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August 30, 2009 - September 5, 2009 Archives
10:01 PM Sat, Sep 05, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young  Email
Here's the Patriots roster as it stands right now, as the team got down to 53 players today: Quarterback (2): Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer The surprise cuts of Andrew Walter and Kevin O'Connell over the last week leave just Brady......
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9:09 PM Sat, Sep 05, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
Among those released by the Kansas City Chiefs today was safety Bernard Pollard, who became famous last year for snapping the left knee of Tom Brady minutes into New England's opening game last year. A 2006 second-round pick, Pollard started......
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7:48 PM Sat, Sep 05, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
The Patriots have announced their roster moves to get down to the NFL limit of 53 players. Released were: DL Titus Adams, T Wesley Britt, DB Herana-Daze Jones, LB Paris Lenon, WR Terrence Nunn, DB Jamar Love, T Ryan O'Callaghan,......
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3:21 PM Sat, Sep 05, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
With a couple of hours left until teams have to be down to the 53-man limit, here's an update on what's been reported so far: In news first reported by the Boston Globe, LB Paris Lenon and S/WR Ray Ventrone......
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3:04 PM Sat, Sep 05, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
Former soccer player Wes Welker has introduced Randy Moss to the benefits of soccer in terms of footwork, and the pair have been spotted dribbling a ball between them on several occasions. Now, apparently, they've gotten Tom Brady involved as......
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1:03 PM Sat, Sep 05, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe is reporting that the Patriots have informed linebacker Paris Lenon that he will be released. Lenon started all 16 games at middle linebacker for the Lions last season, with 146 tackles, but clearly he......
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9:34 PM Fri, Sep 04, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
The Buffalo Bills fired offensive coordinator Turk Schonert Friday, making him the third NFL coach holding that post to be fired within two weeks of the start of the regular season. The Tampa Bay Bucs on Wednesday fired former......
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4:26 PM Fri, Sep 04, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
Just wrapped up a conference call with Bill Belichick...the day after games, these calls usually focus on the game that just occurred, but with tomorrow being roster cut-down day and the Patriots already announcing they shaved six players, including QB......
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3:12 PM Fri, Sep 04, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
The Patriots have just tweeted the release of six players: QB Andrew Walter, OG Billy Yates, DB Roderick Rogers, DL Stephen Williams, LB Vinny Ciurciu and WR Robert Ortiz. Yates' release is something of a surprise; he is a versatile......
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1:21 PM Fri, Sep 04, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
ESPN's Adam Schefter has just Tweeted that the Patriots have informed QB Andrew Walter that he will be among the team's 22 cuts. Walter did not play a snap last night against the Giants, and after the game he was......
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9:52 AM Fri, Sep 04, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
With controversial QB Michael Vick ruled eligible to play for the Eagles in Week Three (vs. KC) by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, the media in Philly is speculating today about a trade of backup QB A.J. Feeley to the......
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12:05 AM Fri, Sep 04, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
...here is the full list of players who did not play for New England tonight: WR Julian Edelman QB Tom Brady WR Joey Galloway QB Andrew Walter WR Fred Taylor CB Terrence Wheatley CB Leigh Bodden CB Jonathan Wilhite CB......
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10:53 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Art Martone Email
FOXBORO - The preseason finale between the New England Patriots and New York Giants on Thursday night was expected to be a final audition for numerous players. Perhaps most importantly for New England, it was believed to be the chance......
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10:41 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Normally, I'd be in the press box elevator now, heading down to the Patriots' locker room. Instead I'm heading to the refrigerator. That's not a good thing. Not only that, but I won't get to hear Belichick's words of......
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10:25 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
As a runner. And you can tell Hoyer played baseball at St. Ignatius High in Cleveland, as he demonstrated his sliding skills on a couple of scrambles after darting out of the pocket. Speaking of runners...how 'bout that 32-yard......
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10:12 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Tonight, Andrew Walter is in Gillette Stadium and I'm on the couch. Have to wonder if that situation will be reversed when the Pats play their season opener Sept. 14. Rookie free agent Brian Hoyer has gone the distance......
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9:47 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
He had huge shoes to fill -- those of all-time Patriots great Adam Vinatieri, who booted the game-winning field goals in New England's first two Super Bowl victories -- but Stephen Gostkowski has stepped up and gotten the job......
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9:39 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Q. This is Giants punter Jeff Feagles' 22nd year in the NFL. Where did he spend his first two? A. With the Patriots, in 1988-89. Signed as a free agent out of the University of Miami, Feagles punted 244......
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9:26 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Just as Rick and Ilsa would always have Paris, Robert Ortiz will always have this Thursday night, in Foxboro. The 26-year-old free agent out of San Diego State will be able to tell his grandchildren that he once caught......
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9:24 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
It is unknown at the moment how severe the injury is the Matthew Slater's left arm is. He went back to the locker room with the arm in a sling, and it was announced that he will not return to......
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9:18 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Hoyer's back on the field at the start of the second half. What does that say about Walter? Has Belichick seen all he needs to see of the veteran from Oakland? Obviously, Belichick feels he needs to see more......
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9:11 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
What's with all those empty seats in Tampa? The Rays are defending A.L. champs. They're playing the Red Sox in a series with important wild-card implications. And not only can they not come close to packing the park, the......
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8:58 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Just before halftime, BenJarvus Green-Ellis powers in from the 1 for the Patriots' first rushing touchdown of the preseason, cutting the Giants' lead to 24-14. It's also only the fifth TD scored this summer by the New England offense.......
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8:43 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
The telecast has turned into a Teddy Bruschi Tribute. Video clips of Teddy in action. Video from Bruschi's retirement press conference, including rare footage of Bill Belichick showing emotion. Bob Kraft -- AGAIN on camera -- talking about Tedy.......
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8:37 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
The game already is of so little interest that the telecast twice has switched from the action -- and I use that term loosely -- to sideline interviews with members of the Kraft family. It was particularly rivetting to......
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8:31 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
After Eli Manning and David Carr riddled the New England secondary, the Giants turned the ball over to third-string QB Andre Woodson, who promptly threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown by Brandon McGowan, who started nine......
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8:22 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
Robert Kraft just announced on the telecast of the Pats-Giants game (and I use that word loosely in this case) that he has altered the rules a bit and is naming Tedy Bruschi honorary defensive captain of New England's 50th......
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8:17 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Just wondering, while Laurence Maroney sits out yet another game -- does BenJarvus Green-Ellis have more names than Maroney does yards?......
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8:12 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
The first quarter has, mercifully, ended with the Giants on top, 21-0, having shredded the Patriots secondary for three TDs in as many possessions. If, at this point, you're still watching the Pats, instead of the Red Sox (who......
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8:04 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
Second-year man Matthew Slater has those in the press box ooh-ing and aah-ing as his fall was replayed on the television screens. It did not look like a good thing for the UCLA Bruin, whose left arm bent behind him......
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8:01 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
If, that is, you're throwing against New England's second-team secondary. David Carr looks like the player the Texans had hoped he would become, burning rookie free-agent Jamar Love for a 64-yard TD pass to first-round draft choice Hakeem Nicks.......
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7:56 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
The Patriots couldn't block Justin Tuck in Super Bowl XLII. What would lead anyone to think they could block him with backups? Hoyer made his acquaintance on his second series and, so far, has more sacks than completions. No......
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7:46 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
OK, not that bad, but I happen to like alliteration. Still, Hoyer didn't get off to fast start in his bid to establish his credentials as the backup to Tom Brady. Sacked on his first passing attempt. A near-interception......
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7:45 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
Here are the New England starters for the game: DEFENSE DE Stephen Williams NT Ron Brace DE Darryl Richard OLB Pierre Woods OLB Rob Ninkovich ILB Eric Alexander ILB Paris Lenon CB Jamar Love CB Roderick Rogers S Pat Chung......
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7:38 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
While waiting on tenterhooks for the thrill and excitement of seeing Brian Hoyer start at QB for the Pats, I'm having flashbacks to Super Bowl XLII as Eli Manning -- hey, how come he didn't get the night off?......
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7:32 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Who picks out Randy Cross' ties? Did he forget his at home and have to grab something on the way to the stadium? Isn't there a wardrobe consultant? Bill Belichick's hoodie is high fashion compared to the former 49ers......
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7:26 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
The Patriots and USA Football invited 1,500 local youth football players and their coaches to tonight's game, and they were on the field before kickoff. The Mount Hope Pop Warner, Edgewood Eagles Pop Warner and the Mount Hope Cowboys were......
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7:04 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
PANASONIC STADIUM-- That's tonight's dateline. No Gillette Stadium for me. Instead, I'm watching this high-stakes, pressure-packed, preseason classic on the big screen -- I checked the size with Jerry Jones before having it installed in order to be sure......
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7:02 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
For the first time since training camp began, every member of the Patriots' active roster is in uniform. All 75 players are currently on the field going through warmups, though that is no guarantee that they will be on the......
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6:57 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
Former Patriot Willie Andrews has resurfaced, as the Orlando Tuskers of the UFL announced him as a member of their squad today. Andrews, you'll recall, got himself released by the Patriots last year a day after being arrested for allegedly......
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6:47 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
A group of reporters was just wrapping dinner when Jay-Z's "Public Service Announcement" started blaring over the loudspeakers. And as weei.com's Chris Price pointed out, that's Tom Brady's music. Sure enough, number 12 is on the field, in uniform, and......
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6:37 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Mike McDermott Email
Columnist Jim Donaldson will be watching tonight's Pats game and posting regular blog entries here on the PatsBlog.......
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6:22 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
Hey all -- Welcome to Gillette Stadium, where judging by the (non-) traffic I encountered on my way down Route 1 south -- I was much later than I usually am getting here -- there will be plenty of seats......
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5:08 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Mark Divver Email
In his yearly rankings, Michael Silver of Yahoo!Sports selects Robert Kraft as the No. 1 owner in the NFL for the second straight year. Here's what Silver wrote: I realize that this is getting kind of boring, what with Kraft......
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2:16 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Mike McDermott Email
Adam "Pacman" Jones is not heading off to play for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, as had been reported earlier this week -- and the reason is an Internet video Jones made in which he mistakenly announced that he was about......
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2:09 PM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Mike McDermott Email
DALLAS (AP) -- Federal officials say former Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots linebacker Eugene Lockhart has been arrested as part of a mortgage fraud investigation. He is expected to appear in court in Dallas later Thursday. Lockhart, 48, and......
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10:23 AM Thu, Sep 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Mike McDermott Email
According to the latest list of NFL team values compiled by Forbes.com, the New England Patriots are the third-most valuable franchise in the league, and the 3-percent increase in team value over the last year is among the strongest......
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4:41 PM Wed, Sep 02, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Mark Divver Email
Regarding the preseason, which staggers to an end Thursday night,Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, writes what every NFL season-ticket-holder knows: "It's a sham, and it's a scam. It looks like real football, but it's actually glorified scrimmages with bright lights and......
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2:52 PM Wed, Sep 02, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Mark Divver Email
Handicapping the A.J. Feeley trade sweepstakes, Bob Brookover and Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer say that much hinges on Michael Vick's reinstatement. What would the Patriots have to give up to get backup QB Feeley? According to Brookover and......
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9:32 AM Wed, Sep 02, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Mike McDermott Email
Kevin O'Connell, the Patriots' 2008 third-round draft choice who was released this week, is now officially considered a draft bust in New England, but he drew lots of interest after being cut free from Foxboro. O'Connell has signed with the......
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4:06 PM Tue, Sep 01, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Peter King, who is one of the most knowledgeable pro football writers in the business, regularly writes a piece for Sports Illustrated called "Things I Think I Think." I'd like to know what King was thinking when he picked......
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3:05 PM Tue, Sep 01, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
The infamous Michael Vick, that is -- not the famous Michael Jordan. According to figures released recently by the NFL, Vick's jersey -- he's number 7 for the Philadelphia Eagles -- is the fourth-biggest seller on the league's website.......
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2:49 PM Tue, Sep 01, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Mike McDermott Email
Tom Brady may be married to one of the most beautiful women in the world, but according to a study conducted by three academic types, Brady is only the eighth-most handsome quarterback in the NFL. According to a story in......
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1:47 PM Tue, Sep 01, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Mike McDermott Email
Bloomberg The National Football League is forecasting a less-than-10-percent decline in ticket sales during the 2009 regular season after reaching record highs in recent years. The worst recession since the Great Depression will probably slow ticket sales a few percentage......
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1:30 PM Tue, Sep 01, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
Colleague Kevin McNamara, who was kind enough to give me the day off from heading out to practice, reports that Tom Brady was throwing the ball, which is a positive sign for his right shoulder. However, I wouldn't expect to......
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9:29 AM Tue, Sep 01, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Mike McDermott Email
-Monday was another weird day in the life of Brett Favre. First came word from the Vikings' new $25-million quarterback himself that he is playing through a cracked rib, which is never a good thing for a guy about to......
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9:05 AM Tue, Sep 01, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Robert Lee Email
It appears that Ellis Hobbs still holds a grudge with the New England Patriots, the team that drafted him in the third round of the 2005 draft and gave him his first shot to play in the NFL. Not only......
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9:16 PM Mon, Aug 31, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Mike McDermott Email
We have hundreds of photos of Tedy Bruschi in our archive. Here are about 83 of my favorites:......
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8:15 PM Mon, Aug 31, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Mike McDermott Email
At New England's annual Kickoff Gala tonight, Kevin Faulk was named the recipient of the 2009 Ron Burton Community Service Award. Now the longest-tenured member of the Patriots, Faulk has been a longtime supporter of the United Way in New......
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5:59 PM Mon, Aug 31, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
For much of his career, Tedy Bruschi didn't have an agent. He negotiated his contracts with the Patriots himself, sitting with Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli to work out his deals. He knew agents, including Boston-based Brad Blank. Blank represented......
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5:23 PM Mon, Aug 31, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
Compiled by the Patriots' PR staff LB Jerod Mayo Q: Is it safe to say that Tedy Bruschi was one of the guys that when young guys are coming into the organization, he's one of the guys who takes them......
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4:41 PM Mon, Aug 31, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
The Patriots have just announced three roster moves, all of which were expected at this point: OL Mark LeVoir has been placed on the reserve/PUP list; the tackle has been on the active/PUP list since training camp began with an......
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4:03 PM Mon, Aug 31, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Mark Divver Email
Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News-Tribune says that former Patriot Deion Branch could get the ax before the start of the season. Branch is slated to make $5 million this season.......
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2:38 PM Mon, Aug 31, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Robert Lee Email
OWNER ROBERT KRAFT'S REMARKS Well, I want to welcome everyone here today, especially Heidi [Bruschi]. I think that is a great sense of partnership and she has been a full partner along the way, we know that. Our family has......
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1:42 PM Mon, Aug 31, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
Tedy Bruschi wanted today to be a celebration as he announced his retirement from the Patriots, and the NFL, after 13 seasons. It was a morning of heartfelt moments: Bruschi's eyes were moist at he sat and listened to both......
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1:16 PM Mon, Aug 31, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
Colleague Kevin McNamara reports that Tom Brady was on the field for the media-access portion of practice today, stretching and handing off to running backs. There were no passes thrown while reporters were on the field. On the plus side,......
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12:02 PM Mon, Aug 31, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
New England officially announced the release of both quarterback Kevin O'Connell and veteran long snapper Nathan Hodel. O'Connell's release, as written about yesterday, means that Andrew Walter and Brian Hoyer are second and third on the depth chart currently behind......
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11:30 AM Mon, Aug 31, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Robert Lee Email
Journal photo/ Steve Szydlowski New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi announces his retirement from professional football during a news conference at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., Monday. Tedy Bruschi officially announced his retirement today. Here is the press release......
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11:25 AM Mon, Aug 31, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Robert Lee Email
-- The Patriots official announcement of their release of backup quarterback Kevin O'Connell came during the Tedy Bruschi retirement press conference. The Patriots also released long-snapper Nathan Hodel. The 6-foot-5, 230 pound O'Connell was initially slated to be Tom Brady's......
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10:34 AM Mon, Aug 31, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
As you'd expect, it is a crowded house here in the media workroom at Gillette Stadium. There are 14 television cameras and about a half-dozen still photographers as well as many reporters and media folk. There are large pictures of......
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8:53 AM Mon, Aug 31, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Robert Lee Email
-- There is a slight chance that that Patriots All-Pro quarterback Tom Brady won't play in the Patriots season opener. On his regularly scheduled appearance on WEEI's "Dennis & Callahan" show this morning, Brady said that he is expecting to......
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11:06 PM Sun, Aug 30, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
With the news that Tedy Bruschi will retire in the morning, here's a story I wrote about him from the 2007 Super Bowl. It is one that I am particularly proud of.......
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10:40 PM Sun, Aug 30, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
Watching the NBC Sports telecast of the Broncos-Bears game, Al Michaels just announced that Tedy Bruschi will announce tomorrow that he is retiring after 14 years in the NFL. Update: The Journal has confirmed that Bruschi will retire. Personally, this......
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9:20 PM Sun, Aug 30, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Mike McDermott Email
Former Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel, signed by the Kansas City Chiefs in the offseason to a contract with $28 million in guaranteed money, has a strained medial collateral ligament in his right knee and could miss two to four weeks,......
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9:18 PM Sun, Aug 30, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Mike McDermott Email
Jason La Canfora of NFL.com is reporting that the Patriots are among several teams that have expressed interest in Eagles backup quarterback A.J. Feeley. The interest would make sense, given the news that the Patriots are about to cut loose......
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7:22 PM Sun, Aug 30, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Shalise Manza Young Email
According to both Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe and John Clayton of ESPN, the Patriots have informed second-year QB Kevin O'Connell that he will be released. The move is quite surprising -- O'Connell was initially slated to be Tom......
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