place, including a QB who does his job well enough that you can't place the blame on him. Unfortunately, they haven't been able to put it all together just yet.

Panthers (-2.5) over Saints
The Panthers got embarrassed last week, and all good teams bounce back from tough losses. Look for them to do exactly that against the high-powered Saints.

Bengals (+9.5) over Steelers
A home dog against a pretty weak offense without their most dangerous weapon? I'll even take the Bengals in that situation.

Chargers (-.5) over Bills
The Chargers seem to have come together after a slow start. Look for them to make a statement game against a team perceived to be a playoff shoo-in. Take the over in this one as well...

Giants (-10.5) over 49ers
The G-men had their fluke upset on Monday Night Football. Look for them to bounce back with a blowout win.

Titans (-7.5) over Chiefs
Leave it to Larry Johnson to completely fall off the wagon in a matter of two weeks. Non only did he go from rushing for 200 yards in Week Four to rushing for two yards in Week Five, but now he's got an assault charge hanging over his head and he was suspended for this week's game for an undisclosed reason. Looks like the Titans have one more week to enjoy as undefeateds.

SUNDAY, 4:05

Texans (-8.5) over Lions
Houston was the best winless team heading into last week, and they pulled it out against a quality Dolphins team. Now they get to play one of the league's worst teams, who are now without their best offensive weapon.

Redskins (-6.5) over Browns
The 'Skins are going to take this opportunity to re-prove to everyone that they're one the the elite teams in the league this year. A rough loss last week will give them an extra chip on their shoulders.

Packers (+1.5) over Colts
Indy isn't as stable as people think right now, and even though they pulled it together last week, they don't have what it takes to win in Lambeau.

Jets (-2.5) over Raiders
The Raiders are bad enough that I'll take a mediocre road team and lay the points. Yes, that's right, the Jets are mediocre and aren't really going anywhere.

SUNDAY, 8:15

Bucs (-10.5) over Seahawks
Finally, the 'Hawks are getting the lack of respect they deserve!

MONDAY, 8:30

Broncos (+3.5) over Pats
Who would have predicted that we would be taking the points against the Pats at home by Week Seven of this season? So sad...

Joey Porter Speaks Out:Too Bad NFL Drug Tests Don't Check For Crazy Pills

Matt's Pats Blog — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 11:02:32 -0400

In a recent interview, Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter (who bolted a successful Steelers team to play for a Miami squad who went 1-15 in his first year) laid into Patriots QB Matt Cassel.

"I just know he's not a Tom Brady," Porter said. "So if it's not Tom Brady, it shouldn't be that hard. You treat him like you treat a backup. … So you throw the kitchen sink at him."

Unfortunately for Porter, the Dolphins traded their kitchen sink in the offseason.

Porter continued by saying, "it'll be good to go out there and get our first victory." What Porter fails to understand is that the Patriots are one of the strongest teams in the NFL, even without Brady under center. The defense is looking very strong, special teams is great, and the offense speaks for itself.

Oh, and the Patriots are on the NFL's longest regular season win streak, with 21 straight and counting. The Dolphins, on the other hand, have won just one game over that same time period. Yes, you read that right: over the past 21 regular season games, the Patriots are 21-0 and the Dolphins are 1-20.

I don't think I'm the only one who hopes to see LB Jerod Mayo line up at tight end this week just so he can run over the middle and knock Porter's socks off.

The Underdog Once Again: Week Two Wrap-Up

Matt's Pats Blog — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 01:43:55 -0400

It never gets old, does it? No matter the situation, no matter how many wins either team has accumulated prior to the game, it always feels good to beat the Jets. It feels even better to do it in the Meadowlands. And when the Pats are listed as the underdog.

Even though the Jets became "the team to beat in the AFC East" after the injury, the Patriots shut all the analysts up, almost making it look too easy. With an (overly) inexperienced quarterback at the helm, the Pats were able to control the game and systematically beat old-man Favre and the Jets in his home opener. Ouch.

Cassel did his job, and he did it perfectly. He didn't force any throws, scrambled when he couldn't find his man, and didn't commit any turnovers. That's exactly what the Patriots asked of "Football Jesus" when he took over for Bledsoe in 2001.

Although it was the offense that overwhelmed teams last year, it's the defense's turn to win games this year. They certainly did their job this week.

Player Stock Market

BUY

Defensive Front Seven: If anyone doubted the Patriots' defensive line or their "aging" linebacking corps before this game, they're eating their own words today. The defensive line was spectacular, eating up every lineman on each play, allowing the linebackers to roam freely. And while they weren't man-handling this "strong" (ha!) Jets OL, they were being held for penalty yards, stopping the run, or sacking the QB. And that's just the front three. The linebacking corps looked great as well. Mayo was making plays all over the field (seven tackles); the kid is scary fast. Adalius Thomas was wreaking havoc on the Jets, most notably when he sacked Favre AND Leon Washington at the same time (Favre also fumbled on the play). Vrabel and Bruschi were held to low solo-tackle totals (one and two combined), but were key contributors on many plays. On a 1st-and-goal from the Patriots' three-yard line, this group held the Jets to a field goal. This front seven looked as good as they ever have since 2001. If they can keep it up, there's no telling what this defense can do.
RB LaMont Jordan: Who would've thought the Patriots leading rusher wouldn't have been handed the ball until the second half? In fact, he rushed for more yards than every other running back on the Patriots roster combined. It's been a while since the play-by-play can read something like "Jordan, five yards. Jordan, five yards. Incomplete pass. Jordan, eight yards. Jordan, three yards. Jordan, five yards." A consistent ground game will be essential for the Patriots throughout this season, and they look to have a great group of 'backs. If Jordan and Morris can continue to pound the ball and tire defenses, while Maroney is used in more of a "scat back" role, the Pats will be successful.
WR Wes Welker: The receiver caught seven passes for 72 yards and looked to be Cassel's favorite target (sounds familiar, doesn't it?). Although he didn't catch a TD, he was the Patriots' No. 1 weapon when the Jets double and triple-teamed Randy Moss (who only caught two passes for 22 yards, by the way). Welker could make Cassel look very good this year.
S Brandon Meriweather: The young safety did what every team wants to do to Brett Favre: intercept him when he makes one of his weekly terrible decisions. The interception set up the Patriots' only touchdown, which essentially won them the game.
The entire team's poise in an opponent's stadium. I know, it sounds kind of corny, but when your team wins by kicking field goals all day, something else had to go right. Well, having only 10 penalty yards (over two penalties) against your team certainly doesn't hurt. Very well done.
K Stephen Gostkowski (and the rest of the special teams unit): The kicker was 4-for-4 on field goals and five of his six kickoffs went for touchbacks. The one kickoff that the Jets decided to return was stuffed by Ray Ventrone at New York's 19-yard line. The Jets' starting position throughout the game went: own 20, own 20, own 20, own 20, own 25, own 23, own 20, own 20, own 19. Great job by the special teams unit.

Hold

QB Matt Cassel: The QB finished 16-for-23 for 165 yards and zero interceptions. That's all you could ask for a quarterback who's making his first start since 1999 (when he was a high-school senior). The only reason he's not listed as a "buy" is because the Jets had basically no film to work off of. The more games he starts, the more film teams can analyze, and the more weaknesses they can find. Overall, though, he performed exactly how the Patriots wanted him to perform. Very well done by the young QB.
RB Sammy Morris: The RB had a great leaping touchdown, but he didn't really do much else. He finished with eight carries for 0 yards (yes, that's a zero).

Sell

S Rodney Harrison: It pains me to put our defensive emotional-leader on the "sell" list, but he doesn't deserve to be anywhere else. Sure, he ended with six solo tackles and two assists, but that's because the defense was picking on him. He missed several tackles in the run game, and he seemed to slip in the end zone, allowing his receiver to catch an easy touchdown. He could have performed much better than he did this week. Let's hope he shapes up for the Dolphins next week.

All in all, it was a great win for the Patriots. There are still several "easy" games coming up, so the Pats will hopefully keep the ball rolling by winning games the way they did in 2001.

12 Reasons the New England Patriots Will Be Fine Without No. 12

Matt's Pats Blog — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:30:48 -0400

Over the past few years, quarterback has become the most important position on the football field. Clearly, losing Tom Brady is a serious setback for my beloved Pats, and they'll need a strong showing from every other player to scrap together a decent season.

Just the thought of an entire year without the greatest quarterback in NFL history leading his unparalleled-offense has certainly run it's toll on all Patriots fans worldwide, both mentally and physically.

After struggling to get through my denial, anger, bargaining, and depression, I'm finally entering the final stage of grieving: acceptance.

Don't get me wrong, the Brady situation is terrible for the Patriots, the NFL, and football fans in general, but it doesn't come without a silver lining. Here are 12 reasons why I think the loss of No. 12 won't be as bad as we expect.

1. Much like Favre, the legend of Tom Brady doesn't properly depict the "true Brady."

The 2007 regular season may make it hard to believe, but Tom Brady is human...or at least close to it. Prior to his record-smashing season, Brady had never put up amazing numbers, and he didn't care to; he just did anything and everything necessary to win football games.

Since stepping in for an injured Drew Bledsoe in 2001, Brady only surpassed a QB rating of 90.0 in three seasons as a starting QB, including '07, when he had a whopping rating of 117.2. And, until last year, he never threw more than 28 touchdowns or fewer than 12 interceptions in a season. Those numbers are respectable, but they're not "legend" great.

The legend focuses on his many records, but what made the "true Brady" great were his decision-making skills, overwhelming desire to win, and his unwillingness to lose. The Patriots don't need a numbers guy to succeed, they need a winner.

All the statistical analysis in the world can't tell you if Cassel has the same "just win" mentality; only time will tell.

2. If the rumors are true, Brady still hadn't fully healed from his foot/ankle injury.

Giving him an entire season to rest won't hurt. Add to the fact that he won't be able to walk (so he'll be throwing from his chair), and you can count on his arm strength skyrocketing. Now, it's still not clear if Brady will have healed from his new knee injury by next season (he did tear both his ACL and MCL), but I'm willing to bet he comes back even better.

3. Matt Cassel is a very smart quarterback with a solid arm.

He didn't look great in the preseason (OK, he looked terrible), but he delivered when his team needed him (in fact, he performed better than Dallas QB Tony Romo in Week One). Cassel's been in the system for several years, learning from the best coach-quarterback combination in the league.

He will obviously make mistakes and have a few bumps to iron out, but this guy can play football. His reads will improve, and his confidence will continue to grow over the next few weeks. He is a serviceable QB, much like Brady was in 2001.

4. Three words: Moss, Welker, and Gaffney.

There are very few receiving corps that can be mentioned in the same conversation with these guys, and most of them have long been retired. Regardless of who is throwing the ball, Moss will always demand double-coverage, Gaffney will always be Mr. Reliable, and Welker will always demolish defenses over the middle. It doesn't get much better than that.

5. The Patriots may have a stronger defense than last year.

Sure, Asante Samuel is gone, but Deltha O'Neal should be more than an adequate replacement, and Ellis Hobbs has significantly improved his game. Other than starting CB, every other position is as good or better than it was in 2007, when it finished fourth overall in the NFL.

The front office spent the offseason infusing the aging defense with young talent, and their moves seem to be paying off. For example, rookie LB Jerod Mayo played more defensive snaps than any other Patriots player on Sunday.

6. Running Backs.

The Patriots had a solid running game early last year, with Sammy Morris and Laurence Maroney sharing carries while Kevin Faulk played his nearly-perfect third-down role. The attack seemed to fizzle a bit when Morris was lost for the year, and it only picked up late in the season when Maroney got his groove back.

This year, Morris is healthy and looking great on the field, Maroney seems much more decisive, and the team landed a big, bruising back in LaMont Jordan. Oh, and did I mention Jordan has some of the best hands in the NFL out of the backfield? Look for the Pats to dominate teams with their running game this year.

7. Coaches.

Very few teams have a coaching staff that can minimize their weaknesses like the Patriots' staff. Just look at the offensive line situation a couple years ago: nearly the entire right side was injured. Did the Pats suddenly get annihilated at the line of scrimmage? No, they moved backups around to minimize their weaknesses and were extremely successful as a unit. Bill Belichick, Josh McDaniels, and Dom Capers are at the top of their respective jobs. They will find a way to win without Brady.

8. The Patriots already went through this with Drew Bledsoe.

Look how the team overcame the loss of the face of their franchise in 2001. Bledsoe had just signed a 10-year, $100 million deal with the club before he met Mo Lewis in Week Two. The rest is history.

9. The Pats are one of the best at running screens.

It doesn't sound like much, but when you have a young quarterback leading an offense, opposing defenses will bring the heat. Without a solid screen game, Cassel would be knocked around more than David Carr in Houston.

10. It takes some pressure off of our players.

After coming off the only 16-0 regular season in history, the Patriots were certainly under an abnormal amount of pressure to have a similar year. The loss of Brady gives them a clean slate, and the players may perform better with this burden lifted. They are, in a sense, playing with house money.

11. Swagger.

Every single NFL analyst doubts the Patriots will perform well this year. Some went so far as to say the Jets, who won only four games last year, are now the team to beat in the AFC East.

Why? Because they have a very old QB behind an old offensive line?

The Patriots will finally have their underdog swagger back, and they have been the best team in the NFL at overcoming adversity. It's "us against the world" once again.

12. And the final reason the Patriots will be fine without Brady.

They're the Patriots, they always find a way to win.

Matt Cassel Era Begins in New England: Week One Wrap-up

Matt's Pats Blog — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:17:45 -0400

After taking just 15 snaps in the 2008 regular season, Patriots QB Tom Brady was hit in the knee by Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard, a hit which many Pats fans are mistakenly calling "dirty."

The hit was clearly not dirty, as Pollard went in for the sack while Brady was stepping up in the pocket. After the game, Pollard noted, "I tried to apologize to him. But I'm not sure he heard me. He was screaming." Although the MRI results are not in, Brady is expected to be out for the season with a torn ACL. Thus starts the Matt Cassel era in New England.

When Cassel stepped into the game, the Pats and Chiefs were dead even at 0-0. After two failed running plays, the Pats were backed up to their own one-yard line, when Cassel's arm was called upon.

As he avoided pressure, the young QB tossed a ball down the sideline to Randy Moss. Had it been another receiver, the ball most likely would have ended up incomplete, but Moss masked his hands and reached out at the last second for a grab. First down Patriots.

Later on the drive, the Pats were pressuring the Chiefs inside the red zone. Instead of relying on the strong play of RB Sammy Morris, Cassel again looked to throw, hitting Moss in the back of the end zone. Again, it would be hard to imagine any other receiver making this type of catch—especially with the push-out rule gone this year—as Moss barely landed both feet in bounds.

Unfortunately for Cassel, he didn't perform nearly as well during the remainder of the game. His deep passes were more like line drives than tosses, which led to several incompletions. However, the offense wasn't completely stalled. RB Laurence Maroney broke off a big run, and Sammy Morris looked top-notch while breaking through hand-tackles down the field.

At the end of the game, with the Pats up by seven, Chiefs backup QB Damon Huard tossed a pass to WR Devard Darling, who completely fooled S James Sanders and burned down the field towards the end zone. Newly signed CB Deltha O'Neil somehow caught up with the receiver and stopped him within the five-yard line. Four incomplete passes later and the Pats walked off the field as victors.

The game was far too close for comfort, especially against one of the league's worst teams. Hopefully the Pats are able to tailor their offense to Cassel's play, but we truly need to have extremely consistent play out of our running back corps to have a successful year.

Obviously, the loss of Brady is something to worry about, but don't forget Mo Lewis and how he started Brady's career in a very similar fashion when he injured Drew Bledsoe in the 2001 season.

Player Stock Market

Buy

CB Ellis Hobbs: Made several key stops, a few pass deflections, an interception, and a 51-yard kickoff return. Hobbs was clearly the MVP for the Patriots
RBs Sammy Morris and Laurence Maroney: Both running backs combined for a strong game when the team needed it the most. Maroney clearly benefits from playing behind a pound-it-out back like Morris.
QB Matt Cassel: Although he didn't have a great game, he was clearly better than his preseason had shown. At the end of the day, Cassel had thrown zero interceptions—a big win for the questionable QB. He was also 13-of-18 for 152 yards and a TD.
CB Deltha O'Neil: Saved a game-tying touchdown after James Sanders misplayed his receiver.
LB Mike Vrabel: Had two key sacks in the game, helping the Pats end several Chiefs drives.

Hold

WR Jabar Gaffney: The receiver played the most downs out of any offensive skill player, but failed to catch a pass. He didn't drop any, but he wasn't looked to by Matt Cassel. The team clearly sees enough talent in him to play him on so many downs, so he will hopefully have a great year.

Sell

WR/S Matthew Slater: Dropped a kickoff, the type of play that delegated Troy Brown to the bench last year.
S James Sanders: His poor play at the end of the game nearly cost the Patriots their victory.

John Lynch Gets Cut from the New England Patriots

Matt's Pats Blog — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 15:45:07 -0400

In yet another shocking move, the Patriots have released veteran S John Lynch after only two preseason games. The Pats brought Lynch in to help solve some of their injury problems at the safety position. This move likely means the injury suffered by S Brandon Meriweather is not serious.

Mike Reiss points out that the move may not be permanent:

"Lynch's comment seems to indicate this could be a situation where Lynch is not kept on the Patriots' roster for the opening week—when salaries for veterans would be guaranteed—before returning to the club after the first game."

New England Patriots Axe WR Chad Jackson

Matt's Pats Blog — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 14:16:55 -0400

One day after their initial roster purge, the Pats have released WR Chad Jackson.

The Patriots had traded up with Green Bay to grab Jackson in the second round of the 2006 draft (Green Bay used the Pats' pick to take WR Greg Jennings). After several disappointing years on the club, the team decided it was time to part ways with the wideout from Florida.

Jackson has shown signs of greatness at times, most notably catching two corner-endzone passes in the last two preseason games, but has been far too inconsistent to be relied upon.

The move likely comes as a result of the strong preseason performances by WR C.J. Jones and Ray Ventrone. Look for Jackson to find another job quickly, as he could easily be a number three receiver on many clubs.

Marcus Pollard Is Out, and Tyson DeVree Is In for the New England Patriots

Matt's Pats Blog — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:51:06 -0400

The Patriots have released TE Marcus Pollard today after an uninspired preseason. The move stresses the team’s confidence in TEs Benjamin Watson and David Thomas. To fill his roster spot, the team re-signed TE Tyson DeVree.

Here’s the bit from the team’s press release:

DeVree, 23, was originally signed by the Patriots as a rookie free agent on May 5, 2008 and was released by the Patriots on June 11, 2008. He finished his college career at the University of Colorado (2006-'07) after transferring from Western Michigan (2003-'04) after his sophomore year. The 6'6", 245-pound tight end played in 44 collegiate games, making 96 receptions for 987 yards and 15 receiving touchdowns.

John Lynch Joins Patriots at Safety

Matt's Pats Blog — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:58:53 -0400

After visiting for a workout earlier in the week, former Broncos safety John Lynch has signed with the Patriots.

The signing comes shortly after S Tank Williams was placed on the IR. Lynch (a four-time Pro Bowler) is getting old, but should be able to contribute as a backup to Rodney Harrison and Brandon Meriweather.

Also, look for the Pats to use Lynch much in the same way they planned to use Williams: at safety and at linebacker.

His scouting report reads as follows:

Lynch played the first 11 years of his career in Tampa Bay before signing with the Broncos prior to the 2004 season. He is a leader in every sense of the word and brings a definite presence to the entire defense, not just the secondary. His intensity is contagious and he is definitely the quarterback of the secondary. He has very good size, strength and instincts, and is an above average athlete for the position who shows good range. Even though he plays free safety he will sneak up close to the line of scrimmage and play more like a strong safety or linebacker at times. He takes good angles and has a lot of awareness in zone coverage. He does a good job of reading the quarterback and has good route recognition. He will sometimes go for the big hit rather than the interception, and is most effective when he can work downhill and make plays in front of him. Lynch can be pretty ordinary in his transition but his instincts help him to get a good jump. He is a little stiff and can overrun some plays as he may become overaggressive.

New England Patriots' Key Preseason Battles

Matt's Pats Blog — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:26:58 -0400

As the 2008 season looms and the team prepares for another AFC East title, the Patriots have several positional battles to solve. The preseason is where those battles are fought and won.

Although you can't read too much into individual performances during these games, their successes will ultimately decide where they fall on the team's depth chart.

Here are some key battles to watch:

Backup QB: Brady is the Football Jesus, we all know that. Although he has ice water running through his veins, we all learned last year that his bones are not made of steel. He seems to be fully recovered, but his potential absence due to injury is enough to make some Patriot fans nauseous. The QBs behind Brady certainly don’t help. Matt Cassell was pulled during a blowout over Miami last year due to poor performance. Matt Gutierrez is quick, but hasn’t shown any signs that he could consistently lead a team. Enter Kevin O'Connell, the shifty quarterback from San Diego State that has impressed during training camp. Cassell is listed as the No. 2 QB, but will O’Connell be able to take his place? Will Gutierrez play well enough to earn a spot on the roster, or will he be cut?
Right Offensive Line: Although the Pats have been masters at moving offensive linemen around and minimizing their weaknesses due to injuries, there is still no clear-cut right side to this offensive line. Stephen Neal and Nick Kaczur should get the nod, but Neal is aging and fragile while Kaczur may fall victim to a suspension. The Pats seemed to help their chances by signing a few lesser-known linemen, but their depth at the spot does not overcome their lack of a pure-starter. By all means, the RG and RT spots are up for grabs, and preseason should determine who starts.
Free Safety: Rodney Harrison has the strong safety spot locked. James Sanders was the primary FS last year, but he’s much more suited to play SS. Essentially, the Patriots played two strong safeties last year. This year, second-year man Brandon Meriweather should seriously content for a starting spot. He’s got quicks and hits with great power—he just needs to improve his smarts and catching ability. Watch the battle for FS to see if Meriweather impresses enough to overtake Sanders for the starting spot opposite Harrison.
Middle Linebacker: Bruschi is aging, but he should still start. The question truly lies in who will play next to him: rookie LB Jerod Mayo or veteran LB Victor Hobson. Hobson has had a less-than-amazing training camp, while the opposite is true for Mayo. So far, Mayo looks to have the lead, but a few costly mistakes in preseason could cost him his job.
Running Back: Will Sammy Morris be back in time to compete for the bruiser-back role on the team? Will LaMont Jordan take those responsibilities? Maroney is clearly the No. 1 back, and Kevin Faulk is a lock as the third-down back, so the only battle is the bruiser.
Cornerback: CB is clearly the biggest question mark for the Patriots. Will Fernando Bryant be able to fill in for Asante Samuel? Will rookie Terrence Wheatley earn a spot over returning CB Ellis Hobbs? This is the biggest and most interesting battle. Literally, every CB spot on the depth chart is up for grabs. Whoever performs well (and consistently) in preseason should earn a starting role.

This looks to be an interesting preseason with key positional battles to watch. Tune in at 7:30 to watch the first round of battles, pitting our team against the Baltimore Ravens (who have several key battles to watch as well).

Brett Favre Won't Improve the New York Jets

Matt's Pats Blog — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:51:31 -0400

Everyone has heard of the Brett Favre saga. After his reinstatement to the NFL, the Green Bay Packers traded the veteran QB to the New York Jets for a draft pick.

The Jets gave up a conditional fourth-round pick to acquire the ironman, but the cost could rise depending on the 2008 season. According to the NFL Network, if Favre takes 50 percent of the Jets' total snaps in 2008, the fourth-rounder becomes a third-round pick.

If he gets 70 percent of the snaps and the Jets make the playoffs, it becomes a second-round pick; and if he gets 80 percent of snaps and the Jets make the Super Bowl, it becomes a first-round pick.

Favre’s durability will help an injury-prone and experience-starved quarterback-unit in New York. Favre has started 253 straight regular-season games since his first Packers start in 1992. Over that same time period, the Jets have started Browning Nagle, Boomer Esiason, Frank Reich, Ray Lucas, Rick Mirer, Neil O'Donnell, Chad Pennington, Vinny Testaverde, Quincy Carter, Bubby Brister, Glenn Foley, Brooks Bollinger, Kellen Clemens, Ken O'Brien, and Jack Trudeau.

Beyond his durability, though, there are several concerns. Although Favre has the most touchdown passes of any QB in NFL history, he also holds the record for most interceptions in NFL history—a stat that the Jets could truly do without.

The Jets need to possess the ball and play smart football—Favre’s improv may bite them at some point. To make matters worse, Chad Pennington has a better interception-per-pass-attempt percentage (3.36 percent) than Favre (3.62 percent) since 2003.

Favre has also played with the same top-notch receivers over a long period and was clearly perfectly timed with Donald Driver. With Favre missing all of training camp, he’ll be thrown right into action to see how well he adapts to the offense.

However, the true limiting factor to Favre will be the Jets’ offensive line. Since 2003, Favre has had a stellar offensive line, allowing at most a 3.9 percent sack-per-pass-attempt average. The Jets, however, have been terrible since that time, yielding a 4.6 percent sack-per-pass-attempt average at best.

In fact, since 2003, the Jets' quarterbacks have been sacked on 7.8% (2003), 4.6% (2004), 9.8% (2005), 5.8% (2006) and 9.7% (2007) of their pass attempts.

Although the Jets have bolstered their O-line this offseason, it’s not clear that the unit will perform well. Alan Faneca, for example, was a Pro Bowler for the Steelers, yet the Steelers fielded a terrible offensive line last year.

Faneca could easily be on the decline. Right tackle Damien Woody is on the decline as well. He couldn’t even help the Lions’ O-line woes.

In the end, Favre’s on-field success truly depends on these new pieces. Off the field, he will clearly aid in Kellen Clemens’ development, but will that be enough? Only time will tell, but I’m not worried. Yet.

LaMont Jordan Signs with the New England Patriots

Matt's Pats Blog — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:35:32 -0400

The Pats added to their already-stacked running back corps by signing former Raider LaMont Jordan. Jordan, a 5'10", 230-pounder, runs with a very low center of gravity and looks to fill the "bruiser" role on offense.

He will spell for Maroney and get the opposing defensive-front extremely tired, at which point Maroney will skip by them or Brady will have extra time to make a great pass.

Belichick commented on the signing: "I think LaMont adds some quality depth to our backfield. We played against him a number of times. He’s a tough guy to tackle, a hard runner, good in the passing game, good with the ball in his hands. He’s a good football player that we’ll put into that mix and give us a little more depth at that position."

Nick Kaczur Pleads Guilty; Drug Charge on Hold

Matt's Pats Blog — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:13:56 -0400

Offensive lineman Nick Kaczur, who was arrested near the Canadian border with over 200 prescription pain killers, pled guilty to drug possession charges.

The 28-year old was ordered to pay $355 in fines and fees by Whitestown Town Justice Stanley Wolanin, who said the drug-possession charge will be dismissed if he stays out of trouble for the next six months.

Kaczur was originally charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail. According to several reports, Kaczur wore a wire to help federal authorities arrest the man accused of supplying him with the drug.

He plans to report to Patriots training camp on Wednesday.

New England Patriots' Defensive Breakdown: Cornerback Is the Only Concern

Matt's Pats Blog — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:55:59 -0400

With the Patriots fielding one of the best offenses in NFL history once again, all eyes are focused on the defense.

The loss of Asante Samuel will hinder the team’s plans greatly, but that doesn’t mean they will be a bad defense. In fact, this defense has the ability to be more successful than last year, which ranked fourth overall in the NFL.

There are several question marks on the roster, but the Pats have done their best to mask their weaknesses. Here’s how the positions break down.

Defensive End Chris Norwell, Kenny Smith, Le Kevin Smith, Santonio Thomas, Ty Warren, Richard Seymour, Jarvis Green

Defensive end is a make-or-break position for the Patriots. The entire defense is predicated on having an effective pass rush and a strong run-D, which is why all three starters on the Patriots D-line were first-round picks by the team.

Richard Seymour showed his dominance almost instantly after being drafted by the Patriots. His size, skill, and smarts helped him to become recognized as one of the top DEs in the NFL. His tackling skills are top-notch, and he commands double-teaming on every down.

His skills have also been noted by team officials, making him one of the only Patriots players to successfully hold out for a larger contract. Although he has been marred by injuries as of late, he has still found a way to consistently contribute.

During minicamp this year, Seymour claimed to be in better shape than he had been in the past two years.

Ty Warren is also a top-notch defensive end. He definitely benefits from the presence of Seymour, but has a great amount of skill himself. He is better at moving and eluding blockers than he is at taking them on face-to-face, and he has had some inconsistencies in his game in the past. He had a career year in 2007, and looks to continue his mean streak this year.

Behind those two, Jarvis Green is the best backup end on the roster. With enough skill to be a starter on most NFL teams, Green has thrived in his backup role in New England. He is also necessary for the “grind-it-out” type of defense the Patriots play.

He has shown consistency playing both right and left end, and the team doesn’t show much of a drop-off when he spells for Warren or Seymour.

With Green serving as the No. 3 DE on the depth chart, the Patriots don’t need much more depth. Santonio Thomas and LE Kevin Smith will most likely make the 53-man roster, but won’t see much playing time (barring injuries, of course).

Needs: None.

Expected Cuts: Chris Norwell, Kenny Smith

Nose Tackle

Vince Wilfork, Mike Wright, Steve Fifita

Vince Wilfork has improved each year since being drafted in the first round out of Miami. He is a large, powerful tackle, with great athleticism for his size (6’2”, 325lbs). He is the perfect puzzle piece for the Patriots’ 3-4 defense; he is near impossible to move (even with a double-team), and has the power to move the pocket against the pass or penetrate against the run.

He is best suited as a pass rusher, and he has shown inconsistencies against the run. His greatest quality seems to be his intelligence. He is quick to pick-up blocking schemes and is one of the best defenders against the screen in the NFL.

It’s shocking to see an offense run a screen against the Pats without Wilfork being in great position to shut it down. Wilfork will be a starter in the 3-4 defense for many years to come.

Mike Wright proved to be a worthy backup for Wilfork, and also has served as a DE. He has great straight-line speed, but has shown a tendency to overcommit. He has above-average speed and power, but he won’t overpower many NFL offensive linemen. As a second-year player, he continues to show steady improvement in his game.

Fifita is 6’0” 312lbs. He was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free-agent by the Dolphins, though he didn’t see much playing time. He was released at the end of last season, and the Pats brought him in to add some extra depth to their D. He will be a long-shot to make the roster, especially since the big DEs on the roster can moonlight at tackle.

Needs: A better backup for Wilfork; if he goes down with a serious injury, the NT position will be a weak link.

Expected Cuts: Steve Fifita. He will most likely be re-signed to the practice squad.

Linebacker

Pierre Woods, Vince Redd, Bo Ruud, Gary Guyton, Shawn Crable, Jerod Mayo, Tedy Bruschi, Larry Izzo, Mike Vrabel, Victor Hobson, Adalius Thomas, Eric Alexander, (Junior Seau)

The Patriots have consistently stockpiled a very strong, smart LB corps. Linebackers are the field generals for Belichick’s defense, and the intricacies of their roles caused the team to start experienced veterans at the spot.

However, the previous two postseasons showed that LB was one of the Pats’ biggest weaknesses—notably, their age and speed. Belichick & Co. decided to address this issue in the offseason.

Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel don’t need much of a discussion. Bruschi is one of the most respected football players in the league, and is admired even by those who don’t watch the sport. Mike Vrabel, released by the Steelers out of necessity (they just had too much talent at the spot), has been consistent throughout his career in New England. Both players look to start this season, with Bruschi spending a bit more time on the bench than last year.

Adalius Thomas came to the Pats last offseason and didn’t deliver the type of results fans expected. Make no mistake about it, Thomas is an amazing football player. He was less effective because the Patriots were forced to use him at MLB, rather than his natural OLB spot.

In the few games he started at OLB, Thomas recorded several sacks and was clearly a threat on every down. With the release of Roosevelt Colvin, the Patriots will definitely use Thomas on the outside as his primary spot. Look for him to have a monster year.

Jerod Mayo, the Patriots’ first-round draft pick this year (No. 10 overall), will be a great NFL player. Most teams didn’t scout him thoroughly because he declared for the draft after his junior year.

This caused him to slide under the radar a bit. His stock was rising at the combine, and many NFL analysts rated him higher than Keith Rivers, the ninth-overall pick in the draft.

He has great speed and instincts and has been spending most of his time learning the intricacies of the defense. Look for him to become a starter by the end of the season, and he may be starting on opening day.

Victor Hobson was signed by the team in the offseason after spending the past few years in the Jets’ organization. He will most likely line up as an inside linebacker, as his height and size could be exploited on the outside. He will definitely make the roster and will have a good (if not great) year. Look for him to be backing up Bruschi and Mayo by the end of the year.

Pierre Woods, Bo Ruud, Shawn Crable, and Eric Alexander will make the roster and serve as backups for the strong LB corps. Alexander saw playing time in the 2006 playoffs, specifically in the loss against Indianapolis. Bo Ruud could be a great player, as his brother (who plays for Tampa Bay) has been getting praise for his strong play in the NFL.

Larry Izzo won’t serve at LB unless the Pats are winning by a large amount. He will continue to be one of the team’s best special-teams contributors.

Needs: Not much. The Patriots have addressed their speed and age deficiencies this offseason and could have one of the best LB corps in the NFL with their recent additions.

Expected Cuts: Gary Guyton. Woods, Alexander, or Ruud may be released if Junior Seau comes back, but don’t count on it.

Cornerback

Lewis Sanders, Fernando Bryant, Terrence Wheatley, Jonathan Wilhite, Antwain Spann, Mike Richardson, Ellis Hobbs, Jason Webster

Cornerback is arguably the biggest question mark for the Patriots. With the departure of All-Pro CB Asante Samuel, and nickelback Randall Gay, the team is clearly lacking in talent.

Ellis Hobbs has served as a starter for the past two seasons, though he hasn’t proven that he can hold his own against a No. 1 WR. Quarterbacks seemed to prefer throwing to his side of the field, but that may have been a product of Samuel’s dominance on the opposite side.

He is a solid defender, but he is not great. Hobbs has battled injuries throughout his career and has not had a full injury-free NFL season. His hands are questionable, but he was playing with a cast on his hand and wrist for most of the 2006 season. He will most likely stay in his No. 2 CB role on the depth chart.

Fernando Bryant is one of the more important offseason signings by the Patriots. He has good speed, experience, and has great instincts. However, he is small and doesn’t play physical football. He is not effective against the run and can be “manhandled” by receivers who use their arm-strength to get separation.

He will most likely serve as the No. 1 CB on the roster because of his ability to cover the deep, vertical routes. His success ultimately depends on the ability of the Patriots’ defensive line to generate a strong pass rush and an effective run-stop.

If he has to stay with his receiver for more than a couple seconds, he will be beaten.

The Pats drafted Terrence Wheatley and Jonathan Wilhite this year to add some depth to the roster. Wheatley, a second-round pick, will most likely compete with Lewis Sanders for the nickelback spot. Expect Wheatley to win out and large-sized Sanders to serve as a hybrid fourth CB and safety.

One “sleeper” on this roster is Mike Richardson, who was drafted by the team before the 2007 season. Injuries forced him to the IR after the preseason, but he shown signs of greatness. After watching him in workouts and limited amounts of drills, he reminds me of Asante Samuel at the same point in his career.

I completely expect Richardson to have a good year, and will continue to work his way up the roster for several years to come.

Needs: More skill. The Pats drafted a couple CBs high in the draft, and signed several other aging CBs for their experience. If these signings work out, the Pats won’t need any help. However, none of these players will fill the void left by Asante Samuel.

Expected Cuts: None. The Patriots will hold on to all of their CBs because the depth chart is still up in the air. The team doesn’t know how any of these players will perform and will keep them all around as insurance.

Safety

Brandon Meriweather, Mark Dillard, James Sanders, Raymond Ventrone, Tank Williams, Rodney Harrison, Matthew Slater

Safety has been an area of concern for the Pats over the past few seasons. Injuries and general lack of skill have caused the Pats to seek extra safety help this season. The Pats lost Eugene Wilson in the offseason, but he had been underperforming for several years; it was as if he suddenly forgot how to play the position.

Rodney Harrison, one of the hardest-hitting safeties in the NFL, has gone down with injuries each of the last two seasons. His speed and skills are diminishing, and he is definitely nearing the end of his great career. He has some gas left in the tank, but his biggest question mark is his health. He plays at 110 percent on every down, and his overly-aggressive style of play is a red flag for injuries.

The emergence of James Sanders as a safety in 2007 was necessary for the Patriots to have a solid defense. Without him stepping up and earning a starting role, the Pats would have been in deep trouble. However, he was used as a free safety, when he is clearly built for the strong safety position—he is a hard hitter who doesn’t have great speed.

Look for him to split playing time with Harrison in order to keep both players healthy. If Harrison goes down, Sanders is a worthy replacement.

The team addressed their lack of speed at the FS position by drafting Brandon Meriweather before the 2007 season, and he looks to be fighting for a role as a starter this year. Meriweather is very fast and delivers sledgehammer hits. He was used at CB in the 2007 preseason, giving him some extra versatility (as well as slowing down his ability to learn the safety position).

He has also bulked up this year and looks ready to be a full-time player in the NFL. Look for him to be a starter by the end of the season.

Tank Williams also serves as extra depth at the position. He is similar to Cowboys’ safety Roy Williams in that he is a big, strong safety but is a liability in coverage. The Patriots have been practicing with him at linebacker, so expect him to be used in many exotic defensive schemes (e.g. the 2-5, or one-down-lineman defenses the Pats like to throw at opponents).

He will also be fighting for a starting spot, but his lack of coverage skills most likely limits him to a backup/role player.

Matthew Slater, who is also listed as a WR, will not play much safety and will most likely be the team’s primary special-teams return man.

Needs: None. Meriweather will step up this year, and the team added extra depth with Tank Williams.

Expected Cuts: Mark Dillard, Raymond Ventrone. Ventrone has been with the squad for a couple years and has been spelling as a WR. He will most likely be re-signed to the practice squad.

Overall

After analyzing each defensive position, I have to admit that there is only one area of concern: cornerback. There are plenty of CBs on the roster, but none are a lock-in on the depth chart. Every other position is very well stocked and has been re-tooled this offseason.

Many critics have been claiming the Patriots defense is their weakest link (which is inevitable when you compare it to their NFL record-setting offense), but it is not a bad defense. Considering the Pats’ offense will be on the field for most of each game, this defense could deliver some of the best numbers in the NFL this year. Expect this defense to do great things, even if other NFL analysts think differently.

Rodney Harrison Voted the Dirtiest Player In the NFL

Matt's Pats Blog — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:59:36 -0400

In a recent coaches poll, where coaches were advised not to vote for their own players, Patriots SS Rodney Harrison took home the gold in a fitting category: Dirtiest Player.

18 coaches responded to this question, and 11 of them picked Harrison. Harrison maintains he simply plays with a high level of intensity, and he doesn’t consider himself dirty.

Teammates and ex-teammates agree with the Patriots' safety. Deion Branch, for example, drew a line between Harrison’s 110-percent effort and the malicious characteristics of Texans’ Travis Johnson (Johnson knocked out QB Trent Green, who suffered a concussion, and proceeded to stand over the QB while taunting him).

"He’s not that type of dude, I promise you," Branch said. "He's not going to go into a game and try to hurt someone. I can speak like this because I played with him. And I know for the people who didn't play with him, you could understand why they would say it, but he is not that type of guy. That is not his game."

Even opponents agree with Branch’s sentiment. Brandon Stokley, never a Harrison teammate, shared his views on the matter: "It really doesn't bother me...it's a violent, aggressive game. I really don't think it's a big problem in the league."

When asked about the reputation, Harrison shrugged off the question, as he has done every year of his career.

"It's something that I can't change," Harrison said. "If someone thinks that of me, that is what they think. But if you talk to the guys that have played with me, the guys that before I come to a team and played with, they say, 'You are a dirty son of a gun, but I would love to have you on my team.' But I'm not dirty. I just play hard."

In response to another question in the poll, NFL coaches voted on the smartest offensive player (excluding quarterbacks) in the league. 30 coaches responded to this question, leading to Randy Moss being listed at No. 2. Moss fell just one vote short of Hines Ward, who won the honor.

New England Patriots News Brief: Wes Welker Calls the Shots

Matt's Pats Blog — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:14:32 -0400

Patriots' wide receiver Wes Welker, one of the most dangerous weapons on the Patriots' offense, was recently asked about the loss of Asante Samuel, one of the most dangerous defensive weapons in the NFL. “Asante's a great player,” he started. “So it hurts not to have a guy like that. But then again, it's part of the business of the game. He chose money over championships, and that’s the way it goes sometimes." Samuel signed a six-year, $57 million contract only minutes after the free-agency period began. It will be interesting to see how the two teams matchup, though they only meet in the preseason. Samuel will certainly have his hands full if he is expected to cover Randy Moss or Wes Welker. In fact, Samuel’s short stature could render him useless up against the likes of Moss.
Patriots' defensive back and special-teams player Willie Andrews is in trouble once again, apparently taking his “gunner” role on the team too seriously. He was arrested on Saturday morning for assault by means of a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm after reportedly pointing a .45-caliber gun at his girlfriend’s temple during an argument. The Patriots issued a statement following the arrest: “The New England Patriots take the conduct of our players very seriously. We are aware of the very disturbing and alarming reports regarding Willie Andrews. We will not offer any additional comment, as is our policy regarding pending legal matters.”

In the days after the Super Bowl, Andrews was arrested for marijuana possession. In that case, he was ordered to pay $1,000 and complete an NFL substance-abuse program. Look for the repercussions to be a bit more severe in this case.

UPDATE: The Patriots have released Willie Andrews.

New England Patriots Don't Need Much Help on Offense

Matt's Pats Blog — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 00:32:27 -0400

With the Patriots' training camp approaching, the team has been left with some interesting positional battles to monitor and some roster decisions to make. I'll try and break down the Pats' roster, position-by-position, and discuss possible roster cuts, as well as needs.

Let's start with the offense.

Quarterback

Tom Brady, Matt Cassel, Matt Gutierrez, Kevin O'Connell

Of course, the Pats don't need much help in the quarterback department: Tom Brady is the best QB in the league.

However, it would be ignorant for the front office to ignore the threat of injuries. With that in mind, the Pats have stacked three quarterbacks behind Brady: Matt Cassel, Matt Gutierrez, and Kevin O'Connell.

Matt Cassel, the returning No. 2 QB, has the prototypical quarterback build (6'4", 230lbs), and is quite possibly the best backup quarterback to ever exist (he backed up Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC before coming to the NFL to watch Brady).

However, he failed to impress in his few opportunities last year, even with all the offensive weapons a quarterback could ask for. He is also entering the final year of his rookie contract.

Next is Matt Gutierrez, who beat out veteran Vinnie Testaverde for a roster spot last year. He has a decent arm and has above average speed, but he has not distinguished himself in any one way. He was listed as the third QB last season, and started getting more opportunities when Cassel failed to impress.

The team's lack of confidence in Cassel (or lack of confidence in him returning next year) was apparent when they drafted QB Kevin O'Connell 94th overall. O'Connell has great speed, a good arm, and is a natural leader (he led San Diego State in both rushing and passing yards in 2007, while serving as captain for each of his four seasons with the team). He is a great athlete and I would be shocked to see him released by the team.

Needs: None

Expected Cut: None. I expect the Pats to carry four quarterbacks, and use O'Connell in creative ways. However, if they do cut a player, expect it to be Cassel or Gutierrez—and expect them to be grabbed before they clear waivers, which would prevent them from being signed to the practice squad.

Running Back

Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, BenJarvus Green-Ellis

The Patriots' running-back situation is a difficult one to analyze: they're extremely skilled, but they also lack durability.

Laurence Maroney has shown steady improvement since being drafted by the Pats, but he has shown a tendency to let his injuries linger. Last year, his lack of reps caused some NFL analysts to question whether Maroney still had the full support of the Pats' staff (the Patriots refuted this claim). Maroney quieted naysayers with a strong surge late in the season.

Sammy Morris is a beast, but an injury against the Cowboys sidelined him for the remainder of last season. Whether or not he's healthy is going to make a huge difference in the coming season: Morris is the team's pound-it-out RB, and is essential to Maroney's success.

Nothing much needs to be said about Kevin Faulk. He has been one of the most consistent, team-first players in the Pats' organization for years. Even with all those offensive weapons to choose from, Tom Brady still seems to trust Kevin Faulk more than most of his other targets. And for good reason, too. Faulk rarely drops a pass or misses a block. He's the model Patriot.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis was considered a sleeper in the NFL draft. He is touted as a having a rare package of agility, acceleration, and size. He does, however, lack skills in the passing game, which will most likely lead to his release. On the Pats, you need to be able to catch, unless you're damn good at something else.

Needs: Durability

Expected Cut: BenJarvus Green-Ellis. The Pats will likely try to retain him on their practice squad.

Fullback

Heath Evans, Kyle Eckel

Heath Evans was released by the Dolphins a few years ago and immediately became a cornerstone in the Patriots' offense. He has shown consistency in his running game and in his blocking ability, though he is only above average in both categories. He is the typical Patriots role-player and doesn't look to be replaced.

Behind Evans is Belichick's Navy guy, Kyle Eckel. Eckel was used sparingly last year, but will most likely make the 53-man cut. He'll primarily contribute on special teams, where he had success in the postseason.

Needs: None

Expected Cut: None

Wide Receiver

Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Jabar Gaffney, Chad Jackson, Kelley Washington, Sam Aiken, Matthew Slater, C.J. Jones, Robert Ortiz

Not much needs to be said about the receiving staff that includes one player who had the most receptions in the NFL last season, and another who set the NFL record for TD receptions.

Donte Stallworth will soon be forgotten in New England, thanks to the continued improvement of Jabar Gaffney (who surpassed Stallworth as the No. 3 receiver partway through last season).

The Stallworth departure also opens the door for young, underperforming WR Chad Jackson. Still trying to justify the Patriots' trading up to draft him, Jackson has been reportedly working with the first-team squad in training camp.

This comes as good news to the Pats, because he has only been wasting a roster spot for the past few seasons. To his credit, Jackson has been injured for much of his career.

Kelley Washington was amazing last year, yet he didn't catch a single pass. It turns out that being a special-teams gunner is what this guy was built for. Realizing that he was used more productively in New England, Washington chose to re-sign with the team for a much smaller contract. Don't expect to see him much in the receiving game, but I can't say he'll put up another zero-catch year.

Matthew Slater, who also moonlights as a safety, will most likely be the Patriots' primary kick and punt returner. Don't expect to see him much (if at all) at the receiver position. He had a stellar career in college returning kicks, and has been compared to Devin Hester by many NFL scouts. Slater was also the first rookie to sign a contract with the club, with the Pats inking him to a four-year deal.

Sam Aiken has been, and will continue to be, used primarily on special teams. Expectations for him are low. Don't expect much more from C.J Jones or Robert Ortiz, either. Both players will most likely be cut or signed to the practice squad.

Needs: None whatsoever

Expected Cut: Robert Ortiz and C.J Jones, with Jones re-signing as a practice-squad player

Tight End

Ben Watson, David Thomas, Marcus Pollard, Stephen Spach, Jonathan Stupar

Tight end is a position of some concern for the Pats. Watson and Thomas have both had recent injuries and surgeries, while newly signed Marcus Pollard showed his age last year in Seattle. However, assuming all of these tight ends stay healthy, the Patriots still need some help.

Ben Watson is a great tight end (yeah, I said great) who has gotten a bad rep. Expectations were set high when he looked to be Brady's go-to guy (over Reche "wide-eyes" Caldwell), but opponents also recognized that he was Brady's most viable option and game-planned against him accordingly.

Even though his numbers aren't bloated, Watson has skill; there's no denying it. He's fast, he can run his routes properly, and he can catch. He's improving as a blocker, but can't fight off some of the bigger pass-rushers in the game, and he's a bit injury prone. If he can step his game up a bit, he'll be one of the highest scoring TEs in the NFL in 2008.

Behind him comes David Thomas, who sat out last year with a broken foot. Although he has yet to see extended playing time, Thomas has exceptional hands (he's one of the biggest reasons Vince Young was able to look so good in college). His fault lies in his blocking ability, which I hear has been improving. If Thomas is healthy, he'll be a regular contributor in the passing game.

Next up is Marcus Pollard, who has been a receiving TE throughout his career, but developed the "dropsies" in Seattle last season. How well (or poorly) he's aged is of concern to the Pats, but he is exactly the type of player that could thrive in Belichick's "do one thing and do it well" system. I expect some good things from Pollard this season.

Stephen Spach was signed last year in emergency, didn't really do much, and will likely be released by the team (and re-signed in case of emergency). Rookie TE Jonathan Stupar is also on the fringe. Expect both of these tight ends to be released, and a blocking tight end signed in their place.

Needs: A blocker

Expected Cuts: Stephen Spach, Jonathan Stupar

Offensive Line

Dan Koppen, Ryan Wendell, Logan Mankins, Billy Yates, Stephen Neal, Oliver Ross, Russ Hochstein, Gene Mruczkowski, Dan Connolly, Jimmy Martin, Matt Light, Wesley Britt, Nick Kaczur, Ryan O'Callaghan

To wrap up this discussion, we dive into the biggest question mark for the Patriots: the offensive line. After performing brilliantly all season long, they were exposed as a tired, slow group against the Giants in the Super Bowl. Add in a couple injuries and the fact that Nick Kazcur's availability for the season is unknown, and the Pats have some work to do.

On the left side of the line, Matt Light stands as one of the league's top left tackles. He's strong, fundamentally sound, and intelligent, but he looked like the slowest of the bunch in the Super Bowl.

Next to Light is Logan Mankins, a player the Patriots were criticized for drafting so early (32nd overall). Of course, the Pats saw something in Mankins, and now the rest of the league sees it, too. He's easily one of the top five (if not the best) left guards in the game.

At center, Dan Koppen will be snapping to Brady once again. After stepping in as a rookie starter (due to injuries) in 2003, Koppen started 46 consecutive games on the way to back-to-back Super Bowl championships. He is a cornerstone of the offensive line, and will not be replaced for a long, long time.

The right side of the line is of more concern. Nick Kaczur may face a personal-conduct penalty from the NFL, and no single player has shown the consistency to be a lock at either the RG or RT positions. Assuming Kaczur can play, he will most likely split time with Ryan O'Callaghan at tackle, while Stephen Neal (if healthy) remains in the guard spot.

The problem with the right side is that there are too many "what-ifs". Injuries have plagued the offensive line (notably the right side), off-field issues are arising, and consistency of play has been an issue. The Patriots need at least one "lock" on the right side, either at guard or tackle.

Regardless of these needs, don't expect the OL to be any worse than a top-five group. The Patriots have shown an ability to be extremely successful with a patchwork offensive line in the past few years.

Needs: A right-side starter

Expected Cuts: Jimmy Martin, Ryan Wendell. I expect most of last year's backups to be with the club again this year

Well, that about does it for the offensive side of things. What do you think? There aren't many needs here, just a blocking tight end and some right offensive-line help. I completely expect this group to deliver similar results to last year's record-breaking offense.