Patriots cowboy up

Page 3 of 8 -- I really don't understand it - you endlessly criticize the Patriots for getting rid of Bledsoe (he never could win a Super Bowl here, so why will Buffalo be any different) and Milloy, yet you never call out Mr. Kraft for the police state that is Gillette Stadium or the fact that Daniel Graham has been a complete bust. The Patriots did not trade up in the 1st round to get a player who is only an adequate blocker (see his miss on Jesse Armstead that ruined the draw play at the end of the Redskins game for proof, Graham makes his block, Centers has a first down and things are much different). He can't even unseat journeyman Christian Fauria as the number 1 TE. Not to knock Fauria, but that's what he is, a journeyman. He is a good target in the end zone, and a solid blocker (better than Graham in fact) but he is not the down field, run after the catch threat that Graham was supposed to be. Yet that is what he is being used as because Graham is a bust. Randy McMichael of Miami has better numbers and for a real laugh compare him with fellow first rounder Shockey (who Graham won the Mackey award for best TE in college over). The Patriots don't exactly have Jerry Rice and John Taylor as receivers, a lot more should be expected out of him, especially in the pass happy offense the Pats run. It is also about time you at least acknowledge that the fans at Gillette live in fear of having their season tickets revoked. This is a big reason for the lack of noise and home field advantage. I understand Mr. Kraft wants a "family" atmosphere, but the hypocritical and ridiculous reasons (the list is endless) people have gotten their tickets pulled for, has the fans scared.
-- Jerome

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A: First of all, I do not endlessly criticise the Patriots about dealing Bledsoe. I respond to questions, just as I am to yours right now. I am the only writer covering the Patriots who has even addressed this issue of season ticket holders having tickets removed. I have written several items on this issue, including in this mailbag and in the Boston Globe, so I don't understand where you're coming from on that issue. If you can offer me proof that fans "are scared" about having their tickets removed I would certainly take your point more seriously. I think the bottom line is if you attend the games and behave yourself, you're OK. The problem is, people don't behave themselves and put themselves in peril of having their tickets revoked. Believe me, fans acting poorly is not a widespread problem. It may be one percent, but you notice it and that 1 percent can make your experience at the stadium a bad one. That's what the Krafts are trying to stamp out. A recent ruling by Judge Mitchell Sikora in Suffolk Superior court may open the floodgates for the whole issue of revocable license, which is basically what your season ticket is, or contract, which Sikora believes you could argue that is what it is becoming because of the outlay of big money. If it does become a contract than the team would have a tougher time breeching it based on one incident of rowdy behavior.   Continued...