Can't Keep Them All posted by Randolph Charlotin

While the current tally for New England during free agency doesn’t include DE Julius Peppers or WR Anquan Boldin, I’d say the Pats are having a decent off-season. The only free agent they signed, LB Marques Murrell, isn’t a marquee free agent. But the Patriots had success keeping their free agents.

 

Of the 15 free agents, six I absolutely wanted back: LB Tully Banta-Cain, CB Leigh Bodden, RB Kevin Faulk, K Stephen Gostkowski, OG Logan Mankins, and NT Vince Wilfork. Of those six, three re-signed. And OG Stephen Neal re-signed as well, which is a bonus.

 

Most recently Bodden unexpectedly came back. He was wooed by Houston but ultimately returned for four years, $22.5 million. So Bodden got the payday he was searching for and remains on a playoff-caliber team, something that wasn’t guaranteed with the rising Texans.

 

Now, of course, there is no way the Pats could keep everybody. The first departure is DE Jarvis Green to Denver for four years and $20 million.

 

I wish Green the best of luck, unless he’s playing against the Pats, of course. But I maintain that the Pats could do better than Green.

 

Jarvis had a great eight years with the Pats, but for the last two years, Green hasn’t been the same player. In years past, he was the pass rush specialist on the D-line, substituting on passing downs.

 

He was tremendous in 2006 and 2007, as he totaled 14 sacks. But since then Green’s production dropped to three sacks in the last two years.

 

Green’s role changed in ’09 as he became a starter once DE Richard Seymour was traded. And Jarvis was good enough at holding the point of attack and playing the run. But he was unable to get to the quarterback, and for that he lost value. The Pats could had used more sacks, but Green only had one in 13 games played.

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The Five Best Super Bowl Winners Since 1985 posted by Colin Linneweber

The New Orleans Saints will play the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV Sunday at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

 

The Colts (16-2) are currently favored by nearly six points to defeat the underdog Saints (15-3) this weekend.

 

No matter what the ultimate outcome is, fans can expect to witness a thrilling game between the offensively explosive Saints and Colts.

 

In tribute to this weekend’s championship matchup, I have decided to rank the five best Super Bowl winners of the past quarter-century.

  

1)      The 1989-1990 San Francisco 49ers- The dominant 49ers (17-2) absolutely destroyed the overmatched Denver Broncos (13-6) by a score of 55-10 in Super Bowl XXIV to repeat as champions at the Superdome in New Orleans.

 

To this very day, the 49ers lopsided margin of victory over the Broncos remains the biggest blowout in Super Bowl history.

 

Legendary Niners quarterback Joe Montana was justifiably named the game’s MVP after he completed 22 of 29 passes for 297 yards and five touchdown passes.

 

San Francisco’s underrated defense stifled John Elway’s aerial assault and they managed to limit Denver to a paltry 167 yards on offense.

 

Joe Montana is a four-time Super Bowl champion and he has been the focal point of many tremendous squads.

 

Still, the 1989-1990 49ers unit was the greatest one that Montana ever played on.

  

2)      The 1985-1986 Chicago Bears- The Bears (18-1) humiliated the New England Patriots (14-6) 46-10 in Super Bowl XX at the Superdome in New Orleans.

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Joe's Opening Drive: Week 17 posted by Joe Anello

Happy New Year everyone! The NFC is all about seeding this Sunday, with all of the players at the table. In the AFC, the two wildcard spots will be hotly contested with the Ravens and Jets owning the inside track. Let's not waste time, here's the Opening Drive of week 17 in the NFL! *sniffle* It goes by so fast!

(8-7) Pittsburgh Steelers at (7-8) Miami Dolphins

Well they need help, but the Steelers aren't eliminated from post-season play yet. However, every scenario that finds the Steelers defending their title requires at least two teams in front of them to fall plus an obvious Pittsburgh win. After a late rally against the Texans last week, the Dolphins will be focused on getting to 8-8 but will need Chad Henne to play near-perfect along with a large dose of Ricky Williams (who may not play). Even on the road without Troy Polamalu, I like Pittsburgh to win. Though any Steeler (lookin' at you LaMarr Woodley) or Steeler fan who thinks the Colts or Patriots are resting players because they don't want to see the Steelers in the playoffs is delirious. Maybe you shouldn't have lost five straight?

(10-5) New England Patriots at (8-7) Houston Texans

If the Texans are going to make their first ever playoffs, they need losses from two of the following three teams: the Jets, Ravens, or Broncos. Matt Schaub has taken great strides to become a top signal-caller this season and he'll be staring at a weak New England secondary today.  The real question is how long the Patriots will feel like playing. Tom Brady says he expects to play the entire game, but I'm not convinced. Perhaps a half, but anything beyond that would be foolish. Bill Belichick's Pats aren't playing for anything other than the 3 or 4 seed, so unless they prefer to play San Diego I don't envision more than a half for Brady, Welker and Moss. Houston should get the win unless Belichick has a second coach-fart this season. 

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Is Jay Cutler destined to become the next Jeff George? posted by Colin Linneweber

The Chicago Bears defeated the struggling Minnesota Vikings 36-30 in overtime Monday night at Soldier Field. 

Much-maligned Bears quarterback Jay Cutler tossed a 39-yard touchdown pass to Devin Aromashodu to secure the victory. 

“It’s good for the team, it’s good for the morale of going out there and putting up points and answering the bell, especially in the fourth quarter and overtime when you have to do it,” said Cutler, 26, who went 20 of 35 for 273 yards and four touchdowns. 

After a scorching start to their season, the Vikings lost for the third time in four games and their record fell to 11-4.  

On the flipside, Chicago’s win improved their disappointing mark to 6-9. 

Many Chicagoans had high-hopes for the Bears entering the 2009 campaign after they acquired Cutler in an April trade with the Denver Broncos. 

Unfortunately for Bears fans, Cutler has largely floundered in “The Windy City” and been a complete and utter bust. 

To date, Cutler has been intercepted an unsightly 26 times and he has registered a paltry 73.6 quarterback rating. 

Cutler, who was selected by the Broncos out of Vanderbilt University with the 11th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, has a tremendous arm and his skills on the gridiron can’t be questioned. 

It is very possible that Cutler could still become the signal-caller that Chicago’s brass envisioned when they dealt for the 2008 Pro Bowler and subsequently signed him to a two-year contract extension worth $30 million. 

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Joe's Final Drive: Week 16 posted by Joe Anello

Holy idiotic decision Jim Caldwell! This week in the Final Drive features a barrel-full of storylines. The playoff contestants in the NFC were locked in while the AFC remains a dog-fight for the final two playoff spots. Let's wrap up week 16!

(8-7) Pittsburgh Steelers 23
(8-7) Baltimore Ravens 20

The Steelers took advantage of Raven penalties and missed opportunities to win a physical game and stay alive in the playoff hunt. Unfortunately for them, Baltimore still has the inside track to the post-season, only needing to beat Oakland next week in order to advance. The Steelers may have dug themselves too big a hole of which to climb out.

 
Was it too little too late?

(8-7) Houston Texans 27
(7-8) Miami Dolphins 20

Jumping out to a 27-3 first half lead, the Texans dropped their guard and let the Dolphins rally in the second half. Chad Henne went for over 300 yards passing, but he doesn't have enough weapons to overcome such a deficit. Even if the Texans don't make the playoffs, they have a chance for the first winning record in franchise history. 

(3-12) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20
(13-2) New Orleans Saints 17

This game was the WTF? moment of the weekend. The formerly 13-0 Saints have dropped two straight, but losing on a last second field goal to the lowly Buccaneers is inexcusable. Cadillac Williams ran all over the Saints defense, but it was the New Orleans offense struggling to put up points that lost them the game. That defense isn't good enough to keep teams under 17.

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Hours Before Kickoff: Week 16 posted by Randolph Charlotin

In 2005, the Patriots “lost” the season finale to the Miami Dolphins. Because of that “loss,” the Pats hosted the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card game instead of facing Pittsburgh.

 

Was it cowardly to throw a game to avoid playing the hottest team in the playoffs? You could say that. But it was also ingenious by head coach Bill Belichick to arrange the best match-up for his team.

 

With the playoffs just two weeks away and New England insured to play a Wild Card game, is there a team fighting to get in that would be the easiest prey for the Patriots in the first round?

 

A lot of probabilities have to work for certain teams to get in. But two of the teams that need help are the Patriots final two opponents, Jacksonville and Houston.

 

If the Pats win out, they may eliminate the Jaguars and Texans in the process. With that in mind, which of the remaining teams would be most desirable?

 

Denver – Personally I’d like to see the Patriots get another crack at the Broncos after they blew the regular season game. Since starting 6-0, Denver is 2-6. Though they’re reeling, they created the blueprint of doubling WRs Rand Moss and Wes Welker. Until the Pats have a consistent third target, they are at risk of blowing it against the Broncos a second time. Chances: Even

 

Baltimore – I’m sure LB Ray Lewis and the Ravens defense haven’t forgotten the week 4 loss that they attribute to favorable calls from the referees. Maybe if receiver Mark Clayton caught that pass for a first down, B-more wouldn’t have something to whine about. Chances: Even

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Going Forward: Can the Dallas Cowboys conquer their December Woes/Foes? posted by Amari Harris

To this point of the season the Cowboys have taken care of business, for the most part.  The Cowboys could very easily be 9-1 had they just maintained their composure against the likes of the New York Giants and Denver Broncos.  But instead of dwelling on what could have been, the ‘Boys did a good job of moving on as they went on to win 6 of their next 7 games and claim 1st place in the NFC east.  Unfortunately, none of that matters now.  The Cowboys are 8-3 with the Philadelphia Eagles in a close trail at 7-4, and the Giants still kicking at 6-5.  And being that the final five games of this season are in the dreaded month of December, the phrase “anything can happen” is an understatement. 

 

In the last 3 seasons the Cowboys have gone 5-8 in the month of December.  Their December woes are well documented so I don’t have to go too far into detail to paint the picture.  They have been battered and bruised in this month and they always seem to lose the big game.   Tony Romo has taken a large share of the blame for these losses as he has QB rating of 71.9 in the month of December while posting a 93.0 QB rating during the other months of the season.  So any Cowboys fan knows that December is looming and this will be the biggest test yet for this team.

 

The Cowboys final 5 games is a brutal stretch that includes 3 road games and 2 home games against the red hot San Diego Chargers and revenge minded Philadelphia Eagles in the final game of the season ( sound familiar).  They have 3 tough division games along with 2 tougher non-division games against the aforementioned Chargers and the best team in the leaguer right now, the New Orleans Saints.  The last time the

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Bill Belichick's Nemesis posted by Randolph Charlotin

The Patriots are already deep into preparations for the undefeated New Orleans Saints, possibly the toughest opponent of the year. Any news outside of their scope of focus is a distraction.

 

Bill Belichick, the all-knowing head coach, is keeping his team in line. He’s making sure the only things on his players’ minds are black and gold, Drew Brees, Darren Sharper, and the Fleur de Lis.

 

Not that Belichick is oblivious to what’s going on throughout the league. He constantly keeps an ear to the ground and knows what happens everyday.

 

One particular bit of news that caught Belichick’s attention is the state of the Buffalo Bills. Already in disarray, Buffalo fired head coach Dick Jauron last week. They named defensive coordinator Perry Fewell interm coach and owner Ralph Wilson said he wants a proven head coach to be the next coach of the Bills. A few names have already been floated around, and one name in particular sent a chill down Belichick’s spine.

 

Mike Shanahan, Mike Holmgren, and Bill Cowher all have impressive resumes, but it is Shanahan that makes Belichick nervous.

 

Belichick almost always expresses respect when talking about opposing coaches, players, and teams. (S Anthony Smith is an exception for his 2007 guarantee that his Pittsburgh Steelers would beat the undefeated Patriots. After the win, Belichick dissed Smith saying, “We played (against) better safetys.”) But when talking about Shanahan, Bill’s respect goes to a higher level.

 

They are coaches from opposite sides of the field. Both are considered geniuses in their respective fields: Bill on defense and Shanahan on offense. And when they coach against each other, it’s a chess match. They are so familiar with each other’s tendencies, they understand how to attack and defend their rival’s schemes. Since Belichick took the New England job, he is 3-4 against Shanahan in the regular season, 0-1 in the playoffs.

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Looking Ahead posted by Randolph Charlotin

After the Patriots’ loss to the Indianapolis Colts, the first thing I did when I started my car was turn off the radio. I almost didn’t turn on my t.v. When I did, I absolutely didn’t tune in to ESPN or NFL Network. This lasted through the next day until the Monday night football game. I didn’t read the newspapers for almost two days.

 

Yes, I was disappointed by the loss, but more than anything I didn’t want to hear television’s talking heads compete in the “I can sound more outrageous than the other guy” competition or catch knee-jerk reactions on talk radio or through print media.

 

Two days later, it was still the talk of the town as people chose sides in the argument. Whether head coach Bill Belichick is still a genius or now is an arrogant doofus is your opinion. At this point, I’m done with it.

 

This argument of Belichick’s decision has been blown out of proportions because of Patriot Nation’s dislike of QB Peyton Manning. It’s a tough loss, but losing to the hated Colts and the commercial face of the NFL left many feeling sick. Feel free to call the ill effects the Manning Migraine.

 

But look at it for what it is. This was a loss to the best team in the AFC. Sure it has playoff implications, but this won’t determine home field throughout the playoffs. There’s no way the Colts will be caught from behind, even if the Patriots win the rest of their games. Indy’s two-game lead will be insurmountable.

 

New England’s battle is with the rest of the AFC in hopes of securing second place in the conference. Right now the Pats are still in great position to wrestle it away from the surprising Cincinnati Bengals or Denver Broncos. If the teams finish with identical records, tie-breakers will determine who gets the higher seed.

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Joe's Final Drive: Week 10 posted by Joe Anello

With all of the surprise upsets, there’s no way I can take the time to properly address them all. I’ll hit the best and worst of week 10 in this edition of the Final Drive! 

(3-6) Tennessee Titans 41
(3-6) Buffalo Bills 17 
Biggest thing to come out of this game besides Chris Johnson’s awesomeness is the $250,000 fine on Titans owner Bud Adams, who flipped off the crowds. Nice one Bud. Oh yeah, and Dick Jauron was fired today. Saw that coming. 

(5-4) Jacksonville Jaguars 24
(4-5) New York Jets 22 

We hear Jets coach Rex Ryan cried during his post-game talk to the players. Man has that team crumbled in unspectacular fashion. Mean while the Jags are 5-4 and scarily unpredictable. Maurice Jones-Drew’s kneel-down at the end of the game is getting some criticism, but he only did what he was told to do. The coaches trusted their kicking game and didn’t want to leave the Jets any time on the clock. I get it. 

(7-2) Cincinnati Bengals 18
(6-3) Pittsburgh Steelers 12 

Okay, we all have to start accepting the Bengals as a legitimate AFC contender. Any team that beats Pittsburgh and Baltimore twice in one season thanks to their defense should be treated likewise. Have you noticed they’ve turned into a power-running team? That added to their defense a conference champion makes.

 
One of many. 

(3-6) Washington Redskins 27

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Man convicted of murder in death of Broncos CB Williams

Suspected gang member Willie Clark was found guilty of murderThursday in the drive-by shooting death of Denver Broncoscornerback Darrent Williams. [read full article]

From FOXSports.com News for NFL

Guilty verdict in Darrent Williams trial (AP)

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From Yahoo! Sports

Broncos sign DLs Jamal Williams, Green (AP)

The Denver Broncos continued beefing up their defensive line, signing unrestricted free agents Jamal Williams and Jarvis Green on Tuesday. Williams, a 12-year veteran, was the run-stuffing anchor of the San Diego Chargers' defensive line. He injured an arm in last season's opener and missed the rest of the year. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Kraft:Patriots will pay market price to win (AP)

[read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Broncos sign former Patriots DL Green (AP)

The Denver Broncos continued beefing up their defensive line with the signing of unrestricted free agent Jarvis Green, who spent his first eight NFL seasons in New England. Green, who packs 285 pounds on his 6-foot-3 frame, is well versed in the 3-4 alignment that coach Josh McDaniels implemented in Denver last year after being hired away from Bill Belichick's Patriots staff. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports