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The New England Patriots signed free agent receiver Joey Galloway (recently released by Tampa Bay) to a one-year contract today. Terms of the deal weren’t available at the time of this post, but this is another perfect pickup for the Pats. New England has a knack for finding wily veterans who still have just enough “in the tank” to produce in a system that allows them to thrive to the absolute best of their abilities. With Tom Brady throwing the football and Randy Moss on the other side of the field, this decision was a no-brainer. He’ll fit in as the third receiver (with Wes Welker the number two) and give the Patriots another option to stretch the field with. Even though last season was a forgettable one for Joey (13 catches, 138 yards and a foot injury), if he can stay healthy, he should enjoy a very productive season in New England.

Source: ESPN.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Patriots Sign Joey Galloway

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

New England Patriots receiver Wes Welker was penalized for making a snow angel after scoring a touchdown in a 47-7 win over the Arizona Cardinals this afternoon. I really think the NFL should change the rules to allow snow angels. Currently, the unsportsmanlike conduct rule states that “players are prohibited from engaging in any celebrations while on the ground.” There should be an exception to that rule stating, “Players are prohibited from engaging in any celebrations while on the ground unless there is sufficient snow to make a snow angel.” It would be a simple amendment and I am going to put it on my to-do list for discussion with Commissioner Goodell this offseason.

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Wes Welker Snow Angel

Here is the AFC Pro Bowl roster. Starters are listed in bold.

OFFENSE

QB: Peyton Manning, Colts; Brett Favre, Jets; Jay Cutler, Broncos
RB: Thomas Jones, Jets; Chris Johnson, Titans; Ronnie Brown, Dolphins
FB: Le’Ron McClain, Ravens
WR: Andre Johnson, Texans; Brandon Marshall, Broncos; Reggie Wayne, Colts; Wes Welker, Patriots
TE: Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs; Antonio Gates, Chargers
T: Joe Thomas, Browns; Jason Peters, Bills; Michael Roos, Titans
G: Alan Faneca, Jets; Kris Dielman, Chargers; Brian Waters, Chiefs
C: Kevin Mawae, Titans; Nick Mangold, Jets

DEFENSE

DE: Mario Williams, Texans; Dwight Freeney, Colts; Robert Mathis, Colts
DT: Albert Haynesworth, Titans; Kris Jenkins, Jets; Shaun Rogers, Browns
OLB: James Harrison, Steelers; Joey Porter, Dolphins; Terrell Suggs, Ravens
MLB: Ray Lewis, Ravens; James Farrior, Steelers
CB: Nnamdi Asomugha, Raiders; Cortland Finnegan, Titans; Darrelle Revis, Jets
S: Ed Reed, Ravens; Troy Polamalu, Steelers; Chris Hope, Titans

SPECIAL TEAMS

K: Stephan Gostkowski, Patriots
P: Shane Lechler, Raiders
KR: Leon Washington, Jets
ST: Brendon Ayanbadejo, Ravens

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

2009 AFC Pro Bowl Roster

It won’t make front page headlines, but New England Patriots receiver Wes Welker very quietly set an NFL record today in a 20-10 win over the Buffalo Bills. Wes became the first player in NFL history to start a season with at least six receptions in nine consecutive games. I’m not even sure he knew he set a record. After the game, he talked about the team’s victory, not his own:

“This is a big win. It was for first place in the division for now and we’ve got a big one this next week on Thursday night coming up pretty quick. So we have to be ready to go.”

Last season Wes led the NFL (tied) in receptions with 112. And with quarterback Tom Brady out for this season, he hasn’t missed a beat. Wes already has 66 catches, one behind league leader Andre Johnson.

Source: Patriots.com

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Wes Welker Sets NFL Record

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

I hate to say “I told you so,” but … the pregame hype between 5-0 New England and 5-0 Dallas wasn’t all it was built up to be as the Patriots hammered the Cowboys 48-27 today. Of course, I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who felt this way, but my pregame prediction turned out to be reality — Dallas is a good team, New England is an elite team.

Dallas will win their share of games this season. They have too much talent not to. I won’t go so far as to say they’re the best team in the NFC, but they’re certainly in the top three right now and they might be the best before all is said and done. And I have to admit, when the Cowboys took a 24-21 lead in the 3rd quarter, I was a little concerned that an upset was brewing. I hate predicting games and pretending like I’m some kind of expert (because I’m far from it), but my gut told me the Cowboys couldn’t keep up with Tom Brady and friends. As it turns out, Tom finished the day with career numbers. His five TDs were his best ever.

As far as the battle of 81s — “the Original 81″ vs. “the other 81″ — the final stats were nearly identical, but Randy Moss had more of an impact on this game because of the attention he drew from the Dallas defense. Second and third WRs Donte Stallworth and Wes Welker combined for 18 catches and 260 yards in Randy’s shadow. It’s impossible to defend the Patriots. You simply pick your poison. Which way do you want to get beat?

As New England improves to 6-0 (with a five-game lead in the AFC East), I can’t help but look ahead to November 4 when the Patriots travel to Indy to take on the currently (also) undefeated Colts who were on a bye this weekend. This game will deserve as much hype as people want to give it. Mark your calendar because this will be your Super Bowl. There are two elite teams in the NFL and November 4 is the day they meet.

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Patriots Crush Cowboys 48-27, Tom Brady Throws Career High Five TDs in Win

I really like what New England has done this off-season. Just look at the offensive improvements alone. Kyle Brady and Sammy Morris aren’t stunning selections. But by adding WR Wes Welker from Miami a couple weeks ago, they obtained a scrappy pass-catcher who will fearlessly roam the middle of the field. He led the Dolphins with 67 receptions last season. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady will make a star out of Wes Welker, mark my words. And now with Stallworth, the Patriots will be able to stretch the field and open up more opportunities for the rest of the offense.

Expect Stallworth to have an amazing season. At least the financial incentive is there. If he does well and the Patriots want him back in 2008, he’ll get an overwhelming $11 million (option bonus, two roster bonuses, his base salary and a workout bonus). The Patriots are my early favorite for Super Bowl XLII with more free agency and the Draft yet to come.

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Patriots Add Donte Stallworth