Vegas must know something the rest of us do not because the Pats have gone from an opening line favorite of 8.5 Sunday night, to giving 12.5 points at home against the division rival Jets. Obviously, big time money is being placed on the Patriots, but why?
Danny Amendola, Shane Vereen, Rob Gronkowski and Zach Sudfeld have all already been ruled out of tonight's game.
So that means, thanks to the Kraft's inability to pay Wes Welker properly, thanks to Aaron Hernandez's malfunctioning brain, thanks to Brandon Lloyd's lunacy (http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/23596663/report-wr-brandon-lloyd-has-turned-down-at-least-six-teams) and thanks to Gronk's offseason workout plan of rape, pillage and plunder, Tom Brady is left to throw to Julian Edelman and a cast of rookies.
Yesterday, Jets fans received the 'disappointing' news that 'unfortunately' Mark Sanchez was done for the season.
On top of that, New York comes in riding high after an improbable comeback that was spurred only by William Gholston's incompetence. But Jets fans will take it. In the win, rookie Geno Smith found a reliable target in Kellen Winslow (7 catches for 79 yards and a score) and surpringly there were no mentions of soldiers after the game.
Edelman will be the main focus of the Patriots passing attack tonight and due to Vereen's broken wrist, Stevan Ridley will get another chance to carry the majority of the load at tailback, following a second half benching due to continued fumble issues in Buffalo.
You have to like where this kid's head is however following an interview with the Boston Globe. '"I never get too high, never get too low," Ridley said. "This was the first game of the 2013 season, and what happened last year just goes to show you that things can change day to day. Coming in and having two turnovers, I can’t blame anybody but myself. I have to man up and come back to work. I’m just going to put my nose in the dirt and keep grinding, man, that’s all I can do."
Ridley said he was happy for Vereen after such a productive game.
"That’s what we try to go out and do every Sunday, every opportunity you get, just capitalize on it," he said. "I’m happy for him, I really am. It sucks for me, to be in this situation, but as a teammate, I have to pat him on the back and just tell him that he did a great job in helping us win this game today."
Ridley also said he has to earn his job back.
"Absolutely," he said. "Two turnovers, man, and I was out of there the rest of the game."'
It's hard to imagine the Patriot offense rolling up and down the field tonight unless rookie free agent receiver Kembrell Thompkins returns to preseason form. The 6' 1" Thompkins is curently the only true deep threat in the lineup. Josh Boyce and Aaron Dobson will also see extended action on the outside, but will they see the ball?
Tom Terrific is on record stating whoever knows the offense will get the ball and if you don't, you won't. If he has to throw 30 times to Edelman tonight, the only receiver playing that has caught an NFL touchdown, Brady will.
With so much uncertainty, expect the unexpected at Gillette. Who knows how the night will unfold.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Maryland Game Week - The Future in the Balance
The game that was circled on everyone's calendars since January 3, 2011; Randy Edsall's return to not only the place he built, but the place he deserted without warning.
While there will be boos in his direction come Saturday night at Rentschler Field, the crowd's reaction to Edsall's homecoming has taken a back seat to UCONN's play on the field. The fury and venom that was supposed to be issued in Randy's direction has shifted to displeasure and anger with the current regime. What was to be an event and the closest thing to a public hanging that is allowed in these parts, has become possibly the final act in the Paul Pasqualoni and George DeLeone farewell tour.
So while UCONN officials install the 'temporary' seating for next week's showdown with Michigan, the bleachers may not be the only things leaving The Rent for the last time following the opening three game homestand to start the 2013 campaign.
Should the Huskies defeat Maryland for the second straight year, momentum will carry over to the game against the Wolverines and hope, no matter how slim, will be restored to the fanbase. A loss Saturday and the Huskies are staring down the barrel of an 0-3 start, with rumors already swirling of a potential mid-season dismissal should that happen.
Saturday is no doubt going to decide what exactly the future holds for UCONN football, not unlike that day back in January of 2011 over 2,602 miles southwest of Storrs. It should make for an interesting Saturday night in Connecticut.
While there will be boos in his direction come Saturday night at Rentschler Field, the crowd's reaction to Edsall's homecoming has taken a back seat to UCONN's play on the field. The fury and venom that was supposed to be issued in Randy's direction has shifted to displeasure and anger with the current regime. What was to be an event and the closest thing to a public hanging that is allowed in these parts, has become possibly the final act in the Paul Pasqualoni and George DeLeone farewell tour.
So while UCONN officials install the 'temporary' seating for next week's showdown with Michigan, the bleachers may not be the only things leaving The Rent for the last time following the opening three game homestand to start the 2013 campaign.
Should the Huskies defeat Maryland for the second straight year, momentum will carry over to the game against the Wolverines and hope, no matter how slim, will be restored to the fanbase. A loss Saturday and the Huskies are staring down the barrel of an 0-3 start, with rumors already swirling of a potential mid-season dismissal should that happen.
Saturday is no doubt going to decide what exactly the future holds for UCONN football, not unlike that day back in January of 2011 over 2,602 miles southwest of Storrs. It should make for an interesting Saturday night in Connecticut.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Entitled Fanbase
Whining. Complaining. Yelling. Booing. Let's just call it what it was, flat out bitching.
For a second Thursday night, I thought I was sitting through my fiance's period week all wrapped up into three hours instead of opening night at Rentschler Field. With the result, some may actually say that that would have been a more pleasant experience.
Look, there's no doubt that UCONN's loss was not only embarassing, but detrimental to the school's conference realignment hopes that seem to hinge upon this football season. Those that are currently reading in their parent's basement can argue about that on 'The Boneyard' for the next two years.
But was the fans reaction justified? Perhaps...
How about this thought; HAD true freshman Brian Lemelle NOT dropped the punt after the Huskies defense awoke from what seemed like a game-long coma and HAD the Chandler Whitmer led UCONN offense marched down the field as they had one drive earlier and HAD the Huskies stuffed home another 2-point conversion to tie it and force overtime, then OF COURSE the energy and enthusiasm of the UCONN crowd would put them over the top for the W..
Oh wait, no one was left.
It's no secret that UCONN football fans start heading for the exits faster than the French during a military conflict, but even this crowd left me wondering, ‘when did UCONN fans become so entitled?’
Watching the 60” behemoth of a flat-screen (thank you honey) that sits in my living room with wide eyes and a huge smile, as I welcomed college football back with open arms this past weekend; it was hard not to see what separates UCONN from the rest of the country that is so rabid and passionate about the sport.
It's not the talent on the field, to borrow a line from Coach P: 'I promise you that.'
No, what makes an atmosphere as electric as the one seen at Death Valley when Georgia marched in to Clemson on Saturday Night is not the head coach. It's not the mascot. It's not the school colors. Heck, it's not even the players.
Newsflash Connecticut, it's the fans.
Countless coaches, players, athletic directors and school presidents will walk in and out of Storrs over the next several decades; fans are currently hoping a few of those will change sooner rather than later.
But the one constant, is YOU, the fans.
So the question is asked, when things are going tough at home, do you walk out on each other or do you work on things to make the most out of every situation? For the majority and for the sake of the future of our society, hopefully the answer is no.
So why, pray tell, with 3 minutes left and UCONN fresh off a three and out, down just one score, were all of you home, on your way home or in the parking lot?
Where were you; the ones that the players on the field are supposed to be able to rely on for the extra edge and support when things aren't going up to par?
UCONN fans need to seriously look themselves in the mirror and realize that walking out, no matter the reason, has an effect on how the team performs on the gridiron.
RGIII came into The Rent not too long ago and left with this impression: 'When we played at UCONN my freshman year, that was the loudest place I've ever been as a football player. The stands are right next to the field, it was packed, and everyone was yelling. That was probably the coolest place for me to play...'
When Randy Edsall and Maryland come in to Rentschler Field next Saturday night, make of it what you want. Be LOUD, wear blue and root for UCONN, or sit on your asses, leave early and don't care about the actual outcome of the game. The choice is yours.
For a second Thursday night, I thought I was sitting through my fiance's period week all wrapped up into three hours instead of opening night at Rentschler Field. With the result, some may actually say that that would have been a more pleasant experience.
Look, there's no doubt that UCONN's loss was not only embarassing, but detrimental to the school's conference realignment hopes that seem to hinge upon this football season. Those that are currently reading in their parent's basement can argue about that on 'The Boneyard' for the next two years.
But was the fans reaction justified? Perhaps...
How about this thought; HAD true freshman Brian Lemelle NOT dropped the punt after the Huskies defense awoke from what seemed like a game-long coma and HAD the Chandler Whitmer led UCONN offense marched down the field as they had one drive earlier and HAD the Huskies stuffed home another 2-point conversion to tie it and force overtime, then OF COURSE the energy and enthusiasm of the UCONN crowd would put them over the top for the W..
Oh wait, no one was left.
It's no secret that UCONN football fans start heading for the exits faster than the French during a military conflict, but even this crowd left me wondering, ‘when did UCONN fans become so entitled?’
Watching the 60” behemoth of a flat-screen (thank you honey) that sits in my living room with wide eyes and a huge smile, as I welcomed college football back with open arms this past weekend; it was hard not to see what separates UCONN from the rest of the country that is so rabid and passionate about the sport.
It's not the talent on the field, to borrow a line from Coach P: 'I promise you that.'
No, what makes an atmosphere as electric as the one seen at Death Valley when Georgia marched in to Clemson on Saturday Night is not the head coach. It's not the mascot. It's not the school colors. Heck, it's not even the players.
Newsflash Connecticut, it's the fans.
Countless coaches, players, athletic directors and school presidents will walk in and out of Storrs over the next several decades; fans are currently hoping a few of those will change sooner rather than later.
But the one constant, is YOU, the fans.
So the question is asked, when things are going tough at home, do you walk out on each other or do you work on things to make the most out of every situation? For the majority and for the sake of the future of our society, hopefully the answer is no.
So why, pray tell, with 3 minutes left and UCONN fresh off a three and out, down just one score, were all of you home, on your way home or in the parking lot?
Where were you; the ones that the players on the field are supposed to be able to rely on for the extra edge and support when things aren't going up to par?
UCONN fans need to seriously look themselves in the mirror and realize that walking out, no matter the reason, has an effect on how the team performs on the gridiron.
RGIII came into The Rent not too long ago and left with this impression: 'When we played at UCONN my freshman year, that was the loudest place I've ever been as a football player. The stands are right next to the field, it was packed, and everyone was yelling. That was probably the coolest place for me to play...'
When Randy Edsall and Maryland come in to Rentschler Field next Saturday night, make of it what you want. Be LOUD, wear blue and root for UCONN, or sit on your asses, leave early and don't care about the actual outcome of the game. The choice is yours.
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