Hollywood Donahoe

How so, according to the definition? Nearly all my posts are reactions to inflammatory posts about my team. My posts are generally confined to the subject of my team, and I rarely chime in on Bills topics. I tend to keep it polite, and rarely resort to inflammatory tactics. I do not troll, I respond to trolls. Apparently, it's YOU who does not understand the meaning of the word.

So I assume you're expecting Roscoe Parrish to continue to sit out after he's been medically cleared to play? After all, he's getting paid this year no matter what.

Oh, that. As much as I wish he had hung on to that, I'm more inclined to call that a great defensive play to dislodge the ball than I would be to call it a drop. Again, this is coming from the guy who said there were 15 uncalled defensive holds in the '03-'04 AFCC game. That kind of stuff hurts one's credibility.

Ah, but I do. I'm a member and semi-frequent poster on this board. We've had more than a few debates. You know that your inflammatory anti-Patriots posts will get a reaction out of me and other Pats fans on this public discussion forum. Just because the majority revels in your trolling does not change the fact that you troll. Look at your signature, for crying out loud. You insult Patriots fans at the bottom of each post you make.

Are you referring to the drop in the end zone on the drive that ended with the Givens TD catch? If so, yeah, that was a pretty bad drop. Luckily it didn't prevent a score. Sadly, I wasn't able to see the first half. Given your Brady/Pats bias, though, I'm inclined to assume you're exaggerating.

Because he's been medically cleared?

I'm quite aware. You calling someone a troll is incredibly ironic.

Don't run salt in the wounds.

Fairly.

They are a very solid duo. Givens is a UFA after and this year, and Branch after '06. Both need extensions, IMO. As for the "hands of glue" thing, you're right, they almost always come up with big catches in big spots. But Givens' comeback-killing drop is still killing me a little inside.

The irony!

I think Givens and Branch have a ways to go until they get into Clayton/Duper territory, but you're right - the passing game is really the only thing keeping the team afloat on offense. Hope they can keep it up without getting Brady killed behind that line. Color me optimistic, but I think that if a few key guys (Bruschi, Seymour, Dillon, Gay, Poole, et al.) get healthy over the bye, the Pats could do real well against a much softer schedule in the second half. Who knows, if Buffalo keeps it up and the Phins and Jets continue to fade, it could be a real fun Pats/Bills rivalry all through the second half.

I'm the same way, which is one of the reasons I believe that the medical risks of his return must've been found to be minimal. Bruschi's many things, but the guy isn't dumb. I imagine that if he thought or was told that there was a substantial risk in returning at this point, then he wouldn't do it. Everything I've heard about the situation indicates that every last precaution was taken, so the decision seems to have been a well-researched one, at the very least.

Well, think of this way - before, he was playing football WITH a hole in his heart. Now, he's playing WITHOUT a hole in his heart. Perhaps he'll more fit to play now. I'm not a doctor, and I make no claims of holding any medical knowledge whatsoever. But Bruschi's the one who had the stroke, Bruschi's the one who's been poked, prodded and cleared by doctors, and Bruschi's the one who gets to make a decision about his playing future. As a fan of his and the Patriots, all I can do is respect and support his decision, whether it's to come back for the second half of the season, or retire tomorrow.

#5 does seem way too high. I'd put each of his 6-15 ahead of the Pats at this point. The only reason he'd have them that high is if he's heavily taking into account the Pats' pre-bye schedule and injury woes, which is a somewhat valid stance. But still, #5 is simply too high until the Pats show that they can stop anyone on the field.

So what would be fact, if not words straight from the mouth of the stroke victim himself?

I know that fact. I don't, however, know all the facts. I was under the impression that it was common knowledge that Bruschi's stroke was caused by a small hole in his heart that had always been there, and not by any football-related activities.

You do realize that the stroke was not football related, right? And that the hole in Bruschi's heart that caused the stroke has been there his whole life, and that it's now repaired? And that myriad doctors have cleared Bruschi for football? Bruschi and the Pats seem to have taken every precaution, seeking out multiple medical opinions. He's made his decision, and I feel inclined to respect it. He knows all the facts of his case, and I don't.

I think a more probable return date is November 7th, against the Colts.

There is something worse than losing 28-3. It's being down 28-3, scoring 17 unanswered points, and then have a pathetic drop kill your potentially-game-tying drive.

A little of both. I hope that getting some guys back from injury after the bye will help, but the defense looks really bad.

Welcome to my Pats board, circa October 2002. Give it time, it'll work itself out.

Pioli is the Patriots' Vice President of Player Personnel. Belichick is the GM.

Kory Chapman was on the PS, but the Colts plucked him. Pats just signed Amos Zereoue, although I imagine Patrick Pass will be the one who gets more carries/catches as a result.

Belichick's the one who made it known, so the super-detailed report is: "a leg injury"