Jim Donaldson
2:41 PM Mon, May 04, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson  Email
Must be going very well, as Tom Terrific and the Gorgeous Gisele enjoy the celebrity social whirl. According to published reports, the newlyweds were in Louisville the night before the Kentucky Derby for the Barnstable Brown Gala also attended......
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1:42 PM Wed, Apr 29, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Mark Sanchez, aka the Second Coming of Joe Namath, made his Big Apple debut this week, throwing out the first pitch at the Mets game Monday night. Of possible concern for Jets fans expecting the kid from Southern Cal to......
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4:52 PM Tue, Apr 28, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Patriots fans who are skeptical about the drafting of UNC wide receiver Brandon Tate in the third round (83rd overall) might be amused by this comment from the Baltimore Ravens' director of player personnel, Eric DeCosta, who, in an......
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11:33 AM Sun, Apr 26, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Who's dumber? Is it Brandon Tate, the wide receiver from North Carolina who, even though he wasn't going to be able to work out at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis in late February because he was recovering from......
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6:42 PM Sat, Apr 25, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
One of the certainties of the NFL draft is that the Patriots will make a trade. Or two. Or more. It's still early. The Pats picked up Baltimore's fifth-round choice in exchange for swapping first-round picks with the Ravens......
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6:20 PM Sat, Apr 25, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
And how funny would it be if Josh Freeman turned out to be better than either Stafford or Sanchez? The Bucs traded up two spots (with that ex-Jets coach, turned wheeler-dealer in Cleveland) to get the big (6-6, 248)......
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5:15 PM Sat, Apr 25, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Seeking a quarterback for the future, the Jets paid a hefty price to move up from 17th in the first round to Cleveland's pick at No. 5 and select Mark Sanchez of Southern Cal. Sanchez had better be good,......
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7:46 AM Fri, Apr 03, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
I'd like to be able to explain to you why the Chicago Bears gave up so much to get Denver's disgruntled quarterback, Jay Cutler, when they could have obtained the promising Matt Cassel from the Patriots for a lot less.......
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4:56 PM Mon, Mar 30, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- Just back from Gillette Stadium, where I was one of the committe members who, as part of the Patriots' celebration of their 50th season, today selected all-decade teams for the 1970s, '80s, and '90s. Here's the team......
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4:46 PM Mon, Mar 30, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- Just back from Gillette Stadium, where I was one of the committee members who, as part of the Patriots' celebration of their 50th season, today selected all-decade teams for the 1970s, '80s, '90s. Here's the team of......
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4:26 PM Mon, Mar 30, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- Just back from Gillette Stadium, where I was one of the committee members who, as part of the Patriots' celebration of their 50th season, today selected all-decade teams for the 1970s, '80s, and '90s. Here's the team......
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7:32 PM Mon, Mar 09, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
It makes me smile to think that Terrell Owens could be shuffling off the NFL stage in a backwater like Buffalo. What a blow to his outsized ego to be picked up by the Bills after being cast off......
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6:06 PM Mon, Mar 09, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
A longtime NFL personnel man who's often seen Shawn Springs play for the Redskins didn't exactly offer a rave review when asked Monday about the veteran defensive back signed recently by the Patriots to a 3-year deal worth more......
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9:23 AM Sun, Mar 01, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Here's what Matt Cassel won't have in Kansas City: He won't have the same offensive system he had in New England, one with which he had become familiar and comfortable since being drafted by the Patriots in the seventh......
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8:46 PM Fri, Feb 27, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Given a choice between a 33-year-old linebacker who's probably past his prime, and a 33-year-old running back who's definitely past his prime, I'll opt for the linebacker every time. Especially when it's Mike Vrabel, who's played an important role......
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6:39 PM Thu, Feb 26, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers certainly can afford Matt Cassel. Whether they want him is another matter. The Bucs, already close to $50 million under the projected 2009 salary cap of $123 million, this week cleared another $10 million worth......
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6:36 PM Wed, Feb 25, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Now that Matt Cassel has signed the one-year, $14.65 million contract he was guaranteed when the Patriots designated him as their franchise player, trade talks will take on a slightly different tone. Cassel no longer is a free agent,......
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2:54 PM Tue, Jan 13, 2009 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
If Scott Pioli were to leave the Patriots for Kansas City, a leading candidate to replace him would appear to be Nick Caserio, the Pats' director of player personnel and a teammate of new Denver Broncos head coach --......
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10:27 PM Mon, Dec 29, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
If you're the sort of sports investor who likes home underdogs, then you're going to love Wild Card Weekend. All four wild-card teams are favored over the homestanding division champions on the opening weekend of the NFL playoffs. On......
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10:02 PM Mon, Dec 29, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Bill Belichick's "coaching tree" has undergone a serious pruning, as two of his former defensive coordinators -- Eric Mangini and Romeo Crennel -- have been fired. Patriots fans may be as delighted as Jets fans to see Mangini get......
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3:24 PM Sun, Dec 28, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- We knew he could throw. And run, too. Now we find out that Matt Cassel can also kick the football. With five minutes left in the game, Cassel took a direct snap in shotgun formation......
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2:49 PM Sun, Dec 28, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Lamont Jordan's 2-yard touchdown run capped an 11-play, 43-yard drive into the howling wind that featured two key, fourth-down conversions and gave the Patriots a 10-0 lead with 4:39 remaining in the third quarter. On......
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2:36 PM Sun, Dec 28, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Bills blew a chance to try a game-tying, short field goal with the wind at their backs just before halftime when they got caught up in a pushing and shoving match with Patriots defenders.......
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2:30 PM Sun, Dec 28, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- With severe winds "grounding" both offenses, coach Bill "Bo Schembechler" Belichick had his Patriots run the ball 21 times, for 80 yards, while throwing just three passes, completing two, for 31 yards in the first......
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1:56 PM Sun, Dec 28, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- With 4:29 left in the half, and the Pats preparing to try a field goal of 26 yards, the referee called for a "temporary delay" so the goalposts -- blow off-center by the wind --......
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1:36 PM Sun, Dec 28, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The first quarter is over and the Bills, who chose to go into the wind, did not throw a pass. They trail 3-0, have two first downs, and will start the second quarter -- with......
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1:17 PM Sun, Dec 28, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- With 7:20 remaining in the first quarter, we have yet to see a pass thrown in breezy (to put it mildly --winds are blowing consistently at 40 mph, and gusting much higher) Ralph Wilson Stadium.......
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1:02 PM Sun, Dec 28, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Patriots won the coin toss and elected to defer their choice 'til the second half. Then, somewhat surprisingly, the BIlls elected to go into the fierce wind in the first quarter. That would seem......
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12:09 PM Sun, Dec 28, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
If the Jets (who are favored by 3) lose this afternoon at the Meadowlands to the Dolphins -- who would cap a remarkable, worst-to-first turnaround with a victory that would take them from 1-15 a year ago to the......
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12:01 PM Sun, Dec 28, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Yes, the Patriots will be without Richard Seymour and Tedy Bruschi this afternoon, but the Bills are hurting, too. All three of Buffalo's left tackles, including Pro Bowler Jason Peters, are sidelined. Kirk Chambers, the......
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11:26 AM Sun, Dec 28, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer You don't dine in Buffalo, you eat. And drink. Beer. Not wine (although there are some decent vineyards upstate in New York). Not cocktails. Beer. Because of Buffalo, where, instead of haute cuisine, you......
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10:26 AM Sun, Dec 28, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer ORCHARD PARK -- You remember that scene in the Wizard of Oz, the one in which objects -- and witches -- are being blown all over the place, flying past, out of control? That's......
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1:59 PM Sat, Dec 20, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Bad weather is good news for the Patriots. The forecast is for snow to fall as the Pats take on the Cardinals Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium, which means the Cards are likely to fall, too. Since moving to......
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8:38 PM Mon, Dec 15, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer SAN FRANCISCO -- The Jets control their own destiny. So do the Dolphins. And the Colts. And the Ravens, too. But not the Patriots, who, even if they win they win their last two......
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7:58 PM Mon, Dec 15, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer SAN FRANCISCO -- Decided to delay, for 24 hours, what will be my fourth cross-country flight in 11 days, and spend a day enjoying the lovely sights and culinary delights of my favorite city......
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6:35 PM Sun, Dec 14, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
OAKLAND -- Ellis Hobbs has returned a kickoff for a touchdown each of the last three seasons, tying the franchise record for a career. Raymond Clayborn had held the record, returning three KOs for TDs as a rookie in......
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6:26 PM Sun, Dec 14, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
OAKLAND -- For only the second time in the last 11 games, the woeful Raiders have scored 20 points. It should be 21, but Sebastian Janikowski's PAT attempt in the third quarter was blocked by Vince Wilfork. Other than......
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5:14 PM Sun, Dec 14, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
OAKLAND -- Justin Miller's 91-yard kickoff return for the Raiders was the second TD runback allowed by the Patriots this season. He was untouched on his way to the end zone. Leon Washington of the Jets also had one......
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4:52 PM Sun, Dec 14, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
OAKLAND -- Field position doesn't seem to matter. The Patriots could get the ball on the San Francisco side of the Bay Bridge and still drive into the Raiders' end zone. Scoring for the third time in as many......
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4:38 PM Sun, Dec 14, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
AP photo Randy Moss celebrates after catching a 20-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. OAKLAND -- The Patriots' first two possessions started in Oakland territory -- at the Raiders' 40 and 35. Both resulted in TDs, with Matt......
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2:41 PM Sun, Dec 14, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
OAKLAND -- The Raiders are the most-penalized team in the NFL, with 96. Surprise, surprise, given both their reputation for being the league's "bad boys," as well as their lack of talent. The Patriots, on the other hand, are......
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2:10 PM Sun, Dec 14, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
OAKLAND -- For the first time that anyone can recall, the NFL Commissioner will be in attendance at a Raiders game here. Roger Goodell will go where his predecessors, Paul Tagliabue and Pete Rozelle, feared to tread. Or were,......
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2:00 PM Sun, Dec 14, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
OAKLAND -- It's a depressingly grey day in the Bay Area, but here are some stats that will brighten the afternoon for Patriots fans. While Wes Welker has 96 receptions for 1,002 yards and a touchdown, and Randy Moss......
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6:07 PM Sun, Dec 07, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
SEATTLE -- With the Pats struggling to get the ball into the end zone into Seattle, it's worth recalling that the Seahawks rank last in the NFL in pass defense. Following Stephen Gostkowski's 42-yard field goal with 2:40 remaining......
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3:10 PM Sun, Dec 07, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
SEATTLE -- Sportswriters aren't usually "morning people" -- there was a time, in younger days, when some of us were more likely to be coming home as the sun was coming up, rather than heading out -- but, given......
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4:46 PM Fri, Dec 05, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
How hard is it to pick winners -- especially against the point-spread -- in the National Football League these days? Consider that, two weeks ago, the Bills racked up 54 points in a win at Kansas City, then returned......
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9:00 PM Sun, Nov 30, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- Overheard in the tunnel as the Steelers were heading to their locker room following a 33-10 pasting of the Patriots . . . -- Hard to imagine a Pittsburgh player complaining about weather, but punter Mitch Berger......
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6:08 PM Sun, Nov 30, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- The Patriots had problems on both sides of the ball on third down in the first half, failing to convert any of six third-down chances offensively, but allowing the Steelers to successfully pick up a first down......
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5:49 PM Sun, Nov 30, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- The wet weather clearly is causing problems catching the football. On back-to-back plays in the final minute of the first half, Randy Moss dropped what should have been a TD pass from Matt Cassel -- it was Moss'......
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5:43 PM Sun, Nov 30, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- When Stephen Gostkowski pushed a 27-yard, field-goal attempt wide right just before halftime, it was the first time this season he'd missed a kick of less than 40 yards. He had been 19-for-19, including a 29-yarder earlier......
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3:46 PM Sun, Nov 23, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
MIAMI -- The Cassel-to-Moss combination continues to be unstoppable, as the Pats, having seen their 10-point lead cut to 3, responded with an 80-yard TD drive in 9 plays. The TD came on a perfectly-thrown, 29-yard pass from Matt......
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3:34 PM Sun, Nov 23, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
MIAMI -- In 11 games this season, the Dolphins have scored as many as 28 points only three times -- once against Houston and twice against the Patriots. After the Pats opened up a 10-point lead by scoring a......
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3:26 PM Sun, Nov 23, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
MIAMI -- Thanks to a tip-toe, balancing act along the left sideline by Wes Welker, the Patriots extended their lead to 31-21 as the third quarter ended. Welker turned a short pass into the longest catch of his career,......
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3:06 PM Sun, Nov 23, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
MIAMI -- With each team scoring on its first possession of the second half, it seems more and more as if whichever team has the ball last is going to win. The Dolphins, trailing at halftime, 17-14, took the......
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12:22 PM Sun, Nov 23, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
MIAMI -- The first player drafted in the Bill Parcells era in Miami was left tackle Jeff Long of Michigan. The 6-7, 310-pound Long also was the first player taken in the entire 2008 draft, becoming only the second offensive......
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12:00 PM Sun, Nov 23, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
MIAMI -- Although the Dolphins have won decisively at both New England (38-13) and AFC West-leading Denver (26-17), they struggled to win at home the past two weeks against 2-8 Seattle (21-19) and 2-8 Oakland (17-15, on a last-minute field......
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11:49 AM Sun, Nov 23, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
MIAMI -- Dolphins wide receiver Greg Camarillo, who last week signed a $6 million, 3-year contract, is as surprised as any Patriots fans that Miami and New England are playing a game with major playoff implications in late November. "If......
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10:15 PM Thu, Nov 13, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- After cutting the Jets' lead to 24-13 at halftime on a 19-yard TD pass from Matt Cassel to Jabar Gaffney with just 15 seconds left in the second quarter, the Pats fumbled away a chance to keep......
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9:07 PM Thu, Nov 13, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- The third time was the charm for Jets kickoff returner Leon Washington. After returning the opening kickoff 30 yards to his own 38, and then coming out of the end zone to the NY 36 on his......
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8:43 PM Thu, Nov 13, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- After the Jets took the opening kickoff and drove 62 yards to a touchdown in 10 plays, Stephen Gostkowski trimmed N.Y.'s lead to 7-3 with a 42-yard field goal on the Pats' first possession. Gostkowski now has......
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7:51 PM Thu, Nov 13, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer FOXBORO -- As if the New England defense wasn't hurting already -- with standout linebacker Adalius Thomas out of action, veteran strong safety Rodney Harrison on Injured Reserve, and cornerbacks Lewis Sanders and Terrence......
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12:15 PM Sun, Nov 09, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
CHESTNUT HILL, MA -- Notre Dame, and Charlie Weis' reputation, took another beating Saturday night at Boston College. A week after blowing a two-touchdown halftime lead at home and losing in four overtimes to Pitt -- which had given......
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10:33 PM Sun, Nov 02, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Patriots again controlled the clock in the third quarter, maintaining possession for 11 minutes. They have had two scoring drives (one TD, one FG) of 15 plays apiece in the second half, after having had two 13-play......
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10:08 PM Sun, Nov 02, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
INDIANAPOLIS -- When Kevin Faulk was stopped just short of the goal line, that was the first time this season that the Patriots have attempted a 2-point conversion. They were 1-for-1 last season and 2-for-2 in 2006, after converting just......
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9:59 PM Sun, Nov 02, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer INDIANAPOLIS -- With his two first-half field goals, from 29 and 35 yards out, Pats kicker Stephen Gostkowski now has made 25 of his last 26 regular-season kicks. He is the most accurate kicker......
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9:49 PM Sun, Nov 02, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer INDIANAPOLIS -- For the first time this season, the Patriots have in the lineup all five members of the offensive line that paved the way to the Super Bowl last year -- Matt Light......
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9:45 PM Sun, Nov 02, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
INDIANAPOLIS -- Rookie cornerback Terrence Wheatley, the second-round draft choice out of Colorado who appeared to have injured his left hand/wrist in the second quarter, did not come out of the locker room for the second half.......
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9:41 PM Sun, Nov 02, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer INDIANAPOLIS -- Helped by a 91-yard opening drive in which they ran 15 plays and consumed 9:02, the Colts had the ball for 10:33 in the first quarter, which ended with Indianapolis holding a......
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8:13 PM Sun, Nov 02, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer INDIANAPOLIS -- The Lucas Oil Stadium has not, so far, been Home, Sweet Dome, for the Colts, who have lost two of their first three games here. They were beaten by the Bears in......
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6:17 PM Sun, Nov 02, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer INDIANAPOLIS -- Lucas Oil Stadium, which opened this summer, resembles on oversized -- on second thought, make that super-sized -- field house. Driving into the city from the west, where the airport is no......
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3:33 PM Sun, Oct 26, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- Stephen Gostkowski's 41-yard field goal tied the score at 16 with 8:22 left to play. The Pats would have taken the lead had Randy Moss been able to hang on to Matt Cassel's pass in the end zone.......
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3:10 PM Sun, Oct 26, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer FOXBORO -- The Patriots are in deep trouble here in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter. Which is to say, not only that they find themselves trailing the Rams by three points, but......
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1:39 PM Sun, Oct 26, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer FOXBORO -- Clearly, the New England secondary's ability to defend against the deep ball remains highly suspect. Riddled by long passes in San Diego two weeks ago, the Patriots were burned again yesterday in......
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1:30 PM Sun, Oct 26, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer FOXBORO -- After the Rams' lengthy opening drive stalled in the shadow of the goal posts and ended with a field goal, the Patriots drove 73 yards in 13 plays and 7:06 to a......
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1:11 PM Sun, Oct 26, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer FOXBORO -- The running games of both the Patriots and Rams are, literally, hurting this afternoon. The Pats are without Sammy Morris, who rushed for 138 yards on 16 carries in the first half......
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1:41 AM Tue, Oct 21, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- It was an emotional New England team that took the field last night against Denver, and then proceeded to take it to the Broncos for four quarters. "There was a lot of energy out there tonight," linebacker......
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3:55 PM Sun, Oct 19, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
It doesn't bode well for the Patriots, on a variety of levels, that the Bills disposed of the San Diego Chargers, 23-14, Sunday afternoon in Buffalo, a week after the Bolts blasted the Pats in San Diego, 30-10. For......
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1:30 AM Mon, Oct 13, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer SAN DIEGO -- Although the Patriots spent the week practicing at San Jose State, rather than flying back to Foxboro after last Sunday's win at San Francisco, they said it didn't hurt their preparation......
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1:18 AM Mon, Oct 13, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer SAN DIEGO -- When you've been coaching in the NFL as long as Norv Turner, you don't have to look at a whole lot of film to ascertain the Patriots' weaknesses. "We faced a......
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12:55 AM Mon, Oct 13, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer SAN DIEGO -- Nobody misses Tom Brady more than Randy Moss. A year ago, the two hooked up on a league-record 23 touchdown passes. Moss caught 98 balls and averaged 15.2 yards per catch......
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12:13 AM Mon, Oct 13, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer SAN DIEGO -- The Patriots chose not to pay Asante Samuel, the all-pro cornerback who led the team in interceptions the last three years. Now they're paying the price for allowing Samuel -- who......
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10:14 PM Sun, Oct 12, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
SAN DIEGO -- After the Patriots failed to score on four downs from the 1, it took the Chargers just five plays to drive 98 yards to a touchdown on their first possession of the second half. New England, instead......
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10:07 PM Sun, Oct 12, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer SAN DIEGO -- The Patriots were on the brink of cutting their two-touchdown deficit to one after taking the second-half kickoff and driving to a first-and-goal at the Chargers' 1. Four plays later, the......
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9:40 PM Sun, Oct 12, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer SAN DIEGO -- Not that the Patriots 'D' deserves any credit for giving up the touchdown just before halftime that gave the Chargers a 17-3 lead. But what set up the score was the......
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8:48 PM Sun, Oct 12, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
SAN DIEGO -- Now we know why Deltha O'Neal wasn't wanted by the 0-6 Cincinnati Bengals. Not only was he burned for a 48-yard gain on the first play of the game by Vincent Jackson, setting up a San Diego......
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8:43 PM Sun, Oct 12, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
SAN DIEGO -- Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski's streak of 17 consecutive field goals made came to an end in the first quarter, when he missed a 48-yarder on the Patriots' first possession. The kick would have tied the game, 3-3.......
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8:04 PM Sun, Oct 12, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer SAN DIEGO -- As the first-round draft choice of the Patriots in 2006, Laurence Maroney can't yet be described as a bust, but he's certainly been a disappointment. Neither his durability, nor his productivity,......
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7:34 PM Sun, Oct 12, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer SAN DIEGO -- And pretty successful, too. The Chargers are wearing their powder-blue jerseys against the Patriots, hoping for the same results they had with them last season, when they were 2-0 in powder-blue.......
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2:26 PM Sun, Oct 12, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer SAN DIEGO -- It's a beautiful morning here. Not a cloud in the light-blue sky, temps in the 70s, so it should be a great night for football. Patriots fans looking for alternative investments,......
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3:24 PM Mon, Oct 06, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer SAN FRANCISCO -- First, I must quote an item in Monday's San Francisco Chronicle: "The NFL is a copycat league and already teams are mimicking the Dolphins' 'Wildcat' offense featuring direct shotgun snaps to......
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7:07 PM Sun, Oct 05, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON journal Sports Writer SAN FRANCISCO -- Pats kicker Stephen Gostkowski saved his best boot for last, nailing a season-long, 49-yarder with 4:42 left to play, giving New England a 30-21 lead and making it a "two-score" situation......
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6:38 PM Sun, Oct 05, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer SAN FRANCISCO -- Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski continues to be outstanding, nailing a 40-yard field goal in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter that was his second of the game, and ninth of......
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3:33 PM Sun, Oct 05, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer SAN FRANCISCO -- For those football fanatics who may be wondering what other 49ers have had their jerseys retired, here's the list: quarterbacks Joe Montana (16) and John Brodie (12); running backs Hugh McElhenny......
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3:19 PM Sun, Oct 05, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer SAN FRANCISCO -- The Patriots played in the first pro sporting event held in the Bay Area after the devastating earthquake of October 17, 1989 -- taking on the 49ers five days later at......
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2:36 PM Sun, Oct 05, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer SAN FRANCISCO -- The 49ers will be retiring Steve Young's jersey number 8 in ceremonies at halftime. 11 years after Joe Montana's jersey number 16 was retired. It's not as if Young isn't used......
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6:47 PM Sun, Sep 21, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer FOXBORO -- The Patriots never knew what hit them. Even after they were hit with it again, and again, and again. "I don't think you ever see a loss like this coming," former Dolphins......
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3:31 PM Sun, Sep 21, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer FOXBORO -- With the Dolphins -- losers of 20 of their last 21 games -- all but assured of snapping New England's NFL-record, 21-game winning streak, it's worth noting that Miami was the last......
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3:26 PM Sun, Sep 21, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer FOXBORO -- For a goodly number of Patriots fans, it apparently was too nice a day to watch bad football. With 12 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, and New England trailing the heavily-underdog......
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3:18 PM Sun, Sep 21, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer FOXBORO -- Ronnie Brown continues to leave the New England defense red-faced. Just 11 seconds into the fourth quarter, he broke free on a 62-yard TD run that gave the Dolphins -- losers of......
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3:03 PM Sun, Sep 21, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer FOXBORO -- Thanks to an 81-yard kickoff return by Ellis Hobbs following Miami's fourth touchdown, the Patriots had only a short distance to cover to score their first TD of the game, which came......
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2:55 PM Sun, Sep 21, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer FOXBORO -- Regarding that earlier note about how the Patriots had no clue how to stop Ronnie Brown and the Dolphins when the running back took a direct snap from center . . .......
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2:16 PM Sun, Sep 21, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer FOXBORO -- Ronnie Brown scored his third touchdown of the game -- and second after taking a direct snap from center -- to give the double-digit underdog Dolphins a stunning, 21-6 lead over New......
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2:02 PM Sun, Sep 21, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer FOXBORO -- Stephen Gostkowski improved to 7-for-7 this year with a season-long, 44-yard field goal. That's the good news for New England fans. The bad news is that, while the Pats are settling for......
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1:55 PM Sun, Sep 21, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer FOXBORO -- The Dolphins, losers of 20 of their last 21 games, just capped their second touchdown drive of the first half by sending Ronnie Brown powering through the Pats' reeling defense from the......
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1:45 PM Sun, Sep 21, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer FOXBORO -- With his 37-yard field goal 3:29 into the second quarter that trimmed Miami's lead to 7-3, Pats kicker Stephen Gostkowski improved to 6-for-6 on the season. He now has hit three......
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1:41 PM Sun, Sep 21, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer FOXBORO -- Only once last season -- at Indianapolis -- did the Patriots fail to put points on the board in the first quarter. It's already happened twice this year -- against the Dolphins,......
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1:30 PM Sun, Sep 21, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer FOXBORO -- For fans disconcerted to see the Dolphins -- losers of 20 of their last 21 games -- jump out to an early, 7-0 lead over the Patriots (winners of an NFL-record 21......
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1:18 PM Sun, Sep 21, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer FOXBORO -- This is one of the few times you'll see the words "Laurence Maroney" and "workhorse" in the same sentence. Maroney, who was the Patriots' first-round draft choice -- number 21 overall --......
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9:13 PM Mon, Sep 15, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Thoughts that occurred while driving along the scenic Merritt Parkway Monday morning on the way home from Sunday's 19-10 jolting of the Jets by the Patriots at the Meadowlands, typed while watching on TV as the Red Sox play......
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9:56 PM Sun, Sep 14, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Jets already knew what a lot of other people found out Sunday afternoon. The defending AFC champion New England Patriots aren't a one-man team. Despite playing without......
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5:10 PM Sun, Sep 14, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
The importance of field position has been evident in the third quarter. An interception by Brandon Meriweather, last year's first-round draft pick, gave the Patriots possession at the N.Y. 31. Six plays later, Sammy Morris leaped over the line......
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4:55 PM Sun, Sep 14, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Kicker Stephen Gostkowski has been the early star for the Patriots this afternoon at the Meadowlands. Not only does he have two field goals _ a 21-yarder in the first quarter and a 37-yarder late in the second --......
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4:21 PM Sun, Sep 14, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Showing why he was on the street, Jay Feely pushed a 31-yard field-goal attempt wide right six minutes into the first quarter, spoiling a solid opening drive by the Jets. Feely, waived by the Dolphins this summer, was signed......
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3:48 PM Wed, Sep 10, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer Bettors, at least, believe in the Patriots. Despite the loss of star quarterback Tom Brady for the season midway through the first quarter of the first game, and the fact that his replacement, Matt......
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10:15 AM Mon, Sep 08, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer Here's an example -- another in a lengthy list -- of the kind of guy Pats' personnel wizard Scott Pioli is: Before the Falcons opened their season at home Sunday against the Lions, it......
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4:58 PM Sat, Apr 26, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Discussions regarding a possible trade between the Saints and Patriots began Friday night, Pats coach Bill Belichick said late this afternoon, after New England had swapped first-round picks with New Orleans -- moving down from No. 7 to No.......
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4:33 PM Sat, Apr 26, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer FOXBORO -- Speaking in a televised interview on the NFL Network, Pats coach Bill Belichick said he was particularly impressed by first-round draft choice Jerod Mayo's versatility. Noting that Mayo had played all three......
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4:25 PM Sat, Apr 26, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer FOXBORO -- Tennessee LB Jerod Mayo, selected by the Patriots with the 10th overall pick in the first round, has had surgery on both knees. Redshirted as a freshman after he was recruited out......
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4:04 PM Sat, Apr 26, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
The Patriots moved to bolster their aging linebacking corps by using their first-round draft choice to select Jerod Mayo of Tennessee. There's no question that New England needs linebackers. Tedy Bruschi will be 35 in June. Although Mike Vrabel......
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3:59 PM Sat, Apr 26, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
As a result of the trade with the Saints, the Patriots now have three picks in the third round, which gives them flexibility to do further deals in this draft. "We're not afraid to trade," coach Bill Belichick said......
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3:53 PM Sat, Apr 26, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
With three former first-round picks on their defensive line -- Richard Seymour (2001), Ty Warren (2003), and Vince Wilfork (2004) -- the Patriots obviously didn't feel the pressing need that New Orleans did to select Sedrick Ellis of Southern......
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3:28 PM Sat, Apr 26, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Seven of the Patriots' last eight first-round picks are still with the team -- DB Brandon Meriweather (2007), RB Laurence Maroney (2006), OL Logan Mankins (2005), NT Vince Wilfork and TE Ben Watson (2004), DL Ty Warren (2003) and......
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3:16 PM Sat, Apr 26, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Thomas Dimitroff, the new Falcons' GM -- and former Director of College Scouting for the Patriots -- "returned" to New England for the first draft choice of his career, selecting Boston College QB Matt Ryan. With Michael Vick serving......
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3:13 PM Sat, Apr 26, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
The NFL Draft has been underway less than 15 minutes, but it's already been a "Long" day. After Miami officially announced its selection of Michigan OT Jake Long, the Rams, with the second choice overall, took University of Virginia......
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3:03 PM Sat, Apr 26, 2008 | Permalink |
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First selection of the day...Jim Donaldson, Providence Journal...selects the "blond" brownies over the chocolate brownies on the media snacks table in the Gillette Stadium press box... "It wasn't a pick based on need," he said. "It was the best......
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12:54 AM Mon, Feb 04, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
The Giants now have won seven league championships. They also have lost a league-high 11 times in the title game. "I'll tell you what," team owner John K. Mara said last night, "this is the greatest victory in the......
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12:43 AM Mon, Feb 04, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
"We won the game in the trenches," Giants running back Brandon Jacobs said. "We got physical with them. They couldn't match up with our linemen, who were getting them off the ball." It was New York's defensive line that......
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12:38 AM Mon, Feb 04, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
"It just feels great," Giants defensive lineman Justin Tuck, who had two of New York's five sacks, said of the pressure he and his teammates put on Patriots quarterback Tom Brady throughout Super Bowl XLII. "It was a complete......
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12:34 AM Mon, Feb 04, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Amazingly, the Super Bowl champion New York Giants lost five of their eight home games this season. But they were 11-1 on the road, including four straight playoff victories over Tampa Bay, NFC East champion Dallas, NFC North champion......
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12:31 AM Mon, Feb 04, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
"It was a fade route," Eli Manning said of the game-winning, 13-yard TD pass he threw to a wide-open Plaxico Burress with 35 seconds left to play in Super Bowl XLII. "They had been playing zone coverage. They came......
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12:22 AM Mon, Feb 04, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
It was, without question, the play of the game. With time running out, and the Giants in a 3rd-and-5 situation at their own 44, Eli Manning slipped out of the grasp of several Patriots pass rushers and lofted a......
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12:06 AM Mon, Feb 04, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
The 1972 Miami Dolphins are happy to remain the only undefeated champions in NFL history. "It goes to show you how tough it is to go undefeated through an entire season," offensive lineman Larry Little said last night. "Over......
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8:44 PM Sun, Feb 03, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
GLENDALE -- What is Bill Belichick saying about kicker Stephen Gostkowski when, rather than allowing him to attempt a 48-yard field goal -- indoors, yet -- the Patriots go for the first down on 4th-and-13 at the NY 31?......
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7:54 PM Sun, Feb 03, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
GLENDALE -- There is, of course, still another half of football to be played, but Super Bowl XLII, so far, has been yet another example of why "Defense Wins Championships" has become a tried-and-true adage. Although the Patriots are......
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7:13 PM Sun, Feb 03, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
GLENDALE -- The interception thrown by Eli Manning that went off the hands of rookie wide receiver Steve Smith into the hands of Ellis Hobbs at the New England 10-yard line was the first pick of the postseason for......
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7:00 PM Sun, Feb 03, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
AP photo / Matt Slocum Laurence Maroney puts the Patriots on top with a one-yard touchdown run. GLENDALE -- While the Patriots' first possession didn't last as long as New York's, the end result was better. While the Giants......
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6:44 PM Sun, Feb 03, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
AP photo / Ross D. Franklin Lawrence Tynes gets the Giants on the board with a 32-yard field goal. GLENDALE -- The important thing for the Giants is not hat they scored three points on their opening possession, but......
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6:28 PM Sun, Feb 03, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
GLENDALE -- It's a great omen for the Patriots that they lost the coin toss. In all three of their Super Bowl victories, the Pats lost the coin toss.......
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6:08 PM Sun, Feb 03, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
GLENDALE -- Happened to be standing in the back of the press box when the Patriots assistants came off the elevator, accompanied by Scott Pioli, the club's brilliant director of player personnel. They were, not surprisingly, all business --......
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5:55 PM Sun, Feb 03, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
GLENDALE -- It's probably the right move -- heck, with the Patriots at 18-0, if Belichick made it, it's undoubtedly the right move -- but, sentimentally, it would have been wonderful to see Troy Brown active for tonight's game.......
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5:07 PM Sun, Feb 03, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
GLENDALE -- The pre-game show is underway. Alicia Keys performed on a stage at midfield, singing her current hit "No One" and several other numbers. The stands are between a quarter and a third full.......
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4:59 PM Sun, Feb 03, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
GLENDALE -- It intrigues me that it seems so much of America seems to be rooting against the Patriots. If you're watching in, say, Des Moines, and aren't a Giants fan, wouldn't you be rooting to see NFL history......
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3:44 PM Sun, Feb 03, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
GLENDALE -- This is Super Bowl XXV for me. I did the math while sitting here in the press box at University of Phoenix Stadium, awaiting the start of Super Bowl XLII in about 2-1/2 hours. I counted 'em......
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3:04 PM Sun, Feb 03, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
GLENDALE -- Good news to hear that Andre Tippett, who starred at linebacker for the Patriots from 1982 through 1993, was elected Saturday to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It was as a pass rusher that "Tipp" truly......
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2:36 PM Sun, Feb 03, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
GLENDALE -- I wrote a column on Spygate/Spectergate in Saturday's paper, so I don't want to go over old ground, but the subject continues to be a hot topic of conversation. Here's what I don't get: The Patriots broke......
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1:19 PM Fri, Feb 01, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
PHOENIX -- Among the many reasons to root for the Patriots to win Super Bowl XLII is that, if they win, you'll never again have to hear from Mercury Morris and the '72 Miami Dolphins, who currently are the......
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1:11 PM Fri, Feb 01, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
PHOENIX -- Considering that the economy is on the brink of recession, the subprime mortgage market is a mess, and American soldiers are dying every day in Iraq and Afghanistan, it would seem that Arlen Specter, the Republican senator......
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12:58 PM Fri, Feb 01, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
PHOENIX -- Of the first XXXV Super Bowls, only two were decided by three or less points -- Super Bowl V, when the Colts' Jim O'Brien kicked a 32-yard field goal in the final seconds to beat the Cowboys,......
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6:43 PM Wed, Jan 30, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
SCOTTSDALE -- It's taken him 20 years, but Jeff Feagles finally has made it to a Super Bowl. And talk about coming full circle. Feagles, who's been the Giants punter since 2003, began his NFL career with the Patriots,......
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6:39 PM Wed, Jan 30, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
SCOTTSDALE -- New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese thinks his counterpart in New England, Scott Pioli, has done a marvelous job. "You kind of sit back," he said, "and marvel at what they have done, because I don't......
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6:29 PM Wed, Jan 30, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
SCOTTSDALE -- Randy Moss says he thinks he would have enjoyed playing with Packers quarterback Brett Favre, but knows he would not have liked playing in Green Bay. "I think Brett Favre wanted to talk to me," said Moss,......
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5:08 PM Wed, Jan 30, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
SCOTTSDALE -- Offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia cited two reasons it is all-important that his players protect quarterback Tom Brady. One: "He can't run out of sight if you gave him three days." Two: "He's our franchise. He's our......
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1:51 PM Wed, Jan 30, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
PHOENIX -- Offensive tackle Matt Light's hair has gotten so long that he sometimes ties it into a pony tail in back, prompting center Dan Koppen to nickname him "Fabio," after the similarly-maned male model who has been frequently......
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1:47 PM Wed, Jan 30, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
PHOENIX -- He was talking about the qualities he looks for when he hires coaches, but Bill Belichick's wise words were applicable to a much wider array of life situations: "The most important thing," he said, "is to identify......
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1:42 PM Wed, Jan 30, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
PHOENIX -- Great line about the Super Bowl from friend Bob Reinacher, a longtime trainer of thoroughbreds I first met several summers ago at Saratoga, and who currently is at the winter meet at Gulfstream Park, in Hallandale, Fla.......
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4:13 PM Tue, Jan 29, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Randy Moss, who drew a large crowd around his podium at Media Day, had a good explanation as to why he was more talkative than usual this season. "You want to know why I'm talking more......
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4:07 PM Tue, Jan 29, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
GLENDALE -- Stephen Neal, the Patriots' starting right guard, was sporting a flowing moustache that extended down to his chin at Media Day. "I'm trying to do something to take attention away from my belly," he joked. "I'd rather......
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3:25 PM Tue, Jan 29, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Former Patriots tight end Don Hasselbeck says his son, Tim, is surprised more free agents don't sign with the Arizona Cardinals. "He said to me: 'You think anyone else in the league knows you can play......
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3:13 PM Tue, Jan 29, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Tedy Bruschi has three Super Bowl Championship rings, plus an AFC championship ring from his rookie year in 1996, when the Patriots lost to the Packers in Super Bowl XXXI. He......
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3:03 PM Tue, Jan 29, 2008 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer GLENDALE, Ariz. -- While Bill Belichick, his coaching staff, and the Patriots players are totally focused on winning Super Bowl XLII, Scott Pioli and his people are planning on how best to position the......
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8:58 PM Mon, Jan 28, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
PHOENIX -- Matt Light was asked yesterday what made Bill Belichick different from other NFL coaches. "One of the biggest things he does is, he doesn't accept any excuses. He tells it to you like it is. You have......
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7:15 PM Mon, Jan 28, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
PHOENIX -- Just call him Mr. Sunshine. "It good to be out in the warm sunshine in Arizona," said a bubbly Bill Belichick, doffing his favorite hoodie and donning a suit to meet with the media at the Convention......
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2:25 PM Mon, Jan 28, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
PHOENIX -- The Patriots will be practicing this week at Arizona State University in Tempe. There are no former Sun Devils on the New England roster. Linebacker Tedy Bruschi played at the University of Arizona, in Tucson, where he......
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1:03 PM Mon, Jan 28, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
PHOENIX -- The Giants are scheduled to arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport this afternoon at 2:45. Coach Tom Coughlin and selected players are scheduled to meet with the media around 5 at the team's hotel -- the......
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12:11 PM Mon, Jan 28, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
PHOENIX -- It was raining here Sunday night when my direct (but still late) Southwest Airlines flight finally landed. The Patriots arrived earlier, with QB Tom Brady, not surprisingly, the focus of media attention. In what was even less......
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10:05 PM Sun, Jan 20, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- Three times, the San Diego Chargers moved the ball inside the Patriots' 10-yard line. Three times, they settled for field goals, failing to score even one touchdown against a determined New England defense. "It was crucial that......
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3:26 PM Sun, Jan 20, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- Pats fans perhaps mildly concerned at their high-scoring team's slow start offensively can take consolation from the fact that New England never has lost a playoff game at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots beat Tennesee and Indianapolis (in......
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3:09 PM Sun, Jan 20, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- While it certainly is impressive that the Patriots are appearing in the conference championship game for the fifth time in seven years, other teams have had even more dominant stretches. Buffalo played for the AFC title five......
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4:19 PM Sun, Jan 13, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
What a win for San Diego, beating the Colts in Indianapolis with both LaDainian Tomlinson and Philip Rivers on the sidelines! How's A.J. Smith's decision to dump Marty Schottenheimer for Norv Turner looking now? If the Chargers can beat......
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1:12 AM Sun, Jan 13, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO, Mass. _ Jack Del Rio knows the difference between his Jacksonville Jaguars and the New England Patriots. He knows why the Pats are going to the AFC championship game, following a 31-20 victory over the Jags, and his......
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12:50 AM Sun, Jan 13, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO, Mass. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars took away Randy Moss, but still didn't come away with a victory. Despite limiting Moss -- who set an NFL record this season with 23 touchdown receptions, while catching 98 passes for 1,493......
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12:15 AM Sun, Jan 13, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO, Mass. -- Perhaps an Oscar ought to be added to Tom Brady's lengthy list of postseason awards. "I'm looking for my Academy award," Brady said, flashing that matinee idol smile. He certainly deserves at least one, for Best......
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2:15 PM Mon, Dec 31, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Greed is good -- if you're the NFL, and the networks that televise the league's games. But not if you're a fan of the New England Patriots. In what clearly was a matter of dollars and cents, rather than......
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2:08 AM Sun, Dec 30, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
E. RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Bill Belichick was excited. No kidding, he really was. Which shows you just how big a deal it was that the Patriots beat the Giants, 38-35, Saturday night and became the first team in NFL......
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1:37 AM Sun, Dec 30, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
E. RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- It wasn't surpassing Jerry Rice that made Randy Moss happiest, it was silencing his critics. "I don't think me breaking Jerry Rice's record was special," Moss said at his post-game press conference. "I think shutting......
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1:08 AM Sun, Dec 30, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
E. RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- "Mike Vrabel is a guy who I'm not surprised by anything he's able to do." So said Richard Seymour after Vrabel put the finishing touch on the Patriots' perfect season by cleanly catching Lawrence Tynes'......
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12:26 AM Sun, Dec 30, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
E. RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- "It doesn't get any better than that," said Tom Brady, flashing that winning smile. It surely does not get any better than 16 wins in 16 games -- a perfect record in what, so far,......
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10:10 PM Sat, Dec 29, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Journal photo / Glenn Osmundson Laurence Maroney runs for yardage in the second quarter. E. RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- If the Patriots hope to remain undefeated, they're going to have to stage their biggest comeback of the season. Their 12-point......
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9:28 PM Sat, Dec 29, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
E. RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The three field goals in the first half by Stephen Gostkowski are more than the Patriots' second-year kicker has had in any game this season. He tried three against the Steelers, but missed one. So......
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8:40 PM Sat, Dec 29, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
E. RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis and his son were spotted just to the left and behind the Patriots' bench area. Weis was the offensive coordinator for Bill Belichick on all three of New England's Super......
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8:26 PM Sat, Dec 29, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
E. RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- For the first time since the Baltimore game, the Patriots gave up a touchdown in the red zone. And it came on the Giants' first possession. Starting at their own 26 following the opening kickoff,......
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7:11 PM Sat, Dec 29, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Call me a worry wart, if you will, but I'm putting this out there, an hour before kickoff, hoping the worst won't happen, but concerned that it might. The Giants......
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6:27 PM Sun, Dec 23, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- Punting from the back line of the New England end zone, Chris Hanson got off his longest kick of the season -- 64 yards to the Miami 35, where it bounced out of bounds. The Patriots were......
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5:09 PM Sun, Dec 23, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- Less than five minutes after breaking loose for the longest run of his career -- a 51-yarder on the last play of the first quarter -- Laurence Maroney darted through a gaping hole off left tackle and......
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4:59 PM Sun, Dec 23, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- So, you think Tom Brady wants the NFL record for TD passes? Faced with a first-and-goal at the 1 early in the second quarter, following a pass interference penalty on Miami in the end zone, the Pats......
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4:54 PM Sun, Dec 23, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- Laurence Maroney's 51-yard run -- behind the blocking of Randy Moss -- on the final play of the first quarter was the longest of his career, and the longest by a New England back this season. Blasting......
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4:32 PM Sun, Dec 23, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- For the 12th time in 15 games, but the first time since the Ravens game, the Patriots scored on their first possession. Through the first 12 games of the season, the Pats scored the first time they......
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4:30 PM Wed, Dec 19, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Only hours after it appeared Bill Parcells was on the brink of becoming director of football operations for the woeful Atlanta Falcons, that deal is off and Parcells is considering an offer from the Miami Dolphins. That's more bad......
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12:45 PM Wed, Dec 19, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Looks like Bill Parcells is going to get to shop for the groceries in Atlanta. He is not, however, going to do the cooking. The New York Daily News reported Wednesday morning that Parcells is on the brink of......
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6:28 PM Sun, Dec 16, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
It had been a long time since Tom Brady played a game when he didn't throw a touchdown pass. Over a year, in fact. Dec. 10, 2006, to be exact. Until this Sunday, when the Jets prevented the NFL's......
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6:20 PM Sun, Dec 16, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
This will be the fifth time since the NFL adopted its current playoff format in 1990 that the Patriots have earned a bye into the conference semifinals. Every previous time, the Pats made it to the Super Bowl --......
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3:32 PM Tue, Dec 11, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
The Patriots' underachieving, only-semi-durable, second-year running back might want to ponder these comments by Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy regarding the until recently unheralded Ryan Grant, who rushed for 156 yards on 29 carries Sunday against the Raiders: "I......
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1:27 PM Mon, Dec 10, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
At least good starting times are. Whatever happened to ``Sunday at One?" With the decision Monday to push the starting time for New England's Dec. 23rd game with Miami at Gillette Stadium back to 4:15 from the originally scheduled 1......
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6:02 PM Sun, Dec 09, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- The Patriots have the lead at halftime, even though the Steelers had the ball most of the time. Despite Pittsburgh's dominance in time of possession -- 19:12 to 10:48 -- the Pats led, 17-13. One reason is......
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5:41 PM Sun, Dec 09, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- Gostkowski made good on his second long-range attempt, connecting from 42 yards with 42 second left, increasing New England's lead to 17-13, and boosting his percentage to .500 -- 2 of 4 -- on field-goal tries from......
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5:15 PM Sun, Dec 09, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- Pats kicker Stephen Gostkowski's miss (wide right) from 48 yards midway through the second quarter left the second-year specialist 1-for-3 this season from 40 yards and beyond. He also has a miss in the 30-to-39 range, where......
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4:15 PM Sun, Dec 09, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- To a disappointing number of Patriots fans, pursuit of the almighty dollar apparently trumped their team's pursuit of perfection. Given that Gillette Stadium is sold out on a season-ticket basis, there are a surprising number of Steelers......
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3:17 PM Sun, Dec 09, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- No one in their right mind would come to shop at Patriot Place on the day of a game. In fact, only the most hardcore fans are willing to put up with what continues to be an......
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2:07 AM Tue, Dec 04, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BALTIMORE -- Normally, an offensive lineman drawing a penalty on 4th-and-1 for moving before the snap would be embarrassed and upset. Especially if it happened in the fourth quarter, with time running out, his team trailing, and the game......
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1:59 AM Tue, Dec 04, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BALTIMORE -- It was Tom Brady's worst game of the season. Statistically, at least. Completing just 18 of 38 passes, for 257 yards and two touchdowns, Brady was sacked three times, for 21 yards in losses, and threw his......
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1:26 AM Tue, Dec 04, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BALTIMORE -- Rather than blaming themselves for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, the Ravens blamed the officials. "The refs were horrible," said cornerback Chris McAlister. "That's the bottom line. They made a lot of bad calls. They'll......
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1:17 AM Tue, Dec 04, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BALTIMORE -- The Patriots, who only a few weeks ago were being criticized for running up the score against overmatched and overwhelmed opponents, suddenly have morphed into the Cardiac Kids. "This is the third time in four weeks that......
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12:50 AM Tue, Dec 04, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BALTIMORE _ So now, Pats fans, do you believe the New England defense has problems? A week after being carved up by a backup quarterback, the Patriots gave up 24 points to a Baltimore team that hadn't scored more......
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10:21 PM Mon, Dec 03, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BALTIMORE -- Not only did Baltimore control the ball for 16:52 in the first half, compared to 13:08 for the Patriots, but the offensively-challenged Ravens outgained New England's high-powered attack, 159 yards to 125. When the Ravens took the......
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9:22 PM Mon, Dec 03, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BALTIMORE -- When Ravens QB Kyle Boller threw a 4-yard scoring pass on third down to wide receiver Derrick Mason with 1:23 remaining in the first quarter, it was only the second touchdown Baltimore has scored in the first......
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9:16 PM Mon, Dec 03, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BALTIMORE -- Although they had to settle for a field goal when tight end Ben Watson dropped what should have been a touchdown pass from Tom Brady, the Patriots scored on their first possession for the 11th time in......
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11:22 PM Thu, Nov 29, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
If the Patriots-Colts game in Indianapolis was Super Bowl XLI-1/2, then let's call last night's Packers-Cowboys game in Dallas Super Bowl XLI-1/4. Why XLI-1/4? And why not XLI-3/4, since we're getting closer to Super Bowl XLII in Phoenix in February?......
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7:04 PM Tue, Nov 27, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
It's not good news that, on the heels of a disappointing defensive effort against the Eagles -- who, with backup QB A.J. Feeley starting for the first time since 2004, put together four long scoring drives Sunday night -- the......
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1:29 AM Mon, Nov 26, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Nine of the Patriots' first 10 wins this season were blowouts. Although they won again Sunday night against the upset-minded Eagles, the Pats almost blew the game because of their inability to contain Philly's backup quarterback, A.J. Feeley, who......
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1:20 AM Mon, Nov 26, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer FOXBORO – Little Wes Welker continues to come up, not just big, but huge, for the New England Patriots. The Pats would not still be undefeated this morning if not for what Welker did......
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11:11 PM Sun, Nov 25, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Laurence Maroney's 4-yard TD run midway through the fourth quarter not only regained the lead for the Patriots, 31-28, but also enabled the Pats to set a franchise record for points scored in a season -- 442, with five......
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10:40 PM Sun, Nov 25, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
When the Eagles scored on their fourth, long touchdown drive 13:36 into the third quarter to take a 28-24 lead, it marked the latest that the undefeated Patriots have trailed in a game this season.......
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10:35 PM Sun, Nov 25, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
When second-year kicker Stephen Gostkowski hooked a 32-yard field-goal attempt wide left late in the third quarter, it was only his second miss of the season in 14 attempts. He'd made a 23-yarder in the second quarter. Earlier, the......
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10:12 PM Sun, Nov 25, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- Laurence Maroney finally got his first carry of the game, four minutes into the second half, but didn't gain any yards and promptly went to the sidelines. He did return to the field, however, after Brady scrambled for......
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10:06 PM Sun, Nov 25, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- Asante Samuel became the 20th -- that's right, 20th -- New England player to score a touchdown this season when he returned an interception 40 yards for a score in the opening minutes against the Eagles. He joins......
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10:01 PM Sun, Nov 25, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- Of the Patriots' 207 net yards in the first half, only 13 came on the ground, and 12 of those were on a scramble by QB Tom Brady. The Pats' only "real" carry was a 1-yard TD plunge......
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9:31 PM Sun, Nov 25, 2007 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer FOXBORO -- With 21 points in the first 27 minutes, the Eagles already have scored more points against New England than 8 of the Patriots' previous 10 opponents did in entire games. Oddly, it......
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8:50 PM Sun, Nov 25, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- Finally getting on the field with 6:38 to play in the first quarter, the New England offense proceeded to score on its first possession for the 10th time in 11 games, driving 78 yards in 10 plays, culminating......
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8:26 PM Sun, Nov 25, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- Not only did it take the Patriots just 1:22 to take a 7-0 lead -- Asante Samuel picking off a pass from A.J. Feeley intended for Philly running back Brian Westbrook and returning it 40 yards for a......
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7:58 PM Sun, Nov 25, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- The undefeated, 10-0, Patriots take a 13-game, regular-season winning streak into tonight's meeting with the 5-5 Eagles. It began with a 40-7 rout of Houston on Dec. 17, 2006, and is the second-longest winning streak in franchise history,......
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7:41 PM Sun, Nov 25, 2007 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer FOXBORO -- Bill Parcells, who owns a home in Saratoga because he enjoys spending time at the track in the summer, once named one of his racehorses Sunday At One -- the time NFL......
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7:35 PM Sun, Nov 25, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- This is the first time the Eagles have come to Foxboro for a regular-season game in 20 years. The last time Philly played at New England was in 1987, when the Pats lost in overtime, 34-31. Carolina now......
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10:48 AM Sun, Nov 25, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer When it comes to pass patterns, the New England Patriots are brilliant. When it comes to traffic patterns...not so much. Not since the infamous opening day of the old Schaefer Stadium has traffic been......
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6:33 PM Sun, Nov 04, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
INDIANAPOLIS -- After throwing just two interceptions all season, Tom Brady now has had two passes picked off this afternoon. Colts linebacker Gary Brackett grabbed an underthrown Brady pass in the first minute of the fourth quarter and returned it......
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6:03 PM Sun, Nov 04, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
INDIANAPOLIS -- Not only do the Patriots have to be concerned about what Colts DE Dwight Freeney is doing against LT Matt Light, but RT Nick Kaczur is having all sorts of problems pass-blocking against Indy end Robert Mathis, who......
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5:20 PM Sun, Nov 04, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
INDIANAPOLIS -- When the Patriots have the ball, the Colts fans are roaring on every play. It is, without question, the loudest, most-adverse conditions the Patriots have faced this season. I don't know what the decibel level is, but I've......
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4:43 PM Sun, Nov 04, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Pats have played only two linebackers on the Colts' first two possessions and Indy has taken advantage of it by carving up New England on the ground. Still, Indy has only 3 points, thanks to Anthony Gonzalez's......
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4:37 PM Sun, Nov 04, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
INDIANAPOLIS -- When Adam Vinatieri -- he of the the two, Super Bowl winning kicks when he was playing for the Patriots -- missed a 50-yard attempt on the Colts' first possession, it was only the second time in 16......
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4:20 PM Sun, Nov 04, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Pats opened defensively in a 4-2-5 alignment, using an extra defensive back, even on first down, in attempt to control the Colts' passing game.......
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3:50 PM Sun, Nov 04, 2007 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer INDIANAPOLIS -- The press box is more than full this afternoon. Not only is every seat taken, but the Colts have had to set up an auxiliary press area in what usually is the......
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3:27 PM Sun, Nov 04, 2007 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer INDIANAPOLIS -- It's a huge plus for the Pats that both Marvin Harrison and Tony Ugoh will be inactive this afternoon -- and that TE Ben Watson will play. With Harrison out, the Pats......
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1:29 PM Wed, Oct 31, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Bob Kravitz, a columnist for the Indianapolis Star, this week wrote that the Patriots are "the least lovable champs since Sonny Liston," and called them the "New-Age Oakland Raiders." Which is understandable, given the way the Pats have been......
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12:35 PM Wed, Oct 31, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Let's see... The undefeated (7-0) Colts are the reigning Super Bowl champions. They've won 12 games in a row, including playoffs, going back to last season. They've won 12 straight regular-season games at home, and 25 of the last......
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3:41 PM Sun, Oct 21, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
MIAMI -- In case you were wondering, the NFL record for TD passes in a game is seven, shared by five players -- most recently Joe Kapp, who did it for the Vikings in 1969. Sid Luckman of the Chicago......
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3:34 PM Sun, Oct 21, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
MIAMI -- Tom Brady, who came back into the game after his backup, Matt Cassel, threw an interception that Jason Taylor returned for a touchdown, set a franchise record by throwing for his sixth TD pass of the game --......
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3:28 PM Sun, Oct 21, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
MIAMI -- Finally going into the game in relief of Brady with 11 minutes left to play, Matt Cassel's first pass attempt was incomplete, and his second was intercepted by Jason Taylor, who returned it 36 yards for a touchdown......
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3:14 PM Sun, Oct 21, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
MIAMI -- Lest you're starting to feel sorry for the winless Dolphins, or think that the Patriots were running up the score with their successful, two-minute drill just before halftime, be reminded that the most one-sided loss in Pats history......
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3:11 PM Sun, Oct 21, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Journal photo / Glenn Osmundson Kyle Brady tosses the ball to an official after scoring New England's second touchdown, in the first quarter. MIAMI -- The 42 points put up by the Pats in the first half is a......
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3:03 PM Sun, Oct 21, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
MIAMI -- I don't get this. Never have. Never will. The only way this spectacular Patriots season can go wrong is if QB Tom Brady gets hurt. So why, with an exceedingly comfortable, 42-7 lead midway through the third quarter......
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2:32 PM Sun, Oct 21, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
MIAMI -- When Tom Brady capped a 71-yard, 6-play scoring drive that took only 1:06 with a 14-yard TD pass to Wes Welker just 25 seconds before halftime, it was his fifth scoring toss of the afternoon, tying the franchise......
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2:17 PM Sun, Oct 21, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
MIAMI -- Willie Andrews isn't resting on his laurels. Having returned a kickoff 77 yards for a touchdown early in the second quarter, he downed a Chris Hanson punt on the Miami 1-yard line with a little more than four......
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2:04 PM Sun, Oct 21, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
MIAMI -- Cameron Worrell was lining up the first interception of his five years in the National Football League as Tom Brady's long, lofted pass began to plummet from the sky toward the end zone. He was in position, the......
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1:50 PM Sun, Oct 21, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Journal photo / Glenn Osmundson Willie Andrews on his way to a 77-yard kickoff-return touchdown in the second quarter. MIAMI -- Willie Andrews, a seventh-round pick of the Pats last year out of Baylor, has been a regular on......
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1:44 PM Sun, Oct 21, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
MIAMI -- Willie Andrews' 77-yard kickoff return for a touchdown was the second KO return the Pats have had this season. Ellis Hobbs had an NFL-record, 108-yard TD return against the Jets in the season opener. The last time the......
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1:12 PM Sun, Oct 21, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
MIAMI -- As they have in every game this season, the Patriots scored on their first possession. Following the opening kickoff, the Pats drove 80 yards in 9 plays and 5:09, scoring a touchdown on a 30-yard pass from Tom......
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11:25 AM Sun, Oct 21, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
MIAMI -- Local TV stations reported last night that the Dolphins had placed QB Trent Green on the Injured Reserve list -- meaning he's out for the rest of the season -- in the wake of his suffering a severe......
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11:15 AM Sun, Oct 21, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
MIAMI -- Since J.D. Drew, the $14 million man who went from April 22 to Sept. 11 without hitting a home run at Fenway Park, came through with a grand slam in the first inning of Game Six last night,......
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11:04 AM Sun, Oct 21, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
MIAMI -- Leave it to Harvey Greene, the longtime Media Relations Director of the Dolphins, to provide the answer to the question I was asking myself on the way to the stadium: When was the last time in the NFL......
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10:48 AM Sun, Oct 21, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
MIAMI -- There were a surprising (at least to me) number of Patriots fans in Dallas last weekend and -- not surprisingly, considering that Dolphins fans are frustrated by the fact the Fins are 0-6 -- there should be even......
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11:08 PM Sun, Oct 14, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
IRVING, Texas -- The Patriots certainly impressed Wade Phillips. "Well, they are that good," the Cowboys coach said in his opening remarks at his post-game press conference. "We worried about that passing attack. They are an outstanding team, with......
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5:54 PM Sun, Oct 14, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
IRVING, Texas -- T.O. matched Randy Moss' earlier TD when, with the Patriots blitzing Dallas QB Tony Romo, he caught a crossing pass over the middle and ran into the end zone from 12 yards out to cut New......
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5:37 PM Sun, Oct 14, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
IRVING, Texas -- Many times, teams struggle to pass the ball if they're not running well. That's not the case this afternoon for the Patriots. Although Sammy Morris has rushed for only 12 yards on 9 carries, Tom Brady......
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4:41 PM Sun, Oct 14, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
IRVING, Texas -- Rodney Harrison's first-quarter sack of Tony Romo at the Dallas 8-yard gave the veteran strong safety a career total of 29.5 in 14 NFL seasons. He is the league's all-time leader in sacks by a defensive......
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4:39 PM Sun, Oct 14, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
IRVING, Texas -- For those keeping score at home, in the early going at Texas Stadium, Randy Moss, aka The Other 81, has a TD catch. Terrell Owens, aka T.O., aka The Original 81, has a drop.......
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4:32 PM Sun, Oct 14, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
AP photo / Matt Slocum Randy Moss and Donte Stallworth celebrate Moss' first-quarter touchdown today in Texas. IRVING, Texas -- As they have in every game so far this season, the Patriots scored on their first possession. Converting four......
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3:07 PM Sun, Oct 14, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
IRVING, Texas -- Does it strike anyone else as at least mildly amusing that America's Team plays, not in Dallas -- the fabled "Big D" -- but in Irving? Irving? What, there was no land available to build a......
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3:37 PM Sun, Oct 07, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
When TOM BRADY threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Ben Watson a little more than five minutes into the fourth quarter, it was his third TD toss of the afternoon -- his second to his big tight end --......
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3:20 PM Sun, Oct 07, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Journal photo / Bob Breidenbach Ben Watson gets congratulations from Stephen Neal after his second-quarter touchdown. Tight end BEN WATSON'S 7-yard touchdown catch from Tom Brady in the second quarter was his fourth in five games this season. He......
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3:18 PM Sun, Oct 07, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
The Patriots failed to score in the third quarter this afternoon -- marking the only quarter this season in which they have not put up any points. They had scored in all 18 quarters this year, and 37 in......
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3:11 PM Sun, Oct 07, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Cornerback ASANTE SAMUEL, unhappy to have been designated the Patriots' "franchise player," even though that meant he'd be paid $7.79 this season, continues to make a case for an even bigger payday next year. For the third game in......
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3:07 PM Sun, Oct 07, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Journal photo / Bob Breidenbach Junior Seau runs with his second interception of the day. Veteran linebacker JUNIOR SEAU had two interceptions in the first half. It was the third time in his 18-year, NFL career he's had multiple......
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10:52 AM Sun, Oct 07, 2007 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer FOXBORO -- I've been driving to Patriots game here for 29 years now, and never have I so consistently encountered traffic problems as this season. A huge problem, for those coming up Route 1......
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1:17 AM Tue, Oct 02, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer CINCINNATI -- Rodney Harrison returns this week after serving a four-game suspension for using Human Growth Hormone and the Patriots will be happy to see him. ''That's going to be big,'' linebacker Rosevelt Colvin......
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12:51 AM Tue, Oct 02, 2007 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer CINCINNATI -- The way the Patriots are playing, they're tough to stop. The way Randy Moss is playing, he's almost impossible to stop. ''If we continue to run the ball well, and throw it......
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12:35 AM Tue, Oct 02, 2007 | Permalink |
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BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer CINCINNATI -- Turnabout, Patriots tight end Ben Watson believes, is fair play. Since linebacker Mike Vrabel gets to come in near the goal line and catch touchdown passes, Watson wants a chance to rush......
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7:50 PM Mon, Oct 01, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
CINCINNATI -- Paul Brown Stadium, the eight-year-old home of the Bengals, is located on the shore of the Ohio River and is named in honor of an NFL coaching legend. An Ohio native, the late Paul Brown founded not......
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6:54 PM Mon, Oct 01, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
CINCINNATI -- With each passing week, it becomes more obvious that the Patriots are in a class by themselves in the AFC East. The Bills, clearly overmatched a week ago at New England, and with their defense riddled by......
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6:38 PM Mon, Oct 01, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
CINCINNATI _ With regular running back Rudi Johnson sidelined by a hamstring pull, Kenny Watson will start a game for the first time since 2002, when he was playing for the Redskins. ''We lose some things without Rudi being......
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4:42 PM Mon, Oct 01, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
CINCINNATI -- No visit here is complete without enjoying a plate of ``5-way'' chili -- a Cincinnati specialty. The delectable dish is called ``5-way'' because it has five ingredients -- spaghetti, beans, chili, and onions, topped with mild Wisconsin......
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4:22 PM Mon, Oct 01, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
CINCINNATI -- The numbers don't add up for the Bengals heading into tonight's Prime Time matchup with the Patriots. Start with the fact that the Bengals are 1-2, having lost their last two games, while New England is 3-0.......
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3:15 PM Sun, Sep 23, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Trailing, 31-7, late in the third quarter, the Bills made a first down for the first time since scoring their touchdown. One was all they got, however, before punting to the Pats.......
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3:02 PM Sun, Sep 23, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- With the Patriots leading comfortably, 24-7, midway through the third quarter, QB Tom Brady has thrown three short TD passes to three different receivers -- 8 yards to TE Ben Watson, 3 yards to WR Randy Moss, and......
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1:41 PM Sun, Sep 23, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
FOXBORO -- The battered Buffalo Bills, 16-1/2-point underdogs to the powerful Patriots, took a 7-3 lead into the second quarter thanks to a couple of first-year players -- backup quarterback Trent Edwards and rookie running back Marshawn Lynch. The Pats......
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1:12 AM Mon, Sep 17, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
BY JIM DONALDSON Journal Sports Writer FOXBORO – Tom Brady was Tom Terrific last night. Not only the field, where he completed 25 of 31 passes for 279 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Patriots’ 38-14 rout of the defending......
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3:33 PM Sun, Sep 09, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- With victory apparently out of reach, the Jets have decided to protect QB Chad Pennington, replacing him with second-year man Kellen Clemens. Clemens was a second-round draft choice in 2006 out of Oregon, where he......
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3:27 PM Sun, Sep 09, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
E. RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- With Matt Cassel having fumbled the snap on the Patriots' previous field-goal attempt, in the first half, punter Chris Hanson came on to hold for Stephen Gostkowski's 22-yard field goal that gave New England a......
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3:03 PM Sun, Sep 09, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- His right foot and ankle heavily taped, Jets QB Chad Pennington returned to the lineup the next series after limping off the field following a sack by Jarvis Green and capped a 9-play, 70-yard scoring drive......
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2:56 PM Sun, Sep 09, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Patriots' crack media relations crew noted in its halftime notes that the Pats' 91-yard, 12-play TD drive on their first possession of the game marked the first time New England had scored a touchdown on......
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2:50 PM Sun, Sep 09, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Randy Moss's first touchdown for the Patriots was a joy to behold. First, he zoomed past the would-be bump of cornerback Darrelle Revis. He then blew by linebacker Jonathan Vilma and, with safety Erik Coleman and......
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2:46 PM Sun, Sep 09, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
Journal photo / Mary Murphy Jets quarterback Chad Pennington falls to the turf after attempting to hobble off the field in the third quarter. EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Chad Pennington hopped to the sidelines, where he slammed his helmet......
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2:40 PM Sun, Sep 09, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Ellis Hobbs' 108-yard touchdown return of the second-half kickoff is the longest in Patriots' history. That said, I've never understood why yardage out of the end zone counts. I mean, if a receiver catches a ball......
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2:32 PM Sun, Sep 09, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- After Chad Pennington went 6-for-6 for 68 in the Jets' second-quarter scoring drive, Tom Brady came right back with a 9-play, 73-yard TD march that featured a couple of fine catches by Randy Moss. The scoring......
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2:26 PM Sun, Sep 09, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Randy Moss has made a very good first impression in his first game wearing a New England uniform. On the Pats' scoring drive just before halftime, he blew past cornerback Justin Miller to make one catch,......
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2:06 PM Sun, Sep 09, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - How'd you like Matt Cassel's impersonation of Tony Romo? The importance of the holder, and the snapper, seldom are appreciated until they mess up. And now the Jets, instead of trailing, 10-0, are in Patriots territory......
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2:05 PM Sun, Sep 09, 2007 | Permalink |
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By Jim Donaldson Email
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. _ Yesterday morning at 10:30, I was watching the Corps of Cadets parade crisply across The Plain at West Point to the strains of stirring marches played by the U.S. Army Band. This morning at 10:30, I......
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