National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

It looks like former Jacksonville Jags running back Fred Taylor will be finishing his National Football League career in New England — where all good veteran players go to end their time in the NFL. All partial kidding aside, it’s really a perfect fit. Fred still has some tread left and won’t be expected to shoulder the workload. He’ll share time in a currently crowded backfield with Laurence Maroney, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Kevin Faulk and Sammy Morris and contribute maybe 10 touches each week. And that’s on a good week. Plus his leadership and knowledge of the game will pay huge dividends to the team. Fred spent the first 11 years of his career with the Jags.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Patriots Sign Fred Taylor

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

New England Patriots Pro Bowl linebacker Adalius Thomas will have surgery on his broken forearm tomorrow, thus most likely ending his 2008 season. Adalius broke his arm during Sunday’s 20-10 win over the Buffalo Bills. Fellow linebacker Mike Vrabel assessed the situation:

“I think it will be difficult. He’s a guy that certainly, like a lot of guys here, plays a lot of different positions and plays them pretty well, so it will be tough. He was a leader. He was a veteran guy that played well, and we’ll just have to find guys to step up.”

Enter Pierre Woods, who could make his first career start Thursday against the N.Y. Jets. I want to say the Patriots are in trouble, but if any head coach can maneuver his way out of an injury fix, it’s New England’s Bill Belichick. He’s managed a 6-3 record so far this season despite having lost the most important player on his team (and arguably the entire league), quarterback Tom Brady. Plus, two other key starters — running back Laurence Maroney and safety Rodney Harrison — also suffered season-ending injuries. It’s a “next-man-up” attitude in New England and because they seem to bring the right people into the organization, I won’t be surprised if they don’t miss a beat. The Patriots are just good like that.

Source: Boston.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Adalius Thomas Surgery Ends Season

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

NFL.com Fantasy Files: Laurence Maroney

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

Here’s the new Reebok NFL Equipment commercial that features 20 NFL players, the most to ever appear in a single TV ad. Look for Eli and Peyton Manning, Kevin Boss, Jerricho Cotchery, Greg Ellis, Matt Hasselbeck, Madison Hedgecock, Chad Johnson, Thomas Jones, Mathias Kiwanuka, Nick Mangold, Laurence Maroney, Jeff Saturday, Bo Scaife, Derrick Ward, DeMarcus Ware, Ty Warren, Benjamin Watson, Reggie Wayne, and Vince Young. The products? Each player is wearing his team’s NFL Equipment Speedwick Tee and Reebok HexRide Rally II kicks. Football is back. Nice.

Source: Reebok

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Reebok NFL Players ‘Join the Migration’

Just as an NFL player watches game film to prepare for his next opponent, I watched my share of previous Super Bowl Media Days on YouTube to get ready for today. But nothing could really replace being here. Media Day at the Super Bowl features a throng of reporters from all over the world. And a record number participated today.

Naturally, 2007 National Football League MVP Tom Brady was the center of attention as he had the most traffic around his podium. And I thought he handled it very well. Which is not surprising for someone who has had to get used to being in the spotlight both on and off the field. I didn’t even bother sticking my nose into that mob scene, preferring rather to talk with those players who were meandering about. But Tom was getting the most questions. He even received a wedding proposal from a reporter from TV Azteca in Mexico. Naturally, he declined, but the way he worked through the sometimes stupidity and absurdity of this “circus” was a thing of beauty. He’s done this before. He knew what to expect. And he more than made the best of it, although he admitted he prefers talking about football over his personal life:

“You just deal with whatever question is asked, and try to handle it the best you can. I’m obviously more comfortable answering the football questions. Those are much easier for me.”

We had one hour to speak to the players. My challenge was to get to as many as possible and take pictures as well. Having never worked Media Day before, I had a ballpark number of players in my mind to talk to (5-10) and had specific questions for specific players. I also had general team questions that any player could answer. But despite all the homework I did, I could not possibly know every single player. So I stuck with those I knew. If one player was busy talking to someone else, I either waited or moved on to another. I found that waiting was more or less a waste of time.

The Patriots who were at podiums/risers were Tedy Bruschi, Rodney Harrison, Laurence Maroney, Bill Belichick, Asante Samuel, Tom Brady, Richard Seymour, Randy Moss, Mike Vrabel, Junior Seau and Vince Wilfork. In designated areas in the stands were team owner Robert Craft, VP of Player Personnel Scott Pioli, Troy Brown, Kevin Faulk, Larry Izzo, Ty Warren and Wes Welker. The rest just mixed and mingled.

For the BIGPLAY Radio NFL Podcast, I spoke with Logan Mankins, James Sanders, Kelley Washington, Ty Warren, and Benjamin Watson. Adalius Thomas, who seemed a little agitated and ready to leave before the hour had elapsed, commented on my meticulous notetaking. “Look at you,” he said. “You’ve got everything written out.” I nodded approvingly: “This is what I do.” (Actually, I would like to have individually laminated sheets and a color-coding system like NFL coaches. Hey, I take this seriously. Maybe too seriously.) Anyway, Adalius was one of the few who refused a cell phone interview from a reporter. I saw quite a few players doing “mobile interviews” which I thought was unusual. I guess my feeling was you should either be here at the event or be out of luck. Otherwise, those of us that are here are standing around waiting for the cell phone interview to end. It’s like being at a retail store and having the clerk attend to a phone call instead of dealing with the customer who’s in the store. That was kind of irritating.

Anyway, it was a quick hour. Of course, I felt like I needed more time but one hour is sufficient and really all that can be expected from the players. The media proceeded to brunch for a 60-minute break while a field crew prepped for the Giants.

Photos by David Kindervater

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SBXLII Media Day: New England Patriots

The New England Patriots took yet another step toward a perfect season. But their 21-12 win over the San Diego Chargers in the AFC Championship game was anything but perfect. It certainly wasn’t Tom Brady’s best game. And it certainly wasn’t the way he imagined this AFC Championship game would play out. But that’s really not what matters. There are no style points in the NFL. What matters are wins and losses and the Patriots, of course, have 18 straight victories against no defeats — a simply mind-boggling accomplishment.

It’s not like Tom choked in this one. I think we hold him to such a high standard it’s hard to conceive that he might even be human on the football field. But his three interceptions proved just that. The Chargers have a confident and opportunistic defense. And they weren’t about to be intimidated by the highest-scoring offense in the history of the National Football League. Thus a trio of picks. But Tom also threw two TD passes and finished 22 of 33 including eight completions to RB Kevin Faulk. It just further proves that when a defense eliminates one or even two players from the Patriots’ plan of attack (as San Diego masterfully did), someone else will step up. Kevin had a great game, including a key third-down as the Patriots played keep-away in the fourth quarter (ol’ reliable Wes Welker also had seven catches and a TD). And the Patriots leaned on their running game with Laurence Maroney (25 carries for 122 yards) in the second half, including a key TD in the third quarter.

I believe the Patriots’ defense won this game, though. There’s been a lot of talk about New England’s aging linebackers and how susceptible this team is against the run. Statistically, it’s true. But when a game is on the line, I’ll take these old guys with lots of smarts and enough ability. DBs Ellis Hobbs and Asanti Samuel (not old guys) each had an interception. And Junior Seau (old guy) made a key defensive play in the third quarter, forcing a Chargers field goal. The Bolts were forced to settle for field goals all day and that was the difference in the game. That’s playing Championship style defense as they overshadowed their much-heralded offense.

Despite losing, San Diego has plenty to be proud of. They came into this game battered and bruised. And you need look no further than their “Big 3″ (QB Philip Rivers, RB LaDainian Tomlinson, and TE Antonio Gates) for proof. LT gave it a try with his bad knee but could only manage a couple early carries for five yards. He watched most of the game from the bench, wrapped in a parka. I can guarantee he was extremely frustrated and disappointed. Philip was hobbled as well but managed to survive the entire game with respectable numbers (19 of 37 for 211 yards but with two picks). Antonio was a non-factor on his bad toe — only two catches for 17 yards. But, I would say the San Diego defense was as advertised. Any team that can hold the mighty Patriots to 21 points (and the aforementioned three turnovers) is going to be right in that football game. All-Pro DB Antonio Cromartie was in on nine tackles with a huge, touchdown-saving INT to his credit.

This game was a great example of the New England Patriots playing team football. For much of the game, San Diego fans had a glimmer of hope. It looked like the Chargers might have a chance. But the Pats are too prepared and too good for — well — any other team in the NFL. Can they do it one more time? We’ll find out in two weeks at Super Bowl XLII.

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Perfect Patriots Beat Chargers for AFC Title, Defense Leads New England to Super Bowl

It was dink. And dunk. But whatever it takes to win a football game is what the New England Patriots are willing to do. And they did it last night. This season’s MVP quarterback, Tom Brady, set an NFL playoff record for completion percentage (he was 26 of 28) — mostly of the short variety but to eight different receivers — as the Pats beat the Jacksonville Jags 31-20 to advance to the AFC Championship game still undefeated at 17-0. Which makes the Patriots unflappable. Even after the Jags made an early statement with a convincing nine-play, 80-yard TD drive to lead 7-0, the Pats answered. Twice. And they never looked back against a very determined Jacksonville team.

With Tom Brady’s near-perfect play, New England got a boost from the running game as Laurence Maroney added 122 yards. Talk about balance. The Patriots had 29 passes and 29 runs. This is bad news for Indy or San Diego. New England will beat you any way they see fit. With Laurence running as well as he has all season (he showed a second gear several times), this is an offense that no team seems to have an answer for.

Let’s face it. It was a perfect game plan against a team that refused to blitz. All-Pro WR Randy Moss had one catch for 14 yards. He was blanketed by the Jags secondary who just didn’t want to get beat deep by one of the most exciting players in the game. Fair enough. My question was why the Jags stuck with their game plan to rush four and give Tom Brady five or six seconds to find a receiver? Sure, it was worth a shot, but when Tom Brady is picking you apart, it’s time to try a different strategy. In my book, there is only one way to beat the Patriots. You have to get pressure on Tom Brady. He will make mistakes if he’s forced into them. I realize you’re taking your chances in getting burned by one of Tom’s many options in the passing game. It’s hard — maybe impossible — to cover these guys one-on-one. But I think it’s the chance you have to take.

Nevertheless, I was impressed by what the Jags did on the other side of the ball. David Garrard has evolved into one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks. I think he’s going to be other-worldly good next season. And with the improved play of Ernest Wilford, Reggie Williams and Marcedes Lewis — coupled with an obviously potent ground game — the Jags will be a force next season. They need a deep threat. They need speed on the outside. But this team’s going to be very good again.

Still, the Patriots continue their path toward perfection. They are as good as any team I’ve ever seen, if not just in talent, in adjusting their game plan to beat their opponent. No one does it better.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

New England Patriots Still Perfect at 17-0, Tom Brady Breaks Playoff Record vs. Jags

Some mainstream media were calling it a “Spygate Rematch.” No. It was just another stop for the New England Patriots on their world domination tour of the National Football League. Maybe it wasn’t the most convincing of victories for the Pats this season, but they’ll take a 20-10 win any day, especially considering the bitter, wintry conditions.

The Patriots didn’t win this game on the strength of Tom Brady’s arm. Tom was 14 of 27 for 140 yards and no TDs. Instead, they did what they had to do under the circumstances. They ran the football with Laurence Maroney (104 yards rushing). It was only the fourth time this season that a New England RB has gone over the century mark. As a result, however, Tom remained five TD passes short of breaking Peyton Manning’s record of 49. And Randy Moss still needs four scoring catches to break Jerry Rice’s mark of 22. But before you think the Patriots have cooled off, just remember how difficult it is to win any NFL game, let alone go through an entire season without losing even one. What New England is doing is unbelievably difficult. And what I admire most about them is their ability to adapt to any kind of situation. They will find any number of different ways to win a football game (illegal videotaping not included) using all three phases — offense, defense and/or special teams.

As for the whole “Spygate” fiasco, there was nothing to it on this Sunday. Some of the mainstream made it up to be an issue, but everyone’s tired of hearing about it. The crime was committed and the punishment handed out. It’s over. Let’s give it a rest. I know it will be an asterisk on New England’s season, but this whole Belichick/Mangini feud is enough already. Does Coach Belichick like Coach Mangini? Do they hate each other? What did they say to each other after the game? Who cares?

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No ‘Spygate Rematch’ as Patriots Just Win