Mike:
I haven't heard anything from you regarding your Chargers by 3 prediction!!

Mike, thanks for adding the new comments feature, as well as all of your hard work with the blog. I am looking forward to interacting with fellow Pats fans.

Mike, do you feel a little silly picking both the Jets and Chargers? Your picks were only off by 3 1/2 touchdowns each week. As someone who's been around this team and understands what this team is all about, along with the obvious increased talent on this years squad, how could you underestimate us so much?

Is it true that Ed Hochuli buys 2 referee jerseys (1 Size L, 1 Size small) and sews the small sleeves onto the large jerseys? Great work on the blog, Mike. It is the first place I come to on a daily basis for Pats news and it is a godsend if you're unlucky enough to be overseas during football season.

Why don't you do a Positional Groupings for the Defence? It might be interesting to see which of the back-ups is getting the most reps.

I've heard rumors that the likes of Bill Parcells and Bill Cowher have commented in defense of Belichick's taping practices, even going so far as to imply that it is common practice. Is there any truth to that? If so, where can I read/hear those comments. Go Pats.

Mike, do the guys on the practice squad get to be on the sidelines during the game? Do they have any responsibilities (ie charting plays, replaying messages, filming signals :p) ? This came to my mind after reading about Yates and Childress from your ealier post.

Mike, thanks for adding this feature. I enjoy your updates and commentary on the Pats.

I was a little concerned when I saw this week's injury report with Eugene Wilson's name on the "No participation" list. Also, I'm wondering when Mike Wright will be available to the team. We seem awfully thin at D-line.

Mike: I have my doubts. But here is a tidbit that I didn't hear mentioned in the endless postgame analysis of the Chargers game: 4 of the 5 Pat's touchdowns were by players who weren't on last year's roster. (2 for Moss; 1 for Morris and 1 for Thomas). Not bad!

Also: thank you for not losing your head over this idiotic video non-event.

Mike, how has the HGH and signal-stealing scandal affected the morale of the average fan. I have long thought that the pundits undervalue the affect mass-media sensationalization of stories has on the everyday people that follow their local team. To me, living in Tucson but having grown up in New England, I have heard it from just about everyone, how my team is a bunch of cheats and how my SB's were, for lack of a better term, stolen.

Anyways, I suppose its food for thought and you and your newsroom allies have surely put much thought into this topic.

I'll jump in from time to time and try to answer a few questions. I'll start on my predictions. I really thought the Patriots had a lot of distractions last week. Even Belichick said the preparations were somewhat affected. I read deeply into that. Poor read. If you check my track record at picking games, it is poor. That's just the latest. As for the Jets game, I had the Patriots winning that one, just not covering the 6.5 spread. I'm 0 for 2.

This is what blogging is about, Mike. Thanks for opening up the interaction with your readers!

Great idea on the comment section, it adds that extra ability to be part of the discussion.

Now, Patriots over Bills should be a good showing for Stallworth, More plays last game, time for a deep route eh?

And always, I cannot wait to see the Patriots demolish the Colts

Mike- Thanks for Reiss's Pieces! I look forward to reading it everyday out here in Bronco Country.

how does it help the team to bring in a 4th QB.

Best blog on the internet. Thanks for all the hard work.

Mike, this is a great idea. Thanks for enhancing fans' opportunities to talk about the Pats!

Mike- Thank you for adding this feature. This is the first website I visit every day to get the most up to date news about MY boys. I credit you for keeping me sane in the midst of lousy Cowboy country. I can't wait to see my Pat's at Texas Stadium in October. End zone seats, baby! Go Pats!

Mike,

Keep up the good work....Like your column..informative and up to date ..

I have a question.....

BB said he has a spot for Troy Brown....that being said, who does he cut to put another WR/ST/CB on the squad? That assumes Troy comes off PUP and doesn't go IR.....the current WR roster is deep and talented...I don't see a spot that would benefit by him being added......

Mike...Seems like a great idea!! I way for fans to get into the loop. I also think defensive plays are interesting to know about..to see if they are rotating linemen, linebackers..and to see if nickel and dime packages are used a lot.

Mike,

Thanks for adding this feature. It makes the blog that much more interesting to see what some of your readers are thinking.

I look forward to reading everyone's thoughts -- both about your postings, and on some of the comments.

Cheers,

Irv Arons

You cannot stop Ed Hochuli. You can only hope to contain him.

Mike, I haven't heard any suggestions of conflict of interest by Roger Goodell as he was once on the Jets payroll, and his wife works for Fox News where the tape somehow surfaced?

Mike, Thanks for the forum to pontificate on our 3 time Super Bowl Champions.I would just like to comment on the play of Vince Wilfork,point blank he is the best noise tackle on the planet.

What's the deal with OL injuries all of a sudden? Billy Yates replaces Neal who is injured, and now both Neal AND Yates are hurt! Also, what happened with Oldenburg? A fifth round pick cut from the practice squad? Did he show so little potential that he wasn't even worth the practice squad?

The Patriots selected 9 players in the draft, and only two are on the roster (and two stashed on IR). Is Justice Hairston on the practice squad? Or anybody from the draft?

Great Stuff Mike - Excellent Information.

Mike,
I love your blog. Keep up the great work!

I feel like a spoiled kid at Christmas watching the Patriots this year. We have so many weapons it almost seems unfair. I honestly dont know how teams are going to slow down this offense.

What is your prediction for their record this year? I don't see them finishing any worse than 14-2

Mike, thanks so much for opening up comments here, regardless of your prediction of a Chargers victory, you keep a level head out here; you perform admirably as a Journalist. To me, that is high praise.

Did you see the picture of the Jet's video underling with a camcorder in hand filming from behind the endzone during the Jets-Patriots game? It was taken directly from CBS during an endzone play and is as crystal clear as can be. While I gravely doubt that the Patriots will lower themselves to the 'snitch' level of Mangini, I do hope that someone points it out to someone in the NFL HQ; assuming that is that the NY offices of the NFL aren't all stacked with NY fans in the first place.......

Great new addition to the blog. I've noticed your posts have slowed down over the past week. Hope everything is ok at Globe central. Keep up the good work. We rely on your blog for good information that doesn't seem to be available elsewhere.

As the old saying goes, Bill may be a jerk, but he's OUR jerk. And he's signed through 2013. That's at least 3 more Super Bowls.
Has anybody thought about a fund drive to help Bill with his fine? If 50,000 fans kicked in $100 each, we'd have the half million. Maybe the Globe could run it. I'll be the first to send in a check.

Hey mike! what new york team will make the superbowl this year? The Giants? the Jets? or the Bills?
Last year you predicted the Giants to go all the way.. and guess what.. you were pretty damn wrong, just as wrong as you were when you predicted the patriots to loose their first two games.

Anyways... maybe you will predict the Bills to win this week.. now that you are a HUGE yankee fan

One suggestion.....maybe a sampling or snippets of the visiting tems local newspaper articles and columns to get an idea of what is being said in other cities, maybe with links for the actual article. I know you do this a bit, but maybe every saturday you could put together a whole listing.

Mike you do a real good job on this blog updating and such. When i want the latest i come here. Keep up the good work and try and get Randy to say somthing after a game...

Mike - love the blog - the best Pats site on the net. Stuff like the postional groupings is great - can't get that anywere else.

Did adding Vetrone to the practice squad have anyhting to do with Jets CB Justin Miller getting hurt?

I'm glad you have implemented this opportunity for us to post comments. I would like to comment on the reports from Sunday night about Roger Godell(proper spelling?).
The commish may want to consider how far he would like to expand this investigation. If he continues to put pressure on the Patriots regarding their past sins, he may be painting himself and the NFL into a corner to an extent. I can't imagine for a minute that the Patriots aren't examing every piece of footage of NFL games since this rule of no cameras was modified(in 2006) to demonstrate there were others in the league on the sidelines illegally doing similar things. I'm perplexed that he didn't hand out the punishment, strongly reiterate his intention to enforce this rule throughout the league, and close the book on it. If he continues to push this issue, than it's quite possible, even likely, it will be demonstrated that illegal conduct against the rules occured frequently throughout the league and this may distract from the strength of the product , which is the game on the field. If his goal is to stop this, he could have accomplished it with the punishment handed out to the Pats. It may be possible that Godell's ego plays a part. Of course he shouldn't allow himself to be disregarded or lied to, but is he allowing himself to become tainted by his frustration and stepping on Belichek's throat(so to speak), or is he doing what he honestly feels is fair and professional? Godell may want to stop, catch his breath, and realize he isn't dealing with lightweights like Vick and his attorneys, or Pacman and his attorneys, and that if he pushes this too far beyond what the Patriots feel is fair, the Patriots will certainly be well prepared to defend themselves at that point. If that means implicating another organization or 4 of wrongdoing of any kind, then they will certainly do what they feel they must do. Godell may be underestimating Mr.Kraft as much as Belichek underestimated Mr. Godell

Count me as one who used to like your work Mike, but I think you've been influenced by...someone for sure. You've been pretty anti-Patriot so far this year.

Hope it's only an aberration!

Mike, Any chance we can get Mo Lewis consideration for the Patriots Hall of Fame/

Ed Hochuli? I no afraid of Ed. Actually, the league should test him for HGH and steroids. Now for my comment:

The part of Corey Dillon is now being played by Sammy Morris.

Mike: Great job, love everything you do even if I don't always agree! I don't want to keeping the spygate thing rolling but in light of the comments that the Jets 'monitored' some signals from the Patriots in week one why has nobody asked the question of them why they had electronic equipment and questioned their use of it? To what end?

Mike, This is really great that you added a comments feature to your blog that was already the best out there!

Keep up the great work!

I'm already following the 49ers for their draft pick. 2-0 is better than expected. What is your prediction?

Mike, this is a sensational idea! Excellent work.

Now for my question. Having watched the video of the defensive signals by the Patriots, my reaction is, "Huh?"

I mean that information can be gathered, albeit with more difficult by someone with a pencil and paper.

What's the big deal? $500,000? Hello, this is nuts.

I'd also love to see defensive positional groupings -- and specail teams players identified -- who is on the kick and punt coverage and return teams? Who are the gunners? Etc.

Love the blog -- more details and more data please . . .

Mike,

Will the Krafts be monitoring these comments and pulling season tickets for any fans who dare criticize the franchise?!

Wasn't it you who said that Bam Childress was outstanding as L Tomlinson in preparing the Patriots ? So why didn't he get a black jersey ?

Hey Mike,

Pure speculation question here: what are the odds that there are further penalties for (yet to be uncovered) cheating by the Pats? I'm a huge Pats fan, but where there is smoke there is usually fire, so I'd be pretty surprised if the Pats were NOT guilt of violations besides the taping (ie, miking d lineman).

thoughts?

I didn't see any comments in the last mailbag about Asante Samuel. What do you think? Was last year an anomoly or is he catching up from missing the offseason? I haven't seen him making too many plays but I think he's dropped two errant passes that hit him in the hands.

Belichick for president! You're the man, Mike, keep up the good work!

I'd like to compliment the team for their fantastic concentration on the game this week. The distractions were immense and possibly distracted SD more than anyone. I hope they keep it up. I still remember '03 when the whole team was so intensely focused on each game, one at time. I like to see that back. This year's team is special and by the looks of it have a very special mission to accomplish--beyond the Superbowl.

The Pats rule. Belichick is THE top head coach in the NFL today. No one works harder. The tape debate is nonsense. Randy Moss has discovered football Heaven.

16-0, SB#4

Nah, Ed Hochuli would mistake someone else for me! ;)
Btw let's hear some chatter about how EVERY team has used video 'spying" and that JimmyJohnson freely admitted doing it during the Cowboys reign! Btw it's all a joke anyhow, because you can sit in the bleachers and use a real-time cam or tape and email it to whomever....

Mike has stated this week in the mailbag about the defense groupings.

This is what Mike said...

"I haven't gotten to the defensive snaps yet, as I'm figuring out a way to chart that, in addition to the offense. I tried it in the season finale last year, but couldn't keep up with the pace of the game."

Mike, You rock. Your work over the past few years gives us fans a unprecidented look at the day-to-day happenings of the Pats. You have raised the bar. Thanks! So, uh, where is "Rrrraaandy University"?

Way to go with the comments!

Reiss+Blog+Patriots=Awesome

Hey Mike,
Love the blog; your habit of updating frequently makes it my premiere Patriot site. I check it multiple times per day and really enjoy your 360 reporting on all things Patriots as well as your timely posts and detailed stats.

I don't feel like I've gotten my full Patriot update until I've read Reiss's Pieces.

Keep up the great reporting!

Hi Mike

German Patriot is calling. I find it funny that all other teams and the media fear us so much that they try to find something about us, and they go in the darkest holes to find it, to disrupt us and make us weaker. But you know what, they made us even stronger. Now we have a chip on our shoulder the entire season. We against the rest of the world. And by the way im an absolut fan of Bill Belichick, he is the best coach in nfl history.

keep up the good work mike. Its great that you give us such great informations about our favorite team day in and day out. So long German Patriot over and out.

Comments:

1.) I second what "Michael Thompson" said above. I'd like to see defensive postional groupings as well.

2.) To "Jay" above: I remember reading that practice squad players or inactive players watched the games from a box in Gillette stadium, but this box had no seats. Belichick wanted these guys standing for the whole game. Sorry no link to offer here.

3.) Reiss, great idea on adding comments here. Should be fun...as long as we all behave (crossing my fingers).

Hey Mike,
Great blog, my first choice for updates & concise info on Pats with limited time available.
As much talent as is here, the difference between 13-3 or maybe even 14-2 versus 8-8 is one guy whose name we won't even mention.
J. Drady, Sebastopol, CA

This is pretty neat having all of these comments. Just keep good tabs on them because some people get out of hand.

I really like Michael Thompson's suggestion that you give us the positional groupings for the defense. That would be neat to see.

Also, what's the status of Troy Brown? He's my all time favorite player and I'm wondering if he'll fit into the WR mix if he comes back this year. I really don't see a spot for him. How about Jackson? Same question...

Also, if Moss continues his success and continues to be the team player he's being...what are the chances of a contract that isn't as expensive but that is longer than the 1 year 'lets wait and see' one he has now?

Mike,
Thanks for the great work you do in this. This is the first place I go for Pats info. Keep up the great work!
Dito to the one who said thanks for not losing your head on this whole "idiotic," blown out of proportion video non-event.
PS: Any info on the ongoing investigation regarding the Pats and illegal frequency usage?

Bill Belichick is a genius.
How do you get a group of men who have been called odds on favorites to win the Super Bowl motivated to go out and actually do it. How do light a fire under a team that was crowned Champions before the first snap.
You set the world against them. You get the world to question their accomplishments and label them as cheaters. Nothing is more likely to start a fight than someone questioning your manhood.
He knew Mangini would call attention to those cameras and he knew the league would come down on him.
LT's remarks and TO's endzone act were a bonus.
The Pats are pissed and I pity the rest of the league.
No more mister nice guy winning by just enough.
This team wants to dominate their opponents so that there is NO DOUBT they deserve everything they've accomplished.
Bill Belichick is a geunius.

Nice idea however if you look at the comments sections on other sites, it's usually just an area for the immature to insult eachother. Looks like you plan to moderate it somewhat here. Hope it works out well.

You acatually picked the Jets and Chargers? lol...vegas would love you!

I have to ask you if you think ESPN is going just a bit overboard? I was born and raised in upstate NY but now live and work down south, right in the middle of Peyton Manning country..and I cant' seem to find anyone who really thinks what happened is much an issue at all. Call me crazy but I feel they have an alternative agenda. Can't WAIT for December 16th when we play the jets!

Mike, this is a great idea. Good job. By the way lets all try to keep it on the subject of the blog post.

Mike, I'm not sure how much of a great idea this is... I mean, at this rate I'm going to spend way too much time at the website. :P

Nice work!

Mike, any truth to the rumor that December 16th is free camera night at Gillette?

I really like the blog - it's a great place to come and get a quick update, especially if you have the RSS feed. I think the comments feature can add alot, too, but so far it's looking very similar to the Mailbag feature you already do.
Let's all try to keep this about adding our two cents worth to the commentary, and less about asking Mike what's going on with this aspect or that aspect of the team. That's what the Mailbag feature is for.

Mike, Pat's fans don't believe it until we read it in your blog, Nice to have a media type, that has a balanced perspective, It's great to have both the message board and now this blog. Thanks

Thank GOD for the Pats for showing up to play and play well, as the Red Sox ARE RUINING MY SUMMER!

JackJ: That's my position. I think Belichick intentionally got caught. How does the most prepared coach in NFL history - knowing that he shouldn't film the opposition - not have an assistant with the videoguy, warning him that they were spotted and that security is approaching. The video guy was all by himself? Belichick allowed this? Nope.

Why is it that Mike Ditka hates the Pats and BB? He goes out of his way to trash them? Is there some bad blood between him and BB? Or is it just jealousy :)

Hey Mike,
Thanks for all you do on the blog, it really is THE destination spot for Pats news. I have an idea for the site: How about a countdown clock till week 9 when the Pats go to the Colts? Ha!!
I am already counting it down in my head. (44 days, I believe!)
Thanks again.

Joe said raised a valid point about espn's coverage. Only Salisbury and Golic have a reasonable report about "spygate". Love your column.

Hi Mike, Not that this makes a difference with the Pats injury report but can you translate it back to the old way. Questionable, doubtful, probable etc. This new way is a bit ridiculous.

I always go first to your site for my Pats info-keep up the good work. I too would gladly contribute to video-cam fund in behalf of Bill. How about Pats fans making a statement and contributing in behalf of coach Bills' favorite charity? Could you initiate such an event in Bills behalf.?

Approach against the Biils. Seems like the Pats can simply impose their will based on Wk 1 & 2. Historically Bills have been a fly in the ointment. Confuse and stop Losman; keep him from throwing the deep ball, spread the defense - pretty simple. There is simply no way they can keep up in terms of points. At at this juncture no need to show any new wrinkles either. Pats break 40 this week!

As the season progresses will Marony start to get more carries? The current trend seems to be a 50/50 split. If so is this an indictment on Marony and maybe his style versus Morris?

Mike: Are the Patriots wearing their Silver-Gray jerseys this Sunday against Buffalo? If you can, please post.

Mike, I am all for the comments section, but you should know I come to the blog (sometimes several times a day) to get timely, concise and hard information. There is room in so many other places on the web for opining and hyperventilating. I hope the character of the blog does not change. I've always liked your careful - even modest - approach to reporting. It is refreshing in the age of the sportswriter as celebrity and the media's hyperbole on everything.

Is it just me or is LT one of the most immature athletes around. He didn't have too much to say after the last game.

It may be just me but if I were the coach of a team playing the Pats at any time this season I would tell my players that negative comments particularly those referring to the spygate issue were off limits.

The Pats have played the no respect card to the nth degree. This year it wouldn't have worked. This year playing for Bill, or playing to silence the critics could continue to work for as long as the comments continue.

Thanks for the excellent blog! Comments are an additional treat.

More Rodney HGH info coming out. Why isn't he being punished by the team. I think the Patriots would get a little more credibility back, and we know they need it after the way Kraft handled CameraGate.
I also think that Kraft should have suspended Belechick for tarnishing the Patriots name.

Loving a team causes one to worry even when they are doing great. My current concern involves Maroney and the dancing. Trust your O-line and hit the holes. That will ironically give more opportunities to bounce outside. Wait until a contrite but fired up Rodney and Richard Seymour return. For everyone but especially those of us who went through the bad times enjoy this run which will last at least as long as Tom Brady plays. This is great!

I listened to the game on NFL fieldpass in Isahaya Japan.

This is the first year that I can say the Pats have a strong offense, and that includes the Deon years. Amazing how evern Randy Moss becomes a model citizen on this team. Winning has a way of making leaders ou of every body.

My only worry is the annual injury bug. It would not take too many key injuries to the O line to make us into a 9-7 team.

Thanks Mike, I like this. As a Pat's fan in Indy I have thought about an informal Indy Pat's Fan club. Perhaps you'll let interested parties respond thru this site. Thanks, Bill