Main page | September 25, 2006 »

Setting the scene

Hey again --

We're about one hour from kickoff and we have the requisite players warming up on the field, which at this point is mainly the kickers for each team. Stephen Gostkowski and Jason Elam are lining up for field goals, and Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk are catching passes in the end zone from an assistant coach.

The receiving corps -- minus the inactive Chad Jackson -- just came onto the field and are running routes and getting passes from Tom Brady and Matt Cassel.

There spotlight burns bright for a Sunday night game, but it also brings a heightened sense of security. Though I know why and feel grateful that they are here, it's a bit disconcerting to walk toward the stadium and see several SWAT officers with semi-automatic rifles at their chest standing at the gate where media and stadium workers enter.

We may or may not be back before the game starts...

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 7:17 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Game inactives

Chad Jackson is the most surprising Patriots inactive for today. The rookie wide receiver, who caught his first career touchdown in his first career game last week, was listed as questionable for tonight's game (as he was last week).

The rest of the inactives:

S Artrell Hawkins, TE Garrett Mills, LB Pierre Woods, G/C Gene Mruczkowski, T Nick Kaczur, DL Marquise Hill, DL Johnathan Sullivan

For the Broncos:

WR Todd Devoe, RB Cedric "I can run my mouth because I'm not playing" Cobbs, LB Nate Webster, G Chris Kuper, T Adam Meadows, TE Nate Jackson, DL Elvis Dumervil, DE Courtney Brown

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 7:11 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

How do you say "It is what it is" in Chinese?

Hey all --

Joey and I went to the press conference announcing the Pats-Seahawks preseason game in China next August, and that question is all I could think of as I was sitting there listening to Bob Kraft, Roger Goodell and Dick Ebersol talk about getting into this "new" market of China.

Can anyone help me with the translation??? You'll have my undying gratitude...

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 6:32 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Greener pastures

The field at Gillette looks pretty good given the fact the Rolling Stones played a show here on Wednesday, and the New England Revolution played here last night. It's clear the grass has been painted a deep green color. The field will look sharp in high-def on NBC.

Someone in the press box just asked: "How much paint do you think was used on the field?"

The reply: "A lot."

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 4:30 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

China Bowl

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is in town and he will announce at 6 p.m. that the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks will play the first NFL game in China on Aug. 8, 2007.

The game will be played in Beijing, the Chinese capital, and will serve as the kickoff of the one-year countdown to the opening of the XXIX Olympic Games in China.

"We are very excited and proud to be bringing our game to China," said Goodell. "We thank the Patriots and the Seahawks for agreeing to take part in this historic game. We are also grateful to our broadcast partner - NBC and its parent company GE - and to the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau and the Beijing Sports Competition Management Center. This promises to be a memorable event."

The game will be carried live on Chinese television at 8:30 p.m., and NBC will carry it live in the states at 8:30 a.m.

More to come. . .

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 4:23 PM | Permalink | Comments 0