PatsFans.com Menu
PatsFans.com - The Hub For New England Patriots Fans
PatsFans.com - The Hub For New England Patriots Fans
  • NEWS ▼
  • FORUM ▼
  • SCHEDULE
  • NFL ▼
  • STATS ▼
  • GAMES ▼
LOGIN | REGISTER
PatsFans.com › Patriots Blog › Bob George › As The Ball Bounces: Wild Cards
Bob George

As The Ball Bounces: Wild Cards

Bob George
Bob George Senior Writer · PatsFans.com since 2000
January 7, 2003  · 5:00 am | 3 min read | @bob_george
Follow PatsFans.com
Google News ✉ Newsletter

Matt Bryant of the Giants never got the kick off. Scott Norwood might tell him that that's not the worst thing in the world, in that someone else is the goat and not he himself. Since Trey Junkin can't snap a kickoff, Bryant steps into this one and boots it to about the 8-yard line, into the arms of…

Walt Coleman, you're off the hook.

At least the Snow Bowl was resolved by the book.

Not by cheating the Giants out of one more play.

When informed of the gaffe, Steve Mariucci said "Bummer!"

Well, what did you expect him to say? Sorry, Jim (Fassel), we didn't deserve this one?

Basically, the Giants stopped playing defense.

So did the Browns.

Geek of the Week: Johnny Cochran, who wants to sue the NFL because the Dallas Cowboys hired Bill Parcells and not Dennis Green or Marvin Lewis.

Please, don't get me started.

If this wasn't all about PR, then why wasn't Jesse Jackson at Saturday's Jets-Colts game, hailing the game as "the best thing to happen to the USA since Rosa Parks!"?

Of course Jackson wasn't there. Nothing to complain about. Why then bother if there's no publicity to be had?

Besides, Herman Edwards and Tony Dungy were the opposing coaches because they are damn good at what they do and both deserved to be there.

Not only did the Colts demean pro football on Saturday, they demeaned Dungy and all the good he has done or will do for his new team.

Back to school: Keep trying to figure out how to do a playoff, guys.

The following statement is brought to you by the Acme Rose Colored Glasses Co., Inc.

I have one word for Willis McGahey and all who aspire to come out early: Graduate.

Believe it or not, it is a shock that Brett Favre didn't call it quits. How can someone like him play "lethargic" all season long and not be convinced that it's time to clock out?

Tommy Maddox wasn't that good on Sunday, was he?

Ditto for Kelly Holcomb.

Two plays ignited each comeback.

Holcomb's interception to Joey Porter.

Kerry Collins missing Jeremy Shockey in the end zone, even though his team was up 35-14.

Thank goodness I'm not the kind of guy who leaves a football game early.

Honk if you'd like to see Steve McNair lay a stick on Lee Flowers.

Honk again if, if the Jets and Titans win, you'd like to see McNair do the same to Mo Lewis.

Is Jevon Kearse one hundred percent yet?

Terrell Owens has set team leadership back fifty years.

He was yelling at his teammates to pick it up and get back in the game.

And he included himself in the rant.

Obviously, the rant worked.

Even though most of the Niners can't stand him.

Come to think of it, can anyone stand Owens?

Remember him: Preston Ridlehuber, who recovered the fumbled kickoff in the end zone to complete the scoring in the "Heidi Game" between the Jets and Raiders in 1968. That's back when Yours Truly watched the Giants, and the Jets were these big things my dad flew on when he went on business trips.

Drat. Jets and Raiders. Who do you root for. Hate games like that. It's like taking sides between Bud Selig and Donald Fehr.

You're not a real Patriot fan if you didn't wish like crazy for that Heinz Field crowd to go home for a second straight postseason game with their tails between their legs.

And all you out there with a little smoke in the chimney had to be pulling a wee bit for the G-Men to finish the job.

Of course, everyone in Patriot Nation rejoiced over Atlanta knocking off the Packers. Let's just hope you all read the Milwaukee and Green Bay papers the next day, and those shellshocked writers trying to make sense of what they couldn't believe happened.

And it had to hurt that it wasn't your faves whipping tail on the poor Dolts.

Two clunkers on Saturday, two classics on Sunday. That's pretty much all you need to know.

This weekend? Let's take a stab at it.

Out west, who cares. Go with the Black.

The Titans got a taste, and might just go back.

Falcons fly, Eagles fly higher.

Niners make Warren Sapp want to retire.

Meanwhile, referee Ron Winter will be kept stocked with his favorite beer all year long. The card says "Dear Ron, Thanks, Walt Coleman"

This is an archived article originally published on January 7, 2003. Content reflects the editorial context of its original publication date.

More News Headlines:

TRANSCRIPT: Mike Vrabel Press Conference 7/30

TRANSCRIPT: Mike Vrabel Press Conference 7/30

By: Ian Logue
Here's the full transcript of what New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel had to say during his press conference on Thursday, July 30, 2026.
32 minutes ago
MORSE: Notes From Patriots Training Camp Day 4

MORSE: Notes From Patriots Training Camp Day 4

By: Mark Morse
Analyzing Day 4 of Patriots training camp, Kayshon Boutte shines w/Drake Maye, Christian Gonzalez contract talks, and Gabe Jacas's injury mystery deepens.
1 day ago
Morse: Notes From Patriots Training Camp Day 3

Morse: Notes From Patriots Training Camp Day 3

By: Mark Morse
Patriots training camp Day 3 notes reveal Gabe Jacas's rare injury waiver contract, plus updates on AJ Brown, Kayshon Boutte, and depth chart battles.
2 days ago
Monday Afternoon Patriots Notebook 7/27: Boutte Continues Making a Case, Interesting Jacas’ Contract Detail

Monday Afternoon Patriots Notebook 7/27: Boutte Continues Making a Case, Interesting Jacas’ Contract Detail

By: Ian Logue
Patriots training camp: Kayshon Boutte shines for Drake Maye, Caleb Lomu impresses, Hunter Henry's future, Gabe Jacas's contract, and A.J. Brown's health.
3 days ago
TRANSCRIPT: Mike Vrabel’s Press Conference 7/27

TRANSCRIPT: Mike Vrabel’s Press Conference 7/27

By: Ian Logue
Here’s the full transcript of what New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel had to say ahead of the start of training camp on Monday,…
3 days ago

📈 Recent Most-Read Articles:
1
2022 New England Patriots Draft Picks – Full List
2
2024 Patriots Draft Picks – FULL LIST
3
Patriots Announce Ticket Increase, Dropping Stadium Parking Fees
4
Tom Brady’s ‘Life Is Hard’ Speech: Full Patriots HOF Transcript
5
Heading Into Free Agency, Patriots Have Two Tough Player Decisions to Make

📅 This Week in Patriots History:

From our archive - this week all-time:
July 15 - July 30 (Through 26yrs)

  • TRANSCRIPT: K'Lavon Chaisson Press Conference 7/26(2025)
  • Patriots Training Camp- Friday's Day 2 Observations(2012)
  • Patriots News 7-23, Belichick On The Hot Seat? Bourne Bounceback Year(2023)
  • New England Patriots News 7-15, AFC East Notes(2018)
  • Gillette Stadium One of the Safest Venues to Eat At(2010)
  • Welker Gets Inspired By Wounded Veteran(2010)
FULL ARCHIVE
Right Now At PatsFans.com:
TRANSCRIPT: Mike Vrabel Press Conference 7/30
2026 NFL Offseason:
TRANSCRIPT: Mike Vrabel Press Conference 7/30
By: Ian Logue
  • MORSE: Notes From Patriots Training Camp Day 4
  • Morse: Notes From Patriots Training Camp Day 3
Free Newsletter

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW

Join 2,000+ fans getting exclusive stats, analysis, and insights delivered straight to their inbox every week. Never miss a play.

📊
Weekly Stats Deep-dive analysis
🎯
First Access New features & tools
📤
Breaking News Player Signings & Rumors

Subscribe Now

* required

Intuit Mailchimp

PatsFans.com Social Logo
PATSFANS.com

The longest-running independent New England Patriots site online since 2000. Not affiliated w/any school, team or league.

Resources

  • Patriots Forum
  • Schedule
  • Patriots Roster
  • Transcripts
  • Patriots Wiki Pages
  • Archive

Stats

  • Offensive Stats
  • Opponent Stats
  • Offensive Line
  • Snaps Overview
  • Penalties

Analysis

  • Snap Analysis
  • Personnel Groupings
  • Stats By Personnel
  • Top 10 Plays
  • Offensive Line
  • Defensive Totals

Site

  • About Us
  • Podcast
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Us

© 2000-2026 PatsFans.com

Privacy Policy Editorial & Reporting Advertise RSS Feed