Monthly Archives: December 2008

Pats’ rookie linebacker Jerod Mayo was named the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year today, nearly unanimously. Mayo received 49 out of 50 votes, with the Bengals’ Keith Rivers getting the one dissenting vote. Mayo, from Day One, was a starter on a veteran defense that usually covets experienced veterans over young rookies. For many games, he played every defensive snap, and helped man the middle of the defense with Tedy Bruschi.

Mayo totaled 137 tackles, which led the team, and he had one forced fumble. Mayo was excellent running down ball carriers and did well in coverage as well. Mayo did not have any sacks, but that’s not the role of the Belichick middle linebackers anyway.

Despite finishing 11-5 on the season, the New England Patriots have missed the playoffs for the first time since 2002. For a re-cap of yesterday’s events, check out Beth’s article here. I will admit, I did not anticipate an 11-5 finish when Tom Brady went down and I witnessed the continual decline in the play of the defense. However, despite all of those issues and the multitude of injuries on both sides of the ball, the Pats are 11-5, and that’s a hell of an accomplishment. Whether it’s Brady or Cassel next year at the helm, the Patriots have to be considered among the favorites to go all the way next season, especially with some upgrades (hopefully) on the defensive side of the ball. Depressed about the Pats’ season ending? Bill Belichick is almost relieved to get a rest and longer amount of time to thoroughly analyze the team, I would imagine in order to make the proper changes. Here’s Bill’s positive spin on a Patriot-less playoffs:

With the wind swirling around Ralph Wilson Stadium, the Pats and the Bills have had to change the way they call the game. The Pats have been the only ones able to connect on a field goal, and lead 3-0. Both the Bills and the Pats have had field goals be blown clear away from their targets. They even have had to stop play in order to re-set the goal posts because they were blown off to the side.

NFL.com has an excellent video of Bill Belichick mic’d up. You can view it at this link: http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80d74a78

You can see Belichick’s humorous side as well as his compassionate side in dealing with Matt Cassel. We often hear from the players that the Belichick we see is not the Belichick known to them, and it seems as though they’re right.

The Arizona Cardinals haven’t played a snow game since 1983, and it shows. They simply cannot handle the weather. The Patriots are handling the Cards 31-0. I’m not sure that’s the score if this was played under normal conditions, but that’s all part of the game. The Pats need to win today and next week to have a shot at their dwindling playoff hopes thanks do Baltimore winning in Dallas last night. To get the best explanation of what needs to happen for the Pats to get into the postseason, check out Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe’s explanation. Basically, the Pats need to win out and the Jets and/or the Dolphins have to lose this week and next week. They can also get in if Baltimore strangely loses to Jacksonville next week.