Who is Matt Walsh?

If Senator Arlen Specter has his way, Matt Walsh will blow the lid off Spygate and possibly discredit all the Patriots success since Bill Belichick arrived in 2000. However, the Senate investigation may prove just as painful for Walsh as his motivation will be called into question and his credibility possibly destroyed.

Walsh's background is very cloudy to say the least. His Bio says he worked for both the Scouting and Video depts for the Patriots while some sources report that he never worked in the Pats' Video dept. His resume says he worked for the team until 2003 while his wedding site claims he left in the Pats in January of 2001, a few weeks before the infamous taping of the Rams walk-through. Either way, the big question is why he left the team in the first place and why as a Golf pro in Maui he still has Patriots' video tapes dating back to 2001.

Walsh claims he left the organization voluntarily because of a job offer with the Cologne Centurions in NFL Europe. Considering how much Belichick likes to keep the braintrust intact and promote from within (Jets Head Coach Eric Mangini once served as his ball boy), it seems a huge stretch that Walsh left the Pats on his own for a position in Europe.

Pats' GM Scott Pioli recently admitted that Matt Walsh was dismissed because he was caught taping phone conversations in the front office. Based on this info, it seems Walsh may have begun a blackmail campaign in an effort to cover-up some issue he had with the team back then. This would also explain why he still has the video tapes with him over 6,000 miles away in Maui. Also, his wedding site shows Walsh with bunch of official NFL footballs that he likely didn't buy and unless the Pats routinely give away 'game balls' to low-level employees, videotapes might not be the only thing Matt Walsh "borrowed" from the franchise when he left.

Finally, Walsh's Bio also states that after an All-State high school playing career, he went on to play golf collegiately at Springfield College, yet no one can find him listed on any Golf teams at the school. Also, it claims that upon graduation he trained with the United States National Bobsled team in Lake Placid, along with working in professional hockey for two seasons. It seems the only thing Walsh hasn't done is tell the truth.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell may have already known the extent of Matt Walsh's credibility since he tried to make the taping of the Rams' practice a non-issue. However, now that Sen. Specter has re-opened the investigation, he will soon learn that his 'star witness' has an inconsistent past.

Notes from the Coast:

Spring training finally opens this week! Pitchers and Catchers all report by the weekend and the rest of the team a few days later. Let's hope the sight Johnny Pesky signing autographs and the sounds of wooden bats and Japanese reporters will alleviate the pain of a bad Super bowl loss.

• On that note, good thing I didn't watch the NFL Pro Bowl game last Sunday. Asante Sammuel dropped a game saving pass in the Super bowl but had a great hit in the Pro Bowl. Also, Logan Mankins, Matt Light, and Dan Koppen played terrible in Arizona but I heard they played great in Hawaii. That said, had I been watching the Pro Bowl I probably would have put my fist through the TV.
• Hard to believe that everyone from the Nanny to the Clemens' dog was using HGH, except Roger. Clemens may never come back to pitch again but he does have a chain of sports bars called "Rocket's" in development. Even though jell-o shots out of a syringe could still work nicely within the bar's theme, this may be another reason why Clemens is holding so tight to his lies.
• Senator Arlen Specter is not content with NFL Commisioner Roger Goodell's answers on Spygate and now wants the Senate Judiciary committee to investigate further. My first thought is doesn't Congress have better things to worry about like the war, terrorism, and the recession than spygate and HGH? My second thought is bring it on. Now we will find out how trivial this practice of 'taping' truly is, how many teams also do it, and how reputable Matt Walsh is as a witness.
• How bad are the Knicks? The Celtics were up by 27 points on Wednesday night with only one big man left on the roster...and Leon Powe is only 6' 8"!
• Must see TV: After the All-Star break this weekend, it will be a mad scramble for the NBA crown. KG, Perk, and Pollard come back for the Celts; Jason Kidd will soon be wearing a Dallas uniform; Andre Bynum joins a new Laker line-up with Pau Gasol in March; and Shaq's first game in a Phoenix Suns uniform will be against Phil Jackson, Kobe Bryant, and the Lakers.

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.

Spygate part deux

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says the league has already investigated the Patriots taping of the St. Louis Rams walk-through before Superbowl XXXVI and came up with evidence to the contrary (whatever that means). Also, NFL writer Michael Holley said on WEEI that he followed-up with multiple sources around the league and found that the allegations by former Pats’ employee Matt Walsh are absolutely false.

Matt Walsh didn’t even work in the Patriot's Video dept and could have a major axe to grind with his former bosses. However, if he does have evidence to support his claim, then you have to feel bad for the Kraft’s. This is the same family that wouldn’t draft certain players due their lifestyle in college, yet they could be caught in the biggest NFL scandal since Alex Karras and Paul Hornung were caught gambling on games 45 years ago.

Similar to what the NBA did when they found out their referees were gambling, I suspect NFL owners and possibly other Senators will pressure Arlen Specter to wrap-up his investigation quickly in attempt to avoid an embarrassing black mark on America’s newest pastime. You know Belichick will never ever attempt these covert opps again, so whatever the truth is, let’s find out soon and not let it drag on like steroids in baseball. The worst case scenario would be that the Patriots have to give back all their Super bowl victories but that is highly unlikely. However, if it should happen, then the Pats would set another NFL record, albeit a dubious one, of appearing in 6 Superbowls without a victory.

Super bowl Ads

On a lighter note, here are my top 3 Super bowl commercials from 2008:
#3. Bridgestone Tires "Nature Screams"
#2. E*Trade "Banking Baby"
#1. Bud Light "Jackie Moon"

Super bowl Hangover

Boston police today reported finding a body in the Charles River. The victim apparently drowned due to excessive alcohol consumption. He was described as wearing black fishnet stockings, a red garter belt, a pink wig, high heels, and a Patriot's jersey. The police graciously removed the Patriot's jersey to spare the family unnecessary embarrassment.

The Curse of Arizona

I guess you really can’t win them all, especially in Glendale, Arizona. Last night the Patriots joined a list of teams that have been upset in Arizona the last few years. The 2007 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: #9 Boise St Broncos defeat #8 Oklahoma Sooners: 43-42. The 2007 BCS Championship Game: #2 Florida Gators defeat #1 Ohio State Buckeyes: 41-14. The 2008 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: #9 West Virginia Mountaineers defeat #3 Oklahoma Sooners: 48-28. Even the New York Yankees were upset in the desert by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2001 World Series.

And now Super Bowl XLII: New York Giants (12-6) defeat New England Patriots (18-0): 17-14. You knew the Giants were destined for victory when Eli Manning dodged a sack in the last minute of the game and got off a pass to unknown receiver David Tyree who then caught it on his helmet for a first down, but in all honesty, it should never have gotten to that point. The Patriots play calling was bad and their Pro bowl Offensive line was worse. Brady was sacked five times and never truly got into a rhythm. Finally, when the Patriots scored the go ahead touchdown to Randy Moss they made the one mistake that has cost other teams in the past. They left to much time on the clock.

To see Brady and the Patriots not score the last points and walk-off the field of a Super bowl in defeat was surreal. To add insult to injury, now we will probably see the Manning brothers whore themselves out for even more National TV commercials. Worse yet, we have to hear Mercury Morris and the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins beat their chest for another year.

Between Spygate, Randy Moss, Giselle, and the undefeated record, it was a long exhausting season for both Patriot players and fans. It will be interesting to see how the organization handles this defeat. What moves they make and what happens to Samuel, Seau, Moss, Stallworth and Troy Brown next season, but no more football for now.

The Celtics still have the best record in the NBA and Spring Training starts in less than 10 days, so it’s time to move on from this GIANT letdown and put the long Pats' season behind us.

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:

With a two week build up before the Superbowl, it's amazing how crazy the analysis of game can get. I heard ESPN's Merril Hodge say that he predicts the Giants will beat the Patriots simply because they have played them tough already this year. Analysts and prognosticators should remember that Eli and the Giants played a nearly perfect game and had nothing to lose in the week 17 match-up and it was the Patriots who felt all the pressure to complete the season a perfect 16-0. Yet one mistake by Eli was all it took for the Pats to win. Also, it was Bill Belichick, not Tom Coughlin, who got his 'genius' reputation by always making the right adjustments after playing a team the second time around. Remember that the loss the Patriots suffered to the Rams during the 2001 season paved the way for the Patriots upset of the Rams in that year's Superbowl.

• Last weekend Marc Savard became the first Boston Bruin to score a last minute game-winning goal in the NHL All-star game since the legendary Raymond Jean Bourque did it in 1996.
• 1996 was also the last time the Patriots lost a Superbowl. That year Boston Globe sports writer Wil McDonough broke a story days before the big game that Bill Parcels would be leaving the Patriots after the season. It became a major distraction that may have cost the Pats the Superbowl that year. This year the Globe is at it again. It appears the a bunch of Globe writers have already penned a book called "19-0" that is available for pre-order. Thanks guys, perfect bulletin board material for the New York Giants.
• I don't understand why the Red Sox offered Brad Wilkerson a 1 year deal to be a back-up First baseman and Outfielder when they have World Series hero Bobby Kielty waiting in the wings and Brandon Moss is already playing some first base in Winter Ball. Let's move on from the Johan Santana saga, deal Coco Crisp, sign Kielty, and focus on defending our Championship already.
• On that note, the Minnesota Twins probably overplayed their hand in the Johan Santana trade negotiations. Neither the Mets, Yankees, or Red Sox improved their offers since December and neither team was eager to sign Santana to the 7 year contact extension he desired. Also, one thing the Twins may have underestimated is the fact that because they are in different leagues, both the Sox and Yankees were never threatened by having the Mets in the mix. That's probably why the Twins were desperately trying to get the LA Angels into the talks.
• Tom Brady being injured for this Superbowl definitely adds drama to the big game and could end up growing his legendary status. If Brady hobbles to his 4th Superbowl win on a bum ankle this Sunday, not only will it bolster his reputation as a winner but he probably will surpass Superbowl heroes Terry Bradshaw and his idol Joe Montana as one of the greatest Quarterbacks of all-time.
• Maybe I am caught up in the Suberbowl hype and over analysis too because I'm still not sure if the Patriots will cover the 13 point spread this Sunday. Can the Giants get consistent pressure on Brady? Will Tom play like he did against the Jaguars or against the Chargers? Will the Giants focus on Welker or Moss? Will Randy Moss catch 1 pass or 10? Which team will win the turnover and Special Teams battles? Will Tom Petty put us to sleep with his half-time show? Too many questions to answer, so my pick is P-men 28 :: G-men 17. Go Pats!

No L.T., No Cry

The former MVP said he was practically 100% healthy. He said it was the biggest game of his career and would definitely play. He practiced during the week without a limp and proclaimed himself fine. Going into the game, the San Diego Chargers didn’t even feel the need to list him on the injury report. Yet Super Charger LaDainian Tomlinson played only 5 snaps in the Chargers 21-12 loss to the Patriots in the AFC Title game last Sunday.

Now we're told by LT and his defenders not to question the All-Pro Running back for his decision to sit out the game. True, LT is known as a stand-up man who rarely brings attention to himself on the field but is he truly a team player? He’s been known to complain about his team's game plan or if the players around him aren’t playing well. He's even been seen giving his Quarterback ‘the cold-shoulder’ along the sidelines after a mistake. He questions the direction of the front office. He whines when he loses and other teams celebrate their victories and often wonders out loud if his team will ever be good enough to make it to a Superbowl.

Yet last Sunday the Chargers were one game away from a Superbowl and LT was on the sidelines. He tried to play on his hyper-extended knee (or 'bruised' knee as it was first diagnosed) but felt he just couldn't continue. Four times the Chargers were in the red zone where LT flourishes and four times the Chargers only came away with 3 points. There he sat on the bench with his helmet and mask on, away from the game, and away from his teammates. He didn't try a new knee brace, never cheered on his team, and never tried to play again.

People should question LT on the extent of his injury and level of his fortitude. It's true that the position is called 'Runningback' and not 'Hobbleback' but LT has really never been injured before, so perhaps he didn't know his limitations and got scared. His own teammate, Phillip Rivers, showed a gutsy performance by getting orthroscopic surgery on his knee earlier in the week, limping around during practice, and then playing the whole game effectively. As a result, Rivers will need major off-season surgery but the magnitude of an AFC Title game could not keep him out of the line-up and for that Rivers' teammates were proud of him.

LaDainian Tomlinson will not need surgery on his knee this off-season because his injury was never that serious. If LT had played sparingly or was even used as a decoy, the Chargers may have won the game but to not try at all was his worst sin. There may not be many more chances for LT to get one step away from the Superbowl and now he must deal with that alone.

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!