MVN - Most Valuable Network

Boston Herald apologises to Pats

The Boston Herald did something I did not expect: they apologised for running the story Feb. 2, the day before the Super Bowl, about the Patriots supposedly taping the Rams walk through practice in 2002. I, for one, never anticipate any media outlet to ever apologise for anything, even though reporting allegations that never become verified as truth seems to be the norm nowadays in America. Kudos to the Herald for issuing an apology. Maybe they will verify before reporting in the future. The apology reads as follows:

“On Feb. 2, 2008, the Boston Herald reported that a member of the New England Patriots’ video staff taped the St. Louis Rams’ walkthrough on the day before Super Bowl XXXVI. While the Boston Herald based its Feb. 2, 2008, report on sources that it believed to be credible, we now know that this report was false, and that no tape of the walkthrough ever existed.

Prior to the publication of its Feb. 2, 2008, article, the Boston Herald neither possessed nor viewed a tape of the Rams’ walkthrough before Super Bowl XXXVI, nor did we speak to anyone who had. We should not have published the allegation in the absence of firmer verification.

The Boston Herald regrets the damage done to the team by publication of the allegation, and sincerely apologizes to its readers and to the New England Patriots’ owners, players, employees and fans for our error.”

Pats bring Kevin Jones in for a visit

A news tidbit seemed to escape most media outlets, that being the Patriots bringing in former Detroit running back Kevin Jones for a free agent visit. Jones was a first round draft pick in 2004, selected at #31 overall. The Patriots, at the time, were very high on Jones and, legend has it, were set to pick the runner until Detroit traded back into Round One and selected him one pick before the Pats.

Jones is still recovering from a torn ACL, and reports vary as to how far along in his recovery he is. Some think he can make it to training camp, while others feel he will start the season on the PUP list should he be signed by a team. My feeling is that Jones is closer to being recovered than starting the season on the PUP list for the Pats to bring him in for a visit. If he signs with New England, he will bring an interesting dynamic to the running back stable. Jones seemed like he was going to be a star in the league until foot injuries and the ACL tear sidelined him, forcing him to miss significant time.

If Kevin Jones can fully recover from his injury, he can bring his speed to the team to help spell Laurence Maroney and maybe become the eventual 3rd down back replacement for Kevin Faulk. It will be interesting to see if he does indeed sign with the team in the coming weeks as we painfully inch closer and closer to training camp.

Walsh’s SpyGate smoking gun shoots blanks

Matt Walsh, the controversial former video employee of the New England Patriots, has certified in writing that he is turning over eight stolen video tapes containing stolen signals from his time with the Pats. However, he does not have a tape containing video of the St. Louis Rams walk-through before Super Bowl XXXVI. This alleged video was the “smoking gun” that garnered much media attention before the Super Bowl against the New York Giants earlier this year. It appears that Walsh was simply looking for his 15 minutes of fame, and this whole controversy can finally be laid to rest.

The eight tapes that Walsh handed over did contain the following, according to a certified document obtained by the Boston Globe:

Signals from Dolphins coaches in a game Sept. 24, 2000.

Offensive and defensive signals of Dolphins coaches from a game Oct. 7, 2001.

Signals from Bills coaches from a Nov. 11, 2001, game.

Signals from Browns coaches from a game Dec. 9, 2001.

Two tapes of signals from Steelers coaches from the 2001 AFC Championship game, held Jan. 27, 2002.

Signals from Chargers coaches from a game Sept. 29, 2002.

Belichick admitted to videotaping signals since he started coaching the Patriots in 2000, so again these tapes contain nothing new. The Patriots will not be further penalized by the NFL, as these are consistent with what the NFL already knows. According to NFL spokesman Greg Aiello,

“This is consistent with what the Patriots had admitted they had been doing, consistent with what we already knew.”  

Had Walsh been telling the truth about the Rams tape, further penalties, including a possible suspension of Coach Belichick, would surely have followed.  I hope this finally puts to rest the whole SpyGate saga. The last piece of the puzzle is in place, and it fits in perfectly with the rest of the puzzle. I’m sure no apologies are forthcoming from anyone in the media or any fans that were certain this Rams tape existed, and starting questioning the Patriots’ accomplishments over the past decade. That’s fine with me. I’m glad this is finally over and done with and I don’t have to talk or write about this anymore. On to the next season!

Go Pats! 

Kraft and Mayo go together for Patriots

Today Robert and Jonathan Kraft introduced the Patriots first round pick linebacker Jerod Mayo.

The Kraft family have owned the Patriots for fifteen years and that was not lost during the introduction.

“Welcome from the Kraft family. This is the 15th time we’re doing this,” Robert Kraft said in front of eight television cameras and about 20 reporters.

“I told Jerod when I first started doing this, I had a different color hair, but this business is a thrilling business. Meeting him, I realized he had good taste in ties, which I’m sure you’ll all agree. Then I said, tell me something that you think about the connection up here. Without even blinking, he said ‘Kraft and Mayo go together.’ I thought that was pretty good, and a great connection. Kraft-Mayo goes very well.”

Well if Mayo does as well as former Patriots first rounder Willie McGinest or converted ILB Tedy Bruschi, I will be extremely happy.

GO PATS!!