New England Patriots

I’ve been avoiding the internet like a plague all day, albeit a plague that I would desperately like to get a piece of. Writing about a super bowl that has already occurred but of which I don’t know the outcome is a bit like apologizing a couple minutes before unfurling a massive fart.

Continue reading "Previewing (Or Reviewing?) the Super Bowl"

The Pats enter this sunday's matchup with Philadelphia at 7-3, after opening up a relatively-commanding two-game lead on the Jets and Buffalo following monday night's dismantling of the Cassel-less Chiefs. The victory was a definitive 34-3, but there are those who still worry about the flow of the offense, specifically Tom Brady's sporatic accuracy and questionable decision making.

Continue reading "Brady Off So Far"

e 3rd, 4th, or even 5th round.  Have they watched the same games that I did? I am a fan of the New England Patriots and living down in Florida have had opportunity to get a front row seat on the Tim Tebow fan club express.  He is a legend down here and with good reason.  As a Patriots fan though I was interested to hear that they had chosen to meet with Tebow.  They have Brady, some would say.  Why would they need Tebow? Is he going to be a tight end? A running back? Here is my thought and what I feel is being tremendously overlooked by many people.  Tim Tebow is an athlete.  Just look at what he did in college football, playing in the SEC which is arguably the best conference in college football.  He has talent, and for a team like the Patriots who won't need him to step right in a play quarterback this year, he has potential.  You say he doesn't have an NFL delivery.  I say he has time to learn it from a man who some consider to be one of the best ever.  I think that he would learn a lot watching a three time Super Bowl Champion, two time Super Bowl MVP, one time regular season MVP, and also the record holder for most passes in a season.

Continue reading "Should the Patrots Draft Tim Tebow?"

There’s been a lot of griping recently over the state of Boston sports, serving (for me) as another ugly reminder of the developing, spoiled and cocksure nature of fans in this area. Let’s take a quick look, shall we?

Continue reading "A Message to Boston Sports Fans"

Its recently been brought to my attention that, over the past couple of weeks or so, my readership has doubled from 2 to 4. Thanks to these good natured and sympathetic followers, I’m left to wrestle with a serious question: Do I quit while on top (never had I anticipated the blog becoming this great a success), or do I continue to dribble out these “bi-weekly” blunderbusses, even though there is likely nowhere to go from here but down?

Continue reading "Late Night Rant"

This is just not the Celtics' year. Last night's game 7 looked like a game 4 in a 3-0 series. The Celtics came out without their energy, all out of sync. Clearly, they missed KG. Ray Allen, who we needed to step up, finally did, but he was the only one who showed up to play. Meanwhile, Orlando 21-13 from three point land, was just too much to handle and every shot they took led to me biting my nails off and praying for a comeback that never came. This game was a tough one for Boston to handle; we were losing all game and never made the run that they usually can.

Continue reading "The Celtics Lose Game 7 and Boston ..."

OK. So I lied. In last week’s musings I apologized for a sudden lack of blogs due to an increased workload at my paid writing job and I was back, better than ever and writing incessantly. If you haven’t noticed, and I’d be disappointed if you didn’t, another seven days has gone by without a new posting. Well, now, I truly have returned. You have my word. Following this edition of The Sports Don’s Sunday Musings, make sure you tune in later in the week for a blog about the impending superstardom of the Celtics’ Rajon Rondo, a look at the post Seattle Mariner careers of Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez (at the suggestion of my buddy Taco) and whatever else my twisted sports mind can conjure. As always, thank you for your support.

Continue reading "The Sports Don's Sunday Musings: Volume V"

I beg for forgiveness from those who checked in with any regularity this last week only to find the cupboard was left barren of fresh and delicious trinkets of wisdom, and all that remained was the discarded old, moldy and previously read blogs. The monotony of life reigned this past seven days along with additional hours at work which left me without the proper amount of time to coherently compose a posting and now even today’s blog is late, very late. Dismay no more, in a football-centric version of The Sports Don’s Sunday Musings, I have returned to writing incessantly and without any recognition of a word limit. I appreciate your patience.

Continue reading "The Sports Don's Sunday Musings: Volume IV"

Brett Lorenzo Favre, the beloved gunslinger from Southern Mississippi who was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons, made his first pass completion on his way to prominence as a Packer to himself and adorned a New York Jets uniform in his final season, announced his retirement yesterday…again.

Continue reading "Favre Retires. Finally. I Think."

One of the great things about sports is that every week fans are provided with a plethora of new topics to think about and discuss. Along with my other posts, starting today, and continuing every Sunday for the foreseeable future, I am going to supply my readership with an opportunity to peer inside my oversized cranium and take a peek at what I’m mulling over.

Continue reading "The Sports Don's Sunday Musings"

Usually I’m not one to consider a conspiracy in sports but the “flex schedule” set up by the NFL has gotten me perturbed to say the least. With their slaughter over the Cardinals last week the Patriots did their part in the efforts to make the playoffs. As luck would have it the Seahawks, allowing a glimmer of hope for New England, downed the Jets. In the final week of the regular season the Jets and Dolphins were to meet in an AFC East clash that will determine the fate of the division. With the entirety of the East playing at 1pm all of the NFL would know by early evening their AFC East divisional winner.

Continue reading "A Final Punishment?"

A friend of mine, whose wife was pregnant, headed to the hospital last week and hunkered down for the impending labor, promptly updating his Facebook status by noting that he was playing "the waiting game."

Continue reading "The Waiting Game"

As I watch the Patriots season I can help but be reminded of baseball seasons past. As an avid Red Sox fan the race for the pennant is always one that leaves fans on the edge of their seats, gaspin

Continue reading "Sizing up the Playoff Picture"

So say you work at the manufacturing plant for GM, and you're the guy who sticks the rear view mirror on the car. Along comes the next automobile, and you slap that damn mirror on so fast and so perfectly you can't help yourself - you break into a minute-long celebratory dance. And man, do you look good.

Continue reading "Quality play? That's secondary to this secondary"

Building a Cassel

By Dayne A. Duranti  

There is a big ugly bandwagon speeding through New England right now. 

It is a rotten old cart of a wagon, filled with bulbous faced drunks and scoundrels. They slug down their swill and they sing  

Continue reading "Building a Cassel"

on the AFC in Hawaii. 

The NFL institutions that we have all been able to count on like the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts have slipped into mediocrity due to injuries. 

Continue reading "All Good Soldiers"

Bill Belichick's resume speaks for itself - the man has won three Super Bowls and helped to turn a doormat franchise into a borderline dynasty. As far as people in New England are concerned, his reputation is cemented.

Continue reading "Not one for the film vault"

Patriots fans... don't miss this event! 

Heath Evans, starting fullback for the New England Patriots will be appearing at an autograph signing event on Saturday, November 15th from 2 PM - 4 PM.  Heath will meet fans and sign autographs.  Photographs will be permitted.

Continue reading "Heath Evans appearing at an autograph ..."

OK, I get it. Everyone in America hates the Patriots.

To a certain extent, I understand it. They have a recent history of domination, they were found guilty of a rather offensive crime, their coach isn't particularly pleasant, and the players offer little in the way of entertaining soundbites. The hatred has grown to the point that fans all around the country celebrated when Tom Brady went down with injury, noting - whether out loud or to themselves - that it was about time something bad happened to the Pats.

Continue reading "15 yards for unnecessary whining"

Hello!  I just wanted to take this time and introduce myself to anyone reading this...

I'm a 22-year old graduate of the University of Maryland-College Park (GO TERPS!) and while there I was the Assistant Sports Director at the campus radio station, WMUC.  The time I spent at WMUC was amazing, as I was able to be a play-by-play announcer for numerous ACC Football, Basketball and Baseball games.  Play-by-play announcing is what I've wanted to do for many years now, and the excellent journalism program at Maryland was the main reason why I attended the university.  If you are at all interested, you can listen to my play-by-play demos at my "official" website: www.ScottSudikoff.com.

Continue reading "Welcome to my blog! Here's a little about me..."

Don’t take this the wrong way, but I like a little violence, in sports that is. I think most people who like sports agree. The biggest reactions from spectators usually occur after a big coll

Continue reading "Violence Has It's Place"

So moved was I by the Patriots play on Sunday night that I picked up my cell phone in the middle of the second period and punched in the following analytical text message:

Patriots = bad at football.

Continue reading "Texting the truth"

I don’t know why, but it occurred to me the other day that clothing really changed sports. In ancient Rome, sports were played in the nude. Seriously. That’s probably why there were no

Continue reading "Thank Goodness for Uniforms"

With the MLB playoffs set to begin, there is a subtle difference in the air compared to start of any other postseason. In the NHL, fans can potentially look forward to a great Canadians/Bruins series that is not only exciting, but has a historical kick to it. Likewise basketball fans always have the chance to see if the Suns can finally get past the Spurs and football fans love seeing the rivalry of the Eagles Vs the City of Philadelphia when the Eagles so much as get tackled for a loss.

Continue reading "The Ups and Downs of the MLB Playoffs"

Doesn't the Patriots defense realize that with Brady out for the year that they not only need to show up, but they need to play well for NE to have any chance of winning.

Cassel was no Tom B yesterday, but things could have been much worse, on the offensive side anyway. 

Continue reading "Patriots absent in New England Yesterday??"

Memo to all ESPN studio analysts:

Please keep disrespecting the Patriots. This morning, as per usual, everyone but Keyshawn Johnson trashed the Pats and predicted an easy Jets victory. Leads one to wonder what it takes exactly to become an ESPN "expert" anyway. Any panel on which Keyshawn Johnson is the voice of reason needs some signficant retooling.

Continue reading "Dear Mr. Jackson"

Well, it appears Tom Brady will be out for the season. I think I speak for all of Patriot Nation when I say, 'dang'.

To call the loss of Brady a blow would be a seismic understatement. This is something more along the lines of a cataclysmic bazooka blast from outer space. Kamikaze Pollard, as the Chief's safety shall from now on be known, took out the central nervous system of the finely tuned Patriot machine and reduced the team to a motley assortment of loose parts.

Continue reading "Reaction to the Brady Injury"

    I know it's only the pre season, and I know Tom Brady hasn't played a snap... However I am still very concerned. I have read some blogs on this site and I have talked to friends and family of mine all of which say the pre season means nothing, and the Patriots 0-3 record is not a big deal. I agree to an extent, but for the most part I do not agree.

Continue reading "Pre Season Problems For The Pats"

The BoSox are sputtering slightly and seem unable to cope with the thrilling blend of youthful exuberance, talent and execution of the Tampa Bay Rays (even after 5 months it still seems weird), and I have a sinking suspicion that the only thing that the NFL season will bring is a continuous highlight reel rehashing the painful and humiliating achievement that was 18-1, which means that it’s time for the first NBA preview of the 2008-2009 season (cue the balloon drop, the sirens and the party music!). 

Continue reading "Return of the Rivalry"

    So the pre-season begins tonight. To be totally honest, after the Patriots lost the Super Bowl last year I said I would not be interested in Football untill the start of the regular season. Well I am happy to say I was wrong. Watching training camp for the past week or so I have gotten so amped for Football that I am actually excited for pre-season games.

Continue reading "Important Pre-Season For The Patriots"

With the Celtics having clinched the championship and the Boston Red Sox flirting with the number one spot, everyone is wondering the same thing: what can we excpect from the Patriots this season? I, for one, am already thinking about the high demands this year for New England to pull off another flawless regular season, but this time, finish the job in the postseason. Analysis of last season's mistakes and game-losing plays will be the key to redeeming the team's reputation and rebirthing the dynasty.

Continue reading "Can the Patriots Finish what They Started?"

Following the New York Giants' incredible upset victory over the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, Michael Strahan jubilantly declared that they had come into that stadium and killed a dynasty. Prior to the game the team wore all black, essentially claiming that this would be a funeral for the death of the Patriots' age of dominance.

Continue reading "Is the dynasty dead? Not likely."

The rivalry between the New England Patriots and Indianopolis Colts is perhaps the best of the new millenium. Say what you want about its lack of longevity (let's face it, this is only interesting because Tom Brady and Peyton Manning make it interesting) compared to longtime spats like Chiefs/Raiders, frankly, it doesn't matter. Games between the Pats and the Colts have become events in of themselves. Two years ago the AFC Championship was dubbed the "real" Super Bowl. The regular season matchups between these two draw more media attention and hoopla then some playoff games.

Continue reading "Pats vs. Colts: Why it used to be ..."

It's a bit of an oxymoron to say that the Patriots offense this year will be better, but the stats and numbers could be down from the record setting numbers of last season. The key will be better efficiency by the offense.

Continue reading "Less Prolific, But More Efficient"

Which means that his contract expires on February 28, 2008. Which also means that the star receiver is free to sell his services to any team in the league, including the Patriots. However, there is reason to belive that Moss and the Patriots are interested in reaching an accord that will enable Moss to end his career in a New England uniform. Technically speaking, the 2007 NFL season ends on Thursday, February 2008. Until then, the two sides are unable to consummate a long-term deal and Moss could conceivably sign with another team without that team having to offer the Pats compensatory draft picks. The primary allure for Moss to remain in New England - Tom Brady. If and when a new deal is reached, it's official announcement is expected on or after February 29, 2008. See story link below:

Continue reading "NO Franchise label for New England ..."

As so-called "Spygate" continues to engulf the New England Patriots, it seems useful to examine an oft-repeated alibi that "everyone does it." According to Atlanta Falcons team president Rich McKay this is decidedly not the case. McKay's exact words and the full text of the New York Times article on this subject appear in the link below. Just click and read:

Continue reading "Videogate - An Atlanta Falcons Perspective"

The New Tork Times is reporting that The New England Patriots practice of videotaping the hand signals of opposing coaches and teams began in 2000. Specifically, a "former Patriots player" alleges that the practice began during head coach Bill Belichick's inaugural coaching season in 2000. The article goes on to state that the information obtained was applied to the Patriot's season opener against The Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The direct link to the article:

Continue reading "Fresh Videotaping Allegations Strike ..."

To use a phrase I used many times in years past for the Boston Red Sox, I will now use for the New England Patriots. "Wait till next year"

Continue reading "The New England Patriots and Thier ..."

Well, things seemed pretty good for a while, didn't they? And, of course, for the rest of the world, that was the "best super bowl ever" (I guess people are so souped to watch my Pats go down that they're willing to overlook a lethargic, ugly first half of a game). And yeah, I've seen the gracious Boston fans, tipping their hats to the New York Giants, giving credit where (admittedly) credit is due, and all those hallmarks of grace and cordiality. But then I remembered: I'm from Boston. It's not really our style. So, yeah, I'm bitter. I'm bitter that we had a chance to seize the title of Best Team of All Time, to grab Mercury Morris and Don Shula and the rest of the insufferable '72 Dolphins by the throat and tell them to Shut The Hell Up Forever, that we could have cemented a true football dynasty in an era where such a thing is supposed to be impossible. Now? 16-0 doesn't matter so much as 18-1, and any discussion of the Greatness of the '07 Patriots is followed with a "Yeah, but..." And Giants fans- this isn't about you, so don't take it personally. You're World Champs because you won the game. Noone can take that away from you, and I'm not even trying. But I'm also not about to sit here and say that I'm happy for you, either. No, it's time to pull a Belichick: scowl, pout, frown, and own this loss. Own the pain of blowing a game you could have won. Own the humiliation that comes from knowing that you scoffed at the rest of the world who was rooting against you, just to prove them all right. Because if you really own it, then maybe the next time you get to that precipice, you'll do things just a little bit differently. At the end of the day, we can throw all the platitudes and sportsmanship aside, and call this one like it is. It was always about us against the haters. It was always about shoving it in their faces. And, most importantly, it was always about 19-0. And we didn't get it done. 

Continue reading "The Aftermath"

I have never claimed to be an expert when it comes to predicting outcomes of football games, although last year I nearly predicted the exact final score of the Super Bowl while hitting on seven of my nine prop bets. (My prediction was 26-17, the final was 29-17.) For whatever reason I had a very good feel for that game. This year's Super Bowl, however, remains a mystery to me. Part of the reason I am having trouble getting a good feel for this game is that I am a bitter Jets fan and I can't stand either team. I'm finding it difficult to put my personal feelings aside and look at the game objectively. I think right now I am as close to objectivity as I am going to get, and with that being said, here is my official Super Bowl XLII prediction.

Continue reading "Super Bowl XLII Prediction"

today, and it probably won’t come as too big of a surprise that a certain gentleman from the New England Patriots will be heading the list. Yes, it’s finally Tom Brady’s year, and if the rest of the country is (perhaps justifiably) sick of Tom Terrific and his band of overachievers, New Englanders remain ecstatic. It makes sense, of course; Brady is that guy in high school that lettered in three sports and still had a 4.0, a lead in the musical, and spent the weekends volunteering at the homeless shelter. The stain of CameraGate doesn’t touch him, and it’s his, well, perfection that seems to bother the haters more than anything else. And that perfection is gaining historical impact, as well: Brady, though slowing down, is still on track to break Peyton “Cornbread” Manning’s season records for touchdowns and passer rating, perhaps earning perfect citizen Randy Moss a touchdown record of his own in the process. Not only will this be a significant accomplishment on its own, but it may also help put to rest the Brady vs. Manning debate that has raged on between people of all affiliations with a surplus of free time. As most NFL fans are undoubtedly aware, Peyton has traditionally held the gaudy numbers, while Brady has won the championships. With last years’ dreadful Super Bowl, the positions have shifted. Peyton has a ring, and Brady, for once, has a high-powered receiving corps that is allowing him to make the most of his abilities. What’s particularly illuminating about this swap is the seeming revelation that although Brady is capable of most of the things usually credited to Manning as advantages: reading defenses, adjusting plays, making big throws; it seems that he still holds the edge in mental toughness, poise, composure, and all of those intangibles that separate the great quarterbacks from, well, Jeff George. This isn’t to say Peyton Manning is Jeff George, of course, he’s a future Hall-Of-Famer for sure and a hell of a player. Nevertheless, I see a degree of greatness that separates the two, with Brady holding the edge. As the season winds it way towards the record books,

Continue reading "MVP! MVP!"

quo;s seemingly appropriate, therefore, that on the same day 101 years later Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots will attempt to recreate much the same level of punishment on his former

Continue reading "Jets II: The Reckoning"