Indy festival
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.
As much as I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving, I can't wait to get to Indy for the Pats-Colts game. This one is going to be a lot of fun. I spent a few days in Indy last week and the Colts are really a tough team to read. They're a very confident team, that's for sure. Tony Dungy has really added an urgency to their overall game and attitude. They believe they now have the added dimension of a defense that can make plays because of their speed.
Dungy is one of those coaches who needs to get to the next level. He's been a superb NFL coach. Of the coaches who have entered the league since 1970, Dungy's teams have allowed the fewest points per game (17.59) than any coach in that 33-year time span. Second is Bill Cowher (17.74) followed by George Seifert (18.03) and Chuck Knox (18.4). His teams are also 40-19 in the second half of seasons. Dungy is also the only coach top have defeated all 32 teams in the league.
The Colts have the second-best conference record at 7-1 while the Pats are 6-1. This is obviously the team the Pats need to beat, at least at the moment, to gain that first-round bye they covet.
The Patriots have played their first 11 games against teams with a 62-58 record, while the Colts have played against teams that are 53-67. The five remaining Pats opponents have records of 26-29, while Indy's remaining five are 30-22.
Field goal kickers could definitely enter into the outcome. It's the Battle of the Vs - Vanderjagt and Vinatieri.
Here's what Bill Belichick had to say about the Colts:
"This is a very explosive offense. They are very fast on defense as Tony [Dungy’s] defensive units always are. They have a lot of quick guys up front. They are a very penetrating style of defense. They run a lot of gains, run a lot of stunts, do a fair amount of blitzing and put some pressure on you in terms of their overall team speed is where they are very difficult to match up against. That carries over in the kicking game. Their specialists are outstanding, [Hunter] Smith and [Mike] Vanderjagt are two of the best in the league and now they have [Terrence] Wilkins back there returning kicks, who we have seen plenty of before. Their overall specialist are good and their team speed is good in the kicking game. There is a good reason why they have had as much success as they have had. They are solid all the way through. They are well coached, they have a lot of good players, they are talented and they are playing very well. It will be a big challenge for us out there, playing Indianapolis out there, on their turf with the way they are playing right now. It will be a big test for us. I think that our team has a lot of preparation work to do this week. We will need a good effort out there Sunday if we are going to do well."
Manning is 2-6 against the Patriots with a QB rating of 79.7. Marvin Harrison should have the usual hard-fought battle with Ty Law. Harrison has eight TD catches in 12 games vs. NE and has caught 71 passes for 1,053 yards. Edgerrin James has had four, 100-yard games against NE.
During the Super Bowl season of '01 when the Colts were still in the AFC East, the Patriots beat them twice. The Patriots always loved playing this team, but the Colts look a little different two years later, especially on defense where they have a lot of speed.
Here's the mailbag:
I found your 11/19 article on Troy Brown too be one of the most maudlin, unrealistic, biased and overly sentimental columns ever found on the Globe sports pages. When Troy Brown can't keep his job through ability he will be cut. This appears to be another setup so you can slam Belichick when Brown is released next year, the same way you have slammed him with regard to Slade, Bledsoe, Milloy, Johnson, Mcginnest, etc. The Patriots take a businesslike attitude that is no different than any of the other 31 teams take, well except for Buffalo, where GM Tom Donahoe is found of overpaying for former Patriots. What's Buffalo's record again?
-- Mark, Berkley
A: The Patriots enjoyed the column. Many of them complimented me on it. I think this is the first anti-Troy Brown sentiment I've heard.
Can you please just accept that professional football is big time business and must adhere to the restrictions of the salary cap? Next year, if Ty Law, Troy Brown, Willie Mcginnest, etc... can all still play at a cap friendly salary then they may still be here. If not, they are free to go to Buffalo and join long lost (and I do mean LOST) pals Lawyer Milloy and Drew Bledsoe (that is provided Buffalo doesn't finally wake up and cut both non-producers prior to next season.)
-- LJ, Sandwich, MA
A: I sure can accept it, LJ. I don't lose a wink of sleep over it.
Hey Nick, Big Fan, I read you every week...After the AP ran that ridiculous photo of Bill and Bill embracing at the end of the game, Do you think Belichick has the same opinion of the press (not all of youz of course) as Bobby Knight which is, and I quote "(journalism is) two steps away from prostitution"...and what's with running that photo to ad nauseam? Hey, not that there's anything wrong with that, but it was somewhat misrepresentative of the actual newsworthy event. Are there really 5th grader working as editors for the Associated Press? Someone a little too bored at work perhaps? Oh I don't know. Maybe I'm completely out of the loop, are Bill and Bill lovers?
-- Kieth Thursday, Lynnfield, Ma
A: Well, if sportswriters are two steps away, then how many steps away are college basketball coaches and that whole world?
During weeks 4 or 5 I heard an NFL analyst say that Pats need to define who they are. I didn't understand where he was going with that. In other words the Redskins have that "Fun and Gun" offense, The Bucs are known for their formidable defense. I have no complaints for the Pats thus far except for the penalties. The offensive isn't scoring points like crazy but they played some great defenses this year. My main concern this season was pass protection for Brady and the o-line is playing with plenty of heart and I hope it continues. The line picked up that Dallas blitz and if I recall I think they got Brady once.
Did the Pats have an opportunity to pick up Thomas Jones? He's nimble and has a good burst. He showed that last Sun with the Bucs.
-- Stan Nelson, Boston, Ma
A: Jones was there for taking, but the Pats passed.
I have followed Belichick as closely as anyone can follow a coach since 1986 and I want to politely correct you on something. In last week's mailbag (and I believe in another mailbag earlier in the year) you said that Al Groh was the NY Jets defensive coordinator under Parcells and Belichick was the assistant head coach/secondary coach. Belichick was also the defensive coordinator for the Jet's those years. He called every play for the Jet's and did every defensive game plan. The only time Belichick was not Parcells' defensive coordinator and I'm sure you know this was the 1996 Pat's Super Bowl team. That year he was only the secondary coach. This was because Parcells hired him in late Feb. and didn't think it was fair to strip Al Groh of coordinator duties at that time.
-- Jerry Cohen, Ny Ny
A: Jerry, from 1997 through 1999, Bill Belichick's official title was assistant head coach/secondary. It was the same title, as you correctly point out, he held with the Patriots in 1996. You're right, he did call the defensive signals and game plan, but his title was not defensive coordinator. I am wrong about Groh, who was the Jets' linebacker coach at the time.
Everyone that follows this mailbag knows you are a big Tom Donahoe fan. Fair enough. I think any football fan knows Donahoe has been a good GM. A very good GM, that's highly debatable. Here's my question and I don't think it's ever been asked of you in any mailbags. You own a team and need to hire a GM to run your organization. Be in charge of the draft, free agency, salary cap, hiring a coaching staff and everything else that is football related. Who are you hiring, Tom Donahoe or Bill Belichick? Forget about Belichick being the coach. Just as a GM, which man do you want running your organization?
Thanks
-- Ted Levy, Boston,MA
A: Great question Ted. As we speak right now, Belichick.
Let me get this straight:
A reader (Patrick Murray Chelmsford, MA) calls you on some false predictions and early season bumblings of YOURS - and you pout your way through your response, sarcastically "assuming" the reader is perfect in HIS picks? Hey Nick! You get PAID for this, pal. You earn a living following, studying, interviewing, and writing about the Pats. And you have the nerve to incorporate the predictions and foresight of a READER into your response? These are relevant?
Hey, no one can predict the future. But the difference is this: some people (GMs, head coaches) are actually held accountable for their flubs. You just get to whine to the readers who have the nerve highlight your mistakes, answer some mailbag questions and collect paychecks.
Your response was sophomoric, thin-skinned, and uncalled for, Nick.
-- John Fortin, Watertown, MA
A: You're right. Sorry Patrick.
I love reading your column; it's great to be able to read some real balanced sports journalism that sidesteps the usual hype-of-the-week. And getting responses to reader questions is just gravy!
Anyway, I wanted to respond to the email about why WBZ doesn't carry an HD signal. I don't know firsthand the specifics of WBZ's situation, but I do know that some of the other broadcasters in Boston have been reluctant to invest in HD equipment mainly because it's so expensive. The national networks (CBS, NBC, etc.) have been slow to roll out HD signals except in their big-time ratings-grabbing shows, or for programs which reside in hotly contested time slots (like the late night talk shows.) Because they don't have many shows being distributed in HD, the local broadcasters like WBZ or WHDH don't see the need to upgrade their systems. (And because the networks themselves aren't fully supporting HDTV yet, they're not willing to help local stations offset the cost of HD broadcast equipment, even for major markets like Boston.)
Furthermore, part of the reason the networks aren't broadcasting more HD content is that there are relatively few HD sets on the market today, and the ones which are available cost several thousand dollars. The networks aren't going to make a major investment in HD broadcasting equipment when there isn't much demand to speak of.
Recently the federal government has ruled that all large TVs sold after 2005 (I think, I may be wrong on that) must receive an HD signal, but it's pretty much even odds that will actually happen - it's already been pushed back at least once before. Bottom line: without lower-cost HDTV sets for casual home viewers, there will never be enough demand to convince the national networks, and by extension the local broadcasters, to switch over to an unproven format.
-- Justin Ober, Foxboro, MA
A: Awesome, Justin.
I think you went too far in your response to reader Patrick Murray from Chelmsford's submission, a submission that criticized your early season take on the impact of Bledsoe and Milloy with the Bills and the plight of the Pats in Philadelphia. Ordinarily you respond to criticism with responses such as "You're entitled to your opinion." This is the appropriate stand to take against readers such as Murray. You're above all of that sarcasm and nonsense that appeared in your response. You evidently feel some need to stand up for yourself against critics, but a lot of that is accomplished with your credentials. YOU are working for the globe and covering sports, not Murray nor your other critics. Let your work speak for itself, and if people can't respect that then they are not deserving of your time. Simple as that. Keep up the professionalism for which you've grown accustomed.
-- Matt Englander, Boston, MA
A: You're right Matt.
Like most of us without lives, I love your mailbag. I spend hours at work poring through the vitriolistic anti-Bledsoe, anti-Parcells, anti-Glenn, anti-anything...and think to myself, "America, she is great."
How we have such short memories, right Nick? I remember watching Bledsoe open up the '94 season - his second - against Miami and seriously scare the hell out of Marino in a 38-35 loss. He threw for something like 400 yards and 4 Td's. I remember Bledsoe leading a team that was in the Arizona league out of hell and into the "tournament". I remember Bledsoe ripping apart the Vikings defense after being behind 20-3 at halftime and winning the game. I remember Bledsoe flat out destroying the Steelers in the AFC playoff match in 96, and I remember Bledsoe coming tantalizingly close to ripping apart the packers in the Super Bowl. If not for one runback, that game is a different story. I remember the coach that drafted him, and I remember the enthusiasm around NE. I remember a player who threw for 10,000 yards faster than any player in the history of the game, who year after year went into the season knowing that his offensive line was indeed offensive and that he would have to absorb 40-50 sacks per year. This bum, Bledsoe, was sensation for us for many years. Your colleague, Dan Shaughnessy, compared him to Larry Bird and Roger Clemens, in terms of how important he was to the community. If not for Bledsoe, or Parcells, there wouldn't a Belichick coaching in NE, no Lombardy trophy, no 8-2 team in mid-November in 2003. You can be sure of that. In my heart of hearts, the one thing that did Bledsoe in was Parcells leaving the team. It was the matter in which he did it, and to be sure, Kraft is to blame for that. It didn't have to come to that. But it did, and Pete Carrol just wasn't what Bledsoe needed.
ANYWAY, to my question - what are the possibilities of NE picking up Cory Dillon, somehow, from Cincy? I know he's a tumor in the locker room, but you have to believe that Belichick will put a stop to that. He is obviously not wanted anymore in Cincy, and for good reason. He could be such a great player if he had the right coach, and I think BB is that guy. Thoughts?
-- Phil Williams, NYC
A: Phil, there are certainly many more like you out there who don't have short memories, but we don't hear from them. We only hear from those who take the here and now approach to sports. Many of the Patriots fans we hear from don't know and don't care about Babe Parilli, or Gino Cappelletti or how great a coach Chuck Fairbanks was. Or how wonderful a receiver Stanley Morgan was or how tough and gritty Steve Nelson was. What a great linebacker Andre Tippett was playing in the shadow of Lawrence Taylor in New York. They don't remember how sad a franchise this had become until Parcells came along and the excitement in this area when Bledsoe was first drafted. I'd be shocked if they traded for Dillon. I would think they'd rather groom a draft pick.
Nick, here's my "question." Why don't you just ignore any future comment or question from any knucklehead whose comment fits into one of the following categories:
A. "Nick, you're an idiot for liking Drew Bledsoe."
B. "Nick, you were wrong about Milloy. He stinks."
C. "Nick, how could you ever say anything bad about St. Bill, patron saint of patriots?"
I believe it's a waste of your time to respond to these kinds of mailbag questions (for the umpteenth time), and a waste of your readers' time to read some of these inane e-mails.
-- Phil Audet, Austin TX
A: You like to give everyone a forum and I enjoy tweaking people a little bit, but while I must say it's quite amusing, it probably gets old to some readers and I'm trying to limit the Bledsoe-Milloy stuff because I'm sure we'll hear more about it the final game of the season.
Your mailbag is a great part of the fun that I have as a Patriots fan. I really look forward to it each Thursday and I am very loyal to reading much of what you write. Its obvious how much you care about everything associated with the sport-- the players, the coaches, the fans-- and how seriously you take your job as a reporter. Who is more accessible to their readers than you? In my opinion, you have earned the right to be mentioned in the same breath as other better known Globe sportswriters over the years (you will be too modest to admit it). I think you are very balanced between being open to criticism and not being a punching bag in ask Nick. That said, the reason you get hammered sometimes is because you have a blind spot for certain individuals you like e.g. Bledsoe, Parcells and on occasion you cut them too much slack. No one is saying that neither of these guys doesn't deserve some props for the state of the Patriots today, but it was obvious to many that in the years that followed 96' that Bledsoe's game was too flawed for him to successfully lead the Patriots or any team, even a division rival. It is also fair to say that what Parcells did to the Patriots in 96' Super Bowl run up was a far worse "betrayal" than Belichick running out on Parcells & the Jets before the season started. Thanks for reading and responding to many of my emails the past couple of years.
-- David Berg, NY, NY
A: Listen Dave, it doesn't matter whether I like and respect them. If they're not playing well or coaching well, I'll say it. Bledsoe has been horrendous. Donahoe hasn't done a good job this year. Milloy has lost a step. Parcells fulfilled his contract with the Patriots. After the Super Bowl, the contract was over. We all took sides in the media back then. It was Parcells or Kraft and I took Kraft's side of it. I thought it was horrible Parcells didn't fly back with the team, but in the end he walked away. It's not like he left with his contract. He had reduced it from five to four years earlier that season.
Nick, thanks for faithfully responding to your readers. I really enjoy the weekly mailbag. Peter Gammons has nothing on you.
My question: which NFL quarterback of the last twenty years does Tom Brady most remind you of?
-- Chris Watson, S Portland, Maine
A: Going back a little farther than 20 years, he reminds me a lot of Bob Griese. Poised, smart, doesn't make too many mistakes and wins. Has some Jim Kelley in him. Maybe some Phil Simms. I don't want to say Joe Montana just yet because he hasn't achieved what Montana did. He's got a little Terry Bradshaw in him. He's definitely not Marino. He has the flair for the big ending like Elway, but nowhere near as strong.
In response to a post by Ken Macek about where to watch the Pats/Colts game while he's in Miami. Tell him to check out Finnegans on Ocean Drive in south beach. It may not be a pro Pats bar, but they will show all the games, and the food is good. If he wants to watch it with some true Pats fans, my father and I are both from Boston and would gladly share the big screen and our beer with a fellow Patriots fan. Pass on my info. Thanks.
-- Michael Leonard, Miami Beach Fl
A: Thanks.
Thanks for the Mailbag... It's a great forum and I appreciate all of the work you put into it. I'd like to start by saying that your response to Patrick Murray from Chelmsford was classic. It's great that you know when to bow down to an obvious superior! That really did make my week. I have a few questions that maybe you could help me with. First, why is it that the teams that play on Thanksgiving don't have their bye week right before the Thanksgiving day games? Not only do I feel it would benefit the teams, but I think that the they would be better rested and prepared, and that the games would be more exciting as a result. Another question: Would the Pats be able to switch to the new field turf if they wanted to? I was asking because I know that they share the field with the Revolution and I don't follow soccer, so I don't know if they allow for different kinds of fields. It just seems more economical to have an artificial turf with all of the wear and weather conditions in New England, but I could be wrong.. who knows? Finally: Drew Bledsoe isn't really that bad, is he? I've always liked him and thought of him as one of the tougher QB's around. It seems that the fates have decided that he will never have a great offensive line to thrive behind. I truly believe that if he had a line like KC's, he would have incredible stats, but maybe I'm wrong. I was a little heartbroken to see him go to Buffalo, but how could you argue, given how Brady played? Actually, another question... Do you think that Tom Brady will be consistently good? Sometimes, watching the games, I forget that he's barely older than me and that he's only been a starter for just about two whole seasons. I get a little nervous that he'll drop a little and then rebound, like a lot of young QB's do, but he just seems to get better as time goes on, and as a friend pointed out recently, he already has the biggest game experience available, being Super Bowl MVP. Thanks for all of your hard work. It does NOT go unappreciated around here.
-- Louis Popps, Revere, MA
A: The T-Day teams get ripped off, but then they make it up on the other end where they get 10 days off. It doesn't seem fair, I know, but they rotate enough teams on T-Day so that everyone is inconvenienced at one time or another. The field situation is interesting. They do have the fake grass in their new bubble, but as I've said the past couple of mailbags, I think they see the chewed up slower turf as an advantage to slow down the faster teams. Brady certainly has his moments of frustration, but he never seems to get into a deep slump. I would think it would have happened by now, but it hasn't. He has a clock in his head and he gets rid of the ball. He can beat a blitz as well as any QB in the league and that's huge in today's game. I appreciate the comments.
In my opinion you are one of the worst writers I have ever read. We all know how stupid you sound when you write about how good Drew Bledsoe is and was or how bad the move to release Lawyer Milloy was ( and by the way how can any Patriots Fan like Milloy anymore after his comments about the organization, I lost all respect for that man after his comments ) or how much you are against Coach Belichick and Tom Brady. You have no clue when it comes to making Predictions or observations. I would suggest you open up the Boston Herald ( which is the best Newspaper in this city ) and read a Column by Michael Felger. Felger is a superb writer unlike yourself. And another thing I don't want one of your wise comments in return which you are famous for. I'm telling you maybe you should go back to writing about Baseball because you don't know much about Football. This city would be much better if we didn't have to read a Football Column by you every morning.
-- Tim Amara, Middleboro, MA
A: Happy Thanksgiving Tim. And God bless you.
Why is it that New England fans have to blast a player when he gets traded from the team? Drew made many sacrifices for this team when he was here by playing hurt and giving his all. Drew is struggling this year but his o-line is horrible, I have DirecTV and watch all his games and it's awful watching the defense bust through the line. Brady has a great line blocking for him but when they get through on a blitz I've seen Brady fumble and throw picks but the fans forget about that quickly. The bottom line is Brady has a much better line and has plenty of time to throw and Bledsoe has a lousy line and always pressured. I'm proud of Drew for giving his all in New England and wish New England fans would remember 1993 and prior and remember the 1-15 season and give Drew his props. It's nice reading your column and seeing that you respect Drew for what he's done for this franchise.
-- Robert Richardson, Lowell, Mass
A: I think your feelings are more than norm among rational people Robert.
Add my wife and I to the list of transplanted Patriot's fans who appreciate getting the inside scoop in your column.
It seems to me that the Patriots still are not getting their due. In the media it always is a backhanded compliment as in "The Patriots have done a great job this year CONSIDERING THE INJURIES". The Pats have five wins this year against teams that currently have a winning record. Unless I have missed something, no other team in the NFL has more than two wins against teams that currently have a winning record. When do they begin to get their due?
-- Jim Hoffheimer, Coral Springs, FL
A: I think if they win another Super Bowl they'll get the attention everyone feels they deserve. I don't think it's much of an issue for them. They like being under the radar.
For those guys wanting to watch the Patriots game in Miami, try Sport Cafe in 560 Washington Ave. in South Beach...and then, to celebrate the victory, head to Niki's Beach and hang out with the best and hottest SoBe crowd!
-- Nissim, Sao Paulo, Brazil
A: Thanks Nissim.
I don't know how you put up with responding to the people who call you out on things you said over 2 months ago. You always temper your statements with a wait and see comment. But you give them air time just the same. Very fair. Please ask these people to submit winners (against the spread) as I could not pick my nose, never mind a winner, this year. Also, please use italics to denote sarcasm as I think these people believe you are actually praising their infallibility in your responses. And use Fauria in games until Graham can catch.
-- Steve, Bridgewater
A: Some of these responses are so far out there, they're amusing. That's why I run them. A little comic relief.
You said;" I think the Patriots are a business-first organization. There's no sentiment involved in their decisions any more" And you are correct in this assessment. BUT i think it stinks- I have been a fan for over 20 years and I must admit that I "feel" less for the Pats since they have taken this approach. Winning obviously is #1- but if you can't do it with some class and heart.. I think you loose something. I still am not "over" the way the Milloy thing was handled. even though it has worked out well for us..
-- Mike Moretti, Ft. Lauderdale,FL
A: It's an interesting topic and a column I may explore. Since the Patriots have won the Super Bowl, fans have bought into the way Belichick and Kraft do business. Things have changed around here. I'm sure five years from now it might be different. But I really believe as we've seen in some of the E-mails we received this week, that there are no favorite players anymore. Brady is popular, but five years from now will he still be? If Vinatieri starts missing, will fans still adore him? We're already seeing fans turning on Troy Brown. I thought I'd never see that. For a few weeks after Milloy was released we received thousands of E-mails from disgruntled Patriots fans. Then, as soon as Buffalo started losing and NE started winning, there was a complete turnaround and suddenly Milloy was the turncoat. The Patriots fan base is very different from the Red Sox fan base even though for the most part they're one in the same.
This is a little long, but it's an issue you care about, so please be patient. Also, Patriots organization members, please read this.
Nick, have you or any of the other writers asked Bill why he forbids Romeo and Charlie from speaking to the media? If so, how does he respond? If not, please ask him next pre-season if no changes are made by then.
Is Scott Pioli allowed to speak to the media?
Mr. Belichick, Mr. Kraft: Believe me we are all appreciative of what you have done and continue to do in re-shaping the Patriots into one of the most admirable franchises in any professional support. However, some of your biggest fans feel that we would gain more insight into the games if Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weis were made available to the media on a regular basis. Maybe this is a policy you could review during the off season.
I love the way you run the team:
- Running certain plays because they work, not because you want to run them
- Releasing certain players because not everyone can be paid what they think they deserve, even if they're great players, great guys and very popular
- Making sure that no matter how inferior or superior an opponent may appear to be, you give them proper respect, and maintain that they are beatable, as everyone is.
Please apply your consistently sound reason and vision of what the Patriots should be to your media-relations policy as well.
We all appreciate the character of the players (team-first hard-working guys, not loud-mouthed selfish show-offs) so much. This is largely due to your policy. So, when people think of the Patriots, they appreciate how we have players who don't yell at coaches during the game, or get arrested for drunk driving, or get into fights at the airport parking lot. And this is largely due to your policy.
On the other hand, I can pick up a newspaper and see the headline "Cottrell defends himself." Plenty of people question Charlie Weis'' play-calling, but we never hear why he does what he does; the best we get is Nick saying "I think he likes to mix it up." With all due respect to Nick, I'd rather know why Charlie says he calls what he calls.
It has taken me a long time to wait to bring this up, because we're winning, and you don't want to mess with a good thing. But what does it say about the organization, that these coaches can't give interview? "We can't trust them to not give away all our secrets to the opposition?" "They might offend somebody?"
I'd like to at least understand why this policy has not been reviewed and changed. And frankly, even if there are sound reasons for the policy, I still would probably disagree. Even if it means not winning as often, I'd rather learn more and understand what's happening better. I think we'd all feel closer to the team and the coaches and more appreciative of the tremendous effort the entire staff is making each week.
Thank you.
-- es, nj
A: Good points. Lately, the Patriots have made Charlie and Romeo available, but only after a win. Over the last couple of seasons, they have not been available after losses. When things don't go so well, you can't get to them.
Do think guys like Brown and Patten are mad at Brady for referring to the Pats receivers as smurfs when he was interviewed about 6'5" Stokes coming on board? I thought it was pretty funny myself.
Kara
-- Kara , Arlington
A: No. They call themselves smurfs as well.
Do all seasons always go this quick when your enjoying yourself? Just a few questions for you. Why are we waiting for Ken Walter to lose us a game before we fire him? I am sick and tired of hearing of reasons he is still with the team. Please don't tell me there are only 31 decent punters (or less) in the NFL and the whole of the USA I just dont buy it.
Secondly I dont know if you attend Bill Belichick's daily meetings (which I love to listen to) but if you do please do me a favor. Tell the people who smirk and laugh every week when he is emphasizing the abilities of the opposition. That the point he is trying to make to them and his team is that you take one game at a time and focus on it, if you don't your simply asking for trouble. That is his philosophy every week. You don't think about your drive on the 18th hole whilst your in a bunker on the 3rd now do you! (or maybe you do which is why your in the bunker in the first place!)
Same with those Idiots on ESPN every week they make fun of our coach when he is interviewing after the game. Bill Belichick is someone worth listening to when he is talking football..shut up and you may learn something
Ok I've vented. Thank you
Kind regards
Neil
-- Neil Pountney, North Branch,Michigan
A: Good vent.
In last week's mailbag you answered a question on loyalty as it pertained to Belichick leaving the Jets for the Patriots. You said:
Parcells just hands him the job that he's promised him for years, and the next day he quits.
I thought the Jets head coach position opened "quickly" because Parcells found out the Patriots were going to make Belichick an offer. That Parcells was aware of the potential offer but Belichick was not and if he was aware, would not have accepted the Jets head coach position. By the way, love the mailbag.........
-- f.leblanc, boston,ma
A: In Parcells' book he writes, "Bill Belichick, who was supposed to be our next head coach, walked out on us. Belichick had a contract with the New York Jets that said he is the next head coach after I step down. He even accepted a $1 million bonus from Mr. Hess last year (1998) to stay around to take the job."
Hey Nick, no real question but just a couple of comments. First, this is to those of you who continue to accuse Nick of hating Bill Belichick. I don't know what gives you the idea that Nick hates him. Perhaps you should read Nick's entire body of work before you criticize any of his comments and label him a "Belichick Hater". It is more than obvious that this is not the case. Nick always takes the objective view (to his credit, because most of us Pats fans are quite emotional when it comes to our team) and gives props when they are due and criticism when it is deserved. Or perhaps the problem is that you are confused with the format of the mailbag. The BOLDFACE is the questions and comments from readers and not Nick. And Patrick Murray, don't tell me for one second that you have not made your share of comments and predictions about the season. Every fan does, it's what makes being a football fan and discussing it with your buddies fun. The only difference between yours and Nick's is that yours isn't in print each week to be thrown back in your face, so you can conveniently forget your prior predictions. My second comment is in response to the question about the penalty that the Pats "changed their mind" on. Although that is what the ref said, it was clear that the Pats never were asked whether or not they wanted to accept or decline the penalty. The ref took it upon himself to make that call for them until Belichick spoke up and told them he wanted to accept it. Even the announcers saw this and commented on it. Keep up the good work Nick. Love your column and the mailbag.
-- Jim MacAllister, Quincy, MA
A: Great job Jim.
First off, Nick, I just want to commend you for the job you're doing here on boston.com. I honestly thought sports writers worked an hour or two a day, put out their column, and went on with their business. From all of us Patriots fans, thank you.
And also, if you really read this, tell Shaughnessy to shut up. If he doesn't like the Sox, stop writing about them and ruining it for the rest of us. Thank you.
-- Joseph Hazard, USN
A: Thanks, Joseph. I could never tell Dan to shut up. He's a friend and a great journalist.
Great forum you got here. When the NFL schedule was made the Buffalo game at home looked really big and almost looked liked it had playoff implications all over it. What are your thoughts now that it's a barely a race in AFC East? How will Bledsoe and Milloy be treated by the fans at Gillette? Any thoughts on why Romeo Crennel is not being talked about as a HC candidate next year?
Thanks
-Axel
-- Axel Nickov, Chincoteague Island, Virginia.
A: Axel, you're right. Everyone thought that game would mean something, and it still might in terms of determining whether the Patriots get a bye in the playoffs. Now, we might be looking at Alex Van Pelt vs. Rohan Davey. As for how Bledsoe and Milloy would be treated? Why should they be treated with disrespect. Neither of them wanted to leave New England. I'm not sure why Romeo doesn't get more interest. He got the SF interview last year. He's not a big self-promoter, so it would take an owner around the league who wants to duplicate the "Patriots Way." Honestly, I think it's going to be tough for Romeo.
Whats with the negativity over Walters? Yeah he's not on fire but he isn't hurting us either.While i was voting for the Pro Bowl on line, when I got to the punters section it showed the top punter is Oakland's Lecher with a 48.5 YA, 15 IS20 and net of 39.5. We all know or should know Oakland traditionally has good punting. Walter also considered for the Pro Bowl has a 38.2 YA, 13 IS20 and a net of 34.IN GILLETE STADIUM! The wind at both Foxboro and Gillette has and will be horrible. Leave the guy alone
The Bill Bowl has to rank as one of the best "Pure" football games ever! Good smashmouth football and great coaching on both sides until the end When Parcells's looked like Grady Little. Hi to the fans "In the bag" and vote for the Patriot Players for the Pro Bowl! Thanks Mark Drews, Framingham
-- Mark Drews, Framingham, Ma.
A: Mark, I think I answered someone last week about Walters. He's a streaky punter. He got cut in Carolina because he had this type of a season, but then he rebounded very nicely with the Pats. I'll be the house he has another good streak in him, if he's allowed to keep his job.
I just wanted to commend you for a very objective column and how well you handle the carpers who just want to attack you. I really admire your looonngg periods of patience in responding to the same-old questions about how you "love" Bledsoe and hate "Belichick", followed by some small doses of hilarious sarcasm, i.e. how you handled Patrick Murray this week. It's really beautiful! (I mean these knuckleheads are so lost in their own world, I'm just waiting for one of them to ask you about your and Drew's illegitimate love-child!) No question here--just wanted to say thanks and good job. My only other request is that we all pray to get Brown healthy. I just love his play and his humor and humility. If you can, forward my best wishes to him to get well soon.
-- Ron Ruggiero, Elk Grove, CA
A: Thank you, Ron. I enjoy E-mails like yours, but I truly get a good laugh out of the others. I love going through my batches of questions every week and reading these missiles. After reading some of them you realize why reading comprehension is such a problem in this country.
I hate bringing up the Lawyer Milloy situation again, but do you think that the resulting perception of Belichick will make it more difficult for the Patriots to compete for free agents and result in their own free agents (e.g., Woody) wanting more money?
Also, do you think this year's free agents (Harrison, Washington) are happy here? If so, would their opinions - since they have experience with other teams - be persuasive when potential free agents are brought in next year? I'm assuming that free agents talk to players on a team they are interested in to find out what things are really like.
-- Acton Ellis, Austin, Tx
A: I know Rodney is very happy here. I'm not sure about Washington because he doesn't speak to the media. The Milloy situation will have an effect with certain players. The Patriots have a bit of reputation, especially in the agent community. But what you have to realize is, the Patriots usually aren't competing for big-name talent. The type of free-agent they're seeking is happy usually to be here because his career is being resurrected. The winning system they have here is also attractive to players like Harrison, who didn't have a lot of options when he was out there. For him, NE was the best situation and he's made the most of it. So I guess for every Milloy situation, there's a Harrison situation where an older, still useful vet will want to come here to end his career on a winning note.
Don't know if the person looking for the sports bar in Montreal has gone yet but if not, I would have to second Justin from Montreal's comment (in last week's mailbag) that Champs on St. Laurent is the informed choice. I lived in Montreal in 2002 and Justin is spot on in recommending this place, not least for its proximity to the real French heart of the city, away from St. Catherine and on St. Laurent.
Champs is on the 2nd floor so don't forget to look up when arriving! It has walls covered with big screens and I couldn't believe that when the Expos were on the road, there was a sizeable contingent going so far as to do the two strike chant!
Cheers.
-- Arun Seth, Brookline, MA
A: Thanks.
Ty Law is so awesome. Do you think there will be any way that the Patriots will be able to keep him next season? If we can't, will it be possible to trade him for a first or second round pick? It would be insane to lose such a playmaker and get nothing in return. In addition, how much money do you think Keyshawn Johnson will be looking for next season? Will he be traded, or just released? If he's traded, would it be in the area of a 4th rounder? Thanks Nick.
-- Ray Rogers, Seymour Johnson AFB, NC
A: Ty is a Pro Bowler. No doubt. There's always a way to keep him and hopefully they'll all come to their senses. Law is in great position because his game is at its peak right now and if he says he doesn't want to restructure and the Pats cut him, he makes big money some place else. One point here is, the Patriots could just guarantee his yearly salary and spread it out over the remaining years of his contract to get that cap figure down. As for Keyshawn, you know he has $33 million remaining on the final five years of his deal. If he was traded, the Pats would have to assume his contract and they'd be charged $6 million against their cap. Now I'm assuming if they made a trade for him they would do so with the proviso that he has to redo his deal. I wouldn't be shocked to see the Pats give up a third-rounder for him. But, here again, the Bucs might just release him.
I've heard a lot of people say the Pat's offense is a weak link. I don't agree. I think we came out too strong at the beginning of last year and after the first couple of games, opponents had it figured out. This year the offense has been there when it had to be like in the game against the Titans. It's almost like the pre-season frame of mind. Vanilla, vanilla, vanilla. We don't give the opponents much to look at on the game tapes making it harder for them to prepare. I'm sure the coaching staff has more cards than what they're showing. I bet Coach Belichick would make a great poker player.
-- Les Stevens, Roscoe, Illinois
A: Maybe so. Their offense makes plays when they need them. It doesn't really matter how bad they look for three quarters as long as they can pull it out by making plays late in the game. That's what winning teams do.
I just have to start out by saying that im amazed at the sheer volume of questions that you answer each week and as a pats fan i appreciate it. I have two quick thoughts that i thought i'd pass by you. 1) As disappointing as Walters punting is, the number of penalities that were committing seems to be uncomfortably high. Its not just the number of penalties that bugs me its the fact that they come at very inopportune times, such as on third downs on defense and first downs on offense. I think there were a few in the cowboys game and thats what set me off(i could be wrong). I know its impossible to not be penalized, but knowing Belichick its strange to see that this problem hasn't been remedied especially considering its week 11 already. I think that if we dont address this, it could be a determining factor in the playoffs especially if were planning to play Tennessee or KC in the playoffs.
2) I know Cloud played well against Tennessee and deserves to be played more often especially since he's probably well rested and ready to go, but Faulk and Smith haven't lost us any games, and if Weiss isn't playing him there has to be a legitimate reason. I remember JR Redmond and how much potential he had, but i cant really say that i miss him all that much now.
Thanks for your time. Great mailbag.
-- Dae Ho Kim, Weston, MA
A: Right. I think penalties are a concern for the coach and he's addressed it with the team. Players have told me he's upset at them, but he's just as upset about the refs. As for Cloud, he got a few carries against Houston so maybe they've read complaints from fans.
Isn't there any way the Patriots could get a draft choice or two for Ty Law instead of just cutting him loose for nothing after this season ? How about putting the franchise tag on him and then allow an offering team to take him but we get the typical first round compensation that goes with this designation? One way or another its a shame we can't get something for him. Doug
-- Douglas Graham, Columbus,Ohio
A: They could trade him, no question. But because he's under contract, they can't "franchise" him.
Hey Nick, love the column! I have a question and a suggestion. First, the question: With Buffalo struggling, do you think that Lawyer Milloy is (or maybe) regretting the fact that he didn't restructure his contract with the Patriots? Now the suggestion: How about a Q&A with a member of the New England Patriots. A separate piece that's published once a week or make it apart of your weekly "Ask Nick" column. Thanks Nick! Go Pats!
-- Ricardo Romero, Boynton Beach, FL
A: Great idea Ricardo. But I'd have to renegotiate my contract with Boston.com. As for Lawyer, I doubt he'd be rethinking it. He's making a lot more money with the Bills. The whole thing was about money. Milloy got more.
The Globe game log is completely useless. Can't they pay someone to input a little detail such as "interception by" etc.? Trying to follow game in NYC:
Overtime
1st overtime under way. 14:55 Time Remaining.
The Patriots have the ball, 1st and 10, on the Texans 22-yard line. 14:45 Time Remaining.
New England kicker Adam Vinatieri had a 37-yard field goal blocked. 12:46 Time Remaining.
The Texans have the ball, 1st and 10, on the Patriots 42-yard line. 8:40 Time Remaining.
The Patriots have the ball, 1st and 10, on their own 9-yard line. 7:41 Time Remaining.
The Texans have the ball, 1st and 10, on the Patriots 35-yard line. 5:58 Time Remaining.
The Patriots have the ball, 1st and 10, on their own 13-yard line. 4:20 Time Remaining.
-- matt felix, nyc
A: Suggestions are always welcome.
Hey Nick, enjoy reading the mailbag every Thursday. I have noticed that Bill Belichick has worn the same sweatshirt in every game since the Cleveland game, is this some sort of superstition now with the winning streak? I especially thought is was strange today with the game being indoors and it's starting to look pretty beat up. One thing that really stuck out to me today though was when Belichick had the belt on he looked like Obi-Wan Kenobi. Do you think that the Patriots are using The Force on their winning streak? If this were Star Wars, would Tom Brady be more like Luke Skywalker or Han Solo? Who would be Chewbacca Ted Washington or Richard Seymour?
Thanks and take care Nick,
Tim.
-- Tim, Melrose
A: I noticed that, too. I've never known Belichick to be superstitious. Nobody has asked him that question, so I'll be making that inquiry if he's still wearing that thing in Indy.
Nick - great job every week!
Is it me, or have the Patriots kicked off to start every game thus far this season. Have they just been extremely unlucky with the coin toss, or is this a new "strategy" the team is using this year. Thanks!!!
-- Mike Ferrara, Storrs, CT
A: They've lost 11 straight. If they win one, that may be bad luck.
I'm a New England transplant living in Florida, thanks to you and DirecTV I'm more into the Pats now than when I lived in Turners Falls, MA. I must admit that when the Pats let Drew go my sons and I needed some time to get over it. We liked Brady but Bledsoe was family, and man he could throw the long ball! I never believed Brady couldn't throw the long ball it's just that he didn't seem as strong throwing it. But this year seems different. Never mind the long ball but all his passes seem to have more zip. Is it me or is Brady throwing the ball harder & sharper than ever?
-- Dennis Irwin, Ocala, FL
A: He's throwing it better because his elbow and arm are feeling much better than they did early this season. He's got good touch. I've been saying all season that he can throw the long ball because I've seen him do it in training camp. He also won the long toss in the QB Challenge this winter even with a bum shoulder.
Does a player have to have been eligible for at least one draft to be considered a "Free Agent" before an NFL team can offer a them contract... think PUNTER. I would think somewhere out there on some poor sister college team that is completing it's season this week or next there are several punters that are better than Walter. Also, now that the Grey Cup (CFL) championship game has been played are players free to play in the NFL? What are the rules?
Thanks.
-- Steve, Alpert
A: Unless the CFL player has a long-term deal, and I don't think many do, those guys are available. The problem isn't finding someone who has a better leg than Walter. It's finding someone who can punt under pressure with hangtime. The Patriots are big on net average.
I am very excited about the evolution of two offensive players on the Patriots - Tom Brady and Daniel Graham. Brady has really been throwing the ball downfield well and making good decisions - he's no longer just a short attack kind of QB. Also, while Graham dropped a few passes in the game, he caught two huge throws at the end, including a "Montana to Dwight Clark" type of play to send the game into overtime.
My question to you regarding the Pats offense is: Who do you see emerging at WR and RB as we head into the playoffs?
-- Alvin Lin, Cambridge, MA
A: I'm very excited about Bethel Johnson's future. This kid can fly. He gets so much separation. I like Givens because he's tough and he can outmuscle the corners. I believe this team desperately needs Troy Brown back.
Great article on Tyrone Poole. But, I want to comment on Jackie MacMullan's article on Ty Law. I find it interesting that Law is considering re-negotiating after seeing what Milloy has gone through. I hope for nothing else than to see Ty Law retire as a Patriot. Ty will always be a Patriot in my mind PERIOD. But, I hope to see both sides work together to make this happen. Do you see this happening? Put a bug in somebody's ear to make sure Ty Law stays a Patriot. I would love to see some sense of loyalty expressed by Kraft and Belichick.
Thanks So Much for your Phenomenal Mail Bag, Joe
-- Joe, altoona, iowa
A: Ty stays if he doesn't take a pay cut. Lots of creative ways to do that.
Nick can you help me find the following people who have to stand accountable for what they were preaching, predicting and snickering about, they are as follows: Tom Donahoe, GM Buffalo Bills, Last seen on ESPN after picking up and overpaying a mediocre safety by the name of Lawyer Milloy and or coming across as being a guy who just stole the greatest QB in history from the Patriots for a measly 1st round draft pick. I saw Tom in early Sept, smiling like a Cheshire Cat, I haven't seen him since and he needs to be accountable.
Lawyer Milloy, mediocre safety, Buffalo Bills. Last seen being interviewed by Mr. Burton on television. Hammering his former team and speaking for his teammates saying that a lot of guys in that locker room do not want to be on that team and hate being there. Had a very arrogant grin on his mediocre face and spoke of his new team and family in Buffalo that had it all over his former team. His backside was last seen watching Dante Hall take one to paydirt.
Drew "I have nothing on Tom Brady" Bledsoe, last seen on ESPN on the ground chipping the cement off of his cleats after coughing the ball up and doing nothing again to help his team after his defense does it's job. Last seen also patting the ball and asking for a jack hammer from Travis Henry to jack hammer the cement that someone had poured on his feet at Orchard Park. Mike Williams must want to strangle this guy.
Ron Borges, Globe columnist, we're asking you Ron, please come out and publicly speak about your mis-preachings on Brady/Bledsoe, we as Patriots fans need you to be accountable for what you've said and believed. All it will take Ron is one column, you can do it, get back your credibility and come out with a simple article about what Drew Bledsoe truly is and what Tom Brady truly is. We need to here this from you. Enough of the Sunday columns talking about other teams and hiding, come out a write the truth. You were wrong Ron and also you need to be accounted for. Nick, you were wrong, and you know that, but at least you have been
accounted for.
-- Ron, Wellesley
A: Why would any of these things bother you this much Ron? Enjoy your team. Root for them. Who cares about Buffalo? I respect Tom Donahoe and Drew Bledsoe, so what? They're not a factor. Why are you so hung up on who's wrong and who's right? No sportswriter or sportscaster has ever been right about everything. Not one. The story is about the Patriots; their successes and their failures, not about sports writers.
What has happened to including Fauria in the offensive plays? All
season long he's been a very reliable offensive weapon, with great hands
to catch the ball. Yet, in last night's game against Houston, his first
(and I think only catch) came either late in Q4 or in OT. With the wide
receiver injuries they have, why isn't Fauria a bigger part of the offense?
-- Lenny Pienta, Pepperell, MA
A: Lenny, Fauria has been a little bit banged up. The Patriots also decided they have to feature Graham. He's a No. 1 pick, time for him to step up.
I heard that Brady now has the best winning percentage among active quarterbacks and he's undefeated in overtime (7-0, I think). Couldn't you make a case that he's been the best quarterback in the league the last three years? If not the best, I would say the most clutch. What do you make of Davey being made Brady's backup?
-- Jon Mcleod, New Brunswick, Canada
A: Sure. Definitely the most clutch QB. He's a winner. He has a great feel for the moment. The Davey thing was interesting. We never got an explanation. It might have been the Patriots had some plays devised for him to run in case they were blowing out the Texans. Maybe they just wanted to get him some time, but as it turned out, it was a dogfight.
Did Belichick dress like Obi-Wan Kenobi for a reason to have the force with us? Whatever he was wearing, it worked. Great job Bill!
-- Lesley Engelson, Sharon, MA
A: Clothes make the man.
Why does Belichick continue to stick with Ken Walter as his punter? Walter's inconsistency or consistently bad kicking will no doubt cost the Pats a game down the stretch. I have heard that Walter is hanging on because he is the holder for Vinatieri and Belli does't want that part of the game disrupted but shouldn't Huard or Davey be the holder anyway? What is the rationale of having a punter as your holder on field goals?
-- Rob Hazelton, Salem, NH
A: Most punters hold in the league now. It's more to keep those special teams guys together in practice and not disrupt the QBs. But Huard is the backup holder and does it in practice. I've never heard Belichick express concern about losing Walter for the "holder" reason.
* Thanks for the column, Nick. You (or a letter writer) recently referred to NE fans as being unusually nasty to players who have moved on to other teams -- Bledsoe and Milloy being the two mentioned in that column. *
I recently saw this entry in your "Ask Nick" column and felt I had to respond. I think New England fans have been given a bad rap in this regard. I have been critical of Bledsoe and Milloy since they left, but for different reasons. In Milloy's case, I loved him. I always thought he was a good player, not great, but good. Yet he had to run his mouth all the way out of town, even saying something like "Buffalo takes care of their players..." I laugh when I see comments like that, especially since I saw Bruce Smith tie the sack record in a Redskins uniform. I believe Thurman Thomas, Darryl Talley, and other key players from the Bills glory years finished their careers on different teams also. Junior Seau played against Smith last night, but he was wearing a Dolphins uniform. Get my point? If you get released or traded, then shut up and move on. The Pats paid Milloy a lot of money in the time he was here. Much better players than Lawyer Milloy have been released in their careers Get over it. By the way, how's Lawyer doing in Buffalo?
With Bledsoe, I think most Patriot fans feel the same way I do about him: we like him, but we all got so sick of "experts" like you telling us how good he was last year and earlier this season when we know is not that good. I live and die with the Pats. I watched almost every minute of every game Bledsoe played with New England. Who is more of the expert, the fan who watches the guy play every game or the "experts" who have to preview 32 teams every week? I actually heard Chris Mortensen on the radio the other day say Bledsoe is "one of the best two or three QBs in the league if he has good protection and a running game." Are you kidding me? Jon Kitna is one of the two or three best QBs in situations like that!!! I could be for crying out loud!!! Point is that there are times when the running game gets stopped or pressure comes up the middle or from the outside...and that's when the good QBs make plays and stand out. Bledsoe doesn't and hasn't for a long time. You get especially hammered in your column because I believe you let your personal feelings for Bledsoe get in the way too often when writing about him. I like him, I really do. What he did for the Pats that Super Bowl year was probably the most unselfish thing I've ever seen a professional athlete do, but there is a reason why Belichick went with Brady...
So please, no more talk about Bledsoe and Milloy. They're gone, and now we've got Brady and Harrison. I think we made out ok.
-- Ed Johnson, Claremont, NH
A: Ed, just let me say this once more. I, too, am sick of answering Bledsoe questions. I like and respect the guy. He's playing terribly. It looks like he's on the down side. I can't wait to see how those comments will get misinterpreted.
Happy Thanksgiving Nick. I am intrigued by the all-around success of this classy Pats organization: the team, front office and coaching staff have made tremendous strides since the Krafts took over. A few years ago, HBO did a special behind-the-scenes look at the Ravens that interested me. I've read that Belichick restricts media access in some capacity, but has any networks approached the team to produce a documentary similar to Baltimore's? If not, is this something the organization would do? I would love to see how things operate on daily business day from draft preparation to the last game (hopefully the Super Bowl).
-- Nate Greiner, New York, NY
A: That would be interesting. My colleague, Michael Holley, spent a year behind the scenes, no camera, but he certainly was able to get a great view of what things are like behind closed doors. With the new NFL network, you might see more of the Pats behind the scenes. Happy Thanksgiving to you, Nate.
I love the work that you do week in and week out. Every year when the schedule comes out go through each game and come up with a record that I believe will be true. In August I predicted 11-5. Ever the optimist ,(I am a Red Sox fan too) I always think I am about a game or two higher than I actually think that the team will actually do. Right now on Nov 24 my 11-5 record would be a total disappointment. Nick, can this team run the table with five games left? A loss is never a good thing-but could a loss help this team? How many wins do you think the Pats will end up having prior to the playoffs?
Thanks.
-- Todd Zaino, New Britain, CT
A: This team could easily run the table. I contend they have tough games ahead, though. Indy and Miami are really tough teams. Miami didn't go away as I thought they might there for a while. They still have excellent talent and they should have beaten the Patriots the first time around. Jay Fiedler is a winner. As far as a loss helping, the only thing it might do is create a wakeup call for certain parts of the machine that need some tweaking. But if you can win them all and get a bye, you prefer that.
The Patriots didn't get to the playoffs last year following their Super Bowl win mostly because they were old and satisfied. But even at their worst last year, the Pats never looked as bad as Tampa Bay looks this year. Jon Gruden's Bucs are coming apart at the seams. Each time I see the Bucs they play just convinces me that the press gave Chucky too much credit for taking Tony Dungy's team to Pigskin's Promised Land. Just like George Seifert won with Bill Walsh's 49ers and Barry Switzer won with Jimmy Johnson's Cowboys. Chucky's going to be nothing more than a one hit wonder. And forget his time with the Raiders. His coaching methodology is good enough to kick a team over the edge, but not good enough to pull them up the side of the mountain.
-- Vince Chase, Glen, NH
A: I think he's an outstanding coach with great upside. He did an outstanding job in Oakland. Let's not forget how young he is. He was on tuck rule away from possibly winning a championship with the Raiders. I disagree with you. Just having a bad year. I wish fans could just look a little beyond what's in front of them. The amazing thing he did in Tampa was take a team with someone elses players and won it that way.
Nice job on the November 23 Boston Sunday Globe baseball article.
I believe this upcoming week against the Colts should answer a-lot of questions about the Patriots. One example: Are they playing as good as their record states or have they been extremely fortunate. When the games are close and Manning is under pressure he tends to force the ball, weÕve seen it against Miami. I believe the defense will win or lose this game for the Patriots, what do you think are their keys to stopping Manning?
J.J. Stokes didnÕt look like he lost a step on that crossing pattern against Houston. I think we will be seeing a-lot more of Stokes, heÕs a huge, fast target for Brady!!
-- Chris, Chelmsford, MA
A: Chris, certainly Manning suffers from a bit of Bledsoe-itis. He's big, slow and not very mobile. He's got a great arm and he'll pick you apart if he has a some time to throw. You've to blitz him and rattle him. He loves to audible at the line so you have to outsmart him. You have to show him something defensively to make him bite and then change it up and confuse him. The Patriots defense will win or lose the remainder of their games. They're a defensive-oriented team. I don't know yet about Stokes. He was surely wide open for that 31-yarder.
I enjoy your discussions of the Patriots very much. Two questions for you:
-how big an impact do you believe the weighted schedule plays in the apparent sudden improvement in a team's record; Carolina ands Dallas being prime examples this year, as well as Tampa Bay in a negative way this year?
-I like Ty Law a lot and would hate to see him get the Milloy treatment after the good season he's having. However, his cap number is huge even if he were Marshall Faulk. Do you believe there was tampering with Milloy, where his agents had a "good" indication that there would be better offers than the Patriots' if they refused the Patriots' offer? After all, the offer to Milloy was not for the veteran minimum, albeit a considerable cut to the existing contract.
-- Bill Rush, Largo, FL
A: Bill, you know I think that schedule stuff is overrated. Carolina and Dallas have been coached extremely well and both teams have talented players. It always comes down to coaching and personnel. Even Belichick's great coaching a year ago couldn't overcome the fact they botched the Steve Martin-Donald Hayes signings. This year they hit their personnel beautifully, in the draft and in free-agency and look at what's happened. As for Milloy, the league looked into tampering and no charges were ever filed.
Yesterday, brothers Matt & Tim Hasselbeck threw a total of six touchdown passes. Have brothers ever accomplished this before in the NFL (or AFL)?
-- Dave Hurwitz, Dedham, MA
A: Dave, I saw somewhere where it hadn't taken place before.
How many Ken Walter Jerseys have been sold so far this year?
-- Jon Ford, Honolulu, HI
A: Well, I don't know but I don't think there are any on back order.
Errors in judgement on plays by field officials will happen and there is now a methodology for reviewing many, but after playing a hard game, it's a tragedy to see some "administrative error" cause a game to be won or lost.
Does the NFL now have or plan to have a method for reviewing (before the next play) "administrative errors" like the clock error that probably cost Seattle the game with the Ravens? If someone from Seattle had noticed that the clock did not start, could they have requested a review by the ref ... if it was before the final 2-minutes; and what can they do once in the final 2-minutes of play and all reviews must come from the booth?
Also, I thought I noticed in Sunday's Pats game that the play clock continued for 4-5 seconds after the Patriots apparently called a crucial time out. Who runs the clock... is it the field officials, some "unbiased" league official or is the clock the responsibility of the home team?
Thanks.
-- Steve Alpert, Norwell, MA
A: Steve, there's a master control in New York. All the games are on at once. The head of officials, Mike Pereira sits there and watches everything. The one thing they don't do is get on the phone and call Seattle while the game is in progress to butt in. The game clock is managed by a clock official at the stadium. If the stadium clock isn't working, the line judge takes over as the official time keeper.
I love your insights and for the most part find myself nodding to everything you have to say. Now I have what I feel is an important question that you are in a better position to know than I am.
Why is that Antoine Smith gets more carries than Mike Cloud? The guy ran for 70 yards and two TD's in seven carries! More to the point why does antoine even get to touch the ball with his numbers? I can understand why you play Kevin Faulk more than either of them. He is fast and elusive, but cloud is a lot faster and stronger than antoine, so why isn't he getting the ball?
Sincerely,
Matt in the Watch city
-- Matthew Brennan, Waltham/Ma
A: It's really the old change-of-pace theory. Smith, because of his size, is being used on short yardage most of the time. The team is paying him good money. They're not just going to sit him down.
Dear Nick, love the column. In watching the Texans game this past weekend we had to see the snow bowl tuck rule play brought up again. This had almost nothing to do with the play? When is the national media going to stop brining this up and realize that team went on to beat Pittsburg and St Louis to win the Super Bowl and wasn't just lucky?
-- David, Chelmsford,MA
A: I was at the game and happened to notice up at a monitor not more than two seconds after the play they had footage of the tuck play ready to roll. So predictable. I know what you're saying. People from around the country have never been sold on the Patriots story.
Great work on the mailbag. Informative, in-depth, and more comprehensive than any other NFL coverage from major news organizations. My question is regarding Daniel Graham. I got to see him play many times in college at Colorado and when the Pats got him in the draft I thought he could be a difference-maker on this team. Needless to say I've been wrong. What's his deal? He had great hands at Colorado, but don't know if he'll be the difference-maker I had hoped for when we drafted him. Can he be a consistent contributor?
Thanks!
-- Todd Trulli, Austin, TX
A: Superb speed, good separation, very good blocker. He's got to get the dropsies thing right. He's his own worst critic, too. He takes it really hard, which leads me to believe that he's going to straighten it out.
Someone told me recently that Colvin is suffering from the same injury that ultimately finished Bo Jackson's career(s). Is this true, and if so do you think Colvin will be 100% next year? Thanks
-- Brad, Arlington, VA
A: Brad, all we know is that he had a partial dislocation of the hip that caused a fracture of the hip bone. Colvin came out recently and said his injury is not like Bo Jackson's, so without medical evidence all we can do is take his word for it. It has to be a long road back for him. Who knows may be he will be 100 percent next year, but at what point of the season?
I am an avid Patriots fan and am just starting to get into reading your mailbag. I was wondering what your thoughts are on Tyrone Poole and the job he has been doing. Personally I think he has had the most big plays that i can remember out of any defensive player on the Pats squad. For my money he might be one of the best free agent signees this season.
-- Bradley Ogasawara, Victoria B.C.
A: I'd say he might be the most consistent player they've had this year. You can count on one hand the negative plays he's made.
It seems like Willie McGinist is making a lot of key plays this year. He may not be getting the sacks he did when he was younger, but he looks like a true leader on the Defense. What do you think?
-- Hank Asher, Manalapan, NJ
A: What a game he had against Houston. He made some huge plays. Willie was supposed to be a part time player and limited to pass rushing duties with Colvin around. But when Colvin went down, Mcginnest stepped up his game. He looks like a guy who's having fun again and a guy who's healthy again.
Response to where to watch PATS in MIAMI for Ken Macek, Narragansett, RI:
Sand Bar in Coconut Grove. The two biggest Pats fans in Miami will be there.....
-- Joe Prendergast, Haverhill,MA
A: Thanks.
I love Tom Brady and I firmly believe that he is the MVP of this team, along with every player on defense.
That being said, it sure looks like Tom Brady is consistently under throwing the deep ball. The short throw to Givens against Dallas was a classic example. Thankfully Givens made a great play to come back on it, but time and again Tom seems to under-throw the long ball. Several other incompletions to Bethel Johnson have appeared to be because Tom under threw the ball when Bethel clearly has had his man beat deep.
Is Brady's on-going, "probable" status injury the cause or does he simply have an average strength throwing arm?
I'm ecstatic over how well they are playing but his arm strength, combined with key receiver injuries is a concern as we head towards play off country.
-- Bob Girard, Bourne, Ma
A: I wouldn't worry about under thrown balls too much. He has a nice touch and a nice relationship with his receivers. They make plays for him. You can tell they practice this stuff like crazy. Brady is the last guy I'd worry about.
Is Bill Belichick really this smart? He dumps Bledsoe and milloy who have both played like they are washed up and he has the Patriots playing like one of the best teams in the NFL, is he catching lighting in a bottle or is he that good?
-- Patrick Flynn, South Hadley, MA
A: He's on a good roll. Every coach has his day, and Belichick's time has come. I know that most coaches look bad against him. He outcoached Parcells. I think Dom Capers did a real nice job with his team. He wasn't fooled by anything the Patriots did, he just didn't have the horses at the end of the game.
Greetings from Sin City.
Being you are Boston sports writer with years of experience tell me if I am wrong:
"I see a lot of Larry Bird in Tom Brady" this kid is destined to become a Boston Sports Icon.
-- Roy Smith, Las vegas, NV
A: Not a bad comparison. Let's give it some time to unfold. You're talking about a Hall of Famer in basketball. Will Brady be a Hall of Famer in football?
At this point in the season lots of people are thinking and talking playoffs...and why not? My biggest concern right now is that the Pats seem to be "playing down" to the level of their competition at least on offense. The defense seems like something special, but that offense does just enough to win (Tampa last year?). Against good teams -- playoff teams -- that just won't cut it. The question is...who's at fault and what do you do to correct it?
-- Gus Anderson, Burlington, VT
A: Jerry Rice isn't going to walk through that door. Neither is Gayle Sayers. They are what they are. They have a superb defense; the offense gives them just enough and they have a money kicker. Every team in the league is flawed. There's no complete team. So they have just as good a chance to be the Super Bowl champions as anyone else.
Hey Nick - great work with the mailbag, as always.
I have more of a comment that I'd like your thoughts on, than a specific question. I'm pretty psyched at the way the season has unfolded, especially given all the injuries suffered early on. Though it appears that the Patriots have pulled through this adversity, I worry that it has had a hidden effect on one very important aspect of the team.
Special teams have been a major reason for New England's recent success, and there appears to have been a drop-off of late in this department. Aside from Walter's brutal punting - there have been blocked kicks, less return yardage and longer runbacks against. This does not bode well heading into the tighter games that are decided by such "small" things. I think a portion of the reason for this is the incorporation of regular special teams players in to the starting lineups due to injuries, where they've become fatigued and more banged up themselves. While players like Matt Chatham have exceeded expectations playing offense and defense, either they or their special teams replacements haven't performed up to recent standards. I'd love to hear your thoughts, and maybe the coaches' thoughts, on this.
Thanks and Go Pats!
-- Patrick Thorman, Brighton, MA
A: It's a concern of the coaching staff as well. They miss a guy like Tebucky Jones on coverage. They miss a healthy Troy Brown on punt returns where they used to do quite a bit of damage. They haven't been able to spring Bethel Johnson's great speed on kickoffs. This is a team that's been so decimated with injuries, their back up people have to play positions. Maybe that's taken away from the coverage, I don't know.
Two questions Nick:
1) Pete Carroll seems to be doing really well at USC, yet no one in NE seems to be watching. Is college a better atmosphere for him? Sandwiched between the two ''Bills', he definitely was under-rated and undermined. He and Sidwell did put some great defenses on the field, though he was too lax for this team in the 2nd/3rd years. He did bring on K. Faulk and Woody, among others.
2) Mcginnest is having an incredible year... why is this not being recognized? Also, other than the egregious Marshall Faulk penalty, he could have been the SB XXXVI MVP.Thoughts on Willie?
Glad you're out there for another transplanted New Englander...
-- Allyn White, San Rafael, CA
A: Allyn, Pete has done a remarkable job at USC. I speak to him every now and then and he's very excited about his program. He's a tremendous defensive coach. Really knows his stuff. He'll get another shot in the NFL, I'm sure. This time it will be on his terms. He would have to have complete control of a team to even think about leaving USC. He was contacted by the 49ers when that job became available, but he quickly dismissed it because with Terry Donahue and Bill Walsh around, he felt he would be going into the same mess he was in in New England with Bobby Grier.
How come teams don't use one kicker for both FG's and Punts? You would think the same guy could do both? this would add a roster spot?
-- Chris Tucker, Granby, MA
A: Love the idea. I think teams would think that the kicker would suffer in one area or the other because he'd been kicking so much. Vinatieri is a very good punter.
Hi Nick, I am not really F Lee but I do want to defend you. 1st, to all the Ask Nick readers Mr. Cafardo was not against the Patriots trading Bledsoe he just wish they traded him to a team in the NFC 2nd he is a huge fan of Tom Brady and thinks he is one of the best in the game and is glad he is the QB of the Patriots. 3rd he thinks Bledsoe is on the decline of a good career, not that he was always a stiff just a victim of father time and a questionable O-lone and head coach. 4th Mr. Cafardo can not speak for Ron Borges so all of you who write in asking him to comment on what Borges has or has not written stop, it would be unprofessional for him to do so. 5th at the time he thought dumping Milloy was a bad move, not because Milloy still is a great player but because of the timing.
Lastly, please stop with the ÒNick BashingÓ this is not a Bash Nick column it I a Patriots column, Nick has limited time to do this and we would like to see all of his time here writing about the 2003/04 Patriots.
ThatÕs all.
Nick, for this my legal fees will be $375.00.
My question: Any chance that Both Milloy and Bledsoe will not be with Buffalo next season?
-- F. Lee Baily, Boston, MA
A: Good defense F. Lee. You're a little steep though, eh? I'd be surprised if they were let go. Milloy hasn't played that badly and the Buffalo defense is pretty good. Who knows about Bledsoe? They would have to have an alternative they could sell to their fans.
THE PATRIOTS HAVE NO RUNING GAME AND FEW RECIEVERS / WITH THE COLTS DEFENCE IMPROVED AND THE BEST OFFENCE IN THE NFL DO THINK THE PATS CAN CONTAIN MANNING AND THE COLTS??
-- MIKE RICHARD, BEVERLY / MASS
A: I think they can control Manning. They always have. I worry about E. James. If he has a big game, the Colts will win.
I know on rare occurrences the NFL changes the time a games is being played so more people can watch. Any chance they change this weekÕs game with Indy to 4:15?
-- Spencer Betts, Lowell
A: I don't think so.
Well Nick, we avoided the "Texan Trap" and we're headed for Indy. Do you think the PATS can win the game with the worst punting game in the AFC? We have got to replace Ken Walter before he costs us the Super Bowl. Finally, the Eagles get to play a team with a winning record this week instead of the stiffs (giants, Jets, Saints, Falcons). The only team with a winning record they have beaten was Buffalo in week three. I do not believe any of the NFC "power houses" can compete with any of the top five teams in the AFC. Do you agree? Love the column, will it continue after the season?
-- Brad the Patriot Fan , Birdsboro, PA
A: They can win with poor punting as long as they don't make mistakes. That's what they have to clean up. No more interceptions or fumbles. The Colts will be coming at Brady with their speed pass rushers and it's important he protects the ball and just takes the sack. 