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| A Word from The Writer: The Monday Analysis - 22 September 2003 Whoa! The Patriots are on a roll - one that includes a ton of injuries. But getting a win in the home opener is a plus, especially against a divisional opponent. Pats Unfuel the Jets I love beating New Jersey. There is nothing better than seeing the Patriots waste the Jets away, except maybe if Vinny Testeverde was playing at quarterback. Yes, Sunday was a great day. Well, maybe not so great. The Patriots announced earlier in the week that their prize free agent snag had season ending hip surgery as Mass General. The injury may be bad enough to keep his football career off his plate the following season - may be forever. Then, Ted Washington, Colvin's teammate at Chicago and another great acquisition during the preseason left the game with an injury that turned out to be a leg fracture. David Patten, the number two wide receiver broke his leg according to ESPN on Sunday night. Out six weeks, maybe longer. Probably longer. Then Ty Law had what looked like a broken ankle, but managed to return and make some good plays. There's a silver lining everywhere. And with a 23-16 win, the silver lining is shining. This one started off where most of the Jets-Pats leave off: in a slug-fest. The teams exchanged three field goals a piece in the first half, and then the Pats stopped toying around. Tom Brady had a rushing touchdown, then Asante Samuel caught an interception for a touchdown, his first of his NFL career. Game over with injuries. "We're already down in numbers as it is," Ty Law said. "As long as I can run, even if I'm not full speed, my presence is important out there." Law hurt his leg in the first half but returned later. And even with the injuries, the Patriots defense held the Jets to 1/13 in third down conversations, a terrible number for Testeverde. Brady hurt his elbow during the game but said he was fine, and gave a Coach Belichick-worthy remark to settle the score, "keep asking, you'll keep getting that same answer." The Patriots travel back to Washington next week.
Weekend Break Down Steelers 17 (2-1), BENGALS 10 (0-3) - FINAL: Cinci just can not catch a break. They broke a new attendance record at home and can't even get a win out it. Plus Corey Dillon ran like crap before leaving the game with a groin injury. At seven carries for 26 yards, maybe it was just as well. Chiefs 42 (3-0), TEXANS 14 (1-2) - FINAL: The Chiefs are on a roll. Maybe it is the Dick Vermeil three-year deal. Or maybe it is Priest Holmes scoring a pile of touchdowns. Or maybe they're just playing teams with poor defenses. In other words, beating Diego, Pittsburgh and now Houston is ok, but these are games the Chiefs should be winning. Vikings 23 (3-0), LIONS 13 (1-2) - FINAL: Steve Mariucci was undefeated in Detroit as the head coach of the Lion until this game. Now he's 1-1 at home. Bummer, huh? But Minnesota is on a huge rally. They are 3-0 in the standings and in the division. Buccaneers 31 (2-1), FALCONS 10 (1-2) - FINAL: Jon Gruden fixed whatever was broken last week, because the world champs showed up for this game. Atlanta is still suffering from MichaelVickisinjureditis. Jaguars 13 (0-3), COLTS 23 (3-0) - FINAL: Jack Del Rio has got to figure out what damaging virus was left behind by Tom Coughlin because these Jags are not better than the old Jags. And yeah the Colts are on fire, but until Peyton can win in the playoffs, I'm not getting too excited about Indy. Saints 12 (1-2), TITANS 27 (2-1) - FINAL: There was an argument on Sunday NFL Countdown Sunday: Tougher QB: McNair or Favre. Favre has 175 consecutive starts or something like that, but how many were while being injured? Steve McNair once played hours after heart transplant surgery - and still won the game. Jets 16 (0-3), PATRIOTS 23 (2-1) - FINAL: The Patriots defense is falling apart but the offense is getting into this game and taking control. And Kevin Faulk started over Antowain Smith this week. But with all these injuries, do the Pats have the depth to keep it going? With Jersey it is the same ol' Jets with Incepteverde chuckin' pigskin. Packers 13 (1-2), CARDINALS 20 (1-2) - FINAL: WHOA! Man, you know it is hot in the desert when the Cardinals are knocked the crap out of Brett Favre. I loved the INT in the endzone with two seconds left in the game. Now that is insulting. Rams 23 (1-2), SEAHAWKS 24 (3-0) - FINAL: Bummer, Marc Bulger couldn't pull out a win and keep it all trucking. Seattle is a sharp team this year, and sharp teams win these types of games. Dull teams, like St. Louis, loose them. Giants 24 (2-1), REDSKINS 21 (2-1) - FINAL/OT: Redemption from the Monday night game for the Giants. I'm Jim Fassel's blood pressure went through the roof when this game went into overtime. Fortunately it also ended Steve Spurrier's perfect season. Browns 13 (1-2), 49ERS 12 (1-2) - FINAL: Another low scorer that turned into Cleveland's first win. Kelly Holcomb isn't playing like he did at the end of last year and turning preseason. So far he's been playing like Tim Couch. Except for that TD with 29 seconds left in the game. Ravens 24 (2-1), CHARGERS 10 (0-3) - FINAL: After getting your starting running back Jamal Lewis the single game rush record, what do you do for an encore? You go on the road and keep the Chargers undefeated that's what you do. Bills 7 (2-0), DOLPHINS 17 (1-1) - FINAL: Big defensive game. But it was the Dolphin D who kept the Buffalo offense off the field. Oakland (1-1) at DENVER (2-0) Tonight 9 PM ABC Patriots News Linebacker Rosevelt Colvin was out this week with a hip injury that turned into major season-ending surgery. The injury ended up being a fracture, very serious, could end his football career or be life altering. Dr. Rick Herman on the WBCN pregame show said the injury sounded similar to the injury that finally ended Bo Jackson's athletic career. Colvin signed a $25 million, six year deal with the Patriots in March. As usual, coach Belichick is mum on the extent of the injury until later in the week, but appeared frustrated when he talked about it. Ross Hutchinson was named to the 53-man roster and wide receiver Jamin Elliott was signed to the practice squad. Middle Linebacker Tedy Bruschi was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week by the league. This is the first time Bruschi was honored for this award in his eight-year career. This week during the game against the Eagles, TB counted for a career-high five passes defended, including an 18-yard interception return for a touchdown. Oddities of Next Week's Matchups Arizona (1-2) at St. Louis (1-2), 1 PM. NFC West matchup. Jacksonville (0-3) at Houston (1-2), 1 PM. AFC South game. San Diego (0-3) at Oakland (1-1), 4:05 PM. AFC West game. Dallas (1-1) at NY Jets (0-3), 4:15 PM. The Tuna returns to the Meadowlands and a former team for the second time in as many playing weeks. Cincinnati (0-3) at Cleveland (1-2), 1 PM. The Battle for O-HI-O continues. Green Bay (1-2) at Chicago (0-2), Monday 9 PM. NFC North game. BYES: Miami, N.Y. Giants, Seattle, Tampa Bay Notes & Quotes I feel fortunate to win. I would have been very disappointed to lose. It was one of the greatest games I've ever been involved in.
The reason they're an excellent football team is because he's a better than excellent football player.
It's a sickening feeling. Losing like this is worse because you were in all three games.
Top Ten List of the Week 1. The Patriots have been fortunate in the past to avoid the injury lists, but if the injuries keep coming, things are going to get ugly in Foxboro. 2. The Chiefs are really racking up the points and wins. I'm finding it very hard to believe this will continue. It may, but I am not convinced yet. 3. Ricky Williams ran a pile of yards against Buffalo Sunday night, and everyone is going to ooo and ahh, but isn't that why Miami traded two draft picks fro him to run that heavy? 4. And speaking of that game, Drew Bledsoe had a terrible game, throwing under 100 yards. It doesn't happen often, it may never happen again, but it happened this week in Miami. 5. I like the Ravens as the workhorse team this year. A lot of good things are going to happen there. 6. Speaking of memorable games, that Monday Night/Tuesday Morning game with Dallas at the Giants is one for all time. What a great game. 7. Way to go Tedy Bruschi and his player of week honors. 8. I know this is exciting for the Red Sox to be racing towards the playoffs, but the race is for a wild card spot and they are 5 games out of first behind the Skanks. Kinda loses its grip when you think of it that way. 9. One interesting final note about the Bills - Dolphins game: Where was Lawyer Milloy the whole time? 10. The WUSA, the woman's professional US soccer league folded this week because of lack of revenue, which is a shame. With rising costs in football, baseball and NBA action, it is financially impossible to take the family to the game. However, with minor baseball and soccer and minor league hockey and the WNBA, it is affordable to go to the game. Its a shame that the WUSA didn't catch on enough to keep the league open. Maybe the World Cup action will reignite the league. If it does, take a look. And if you don't like soccer, watching 22 hot and very in shape woman run around for 90 minutes can't be a bad thing. Besides, your kids will love it. 22 September 2003 | ||
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