Mid-week Notes

If you haven't already heard, the Pats lost 2 more players to the injured reserve list this week. Center Dan Koppen with a seperated shoulder and CB Randall Gay with a high ankle sprain with possible ligament damage are the two latest victims. To replace their roster spots the team has signed former Patriot lineman Gene Mruczkowski and CB Artrell Hawkins who played 8 seasons with the Bengals before being released last off season. The total number of Patriots on IR is now 9.

In my opinion, I almost wish they would tank the season, miss the playoffs, and get a better draft pick. We may have been spoiled with our superbowls, but I don't even want to make the playoffs knowing that we don't have a chance to win it all this year. The BEST thing that can come out of this season is a healthy Brady. He took a beating in Miami, and that's certainly not the only game he got his ass kicked. I say start Flutie, let the rookies and younger players gain experience and get a better draft pick. Unfortunately, that will never happen. They'll continue to play Brady in front of a patchwork O-Line and hope that he stays upright. They'll win the division, host a first round game vs Cincy or San Diego or J'ville. Maybe they win that game, MAYBE. Then they'll be on to Indy and the end of the season. IF they happen to win that then they'd have to go to DENVER. It's just not going to happen this year, so in my opinion they should just start preping for next season.

Here are some stats:

Troy Brown has 499 career receptions. He will become only the second player in Patriots history to total 500 receptions. (Stanley Morgan 534)

The Pats are still 2nd in the League with 275.5 passing yds/game.

Deion Branch is 3rd inthe league with 13.4 yds/catch. He currently has 50 catches this season, his career high is 57 in 2003.

Josh Miller is 4th in net punt average at 39.6 yds. For my money he's the best kicker in the game because of his uncanny ability to down punts inside the 10 yard line. The fact that he is the funniest guy on the team doesn't hurt either. If you get a chance to see a Josh Miller interview, watch it.

The Pats are 10th in Red Zone offense with 17 TD's and 8FG in 29 trips.

The Patriots have a grand total of 13 sacks this year, 31st in the league. In their 4 losses they have a total of 2 sacks.

The Saints are a -13 in giveaway/takeaway. They have 27 giveaways.

For those of you grumbling that the Patriots scored their go ahead 4th quarter TD too soon leaving Miami time instead of killing the clock, Tom Brady explained. He said the play call was for a short pass over the middle, getting vinatieri closer and getting down to the two minute warning. When Brady got to the line, he read the Miami D to be in an all out Blitz. He knew he'd have Watson in single coverage on the outside. Watson read the blitz and changed his route accordingly. As you all know, Brady hit Watson for the TD, but it was because Miami's D dictated the audible.