Preview, Patriots at Chargers

I would like to apologize for the lack of updates, I have had some stuff in real life which has taken away from my writing.

Anyway, this weekend on NBC’s Sunday Night Football, there is a rematch of the last AFC Championship as the Patriots travel to San Diego.  Now some of the luster that might have been in this game before the season might be lost, as each team is dealing with injuries to their star players, the Pats missing Tom Brady and possibly Lamont Jordan, the Chargers look like they will not only be without Shawne Merriman, whois on IR, but Chris Chambers might miss this game along with Antonio Gates and LaDanian Tomlinson not playing up to their standard of play.

The Pats on offense last week looked like the opened up the playbook a little bit more, with Cassel attempting the deep pass and Randy Moss catching a huge bomb which helped jump start the Pats offense at San Francisco last week.  The Chargers will be the toughest defense the Pats have faced to date.  The Chargers have one of the best corner tandems in the league with Cromartie and Jammer, and still have a decent front seven against the run even without Merriman.  The Pats running game will be tested for sure Sunday night.

The Chargers come into the game with a 2-3 record, with two of those losses coming in the last thirty seconds of the game, including the infamous Ed Hoculi blown call week two.  The Chargers started last year 2-3 and still won the AFC West.  The Chargers offense for so long featured Tomlinson and his ability to score from almost anywhere on the field either from a run or a pass.  But Tomlinson is suffering from turf toe and looks like a shell of himself.  Darren Sproles has looked good in spelling Tomlinson.  Philip Rivers continue to mature into a good NFL quarterback, but with two of his targets dinged up, he will be looking a lot towards Vincent Jackson and “Buster” Davis.

These teams have a history the last few years.  The Patriots have eliminted the Chargers the last few years from the playoffs and the Chargers have attacked the Pats in the media many times the last few years after their losses.  While this game is lacking the start power of some of their match-ups the last few years, both teams need this win, San Diego needs it more but they won’t get it, as I think the Pats have enough to win on the road in a squeaker.

Troy Brown retires

If there is one player who was the perfect Patriot during the last 15 years, it was Troy Brown.  Troy Brown did everything on this team.  No, literally, he did everything, he played on return teams, he played on block teams, he was a Pro Bowl wideout, and when the team a few years ago was destroyed by defensive backfield injuries, Brown played defensive back.  I could write a book on the clutch plays Troy Brown has made during his tenure, and I am sure every Patriots fan has memories of number 80 doing something on the field, either catching passes from his back, making a clutch punt return or picking off Drew Bledsoe, or maybe even a play I forgot.

Brown was never as flashy or as newsworthy as others at the position.  He never did fancy dances, or push ups in his driveway or fake mooned a crowd, but week in and week out Brown played with everything he had, and is an example for young players to look up.  Watching Wes Welker now, he reminds me a lot of Troy, the shifty moves, the work ethic, everything.  Even watching welker in Miami before he signed here, watching him play, the first thing I thought of is “He reminds me of Troy.”  I would love to see the Pats offer him a position, either on the coaching staff or even the front office.

Dolphins destroy Pats 38-13.

Today in Foxoborough, the New England Patriots suffered their first regular season loss since 2006.  The Dolphins were led by Ronnie Brown who had 4 rushing touchdowns and a passing TD.  The Pats defense was shellshocked by a formation which had Chad Pennington lining out wide and Ronne Brown in a shotgun position where the QB would line up.  But even if the Pats could stop this formation, it didn’t matter as the Pats were carved all over the field, during one span allowing Pennington to complete 11 straight passes.

The offense wasn’t that much better.  Matt Cassel was awful, once again attempting a dink and dunk offense which led to a 19/31 for a measly 131 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. The running game was stagnant too, as it totaled less than 100 yards.

The Pats now head into their off week next week before heading out to the west coast to play the 49ers week 5.  The Pats have a lot of work to do the next 13 days, as they looked worse than awful and there might have been some weaknesses discovered today which could haunt the Pats for the rest of the season without Tom Brady leading the offense.

Mike Vrabel activated

Mike Vrabel had his first practice of the season today.  He was activated off of the PUP this morning, and his status for Thursday night’s game vs Baltimore is yet to be determined.

Patriots come to terms with John Welbourn

With the lack of depth on the offensive line heading into Thursday’s opening pre season game vs the Ravens due to injuries to many players, the Pats today announced they have come to terms with former Chiefs and Eagles lineman John Welbourn.  Welbourn has started at almost every position on the line during his time in KC and Philly, and last year he started all 16 games at right guard.  This is a very good signing in my opinion, as Welbourn is a veteran player who can play anywhere on the line and add depth and flexibility.  His status for Thursday night is unknown, but has a 9 year veteran, he might not need reps Thurday to prepare for the season if he makes the roster.

Roster notes for August 2nd

The Patriots have done a few roster moves today.

Three people were activated off of the PUP, WR Wes Welker, CB Ellis Hobbs and rookie LB Bo Ruud.  Welker was lead the Pats in catches last year and looks to continue to put up big numbers in the off season, Hobbs was hurting during the Super Bowl with a few different injuries, and is penciled in to be a starter at cornerback.  Ruud was the 6th round pick and probably will be heading towards the practice squad, as its tough for a rookie linebacker who has missed 14 or so practices to pick up the Pats defensive scheme.

Also, offensive lineman Anthony Clement was placed on IR and offensive lineman Barry Stokes was signed.  I didn’t expect Clement to make the roster, and I think Stokes has an uphill battle to make the roster.

Also, tonight is the Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony.  Former Pats linebacker Andre Tippett is going to be enshrined and he will be speaking first.  Coverage starts at 6 PM EST on the NFL Network.

Rodney Harrison activated off of the PUP

The Pats today activated Rodney Harrison off of the PUP allowing him to start taking part in practice.

7/27 AM Practice notes

That Pats held thier first practice of the day this morning.  It was another practice in pads, meaning 5 out of 6 practices have been in pads, as only a walkthrough yesterday afternoon has been the only non padded practice.

Terrance Wheatley did work this morning with the first string defense, as Jason Webster was not at practice.  There were no reasons given for Webster’s absence, but with older veteran players seeming getting easy days during the two-a-day sessions, Webster might have been given the session off, as Matt Light also didn’t practice this morning and reports also say Tom Brady took it easy.  Also Shawn Crable and Jerod Mayo deflected passes during a red zone drill this morning, so it looks like the rookies are coming on fine and fitting in.  Of course Wheatley might not see 1st string time once Hobbs gets off the PUP, but him getting time now helps, as we are about a week away from the preseason opener.

Nick Kazcur has his first practice this morning.  He was the second string left tackle, Wesley Britt and Ryan O’Callahan were the first string tackles this morning.

Newcomer Lamont Jordan drew some raves as well from Coach Belichick in his press conference after practice, and Jordan looked good out there running during the Pats red zone drills this morning.

There will be another practice this afternoon, but with the skies looking grey and what sounds like thunderstorms starting outside, this practice might be moved indoors and closed to the public.

Nick Kazcur activated off of PUP, Lav Bauta released

The Patriots announced this morning the release of offensive lineman Lav Bauta and that lineman Nick Kazcur was activated off of the PUP in time for practice this morning.  Kazcur has had an awful offseason, being arrested for speeding and posession of 200 oxycontin pills.  He then turned informant and helped the feds arrest his dealer.  He was in court ealier this week where Kazcur did pay a fine for the speeding charge and was put on probation for the drug charges.

Pats sign Lamont Jordan

The Patriots today announced they signed Lamont Jordan to the squad.  To free up a roster spot, they released WR Robert Ortiz.  Jordan’s signing is somewhat of a surprise, as the Patriots look to be deep at running back with Sammy Morris, Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk getting the bulk of the touches.  Possibly Kyle Eckel or Heath Evans could be in trouble with this signing, as its possible Jordan could play fullback when the Pats use one and Jordan is a better goal line back than Evans.

Jordan has been given #32 as of now.