A Shotgun Wedding

Gun shots were fired at Tom Brady and Giselle Bunchen's wedding in Costa Rica.

Notes from the Coast: Patriots' Post-mortem

It was a courageous season that ended with a miraculous 11-5 record. However, when you lose the MVP of the NFL, your starting RB, as well as many other key players to injury, and then have to rely on a New York team to get into the playoffs, it shouldn't be a surprise that the 2008 Patriots will not be playing into 2009. Here are some thoughts on a very grueling and somewhat disappointing season.

• Bill Belichick won't win the Coach of the Year Award (see Miami Coach Tony Sparano instead) but after winning all year with a bunch of scrap-heap players, some rookies, a retiree, and a QB that hadn't started a game since High School, Belichick has probably done his best coaching this year.
• Big props to 39 year old future Hall of Famer Junior Seau for getting off his surfboard in San Diego and coming out of retirement to rejoin the Pats when they needed him. In previous years the incentive was to finally win a SuperBowl but this year it appears Junior simply wanted to help out a coach and organization he has grown to respect.
• Player I want back next year: Rodney Harrison--With a young Secondary, the Pats could use his leadership and guile for another year. I just hope he has something left in the tank after all his recent injuries.
• Player I don't want back next year: Lawrence Maroney--He has one more year left on his rookie contract but with all the nagging injuries and a bunch of unfulfilled potential, I think it's time time the Pats labeled this draft pick a "bust".
• I do think Scott Pioli may accept the Head of Football Operations job Cleveland, as long as, Eric Magini is not chosen by the Browns' Owner as the new Head Coach.
• My guess is that after seeing what happened to Eric Mangini in New York recently that Pats' Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels may wait a little longer before accepting a head coaching job in the NFL.
• Had Charlie Weiss gotten the axe from Notre Dame, there may have been a chance that he and Romeo Crennel would have considered returning to the place of their greatest success as Coordinators under Bill Belichick in New England.
• Some are reporting (and dreading) that Tom Brady is behind schedule in rehabbing his injured knee and may need another surgery which would keep him out of the 2009 season. However, we will all know the truth come March 1st when the Patriots will be forced to slap their franchise tag on back-up QB Matt Cassel for a possible insurance policy in case Brady's knee is not progressing.
• Talk about unfair, next year will be the third year in a row that the Patriots will have to play Peyton Manning and the mighty Colts -- at Indianapolis!
• Again unfair, the Chargers made the NFL play-offs with an 8-8 record and the Patriots at 11-5 do not. Yet, because the Chargers have a worse record, they could draft as many as 8 spots ahead of the Pats in the 2009 NFL Draft next April.

Welcome Back!

Brady, Moss, and the rest of the Pats open Training camp and get to work on 2008.

Notes from the Coast:

It looks like the Boston Bruins could be peaking at the right time. After winning 6 games in a row and 7 out of their last 10, the B's are in 6th position for the NHL play-off run with less than 15 games left in the season. Plus, there is still a slight chance that Patrice Bergeron and goalie Manny Fernandez may be back for the play-offs.

• Glad to see the Patriots finally came to their senses and resigned Randy Moss. After already losing weapons like Branch, Givens, and Stallworth, who knows how Tom Brady would have reacted had the Pats let Moss walk. Now if they can only fill-in all the holes at Defensive back, Linebacker, and Tight End, we might make it back to the big game.
• Ironic that after the Celtics signed another big man in PJ Brown, Kendrick Perkins went from scoring 8 points and getting only 1 rebound against Cleveland to 19 pts. and 9 rebs. against Charlotte and then a dounble-double against Atlanta.
• It seems every time the Bruins are on National TV they get blown out. After winning 6 games in a row, they finally appeared on the Versus Network again the other night only to lose to the Washington Capitals by a 10-2 score!
• Not sure why the Pats first free agency signing of 2008 was Wide-receiver/Special teamer Sam Aiken. Didn't the Pats resign Kelley Washington for the same role? Besides the money that went to Aiken was basically the same amount they got from cutting blocking Tight End Kyle Brady.
• A new documentary called 'Len Bias' is expected to be out sometime this year. Bias was the Maryland star who suffered a fatal drug overdose less than 48 hours after being the second overall player selected in the 1986 draft by the Celtics. He was once described as a taller, stronger Michael Jordan and Larry Bird claims the Celtics would have been unbeatable had they played together. You can view the upcoming movie's trailer at http://www.len-bias.com/.

Mass Exodus?

It's safe to say that the off-season has not got off to a good start in Foxboro. To begin, Asante Samuel signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on the first day of free agency. One must assume the Patriots didn't want the All-Pro back because Samuel didn't even ask the Pats to counter the Eagles' offer. Last year Samuel was given the franchise tag but was promised it would not be given this year, so he was free to leave town and he did so at the first chance. What's more unfortunate is that Lance Briggs and the Chicago Bears were in a similar situation as the Pats and Samuel last year, yet both were able to reconcile and sign a new contract this year.

Also, over the weekend Randall Gay, a possible replacement for Samuel, left the Patriots and signed with the New Orleans Saints. On top of that, Eugene Wilson was told by the team that he would not be resigned which leaves the team with more holes in an already weak defensive backfield. Another weak area for the Pats is the Tight End position. After Daniel Graham left for the Broncos last year, the Pats signed Kyle Brady to replace Graham's blocking and when healthy the veteran filled in fine, but now we learn that the Patriots released Brady with another year left on his contract. These all sound like moves for a team desperate to free up salary cap space, yet Kyle Brady was making minimal dollars and the Patriots are projected to be $22 million under the cap.

Which leaves us with the Randy Moss saga. If the Pats are choosing to gather money to resign Moss, then why isn't he signed yet? He was brought in last year to give Tom Brady a much needed weapon and there is no one in free agency or the draft with the same impact on a passing game. Donte Stallworth (a possible replacement) was already let go and signed with Cleveland, Moss wants to stay and the Pats need him, so what is the hold-up?

Granted all the free agency signings the Patriots made last year didn't bring a fourth Superbowl Championship but it wasn't a failure by any means either. They had a very potent team that was only one play away from the title, so why let everyone go? Why haven't they used their franchise tag on anyone? The Pats do still have the 7th overall pick (and at least one pick in each round) of this year's NFL draft; however, their success in the draft has been limited to Offensive and Defensive Lineman lately, both of which are the current strengths of team. Also, the Pats have learned that drafting specialized positions like Wide-receiver and Defensive backs is hit or miss and seem to prefer picking up seasoned Linebackers from other teams. That said, I'm not sure what Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli have up their sleeve but the window of opportunity is closing fast both on the off-season and on a veteran-laden team seeking another title.

Notes from the Coast:

Johan Santana has finally found a new home and it’s in the National League, so now the Red Sox can move on. With Brandon Moss waiting in the wings and the recent signings of Bobby Kielty and Sean Casey, it looks like Coco Crisp’s days in a Sox uniform are numbered. I am still hoping for a deal to the Oakland A’s for reliever Huston Street but don’t expect anything until Spring Training when the Sox brass can make sure that Jacoby Ellbury is their everyday centerfielder.

• Reportedly, Tom Brady and Randy Moss pulled out of the Pro Bowl in Hawaii due to injury. After their disgraceful performance in the Super bowl, Matt Light and Dan Koppen should pull out of the Pro Bowl due to embarrassment.
• Can’t wait until after the NBA All-Star break when Kevin Garnett and Scott Pollard return to the line-up and Sam Cassell may finally be in a Celtics uniform.
• On that note, I got a little excited when I heard Cassell was pulled out of the Celts-Clippers game last night. I thought it was because a trade or buyout had been consummated by the two teams until I heard it was due to a flagrant foul ejection.
• Also, judging by his recent quotes, Cassell doesn’t seem as eager as Damon Stoudamire was to back-up Rajon Rondo saying it’s “who finishes the game not who starts that counts.”
• Finally, Red Sox equipment trucks leave for Fort Myers, Florida this Saturday; a ritual that has become a harbinger of spring more reliable than a Groundhog’s shadow or the appearance of a Red-breasted Robin.

Superbowl XLII Notes:

I thought I would pass along a couple of great articles regarding the Tom Brady. The Superbowl hero's path to icon status is chronicled in this piece by CNNSI's Lee Jenkins called "Self-made Man" and an ESPN article by Greg Garber called "Almost Perfect". They both show how Brady had his setbacks each step of the way but just kept working harder and never gave up his dream.

• Also, CNNSI.com's Dr. Z breaks down the Giants' and Pats' personell to show who has the edge position by position. Quick recap; the Pats dominate on Offense while the Giants have the edge on Defense.
• ESPN has an interesting article on Ernie Adams . The mystery man behind Bill Belichick and the Patriots' success.
• On Saturday of Superbowl weekend it will be announced whether former Patriots' Linebacker Andre Tippett will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Here outlines a good case for his enshrinement.
• Finally, it seems Spygate won't die. In this NY Times article, Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania now wants NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to explain why the confiscated tapes were destroyed. Seems ridiculous on so many levels.

Notes from the Coast:

You've got to love all the hype leading up to a SuperBowl. Especially when a team from New York is involved. Tom Brady is seen in a walking cast, then in cowboy boots. He is injured and now maybe he isn't? Better yet, it's a big hoax being put on the conspiracy starved New York media by Brady and Belichick. Give me a break!
As reported, Brady probably does have a mild high ankle sprain. Yes, it probably did hinder him (along with a possible flu) in the game against the Chargers. No, it won't keep him out of the SuperBowl. And no, there isn't any conspiracy. Unlike a sneaker, which Brady often wears, a cowboy boot can provide support similar to a walking brace.

• Congrats to Eli Manning for coming through against the Pack. Even though I wanted a Patriots-Packers rematch in SuperBowl XLII, I found myself rooting for the kid and the upset during last Sunday's game. They thought Steve Young had a monkey on his back before he finally led the San Francisco 49'ers to a championship after Joe Montana left town. How about having a Heisman Trophy winning father and an MVP brother who both play the same position as you? Then, you tell the world that you won't play in San Diego and instead end up in the media craze of New York City. Eli had a lot to live up to and he may have come close with those two road play-off wins against the Packers and Cowboys.
• Norm Chow is back in LA and back in college football, but not with USC. The offensive guru will be the new coordinator under Rick Neuheisel at UCLA. Before Trojan fans get all worked-up about cross-town loyalty, it was Pete Carroll and his admiration for Lane Kiflin that forced Chow out of USC and to the NFL. Now with Chow on board and Karl Dorrell back at Receivers' coach, the Bruins have an opportunity to create an in-state rivalry similar to Miami and Florida State in the 1990's.
• MLB Trade Rumors blog has a great piece on 'What Might Have Been' had the Red Sox and Florida Marlins not made the Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell for Hanley Ramirez, Anibal Sanchez, et al. deal.
• Weird coincidence that Bruins' Goalie Tim Thomas gets added to the NHL All-Star team on Monday and then lets in 4 goals in 2 periods against the Canadiens that same night. Fortunately he didn't look as bad as the B's Goalie he replaced. Alex Auld gave up a goal within the first 14 seconds of the game and 4 goals in the first period of a ugly 8-2 loss to the Habs.
• With a strong running game, a Quarterback that is finally putting it all together, and upset wins on the road in the play-offs, people are comparing this 2007 Giants team to the Patriots team that went to the Superbowl 20 years ago. Unfortunately that Patriots team got killed by the Bears in SuperBowl XX 46-10 and if all goes well, the same outcome will happen to the Giants again this year.
• Also, for those who want to compare this Giants team with the squad that upset the Bills and their vaunted offense in Superbowl XXV; remember Bill Belichick was with that Giants team in 1990 but he's not with them now in 2007.

We Want the Packers!

Last year the Patriots were a dropped pass away from meeting the Chicago Bears in the Superbowl XLI and possibly a chance for revenge against the franchise that embarrassed New England 46-10 in Superbowl XX.

This year the Pats have a similar opportunity to go up against the franchise that beat them in Superbowl XXXI 35-21. If the Patriots beat the Chargers and the Green Bay Packers can get past the New York Giants next Sunday, then the Patriots and Packers will meet again in Superbowl XLII.

Even though the Giants played the Patriots tough in the final game of the season, the Packers are an exciting match-up for the Pats. Green Bay has a talented offense, an experienced defensive backfield, and of course Brett Favre. The cagy Cajun had a renaissance year and was the only player to get an MVP vote other than Tom Brady. Sharing the media spotlight as well as the favor of NFL fans across the country, the Favre-Brady storylines leading up to the Superbowl would be entertaining. Besides, the Packers are the only team left that the Pats haven’t played already this year and the unknown is far more intriguing.

So the Packers are in our sights. Bring on Brett Favre and let’s avenge the loss in Superbowl XXXI for the franchise and for those Patriots’ like Bruce Armstrong, Ben Coates, and Curtis Martin who never got to hoist the Lombardi trophy back in 1996.

On that note, here are my predictions for this week’s Championship games…

Patriots 33
Chargers 10

Green Bay 17
Giants 14

Go Pats!

Titanic Loss Wasn’t What Pats Needed

Tennessee lost last weekend to the San Diego Chargers 17-6 in a Wildcard play-off game the Titans should have won. The Titans held San Diego scoreless in the first half and LaDainian Tomlison to just 42 yards rushing for the entire game, however the Chargers still managed to pull out their first play-off victory in 13 years.

San Diego now gets to play the Indianapolis Colts at Indy. Having squeaked by the Titans at home and possibly losing their All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates in the process, the Chargers aren’t as dominating nor pose the same threat as last year thus the Colts should have an easy time 32-10.

More importantly, the Titans collapse coupled with the Pittsburgh loss means that the Jacksonville Jaguars will be traveling to Gillette Stadium this Saturday to tangle with the New England Patriots. Now the Pats have to play one of the hottest teams in the NFL and could possibly have a battle on their hands.

With a physical front seven, a vaunted running game, and an accurate quarterback in David Garrard, the Jags became the only team in history to beat the Steelers twice in one season at Pittsburgh. Lead by NFL Pro Bowl selection Fred Taylor and former UCLA standout Maurice Jones-Drew, the Jaguars’ backs will try to take advantage of the Pats aging linebackers with short passes and runs up the middle.

Also, like Steelers quarterback Ben Rothlesberger, Tom Brady is sure to be affected by the Jags’ pass rush. But unlike ‘Big Ben’, the reigning NFL MVP will pick apart the Jags’ weak secondary and the Patriots will win 28-17.

NFL Play-offs: Pats vs. Jags Saturday @ 8 pm (5 pm on the Left coast). Can't wait!