By: Tommy Rowe

The Patriots have been one of the more ingenious teams when it comes to having success in the NFL Draft, but to the fans that live it year in and out it is a madding and frustrating experience. This year the Pats have 4 out of the first 64 picks and with the depth and talent available in this Draft, many believe the Patriots will put aside their value for talent theory and either stay where they are in the Draft or trade up, which they only have done 13 times in the last 12 years under Head coach and GM Bill Belichick.

People believe that the Pats will go after an offensive player like a receiver with one of their first round picks. But don’t be surprised if they go for another cornerback or a defensive player with the first half of their pick list. WR’s in this draft are swarming this Draft and the talent level is very high when talking about the infamous position. The cream of the crop in this receiving core this year, that will have teams drooling, are Justin Blackmon, Michael Floyd, Ruden Randle, and Kendal Wright. Now the Patriots have no shot at grabbing Justin Blackmon who is one of the guaranteed superstar in the Draft, even if they wanted him. Michael Floyd’s stock continues to rise and has now traveled from the bottom of the first round/early second round to being a top 10 pick overall. If they want to draft a receiver their best shot is to go for Ruden Randle who has been playing in a pro like system in his tender with LSU. But, the Patriots will most likely go for defense due to the facts that they went offense heavily in 2011 and the defensive talent is far greater than offense this year.

Donte’ Hightower, Dre Kirkpatrick, Morris Claiborne, Melvin Ingram, and Fletcher Cox are only a small portion of the elite talent coming out of the college ranks in 2012. The corner positions have the deepest amount I have seen in recent memory and knowing how BB likes to draft cornerbacks, I’m sure if he stays where he is or decides to trade up he will be searching for a cornerback. The recent history of the Patriots drafting corners has been less than poor since the days of Ty Law, Tyrone Poole, and Asante Samuel. With names like Jonathan Whilite, Terrence Wheatley, Darius Butler, Randle Gay, and other failed attempts at rebuilding that once feared New England secondary. With Devin McCourty trying to pick up the pieces and find the swag he played with his rookie year and the second best option being undrafted 3 year man Sterling Moore or nickel-cover-back Kyle Arrington, Bill should take another shot at this and expect better results than those of previous years. With two 1st round picks, they could absolutely trade both or a combination of a first and second to grab an elite talent like Krikpatrick of Alabama or Claiborne of LSU. But like all of the Patriots’ drafts, we need to expect the unexpected. With the failure of Super Bowl’s XLII, XLVI, and the 2006 season where they had a shot at Super Bowl XLI hanging over their heads, if there is any year Bill decides to do what we predict and finally grab a fourth Lombardi, it should be and can be this year.

By: Tommy Rowe

Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick has been loose and relaxed as anyone as ever seen him. Even Tom Brady finds it amazing to see his “drill instructor” of a head coach is laughing and joking around with the team days before the biggest game of the season, Super Bowl XLVI. It has become such a topic amongst Patriots’ Fans that conspiracy theories for Belichick’s sudden perkiness have been popping up on Radio Row in Indy. One that is striking the hearts of Patriots fans everywhere is something they don’t want to hear days before the Super Bowl. Is Belichick under the relief that this may be his last game with the Patriots?

It makes sense to think Bill is being this relaxed to help his team out in preparation mentally for the Giants, but that is unlike Belichick to do even when it involves that unexpected. Just the thought of Bill leaving the Patriots sickens me to my stomach, but it will happen eventually. But thinking about it in his mind makes sense, if this game is to be the last time Belichick Coaches the New England Patriots, then so be it. The man has accomplished so much and after this weekend, what motivation will he have to remain with the team? Not much, he basically is on the last line of his to do list. It’s hard to explain to some who don’t understand this logic, but when a man completes what he has in front of him and has nothing else to chase after, what reason is there to stay in their field? Belichick sought out to be the best coach he possibly could be; He has done that and more. He turned the New England Patriots into a model sports organization, he has befriended and coached one of the greatest players in NFL history (Tom Brady), he has 3 rings has a head coach, and is preparing hopefully to obtain his fourth. The man coached an undefeated team, and has done so many other wonderful things that his mentors and opponents could only dream of accomplishing. It would not surprise me if Super Bowl XLVI is the last game for the great coach we’ve all come to honor and appreciate.

It is hard for me to accept this, the professional in me says you have to but the fan in me won’t allow me to accept that the man who gave us so many memories with the Patriots may never coach again in New England. We have seen other great coaches enjoy games like this in the manner Belichick is expressing himself and they all went out the same way; retirement. The reason I write this is because it makes perfect sense to Bill’s laid back personality and though it may not be true, it gives fans more of a reason to appreciate the times we share with one another watching this team that has defined our region for an entire decade and for years to come. All I am asking out of my readers is to acknowledge the possibility that Bill Belichick may be coaching his last game this Sunday night with the Patriots and value every second of this game and what happens. Bill Belichick will have the entire support of New England on his side this weekend and win or lose we are all grateful for what he has done for the sporting world in this region. Knowing him also, he will give this game everything he has and the players will not let him down, the Giants should be scared as hell right now knowing our coach is coming after them with every and will not let up on them, revenge starts Sunday and hopefully I am wrong about this being the last time Bill puts the head set on. GO PATS FOREVER!

We go live to Indianapolis for Bill Belichick’s press conference and also throw it to Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin as well. Matt and Justin also start up on this week’s preview of super bowl 46 between the Patriots and Giants

In the second hour of the program Matt and Justin talk with Bruce Fitzpatrick, author of  “The Tony Conigliaro Story”. Also,  Audio Quick Hits and Closing Time predictions are made!

Guest: Ian Rapoport Patriots Beat Writer For The Boston Herald

Matt & Justin talk more about the Penn State Scandal, and whether they are making the right decision with their head coach. The guys also talk Patriots and the release of Albert Haynesworth with Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald. The NBA Lockout is touched upon later in the show, as well as Matt and Justin’s Closing Time predictions.

By: Tom Rowe

The past two weeks have been nothing but bad news for the New England Patriots who just made Albert Haynesworth the latest cut this season, joining Leigh Booden, Brandon Meriwether, James Sanders, Dan Gronkowski, Thomas Welch, and Ty Warren. It is safe to say that these questionable moves by GM and Head Coach Bill Belichick is making fans and analyst question if the future Hall of Famer is starting to lose his touch, the thing people should be questioning is why is Bill still the GM?

Belichick, in the eyes of some, has been making questionable moves against veteran players who seem to question the way the head coach approaches the game. Going back to players like Adalious Thomas to most recently Haynesworth, each release has a similar and eerie reason behind them. Players that didn’t fit Bill’s way of play or just couldn’t understand his way have been cut with no specific reason given to the public. Which only allows us to think of two things, is what he does really for the team or for himself?

Bill has built his reputation on the fact that he can make a no named player and turn him into a high caliber football star (Tom Brady, Matt Cassel, Deion Branch, Asante Samuel, Randal Gay, etc.) but the thing is he never drafted any of those players just named. Since 2006, with the expectation of the 2010 draft, Belichick’s drafting has been awful. All except Stephan Gostowski from the 06 draft are gone, the only big free agent acquisition made under the Head coach’s GM rein is Adalius Thomas, and the 2008 and 2009 secondary draft picks are no longer with the team, with the expectation of Chung. Belichick has done more harm to this team than good just because he believes his system always will be successful. The thing Bill probably doesn’t get is that times change and when that happens; you also need to change. His lack of will to throw aside his beliefs and philosophies in order to keep the Patriots Franchise from imploding will be his undoing. Right now he can say whatever he wants to the media and fans, which he shows lack of respect to them due to his “superior knowledge” of the game and we don’t question that, but he needs to admit when he’s wrong. He can talk the big talk for now, but the fact of the matter is; he has no answers, he doesn’t know what to do anymore because he is starting to realize that he is wrong.

Bill is starting to understand what we have been gripping about since 2006, but his actions on how to approach the messes he has helped create will either be the undoing or fix for the Patriots. He has said it before when talking about his players and staff, “no one is above the team, and we are all equal”. I hope he realizes that means him too. He is right no one is above the New England Patriots’ T-E-A-M, team and if someone is acting and preforming in a way that harms the team then that person must go. If the old beliefs of Bill continue to go unfixed, he will be that one person sooner than we think.

By: Tom Rowe

It has been a while since the last post and a lot has happened to the Patriots since then. The Patriots were 4-1 after beating the Jets and Raiders in convincing fashion, now they are 5-3 coming off back to back loses over the Steelers and Giants and for the first time in a while, faith and loyalty towards Bill Belichick is being questioned.

The season is not lost by any means, but the overall future and stability of the Franchise’s success is in doubt due to the lack of trust Belichick has in his players and coaches. He can say all he wants about how he is happy with his team and staff, but he’s as good of a liar as the next guy. Belichick’s value over talent system is not flawed, but outdated. As he continues to approach the game the same way like it has not changed since 2001, he does more harm than good to his Patriots squad. He cannot say he doesn’t see this crumbling of the team; after all he is the one who built it up the way he wanted and that’s what it all comes down to. Bill Belichick’s ego and self-riotousness has been his down fall in the past and if he does not change things up it will be here as well.

Belichick’s knowledge of the game is not what is being question, but the decisions he makes due to what he believes is what’s hurting the New England Patriots. Bill is making decisions without consulting any member of his staff; due to this lack of trust his decisions are looking uglier each week. When Weis, Crennel, and Pioli, were still with Belichick they were the voices of reason when Bill was going out of line during a game or during meetings. The respect they had for one another to be able to stand up and say no to each other when talking football meant as much to the success of the Dynasty as the players’ performances those years. Now no one will have the respect to tell their boss he is wrong when he asks them, why? Are they frightened or afraid to be humiliated? I’d rather be a man and take the heat for helping my team over wanting to just look good and do nothing. Either way almost everyones to blame for the problems this team has, more Belichick than most.

He needs to understand that times have changed and he can’t run the team the way he wants to or is used to running it. The 49ers in the early 90’s were in the same position the Pats are in now. They knew that if change didn’t happen soon, the franchise would blow up and become worthless and a bunch of losers. Change happened and was forced so that the 9ers’ Dynasty lasted another 10 years. The Patriots now need to take the same approach and wonder what they can do to save their team for future season, not just this one. This year has gone from a contending title season, to making sure that they remain as competitive later as they have been before. It they don’t, we might find the Patriots looking on the inside out of the Andrew Luck sweepstakes.

Guest(s): Chris Herren – Former Boston Celtic

Matt & Justin discuss the controversy surrounding Patriots Wide Receiver Julian Edelman, as well as the upcoming showdown at Gillette with the New York Giants. Later the guys talk to Chris Herren. Herren formerly of the Boston Celtics talks about the recent documentary on his life made by ESPN. Closing Time predictions are also made.

By: Tom Rowe

The New England Patriots and New York Jets are one of the NFL’s most recognized and favorite rivalries. It has become so popular between the fans of both teams that it is starting to match that of the Red Sox and Yankees rivalry; and that is saying a lot. Over the span of the last decade it is obvious who was been the best, but over the last 2 years the Jets have been to 2 straight AFC Championship games and coming close to wins in both of them. While the Patriots have done virtually nothing since their tragic end to the 2007 and the Jets have been the more aggressive, they have still kept the Jets from winning the AFC East Title. So the question we all want to know going into 2011, who is the better team?

The Patriots are the better team due to the sole fact of their head coach, quarterback, and team situation. The fact is the Bill Belichick is a better coach than Rex Ryan and nothing else can say otherwise. Even though the Jets completely whooped the Patriots’ tails in the playoffs this past year after getting killed 45-3 in week 12, the fact still stands that Belichick is wiser and more cunning than Ryan who base his teams needs solely on wants. Bill closely examines his teams status and gives them the best possibility to win as a whole group working as one. He is respect by his players and is a model figure for his young players who he treats all as family. He is a boss who cares deeply for his team and puts himself last in all situations. While Bill is like the role model coaching figure, Ryan is like the coach you’d go have a beer with after practice. Though his players like him and love playing under him, there is a little lack of discipline and respect when it comes down to crunch time. The Jets have come one game short of a Super Bowl berth two straight years; they just feel that coming that far is “good enough”.

The quarterback situations aren’t even worth discussing. The Patriots have a surging Tom Brady and the Jets have an unpredictable Mark Sanchez, end of discussion there. The Patriots’ situation as an organization is far better off than that of the New York counterpart. The financial condition of New England for one is stable as usual and is being used careful even with the additions of all pros Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth. The Jets on the other hand have put themselves in a big hole related to the cap. The Jets have barely any room under the cap to keep their key players like Shaun Ellis, Brad Smith, and Antonio Cromartie. Their “win it now” style of play has a big flaw and does for every team that goes that route; cap jail and the Jets will be experiencing the effects very soon.

Both teams are talented and well coached, but the little things are the big reasons that the two are so different in their levels of success. Yes the Jets have been better overall the last two years, but the “conservative” approach the Pats have always took will keep them contending longer than the Gang Green.