Eric Heise dot Com ~ The Monday Analysis 24 October 2005 ~ A Writer's March

The Patriots had a much needed Bye week in Week 7, giving the players some time to rest and recover, something they desperately need.

New England is getting hammered with injuries like the Florida is getting hammered with bad weather. They've lost Rodney Harrison for the year with a major knee injury. His replacement, Gus Scott, is also now on IR with a knee injury. Corey Dillon sat on the sidelines in the Denver game and did not play. Willie McGinest broke his hand, and is playing with a cast. Richard Seymour sat out two games. Tyrone Poole has been out for five weeks with an injury. Matt Light is out for 6-8 weeks with a leg injury. Randall Gay sat out time with an injury.

Another Part of the problem this season is the poor playing, particularly in the secondary. The Patriots are giving up the big plays, so much so that teams have been and will continue to take advantage of the weak defensive backs. In the past, New England has always had a strong secondary, and head coach Bill Belichick takes pride and special attention to it. But no one is making the big play, no one is breaking up long passes, no one is making the hard hitting tackles to scare anyone off, no one is getting the turnover.

A third problem with the first six games is that they played four divisional champs, and the other two teams appeared in the Super Bowl in the past three years - one losing to the Patriots. The schedule did not give the Patriots more than one consecutive game at home, until after the Bye when they have two straight, both night games. Oakland was only 5-11 in 2004, but played well and that record isn't accurate. Oakland continues that trend this season. Carolina started slow in 2004 with injuries, but caught momentum towards the last half of the season, just missing the playoffs. The momentum carried over the off season. Atlanta went to the NFC championship game, Pittsburgh lost to New England in last year's AFC championship game, Denver is playing better this season than they have since the days of Elway, and San Diego has scored more points than any other team this season.

Notice that the Patriots have yet to play in their own division, which is at an all-time bad. Both Buffalo and New Jersey have quarterback problems. Jersey lost their starter and his back up for the season, and had to drag Vinny Testeverde out of mothballs to start. In Buffalo, the next coming of who-knows-what JP Losman lost his job to Kelly Holcomb. Miami has Gus Frerotte and an aging defense all trying to adapt to new coach Nick Saban.

The Bye comes at a good time. Get players healed - Richard Seymour is ready and able to return, and we get Tedy Bruschi back - the secondary has time to work on problems, the offensive line can tighten up, and we get two home games in a row - Buffalo and Indy, who despite their 7-0 record, never has much success in Foxboro.

There was no time off during this Bye as there has been in the past, and no one seems to complain. The Patriots need a lot of improvement - everywhere. Let's hope the Bye gives them a chance to get back on track.

Bruschi returned to the practice field on Wednesday, bigger than before and ready for football.

Bruschi appears to be in great shape, but he'll need to get into football shape. Week 8 against the hobbling Bills at The Razor on prime time is a great chance for him to get into football shape, and prepare for the bigger game the following week: same location, Monday night, Indianapolis.

"I love Tedy Bruschi, but I don't have a crystal ball," head coach Bill Belichick said in a press conference answering questions about when Bruschi will actually play. Those words were heart-felt. But Belichick is also a realist, and knows he can't put a guy out on the field who isn't ready.

But who could be more ready than Tedy Bruschi? Every doctor has cleared him medically. The team supports him. The fans support him. He has passed every single conditioning test the team has. Football-wise, Bruschi has been around the meetings, and knows the game planning. Outside of starting him with limited playing during the first game at least, Bruschi should be a Full Tilt in a few short weeks of competitive football.

Bruschi provides some much needed leadership and inspiration to the defense. No, he can't play defensive back, which is playing so poorly, but the added pressure up front, helping the pass rush and stopping the run may give the secondary some extra support and padding for offenses going downfield. The true test for all of this is the Indianapolis game.

Just having No. 54 on the field is a benefit, and doing it two home games in a row is the best bonus.

Here's the deal. A wild Category 5 hurricane named Wilma is heading for Miami, due to hit on Sunday. It just so happens the Dolphins play at home on Sunday. So what does the league do? They play it smart, and move the game up 43 hours and run it at 7 PM on Friday. Good move, right? Right.

Well, that's another story. The game was aired locally in Miami and Kansas City - but that was it. Sirius aired it on their stations, but seriously, how many people have Sirius? Two? Five? Right.

So, logically (I guess) it would be hard for CBS to air the game nationally, which everyone in the country would love to see. But if everyone wants it, it is naturally logical and just not give it out, right? Yeah, right. And ESPN might not be able to move their schedule, since they are trying to be a real network, and give them credit. I think the World Series of Poker was on Friday night. And, I mean, they have to air it on all four of their stations. Well, ok, ESPN Classic had and old Bobby Fischer match against the IBM computer.

So, what to do? How about - gasp - airing the game on NFL Network! What a concept! The league actually owns a channel on cable and satellite. And they usually re-air games edited during the week. In fact, they replayed this very game Sunday night! So, obviously CBS should not have a problem. I mean, I'm sure they'd make a couple of bucks and all that. And as for rescheduling, come on! Have you watched NFL Network? They repeat shows every three hours!

So, note to the Commish: if this comes up again, where there is a rescheduling, use your cable network. That's what it's there for.

The Monday Analysis POWER Rankings

There is a fine line in the standings. You're either top tier or you suck.

1. Indy (6-0). I wish they'd lose. Just once.

2. Cincinnati (5-2). It came to my attention that while I like the Bengals, those five wins came from teams with losing records.

3. Denver (5-2). So, how's Eli Manning feelin' ya this morning Broncos fans?

4. Tampa Bay (5-1). If Chris Simms/Tim Ratty can take care of the store, and Cadillac Williams can get back, the Bucs have a chance. Not much of one though.

There is a fine line in the standings. You're either top tier or you suck.

1. Indy (6-0). I wish they'd lose. Just once.

2. Cincinnati (5-2). It came to my attention that while I like the Bengals, those five wins came from teams with losing records.

3. Denver (5-2). So, how's Eli Manning feelin' ya this morning Broncos fans?

4. Tampa Bay (5-1). If Chris Simms/Tim Ratty can take care of the store, and Cadillac Williams can get back, the Bucs have a chance. Not much of one though.

5. Washington (4-2). I am still surprised to see Joe Gibbs win again.

6. Seattle (5-2). How this team hangs in there, I still don't know.

7. Atlanta (4-2). Cruisin' to give New Jersey a bruisin'.

8. Carolina (4-2). Another injury-filled year that could break the Panthers.

9. New England (3-3). Another injury filled year that just might break the Patriots.

10. Pittsburgh (4-2). Bill Cowher still makes me sick.

11. NJ Giants (4-2). Eli Manning is finally earning his Jersey Keep.

12. Dallas (4-3). You should have won on Sunday, guys.

12. Kansas City (4-2). Big step up on Friday night, playing on the road two years early with little notice. Those are the quality wins.