After making numerous subtractions, including high-profile names like Chad Jackson and John Lynch, the Patriots made some additions today, signing six players to their practice squad. Defensive lineman Titus Adams, safety Mark Dillard, running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis, linebacker Vince Redd, defensive back Mike Richardson and defensive back Antwain Spann were all added to the practice squad.
Update: Tight-End Tyson Devree was signed to the practice squad 9/1.
Vince Redd, Antwain Spann, and Mike Richardson could all be called up to the active roster if the injury bug hits their position. While Richardson has been injured, Spann and Redd have proven to be able to contribute while on the field, be it on special teams or on defense.
Dillard, Adams, and Green-Ellis all are project players who the Patriots hope can develop into depth players in a year or two.
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Sunday, August 31, 2008
Patriots Sign Six to Practice Squad
Patriots Release John Lynch
Patriots Cut Lynch
The purge continues in New England as John Lynch is the latest Patriots to get the axe. Mike Reiss is reporting that Lynch might rejoin the Patriots at a later date.
Belichick stated that his mind was open to a Lynch return. Lynch had this to say:
"The immense respect that I've long held for the organization has been only heightened over the past couple of weeks. I am going to keep all options open and look forward with excitement to see what the future brings."
Patriots Plan?
Me thinks the Patriots have something up their sleeve... Ty Law, Lito Sheppard, and others are all on my radar right now. Due to a draft-day trade in 2008, the Patriots hold the Chargers 2nd rounder, which may be enough to swing a trade for Sheppard. Whether or not the Patriots could sign Sheppard to a deal is another matter.
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Patriots Cut Chad Jackson
The frustrating Chad Jackson era has come to an end in New England. According to Mike Reiss the Patriots have released the former second-round pick. After showing brilliance at times, Jackson got injured far too often and rarely showed command of the playbook. Matt Cassel was often seen barking in his direction this pre-season.
Jabar Gaffney has shown himself to be more reliable in the #3 receiver position, and with Matthew Slater and C.J. Jones on the roster to return kicks, Chad Jackson didn't have anything to bring to the table. Perhaps his roster spot will be used in acquiring a veteran CB -- Ty Law anyone?
Our friends have at the Patriot Act have listed the problems Bill Belichick has had with 2nd Round receivers: Bethel Johnson, Deion Branch, and now Chad Jackson.
Perhaps Bethel Johnson is looking for a roommate... Like What You Read? - Subscribe to NE Patriots Draft!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Patriots Cut Matt Gutierrez, Fernando Bryant
Chad Jackson Released
John Lynch Cut
Patriots Cuts
The Patriots made it under the magical line of 53 today, cutting veteran cornerback Fernando Bryant and backup quarterback Matt Gutierrez. Gutierrez hasn't shown the ability to lead the Patriots to victory if he should ever be called upon to play in a meaningful game. Belichick obviously feels that Matt Cassel can.
Duane Starks II
Bryant's departure leaves a huge hole at corner for the Patriots. Of the four corners on the roster, two of them--Wheatley and Wilhite--are rookies, Ellis Hobbs is oft-injured and Lewis Sanders hasn't looked great yet. Belichick probably made his decision about four seconds after watching Bryant being steamrolled into the Giants end zone. I think we might be hearing from Ty Law soon...
Buh-Bye
Victor Hobson and Vince Redd were two linebackers that failed to make the team after being signed as free agents this spring. Antwain Spain, Santonio Thomas, Mike Richardson, and John Welbourn were other veterans released today. Late-round draft pick Bo Ruud was placed on IR.
You're in Good Hands
With the injuries to Brandon Meriweather and Wes Welker, Raymond Ventrone and C.J. Jones were logical players to keep around as insurance. Both add versatility to the team, with Ventrone playing both ways and Jones being able to return kicks. Gary Guyton solidified his spot on the roster with great special-teams play along with a great game against the New York Giants.
In other news, Kevin Faulk has officially been suspended for one game for violating the NFL's Substance Abuse policy. Like What You Read? - Subscribe to NE Patriots Draft!
NFL All-Food Team
From the NEPatriotsDraft.com vault: BetUS.com is the best place to bet on your favorite team New England Patriots during the NFL season. Why choose any other sportsbook when BetUS.com offers the best bonuses for football betting. Join BetUS.com today - We've Got YOUR Game! 
With the appearance of about 300 Jerod Mayo jokes lately, some funny, some not, we've decided to make the best team possible using just players whose name contain a food word. We were tempted to use old-time players like OJ Simpson, but we limited it to current players only. Please let us know how we can improve the team by dropping us an email or leaving a comment.
Your starting offense:
QB - Cleo Lemon (Jaguars) - Roethlisberger was close...
RB - Ray Rice (Ravens)
TE - Chad Mustard (Broncos)
TE - Alge Crumpler (Titans) - Algae is very nutritional
WR - Sidney Rice (Vikings)
WR - Ronald Curry (Raiders) - Spicy
OL - Sam Baker (Falcons)
OL - Todd Weiner (Falcons)
OL - Brian Waters (Chiefs)
OL - Ryan Cook (Vikings)
OL - Dustin Frye (Seahawks)
And on defense:
DE - Julius Peppers (Panthers) - Peppers hot. His game? Not.
DE - Calais Campbell (Cardinals) - Mmm. Chunky
DT - Sam Adams (Broncos)
DT - Vince Wilfork (Patriots) - And he will eat you
LB - Tedy Bruschi (Patriots) - Hey, have a Sam Adams
LB - Jerod Mayo (Patriots)
LB - Anthony Waters (Chargers)
CB - Robert Bean (Jaguars) - Is he a magical fruit?
CB - Terrence Wheatley (Patriots) - Stretching...
FS - Gerome Sapp (Ravens - Maple syrup good
SS - Roy Williams (Cowboys) - No reason, he just eats a lot of food
K - Matt Stover
P - Jason Baker - Where is the Candlestick maker?
Also Check out:
NBA All-Food Team
NFL Movie Posters
Friday, August 29, 2008
NFL Sunday Ticket vs Opening Day
When we won the BleacherReport.com NFL Draft Comedy contest, it was pretty obvious that the Patriots home opener would be our destination. Seeing the Patriots flip the switch after a disappointing preseason will be a sight to see, especially since we live so far away from New England. We've only able to attend road games up to this point, so this will be our first pilgrimage to Patriot Place.
There is one thing we will miss while we are out in Boston though -- DIRECTV's NFL Sunday Ticket. In the past, we've had the luxury of firing up our LCD television and flipping on the magic ticket. Not only did we get to see our Patriots every week in HD, but we also got to root against the Colts, Chargers, Steelers, and others each week. We'll miss it, but I guess seeing the Patriots whoop the Chiefs in person is worth it.
Interested in getting NFL Sunday Ticket for your Sunday enjoyment? Get it through DIRECTV Online or call toll-free 1-866-770-7610 Like What You Read? - Subscribe to NE Patriots Draft!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
NFL Search Results
While waiting for the 2008 NFL season to start, we have to admit that we are getting a bit stir-crazy. Therefore, we decided to put our incessant Google searching for NFL info, Tom Brady's minute-by-minute status, and pictures of Leryn Franco to good use. Here are some of the searches we came up with -- these are the real, 100% accurate results.
Maybe Orton and Leinart should lift weights instead of Jack Daniels bottles and Natural Light kegs.
Adam Jones should have gone to the Seattle Seahawks, seems like that weather would have been right up his alley.
According to Thesaurus.com there are fifteen synonyms for gate, including "portcullis", which is an awesome word.
I really doubt that Mr. Tomlinson feels that this is a valid and reliable experiment.
Well, he has been in prison for a while...
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Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Patriot Cuts - Stephen Neal to PUP
The group that helped the Patriots set tons of offensive records was used to giving out hits last year. This year, the Patriot's offensive line took the first hit. Stephen Neal, last year's starting right guard, was placed on the PUP list. There is no word on when he is expected to return.
Ryan O'Callaghan, a backup tackle, was placed on injured reserve, while Kyle Eckel, Jason Webster, and Ryan Wendell were cut. Jason Webster, once thought to be competing for the #3 cornerback spot, was a huge disappointment
Notable names that were speculated to be on the bubble but survived were Chad Jackson, Victor Hobson, and Matt Cassel. All three players haven't lived up to expectations, although with Hobson being a new linebacker, he should probably be cut some slack. Like What You Read? - Subscribe to NE Patriots Draft!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Belichick Chooses Not to Suit Up
The JA (Joseph Abboud) Apparel corporation has been signed on to provide tailored shirts, suits, pants, and ties for members of the NFL Coaches Club. It appears that they will be required to wear these suits during press conferences and/or when traveling in a team capacity. Mike Nolan and Jack Del Rio have already sported part of the "Joseph Abboud Coaches Collection" in 2007.
Bill Belichick, however, is the only Head Coach not part of the NFL Coaches Club. Therefore, this deal doesn't apply to him.
Although, Bill could cut the sleeves off of this Joseph Abboud shirt -- it might work for him.
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Giants Lose Osi, Will Lose Games
During my NFC East Division Preview, we got quite a bit of guff for predicting that the Giants would go 8-8 and miss the playoffs. With Osi Umenyiora now out for the season, and Michael Strahan either retired or out of shape, we feel even more confident about the prediction.
Manning's interceptions didn't get the Giants too the playoffs, nor did it win the Giants Superbowl XLII. The key to their winning relied on heavy pressure from the defensive line. Justin Tuck can't do it all by himself.
We are so confident that, in conjunction with the World of Isaac Outrageous Prediction contest, we are lowering our projection to 6-10. Isaac is sponsoring prizes for people whose ridiculous predictions turn out correct.
Let's batten down the hatches and prepare for the verbal assault. Like What You Read? - Subscribe to NE Patriots Draft!
Tom Brady Will Play Opening Day
Words from Tom Brady will be helping New England Patriots fans worldwide sleep a little easier tonight. "If I don't play Thursday, when the Patriots play the Giants in their preseason finale, then I'll be ready for Kansas City," Brady said during an interview on Boston Radio Station WEEI.
Brady has missed the previous three preseason games, where the Patriots couldn't get anything going on offense. Backup quarterbacks Matt Cassel, Kevin O'Connell and Matt Guttierez all saw extended playing during camp, giving the coaching staff ample footage to figure the pecking order behind Brady.
Due to reports of Brady practicing with the team, speculation all along was that Brady is ready to go, but that the Pats were being overly cautious with their franchise quarterback. Like What You Read? - Subscribe to NE Patriots Draft!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Patriots Bleed Green
Another ugly night makes us wish there was no such thing as the preseason. There has been talk of having an 18 game regular season, with only two silly season games. At this point, we are all for it. Three things stuck out to us last night during the game.
No Panic at the Disco
After a third performance that wasn't up to Patriot standards, many fans are starting to panic. Are the Patriots too old? Is the Patriot run over? By looking at the players on the sideline and after the game, there is a high level of confidence being exhibited, and they are not ready to resort to any sort of panicking.
Back that Tom Brady Up
At this point, Matt Cassel and Guttierez are a coin-flip away from being cut. Cassel hasn't had any shining moments, and Guttierez hasn't been given the ball in a first-string situation yet. There is no way that O'Connell would clear waivers to make the practice squad, so one Matt is going to be packing his bags soon.
Vanilla Patriots Defense
The Patriots are notorious for not showing their whole playbook before the regular season opens, but they have been beaten physically the last two games. The line has been pushed around, and linebackers aren't shedding blocks like they did against the Ravens. Fernando Bryant looks like Duane Starks out there and Ellis Hobbs is not quite ready to be the #1.
Fifteen days until Chiefs vs. Patriots. We'll be there, and we have the utmost confidence that the real Patriots will be there too. Like What You Read? - Subscribe to NE Patriots Draft!
Friday, August 22, 2008
Superbowl Payback
It has been six long months since the Patriots lost Super Bowl XLII. We've been looking for an outlet to unleash the pent-up anger and disappointment on for quite a while. The Celtics winning the championship came close, the Red Sox are trying, but we are choosing to unleash ourselves upon 25 Sports Blogs in Cuzoogle.com's Pigskin Picks contest. We will be picking each game of each week, competing for cash and prizes. Feel free to talk trash to any of these other jokers, especially The Sports Dollar -- he is going down.
Here is a list of all the sites who will feel our collective wrath:Yep Yep
The Sports Dungeon
Waiting for Next Year
The Sports Lounge
Tailgating Ideas
NESW Sports
The Blue Workhorse
My Sports Rumors
Inside Plays
Juiced Sports Blog
Buzz Pirates
GrandmasterB
Busted Coverage
The Chocolate Dog Blog
NE Patriots Draft
The Sports Dollar
Brahsome
Women Like Sports
Don Chavez
Banned in Hollywood
Mac Gs World
Macho Chip
Zoner Sports
CoverTwo
Sports Opinion
Please visit these sites and tell everyone that we will be destroying their weak picks for the foreseeable future. Like What You Read? - Subscribe to NE Patriots Draft!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Patriots vs. Eagles Preview
As the Patriots face the Eagles on Friday Night, there is no shortage of interesting storylines to talk about. We'll see some old friends, meet some new foes, and check if last week's debacle against Tampa Bay was just an aberration.
Thanks Asante
Asante Samuel, whose name means "thank you", gets his first chance to say thank you to the Patriots for letting him walk this spring. Samuel was an important cog in Bill Belichick's defensive scheme over the last few years. Unfortunately, many fans will remember him most for his missed interception near the end of Superbowl XLII. Randy Moss and Wes Welker playing against Samuel should be fun to watch.
QB Love
Tom Brady came out in support of Matt Cassel earlier this week, deflecting criticism of the backup quarterback's play. Even with the support of Brady himself, Cassel needs a solid outing if we wants to shore up a roster spot.
Right Guard
We're not talking about the deodorant, although our thinness at the position is starting to stink. Will Stephen Neal, Billy Yates and Russ Hochstein not expected to play, Dan Connolly and John Welbourn will be asked to step up and fill the position. New addition Mike Flynn may contribute as well. Like What You Read? - Subscribe to NE Patriots Draft!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
2008 Patriots Practice Squad
Patriots Sign Six to Practice Squad
With cut time rapidly approaching, the New England Patriots front-office staff will begin to determine who their targets are for the Practice Squad -- players must clear waivers before being placed on the squad. The eligibilty requirements are a bit convoluted, but with some great work by patchick at patsfans.com, here are the rules:
- Player must not have an accrued season (or were inactive seven or more times during the accrued season)
- Player must not have been on a practice squad for more than three years
- During third year on practice squad, player must be added to 53-man squad if a spot opens up
- OL -- Jimmy Martin
- DB -- Antwain Spann
- S/WR -- Raymond Ventrone
- OL -- Dan Connolly
- CB -- Mike Richardson
- QB -- Matt Gutierrez
- DT -- Titus Adams
- CB -- Jeff Shoate
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Tom Brady Supports Matt Cassel
When Tom Brady speaks, New England Patriot fans tend to listen. This time Tom weighed in on the criticism from fans and media outlets, specifically Sterling Sharpe of the NFL Network, during a recent interview of WEEI radio:
“I see Matt every day in practice and the improvement he makes. I love what I see in Matt. I have a lot of confidence in Matt . . . for the three guys sitting in the booth, I thought it was unfair to criticize the way they were criticizing, because I don’t think they really knew what was happening.”
Brady is correct in saying that the media really have no clue how to accurately rate a player's performance, especially a quarterback. Brady was also coming to the defense of his teammate, and his comments have to be taken with a grain of Patriots Kool-Aid.
Coaches look at performance, while fans and media personalities view outcomes. Where Sharpe sees a poor pass, a coach may see a missed route. Sharpe, defending his view to the Boston Herald:
“My criticisms were based on the fact the offense hasn’t flowed in the two game Matt has been in. And based on the injuries, there’s a chance, if Tom were to go down, there’s a chance Matt’s going to be [the] quarterback, and I think all of us watching are curious to see what that offense would look like without Tom. Sure, he had a few drops in there, but when the offense struggles like that, I gave a lot of the criticism to Matt."
Sharpe admits that while Cassel suffered from some dropped, he still blames it all on him. Although we have also been critical of Cassel, it is tough to gauge play during a meaningless contest, where the Patriots have many linemen missing. Head Coach Bill Belichick is also notoriously stingy in making plays available to OC Josh McDaniels during the preseason.
Our hope is that we never answer the question of whether Matt Cassel can play for the Patriots or not, which means that Tom Brady will still be at the helm.
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Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Sports Movies in Real Life
Many sports movies are based on true events, but have you ever wondered what would happen if other sports movies happened in real life? Enjoy our take on a few examples, we'll be back later in the week with a few more.
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Read Full Article
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Patriots vs. Bucs: Disaster
We are well aware that it was just a pre-season game, but dang that was ugly.
1. Defensive Backs -- Fernando Bryant was able to play, but it didn't matter, as the Bucs walked up and down the field on the Patriots Sunday night. The Patriots corners gave up underneath routes all night, and the duo of Brian Griese and Luke McCown took what they were given.
2. Hold the Mayo? -- Jerod Mayo filled the hole pretty well against Tampa Bay, but wasn't able to get off of blocks as well as he was against the Ravens. A couple of missed tackles and some questionable coverage made for a sub-par night for the Patriots first-rounder.
3. Special Players -- As we didn't kick off much, and Chris Hanson did a good job of directional kicking, Special Teams play was a bit of a wash. I will say that Stephen Gostkowski looked great, hitting a nice 53-yard field goal.
4. Patriots Backup Quarterbacks -- Ugh. Like What You Read? - Subscribe to NE Patriots Draft!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Patriots vs. Bucs: What to Watch For
1. Defensive Backs -- Fernando Bryant is still a bit dinged up and rookie Terrence Wheatley will probably start in his place Sunday night. Bryant gave the Raven receivers a ridiculous cushion, which Wheatley was able to shorten up a bit. They both gave up big passes at times, however Wheatley was beaten by some unbelievable throws. Wheatley is angling for a place on the first team, although he will get plenty of time at nickelback even if he fails to make the top eleven.
2. Hold the Mayo? -- The Ravens failed to contain the first round pick from the University of Tennessee, as Jerod Mayo continually blew up plays at or around the line of scrimmage. Mayo needs to continue to read plays effectively in order to succeed. The Bucs will need to get a hat on him immediately to negate his incredible lateral speed.
3. Special Players -- Larry Izzo has been a staple on Special Teams for the Patriots during this decade. Gary Guyton and Vince Redd, two undrafted free agents, are challenging for Izzo's role on the team this year. Both are strong, quick, rangy athletes that know how to get to the ball. We expect one of them to be the 45th man on Sundays.
4. Tom Brady's Foot Injury -- Tom Brady won't be making the trip tomorrow, due to the Patriots wanting him to rest his foot. That said, there will be a huge opportunity for one of the three other Patriot QB's to either step up or blow up. Look for Matt Cassel to either assert himself as the #2, or show himself out of town.
Check out our 2009 NFL Mock Draft too! Like What You Read? - Subscribe to NE Patriots Draft!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Tom Brady Probable - OMG!
Tom Brady (probable) is expected to tough out a shoulder injury and take his first snaps of the preseason Sunday night against the Tampa Bay Bucs. Sports fans were alerted to this by a breaking news crawl on a prominent sports network. This came as a huge surprise to Patriot fans worldwide, who expected that Tom's shoulder may have healed over the last six years. This injury originally put Brady on the injury list during the 2002 season, and has been somewhat slow to heal.
Belichick's draconian policies of having Brady throw touchdown after touchdown last season didn't help matters. Coach Belichick, in a rare candid moment, on the injury: "Tom's shoulder is what it is. It's probable. Probably freaking awesome."
In other news, five other things that are probable:
1. Michael Phelps beats that green line like a green-headed step-child.
2. The sun sets, then rises.
3. A four-letter sports network will have a report from Jets camp.
4. Chinese sports officials will try and enter an 11 year-old boy into the NBA Draft.
5. Chad Johnson will act like an ass. Like What You Read? - Subscribe to NE Patriots Draft!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Patriots Sign John Lynch
The Patriots signed John Lynch to a contract today to a one-year, $1,500,000 contract, giving the Patriots safety depth at an affordable price. A $1.5 million dollar salary cap charge isn't bad for the experience and leadership Lynch will bring As reported earlier, Lynch parted ways with the Broncos earlier this month after not coming to terms with Coach Mike Shanahan over playing time.
Lynch, who spent 11 years playing for the Tampa Bay Bucs, is expected to play the nickel lb/db hybrid position, which was being played by Tank Williams before his season-ending injury. Lynch will return to where he started Sunday night, as the Patriots take on the Bucs on the NFL Network.
In related news, the Patriots had Methusaleh, Noah, and that guy from the Highlander in for physicals today, looking to add depth and experience to their defense. Like What You Read? - Subscribe to NE Patriots Draft!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
John Lynch visiting Patriots
Update: Patriots Sign Lynch
According to the Boston Globe, 9-time pro-bowler John Lynch may be joining the Patriots, after stints in Denver and Tampa Bay. The Broncos released Lynch on August 1st.
Tank You
After the New England Patriots lost safety Tank Williams for the year, there was a big hole at the safety position. Rodney Harrison, James Sanders, and Brandon Meriweather will all make the team, and John Lynch would provide another veteran to fill out the depth chart. While it is unclear whether Lynch would start or not, Lynch would probably play the linebacker/safety hybrid position with Harrison and Meriweather covering at safety.
John Lynch Mob
The former all-pro would just be the last in a parade of veterans wishing to finish their career with the Patriots. Doug Flutie, Junior Seau, Rodney Harrison are just a few of the latest to do so. Like What You Read? - Subscribe to NE Patriots Draft!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
NFL Charts and Graphs
If you haven't seen this picture and laughed yet, shame on you. This picture of Vince Young wouldn't have gotten much publicity if more than two guys had a shirt on.
There is an awful lot of overlap there. Seriously, who wears a jersey to announce a game? Bring back Dick Vermeil!
I'm sure that this is false, and some fantasy football guy is holding on to Vick just hoping for a miracle.
I definitely see Donovan McNabb as the definitive source on all things Eldorado.
No offense Jimmy!
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Monday, August 11, 2008
Cuzoogle's Pigskin Picks Contest
Our friends at Cuzoogle are sponsoring quite the NFL Picks contest this year. You'll pick each NFL game for each week of the regular season. There will be a cash prize at the end, and weekly winners will get free advertising. Each week you will also be getting free backlinks to your site.
If you want to enter your site into the running, you need to send Cuzzy a $10 entry fee--all of which will get paid back in prize money--and a 125x125 ad to use in case you win, which you probably won't.
If you want to save yourself some heartache and a lot of thinking, feel free to just send $10 to my PayPal account, as I'll be taking home the championship this year. The Sports Dollar is talking smack, but 2nd place is as good as they are going to do. Like What You Read? - Subscribe to NE Patriots Draft!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?
Jim Mora -- Chicken? We're talking about chicken? Are you kidding me?
Rod Smart -- He Hate Road.
Keyshawn Johnson -- Throw me the damn chicken!
Emmitt Smith -- Because chickens don't quit. They don't even quit.
Steve Smith -- He didn't make it, cuz I broke his damn beak.
Clinton Portis -- That was just me in one of my costumes.
Joe Namath -- I've got news for you, the chicken is going to cross the road. I guarantee it.
Marshawn Lynch -- He didn't make it, cuz I ran that bastard over.
Joe Starkey (Cal Announcer) -- Ohh! The chicken is out on the road! He's going to go onto the shoulder! Will it count?
Terrell Owens -- I love me some chicken.
Kellen Winslow Jr -- He's a soldier!
Peyton Manning -- We're shooting a Chick-Fil-A commercial across the street in about 15 minutes.
Dennis Green -- The chicken was what the road thought it was! And he let it off the hook.
Bo Jackson -- Chicken knows road.
Vince Lombardi -- He didn't cross, he just ran out of road.
Vince Young -- Chicken just crosses roads.
Mike Gundy -- He's a chicken! He's 40!
Check out an addition to this list at Zoner Sports.
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Friday, August 8, 2008
Patriots vs Ravens: What we Watched For
2. Crable able? - Wow. While he didn't impress too much in practice, come game time Shawn played great. While his pick and sack were impressive, the way he blanketed prospective Ravens receivers during the night was very impressive. Put on ten pounds and we've got a winner there.
3. Mayo(r) - Jerod Mayo was also quite impressive, laying out a couple of Ravens during the night. His two fellow rookie linebackers, Vincent Redd and Gary Guyton, also played very well. Guyton, with his incredible special-teams play running down Baltimore's Figurs--reminiscent of Ben Watson running down Champ Bailey--might have gotten Larry Izzo cut.
4. Return game - There weren't any touchdowns, but you could see that Slater knows what he is doing. If he starts to trust his blockers and stay in the lanes, he will be a great addition.
Like What You Read? - Subscribe to NE Patriots Draft!Read Full Article
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Patriots vs Ravens: What to Watch For
1. Backup QB - Who will be the first Quarterback to play not named Tom Brady? Matt Cassel and Señor Gutierrez have to impress the Patriots staff early and often. Both need to minimize any mistakes.
2. Crable able? - Shawn Crable hasn't had a very good pre-season and coaches and fans will be looking to see if he has been able to grasp the defense. Crable needs to be up to speed both physically and mentally.
3. Mayo(r) - Jerod Mayo has shown a depth of knowledge unseen in a rookie linebacker in Bill Belichick's system. We're hoping that translates to a game situation tonight and that he is able to grasp the speed of the NFL game.
4. Return game - Who starts off returning kicks? Will it be Matthew Slater, the mystery pick from UCLA who is getting rave reviews, or will it be a darkhorse like Chad Jackson or Terrence Wheatley? Expect all to get some looks tonight, but the first one to trot out there will be telling. Like What You Read? - Subscribe to NE Patriots Draft!
Welcome to the Jungle Mr. Favre
We've got fun and games...
Brett Favre, welcome to the AFC East. You'll feel right at home here, we've got some cold weather, wind, and some crappy teams -- just like the NFC North. No domes to be found here though.
You can have anything you want...
You got what you wanted in being traded from the Packers, where you wouldn't have been the starter. Aaron Rodgers is going to be a fine quarterback, and the Packers will be just fine. However, you are going to be playing for the New York Jets, where the jackass in the fireman helmet could have suited up last year. They've made some big acquisitions in the off-season, but you don't mortgage the future to go from 4-12 to 8-8. You don't know the offense, but you should be comfortable with the receivers, as you have been throwing to high school kids for the last two months. It's really not that different in NY.
It's gonna bring you down. Huh!
Brett, we understand that you didn't want to go out slinging a gun, aka interception, in the championship game. You didn't want your last game to be a loss. We get that. However, you might rethink that after a couple of 42-13 beatings and (maybe) an 8-8 record. Enjoy that 5th preseason game you have against the Dolphins and get ready for a Week 2 beatdown.
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Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Patriot Stock Report
Cowboy Up
Jerod Mayo--
A couple of goal-line stuffs and solid play over the last few practices have really impressed fans and, presumably, coaches alike. Mayo seems to be picking up the nuances of the Belichick scheme faster than normal, which bodes well for the efficacy of his rookie season.
Sam Aiken--
He just won't go away. Aiken may well compete with Chad Jackson and Jabar Gaffney for the 3rd/4th/5th receiver role this year, as he just isn't dropping any balls. Aiken also will perform well on special teams.
Cowboy Down
Matt Cassel--
Cassel has had an absolutely brutal pre-season, with multiple interceptions in nearly each practice, and six coming over the last two. It's tough to tell whether a receiver is at fault some of the time, but Matt needs a good game versus Baltimore if he wants to hold off Matt Guttierez for the backup spot.
Shawn Crable--
Crable has shown the talent at times that warranted his third-round selection, but has far too often shown the mental errors that often plague rookie defenders under Coach Belichick. Crable was beaten badly during a goal-line drill. The running back went right past him on play one, and on play two he was beaten by Marcus Pollard while overplaying the run. Like What You Read? - Subscribe to NE Patriots Draft!
If Mike Ditka had a Blog
Coach Ditka here. Sorry for the extended absence readers, I got back from Bermuda a bit ago where I was beating the hell out of something called Hurricane Bertha. Three fat assholes from Chicago dared me to do it, so I said what the hell. I think one of them had a heart-attack when I told them I won, kept on pounding his chest and stuff. I'm rested up now.
Anyways, I was out at the Wal-Mart today trying to get one of those Wii-Fit systems, cause I'd like to see the missus twirling around all nice like I saw on the internet. Some snot-nosed kid was buying the last one they had in the store, and wouldn't give it up for my autograph. So I offered him my car, my wallet, next month's paycheck, and my shirt. He accepted that one. Probably the second-best trade I've ever made.
Will Ferrell called me up today too, telling me to leave him the hell alone. That hairy bastard just doesn't want "Kicking and Screaming 2" to do better than Stepbrothers is doing. That screenplay is a real ass-kicker. I'd like to have that Erin Andrews lady in there for sure.
Anyways, I hear that my boy Emmitt Smith is being replaced on NFL Countdown. Are you kidding me? That in unpossible! Emmitt was one of the best parts of that show, dropping in relevant quotes and interesting tidbits. Maybe I'll hire him as a spokesman for one of my resorts.
Some Ditka Shouts:
Hey, kudos to MJD at Shutdown Corner, my moustache is pretty damn amazing.
Hey Deuce, I will kick your scrawny ass right now. You too Paul.
This competition isn't even close. Da Bears.
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NFL Postcards
Check out these great NFL Postcards from our friends at Hugging Harold Reynolds. Hilarious stuff guys. We always like to see our friend Randy Moss threatening the incredibly annoying Mercury Morris.
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Sunday, August 3, 2008
All - NFL Olympic Team
Image Courtesy of XinhuanetThe 2008 Summer Olympics will be kicking off this Friday, and in honor of their impending start, we give you the 2008 All-NFL Olympic team, with an NFL Player making the Olympic Team for each of the individual-esque sports to be held in China this August.
Fencing - Travis Henry
He's pretty good with his sword, if you know what I mean.
Sailing/Rowing - Matt Birk
He's a Viking, so boats are right up his alley, plus he went to Harvard.
Sprint Events - Devin Hester
No pads, no defenders, give him the gold.
Long Distance Events - Kenyatta Walker
He's got Kenya in his name right?
Shotput/Discus - Vince Wilfork
Holds the state record in Florida for the Shot, throwing it 68 feet.
Wrestling - Stephen Neal
Two-time NCAA champ, beating Brock Lesnar his senior season.
Diving - Reggie Bush
Nobody flips like this guy, gotta work on the landing though.
Swimming - Mario Williams
Best Swim move in the league.
Synchronized Swimming - Peyton and Eli Manning
Just a fun mental image for you and the whole family.
Boxing - Tom Zbikowski
Duh. Honorable mention to Steve Smith.
Kayaking - Chris Cooley
No reason, just thought he was the only NFL'er that could make me watch Kayaking.
Weightlifting - Larry Allen
Holy Mother of God.
Equestrian - Chris Williams
He's got the family ties.
Gymnastics - Martin and Bill Gramatica
Hamm's? Martin and Bill can jump! And Prance! About the right size too...
Cycling - Shawne Merriman
Lots of dopers to pick on, I'll chose Mr. Lights out today.
Archery - Tom Brady
Accuracy is his middle name.
Judo - Scott Peters
Yikes!
Badminton - Hines Ward
Koreans love Badminton.
Shooting - Marvin Harrison
Still too afraid to say anything.
Table-Tennis - Jacob Hester
White Running Backs can really play pong.
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Friday, August 1, 2008
Patriots Breakout Watch
In 2007 we watched Wes Welker exceeded everyone's expectations, while in 2006 Ty Warren showed he belonged in the All-Pro conversation. Which Patriot is going to have that breakout year? Let's explore three options who we think will surprise people around the NFL, and have as meteoric a rise as Erin Andrews, Megan Fox, or Marisa Miller photos had this offseason.
Brandon Meriweather
After making a poor impression during his rookie season, filled with dropped interceptions and indecisive, timid, awkward play, Meriweather has shown a marked improvement during the Patriots 2008 preseason workouts. The 24th pick in 2007 finally has a good grasp of the playbook and according to teammates he has begun to become a vocal leader on the field. Combine that with a ton of balls caught off a JUGS machine, and we see Meriweather becoming the preeminent safety on the Patriots roster by the end of 2008.
David Thomas
"Wendys" doesn't get the same publicity and hype as fellow TE Ben Watson, but if Thomas can stay healthy he will show the NFL that he is just as good of a receiver. Foot problems have stunted his growth in the past few years, but look for 2008 to be the year where a healthy Thomas fulfills the promise he once showed playing with Vince Young at the University of Texas.
Chad Jackson
Seemingly everybody's darling for a breakout year in 2008 is this University of Florida alum. After being drafted in the second round, Jackson has shown flashes of brilliance when he has been able to be on the field. The trouble has been staying on the field, with injury and depth chart problems hampering him the last two years. With Donte Stallworth and his hamstring problems out of the picture, look for Chad Jackson and Jabar Gaffney to duke it out for the receiver spot opposite of Randy Moss.
