[NFL] New England Patriots Thread

[Tealey7]

Game Review - Game 15 versus Houston

After an embarressing 21-0 loss to the Dolphins, we needed a huge win against Houston to get us back on track. We did, naturally.

Originally Posted by ESPN

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- Ellis Hobbs needed just 12 seconds on his kickoff return to leave behind his pursuers and memories of the Patriots' worst loss of the season.

That's how long it took him to run 93 yards for a touchdown on the play after the Houston Texans' only touchdown. New England went on to a 40-7 win Sunday one week after a 21-0 loss at Miami.

"It was the antithesis of last week," said Tom Brady, who threw two touchdown passes. "There was really enthusiasm right from the start."

The Patriots (10-4) led 27-0 at halftime, their biggest margin at intermission in 59 games, but Ron Dayne scored on a 1-yard run on the Texans' first series of the third quarter.

"You want to respond," Hobbs said. "You don't want [their] offense to get momentum, feel like they can do something. That's a big downer for them, a big morale lifter for us."

The Texans (4-10) had hoped their best drive of the game could get them back in it. But Hobbs followed a block he hoped Willie Andrews would make -- attributing it to "telekinesis" between the two.

"I guess he just read my mind and got over there and hit him," said Hobbs, whose interception later in the third quarter led to the third of Stephen Gostkowski's four field goals in four attempts.

"We came out in the third quarter and finally executed," Houston coach Gary Kubiak said, "but then Hobbs had the kick return, and it went right back to where it started."

After a six-week stretch in which the Patriots were just 3-3 with 19 turnovers, they committed no turnovers Sunday while forcing David Carr into four interceptions. They can clinch the AFC East title next Sunday with a win at Jacksonville.

In the first half, Kevin Faulk scored on an 11-yard run and a 43-yard play on a screen pass, and Brady threw another touchdown pass, covering 6 yards to Jabar Gaffney. The defense had four sacks and three interceptions and held the Texans to 76 yards in the first two quarters.

"It was one of the worst professional performances I've ever been part of," Houston defensive tackle Anthony Maddox said. "We played like trash."

Benjamin Watson, the Patriots top pass catcher, missed the game with a knee injury, and nose tackle Vince Wilfork sat out with an ankle injury. Safety Rodney Harrison, recovering from a broken shoulder blade, missed his sixth game, and running back Lawrence Maroney was sidelined for his second in a row with torn rib cartilage.

The Patriots didn't miss them. Hobbs replaced Maroney on kickoff returns and Mike Wright had a sack as Wilfork's replacement.

Maybe coach Bill Belichick's unusually demanding approach to practice last week paid off. He even reminded his players that the Patriots were the only team that hadn't scored on defense or special teams.

"At least we won't have to listen to that this week," Brady said.

Not on Monday, anyway. Belichick gave his players the day off for the second time because of a win, the other after a 17-13 victory over Chicago on Nov. 26.

"They're called victory Mondays," fullback Heath Evans said.

The Texans were coming off a good performance in a 26-20 overtime loss to surging Tennessee. But they managed just one touchdown one play before Hobbs scored.

That "took the wind out of us," Houston cornerback Dexter McCleon said.

The Patriots led 17-0 after one quarter on Faulk's touchdowns and Gostkowski's 36-yard field goal. Gostkowski added a 32-yarder and Brady threw a 6-yard scoring pass to Gaffney 1:11 before intermission.

"I let myself get out of the game plan," Carr said. "We were so far behind, I started to try and make plays that weren't there."

The Patriots committed just two penalties after having 23 the previous three weeks.

"Our main goal," Hobbs said, was that "we would not cost us the game. They would have to beat us today and any time we could get to situations where we have to make them beat us, it's very hard to beat us."

Tom Brady was replaced by Matt Cassel midway through the fourth quarter and Vinny Testaverde went in for Cassel later. Brady threw for only 109 yards after being held to 78 a week earlier. This week, though, he didn't need any more.

"There's no way in the world they were going to play that way" again, Houston safety Jason Simmons said. "Tom Brady wouldn't let them."

A superb, flawless, 40-7 rout of the useless Texans. I bet they're regretting not picking Reggie Bush in their first pick of the draft.

Score Summary

New England TD (Kevin Faulk 11 yard run, EP is good)
New England FG (Stephen Gostkowski 36 yards)
New England TD (Kevin Faulk 43 yard pass from Brady, EP is good)
New England FG (Stephen Gostkowski 32 yards)
New England TD (Jabar Gaffney 6 yard pass from Brady, EP is good)
Houston TD (Ron Dayne 1 yard run, EP is good)
New England TD (Ellis Hobbs 93 yard kickoff return, EP is good)
New England FG (Stephen Gostkowski 31 yards)
New England FG (Stephen Gostkowski 21 yards)

AFC East Standings

Patriots: 10-4
Jets: 8-6
Bills: 7-7
Dolphins: 6-8

I think Miami are out of the playoff picture. The Bills still just about have a chance, and the Jets are pushing for a Wildcard spot. Our penultimate game of the season is on Christmas Eve away to the Jacksonville Jaguars, whose record for the season is 8-6.

[Tealey7]

Game Review - Game 16 @ Jacksonville

In only our second game all season on Sky Sports, we played the Jags on Christmas Eve. They are going through an up and down season, whereas we are doing well considering some key players are injured. Anyway, we snuck a 24-21 win.

Originally Posted by ESPN

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- The New England Patriots left Jacksonville with more championship shirts and hats.

It wasn't the Super Bowl kind, but they'll gladly wear them -- at least for now.

Tom Brady directed three long touchdown drives, capped one of them with a perfect touch pass to David Thomas, and helped the Patriots clinch their fourth consecutive AFC East crown with a 24-21 victory against the Jaguars on a rainy Sunday.

They did it on the same field they won their last Super Bowl, in January 2005.

"We've accomplished something now," said linebacker Tedy Bruschi while he donned a championship hat and T-shirt. "It's our first goal. We can look at it as a positive for the next couple of days. The first thing you have to do is to win the division and then go from there."

Brady was brilliant in both games at Alltel Stadium.

He was 23-of-33 for 236 yards and two touchdowns in the Super Bowl victory against Philadelphia. He was even better against the Jaguars (8-7).

He finished 28-of-39 for 249 yards and a touchdown, completing passes to 10 receivers and picking apart the NFL's second-ranked defense mostly with short and quick throws. He also ran 10 times for 31 yards, getting several first downs on sneaks and scrambling for yards to avoid sacks.

"He's a great leader," offensive tackle Matt Light said. "He went out there and did what he always does. Whenever we needed a big play he's always out there making them."

Brady and the Patriots (11-4) also crippled Jacksonville's postseason chances. The Jaguars, who have lost two in a row, need to win at Kansas City next week and get lots of help to earn a wild-card spot.

"We had two weeks with the chance to handle it ourselves and we didn't get it done," defensive tackle Marcus Stroud said. "If we get into the playoffs, so be it. If we don't, we can't blame nobody but ourselves."

The Jaguars made the playoffs last season, but promptly lost 28-3 at New England. That game was decided early in the second half when the Pats scored 21 unanswered points.

New England put Jacksonville away much later Sunday.

Laurence Maroney, who missed the last two games with torn rib cartilage, had a 27-yard touchdown run with 4:36 remaining to put the Patriots ahead 24-14.

But Jacksonville answered when David Garrard hooked up with Matt Jones for a 33-yard score about a minute later. The defense then forced its first three-and-out, giving the offense the ball near midfield with 1:55 to play. Garrard, though, scrambled out of the pocket and fumbled after getting hit by Jarvis Green.

Rodney Harrison, back after missing six weeks with a broken shoulder blade, recovered to seal the victory.

Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio thought Garrard's arm was moving forward and it should have been an incomplete pass. Officials reviewed the play and upheld the call.

"For the most part I played pretty decent, but to have the last drive come out the way it did, it hurts," said Garrard, who now has nine turnovers in the team's last four losses, including three that got returned for touchdowns last week at Tennessee. "I have to do a better job of not having the turnovers."

Or maybe watch and learn from Brady.

Throwing often because of Jacksonville's stout run defense, Brady engineered a 78-yard to open the second half. He was 4-for-5 for 68 yards and his best throw was his last, a 22-yarder over the middle that Thomas caught as he dived across the goal line, making it 17-7.

He was even better on the 68-yard drive that ended with Maroney's run. He completed both passes and picked up a first down with a 7-yard scramble on third down.

"We've been successful down here twice and it's good to get a win," Brady said.

The Jaguars scored all three times with the help of big plays.

Maurice Drew, starting in place of Fred Taylor (hamstring), had a 74-yard touchdown run in the second quarter that put the Jaguars ahead 7-3. Drew ran into the back of tight end Kyle Brady and fell to the ground. No Patriot touched Drew down, so the 5-foot-7 rookie quickly popped up, broke a tackle by Harrison and scampered for the long touchdown. Patriots coach Bill Belichick challenged, but officials ruled Drew had not been touched.

"I was sure. That's why I got up and kept going," said Drew, who finished with 131 yards rushing and 41 yards receiving. "There's a lot of energy wasted if you get up and run if you're already touched."

Drew scored again in the third quarter, a 1-yard plunge that made it 17-14. He now has 15 touchdowns. His second score followed a 41-yard completion from Garrard to Ernest Wilford deep down the sideline.

But it wasn't enough.

"Any loss is tough," cornerback Rashean Mathis said. "We controlled our own destiny, and being as good of a team as we are, we might not get a chance to experience the playoffs this year. It's rough."

Superb.

Score Summary

New England FG (Stephen Gostkowski 48 yards)
Jacksonville TD (Maurice Jones-Drew 74 yard run, EP is good)
New England TD (Corey Dillon 1 yard run, EP is good)
New England TD (David Thomas 22 yard pass from Brady, EP is good)
Jacksonville TD (Maurice Jones-Drew 1 yard run, EP is good)
New England TD (Laurence Maroney 27 yard run, EP is good)
Jacksonville TD (Matt Jones 33 yard pass from Garrard, EP is good)

AFC East Standings

x - clinched playoff berth
z - clinched division
y - eliminated from playoff contention

Patriots: 11-4 - x - z
Jets: 9-6
Bills: 7-8
Dolphins: 6-9 - y

We've reached the playoffs. We've won our fourth consecutive AFC East title. We're great. So far, the following teams have made the playoffs:

AFC

New England
Baltimore
Indianapolis
San Diego

NFC

Philadelphia
Dallas
Chicago
New Orleans
Seattle

Our last match of the regular season will almost definitely see us rest various key players. We are playing away from home against Tennessee on New Year's Eve.

[Tealey7]

Game Preview - Game 17 @ Tennessee

For the second game in a row, the Patriots are on Sky Sports!!!!!!!! This game is on Sky!!!!!!

http://cachemediasrv.patriots.com/ImgDyn.cfm?s=pats_at_titans_helmets.jpg

Originally Posted by Patriots.com

The Patriots will play their regular-season finale against the resurgent Tennessee Titans in Nashville on Sunday. The Titans have won six straight games and will provide a tough test for the Patriots heading into the playoffs. With Tennessee facing a must-win to keep its own playoff hopes alive, the Patriots will be presented with a solid challenge as they try to enter the postseason on a winning note.

PLAYOFF SCENARIO
**New England Patriots - 2006 AFC East Champions**
The Patriots have clinched their fourth straight AFC East title and will host a playoff game at Gillette Stadium the weekend of Jan. 6-7, 2007. If New England defeats Tennessee this week and the Indianapolis Colts lose at home to the Miami Dolphins, the Patriots would claim the third seed in the AFC playoffs and would host the sixthseeded AFC team. Any other combination of results would see the Patriots claim the AFC's fourth seed and host the fifth-seeded team on Sat., Jan. 6 or Sun., Jan. 7.

BEAST OF THE EAST
The Patriots have won four straight AFC East titles, tying the all-time record for consecutive titles in that division. New England's four straight AFC East crowns equals the totals of the Buffalo Bills from 1988-91 and of the Miami Dolphins on two occasions. The Patriots have won five of the last six division crowns dating back to 2001, recording an NFL-best 29-9 record within their division over that span. New England has won seven division titles since 1996, the highest total in the NFL over that span. The Patriots have won seven division titles in the 13 seasons since Robert Kraft bought the team in 1994 after winning just three in the franchise's first 34 seasons from 1960-93.

RECORD PERFORMANCE
The Patriots have allowed an average of 14.27 points through 15 games this season, a mark that ranks second in the NFL (Baltimore, 12.93), and are on track to challenge the Patriots franchise record of 14.88 points per game, set in 2003.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

TELEVISION: This week's game will be broadcast by CBS. The game can be seen in Boston on WBZ-TV Channel 4. lalalala Enberg will handle play-by-play duties and Randy Cross will provide analysis.

RADIO: WBCN 104.1 FM is the flagship station for the Patriots Rock Radio Network. Play-by-play broadcaster Gil Santos is in his 30th season as the voice of the Patriots and will call the action along with Patriots Hall of Famer Gino Cappelletti for the 23rd season.

SERIES HISTORY
The New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans (formerly the Houston Oilers) will play for the 38th time since the two charter members of the American Football League began play in 1960. The Patriots and Oilers played twice each year from 1960- 1969 in the AFL, and have played 16 times since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. In those 17 post-merger games, the Patriots have a 10-7 record, including a 1-1 mark in playoff games. New England leads the overall series, 20-16-1 and own an 8-3 record against the Titans franchise since 1981. The last game between the clubs came in the 2003 divisional playoffs, where New England advanced to the AFC Championship Game with a 17-14 victory in the coldest game in team history (4 degrees). The teams last tangled in regular-season play on Oct. 5, 2003, at Gillette Stadium, with the Patriots winning a 38-30 shootout. New England will make its first appearance in Tennessee since the 2002 season, when the Titans won 24-7 on Monday Night Football.

A win will be an absolute must to try and give us a Wildcard bye.

Patriots Injury Report

Bam Childress (WR) - Out
Kevin Faulk (RB) - Out
Chad Scott (S/CB) - Out
Ben Watson (TE) - Out
Vince Wilforlalala) - Out
Rashad Baker (S) - Questionable
Marquise Hill (DE) - Questionable
Ryan O'Callaghan (T) - Questionable
Mike Wright (DL) - Questionable
Tom Brady (QB) - Probable
Rodney Harrison (S) - Probable
Ellis Hobbs (CB) - Probable
Richard Seymour (DL) - Probable

Go Pats.

[Tealey7]

Game Review - Game 17 @ Tennessee

Our last game of the regular season. The Titans needed to win and hope other results went their way to get into the playoffs. However, we beat them comfortably.

Originally Posted by ESPN.com

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Bill Belichick told Vinny Testaverde to get loose. The 43-year-old quarterback wasn't sure, so he asked the New England coach again.

"He said, 'Get loose.' I assumed that was to go in and throw the football. I threw a couple passes before I went in," Testaverde said.

Testaverde capped the Patriots' roll into the playoffs by throwing a touchdown for an NFL-record 20th season. Corey Dillon ran for two TDs and Tom Brady threw for one as New England stopped the Tennessee Titans' magical run at NFL history by beating them 40-23 Sunday.

Last year, Belichick let Doug Flutie drop kick an extra point. This season, he gave Testaverde, signed Nov. 14, a chance at his own history. Testaverde found Troy Brown on his third pass, a 6-yarder with 1:45 left for at least one TD pass in 20 straight seasons.

"I wanted to give it to him," Belichick said. "I think he deserves that."

The Titans, disappointed at failing to deliver on the one piece they had control of in their improbable bid at a wild-card berth, were not happy with Testaverde's pass.

"I don't think that was really necessary," Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck said.

The Titans (8- had won six straight games and needed to beat New England and hope Jacksonville, Cincinnati and Denver all lost. Jacksonville and Cincinnati did just that.

But they proved no match against the Patriots (12-4), who wanted as much momentum for themselves before hosting the New York Jets in a wild-card game next weekend.

Belichick played Brady three quarters. New England took control by scoring 19 straight points, and the defense sacked Vince Young five times, forcing him into three turnovers.

"Twelve wins is a pretty good year," Brady said. "Doesn't mean much going into next week. Twelve wins, I'll take it."

The Titans wanted to become the first NFL team to start 0-5 and reach the playoffs. Fisher did what he could by keeping the scores from the Jacksonville-Kansas City and Cincinnati-Pittsburgh games off the scoreboards.

Announcing the scores of those games late in the third quarter didn't help. Brady hit Reche Caldwell on the next play for a 62-yard TD and a 26-13 lead.

"I'm disappointed that we couldn't finish up on a winning note, but I'm very, very optimistic about the future of this football team," coach Jeff Fisher said of his Titans. "This is a young, young football team with a lot of promise ahead of them."

The young Titans had been covering up their mistakes and inexperience with big plays during this incredible streak. They got an 81-yard punt return by Adam "Pacman" Jones just before halftime, and Young ran 28 yards on third-and-3 in the third quarter to pull within 26-23.

But the Titans finally ran out of the magic that helped them pull out four comeback victories.

Young, who autographed something for Testaverde before kickoff, looked like a rookie in his worst game since this streak started. He was intercepted twice, lost one of two fumbles and his best play outside of the TD run was tackling Asante Samuel after being intercepted.

His receivers didn't help him much either, dropping other passes.

The Titans' best chance came with the 9:15 left. But Young was incomplete on two passes, then Ty Warren sacked him to force the Titans three-and-out.

Chad Jackson returned the ensuing punt 39 yards, and rookie Laurence Maroney scored four plays later on a 1-yard TD run for a 33-23 lead.

With plenty of time left, Young threw away a pass on third-and-6, then was incomplete to Brandon Jones on a deep pass with 4:55 left.

New England let Testaverde take the field for likely the last time. Samuel picked off Young for the second time inside the final minute for his 10th interception.

With the rain falling through the first half, a field already soggy from the Music City Bowl on Friday turned into a muddy, slippery mess. The game was almost as sloppy as the field, with the teams flagged nine times each for a combined 248 yards.

"It was like what we played on the last five years," Brady said, referring to the Patriots' home turf that was replaced in midseason.

The Patriots played their third straight game without defensive tackle Vince Wilfork (right ankle) and tight end Benjamin Watson (left knee). New England didn't miss them. Safety Rodney Harrison left in the first half with an injured right leg, but Belichick had no update on his condition.

Travis Henry ran for 98 yards on 12 carries in the first half against a defense that had been among the NFL's best, allowing only 91.5 per game. The Patriots shut him down in the second half, and he finished with 102 yards on 21 carries.

A superb win, capping off a great 12-4 season for the Pats.

Score Summary

Tennessee FG (Rob Bironas 25 yards)
New England FG (Stephen Gostkowski 28 yards)
New England TD (Corey Dillon 21 yard run, EP is blocked)
New England FG (Stephen Gostkowski 26 yards)
New England TD (Corey Dillon 1 yard run, EP is good)
Tennessee TD (Adam Jones 81 yard punt return, EP is good)
Tennessee FG (Rob Bironas 27 yards)
New England TD (Reche Caldwell 62 yard pass from Brady, EP is good)
Tennessee FG (Rob Bironas 27 yards)
Tennessee TD (Vince Young 28 yard run, EP is good)
New England TD (Laurence Maroney 1 yard run, EP is good)
New England TD (Troy Brown 6 yard pass from Testaverde, EP is good)

Final AFC East Standings

Patriots: 12-4
Jets: 10-6
Bills: 7-9
Dolphins: 6-10

Great TD for Testaverde, the 20th consecutive season in which he has thrown a TD, which is an NFL record. Vince Young is great, and could be a decent RB. The playoff picture is complete, and we are 4th seed in the AFC, so we have to play a Wild Card game next week. The Wild Card picture looks like this:

Kansas City v Indianapolis
Dallas v Seattle
New England v NY Jets
NY Giants v Philadelphia

A tough matchup for us. That game is next Sunday.

[Tealey7]

Game Review - Wild Card Game versus New York Jets

Ah, the joys of having no internet for days. That meant that not only could I not update this thread, but I had to look up the Patriots' result on Teletext. Nightmare.

Originally Posted by ESPN

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- Bill Belichick and Tom Brady won three Super Bowls with Eric Mangini on their side.

The Patriots coach taught his former student that maybe he can win another without him -- especially with his quarterback in championship form.

Brady capped long scoring drives with short touchdown passes to Daniel Graham and Kevin Faulk, and Asante Samuel sealed it with a 36-yard interception return for a score with 4:54 left as New England beat Mangini's New York Jets 37-16 on Sunday.

"We keep playing like that, we can make it a long ways," wide receiver Reche Caldwell said.

New England (13-4), the only team to win a playoff game in each of the last four seasons, will play at AFC top seed San Diego (14-2) next Sunday. The Patriots are going for their fourth Super Bowl title in six seasons.

"I think our players stepped up and just made a few more plays, and that was obviously the difference in the game," Belichick said.

The loss ended a surprising run by the Jets, who won their last three regular-season games to get into the playoffs. This was supposed to be a rebuilding season under Mangini, their rookie coach.

"You look at the big picture and say it was a good job on our part," Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma said. "But if you're competitive, if you're a player, you don't want to go 10-6 and lose in the first round of the playoffs."

Mangini, Belichick's former assistant, showed he learned a lot in his six years in New England. But the mentor still had some lessons left.

After the game, the two coaches, whose relationship has cooled since Mangini left to become coach of the Jets, met at midfield and Belichick hugged Mangini. It was a bit warmer than the loose, businesslike handshakes the two exchanged following their two regular-season meetings.

"I'm not going to get into a postgame analysis here," Belichick said. "Really, I've had enough of that."

Added Mangini: "I've got to tell you, I wasn't focused on that moment. It was nice, but I honestly wasn't thinking about that."

Brady improved to 10-2 against the Jets (10-7), and played much better than in the teams' last meeting, when New York frustrated the quarterback with blitzes and won 17-14.

"I'm beginning to experience it on this side," Mangini said. "He's a great player. He can hurt you at all times."

And this time, Brady was in control from the start.

"I think we had a great plan," Brady said. "This is a pressure defense, and I think we were prepared much more for the pressure this time around."

New England, which has won seven of eight since that loss to New York, improved to 9-1 at home in the playoffs. The Jets made things interesting early, taking a 10-7 lead in the second quarter on a 77-yard touchdown catch and run by Jerricho Cotchery.

But it was all New England from that point in the teams' second-ever meeting in the playoffs, the last also a victory by the Patriots in 1985.

"We showed a lot of resilience and played well, but it's disappointing right now," Jets receiver Laveranues Coles said. "It hurts right now."

With the Patriots leading 23-16, Brady engineered the type of drive that has made him so deadly in big games. New England took over at its 37 and, with a series of short passes and runs got to the Jets 7.

Brady then found Kevin Faulk with a short pass and the running back zipped into the end zone with 5:16 left as the Patriots quarterback put up both hands and pointed skyward.

Brady finished 22-of-34 for 212 yards and two touchdowns, while Jabar Gaffney had eight catches for 104 yards. The Patriots also outrushed the Jets 148-70.

New England also took advantage of a big mistake by the Jets late in the third quarter.

Chad Pennington's pass was knocked down by Rosevelt Colvin and picked up by Vince Wilfork, who rumbled 31 yards to the Jets 15 before being tackled by Cotchery.

"He rumbled and rumbled and rumbled, but if I had picked it up: 'Game over,'" defensive tackle Richard Seymour joked.

The play was ruled a backward pass and a fumble, and the ruling was upheld after a challenge by Mangini.

Four plays later, Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 28-yard field goal to give New England a 23-13 lead.

Mike Nugent's 37-yard field goal 3:21 into the fourth quarter made it 23-16.

The Patriots got things started early on Corey Dillon's 11-yard touchdown run 3:07 in.

Cotchery put the Jets ahead 10-7 with his 77-yard touchdown score, the longest in team postseason history, but Gostkowski tied it with a 20-yard field goal.

The Patriots again had a long drive late in the first half, capped by Graham's 1-yard TD catch. New England started at its 20 with 7:05 remaining in the half. After Laurence Maroney's 5-yard run put the ball at the 1, the Jets stopped Heath Evans and Maroney for no gain. On third-and-goal, Brady found Graham in the back of the end zone just out of the reach of linebacker Brad Kassell for a 17-10 lead.

The 15-play drive that took 6:54.

"I just put it up there and tried to let that big guy make a play for us," Brady said.

There, ladies and gentlemen, is the exceptional advantage of having Tom Brady at QB. It's an absolute travesty he's not in the Pro Bowl.

Score Summary

New England TD (Corey Dillon 11 yard run, EP is good)
New York FG (Mike Nugent 28 yards)
New York TD (Jerricho Cotchery 77 yard pass from Pennington, EP is good)
New England FG (Stephen Gostkowski 20 yards)
New England TD (Dan Graham 1 yard pass from Brady, EP is good)
New York FG (Mike Nugent 21 yards)
New England FG (Stephen Gostkowski 40 yards)
New England FG (Stephen Gostkowski 28 yards)
New York FG (Mike Nugent 37 yards)
New England TD (Kevin Faulk 7 yard pass from Brady, EP is good)
New England TD (Asante Samuel 36 yard interception return, EP is good)

No need for standings. Just to say how brilliant it is to be through to the Divisional playoffs again. And how brilliant it is to have Brady at QB. We've got San Diego next. You know what they say, there is never an easy game in the NFL playoffs.

[Tealey7]

Game Preview - Divisional Game @ San Diego

The winner of this game goes into the AFC Championship game. No pressure lads.

Originally Posted by Patriots.com

The AFC East Champion New England Patriots will face the AFC West Champion San Diego Chargers - the top seed in the AFC playoffs - in California on Sunday afternoon with a berth in the 2006 AFC Championship Game at stake. The game will feature two teams that are solid on both sides of the ball. Each club finished the regular season ranked in the NFL's top seven in scoring offense and scoring defense. San Diego led the NFL by totaling an average of 30.8 points per game, while the Patriots set a team record and ranked second in the league allowing opponents just 14.8 points per game. New England's average scoring output of 24.1 points per game ranked seventh in the league, while the Chargers placed seventh in the NFL in allowing 18.9 points per game.

PATRIOTS VS. TOP SEEDS
The Patriots have won their last four playoff games against top seeded teams. New England holds an all-time record of 5-3 against top-seeded teams in the playoffs, including a 3-1 record in road games and a 2-2 mark in Super Bowls at neutral sites.

SEASON'S BEATINGS
Since Bill Belichick became head coach in 2000, the Patriots have had consistent late-season success, winning 18 of their 20 games played between Dec. 25 and the end of the NFL postseason. New England's record includes an 11-1 playoff mark and a 7-1 regular season record over that span.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

TELEVISION: This week's game will be broadcast by CBS. The game can be seen in Boston on WBZ-TV Channel 4. Jim Nantz will handle play-by-play duties and Phil Simms will provide analysis.

RADIO: WBCN 104.1 FM is the flagship station for the Patriots Rock Radio Network. Play-by-play broadcaster Gil Santos is in his 30th season as the voice of the Patriots and will call the action along with Patriots Hall of Famer Gino Cappelletti for the 23rd season.

NATIONAL RADIO: The game will be broadcast nationally by Westwood One. lalalala Enberg and Bob Trumpy will call the game and Bonnie Bernstein will report from the sidelines.

SERIES HISTORY
The Patriots and Chargers will play for the 34th time overall and just the second time in the playoffs. In their one previous playoff meeting, the old American Football League rivals squared off in the 1963 AFL Championship game, a 51- 10 Chargers victory at San Diego's Balboa Stadium. The series dates back to 1960, the inaugural season for each team, with the Patriots holding a 17- 14-2 advantage. The Chargers have won the last two meetings, including a 41-17 win in the 2005 regular season. Prior to a loss to the Chargers in the 2002 regular season, the Patriots captured 10 straight victories dating back to 1970, the final season of the AFL.

PATRIOTS IN DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS
The Patriots have compiled a 6-5 all-time record in divisional playoff games. The Patriots have won four of their last six divisional round games and have been victorious in five of their last eight such contests.

As I keep saying, it can be done.

Patriots Injury Report

Rodney Harrison (S) - Out
Bam Childress (WR) - Questionable
Heath Evans (WR) - Questionable
Ben Watson (TE) - Questionable
Tom Brady (QB) - Probable
Ellis Hobbs (CB) - Probable
Richard Seymour (DL) - Probable
Mike Vrabel (LB) - Probable

Go Pats. Make us proud.

[Tealey7]

Divisional Playoff @ San Diego

Last night was the divisional playoff. Guess what. We won!!!

http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/apphoto/CAME12801150228.jpg

Originally Posted by ESPN.com

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Tom Brady, as cool as ever, delivered every time the San Diego Chargers gave him another chance.

Already a three-time Super Bowl winner, his shot at a fourth is very much alive after the New England Patriots shocked league MVP LaDainian Tomlinson and the Chargers on Sunday, winning 24-21 to advance to the AFC Championship Game.

Brady overcame three interceptions, his career playoff high, to lead the Patriots to 11 points in 3:26 late in the game. He and coach Bill Belichick now have a 12-1 postseason record together, and need to win at Indianapolis next Sunday to make their fourth Super Bowl trip in six seasons.

Brady and linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who also helped the Patriots in their Super Bowl runs earlier this decade, walked off the field together.

"I said to Tedy, 'Man, that was not easy.' He says to me, 'They never are buddy, they never are,'" said Brady, 27-of-51 for 280 yards.

As tough a win as it was for New England, it was a gut-wrenching loss for San Diego and its coach, Marty Schottenheimer, whose job could be in jeopardy after his career postseason record tumbled to 5-13.

Tomlinson shattered several league records in helping the Chargers go an NFL-best 14-2, including 8-0 at home in the regular season.

Once it was over, Tomlinson, like Brady one of the most laid-back superstars in any sport, lost his cool. He went after an unidentified Patriots player and had to be restrained by a teammate and former Charger Reche Caldwell, who had a huge game for the Patriots.

Tomlinson yelled and pointed at the Patriots player, upset that some Patriots were dancing on the Chargers logo at midfield after they had silenced the record crowd of 68,810 at Qualcomm Stadium.

"I would never react in that way. I was very upset," Tomlinson said. "When you go to the middle of our field and start doing the dance Shawne Merriman is known for, that is disrespectful. They showed no class and maybe that comes from the head coach."

Merriman, nicknamed "Lights Out," did a spasmodic dance to celebrate each of his NFL-high 17 sacks.

"We lost to a better team today," Tomlinson said. "Hopefully the next opportunity we have we'll learn something from this."

Tomlinson ran for 123 yards and two scores, and caught two passes for 64 yards.

While the Chargers respected the mystique Brady and the Patriots had built with Super Bowl wins following the 2001, 2002 and 2004 seasons, they hoped to be the ones raising the Lombardi Trophy in Miami on Feb. 4.

San Diego had nine players voted to the Pro Bowl team and five to the All-Pro team. And it had been supercharged by Tomlinson, who became the most prolific scorer in one season in NFL history with 31 touchdowns and 186 points while winning the rushing title with 1,815 yards.

But Brady is the one who's been there before in January. And nearly always has won -- it was Brady's sixth career game-winning drive in the playoffs, and his 24th overall.

The winning points came on a 31-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski with 1:10 left. That capped a 72-yard drive highlighted by a 49-yard pass to Reche Caldwell, who left the Chargers as a free agent after last season.

With the Patriots trailing 21-13, Brady threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to the wide-open Caldwell with 4:36 to play. The Patriots tied it on a tricky 2-point conversion, snapping the ball directly to running back Kevin Faulk, who was standing next to Brady and ran through the middle of the line.

San Diego's Pro Bowl kicker Nate Kaeding was short on a 54-yard field goal try with 3 seconds left.

Schottenheimer will no doubt be criticized for going for it on fourth-and-11 from the New England 30 in the first quarter rather than having Kaeding try a field goal.

Philip Rivers, the Chargers' first-year starting quarterback, was sacked by Mike Vrabel and fumbled, giving the Patriots the ball at their 35.

Although Schottenheimer has a year left on his contract, at more than $3 million, he and general manager A.J. Smith have had an icy relationship for months, and the front-office felt this team was built for a Super Bowl run.

The Chargers had four turnovers -- they had only 15 in the regular season -- and made other critical mistakes.

"Anytime you're in the playoffs and lose, and certainly I have plenty of experience at it, there's a disappointment," Schottenheimer said.

Punt returner Eric Parker had a double muff to give the Patriots the ball on their 31 late in the third quarter. Following a third-and-13 on which Brady fumbled and Matt Light recovered, Chargers cornerback Drayton Florence head-butted tight end Daniel Graham and drew a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. That led to Gostkowski's 24-yard field that pulled the Patriots to 14-13.

Tomlinson scored on a 3-yard run with 8:35 left in the game for a 21-13 lead.

On the next Patriots drive, Brady was intercepted by safety Marlon McCree, who, rather than going down, tried for a return and walalalala by Troy Brown and fumbled, with Caldwell recovering.

The Chargers challenged, but the play was upheld, and the Patriots had the ball at the Chargers 32. Five plays later, Brady hit Caldwell and Faulk added the conversion.

"There was a lot of gratification," Caldwell said. "I had a chance to come home and show what I could do and I think I made plays."

Tomlinson scored on a 2-yard run in the second quarter for a 7-3 lead. Later, he turned a screen pass into a brilliant 58-yard gain, leaving two defenders grasping at air while he scooted to the New England 6. His backup, Michael Turner, scored on the next play for a 14-3 lead.

Brady kept the Patriots in it by running the two-minute offense to perfection, pulling New England to 14-10 just before halftime. At the end of the 10-play, 72-yard drive, Brady had all day to throw a 6-yard pass to Jabar Gaffney in the back of the end zone.

Prrof if proof were needed that you don't need the NFL season MVP to win in the playoffs. You just need a damn good QB and a superb coach.

Score Summary

New England FG (Stephen Gostkowski 50 yards)
San Diego TD (Ladainian Tomlinson 1 yard run, EP is good)
San Diego TD (Michael Turner 6 yard run, EP is good)
New England TD (Jabar Gaffney 6 yard pass from Brady, EP is good)
New England FG (Stephen Gostkowski 34 yards)
San Diego TD (Ladainian Tomlinson 3 yard run, EP is good)
New England TD (Reche Caldwell 4 yard pass from Brady, 2P is good)
New England FG (Stephen Gostkowski 31 yards)

Oh yes. Keeping LT to 2 TDs all game must be some kind of a record. Speaking of records, Brady and Belichick are now 12-1 in the playoffs when they have played together. The AFC Championship game is up next. We are away to Indianapolis, who scraped a 15-6 win against Baltimore. Go Pats.

[Tealey7]

Alternative Game Preview - AFC Game

So yeah, we're playing Indianapolis tonight. No pressure, but this is like the semi final before the Super Bowl which is the final. Go Pats.

Who's Crocked On The Patriots Roster?

Rodney Harrison (S) - Out
Troy Brown (WR) - Questionable
Ryan O'Callaghan (OT) - Questionable
Mike Wright (DL) - Questionable
Tom Brady (QB) - Questionable

As I said, we're playing Indianapolis. Here's a few key pointers that will help us win:

1) Play Good Defense
2) Force the Colts into loads of 3-and-outs and FGs
3) Give Offense The Ball
4) Don't do anything stupid while in possession of the ball
5) Score Points
6) BAM!!!!

TOM BRADY FOR PRESIDENT.

[Tealey7]

Game Review - AFC Game @ Indianapolis

Last night saw the end of our season, believe it or not. I certainly can't. We lost 38-34. I don't know what else to say.

Originally Posted by ESPN.com

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- The demons can relocate to some other team's locker room. Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy are Super Bowl material now.

Manning led the Colts from 18 points down in the second quarter, and on a game-winning 80-yard drive late in the fourth, for a wildly entertaining 38-34 victory Sunday over the New England Patriots in the AFC title game.

He took Dungy along for the ride, helping his coach finally get to the big game and make some history along the way. In two weeks, Dungy will join Chicago's Lovie Smith in the Super Bowl, where together they will be the first black head coaches to meet in the NFL's biggest game.

"It means a lot," Dungy said. "I'm very proud to be representing African-Americans. I'm very proud of Lovie."

Manning wouldn't concede that he got a monkey off his back with the win, the biggest in his nine-year NFL career.

"I don't get into monkeys and vindication," he said. "I don't play that card. I know how hard I worked this season, I know how hard I worked this week."

The Colts are the early favorites to beat the NFC champion Bears in the Super Bowl, by a touchdown.

Sunday's game was a show for the ages, and Manning was the star. He threw for 349 yards and one touchdown and brought his team back from a 21-3 deficit, the biggest comeback in conference title-game history.

The Patriots (14-5) lost in the championship game for the first time in six tries and saw their hopes of winning four Super Bowls in six years -- a la the Steelers of the late 70s -- derailed by Manning and Co.

Joseph Addai capped Manning's late drive with the winning score, a 3-yard run with 1 minute left to help the Colts (15-4) complete the rally and give them their first lead in the game.

After the final score, Manning was on the sideline, his head down, unable to watch. Brady threw an interception to Marlin Jackson and the RCA Dome crowd went wild. One kneel down later and Manning ripped off his helmet to celebrate.

"I said a little prayer on that last drive," Manning said. "I don't know if you're supposed to pray for stuff like that, but I said a little prayer."

Not only was it a win for Manning, the All-Pro, All-Everything son of Archie, it was a riveting, back-and-forth showcase of two of the NFL's best teams, best quarterbacks, and yet another example of why football is America's favorite sport.

It was anything but a by-the-book game, and that started becoming obvious when New England left guard Logan Mankins opened the scoring by pouncing on a fumbled handoff between Brady and Laurence Maroney that squirted into the Indy end zone midway through the first quarter.

It got worse from there for Manning, who telegraphed a throw to the sideline that Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel snatched and took 39 yards into the end zone for a 21-3 lead.

Then, the game plan changed because it had to, and the game morphed from another Manning meltdown into something much more.

He led the Colts on an 80-yard drive late in the first half for a field goal to make it 21-6. In the third quarter, he was at his cruel best, dissecting an exhausted Patriots defense for a pair of long drives and scores.

The first came on a 1-yard quarterback sneak. The second was capped by a 1-yard pass to Dan Klecko, a defensive tackle who came in as a supposed decoy at the goal line. A circus catch by Marvin Harrison for the 2-point conversion tied the game at 21.

"I'm so proud of the way our guys fought," Dungy said. "I'm very happy for Peyton. He was very, very calm. He had to bring us from behind three or four times. It's just fitting. Our team went the hard way the whole year."

After Indy's tying score, the Patriots answered with an 80-yard kickoff return by Ellis Hobbs, which set up a 6-yard touchdown pass from Brady to Jabar Gaffney. Officials awarded the score to Gaffney after ruling he was forced out of the back of the end zone by an Indy defender.

Manning came right back but his handoff to Dominic Rhodes misfired. The ball scooted forward and center Jeff Saturday got this touchdown to tie the score at 28.

After that drive, Manning could be seen on the sideline, nursing a sore thumb. But he wasn't coming out.

"I was a little worried at first, but I went over, made a few warmup throws and it was fine," he said. "I guess adrenaline pulled me through there a little, too."

The teams traded field goals, and Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski put New England ahead 34-31 on a 43-yarder with 3:49 left.

After a touchback, it was time for Manning's drive: 11 yards to Reggie Wayne, 32 yards to Bryan Fletcher, a scary completion to Wayne, who nearly lost the ball but snatched it back.

A roughing-the-passer call gave Indy the ball at the 11, then Manning handed off three straight times to Addai for the last 11 yards.

This 80-yard march came 20 years after John Elway made his first Super Bowl with The Drive.

"I watched the drive with Elway, you never get tired of seeing that," Manning said. "I'm not comparing what we just did to that, but it sounds pretty good."

It was Manning at his best.

He was 0-2 in the playoffs against New England, and saw another great chance for the Super Bowl disappear last year in a home loss to Pittsburgh. The storyline all week was what a break the Colts got in getting the Patriots at home, and what a sensational feeling it would be to finally knock off the team that bedeviled them most.

That story had a happy ending for the Colts, as Patriots coach Bill Belichick found himself uncharacteristically unable to shut down Manning and Co.

"We played the defenses we thought were best for our football team," Belichick said. "That's all we did."

The Colts piled on 455 yards and scored on six of their final eight drives, not counting the one where Manning kneeled down. The mystique that seemed so prevalent last week in an upset win over San Diego seemed missing, and this looked like a tired, desperate, defeated team in the end. Maybe it was due in part to a flu bug that worked its way through its locker room during the week.

So while that dynasty is dead, it is now Manning's turn to take a shot at starting a new one.

"Some of that stuff is a little deep for me," Manning said. "I just wanted to do my job and do my job well. I didn't think I needed to be super. I just needed to be good."

On this defining day, it turns out he was both.

Losing a 21-3 lead implies a meltdown. But no. It was Manning.

Score Summary

New England TD (Logan Mankin Recovered Fumble In Endzone, EP is good)
Indianapolis FG (Adam Vinatieri 42 yards)
New England TD (Corey Dillon 7 yard run, EP is good)
New England TD (Asante Samuel 39 yard INT return, EP is good)
Indianapolis FG (Adam Vinatieri 26 yards)
Indianapolis TD (Peyton Manning 1 yard run, EP is good)
Indianapolis TD (Dan Klecko 1 yard pass from Manning, 2P is good)
New England TD (Jabar Gaffney 6 yard pass from Brady, EP is good)
Indianapolis TD (Jeff Saturday Recovered Fumble In Endzone, EP is good)
New England FG (Stephen Gostkowski 28 yards)
Indianapolis FG (Adam Vinatieri 36 yards)
New England FG (Stephen Gostkowski 43 yards)
Indianapolis TD (Joseph Addai 3 yard run, EP is good)

How ironic that Vinatieri should seal our fate by kicking the EP.

Well, nothing more to say. No build up to the Super Bowl. Very little Pro Bowl action. Only Richard Seymour, our brilliant DL has made it to the AFC roster. That's ridiculous in itself. Anything else? Oh yes. We're playing Seattle in the 2007 preseason. In China. And this:

Will He Or Won't He? Will Bruschi Retire?

Originally Posted by ESPN.com

New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi brushed off questions about his future following a 38-34 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, saying that he will need time before deciding whether to retire.

"In my past few years I've just gone year to year," Bruschi said. "I'm really emotional right now, so to say anything right now would be wrong. I need to sit back and reflect on this season."

Bruschi, 33, made five tackles in the loss as the Patriots failed in their attempt to make the Super Bowl for the fourth time in six years.

"Right now my plan is to reflect on this season," Bruschi said. "All I know is our season's over. We came up short, and I feel a little down. That's all I'm really thinking about right now."

A broken wrist in training camp kept Bruschi out of the season opener, and he left Sunday's game briefly in the second half with an apparent wrist injury.

"I know you can't play forever, but when you're out there and you get dinged and you're down and you know you're hurt, but you're not injured, you sort of take inventory," Bruschi said. "You see how you are. I got dinged a little bit on that goal-line play. I got up, ran to the sideline and realized I was OK. That's what all of us do at the end of every year, take inventory and see how we're feeling."

Bruschi has played his entire 12-year career with the Patriots, recording 823 tackles, 26.5 sacks, and 10 interceptions.

[Tealey7]

Light Added To Pro Bowl Squad, Patriots To Coach

After the euphoria of Indianapolis' Super Bowl win, it's time for the Pro Bowl. Our T Matt Light has been added, and joins DE Richard Seymour and our entire coaching staff on the AFC roster.

Originally Posted by Patriots.com

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - New England Patriots offensive tackle Matt Light has been selected to his first career Pro Bowl. He becomes the first Patriots offensive lineman to earn an All-Star selection since center Damien Woody following the 2002 season and is the first Patriots offensive tackle to head to Hawaii since Bruce Armstrong following the 1997 season. Light joins Armstrong, Brian Holloway and Leon Gray as the only Patriots offensive tackles to be selected to the Pro Bowl since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.

The 2007 Pro Bowl will be played on Saturday, Feb. 10. Head Coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots staff will coach the AFC squad. Light was added to the AFC All-Star team to replace Baltimore's Jonathan Ogden.

Light, 28, is a veteran of six NFL seasons and has played in 81 career games with 79 starts at left tackle since being selected by the Patriots in the second round (48th overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-4-inch, 305-pound offensive lineman has played in and started 12 career playoff games, including each of the Patriots' three Super Bowl victories. In 2006, Light started all 16 regular season games and each of the Patriots' three playoff contests at left tackle. He was part of an offensive line that paved the way for 1,969 rushing yards in 2006. New England's 2006 rushing yardage was the second highest Patriots team total in 18 years, trailing only the club's 2004 total (2,134 yards) over that span. Additionally, New England allowed just 29 sacks in 2006, tying a franchise record by allowing fewer than 30 sacks for the third consecutive season.

The Purdue product started 66 consecutive games for the Patriots at left tackle between 2001 and 2005. In 2004, he was a part of an offensive line that enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in club history, paving the way for the team to average more than four yards per carry for the first time in 19 seasons as Corey Dillon set the franchise record with 1,635 rushing yards. New England also allowed just 26 sacks in 2004, the fewest by a Patriots team in a decade, and claimed the Super Bowl XXXIX title that season. In 2003, Light started every game for an offensive line that did not allow a sack in any of the team's three playoff games en route to victory in Super Bowl XXXVIII. As a rookie in 2001, Light started 12 of 14 regular season games as New England averaged 112.2 rushing yards per game and claimed the Super Bowl XXXVI championship.

[Tealey7]

Comings and Goings: A Transaction Timeline

The time to sign free agents has been around, and we've done quite abit of wheeling and dealing since the Pro Bowl. Here's an easy to read timeline from the Patriots website of all our transactions:

Originally Posted by Patriots.com

Time to take a breather.

If the pursuit of a Super Bowl title can be compared to a marathon, then this offseason, so far, has seemed like a veritable sprint.

Since returning from the Pro Bowl in mid-February, head coach Bill Belichick and his staff, along with player personnel chief Scott Pioli, have been busy. Twelve player transactions, plus a pair of assistant coaching moves, to be precise.

The pace appears to have slowed some, so now might be a good time to take a look at the Patriots-related transaction timeline:

Feb. 16

Cornerback Asante Samuel is designated the Patriots franchise player.

Belichick and Pioli hit the ground running. Less than a week after the Pro Bowl, they secured Samuel’s services for at least one more season. Without the tag, he would have become an unrestricted free agent, and, with his 10 interceptions tying for the league lead in 2006, would have been a hot commodity.

In a statement announcing the move, the head coach remarked, “We hope Asante remains a Patriot for many season to come.” Samuel has indicated a desire to stay in New England long-term. He and the team must now work out a deal.

Feb. 19

Nick Caserio is named wide receivers coach, replacing Brian Daboll, who jumped to the Jets.

Feb. 21

Safety Tebucky Jones is released. Signed in April 2006 after a three-year hiatus, his return to New England ended with a leg injury in the preseason.

Feb. 27

Bill O’Brien joins the coaching staff as an offensive assistant.

Mar. 2

The Patriots release running back Corey Dillon, while re-signing fullback Heath Evans and guard Billy Yates.

Dillon’s departure came as no surprise. As the 2006 season came to an end, the 32-year-old hinted that his playing days might as well. Now, he’s not so sure. Regardless, he won’t be in a Patriots uniform in ’07.

Mar. 3

Free agent gem Adalius Thomas, Baltimore’s Pro Bowl linebacker, inks a deal with New England less than 48 hours after the free agent signing period begins. The Pats also sign tight end Kyle Brady and running back Sammy Morris.

Arguably the biggest name on the free agent market, the 29-year-old Thomas wasn’t available for long. His quality time with Belichick in Hawaii convinced him to choose New England over other potential suitors.

Thomas is taking the jersey number 96, which he wore in Baltimore. Brady will don 88, while Morris assumes number 34.

Mar. 5

The Patriots trade for wide receiver Wes Welker.

The multi-talented Welker, who led the Dolphins in receptions last year, has been described as a younger Troy Brown (more on him in a minute). In addition to catching passes, Welker can return kicks, and has served admirably as a placekicker in a pinch. He’ll wear number 83 in New England.

Mar. 6

New England re-signs its special teams captain, linebacker Larry Izzo.

Linebacker Tully Banta-Cain signs with his hometown San Francisco 49ers.

Mar. 7

Tight end Daniel Graham signs with his hometown Denver Broncos.

Mar. 13

Wide receivers Donté Stallworth and Kelley Washington sign with New England.

The addition of Stallworth, Washington, and Welker makes three the number of new receivers on the Pats roster. So, what of Troy Brown?

It remains to be seen whether the 14-year vet will be at Gillette for voluntary offseason workouts next week. For months, Brown has been asked repeatedly about his future plans. A source reportedly familiar with Brown told the Boston Herald this week that the career-long Patriots receiver is "one hundred percent" sure he wants to play in 2007.

If true, that begs the obvious question: where? The soon-to-be-36-year-old is an unrestricted free agent, so his options are manifold. He could re-sign with New England, sign with another team, or simply retire.

What’s coming

The free agent signing period continues, and April’s NFL Draft looms. May brings rookie camp, followed by mini-camp in June. The 2007 season officially begins with training camp in July, culminating with Super Bowl XLII in Arizona next February.

So take a deep breath. The road to Glendale is a long one, and the Patriots have only just begun.

It's probably a good time for Dillon to move on. We've got some very very capable RBs and they're all young (apart from Kevin Faulk). The future looks very bright indeed for the Patriots. Hopefully we can go one better than last season and get to the Super Bowl. The NFL Draft is in April. We have the following selection numbers: 24, 28, 60, 91, 123, 165, 187, 219. The draft itself is on April 28th-29th.

[Tealey7]

Patriots v Seahawks Rescheduled - Focus On Wembley Game

In an expected twist, the NFL has postponed our preseason game against Seattle in Beijing until August 2009. The NFL is instead focusing on the first overseas regular season game between Miami and the New York Giants on October 28th at Wembley.

Originally Posted by Patriots.com

The NFL has determined that it will focus its global resources this year on its first overseas regular-season game -- to be held Oct. 28 in London, England, with the Miami Dolphins hosting the New York Giants.

The American Bowl preseason game in China, originally set for Aug. 9 in Beijing between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, will be rescheduled. Working in partnership with the Beijing municipal authorities, the NFL will plan to play a game at the National Stadium of Beijing in August of 2009.

"The regular-season game initiative was approved by NFL ownership after we announced the China Bowl. Therefore, we will focus this year's efforts on the regular-season game," commented Mark Waller, senior vice president of NFL International.

"Our assessment is that Chinese fans would be better served if our game in China is played at a later date after we have launched our international series of regular-season games and more effectively paved the way for the introduction of our game into China," added Waller. "As a new sport in China, it is critical that we create the best platform for the introduction of the game. We are delighted Beijing authorities have agreed with our assessment and have invited us to play in Beijing in 2009."

NFL International is presently establishing an office in Beijing and will partner with the city to build fan interest in American football prior to the 2009 flagship event.

Preseason Calendar Set

We haven't even had the draft yet, but already NFL fans know who's playing who in preseason. Here are the Patriots' fixtures:

Week 1: Patriots @ Buccaneers
Week 2: Titans @ Patriots
Week 3: Patriots @ Panthers
Week 4: Giants @ Patriots

The draft is at the end of the month. Until then, or maybe before, bye for now.

[Tealey7]

Patriots In The 2007 NFL Draft

A little while ago, the draft happened. There was lots of wheeling and ealing, as there always is at these events. Here are our 9 picks:

Round 1 (Overall pick 24): Brandon Meriweather (DS) [Miami]
Round 4 (Overall pick 127): Kareem Brown (DT) [Miami]
Round 5: (Overall pick 171): Clint Oldenburg (OT) [Colorado State]
Round 6: (Overall pick 180): Justin Rogers (ILB) [SMU]
Round 6 (Overall pick 202): Mike Richardson (DC) [Notre Dame]
Round 6: (Overall pick 20: Justise Hairston (RB) [Central Conneticut]
Round 6: (Overall pick 209): Corey Hilliard (OT) [Oklahoma State]
Round 7 (Overall pick 211): Oscar Lua (ILB) [USC]
Round 7: (Overall pick 247): Mike Elgin (OC) [IOWA)

There was also a high profile trade, involving the Pats and the Raiders.

Originally Posted by BBC Sport

New England have confirmed that they acquired star receiver Randy Moss from Oakland in exchange for a fourth-round selection in last weekend's NFL draft.
Moss is the only player in NFL history to record 1,000 or more receiving yards in each of his first six NFL seasons.

He spent two unproductive seasons with the Raiders - the NFL's worst team in 2006 - after seven with Minnesota.

"I'm still overwhelmed and kind of star-struck that I am part of the Patriots organisation," said Moss, 30.

"What I have done in my nine-year career was just a glimpse of what I can do."

In total, Moss has caught 676 passes for 10,700 yards and 101 touchdowns in 138 career games.

He will offer Patriots quarterback Tom Brady a serious deep threat and joins a new-look receiving corps that also includes off-season signings Donte Stallworth and Wes Welker.

New England have been the NFL's most successful since the start if the new millennium, winning the Super Bowl in 2002, 2004 and 2005.

That does beg the question: what about Troy Brown? He apparently does still want to play for the Pats as he is now an unrestricted free agent, but with loads of decent receivers, maybe the time is now for him to move on. Maybe. Our full schedule for next season has been released. Here it is in its entireity:

Pre-Season

Week 1: Patriots @ Buccaneers
Week 2: Titans @ Patriots
Week 3: Patriots @ Panthers
Week 4: Giants @ Patriots

Regular Season

Week 1: Patriots @ Jets
Week 2: Chargers @ Patriots
Week 3: Bills @ Patriots
Week 4: Patriots @ Bengals
Week 5: Browns @ Patriots
Week 6: Patriots @ Cowboys
Week 7: Patriots @ Dolphins
Week 8: Redskins @ Patriots
Week 9: Patriots @ Colts
Week 10: BYE
Week 11: Patriots @ Bills
Week 12: Eagles @ Patriots
Week 13: Patriots @ Ravens
Week 14: Steelers @ Patriots
Week 15: Jets @ Patriots
Week 16: Dolphins @ Patriots
Week 17: Patriots @ Giants

[Tealey7]

Game Review - PreSeason Week 1 @ Tampa Bay

A little while ago, our preseason started. Without Moss, Maroney or Stallworth.

Originally Posted by ESPN.com

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Tom Brady got enough work to break a sweat. Randy Moss didn't play at all.

New England opened the preseason with a 13-10 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday night, however it will be a bit longer before the Patriots get a chance to see their new passing tandem together in a game.

Brady started and was in for 13 plays, while Moss, obtained in a draft day trade with Oakland, sat out as expected with a sore hamstring that's slowed him during training camp. Running back Laurence Maroney also missed the game, as did receiver Dante Stallworth.

"I'm looking forward to getting everybody back. We've had a bunch of guys out," Brady said, when asked about Moss.

"We'll see what we're made of when we get out there and see what we can produce," Brady added. "Hopefully, it will turn out better than 0-for-2 drives, like we did tonight."

Jeff Garcia worked two 3-and-out series in his debut at quarterback for Tampa Bay, which won on Matt Bryant's 32-yard field goal as time expired.

Luke McCown, who didn't play in 2006 after undergoing knee surgery and spending the first seven weeks of the season on the physically-unable-to-perform list, played in a game for the first time since the 2005 preseason and completed all seven of his passes for 68 yards and one touchdown for the Bucs.

The fourth-year pro's 11-yard scoring throw to Paris Warren gave the Bucs a 10-7 lead after McCown's first drive of the night -- a 13-play, 62-yard march against New England's starting defense -- produced a 36-yard field goal.

Sammy Morris, who had nine first-half carries with Maroney sitting out, scored on a 2-yard run that finished a long drive led by Brady's backup, Matt Cassel.

Cassel completed five passes during the 13-play, 65-yard drive that kept most of Tampa Bay's defensive starters on the field for nearly nine minutes.

Brady played two series, going 5-of-7 for 34 yards and producing three first downs -- all on New England's second possession. The good-looking drive stalled at the Tampa Bay 39 when Gaines Adams -- the Bucs' No. 1 draft pick -- pressured the quarterback and batted down a third-down pass.

Garcia, who played six plays, signed with the Bucs as a free agent in March and finally gives coach Jon Gruden a quarterback he feels is an ideal fit for his version of the West Coast offense.

The 37-year-old, 6-1 as a starter with Philadelphia last season, was 1-of-4 for 4 yards. He overthrew an open receiver on one third-down play, and Joey Galloway dropped a short throw on third-and-2 on Garcia's last play.

"It was just one of those things where the timing wasn't right tonight, and the location of the ball wasn't where it needed to be," Garcia said. "Those are things that will be ironed out and we will get much better."

Matt Gutierrez played the third and fourth quarters at quarterback for New England, which tied it 10-all on Stephen Gostkowski's 23-yard field goal.

Bruce Gradkowski, who started 10 games for Tampa Bay after Chris Simms suffered a season-ending injury last September, led the Bucs to the winning field goal. He got lots of help from fourth-string rookie running back Kenneth Darby, who finished with 84 yards on 15 carries.

"I thought there were some positive things -- a competitive game. It came down to the last series of downs," New England coach Bill Belichick said. "I saw a lot of things we've got to work on, but I think there's some things that we can build from."

Fullback Mike Alstott, out for the season with a neck injury that may end his career, was introduced with Tampa Bay's offensive starters and received a big ovation when he jogged onto the field wearing a baseball cap, blue jeans and his No. 40 jersey.

Ah well. I'm not panicking just yet. We do that in the regular season and I will be though.

Score Summary

New England TD (Sammy Morris 2 yard run, EP is good) [Pats 7-0 Bucs]
Tampa Bay FG (Matt Bryant 36 yards) [Pats 7-3 Bucs]
Tampa Bay TD (Paris Warren 11 yard pass from Mccown, EP is good) [Pats 7-10 Bucs]
New England FG (Stephen Gostkowski 23 yards) [Pats 10-10 Bucs]
Tampa Bay FG (Matt Bryant 32 yards) [Pats 10-13 Bucs]

Current AFC East Standings

Dolphins: 1-0
Bills: 1-0
Jets: 1-0
Patriots: 0-1

Hm. A complete reversal of the final standings at the end of the regular season. As I say, I'm not panicking just yet. Our next preseason game is on Friday 17th at home to the Titans, who we beat impressively in week 17 last season 40-23.

[Tealey7]

Pats Release P Miller

Probably for the best. He's an 11 year veteran and has been plagued by injuries.

Originally Posted by ESPN.com

Eleven-year veteran punter Josh Miller, coming off an injury-plagued 2006 season, was released on Thursday by the New England Patriots, who apparently will choose between two younger players at the position.


The departure of Miller, who immediately becomes an unrestricted free agent, leaves Danny Baugher and Tom Malone, neither of whom has ever appeared in a regular-season game, as candidates for the punting job.


Both played in NFL Europa this spring. Baugher, who is believed to have a slight edge in the competition, led the springtime league in its final year of existence. The two also spent time on the New England practice squad in 2006.


Miller, 37, spent three seasons in New England and was part of the Super Bowl XXXIX victory over Philadelphia in 2004. But he sustained a shoulder injury in 2006, which affected his drop point on punts, and he appeared in just 10 games, finishing the year on injured reserve.


New England had signed three-time Pro Bowl punter Todd Sauerbrun last year, but lost him to the Denver Broncos through free agency this past spring when an arbitrator ruled that a right-of-first-refusal clause in his contract was invalid.


It is likely that Miller will try to hook on with another team. He had become frustrated over the lack of work he was getting in camp and, in Friday's preseason opener, Baugher and Malone split the punting chores.


In 11 NFL seasons, Miller, who played eight years in Pittsburgh (1996-2003) before being released, has averaged 43.1 gross yards and 36.2 net yards on 747 punts. One of the league's top directional and hang-time punters, the left-footed Miller has had 247 kicks inside the 20-yard line and 128 touchbacks.


A former University of Arizona star, Miller has appeared in 164 NFL games.

Pats Re-Sign DE Warren For 5 Years

Good deal. He's a very good player.

Originally Posted by ESPN.com

The New England Patriots on Thursday night signed four-year veteran end Ty Warren, one of three first-round starters on their defensive line, to a new five-year contract that includes a maximum value of about $35 million and $18 million in guarantees.


The new deal, confirmed by agent Vann McElroy and team sources, replaces the final two years of the original rookie contract that Warren signed in 2003 and extends the overall pact by three additional seasons, through 2011. Under the previous contract, Warren was scheduled to earn base salaries of $1.075 million for 2007 and $1.45 million for 2008.

His rookie contract was for six years, with a maximum value of $20 million, and included a $3 million signing bonus and $3.25 million option bonus.

Warren, 26, was the 13th overall player chosen in the 2003 draft and has emerged as one of the NFL's best and most versatile defensive linemen. Playing in the New England 3-4 front, he typically aligns as the left end on early downs and then often moves inside on passing downs. The former Texas A&M star combines -- as do most Patriots defensive linemen -- size, quickness and position flexibility.

In four seasons, Warren has appeared in 63 games and started 51 contests. He has compiled 291 tackles, 13½ sacks, six pass deflections, three forced fumbles and two recoveries. He has also started in seven of his 11 postseason appearances and has 38 tackles.

By retaining Warren with a new deal, the Patriots continued to emphasize the importance of keeping their top players for the long-term, particularly on the defensive line.

In April 2006, the Pats signed star defensive end Richard Seymour, their first-round pick in 2001, to an extension through the 2009 season and the megadeal made him the league's most highly compensated player last year.

Nose tackle Vince Wilfork, a first-rounder in 2004, is also signed through 2009.

Tonight we play the Titans at home.

[Phenom]

Should be a good game . Not that Pre-Season tells us alot, anyway...

~Jam

[Tealey7]

Exactly. It's mostly rookies playing for contracts as opposed to the frontline players. And can I just say how nice it is to find an official EA UK person who has an interest in the NFL.

Game Review - PreSeason Week 2 v Tennessee

Last Friday night, we played the Titans at home. I still refuse to panic.

http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/apphoto/b85115bc-90a8-4973-99b7-805e907ba514.jpg

Originally Posted by ESPN.com

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- Vince Young was pounded by an aggressive Patriots defense one week after being punished by his coach.

The strong scrambler was sacked four times in the Tennessee Titans' 27-24 win over New England on Friday night. Coach Jeff Fisher had benched him for their exhibition opener for spending the night before the game at home instead of the team hotel.

"I'm just glad to be back out here with my teammates," Young said. "Last week was a painful moment."

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady took his own lumps. He walalalala hard and knocked down twice as he threw the ball. Both passes were intercepted. He played seven series before Matt Cassel took over late in the first half.

"Quarterbacks take hits throughout the league," said Rodney Harrison, who sacked Young. "Tom's a tough kid. He works very hard to prepare his body to take hits."

Young completed five of 17 passes for 102 yards and ran four times for 9 yards. Last season's NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year also was tackled just short of the goal line on his final play and was replaced by Kerry Collins to start the third quarter.

"The first time out is always rough," Collins said. "He hadn't been out there in a while. ... Vince can take hits like that. It's his strength. He bounces right back up."

Collins led Tennessee back from a 17-7 halftime deficit on a 15-yard pass to Roydell Williams, John Vaughn's 31-yard field goal and Dontrell Moore's 4-yard run.

Vaughn's 22-yard field goal provided the winning points with 1:49 left after quarterback Matt Gutierrez scrambled for a 2-yard touchdown for the Patriots (0-2).

"There's so much work we have to do," said Kevin Faulk, who led the Patriots with six catches for 89 yards. "It's kind of hard to even talk about it."

Young had a chance to bring the Titans (1-1) to 17-14 after they were stopped on two runs from the Patriots' 1-yard line. On fourth-and-goal, he ran off right tackle but was stopped by a swarm of tacklers led by Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel in the final minute of the first half.

"It was a good moment," said Le Kevin Smith, who also sacked Young. "It's just great for our defense to be able to contain him."

Brady finished with respectable numbers -- 10-for-19 for 145 yards, a 28-yard touchdown pass to Wes Welker and two interceptions. He got up slowly after both.

On the Patriots' first possession, Kyle Vanden Bosch rushed up the middle and slammed Brady as he released the ball. Cortland Finnegan picked it off and ran 51 yards for a touchdown.

During Brady's second series of the second quarter, he was knocked down by Antwan Odom. Lamont Thompson intercepted, giving the Titans the ball at their 41-yard line. That just brought Young more punishment.

On the next series, he was sacked on consecutive plays for 8 yards each, by Smith and Harrison.

Cassel struggled and threw two interceptions to cornerback Michael Griffin, Tennessee's first-round pick from Texas.

"It looked as if he has really taken a step this last week," Fisher said.

The Patriots were coming off a 13-10 loss at Tampa Bay in which Brady played just two series. The Titans lost 14-6 to Washington with the first team offense, led by Collins, managing just a field goal.

New England played its second straight game without two key offensive starters -- wide receiver Randy Moss (upper leg injury) and running back Laurence Maroney (offseason shoulder surgery).

The last time the teams met, the Patriots ended the Titans' playoff hopes with a 40-23 win in their last regular-season game.

Tennessee linebacker Keith Bulluck said this week he was upset with the way some Patriots players acted after that game. He was irked at wide receiver Reche Caldwell and the fact the Patriots went for a touchdown -- a scoring pass by Vinny Testaverde -- with the outcome already decided.

"I'm a standup guy and I say what I believe," Bulluck said. "There are no ill feelings between me and anyone on the New England Patriots."

Game notes
Tennessee's Chris Brown led rushers with 67 yards on 10 carries. ... Danny Baugher had a 70-yard punt for the Patriots. He averaged 49 yards on three punts. His strong kicking in training camp was one reason veteran Josh Miller was released.

Hm. Another loss, but they're always close.

Score Summary

Tennessee TD (Cortland Finnegan 51 yard INT return, EP is good) [Titans 7-0 Pats]
New England TD (Wes Welker 28 yard pass from Brady, EP is good) [Titans 7-7 Pats]
New England TD (Heath Evans 2 yard run, EP is good) [Titans 7-14 Pats]
New England FG (Stephen Gostkowski 32 yards) [Titans 7-17 Pats]
Tennessee TD (Roydell Williams 15 yard pass from Collins, EP is good) [Titans 14-17 Pats]
Tennessee FG (John Vaughn 31 yards) [Titans 17-17 Pats]
Tennessee TD (Dontrell Moore 4 yard run, EP is good) [Titans 24-17 Pats]
New England TD (Matt Gutierrez 2 yard run, EP is good) [Titans 24-24 Pats]
Tennessee FG (John Vaughn 22 yards) [Titans 27-24 Pats]

Current AFC East Standings

Dolphins: 2-0
Jets: 1-1
Bills: 1-1
Patriots: 0-2

Ouch. Anyway, next Friday we have a toughie away to the Panthers of Carolina.

[Phenom]

I'm a huge NFL fan! I didn't miss a single MNF game last year .

I support the Ravens .

Did Moss play? I'm keen to see how he'll get on with a first class QB throwing to him.

Phenom

[Tealey7]

Moss hasn't as yet played for the Patriots. He appears to be missing practice sessions a lot.

[Tealey7]

Game Review - PreSeason Week 3 @ Carolina

Last Friday, new Dad Tom Brady seemed inspired.

Originally Posted by ESPN.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Being a celebrity dad seems to be suiting Tom Brady just fine.

He just doesn't want to talk about it -- even with his teammates.

Two days after Brady missed practice to fly to Los Angeles where his ex-girlfriend, actress Bridget Moynahan, gave birth to their son, Brady returned to the Patriots and was nearly flawless in New England's 24-7 exhibition win over the Carolina Panthers on Friday.

Brady then avoided reporters and questions about his whirlwind week. He hasn't even told his teammates the name of the baby.

Given plenty of time to throw, Brady completed 17 of 21 passes for 167 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, leading the Patriots (1-2) on three scoring drives in their best offensive showing of the preseason.

"He's got to fly across the world and take care of his issues," receiver Kelley Washington said. "It just shows how professional he is."

Brady threw touchdown passes of 6 yards to Marcellus Rivers and 8 yards to Heath Evans as New England built a 17-7 lead. Brady, who had what would have been a third TD pass dropped by Benjamin Watson, gave way to backup Matt Cassel midway through the third quarter.

"I thought Tim did a nice job tonight," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "I thought he handled some adjustments well."

Panthers linebacker Dan Morgan's successful return from multiple concussions overshadowed another dismal performance by Carolina's offense and a shaky secondary. Jake Delhomme was 11-of-18 for 162 yards and a touchdown for the Panthers (1-2).

Morgan, who had not played since sustaining at least the fifth concussion of his career in last year's regular-season opener, made three tackles, including a hard hit of Sammy Morris late in the first quarter after Brady's first completion of the night.

"I stuck my head in there, it felt good, and I'm excited," Morgan said. "I'm excited to get out there and mix it up with my teammates."

Morgan, who left the game after the first quarter, watched the rest of the game from the sideline.

Brady, also spent the final quarter with his arms folded, chatting with teammates.

Brady's personal life has become a part of regular Hollywood chatter after he broke up with Moynahan late last year after a three-year relationship. Brady was dating supermodel Gisele Bundchen when it was learned Moynahan was pregnant with their child.

Brady missed practice Wednesday to see his newborn son, but settled down after badly overthrowing Watson on his first attempt, taking advantage of a balanced offense buoyed by the return of running back Laurence Maroney.

In his first game since offseason shoulder surgery, Maroney carried the ball on New England's first seven plays. Maroney, expected to be the top back after Corey Dillon's release in the offseason, had 15 carries for 58 yards.

"After I got my little jitterbugs out of the way, everything started coming back to me," Maroney said.

Evans added seven carries for 58 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown run.

Despite not having receiver Randy Moss -- out since Aug. 1 with an apparent leg injury -- Brady spread the ball around to eight receivers. Working out of the shotgun to start the second half, Brady lobbed a 37-yard pass down the left sideline to Donte' Stallworth, who leaped over cornerback Ken Lucas.

"Just tighter coverage," Panthers coach John Fox said of what needs to improve in the secondary. "We're not showing everything we do, that's part of the preseason. In some of the things we've been doing, we've been a little soft."

The Panthers, whose starters have been outscored 48-10 in the past two games, struggled again to run the ball. Top backs DeAngelo Williams and DeShaun Foster combined for 29 yards on 12 carries.

Keary Colbert staked a claim to the Panthers' No. 2 receiver role with a nifty 48-yard catch-and-run touchdown late in the first half.

Drew Carter, also contending to replace the released Keyshawn Johnson in the starting lineup, had three catches for 52 yards, but also dropped a pass early in the game.

Star receiver Steve Smith was limited to two catches for 20 yards and Delhomme overthrew him in the end zone late in the third quarter.

On the next play, Jarvis Green blocked John Kasay's 43-yard field-goal attempt. Green also blocked Kasay's 49-yard attempt in the second quarter.

Game notes
Cassel completed 3 of 6 passes for 43 yards. He then gave way to 43-year-old Vinny Testaverde, who was 0-of-2. ... Panthers backup David Carr was 8-of-11 for 58 yards, but was intercepted by Oscar Lua. ... Panthers LB Na'il Diggs (hamstring) and S Nate Salley (knee) did not dress. ... The Patriots were 2-for-2 on fourth-down conversions, including Evans' 2-yard touchdown run. ... Stephen Gostkowski missed 2 of 3 field-goal attempts for New England.

Nice stuff. Proof that we know how to win.

Score Summary

New England FG (Stephen Gostkowski 23 yards) [Pats 3-0 Panthers]
New England TD (Marcellus Rivers 6 yard pass from Brady: EP is good) [Pats 10-0 Panthers]
Carolina TD (Keary Colbert 48 yard pass from Delhomme: EP is good) [Pats 10-7 Panthers)
New England TD (Heath Evans 8 yard pass from Brady: EP is good) [Pats 17-7 Panthers]
New England TD (Heath Evans 2 yard run: EP is good) [Pats 24-7 Panthers]

Current AFC East Standings

Dolphins: 2-1
Jets: 2-1
Bills: 1-2
Patriots: 1-2

Our next game, our last of preseason, is on Thursday. We are at home to the New York Giants.

[Tealey7]

PreSeason Week 4 v N.Y Giants

A little while ago, we finished our preseason.

Originally Posted by ESPN.com

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- Eli Manning appears ready for the regular season. Tom Brady had better be.

Manning had his third straight solid exhibition tuneup while Brady watched from the sidelines wearing a ball cap as the New England Patriots beat the New York Giants 27-20 Thursday night.

Now they'll get ready for their Sept. 9 openers -- the Patriots at the New York Jets and the Giants at the Dallas Cowboys.

None of the Patriots' first-stringers played, an indication perhaps that coach Bill Belichick thinks they're ready for the real thing?

"Whether they are or they aren't, we're going to find out," third-string quarterback Vinny Testaverde said.

Manning led a 16-play touchdown drive on the opening series, then went to the bench with most of the Giants' other starters.

"I feel like I'm ready. I'm making smarter decisions," he said. "The defenses are going to be more complex (in the regular season), but I think we've been improving, too."

Regulars rarely play much in the final exhibition game, but Belichick went to the extreme, using only 42 of his 75 players.

"It was good because we really played the same group of people the entire game and it was against different players," he said. "That will be part of the evaluation."

Last Friday, Brady was outstanding in a 24-7 win at Carolina. He left that game midway through the third quarter after completing 17 of 22 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns.

The game was important to the Giants' two place-kickers, who both made their only field goal attempts. Veteran Lawrence Tynes connected on a 43-yarder, while rookie free agent Josh Huston made a 33-yarder as each tried to stake claim to the job.

"Both were better than a week ago," coach Tom Coughlin said. "We'll make a decision based on the facts."

The Giants (1-3) got the ball first and scored on a 1-yard run by Brandon Jacobs, the starter after Tiki Barber retired. Manning was 5-for-8 for 58 yards on the drive, including four first-down passes to Jeremy Shockey.

In his previous two games, Manning was 27-for-38 for 260 yards. He finished the exhibition schedule without an interception.

Current second-stringer Jared Lorenzen had a much tougher night. He was sacked seven times and went 10-for-16 for 53 yards before Tim Hasselbeck took over with 15 minutes left.

"I am concerned" about the backup quarterback situation, Coughlin said. "I thought we had some really simple protection errors with the second group, also."

Matt Cassell started for the Patriots (2-2) and led two scoring drives, ending in Stephen Gostkowski's 37-yard field goal and Heath Evans' 1-yard touchdown run that gave them the lead for good, 10-7.

"It's hard to say you're not looking forward to the Jets," Evans said, "but this is a necessary evil to perform better."

Cassell went 10-for-14 for 99 yards on three series before being replaced by the 43-year-old Testaverde. Cassell has thrown just 32 passes in two pro seasons after throwing 33 in four years at Southern California.

"Getting another start under my belt, even in preseason, is good," he said. "If, God forbid, something were to happen (to Brady) I'd be ready to go."

Testaverde completed three passes of at least 15 yards on the opening drive of the second half, capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by Quinton Smith. Testaverde was replaced by free agent Matt Gutierrez after going 7-for-11 for 99 yards with one interception. Gostkowski kicked a 23-yard field goal on Gutierrez's second series.

With the score 20-13, Gutierrez threw a 12-yard scoring pass to Bam Childress with 2:54 left before Ryan Grant scored on a 1-yard run with 49 seconds to go.

Several key players missed the game, and it wasn't because they were ready for the regular season.

For the Giants, defensive end Michael Strahan and wide receiver Plaxico Burress missed the entire exhibition season. Strahan has stayed out of camp and is contemplating retirement. Burress had a back injury after missing the first three games recovering from ankle problems.

"We'll be better when No. 17 (Burress) and, hopefully, Michael come back," Shockey said. "The dynamic duo."

For the Patriots, wide receiver Randy Moss and cornerback Asante Samuel remained off the field. Both missed all four games. Moss hurt his upper left leg, and Samuel, who signed a one-year contract Tuesday after holding out, was given a roster exemption.

Game notes
LB Oscar Lua, the Patriots seventh-round draft pick, limped off with a leg injury on the first series and didn't return. ... The Giants' seventh-round pick, RB Ahmad Bradshaw, led them with 46 yards on six carries.

Hm.

Score Summary

New York TD: Brandon Jacobs 1 yard run: EP is good (Giants 7-0 Pats)
New England FG: Stephen Gostkowski 37 yards (Giants 7-3 Pats)
New England TD: Heath Evans 1 yard run: EP is good (Giants 7-10 Pats)
New England TD: Quinton Smith 1 yard run: EP is good (Giants 7-17 Pats)
New York FG: Josh Huston 33 yards (Giants 10-17 Pats)
New York FG: Lawrence Tynes 43 yards (Giants 13-17 Pats)
New England FG: Stephen Gostkowski 23 yards (Giants 13-20 Pats)
New England TD: Bam Childress 12 yard pass from Gutierrez: EP is good (Giants 13-27 Pats)
New York TD: Ryan Grant 12 yard run: EP is good (Giants 20-27 Pats)

Final AFC East Standings (PreSeason)

Jets: 3-1
Dolphins: 2-2
Patriots: 2-2
Bills: 2-2

I find it hard to get excited about preseason. However, the real thing is almost upon us. Next Sunday, the 2007 regular season begins. Where we'll see the regular players playing. Or in the case of Moss, seing them sat on the sidelines with a face like a slapped backside. Anyway, our first game is away to the New York Jets, our divisional rivals. Aaaaaaaaaaand it's on Sky Sports' Sunday night NFL coverage! However, something has happened to Rodney Harrison.

Harrison Banned For Four Games For Doping

Originally Posted by Sky Sports.com

The NFL's long list of offseason problems continued when New England Patriots' safety Rodney Harrison was handed a four game suspension on Friday after taking HGH.


Harrison was reported in the US media earlier in the day to have admitted to federal investigators and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell that he obtained human growth hormone - the drug which has wreaked havoc throughout the world of sport.

"I did admit to the commissioner that I did, in fact, use a banned substance", Harrison told a press conference on Friday.

"My purpose was never to gain a competitive edge," he added. "Rather, my use was to accelerate the process of recovering from injuries."

Harrison will be suspended for the Pats' clashes with the New York Jets, San Diego Chargers, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals games.

Last season the injury-plagued safety had 49 tackles, one interception and one sack in ten games for the Patriots, who lost in the NFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts.

[Phenom]

Wow - Moss didn't just play on Sunday...he tore the Jets apart!

Good job I had him in my Fantasy Team .

Phenom

[Tealey7]

I'm amazed. But that's always the way with the Patriots: team first, ego second.

Regular Season Week 1 @ N.Y Jets

On Sunday night, our season started. Unbelieveably, so did Randy Moss. He did very well.

http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/apphoto/2713e916-ce5f-429d-b48b-fd263ea0e1d6.jpg

Originally Posted by ESPN.com

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Randy Moss caught a long pass and stepped into the end zone, flashing the dominant playmaking ability that made him one of NFL's most feared wide receivers.

Looks like it's time for opposing defenses to get scared again.

Moss caught nine passes from Tom Brady for 183 yards and a touchdown in his New England debut, leading the Patriots to a 38-14 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday. Ellis Hobbs also set an NFL record by taking the second-half kickoff 108 yards for a score.

"I was nervous before the game," Moss said. "I didn't know how much I was going to play or what might halalalalalaettled down after the first catch and the first hit. I don't think I ever was more anxious or more nervous. I didn't know how I would play."

Neither did anyone else, including the Patriots.

Moss, acquired from Oakland in a draft-day deal, missed most of training camp with a hamstring injury and it was unclear how much of an impact he would have with his new team, or if he'd even play against the Jets.

In the end, Moss made all the difference.

"I've been playing long enough so that I've pretty much got down catching balls and making plays after I get them," Moss said. "I've got that covered, but I've got to get my mind ready."

Moss was prepared after two miserable years with the Raiders. A perennial Pro Bowl receiver with Minnesota, he appeared rejuvenated Sunday, showing no ill effects from the missed time in camp.

"He was a great player before he got to the Patriots," Brady said. "Obviously, he's still a great player."

Brady, who faced little pressure from the Jets, was 22-of-28 for 297 yards and three touchdowns, including a 5-yarder to Benjamin Watson that was set up by catches of 22 and 33 yards by Moss. Brady continued his mastery of the Jets, improving to 7-0 against them at Giants Stadium, and 11-2 overall. Brady has thrown 17 touchdown passes and only five interceptions in his 14 appearances against the Jets.

With many fans still returning to their seats from the halftime break, Hobbs caught Mike Nugent's kickoff deep in the end zone and surprisingly ran it out.

"It was one of those deals that when he started to run, you yell: 'No! No! No! ... Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!"' Welker said.

Hobbs made a few cuts to the left sideline and took off untouched into the end zone to give New England a 21-7 lead 14 seconds into the third quarter.

"When you start going, you can feel it opening up more and more," Hobbs said. "You just want to head for that end zone. I always try to find that sixth or seventh gear, the gear they don't even make."

The previous record for longest kickoff return was 106 yards by three players, most recently by Roy Green of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1979.

The play also tied the record for longest in NFL history, matching the 108-yard missed field goal returns by Chicago's Devin Hester last season against the Giants, and the Bears' Nathan Vasher the previous season against San Francisco.

"That was tough to swallow," Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma said. "It was tough for us to give up that."

Laveranues Coles had two touchdown catches for the Jets, who had a scare in the third quarter when quarterback Chad Pennington hobbled to the sideline with a lower right leg injury.

On second-and-12 from the Patriots 49, Pennington went back to throw and walalalala hard by Jarvis Green. Pennington was slow to get up and was in obvious pain before standing up, then collapsing to the turf after taking a few steps. Pennington eventually hopped on his left leg to the sideline.

"I've never had a lower leg injury before," Pennington said. "I'm not going to lay there, I'll tell you that."

Pennington flung his helmet to the ground as he hopped over to the bench, where he was surrounded by team trainers. Kellen Clemens replaced him, but Pennington came back to start the Jets' next series with his right ankle heavily wrapped. He led the team on a scoring drive capped by Coles' 1-yard touchdown catch.

In the fourth quarter, Clemens again replaced Pennington, who decided it wasn't worth it to risk further injury. Pennington, 16-of-21 for 167 yards and the two touchdown passes to Coles, was uncertain how serious the injury is.

"The doctors are taking a look at it, and I'm sure I'll see them frequently this week and we'll go from there," he said before limping from the podium.


Game notes
The 183 yards receiving were the third-most in Moss' career. His career high is 204 at Chicago in 1999, and he had 190 yards receiving at Green Bay in 1998. ... Thomas Jones made his Jets debut and gained 42 yards on 14 carries.

Nice to see a good win like that over a Jets side I think are our only real contenders for the AFC East playoff spot.

Score Summary

New England TD: Wes Welker 11 yard pass from Brady: EP is good [Pats 7-0 Jets]
New York TD: Laveranues Coles 7 yard pass from Pennington: EP is good [Pats 7-7 Jets]
New England TD: Ben Watson 5 yard pass from Brady: EP is good [Pats 14-7 Jets]
New England TD: Ellis Hobbs 108 yard kickoff return: EP is good [Pats 21-7 Jets]
New England TD: Randy Moss 51 yard pass from Brady: EP is good [Pats 28-7 Jets]
New York TD: Laveranues Coles 1 yard pass from Pennington: EP is good [Pats 28-14 Jets]
New England FG: Stephen Gostkowski 22 yards [Pats 31-14 Jets]
New England TD: Heath Evans 1 yard run: EP is good [Pats 38-14 Jets]

Current AFC East Standings

Patriots: 0-1
Jets: 0-1
Bills: 0-1
Dolphins: 0-1

Great stuff. In week 2, we have our first home game. We play the Chargers of San Diego on Sunday night.

[Phenom]

Originally Posted by Tealy7

On Sunday night, our season started. Unbelieveably, so did Randy Moss. He did very well.

!

Is Sunday nights game televised in the UK? I hope so! What a game this should be!

I'm still fuming over Baltimores loss to Cincinatti . Fair enough, the Ravens were shocking, but they managed to stay in the game and a few ridiculous decisions ended up costing them the game .

Phenom

[Tealey7]

Not last night's game, no. Shame. And bad decisions will always happen, just it's worse when they're against your team!

Regular Season Week 2 vSan Diego

Last night, we played the Chargers, who are a very useful team and are normally a team I put down for a win in The Complex NFL Prediction League. However, they didn't bargain on the brilliance of Randy Moss. And yes, you did just read that correctly.

Originally Posted by ESPN.com

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- Bill Belichick's "genius" is often credited for winning games and Super Bowls for the New England Patriots.

This time, the players won one for their coach and demonstrated they don't need to spy on the opposition to succeed.

"After everything that went on this week, we wanted to do our best for him," said Tom Brady, who threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns as New England routed San Diego 38-14 Sunday night.

The game came three days after the NFL fined Belichick $500,000 and the team another $250,000 for spying on the New York Jets. The Patriots also will forfeit what is almost sure to be a first-round draft pick next spring.

Brady got major help from several players acquired during the offseason to try to get the Patriots back to the Super Bowl. New England has missed out for two straight years after winning three championships in four seasons. Randy Moss had two touchdown catches and his second straight 100-yard receiving game, and Adalius Thomas returned an interception 65 yards for a touchdown.

"I know we won last week, too, but it really didn't feel like it," said an emotional Tedy Bruschi, one of the Patriots with three Super Bowl rings. "This was coming from all directions. To come out here and win, it's an exclamation point victory. It's really satisfying."

The way the Patriots played Sunday night, they didn't need Belichick's spying against a San Diego team that finished 14-2 last season but lost to New England 24-21 in its first playoff game.

"They just jumped on us like a spider monkey," San Diego fullback Lorenzo Neal said. "I don't care how you look at it, they just played better than us."

Moss, who had nine catches for 183 yards and a touchdown in an identical 38-14 win over the Jets last week, had eight more for 105 yards and 23 and 24-yard TD catches. Wes Welker had 8 catches for 91 yards, including a 34-yarder on the first drive of the game that set up Brady's 7-yard TD pass to Benjamin Watson and got the Patriots (2-0) off to a quick start.

"He's Randy Moss," said Shawne Merriman, one of San Diego's few standouts with two sacks. "He's Randy Moss. He still has the same athleticism he's always had when he came into the league. It makes them very hard to match up with."

Rosevelt Colvin, signed as a free agent in 2003, had two sacks, an interception and two forced fumbles to help lead a defense that held LaDainian Tomlinson to 43 yards on 18 carries. He and Mike Vrabel, one of the longest-serving Patriots, combined for two straight sacks in the fourth quarter as the Chargers were threatening to get back in the game.

Belichick thanked the players and fans for staying with him during a difficult week.

"At times it was challenging but they stayed focused," Belichick said of his players.

He also thanked the fans who cheered him when he walked on the field -- uncharacteristically, he waved to them in acknowledgment. And he thanked owner Robert Kraft, who was critical of him in remarks made at halftime during a television interview.

"I want to thank the fans for their support," Belichick said. "I definitely felt that from the time I walked on the field. We've got great fans and we've got a great owner. He's been awesome all week in a tough situation."

Philip Rivers threw for just 63 yards and had two interceptions in the first half. One of those was the romp by Thomas who grabbed a toss in the flat and raced untouched down the left sideline

The Patriots scored on the first drive after the opening kickoff and never looked back.

"We wanted to get off to a fast start," Brady said. "This isn't a team you want to play from behind.

Trailing 24-0 at halftime, San Diego (1-1) took the opening kickoff of the second half and moved 72 yards on 16 plays to score on a 1-yard pass from Rivers to Neal.

However, Brady, who completed 25 of 31 passes, drove New England right back down the field, capping the drive with his second TD toss to Moss and putting the former Minnesota and Oakland receiver over the 100-yard mark for the second times in two games with the Patriots. Moss didn't play a down in the exhibition season.

Rivers threw a 12-yard TD pass to Antonio Gates 12 seconds into the fourth quarter and finished 19-of-30 for 179 yards.

Ellis Hobbs, who had a 108-yard return for a touchdown last week, fumbled the ensuing kickoff.

Vrabel sacked Rivers for a 10-yard loss on the first play and Colvin pushed them back 10 more yards on the next play, forcing the Chargers to punt.

San Diego, meanwhile, will go home to regroup.

"It's not about Randy Moss or Tom Brady," said cornerback Quentin Jammer, victimized several times in the secondary. "It's about us. We didn't do what we needed to do to win."

Game notes
This was Moss' 47th 100-yard receiving game in nine seasons plus two games. ... Merriman recorded his eighth multiple-sack game in 24 regular-season NFL contests.

Superb doesn't quite sum it up.

Score Summary

New England TD: Ben Watson 7 yard pass from Brady: EP is good [Chargers 0-7 Pats]
New England TD: Randy Moss 23 yard pass from Brady: EP is good [Chargers 0-14 Pats]
New England FG: Stephen Gostkowski 24 yards [Chargers 0-17 Pats]
New England TD: Adalius Thomas 65 yard INT return: EP is good [Chargers 0-24 Pats]
San Diego TD: Lorenzo Neal 1 yard pass from Rivers: EP is good [Chargers 7-24 Pats]
New England TD: Randy Moss 24 yard pass from Brady: EP is good [Chargers 7-31 Pats]
San Diego TD: Antonio Gates 12 yard pass from Rivers: EP is good [Chargers 14-31 Pats]
New England TD: Sammy Morris 3 yard run: EP is good [Chargers 14-38 Pats]

Current AFC East Standings

Patriots: 2-0
Bills: 0-2
Jets: 0-2
Dolphins: 0-2

Ha. The AFC East standings are beginning take shape already. Next Sunday we have the Bills at home.