mtbykr

Another team going to the 3-4. This could mean a thinner crop of players for those 3-4 teams...on the other hand if NY gets a coach that wants to go back to the 4-3 it could even out. http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Way+We+Hear+It/Whispers/2008/afcwest011709.htm

Sorry for the delay, I've been out for quite a while. Congrats SFOC and thanks to everyone for a great season. I look forward to it again next year!

Nice vid of BB miked up and behind the scenes last week before the Raiders game: http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80d74a78

He's not the best WR out there, at least in my opinion.

AZ looked terrible this week, although it was against a pretty good D in Minnesota. They appear to be looking ahead to the playoffs, and the cross country trip won't help either. With all that said it should still be a tough game for the pats because they have the ability to go up and down the field on us.

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/12/pierre_woods_to.html

I just thought it was interesting comparing the Jets and Pats. The pats chose to do it with 2 back to back west coast games, staying out west in-between while the Jets did 4 separate cross country trips. The 'thursday effect' is a result of the pats preferring to do this and requesting that scheduling.....just interesting seeing the two strategies at work. As far as Reiss goes, he is the most well respected pats beat writer out there and lead for the globe.

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/12/thursday_effect.html

What has that have to do with it? Anyone getting hit like he did would have been injured.

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/12/tedy_bruschi_im.html

The latest on Wilfork is that it's not season ending and he could be back in a week or two. Bruschi looks to be done for the season, possibly next depending upon the severity of the knee injury...no info on Sanders.

Fair enough....it sucks without a playoff because I would love to see USC in the mix....i don't think either of these teams wants any part of USC right now.

Rose Bowl: Penn State v USC Orange Bowl: VT v Cincinnati Sugar Bowl: Utah v Alabama Fiesta Bowl: Ohio State v Texas Fedex Title: Florida v Oklahoma So Texas beats Oklahoma yet Oklahoma gets the title shot.....tough to swallow for Texas

So what is it now, 7 one loss teams who want a shot at the game? Stupid BCS

Wow, crazy game. The pats made the plays when they had to....but it was against a terrible team. (although Seattle always is tough at home) Costly game though as Bruschi, Wilfork (big loss, no pun intended), and Sanders all go out and all look to be serious injuries. Vrable got hurt, but came back......and they are staying on the West Coast this week.

Pats not playing well....in addition Bruschi got hurt in the 1st and looks like a season ending knee. Wilfork got hurt as well and it doesn't look like he'll be back. Seau and Colvin, who have been out of football this year and had one day of practice....are now the starting LB's for the pats.

I agree, with Indy's record and coming schedule....it's hard not to see them in there. The pats need to win out and hope Baltimore remembers they are Baltimore.

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/12/ad_to_injured_r.html So much for the hope of AD being ready for the playoffs if they pats were able to make it there. Rumor is there is still a small chance he could have been ready, but the odds were going down and the pats needed to make a move with all the LB's going down and the potential for Bruschi being out.

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/12/seau_in_foxboro.html Another report has Bruschi with a serious knee injury that may sideline him as well.

I don't think a suspension was in order.....however I'm surprised there is no fine, especially considering some of the ticky tac fines they have been handing out this year. I would rather them let these guys play...so let's hope they are consistent in this from here on out.

It's official, he's back: http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/12/colvin_signs_wi.html

another guy goes down. http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/12/jason_webster_t.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crazy that they are looking at him, his injury must be getting better: http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/12/patriots_hostin_1.html

A good point today in the globe's 'mailbag':

Maybe I wasn't clear, but I wasn't making an excuse. The pats never make an excuse for injuries and I wasn't either. I was simply pointing out that it's noticeable on the field, that their level of play is down due to the personal that are being sent out there. During the 03-04 superbowl run the pats had more key injuries than anyone in the league and still won it all. In the past they have been able to step up and play with the injuries, but this year the level of play has declined. I believe it's due to 2 main things; Rodney and AD. (we all know about TB ) In the past they have had Rodney out there directing traffic, and he's been able to make up in game knowledge what they have lost in talent. Sanders and Merriweather are great talents, but they are having trouble adjusting pre-snap and making sure everyone else is where they should be. The loss of AD was big because it cost the pats a ton of flexibility and they are having to adjust to 2-3 guys doing what AD was capable of. There are rumors though out there that AD could be back for the playoffs if the pats happen to make it....he hasn't yet been put on IR. The pats two biggest problems this year are: they can't get off the field on 3rd down....and they are terrible in the redzone.