Archives for December 2003

‘Brady is even more popular now than he was after leading the Pats to an unlikely Super Bowl win two years ago. He is Boston’s most celebrated bachelor. He has a part in “Stuck on You,” the new comedy by the Farrelly brothers. A national magazine recently compared him to Jimmy Stewart in “It’s A Wonderful Life.” He is the offensive leader for a team that takes an 11-game winning streak and 13-2 record into Saturday’s regular-season finale against the Bills.’

‘McGahee also is looking forward to teaming with Travis Henry in what could be one of the NFL’s most formidable backfields. “It will be exciting,” McGahee said. “We have a great team. We feel we can make a run.”‘

‘Still, the Bills should have dumped off to Henry a lot more and found more ways to get him one-on-one in space. Even if defenses keyed on him and he averaged 3 yards a catch it would help Bledsoe and be better than the negative plays the Bills have had in the pass offense. The fact is Kevin Gilbride’s offense is a wideout-oriented attack. Take this to the bank: Passes to the backs will figure much more prominently in the offense next year.’

‘Brown is undeniably one of the organization’s finest reclamation projects because as he was barreling through puberty, the Salvation Army literally provided salvation for an impressionable teenager who could have easily strayed down a dangerous path littered with trouble every step of the way.’

‘His teammates are even losing patience. Moulds called Bledsoe’s 12-for-24, 114-yard, no-touchdown, two-turnover performance Sunday “the worst I’ve seen him play.” After one sack late in the first half, one on which Bledsoe pump-faked and took an elongated stride, Ruben Brown went ballistic and shouted toward the sideline, though it was unclear whether his frustration was directed at Bledsoe. Brown went off again on the sideline. The bottom line: Bledsoe has been sacked 100 times in two seasons as a Bill (the same number of times he was brought down in 1999 and 2000, his last full seasons as a starter for the Patriots) and they weren’t all on the line.’

‘Though certainly more are nursing injuries after 19 games (including preseason), only two New England players appeared on the injury report for Saturday’s game against the Bills at Gillette Stadium.’

‘The good news is that Brady hasn’t committed a turnover the past three games. That must continue through January.’

‘The latest injury report was released yesterday and only two names were on it – backup safety Chris Akins (leg) and guard Joe Andruzzi (foot). Both are listed as questionable for Saturday’s game against Buffalo. Andruzzi was the only player to sit out practice, with Akins returning to action for the first time in three weeks.’

‘Even as he says he’s moved on, one can sense lingering bitterness over the way he feels he was used last season and the way his release went down.’

‘Milloy swears this isn’t about revenge against his former teammates. He just wants to win. “I am going to go out there and I am going to fly around and it is not going to be a vengeful range,” Milloy said. “It is going to be because I respect all of my teammates over there and anybody that gains my respect on any opposing team, they can expect my best.”‘

‘Belichick also pointed out that, in the past, he’s had players who don’t buy into that concept. They usually don’t last long in his system. “I have seen both. Some players just can’t understand it,” he said. “They just can’t buy into it: ‘It’s okay for me to do my job and for you to make the tackle.’ Some players can’t understand that. They only feel like they have done their job if they make the tackle and therefore if they try to make it and miss it, then they are better off than if they just do their job and let the play go to somebody else.There are other players that have trouble understanding the concept that, ‘It’s not my job to make every play. It is my job to take care of my responsibility.'”‘

‘Even quarterback Tom Brady isn’t playing along. Hey Tom, what are you hoping to get for Christmas this year? “I just want a win,” he responds.’

‘”Right now, we feel like we can line up and play against anybody. It is just sad that we are not in the playoff hunt because I know teams don’t want to face us right now.”‘

‘Even if as many as 10 head coaching jobs open up, Williams won’t be high on anybody’s list of candidates. Donahoe, whose style is to take his time and not react emotionally, believes in top-down management and won’t lay all the blame for this season’s struggles solely on Williams. He also likes stability. So while it would be easy to assume Williams is a goner, it’s also possible Donahoe will choose to stay the course, allowing Williams to keep intact a rising No. 2 defense and staff of assistants, while the focus shifts to revamping the offense.’

‘The Bills and Winfield talked before the season began about a new deal but didn’t come to terms and Winfield now hopes to test the market, especially after his fourth straight season of not tasting the playoffs after getting there his rookie year. “I don’t want to cheat myself,” Winfield said. “I mean, I would love to be back. We have a very talented team. But I want to win and I’m tired of losing. It seems like that has been the thing around here the last three years. I need to go to a contender, or hopefully, we can step up here and do something. I’ll have to weigh my options.”‘