PonyExpress
In the Starting Line-Up
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2006
- Messages
- 4,659
- Reaction score
- 78
1. This was a monumental victory. Don't let any sourpuss newshound try to convince anyone otherwise. The Jaguars, when they play for keeps, are as brutal, relentless and savage a bunch of football bullies as exists on the planet. They were playing for their lives today like wounded lions in their own den, where they had ripped apart every other quality club that had ventured in limb from limb. The Patriots, our glorious team, went into the monster's den and dominated them physically and mentally. But for a few Jericho Cotchery style hail mary fluke plays, the final tally would have more properly reflected the @$$-whooping that actually took place between the white lines.
2. Brady was magnificent. Considering the stakes, the opponent, the circumstances surrounding the team, this was Tom's best performance since his flu-ridden masterpiece against Pittsburgh in the AFC Championship Game in '04. He rose to the occasion like a true champion against the #5 pass defense and #2 rush defense in the NFL with the playoffs on the line. The Soul-less Grinch of Football Christmas, Borges, would have us believe Brady was "careful" and "managed" this game to mediocrity, besting his inept opponent Garrard in a quarterback pillow fight. That perspective is a steaming pile of crap flowing from Borges' toothless mouth.
3. Dave "Casper" Thomas should never leave the starting lineup again. Period. His best play of the game may have been the block which sprung Maroney on that 27 yard TD, demonstrating that in time "Casper" can become, if he isn't already, the most complete TE on this team.
4. Jack Del Rio's sob story post-game should surprise nobody. He's just another punk bully in a long tradition of bullies spun off from the biggest bully organization in football, the Steelers. When his Jaguar team, which he had molded in the image of his Steel-town idols, got their faces kicked in by a squad man enough to stand up to them, Del Rio cried like the wee byatch he is. He must have been channeling Joey Porter and Kordell Stewart.
5. The LB situation. This defense is #2 in points allowed in the NFL. Whatever their limitations, the LB corps has played heroically and to the best of their ability, for years full tilt full time and earning the lifelong admiration and gratitude of Patriot fans. That being said, this fan has an eye on the future out of habit and some upgrades may help this team become even more dominating in years to come, no disrespect meant to the warriors who dominated the field of battle today.
Future options:
a) Lance Briggs. This has zero chance of happening. BB is very close with Jerry Angelo and wouldn't steal a player from him. There are some gentleman's agreements around the league, like the one that existed between Parcells and BB over Vinatieri, and Briggs, no doubt, will be one of them. Combined with lucrative price, and the fact Angelo wants to keep Briggs, Pats fans should forget about Briggs- not gonna happen.
b) London Fletcher. WILL HAPPEN. He is the ideal candidate. He is on the wrong side of 30, making him less attractive on the open market, but ideal for the Pats, who covet experience at the position. He went to the same college as Josh McDaniels, with whom he remains close. BB has openly expressed admiration for London in the media. The fact Fletcher is only 5'10'' is unimportant. Bruschi, though listed at 6'1'', is barely 6'0'', if that. Fletcher has 12 passes defensed this season, indicating his strength in coverage, and he is solid enough at 250 lbs to play LB in the 3-4. His height, age, his under the radar talent, his closeness to members of the organization, his desire to play for a winner where the grass is greener in the division, all suggest the Pats could hook him for decent but not spectacular money. This has the Patriots' fingerprints all over it.
c) The draft. It's too early to draw conclusions about the draft with spring workouts etc. to come. But if the Pats are looking for a player with character who can lead with a mean streak from the ILB position, P. Willis seems like an ideal candidate who could be groomed and bulked up to start in 2008.
Merry Christmas All.
2. Brady was magnificent. Considering the stakes, the opponent, the circumstances surrounding the team, this was Tom's best performance since his flu-ridden masterpiece against Pittsburgh in the AFC Championship Game in '04. He rose to the occasion like a true champion against the #5 pass defense and #2 rush defense in the NFL with the playoffs on the line. The Soul-less Grinch of Football Christmas, Borges, would have us believe Brady was "careful" and "managed" this game to mediocrity, besting his inept opponent Garrard in a quarterback pillow fight. That perspective is a steaming pile of crap flowing from Borges' toothless mouth.
3. Dave "Casper" Thomas should never leave the starting lineup again. Period. His best play of the game may have been the block which sprung Maroney on that 27 yard TD, demonstrating that in time "Casper" can become, if he isn't already, the most complete TE on this team.
4. Jack Del Rio's sob story post-game should surprise nobody. He's just another punk bully in a long tradition of bullies spun off from the biggest bully organization in football, the Steelers. When his Jaguar team, which he had molded in the image of his Steel-town idols, got their faces kicked in by a squad man enough to stand up to them, Del Rio cried like the wee byatch he is. He must have been channeling Joey Porter and Kordell Stewart.
5. The LB situation. This defense is #2 in points allowed in the NFL. Whatever their limitations, the LB corps has played heroically and to the best of their ability, for years full tilt full time and earning the lifelong admiration and gratitude of Patriot fans. That being said, this fan has an eye on the future out of habit and some upgrades may help this team become even more dominating in years to come, no disrespect meant to the warriors who dominated the field of battle today.
Future options:
a) Lance Briggs. This has zero chance of happening. BB is very close with Jerry Angelo and wouldn't steal a player from him. There are some gentleman's agreements around the league, like the one that existed between Parcells and BB over Vinatieri, and Briggs, no doubt, will be one of them. Combined with lucrative price, and the fact Angelo wants to keep Briggs, Pats fans should forget about Briggs- not gonna happen.
b) London Fletcher. WILL HAPPEN. He is the ideal candidate. He is on the wrong side of 30, making him less attractive on the open market, but ideal for the Pats, who covet experience at the position. He went to the same college as Josh McDaniels, with whom he remains close. BB has openly expressed admiration for London in the media. The fact Fletcher is only 5'10'' is unimportant. Bruschi, though listed at 6'1'', is barely 6'0'', if that. Fletcher has 12 passes defensed this season, indicating his strength in coverage, and he is solid enough at 250 lbs to play LB in the 3-4. His height, age, his under the radar talent, his closeness to members of the organization, his desire to play for a winner where the grass is greener in the division, all suggest the Pats could hook him for decent but not spectacular money. This has the Patriots' fingerprints all over it.
c) The draft. It's too early to draw conclusions about the draft with spring workouts etc. to come. But if the Pats are looking for a player with character who can lead with a mean streak from the ILB position, P. Willis seems like an ideal candidate who could be groomed and bulked up to start in 2008.
Merry Christmas All.
Iron willed, ball gripping, vice clenching refusing to lose - OK 
