Projo Pats Blog

ALL SYSTEMS GO: Here we are, some 48 hours before kickoff, and the Patriots offense appears to be rounding into shape. Tom Brady is off the injury report and feeling confident about his ability to shake off the rust. And even some members the Patriots defense, which might have spooked some fans with the way it stumbled at times this exhibition season, think they are making the necessary adjustments to excel starting this weekend. (all projo)

LOTS OF CONFIDENCE: Eric Wilbur takes a look at how pundits across the country are picking this game, and finds that not only are they taking the Pats to win, but they are generally expecting them to cover the 15 1/2-point spread. Shalise Manza Young, in her pregame analysis, says that fans should pity Brodie Croyle. (projo.com)

TOP PICK BY FAR: Four of nine Sports Illustrated writers predict that the Patriots will win the Super Bowl. The Chargers get two votes, and the Seahawks, Cowboys and Colts each get one.

THOMAS' MOMENT: Ben Watson looks doubtful for Sunday's game at tight end, so we could be seeing a lot of third-year man David Thomas. (Boston.com)

ALL BUSINESS: CNBC's Squawk Box program today featured interviews with Brady, Robert Kraft and Randy Moss. Here's where you can see the video of Brady and Moss speaking together about money matters.

AND IF THIS JOB DOESN'T WORK OUT: Running back Sammy Morris is a budding photographer. (Boston.com)

PRACTICE? WHO NEEDS PRACTICE? Eli Manning was frustrated at times during preseason practice by the absence of Plaxico Burress, who was caught up in a contract dispute. Hours before kickoff of last night's opener against the Redskins, Burress signed a $35-million contract that will pay him $11 million this season and keep him with the Giants through the 2012 season (N.Y. Post). Then he went out to catch 10 passes for 133 yards as the Giants won, 16-7. It wasn't the most thrilling of openers, as the Giants basically steamrolled Washington early, then did nothing in the second half. But the Giants made Jim Zorn's new-look offense look awful, meaning that the Giants didn't have to do anything in the second half.

A REAL RELIEF: Defensive lineman Mathias Kiwanuka went down on with a leg injury on the final play of the game, but he later said that he was fine and that X-rays were negative. (New York Daily News) The Giants can ill afford to lose more people from that D-line.

NOT TOO IMPRESSED: Michael Silver of Yahoo Sports said that what he saw last night was pretty similar to the old Eli Manning, except that Washington's defenders couldn't cash in on passes that should have been picked off.

IN FULL AGREEMENT: Al Michaels and John Madden both thought that Washington looked pretty bad last night. They also both can't wait to broadcast NFL games in Los Angeles again (L.A. Daily News). The key to that happening after 14 years, they agree again, would be a new stadium adequate for hosting Super Bowls.

TOUGH BREAK: The Buffalo Bills weren't playing last night, but it was a bad night for them nonetheless. Angelo Crowell, the only Buffalo defensive player to start every game last season, went on injured reserve after Dick Jauron's surprise announcement that Crowell will need arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. (Buffalo News)

FIGHTING WORDS: The Philadelphia Eagles have certainly had plenty of rough dealings with agent Drew Rosenhaus. First there was that Terrell Owens business a few years ago, and now Rosenhaus is representing disgruntled cornerback Lito Sheppard. That's not good news as far as another Eagle corner, Sheldon Brown, sees it. (Philadelphia Inquirer) Here's what Brown said: "I think sometimes agents can ruin players' careers. And what I mean by that is we have an agent who has four players who are disappointed with the way their deal is, and we're going into Week 1, and nobody has accomplished anything with those players. .. If you know the guy's track record and what he brings to the table, it's more of a disappointing thing for me that [Rosenhaus] enticed [Sheppard] to sign with him thinking he could get a deal done. Agents don't get a deal done. The player gets the deal done. Yeah, he put [Sheppard] in a tough spot, but at the end of the day, that's something he has to deal with."

In case you haven't seen the way Rosenhaus uses YouTube to make the case for his clients, check out this rant, which focuses on Sheppard's situation:

PACMAN'S DAY: Oh wait, he doesn't want to be called Pacman anymore. In any case, the highly talented, Adam Jones may end up getting the start in his Dallas Cowboys debut, as cornerback Terence Newman is being slowed by a groin injury and may be a scratch. (Dallas Morning News)

WHOOPS: Apparently the San Diego Union-Tribune quoted Antonio Gates as saying he obviously would not start Sunday's opener against Carolina, when Gates really said he obviously would start. (Rotoworld)

NO SURGERY ON SATURDAY: Colts center Jeff Saturday, an important part of that high-flying offense, has opted not to have surgery on his injured MCL; he could be back by midseason. (Rotoworld)

HELP ON THE WAY: The Ravens are counting on the addition of four-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Willie Anderson to help protect Joe Flacco. Also in Baltimore, rookie Ray Rice will end up starting at running back if Willis McGahee can't go. (Both Baltimore Sun)

PLEASED TO MEET YOU: It's official -- you can say goodbye to Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson, and say hello to Bengals wide receiver Chad Ocho Cinco. (ESPN)

AND NICE TO HAVE KNOWN YOU: A promising career that didn't pan out has officially ended, as Daunte Culpepper said goodbye to the NFL yesterday. (projo.com)

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