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Page 3 of 18 -- A: I don't agree with that assessment of Charlie. If that was Charlie's intent, do you think Belichick would let him get away with that?

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Hi, Nick. This is a really great forum. Although I wish some of the folks would get over the Bill's personnel problems. Fisherman have the same problem, no one wants to look at the flotsam of an off-shore dumping ground. Anyway, here's a chance to help us at the NFL.com site. We have one of the most dominating defensive teams playing this season. So, who of the four linebackers deserves Pro-Bowl recognition? Vrabel, a seek and destroy player, Phifer, a tackling workhorse, a cagy and opportunistic McGinest, or Tedy "Never saw a hole I didn't stick my head into" Bruschi. And why aren't these guys hailed as masters? Is it that they meet at the ball so often their numbers suffer from assists and half sacks or because they do their job and get off the field? Losers pile up high tackle numbers! What do you think, Nick?
Jeff Peterson, Hubbardston

A: Vrabel missed most of the season with a broken arm, so he's out. McGinest has played very well (especially lately) and Phifer is very steady. But for me the Pro Bowl guy there is Tedy Bruschi.

Hi, Nick. Thanks for the effort you put into the mailbag, it really is a great resource for us rabid fans out here. I have enjoyed reading your thoughts on the Pats for the last couple of years now. You mentioned in the mailbag last week that the team really misses Tebucky Jones in special teams coverage. Special teams really stepped it up against the Colts. In particular, I'm excited to see Shawn Mayer on kick coverage. What if anything do you know about this guy? I think he was on the practice squad, but the Patriots.com has no bio info on him at all. Thanks, keep up the great work!
Terry R., Colchester, VT

A: Shawn Mayer is a Penn State kid who has really come on. He learned a lot from his time in camp and his time on the practice squad. The Patriots often cut these guys and then keep track of them and bring them back when there's a need. As Belichick has said, you need 65 players at least during the course of the season. He's done a nice job and I would think he's a guy you might look at making the team as a safety next season.

Nick, I love your column. Recent history suggests that Coach Belichick makes positional and personnel changes based on a "what's best for the team" philosophy, to include the recent long overdue departure of Ken Walter. Question: Why doesn't this apply to Antowain Smith? I believe it's fair to say that he is to rushing what Walter is to punting: inconsistent and non productive, save for a few flashes of brilliance during the season. He is being used in substitution packages when he's healthy but I think that is merely an excuse to keep him activated. Why not come to terms with the fact that he doesn't get the job done, bench him permanently, and activate Faulk and Cloud who would present a formidable tandem behind Brady? Doesn't this makes more sense? What am I missing here?
Mark Gehrung, Seven Lakes, N.C.   Continued...