BY THE NUMBERS: QB Comparison
Coming into Sunday’s game where the 3-2 Patriots will take on the 0-5 Tennessee Titans, here’s a spotlight comparing quarterbacks Tom Brady and Kerry Collins:
Player |
Comp |
Att |
Cmp% |
Yds |
Yds/Att |
LONG |
TD |
INT |
Sacks |
Rating |
| Collins, Kerry | 106 | 185 | 57.3 | 1078 | 5.8 | 69 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 67.4 |
| Brady, Tom | 127 | 207 | 61.4 | 1344 | 6.5 | 36 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 85.9 |
Their numbers are actually pretty similar, but one key thing to note is the fact that as erratic as Brady has been this season, he hasn’t been turning it over – which has been one of Collins’ most damaging traits after the vetran QB has already been picked off seven times. As we all know turnovers are the achilles heel for any team, so for those who are frustrated with Brady’s inconsistent play – things could certainly be worse.
Junior Seau Trampled in Bull Riding Incident
USA Today reported on Tuesday that former Patriots linebacker Junior Seau took in the Professional Bull Riders Tour last weekend, where he was reportedly run over by a bull and apparently got up with hardly any injuries.
According to the report Seau danced with a bull in the ring at an event in Ontario, Calif. (See the video after the jump.) Seau stood up to the bull as if he was approaching a line of scrimmage, and the bull plowed over him.
Vince Wilfork Leaves With An Injury
Patriots defensive lineman Vince Wilfork suffered an ankle injury late in the 2nd quarter and limped off the field before heading back to the locker room.
He had two tackles in the game one solo, and one combined before leaving the field.
ESPN Picks the Jets For this One
Just to add more fuel to the fire in this game, Chris Berman, Mike Ditka, Keyshawn Johnson, Tom Jackson, and Chris Carter all made their NFL game picks on Sunday morning on NFL Live, and when it came time to make their pick for the Pats and Jets, only Chris Berman picked the Patriots to win this matchup.
U2 Set to Rock Gillette Stadium
The cranes arrived at Gillette Stadium and were hard at work just hours after the Patriots pulled off their dramatic 25-24 victory over the Buffalo Bills, and after being there all week getting ready, the set is now built and U2 will be rocking Gillette Sunday night.
Sunday night’s show is the first of two nights that U2 will take the stage in Foxboro for their 360 Tour, with another show scheduled for Monday night.
From all accounts it should be quite a spectacle. The band has reportedly commissioned a 150-foot steel structure housing a 54-ton video screen, and the scene is said to be one of “the most intimate stadium shows you’ll ever attend”.
For anyone going, the lots at Gillette aren’t scheduled to open until 3pm on Sunday, and the same time on Monday. So plan ahead – as stadium officials are doing their best to spread the word so that not too many people arrive early and end up being turned away.
In the meantime we’ll leave you with this interesting interview with
U2’s Tour Lighting Director Ethan Weber, along with this video from the tour featuring one of my favorite songs, “Unforgettable Fire”
Are you going to either night’s show? Leave a comment!
Tonight’s Patriots Inactives
The team just reported via their Twitter channel that tonight’s New England Patriots inactives are WR Julian Edelman, WR Matthew Slater, G Kendall Simmons, CB Terrance Wheatley, DT Myron Pryor, OL Rich Ohrnberger, RB BenJarvis Green-Ellis, OL Dan Connolly.
Law Wouldn’t Mind Return To Patriots
Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald reported Monday afternoon that former Patriots cornerback Ty Law is mulling a return to the league, and apparently is feeling a bit nostalgic and may like a shot at finishing his career with the team he started with.
Law is reportedly in town as a member of the Patriots’ 50th anniversary team, which will be recognized and honored at halftime of tonight’s season opener.
According to the Herald, the 35-year-old cornerback still believes he has some football left and has been in Florida training and waiting for the right opportunity and the right team to call
“There is never a question about this being the right team,” Law told the newspaper. “So, you always put this one (in the mix). But I’ve got this team, along with a few others, I wouldn’t mind playing for.”
AJ Feeley On Patriots Radar?
With the release of quarterback Kevin O’Connell this afternoon, the speculation of what New England may do next has begun.
According to Jason La Canfora of NFL.com, New England is among many teams to express an interest in Philadelphia’s A.J. Feeley, but the Eagles reportedly don’t plan on parting with Feeley until they know how long Michael Vick will have to sit out. With the length of Vick’s reinstatment still unknown (it could range from one to six games), it would be tough for Philadelphia to let him go.
Feeley was taken in the fifth round (155th overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Eagles and is no stranger to trades. He was traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2004, and then traded the following year to San Diego midway through the 2005 season. He then signed with Philadelpia in 2006 and was given a three year contract in 2007, which has him under contract with the Eagles until 2010. However, his future appears to be in doubt, at least until the Eagles find out what will become of Vick’s reinstatement.
Nevertheless the timing of this afternoon’s release of O’Connell is definitely a surprise. Give Bill Belichick credit, as the good news is it gives O’Connell an extra week to hopefully get a new start somewhere else.
New England Patriot Matt Light Takes Aim to Keep Kids on Target
Just received this press release moments ago from the Patriots media relations department for anyone interested:
–
Light Foundation Announces Date for its 5th Annual Celebrity Shoot-Out;
Rhode Island Firm Signs on Again as Event’s Lead Sponsor
The Light Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 2001 by New England Patriot Matt Light, announced today the date for its signature fundraising event. The 2009 Matt Light Celebrity Shoot-Out will be held on Tuesday, September 29th, at Addieville East Farm in Mapleville, Rhode Island.
The Shoot-Out, now in its fifth year, offers participants the opportunity to match their shooting skills against Light, his teammates, and a host of local and national celebrities including comedian Lenny Clarke and Olympic skier Bode Miller. And you don’t have to be a crack shot to have a great time. Instructors at the Rhode Island course will teach rookies the basics of sporting clay shooting and provide all the necessary equipment. Proceeds from this one-of-kind event benefit the Light Foundation, a youth-based organization that strives to instill honesty, accountability and responsibility in young people through unique outdoor learning experiences that include a character development football camp, a financial literacy program offered at area schools, and academic scholarships. In the eight years since the organization was founded, it has raised over $1.2 million to support these important programs.
Light says he wanted to develop a unique high-profile charity event that would raise funds and exposure for his Foundation, and his love of the outdoors naturally came into play. “We’re very excited going into our 5th year. The Shoot-Out has grown each season, and people really look forward to getting out on the course and having fun. There’s nothing like it out there,” he adds. “We’re lucky to have fantastic sponsors on board to help make the event special for the guests, and at the end of the day, we’ve done something even more special for these kids.”
Lighthouse Computer Services of Lincoln, Rhode Island, will serve as the Platinum sponsor for the 5th year in a row. The firm’s CEO, Tom Mrva says this is one date he has booked months ahead. “We absolutely love this event because it’s unique, our clients enjoy it, our employees enjoy it, and we raise a lot of money for a worthy cause,” he adds. “I’ve seen firsthand the difference it makes for a lot of these kids who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to grow and thrive.”
Shooters in foursomes from all over New England, and as far away as Colorado will converge at Addieville to mingle with celebrities, enjoy lunch from the popular Qdoba Mexican Grill, and dinner by renowned steakhouse The Capital Grille. Spirits will be provided by Harpoon and Three Olives, hand-rolled cigars from New England Cigar Factory, lakeside fly fishing and shooting demonstrations by some of the sport’s top names. Singer/songwriter Ryan Montbleau will kick off the after-party with live music, and Light will get a hand from Clarke, and WAAF morning radio personality, Greg “the Hill-man” Hill, for a live auction that has to be experienced. “Lenny runs an auction like no one else,” says Light. “He’ll sell just about anything for the Foundation, and he takes no prisoners!”
Last year’s Celebrity Shoot-Out brought many of Light’s friends and teammates together to support the cause. Dan Connolly, Stephen Gostkowski, Chris Hanson, Ellis Hobbs, Russ Hochstein, Larry Izzo, Nick Kaczur, Dan Koppen, Logan Mankins, Lonnie Paxton, Stephen Spach, Mike Vrabel and Wes Welker all took part in the festivities, in addition to Patriots alumni Peter Brock and Pro Football Hall-of -Famer Andre Tippett. This year, Light expects the star-studded guest list to be just as long.
So is this a guys-only event? No way, says Light. “Many women are amazing shooters, and in fact, last year, the top shooter was Patti Mastroianni.” Many of the 200-plus shooters who register for this event have never held a shotgun beforehand arrive early at Addieville for safety lessons and some training time.
Addieville East Farm, founded in 1980, is located on 400 private acres in Mapleville, Rhode Island, and offers clay shooting, archery, dog training, and fishing. It’s also New England’s premiere pheasant hunting preserve. Each year, manager Jack O’Brien designs two 15-station courses with challenging, high-flying clay targets specifically for this event
Since the first tournament in 2004, the Matt Light Celebrity Shoot-Out has raised over $300,000 for The Light Foundation’s efforts on behalf of youth, and Light expects that number will continue to grow. “Our goal is to be a beacon for charitable organizations, athletes and youth,” he adds, “to work hard, put their best foot forward, and strive to become champions in the game of life.”
For Information on The Light Foundation, contact Foundation Director John Keuffer at 781-635-4448, or visit: www.mattlightfoundation.org. For more information about the Matt Light Celebrity Shoot-Out, contact The Goodwin Group, at 781-784-5381.
About the Light Foundation:
The Light Foundation was established in 2001 by 3-Time Super Bowl Champion and 1st year Pro-Bowler Matt Light. Matt was drafted in 2000 out of Purdue University and has become the anchor for the Patriots Offensive Line. The Light Foundation strives to instill and augment the values of responsibility, accountability and hard work by providing youth with unique outdoor learning experiences that assist them in reaching their highest potential. Its goal is to lead young people down a path to becoming responsible members of their communities who are capable of passing on the torch of leadership and achievement to their friends and families. Matt Light received the third New England Patriots Ron Burton Community Service Award in 2005, and last year, was presented the President’s Volunteer Service Award for his outstanding work in the community. Since its inception in 2001, the Light Foundation has raised more over $1.2 million for various programs and initiatives, with the Shoot-Out raising over $300,000 to date. For more information, visit www.MattLightfoundation.org,
Michael Jackson Dies at 50
I’d be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to acknowlege the passing of Michael Jackson, who joined Farrah Fawett with his sudden death today at the age of 50.
As someone who grew up during the 80’s, love him or hate him the guy was a legend. I’m sure now that he’s passed away we’ll finally learn more about his strange behavior – although it’s sad that it takes someone’s death to find out more about who they really were. Nevertheless the guy had a major impact on music and during his peak was one of the greatest entertainers in the business.
He also played a part in Patriots History as pointed out by Chad Finn of the Boston Globe, citing a Forbes.com article from a couple of years ago.
Michael Jackson: August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009