At Midnight, We Strike!

With Free Agency just a few hours away, the feeding frenzy is about to begin.

There are three ways NFL teams become stronger:

1. Re-signing their key players
2. Free Agency
3. NFL Draft

The Patriots did pretty well in all three categories in last season. Free Agency netted them LB Adalius Thomas (Ravens), RB Sammy Morris (Dolphins) and TE Kyle Brady (Jaguars).

Although the Patriots currently only have two of their 2007 drafted players still on the roster (Brandon Meriweather and Mike Richardson), trades from the draft also netted WR Wes Welker and Randy Moss, as well as the seventh pick overall in this years draft.

So where do the Patriots stand going into the 2008 season, which officially starts on Friday at 12:01 am?

Earlier in the week, the Patriots cut OLB Rosevelt Colvin, LB Oscar Lua, and S Eugene Wilson.

In the re-signing department, not too many deals have been completed. The 2007 WR corp that was stellar for Tom Brady is not under contract (WR Randy Moss, Kelley Washington, Donte Stallworth, or Jabar Gaffney). CB Asante Samuel talked the talk about being a Patriot again, but the money he seeks will make him walk. 100 Million is too much to be asking for, so it will be interesting to see what team ends up paying Samuel that kind of money. The Patriots also could not come to terms with Randell Gay, so Gay will test the open market as well.

For a team that was 35 seconds away from winning their fourth Super Bowl in seven years, this team looks to have many holes. WR, LB, and CB/S are all glaring concerns now. The Patriots could still come to terms with many players they know best, their own! Just because a player wants to test the market, does not mean he will get a better deal. Many just want to find out what their worth is to another team. Then again, 31 other NFL teams will also be cutting players, so there can be some bargains to be had.

The Patriots did get re-signed LB Tedy Bruschi to a multi-year contract today. At least the pump is now primed to retool for 2008...time for the Patriots to open their Wallets! (Patriots are about 23 million under the cap right now)

BTW, I think the Randy Moss deal is already done, but can't be announced until the 2008 season has officially started. Just my opionion though.

Let the retooling process begin!

Jets won't trade Vilma to the Patriots

Mike Reiss and Christopher L. Gasper, of the Boston Globe, reported the New York Jets have permitted LB Jonathan Vilma to seek a trade, but he does not have permission to shop his services to the New England Patriots, according to sources close to Vilma.

Do you think there is still some bad blood between the Patriots and the Jets? None of it really matters though, because Vilma has proven not to be a good fit for the 3-4 defense. Vilma needs to play for a team that runs a 4-3, which is not the case with the Patriots. Plus the fact that they are divisional rivals almost made this a guarantee of not happening! Occasionally inter-division trades do happen, but it is not that frequent. Some AFC East Divisional rival trades include the Dolphins Wes Welker trade to the Patriots, the Patriots Curtis Martin trade to the Jets, and the Patriots Drew Bledsoe trade to the Bills. Still funny though that the Jets had to spell this one out! Guess they are not that worried about the Dolphins and the Bills.

Now Free Agent pickups within the division, that is a different story!

Combine Stat Facts: For those keeping score!

LB 40 Times:
Gary Guyton (Georgia Tech)-- 4.47
Wesley Woodyard (Kentucky) -- 4.51
Jerod Mayo (Tennessee) -- 4.54
Stanford Keglar (Purdue) -- 4.58
Jonathan Goff (Vanderbilt) -- 4.63
Geno Hayes (Florida State) -- 4.64
Tavares Gooden (Miami) -- 4.65
Steve Octavien (Nebraska) -- 4.67
Bryan Kehl (Brigham Young) -- 4.68
Xavier Adibi (Virginia Poly) -- 4.69

LB Bench Press:
Stanford Keglar (Purdue) -- 29
Jonathan Goff (Vanderbilt) -- 28
Spencer Larsen (Arizona) -- 27
Durell Mapp (North Carolina) -- 27
Jeremy Leman (Illinois) -- 26
Thomas Williams -- 26
Steve Octavien (Nebraska) -- 26
Bryan Kehl (Brigham Young) -- 26
Beau Bell (UNLV) -- 25
Keith Rivers (Southern Cal) -- 24
Philip Wheeler (Georgia Tech) -- 24
Jameel McClain (Syracuse) -- 24

posted 2/24/08
DL Bench Press:
Vernon Gholston* (Ohio State) -- 37
Trevor Laws (Notre Dame) -- 35
Ahtyba Rubin (Iowa State) -- 35
Sedrick Ellis (Southern Cal) -- 34
Nicholas Hayden (Wisconsin-Madison) -- 34
Frank Okam (Texas-Austin) -- 32
Derrick Harvey (Florida) -- 31
Lawrence Jackson (Southern Cal) -- 31
Marchondray Moore (Maryland) -- 31

* projects to outside linebacker for 3-4 teams

Top 10 RB 40 times:
Chris Johnson, East Carolina -- 4.24
Darren McFadden, Arkansas -- 4.33
Anthony Aldridge, Houston -- 4.36
Jamaal Charles, Texas -- 4.38
Chad Simpson, Morgan St. -- 4.42
Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois -- 4.45
Matthew Forte, Tulane -- 4.46
Felix Jones, Arkansas -- 4.47
Jalen Parmele, Toldeo -- 4.47
Jonathan Stewart, Oregon -- 4.48

WR Veritical Jump:
Keenan Burton (Kentucky) -- 38.5
Arman Shields (Richmond) -- 37.5
Jerome Simpson (Coastal Carolina) -- 37.5
Mark Bradford (Stanford) -- 36.5
Pierre Garcon (Mount Union) -- 36.5
William Royal (Virginia Poly) -- 36
Tajiddin Smith (Syracuse) -- 35
Limas Sweed (Texas-Austin) -- 35
William Franklin (Missouri) -- 34.5
Marcus Monk (Arkansas-Fayetteville) -- 34.5

WR 40-yard dash:
DeSean Jackson, California-Berkeley, 4.35
Andre Caldwell, Florida, 4.37
William Franklin, Missouri, 4.37
Dexter Jackson, Appalachian State, 4.37
William Royal, Virginian Tech, 4.39

QB 40-yard dash:
Joshua Johnson, San Diego, 4.55
Kevin O'Connell, San Diego State, 4.61
Bernard Morris, Marshall, 4.68
Adam Tafralis, San Jose State, 4.78
John David Booty, USC, 4.82

posted 2/23/08
RB Bench Press:
Carl Stewart (Auburn) -- 30
Jerome Felton (Furman) -- 30
Jonathan Stewart (Oregon) -- 28
Justin Forsett (Cal-Berkeley) -- 26
Peyton Hillis (Arkansas-Fayetteville) -- 26
Rashard Mendenhall (Illinois) -- 26
Owen Schmitt (West Virginia) -- 26
Cory Boyd (South Carolina) -- 25
Thomas Brown (Georgia) -- 25
Benjarvis Green-Ellis (Mississippi) -- 24

WR Bench Press:
William Royal (Virginia Poly) -- 24
Sam Lorne (UTEP) -- 23
Pierre Garcon (Mount Union) -- 20
Darius Reynaud (West Virginia) -- 20
Marcus Smith (New Mexico) -- 20
Joe West (UTEP) -- 20
Mark Bradford (Stanford) -- 19
Arman Shields (Richmond) -- 19
James Hardy (Indiana) -- 18
Ryan Grice-Mullen (Hawaii) -- 17

TE Bench Press:
Craig Stevens (Cal-Berkeley) -- 27
Dustin Keller (Purdue) -- 26
Brad Cottam (Tennessee) -- 24
Frederick Davis (Southern Cal) -- 24
Derek Fine (Kansas) -- 24
Kolomona Kapanui (West Texas) -- 23
Gary Barnidge (Louisville) -- 22
Kellen Davis (Michigan State) -- 22
Adam Bishop (Nevada-Reno) -- 21

OL Bench Press:
Jake Long (Michigan) -- 37
Jeremy Zuttah (Rutgers) -- 35
Kirk Barton (Ohio State) -- 34
Michael Gibson (Cal-Berkeley) -- 31
Carl Nicks (Nebraska) -- 31
Brandon Keith (Northern Iowa) -- 31
John Greco (Toledo) -- 30
Michael McGlynn (Pittsburgh) -- 30
Shawn Murphy (Utah State) -- 29
Christopher McDuffie (Clemson) -- 29
Mike Pollak (Arizona State) -- 29

TE test results:
Broad jump
Dustin Keller (Purdue) -- 10'11"
Joseph Haynos (Maryland) -- 10'03"
Michael Santi (Virginia) -- 10'01"

Vertical jump
Dustin Keller (Purdue) -- 38
Michael Santi (Virginia) -- 36
Martellus Bennett (Texas A&M) -- 34

60-yard shuttle
Gary Barnidge (Louisville) -- 11.29
Jacob Tamme (Kentucky)
John Carlson (Notre Dame) -- 11.59
Derek Fine (Kansas) -- 11.59

3-cone drill
Derek Fine (Kansas) -- 6.8
Dustin Keller (Purdue) -- 6.88
Gary Barnidge (Louisville) -- 6.92
Joseph Haynos (Maryland) -- 6.92

10-yard dash
Gary Barnidge (Louisville) -- 1.53
Martellus Bennett (Texas A&M) -- 1.53
Craig Stevens (Cal-Berkeley) -- 1.56

20-yard dash
Brad Cottam (Tennessee) -- 2.61
Gary Barnidge (Louisville) -- 2.62
Jacob Tamme (Kentucky) -- 2.62

20-yard shuttle
Dustin Keller (Purdue) -- 4.14
Derek Fine (Kansas) -- 4.19
Gary Barnidge (Louisville) -- 4.23

40-yard dash
Dustin Keller (Purdue) -- 4.55
Jacob Tamme (Kentucky) -- 4.58
Craig Stevens (Cal-Berkeley) -- 4.59

OL test results:
Broad Jump
Cody Wallace (Texas A&M) -- 9'05"
Tyler Polumbus (Colorado) -- 9'04"
Branden Albert (Virginia) -- 9'03"

Vertical Jump
Cody Wallace (Texas A&M) -- 30.5
John Sullivan (Notre Dame) -- 30
Heath Benedict (Newberry) -- 28.5
Chad Rinehart (Northern Iowa) -- 28.5

3-cone drill
Michael Gibson (Cal-Berkeley) -- 7.21
Steven Justice (Wake Forest) -- 7.4
Jake Long (Michigan) -- 7.44
Donald Thomas (UConn) -- 7.45

10-yard dash
Donald Thomas (UConn) -- 1.72
Mike Pollak (Arizona State) -- 1.73
Jeremy Zuttah (Rutgers) -- 1.73
Duane Brown (Virginia Poly) -- 1.76
Gosder Cherilus (Boston College) -- 1.76

20-yard dash
Jeremy Zuttah (Rutgers) -- 2.87
Mike Pollak (Arizona State) -- 2.88
Donald Thomas (UConn) -- 2.89

20-yard shuttle
Mike Pollak (Arizona State) -- 4.47
Duane Brown (Virginia Poly) -- 4.52
Andrew Radovich (Southern Cal) -- 4.53

40-yard dash
Jeremy Zuttah (Rutgers) -- 4.99
Donald Thomas (UConn) -- 5.0
Mike Pollak (Arizona State) -- 5.02
Duane Brown (Virginia Poly) -- 5.08
Heath Benedict (Newberry) -- 5.09
ONeil Cousins (UTEP) -- 5.11
Branden Albert (Virginia) -- 5.17
Christopher Williams (Vanderbilt) -- 5.17
Breno Giacomini (Louisville) -- 5.2
Gosder Cherilus (Boston College) 5.21

Big name missing: An NFL team doctor told NFLDraftScout.com that there are serious concerns over the lingering effects of a 2006 stress fracture in the right tibia of Louisiana State's highly-rated defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey. Dorsey, generally considered a top-five prospect in the NFL draft, underwent a physical Saturday at the NFL scouting combine, and was subsequently sent to the hospital for additional tests. Dorsey elected not to work out at the combine, and explained he stopped preparing for the combine because of the death of his grandmother.

Patriot Off-Season Player News - 2/24/08

Players:

The Patriots have not tagged WR Randy Moss. This could mean that the sides have agreed to a multi-year contract. Yet a multi-year contract can not be announced until the 2008 league year begins Feb. 29.

CB Asante Samuel will hit the open market when free agency begins Feb. 29. Rumors that the Eagles have an interest in him.

CB Ellis Hobbs underwent shoulder surgery Feb. 12, the report states. The procedure was performed by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama.

The Patriots have retained a core special teams performer as veteran Larry Izzo has agreed to a deal for 2008.

WR Kelley Washington, said he plans to meet with Patriots Vice President of Player Personnel Scott Pioli at the combine. Washington would like to return to New England, and the Patriots are interested in retaining him. But the Patriots are not planning to pay Washington's $4 million option bonus, so if he returns, it would have to be as part of a new deal.

On WR Jabar Gaffney and a potential contract extension: “We’re just going to continue to talk. I don’t want to characterize our discussions.”

On WR Donte’ Stallworth and if he might return with a new contract -- with the Patriots not expected to pick up his $8 million in bonuses: “Like Jabar, I’d say we’re in discussions.” Update: The New England Patriots declined to pick up the option of WR Donte' Stallworth Friday, Feb. 22. Stallworth was scheduled to receive $6 million Sunday, Feb. 24, and an additional $2 million March 1. Stallworth is now free to negotiate with any NFL team.


WR Marty Booker visited with the Patriots, but did not leave with a contract offer.

The Patriots met with free-agent LB Zach Thomas The meeting went well enough that the Patriots made an undisclosed offer to Thomas. Update: Thomas signed with the Dallas Cowboys.

TE Kyle Brady will have his offseason regimen affected by shoulder surgery, a league source said here at the NFL combine. The surgery could affect Brady's availability for the start of training camp.

WR Bam Childress, who has spent time between the Patriots' active roster and practice squad from 2005-2007, signed a two-year contract with the Eagles.

LB Tedy Bruschi is getting closer to telling the Patriots whether he plans to return next season, according to his agent, Brad Blank.

Coaches:
The Patriots have hired Dom Capers as a special assistant/secondary coach.

Nick Caserio, who served as receivers coach last year, is the team's new director of player personnel.

Bill O'Brien, who served as a coaching assistant last year, is the new receivers coach.

Secondary coach Joel Collier will not be back with the team in 2008.

Combine:

Some Players that the Patriots are taking an interest in:

Tennessee State CB Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie
Kansas CB Aqib Talib
Maryland LB Erin Henderson
Oklahoma LB Curtis Lofton
Illinois' LB J Leman
Ohio State DE Vernon Gholston
West Virginia WR Darius Reynaud

Moss NOT Franchised...but don't worry just yet

The Patriots have not tagged WR Randy Moss which most likely suprised a lot of people. Now Moss is a Free Agent...or is he?

What it could mean is that the sides have already agreed to a multi-year contract. Because Moss restructured his deal in April to consummate his trade to New England, a new contract can not be announced until the 2008 league year begins Feb. 29.

I just can not imagine that there is not a deal already in the works. As we all know, he "rules" do not apply to the Patriots! So they sit a week before making an announcement. Does Randy visit a few teams to make it look good?

Expect the Brady to Moss TD train to continue in 2008!

Tainted Dynasty: The Ruling on the Rules Stands!

It is hard to believe that the Patriots organization in six months time went from being considered the ‘model organization’ of the NFL, to being hated by most football fans outside of New England! Spygate definitely helped taint people’s view of the Patriots, but in reality Coach Bill Belichick, the Devil in a hoodie himself, is the root cause of the hatred! They say success breeds resentment, and resentment breeds hate, but I am sure there is a lot more to this with regards to the Patriots.

Many consider Spygate and Belichick synonymous. Without Belichick, there is no Spygate. Belichick actually scoff’s at the reference "Spygate" since what he did at the Jets game was in plain view of everyone. But the Jets game is just one instance now under scrutiny. Due to Belichick’s interpretation of the NFL rules, it is unknown how many new instances there could be. Belichick has already admitted to his video practices since becoming Coach of the Patriots in 2000.

So what NFL rule did Belichick break? The League's Constitution & Bylaws (article 9) states: "Any use by any club at any time, from the start to the finish of any game in which such club is a participant, of any communications or information-gathering equipment, other than Polaroid-type cameras or field telephones, shall be prohibited, including without limitation videotape machines, telephone tapping, or bugging devices, or any other form of electronic devices that might aid a team during the playing of a game."

Belichick felt his actions were in compliance with the NFL rule though. "My interpretation was that you can't utilize anything to assist you during that game. What our camera guys do is clearly not allowed to be used during the game and has never been used during that game that it was shot." This would rule out the theory that the films were used to make half time adjustments, if you believe Belichick of course.

"Just going back over the whole taping incident, if I contacted the league and asked them about the practice, I'm sure they would have told me - as they have done - that it is not permissible. Then I could have avoided all of this. I guess Belichick is of the school of thought that it is easier to ask forgiveness than to ask permission!

"On the tape of the signaling that we talk about, that film usually wasn't even completed until Thursday or Friday of the following week. It was that low of a priority. In other words, the video guys had so much other stuff to do on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday getting ready for the other game that a lot of times that film wasn't even processed until later in the week.” Belichick said the impact of the tapes were minimal to the Patriots' preparations, rating it a 1 on a scale of 1 to 100.

In the NFL, it is commonplace for scouts to attend games of future opponents and study signals. Detailed records are kept of those signals, including which coach is delivering them. The Patriots' videotaping of signals though was deemed to cross the line, which Belichick both apologized for and was punished for.

"I take responsibility for it. Even though I felt there was a gray area in the rule and I misinterpreted the rule, that was my mistake and we've been penalized for it. I apologize to everybody that is involved - the league, the other teams, the fans, our team, for the amount of conversation and dialogue that it's caused. I misinterpreted the rule. The commissioner made his ruling and we've been penalized for it and tried to move on."

Call it cheating, or call it semantics of the rules. Either way it is hard to look at this franchise as a ‘model organization’ anymore, all based on one man’s interpretation of the rules.

Note: The title Tainted Dynasty is only a reflection of the continuing Spygate saga and not of the New England Patriot Players and all of their accomplishments over the last seven years.

Patriots hobbled Hobbs says no excuse!

There seems to be a very good reason for why Ellis Hobbs let Plaxico Burress get by him for the scoring Touch Down. Hobbs was hobbled!

It was reported yesterday that Patriots cornerback Ellis Hobbs played in Super Bowl XLII with a torn labrum, in addition to chronic groin pain. Hobbs underwent shoulder surgery Feb. 12, the report states. The procedure was performed by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama. Hobbs suffered the groin injury, which is not expected to require surgery, in the Patriots' first match-up with the Giants.

Hobbs isn't looking to dodge responsibility for Burress's Super Bowl TD grab, which came with 35 seconds remaining and left the Patriots a less-than-perfect 18-1. "Ellis isn't one to complain or whine. He'll say it didn't have much to do with the last play of the game. "It was other things and being the victim of a good move by a great receiver. He played with a great deal of pain for a very long time and nobody knew. He's just that type of kid. He sacrificed his body." -- Boston Globe

However, the injuries were significant enough to limit his availability in the playoffs. During the Patriots' first postseason game, a 31-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium on Jan. 12, Randall Gay started at right cornerback in place of Hobbs, who saw action as a sub, and wide receiver Chad Jackson replaced him on kickoff returns. Hobbs started in both the AFC Championship Game against the San Diego Chargers and Super Bowl XLII, but he did not return kickoffs in the Super Bowl, as Maroney replaced him.

Get well soon Hobbs! We wish you all the best!

Tainted Dynasty: Patriots Pre-emptive Strike?

Are you not sure who to believe concerning Spygate? Seems like Patriots coach Bill Belichick and vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli want their views on record before former employee Matt Walsh’s untold story gets out. Both Belichick and Pioli addressed issues concerning the Patriots video taping practices, and the conduct and termination issues surrounding Matt Walsh. It is so unlike the Patriot organization though to do something like this, and release information to the media. Can you say Pre-emptive strike?

It would seem that the Patriots Organization is looking to discredit Matt Walsh. Scott Pioli said Walsh was terminated in January 2003 after he discovered Walsh was "secretly tape-recording conversations” within the Organization. Walsh's lawyer, Michael Levy, disputed Pioli's story calling it a "complete fabrication." "This is a predictable and pathetic effort to smear Mr. Walsh's character rather than confront the truth about the Patriots' conduct.” The fact of the matter is that Matt Walsh was terminated by the Patriots organization in which the relationship ended abruptly, according to Pioli.

Belichick still denies that he has ever had someone video tape a teams practice or walkthrough, which Walsh claims was done prior to Super Bowl XXXVI. "In my entire coaching career, I've never seen another team's practice film prior to playing that team. I have never authorized, or heard of, or even seen in any way, shape, or form any other team's walkthrough. We don't even film our own. We don't even want to see ourselves do anything, that's the pace that it's at. Regardless, I've never been a part of that." If Walsh does have video evidence, it will difficult to believe that Belichick had nothing to do with it. He has already admitted to his video taping practices that have crossed the line with the NFL.

So what does Matt Walsh have on tape that could prove damaging to both the Patriots and the NFL? It must be something for the Patriots organization to break their silence on the issue. Walsh is willing to turn tapes over to the NFL if the league provides him complete indemnification, protecting Walsh from being sued. The NFL has not come to an agreement with Walsh on this matter.

Belichick, Pioli, Levy, Walsh, who should you believe?

Note: The title Tainted Dynasty is only a reflection of the continuing Spygate saga and not of the New England Patriot Players and all of their accomplishments over the last seven years.

18-1 Exposed: DBs needed for Patriots in 2008

18-1 Exposed: DBs needed for Patriots in 2008

OK, the best Cornerback for the Patriots is Asante Samuel, who is no longer under contract. Because he was the franchise tagged player last year, and met all of the incentives listed in his contract, he can not be franchised again. This was specifically written into the offer he signed last year. Asante Samuel will most likely leave via free agency, as someone will end up paying him what he is asking for(which is a lot!). Many feel Ellis Hobbs is overrated as a cornerback (just ask Plaxico Burress in Super Bowl XLII) but makes up for it as a kick returner. Randall Gay is a good option, that is when he is not injured. Add Eugene Wilson to your injury prone list as well. Rodney Harrison has the heart, but has definitely lost a step. Brandon Meriweather has shown flashes this season, but is still a work in progress. That only leaves James Sanders as a secure option in the defensive backfield. The Patriots have never been known for having a strong secondary, but there are some definite chinks in the armor.

The Patriots are in need of a shutdown corner in the secondary (especailly if they do not improve at pass rushing). For those that feel Asante Samuel qualifies as one, I would disagree with you. He is great, but he will cost you! There is a chance the Patriots could retain Samuel, but he already has his super Bowl rings, and is looking to break the bank. Randall Gay is also an Unrestricted Free Agent that the Patriots will look to keep in New England. This signing won't break you!

The Patriots could look to the draft to help strenghten the secondary. Currently the Patriots hold the 49ers seventh pick which they could use on a corner like Mike Jenkins or Leodis McKelvin.

Top Free Agents:
Mike Doss, UFA, Minnesota Vikings
Marcus Trufant, UFA, Seattle Seahawks
Ken Hamlin, UFA, Dallas Cowboys
Domonique Foxworth, RFA, Denver Broncos
Drayton Florence, UFA, San Diego Chargers

Additonal Free Agent Cornerbacks:
Chris Carr RFA Oakland Raiders
Tory James UFA New England Patriots
Karl Paymah RFA Denver Broncos
B.J. Sams UFA Baltimore Ravens
Chad Scott UFA New England Patriots

Additonal Free Agent Safeties:
William Bartee UFA Kansas City Chiefs
Jay Bellamy UFA New Orleans Saints
Omar Stoutmire UFA Washington Redskins
Derrick Strait UFA Carolina Panthers
Gibril Wilson UFA New York Giants

Tainted Dynasty: The $29,000,000 Question

What is the cost of illegal video taping in the NFL? With the different lawsuits that are springing up, the answer could be A LOT!

First, there was the class action lawsuit that was filed on behalf of Jets season-ticket holders (The current status of that action is unknown). Now former Rams player Willie Gary has joined with a Cincinnati ticket broker to file suit against the Patriots in a New Orleans federal court (Super Bowl XXXVI was played at the Louisiana Superdome in February 2002).

The action seeks a full refund for all persons who attended the game ($400 @ 72,922) totaling $29,168,800. In addition, the suit demands payment to all Rams players of the $25,000 difference between the winners' share and the losers' share, and of the value of a Super Bowl ring. Seems fair enough, if a competitive advantage was given to the Patriots from video taping, right? The lawsuit alleges that the Patriots engaged in fraud, racketeering, breach of contract, and violation of Louisiana’s unfair trade practices and consumer protection act.

Does this lawsuit have any merit? You would think the plaintiff would need to have the tape in question to bring a lawsuit and not have it dismissed. This is where Matt Walsh comes into play. It looks like one way or another, the former Patriots employees story will come out. He will be subject to subpoena via the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, and the subpoena will overcome the terms of any confidentiality agreement.

Will this lawsuit open up additional lawsuits for every game the Patriots have played in since Belichick became coach? He has already admitted to his video taping practices since becoming coach of the New England Patriots. Some things to keep in mind:

1. It was the NFL that destroyed the tapes, and not the New England Patriot organization. It might have been better if the tapes were never destroyed in the first place. The destruction of them allow for lawsuits like this.

2. The Patriots did not video tape every single game. The tapings that took place were done if the Patriots would likely play against that opponent later in the season (example Jets 2007). If you are looking back at Super Bowls, the Patriots did not play Carolina or Philadelphia previously that year.

3. Many raise the question of why there were only six tapes. The most likely answer is that they were no longer needed. The practice seems to be to review the tape and then take notes on them. This is why both the remaining tapes and any notes were destroyed. For those that imagine a large Belichick video library, you are most likely grasping at straws.

The real question that will need to be addressed is "did the Patriots gain an unfair competitive advantage based on Belichick's video taping practices?"

The taint on this modern day dynasty continues...

Note: The title Tainted Dynasty is only a reflection of the continuing Spygate saga and not of the New England Patriot Players and all of their accomplishments over the last seven years.

Tainted Dynasty: The Belichick Era

Senator Arlen Specter and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell have finally met to discuss the league's handling of its investigation into "Spygate.” According to Specter, "There was confirmation that there has been taping since 2000, when Coach Belichick took over." This means that during the time the Patriots have been considered a modern day Dynasty, spygate has been going on the whole time!

Goodell said Belichick told him he believed the taping was legal, implying he has been doing it since he has been coach. "He said that's always been his interpretation since he's been the head coach. We are going to agree to disagree on the facts.” In a statement released on September 13, 2007 by Belichick (after the penalties were handed down by the NFL) the coach said his interpretation of the rule regarding videotaping was incorrect. "Part of my job as head coach is to ensure that our football operations are conducted in compliance of the league rules and all accepted interpretations of them. My interpretation of a rule in the constitution and bylaws was incorrect."

Specter felt the NFL should have preserved the evidence, and have not destroyed the evidence collected from the Patriots. "There were a great many questions answered by Commissioner Goodell. I found a lot of questions unanswerable because the tapes and notes had been destroyed." Specter wants to talk to other league officials about what exactly was taped and which games may have been compromised. "We have a right to honest football games," said Specter. However, Goodell stood his ground, maintaining the league handled the case and the evidence it seized from the Patriots properly.

Goodell has defended the NFL's actions in the investigation, citing the leak of one of the tapes to Fox Sports, and saying their destruction was one way to confirm that the Patriots had turned over all of the evidence he had requested, which the team had to certify to the league in writing.

The NFL has stated that the penalties were for the totality of the Patriots' actions, not just those during the Jets game. In Goodell’s mind, this issue is over. Specter on the other hand has insisted that additional people will be interviewed concerning Spygate (including Matt Walsh). He has also raised the threat of Congress canceling the NFL's antitrust exemption, which was reiterated in the meeting with Goodell.

Although both parties met for an hour and forty minutes yesterday, this issue is far from being resolved.

As a Patriots fan, I am dismayed with all of the news coming out concerning Bill Belichick. It is easy to lose faith in Bill Belichick and his “interpretation of rules.” Many like to call it a competitive advantage, others outright cheating. I will stay true to the Patriots but my thoughts about this Dynasty are tainted by Bill Belichick’s actions.

Note: The title Tainted Dynasty is only a reflection of the continuing Spygate saga and not of the New England Patriot Players and all of their accomplishments over the last seven years.

Patriot Off-Season Player News

WR Kelly Washington:
The Patriots have informed wide receiver Kelley Washington that they don't plan to pick up the $4 million option bonus he was due as part of the five-year deal he signed last offseason. However, the team has expressed interest in bringing him back with a reworked deal. If the Patriots don't pay out the option bonus and the sides don't reach an accord on another deal, Washington would become a free agent. If the Patriots were to pick up the bonus, Washington's contract would extend through the 2011 season.

WR Donte Stallworth:
The Patriots have a similar decision to make on Donte Stallworth, who has an $8 million option bonus payment due.

S Rodney Harrison:
Patriots safety Rodney Harrison was asked over the weekend whether he plans to play in 2008, and he indicated that he does: "Right now, at this point, I feel like I'm going to honor the last year of my contract," said the 35-year-old. "Everyone's asking me about retirement. I don't know what to say about it. I haven't said anything publicly about wanting to retire or anything like that. I'm very hungry to get back to working out and be a part of this team, and try to win another championship.... I'm going to take some time off to let my body rest, then I'll be back in the gym in two or three weeks. I'll be back, rejuvenated and ready to go."

LB T.J. Slaughter:
The Patriots signed free-agent LB T.J. Slaughter. The contract is a one-year package for the minimum $730,000. Slaughter projects as an inside linebacker in the Patriots' 3-4 alignment, and at this point, would likely be vying for a backup spot.

DL Mike Wright:
The Patriots have until Feb. 28 to decide what tender offer to place on DL Mike Wright, their top restricted free agent. As a restricted free agent, Wright can still visit with other clubs and sign an offer sheet, but the Patriots have the right to match the offer. This is similar to WR Wes Welker's situation last year with the Dolphins. Barring the possibility of reaching a contract extension with Wright, the Patriots will likely place the second-round tender on him.

DL Santonio Thomas:
The Patriots signed DL Santonio Thomas to the 53-man active roster the day before the Super Bowl, but then declared him inactive for the game. The move was made with the future in mind, as the contract Thomas signed was a pact through the 2008 season, ensuring he'll be with the club when the new league year starts in early March.

4 sign future contracts:
The Patriots announced the signing of guard Dan Connolly, wide receiver C.J. Jones, offensive lineman Jimmy Martin and cornerback Tim Mixon to future contracts today. Connolly, Jones and Mixon all ended the season as members of the Patriots practice squad. This means all four players will be with the club once the 2008 league year starts in March.

Patriots Pandora's Box Reopened

Goodell had been quoted in saying from Day 1 "if we feel there is new information that's inconsistent with what we've been told (by the Patriots), I reserve the right to reopen it."

The Spygate box is being reopened!

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Senator Arlen Specter are planning to meet at Specter's office in Washington, Wednesday, February 13, to discuss the Spygate case involving the New England Patriots. The Pennsylvania Republican wants Goodell to explain to him to decision to destroy the tapes and notes that were collected from the Patriots. Specter has also raised the possibility of congressional hearings if he is not satisfied with Goodell's answers regarding the matter. The Senator's interest though probably has less to do with Spygate and the Patriots, and more to do with Direct TV and Comcast!

Specter had originally questioned Goodell earlier during the NFL season on whether there might have been illegal acts by the Patriots before the 2005 Super Bowl, when they beat the Philadelphia Eagles. Because of the way everything was being handled, Spygate smelled of cover up by the NFL and Goodell. Specter just wanted answers and was not getting them. Why destroy the evidence? In defending the destruction of the notes and tapes collected, Goodell said, "there was no purpose to them at all." Specter said Goodell's response "didn't make any sense at all." You can see Specter's point.

All of the evidence and allegations seem to imply that the spying went beyond the confiscated Jets tapes this season. Goodell was asked why only six tapes were confiscated by the NFL's security department. "That's what they had. My guess is that they taped over some of those from time to time. That is what video departments do. They did it more than six times because there were notes that reflected that."
The NFL said in October that Belichick had acknowledged to Goodell that there had been spying since he became New England's coach in 2000.

The Patriots were found guilty of spying, no one is denying that. Bill Belichick was fined $500,000 and the team was fined $250,000. The Patriots also forfeited a first-round draft pick. Considering all of the information that Goodell had at his disposal (not pun intended), it would seem that the punishment fit the crime. This was an NFL issue though, and no govermnent laws were broken. Goodell handled the situation in the best interest of the NFL.

Is Specter on a witch hunt? Specter still has not met with Matt Walsh, the former Patriots assistant coach who performed some videotaping duties for the team. Last week, Walsh raised new allegations that he taped a walkthrough practice by the St. Louis Rams before the 2002 Super Bowl. No evidence has been presented though at this time.

NFL officials had stated before that their investigation did not find any illegal taping or other spying during the playoffs or the three Super Bowls the Patriots won in 2002, 2004 and 2005.

The 2007 NFL season is officially over, but Spygate is just heating up!

Patriots cold reception in hot Hawaii

Hard to tell it was 80 degrees at the pro-bowl with the cold reception received by the six New England Patriots who played in the all-star game.

Cornerback Asante Samuel, linebacker Mike Vrabel, nose tackle Vince Wilfork, center Dan Koppen, tackle Matt Light, and guard Logan Mankins followed a standard-bearer of the Patriots logo onto the field amid fireworks as the crowd erupted with the only negative greeting it accorded any of the game's participants.

"I don't know what that [booing] was all about" said Wilfork. "Everybody hates you when you're on top. We talked about it and we thought it was kind of funny. But we have haters everywhere we go. Even in Hawaii people hate us."

Light said he was surprised. "I'm not sure this is the kind of place for boos."

The tone was set early in the week at the Pro Bowl, based on comments made by Osi Umenyiora. Many of the players from the other teams represented showed more than just respect for the shocking upset Umenyiora's Giants pulled off against the previously undefeated Patriots. These players felt like they had grabbed a small part of the Lombardi Trophy too. "I get the sense that a lot of them really wanted to see the Patriots lose. For some, it was as if they had won. They were so happy. I don't know what the Patriots did [to deserve that], but I'm just glad we won."

As it turns out, that us-against-the-world mentality that Bill Belichick used to help fuel the Patriots to near-historic proportions also works in reverse. The Patriots have become the Evil Empire (just like the Yankees). Perhaps the other 31 NFL teams, felt like it was them against a dominate Patriots team.

The Patriots are not the darlings of the NFL as they once were in the beginning of the 2000 decade. Spygate, running up scores, an undefeated season, and a major Super Bowl loss...the Patriots are definitely not on the road to becoming America's team. They have become the team you want to see lose. When you are booed at a Pro-Bowl game in Hawaii, you know this to be true!

Confusion 101: CBA, Salary Cap, and Free Agency oh my!

The off-season can become confusing with all of the terms used concerning players, finances, etc. Here is a quick breakdown to help you read between the lines:

Collective Bargaining Agreement(CBA): The NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is an agreement between the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) and the NFL owners for reaching an equitable agreement in terms of finances.

Salary Cap: Salary cap is the amount of money granted to each team to be spent on player salaries. As NFL revenues grow, so does the amount of the salary cap assigned each year. The salary cap for 2008 has been set at $116 Million. The NFL salary cap has been in existence since 1994, and it will continue until at least through 2011 (the original CBA has been extended five times already). Based on all of the salary cap rules that are in place, the management of the salary cap usually takes a team of attorneys. So why is their a need for a Salary Cap? Keep reading.

Free Agency: Free Agency is where players have the freedom to test the market after a specific period of service is completed. To control the escalation of players’ salaries during free agency, the team owners sought a means of controlling this. Now do you understand why there is a salary cap? The Free Agency system is limited though by the team owners’ ability to protect certain players by using either a franchise tag or transitional tag.

Franchise Tag: The Franchise tag is a designation given to one player by his team to keep him from leaving via free agency. According to the CBA, the player is paid the average salary of the top five players at his position. Franchising a player does not mean a longer-term contract can still be negotiated.

Transitional Tag: The CBA also introduced us to the term “transition tag.” This lesser restriction provides only a right of first refusal, but no compensation. The one-year tender offer is equal to the average of the ten highest-paid players at the position.

Unrestricted Free Agents(UFA): Players with four years or more of NFL experience who can sign with their own team or any other team in the NFL. If they leave their previous team, the new team does not have to award the previous team compensation.

Restricted Free Agents(RFA): Players with three years of NFL experience. Like an unrestricted free agent, they are free to negotiate with any team, but the current team has the right to match any offer and retain the rights to the player. Failure to meet the offer means the player is awarded to the new team but the new team must give the old team compensation in the form of draft picks.

Exclusive-Rights Free Agents(ERFA): Players with two or fewer years experience, who do not have any outside negotiating power. Their rights belong to their previous club provided a minimum qualifying offer was made to them.

Franchise Free Agents(FFA): Unrestricted free agents designated as the "Franchise" player. The current team has the right to match any offer. If they refuse, the new team compensates them for the player.

Transitional Free Agents(TFA): Players who can negotiate with any club but current team retains matching rights.

Signing Bonus: The salary cap is flexible by allowing owners to pay signing bonuses up front that can exceed the salary cap number, but the bonus is amortized over the life of the contract.

Hope this helps weed through all the football speak!

Note of Interest: If there is not another extension to the current salary cap in 2011, the NFLPA has warned that they would never again agree to reinstate another salary cap.

Can you hear me now? You make the call!

According to a Washington Post report today, NFL owners might be more inclined to pass a rule change that allows one defensive player to have a communication device in his helmet. There would no longer be a need to signal in the play calling. Why such a change in the rules? One little hint: Spygate!

"That should push this [approval of the proposal] over the top," said one NFL owner, who spoke to reporter Mark Maske on the condition of anonymity because of the controversial nature of the topic and the recent congressional interest in it. "If there are no defensive signals, there's nothing to steal and nothing to videotape. I'm sure the league will want this and that should get it done."

Maybe something good will come out of spygate after all.

Pats Cap, Causalties, and Cash!

Pats Cap Numbers: when accounting for the top 51 Patriots players under contract for 2008, the Patriots have $8.365 million in space under the $116 million cap. That currently ranks 25th out of the league's 32 teams.

The Patriots have 13 players scheduled for unrestricted free agency. Teams have until Feb. 21 to name franchise and transition players. Since Samuels cannot not be tagged, the Patriots will most likely name Moss their franchise player, then take their chances working out a multiyear deal. This option protects the Patriots from losing Moss without compensation, while buying time for negotiations. Moss caught 98 passes for 1,493 yards and 23 touchdowns in his debut Patriots season. After paying $7.79 million to cornerback Asante Samuel at the franchise rate for his position, the Patriots could easily justify $7.84 million for Moss and the type of production he could offer the Patriots offense.

Moss is already on record stating: "If I am in a New England Patriot uniform next year, I would love to be in one. If I am not, you know, the show must go on."

Asante Samuel, on the other hand is destined not to be a New England Patriot in 2008. Although recent comments from him would make you think otherwise.

Samuel said "it's gonna take a lot" to keep him a Patriot. The 27-year-old unrestricted free agent cornerback, who has spent his five-year career in New England, added that on a scale of 1 to 10, he'd probably rate his chances of coming back a 10. "The fans love me and I love them back," he said. "The organization loves me and, hopefully, we can work it out."

Samuel had six interceptions during the regular season and has 22 in his career. He's returned three for touchdowns. "It's gonna take a lot to make me happy and my family happy."

Asked how much he thinks he's worth, Samuel threw the question back at his interviewer: "You take a guess and see if you can hit it. It's no secret I'm looking for a big, huge, blockbuster deal."

Samuel or Moss? I think the smart money for 2008 is on Moss! (plus the last time I checked, Brady does not pass the ball to Samuels!)


NOTE: Tag figures for each position:
Cornerback: $9.46 million
Defensive end: $8.8m
Defensive tackle: $6.3m
Linebacker: $8.06m
Offensive line: $7.45m
Kicker: $2.51m
Quarterback: $10.7m
Running back: $6.53m
Safety: $4.39m
Tight end: $4.52m
Wide receiver: $7.84m

The Patriots were Hood-Winked!

For those that just cannot accept the fact that the Patiots lost on their own accord, here are five ways the Patriots could have been jinxed in their Super Bowl loss to the Giants.

#5. Patriot Parade pre-Planning: Cannot fault the Mayor of Boston for doing a little pre-planning, but it does speak volumes for over-confidence. Don’t worry though, it was rumored that New York was doing the same thing, so this should have been a wash!

#4: SpecterGate: Senator Arlen Specter still seems bitter about the Eagles losing to the Patriots. His timing was impeccable for brining Spygate back to the forefront of the news media. Then add in a dash of Matt Walsh to the mix, and sprinkle in the rumor of the Patriots spying on the Ram’s Super Bowl XXXVI walkthrough, and you have a winning formula for distractions. Could all the renewed allegations have distracted the Pats enough to blow the game though?

#3: Boston Globe Book Deal: Ok, pre-selling books on Amazon.com called "Greatest Ever: 19-0: The Historic Championship Season of New England's Unbeatable Patriots" before even playing the Super Bowl definitely tempts fate. The editors are probably trying to come up with a catchy title for 18-1 that New England fans will still buy!

#2: Team Over-confidence: The Patriots expected to win, the Giants wanted to win. Maybe the Patriots should have stuck with their scheduled walk-though, than making it a family day event. I guess Tom Brady will have to apologize to Plaxico for doubting him and his prediction!

#1: The Red Hoodie: It was the first thing most Patriot fans noticed when the Super Bowl started. Eighteen straight wins wearing the gray hoodie, one Giant loss in the red hoodie…you do the math.

The Giants won Super Bowl XLII fair and square…and the Patriots were hood-winked!

Straight from the Hoodie: Belichick's Season Ending Remarks

Coach Belichick gave his end of the season wrap-up address with the Patriots media today. I am sure Belichick never imagined he would be discussing the loss of the Super Bowl XLII. When you look back at this game, it was very clear that the Giants wanted to win, and the Patriots expected to win. Here is hoping this experience will somehow make them a better team for 2008. Here are a few snippits from the Press Conference call to wrap up the 2007 Patriots season:

Opening Remark:
"As I said after the game, it's a disappointing end to a lot of good things that happened this season. Players did a great job all year long. We played a lot of good football, but we're certainly disappointed about the way it ended. We came so close, but it just didn't work out. It takes a lot to get to this point, but now it's starting over, into the '08 season, it's already time to move on. We're into the offseason and that's just the way it is. We'll start moving ahead toward next year."

Comment on why he did not challenge the fumble recovery:
“The officials ruled that there wasn’t any clear-cut possession and Mike Carey was standing right there in front of it. I can’t imagine that he would have ruled it any differently than the way he did when he’s standing right on top of the play. So I really didn’t give it much thought. I didn’t think about anything more than the next play at that point.”

Comment on what is planned next for the Patriots:
“The first thing is to go back and look at what happened during the season and evaluate our team and our scheme and our players, and then we start moving into the team-building aspect, in free agency, the draft, and personnel decisions, and playbook. All the things like that – things we do to prepare for the offseason program, the spring camps, and ultimately the ’08 season.”

Comment on leaving the field with one second remaining on the clock:
“Basically, on that last play I wasn't really sure of the time. Everybody started on to the field and then I got over there and I wanted to congratulate Tom [Coughlin]. I've been in that situation before after the game. I wanted to get over there and congratulate him and congratulate him on the championship. There really wasn't much left at that point.”

Comments on Rodney Harrison, Junior Seau and Tedy Bruschi returning in 2008:“I think that at the end of each season, and I have said this in previous years and I would say it every year, I don’t think the day after the season is a great time to make decisions about anything. I think we all need to give the end of the season a little bit of time, and whatever decisions need to be made, sometimes they are timely decisions and you can’t wait forever on them, but I don’t think the day after the season is a great time to be making a lot of important decisions on anything. So how those players feel now, and how they might feel a week from now, or two weeks from now, or a month from now, could be entirely different. I’ve certainly seen that in my career as a coach and I’ve had feelings after a game, that after a period of time have shifted a bit too for various reasons. I personally wouldn’t put too much into anything that happens soon after the end of any season, good or bad, or immediately after a particular game. A lot of times those are emotional decisions and not really good fundamental ones.”

Final thoughts on the 2007 Season:
“It’s pretty much over. It’s time to move on. I’m not going to sit here and dwell on anything, good or bad, that happened in the past. It’s over. It is what it is. We played our last game of the ’07 season.”

Note: Coach Belichick might want to put the 2007 season behind him, but there are still going to be questions that will need to be addressed again with both Goodell and Specter.

Brady and Moss pull out of Pro Bowl

Tom Brady and Randy Moss pulled out of the Pro Bowl on Monday, a day after the New England Patriots were beaten in the Super Bowl.

After throwing a league-record 50 touchdown passes during the season, Brady was battered by the New York Giants during their 17-14 win Sunday. He has been bothered by a tender ankle and was photographed in New York wearing a protective boot two weeks prior to the Super Bowl.

Brady, who first injured his ankle against San Diego in the AFC championship game, was sacked five times by the Giants. He will be replaced by Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson.

Moss, who caught a record 23 TD passes from Brady during the season, had five receptions for 62 yards and a TD in the Super Bowl. He will be replaced by disgruntled Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Johnson.

18-1: The Ultimate Humble Pie!

I'm sorry, but those were not the 18-0 New England Patriots playing in Super Bowl XLII yesterday! I had felt that the Patriots lost momentum ever since they played the Philadelphia Eagles, but in Super Bowl XLII this team looked pedestrian at best. I had hoped the Patriots were saving there best game play for last, but the final scoreboard definitely tells a different story. The storybook season ended up becoming a nightmare!

Coach Belichick likes to serve up the humble pie during the season, so as a dedicated Patriots fan, I will do the same. Everything starts at the top, so the first serving of pie must go to the Coach himself. Belichick was out-coached, plain and simple. There I said it. With a pass rushing defense that was all over Tom Brady, the adjustments just were not forthcoming. It is easy to see that Giant’s defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo owned the Patriots during Super Bowl XLII. Oh, and for someone that preaches playing for a full sixty minutes, it seemed classless of Belichick to dictate when the game ended on his own terms. With a second still on the clock, wait for the Giants final play, and then congratulate them accordingly.

OK, the question that will be asked for weeks to come: Why didn't Belichick kick a field goal instead of going for it on 4-13? Belichick should have trusted Stephen Gostkowski to make a 48-yard field goal. Ask Marty Schottenheimer if you do not believe me (same play cost him a win against the Patriots in the play-offs last year). If Belichick was punishing Gostkowski for the kick-off out of bounds, then Belichick only punished himself in the end.

It is hard to blame Tom Brady when his O-Line did NOTHING to protect him. Here are 3-Pro Bowlers allowing their Quarterback to be sacked five times. Let us not forget Matt Light’s two key false starts. Were these guys actually picked based on their talent, or based on the Patriots record? In big games you must step up and not be stepped on. Add Ben Watson to the list for having a key pass interference call in the end zone, and drawing two costly penalties (offensive holding, false start). Have some pie boys!

The two biggest passing plays of the game, (45-yard pass to tight end Kevin Boss, 32-Yard pass to wide receiver David Tyree) and S Rodney Harrison beaten on both. I will give Harrison the benefit of the doubt on one of them. Had Jarvis Green sacked Eli Manning when he had him by the shirttails instead of letting go, the Tyree pass would be nonexistent. Don't worry guys, there is still plenty of pie to go around.

One minute you are getting a key interception, and the next minute you are giving up the go ahead TD. Here is the enigma called Ellis Hobbs. You just know that if the all out blitz does not get to Eli Manning, the ball is going to Plaxico Burress, plain and simple. Oh, and let's not forget Asante Samuel, who had the Super Bowl title locked up in his hands as Manning threw a pass right into those same hands on the final drive. No guys, take the whole pie! Enjoy!

So much humble pie could be made from Super Bowl XLII concerning the New England Patriots that I could open my own bakery!

My rant is now over...I hope I did Coach Belichick proud...all this talk about pie is making me hungry...looking forward to next season New England!

18-1: The Less than Perfect New England Patriots

Perfection still looked to be in the cards when Brady and his team mates regrouped to march 80 yards into the end zone for a 14-10 lead with 2:42 left in the game. The all out Blitz of Eli Manning by the Patriots though at the end of the game left Plaxico Burress with one-on-one coverage by Ellis Hobbs, and room for the winning TD.

In New England today, nobody's perfect...Not Tom Brady, not Bill Belichick, and not the Patriots.

Quotes from the New England Patriots on the loss of Super Bowl XLII and the less than perfect season:

"I probably need some time to reflect on the game and some time to reflect on the season. It is extremely disappointing. This isn't something any of us prepare for, but you go into a game and you know that some team is going to win and some team has to lose. I thought they had a very good game-plan. They executed it very well. It was a three-point win. We usually are on the better side of those three-point wins. We just have to regroup and come back and try to make it stronger next year." --QB Tom Brady

"They are a very good defensive football team. They played well. They made some plays. We made some plays. In the end, they made a couple more than we did." -- Coach Bill Belichick

"I think their intensity, from the beginning snap to the end of the game, was really higher than ours. We just couldn't meet that intensity. It kind of surprised me, just in the fact that all of the work we put in for the last two weeks, our game preparation. They had the better team today. When things like that happen, the only thing you can do is lick your wounds and try to come back at it next year." -- WR Randy Moss

"It's definitely tough. It's a heartbreaker. At the same time, we understand what it is. It's a game. Give the Giants all the credit in the world. They made the plays when they needed to and it's unfortunate, but you have to take the good with the bad. It's a tough way to lose, last game of the season like this, basically when all the marbles were on the table. It's just disappointing. I don't think there are any words to describe what we feel. We have to experience it and go through it, and understand what it is. We lost a football game. We didn't lose in life. We give the Giants a lot of credit. Make no excuses about what happened here today. They came out and they made the plays. Eli was spectacular. He didn't go down in the rush. We had him several times and he came up big for them. They're well coached. They did it." -- DL Richard Seymour

"The season means nothing now. It means nothing to me. As far as these players and great coaches I am around, this organization, I love them to death. But we didn't accomplish what we wanted to. Like I said, time after time, when you continually win and put a win together and so many people not wanting you to win, to lose at the end just hurts. You know it's all for nothing." -- CB Ellis Hobbs

In Perfectville, the '72 Dolphins were finally able to pop their champagne!

Brady Post-Game Interview

"We had a great season, we just didn't win the game. Tonight doesn't take away from anything we have done over the course of the season. We had a great year. It is just unfortunate that tonight turned out the way it did. The Giants certainly deserve it. They're a great football team. As difficult as it is for us, you've got to hand it to them. They made more plays than we did."

"They are a great team. They are very good on defense. They have some great pressure schemes, obviously some great pass rushers. Once we kind of got the idea of what they were doing, I thought we handled it much better but we just didn't get the ball in the end zone enough. You score 14 points. I think that was our lowest total of the year and that got us beat."

"I probably need some time to reflect on the game and some time to reflect on the season. It is extremely disappointing. This isn't something any of us prepare for, but you go into a game and you know that some team is going to win and some team has to lose. I thought they had a very good game-plan. They executed it very well. It was a three-point win. We usually are on the better side of those three-point wins. We just have to regroup and come back and try to make it stronger next year."

Patriots 19-0 Perfect Season Sacked in the Desert

The Patriots were in their fourth Super Bowl in seven years...but the Giants ended the Patriots perfect season.

Giants 17 - Patriots 14

In probably one of the biggest upsets in NFL history, the Giants stunned the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, 17-14, ending New England's perfect season with a stifling defense and a clutch effort from Eli Manning in the fourth quarter. Brady was sacked five times by the Giants Defense! This one hurts the Patriots Nation.

Brady's great season could have been his down fall for the Super Bowl: the QB that won the passing TD title has not won the Super Bowl that year.

The Patriots this season beat the Steelers (AFC North Champs), Colts (AFC South Champs), Chargers (AFC West Champs), and Cowboys (NFC East Champs) all during the regular season, finishing a perfect 16-0. In the playoffs, they faced and defeated the Jaguars and Chargers. In the Super Bowl though, the Patriots stumbled on the wrong side of a three point win by the Giants. 18-1 just does not have the same ring at 19-0 to a Patriots fan.

Previous Patriot Super Bowl Wins:
Super Bowl XXXIX
New England Patriots - 24
Philadelphia Eagles - 21

Super Bowl XXXVIII
Carolina Panthers - 29
New England Patriots - 32

Super Bowl XXXVI
St. Louis Rams - 17
New England Patriots - 20

Time to go back to the drawing board Patriots...must do it again to silence those 72 Dolphins once and for all! :-)

Smart Business or Arrogance?

Patriots Filed For Patent On "19-0" Trademark In January

The New England team had already applied for trademarks on "19-0" and "19-0 The Perfect Season." Three days before beating the San Diego Chargers, and two weeks before Super Bowl XLII.

Patriots spokesman Stacey James said the trademark filing was to protect profits, and is not a pre-emptive writing of history. "These are defensive tactics taken so people can't brand with our logo," he said. The "19-0" trademark has not been approved yet.

The NY Post turned this Trademark pre-emptive strike into a rally cry for the New York Giants!

The NY Post, ever confident that Eli Manning and company will squash the Pats on Sunday, spent $375 for its own trademark application yesterday - on "18-1."

Enough is Enough...

The NFL and Patriots released statements today regarding a report that the Patriots illegally videotaped the St. Louis Rams walkthrough in Super Bowl XXXVI.

NFL
We were aware of the rumor months ago and looked into it. There was no evidence of it on the tapes or in the notes produced by the Patriots, and the Patriots told us it was not true.

Patriots
The suggestion that the New England Patriots recorded the St. Louis Rams’ walkthrough on the day before Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002 is absolutely false. Any suggestion to the contrary is untrue.

Hopefully this just fuels the Patriots even more!

HOF LB Andre Tippett...has a nice ring to it!

Former Patriots linebacker Andre Tippett today was selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Ron Borges made a compelling case for Tippett, as Borges served as Tippett's presenter.

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Andre Tippett, standout Patriot linebacker from 1982 to 1993, who played for the Patriots in Super Bowl XX, was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. Tippett enters the Hall alongside former guard John Hannah as the only two members of the Hall of Fame who played their entire careers exclusively with the New England Patriots. Tippett was a five-time Pro Bowler and registered 100 career sacks. The former linebacker from Iowa was exceptional at his position despite playing for mostly mediocre Patriot teams and playing most of his career in the shadow of former Giant linebacker Lawrence Taylor. Tippett will be officially inducted to the Hall in Canton, Ohio on August 2.

"This is by far the proudest moment of my professional football career. I will be joining the greats of the game and I am deeply honored. This recognition does not only belong to me, but also to my family, the Patriots organization, my teammates and especially the fans." -- Andre Tippett

"I couldn't be happier for Andre and his family. He was a dominant defender who wreaked havoc on opposing offenses throughout his Patriots career. I was a huge fan of his during his playing career for his work on the field and have become an even bigger fan of his since his retirement for his work off of it. I think all of New England was rooting for Andre when we left Boston earlier this week, knowing that it could be a very special week for a very special person. Today's selection for enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame validates what New England Patriots fans have known for a long time -- that Andre Tippett was quite simply one of the greatest players in NFL history." --CEO Robert Kraft

The rest of the inductees are:

DE Fred Dean
CB Darrell Green
WR Art Monk
OT Gary Zimmerman
CB Emmitt Thomas (senior nominee)

Super Bowl XLII Facts

Super Bowl XLII Facts (from NFL.com):

Super Bowl in General:
• This is the 42nd Super Bowl and the second time it has been held in Arizona
• The NFC leads 21-20 all-time but the AFC has won eight of the last 10 games after losing 13 straight
• The AFC is the home team in this year’s Super Bowl
• No Super Bowl has ever gone to overtime
• To date 3,205,733 people have attended Super Bowl games
• 21 Quarterbacks have been named MVP of the Super Bowl, the most of any position
• The Giants-Patriots Super Bowl is only the second time that the two Super Bowl participants have met in the final regular season game
• The Giants-Patriots Super Bowl is the 12th Super Bowl to feature two teams that met during the regular season. The team that lost the regular-season meeting has won six of the previous 11 match-ups
• The team that has won the coin toss is 19-22 all-time in the Super Bowl and has lost the past four straight and nine of the last 11 games

Coaches:
• Bill Belichick is the eighth head coach to appear in four Super Bowls and one of four to win three Super Bowls. The others are Chuck Noll (4-0), Bill Walsh (3-0) and Joe Gibbs (3-1)
• Bill Belichick (15) and Tom Coughlin (7) have 22 postseason victories combined, tied for the second most in Super Bowl history among opposing coaches and surpassed only by the 25 combined playoff wins by Tom Landry and Chuck Noll in Super Bowl XIII
• Tom Coughlin has coached 205 career games, including the playoffs. That is the most games coached before making a Super Bowl debut as a head coach.
• Tom Coughlin is coaching in his first Super Bowl as a head coach. Head coaches making their Super Bowl debut are 20-22

Players:
• The Patriots have 20 players with Super Bowl experience on their current roster; the Giants have three
• Tom Brady is the 23rd NFL MVP to play in the Super Bowl in the same season. The last MVP to win a Super Bowl the same season was Kurt Warner in Super Bowl XXXIV in 1999.
• Tom Brady is 1 of 4 players with three Super Bowl wins as a starting QB, and one of four players with multiple Super Bowl MVP awards
• Tedy Bruschi will be playing in his fifth Super Bowl; he is the 15th player to play in five Super Bowls
• Junior Seau is making his second Super Bowl appearance; the first since Super Bowl XXIX. The 13 years between Super Bowl appearances is the longest span in the game’s history

• Eli Manning is the seventh No. 1 overall pick to start the Super Bowl at quarterback
• 18 sets of brothers to have reached the Super Bowl. Eli and Peyton Manning are the first set of brothers at quarterback
• Eli Manning is the only quarterback in the 2007 playoffs yet to throw an interception
• Jeff Feagles will be the oldest Super Bowl participant at 41 years, 335 days

Team:
• The Patriots are the third team to win 18 games in a season, including playoffs. The ’85 Bears (18-1) and ’84 49ers (18-1) also won 18 games
• The Patriots are the 11th team to go 10-0 at home, including the playoffs. Of the previous 10 to accomplish the feat, 8 of them won the Super Bowl
• The Patriots led the NFL with 36.8 PPG this season, the highest in the Super Bowl era
• The Patriots lost the coin toss in each of their three Super Bowl wins
• The Patriots are making their sixth Super Bowl appearance –- and fourth in last seven years. The Patriots are the fourth franchise to make six Super Bowl appearances, joining the Cowboys (8), Steelers (6) and Broncos (6)

• The Giants' 18 NFL championship game appearances are the most in NFL history. The Giants have won five NFL championships in their history –- including two Super Bowls.
• The Giants are the only team in NFL history to win 10 straight road games in a season
• The Giants are the fourth team to reach the Super Bowl following a 0-2
• The Giants are the ninth wild-card team to reach the Super Bowl. Wild-card teams are 4-4 in the Super Bowl
• The Giants are the third team to reach the Super Bowl by winning three straight road games

Stranger than Fiction...

Another report from the Boston Herald. Looks like the shoe could be on the other foot!

Pool report from before Super Bowl XXXVI (courtesy the NY Times archives):

Halfway through practice, Patriots’ linebackers coach Pepper Johnson noticed something in a third-floor window of a house next to the field.

Club and league officials said a telescope was clearly visible in the window, according to a pool report, and that 15 minutes later, a person appeared at the window, and then vanished.

Officials scanned the window with binoculars, but the person never returned.

Tidbit from Super Bowl XLII: The Patriots had already decided to cancel this week’s final walkthrough on Thursday.

More Patriot Super Bowl Conspiracy Theories...

The Boston Herald is reporting that new allegations have emerged about a Patriots employee taping the Rams’ final walkthrough before Super Bowl XXXVI. Of course this all comes from an un-named source!

After his state of the NFL press conference yesterday, Goodell was asked if the league’s investigation into the Patriots included allegations that they recorded the Rams walkthrough in 2002. “I’m not aware of that,” Goodell said.

The source informed the Herald that on Feb. 2, 2002, one day before the Patriots’ Super Bowl game against heavily favored St. Louis in New Orleans, the Patriots visited the Superdome for their final walkthrough. After completing the walkthrough, they had their team picture taken and the Rams then took the field. A member of the team’s video staff stayed behind after attending the team’s walkthrough and filmed St. Louis’ walkthrough. At no point was he asked to identify himself or produce a press pass. The cameraman then rode the media shuttle back to the hotel with news photographers when the Rams walkthrough was completed.

Asked yesterday if he believed the Pats used similar films to achieve their three Super Bowl victories, Goodell was adamant. “No, there was no indication that it benefited them in any of the Super Bowl victories.”

Commissioner Roger Goodell replies to Senator Arlen Specter

Commissioner Goodell's Written Letter to Senator Arlen Spector

The fact of the matter is that Senator Arlen Specter's memo to Commissioner Roger Goodell simply referenced the 2005 Super Bowl and Pennsylvania’s Philadelphia Eagles and whether there was any evidence to suggest that videotaping occurred in that one Super Bowl game.

The short version of Commissioner Goodell's reply letter: "Dear Senator, we handled the issue internally, now please leave it alone!"

We all know Specter is good when it comes to conspiracy theories. This is the same Senator that came up with "The Magic Bullet Theory" when JFK was assassinated!

More fodder for the fire!

Matt Walsh, former Patriots video assistant turned golf pro at the Ka'anapli Golf Resort in Lahaina, Hawaii, suggested to ESPN that he has information that could have exposed the Patriots prior to the Jets' allegations which ended up with the record fines.

"If I had a reason to want to go public, or tell a story, I could have done it before it even broke," he told Mike Fish at ESPN.com. "I could have said everything rather than having [Jets head coach Eric] Mangini be the one to bring it out."

Walsh, who worked for the Patriots from 1996 to 2003, also suggested to ESPN that he has information that could be embarrassing for the NFL and the Patriots. "If they're doing a thorough investigation ... they didn't contact me, so draw your own conclusions," Walsh told Fish. Walsh said he hasn't decided on whether he'll talk to Congress if asked, though he's considering it.

Full Article Link: Senator wants to know why NFL destroyed Patriots spy tapes

Tale of Two Halves: Week 17 re-visited

I know everyone points to the week 17 Match-up between the New York Football Giants and the New England Patriots to show how close this year's rematch in the Super Bowl will be. The Patriots will have a much different game plan for the Super Bowl though, than what they did in week 17. Week 17 was about having a record breaking season. Tom Brady, Randy Moss, and the Patriots team all had NFL records that could be broken during this game. Do not be fooled, Coach Belichick is all about re-writing history, and allowed his game plan to help out Brady and Moss. The Giants knew this, and adjusted their own game plans accordingly, to stop this record setting night. In the end though, Brady ended up setting the NFL single-season record for touchdown passes (50) and Moss broke the single-season mark for touchdown receptions (23). Once the records were out of the way, the Patriots turned the corner in this game. With only one record left to break, the Perfect Season of 16-0, the Patriots put a new game plan into affect: WIN. Down by 12 pts, the battle tested Patriots stormed back to win 38-35. This was not the first game of the season the Patriots were down in a game. Cowboys, Colts, Eagles, Ravens...all were ahead against the Patriots, all lost to the Patriots.

With no personal records to set, and two weeks to prepare, I am sure Belichick will have the game plan that will launch the New England Patriots into NFL History: four Super Bowl wins in seven years, and the perfect 19-0 season!

Congress, the Commish, and the Elephant in the room

Spygate: The Elephant in the room!

The elephant in the room is an English idiom for a question that very obviously stands, but for the convenience of one or other party is ignored. For the Patriots, this would be Spygate. With all of the Patriots accomplishments this season, Spygate can not just be ignored.

The ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee wants N.F.L. Commissioner Roger Goodell to explain why the NFL destroyed evidence related to spying by the New England Patriots. "The American people are entitled to be sure about the integrity of the game" said Senator Arlen Specter "It's analogous to the C.I.A. destruction of tapes. Or any time you have records destroyed."

Goodell said he was “more than willing” to meet with Congress and that there were “various explanations” as to why he destroyed the tapes (i.e. the league had obtained six tapes from the Patriots). “I believe it was helpful for us in making sure my instructions were followed closely, not just with the Patriots but by every other team.”

In addition, "The actual effectiveness of taping and taking of signals from opponents — it is something done widely in many sports. I think it probably had limited, if any effect, on the outcome of games. That doesn’t change my perspective on violating rules and the need to be punished."

Goodell is convinced the Patriots have acted in good faith since the taping was discovered. "I think it was the best way to make sure the Patriots followed my instructions, to make sure that bit of information would not appear anywhere again. If it did, I’d know they didn’t hand me all the information. Not having those tapes out there, now I know if something arises, they didn’t tell me the truth." This can be interpreted as Goodell's main justification in destroying the tapes.

For viotlation of the NFL Rules with regards to filming the Jets defensive signals, the Patriots were fined $750,000 (Belichick $500,000, Team $250,000) and forfeit a first-round draft pick. This was the largest fine levied against a coach. It also was the first time in NFL history a first-round draft pick has been confiscated as a penalty. The severity of the punishment re-enforces the suspicion that the Patriots were guilty of wrongdoing, but should that taint the accomplishments of the Patriots for this year?

“I don’t think it taints their accomplishments,” Goodell stated. “I think what they did this season was certainly within the rules, on a level playing field.”

Spygate is not just going to go away. The Commissioner and the Patriots would like it to, but Congress won't ignore this elephant forever.

Not the only one's counting their chickens...

before they hatch! Hatching a victory that is!

It was reported earlier in the week that Boston's Mayor Menino was already in the planning stages for a Patriots Victory Parade...I just new that New York would have to be doing the same thing though. I was right! This should be considered a white wash in the parade planning Jinx!

NYC planning Giants victory parade?
It's shaping up to be a super insane Tuesday. Mayor Bloomberg will host a parade in lower Manhattan on Feb. 5 - the day of New York's and 23 other states' presidential primaries and caucuses - if Big Blue scores a Super Bowl win Sunday. "We hope that we don't jinx the Giants, but we have to do some planning for a parade," Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly told reporters Thursday. "It's also primary day and will put a lot of pressure on our resources," he added. The parade will kick off at 11 a.m. on Tuesday along the Canyon of Heroes, a stretch along Broadway from the Customs House to City Hall, Kelly said. There will be seating for about 5,000 people, he said, with speakers planned for 1 p.m. -- NY Daily News