Some Fish Wrap Week of July 2nd, 2007

[Box_O_Rocks]

http://media.www.smudailycampus.com...angs.Getting.A.Shot.At.The.Pros-2920327.shtml

Justin Rogers

Justin Rogers was the first SMU player to be taken in the NFL draft since 2003. Rogers was selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round, being the 180th pick overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. Rogers was a fixture at the end of the defensive line during his time at SMU.

Rogers helped the Mustangs' defense lead Conference USA in rushing defense, tackles-for-loss and sacks. Rogers contributed 15 tackles-for-loss, 9.5 being sacks.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070702/REPOSITORY/707020359

New England Patriots offensive linemen Logan Mankins and Stephen Neal were in attendance and drew applause when they were introduced at the pre-race drivers meeting.

H'mmm Logan ropes'em and Neal wrastles'em, them fancy race cars was in for a surprise.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Chahger talk...
http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=66&p=2&c=655650

What has changed this offseason to put your team over the top?

Bingham: We had a good team last season. We should have won that game against the New England Patriots. We made some serious mistakes and it cost us, but that happens if you make mistakes in any game. We realize what some of our mistakes were and we’ll be better because of it.

The thing about the NFL is that nothing stays the same for long. Just because things go well one year, doesn’t mean your luck won’t change in a hurry. We know we have the potential to do great things. We still have to go out and put everything together.

He's Jamal Williams back-up, their version of Mike Wright.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

:wha:
http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=113&p=2&c=655774

And Jon Scott, our Patriots team expert believes Bill Belichick might take a look at Simon to see if he's got anything left to offer due to New England's current situation at defensive tackle.

"People scratched their heads when the Patriots signed Kenny Smith and Rashad Moore just after the team's minicamp closed. After they looked at Ian Scott and missed out on Sam Adams, Scott Pioli and Bill Belichick were obviously still interested in building depth on the defensive line," he said.

"Whatever Simon's issues were in Indy, if he can leave them there and play decent football on the interior, the Patriots would want to take a closer look at him. New England needs a decent backup to Vince Wilfork, and hasn't had two talented big bodies on the interior since Keith Traylor left. Last year's backup Mike Wright hasn't been able to get the job done at nose tackle and the other backups have been uninspiring."

Mr. Scott, I dispute your assessment of Mike Wright's performance. Cory Simon to the Pats? :beersign:

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

http://www.star-telegram.com/329/story/154957.html

Truth be told, San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson wasn't mad at Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. And actually, although he still believes New England players Ellis Hobbs and Rosevelt Colvin should have been better winners, they aren't really why he reacted the way he did.

When Tomlinson popped off after the 24-21 playoff loss to New England, calling the Patriots classless and wondering aloud if that had to do with their head coach, he was mad about losing.

But Tomlinson and Belichick made nice at the Pro Bowl.

"I'm good with Belichick," Tomlinson said. "We had a great talk at the Pro Bowl. I respect him as a coach, and I hope he respects me as a player. I probably said something I shouldn't have, but we're good. He apologized for his guy getting out of line, and I apologized for what I said."

MY TOP FIVE

1 New England Patriots The Patriots will be a contender as long as they have Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. With the additions of linebacker Adalius Thomas, receivers Wes Welker, Randy Moss, Kelley Washington and Donté Stallworth, tight end Kyle Brady and safety Brandon Meriweather, they have become the favorite.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

http://business.bostonherald.com/realestateNews/view.bg?articleid=1009095

Dallas Cowboys veteran Roger Staubach says he’ll always love his former team, but he also roots for New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick - a lifelong pal.

“I consider Bill a very good friend,” said Staubach, who played for the U.S. Naval Academy in the 1960s when Belichick’s father, Steve, coached there.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

http://www.wral.com/sports/blogpost/1546709/

With preseason football practice a little more than a month away, N.C. State football coach Tom O'Brien recently shared his thoughts on the offseason, Wolfpack fans, what he misses about Boston, his military background, why he often dodges questions about his personnel, his recruiting philosophy, academic standards, his strength and conditioning beliefs, and other matters.
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DG: One thing I noticed this spring, Coach, is that you don't like to go into much detail about your own personnel, and you often sort of step around a lot of questions about your personnel. Is that a military thing — nobody tells the other side about troop movements, of course — or just part of your football philosophy or media philosophy?

O'Brien: I think it gives a competitive advantage to anyone you play (if you talk too much about your own team). It's up to them to figure out my football team. It's not for me to tell them what my football team is. I mean, to tell them what someone's strengths and weaknesses are, that obviously will help them in their preparations to play us. Or, it may go back to World War Two, where "Loose Lips Sink Ships." You never know. (Laughs.)

DG: Is that part of your military background, the fact that you adopted that philosophy?

O'Brien: No, it's part of my football background. You know, I grew up around (long-time Virginia coach) George Welsh, and George Welsh didn't share too much about his football teams. I've been around (New England Patriots coach) Bill Belichick for a long time. Since I've been in New England, he's become a close friend. And he certainly doesn't share anything.

So I just think that's the way I've learned, and the way I've been taught. The people I've been around and admire, that's how they run their programs. So I've kind of emulated them a little bit.

 

[BelizePats]

Hey Box,

Thanks for the time it takes to round up these bits and pieces. It is much appreciated.
Respects,

Rich

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-caproom062907&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Fourteen of the NFL's 32 teams have not used at least $10 million of the $109-million salary cap, according to figures from the NFL Players Association. And of those 14, seven have at least $15 million in cap space.
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"There's no way to eat up all the money that's out there this year," said one agent. "Teams are going to do everything they can to sign their young guys to long-term deals, but it still isn't going to be enough. When teams start to roll over money to next year, it's going to be unreal what some guys are going to get."
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The New England Patriots, who are in difficult negotiations with cornerback Asante Samuel over a long-term deal, have $8.4 million in cap space. The Patriots could actually increase to more than $10 million free if they agree to a long-term deal with Samuel, who counts for $7.8 million against the cap this season after being franchised in February.
-----
As one NFLPA executive said: "I'd say it's going to be another good year for players next year."

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Hey Box,

Thanks for the time it takes to round up these bits and pieces. It is much appreciated.
Respects,

Rich

Your Welcome, it keeps me off the streets.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

http://www.ktvu.com/nfl/13616175/detail.html

THE HOT SEAT

1. Romeo Crennel, Browns (10-22 in two seasons with Cleveland)

So many of Cleveland's struggles in the past two seasons have seemed beyond Crennel's control (the dearth of talent left by the Butch Davis regime, major injuries on both sides of the football, the strength of the AFC North), but even the head coach's apologists know that another campaign producing double- digit losses would justifiably mark the end of the line. It's going to be tough for Crennel to avoid that ignoble fate, since the talent on defense remains spotty, the offensive principles are greener than the Cleveland Browns Stadium grass, and the division rival Ravens, Bengals, and Steelers are all high-quality outfits.
-----
AND KEEP AN EYE ON...

15. Bill Belichick, Patriots (75-37 in seven seasons with New England, 12-2 in playoffs)

Of course Belichick won't get fired, but there is reason to believe he could choose to hang it up after one more Super Bowl run.
-----
WAITING IN THE WINGS

7. Josh McDaniels, Offensive Coordinator, Patriots

Eric Mangini proved that hiring a young head coach with limited coordinator experience wasn't such a bad thing, provided that person has learned at the feet of Bill Belichick. The 31-year-old McDaniels fits that description, and after wisely resisting the Raiders' flirtations during this past offseason, the youngest offensive coordinator in NFL history should see better offers begin to pile up. Helping McDaniels' cause is New England's projected 2007 offensive lineup, which should have the Pats scoring points in bunches.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

http://dolphins.scout.com/2/656269.html

Behind Enemy Lines: The Patriots

As the offseason winds down, we catch up with the rest of the AFC East and find out how things are looking for the Dolphins' division foes. In this installment, we check in with Patriots Insider's Jon Scott to find out what's going on with the Patriots.
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As we (the media) sat on the bleachers watching practice, the conversation wasn’t about Randy Moss, it was about Welker. His name came up constantly. Teams are going to have a major problem covering him in this Pats offense. Sure, Moss, Stallworth and Watson are going to get their catches, but we all felt Welker is going to be the grease in the gears. He will be the third-down target Brady trusts. You can see the chemistry building already. We expect big things out of Welker up here.
-----
Thomas gives New England that wild-card factor it’s been struggling to find since its last Super Bowl appearance. I think he’ll have multiple roles on the team, but look for him to be moved around. That’s the early indication, and one that makes the most sense for this defense.
-----
Q. The Patriots are viewed by many as an early Super Bowl favorite. Give us one reason for optimism for the other teams in the AFC East?

JS: I can’t.

OK, I will for the sake of the question, but honestly, unless Tom Brady gets wiped out, or the injury bug strikes again in Foxboro, I don’t see a lot of other opportunity for other teams in the division. You’ll notice New England took it upon themselves to not only add talent, but to create the ability to completely morph both their offense and their defense based up on the opponent’s strengths.
-----
The one thing that has always worked against New England, and Miami fans know this, is pressure on Tom Brady. If Miami – or any other division opponent – can get to Brady before the receivers get open, then that’s one way they can win. There’s always hope in that area. The Patriots’ offensive line struggled at times to protect Tom Brady. He took some vicious hits, but was able to bounce back. If the O-line can be exploited, that may be the key to derailing their Super Bowl aspirations.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

15. Bill Belichick, Patriots (75-37 in seven seasons with New England, 12-2 in playoffs)

Of course Belichick won't get fired, but there is reason to believe he could choose to hang it up after one more Super Bowl run.

Sigh . . . .

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=176&p=9&c=2&cid=656118&nid=2986859&fhn=1

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, speaking on WEEI Boston radio, commented on Maroney’s injury for the first time.

"He's worked extremely hard this off-season,” Belichick said Monday morning. “I'm sure he'll be ready to go. What the exact time will be, we'll wait and see how that comes along. But I'm sure he'll be ready to go."

 

[psychoPat]

These are some of the best Pats reading of the day!

I've noticed previous editions of FishWrap ... but hadn't delved in before.
No more o'that for me!

I'm also thinking that these are almost like a public-PFT ... exclusively on the Patriots.
Keep readin' and editing, good buddy!

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

These are some of the best Pats reading of the day!

I've noticed previous editions of FishWrap ... but hadn't delved in before.
No more o'that for me!

I'm also thinking that these are almost like a public-PFT ... exclusively on the Patriots.
Keep readin' and editing, good buddy!

**sigh** If only we hadn't lost Flutie2Phelan in that tragic Smurf explosion. Who knew little blue dweebs were dumb enough to drink nitroglycerin?

 

[T-ShirtDynasty]

"Whatever Simon's issues were in Indy, if he can leave them there and play decent football on the interior, the Patriots would want to take a closer look at him. New England needs a decent backup to Vince Wilfork, and hasn't had two talented big bodies on the interior since Keith Traylor left. Last year's backup Mike Wright hasn't been able to get the job done at nose tackle and the other backups have been uninspiring."

What's this guy smoking? Really?

Your Welcome, it keeps me off the streets.

And thank God, we're all the safer for it.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

What's this guy smoking? Really?

Grass clippings rolled in toilet paper and dipped in used motor oil would be my first guess. Old Michael Felger columns rolled loosely would be my second.


And thank God, we're all the safer for it.

Too true, now if only some mod with a capricious nature would replace LeKevin Smith's photo in Keegs' signature with a Mike Ditka photo...

 

[ctpatsfan77]

:wha:
http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=113&p=2&c=655774Mr. Scott, I dispute your assessment of Mike Wright's performance. Cory Simon to the Pats? :beersign:

Hmmm . . . this quote rivals the ones I've posted in my "Draft howler" thread.

 

[amazinPats]

Your Welcome, it keeps me off the streets.

I'd like to thank you as well, Box 'O. We're dying here with the dearth of news.