Patriots Playbook - 10/23/2008

[50:31] ..." From UP from the Patriots. There is one player tackle Oliver Ross who was on. He was on the non football. Injury list. And I think we're still waiting his new. To get him"...

[1:04:09] ..." York Jets. Cool. Our home for probably the worst team in football Kansas City Chiefs. So if things go as expected in New York and there's a pick up again here in Foxborough. You could be looking"...

[1:17:43] ..." this time last year. Speculation about this time last year in the Kansas city Chiefs -- 43 in first place in the AFC west Saddam that you don't record -- speed forgery."...

[1:19:46] ..." watched on TV but their credit they hung in last week. And Sebastian Janikowski nailed a tactic and a fumble in overtime the record for overtime winning a little legs. And big skate and who knows"...

[1:32:53] ..." 1877 get -- Good -- that's the ticket. -- information everything else New England Revolution. "...

[0:00]" Stolen guns don't -- bout another golf -- want to go odd why it. And they've won -- excuse Patriots playbook got back got back on that they've gone there briefly when. When he -- less on these -- now. -- these -- credit for the -- and the rest of the 2008. NFL. And some of the fun stuff in between now feelings John. I'm Patriots quite well."

[0:40]" Actually know John is not here on Patriots -- today John is somewhere probably lost. In the mountains of West Virginia he's doing his normal duties for. -- in radio. The game of the week that you broadcast college football yet there's this week -- mountaineers and Auburn. I don't know what is leaving your analyst of clutter well that's okay you know like it's that he's probably lost when -- make the game time is. They don't -- cellphone towers -- they couldn't call into the show so. -- el -- here from Patriots football weekly normally joined John on Thursday but today and hopefully myself my other. Colleagues and everybody love you wanted to show all the emails that's -- I and with the emails now and we welcome your emails of course wanted to talk about the Patriots this week. Web radio Patriots dot com -- and you feel like calling in 585 with 374. He too is our number another voice heard was marvelous -- or they're predicting. I'm mark in -- cockpit. With dopamine you do a great job everybody's. But it. -- But I like that -- talk about today involving the Patriots more than."

[1:52]" Probably we'd like to because not all of that news good. Let's start with the good though that he. Coming off the 417 win over Denver was nice way to bounce back from losing that atrocious game in San Diego couple weeks ago. But it was a game in which they suffered some loss to the Patriots. Notably Rodney Harrison going out. With the -- Air separation whatever it is exactly that they want to call it he's done for the year -- people whether or not his career is over. And that's not good news or if -- Patriots and losing Tom Brady in week one. The the leader of the offense and in many respects now losing the leader of the defense the heart and soul maybe at least in Rodney Harrison. The other good news in that game. Sammy Morris filling in for the the recently placed on IR Laurence Maroney. Having a 130 or -- rushing yards in the first half of that game but then not coming back in the second half. And -- due to an injury and we never on again the next game. There's you know I I I wouldn't go out and say that he's going to. And up on IR because it look like him you know any manager is coming back from whatever that is. -- holding out hope for him but does not -- that it has such a great performance and then. Gets injured kind of reminded me of last year when he had that great game against Cincinnati anymore. And them having a great game in in Dallas and filling in Maroney and and he got hurt in the Dallas game and then and this season but. Again I think -- hopefully he's going to come back maybe not this week the early but I think we'll be a more again before the year is out. And then. Obviously you know Maroney going on I ours is easy. Is even more of a pressing issue with not more is getting hurt but LaMont Jordan hasn't been. In the line of the last few weeks but again bill was a little bit optimistic about Eric earlier this week and on him and yeah I -- day but he didn't say it in in a way to you know was a negative he kind of gave. Who were there the impression that LaMont would be. Would be soon return into the lineup and that's going to be a good thing for the -- But I troubled. Controlled about Maroney and his. His future with the team not to not to from the injury -- point but you know to the NBA's third here. With the team and usually by now you know whether or not you're running back is. Is. Is NFL caliber."

[4:35]" Because this team has now scored. A total of 47 touchdowns."

[4:40]" On I was a year ago but not. -- you know. Maroney have any concern about Maroney or the Patriots running I'm concerned both about Maroney and the Patriot in him concern about him because I think he's really I think you're really is and I. Guy he's a good guy -- hard fun loving guy. And the media. Has a maturity issues that -- deal with. You know -- over -- last year at the end of the season having -- 400 yard games in the last six games had a had a great run near than any -- to be healthy seem to be coming back he was very positive. In the off season about you know wanted to come in and proven health this year and you know -- any had a view minor injuries thing and I'm up here and there causing him to miss some time and then all of us a knee tried a comeback and and."

[5:29]" Play and I are going to roller coaster ride for the poor guy and I think there's talent there but. I'm concerned that. He's done. He's not to be able villa and whether he does here or not. You know it's it's not going to happen this year out -- this year but you know going into a year or next year he comes back. It to. Doesn't bowled well right now. His -- future. The other thing that I. Happen Deion on ESPN -- with green about me here there's a report. On ESPN about Tom Brady's surgery. The morning in the Boston Herald I was reading carry injury in one on the line beat reporters who covers team. Had a story about. Tom Brady's -- and his rehabilitation from his knee surgery now we all know that he had surgery earlier this month. And then about a week later had to follow up surgery to clean out what was believed to be an inspection as a result of that surgery. Now and -- report today. And -- and right now Brady has undergone two further procedures after that. Tried to to continued it to treat this in action that came as a result of the knee injury. At four surgeries now and the end of we're not even through this month doctor Phil loves me and yeah well one dot some doctors do apparently. But now when -- is reporting. That the Patriots are not happy with the situation because they had wanted according the source I talked to winning -- they're not happy because. They wanted to Brady to have the surgery done by doctor here and in the bought an area doctor Phil. Now I don't believe Tom that doctor all the mergers but. I'm excited to go to and I left coast with whom he -- him -- more comfortable according against that a report. Or -- talked when he -- And that sort holes are all of that. Tom is looking at months and not week in terms of bargaining over the things. I would whom obviously with a with a knee injury it's gonna take months but. I -- from from what the quote. Saying it sounds like the recovery from the more recent cleaning out of the of the knee could take months that's -- I'm gathering from from the way it's worded it doesn't go on and on any further slow crawl on the bottom screen and that's what. The information is that that is or isn't going to take weeks a month not week or Tom and orange assume their efforts -- the most recent. For ager oh. You know you get in the the whole issue of whether or not. His recovery is going to be -- back as ours you know being ready in time for next season. And you know how well he will be. Like -- so when he does come back and how how -- How this changes the -- know Brady. You know -- right now it's hard to tell. Because we don't really have any anymore information than what's being reported. By the horse -- winning X orient and McCarron to -- had her in her Pete Carroll today. Oh the -- of foreign to hosting. A ran -- candidate has won two games in -- under interim coach. Jim has to look like he's trying to Phifer. Of the full time job there had men -- Louis. Patriot coming off an impressive. Win."

[9:09]" Monday night over the Broncos. Let's try to focus on the positive they are 42 era and only one game behind the division. Leading. Buffalo Bills -- five and one. I I suppose things could be a lot work you know Metcalf -- first or starting. Quarterback. Or -- I Ledee had the job on any team. -- guide in the foreign to now they have a chance this week and I think of very good chance to go five and and the bills. Played Miami. Division. Opponent. And the division game serve and never be taken for granted. So I I don't think it's it's on an automatic that -- going to take to roll over Miami especially you know the way Miami came in here and New England a few weeks ago when he and it's of the Patriots. You know they have a good guys and things go the right way the ball bounce our way knowing and to be tied again for first place after the week. At five and -- with buckle that if that way things shake out and all in all given what they've they've had to suffer through the first half of the 2008 he's I don't think the pats -- As bad a shape as maybe people might have expected when somber and went down in the first quarter of that game in the opener against Kansas City. What do you think -- are you concerned at all about the news about Brady are you concerned about Maroney. Concerned about Rodney Harrison going out and earn about Sammy Morris. -- touched on the the front seven which. What ought to be the strength of the -- and coming into the season. Richard Seymour of course talking all off season about how glad to be finally healthy again and that he was looking for getting back to that Pro Bowl. Caliber that it played out a few years ago when. You know showed some positive signs on. On Monday night against the Broncos. They got a couple act granted they were later on in the game when when you know might have been. A foregone conclusion that there were going to win at that point but it was good to Vietnam the last. I'd like to Seymour that liked it a lot more of that -- Vertically the front three getting and I. Getting getting elected in -- difference a game they had Tito Solomon running around for a life back there. You know Jay Cutler doesn't in his hand and Vince Wilfork helmet. On the first -- Of the game there on Monday night. You know is -- a different ball game. You know like a date the Broncos were more kind of go to their running game a little bit earlier than they probably want it to their game plan because of because of that that injury in and you could tell his and is it happened that that -- was -- Pena left for a little while it's all. Patrick ran it back up came in but then -- tough it out came back in the second half. I think this would have been it had potential to be a lot different game colored and it hurt because. The pats weren't getting the kind of pressure on him. That they were on a relevant a couple of weeks earlier and -- go and and that's kind of what I expected of them all year was that there were going to have. Vrabel and Thomas on the outside being able to -- You know those of the positions that they're more comfortable in on the outside you know ladies played in the -- I was able but. They're play makers. When they're on the outside and and they proved that last year Crable had his best season twelve and a half sacks. And physically he he had his best season last year Agee came on late after a Rosey Colvin got -- out for the year and they. And it moved into the outside he started. Wreaking havoc on teams that their most comfortable and so far this year and I haven't seen that. That that they've they've been able to follow up on that and I'm not sure if that's. I'm I'm going to assume that because scheme the game plan each week is different and Inca defensive coordinator Dean Pees may have -- that. And now one of his recent press conferences that you know he was going to let them loose there. In the next game or never and they kinda hard to see that in in in the Denver game. We need a lot more that because it the front seven they'll. The most talented part of this team not taking. Anything away from the secondary but they have you know they struggled would be. Can and this year. Hard for them not to be here with the that the law that suffered the shuffling around though. That they had to do different starters opposite Ellis -- each week -- colonials had struggles Lou -- has been in there. I'm very surprised that. Rookie second round pick Terrence Wheatley was deactivated for that Monday night game I really thought. From what we saw of him in training camp that he was going to be. Maybe even starting right now. The -- Horry -- and Hobbs on how to be on the other side of materials -- you know healer. Somebody else but it stepped up and taken out of the corner spot but. It's been you know world we're going in we -- he's a normal at the midway point. Of the NFL. And -- the midway point of the Patriots. Scheduled because they had the bye week earlier so. Week nine in Indy will be the the exact midpoint of the season but at this point. You know surprises. Not necessarily a good price but. Devastating injuries. And yet they're still there -- barking at number one. Old right there in the hunt they can. Like -- an earlier their four and are looking at possibly five into after this week. And if things go right away. Buffalo losing to Miami this week or even next coming weeks Buffalo may be -- come down to earth a little bit. They could be -- you know -- to be right back on top -- than anyone thinks. -- that anyone may have thought after the after that that first game and Brady. -- losing hair an obvious thing. If it's. As and you don't want that because on one of the most loved Patriots on the I think they have a chance though with meriwether -- Anders. Sort of mix things let it matter whether leading the team in interceptions right now you maybe. Keep him back a little bit and Anders do what what are in -- Harrison kind of get him more to -- we try to get him. To make some plays up there the way Harrison did and and and -- kind of -- back at that it is both quarter. And it in you know might be better suited to a -- back in coverage a little bit. I'm not concerned from from a tactical standpoint. About the loss of her because I think we -- development now ought to meriwether and and and I like but I think they might be able to fill that void. On the field now from a leadership and locker room ordering an acronym is going to be hard love going to be hard to replace a guy like Harrison. And yeah it. Until Tom even talked about it yesterday about about the leadership that he brings. It. He's obviously going to be missed from that from the point of view but I don't think they're going to be so bad off. On the field with -- run because. Like is that I think I think meriwether and Anders if you if you. News. Mix it up with them the way. The way we just got here. I like -- Iowa I actually like there's. Like their chances back there the corner the corner by going to be another area or. And where things there. In an improvement. Put it that way but Adam. Jim guy thank where greater Patriots dot com email after a 58543742. Don't ever want to call and what started off. In the inbox with Brittany from now and then -- boys. Including your area there and talk. Then there's nothing major I came back from one of the game and PFW progress that and get -- as well okay. Came actually and heard bread for it or think -- thing about Brady and coming back to when he ten. With a man heard wrong. I know in another surgery surgery but from what I read on his website it's -- like you wouldn't. They'll be -- for 2009. Yeah Brittany I think I would I would expect Brady to be back. By next season but again -- the reports were just getting today about. The third and or surgery that he had this month. And that back potential -- that he could cause. That could that could alter that time frame. For Brady recovery I don't know that means he'll miss the entire he's on the item in again it's too -- we don't have enough information. Two. Comment with any. Certainty on it but. From minute to make an educated guess I would think that it would still be on -- to be a timetable for Brady to be back by 2009. And I and I didn't your -- at about two points and they were having for autism but. And Brittany continues on another note jurors if you guys heard any pitcher Friday last week and -- called and told. Dale hollow in my program that -- that they want to talk about football and that's what they thought about the upcoming Broncos game and how to respond like. I think I don't care about. In other -- had just made a crazy comeback and at the orbit -- guys. It -- talk about pitches by an entire time I was at work much more entertaining informative to the and Uga. While. Like the thing because there. Brittany thank you. -- next up the line. 59 wins he's a big web master pulled web masters and first of over 300 people."

[19:22]" We're talking about. Fred was ordering. Olympics got a -- riverbend. All purpose that now. Apparently apparently he'd be leading strippers what mr. -- is. Okay. Very."

[19:43]" friend is doing ridiculous in the -- that. With the spread out the spread the guys that. It's ridiculous here but not making any money can't. Neutral court. So. That's where we are we gotta we -- game against the Rams weekend. I -- the pats chances and went through obviously. Playing at home coming -- the big win. You know we we said St. Louis and little better surge in the past week they got rid of got Linehan -- coach and put. And has who has a coordinator at that point. In that by. And that -- talent on that team Torry Holt. Marc Bulger. Even Jack you know we know little bit nicked up and their own. Play makers on the fans that Leonard Little. And but pats are at home they have some good moments and coming off this big win against Denver I think from what I'm not a castle like. That he's he's he's taking baby steps but he is making progress and by that. A couple of examples there was the yeah. The series where -- first touchdown to Moss I think one of -- Miller's son on PFW reference earlier this week. On on that first drive where -- at -- that first -- there was a play where he was sort of washed out of the pocket. Went to his right side. And try to find Moss on the on the right out of the end zone Champ Bailey came in. And knocked the ball awaits at the last second but it was other plays where. Cassel had a lot of real estate in front of him and could've easily tucked the ball and kept running it and maybe try to get a first down. But thought better out and tried to get the ball to -- And couple plays later he actually did find -- and on a play that was a very similar sort of a closed out and was sprawling and and and could've. Maybe tuck the ball and -- with that but he stuck with -- and on the open receiver. And made -- made a good play now maybe a couple of weeks ago. He might have you know. -- and try to run with the ball or try to gate and try to find tomorrow or held -- or or maybe even thrown it away but. You know little things like that which can buy your next second half second or two. Makes a difference when your quarterback at -- level I think we're starting to eat at -- you know he. Yes he opening. Act way too many times at six. In a Monday night game verses Denver and and probably of those I think you could probably only lay the blame. On the offensive line for one may be two of them I think the others were cases. You know -- to. Getting a little happy feet back there and trying to make make something out of nothing I think. But I think he is making progress and I think. And should. Shouldn't give him a little bit more -- were getting a lot of email from people from from PFW readers early on about. You know -- concern they were about the way we're playing in it you know again. Realize the guy who is now four and two after first six games. And not to better position to be and it isn't. You know did he and Chris are not having a lot of experience in college and even got the pros cons of being behind Brady but. You know he's getting in the game and and and he's leading them to win. You know the -- they had were were devastating losses and they were and there are blowout. But I'm seeing enough. Enough improvement out of him week to week and I'm and I'm getting less and -- and earned. About. -- leading his team. Maybe no way to the Super -- but I think at least to the playoffs and maybe you know one or two games in I wouldn't be surprised though -- can. You can. If -- all the way because the NFL this year is not. Not a dominant -- or not there remained dominant teams would you look at Indianapolis is having a horrible year. The dominant team near east record wise right now Tennessee. Unbeaten at six know nobody expected that coming into this year. I'm predicting they'll lose -- Indianapolis to. Tough division game on a Monday night. You know there -- no they're not going to go Eckstein an old -- and it. I'm picking -- in what a nominal upset this week because the tight favored by four. But you know the -- or five and one. Tennessee's XNO. Buffalo's five and one. And out -- The Bronco. At four and three. Are leading that division San Diego three and four right behind them. You know -- or San Diego had a good game again knowing and a couple of -- over there they're a Jekyll and Hyde team one week they're putting up. Thirty some point being a Patriot next week again -- That the week before that that they're just way -- and this is not a dominant teams so there was ever a year for all the bad things in the fall the Patriots losing. Brady losing Maroney losing Harris and you know you almost have to you almost -- it is the year for it to happen because. There's really not a team out there that. Clear cut dominant team like -- you had Indy and New England were clearly the cream of the crop. In the air Ian and it would ever going through them I don't you that this year mean right now are the records are showing. Like at 51 Pittsburgh -- for -- I. I have a hard time believing that. That DA the wrote to the Super Bowl going to go for either one of those cities. I think by the end of the year I think it'll even out. And you know the bye week the the two by which are up for grabs I thank. Were getting to that point though were things starting -- and start to get to. To play up pitchers start to come into orbit more focus. Again. Where Brady or Patriots dot com the email address phone number 5854. Three. 7482. Effect and box here. -- from nova Scotia. How does it Lewis when the game on the surface I'd say they can't Bill Belichick has been good at taking one part of an -- game away. -- Louis offense is basically all even Jackson. Sounds weird but if it was going to win it will be up to rookie deep threat. Donnie Avery. And then he continues where would you rate Cassel. Among active you besides a top path."

[26:45]" Your question -- is it a Dick Lennon is first female. I can't -- be reading the sons of bees left you'll."

[26:55]" That's really come around you know that Todd Todd is really Guerrero taking care is he's he's got my back I appreciate that present a lot. And let that with how -- him in the game. You know. You hate to go the cliche at any given Sunday but. As we've seen in the league this year it is it is that way more than ever any given Sunday it could happen. I don't see it happening this week but how could it happen. You know Cassell could take a step back he. Throw an interception or you with the wrong time -- could get a call Zach. And -- cost I mean you know at the wrong time down to there in the red zone or you know critical third down. If not moving the ball. And and St. Louis defense can take advantage of turn overs. I think that their big. The opportunity to make them. To take advantage and -- point game is get turnovers. Off of knowing off I don't think on their own a going to be able to do that. And they're going to need to Stewart in Patriots territory most likely because I think. You know Paul Perillo mentioned earlier on on on PFW progress about the game and that it was had an offensive line this year. -- shuffling the starting lineup I think. The perfect opportunity for the front seven have known -- Who. Get the kind of pressure. An opposing quarterbacks that we thought all along were going to need from them. Now -- question was how does not -- it was when the game again I think it all going to come down turn over four. New England turnovers and you know -- the way cast and playing in the -- the the offense. Has been under his leadership which has been. Steady and effective. If not overly spectacular time. -- for Monday night against the Broncos. You know to this team is making a lot of mistake in the way of turnovers the act number yes. Little bit too high. Going for a record actually I think -- on this page but. I don't think the red deer in the headlights look is what we're going to need from -- anymore he's he's. He's growing at the role and I think he's doing doing well that way so. You know the only hope I think it was as a winning it again -- is and forcing turnovers. One. Where I rate him among active QBs. That's earlier question. You know I hate -- the ball might try to go with brought murdered near the top. I think Manning is among the best team is having a bad year of course. But I they've Manning. Roethlisberger. Probably near top U I -- what do -- I was gonna say Rivers he's he's a little Lincoln -- his team has been inconsistent. I'd like to get thought so from Russell back -- front from me again who I think is on the line with a."

[30:16]" Little bit earlier than usual today Russell. I don't know if I'm Greg. I'm good damn I don't. I don't I needed drank any them water up than. Been talking my head off for the past forty minute. What do you think that -- from nova Kosher wrote in now where would we rate cast almanac the QBs in the point he's putting him in in the top path -- league. As a north of -- going to have to agree with what --"

[30:42]" That's that's tough because five games as hard even get a gauge yet. You know it it's amazing how good -- quarterback -- looked any quarterback. When you put together the running game to the Patriots did Monday night and that was big part of what you're able to run like -- you're able to play action pats. You can dictate tempo. You hang onto the ball and Denver -- give themselves -- dutrow favorite turn it over five times but. You know New England I think it's the first time in the Belichick Eric that they've run for that many yards. We were called back what early ninety's. As far as a running game in terms of yards for them. Now you know they really put it all together and when you don't have their running game eat the -- And the Peyton Manning in the Tom Brady depending on how your offense is structured -- the Patriots. It's something totally different. But eventually with no. Solid. We saw what happened the Super Bowl there really had no running game to fall back -- yeah. And so on so eventually it will come back to budget it in the you know what. But that's -- sticky it's. One of those people who don't want like quarterback to carry -- I want my quarterback to be vital part of that treatment in the -- a guy who. Can be instituting but you know we've seen throughout history -- you know these that the quarterback who put up the most. Touchdown Patten handled it the five times that a quarterback has thrown forty or more touchdown passes and feet and Eric. A guy and you need to -- lost Super Bowl. -- 49 and lost in the divisional playoff at the week went by scoring if you bowl yeah. We'll watch the Super Bowl 48 -- Marino didn't make the play -- would be 244. And of course. The only person as Kurt Warner -- 411999. They won in -- the anomaly thinking with the highest scoring teams of all time 589 by the Patriots last year -- Loss to Superbowl I think he's six by the bike."

[32:38]" in 1998. In I don't get to this Super Bowl. 541 by the Redskins watched Super Bowl by 829. To the only greater when the Raiders used to be good -- So well or that many points at 541. While I think that lets you easily lets get that. I would hope that with a record all the biking broke it in 1998 that."

[33:00]" That's weird because when I think of just that me personally when I think of high scoring offense that that -- team never can come from."

[33:08]" No but I mean that listen they they scored the fight 41 the regular season they didn't play the Rams in the divisional play as a -- 51 on the board against that. Then held on for dear life and some people say controversial against the 49ers in the NFC title game point four point one and then they got a field goal. And a touchdown and missed extra point and -- squeaked out by the -- 38 -- night."

[33:30]" That was. That was thighs and often right yeah I guess so what -- and in. Bunker art monk early brow yacht -- Reagan. The original thought was a tight end on the."

[33:43]" I would see I think I want to see Didier would dare. I think we do Eduardo if there I want to -- Rick walker would stare -- speaking let a couple of those but I don't think all of."

[33:54]"