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Do you think the Randy Moss issue is going to rear its ugly head this weekend or even for the Super Bowl?
I am dreading this story.
Somebody jumped my blog.
Anyway, I don't think it will. The Patriots don't let distractions get in the way.
The Patriots starters are 100 percent healthy. Only Matt Light is out with the flu. My guess is he will be back by tomorrow.
The San Diego situation is the three biggies, Tomlinson, Rivers and Gates are all questionable. My guess is Tomlinson and Rivers are healthy and Gates is iffy, probably playing a little.
Lorenzo Neal, the Chargers All-Pro full-back, is probably the only legit questionable player, with an injured fibula.
My guess is everybody plays. The cold, of course, doesn't help the Chargers Big Three.
I don't feel bad for Moss. It appears he isn't Mr. Clean here, but I believe this is probably made a bigger issue because of who he is. The fact that this is an 11-year relationship makes me wonder what the real story is. We are probably a few months away from getting some semblence of the real story. But as I wrote in a story in the newspaper today, he has earned some slack here in New England. He has been Mr. Patriot.
I know people are concerned for the Patriots, but the only thing the wind and elements do is bring down the score a little. The Jets game was a perfect example.
But there is a distinct homefield advantage at Gillette. Brady has been dominant there, losing only 10 starts, one that didn't matter (against Miami in 2005).
Anyway, Rivers is their No. 1 QB. To be honest, he looked good for a good chuck of the game against the Colts. Volek is a backup, although a decent one. Rivers is crazy, though. I think he can and will be rattled on Sunday.
One more thing on the weather, remember the Patriots can run the ball decently now with Laurence Maroney and their short passing game isn't hindered by wind.
Anyway, first question: have any of the Patriots responded to the Chargers player (can't recall his name) who claimed that the Pats were more worried than they were, and "they know what's up." Seems like those guys just can't help themselves when it comes to talkin' trash to the Good Guys.
Nobody responded. But I've heard through the grapevine that they are steaming over it. Belichick if famous for playing this stuff up. These teams don't like each other.
It goes back to 2005 when the Chargers ended the Patriots 21-game winning streak with a 41-17 pounding. They apparently did a lot of talking after the game about the Pats being "over the hill."
And remember, Marty Schottenheimer's comments about the Patriots being decimated with injuries, making an excuse and Brady went off on him. The Patriots have held a grudge for two-plus years before last January's upset in San Diego. The Chargers then didn't like the Patriots mocking them.
The Patriots will do talking on the field on Sunday. And by that I mean trash-talking. They Patriots can talk with best of the on the field. They just don't do it in the media the week before a game.
Do you live near Randy Moss? Couldn't you keep him under wraps?
Anyway, Faulk is one of the most valuable players on this team outside of Tom Brady. Every big game over the last half-dozen years, Faulk and Vrabel have made big plays. Faulk has bought into the Belichick Way. It took a little time, but he has accepted his role as a third-down back and back up running back with pride.
He makes big first down plays and touchdowns.
How many Pats do you think will retire after this season? I'm guessing Bruschi, Seau, Brown, and perhaps Harrison. To be honest, I really think Belichick may step down, too. He's been through so much during his tenure with the Pats, and 2007 has been the most trying season ever. It seemed odd that Josh McDaniels didn't even want to interview for a head coaching job, maybe he knows something we don't. I know he's not ready, but that didn't stop Mangini from giving it a shot. Your thoughts?
I believe it's the Packers, but I don't think they could stay with the Pats either. The Giants had nothing to lose that game and had the Patriots where they wanted them before the Patriots dismantled them and took over the game.
Green Bay has a lot of pride and they can score. The Pats defense is not a strength. I believe the only way to beat the Patriots is score as many touchdowns as possible and force two to three turnovers. If you do, you aren't guaranteed a victory, but you have a chance.
Right now: Pats 41, Giants 20
Pats 38, Packers 28
I believe you are onto something when you talk about players' retirements.
I believe Bruschi, Seau, Brown and Harrison are all well past their primes. None of them need money. All, I believe, will be replaceable next season.
Bruschi loves football like nobody I know. He might be the hardest to push out the door. Maybe he would come back in a somewhat reduced role.
As for Josh McDaniels, he did what Eric Mangini should have done. He didn't leap at the first opportunity like it would be his last.
McDaniels is going to be an NFL coach. It won't be here. At least not in 2008. Belichick has too many good things going, including Super Bowl contending teams for at least five years.
McDaniels has been told by Belichick that when the right opportunity comes he will know it and Belichick will recommend him for it.
According to people the know, McDaniel is the closest thing to a young Bill Belichick (very, very, very smart) that there is in the league.
You picked the Patriots to kill Jacksonville and you were wrong.
What happened?
The Patriots defense isn't as good as I thought it was and Jacksonville was almost perfect that night. But I am beginning to feel a Pats blowout on Sunday. I still have some forecasting and prognosticating to do. I'm in the three touchdown range.
Please make sure you remind the public when I make a good pick.
One more question: I saw where you wrote that Brady is officially better than Manning? Why do you come to that conclusion now?
Last weekend showed the difference between the two:
Brady didn't make a mistake.
Manning made only a few, but they were big.
I just think Brady's championships, which could be four soon, trumps what Manning has done individually. And as we've seen this season, when Brady has equal talent, he can do everything Manning does, if not more.
Do you have a favorite player to talk to on the Patriots?
I don't really have one guy. Rodney Harrison, Troy Brown and Tedy Bruschi, all guys near retirement age are all good guys on and off the field. All are approachable in the locker room.
I've come to like Logan Mankins who is as respectful as he is tough. A very happy kid.
I could go all over ... Larry Izzo, a great guy and nice interview. Donte Stallworth, the same thing. Stallworth is very well spoken, maybe the best on the team.
Kelley Washington, who will no doubt restructure his contract (He is due $4 million bonus) or be gone, is very nice, too.
Overall, a decent group of guys. They don't tell you too much inside stuff because Belichick wants it that way.
Do you think the Pats re-sign Moss after this year and do you think he is in the 10m a year range? I think Moss and Brady give the pats 3 or more rings to come. We would have had 5 or 6 by now if they played together earlier.
I believe Moss will be re-signed barring his recent issue becoming more of a horror story. I'm guessing he would get about $30 million over three years, with about $18 million guaranteed over two years. Just a guess.
I know Brady wants him back and right now this is Brady's team.
I grew up with the Boston guys from both big dailes. Bob Ryan, Gammons, Shaughnessy were all must reads. When I started in the business, Gerry Callahan was a few cuts above the rest. His stories always had a good laugh (he calls it cheap laugh).
Another was Joe Murphy, formerly of the Eagle-Tribune. When Joe wrote a good column it was as good as anybody's. Joe had some of the funniest one-liners I had ever seen.
I also learned a lot about reporting from my old boss Russ Conway. He was killer for information nobody else had.
John
Thanks for the comments. This stuff is fun.
If you have a question. Bring it on. I will extend the live-blog chat one more day ...
One factor: If the Patriots allow a touchdown or turn the ball over on special teams. Again, I believe the Patriots are simply better and the Chargers need to get touchdowns where they don't normally get them, or get one after a bad turnover.
Good question.
I think Belicheck is no doubt a great football coach. I would like to see Bob Craft get his Just due and be credited more than he is for the success of this franchise. All we hear about is how this is Belicheck's and Brady's team. Bob Craft had a vision about how a franchise should be run, and he is ultimately responsible for putting the proper people in place to make the Patriots aurguably the best NFL team in history..your thoughts??