Happy Thanksgiving From NE Patriots Draft!

I hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving feasts, but at the same time, I hope you saved some room for your Pre-Game Meal. This week we look to bring Christmas a little bit early when we take on the unbeaten New Orleans Saints. Unless you live under a rock, you probably know that Sean Payton’s squad is steamrolling through the NFL opposition behind Drew Brees’ arm. Coach Bill Belichick spoke earlier this week on how the Saints are the most ‘complete’ football team in the league because of their potent offense and stifling defense. If the boys from the Big Easy know that the path to perfection goes through New England and that it is not going to be a walk through the park by any means. The Patriots are hungry to prove themselves against the best team in the land; especially the defensive backs who are foaming at the mouth, hoping to snatch down one of Brees’ missiles.

I have to admit, it feels strange to be approaching a game with such magnitude that doesn’t have any trash-talking, rivalry, Joey Porter, or Rex Ryan. The previous three weeks leading up to the game were filled with billboard material, historic rivalry, or bitter playoff memories. Now finally, we come to a game where both teams are focused on playing, have no bad blood, and fully respect each other. I am so excited for this Monday Night Football game, I can’t even begin to explain. Every time I see the Flying Elvis with the Fleur-de-lis, I get all nervous and excited and it’s great. I don’t hate the Saints, I actually enjoy watching Drew and Reggie and Colston. However, depending on the way this game plays out, my feelings are always subject to change.

While listening to all the premature talks about the Saints achieving a 16-0 undefeated season, I picked up one fatal flaw in their method of approach. They are seriously considering the possibility of being the second 16-0 regular season team, yet they have only played ten games. With six games left in the season… anything could happen. I was always taught to not count my chickens before they hatched (pretty morbid when you think about that expression). I believe that when the Saints’ 11th little golden egg hatches, it is going to be a big, fat L-shaped chicken. If you know what I mean.

Not to start downplaying the Saints record… but when I was checking out their stats, one crazy thing popped out. Out of the 10 teams that they have beaten to pulps, eight have records of .500 or worse. Their tougest opponents, and I use that term lightly, based on record were Philly and the Giants. Not to mention they almost lost to Miami and St. Louis. These guys do not look untouchable. And if memory serves me correctly, week 10 was exactly when games began to get a little closer for the 2007 Patriots… just sayin’

The Homemade, Deep Fried, Southern-Style Weekly Match-Ups:

* Tom Brady vs. Darren Sharper – I’ll never understand why the media addresses match-ups like “Brees vs. Brady” or vice-versa. Don’t they know that quarterbacks don’t actually play each other. Tom Brady probably isn’t sitting in a room watching film of Drew Brees, that’s is what SportsCenter is for. Right, Tom? Tom Brady has spent the last week sitting in a dark room watching thousands of hours of film on Darren Sharper. While the New Orleans defense as a whole is playing extraordinarily, Sharper is playing out of his doggone mind. He has 7 interceptions and 3 returned for touchdowns. His return yardage (317) is exponentially higher than any other DB in the league. That is what makes D-Sharp the most formidable adversary for Tom Brady. Tommy has been playing very well himself these days. In his last 5 games, Brady has thrown for 300+ yards, 14 TDs, and 4 INTs. His passer rating is 100.4 and he is completing almost 70% of his passes. Man, it sure feels good to forget about the beginning of the season. Now having said all of that, it’s time to make some points. Unbiased. Of course. Darren Sharper has not caught an interception in his last two games, and hasn’t brought one back to the house in his last three. By the way, this just makes me feel better, he’s still amazing. BUT I want to look at the QBs Sharper has picked off: Matt Stafford, Mark-the-pick-machine-Sanchez, The Chad Henne, and Matt Ryan. Now we all know Mark and Matt love throwing interceptions, both have thrown 4 in their last performances, Henne isn’t great, and Ryan was in a slump of some sorts. This secondary has not faced an elite QB this year. If Tom gets some time in the pocket, he will continue to complete smart passes and score touchdowns; that is a fact. Darren is going to have to play some serious football to take one of Brady’s passes out of the air, unless he under throws Moss or some other fluke.

* Randy Moss vs. Jabari Greer – Greer is coming off an injury only because he is ready to play. Moss is coming off a disappointing 34-yard, 1 TD game against New York. These two to be engaged in quite the battle for 60 minutes on Monday. Moss will have to be very tough off the line in order to get by Greer; but even if he does you can bet we’ll see Sharper shadowing him at all times. Jabari has 2 INTs on the year and at 5’11″, 180 lbs, he will test Moss’ physicality and skills all night long. Play-action passes would appear to be the best bet for the deep ball if New England can get the running game going early. Only Greer and the Saints know if his knee is back to 100%, but as the great Hoodie once said: this is the NFL, no one is playing at 100% and everyone is suffering from one kind of injury or another… or something along those lines. I feel like Moss accumulate 95 yards and a score by the end of regulation.

* Drew Brees vs. New England Defense – This NE D is playing with a chip on it’s shoulder. The guys are playing with an intensity against; they are playing like they have something to prove. And I like that. It reminds me of the old days. Drew is entering Monday Night’s game with 2746 passing yards, 22 TDs, and 9 INTs. It’s going to be up to the defensive line to penetrate Brees’ protection and force him in to mistakes, because if Brees gets time to throw, the Patriots are going to have a long day. Hopefully the defense will look a little healthier this week with a couple guys coming off of injuries. I strongly believe that our secondary will come out wanting it more on Monday. The Saints don’t have to prove that they are good, they don’t have to prove that they can score and win games. However, the guys across the line of scrimmage from Brees and Colston feel that they have something to prove. They want to show that they can finish games, stifle the most prolific offense OF 2009, I stress that. Mayo and the boys are just tired of hearing that they don’t play well in the second half. We don’t want this to be a shootout; ESPN might, but we don’t. We wan’t our defense to step up and keep the Saints out of the end zone long enough for the Patriots to take a commanding lead.

* Wes Welker vs. No One – There it is. Plain and simple. No one can cover this man. He is just too quick, too smart, and too good. While he may not rack up 192 yards, he will get his ten receptions and play a crucial part in the passing game; especially on third downs. Kevin Faulk will also play a large role in third downs as usual.

* Jeremy Shockey vs. Brandon McGowan – Another week, Another all-star for Brandon McGowan. I hope he enjoyed his week of rest (Dustin Keller), because it’s time for BM to take on his latest tight-end opponent. Jeremy Shockey has reinvented his career in New Orleans and it looks like he fits in pretty well. His 461 yards and 3 TDs in 2009 aren’t the best by any means
, but his numbers don’t tell the story of how much he produces on the field for them. He can make the big play, can run routes like a receiver, and can stay in for pass protection. After Shockey gets bumped by a linebacker, McGowan will have to chase him all around the field and not let him get behind the defense. Unless B-Mac forgot how to cover a tight-end, I just don’t see how Shockey has a big game.

* Marques Colston vs. Leigh Bodden – Leigh is still pumped from his outstanding performance last Sunday and probably will be for the rest of his season. That is unless Brees to Colston traumatizes him. During the few times that I have watched these two play ball together, Colston has gone out of his way to make some unbelievable catches. Hopefully Brandon Merriweather can give Bodden some help up top if he’s getting worked by the other #12. Marques Colston has 172 of his 687 yards and 1 of his 6 TDs against all other AFC East teams. That’s an average of about 60 yards per game and 0.33 TDs. So if Leigh Bodden can just do his job half as well as he did last week, Colston may end up with somewhere around 50 yards and a score. At most. Realistically, I predict 70 yards and no score.

* Reggie Bush vs. Bill Belichick – Along with Jeremy Shockey, Reggie Bush is someone that Coach Belichick is thinking about how to stop every day leading up to the game. Earlier in the week, Belichick compared Bush to Marshall Faulk and the similar roles they both play in their offenses. Belichick is going to make sure that Reggie can’t sneak out of the backfield and beat the Patriots on little dump passes or short routes. There will most likely always be someone there to make sure that Bush and Shockey get picked up if they leave their blocks and run into the defense. Reggie Bush is still a good back and he’s fast as hell. If he shows up and is allowed to steal passes and yards on dump passes, the Patriots are going to get annoyed and flustered. It is imperative that we keep Bush from getting hot. Aside from the passing, the Saints are fourth in the league in rush attempts. Their offense is way more versatile that most people notice. Bill is also going to have to keep Bush, Thomas, and Bell from creating a running attack. Vince Wilfork will have to eat up the middle and although the Patriots won’t be blitzing all the time, they really should blitz on obvious running downs. Pierre Thomas is the guy between the 20′s and he always gets his yards. It inside the 20′s when the Saints sub in Bush and Bell where we have to come in and make stops. As long as the Patriots are scoring, keeping the Saints to field goals would be very comforting.

If the Patriots can pull off this prime time win, they will silence their critics and establish themselves as a dominant team in the NFL this year. It feels like everyone wants the Saints to win outside of New England and they are favored by Vegas. The Patriots will be underdogs again in the Superdome come Monday, so here’s to history repeating itself and the Patriots giving the Saints their first loss of the season.

Now you’re full,
-B.DelaBarrera

 Get NE Patriots Draft Sent By E-Mail!

Moving On, J-E-T-S Week, + More:

If you clicked this blog to hear me whine about a bad spot, a terrible call, or any “4th-and-2″ related subject matter, you’ve come to the wrong place. In true New England style, I have moved on from the heartbreaking loss to the Colts. While the pain may not entirely be gone, there’s just nothing anyone can do to make a difference. A regular season loss is a regular season loss and all we can do now is focus on getting our team into a position such that we can get revenge in January. Forget all the talk of how New England doesn’t historically lose back-to-back games often and look at it this way: We have a bone to pick with the Jets. In week two, we let one get away in New Jersey and there is a score to settle; best believe it won’t be 16-9 either. There is no way that Bill Belichick and the boys allow a regular season sweep to Cryin’ Ryan and the Jersey Jets (not just because that sounds like an Elton John song).

In regard to this weekend’s AFC rivalry match, the 3rd straight one for NE, Tom told reporters, “I’d like to think we’re a better team now than we were in the second week. This team really challenges us. [Week 2 was] probably our lowest output of the season in points and yards, third-down, all the way across the board and we had a bunch of yards in penalties also. Playing them once, I think that can help you. We can’t play much worse.” The same doesn’t hold for NY, after opening the season 3-0, they have dropped their last 5 out of 6 games with their lone win in that span coming against the Raiders. WOW! Good Job, guys! Hell, even I would cry if the only win i could muster up in 6, technically 7 including BYE, came against Oakland. In the NFL, wins against Al Davis and JaMarcus Russell shouldn’t count.

New York’s Least Favorite Weekly Match-Ups:

* 4th-and-Belichick vs. Rex Cryan – Both coaches have made headlines this week for one reason or another. Bill Belichick has been scrutinized by every analyst, columnist, and satirist for keeping his offense on the field late in Sunday’s game while possessing a 6-point lead. Even Tedy Bruschi had something negative to say about it, which I have to admit, hurt me a lot. Big Rex, on the other hand, finally broke down during a team meeting in New York while proclaiming that he still had faith in his Jets. I’ve heard from eye witnesses that his tears are actually composed of cooking oil; take it or leave it. Either way, Sunday’s game is on the horizon and it means big things for the AFC East. The Jets would feel great about making .500 and sweeping the Patriots. It would put New England at 6-4 and themselves at 5-5 right back in the division race. The Pats need to do everything humanly possible to keep the Jets in tears and away from the top of the East.

* Randy Moss vs. Darrelle Revis – Come to think of it, it seems like everyone is making headlines before this divisional clash. NBC’s Pro Football Talk published an article Thursday that spoke about Revis’ comments of shutting down Randy Moss man-on-man. Their studies showed that more times than not, the cornerback had safety help over the top in zone or what not. Darrelle got pretty heated in an interview with reporters who asked him his thoughts on the article. I’m thinking that Revis, who really is a phenomenal CB, will let some of his emotions get the better of him when he comes to Foxboro this weekend. The secondary will have more work to do with Wes Welker and the other wideouts not named Joey Galloway catching passes all over the field. That being said, it just seems likely that the Jets will have to pick their poison: double Moss and let Welker, Edelman, Stanback, and Watson run wild or play single coverage. If Randy gets one-on-one with Revis, expect the deep ball. Ian R. Rapoport shared some thoughts about Rex Ryan, Revis, Moss, and whether they use safety help over the top:

“What about on Revis’ interception over Moss? What coverage were they in?

“We call it Cover One,” Ryan said. “Some teams call it Cover Zero. It’s just man-to-man and you’ve got a centerfielder. Kerry had great range on that play. If they think it’s Cover Two, then hopefully they think it’s Cover Two this week too.”

Zing!

OK, everyone got that? They were in man-to-man coverage… kinda. And they didn’t cover Moss with two guys… unless Rhodes went there. Whew. Glad we got that settled.”
Don’t be surprised if Revis gets called for contact or makes some mistakes trying to play “super corner”.

* Did You Seriously Fumble In The End Zone vs. The Jets Defense – I like Maroney a whole lot less right now because of his “performance” Sunday. I don’t give a crap if you have four consecutive games with a TD; you’re a starting back and that’s expected of you. Another thing that’s expected of you: holding on to the ball for 2 freaking yards, putting the opposition away, and keeping your coach/teammates out of screwed up, 4th quarter, game-deciding plays. Little Laurence is going to have to regain my, and I’m sure many of yours’, trust back this weekend. I know that fumble is under his skin and I want him to come out strong, hit the holes hard, and run like he’s never ran before. The Jets are a little banged up on defense and they seem to have lost a step or ten in the “swagger” department. Kris Jenkins is out. Carrying the assumption that New England tries to massacre New York though the air… 60 yards and a touchdown or Maroney is still in my doghouse.

* Tom Brady vs. The Red Zone – Lets be real. Regardless of last week’s outcome, Tom Brady looked pretty damn good. He is making all the right decisions and has now thrown for 300+ yards in four consecutive games and five times this season. That is something even Tom hasn’t done in his career yet. He now has 2739 yards, 19 TDs, and 6 INT with a 100.6 passer rating. See, that’s pretty damn good. Patriot Nation sure wouldn’t mind extending the 300+ streak to five, but the most important question is how Tom-once-again-Terrific will fare against the league’s “apparent” 4th best red zone defense. With Wes Welker and Julian Edelman running ramped out of the slot, Maroney potentially running better, and SeaBass on the edge, it would seem like there would be no more red zone woes for the group. This is simply not the same team that we saw earlier this season at Giant’s Stadium. They are playing better all-around football. There won’t be any issues come Sunday; believe that.

* Bray-hand Edwards vs. Leigh Bodden – All of the sudden, Braylon Edwards is catching almost everything that is thrown his way. Maybe it’s New York, maybe it’s being anywhere but Cleveland, hell, maybe it’s it’s just being away from Mangini. Whatever it is, Edwards is apparently back to his Pro Bowl form… sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Damn. Either way, Leigh Bodden has done a phenomenal job, for the most part, this season. He has played great defense and doesn’t usually give up the big play. He’s big and physical and that matters a lot going up against this massive, 6’3″, 215 pound receiver. He’s also our tallest CB. I hate to feel this good before a game, I really do, but I can’t picture a stellar Sanchez-to-Edwards performace on Sunday. He’ll still probably scrape up a score, but I don’t think that 7 points will make any difference. At least it better not…

* Dustin Keller vs. Brandon McGowa
n – Dustin Keller has 347 yards and 2 TDs. Brandon McGowan has generally shut down almost every tight end he has faced this season. Considering that Keller is not on the same level as Ton Gonzalez, Dallas Clark, or Kellen Winslow, his stats will probably look the same on Monday morning after McGowan is done with him. ‘Nuff said.

* Thomas Jones (minus Leon Washington) vs. The Healthier, Yet Still Injured NE D – Thomas Jone has had to become better friends with rookie RB Shonn Greene and Jets fans wish they didn’t have to. NYJ running back, Leon Washington, is out for the year with a leg injury and the team has suffered. The Jets’ rushing attack was among the league’s best when Jones and Washington were carrying the load, but now their offense seems a little less intimidating. Even though these are still two good backs, most of the focus will be on Thomas Jones. Jones can cut fast, make reads quickly, and kick it into second gear when he needs too. It is imperative that New England prevents him from building up a head of steam. Lineman Ty Warren was spotted at practice this week, Adalius Thomas looks like he remember how to play football, and Jerod Mayo is an animal. Tully-Banta Cain wasn’t at practice and the severity of his injury is still unknown. Hopefully the guys who will play can make smart tackles and do it strong. If the d-line can get penetration and force the Jets to the air… well, let’s just say I’d love to see this game come down to Vinny Chase having to throw his team to victory in Gillette Stadium.

* Vincent Chase vs. One Pissed-Off Defense – He really does bear an uncanny resemblance to that guy from HBO’s Entourage. It’s really funny. And if someone told me that for the past 7 weeks it has actually been Vinny Chase quarterbacking the Jets, it wouldn’t surprise me at all. Marky “The Sanchise” Sanchez has thrown 5 TDs and 10 INTs since the 3-0 start and the week 2 Super Bowl victory. Mark Sanchez’s 66.5 passer rating is better than Kerry Collins, JaMarcus Russell, Derek Anderson, and Matthew Stafford. Two or three, depending on Eric Mangini’s mood, of those QBs aren’t starters anymore and the other one is a rookie on the Detroit Lions. This secondary is looking for some fresh meat and they are going to rip Marky Mark apart this weekend. He’s going to be hitting the ground left and right while makingerroneous passes to Patrick Chung (I can hope, right?). Sanchez will probably be who New York wanted him to be when they traded up with the Man-idiot to select him 5th overall ; just not this season. Mark Sanchez will remain amidst the lower levels of the benched and 1-win QBs until they miss the playoffs. But I mean, they did win in week 2 right? Who cares? Oh… Does anyone know if they got to meet President Obama yet?

38-17. Patriots.
There’s no way we lose this one.

Thanks for chowin’ down,
-B.DelaBarrera

 Get NE Patriots Draft Sent By E-Mail!