jczxohn1

://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=134008&format=&page=2

Once again, Felger sifts his facts with a fine comb to make his point. Ranking on free agent signings Jones and Gramatica, he has nothing good to say about either. No mention at all in a 6 line paragraph about Gramatica's injury and rehab, just his 2004 record and absence last season.

Felger holds out as the only hope the weakness of the schedule and covers his bases by subliminally mentioning the possibility of 12 wins and a division title. Never knowledgeable as a football reporter, Felger now writes like radio talk show host "taking a stand" from a weak position in order to compete with a stronger opponent, which, in fact, he is.

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Felger started his question, "Correct me if I'm wrong," BB quickly interjected, "I can't wait--"


``The officials now are evaluating the players and their performance, I mean, that's great,'' Belichick deadpanned. ``I can't say how much that means to me, really.''

BelichickFan

Felger has been my favorite Pats writer for a long time but he's really pissing me off.

ASAIC we need to replace McGinest and that's about it. Could we miss Vinatieri if we have a game winner in the playoffs ? Sure. But 20-25 won't be missed.

As I posted on the draft board, if we put Colvin and Vrabel outside with Bruschi inside, "all" we need to replace from 2004 (not 2005) is the TJ/Phifer rotation at the other inside spot as a now healthy Colvin replaces McGinest (in ability and position, a different skill set, pros and cons). We can replace TJ/Phifer if that's the route we choose.

Then add in that 2004/2005 were the most injury prone seasons I've ever seen, if we have league average injuries instead, I think we end up about equal now. Your choice Givens at WR and Troy Brown at #3 CB or Caldwell at WR and, say, Gay at #3 CB.

And FA isn't over yet, Michael.

DarrylS

I think Felger is trying to be devisive so he can garner some new folks for his ESPN show, I also respected him, however must be bending the elbow with Cafardo and Borges...

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"Being the best doesn't mean you always win. It just means you win more than anyone else".. tweet from Kurt Warner to Tom Brady.

Pats726

I used to think he was OK, but now?? He's lacking perspective and just following the Mannix Borges line..controversial..I say dumb!! I used to listen to him when he was first on as there was good football talk, but it has gone so far downhill. He just misses things totally..to me the water should be thrown on him.

scout

I hope the Patriots roll and make them all look bad. The Patriots lost two high profile players that the media will harp on all season unless we have a really great year. The team pretty much remains intact. The players we did lose were getting up in age and in the long haul might work to our advantage if we have a couple of young players step up. What keeps popping up in my mind are the Celtic and Bruin glory years. At the time, I thought for sure the Bird and Orr regimes would win more championships. This year is crucial to get that swagger back as I'd hate to see us fall into that Brett Farve syndrome. Note: we are not close to being there yet.

Don_the_patfan

I didnt read the article .. cant find it. With that said:

And you got something "good" to say about Gramatica and Jones?? Well I dont. Some of you are major homers and see everything as a good move. Fine Jones and Gramatica are 'depth' nothing wrong with that. But to be dissapointed because Felger has nothing good to say about them ... is crazy. Hell I got nothing good to say about them either. You cannot look at this offseason and say it's been great cause it hasnt. And yes this offseason up until now. If later we sign Sey and Branch then you could call it a success. Up until now though it is not. That doesnt make me less of a pat fan for saying that.

Again there is nothing wrong with being a homer however you cannot tell me with a straight face that the Gramatica and Jones signing was anything more then depth. And no there is nothing good to talk about them so Felger is right.

CrazyDave

Well, personally, i think getting an expieienced ST gunner for Vet min. is a good signing. And i think getting a kicker who was quite good before injury, and supposedly has been rehabbing very well, for Vet min. is also a good signing. And I think "depth" is very important. To say a signing is nothing more than depth does'nt make sense to me. With all due respect.

JDSal45

Felger does some crap simply to enhance, in his mind, his ability to find a niche in radio. I've noticed he's been making political statements on his show lately. I think he wants to find a niche as a lefty sports radio personality since most are righties. Then later, he can use those bonafides to perhaps find himself on 'EEI or some competing voice to their mostly conservative voices.

But the problem is, he's too stupid to pull it off. The other day he was making a comment about Antonin Scalia (pronounced Anton-NEEN) and kept calling him Anton, he must have done it 20 times. Then he referred to him as "Judge" Scalia several times. Hey, Felger, if you're gonna make political comments, at least learn the basics so you don't sound like a friggin' moron. Learn his first name and Supreme Court Justices are just that...JUSTICES, not JUDGES.

As a lefty myself, he's an embarassment. With friends like him on my side, who needs enemies?

J D Sal

p8ryts

Jones and Grammatica are good signings. Even if they never play a down. First, Tebucky will be valuable on special teams and the Pats have worked very hard the last couple years with mixed results there, so he will play downs if only on special teams.
Second, Grammatica was a very good kicker at one point and could be again. He could be a real find. If he isn't, no problem, but it was a good signing to see if he can regain his form.

I couldn't find the Felger article so I don't know what he said other than what was posted.

I don't understand all the negativity but the Pats will prove all the naysayers (if the shoe fits foot it) wrong at the end of the year.

MoLewisrocks

It's from his Friday piece. The inflamatory comments that seem to provoke:

"First the bad news: Based on the current roster, the Patriots won’t be a better football team than the one that went 10-6 in 2005 and bowed out in the second round of the playoffs.

Now the good news: Based on the 2006 schedule, they may not have to be.

Back to the bad news. The Pats have big needs at No. 2 receiver, No. 1 corner, No. 3 safety, linebacker and kicker. Their free agent bounty at those spots so far (in order): Reche Caldwell; Eric Warfield; Tebucky Jones; nobody; and Martin Gramatica. Not exactly inspiring.

In the meantime, the Patriots didn’t get any better yesterday with the signings of Jones and Gramatica. Ideally, these are emergency/last resort-type players. If the Pats have to rely on either, they’re in trouble."

I'm not sure these comments are all that inflamatory, but lately the mere concept of criticism seems to unnerve a segment of the fanbase. Maybe Ian should shut the board down until after week 6.


http://patriots.bostonherald.com/pat...ticleid=134008