Nich Hall

As we sit precisely two weeks away from the start of the 2008 Patriots season there are many concerns coming out of Foxborough. After a couple of embarrassing preseason performances the Patriots sit at 0-3. There are questions about the defense which at times has seemed to simply watch opposing running backs, questions about the special teams which somehow allowed a punt and a kickoff returned for a touchdown on Friday night. Then there is of course the issue of who has been leading the Patriots offense to this point. The reigning NFL MVP, Tom Brady has not seen any preseason action as a result of yet another undisclosed foot injury. Officially it is a “sore foot” that has kept the Patriots iron man, who has started 127 consecutive regular season and playoff games out of game action. With Brady out of action the preseason has turned into a nightmarish what if experience for the Patriots and their fans. The Pats trio of Matt Cassel, Matt Gutierrez and 2008 draft pick Kevin O’Connell have mostly struggled as they have tried to lead the offense. Matt Cassel may in fact be losing his grip on the number two spot in this his contract year. Gutierrez put on a clinic in the second half of Friday’s Eagles contest. Although it was mostly garbage time in a game decided by the Patriots lackluster special teams, Matt went 14-20 for 217 yards and two touchdowns.

For an organization that at one point was 18-0 last season, they have technically now dropped four straight games. That has left many observers in New England asking what is wrong with this football club. But before everyone starts to panic it’s important to realize that it is really just the preseason. Coach Belichick would rather be blown out then reveal any schemes of importance that could be studied ahead of the regular season. Also believe it or not there are some positives to be taken from this postseason. A lot of the defensive issues that were harped on throughout the off season seem to have taken care of themselves. The Patriots two rookie linebackers Jerod Mayo (1st Rd) and Shawn Crable (3rd Rd) have lived up to expectations adding much needed speed to the Pats secondary. The Pats defense has also been bolstered by the presence of 9-time Pro Bowler, safety John Lynch. Although he joins a rather deep safety corps with Brandon Meriweather and Rodney Harrison, his talent and leadership will be a great addition for this club.

The Patriots last preseason game will be Thursday night against the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants. One would assume that just the sight of those Giants helmets would be enough to motivate the Patriots. But with various aspects of the Patriots play needing fine tuning anything besides good, smart football will have to take a back seat for now. The Patriots have a history of less than stellar preseason play, in fact their 2004 Super Bowl winning club went only 1-3, so everyone just take a deep breath and start worrying about Brodie Croyle and Week 1, see what I’m getting at. So New England take some advice from Mika, “Relax, take it easy….”

Nich Hall

The New England Patriots 2008 campaign is officially under way. This morning the Patriots took the field for the first time and interestingly enough the music blaring through the loud speakers was none other than Ritchie Valens’ 1958 hit. “Le Bamba.” Which is where the title of this article comes from by the way, arriba y arriba, a line from the song roughly translates to higher and higher. Which makes sense for this Patriots club, if anyone had told you the Patriots record after last season would be 18-1 you would assume that a banner was going up this fall in Foxboro. But as I’m sure most sports fans won’t forget, especially thanks to Sunday’s ESPY awards the Patriots fell one game short of not only their goal, a Super Bowl win, but football immortality.

Now the Patriots eyes have to turn to 2008, after all of Bill Belichick’s Super Bowl runs one of his most important tasks was getting his club to forget the previous year and focus on the present. One has to assume the Patriots have been chomping at the bit since about February 3 some 171 days ago to hit the field. Worth noting the Patriots placed several key players initially on the PUP (Physically unable to perform) list including; Wes Welker, Mike Vrabel, Rodney Harisson, Ellis Hobbs, Nick Kaczur and Stephen Neal. They are all expected to see action long before camp comes to a close.

After their first initial workout of the year Tom Brady met with the media and discussed the coming year, “We’re ready to kind of attack this season and see what we can make of it.” When asked about a possible repeat of his record numbers last season Tom admitted, “I don’t know what this years gonna call for. Hopefully, if the other team scores 40 points we can score more than 40.” There is an obvious stigma about teams the next season after losing in the Super Bowl, seven of the last ten teams to lose the Super Bowl have not only missed the playoffs but had losing records. In typical Patriots fashion Brady dismissed what history says might happen, “I don’t think what any team has done in the history of the NFL will have any effect on what we do this year. We are going to try and do the best we can do everyday in practice. Hopefully that leads to a lot of wins.” For a Patriots organization that has not lost a regular season contest since December of 2006 that is more than something to hope for.

Terry Shilton

Recently the Kansas City Chiefs, and their stadium policy recieved alot of national attention after they banned standing up, by fans, as it may impede the view of people behind you. They have since re-worded that policy slightly but it lead me to start digging through other teams stadium policies to see what hidden gems there where; here is what I found, listed by team:

Buffalo Bills

Size matters as no cameras with lenses over 6″are permitted? maybe as to not indimidate their players. No headwear, that impedes the view of fans? keeps the Comboys fans out, they are America’s team! Also notworthy at Rogers Centre, all guests must wear shirts so I guess Canadian Bills fans planning to rock the body paint have to hold off? somehow B-I-L-L-S doesn’t look the same written across 5 T-shirts.

Miami Dolphins

Brooms are prohibited apparently Parcells has a witch superstition, also purses are regulated as to not exceed 14″ x 14″ x 8″, and the Dolphins are less worried than the Bills about lens size and will allow up to 8″. Quick surprise they allow football helmuts to be worn just in case you need to suit up? at QB, anytime during a homegame.

New England Patriots

All video cameras are prohibited. Cameras that have detachable lenses are allowed, however, they may be checked to ensure they are what they appear to be. The ultimate irony apparently the Patriots won’t allow you to tape their offense to review at a later date.

New York Jets

Video Cameras/Recording Devices, professional cameras and tripods, suprised Video personnel didn’t make the list, Umbrella’s did?, No Confetti? who is bringing that to a Jet’s game. Also no Foul language in NY? really, you could be asked to leave or have your season tickets revoked and that won’t bring on more cursing?

Baltimore Ravens

Nothing larger than a freezer-sized zip-lock clear bag is allowed apparently they changed the rule to allow weed in their backfield after Jamal Lewis’s success in Cleveland? Also Horns of any kind are prohibited always awkward when Joe Horn gets the Ravens on the schedule, really can hurt your fantasy team not being in the know.

Cincinnati Bengals

No foul or absusive language or gestures, intoxication or imparement, fighting, taunting or threatening remarks will be tolerated from fans, but it’s all good for players. Also animals are prohibited except for those with disabilities, but I seem to remember Ocho Cinco trying to get a donkey or something out of the tunnel to join him in the endzone, apparently those mental handicap rumours have some merit.

Cleveland Browns

Excessive standing is prohibited, remember in the Dawg pound one must sit like the Dawgs do, and roll over and take your beer nice. Also Glitter is prohibited? what? is that a real problem in the pound, fans getting all Glittered up, c’mon.

Pittsburgh Steelers

No flasks and I know fans got em, it mentions you may be asked to open heavy clothing as its always cold in Steeltown, How would you like that job? playing hide and go-keep, with every blue collar Steelers fan, looking for a Flask you know he has tucked away somewhere within layers of jogging pants, hoodies and fleece.

Houston Texans

Everything is bigger in Texas and camera lenses are no exception they will allow up to 12″, also Laptop computers are banned as technology scares the Texans and they are worried that computer’s may interfere with Matt Schaub hearing the play calls when their coach shouts them into the tin can on the sideline that connects to Schaub’s helmut.

Indianapolis Colts

Running or Jogging in the RCA Dome is strictly prohibited, no wonder the Indy defense got better so quickly it must be a big adjustment for visiting offense’s who now are forced to skip.

Jacksonville Jaguars

FREE BEER, yes really lol if you sign up for their Designated Drivers program you get a voucher for an non-alcoholic O’Douls which is a great way to explain to the police why you smell like beer when you didn’t actually drink any?

I’ll post part two later in the week and link them all together, so you can view all the teams at once…