The Texan trap

Page 25 of 25 -- -- Pat S. Siccisavan, Caribou, Maine

ADVERTISEMENT

A: I think their chances are excellent of hosting a home game. Their goal is to get a bye in the first round, but even if they play in the first round, they'll likely play at home providing they stay in the position they're in.

Do the ratings making the Dallas-Patriots game number 5 all-time amongst cable shows include the market share that channel 5 had? Can you elaborate on the viewing numbers for channel 5 and ESPN?

-- John Luther, Franklin, MA

A: No. Just cable - ESPN.

When we visited the Pats camp this summer, Daniel Graham didn't seem to have a clue where he was supposed to be on a play and was hit on the back as well as not turning to the QB on other occasions. He also could not catch any balls thrown his way when he was looking. After a game where I thought he had finally caught on, he seems to have regressed.

Is their any hope for Graham or do you think he is going to be a bust?

-- Steve Alpert, Norwell, MA

A: You may have seen him on a bad day or something, but I thought he performed well in the pre season and felt he was going to have a breakthrough season. I don't think he's a bust. I really don't. He just has to hold onto the ball, which was never a problem for him in college.

Will JJ Stokes make an impact? Will the acquisition of Stokes preclude any Patriots interest in Keyshawn Johnson?

-- Ara Heghinian, Salem, NH

A: Stokes is being viewed as veteran protection right now. I'm sure they'll try to get him involved against the Texans if he's active. The rap on him was that he had lost some speed and didn't have good separation. Maybe this new setting will get him going again. I don't think one has to do with the other.

Great article on Troy Brown. It's amazing to me that during the Pats/Cowboys game, little to nothing was said about the absence of Troy Brown. Had that been Terrell Owens or Randy Moss on the bench, the camera would have been on them during every offensive series! When will the national media give this guy the credit he deserves? All right, now to business, JJ Stokes, what's the skinny, any chance this guy will turn it around here or is he done?

-- Josh Stoltzfus, Washington, DC

A: Right Josh. Troy remains anonymous. He's a terrific football player.

Love your columns and mailbag. I've read that Coach Belichick doesn't get much out of watching the network broadcasts of football games as far as prep/scouting the opposition. When the Pats do their film work, do they use game film taped from the network broadcasts that the public sees or something else? If its not from the networks, what's it about the film that makes it better to game-plan from? Thanks.

-- Adam, San Francisco, CA

A: It's game tape from the NFL. It shows different views and different angles of specific groupings on offense and defense that allows the coach to see each position very closely.