The 2007-08 NFL season thread

[2334Paydan]

Since the draft is done the 2007 NFL season is officially underway.

As has been the case for a decade, the AFC is dominant, so much so that the NFC is irrelevant when discussing the Super Bowl champion, it's going to come out of the AFC.

And it's going to be the New England Patriots who will win their 4th Super Bowl in 7 years and establish Tom Brady not only as the premier and dominant qb of his era, but one of the top 5 qbs in NFL history.

As for the draft, the Browns fucked themselves over and ensured that they'll be buttfucked by the rest of the league for the next 5 years when they drafted Brady Quinn.

He's a smug, egotistical crybaby loser who has always and will always choke when it's time for him to come up big. A big deal was made of his passing for over 11,000 yards while at Notre Dame. So what?

How many bowl games did he win?

None.

How many national championships did he lead Notre Dame to?

None.

Shit, he couldn't even lead the Irish to an undefeated season, despite playing shit teams like Stanford and the military academies every season.

Pacman Jones: A shitfilled waste of skin. Commissioner Godell should just permanently ban him from the league now, 'cause that's where this saga is going to end.

Jones bleated about turning over a new leaf and cleaning up his act after his year long suspension was announced, and then turned right around and started crying that it was too harsh, despite no support from the players association. That should have been a sign for him to shut the hell up and take his punishment like a man, but no, he had to go ahead and appeal.

Then he has the gall to be not only be charged with speeding but also for not even having his driver's license the day before his appeal meeting with Godell.

And I'm sick and tired oif hearing how awful it was for him growing up and how he didn;t have a father and how he was surrounded by violence, blah, blah, blah.

Boo-hoo wah.

A mature person would say, "Yeah that shit happened, but I'm going to learn from it and more importantly, I'm not going to emulate or do any of that shit. I'm not going to carry a thug/gangsta attitude around with me.

But Jones is just like Pete Rose; he doesn't think the rules apply to him.

Michael Vick: same thing. A fucking dog fighting ring in your house??!!?? Seriously, can you be any more of a scumbag?

Now he's claiming that he had no idea what was going on and has sold the house [I]at a substantial loss as if that is supposed to make the whole mess just go away.

Rickey Williams: Don't care.

Whatta ya got?

Oh yeah, Springsteen is playing the Super Bowl XLII halftime show.

[Valmore]

While it's a little early to promclaim New England as the next Super Bowl champion, I have to admit I'm very happy that they appear to be the favorite at this point.

However, the AFC is loaded with great teams. The Indianapolis Colts didn't really lose anybody that important and had a very good draft. The Chargers will be great again. The Ravens improved their running game. The Broncos should make a comeback. The Jets should be good again. Etc.

So right now, any favorite from the AFC is only pencil-marked in.

I'm not high on Brady Quinn, but the guy may turn out to be good. The Browns got him a good running back in Jamal Lewis and drafted the best offensive lineman in the draft. He'll have a good tight end to throw to. So I like that the Browns are at least TRYING to get him the tools to succeed. We'll just have to see. Heck, they got him at the back end of the draft when he was a projected top five pick. They gave up a lot, but it's a gamble that may pay off.

Ricky Williams? Who cares. Even if he gets re-instated in September the odds are the Dolphins release him. And it's unlikely any team would pick him up.

[DWEarhart]

David Carr is in Carolinia. I think Jake Delhomme hopes to have a better than average season, because if David Carr gets a chance to play, and if Carolina's O-line can protect even half of what the Texans were ever able to do, Carr can get it done. Jake Delhomme seems like a good leader, but I think Carolina is already looking to the near future.

Dallas Cowboys - Road to Weirdsville Tour is officially underway.

Good luck to Keyshawn Johnson. I think he deserves to still be playing, but maybe it's good for him to pause and think about it.

Michael Vick - if any of these dog fight allegations prove to be true; I won't really care what happens to him, but my dogs hope he has a very hard time working and keeping work in the NFL.

The Dolphins lightened up on their pursuit to recoup the money from Ricky Williams, and they have bigger things to worry about, like, I don't know, quarterbacks.

[DWEarhart]

Apparently, Brett Favre wants another trade done. His out of Green Bay. (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6805790)

Incensed that his team did not acquire wide receiver Randy Moss as he wanted, Brett Favre asked Green Bay to trade him, several Packers and league sources have told FOXSports.com

[Valmore]

Apparently, Brett Favre wants another trade done. His out of Green Bay. (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6805790)

Good luck with that. I don't think too many teams are going to line up for a QB who's turning 38 this season and hasn't been the same QB for a couple seasons now.

[Nick Soapdish]

He had asked, but I think he's over it now.

I assume that he's upset because he knows he only has a few more seasons left and the Packers seem to be still in re-building mode rather than trying to get a short-term fix that would tool them up for another run (at the probable expense of the longer-term fix).

I don't have much sympathy for him.

[DWEarhart]

Michael Vick's situation may have just gotten a litte bit worse (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6852866?MSNHPHMA).

A police informant, with strong support from an investigator, has stated to ESPN that Michaelf Vick attended a dog fight in 2000.

"That's who bets a large dollar," the informant told the network. "And they have the money to bet large money. As I'm talking about large money, 30 to 40 thousand, even higher. He's one of the heavyweights."

When asked how he knows Vick bets that amount, the informant said, "because I've seen it."

It was in 2000, which was before Vick was selected by Atlanta, so it's hard to say if this will have any affect at all. I'm also wondering why it took this long for this informant to speak up.

[Deathstroke]

Now I wonder if people will start believing how much of an overrated hack of a QB AND miserable human being he is.

[LtMarvel]

Didn't the Pats get Randy Moss?


That's a huge step backwards...

[Deathstroke]

Didn't the Pats get Randy Moss?


That's a huge step backwards...

Not if he returns to his All-Pro form.

By the way, for those that haven't heard, Patriots defensive end Marquise Hill's body was found by the Coast Guard today. He was killed as the result of a jet ski accident.

[LtMarvel]

How horrible about Hill...

[SUPERECWFAN1]

The funniest situation is in Kansas City as TRENT GREENGATE has started. Green's agent claims the Dolphins have decided to be more flexible in the trade talks for Green. In the funniest claim this week , he's saying KC won't return Miami's calls.


But Chiefs spokesman Bob Moore said the Dolphins had not budged.

"Miami's made no offer. The last offer they made was a sixth-round pick," Moore said. "It has nothing to do with Jim Steiner. Miami hasn't changed anything. We haven't talked to Miami in weeks. Miami has to cut the deal. Miami has to call the Chiefs. If Miami's interested, they can call Denny (Thum, Chiefs' executive vice president)."

Pretty much Green's agent knows KC has his guy by the fucking balls and won't budge until Miami gives them a 4th rd pick as KC wants for Green. They wanna give a 6th but KC's saying no dice and from what Peterson has said weeks ago , KC's prepared to walk into the season with Trent Green a Chief and have him battle Huard and Croyle for the starting spot.

[Nick Soapdish]

If Trent stays with KC, won't he be getting paid more money? He and his agent were talking with the Dolphins about reworking his contract so that he could play there which I assumed meant taking less money. Getting paid $7.2 million to be a back-up quarterback isn't a bad fall-back position.

[Valmore]

Didn't the Pats get Randy Moss?


That's a huge step backwards...

Nope - the Patriots pulled off a coup de tat. Not only did they get Randy Moss for a mere 4th round draft pick, they also got Moss to renegotiate his contract to where he's making $3 million a year plus performance incentives. And since they added Donte' Stallworth as well, along with what was a receiving corps that only lacked a deep threat, this is an awesome calculated risk. If Moss returns to All-Pro form, and his contract gives him incentive to do so, he'll make more money and the Patriots will have an awesome deep threat. If he screws up... well, one 4th round pick and minor amount of cash gone.

No, this was a move I completely approved of.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

If Trent stays with KC, won't he be getting paid more money? He and his agent were talking with the Dolphins about reworking his contract so that he could play there which I assumed meant taking less money. Getting paid $7.2 million to be a back-up quarterback isn't a bad fall-back position.

Its not like Trent can't even be the starter. They want him to fight Croyle and Huard for the starting job. They plan to get Croyle on the field more this season anyhow. He could logically win and hold the job another year but I suppose he's worried that he'll struggle and they'll turn to Huard or Croyle.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Nope - the Patriots pulled off a coup de tat. Not only did they get Randy Moss for a mere 4th round draft pick, they also got Moss to renegotiate his contract to where he's making $3 million a year plus performance incentives. And since they added Donte' Stallworth as well, along with what was a receiving corps that only lacked a deep threat, this is an awesome calculated risk. If Moss returns to All-Pro form, and his contract gives him incentive to do so, he'll make more money and the Patriots will have an awesome deep threat. If he screws up... well, one 4th round pick and minor amount of cash gone.

No, this was a move I completely approved of.

I wonder if Reche Caldwell realizes he pretty much fucked himself with those 2 dropped passes ?

[Deathstroke]

I wonder if Reche Caldwell realizes he pretty much fucked himself with those 2 dropped passes ?

Yes I'm sure he did. After all, did you see his eyes after each drop?

Any wider and we'd see his brain.

[Valmore]

Yes I'm sure he did. After all, did you see his eyes after each drop?

Yeah, his look was pretty stupid.

However, he'll still be #3 on the depth chart, and will still be a part of the team in a pretty significatn way. The Patriots just finally added some deep threats - which could open up receptions for Caldwell while defenses key in on the deep guys.

[J Dog]

They did find the body of that Patriots defensive player floating in a Louisiana lake.

Tragic.

[Nick Soapdish]

Its not like Trent can't even be the starter. They want him to fight Croyle and Huard for the starting job. They plan to get Croyle on the field more this season anyhow. He could logically win and hold the job another year but I suppose he's worried that he'll struggle and they'll turn to Huard or Croyle.

Sorry. I meant "fall-back position" as a worst-case scenario for him, not as an absolute that he wouldn't be starting.

Although since KC was pressuring him to redo his contract, I'm expecting that they're going to cut him. They've just decided that a 6th round pick isn't worth enough to justify letting him have extra time to gel with the Miami coaches and receivers.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Yes I'm sure he did. After all, did you see his eyes after each drop?

Any wider and we'd see his brain.

I could see Bob Kraft in his skybox thinking "Ok were not going to another SuperBowl because of this ? "

[DWEarhart]

Police have been granted a warrant to search the house that Michael Vick formerly owned. They're looking for at least 30 dog graves.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6857960

The warrant also allows authorities to search "all outbuildings which have blood-covered wood floors or walls" for anything that could be used in the killing of animals - including ropes, guns, rifles, spent shotgun shells, spent bullet cartridges, shovels and "any and all evidence contributing to dog fighting and animal cruelty."

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Police have been granted a warrant to search the house that Michael Vick formerly owned. They're looking for at least 30 dog graves.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6857960

Don't they realize this man's a hero on the Football field ? What kinda evil bastards can they be to do this to this ICON ? So a few Lassie's and Rin Tin Tin's met their maker....is it really Micheal Vick's fault ?

Can't they wait to derail him after his sucks this season and runs Petrino's offense into the shitter ?





:p


On a serious note , who here was suprised ? The moment Vick was even hinted at being involved he got scared shitless , ran to the NFL Commish and begged his eyeballs out to play this season. Now they know he's likely involved and he's a sick piece of shit who put a lot of animals to their deaths for a cruel sport.

[DWEarhart]

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Watching PTI. Tank Johnson ate 162 BEEF STICKS in prison.

I reitierate - BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

[J Dog]

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Watching PTI. Tank Johnson ate 162 BEEF STICKS in prison.

I reitierate - BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Yeah! Take that Tank!

Read this and wonder if this guy's stupid, nuts, or bothered by that guy behind him. (http://deadspin.com/sports/no-matter-when-it-finally-launches%2C-tommy-maddox-will-end-up-mvp/mark-cuban-has-a-thing-for-girdle-pads-264730.php)

[LtMarvel]

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Watching PTI. Tank Johnson ate 162 BEEF STICKS in prison.

I reitierate - BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Is that some sort of euphanism....?

[DWEarhart]

Is that some sort of euphanism....?

I made it one. I don't think Wilbon or Kornheiser caught the possible spin on that particular phrase.

But, they literally said "beef sticks." Since he needs to maintain weight to go along with his workouts, he has to eat and eat and eat. Since prison isn't going to accomodate him on the lunch line, he's probably grabbing any extra bits of protien that he can from those snacks. But I can tell you, it's still not enough, and he's probably going to come out alot lighter than when he went in.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

According to the CNNSI Rumor section the Dolphins have modified their trade offer to Kansas City for Trent Green. The Fins have tried trading a 6th rd pick that could become a 5th rd pick if Green meets certain expectations.

[macul]

Yeah, his look was pretty stupid.



Unfortunately, I believe that is his natural look...

[J Dog]

Former NFL "player" KOed in a MMA match. (http://deadspin.com/sports/mma/ladies-and-gentlemen-football-great-johnnie-morton-265482.php)

If the video that shows his intro lasting longer than the fight was bad enough, it gets worse. He was then suspended for not taking a drug test.

That's KINDA what you get if you spend the vast majority of your football career with the team who's unofficial slogan is "Crushing Dreams Since 1958".

[SUPERECWFAN1]

KC's Croyle on the prospect he could be KC's 1# QB this season .

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/06/03/chiefs.croyle.ap/index.html

[DWEarhart]

FINALLY!!!

Trent Green is a Dolphin (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6890434?MSNHPHMA)

The deal is contingent on Green passing a physical. He is scheduled to fly to Miami Tuesday evening to take that physical.

The Dolphins could have ended the protracted negotiations long before Tuesday, but had held out in the belief that the Chiefs would eventually cut Green.

[Deathstroke]

Anyone start up the CBR fantasy football leagues yet?

Yahoo has opened up registration already. I'm in two private leagues already.

[Nightstar1441]

Anyone start up the CBR fantasy football leagues yet?

Yahoo has opened up registration already. I'm in two private leagues already.


I actually had problems registering my PLUS league last night - Yahoo put me in a loop as I was processing payment. The repeated tries triggered the Fraud Center and they froze my card - got it cleared up but what a hassle

And the Fins should have just held out on KC - I really could not see them carrying the Green the entire season.

[LtMarvel]

...and thus guarenteeing that the playoffs will be Chiefs free for two years.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

And Kansas City makes Miami eat shit and cough up that 4th rd pick this season. This really gives KC a lot of 2008 NFL Draft picks. Thus far they've traded Ryan Sims for a 5th rd pick next year and Lawrence Tynes for a 4th or 5th rd pick as well.

KC made em back down. Now its all up to Croyle who its said is having a good training camp .

[Dennis K]

The Dolphins just keep stepping in it.

[Nightstar1441]

Well the good news the Chiefs will be able to use those draft picks to pick up another running back.

Cause if you Chiefs fans out there don't know by now - Herm Edwards has a way of running good RB's into the ground - just ask Curtis Martin.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Well the good news the Chiefs will be able to use those draft picks to pick up another running back.

Cause if you Chiefs fans out there don't know by now - Herm Edwards has a way of running good RB's into the ground - just ask Curtis Martin.

Martin had a what... 7 to 8 year run in N.Y ? RB's get grinded down as the years roll on. Its rare your gonna get a Marcus Allen type back who can last til their late 30's . KC has drafted a RB in this years draft , have Micheal Bennent and Kevin Ross in MFL Europe is having a good season. So they have guys who can spell Johnson hopefully.

[Punchy]

So Asante Samuel plans on sitting out until week 10 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2893597).

Don't give the Pats the trophy yet. It was their defense that kept them out of the Superbowl last year and no Samuel would hurt.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

So Asante Samuel plans on sitting out until week 10 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2893597).

Don't give the Pats the trophy yet. It was their defense that kept them out of the Superbowl last year and no Samuel would hurt.

Odds are this will happen.

1. New England will claim they don't value Samuel this way and will move on.

2. Thru the season the secondary will be ok and New England will look to trade Samuel. Eventually trading him for a 1st rd pick to some team.

3. Many fans will say that New England doesn't need Samuel and that the team will go on.

4. The team will get to the AFC Championship against the Colts and be beat when the game becomes a shootout . Peyton Manning tosses a 60+ yard bomb with 20 seconds remaining as the secondary is berated for causing this loss. Blame falls on one of the CB's for this.

5. Off-season time the Patriots spend big bucks to fix this weakness . Admitting they fucked up major again.


:p

[Valmore]

Is there no end to these crybabies with delusions of grandeur? Geez, you had 10 interceptions last season, which is great - now explain why you only had a total of FIVE in the three seasons before that.

I hope he sits his ass out all year and the Patriots slap the tag on him again next season as well.

Would I rather have him? Yes.

But the team will go on just fine without him.

[Punchy]

Actually I tend to agree with Val, I think Samuel has been overrated this season.

And all of these franchise-tagged players whinning is really annoying. Too bad they all can't be as classy as Dwight Freeney who shows up for voluntary mini-camps even though he doesn't have a contract.

[Valmore]

Actually I tend to agree with Val, I think Samuel has been overrated this season.

And all of these franchise-tagged players whinning is really annoying. Too bad they all can't be as classy as Dwight Freeney who shows up for voluntary mini-camps even though he doesn't have a contract.

Freeney's got no contract, and he shows up anyway?

I like him. That's classy.

[Deathstroke]

Samuel is another in a growing line of Patriots players who decide they'd rather have more money for one good season than stay a part of a team that is gearing up for a real run at the title.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Actually I tend to agree with Val, I think Samuel has been overrated this season.

And all of these franchise-tagged players whinning is really annoying. Too bad they all can't be as classy as Dwight Freeney who shows up for voluntary mini-camps even though he doesn't have a contract.

Irsay has claimed he will get Freeney's deal done soon. Thats why Freeney is playing it cool. He didn't have a real strong sack season last year so he's not gonna go all ape shit over $$$ because he knows teams may wonder about his real value.

Now I can see why the Patriots won't pay Samuel the big bucks yet. Its just 1 season. But this is coming off the comedy that was the team allowing all of Brady's WR's to leave and trading the last one because they wanted some big money finally last season.

Samuel is just following the same script it seems the Patriots do. Be loyal to us and maybe....maybe you get a raise.

[Valmore]

And yet the Patriots had more wins and went further in the playoffs without the prissy, egotistical wide reciever than they did the year before.

You can keep trying to blame the Patriots not winning the Super Bowl on trading Dieon Branch, but it still doesn't hold water.

The Colts woke their butts up in the second half, played stringent defense and beat up the Patriots defense.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

And yet the Patriots had more wins and went further in the playoffs without the prissy, egotistical wide reciever than they did the year before.

You can keep trying to blame the Patriots not winning the Super Bowl on trading Dieon Branch, but it still doesn't hold water.

The Colts woke their butts up in the second half, played stringent defense and beat up the Patriots defense.

Yeah the team trading for 2 WR's and signing another one to a free agent deal isn't a sign this was a bad idea ? Because it sure reads like New England watched the AFC Championship and realized they should have kept Branch around.

The Colts woke up. But when your driving and could choke that mometum with an easy TD toss ...its sorta helps them.

Will they pay for Samuel ? I doubt it unless karma is a funny b-tch and that does come true. But I really doubt that can happen regarding Samuel. Its just funny that this happens again with the Patriots and yet another player who feels he should be paid.

(Its happening in KC too ...with Jared Allen but KC isn't pleased with his off field alcohal problem that got him suspended 4 games this season. Allen wants a raise as well and isn't pleased about the tag)

The running game now is in Mulroney's hand as the Dillon/Mulroney tandom carried this team last year. I can see why the team realized they needed WR threats for Tom Brady now. You have a future Hall of Fame QB , a great young RB ....all he needs is threats on the outside to stretch things.

[Valmore]

The Patriots improved their regular season record by 2 wins over the previous season without Branch.

The Patriots went to the AFC Title game, which was a game further than they went last year, without Branch.

Clearly, trading away Branch didn't hurt the Patriots at all. They may have choked in the AFC Title game, but it wasn't because they didn't have Branch. The Colts came out in the second half and completely outplayed the Patriots on both sides of the ball. It's really that simple.

Or would you also like to blame Dallas for losing to Seattle because Drew Bledsoe was on the bench?

[SUPERECWFAN1]

The Patriots improved their regular season record by 2 wins over the previous season without Branch.

Which they relied on the ground game a lot more. They had 2 good RB's. Mulroney and Dillon. Plus a good defense last season that helped.

The Patriots went to the AFC Title game, which was a game further than they went last year, without Branch.

And the games Branch helped them to the SuperBowl with ? Or the other WR's who were allowed to leave ?

Clearly, trading away Branch didn't hurt the Patriots at all. They may have choked in the AFC Title game, but it wasn't because they didn't have Branch. The Colts came out in the second half and completely outplayed the Patriots on both sides of the ball. It's really that simple.

Yeah that drive that could have snapped the Colts defensive mometum would never have happened . That could have broke their wills again. Hell man you should be happy. New England saw their fuck up and decided that Brady needed weapons this year. Now he has Stallworth and Moss to throw to !


Or would you also like to blame Dallas for losing to Seattle because Drew Bledsoe was on the bench?


Tony Romo was the starter last season. Now had Dallas kept Bledsoe the starter and benched him for Romo come playoff time (hey it happened when Wade Phillips did that genuis move with Doug Flutie) then yeah blame Dallas for it.

The only thing is here ...over the seasons Brady had worked a chemistry with his WR's. He did a decent job with who he had last year. The team realized that they didn't want another Reche Caldwell situation and got Moss/Stallworth to be the guys for Tom.

[Valmore]

The Patriots passing offense ranked 11th in the league in yards and 7th in touchdown passes while ranking 12th in rushing yards and 4th in touchdowns. Which means... balanced offense. So again, your theory holds no water.

And what did Branch do in Seattle? About the same as he did in New England - put up decent but not spectacular numbers. David Givens? Injured. And his numbers were never spectaular. Neither of those guys were top-flight wideouts.

Why? Because the Patriots passing offensive system relies upon spreading the ball to everybody. This won't change with Moss and Stallworth. All those guys do is give Brady a legitimate deep threat that secondarys will have to respect, which should open the field more for... Reche Caldwell, who is still on the team.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

The Patriots passing offense ranked 11th in the league in yards and 7th in touchdown passes while ranking 12th in rushing yards and 4th in touchdowns. Which means... balanced offense. So again, your theory holds no water.

Yeah except in 2005 the passing offense was ranked at #2 in the entire NFL. The rushing game was ranked at 24#. You lose 2 starting WR's and draft a young RB to balance the load and it of course moved both numbers up and down. Mulroney and Dillon carried the load last off season. With Dillon gone what are the odds the running game can do it again ?


And what did Branch do in Seattle? About the same as he did in New England - put up decent but not spectacular numbers. David Givens? Injured. And his numbers were never spectaular. Neither of those guys were top-flight wideouts.

They had a chemistry with Brady. From the time they were drafted to the big games , Brady had a chemistry with them. Branch in 2005 was 2 yards away from a 1,000 yard season , Givens had 59 catches as well. Both were guys that had grew into the system as Brady .

As far as Branch goes the Seahawks admit he had to learn the offense and he really didn't develope a good chemistry with Hasslebeck . This off-season he'll be the Seahawks 1# WR as they traded Jackson to the 49ers. We'll see how Branch does a full season in Seatles offense with Hasslebeck.

Why? Because the Patriots passing offensive system relies upon spreading the ball to everybody. This won't change with Moss and Stallworth. All those guys do is give Brady a legitimate deep threat that secondarys will have to respect, which should open the field more for... Reche Caldwell, who is still on the team.

If Randy Moss isn't a guy who gets thrown the big passes then whats the point ? He's there to stretch and be the "Go To Guy" Brady needs in this offense. Nothing against Reche Caldwell but I wonder how safe his job is with 3 new WR's on the roster now.

To add....Moss should be Brady's version of Jerry Rice. The guy who you fear. The guy who gets 1,000 yards revieving and is someone Brady throws to more than the others. Stallworth can be the John Taylor. The weapons are there.....but I can't see bringing in Randy Moss and not really scorching teams with him.

[Valmore]

Of course Randy Moss will get the big plays, and see a lot of passes, but the only thing the Pats lacked last season was the ability to stretch the field. With Moss and Stallworth, you've got two guys who are legitimate deep threats and will draw different coverage schemes, usually leaving the other guys with single coverage by lesser players. Hence, guys like Jabar Gaffney and Reche Caldwell may end up with a linebacker who dropped back on them, which is a mismatch. With Tom Brady, a guy notorious for throwing to whoever he can, this should create situations for those guys. That also opens up holes for Lawrence Maroney, because if you've got coverage on the deep threats and linebackers dropping back, there's less guys on the line to stop the run.

Of course, this is only if Moss and Stallworth show up to play.

[Weetomuncher]

If the Lions can win 6 games this year I'll be happy. :)

[Nightstar1441]

Im actually excited about the Patriots this year.

I just can't wait for Randy Moss to get moody and bump heads with Billechek for not hustling or maybe 'he just didn't feel like it' or he blames Brady for his lack of production...you know it is gonna happen - just a matter of time.

And we'll see how Billechek deals with him. Now that will be truley entertaining

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Im actually excited about the Patriots this year.

I just can't wait for Randy Moss to get moody and bump heads with Billechek for not hustling or maybe 'he just didn't feel like it' or he blames Brady for his lack of production...you know it is gonna happen - just a matter of time.

And we'll see how Billechek deals with him. Now that will be truley entertaining


Moss thus far has showed up at the minicamps and is wanting to show he's a team player. He realizes this is odds are his last shot at a SuperBowl ring. His age and history with the Raiders isn't kind.

[Deathstroke]

If the Lions can win 6 games this year I'll be happy. :)

Way to set high expectations! :D

[Valmore]

Moss thus far has showed up at the minicamps and is wanting to show he's a team player. He realizes this is odds are his last shot at a SuperBowl ring. His age and history with the Raiders isn't kind.

Randy Moss is only 30 and won't turn 31 until next February, so it's not like he's ancient or anything, and they say his dash times were better than all of the rookies at the combines before the draft.

Considering Moss was willing to give up a LOT of money and take a base salary of $3 million with incentives, I'm thinking he had the same problem Corey Dillon had - the culture of losing was getting to him. However, how can Moss produce when he doesn't have a quarterback even capable of throwing the ball to him? Dillon was at least still getting handoffs until that last season.

When teams stink and don't show signs of being better, players get frustrated. Moss showed those signs last season in Oakland. I'm thinking all of this combined will help light a fire under his ass when he gets to New England, where he'll have an All-Pro quarterback and a team with a culture of winning. It'll make him want to reach those incentives in his contract and ultimately win a ring.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Culpepper is pretty much s sad story in this. A QB the Dolphins once gave a 2nd rd pick for last season , he was told by a doctor his surgerically repaired knee was strong enough to play this season. On Tuesday the Dolphins informed him they were completeing the trade for Trent Green when KC gave them the "Take it or leave it" offer. And on Thursday he walked off after not being able to fully practice.

Culpepper is his own agent and has told teams he will not take a trade. That they should sit tight because Miami will have to release him straight up so he can start visiting teams now.

Culpepper was at the camp with Trent Green , John Beck , Cleo Lemon and Gibran Hamden . QB Cioach Terry Shea told him he couldn't particpate in more team drills since his future is up in the air.

Dante feels his contract (he's owed $5.5 million this season) pretty much kills any kind of trade a team can make for him. So he wants released to work out a deal with a team.

credit:

www.nfl.com

[Punchy]

Have the Pats ever made a bad move Val?

[Deathstroke]

Have the Pats ever made a bad move Val?

Andy Katzenmoyer, Rod Rust...

[Valmore]

Have the Pats ever made a bad move Val?

Hiring Pete Carroll comes easily to mind.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Have the Pats ever made a bad move Val?

The Patriots now have made few mistakes. But well....they did let the greatest WR in NFL History get by them. (Puts on the REWIND Button to 1985)


The Patriots had the 16th selection in that draft. Rice in his autobiography has said that the Cowboys ,Colts, Chargers and 49ers were interested in his services. The Cowboys were a pick below them. So Bill Walsh wanted Rice BADDDD. So he had the 49ers deal their 1st 2 draft picks , and swapped 3rds with New England to select Rice.

The Patriots selected LS Trevor Matich with that 28th pick. Then selected Garin Veris (DE) and Jim Bowen (S) with their 2 2nds. So yeah....they made some mistakes back in the day. :p

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Hiring Pete Carroll comes easily to mind.

I wouldn't call it much of a failure. He did win the AFC East that 1st year and they made the wildcard the next. That last season was a bad one for them.

But its nice to see that Carroll went on to success with the Trojans as a coach as well as Belichick gaining his success with New Engalnd. Sometimes fate is a good thing.

[Valmore]

I wouldn't call it much of a failure. He did win the AFC East that 1st year and they made the wildcard the next. That last season was a bad one for them.

But its nice to see that Carroll went on to success with the Trojans as a coach as well as Belichick gaining his success with New Engalnd. Sometimes fate is a good thing.

That first team was ultimately just Bill Parcell's team that Carroll got after Bill skipped town. And they consistently got worse with each season Pete was there, as Carroll wasn't very good at reloading the team.

So yes, Carroll was ultimately a failure in New England. But he's a legend at USC, so he probably doesn't lose much sleep over it.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

That first team was ultimately just Bill Parcell's team that Carroll got after Bill skipped town. And they consistently got worse with each season Pete was there, as Carroll wasn't very good at reloading the team.

So yes, Carroll was ultimately a failure in New England. But he's a legend at USC, so he probably doesn't lose much sleep over it.

Yeah Carroll however is someone who wants "control" now. The Dolphins and Chargers were discussing getting Carroll but Pete wants to be VP or GM of the team as well as Coach. Both teams weren't gonna give him that.

Sooner or later the right NFL team will get Pete Carroll and make him GM and Coach.

[Valmore]

Also, while their new kicker will probably be okay, I still consider the Patriots letting Adam Vinatieri walk away as a bad move.