The Starting Five Week Ten NFL Recap: What Are Your Thoughts On Sweatshirt Bill’s Cojones Mas Grande?
Let me ask you something…what really does a regular season loss mean to a team who has it all? Put it this way…do you really think the Patriots franchise is going to sink because one of the all time NFL coaches actually had some balls? Helllllllll no. Conventionally wise pundits all over the nation are going to scrutinize this call as if their asses have lined up over center with big bad Dwight Freeney sneering their way. Man listen…how many times have you truly 
thought to yourself…”they should go for it here”? Don’t lie. Coach sent a message to his team and to the league that he will call any play at any time. This call wasn’t for now, this was for when it all matters. A if I do this again, you better get it because if you do, we win play. Consider the source people. This is a team that went after a “washed up” Cory Dillon or a disgruntled “prima donna” in Randy Moss. How’d those moves work out for them? There is nothing wrong with bucking a “trend” when so many coaches know their teams are built to get a crucial first down no matter what the dial and distance and never pull the trigger just to regret it for the rest of their lives. Get off his jock. His a four ring king who has won a lot. The NFL is as far right as possible in personality but I actually thought they got the first down. Something is really fishy about the NFL this year regarding replay challenges.
These “calls” should be a lot more scrutinized but the media outlets are so far up the NFL’s wazoo they don’t have the temerity to speak up. The “there’s not enough conclusive evidence to overturn” bs is not gonna fly much longer. If you think I’m bsssin’ I give you the two calls in the Eagles/Dallas game last week and this one as well.
Say what you want about Bill Belichik, but you can’t say he sucks. I’d ride or die with a coach like that in a minute…with my student athlete offspring in tow. He wins simply as that. He went for it and didn’t make it. So what. I bet you his players didn’t say jack when they got the call. I bet they got a rise…a rush not normally felt during the regular season. If they win the Super Bowl this time travel will be labeled “the galvanizing moment for the Pats.” All will be forgotten. Live with it.
To the scores…
CHICAGO BEARS (4-5) 6
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (4-5)10
LEADERS
Passing
Cutler (29/52/5) 307, 0 TD
Smith (16/23/1) 118, 0 TD
Rushing
Forte 20/41
Gore 25/104
Receiving
Forte 8/120
Crabtree 4/48
The 49′ers get back on track while the Bears woes continue.
ATLANTA FALCONS (5-4)19
CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-5) 28
LEADERS
Passing
Ryan (22/41/2) 224, 1 TD
Delhomme (15/24/0) 195, 2 TD
Rushing
Turner 9/111
Williams 19/92
Receiving
White 7/98
Muhammad 6/91
Looks like the Golden Boys from ATL are falling back to earth as the Panthers begin to rise from it.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1-8) 23
MIAMI DOLPHINS (4-5) 25
LEADERS
Passing
Freeman (16/28/1) 196, 1 TD
Henne (17/31/1) 175, 1 TD
Rushing
C. Williams 14/52
R. Williams 20/102
Receiving
Winslow 7/102
Bess 4/72
The Dolphins escape by their teeth but the Bucs last week euphoria wears off.
DETROIT LIONS (1-8) 10
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (8-1) 27
LEADERS
Passing
Stafford (29/51/0) 224, 1 TD
Favre (20/29/0) 344, 1 TD
Rushing
Smith 12/55
Peterson 18/133
Receiving
Johnson 8/84
Rice 7/201
I picked the exact score. Straight luck. Minny looks nice. Did you see the defender spear Stafford like a missile? What athleticism.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (5-4) 24
NEW YORK JETS (4-5) 22
LEADERS
Passing
Garrard (16/26/0) 221, 1 TD
Sanchez (16/30/2) 212, 1 TD
Rushing
Jones-Drew 24/123
Jones 21/77
Receiving
Thomas 4/46
Cotchery 6/68
Jax looks like the season is turning while the Jets go the other way.
CINCINNATI BENGALS (7-2) 18
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (6-3) 12
LEADERS
Passing
Palmer (18/30/0) 178, 0 TD
Roethlisberger (20/40/1) 174, 0 TD
Rushing
Scott 13/33
Mendenhall 13/36
Receiving
Coles 5/67
Holmes 7/88
The Bengals lead the division and now own the tie breaker over the Steelers and the Ravens.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (9-0) 28
ST. LOUIS RAMS (1-8) 23
LEADERS
Passing
Brees (18/26/2) 223, 2 TD
Bulger (26/40/1) 298, 2 TD
Rushing
Bush 6/83
Jackson 26/131
Receiving
Thomas 5/45
Jackson 9/45
The Saints win but it appears the league is catching up.The Rams are all Jackson. He is near the top of the NFL running back chart.
BUFFALO BILLS (3-6) 17
TENNESSEE TITANS (3-6) 41
LEADERS
Passing
Edwards (18/28/1) 185, 1 TD
Young (17/25/1) 210, 1 TD
Rushing
Jackson 8/48
Johnson 26/132
Receiving
Evans 4/50
Johnson 9/100
Vince Young is 3-0. Where’s the scrutiny now? Kerry Collins shouldn’t have been in there anyway. Chris Johnson is tearing up the league…averaging 121 yards a game and has 1091 yards on the year and eight touchdowns.
DENVER BRONCOS (6-3) 17
WASHINGTON REDSKINS (3-6) 27
LEADERS
Passing
Orton (11/18/0) 193, 2 TD
Campbell (17/26/0) 193, 1 TD
Rushing
Moreno 18/97
Betts 26/114
Receiving
Marshall 5/134
Davis 4/50
Denver has lost three straight after a 6-0 start. Jason Campbell played a good game. Brian Dawkins come home brothaman.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (2-7) 16
OAKLAND RAIDERS (2-7) 10
LEADERS
Passing
Cassel (19/34/1) 216, 0 TD
Russell (9/24/0) 67, 0 TD
Rushing
Charles 18/103
Bush 14/119
Receiving
Bowe 6/91
Higgins 4/41
No comment. Both teams still suck.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (3-6) 20
ARIZONA CARDINALS (6-3) 31
LEADERS
Passing
Hasselbeck (26/52/2) 315, 1 TD
Warner (29/38/0) 340, 2 TD
Rushing
Forsett 17/123
Wells 16/85
Receiving
Houshmandzadeh 9/165
Boldin 8/105
Beanie Wells is making everyone who second guessed his heart second guess themselves for not picking him. He’s a stud.
DALLAS COWBOYS (6-3) 7
GREEN BAY PACKERS (5-4) 17
LEADERS
Passing
Romo (24/39/1) 251, 1 TD
Rodgers (25/36/0) 189, 1 TD
Rushing
Barber 5/26
Grant 19/79
Receiving
Williams 5/105
Driver 4/50
Statement game by the Pack. Cowboys struggle to score at the end.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (5-4) 23
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (6-3) 31
LEADERS
Passing
McNabb (35/55/1) 450, 2 TD
Rivers (20/25/0) 231, 2 TD
Rushing
Westbrook 6/28
Tomlinson 24/96
Receiving
Avant 8/156
Gates 7/78
Triple 5 Soul screaming to the sideline to run the ball after failing inside the red zone time in and no time outs was definitive. Too many field goals. Chargers made the plays when needed. Westbrook looks done.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (6-3) 34
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (9-0) 35
LEADERS
Passing
Brady (29/42/1) 375, 3 TD
Manning (28/44/2) 327, 4 TD
Rushing
Faulk 12/79
Addai 10/41
Receiving
Moss 9/179
Wayne 10/126
Classic game by two top notch organizations. Had to be some drama somewhere. Manning has thrown for 300 plus in eight of nine games.
Bye: NY Giants, Houston
I love how the media has conveniently put Jim Caldwell’s name in some hidden box somewhere and just refuse to acknowledge his prescence. I dont care how long he has been with the Colts organization, he’s still a rookie head coach…give the man his due.
Mizzo:
There is no question that one of the things over time that made the Patriots so tough was their ability to convert 4th downs. (Tuna does the same thing and always has…)
The problem last night was in the logic of the decision. If BB didn’t think he could stop Manning from going 70 yards, he had to know that the game was a wrap on a short field. The called play was available, and was executed well enough by 10 of the 11 Patriots. The problem is that the 11th Patriot was Kevin Faulk.
A single loss isn’t the end of the world — but it is a sign of weakness. Brady and Belichick may have fond memories of beating the Colts, but guess what — they’re becoming a distinct minority. Indy has been beating them with regularity and this is the second big collapse in recent years. Remember when NE had a 21-3 lead at halftime of the playoff game and LOST?
I’ve said all along that I don’t believe in either of these teams. I think the Bengals and Steelers are better than both of them. For all of BB’s success (and they’re still tough), they haven’t won it all since 2004. If he doesn’t believe in THIS defense, why should I? These are NOT your daddy’s Patriots.
It was a poor decision for a team that will likely need to play at home in order to have some success this season in the playoffs. And it would have looked much, much worse if the Jets had managed to beat Jacksonville yesterday. As it stands, NE benefits from being in an awful division.
Bad move all around. It means a road trip to Cincinnati or back to Indy in the winter. They’re not winning that game.
Temple, I’m in full agreeement. Give me a physical team anyday. And the Steelers and Bengals are just that.
Was at the hospital so I missed the entire Eagles game, was Vick in on any play of the 3 red zone trips where they came away with three field goals.
And of course they allow Tomlinson to get off.
I see it differently. I’m tired of seeing the same calls in football. I’m glad he shook things up. Just a loss.
I’m more interested in the replay system that no one is criticizing. That debate advances thought here.
Yes, it was a HUGE decision, but hey things happen. On the schedule before the season, that game was gonna go either way anyway. To win was a bonus. Yes, they were out of timeouts and it was before the 2:00 warning but I still thought Faulk got the first down. Seeing the Eagles play up close last week, that play conjured night terrors.
Not sold on Palmer. The Bengals have just come up on the the good side of 4 rivalry games.
Vick was in on none fam. Everything good?
Miranda I thought the same thing. He’ll take his due and the league will like it.
Yeah gonna be in Jersey maybe another day or so just so they can keep an eye on him. Thanks
I’m concerned about the future of Brian Westbrook after another concussion yesterday.
New England gave that game away………The Eagles play calling is equally as bad. Vick should be used in red zone situations
Miranda girl. I know. Is he ever mentioned? Damn shame.
I am AFRAID for Brian Westbrook…..he needs to stop, retire, this is it.
I thought Vick was signed for red zone situations – guess not.
Just to put a nice tight bow on this one, please remember that Belichick lost a Super Bowl doing the same thing. The Pats passed on a 49 yard field goal attempt vs. the Giants to go for a 4th and 13.
They didn’t make it. The Giants scored and the rest is history — and so are the Pats and their legacy of dominance. It’s OVER.
Mizzo:
I’m not saying BB’s not a “G,” I’m saying the Patriots are not who we think they were. They are who they are…a team with an elite, aging QB, a legendary WR and not much else. They are down to smoke and mirrors (like the Yankees were in 2003, 2004). Mystique and Aura left the Bronx and moved to Foxboro.
Are we saying the same thing if they get the what six inches? They were dominating the Colts and should have put up 50.
A Pats team in the playoffs is just as much of a threat as any team in the history of the league. Yes, defensively this is a different era for the franchise, but if the playoffs began today I’m rocking with them and the Steelers as the standard. Everyone else is suspect in THIS league.
I’m saying the same thing. I can’t speak for anyone else.
The issue isn’t whether or not they made it. He called a play to a guy who has GREAT hands and is SO SO CLUTCH. Kevin Faulk is one of the best 3rd down backs I’ve ever seen. Brady had a great game. All of that is beside the point.
If they make it, it’s still a stupid ass call with great execution. Today, it’s a stupid ass call with mediocre execution. Faulk did catch the ball. Brady made the throw. It just wasn’t a clean catch or a first down. If Faulk doesn’t bobble the rock, the Patriots win the game.
If you play Russian Roulette and live to tell about it, you’re not going to asked to judge anything more meaningful than an American Idol episode. You’re not wise. You’re not a genius. You’re not much of anything other than a dude who could care less about the consequences. And that sucks for people who do — like your defense, and the bookies, and your bandwagon fans who all became fans in 2001. The decision speaks volumes to the quality of play of the 2009 New England Patriot defense. They suck. They’re not a post-season threat like they have been and they’re not better than the Colts, Bengals or Steelers. If they were, BB would have punted.
This is Desperation 101. I wonder if he’s going to retire soon. Unless they get another Terrell Davis/Corey Dillon type Power Savior (hello Larry Johnson), they can pack it up.
By way of comparison, the Steelers beat the Colts in the 2005 playoffs in almost exactly the same situation. They forced Manning to work the length of the field and he moved the ball. The Colts got into scoring position, but couldn’t punch it in. Manning tried twice to beat rookie Bryant McFadden over the top to Reggie Wayne. B-Mac wasn’t havin’ it and the Colts kept their asses at home that year.
If NE was at their 38 — maybe. At their own 45 — fine. At midfield — cool. At their own 28, that was straight up crazy.
Penny for his thoughts last night: Richard Seymour!
Larry Johnson is signing with the Bengals. Like I said on FB. Pete Johnson anyone?
It’s BB’s personality to make a call like that. That’s all I’m saying. It really shouldn’t have been a shock. As you say, it went to Faulk.
That was a crazy call for any other team but not one expected to perform in the clutch.
As far as the defense, I don’t think anyone should speak for them until they tell it. They might have relished the challenge. I fight to the end. Most football players…especially defenders are of that mindset.
Hence the message. Maybe BB was trying to bring something out of them. This wasn’t just a football call. That’s what should be obvious.
If they don’t win the Super Bowl, it’s not going to be because of this call.
I want coaches to do this. I want to see coaches go for two instead of the tie. Pressure is life and death. Pressure is not football no matter how much money is at stake. As far as the bookies…please. They’ll be aight.
I know — but NE needs him too.
Definitely his personality to make that call. Like I said, he did the same thing in the 2007 Super Bowl and they lost that game too.
All I’m saying is you know they’re not winning the SB because he made the call — not the other way around. No coach on any Super Bowl team has needed to go to that extreme to win a game — except maybe Dick Vermeil with the Rams during their first run.
Smoke and Mirrors — playing on memories…and don’t get me to talking about Brady’s inability to connect with Moss in playoff games.
I heard that.
Reid and Tomlin are like, “Whew! No heat for us today!”
If Belichick makes a “statement” call like that in the 1st or 3rd quarter, fine. But in the 4th quarter with less than 2 mins remaining. Dumb. Now he’s stuck with a loss and a defense that knows he doesn’t trust them. Let’s see if they use this as a rallying point or fold like the Knicks are doing (wait a minute – NY just allowed another layup in traffic LOL).
jim caldwell by nature seems a quiet person who attracts little attention and likes it that way.
the media on the other hand is the opposite and likes opposite, ‘newsy’ people
I would leave caldwell his quiet space and let him do his competent thing up in there.
media adulation clearly is not something caldwell feeds-off, finds essential to do an effective job
try as I do I cant see any value to Billichecks decison to ‘go for it’ it was not a competent decision!
but pressure can do things to the decisive process!
after so many years maybe that was a telling moment for the coach…when the pressure finally told on him and resulted in a decison that did not take in all the options at the moment and resulted as we saw.
but the Pats seemed to have made the first down. I thouht the ball was marked where it was because that is where the first leg of the receiver came down.
the receiver caught the pass over the first down marker, but driven back by the safety, in the air, his legs came down behind that marker…seemingly, exactly where the ball was marked. no first down!
I guess there is some rule….written or unwritten about forward momentum.
if there is and it is where the receiver caught the ball, in the air, then it is a first down.
if it is where his feet come down then no first down on sunday night for the Pats
The game was a classic and it wouldn’t be such if it didn’t have a classic ending. Personally, it conjures images of Mike Rozier/Schnellenberger/fumblerooooski/Osborne’s broken dream.
At least he had the balls then and now.
Mapoui:
If Faulk had caught the ball cleanly, it would have been a first down. He bobbled the ball and therefore, was not granted “forward progress” to where he first makes contact with the ball i.e., where he ATTEMPTED the catch. The ball was spotted where he possessed the ball. That was the distinction.
cool! tenks temple 3! that seems a more precise and accurate explanation.
Temple are you saying that all spots are 100% accurate? It’s game of inches bruh. Someone needs to explain the two spots in the Eagles game against “America’s” team. Those spots were not scrutinized…hence my dissatisfaction with this one.
Mizzo:
You’ve got a lot of heat on this one.
You are inferring a conclusion based on what I said. I’ve said nothing like that. I think we can all agree, as would Mike Pereira, that spotting the ball is an inexact science, at best.
It is worth noting that in the case of the Eagles, where we agree that McNabb made enough progress to be awarded a first down, he was not receiving the ball and did not have to establish possession. I believe the officials ruled incorrectly in his instance.
As I said with Faulk, he needed to establish possession of the ball first — and then his forward progress was marked from where he possessed the ball — not from where he first touched the ball. I thought it was clear Faulk didn’t make it. Dude shoulda punted — then we could talk about the Eagles.
You tryin’ to label me with the Lumpen Buggetariat?
LOL Never. You’re right fam. Two different situations. It seems that forward progress rule is suspect sometimes as well. Check early in games. Weird.