Typically it’s reserved for a defending champion, but New England has been targeted for their success over the decade. Hanging a loss on the Pats, even two years after the undefeated regular season, still means a lot.

And to get that win, teams will try everything in order to show they measure up to one of the league’s best teams. That’s why Miami unveiled the Wildcat last year against the Pats. They know the road to the AFC East crown went through New England.

Even though the Dolphins are the defending AFC East champions, and bragged they hold the crown until some team knocks them off, they knew a win over the Patriots supports their boast.

Continue reading "Pick Six Week Nine"

New England signed free agent veteran cornerbacks Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden. Miami went the younger route and drafted Vonta Davis and Sean Smith.

Being division neighbors means they play almost the exact out of division opponents, save for Denver and Baltimore for the Patriots and San Diego and Pittsburgh for the Dolphins. Otherwise they both play the AFC South and NFC South.

Most of these teams feature large wide outs that are very tough to handle without the proper equipment: Atlanta’s Michael Jenkins (6’4” 217), New Orleans’ Marques Colston (6’4” 225), and Houston’s Andre Johnson (6’3” 225) to name a few.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff Week 9"

A slew of division match-ups are highlighted in this week’s NFL schedule. First place is up for grabs in the NFC East and one team hopes to avoid falling further behind the Colts in the AFC South. What games should you be watching? Find out in the Opening Drive of week nine!

(4-3) Baltimore Ravens at (5-2) Cincinnati Bengals

With the Ravens, Bengals and Steelers all making a case for their place atop the AFC North, this game will go a long way in deciding the final two. If Baltimore is swept by Cincinnati, they’ll drop back to .500 while the Bengals and Steelers fight it out. The Ravens dominated Denver in the second half of last week’s game, thanks to Joe Flacco’s efficiency with the football. He’ll need a repeat performance if he’s going to keep up with Carson Palmer, who is playing on a Pro Bowl level. Both offenses have depending on a balanced attack, so look for each defense to shut down the run.

Continue reading "Joes Opening Drive Week 9"

Last night I watched one of ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentaries. It was “Without Bias: The Len Bias Story” or something like that. It didn’t blow me away as far as storytelling goes, but it was well done.

Near the end of the program, the documentary quickly reviewed what happened the year Bias died. In 1986, the New England Patriots were stomped by the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XX. The Red Sox blew the World Series against the New York Mets. And though the Boston Celtics won the NBA Championship that year, Len’s June death began the 1986-87 season. A season the Celtics were unable to repeat as champions without Bias.

Not mentioned by the documentary was the Boston Bruins. The Black and Gold lost in the Division Semi-Finals in 85-86 and 86-87.

Continue reading "Deep 86-ed"

The Patriots are a versatile team, capable of adapting each week to attack their opponents biggest weakness. This week's opponent, the Miami Dolphins, present a number of challenges, the most obvious of which is their Wildcat offense. Miami also bears the hallmark of any Bill Parcells team, they are big and physical. So how will the Patriots attack and defend the Dolphins, our thoughts, Hoodie style below.

DEFENSIVE GAMEPLAN

As always, it all starts with defense. Even without Jarvis Green the Patriots have a number of versatile defensive lineman. We all know the number one threat is the Dolphins running game, out of the Wildcat or a regular formation, so our number one goal is to shut down Ronnie Brown and Rickey Williams and make Chad Henne beat us through the air.

Continue reading "Donning the Hoodie Patriots Defense vs Dolphins Offense"

Here's a little nuggest from Ian Rapoport from the Boston Herald via Twitter: "Joey Porter says he's hated the Patriots since Steelers title games. 'Then I come to find out why we lost. You know what I'm talking about.'"

So yes he went to the uninformed well of Spygate to explain why he hates the Patriots. The trials and tribulations of the media witch hunt was well documented here on the blog. Yes we are biased because we worship at the alter of the Hoodie, but we also are firm believers in things called 'common sense' and 'logic'.

Continue reading "Of Course Joey Porter Had to Bring Up Spygate This Week"

Continue reading "Shawn Springs Wearing Wilhites 24 at Practice"

Today's injury report should provide some insight as to what's up with Adalius Thomas. Thomas was healthy for last Thursday's bye week practice but was missing yesterday for unknown reasons. I only say unknown because there was no injury report yesterday. Hopefully things will be clarified today by either Thomas' presence at practice or the injury report that will be released at 4pm EST.

While AD has been in Belichick's doghouse the Patriots could really use him on Sunday to help defend against Miami's run game. As I wrote yesterday Derrick Burgess looks like he's ahead of Thomas even on the 3-4 OLB depth chart, but dealing with the Wildcat as an OLB is an entire different set of skills.

Continue reading "More Drama for Adalius Thomas"

I’m holding true to my belief that Brady needed seven to eight weeks to find his comfort zone. As the season went on, we noticed the progress Brady made, step by step.

His second half against Buffalo was a complete 180 of the first half. After being blitzed nearly to death against the New York Jets, Brady carved up Atlanta and starred down Baltimore’s Ray Lewis-led defense and came out ahead.

Not happy with his inaccuracy on deep balls against Denver, Brady put on a clinic against Tennessee, throwing six touchdowns and connecting on a handful of passes downfield. And Brady put it all together in London in a sound defeat of Tampa Bay.

Continue reading "The Real Tom Brady"

No one needs to be reminded of the Dolphins Wildcat offense, nor how hard it is to defend, and with Adalius Thomas already falling down the depth chart before missing practice on Tuesday, Burgess will likely be thrust into the fire of stopping Ronnie Brown and company.

For an outside linebacker in the 3-4 decisions must be made in an instant. Should he drop into coverage? Should attack the passer or set the edge for a run coming in his direction?

For someone like Burgess who has limited experience doing anything other than pinning back his ears and attacking the quarterback this week could pose quite a challenge.

Continue reading "Patriots Burgess Will Play a Key Role Vs Dolphins"