Turnovers, not injuries, reason for loss

Page 3 of 17 -- Nick, since NESN has teamed up with the Globe, much like Fox has teamed up with the Herald, why not do a weekly segment on the Patriots like Fox does. I find myself forced to watch even though I consider the Herald to write with poison pens(the real Boston curse) and I'm not sure they're just stirring up controversy. I guess fair and balanced only applies to current affairs and not sports. We love the mailbag and I think you'd be great doing a show from Foxboro.
Thom Whipple, Lewiston, Maine

A: Tom, NESN began doing Patriots reports last season. They air about twice a week prior to Red Sox and Bruins games.

ADVERTISEMENT

Hi, Nick, love the mailbag. Nick, as you continue to build up the myth of Tom Donahoe being something akin the Red Auerbach of football, have you stopped to research his record and fully appreciate what happened in Pittsburgh? Tom Donahoe was fired by an organization that prides itself on tradition and probably has the lowest turnover of front office personnel of any team in the NFL. The Rooneys fired Donahoe because he wasn't getting the job done and a lot of talented players were being replaced by inferior talent. Instead of labeling Donahoe a genius as a way of channeling your anti-Belichick bias because he traded for Bledsoe and signed Milloy, perhaps you should look a little deeper at his record. In the 2 seasons after Tom Modrak left Pittsburgh, Donahoe's Steelers won a total of 13 games over the next 2 seasons. After Donahoe left the Steelers won 9, 13, and 10 games the next 3 years. Meanwhile, 2 years after Modrak arrived in Philly, the Eagles put together 11, 11, and 12 win seasons. If the Bills are a success this season it's most likely a direct result of Modrak coming aboard in 2002 and being involved in this winter's draft and revamping of the Buffalo defense with key free agent acquisitions. I know that Donahoe is readily available to answer your questions Nick, but let's fully look at the records and appropriately give credit where credit is due with a little less bias in the future. And keep up the good work!
Mark Horsfall, Berkley

A: You can make numbers read what ever you'd like, fact is top personnel people aren't going to be great every year. You look at the body of work. And the body of work shows as clear as day that he's one of the most successful personnel men in football today. That's just not me saying that. Ask any national football writer - Peter King or Len Pasquarelli or John Clayton. Ask anyone in the game including other football people. Who did Bob Kraft want to bring in to run personnel after he had hired Belichick? Donahoe. If you want to disparage Donahoe just because I think he's terrific that's your prerogative. I do agree with you on Tom Modrak, and if you refer to a column I did when he was let go by the Eagles, I think you'll see how I feel about him. In fact, in that very column I took Eagles owner Jeff Lurie and president Joe Banner to task, and they're two other people I have great respect for. Having both Modrak and Donahoe in Buffalo is a potent combination. And by the way, I speak or see Belichick every day. I speak to Donahoe once or twice a month. I know it is fashionable in some circles to say or accuse me of not getting along with Belichick. A good case of where perception is not reality.   Continued...