Recent content by PatsChowder

I really like the pick up of Smith. I'm not quite sure why everyone seems to be down on him. Baker seems to be a nice redzone target and Watson has never really proven to be much of anything... at least not anywhere near the expectations that were set once Graham left. Smith's extremely...

There is very little I have read about this kid that I don't like so far. I've gone from being very disappointed about the secondary to very excited. It's funny what an offseason does.

Put me down for this as well. Instinctively I would have said Bledsoe, but final games with the Patriots just happened to coincide with the 2000s beginning. Drew Bledsoe means a lot more to the franchise as a whole and it's not close, but if we are cutting the line at the 2000 season, I...

While I love the idea of the Pats being the team of the decade, I would love to see another ring added this year just to put the stamp on it. If Pittsburgh doesn't win it the Patriots will be the T.O.D., but if the Pats can pull it out again it really leaves an impression.

(in no particular order) Five on the Rise: 1. New York Jets - hopes of a franchise QB, new coach, improved defense 2. Buffalo Bills - TO changes the entire make up of the team 3. Chicago Bears - I'm not sure they can make the playoffs, but getting Cutler was huge 4. Tampa Bay Bucs -...

Hopefully he'll be the first of what I hope will be a seamless rookie signing period.

Re: Pass Released I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes a trend for the Patriots over the next few years. When a need arises, Belichick may dip back into the retirement pool to pull out a player that he knows can handle the system if he can physically handle the load. I won't be surprised...

Re: Wilfork shows up for Minicamp. Was this actually a holdout? I'm thrilled that he's back and all, but what's the point of "holding out" for the voluntary camps if you're going to show up to the mandatory ones?

I had to re-read a blog I wrote about this immediately after the trade to see if I feel the same way now. My opinion, for the most part, remains the same. We're going to see Smith, Baker, and Watson all make the team while the rest of them pack their bags. Thomas will have the best chance to...

I like Lewis in the same way I liked Gaffney when he came aboard. He's a veteran who has shown potential with glimpses of a breakout. Coming to New England he will be relied upon less and have much more field to work with since the other targets cannot be ignored. I liked Gaffney more up...

I don't get all the hype about O'Connell at all. Maybe I'm just more conservative, but I would like to see them sign a veteran like Brian Griese to step in as a back up. Belichick cannot turn an inexperienced rookie into an NFL starter overnight every time.

In my opinion, SI's naming the Patriots as the team of the decade (or at least the runaway front runner) vindicates them of the whole Spygate scandal. I'm not trying to reopen old wounds, but rather still trying to close them. I find that a lot of the haters continue to just label the Patriots...

The notion that another team could be the team of the decade in the NFL on a Patriots message board was bound to go over poorly. If I try to look at this with an unbiased eye, the Steelers can make a case. But that's it. Even if the Steelers won back-to-back Super Bowls (which , let's face it...

These days, if you hit hard you're a dirty player. Look at Hines Ward. The guy has been a model citizen for the most part and then when he lays out those huge blocks half the league turns on him. Rodney just played the game hard. Thank you, Rodney. You will be missed.

I will admit to being a homer. In fact, I think a lot of fans are... so sue us. Maybe my ranking of Brady over Bradshaw is premature, but this is my problem. When the Steelers fans talk about how great the 70s teams were it Jack Lambert and Mean Joe and Jack Ham and Franco Harris that get...