Bleacher Report - Articles by Ryan Burns

Tom Brady Returns, Raises Expectations for the 2009 New England Patriots

Ryan Burns — Wed, 27 May 2009 09:56:23 -0400

With a few simple throws on Monday, Tom Brady put rumors of a delayed recovery to rest, as ESPN cameras caught the Patriots quarterback throwing some passes at Gillette Stadium.

After undergoing season-ending knee surgery last season, some wondered if Brady would ever be the same. Some talk show callers even called for keeping Matt Cassel on the roster, just in case Brady went down with another knee injury.

However, after taking a look at the ESPN footage, it seems pretty clear that Brady has no discomfort in his injured knee. He will be taking part in the Patriots' offseason workouts this week, with reporters viewing the session on Thursday.

Brady's return also brings with it a sense of excitement to Patriot Nation. Last year was a fun ride, but it just wasn't the same without No. 12 under center. Seeing Brady on the field for the Patriots' full squad practices this week has to energize the players, the coaches, and the fans.

After an 11-5 season that saw the Patriots just miss a playoff spot, Brady's return brings up a few questions.

1. How big of an impact can one player have on an organization?

While Matt Cassel performed better than most had anticipated last season, he had some giant shoes to fill. Tom Brady is a world-class athlete and one of the most successful quarterbacks of all time, and with his return comes a sense of vindication, another chance for him to lead his team to the playoffs.

However, it was only a few seasons ago when Pro Bowl quarterback Carson Palmer went down with a knee injury, and upon his return he saw his team go 8-8 one year after their first playoff run in decades. The Bengals haven't reached the playoffs since then.

Playing with the same weapons, plus guys like Joey Galloway and Fred Taylor, Brady will have another chance to reenact his amazing 2007 season and will probably have much better results than Palmer and the Bengals.

2. Will Brady play this preseason?

The preseason always poses some interesting questions when it comes to personnel decisions and playing time. Preseason contests are a good chance for the coaching staff to weed out the players that can't hack it in the NFL, as well as settle any possible positional battles.

However, when a player that is guaranteed a starting spot comes back after an injury, there is always a debate about how many snaps he should get, if any.

Last season, we saw Colts QB Peyton Manning undergo two knee surgeries, causing him to miss training camp and all five of the Colts' preseason contests. Missing all this time caused Manning to be less than stellar in his first few games, as he stressed the importance of being available in the preseason.

"I guess in some ways, this really is like the first week of the season for me," Manning said. "All I've ever known is taking every rep at every practice and playing in all the preseason games, so I did miss some time there, and I've been working through that."

With Brady missing the entire 2008 season, it is absolutely imperative that he participate in the Patriots' preseason games to get used to the speed of the game, making adjustments, and making good throws under pressure.

3. Can Tom Brady shake the Hollywood image?

In recent years, we have seen our working-class quarterback morph into this Joe DiMaggio-like figure, being seen on the town with his supermodel wife Gisele Bundchen. Brady has reached a level of superstardom that transcends football. Everything he does is newsworthy, whether it's on the field or not.

Some doubters have said that Brady may not be focused anymore. I strongly disagree.

This season is the perfect opportunity for Brady to prove that he is a football player first and foremost, and a damn good one at that.

This isn't Dallas, where a certain quarterback's girlfriend can disrupt an entire franchise from her box seat. No, this is New England, where the Patriots organization is second to none in dealing with the media machine.

In his time off, newspapers have covered Brady doing everything but playing football, but this year, there will be more pictures of Brady throwing touchdown passes than walking the red carpet.

4. How will Brady react to a different offensive system without Josh McDaniels?

In 2007, Brady had the luxury of an offensive coordinator who wasn't afraid to spread the field early and often, letting him throw deep to Randy Moss and short to Wes Welker. Brady and the 2007 Patriots shattered tons of NFL records, as he was named NFL MVP.

Fast-forward to the present.

Josh McDaniels is gone, and the Patriots' running game is more loaded than it has been in years. The depth at the running back position will surely take some of the pressure off of Brady early on in the season, allowing him to get used to the flow of the game.

Brady won't have to throw the ball 40 times a game this year if the running backs can use their depth to move the chains and keep defenses tired.

Don't get me wrong; the Patriots' air attack will be extremely effective this year, as long as the running game is solid and the offensive line does its job. Early on, however, I expect the running game to carry the load for the Patriots.

5. Can the Patriots go undefeated?

Naturally, the return of Brady takes us back to the main storyline of the 2007 season: Can the Patriots run the table?

It says a great deal about a player when his mere presence can make people wonder if a team can go 19 games without a loss.

We saw the pressure mount with each victory in 2007, and by Super Bowl Sunday, the pressure was at a fever pitch. We all know what happened that day, and after the Giant upset, many fans and media members let it be known that as magical as the season had been, they would have traded a regular season loss or two for a win in the Super Bowl.

I don't think the Patriots will go undefeated this season, but they won't have to in order to win the division and get back into the postseason.

With Brady back in action, a revamped defense, and a loaded running game, I expect the Patriots to be the best team in the AFC this season. There is no doubt in my mind that a healthy Patriots team will be able to lock up a playoff bye and possibly get home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Early season oddsmakers have made the Patriots heavy favorites to win the Super Bowl, and I believe that they can capture a fourth Lombardi Trophy.

Getting there might be a bit of a problem, however, as the Patriots are facing quite a few obstacles this season, especially in the first half of the schedule.

Brady and Co. are slated to face the Bills on Monday, Sept. 14, as newly acquired WR Terrell Owens makes his Buffalo debut. This is followed by a week two battle against the rival New York Jets and their revamped defense. These two games will go a long way in determining the AFC East playoff picture.

The Pats are also in a unique position this year, playing Tampa Bay in London on Oct. 25. It will be hard to stay focused during this extensive travelling, as teams that have played international games in the past have documented. However, if any team is equipped to deal with this situation, it's the Patriots and Tom Brady.

Early on in the season the Patriots also host the Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans, two teams that played very well last season.

Two road games that will test the Patriots come against old offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and the Denver Broncos on Oct. 11, and against the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 15. These two games will help shake out the AFC playoff picture.

If the Patriots can get out of the gate to a fast start and stay healthy, there is no reason that they can't make it back to the AFC Championship game, and maybe even beyond.

However, with Brady back the Patriots will take it one game at a time, and it will be business as usual in Foxboro this year.

Mum's the Word on Maroney: NE Pats' Injury Policy Spreads to Bruins, Celtics

Ryan Burns — Thu, 21 May 2009 11:16:01 -0400

Last week at a charity softball game put on by fellow Patriots running back Kevin Faulk, Laurence Maroney came clean about his production, or lack thereof last season.

Seeing action in only three games, Maroney had his toughness questioned by fans and the media alike.

He wasn't hitting holes fast enough, we said. He looks like he's avoiding contact, we said. However, there was a reason for all of this, a broken bone in his shoulder.

Maroney injured his shoulder in the Patriots week two victory over the New York Jets, but was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 20. In a recent Boston Globe article, Maroney shed some light on the injury and how it affected his season.

"I had a broken bone and I was trying to play with it," said Maroney. "It's kind of hard to sit here and play and not tell people what is going on. Everybody is going to think one way because they don't really know what's going on."

Clearly frustrated at the questions about his toughness, Maroney's shoulder injury was kept a secret early on in the season, something the Patriots have been known to do over the years.

The Patriots have been very secretive under the Belichick regime when it comes to injuries, trying not to reveal the nature or the severity of any given injury.

Sprained ankle? The Pats call that a lower body injury.

Bruised sternum? You guessed it, an upper body injury.

This not only prevents opponents from identifying a particular part of the body to go after, but it also alters their preparation in practice when getting ready to play the Patriots.

You want postgame comments from Belichick in regards to a certain players injury? Good luck with that. Belichick never wants to give an opponent the edge, which is why he keeps all injuries under very close watch, even if it leads to a players toughness being called into question.

While this policy may frustrate some fans as well as members of the media, it is clear that it can help a team operate more effectively, focusing on the game plan rather than injuries that you don't have any control over.

Recently, the Bruins and Celtics have both admitted that they had some banged up players down the stretch this season.

Doc Rivers told members of the media that, "Ray Allen had a hamstring problem throughout the Orlando series that was not getting better, Paul had some bone spurs that may need to be removed as well. Perk may have to have a procedure on his shoulder."

Of course, this information didn't come to light during their series with Orlando, as the Celtics took a page out of the Patriots' playbook.

Phil Kessel and David Krejci of the Bruins also admitted rather serious injuries after being eliminated by the Hurricanes. Kessel needs surgery to repair an injured shoulder, and Krejci needs hip surgery as well. Both were injured this season, and stuck it out through the playoffs.

It is clear that the Patriots have once again set a trend in the New England area when it comes to suppressing information about injuries. In the great sport of football, the less an opponent knows about an injury, the better.

However, is it worth concealing an injury if it means that one of your players will get torn up by the media?

Maroney admitted that his shoulder injury was tough to deal with and told the media that his toughness shouldn't be questioned.

"Doing it the second game and still trying to play, I feel like it still shows my toughness and my dedication to the team and how much I really want to contribute. The shoulder is great. Not good, great."

In a sport as physically demanding as professional football, concealing an injury can protect a player on the field, up to the point where it starts affecting his play. Players will be injured, coaches will be questioned, and answers will be vague.

As we head into the 2009 NFL season, if Tom Brady re-injures his knee, I wouldn't expect an injury update from Bill Belichick.

After all, there's always that shoulder problem to deal with.

Do you guys think that hiding an injury is beneficial to a team or detrimental to a team? Also how do you think that it can affect a players confidence? Is concealing an injury worth a player being criticized? What do you guys think?

The Key to It All: Breaking Down the New England Patriots' "Big Uglies"

Ryan Burns — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:23:22 -0400

There are no stats, few postgame interviews, and even fewer MVP awards for some players in the National Football League.

They are not on any fantasy football draft board, and could probably walk down the busiest street and not get recognized by the common man.

Yet a select few people in the NFL have a job of the utmost importance.

Aside from Pro Bowl recognition, the members of an offensive line are gauged based on the performance of others.

1,000-yard rusher? Thank the guys up front.

4,000-yard passer? Take them out for dinner.

Lombardi Trophy? Buy them each a Rolex.

Offensive linemen play the least glamorous position in all of sports, bar none. Their toughness, loyalty, and dedication are tested on every play.

Members of the opposing defensive line have the same mentality. However they can be motivated by personal statistics such as sacks, hurries, interceptions, forced fumbles, passes deflected, and even touchdowns.

Offensive linemen don't play the game for the recognition or the SportsCenter highlights. They line up every snap and get hit in the mouth every single time. There is no such thing as taking a play off for a lineman, as one moment of hesitation could spell doom for the entire team.

Which makes the performance of the Patriots' offensive line absolutely crucial going into the 2009 season.

In 2007, the Patriots had three linemen selected to the Pro Bowl. Logan Mankins, Matt Light, and Dan Koppen were vital to the record-breaking season enjoyed by the Patriots.

However in Super Bowl XLII, the line was one of the main reasons why the Giants were able to pull off the biggest upset in Super Bowl history. Beaten by the Giants' defense, the offensive line didn't allow Brady the same comfort that he had all season long.

Last year, however, the line performed rather well, allowing 48 sacks all season long, some of which were the product of new QB Matt Cassel holding the ball too long.

Breaking down some of the numbers tells us how the offensive line was a key component of the Patriots' success last year.

The Patriots rushed the ball 513 times for 2,278 yards, ranking them fourth and sixth in the league, respectively. You simply can not have that kind of production with a weak offensive line.

First downs are also a key statistic that can determine the outcome of the game, and the Patriots had 356 first downs, putting them first in the league in that category.

None of this can happen without a solid offensive line performance, as we can see that everyone else's personal stats are only as good as the line allows them to be.

As the Patriots' big men prepare for training camp, their projected starting lineup is Koppen at center, Mankins and Steven Neal as the guards, and Light and Nick Kaczur at the tackle positions.

However, the Pats have several other linemen on the depth chart that will produce in the event of an injury. There has been a buzz about second round pick Sebastian Vollmer possibly challenging Kaczur for the starting right tackle spot.

Al Johnson recently got a one-year, $950,000 contract and, could challenge Koppen for playing time at center.

Lets not forget about Billy Yates and Russ Hochstein, as both have been fantastic subs through their careers.

The bottom line is that no matter how much depth the Patriots have at running back, no matter how many weapons Brady has to throw to, it won't mean anything if the line doesn't do their jobs.

Stats? Please.

A "W" is the only stat that matters for the Patriots' "big uglies."

Thanks to the Patriots' Loaded Running Game, Josh McDaniels Won't Be Missed

Ryan Burns — Thu, 14 May 2009 11:40:11 -0400

In 2007, the Patriots set the NFL ablaze, breaking offensive records seemingly week in and week out.

Tom Brady had world-class wide receivers for the first time in his career. New Patriots like Wes Welker and Randy Moss had to prove that they belonged, and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was a young kid trying to put his fingerprints on a revolutionary offense.

Clearly this worked, as the Patriots were not afraid to come out in the shotgun set with three wideouts on the first possession of any given game, using that formation liberally.

Last season, even without No. 12 under center, the Patriots showed their aggressiveness and ran most of their plays from that same set. With the ability to go deep, call a draw play, or hit Welker with a short pass from the slot, this formation has been successful over the past few years.

This year, the Patriots added a huge piece to their championship puzzle, as Tom Brady will make his long awaited return to Foxboro. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, however, has since moved on to coach the Denver Broncos.

There is no longer any need for a Patriot quarterback to "manage the game," as was Matt Cassel's role early last year. Tom Terrific is back, and the play calling will be better suited to a veteran like Brady.

However, an underrated strength of this 2009 edition of the New England Patriots will be their running game.

In my first article here at Bleacher Report last year, I wrote about the Patriots' depth at running back and how the running game would set the tone early in the season.

With Brady's tender knee, a strong and healthy running game will do wonders in helping Brady get adjusted to the speed of the NFL. Remember, he hasn't played a full game since Super Bowl XLII.

However, the depth at the running back position, coupled with the loss of the gunslinging McDaniels, may increase the number of touches for the veteran group.

According to Patriots Football Weekly, here is the Patriots' projected depth chart at running back: Sammy Morris, Fred Taylor, Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and undrafted free agents Omar Cuff and Eric Kettani.

Here are a few reasons why I think the Patriots' ground attack can be more important than ever this season.

The addition of Fred Taylor

One of the most consistent running backs over the last decade, Taylor is coming off of a season where he had just 556 rushing yards and one touchdown.

Formerly the feature back in the Jacksonville offense, Taylor worked mostly as a complementary piece for the younger Maurice Jones-Drew.

I'm thinking that he will play a similar role for the Patriots this year, supporting Maroney, Morris, or Faulk.

Taylor has all the motivation in the world to have a great season, as he is chasing that elusive Super Bowl ring.

Taylor will also push other running backs to bring their "A game" in training camp and in the preseason, as a positional battle will emerge during the dog days of summer.

Fresh legs

Although the Patriots were loaded at running back last year, they had a great deal of injuries to cope with. Sammy Morris, LaMont Jordan, and Laurence Maroney all missed extended time, and Kevin Faulk even missed a few games.

This gave undrafted rookie BenJarvus Green-Ellis a chance to shine.

This season, the Patriots hopefully won't have to deal with the same number of injuries as they did last year.

Thanks to their depth, they can switch personnel whenever they want and get a pair of fresh legs in the game. This will keep the defense on its toes, as well as give the Patriots' RBs some much-needed rest.

I think that as creative as the Patriots were in the passing game the last few years, they can be just as creative thanks to their unmatched depth in the backfield.

The Return of Tom Brady

You're probably saying to yourself, "How can Brady help the running game? Won't he have a bigger impact on the air attack?"

Obviously yes, but with the possibility of Brady being held out of preseason action, it is of the utmost importance that Brady is not rushed back prematurely.

Recovering from a brutal knee injury, I see the Pats using a more conservative attack in their first few games, running to set up the pass and keeping defenses guessing. Brady's pass attempts per game will decrease, at least early on, and the Patriots' play callers will ease him back into the offense.

Sure, his numbers will rank among the league's best by week 17, but thanks to the depth at running back, he doesn't have to be Superman right away.

The Patriots' offensive playbook will be wide open this year, but with the loss of the flashy McDaniels, I envision a more conservative approach early on.

This also has benefits on the other side of the ball, as a team that can run the ball effectively can both take control of the clock and keep its defense on the sideline.

The Patriots defense has been the only question mark over the last few years, and with a revamped and relatively inexperienced defensive backfield, staying off the field could help the team control the pace of the game.

In the long run, I think that Brady will have another All-Pro season, but this year, given the departure of McDaniels and the depth at running back, the offense could have a different philosophy.

A Conversation With Jerod Mayo

Ryan Burns — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:08:52 -0400

As a CBSSports.com Correspondent, some responsibilities will surely include interviewing players, coaches and front office officials.

Here are a few questions that I would ask Patriots Linebacker Jerod Mayo.

Describe the feeling you got when you were drafted by the Patriots last year.

How important was it to contribute right away and did you feel any pressure to perform at such a high level?

Describe the role that a veteran line backing corps (Bruschi, Thomas) played in helping you adjust to the NFL.

Was there a particular game, play, or moment last season when you realized you had made it? When did it occur and what was going through your mind at the time?

What does losing a veteran like Mike Vrabel mean for this defense in terms of preparation and execution, also how did he help you in your rookie season?

Was there any aspect of playing in the NFL or playing for the Patriots that was more challenging than you anticipated?

It has been said that younger defensive players might have a hard time learning the Belichick system. How did you deal with learning a complex NFL playbook?

Did you set any goals for yourself this offseason when working out in the gym? How have you stayed focused and driven since last offseason?

What areas of the game do you feel like you can improve in?

Where does winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year rank in terms of your accomplishments?

Both of your brothers play linebacker in college, Derek at Richmond and Deron at Hofstra. Do you speak with them regularly, and what advice do you give them to help their game?

You played every snap for the defense last season, what does that say about your conditioning and preparation?

Where are some of your favorite spots to visit in New England for nightlife. Any favorite clubs, restaurants, etc?

Who do you normally hang out with on the team?

What are five things that you never leave the house without?

How easy was it to adjust to life in the New England area?

Given Boston sports' recent success, do you feel any pressure to live up to the standards that have been set by the Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics, and now Bruins?

What was your hardest hit of your career?

Who is the toughest running back to bring down and why?

What is your ultimate goal in life?

Do you have any plans for life after the National Football League?

As a defender, how do you feel about new rules that limit what a defender can do on the field?

Do you think Quarterbacks are too protected by the league?

How excited are you to have Tom Brady back in the mix this season?

How tuned in are you to the sports media, and what role does it play in your life?

Any favorite websites, blogs, or columns?

Do you play fantasy football, if so how was your team last season?

List three things you want to accomplish this season.

Patriots Look To Navigate Through Revamped AFC East

Ryan Burns — Mon, 11 May 2009 18:43:50 -0400

In recent years, the Patriots have had the good fortune of playing in the AFC East, one of the least competitive divisions in football.

But something changed last season.

The Miami Dolphins turned their abysmal 2007 season into an 11-5 2008 campaign that crowned them AFC East Champions for the first time since 2000.

The New York Jets made the biggest splash in the 2008 offseason by signing Quarterback Brett Favre, who led them to an 8-3 start, only to see them wither down the stretch, missing out on a playoff spot in Week 17.

The Buffalo Bills shocked most people by starting the season 5-1 before predictably bungling the rest of the season and finishing 7-9 in the process.

All three division foes have made significant changes and roster upgrades that could potentially serve as speed bumps on the Patriots road back to the playoffs. Here is a breakdown of the other three AFC East teams, starting with the 2008 AFC East Champions, the Miami Dolphins:

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins revolutionized the pro offense last season with their hit-or-miss "Wildcat Offense," which was developed by Quarterback's coach David Lee. Lee had run the scheme while at Arkansas, and it worked well, most notably against the Patriots in their 38-13 victory last September.

Thanks to the Wildcat, the outstanding play of RB Ronnie Brown, and the resurgence of Jets castoff Chad Pennington, the Dolphins managed to put up 21.6 points per game, while staking claim to the 12th best offense in the NFL.

Defensively, the Dolphins didn’t allow opponents to score much, as they only gave up 19.8 points per game, good for ninth in the NFL. However, their production from their defensive backfield was not as sharp, allowing 227.8 yards per game through the air, putting them 25th in the league in this category.

With this in mind, Head Coach Tony Sparano added DB Gabril Wilson from the Oakland Raiders, bringing with him solid experience and 129 tackles in 2008.

Miami also addressed this problem via the draft, like all good franchises should, selecting CB Vontae Davis from Illinois with the 25th overall pick. Davis was viewed as arguably the best corner in the draft, but questions about his personal demeanor may have made him unattractive to some teams. Luckily for the Dolphins they have a guy named Bill Parcells who is pretty well versed in dealing with players with "character issues."

Miami also selected CB Sean Smith from Utah with the 61st overall pick. A converted receiver, Smith has amazing athletic ability that he will bring with him to Miami. More of a finesse player than a big hitter, Smith will bring speed and youth to a defensive backfield that desperately needs it. Smith may also be used in the Wildcat formation, increasing his appeal to the Dolphins and using his athleticism to create match up problems for opposing defenses.

Selecting Pat White in the draft will also allow the Dolphins more freedom when it comes to the Wildcat formation, as it seems tailor made for a player like White. A quick player who will line up under center in the Wildcat, White brings much more versatility to an already explosive offense.

I expect the Dolphins to carry over some momentum from last season, and while on paper they may not blow people away, their creativeness, speed, and versatility will be enough to prove that last season was not a fluke. I expect them to earn a wild card birth.

New York Jets

After squandering their shot at the playoffs, the Jets realized that they had to shake things up this offseason, so they went out and signed former Ravens Defensive Coordinator Rex Ryan as their new Head Coach.

Ryan will bring a new toughness to the franchise, as stingy defense has been the hallmark of the Ravens success over the past decade. Running the football and playing smashmouth D will be of the utmost importance in order for the Jets to have a winning team this year.

The Jets ran the ball extremely well last season, going for 125 yards a game, ninth in the NFL. Thomas Jones had an all-pro caliber season, and was supplemented by the speedy Leon Washington. Favre led the Jets to a pedestrian 206 yards per game through the air, good for 16th in the NFL.

On the Defensive side, the Jets were much more inconsistent allowing 22.2 points per game, 18th in the league.

While they were tenacious against the run, their defensive backfield was a disappointment, much like the Dolphins. The Jets D allowed 234.4 pass yards per game last season, placing them 29th in the league overall.

Rex Ryan brought in his old linebacker Bart Scott and his 82 tackles to the new look Jets, as well as veteran Cornerback Lito Sheppard to help quell the pass defense issue.

The Jets also lost a ton of contributors that will be hard to find replacements for, as Brett Favre retired (I hope), Laveraneus Coles was signed by the Bengals, and LB Eric Barton was picked up by Cleveland.

The Jets' success this year will be determined by the results of this year’s draft as they traded away a load of picks to move up and draft USC QB Mark Sanchez with the fifth overall pick.

The early word is that Kellen Clemens is the favorite to start the season, but there will surely be an intense battle in training camp and in their preseason contests. Sanchez will get his shot this year; it’s only a matter of time as to when.

The Sanchez trade left them with only two more draft picks, which they used for RB Shonn Greene and OG Matt Slauson.

This was a huge gamble by the Jets and if they are counting on Sanchez to be the franchise, he better produce early, or else the brutal New York media will be second guessing their draft picks, again.

However if the Jets can play tougher D and run the ball effectively, it shouldn’t matter who is under center as long as he can minimize mistakes and let his team do the work for him. I expect this to work out for the Jets to some degree, and they should be in the mix for a wildcard spot.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills are an interesting team to watch. They looked extremely strong in the first few games last year, riding the momentum of RB Marshawn Lynch. However, their offense was painfully bad for the rest of the season, eliminating them from the playoff race.

The Buffalo offense managed just 21 points per game and amassed only 305.1 yards per game, 25th in the league.

Their defense wasn’t that bad last season, although they struggled against the run and gave up 121.6 yards per game on the ground, 22nd in the NFL.

The Bills took an absolute stud with the 11th overall pick in the draft, Defensive End Aaron Maybin. Maybin, an first team All-Big Ten selection from Penn State will be able to use his quickness for the pass rush, and hopefully for the Bills, to stop the opposing running attack.

Clearly the biggest move the Bills made this offseason was a one year rental of embattled WR Terrell Owens. Owens, Lee Evans, and Roscoe Parrish will electrify upstate New York if they can all get along, not complain about play calling, and focus on building chemistry with QB Trent Edwards.

The Bills also picked up RB Dominic Rhodes from the Indianapolis Colts, as Marshawn Lynch is suspended for the first three games of the season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

The Bills will be interesting to watch as they have some dynamic talent on both sides of the ball. Unfortunately for Bills fans, it might be their sometimes incompetent coaching staff that could spell doom for the franchise. I don’t see them being any better than 8-8 this year.

What this means for the Patriots

The Patriots are still the most talented, experienced, and best coached team in the division. However, the Dolphins are out to prove that they can repeat as division champions and the Jets are establishing a new franchise identity.

The Patriots open up the 2009 season with two consecutive division games, against the Bills on Monday night and at the Jets in Week Two. It will be extremely important for the Patriots to take these two games to start the season, as division wins will likely determine playoff seeding.

I expect the level of competition to be similar to last season, but with a healthy Brady and a revamped defense, the Patriots will return to the top of the heap and once again will be crowned AFC East Champions.

The 2001 New England Patriots: Looking Back

Ryan Burns — Thu, 07 May 2009 17:26:40 -0400

During the first half of Super Bowl XXXVI, Ty Law streaked down the sideline, one hand cradling the football and one hand raised triumphantly in the air.

He had just intercepted a pass by St. Louis Rams QB Kurt Warner and was taking it into the end zone for a Patriot touchdown.

I picked up the phone and called my Dad, a season ticket holder since 1983 basically to give a long distance high five.

I was at my grandmothers house in East Providence, Rhode Island, but my Dad was in a hospital in New Hampshire recovering from a freak skiing accident in which he broke ribs and punctured a lung.

This moment has replayed in my mind a million times since that day, the game that changed it all. The perfect ending to a storybook season. The kind of things that legends are made of.

The 2001 season as we remember it really began in week two, against the division rival New York Jets on September 23.

This was a rough period for many Americans, as two weeks prior, America was the victim of the World Trade Center attacks.

Patriots Guard Joe Andruzzi had two brothers who were New York City firemen and were on the scene as the towers fell. Emotions ran high when Andruzzi made his way onto the field with two American flags, one in each hand, recognizing his brothers and their fallen comrades.

This was the game that launched the Patriots dynasty, as franchise Quarterback and face of the team Drew Bledsoe changed Patriots history forever. He rolled out to his right and lumbered his massive frame to the sideline when BAM!

Out of nowhere came Jets Linebacker Mo Lewis, who delivered a vicious hit on Bledsoe. A hit that would leave him with internal injuries and questions about his future.

The Patriots lost that day 10-3, falling to 0-2 for the season in the process.

The 2001 season looked to be over before it got started.

The Patriots turned to sixth round pick Tom Brady to lead the team for the foreseeable future.

Under Brady, the Patriots performed much better than most folks had anticipated. They won big versus Indianapolis in Brady's first start, but lost to Miami the next week 30-10.

The "Patsies" were 1-3 and things didn't look good.

Brady navigated the Patriots through the schedule, managing games and not making mistakes.

By mid November, the Patriots were 5-4, and their season was still intact heading into a showdown with the defending Super Bowl Champions, the St. Louis Rams.

The Rams defeated the Patriots in Foxboro that night 24-17, but it was clear that the Pats had earned the respect of not only the Rams, but the rest of the league as well.

The Patriots did not lose again for the rest of the season, pulling out gritty wins on the road over the Jets (17-16, Dec. 2) and the Bills (12-9, Dec. 16).

Finishing 11-5, the Patriots earned a trip to the playoffs where they would square off with the Oakland Raiders in the last game ever at Foxboro Stadium.

Led by Rich Gannon and Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Tim Brown, the Raiders marched into snowy Foxboro hell bent on victory. During the first half, the Raiders played well and took a 7-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Oakland dug deep and battled the elements, taking a 13-3 lead in the third quarter, before Brady's touchdown scamper made it 13-10.

With less than two minutes to play, the Patriots were moving the ball down the field when Tom Brady was sacked by Raiders CB Charles Woodson, jarring the ball loose. The Raiders recovered and the dream season turned into a nightmare.

However, thanks to the "Tuck Rule" the play was ruled an incomplete pass and the Patriots maintained possession.

After moving the ball to the Raider 29 yard line, Adam Vinatieri made himself a legend. He drilled the frozen football 45 yards through driving snow and blistering wind to tie the game at 13, sending it into overtime.

The Patriots won the toss and again drove 61 yards in 15 plays, with Brady going 8-8 for 45 yards.

Adam Vinatieri came back out and drilled a 23 yard field goal in overtime, giving the Patriots the victory in the last game ever at Foxboro.

This sent the Patriots to the AFC Championship Game in Pittsburgh, PA.

They were pitted against the overconfident Steelers, who had booked their flights for the Super Bowl prior to the game.

Patriot legend Troy Brown started the scoring with a 55 yard punt return for a touchdown, putting the Patriots up early 7-0.

But the real drama came in the second quarter.

Brady was having a good game, going 12-18 for 115 yards when he suffered a knee injury on a hit by Safety Lee Flowers.

Entering the game was Drew Bledsoe, who had not played since suffering that brutal injury in week two. However, he drove the team down the field and even gave the fans some concern, scrambling for four yards in a play that looked eerily similar to the Mo Lewis play.

Bledsoe connected with David Patten on an 11 yard touchdown pass with 58 seconds left in the half, giving the Patriots a 14-3 lead going into halftime.

The Patriots had another big special teams play, as a blocked FG attempt was returned for a touchdown by Antwan Harris, who caught a lateral from Troy Brown and took the ball 49 yards for the score.

The Patriots won the game 24-17 and advanced to the Super Bowl for the third time in team history.

The Rams were a tough match up for the Patriots, as their explosive offense made it hard for teams to stop them. Thankfully, the Patriots had already played them earlier in the season and had an idea of what they had to do.

The Patriots entered the game as a team, and they left as the best team, physically dominating the Rams wide receivers and making big plays at key moments, like the Ty Law interception and Antwan Harris' forced fumble.

The Patriots sputtered in the second half and watched their lead disappear. It was now 17-17 with 1:30 left in the game.

Tom Brady had been waiting his entire life for this moment.

While some analysts thought that the Patriots should simply kill the clock and win it in overtime, the Patriots thought differently—even with no timeouts remaining.

Brady made three key throws to RB J.R. Redmond, a 23 yard pass to Troy Brown, and six yard pass to TE Jermaine Wiggins.

Spiking the ball with seven seconds left, the season would once again ride on the leg of Adam Vinatieri.

Adam blasted a 48 yard field goal, giving the Patriots their first Super Bowl title in franchise history on the final play of the game.

I called my Dad again, going insane on the phone.

I could not believe what I had just seen.

This one season single-handedly changed the culture of not only New England football, but New England sports in general. Redefining excellence was what this team was all about.

Without the 2001 Patriots, who knows if there would be two more Lombardi Trophies this decade.

The 2001 Patriots were the ultimate team. One that will never be forgotten in the annals of Boston sports.

Owner Robert Kraft said it best that day, "Today, we are all Patriots."

We still are, Bob.

Patriots Stockpile Talent Through Draft; Hold Rookie Minicamp

Ryan Burns — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:29:43 -0400

After another wild draft weekend filled with trades, exchanging of picks, and stockpiling talent, and the New England Patriots have been getting rave reviews for their performance. Throughout the sports world, draft grades have been filing in, ranging from A to B+ (which was ESPN’s Mel Kiper’s grade for the Patriots). The theme of this year was stockpiling talent as it was clear that the Patriots had some major holes to fill. After a busy free agent signing period, the Pats looked for the draft to give them greater depth at several positions, as well as redefine their defensive backfield. Here are the top 5 story lines of the Patriots’ draft weekend.

1.) The Selection of Patrick Chung. Here the Patriots got arguably the best strong safety in the draft, as well as someone that they have been targeting. This will help the Patriots at that position, as he will compete with James Sanders and maybe even Rodney Harrison, if he decides to return. By having Chung, a four year starter at Oregon, compete for the starting job, the Patriots will be able to use Brendon Meriweather a bit more at the Free Safety position. Chung is a hard hitting safety, something that the Patriots clearly value. He will play a big role in this years’ overall defensive performance.

2.) The Ellis Hobbs trade. In what most people thought was a surprising move, The Patriots dealt Cornerback Ellis Hobbs to the Philadelphia Eagles for a pair of fifth round draft picks. Hobbs will join former Patriot Asante Samuel in Philly, where he should have an immediate impact. The Patriots clearly were not impressed with their play at the cornerback position last season, as they often let up big plays and even bigger drives throughout the 2008 campaign. The pain of losing a player like Hobbs is quickly forgotten, mostly thanks to the Patriots aggressive free agent spending spree, acquiring players like Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden.

3.) The Ron Brace Selection. People have been asking me what this means for Vince Wilfork, given that the Patriots are a 3-4 defense and Wilfork is one of the most dominant nosetackles in the game. The selection of Ron Brace simply gives the Patriots more depth at that position, as he can play both nose, as well as defensive tackle. Brace brings size and deceptive quickness for his 6 foot 3, 330 pound frame. He was a huge part of BC’s defensive success last season, earned second team all ACC honors, and will do a great job stopping runs behind the line of scrimmage.

4.) The Darius Butler Selection. Coach Belichick visited UConn’s Pro Day a few weeks ago, and various reporters had them taking a look at Running Back Donald Brown, or even QB Lorenzen. However, the Patriots were able to replace the loss of Ellis Hobbs by drafting the extremely athletic Butler. Butler may not start immediately, what with their depth at that position, however he will push other young CB’s like Terrence Wheatley and Jonathan Wilhite, both of which are signed through 2011.

5.) Rolling the dice on WR Brandon Tate. Originally thought to be one of the better wide receivers in the draft, his stock went down a bit after he tested positive for marijuana at the 2009 combine. (Hey at least Kevin Faulk will have someone to hang out with!) The addition of Tate will not only bring added depth to the receiving corps, but he will potentially get a chance to return kicks and punts this season, filling the void left by the departing Hobbs.

The Patriots will also hold Rookie Minicamp this weekend at Gillette Stadium, where they will be able to get a better read on the talents and skills that these players will bring to the table this season. Joining the Patriots draftees are a slew of newly signed rookie free agents. These players are:

Virginia LB Antonio Appelby

Michigan State QB Brian Hoyer

Arkansas CB Jamar Love

Kentucky S Marcus McClinton

Kent State OL Jermail Porter

After this weekend, the coaching staff will have a better idea as to how the roster will shake out. Stay tuned early next week for more updates from Patriot Nation.

Patriots Use 2009 Draft To Supplement, Not Reinvent

Ryan Burns — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:22:56 -0400

Last offseason, fresh off of the most disappointing loss in franchise history, Patriot Nation sat, waited, hoped, and prayed for help in their defensive backfield and linebacking corps. After the record breaking offense of 2007, it was clear that the only question marks on this team were their age at linebacker and their inexperience in the defensive backfield.

Those concerns came to a head when Asante Samuel, the Patriots' most productive cornerback, was sent to the Eagles. The Patriots’ front office brain trust signed Tank Williams and Deltha O’Neal to ease the transition and bring some veteran experience to the defensive lineup. Williams was hurt in the preseason, however, and O’Neal had a hard time handling other teams’ wideouts (to put it lightly).

The Patriots were hurt by the loss of Adalius Thomas for most of the season, but rookie Jerod Mayo stepped in and made 128 tackles, earning the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award in the process. Here, the Patriots got great value from the 10th overall pick.

This offseason brought more of the same concerns, especially with the departure of defensive leader Mike Vrabel, sent with Matt Cassel to the Kansas City Chiefs.

However, the 2009 Patriots were much more proactive early on in free agency, mostly signing low-risk, high reward players (i.e. Corey Dillon, Randy Moss). Players like Leigh Bodden, Shawn Springs, Tully-Banta Cain, and Joey Galloway are all solid players with skill sets that can benefit the Patriots this season. There has also been talk of possibly trading for Julius Peppers, making the 2009 Patriots an embarrassment of riches.

Headed into the 2009 NFL Draft, the Patriots now have a better idea of what they really need, and can now select players who do not necessarily have to produce this year. While other teams pick players (and pay big bucks) to high draft picks who they hope can be “franchise players,” the Patriots can select players who they can develop.

Waiting for their shot at a starting spot are defensive backs Jonathan Wilhite, Terrence Wheatley, and Antwain Spann. Any additional draft picks in the defensive backfield will supplement what they already have, giving everyone a chance to compete in the preseason for those four starting spots.

Surely having a series of successful draft years is the key to building a championship franchise. In recent history, the Patriots have drafted cerebral players, those who can match their brawn with brain, and for the most part it has worked out well.

But by being so active in free agency this offseason, the Patriots have put less pressure on themselves to select that franchise saving star. Instead, their draft day selections will have to earn a spot on the team, possibly booting some of the newly signed free agents. This is the beauty of low-risk, high-reward.

The competition is not limited to defensive backs and linebackers either, as evidenced by Coach Belichick personally visiting UConn’s Pro Day to visit running back Donald Brown, as well as possibly taking a look at Tyler Lorenzen to play, what else, safety.

Why would the Patriots be looking at a running back?

The Patriots are stacked in this department, with Kevin Faulk, Fred Taylor, Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris, and the undrafted BenJarvus-Green-Ellis. Selecting Brown would certainly send one of the five current halfbacks home, which is the beauty of preseason competition. The entire Patriots staff values players who can both fit in their system and be molded into contributing players.

Surely there will be players who contribute immediately, and it will probably be an inside linebacker. Like Jerod Mayo last year, a player taken in the late stages of the first round will not only give the Patriots added depth, but they won't financially handcuff the organization like top five picks normally do.

So while the Lions are hoping and praying for a successful first pick, as well as teams like Denver who have worked out Mark Sanchez, the Patriots do not have to roll the dice this year, thanks to free agency. With 11 total picks and three in the second round alone, look for the Patriots to make some deals, maybe bring in Peppers, and draft guys that they know will have an impact on this squad.

The Patriots are highly regarded as one of the smartest teams from top to bottom in the NFL. They are unmatched when it comes to preparation and execution, two qualities that any championship team must possess. This all starts with the draft, but because of their action in free agency, the team is under less pressure than ever entering the 2009 NFL Draft.

A-Rod's "Cyst," MJ, and Barry: How Sports Protect Their Superstars

Ryan Burns — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:33:18 -0500

Back in the mid-'90s, a player left his sport at the top of his game to pursue another sport: professional baseball.

That man was Michael Jordan, a three-time NBA champion and the best player in the sport of basketball.

Leaving after a third championship, MJ played for a minor league team and had many fans wondering, "Why?"

It was too mysterious to even question. The best was leaving, and that was that.

In 2005, Barry Bonds was approaching Hank Aaron's all-time Home Run Record. At the time, he was third on the all-time Homer list, behind Aaron and Ruth.

He was also at the center of the brewing steroid controversy, as BALCO, Greg Anderson, and others became household names. Bonds appeared in just 14 games that season, a season where he would have crept closer to Hank Aaron's mark.

Today, reports from Spring Training indicate that Alex Rodriguez will have hip surgery on Monday, and will miss up to 40 games, though I'm not sure how ESPN came up with that figure.

Again, this leaves us with more questions than answers: When did A-Rod find out about the cyst?

If the answer to that question is more than a month ago, then why did he wait so long to disclose the information?

Why now, with Spring Training in full swing, the World Baseball Classic about to start, and the beginning of Alex's path to redemption, would he get hip surgery?

The answer lies in the shady underworld of MLB.

Let us first take a walk down memory lane...

Back when Jordan "retired," word around the sports world was that MJ had a bit of a gambling problem, a problem that became public in the early '90s.

A friend of Jordan's claimed he had won over a million dollars from him on the golf course. After his affinity for casino gambling became public, his father was murdered.

So Jordan retired in October, 1993, and the NBA discontinued it's investigation of his gambling problem.

Pretty convenient, huh?

While Jordan was not officially suspended, are we really to believe that the best player of all time would walk away in his prime?

This was not a new challenge for Michael, this was a reprimand.

Bonds may have had a similar issue: he was being vilified for his alleged steroid use.

From 2000-2004, Bonds' power numbers took off. During that span, Bonds not only broke the home run record, hitting 73 in 2001, but he managed to hit over 40 in each of those five years.

In January 2005, Bud Selig unveiled the new steroid-testing policy that would soon take effect.

In March of that year, the United States Congress conducted a formal hearing in regards to baseball's new policy. This was the famous conference when McGwire said he wouldn't talk about the past and Palmeiro lied about his use of performance-enhancing drugs.

A week later, on March 22, 2005, Bonds announced that he could be out for the season in order to get surgery on his knee.

Clearly frustrated at being at the center of the steroid storm, Bonds said he would be back in April, only to get the procedure in May and announce that he was out for the year in August.

This all coming after his trainer, Greg Anderson, and Victor Conte, owner of BALCO, plead guilty to distributing steroids and money laundering.

Again, this was a move by MLB to take Bonds out of the spotlight when all of his associates were getting ready to do time.

Can you imagine what would happen if, midseason, Bonds had to testify and possibly do time? He could, so he had the surgery and missed the season. Convenient.

Now Alex Rodriguez, fresh off of his admission of steroids, went to Legend's Field, ready to redeem himself this upcoming season.

His teammates knew that he had to start out fast, making it clear that A-Rod could put up big numbers drug-free. He hit a homer in his first Spring Training game and was expected to be a key player for the Dominican team in the WBC.

Then it comes out that A-Rod was scheduled to meet with Major League Baseball, presumably to talk about steroids.

A-Rod refused to answer questions about the meeting or its parameters, choosing only to field "baseball questions." He had the meeting, was still scheduled to play for the Dominican Republic, and start Opening Day for the Yankees.

Suddenly, reports came out about a cyst on his hip.

People wondered whether or not this was a serious condition, but the consensus around the baseball world was that this wouldn't be a major issue for Rodriguez.

Joe Girardi even downplayed the cyst, suggesting that it was no big deal.

Today, it is reported that Rodriguez needs surgery on Monday and will miss up to two months while he recovers.

This just doesn't smell right.

He doesn't notice or take care of his cyst, and when he gets it looked at, they say he is out for two months.

To quote Ace Ventura, "You could get that done over the weekend!"

The timing throughout this entire ordeal is puzzling to me.

I'm not trying to downplay the severity of this alleged cyst, it just seems like once again MLB, and the sports world in general, is trying its damnedest to protect it's assets, it's megastars, it's money-earners.

Call me a conspiracy theorist, and I hope I'm wrong, but it wouldn't surprise me if this was a masked suspension for A-Rod, adding to the controversy that he attracts like a magnet.

Patriot Games? Pats Trade Raises Questions around the NFL

Ryan Burns — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:13:50 -0500

For the better part of a decade, Patriots fans have seen a great deal of roster moves, free agent signings, draft day deals, and contract re-negotiations in the front office.

The Patriots' front office wizardry has not gone unnoticed: Happen to remember them trading a second-rounder for Wes Welker and a fourth-rounder for Randy Moss? They seem to have an uncanny ability for assessing a player's value and, more importantly, what those players can bring to the team itself.

With the possible exception of letting CB Asante Samuel test the free agent market last offseason, the Patriots have been extremely smart (and a little lucky) in their front office dealings. Castaways like Roman Phifer, retirees like Junior Seau, and over-the-hill veterans like Otis Smith have all come on and performed.

Free agency is an integral part of any team's offseason planning. Second only to the draft, free agency is where teams look to improve right now.

With this in mind, the Patriots finalized a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, shipping quarterback Matt Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel to Kansas City for the 34th overall pick in the 2009 Draft.

Some fans are complaining that the pick isn't enough for those two players, and they might be right. But it's not wise to second-guess Bill Belichick, and here's why:

Trading Cassel now takes the $14.5-million franchise tag off of Brady's replacement, and gives the money back to the Patriots. With free agents seemingly getting scooped up by the minute, the Patriots realized that they had to act swiftly.
This trade allows the Pats to focus not only on bringing others in from free agency, but also helps them keep the guys that they already have, like James Sanders, a free agent who started for the Patriots last season and has big-game experience. With the state of the Patriots' defensive backfield, there is no way you let someone like Sanders go.
How about Vince Wilfork, who is a free agent after next year? The Patriots will more than likely try to hammer out a deal with him, ensuring the run-stopper stays in New England.
And let's not forget about Randy Moss, who had his contract restructured recently.
And what about the $1 million roster bonus that the Pats owed Mike Vrabel today, which they don't have to pay anymore.
The draft pick (34th overall) can still provide the Patriots with great value; they'll likely take the best player available, as that has been their practice recently. We all know that Belichick is not big on giving first-year players those enormous top-10 draft-pick contracts that financially handcuff teams each year (see Smith, Alex), but they'll get quality.

But if the Patriots are involved, of course there has to be controversy.

So, they reportedly turned down the No. 12, instead opting for No. 34. If it is true that New England turned down this pick, it is strictly because of economics.

Some might say Belichick was just helping out his friend Pioli. And?

No one complained when former Celtic Kevin McHale sent Kevin Garnett to the Celtics. Getting rid of Cassel and Vrabel gave the Patriots over $17 million in economic freedom.

Now, Jay Mariotti wants the NFL to investigate.

Are you kidding me? This trade makes perfect sense to the Patriots. Getting rid of Vrabel and Cassel allows the Patriots to sign all their draft picks or go after someone like Julius Peppers.

Not to be outdone, Denver is quickly moving into the spotlight, as new coach Josh McDaniels allegedly was shopping quarterback Jay Cutler. Now Cutler is upset, whining about not being wanted.

Guess what? This is the NFL, where everyone is trying to get better right now. Of course McDaniels would want to work with Cassel again—he helped mold him into the quarterback we see today.

Get over it, Pats haters. This is a business, and when the smoke settles and the Patriots are working out their draft picks and signing more free agents, no one will remember this nonsense.

"In Bill We Trust" is more than a mantra, but because he's "cold" and "callous toward the media", there has to be controversy.

Ridiculous.

With Fred Taylor, New England Patriots Add Depth, Leadership

Ryan Burns — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:29:09 -0500

Last week, I came up with five ways for the Patriots to improve in 2009, (click link to read) http://bleacherreport.com/articles/126016-5-ways-for-the-patriots-to-improve-in-09.

In that article, amidst some criticism, I suggested that the Patriots must take a look at some top veteran halfbacks, including Jacksonville's Fred Taylor.

Mere hours after free agency opened, the Patriots announced that the 11-year veteran would be joining the team as a free agent. Terms of the contract have not been announced yet.

Sure this deal doesn't have the financial impact of Albert Haynesworth's 100 million dollar contract with the Redskins, or the drama of the Colts releasing "Cowboy" Marvin Harrison, but the signing of Fred Taylor greatly improves an already impressive running attack.

Last season, starting running back Laurence Maroney had an injury plagued season, only seeing action briefly at the beginning of the season, while quickly being overshadowed by Sammy Morris and the First Down Machine Kevin Faulk.

However, the injury bug bit the Patriots hard last year, and halfway through the season, Maroney, Morris, and Lamont Jordan were all out with injuries, leaving an undrafted rookie by the name of Benjarvus-Green Ellis to pick up the slack.

Adding Taylor will minimize injuries to other backs such as Morris and Jordan, who is a free agent, and will probably be elsewhere in 09.

Taylor also brings veteran leadership to the team, a borderline Hall of Famer, with Hall of Fame credentials, Taylor is familiar sharing the load with other backs. Remember for the last few seasons, he split time with Maurice Jones-Drew in Jacksonville. He will be a mentor of sorts to the younger halfbacks, and will hopefully light a fire under the underachieving Maroney.

Last season, Taylor ran the ball 143 times for 556 yards and a touchdown, his lowest totals since an injury-riddled 2001 campaign. Taylor however, is only two years removed from a 1200 yard season, so there is little doubt in my mind that he could amass 800-1000 yards this year, depending on how many touches he gets.

Lastly, signing with the Patriots gives Taylor the opportunity to put the stamp on his Hall of Fame resume with a Super Bowl ring. The Patriots are undoubtedly one of the favorites to win the Lombardi Trophy this season, and Taylor, much like Corey Dillon in 2004, can help this team reach the summit of the league once again.

This signing is also the first major personnell move of the post Scott Pioli era, proving that the Patriots still know how to wheel and deal, and with the draft coming up soon and a quarterback by the name of Matt Cassel as an asset, rest assured there will be more of that to come.

UPDATE: The Patriots have reportedly reached an agreement with former Jets TE Chris Baker, another upgrade that I recommended in last weeks article. Stay tuned Pats fans, something tells me we're not done yet, with the Pats focusing on Leigh Bodden.

Can You Believe It: Friars Stun No. 1 Pitt, 81-73

Ryan Burns — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 10:18:02 -0500

I tried to pick myself up off of the hardwood floor when I saw a security guard, a woman in her mid-40's, on the ground right next to me. Riot? Hardly.

As we both struggled to get to our feet, the rabid Friar faithful were still rampaging onto the court at the Dunkin' Donuts Center, celebrating the school's first win over a top-ranked team in over 30 years.

Providence simply got it done last night, and played their most complete game of the season. Stopping DeJuan Blair is never easy, but the stingy Providence defense, which has been non-existent thus far shut him down with great ball pressure and body positioning.

It was an emotional Senior Night that saw Weyinmi Efejuku, Geoff McDermott, Jon Kale, Randall Hanke, and Jeff Xavier play their last home game as Friars. Fans were excited, but no one could have expected this.

The Friars did not trail once during the game and took a 20-point lead with 17 minutes left in the game. The trigger-happy Friars did a great job controlling the clock with the lead, keeping the ball out of the hands of Pitt's tough offense.

The entire team played well throughout the game, as Efejuku netted 16 points, going 9-10 from the Free Throw line down the stretch to help the Friars preserve their lead.

PC controlled the tempo of the game, and by the time the second half rolled around, Pitt was jacking up threes and taking ill-advised shots to simply try to get back in the game. The Panthers however, turned the ball over 18 times, to the Friars' nine, which ended up being the story of the game.

This team, and these players have seen more than their fair share of criticism since stepping on PC's campus four years ago, but now, they are back in the NCAA tournament conversation, depending on how they perform down the stretch.

The Friars played their absolute best when it mattered most, and stunned a team that most people thought would massacre the Friars. None of that matters now, as the Friars greatly improved their NCAA tournament resume.

If they can win at Rutgers and Nova, and then take a game or two in the NCAA tournament, they will be dancing in March. I will never forget last night's game, as it will live on in the annals of Friar basketball history.

Hey, the sweetness of victory makes getting stampeded not seem so bad.

Bruins Return to Boston, Aim To Get Back On Track Against the Panthers

Ryan Burns — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:25:38 -0500

Returning from a five-game road trip in which they went 1-3-1, the Bruins are looking forward to tonight's game against the Panthers for many reasons.

First, it is a return home to TD Banknorth Garden, where they haven't played since dropping a game to former Bruin Joe Thornton and the San Jose Sharks on February 10.

Since that contest, where shots bounced off of Bruins defenders, Sharks' sticks, and even Joe Thornton's toes for goals, the B's have been victimized by pure bad luck. When they left for the road trip, Boston didn't show the same aggressive style that had been their calling card since the beginning of the season.

The Bruins were shut out twice over those five games—once by the gritty New Jersey Devils, and by the Florida Panthers, who the Bruins will host tonight.

Over the past few games, the power play has been a source of frustration for Claude Julien and the Bruins, although Andrew Ference finally scored a PPG against the Lightning. Some fans have wondered why veteran PJ Axelson is on the first power play line, as he is certainly not one of the team's playmakers, at least in terms of scoring ability.

Another area of concern has been the Bruins' aversion to dropping the gloves. I don't think that it is a coincidence that the Bruins went eight full games without a fight and won only one of those games.

Earlier in the season, the Bruins were one of the more aggressive teams, both offensively and defensively. It seems that they need to be less conservative going forward and force teams to adjust to them, not the other way around.

It starts tonight with the Panthers, in the Bruins' first of three games in six days. After the Panthers, they will face the Ducks on Thursday night and then the dangerous Capitals on Saturday.

Some good news is coming for the B's however, as Michael Ryder is expected to make his return to the lineup after missing the last seven games with multiple facial fractures. Ryder will supposedly wear a protective cage tonight as a precaution.

“My guess is that—and it’s a guess right now, but it’s an educated guess—is that he’ll be in the lineup for tomorrow,” said Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli in a conference call yesterday.

This just goes to show how vital Ryder has become to this team's success, even though he struggled to get it going to start the 2008-2009 season.

There is still no indication as to who will start in net tonight, but after Manny Fernandez' pedestrian performance against the Lightning, I would guess that it will be Tim Thomas between the pipes tonight.

These next few games are huge for the B's, as they will probably dictate whether or not Chiarelli will pull the trigger on a trade deadline deal.

Make no mistakes about it, the Bruins are legit contenders for the Cup, and a trade may put them over the top—even at the expense of losing some core youngsters.

Five Ways for the Patriots To Improve in 2009

Ryan Burns — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 11:13:37 -0500

Last night I was at a Downtown Providence bar, taking in the Bruins game, and having a few cold ones with my friend from Texas who was in town for the week.

As we watched the Bruins spoil Glen Wesley Night at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, a group of guys my age were talking football. Naturally, I had to get involved once the Patriots came up.

We were talking about how disappointing it was that the Pats missed the playoffs with an 11-5 record and talked about how the Patriots' coaching system is the constant, the one thing above all that defines this team's identity.

Then came the bombshell, the one comment that I thought was previously reserved for idiot callers on WEEI. This guy actually said, "Dude, I'm a die-hard Patriots fan, but they should trade Brady!"

After I spit my Sam Adams out, I turned around, halfway hoping to see a smirk or some sort of facial expression that would have made it seem like he was joking. But I did not.

Him: Can Matt Cassel win you a Super Bowl?

Me: How the hell am I supposed to answer that? Maybe? You know Brady has won three, right?

Him: Well, what happens if Brady gets hurt next year and can't go for the whole season?

Me: That can happen to any quarterback for any team at any time. What happens if Matt Cassel gets hurt and there is no Brady to fall back on?

Him: *Silence*

After the tumbleweed blew through the bar, I started thinking about real offseason upgrades that need to be made, the ones that keep this team competitive year in and year out, not this sensationalistic nonsense like "trade Brady."

Here are five things the Patriots can (and probably will) do in order to regain that championship swagger in 2009.

5. Take a Long, Hard Look at Free Agent Halfbacks

Running back was a productive position for the Patriots this season, surprising a lot of fans (but not me; my first BR article was about the team's depth at the position). However, the Patriots were bit by the injury bug midway through the season and at one point had to start an undrafted free agent named BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who held his own.

Lauren, I mean Laurence Maroney, was a disappointment, and it may be time to bring in someone else to share carries with Sammy Morris and the always productive Kevin Faulk.

Who you ask? Well, there is a pretty extensive list of free agents for the Patriots to pursue, one that got more impressive as the Saints dropped a Deuce (McCalister) and the Jaguars got rid of Fred Taylor, 16th on the NFL's all-time rushing list.

Either of these guys is worth a look at least, and they would come on the cheap. With Lamont Jordan and Heath Evans as free agents, the Pats should take a veteran to replace them. Other notable free agents are Brandon Jacobs (NYG), Dominic Rhodes (IND), and Darren Sproles (SDC).

4. Improve at the Tight End Position

It seems like yesterday that the Patriots drafted a tight end every draft. They tried to find the answer in Ben Watson, but it appears that he has lost a step. He is rarely targeted and when he is thrown to he always seems to drop the ball. Not to mention that brutal phantom fumble against the Jets on the Thursday night game.

Tony Gonzalez has been rumored to be leaving his team, but the Patriots would have to give up draft picks or players for him, a player who is in the latter stages of his career. The free agent list of TEs isn't exactly robust either, but it does feature Owen Daniels who had a decent year in Houston and longtime Eagle LJ Smith.

I think the Patriots can best improve this position in the draft however, and they wouldn't have to waste an early pick.

I really like Chase Coffman from Missouri who had 10 touchdowns last season, and four games with at least 10 receptions. Also, the Patriots could grab James Casey from Rice, a 4.66 40 time, 13 TDs, and 111 receptions look super attractive, especially with a second or third round pick.

3. Look for a Third Wide Receiver

With Jabar Gaffney being a free agent, I think one of the Patriots' needs is a third WR. Keep in mind they run out of the shotgun most of the time with a three WR set. In 2007's record breaking campaign, one of the biggest reasons for the great deal of production was having a weapon like Dante Stallworth as your third wideout. The Patriots should look to re-energize this position through the draft.

I like Mohamed Massaquoi from Georgia, who has a 4.49 40 time and caught eight TDs last season. I would also take a look at Ohio State's Brian Robiskie, only because I am a Buckeye fan, however he has shown great production throughout his career at OSU.

2. Linebackers Please!

In one of the two obvious position upgrades, the Patriots must improve at this position in order to restore their defense to 2003-04 level. There are a few good free agents available ranging from Ray Lewis (keep dreaming) to Jonathan Vilma.

However, I think the Patriots should go after free agent Bart Scott, as the Ravens will likely part with the veteran in order to re-sign Lewis and the newly franchised Terrell Suggs. Scott has played with Adalius Thomas in Baltimore, so this could be a great fit for both parties.

In the draft, there are no shortage of prime time linebackers who I believe the Patriots will take with their first round pick. Hopefully, Rey Maualuga from USC and Ohio State's James Laurinaitis will be around in the mid-first round. Both players would fit in well with Jerod Mayo, Mike Vrabel, and Adalius Thomas, making the Pats LB corps feared once again.

1. Improve the Defensive Backfield

Clearly the most pressing issue the Patriots have to address is their putrid defensive backfield. After letting Asante Samuel go to the Eagles last year (the one and only mistake of the Pioli-Belichick regime) they were exposed due to their lack of size, experience, and intelligence.

Ellis Hobbs was okay at best, Deltha O'Neal was god awful, and Brendon Merriweather showed signs of greatness. Rodney Harrison is a free agent as well, so the Patriots have to make a move on the aging and often-injured defensive leader.

Possible upgrades are Chris McCalister, Philip Buchanon, and Brian Dawkins. If the Patriots decide to use the draft for their DBs of the future, they should look at Vontae Davis if he is still available, although he will probably be a first round pick, which could make whether to go with an LB or a DB with their first pick a tough decision.

I also like Alphonso Smith, who qualified for first team All-American and tied the ACC record for interceptions with 20. As far as the safety position goes, I like Patrick Chung, a Pac-10 first teamer who will probably be taken in the second round.

So there you have it. If you want to upgrade the Patriots, don't trade Brady. Instead, make offseason moves, because the next time I hear someone say "trade Brady," I might not be so nice.

Alex Rodriguez Saga Shows True Nature of the Game

Ryan Burns — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 11:48:53 -0500

Sportswriters are paid to give their opinions, whether right or wrong, informed or not, we all tune in to ESPN and talk radio to hear so called experts discuss the most pressing issues of the day.

So it is no surprise that since news of Alex Rodriguez's positive steroid test from 2003 surfaced, it has dominated all media, both local and nationwide.

Sportswriters often never admit when they were wrong or made a mistake. After learning about 104 players in 2003 testing positive for steroids, I am ready to admit that I made a mistake.

I am sorry for saying that Barry Bonds shouldn't be in the Hall of Fame. I am sorry for saying that Bonds is not the current home run king. I am sorry for looking at players like Bonds, Clemens, and McGwire as tainted players with that scarlet letter S on their chest.

I am sorry for believing that the steroid problem was unique to a handful of players when the last few months have shown us anything but.

I have never been a Barry Bonds fan, not because of the steroid issue initially, I loathed the man because he was a horrible teammate, clubhouse personality, and overall a shallow person. Once the steroid rumors started circulating, I finally had a tangible reason to dislike the man.

He was cheating the game, the fans, and his team, right? Same with Sosa and McGwire, two players who helped baseball burst back into the mainstream in that summer of '98. Their majestic home runs helped MLB forget about the strike and move on.

However, since steroids were made illegal in 2004, we now have a laundry list of players (some Hall of Famers, some scrubs) who felt the need to take steroids in order to improve their on field performance.

Some of these names weren't that shocking, like Roger Clemens, who dominated hitters into his forties, or Pudge Rodriguez, who mysteriously lost his pudginess the year steroids were deemed illegal.

However, Alex Rodriguez's positive test from 2003 was perhaps the most shocking name of all, if only for the fact that baseball fans nationwide held out hope that he would one day eclipse Barry Bonds career home run record, doing it cleanly.

Wait just a minute. Some investigative reporting by Sports Illustrated revealed to the world that in 2003, 104 players in a survey test by MLB tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs, some 5-7 percent of the league, according to the numbers at the time.

I have a problem with this for a few reasons. First of all, these tests were supposed to be kept anonymous, and the results were supposed to be destroyed, had it not been for buffoonery on the part of the MLBPA. Thanks to their negligence, baseball is enduring one of its darkest periods, mere days before pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report for Spring Training.

The other problem I have with the test is that out of the 104 players that tested positive, so far, only A-Rod has been publicly named, leaving him on his own to deal with the firestorm that is the New York media.

What was A-Rod better at taking steroids than the other 103 players, is he any bigger of a cheater than the 103? Of course not, it goes back to that classic American tradition of building up our stars only to tear them down.

The time has come to move past this issue and face the facts. Yes, many players have used steroids, both before they were illegal and after. The ones that have tested positive since 2004 have been penalized and thanks to the implementation of the testing, we probably wont see an epidemic like this again.

Something else to consider: Would Bonds, Clemens, and A-Rod still have Hall of Fame numbers even if they had never taken 'roids? Of course they would, because the bottom line is that in any sport, there are good players, average players, and great players.

Sure, performance-enhancing drugs helped the great players stay great, but what about the below average players who used and didn't see results on the field?

So I'm sorry. There, I said it. Which brings me to the Hall of Fame question.

All of the players from the "Steroid Era" should be considered for the Hall of Fame based on their numbers, (sorry Big Mac, you wouldn't get my vote) only because of how widespread the problem was and for the fact that it was not illegal.

If A-Rod, Bonds, Clemens, McGwire, Palmeiro etc were the only players to take PED's then no, don't let them into the Hall of Fame. You either let them all in, or leave them all out. Anything else would be a sham.

As I write this, I understand that this 2003 test is only a snapshot of the problem that is PED's. We as baseball fans have to realize that this happened, but that it wasn't recently. So again, I'll take the high road and say I'm sorry.

At least until another SI report comes out.

Bruins Blanked At Home By Wild, Drop Second In a Row

Ryan Burns — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:00:10 -0500

All the Wild needed last night was one.

Superb defense and perfect goaltending made sure that Marek Zildicky's second-period power-play goal was enough to lift the Minnesota Wild to a 1-0 victory, as their top-ranked defense shut down the NHL's top-ranked offense.

Shut out for the first time this season, the Bruins had a hard time finding an answer for Wild netminder Niklas Backstrom, who posted his second consecutive shutout last night at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston.

Backstrom was perfect in net for the Wild, stopping all 28 Boston shots, frustrating the league's most dynamic offense. The Bruins were able to put pressure on Backstrom, especially early on, but they missed out on a few major scoring chances.

"Tonight they played really well and it seemed like we couldn't get anything going," said Michael Ryder. "We had a few chances and couldn't get one past him."

The frustration was clear, as the Bruins were able to dominate many of the one on one situations earlier in the game, but were unable to get a shot off when it mattered the most. Rookie Blake Wheeler dangled the puck into the zone almost at will, juking around defenders left and right, but the Wild would converge on any Bruins puckhandler in the slot area, snuffing out any scoring chances and minimizing shot attempts.

Manny Fernandez was great in net last night, but lost his first game at home of the season. He is now 9-1 at the Garden this year. He stopped 23 shots himself, but Zildicky's blast from the point during a Minnesota power play was the difference in a tough, gritty contest.

The Wild improve to 8-1 all time versus the Bruins, and own a 5-0 record against the B's in Boston.

The Bruins have also lost two games in a row, after going on a 14-game home winning streak. Coach Claude Julien is not ready to hit the panic button just yet however.

"I don't want to say a slump. We've lost two games," said Julien. ""We've kind of lost that confidence."

Next up for the B's are the hungry Ottawa Senators Thursday night at the Garden.

Patriots Don't Get Help: A Fan's Reflection on an Amazing Season

Ryan Burns — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 02:48:03 -0500

I can't say that I'm mad.

Seriously.

I slept on this for a whole night. As insane as that may sound right now, I am not mad that the 11-5 New England Patriots are not advancing to the AFC playoffs, a tournament that has often been their birthright since 2001.

Why aren't you mad? You might be asking yourself, and by you, I mean me, this very question. And the answer is simply this. Because I refuse to be mad at an 11-5 team, I just don't care. 11-5 should be good enough to get you into the playoffs every single year no matter what.

However, due to a strong division and a strong conference, the Patriots are on the outside looking in. And no, I'm not going to go all Hank Steinbrenner on you and say it's not fair that an 8-8 team is having a home playoff game while the Patriots sit home. The fact of the matter is that it is fair. The Patriots played well but not well enough.

Everyone (except for maybe Donovan McNabb) knows that in order to make the playoffs, you have to win your division, or be one of the top two second place teams. The Patriots set out to win the division each and every year, as their main goal of the season. They did not achieve that goal this year, plain and simple. Unfair? I would say that it's just unexpected.

It's not like the Patriots didn't have a chance either. We knew, as far back as three weeks ago, that the Patriots needed help in the form of Colts losses, Ravens losses, Dolphins losses, or Jets losses. The Colts didn't lose, the Ravens didn't lose, and the Dolphins didn't lose. The Patriots can't control any of those things, and those three teams are advancing to the playoffs.

The Jets however, screwed the Patriots by crapping their pants when it mattered the most, as old man Favre had a vintage Favre game, throwing three picks, one for a TD to a defensive lineman. Mangini is fired, and Favre looks to be done. Mangini getting canned in a 2:45 a.m. e-mail fits in perfectly with the Fredo Corleone motif, the electronic version of getting shot in the middle of Lake Tahoe.

Hey, I'd much rather be a Patriots fan than a Jets fan today.

All in all this season has been a smashing success, and in many ways, more satisfying than the 2007 season. We had our all-world QB injured 30 seconds into the season, thrusting Matt Cassel into the spotlight. I predicted that Cassel would lead us to the playoffs with a 10-6 record, and the team exceeded my expectations.

We survived terrible injury after terrible injury. Adalius Thomas, Rodney Harrison, Tedy Bruschi all had season ending injuries, ones that could end the career of Harrison and Bruschi. Sammy Morris, LaMont Jordan, Pierre Woods, the entire secondary basically went down and the Patriots still persevered.

So what's next? Clearly the Patriots need to assess this Brady rehab report and make a decision in regard to holding on to Matt Cassel (franchise him, please). They need to pick up some defensive backs and a linebacker or two, increasing the depth of the defense when the injury bug inevitably comes next season.

Are you depressed, Patriots fans? Relax. This is a playoff team that had the misfortune of playing in a tough AFC East division. The coaching staff from top to bottom were fantastic, and I can't say enough about Matt Cassel, except thank you.

So Patriots fans, I hope you act like football fans and watch the next few weeks, where some great games will unfold.

It could be worse, you could be Eric Mangini. Or Brett Favre.

WHAT ARE SOME MOVES YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE MADE? DRAFT? FREE AGENTS? MATT CASSEL? LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW...THANK YOU PATRIOT FANS

New England Patriots in Unfamiliar Territory, Need Help To Make Playoffs

Ryan Burns — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 01:46:50 -0500

If you're like me, you don't watch Bill Belichick press conferences to gain any new information about the team or to hear any controversial bulletin-board material in regards to the next week's opponent.

Even before the Patriots' 47-7 throttling of the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Belichick was aware certain teams had to lose in order to help the Pats' playoff chances. But he would never tell you that.

Belichick stressed in his post-game press conference, no matter what happens around the league, the Pats can only control one thing—winning football games—something they have done extremely well since 2001.

A few weeks ago there was a three-way tie at the top of the AFC East between the Patriots, Jets, and the surprising Dolphins. The Pats knew they had to win the rest of their games, but also get some help in the form of losses by their division foes or other teams in the AFC, namely the Ravens and Colts.

This is precisely why this position is so unique for the Patriots, considering they have been playoff locks for the better part of a decade. This season is the first in recent memory they have had to count on other teams to simply get them into the playoffs.

It's not like there weren't a ton of scenarios to get them there. The Patriots could have benefited from Colts losses or Ravens losses the last two weeks, but the Colts won both of those games, and the Ravens won one.

They could have benefited from losses by the Dolphins and Jets, but the Dolphins have won both games and the Jets, led by Eric "Fredo Corleone" Mangini, bungled their game against the Seahawks on Sunday.

This sets up a rather interesting scenario for the Patriots. First and foremost, they have to take care of business versus the Buffalo Bills in Buffalo. If they win, they will win the AFC East IF the Jets can beat the Dolphins at the Meadowlands.

A Dolphins win will give Miami the AFC East title, and a Jets win, coupled with a Patriots loss would send New York to the playoffs, momentarily stopping the Mangini-bashing on WFAN.

The Patriots will also benefit from a Ravens loss from the Jaguars, which I'm sure won't happen.

The last time a team went 11-5 and missed the playoffs was in 1985, when the Denver Broncos were held out of the playoffs. Ironically, if the Broncos lose this week to the Chargers, the Chargers will get in with an 8-8 record, meaning the Patriots could potentially be left home with a much better record.

A playoff berth would be nothing short of miraculous for this team, which has had to deal with adversity from day one, literally, when the most important knee in the NFL was torn apart by some scrub from Kansas City.

Everyone knows about the injuries to Tom Brady and several other Patriots, about the amazing run by Matt Cassel, and about the superb coaching by Bill Belichick.

But that will all be for nothing if the Jets (and Jaguars) lose this Sunday, effectively eliminating the Patriots from playoff contention.

Friars-Tigers: Providence Rallies Past Jackson State in Second Half

Ryan Burns — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:15:46 -0500

Things weren't supposed to be this tough, were they?

The Friars overcame an atrocious first half and rallied after halftime to beat the Jackson State Tigers, 85-71, at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, R.I. Wednesday.

The Friars stumbled out of the gate, as sloppy ball handling and physical play had them out of their comfort zone.

In what can be described as a frustrating first half, the Friars allowed the Tigers to shoot at 62.5 percent from the field, while turning the ball over several times on offense. There were tons of intercepted passes, missed layups, and missed three-pointers, which were supposed to be the Friars' bread and butter this season.

The Tigers took an 11-1 run to end the first half, taking a 43-32 lead going into the locker room. This stunned the frustrated Friar fans, who booed the team lustily going into the locker room.

First half struggles have plagued the Friars all season long, as they have had a hard time matching other team's intensity, especially when the Friars have the ball. Guys would be open for a split second, only to have a Jackson State defender all over him by the time the ball came.

Open shots were hard to come by during the first 20 minutes, and coach Keno Davis had to make several adjustments headed into the second half.

Luckily, the Friars turned up the intensity in the second half, driving the ball to the hoop, drawing fouls, and playing stingier defense.

Senior Weyinmi Efejuku, who was non-existent in the first half, had 16 of his 18 points in the second. Six Friars ended up in double figures, helping the Friars outscore Jackson State 53-28 in the second half.

This Friar team is crisp when it wants to be. It's frustrating to watch a team seemingly lack effort, hustle, or heart, especially to weak non-conference teams. Clearly the offense has struggled, but Coach Davis believes that this team can turn it around.

"I think the timing of our offense still needs a little work, but that is certainly not because of effort," Davis said. "Our guys are coming in everyday and working hard to improve."

This improvement has to manifest itself for a full 40 minutes in order for the Friars to be competitive in the tough Big East Conference. This team is talented, and they have players who can get it done at any given night.

It is clear that they lack consistency. Maybe it's because of the long break after the URI game, maybe not. Either way, this team has to step it up over the next few weeks and pad their schedule before the Big East comes knocking.

NFL Week 15: Picks from a Patriot Perspective

Ryan Burns — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:21:12 -0500

For Week 15's Picks from A Patriot Perspective, I decided to use this new format. If it sucks, I'lll change it back next week. This week, there are many teams fighting for playoff spots or playoff positioning, as well as some awful games that no one wants to watch. There is also high drama throughout the league, and a lot of coaches are on the hotseat for next season. The Patriots need to win, a Colts loss, Ravens loss, Dolphins loss, or Jets loss to improve their playoff chances, and could be in the hunt for division champs once again. So, for this week, we have some of the more active minds of the New England Patriots community sitting down to go over the slate of NFL games. Football fans, this is your week 15 Picks from a Patriots Perspective This week, we have Mike Dussault Glenn Card C Douglas Baker Ryan Burns Enjoy, and don't hesitate to use our picks to make your pockets fat.

Begin Slideshow

Matt Cassel's Gutsy Performance Answers Another Question

Ryan Burns — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 03:52:12 -0500

Matt Cassel just answered another question.

In a season full of uncertainties, variables, and quandaries, the former backup has surpassed every expectation of him and is now set to lead the Patriots back to the postseason.

Since filling in for the injured Tom Brady in Week One, Cassel has been questioned at every turn. After learning that Brady did not have a bionic leg and would miss the remainder of the season, people wondered if Cassel could win on the NFL level even though he hadn't started a game since high school.

Next, people questioned whether he could be a key player in the Patriots' prolific passing attack, able to get the ball to playmakers like Randy Moss and Wes Welker in timely situations.

Then, facing a huge deficit at home against the Jets, people wondered if he had it in him. By "it," I mean the ability lead a comeback, just like No. 12 has done so many times.

The answer to all these questions was a resounding "Yes!"—an answer that has Matt Cassel performing at Pro Bowl level, and will surely place him near the top of the free-agent list come the offseason.

The most serious question of the season was raised early last week, after Cassel's father passed away.

Cassel left the team to be with his family, and Coach Belichick did not have any information with regard to his status versus the Raiders. However, Cassel did show up to play against Oakland, and his performance was one of the gutsiest displays I have seen in some time.

Granted, to be starting in the NFL is a dream come true for Cassel, but when reality hits that close to home, family comes first and everything else is merely an afterthought.

No matter to Cassel, however, who was focused from the first drive of the game to the last, completing 18 of 30 passes for 218 yards and four touchdowns, a career high. Cassel also did a nice job, making smart throws and good decisions to protect the football.

Two of his touchdowns came to former Raider wide receiver Randy Moss, who angered Raider Nation by pointing to his back after scoring both times. As if they needed a reminder as to who he is!

Cassel did throw an interception, but it was only because Ben "Butterfingers" Watson let a throw bounce off his numbers. That interception was the only blemish on an otherwise outstanding effort.

Did Patriots fans expect anything different, though?

From what we have seen this year, Matt Cassel has been tough as nails throughout all the drama that comes with losing your franchise quarterback, answering the bell whenever it tolls.

Sunday was no different. His commitment to the team served as inspiration for the other 52 men on the roster, as well as the coaching staff and the fans.

The season is still far from over, though. Cassel knows what is at stake here, and that in order for the Patriots to make the tournament, he needs to play mistake-free football from here on out.

Sure, he had some rough games, but he has shown the fans of the New England Patriots the last few weeks an intangible stat, something that separates the Patriots from most teams in the league. He has mental toughness, a quality that has manifested itself all year long.

Throughout this tumultuous season, Cassel has answered every question. He has shown he can win and that he can play in this league.

Hopefully, the next question will be, "Can he win a playoff game?"

I'll bet my paycheck he can.

Randy Moss' Return to Oakland May Be X Factor In Pats' Playoff Push

Ryan Burns — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 06:28:07 -0500

By now, we all know the story.

Randy Moss was shipped to Oakland after falling out of favor with the Minnesota Vikings, joining a team that is known for its affinity for troublemakers, me-first individualists, and malcontents. NFL pundits were wary of this move, and they were proven right, as Randy was forced to play with terrible quarterbacks and a terrible offensive line.

Rumors started to surface that Randy may be done, that his days of being a team's most dangerous option may have gone the way of the Raiders' franchise, down and out.

However, when Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots came calling following the 2006 season, things started to change for Mr. "Straight Cash, Homey." Randy was traded to the Patriots, and had one year remaining on his contract, essentially a risk-free move by New England, made with the idea of jump-starting their offense.

It sure worked. Randy and Quarterback of the Decade Tom Brady had the best season statistics-wise of their respective careers, as Brady set the NFL record for touchdown passes in a season, and Moss setting the record for most touchdown receptions in a season.

Today, Moss and the Patriots are in the "Black Hole" ready to face the lethargic Raiders, a once proud franchise now reduced to NFL also-rans. The Raiders' season is essentially over, and the Brady-less Patriots are once again in the thick of a tough AFC playoff race. The Patriots can not afford to lose any of their remaining three games, and they also need help from other teams in the AFC if they want to make the playoffs.

Surely, Moss won't receive a hero's welcome this afternoon, but he can play the hero for the Patriots in this game. Moss' numbers have decreased dramatically this year in Brady's absence and although the decrease was inevitable, Pats' fans would like to see him have better numbers.

Sparingly targeted through the first few games of the season, Moss didn't let his frustration show itself on the field or in the media, something that another 81 is known for. Randy realized that Matt Cassel had to get comfortable in the offense and that in due time, his touches would increase.

Today is the perfect time for Randy to reintroduce himself to the Raiders, and the NFL for that matter. The Raiders currently allow 158.7 yard on the ground per game, 30th in the NFL. The Raiders are a bit better in the passing game, allowing 193 yards per game through the air.

These numbers suggest that the Patriots will try to establish the run early in order to set up the pass, but considering Cassel's rough week and the playoff push, I expect Josh McDaniels to craft an aggressive gameplan, one that will control the clock, while moving the ball in chunks.

The Raiders will focus on stopping the slot man, Wes Welker, who is on pace to break his own career high in receptions, which may give Moss some room downfield.

The Patriots should win this game, but they should not overlook the Raiders, and must treat this contest as a playoff game, because if they lose, their season may be over.

Friars-Rams: Providence Edges URI, 66-65, Restore Order to Universe

Ryan Burns — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 07:12:33 -0500

Keno Davis got his first taste of the Providence College-URI rivalry on Saturday in front of a packed house at the newly renovated Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, as his Friars ground out a slim one-point victory over their rivals from South County.

Everyone in Rhode Island remembered the Friars' embarrassing loss to the Rams last year at the Ryan Center, and Keno Davis did not want to lose his first game against Baron's Boys.

Senior Geoff McDermott hit two clutch free throws with 17 seconds left to put the Friars up by one. Knowing that they had to play stout defense, the Friars were able to stop the Rams from scoring, and as the clock hit 0:00, they were able to escape with a narrow 66-65 victory, sending the crowd of nearly 13,000 into a frenzy.

URI fans, while loud and obnoxious, (PC Sucks chant? Super Creative!) were sent back to the boondocks, tails between their legs after the Friars shut down their golden boy Jimmy Baron in the second half, holding him to just two points.

Both teams started the game on fire, combining to shoot 45 percent from the field in the first half alone, with either team leading by no more than three points in that time span.

The stars in the first half was Jimmy Baron for URI, who had 16 points in the first, and Weyinmi Efejuku for the Friars, who chipped in 15 of his game high 21 points. After twenty minutes of intense action, the Rams led 39-38 as the horn sounded.

The second half featured a few small runs by the Rams, who kept distancing themselves, only to find the scrappy Friars clawing back into the game. The streaky Efejuku was on his game and drained a huge three to tie the game at 61 with 2:28 left.

The Friars were down 65-64 with 17 seconds left when Geoff McDermott hit two monster free throws to put the Friars up one. McDermott had missed two free throws earlier in the game, and the senior from New Rochelle said after the game that he was very nervous. It didn't show here, however.

After hitting the two shots, the Friars stopped the Rams and secured bragging rights for the next year at least.

To say that this game was a momentum boost is surely an understatement. After dropping three games early on in their non-conference schedule, the Friars needed to beat the Rams to bolster their tournament resume, provided they can get lucky and steal a few games from BIG EAST opponents.

The Friars are off for almost two weeks, as the players complete their final exams for the fall semester. They resume play versus Jackson State and will look to catch fire before starting BIG EAST play.

It was only one point, but this win could turn things around for the Friars, at least for the time being.

Wes Welker Takes Hits, Carries New England Patriots

Ryan Burns — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 02:33:57 -0500

What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, right?

Patriots wideout Wes Welker has been living that motto for his entire career, but in recent weeks, he has shown his grit by taking vicious hit after vicious hit and coming back to contribute to the Patriots' offense.

Against the Dolphins, Welker took a hit and was momentarily dazed. However, he was able to return to the game and help the Patriots pick up a huge division win versus their foes from Miami.

The worst was yet to come.

In the Patriots' rain-soaked loss to Pittsburgh at home, Welker was the victim of a bone-crushing hit after the play was over. The hit made football fans across the country cringe, but a fine was not levied against Ryan Clark, the Steeler who made the hit. Did Welker complain? Of course not.

Many people assert that Randy Moss is the Patriots' most dangerous weapon, and in many games, he is. But if there is a go-to guy on this team, it is clearly Welker. (I will refrain from using the term "slot machine," as the CBS announce team beat that term to death during Sunday's game against the Seahawks.)

Welker was the star of the show on Sunday, picking up huge catches and making plays with his feet to move the ball down the field. Patriots fans have became enamored with Matt Cassel's recent success and gaudy numbers, but may have overlooked the fact that Welker's YAC (yards after catch) are a big part of Cassel's statline.

While Welker only has one touchdown this year, he has 96 receptions for 1,002 yards. This is coming after he set a Patriots record for catches in a season last year, a record that he may be able to break this season.

Consider these numbers in relation to Cassel's maturity as a quarterback.

In the last five games, he has caught for over 100 yards in four of them, with the only blemish coming against the Steelers' top ranked defense. He set a season high against the Seahawks with 134 yards on 12 catches and has proven that he does not need to run deep routes to be effective.

So, he only has one touchdown to show for it. No matter, he is not the type of guy who complains about lack of scoring. To Welker, winning is the most important stat, a mindset that is contagious on this Patriots team.

However, simply looking at the boxscore does not give a fan a true glimpse at how important Welker is to this team. He makes plays at the most opportune times and moves the chains when they absolutely have to, proving that his impact is bigger than stats.

Welker was a huge part of the win in Seattle and will have to contribute just as much down the stretch, as the magnitude of December football rears its head. The Patriots probably have to go 3-0 over their next three games and get some help in order to grab a playoff spot, and believe me, Welker will be Cassel's favorite target, especially in close games.

Sure, Matt Cassel has looked great in recent weeks, but a lot of that is due to the fact that he has a guy out there in Welker who gives 110 percent every single snap. Welker does all the little things necessary to win games and, in the words of John Madden, is just "a football player."

Randy Moss may be more exciting, but Welker is the Patriots' true playmaker.

Finally! The Boston Bruins Are Getting Respect

Ryan Burns — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 04:14:46 -0500

The Boston Bruins are the first sports team I can honestly say I loved. Since I was six years old, I can remember watching them play on Channel 38 and NESN, watching the games with my Dad while guys like Bourque, Neely, Moog, Heinz, Donato, and Oates patrolled the Ice at the old Garden.

Then in the mid-'90s, after the Bruins suffered some playoff losses and moved to the Fleet Center it stopped being all about winning to the team. The three headed monster of Harry Sinden, Mike O'Connell, and Jeremy Jacobs did all they could do to ruin this team, focusing on the bottom line and decimating the roster until well into the new millennium.

Guys like Joe Thornton, Michael Nylander, Sergei Gonchar, Byron Dafoe, Bill Guerin, Sergei Samsonov, Kyle McLaren, Hal Gill, and PJ Stock were all mysteriously traded or released, frustrating the fan base and disconnecting them with the team.

There were several times when me and my Dad were fed up with the organization, but never gave up on them. They would always be the Big Bad Bruins to us, but the team's front office didn't seem to care about the fans.

Things all changed when Peter Chiarelli came over from the Ottawa Senators a few years ago. After a disappointing first season with Coach Dave Lewis, he brought in Claude Julien, a no nonsense, aggressive coach who did not tolerate mistakes.

Slowly but surely, things started to change.

The B's were ravaged by injuries last year, as Patrice Bergeron and Andrew Alberts went down on similar cheap shots. The B's scrapped their way into the playoffs as an eight seed and took the one seed Canadiens to seven games, after a gritty comeback in Boston.

After seeing the drive in last year's team, I knew this year's team would be special. As I write this, the Bruins are in second place in the Eastern Conference, despite playing three less games than the first place Rangers. Here are some reasons why this edition of the Bruins is in it for the long haul.

1. Youth Movement: Last year, we saw what kind of player Phil Kessel could be. Aside from being the team's best shootout option, he is a quick skater and a great puck handler, dangling in the other team's offensive zone to make plays. He has only gotten better since last years benching during the first few games of the Montreal series and now leads the Bruins in goals.

Who can forget about Milan Lucic, the rugged enforcer who always wants to fight, yet no one has really given him a challenge this year, except for Komisarek who got beat down for his efforts. This kid WILL take the body every time, and he knows that physical play is priority number one. A skilled passer who can grind out goals from time to time, Lucic is probably the most popular Bruin this season.

Other young guys like David Krejci and Blake Wheeler have also helped out a great deal on both sides of the puck as well. This makes it so that all four lines are formidable and if you can get offensive intensity every possession, it doesn't matter who is on the ice.

2. Superb Goaltending: To win a Stanley Cup, you need a goalie who can dominate at the drop of a hat. The Red Wings have had it with Hasek and Osgood, the Avalanche had it with Roy, and it looks like the Bruins have it with Tim Thomas this year.

His unorthodox style has been criticized for years, but the veteran goalie leads the league in both save percentage (.944) and GAA (1.77) but somehow those numbers aren't good enough to warrant a place on the all star ballot. Also, Manny Fernandez has accepted his role as a backup and for the most part has done a fine job keeping the Bruins' momentum going providing wins in their last two games versus Buffalo.

3. New Defensive Philosophy: The Bruins have been getting a great deal of production from their defensemen on the offensive side of the puck. Zdeno Chara and Dennis Wideman (who is the best Defenseman on the team right now) are much more active in the offensive zone, taking the puck at the point and throwing it on net so that they can get a deflection or set up a rebound for one of the forwards.

This increased role in the offense is designed to get more shots, and get shots to the net quickly. I must say, its working.

The B's are getting respect from TSN and SI, as both have the B's in the top three of their Power Rankings, which gives top teams greater exposure. I cannot remember the last time there was this kind of electricity surrounding the Bruins, and hopefully they can reclaim their spot in the ultra-competitive Boston sports landscape.

The Bruins have spread the scoring around the entire team, and players like Mark Savard are benefiting from having other great play makers around them. This team is physical, exciting, and most importantly, smart. Sure the Bruins will suffer a hiccup or two here and there, but there is no reason this team shouldn't finish in the top half of the Eastern Conference come playoff time.

Until I'm proven wrong, the Bruins are back, this year is going to be interesting.

NFL Week 12: Picks from a Patriots Perspective

Ryan Burns — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:27:30 -0500

As the second half of this crazy NFL season starts to unfold, playoff scenarios and implications are all over the place. This week features some intriguing matchups throughout the league that could determine who is going to be playing come January and who could be staying home.

The Patriots are playing their biggest game of the season due to their loss against the Jets last Thursday and as always, the Patriots community has came forward to give you their thoughts about who is going to win and lose this weekend.

Place your bets, gentlemen!

This week we have C Douglas Baker, Glenn Card, William Berry, and myself, Ryan Burns giving you our opinions and picks for the week (winning picks will be bolded)

New England @ Miami

C Douglas Baker: Miami spanked my New England Patriots in Week Three. Both of these teams are better than they were then, but New England has the better team. Even though the game is in Miami, given the stakes I think the Patriots will be bring playoff intensity and pull it out.

Glenn Card: After that tough defeat at home the Pats travel south for another division match up. Miami has done a great job keeping close in this division to date. Belichick has called a bunch of colleges for their tapes of the wildcat offense and that embarrassment will never happen to him again. Patriots will win.

William Berry: I'm 97.35648985% sure the Patriots will win over the Dolphins in Miami. When was the last time two moderately evenly matched teams did not spit the season series.

Ryan Burns: Simply put, this game is for the Patriots' season. A loss would be catastrophic, as they would have to look for other teams in contention to start losing. I think that the team would rather be in control of its own destiny. Patriots win this one.

New York Jets @ Tennessee

C Douglas Baker: The Jets are a hot team right now with a four game winning streak, including wins over division rivals Buffalo and New England. Brett Favre and Thomas Jones have been playing well of late, and Kris Jenkins is starting to look like the terror he was when he was with the Panthers.

But the Titans are even hotter and the Jets are not as good as their fans think they are. I will be the biggest fan the Titans have this weekend and I think they will win a close game.

But wouldn't it be just our (Patriot's fans) luck that the Titans choose this week to lose their first game?

Glenn Card: I only see three chances for the Titans to be beat through the rest of their regular season schedule, and this is one of them. Based on the big win they scored over the Pats last week, I’ll give the Jets the benefit of the doubt in this game and say that they will win this one only if Farve throws no interceptions. Jets win on the road.

William Berry: The Titans are at home against the Jets. They will be undefeated when they lose to the previously winless Lions on Thanksgiving.

Ryan Burns: This is going to be a tough one. The Jets have to control the running game, and I think Kris Jenkins is going to be a monster. As much as I hate to say it, the Jets will hand the Titans their first loss.

Buffalo @ Kansas City

C Douglas Baker: Other than I think Kansas City is bound to win another game, I don’t know why I am picking them over Buffalo. Monday night Trent Edwards looked awful and I think the Chiefs are primed to pull off an upset and what better time to do it against a down team after a tough Monday night loss?

Glenn Card: I don’t care if the game is in Kansas. Buffalo should return to form and win this road game, which will keep the AFC East too tight to declare a clear winner yet.

William Berry: The Bills are in free fall, but the Chiefs are coached by Herm Edwards.

Ryan Burns: The Bills started off the season strong, but the rest of the AFC East has surpassed them as the season has progressed. The Chiefs get the win here at home.

Philadelphia @ Baltimore

C Douglas Baker: I don't see Philadelphia bouncing back from last week's debacle in Cincinnati. The Eagles seem to be a team on the decline. Despite having a rough week against the Giants I think the Ravens defense will shut down the Eagles and their offense should do enough to win the game.

Glenn Card: Baltimore is stinging from the beat down they got last week and will win this one at home against an Eagles team that can not win consistently. How many OT quarters did Donovan think he was going to get to win that last game?

William Berry: Ravens over Eagles.

Ryan Burns: God help us all if this game is tied after regulation. The Andy Reid era is griding to a halt, and losing to the Ravens will only expedite the process. Baltimore wins this one.

Chicago @ St. Louis

C Douglas Baker: The Rams are another miserable, no account team with a ton of injuries. They had a few surprising moments this year, but the last few weeks have been a disaster. Chicago hasn't been exactly impressive of late either, but they should come out with a win here.

Glenn Card: If the Rams can hang on they could be one loss away from the first draft pick. Chicago is playing like a .500 team but they win this road game.

William Berry: Chicago over St. Louis

Ryan Burns: I'm taking Chicago, one because they are playing the Rams and because I need Kyle Orton to tear it up so that I can make my fantasy league playoffs.

Houston @ Cleveland

C Douglas Baker: Sage Rosenfels. Need I say more? While Cleveland has looked pretty mediocre the past few weeks, their defense is tough (even though it fades in the fourth quarter) and they should be able to put up enough offense to beat Houston.

Glenn Card: Houston played a close game last week but they haven’t won a road game yet this year. They’re not going to win this one either. Browns win this one at home.

William Berry: Browns over Texans

Ryan Burns: So Brady Quinn is the latest QB with an injury. The Browns have been average at best this year, but so have the Texans. Still, I'm taking Houston to grind out a win on the road.

Tampa Bay @ Detroit

C Douglas Baker: I am picking Detroit to be the first team to go 0-16. The last team to go winless was the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers who went 0-14. They need company. Tampa Bay wins.

Glenn Card: How about a convincing win for the Bucs? Nope. The Lions actually goof and win one at home.

William Berry: Tampa Bay over Detroit.

Ryan Burns: One loss at a time Detroit, I know you can do it. Tampa Bay wins.

Jacksonville @ Minnesota

C Douglas Baker: This is a tough one to call but Minnesota should win this game if Gus doesn't chunk up a bunch of interceptions like he did against the Packers.

The Vikings have a solid defense that is hard to run against and Adrian Peterson who is hard to stop. Meanwhile, Jacksonville continues to implode internally.

Glenn Card: The Vikings had a tough loss last week. Adrian Peterson will help them get back into the win column.

William Berry: Vikings over Jaguars.

Ryan Burns: Minnesota will bounce back with a victory against the Jags this weekend, keeping them alive for now in the NFC.

San Francisco @ Dallas

C Douglas Baker: With Romo back the Cowboys are back in the saddle and will ride over the tough, but not good enough, 49'ers on Sunday.

Glenn Card: I like what is happening with San Fran but they are going into Dallas and Romo has this team resurging and looking for at least a playoff berth. Dallas has to run the table to be able to guarantee a spot so they are not dropping this one as they win at home.

William Berry: Dallas over San Fran.

Ryan Burns: Ahh, remember when this rivalry meant something? Me too. Times have changed though and although Dallas impressed people last week and Romo healthy, I'm taking San Francisco in my upset pick of the week.

Oakland @ Denver

C Douglas Baker: Denver sometimes actually can play defense when they have a mind to. Oakland has had a couple of close games but they are a lousy no account team and the Denver offense just may put up 50 points on them.

Glenn Card: Did I actually see some life out of the Raiders? No, that was just a body twitch just before rigor mortis sets in. There is no doubt Denver wins at home.

William Baker: Denver over Oakland

Ryan Burns: Oakland just wants to end the season, while Denveris still playing for their playoff lives in the disappointing AFC West. They cruise at home, especially if that famous Denver weather is present.

Carolina @ Atlanta

C Douglas Baker: The last time these two teams played Carolina held Michael Turner and Matt Ryan in check and won the game rather handily. Even though they are playing in Atlanta, I don't see a different outcome this week.

Glenn Card: In this conference game you’d like to think that Atlanta is not going to lose two in a row at home. Carolina is just too strong for the Falcons on paper. I think the Falcons pull an upset here.

William Berry: Atlanta over Carolina.

Ryan Burns: Matt Ryan will put a stamp on his ROY campaign this week, beating division rival Carolina. Falcons win at home.

New York @ Arizona

C Douglas Baker: Yes, I am predicting an upset. This game is in Arizona, and the Giants are ripe for a let down.

Either Kurt Warner will turn the ball over six times and the Giants will blow out the Cardinals, or the Cardinals offensive line will man up against one of the best defensive lines in the league, allowing Kurt Warner just enough time to take advantage of the Giants' weak secondary to win a close one.

I'm predicting the latter. (Or I've lost my mind).

Glenn Card: This is a game I’ll be watching. The Giants are strong but I hope there is a heatwave in Arizona. I want to see Kurt Warner take the lead in the MVP standings by winning this game at home against a really good team.

William Berry: Arizona over the G-Men.

Ryan Burns: Kurt Warner gives the Giants some payback and leads the Cardinals to the upset in a shootout.

Seattle @ Washington

C Douglas Baker: Poor Seattle. This is another team that came into the season with a lot of (empty) promise. No running game, all their receivers hurt, injured quarterbacks, and a defense that has taken the year.

The Redskins are not as bad as they looked the past few weeks and will want to win this one to keep their playoff hopes alive. And Jim Zorn should be fired up to beat his old team.

Glenn Card: The Redskin loss to Dallas last week really hurt their playoff possibilities. They have to win the rest of their schedule to have a chance. This will be a road win for Washington.

William Berry: Washington over Seattle.

Ryan Burns: I have to take the 'Skins over Seattle on the road, as they have to win this one to hold their ground in the playoff picture after last week's loss versus the Cowboys.

Indianapolis @ San Diego

C Douglas Baker: I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the whiniest team in the NFL get the beat down this year. Peyton looks to be back in his groove, the Colts running game has come to life, and their defense has an occasional pulse.

I think the Colts pull out another close one in San Diego and bury the Chargers' season, especially given how the refs LOVE the Colts and seem to HATE the Chargers.

Glenn Card: Ok, I’ll eat crow now and say that the Colts are peaking at the right time and they will beat San Diego for a road win.

William Berry: Chargers over Colts.

Ryan Burns: The Colts hold the tiebreaker over the Patriots if they end up tied going into the playoffs. With that said, I am picking the Chargers to win this game at home and stay alive for one more week.

Green Bay @ New Orleans

C Douglas Baker: Even with Reggie Bush supposedly coming back and Drew Brees playing well, I just have a good feeling about the Packers in this game. I know Green Bay hasn't looked as good as they did earlier in the season, but their defense is a turnover machine (even if they can't stop the run).

If Greg Jennings would get his head out of his behind and stop dropping passes Green Bay should be able to pull this one out.

Glenn Card: I always root for the Saints as underdogs and they always lose when I do. I’m going to pick Green Bay in this match up only to see if the jinx will go the other way.

William Berry: Packers over Saints.

Ryan Burns: The Packers had a big win last week and will have another one this week. Packers win to stay atop the division.

For the New England Patriots, Sunday Is Do or Die

Ryan Burns — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:08:11 -0500

For the Patriots to make the playoffs in this topsy-turvy NFL season, they need to treat Sunday's game versus the resurgent Dolphins as a playoff game.

After losing a heartbreaker at home last Thursday to the New York Jets, the Patriots are now tied for second place in the division with the Miami Wildcats, I mean Dolphins, setting up a huge game in Florida on Sunday.

Sure, the Pats are 6-4 and playing well enough to make the playoffs, but due to their 2-2 record in the division and tiebreaking losses to the Fish and the Colts, the Pats would be watching the playoffs if they were to start today.

So how can the Patriots stop the Dolphins, considering Miami destroyed them in September?

Control the ball.

This Patriots team is a far better team than they were in Week Three, but that being said, so is Miami. Matt Cassel had a record setting game against the Jets, which may have been what he needed headed into this match up.

He is clearly more comfortable in the offense and has made better throws as the season progresses. The Patriots will need to control the clock to keep them in this game, as their suspect defense has let them down time and time again this season.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Pats need to do a better job in long yardage situations, as giving up a first down on 3rd-and-15 last week was simply inexcusable.

Injuries have ravaged the team as Terrence Wheatley was the latest player to go down. Ty Warren's status is still uncertain as the Patriots are expected to release more information as we get closer to game time.

Much has been made of Miami's wildcat offense, but in recent weeks, it has produced diminishing results, as teams are now more apt to shut down whatever play they choose to run. Coach Belichick has undoubtedly gone over the tapes from their game in September, giving the Pats extra preparation for the Fins.

The Patriots simply must win this game in order to get some sort of momentum back. The last thing that this team needs is another division loss, which would not only hurt their playoff chances but would also make every game from here on out as important as a playoff game.

Let's face it, the Patriots have been here before and know what is at stake. Bill simply will not lose to the same team twice in a season, and thanks to the extra preparation, the Patriots should win this one, helping their playoff chances in the process.

Providence-Dartmouth: Friars Rebound With a Victory

Ryan Burns — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 02:36:27 -0500

Three days after an unsettling loss to Northeastern in their season opener, the Friars knew that they had to turn things around rather quickly in order to get this season back on track.

Tuesday night at the Dunkin' Donuts Center, they did exactly that, beating the Dartmouth Big Green 100-82, improving to 1-1 on the season and giving new coach Keno Davis his first win as a Friar coach.

After inconsistent play on Saturday, several Friars stepped it up last night. However, one player stood head and shoulders over the rest.

Sophomore Marshon Brooks led the way with 18 points and seven rebounds, both career highs, while adding three blocks. His long wingspan suits him well on the defensive side of the ball, and Coach Davis will certainly use him at any position at any given time, given his tenacity and effort.

For the second straight game, Brooks was the hardest-working player on the court and was rewarded for his efforts. Brooks slammed home a missed shot and then hit a three-pointer the next possession, getting fouled in the process and converting the four-point play.

Coach Davis sang Brooks' praise last night, saying, "What's going to be tough for other teams to match up with us is when Marshon plays. He can play any position. We've played him anywhere from the off-guard to the center position already. We could play very small or we could play bigger. His versatility and ability to go in and mix it up with offensive rebounding, yet be able to shoot it with good percentage, is going to make him an outstanding player for us."

Last night was also about improving on some negatives that doomed the Friars against Northeastern, namely missing big free throws and turning the ball over needlessly. On Saturday the Friars were lackluster from the free throw line and committed too many turnovers, but last night they went 31-46 from the line and had 15 turnovers, forcing 17 from Dartmouth.

What was most impressive, however, was Coach Davis' eight-man rotation, in which all the players in the rotation played at least 20 minutes. Because of this quick rotation, the scoring was spread out pretty evenly, and seven of the eight players had at least 10 points.

Randall Hanke had a good game, dropping 16 points on 6-7 shooting and grabbing nine rebounds. Sharaud Curry and Jeff Xavier got it going early, and both had more points in the first half of last night's game than in the loss to the Huskies.

The Friars started the game on a 19-5 run, thanks to an effective full court press that forced some turnovers from Dartmouth, but let that lead slip away. However, the Big Green were never able to take advantage of Friar miscues and did not lead once in the contest.

By the end of the game, Coach Davis put in his walk-on players and the game was all but over, giving him his first win for Providence.

Sophomore Alex Kellogg, who missed Saturday's game with a knee injury, warmed up but did not see any action. Jamine Peterson was in street clothes and freshman Bilal Dixon did not play, as both will most likely be redshirted this season to give Keno Davis more depth come next year, when he will lose several seniors.

The Friars have two more home games this week, hosting Sacred Heart on Thursday and then Maine on Saturday.

Providence-Northeastern: Friars Drop First Game of Davis Era, Seek Consistency

Ryan Burns — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 02:27:34 -0500

In front of a raucous crowd, the Friars looked to start off the Keno Davis era with a bang.

Instead, they looked lost at times, and due to inconsistent play and turnovers lost to the Northeastern Huskies 70-66 on Saturday night.

Northeastern played well throughout the game, taking the lead midway through the first half and holding off the Friars down the stretch to earn the upset victory. The Friars were able to tie the game late in the second half but could not get the defensive stops they needed to shut down the persistent Huskies.

Matt Janning had a game-high 24 points and forward Eugene Spates added 17, each making big shots in the second half to stop the Friars from coming back.

The newly renovated Dunkin' Donuts Center was electric to start the game, as the expanded student section was excited to welcome new coach Keno Davis, giving him the classic, Ke-no Da-vis clap clap clapclapclap chant before the game started. Davis was fired up on the sideline, and with good reason.

The Friars started the game well and probably played well enough to win if it wasn't for all their turnovers. Possessions were cut short time and time again as errant passes down low bounced out of bounds. The Friars looked sloppy at times while handling the ball, dribbling the ball off their feet and turning the ball over needlessly. The 21 turnovers as a team did not help their chances of winning.

Also, they had mediocre foul shooting down the stretch, going 8-16 from the line in the second half. The Friars were also victimized by questionable calls from the officials, killing all kinds of momentum late in the game.

The Friars were able to overcome these obstacles and tied the game at 57 on a Geoff McDermott three-pointer with 4:32 to play. However, a quick three by Northeastern gave them the lead once again. The Friars tied it again at 63 on a three-point play by Weyinmi Efejuku with 2:13 to play, but once again it was a Northeastern three-pointer that shifted the momentum back to the visiting Huskies.

The Friars simply could not defend the Huskies' best players, something that frustrated Coach Davis and the fans in attendance. Their inconsistent performance was telling of this team's inability to master the offense at this stage of the season.

Consider these numbers.

Point guard Sharaud Curry, who is coming back from a foot injury, had just two points on 1-8 shooting. The enigmatic Weyinmi Efejuku led the Friars with 16 points but turned the ball over six times. Jon Kale, the Friars' emotional leader, had 15 points but went 3-7 from the line, missing free throws in key spots. Sharpshooter Jeff Xavier had only three points on 1-5 shooting.

If these numbers tell us anything, it is that the Friars are not getting their best players the ball enough times in a possession. Too many times, a player would try to drive through multiple defenders, only to lose control of the ball.

On a lighter note, Marshawn Brooks played well, using his intensity to grab several key rebounds and forcing several turnovers. I would say that he and Kale were the team's top two performers Saturday night, along with Brian McKenzie who made some big shots late in the game, keeping the Friars close.

This team is clearly at their best when they have intensity on their side, and lackadaisical play by Efejuku and Curry will do nothing but bring this team down.

The Friars' defense looked better than it did in the preseason, but if they want to get back on track, they have to beat Dartmouth tonight at the Dunk. If the Friars want a shot at the big dance in March, they have to beat teams that they are supposed to beat. Although they looked average against Northeastern, I expect them to fully recover this week.