It wasn’t exactly the way he imagined his first game back from last season’s devastating knee injury would be. And it certainly wasn’t the way he drew it up in practice this week. But at the end of the night, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady found a way to win a football game—a 25-24 nail biter over the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football.
Sure, the Bills practically handed the Pats the game with a bonehead costly late turnover. But Tom shook off some early rust and did what he had to do. He completed 39 passes for 378 yards …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The NFL announced its 2009 Kickoff Weekend primetime television schedule today — including a Monday night “AFL 50th” doubleheader — and the Thanksgiving Day national TV tripleheader.
In a tradition that began in 2004, the Super Bowl champion annually hosts the NFL Thursday night season kickoff the following year. This September 10 at 8:30 PM ET on NBC, the Super Bowl XLIII champion Pittsburgh Steelers will host the AFC South champion Tennessee Titans, who had an NFL-best 13-3 record last season. The Sunday night primetime game (8:30 PM ET) on NBC will feature a division …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
After watching Buffalo Bills quarterback Trent Edwards last night, it’s pretty clear he’s a young player who has lost his confidence. In a heartbreaking 29-27 defeat at the hands of the Cleveland Browns that put the Bills’ 2008 playoff hopes on life support, Trent threw three interceptions (in his first six attempts, no less) and resorted predominantly to dump-off passes to survive the evening. That’s eight INTs, two fumbles and a safety for Trent during the Bills’ current four-game losing streak, leaving him frustrated and clueless:
“You start seeing things that you’re not really seeing, and …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
In response to some of his players’ (Jamal Lewis, Josh Cribbs) comments that the team quit against the Denver Broncos last week, Cleveland Browns head coach Romeo Crennel said it just isn’t so and took the remarks seriously:
“I think players respect me as a coach, they play for me as a coach so when that word ‘quit’ comes up you take it personally. The team is my team. The product that is out there on the field is a reflection of me. When they do good, I do good. When they do bad, I do …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
On the eve of the Presidential election, ESPN will present interviews with Democratic candidate Barack Obama and Republican candidate John McCain at halftime of tomorrow’s Monday Night Football game between the Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers. Chris Berman will be conducting the interviews during the day tomorrow and ESPN will air them during halftime. I’m actually interested to hear what Boom’s questions are.
Source: ESPN.com

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Here’s some good advice: Don’t kick the ball to Reggie Bush. New Orleans Saints running back/punt returner Reggie Bush electrified 70,000+ Louisiana Superdome patrons and tied an NFL record by returning two punts (71 and 64 yards) for touchdowns in last night’s Monday Night Football game against the Minnesota Vikings. ESPN had him clocked at over 20 mph on both returns. The only problem? It wasn’t enough to overcome four turnovers and 11 penalties in a 30-27 loss to the Vikes.
Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie (and I emphasize rookie) running back Rashard Mendenhall is buddies with Baltimore Ravens rookie running back Ray Rice. The two will face-off this weekend as the Steelers play the Ravens on Monday Night Football. Rashard is getting his first start because of an injury to starting RB Willie Parker, so he decided to do a little trash talking to Ray via text message about how he was going to have a big game against the Ravens top-ranked defense. Of course, he was just joking around (every joke has some truth), but Ray …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver/kick returner DeSean Jackson hauled in a 60-yard pass from QB Donovan McNabb against the Dallas Cowboys last night but forgot to take the ball an extra yard across the goal line with him for the touchdown. It didn’t end up mattering because the Eagles scored on the next play, but he looked ridiculous in the process. Rookie mistake? No, just a dumb mistake and he knows it:
“Things happen. It was just one of those things. I was just overexcited, just trying to have some fun. I’m young, but I’m kind …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
It took Ricky Williams almost two years to get back into the NFL and in one-fell-swoop he’s out for the season. Against the Pittsburgh Steelers on MNF, Ricky gained 15 yards on six carries before tearing a chest muscle and leaving the game. I can’t say it was a bad idea for Ricky to be in this game. Then again, under the ridiculous conditions, it probably was a bad idea to have anyone in this game. In Ricky’s case, though, not having had any contact for such a long time, there was no …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
The Miami Dolphins are the best 0-11 team I’ve ever seen, but they’re still 0-11. They’ve now lost six games by three points each after dropping an ugly, soggy 3-0 MNF contest to the Steelers last night. Oh, and here’s a tip for the Steelers — Field Turf. Try it, you’ll like it. The Heinz Field natural grass surface is crap. They host two teams (the Steelers and Pittsburgh Panthers) plus numerous high school championships. I can’t believe the powers-that-be think this is an adequate way to present a game. It’s dangerous for …read more