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!

By: Tommy Rowe

As fans, analyst, and broadcasters that affiliate with the New England Patriots, we all know what Tom Brady is capable of. From the day he lifted the franchise’s first Lombardi trophy to now as he prepares for his 5th attempt at the NFL’s greatest prize in a Pats uniform, we have seen number 12 fight and prevail through it all to become a living legend. But even after everything he has done and accomplished in his 12 year career, there are those who still give comeback kid no credit what so ever. These people just treat his achievements like you treat your son or daughters’ little hand held trophy they get for playing soccer. One who has completely gone overboard with the disrespect of Tom Brady is Rob Parker of ESPNnewyork.com and clickondetroit.com. Parker has been quoted on ESPN’s “First Take” that Tom Brady is the most overrated player in the NFL. Well I may be a college student learning what I still can about the world of sports, but I know for a fact that Brady, win or lose Sunday in Indianapolis, is one of the greatest players in NFL history; that my readers is pure fact and the truth.

All fan hood and bias opinions put aside, Tom Brady has accomplished everything a young player wanting to be an NFL star could ever dream of doing. 3 Super Bowl titles (possibly a 4th) he has 5 Super Bowl appearances (tied with the great John Elway for most all time), he is a 2-time Super Bowl MVP, 2-time NFL MVP, first ever unanimous MVP elected, holds the record for most TD’s in a single season (50) and the lowest INT count ever in one season (4), he is tied for 1st with the greatest of them all Joe Montana with 16 career playoff wins and has a shot to break it Sunday night, 2nd quarterback in NFL history to be a part of an undefeated regular season (Bob Griese, 1972), he is the 4th quarterback EVER to throw for 5,000 yards in a single season and has the second highest total all time (5,235 yards). Everything Brady has accomplished he has carried the weight of disrespect along the way. This skinny, white, “out of shape” quarterback, who went in the 6th round has done it all and yet some people still feel the need to criticize him.

Half of the quarterback that were picked before Brady and said to be better at the position than him are out of the league and some didn’t even start for the Teams that took them over the living legend. Giovanni Carmazzii was portrayed as the next Joe Montana in the 2000 NFL Draft. He was picked 91st overall and 108 picks before Brady and today he breeds goats on a farm outside Tom’s home town of San Mateo. Despite all this Brady welcomes it and sometimes makes it up himself, why is that though? He wants to be better than he already is. He is never satisfied with himself and even though he knows of all the jaw dropping achievements he has worked his heart out for, it’s not good enough to him.

Tom Brady has one thing no other player in our life time has, heart, glorious passion, and determination to be the best of the best. The drive he has to out due everyone and silence his critics who know nothing of this amazing sport (aka Rob Parker) is unlike anything you can imagine. We New Englanders know it first hand as we speak with honor and pride to have watched this man rise to immortal status. The man deserves respect and even though he may not accept it, people need to acknowledge the fact he is one of the greatest win or lose in Super Bowl XLVI. You should not call yourself a fan of football is you agree with Rob Parker’s comments or anything close to them. You can have an opinion; I encourage it actually for others to speak their minds. But know what you are about to say, be ready to defend your opinion and have facts to back it up. Those are the three basic rules of opinion making and Rob Parker, you failed horribly. Tom Brady is one of the greatest ever, my facts are listed above and I stand by this for all time. He will have the game of his life on Super Bowl Sunday and his legend will continue to grow come 6;30pm on February 5th that is also fact.

By: Tommy Rowe

What a nail bitter that was, huh?! The Patriots, by the skins of their teeth, pulled off a remarkable win over the Baltimore Ravens; surviving a last minute field goal missed by Billy Cundiff to send them to Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI. Despite how the game was played, the Patriots won when it mattered and made the plays that helped them survive the Ravens aggressive onslaught. It doesn’t matter how they did it, they are going to their 5th Super Bowl in 10 years and that is reality; enjoy this fans because the Pats don’t always get this opportunity. To make this Super Bowl even more special, the Pats have a chance to bury some demons once and for all against the perfect opponent; the New York Giants.

Both teams got into the Super Bowl over fluke plays no questions about it. If Baltimore hit the 32 yard field goal and 49ers’ return man Kyle Williams stayed away from the ball after a punt, we are talking overtime in both games and completely different outcomes also. But that’s the game of football, you make mistakes and it will cost you. The Patriots and Giants both capitalized on their opponents’ mistakes and because of that, they earned the right to move onto the Super Bowl in Indianapolis. These two teams will be asked more questions involving their battle in Super Bowl XLII then their victories to get them into this year’s Super Bowl. Whether we like it or not, that will be the backdrop of this game and why shouldn’t it be? Painful memories put aside, as fans this is the match up you want. This is the chance to final bury all of the past failures in one dramatic win. The Patriots have proven to every critic that they can win and make it to the Super Bowl on offense and scattered defense. The Giants though are the most complete team they have faced yet, they handed the Patriots their last lost back on November 6th and since the Patriots have won 10 straight. But the Giants, despite going up and down since beating the Pats the first time around, are white hot and look like nothing will stop them in their quest for a 2nd championship in 4 years. They are an elite team, regular season records don’t mean a thing at this point in Football. Whoever plays the best and executes better than the other team will move on and now it’s do or die for both of these elite franchises.

I have a gut feeling that the Patriots will win this; due to everything that is on the line for them losing is not an option. Yes they do not have the pressure of going 19-0 or anything remotely close to 2007, but they have a shot to not only bury all past failures and demons but also grab a nice helping of revenge. I do not care what the players and coaching staff says going into the media week and Super Bowl, everyone involved with the New England Patriots even those who were not with the team in 2007 are dying inside for revenge and Brady more than anyone else wants to finally put an end to those memories. He’s pissed, the players will fight for each other and the Patriots will be driven by pure revenge and anger that if I were the New York Giants; I’d be scared to hell. We are less than 2 weeks from the biggest game of the year and we are just getting warmed up!

By Tommy Rowe

The Patriots and Ravens Rivalry is not bigger than that of the Patriots’ other notable adversaries like the Jets, Colts or Steelers. But in the last 3 years, the blood in the veins of these two teams boils to extreme heights when they meet on the gridiron. We all remember the horrific beat down by the Ravens when they kicked the Pats out of the Wild Card round in 2009. That lost stands out as much as any other. When you look at the names of those 2 starting line ups and fast forward to now, it is clear that the past is past and will have no say on whether or not the Patriots’ Offense can stand up and challenge the rabid and ruthless Baltimore Defense.

The NFL is becoming more of an offensive league as each year goes by. 2011 has been an overwhelming proof of the domination offenses have demonstrated during the season. But as the playoffs move forward, the importance of defense is showing its old yet powerful head to the final four teams and the unlucky teams who were reminded of its significance. Statistically, the Ravens D is the 3rd best in the NFL, the Patriots are ranked 2nd in the league when it comes to Passing offense (6th overall) and is the last remaining power house in the league when talking offense. The two finalists for NFL MVP (Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees) are done for the year after being ousted by 2 very potent Defenses in the 49ers and Giants. Tom Brady will be facing the same stingy D that his fellow quarterbacks failed to beat. Many are saying because of the Saints and Packers being exposed for their lack of defense, the Patriots will follow after finishing the “regular season” as the 31st overall defense and lest be honest; Ray Rice is a killer Back and will shed a defense by himself. But, notice how I said “regular season”. The Patriots may have had the worse defense in team history and possibly league season history, but we are no longer playing a 16 game season aren’t we?

The Giants were able to turn their play level higher than most expected and are one win away from playing in another Super Bowl; the Patriots after watching Saturday Nights’ massacre of the Denver Broncos have done the same. The team that makes the proper adjustments and prepares for the worst will always move on to the next round; fact not opinion. The Patriots should me and the rest of the NFL Saturday that they are capable of making those necessities that are vital to winning in the Postseason. I do not care what Baltimore’s Defense is capable of, even though the big matchup is between their D and New England’s Offense they both need help from their other sides of the ball in order to be crowned AFC Champions. Joe Flacco and the Ravens offense showed that they haven’t changed a bit since the regular season ended. They are the same inconsistent, sloppy offense that made many question their efforts and resolve. But they are still dangerous and when clicking on all cylinders can bury a team like the Pats.

In the end, the Patriots remind everyone once more that offense will beat defense when it matters most. No disrespect to Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, who are the all-time greats in this sport, but Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, and the other 9 men they face, will give them the fight of their careers. The road to the Super Bowl is ending and it stops at Route 1 in Foxbrough, Mass. This matchup will be as advertised, either team can beat the other, but it will come down to who exploits the other’s weakness first and rolls with it. I said the Patriots will win 34-27 and we will be witness to in my opinion an instant classic. We are 4 days away from the Patriots and Ravens, but it seems like weeks from now; that’s what happens when a ticket to Super Bowl XLVI is on the line.

By: Tommy Rowe

The patches the Patriots players have been wearing on their jerseys right above their hearts are a blessing in disguise. As we all know the tragedy that struck the Patriots’ Family in July, Myra Kraft (the late wife of Patriots owner Robert Kraft) has been supporting the team as she always did when she walked amongst us in her finals days; only this time she is on the field with the team. The patches have been a source of motivation and determination for the Pats as they completed the road to a 13-3 record in 2011 and are now one win away from the Super Bowl. It has been hard on everyone involved with the team this year, especially the man whom loved her.

Mr. Kraft has been labeled as “the man that saved football” after the NFL and the PA Department agreed on the new Labor Agreement back on July 23rd; 3 days after his wife passed away of cancer. To that man, it was a bitter sweet moment when he was honored by both parties for his efforts and will to get the deal done. “I saved one of the loves of my life, but I lost my greatest love I’ll ever have. My sweetheart (Myra) is gone but she won’t ever be forgotten and if she were here with us, she would be happy to know football is back”. The Organization could see how bad this was hurting their owner and father and when the Patriots made it official that the 2011 season was dedicated to Myra, the memory of this great, thoughtful and charitable woman grew stronger and stronger with each and every win.

Now with one game to go before the Super Bowl, Myra’s memory is burning in all the hearts of the players, coaches and staff of the Patriots. Thi Sunday, Myra will be at the game, but in spirit as the team she and her husband built from the ground up fights for her and the entire Kraft family.

By: Tommy Rowe

So much for a close game huh fans? The New England Patriots just without a doubt embarrassed the Denver Broncos and their over-hyped quarterback Saturday Night in the Divisional Playoffs winning 45-10 and just picking apart Tim Tebow like he was a frog on the dissecting table. The comparisons to the young quarterback and his opponent must have ticked the 3-time Super Bowl Champ off as Tom Brady had a game for the ages. He Completed 77 percent of his passes threw for 363 yards and tied an NFL postseason record with 6 touchdown passes (5 in the first half). Despite the lone interception early in the game, #12 proved to everyone who the best quarterback was and still is. The heavily criticized Patriots’ Defense had their best performance this year by just blowing Tim Tebow out of the water and just making an embarrassment out of him. With the Broncos now out of their way, the Patriots turn to the Baltimore Ravens who beat the Houston Texans 20-17 yesterday despite and slow finish by their offense lead by Joe Flacco and All Pro Back Ray Rice. The Ravens will be in for a big surprise when they travel to Gillette this weekend.

The Ravens defense will be the biggest and toughest challenge to date for Tom Brady and the League’s best remaining Offense this season. Potential MVP candidates Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers are gone for the year after losing their games this weekend leaving Tom Terrific as the last lethal quarterback in the postseason (no disrespect to Eli Manning). On the flip side though, the Raven D has not played an Offense like New England’s all season so this will be a matchup that will decide who represents the AFC in the Super Bowl. The reason why I am not mentioning the Ravens’ Offense in the same light as their D is because it is a putrid and inconsistent offense. They have talent and very skilled players on that squad no doubt about that, but it is one thing to be good, and another to be good all the time game in and out. The Patriots’ offense has been that all year long, especially in the last 9 games (9-0 in that stretch 34 ppg average). The Ravens’ D has been consistently good as well and they haven’t missed a beat in the playoffs so far. But if anyone is going to rebuttal me by saying the Patriots’ D is as bad as the Raven offense; don’t even think about it. The Patriots’ D showed everyone up Saturday night, they finally stepped up their game and made them and balanced football team. It doesn’t matter who they played or how bad the opponent was either. The Patriots’ D could have easily let the offense win that game, but knew their time was now and I expect more of it this Sunday at 3pm. The Ravens’ offense has yet to make the same move the Pats’ D did and they have virtually no time left to do so.

The AFC Championship Game will be a thriller and one matchup to remember, but none the less I won’t back off the Patriots now. The Pats have too much to lose and have so much to gain. I picked them to go to Indy if they balance out, guess what they balanced out. Patriots beat the Ravens 34-27. Ray Rice will give the Patriots some headaches, his talent and skill are so elite it’s near impossible to fully shut him out, but as long as Joe Flacco is under center for the AFC North Champs, I will pick Tom Brady every time.

Matt and Justin go over the primary results yesterday.  Also talk Patriots and Broncos, and of course your favorite player, Tim Tebow.

Steve Muench joins us as he does every monday to talk about the Patriots and might even dive into some Tim Tebow stuff in this one!

By: Tommy Rowe

First off I must give credit where credit is due. Tim Tebow played a phenomenal game last night at Mile High beating the heavily favored Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card Round. On the first play of Overtime, Tebow threw an 80 yard touchdown pass to WR Demarius Thomas in stunning fashion to capture Denver’s first playoff win since 2005. Tebow threw for 316 yards no picks and 3 Touchdowns (1 rushing) and the freaky thing about his performance is that his yardage total matches the same numbers of his favorite bible verse; John 3:16. It seems god is on the side of Tim Tebow, for now at least.

As impressive and formidable the Broncos now seem to be, the Patriots have more than enough material to beat Denver the second go around. The adjustments the Patriots made in their first matchup after that 1st quarter nightmare will definitely be taken into Denver’s game preparation, but the Pats have not shown all their tricks by any means. We know that if you give Bill Belichick enough time to study a team, he will 8-10 times pull out a victory, facing a team a second time around, almost a guaranteed victory. The Broncos have a great defense and will pressure Tom Brady there is no question about what they can do, but the offense is so wild and unorganized that the prep for that side of Denver’s game is almost no challenge for the Patriots to study. But, the more time they spend on it, the greater the chances of a second win over the Broncos is certain.

Not only do the matchup stats favor New England in this upcoming game, but the circumstances surrounding everyone involved with the Patriots’ Franchise gives them a more passionate since of motivation and urgency. There is more to football then just skill and stats, last night is a perfect example. No one had Pittsburgh losing to Tebow and his team, who backed into the playoffs in week 17 after getting harassed by Kansas City. The motivation and passion that drove the Broncos when Tim Tebow took over under center is the same type of feeling the Patriots will be playing with come kickoff at 8pm on Saturday. This team cannot afford to lose another playoff game after everything that has happened the last 4 years and as much as people can criticize that this factor won’t mean a thing Saturday; the truth is it will and does mean a lot. The ramifications that could follow after the Patriots lose another Playoff game is scary just to think. This is a game where everyone wearing the colors of New England will be taking as seriously if their lives depended on it; quite frankly their football lives are hanging over the ledge for this game.

The Patriots offense is prolific and lethal when clicking on all cylinders, enough said there. Despite Denver’s defense preparing hard for another go around at Brady, Gronk, and company unless they sack Brady like no one ever has then the Patriots will be moving onto the AFC Title Game against either Houston or Baltimore. The motivation of past failures and the drive for ring number 4 will be only a fraction of what’ll propel New England over the Broncos; Patriots win, but it will be a challenge. Both teams have played one another and know what to expect, but knowing and acting are two different things. Patriots take this game and end the playoff drought by a score of 38-28.

Ian Rapoport dishes with Matt about everything Patriots. Does Ian think the Pats have what it takes to make it through the post-season?