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| A Word from The Writer: The Monday Analysis - 4 April 2005 - Special Free Agency Edition '04 is done. '05 has just begun. We're back for a Special Edition to keep you informed on Free Agency! Bruschi Hospitalized with Mild Stroke, Career Unknown Tedy Bruschi was hospitalized in February after the Pro Bowl to Mass
General complaining of The Patriots remain mum on Bruschi's condition and situation stating that it is a "family matter" and that Bruschi will be the source of all reports when the time comes. Meanwhile, more rumors state that Bruschi has hired an agent for the first time since his rookie year in 1996. Bruschi is owed $850,000 next season. If he retires, the Patriots do not have to pay that out, however, if Bruschi decides to sit out 2005, as other reports speculate, the Patriots could place him on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, and continue to pay his salary, but avoid the roster clog and salary cap hit, though it is not known whether the cap hit is for the full amount or partial. The details of Bruschi's condition remain unclear. It is known that he suffered headaches, numbness, and partial paralysis two days after the pro Bowl, and that his wife called an ambulance to their North Attleboro home to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He is reported to be in good spirits, and dissolve of any of the effects he suffered during the stroke. The Monday Analysis will keep you up on any incoming news of Tedy Bruschi's condition. In the meantime, we send No. 54 and his family our best for a fast and complete recovery. Lewis Receives Extension Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis received a one-year extension. The extension keeps Lewis in Cincinnati through the 2008 season. "Marvin has done an excellent job," owner Mike Brown said. "He has established himself with the Bengals and the community. We feel good about the future of our team being in his hands." Lewis and the Bengals were 8-8 in 2004. Garcia out in Cleveland, in at Detroit The Browns made a quick decision on QB Jeff Garcia. They cut him, less that a week after Romeo Crennel as handed the reigns. Garcia signed a four-year, $25 million deal in March of 2004, and played for one season in Cleveland. Garcia was then signed to the Detroit Lions, where he is reunited with Steve Mariucci. More on the Cleveland Browns. Patriots tight end coach Jeff Davidson is now the offensive line coach in Cleveland. Bills Release Bledsoe, Signs with Dallas First, please re-read my column from August 30, 2004 before reading below. All set? Ok, read on. 12 year veteran quarterback Drew Bledsoe was released by the Buffalo Bills
after three seasons. The There have been rumors of Buffalo in trade negotiations with Dallas, but now as a free agent, Dallas was able to sign Bledsoe without Buffalo receiving compensation. Make you wonder what exactly goes on in the front offices of Orchard Park. Now Bledsoe is reunited him with Bill Parcells who drafted him first overall in the 1993 draft with the New England Patriots. Dallas is currently in limbo at quarterback. Vinny Testeverde played most of 2004, but at 42, Testeverde only wants to continue as a backup, stating the 16 game schedule is difficult at his age. The Cowboys also have Drew Henson on the roster, but Parcells has made it more than clear that he does not trust Henson with the ball. Bledsoe signed a three year deal with Dallas. Bill Parcells was absent for the introductory press conference, however, Bledsoe spared no time at tossing a dig at his former team. "I can't wait to go home and dress my kids with the little stars and get rid of all the old gear from the other team." "Bill wants me here, and being the starter. I anticipate that being the case and not for one year," Bledsoe said during his press conference. "I can't wait to go sit down with Bill, sit down with Sean Payton, and start talking about what we're going to do," Bledsoe said. "I'm not going to sit up here and defend myself," he said. "The one thing I will say is that when my time as a Dallas Cowboy is done, then the story will be written and I think it'll be a story that will have a lot of success involved." Harrison Reffing in the off season Monday Analysis favorite Rodeny Harrison is on temperary assignment during
this off season. He's in "I'm definitely getting a great appreciation for what the officials go through and how tough their job is," Harrison said. "It really gives you a different perspective." One of the most heavily fined players in the NFL, Harrison will referee games during a three-day internship in NFL Europe, and he's going to be put on the spot for his calls. "You get graded," he said. "You get graded every game and every practice and if you are not making the calls, your grade just keeps getting worse and worse and eventually you are kicked out if you are not doing your job." Hopefully Harrison will gain some extra respect from NFL officials in 2005 so that they'll leave him to the heavy hits he is known for. Mangini Take over D in New England After offers from Miami and Cleveland attempted to whisk secondary coach
Eric Mangini away from "He's done a great job for us with the secondary," head coach Bill Belichick press reporters. "(He has) big shoes to fill with Romeo, but Eric's a great young coach. He's been with me for a long time; he's done a great job for our football team for the last five years." Mangini is responsible for holding the "patch-work" secondary together after Ty law and Tyrone Poole went out on season-ending injuries, gaining him wide-spread respect and admiration. Armstrong will go for 7 Lance Armstrong has announced that he will go for his seventh Tour de
France title this July. Armstrong made that announcement this winter after his team sponsor went from US Postal to Discovery Channel. The USPS made the announcement earlier in 2004 that they intended to focus on other sponsorship areas outside of world-class cycling. Armstrong has been undecided at a chance at seven straight, but has made it clear that his focus is winning the Tour once again. "I am grateful for the opportunity that Discovery Communications has given the team and look forward to achieving my goal of a seventh Tour de France (victory)," said Armstrong. The Monday Analysis will of course keep you up on the Tour info during July. Troy Brown Released 12-year veteran Troy Brown was released before the March 2 deadline, saving
the Patriots $5 towards Patriots Release Roman Phifer Linebacker Roman Phifer was released by the Patriots in February. The 13-year veteran has not signed with another team. The 36 years-old has played for the Patriots since 2001, and was a pivotal part of the three Super Bowl championships. Phifer previously played for the Rams and the Jets, and filled in as back up during 2004 to Tedy Bruschi and Ted Johnson. Un-Ty'd: Law Released 10-year Pro Bowl cornerback Ty Law was released, saving the Patriots $12.5
million towards the salary Law also remains one of the biggest free agents on the market. He is said to have talks with Pittsburgh, Kansas City, and even Oakland, however, no one has offered the ten-year veteran a deal, in fear of the condition of the broken foot, which had surgery in January, and the fact that he might start training camp late. Patriots Movements Andruzzi Signs with Browns Guard Joe Andruzzi has follow Romeo Crennel to Cleveland. The nine-year veteran signed a four year, $9 million deal. Patten to Washington David Patten signed a five-year, $13 million deal with the Redskins, and compete fort the second and third receiver slot. Good for you, Dave. Thanks for the memories. Patriots Re-sign Ethan Goran, Stephen Neal, Don Davis The Patriots signed offensive linemen Ethan Goran and Stephen Neal to a three year deals. Linebacker Don Davis was also re-signed, and terms were not disclosed. Davis is 10-year veteran and has been with the Patriots for two seasons, playing in 31 regular season games and 6 playoff games. Davis filled in at safety late last season. Ashworth Re-Signed Offensive tackle Tom Ashworth was also re-signed; terms of the contract were not disclosed. Ashworth, 27, is a former practice squad player who found opportunities while others hit the injury list. Ashworth started for the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII, and was a starter in 2004 until a back injury on November 6 sidelined him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season. Patriots Trade for CB Starks The Patriots traded a third round pick in this year's draft with the Cardinals for cornerback Duane Starks. Adam and Stay The Patriots tagged kicker Adam Vinatieri with the franchise tag for the second time in three seasons. Vinatieri is due the average payday of the top five paid kickers, or $1.75 million for 2005. The Patriots are still trying to work out a long term agreement with Vinatieri. League Movement Kelly Holcomb signed a four year deal with Buffalo that include a $2
million bonus to back up JP Losman. The signing comes after Holcomb's
frustration with signing a new deal with Cleveland. "We didn't feel real
comfortable with what's going in Cleveland," Agent Frank Bauer said. "When
someone tells you they want to think about it or revisit it, you better move
because there's something burning in the kitchen. You never know if you wake
up tomorrow morning and suddenly they have a quarterback and you're hung out
to dry." Head coach Romeo Crennel mentioned that other plans were eminent.
Which leads us to...Former Buc wide receiver Joe Jurevicius signed a
one-year contract with Seattle...The Seahawks also signed former Bronco
cornerback Kelly Herndon to a multi-year deal...Former dolphin quarterback Jay
Fielder landed with the Jets (no pun intended) as the backup to Chad
Pennington...San Diego slapped Drew Brees with the franchise tag,
ensuring an $8 million payday for 2005. The Chargers will trade Brees for a
first round pick, but so far he is slated to be the starter in San Diego in
2005...Former Patriots backup quarterback Jim Miller signed with the
Giants as backup to Eli Manning...Plaxico Burress has left Pittsburgh and
signed with the Giants for a four year, $16 million deal...Former
Patriots Running Back Antowain Smith signed a one-year deal with New
Orleans. Smith, 33, played for the Patriots from 2001-2003, winning two Super
Bowl rings, and played for Tennessee last season...Trade back: Redskins ans
Jets swap Coles and Moss. Washington and the Jets traded receivers.
Laverous Coles was traded back to New Jersey for Santana Other League Movements Black Monday: Flutie released New England great quarterbacking son Doug Flutie may finally be forced into retirement. Flutie, 42, was released by the San Diego Chargers, avoiding a $350,000 roster bonus. Flutie has played in three leagues since 1984: The USFL, the NFL, and the Canadian Football League, where he won five MVPs and three Greycup Championships. Rumor and speculation of course has Coach Belichick signing Flutie to New
England, where he played in Dilfer Signs with Cleveland Seattle traded QB Trent Dilfer to Cleveland for a fourth round draft pick. GM Phil Savage is familiar with Dilfer from the days with the Ravens (who just used to be the Cleveland Browns. Funny how all this work, eh?). Dilfer is expected to start the season and help groom younger quarterbacks, Luke McCown and Josh Harris. Cleveland released QB Jeff Garcia ten minutes after Romeo Crennel took over, and was never really that interested in Kelly Holcomb who signed with Buffalo. Warner Signs with Arizona Why Kurt? Why keep draggin this out? Well, anyway, former Mister Everything to God Kurt Warner signed with the Cardinals for a one-year, $4 million deal. Chalk this one up in the who gives a crap column. Ok, the numbers: Warner is 33, played starter/back up in New Jersey for the Giants last season, and before that he was with St. Louis. Warner has not had a good game since the NFC Championship win over Philadelphia in 2002 before going on to lose Super Bowl XXXVI to New England. Coats in Cleveland Former Patriots tight end Ben Coates is now the tight ends coach in Cleveland. Coates is a five-time Pro Bowler with the Patriots (1994-1998), played in Super Bowl XXXI with New England and won a ring with Baltimore in Super Bowl XXXV. Coates has coached Division II Livingstone, his alma mater, and in NFL Europe. Enough of Randy: Vikes Deal Moss to Black Hole Randy Moss wore his welcome in Minnesota. The Vikings dealt Moss to the Raiders for a first round draft pick, and the wide receiver is now part of Freak Show Central out in the Bay Area. Vikings head coach Mike Tice expressed his best wishes to the departing Moss. Moss will wear his vintage number 18 with Oakland. Moss and the raiders open the season at Gillette Stadium on Thursday September 8. MSPCA Raises Money for Dog in Need of Heart Surgery The MSPCA is raising money for an expensive heart surgery for a dog named Daisy, not to be confused with Snuggles, the dead dog that drove Casey Kasem up a wall that day. Daisy's heart surgery is going to cost $3000, and they are looking for donations to help Daisy. You can find more information at http://www.mspca.org. The MSPCA is a private, non-profit organization that helps homeless animals in Massachusetts, with seven adoption centers across the state. The Monday Analysis is not affiliated with the MSPCA in anyway. Top Ten List of the Week 1. Get well soon, Tedy Bruschi! 2. Randy Moss will fit in well with Oakland. That's where all the problem children end up. 3. The rumor mill says that the Patriots are busy working on a contract extension for Tom Brady. It will be interesting to see those numbers, and how the economic frugal Patriots handle the NFL's best active quarterback. 4. Just another I told you so on the Bledsoe to Dallas deal. I told you so. 5. Glad to see Romeo Crennel putting his paw prints all over the new Browns, but I am really glad he and Miami missed out on Eric Mangini. 6. So, Coach Belichick. Who is the new offensive coordinator? 7. How great is NFL Network? I still watch it every night, and they still have current stories, great past games, and this fantastic special with Bill Walsh conducting a quarterback clinic with none other than Joe Montana. Awesome! 8. Great to see Adam Vinatieri staying put in New England where he belongs. A nice long term contract would be even better. 9. How great would it be watching Lance Armstrong swipe a seventh Tour de France title this year, and the French coming empty again? 10. Three weeks until the draft (April 23 and 24). Watch it live on NFL Network. ejh4 April 2005 |
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The Writer
headaches, which turned out to be a mild stroke due to a leaky blood vessel in
his brain. Bruschi was released two days later looking shaken. Reports a few
weeks later state that Bruschi has a hole in his heart that may have caused
the stroke, and that he needs surgery, or may already have had surgery. 
Bills acquired Bledsoe in a trade with New England after the draft in 2002 for
a 2003 first round pick. In the 2004 Draft, the Bills drafted JP Losman in the
first round, as a an apparent heir, but Losman suffered a broken leg injury,
leaving Bledsoe solely at the helm. The Bills finished strong at 9-7, just
missing the playoffs. The team made the decision during the NFL post season.
They wanted Bledsoe to assume the backup quarterback position at a reduced
salary. Bledsoe stated he would rather be released. 
referee school finding the secrets of the officials who fine him.
Patriots Nation and hire him as the defensive coordinator, Mangini instead
decided to stay home and accepted the defensive coordinator's position with
the Patriots. Mangini, 34, has been with Bill Belichick since the Coach's own
dismal days in Cleveland, and has worked his way up to be a popular coach in
the NFL. 