WickedGame

Anyway...what were we talking about?

I absolutely LOVE this report from Tim Graham: Three reasons I love it: It's about time we quit telegraphing our entire playbook to our competitors! Chan's policy seems to be "We love the fans, but FU, we'll do whatever gives our team the best chance to compete The players are totally behind Chan on this Finally, football before media! Now if we can just get Trent (or whoever the QB of the moment is) to stop talking to the media about how it feels to be #1, #2, #3 and just focus on playing better football, we'd be good to go.

Anyone else notice a theme emerging with the Patriots this week? To wit: 7/29 Tim Graham reports OLB Derrick Burgess is mulling retirement. The Patriots LB corps was weak last year (22nd in sacks). The team already released OLB Adalius Thomas 7/28 OLB Shawn Crable is released. Crable was a 2008 a 3rd-rounder from and failed to live up to expectations, despite ideal measurables for a 3-4 OLB. 7/28 Andy Hart reports on what's left of the Pats' 2008 and 2007 drafts: 2008 - 1st Round - Jerrod Mayo (LB) - Stud 2008 - 2nd Round - Terrence Wheatley (CB) - Fighting for a roster spot 2008 - 3rd Round - Shawn Crable (OLB) - Cut 2008 - 3rd Round - Kevin O'Connell (QB) - Cut 2008 - 4th Round - Jonathan Wilhite (CB) - Sliding down the depth chart 2008 - 5th Round - Matthew Slater (WR) - Special teams player 2007 - 1st Round - Brandon Meriweather (S) - Starter 2007 - 4th-7th Rounds - Kareem Brown, Clint Oldenburg, Justin Rogers, Mike Richardson, Justise Hairston, Corey Hilliard, Oscar Lua, Mike Elgin -- Not much to say about this group. Now, granted the Patriots have been known for building through free agency, and have used the draft primarily for depth. Still, two draft classes and only two starters? A linebacking corps revealing more and more holes? Anyone else see us taking advantage of the cracks in the armor?

I have a hunch Schobel was never leaning toward retiring. He just didn't want to come to OTAs and mini-camps. I'm sure he'd love to skip half of training camp, too. He's a Pro Bowl player -- the retirement shtick was just his PR-friendly way of saying "I've earned the right to show up late. I'll get up to speed faster than 90% of the NFL, and still be better than half of them." Hey, he's getting old. Ducking out of a practice or two is probably better for his health during the season. See you in a few days, Aaron.

Quote of the day. Actually, I think I'm going to use this out of context as often as possible.

Annual frustration.

Bold Prediction: The bills will score 50+ in at least two games. Aside from a QB quandry and O-Line uncertainty, we have guys who are threats to score: Spiller, Jackson, Lynch, Evans, Easley, Parrish, McKelvin, Nelson, Lindell, Byrd. The final record may not be title contender material, but we'll have at least one game where things click and/or the opponent unravels.

Thanks, good to be here. Long-time lurker, first-time caller. Or something like that.

Alright, y'all...vote and debate!