Even When On the Rise, Joe Flacco Isn’t Worth Every Dime

Once maligned, now a superhero, Joe Flacco has earned millions that he can stash in the bank. Once, unappreciated to many, once unconvincing to claim elite status among NFL quarterbacks, Flacco is getting paid like a first-rate quarterback.

The money has finally come, unsurprisingly, in the aftermath of the Ravens’ victory of Super Bowl XVII, making Flacco the highest paid player in NFL history, a bloated and ridiculous deal for someone who has only won one Super Bowl championship, even with him emerging into a far more supreme quarterback. The check was issued to Flacco, the unsung hero who is Baltimore’s most accomplished pro quarterback since Johnny Unitas. He is now, unlike Unitas in those days, worth millions.

For Flacco, he’s an endearing superstar, like Unitas, who was never to be matched, the one pro quarterback with a long future in Baltimore. The Ravens and Flacco agreed to a six-year, $120 million contract on Friday. And he became the richest NFL player, pocketing more than Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Peyton and Eli Manning and Drew Brees.

But, in truth, he’s certainly not worth more than $120 million — rewarding a player who still is unproven in a sense, after throwing 11 touchdowns and no interceptions with his best postseason as a starting quarterback. Because he led the Ravens to the team’s second Super Bowl title in 12 years, and because he solidified his status with a remarkable playoff run, Flacco was treated like royalty.

Players are overpaid for underperforming and a lack of effort, but fans fill their wallets. Owners are getting richer and stubborn, but fans pay for tickets. I, for one, am tired of athletes who are unworthy and haven’t nearly accomplished much. In fairness, Brady and the Mannings are all more laudable than Flacco at the moment.

Not to take anything away from Flacco, but he’s only on the rise to becoming a franchise quarterback, and the Ravens moved too fast. Flacco, the fifth-year quarterback, had a breakthrough season but he’s not worth more than Brees, the NFL’s highest-paid player at $20 million a season. There is, of course, Eli Manning in New York. He’s won two Super Bowls, but he’s only earning $106.7 million over seven years. It’s almost unreal, to say the least, that Flacco is getting more than those crowning quarterbacks. He, among others, amazingly takes home all the green. He was rebuked by doubters, and not close to a big payday.

It needs to be said that his regular season statistics aren’t as advertised as Brady’s or Manning’s, but he’s won a Super Bowl ring, hoisted the trophy, then left for a trip to Disney World and then a flight to New York to visit David Letterman. It might not have only been Flacco demanding an outrageous contract from the Ravens, but the person representing him could have been talking the Ravens quarterback into seeking a huge deal. His agent, Joe Linta, has constantly been voicing that his client was a top quarterback and believed he merit an elephant-sized paycheck.

Here’s hoping the Ravens spent wisely and not foolishly on a player who still needs to develop, in the National Football League. We’ll soon find out, but until then we can only speculate as to whether signing him long term and to the richest deal is worthwhile or a bust. With all the pain and suffering in our world, it’s egregious that one person can earn this much money, when there are unprivileged families, starving children and unwed mothers raising kids while struggling financially.

Although he’s not someone you’d expect to see earn the amount he’s now making, Flacco believes he’s the NFL’s best quarterback, appearing on a radio show and boasting about his greatness months ago. If Flacco had lost in the playoffs or even in the Super Bowl, he likely would not have been handed a boatload of money. It would be, however, a disappointment to see him not live up to expectations and not make his reputation as one of football’s most exciting players, while erasing all the doubts.

Like most athletes, he’s getting paid after one of his most memorable wins, entering the prime of his career at age 28. Honestly, this wouldn’t even be a discussion as to whether he’s worthy or unworthy, but because he set the market, it’s an ongoing conversation nationally that has not waned. The deal is bigger than what it really is, although Flacco played a big role in the Super Bowl and played like a star quarterback on the national stage.

It was apparent in that moment that Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti and general manager Ozzie Newsome signed him to a new deal as his previous contract was about to expire. They took a risk with Flacco by restructuring his contract, as the first indication is that he’s truly that good. But, as telling as it is, Flacco is an example of rewards following one major win. All it takes nowadays is an impressive playoff run, and even greater, a championship win. What you fail to realize or acknowledge is that Flacco got hot at the right time.

The organization was manipulated and rushed by Flacco and his agent into signing a mega-sized deal. Flacco and his agent seemed to be the dictators, forcing and pressuring Bisciotti and Newsome to offer the biggest contract on the market. By leading the Ravens there he felt he was worth every dime. The good news for the Ravens is that he delivered a Super Bowl title, winning the MVP with an eye-catching performance. That, by the way, was the main priority for the Ravens, locking up Flacco for a very long time, suddenly convinced that he could bring the team multiple Super Bowl titles. The Ravens, no doubt, are still among the best in the league.

After all that happened on Feb. 3 in New Orleans, it was apparent that the Ravens felt he was instantly a star. But, as it turns out, he’s a superstar who barely was born, a superstar who has not dominated well in the regular season. It’s one thing to join 49ers legend Joe Montana by throwing 11 touchdowns without having a pass intercepted, and become the only quarterback in NFL history to win a playoff game in each of the five seasons to begin his career. It’s quite another to have to duplicate the same kind of performance next season.

Sure he has six postseason road victories as a quarterback. Sure he’s tied with Brady for nine playoff victories in his first five seasons, the most among NFL quarterbacks. The problem is that he’s absurdly overpaid and overly pampered, and his enormous deal puts pressure on him to succeed next season with a team that probably won’t be as good or as lucky. Everybody in Baltimore must not be too concern with the signing and recognizes that Flacco had 63 victories total in the last five seasons, the best during that span.

At some point, he can become a great stud, but at the moment, it’s hard to rank his place in history. It’s hard to base someone’s status, following one remarkable postseason in pro football. Sometime around next season, Ravens fans will know what Flacco is truly about. It’s hard to say he’s worthy of a richer contract. But before anything else, he must win more often and captivate fans during the regular season, as well, not only in the postseason.

This is the same Flacco who has never passed for 4,000 yards in a season or thrown for more than 25 touchdowns. In addition, he’s only completed 60.2 percent of his passes and thrown 102 touchdown passes with 56 interceptions. In this scenario he’s not worth $120 million and will have to make us believe he’s elite, as well as lead the Ravens in the future, without the 2012-13 team if necessary.

Of course, Flacco, who has accomplished much at the apex of his career, won’t turn down cash. And while he’s won unlike Tony Romo, Matthew Stafford and Matt Ryan, he certainly can use improvement. And as he’s now the team leader, from carrying the team on his shoulders, he’s still not quite there and has a challenging task entering next season.

The offense had flaws, most notably at the quarterback position, especially under fired offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. It was obvious the Ravens needed a change, and sure enough, they flourished under new offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell. Finally, there was a difference offensively. The most obvious turnaround was Flacco, who made smarter decisions with the ball and threw 15 touchdowns to finish the season, finding his go-to receiver Torrey Smith.

While he was out of sync to begin the season, he shouldered the blame for the Ravens’ struggles and then turned it around in the playoffs. When it mattered the most, even though he relied on the Ravens tenacious defense to bail him out at times, Flacco made plays, he executed his plays and connected with his wide receivers.

At the very least, doubters need to take into account that he is getting paid because he took a team to the Super Bowl and won the biggest game. Are the Ravens set for the foreseeable future or not? When the time comes, we’ll know whether or not Flacco is the centerpiece to Baltimore’s blueprint. It’s still uncertain when linebackers Dannell Ellerbe and Paul Kruger, cornerback Cary Williams and safety Ed Reed are free agents, and will likely test the market, as the Ravens have a little cap room.

Newsome had no choice but to restructure a deal, or else Flacco would have talked with teams. Newsome was hopeful, and eventually the two sides reached a deal.

But a typical 28-year-old, however, is not worth $120 million.

Adrian Peterson Worthy of MVP? All Day

Man, he’s fast.

Very.

At the moment all eyes are on Adrian Peterson, the NFL’s most dynamic running back. Against his opponents on the ground, Peterson bursts through the seam and races down the field, then drives into the end zone. The beauty of the Vikings’ resurgence in the Twin Cities, a town where fans haven’t had much to be excited about, is because of Peterson’s phenomenal season. The Vikings have an idea on what the future beholds, with an indomitable running back, which is amassing superhuman numbers.

Funny thing is, however, some would argue that he’s not worthy of MVP, when he continues his assault on the single-season rushing record. Funny thing is, it’s debatable as to whether he should be named NFL’s Most Valuable Player. It should be obvious that he’s deserving of an honorable award, especially when he’s making a case that he’s arguably the best running back in the league when he’s healthy and not inactive on the sideline. In most respects, he’s the only running back to threaten and come close to Eric Dickerson’s 2,105 yards. At this point, mind you, Peterson is optimistic he can break Dickerson’s record on Sunday, with one game remaining on the schedule.

I cannot see Peterson, proving to be the finest rusher since Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith, being devoid of MVP talk. Just like that, faster than he can race for a touchdown, he’s finally revealed he’s an elite running back and even an MVP candidate, and indeed he should win the award, without much argument. There’s enough evidence to see that he’s playing like an MVP, with the Vikings in a fight for a wild-card spot as they can mathematically still make the playoffs, amid a season when Peterson is respectfully dominating in every rushing category as he cannot be denied but only contained. The strategy of handing the ball off to Peterson in a sequence of plays, since he’s racked up some ridiculous numbers, is a boon to the Vikings impressive season.

It doesn’t take a genius to see that the NFL is a pass-happy league, with the likes of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning — the greatest NFL quarterbacks of the modern era. There’s no doubt Brady and Manning are top candidates, and to say they both aren’t favorites to win MVP, is just irresponsible and imprudent. No disrespect to Brady and Manning, but to be fair, Peterson is the greatest rusher of the modern era and deserves consideration.

The numbers don’t lie. For Peterson, for those who are unaware, his 1,812 yards is a league’s best — standing on the NFL Mountaintop. By far, he’s stringing together one of the most individual campaigns, and simultaneously is on pursuit to shatter a record no running back has ever broken. This season alone, Peterson has 1,313 yards in the past eight games and rushed for 150 yards or more in six games, one shy of tying NFL record in that category.

Just recently, he became the fourth player in NFL history to rush for at least 8,500 yards and 75 touchdowns over the first six seasons of an NFL career, with currently 8,564 yards and 75 touchdowns to fall in the company of Dickerson (9,915 yards and 75 touchdowns), LaDainian Tomlinson (9,176 yards and 100 touchdowns), and Smith (8,956 yards and 96 touchdowns).

It’s just the truth, no matter what people say about Peterson, refusing to acknowledge that what he’s mastered this season is beyond incredible. With his nifty footwork, his quickness and explosiveness, his firmness and ability to make defenders hesitate and make it hard to read the play, he is on the threshold of validating his place among NFL running backs. Roughly on his way to attain eminence, Peterson is looking to become the seventh tailback to rush for 2,000 yards in a season.

This, more than anything else, is the best season of his exceptional career. It’s a time when he can be placed on Mount Rushmore of running backs. The most exceptional running back is easily the most superlative performer in 2012, and has climbed the mountaintop in the National Football League. If you don’t think AD is highly commendable, you are clueless and blinded by the reality of Peterson’s dominance. There’s a great chance he will win the award — the Most Valuable Player award. Peterson, should the Vikings (8-6) make it to the playoffs, would likely earn MVP honors.

Yet he plays on an inferior team with a struggling quarterback in Christian Ponder. The Vikings also featured receiver Percy Harvin, who sustained an injury. But Peterson, meanwhile, has made defenses fret as he poses a threat. In all, judging by the standings, the Vikings can miss the postseason, and Peterson’s spectacular season would go to waste if Minnesota misses out on all the fun as individual achievements don’t matter as much as team deeds. Now it just comes down to him executing and having another 200-plus-yard effort, coming off a 212-yard performance in a 36-22 victory over the St. Louis Rams.

If that happens, needing 294 yards in his final two games to surpass Dickerson, he could set a new record as an NFL back. In a quarterback-driven league, rarely does a running back fit the description. The odds, as usual, strongly favor Manning and Brady in the age when quarterbacks are often recognized. There have been 37 quarterbacks selected, with a combined record of 470-102-4 (.819).

The world’s biggest curiosity is Peterson, no matter what history says, no matter if the league’s most valuable player has rarely not led his team to the playoffs. There’s not enough promise to confirm he’s the winner, while leading the Vikings through a storybook season. And here’s guessing Manning is favored to prevail, playing for the hottest team in the league and turning the 11-3 Denver Broncos into Super Bowl hopefuls. The downside is, Peterson’s team isn’t nearly as flawless, let alone playoff bound.

Whether or not anyone thinks he merits the honors, which usually doesn’t happen for a running back, Peterson gets my vote. This is generally not a running backs league, known for satisfying quarterbacks and forgetting about every other player on the field. It would be a great accomplishment for Peterson. In recent memory, 55 winners have won an MVP in 55 years — only two of them were on teams that didn’t make it to the postseason.

It’s worth pointing out only four running backs have won MVP while playing for a wild-card team. Sanders’ name sounds familiar and Walter Payton’s as well, two winning backs who made it happen on 9-7 teams. The last we’ve seen a running back win MVP was when Tomlinson earned it on the account of fulgurous numbers. That year, he rushed for 1,815 yards and NFL-record 31 touchdowns, 28 on the ground.

All day, he’s the man of show business, a priceless specimen who overcame medical issues, after tearing his ACL and MCL less than a year ago. All day, he’s been tearing it up in the National Football League. Chances are he still won’t win MVP, although Peterson is the most astonishing athletes in the game today, bouncing back from injuries to likely also be NFL’s comeback kid. If he doesn’t win the award, it would be an insult to Peterson, when he’s convinced us that he’s not only the fastest man directing the greatest show on turf but also the man with otherworldly talent. So at this point, Peterson’s campaign is far more amazing to be ignored.

He’s amazed us with runs and created a compelling story every time he took a handoff this season and couldn’t be stopped. Now the most appreciated player in the game by far, Peterson is carrying out the unthinkable and certainly has been far more amazing than anyone else all season, with his size, a rare combination of speed and stamina. This year, it became apparent that Peterson has stated his case after putting in the hours and working diligently to recover from his health issues, rehabilitating with physical therapists and performing painstaking exercises to rejuvenate energy and motion.

There’s no doubt that he’s in good position to win. But don’t be surprised to see two-time winner Brady or four-time winner Manning win it again. We can only imagine what will happen — worthy of MVP status — now that Peterson is closing in on a record and could potentially carry the Vikings to the postseason. The MVP is an individual award, after all, not a team award.

My vote, however, goes to Peterson. All day.

Reality Is, NFL Becomes Pass-Happy League with Rule Changes

Once upon a time — to be precise — NFL legends, undoubtedly the greatest passers of all time changed the culture of football in the past decades, dating back to the ’70s when players committed to a much different style of play. The portraits alone are sufficient evidence of why football has blossomed into ultimately America’s game.

There was Bart Starr, a real role model for many children and arguably one of the greatest quarterbacks all time ever to walk onto Lambeau Field, who symbolized the Green Bay Packers and embodied a legacy as a big-time performer. As a country man from Alabama who morphed into the most clutch and roughly a phenomenal assassin in the ’60s era, he went down as the most prolific and all-time great ever to quarterback a franchise loaded with attributes.

There was Joe Montana, as good as gold, given the history of the Gold Rush in Northern California, wittily framing the medieval science of modern-age football, harassing defenses with his intellectual psyche and rifled-arm passing that brutalized defenses. He had the charm and mind of a quarterback and won four Super Bowl titles, an unprecedented three Super Bowl MVP awards and mounted as the unequivocal ruler of pro quarterbacks.

It’s befitting to pinpoint the moment he conducted one of the finest drives in NFL history, a heart-stopping 92-yard drive in Super Bowl XXIII and mastered an awe-inspiring 127.8 passer rating in four appearances of the much-publicized American sport. There was Johnny Unitas, one of the greatest passers in his era, and one can argue that he was a stud — especially in his first NFL campaign.

And nothing was more radiant than Unitas stringing together one of the greatest passing seasons in his era. We’ll never forget him as one of the coolest performers, a truly remarkable legend of pro football — a name acknowledged of the glamorous football lore. There was even Roger Staubach of the Dallas Cowboys and Dan Fouts, who each combined for 14 300-yard passing games in one weekend.

There were even Terry Bradshaw and Brett Favre, reaching plateaus and shattering pass records and now lies as a pair of gridiron greats. At last count, Favre holds every single passing category in NFL history, from completions, attempts, yards, touchdowns and even interceptions.

It’s been years now since we’ve witnessed the rebirth of the passing game — and now we’re finally getting a glance at the modern aerial displays by elite quarterbacks to remind us that the pass attack has never receded but disappeared in a generation where franchises executed an efficient rush attack. It almost feels like Otto Graham has returned to the Browns and restored relevance.

It almost feels like a cliché. It almost feels like Sammy Baugh, who was said to be the most accomplished two-way athlete in the game’s history, has returned as the best athlete in the NFL. But even there are proficient quarterbacks these days, which is why the NFL has become noteworthy and publicly has drawn heavy appreciation. And there’s nothing more fascinating about Tom Brady and Cam Newton in this new development in the reemergence of the old times of passing formations rather than running schemes.

Brady is intelligent enough to realize, in the later stages of his accomplished career, that even well-executed passes could have a profound effect largely on the New England Patriots. In contrast, if Cam Newton had not thrown for a bevy of yards to prove NFL worthy in a town that took a gamble and selected him No. 1 overall in the 2011 NFL Draft last April, then he would’ve been getting an earful of criticism.

This was for those who’ve doubted and belittled Newton, stepping onto the NFL turf for officially the first time and playing as if he had years worth experience. Whereas his superlative performance elicited a sense of belief — the moment in his early career as a rookie that Newton has earned respect and secured a good reputation, throwing for a staggering 422 passing yards and two touchdowns.

The population in Carolina is delighted with new coach Ron Rivera, a popular face in the town simply for having faith in his rookie quarterback and letting Newton have an opportunity to dazzle and be a versatile player in franchise history. With his style and throwing motion, he didn’t only set a rookie record for a pro debut, but he uplifted the mood in an atmosphere that trust in Newton after bringing much fire and athleticism to Carolina’s offense.

The perfect debut of his lifetime happened last Sunday, and, hard as it is to believe, he played brilliantly, he played impressively and he silence many of his doubters. At a moment where the NFL would be a league built and orchestrated around the greatest quarterbacks, including a rookie who’ve astounded the populace, Brady and Newton could be the elites in this generation, though it might be too early to tell whether Newton will be the prosperous star at a future time.

The game has evolved so drastically and regularly with the generation of strong-armed quarterbacks. We live in an age of relentless pocket passers. The great ones are successful in today’s game, running spread offenses and tossing quick passes, thrown by accurate quarterbacks all while crafty running games are instituted to psychologically flirt with the mind of confounded defenses.

With the exception of the late Bill Walsh, a legendary coach with the mind of Albert Einstein, the West Coast Offense is a workable scheme that players take pride in and teams employ in their playbooks. We’re long past the ’60s and ’70s era as football generates a much different feel, particularly if the differences in style pertain to quarterbacks. That means so much that quarterbacks are, to some degree, duplicates of the old-timers and maybe it’s the explanation for football rising as the most popular sport in America.

The folks convince themselves that football is more than an annual event but an enjoyable event, a point in time when we disappear from our spouses for hours, glued in front of the television to embrace countless, action-packed hours of football. We love the quarterbacks as well, thank you.

There’s much to love. For one, Newton’s sudden growth and ripple-effect for a revamped franchise. For another, Aaron Rodgers is Lambeau leaping into the stands in his home stadium and has bloomed as a star for the well-respected franchise in Green Bay, which stands as the symbol of football for its glamour and legends.

The reinvention for Drew Brees is nice in the Big Easy, and then the Patriots are led by Brady, who passed for 517 yards and four touchdowns in the season-opener Monday night in a 38-24 rout over Miami. There are plenty to choose from. You be the judge. This is a reminder to all of us, and especially to the rest of the league that the passing game never rested in peace.

The evolution of a pass-happy onslaught has changed the game’s style as record-setting plateaus are higher than usual in points and passing touchdowns. While the numbers continue to elevate gradually, we are witnessing the growth of quarterbacks season after season, year after year and are compelled to devote ample time in being a spectator of the NFL, comfortable sitting in the bars all day Sundays or resting rear-ends on a cozy couch in the living room.

It’s been only a week, and last weekend marked the ninth-highest scoring weekend in NFL history. The postponement of the ugliest lockout in years never doomed offenses, and no teams were rusty in the season-opener. The bottom line is the NFL has become a pass-happy league. It’s a reality. By the way, the NFL knows its fans are seeking for drama and high-scoring contests, and the timing couldn’t be better, now finally removed from the malicious lockout.

Get used to it. The game has new rules and it caters more to the dynamic passing attack, which means we can anticipate passes more frequently. This wasn’t the scenario over the past decade when the NFL had developed into a running game, ruled mightily by skilled running backs. It wasn’t long after that the competition committee established two rule changes with a significant monopoly on the game and it opened opportunities for the passing game.

Defenders weren’t allowed to cover a receiver 5 yards past the line of scrimmage, and secondly offensive lineman were enabled to extend their arms and hands other than just blocking with grasped fists and brawny chests. What it did was protect the quarterback from getting slammed into the turf and even limited costly turnovers as quarterbacks weren’t under a tremendous amount of pressure.

This resulted in NFL teams scoring 21 points higher than the previous season, and teams had 15 300-yard passing games in which the passing game transcended instantly. The rules tend to benefit offenses rather than defenses. With all the rule changes, quarterbacks are awarded plenty of protection and time to be creative and fruitful in the pocket. A greater advantage is having helmet headsets that allows quarterbacks to communicate with coaches in the middle of huddles and plays as a way to adjust on a series of plays.

It turns out the rule changes, rather than the quarterbacks themselves, is the reason for the more masterful passing schemes. The NFL has changed for the better, certainly not the worse.

Belichick Welcomes in Ochocinco, Haynesworth, Proves to Be Genius

There's a part of me that worries about the state of mind of a flamboyant and bombastic loudmouth in the league, or even a part of me that wishes the New England Patriots the best. The funny thing is, if not a risk for an accomplished franchise filled with much mystique and prosperity from its most flourished era that defined one of the most exceptional dynasties in sports, Bill Belichick is an expert in grooming his players, particularly renegade stars of much rebellion.

Even though arrogance, egotism and fraud of Spygate described Belichick to be a con artist since he bamboozled the rules of America's famous game with all his fraudulent ploys on the field every Sunday, he can mold rebellious players into elite NFL stars. The Patriots are notorious for bringing in troubled players to overhaul a Super Bowl-caliber force, rising back into contention of all the immediate revamping.

It's not hard to believe, given Belichick's history to build a contender from temperamental talent allowing the Patriots to regain Super Bowl worthiness, that New England has traded for star wide receiver Chad Ochocinco and defiant defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. It is, seemingly, a remedy to restore faith, even though Bill Belichick said on Friday morning that the two trades haven't been finalized.

“We are in the process of working through the trades with Albert and Chad. They still haven’t officially been completed yet so there isn’t really anything I can comment with them,” Belichick said Friday morning. “We’re working through the process and when it’s complete – if it’s complete – we can talk about it then.”

It's a reasonably optimistic route down the right path to acquire Ochocinco from the Cincinnati Bengals, though he has spent much of his controversial career blabbering to seek attention, to be highly regarded and, well, to become notably a worldwide athlete. So if the Patriots ever pondered on this risk that could tremendously be an antidote, and perhaps, form another dynasty unlike any other, it's imperative to realize that this is a short-term fix as New England is ready to hoist another Lombardi Trophy after next season.

It also means the addition of a brash or loudmouth wideout could kill the morale and divide a team of much chemistry and unity, based on Belichick's words of advice and being a consultant to his players. But this has been a problem for so long that no other franchise trust in Ochocinco, on edge inevitably as the Pro Bowl star is hated by many or maybe even misconceived for all the smack-talk, for all the sheepheaded antics and touchdown celebrations.

We saw a trade coming, and we were shortsighted, selling the Patriots short of pulling off an unexpected deal no one ever imagined. It's hard to discount every reaction of Belichick's masterminded gimmicks, clearly in attempt of his latest renovation to escape the futility and newfound vulnerability as the Patriots were under siege. For a while, New England wasn't as confident, as fierce or even as flawless, and with the acquisition of Ochocinco and even Fat Albert, the Patriots could easily transform into a championship-contender to largely be a dynamic force in the competitive AFC East.

“As it relates to Albert and Chad, any comments on them would just be premature,” Belichick said. “We’re in the process of it, no doubt about it. It’s not official, they’re not officially on our team and until they are, I just don’t think it’s appropriate to really talk about it as if they are because they’re not.”

As is evidenced by his sophisticated trend of developing the Patriots, Belichick has had the perfect veterans to fittingly blend in well of his demanding style in the past seasons. These are adjustments, mind you, that we are accustomed to witnessing every offseason by an elite franchise with an intellectual head coach in this organization assembling a talented cast of players. He is so much of a genius, in fact, that he has selected wisely during each NFL draft, has pulled off the risky, gut-wrenching moves and has won in each and every single trade deal.

At the most, he's won these deals as well, a pair of trades that were reported on Thursday, the first day of Patriots training camp. His intent is to resuscitate what is the longest championship drought that the Patriots lacked for much of the second decade of the 21st century to complete another chapter in New England's history books, if possible, addressing two of his team's greatest deficiencies at a minimal cost of surrendering a 2012 fifth-round pick and a 2013 fifth and sixth round selection.

As for Ochocinco, he'll always be known most around the league for his colorful, out-of-this-world antics and trash-talk, including the moment when he was a famous personality on "Dancing With the Stars," where he appeared with a hot female dancer, where he showed his skilled dance motions nationally. It seems that he has always been a daring, courageous individual of his flamboyant career, riding a bull for 1.5 seconds at a professional bull rider's event not too long ago. In fact, he tried to race a thoroughbred on one occasion and won the race, when he was given a head start.

In the midst of his silliness and buffoonish nonsense at times, he appeared in reality shows, talk shows and even showed his face publicly online, but his biggest problem is Twitter where he practically spends much of his time posting messages with almost 30,000 tweets. The clowning behavior of one of the talented receivers in the league only represents trouble. And then again, it could represent evolution in the Patriots culture, only if Ochocinco avoids performing touchdown celebrations or putting on a Hall of Fame frolic by wearing a mustard jacket that reads on the back "Future H.o.F 20??"

With this, Belichick has done well in finding Tom Brady's target at the wide receiver core this season, but Ochocinco would have to refrain from the playfulness and be serious in the way he approach the game every Sunday. The move puts the burden on players, but more than ever, it places the pressure on Belichick, built strongly to bounce back from a stunning 28-21 playoff loss last season.

The rationale for such a huge gamble on a player with a lot of baggage is that Belichick could have relatively passed on Ochocinco, perhaps for the sake of the Patriots and their cordial bond. The empty feeling Ochocinco may have in his heart has probably vanished this week, a sense of relief that comes from the drastic change in his professional career, released from the submerging Bengals in Cincinnati to fortunately contend in New England for a championship, courtesy of Beligenius, who has been a genius of cultivation within one franchise.

It's an especially larger market and a much demanding franchise, which is all the more reason Ochocinco needs to exclude the Twitter feed, to focus on football and prove to be one of the best wide receivers in the league and stand as a stellar wideout and dependable veteran. His mere presence in New England, along with his talent of presumably reeling in a historic total of catches, brings in confidence and probably improvise the deepest roster in the AFC East.

It was a sensible move, driven by Belichick's eagerness to build a winnable team and sharpen the installment of returning to prominence. This has pleased Ochocinco, once discontent in a Bengals uniform, now finally have a greater shot to revel in happiness. If he adjusts his ego and attitude, to become well-driven aiming for the better and has a more proficient work ethic, Ochocinco would be the town's exulted icon.

He wasn't brought to New England to be a prima donna or a drama queen, but was welcomed to contribute within the high-powered offense. The window for the Patriots is closing, but with the exception of Ochocinco, a six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, the window may have just gotten wider. There are immense expectations for Haynesworth, one of the biggest free-agent busts in NFL history, after he was given a seven-year, $100-million deal with a then-record $41 million guaranteed at Washington.

The hefty defensive tackle, a lazy player of Redskins Circus where he was a no-show, couldn't pass a conditioning test and pouted about playing nose tackle in a 3-4 defense, is capable of being a sturdy defender on the field. There's much Haynesworth, 30, has done wrong in his life, getting sued by a bank, or even when a woman claimed he impregnated her and he is currently accused of sexual assault. The good thing is, Ochocinco has never been in legal troubles, but has exploded in tirades or outbursts.

However, if Belichick handled the likes of Corey Dillon and Randy Moss, then we know he can handle the mildness of Ochocinco, who had 67 catches for 831 yards and four touchdowns last season. This alone will test the relationship of Ochocinco and Belichick, and as much as they are egotistic, to sacrifice ego is imperative and everyone is probably curious to know how this relationship culminates in the end, particularly when Ochocinco is the No. 3 receiver with the Patriots, behind Wes Welker and Deion Branch.

It's clear, nonetheless, that he's a famous receiver, but now all he is missing is an NFL championship -- and finally -- he has a good shot. Much thanks to Belichick.

With the Birth of Jets-Patriots, There's No Rivalry Like Any Other

We all have flashbacks on moments when rivalries in sports came alive, moments we espoused the antipathy involving a pair of teams unable to stay above the fray and maintain a sense of calmness.

If you were a Jets' supporter dating back to the late '60s, you probably recall Joe Namath, the famous pretty boy with gorgeous features who chicks were dearly obsessed with.

Back in those days, he led the New York Jets in the bitter rivalry against the then-Boston Patriots. But today, in which a rivalry has renewed lingering debates in what has become newsworthy, the latest installment of the Jets-Patriots rivalry is what we demand as a way to amaze our senses, as every football lover craves the sentimental high and the beauty in witnessing the birth of an intriguing rivalry.


There are episodes, a number of episodes, when Rex Ryan loud-mouthed opponents at press conferences by his silly antics he exhibited, quickly considered to be the funniest clown in the NFL for belittling the Patriots and his own belly.

So how does a proud, accomplished franchise known as the New England Patriots respond after Ryan and Antonio Cromartie made inane comments towards a hard-driven team that earned its fair share of Super Bowl greatness last decade?

By now, the Patriots are motivated, and it is now clear that Brady's Bunch is angry, hearing Cromartie boldly slur Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

It should be interesting to see how the Patriots, the favorites by many to reach the Super Bowl with home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, answers to the Jets. And as usual, it will be appealing to see how New England answers to the Jets cornerback for lashing out on the enemies of football.

As for Ryan, he's a bombastic clown to many, simply because he is constantly trash-talking or saying sarcastic stuff that pisses off the average critic or opponent, particularly the emotional Patriots.

After hearing that, as always, the Patriots are alarmed and ready to meet on a collision course against the Jets for what could be an epic showdown.

It's abundantly clear, no matter if this is the eventful matchup of the weekend or one of the greatest clashes in sports, that there's bad blood involving a pair of sinister franchises, whether it's because of Belichick's Spygate scandal or Ryan's bombastic post-game interviews.

When the Patriots encounter the loudmouthed Jets this weekend, they'll be alarmed and fiercely approach the Jets by their ferocious style with a greedy and masterful offensive scheme.

For Ryan, that is, he should be very careful of ripping Brady with his nonsense. Once again, as for what has become a daily rite, he blasted Brady about his work ethic. Not too long ago, he said the Jets substantial matchup against the Patriots "is about Bill Belichick versus Rex Ryan...There's no question, it's personal."

It's certainly an event that features two disdained coaches, one of whom is Belichick, a disloyal con artist and usually has a genius/deceptive idea of pulling off the victory. He stands on the sideline, and on Sunday across from Ryan, he'll acknowledge the Jets head coach by gazing at him directly with an evil stare, reminding us of the old days when Belichick barely exchanged handshakes with his ex-partner and former demon Eric Mangini after a relationship unraveled for the infamous accusation in 2007.

Ryan's personality is so molded, he couldn't change his ways if his life depended on it, wearing the same Jets vest in every appearance. Pretty much, he's set in his ways and there's no suggestions for shifting the identity of a man who allows his emotions to send him on a laughable tirade. The difference in Belichick's traits is that he is very vague and close-minded, unwilling to release a number of specifics to the press.

Instead, he is serious and dull in his coaching role, not really the kind of coach comfortable with alerting or exciting the media. Don't you hate Belichick? Haven't you given him the nickname BELICHEAT??

There are not too many people outside of New England who really cares for Belichick, an evil-doer responsible for the corruption of scandals in the NFL, when Spygate literally embarrassed the Patriots and their remarkable dynasty that even turned into an asterisk.

Many believe, if not everyone other than a Patriots fan, that the titles won last decade are tainted by the scandal.

You don't have to like Ryan or his characteristics, but if he does somehow backs up his nonsense by winning the Super Bowl unexpectedly, then he clearly deserves respect when the Jets reach gratifying heights under one of the most unlikable coaches in the game.

The timing couldn't be better for Ryan definitely to confirm that he's worthy of his coaching job.

However, even though he's an owner of four Super Bowl rings, Belichick can't significantly be undermined. The history in the past is an indicator that the Patriots can be victorious in the AFC Divisional showdown, of which adds to a bloody war.

The horror, which all the remarks that the Jets publicly said magnified the Patriots mentality level, is staring directly at the Jets. For now, as times in the season becomes intense and crucial, it's not so surprising to hear Ryan jabber from the mouth when it actually could be a solution that inspires mental toughness, tenacity and stability.


But, on the other hand, his words may have just taunted the Patriots badly that it has awakened them, energized them and enraged them. If anything, however, Ryan is a sportswriter's best friend whenever he takes the podium to give his animated news conference.

Clearly the face of the Jets and its organization, he is unique and hilarious unlike many coaches, a majority of whom take a moral stance in the business, but also take their jobs very seriously.

Not Ryan. He lives for the moment. He assures victories. Each week, it seems, he is teased in the New York tabloids, while his star quarterback accepts all the praise.


The headlines focus strictly on Mark Sanchez or either Ryan, but more than ever, the tabloids absorbs its attention on Sanchez, a beloved superstar in a town where fans love to cheer on their sports franchise, in a town where he's compared to Namath with his sex appeal.

And as a result, he's as well-known as Derek Jeter. But this weekend, in reality, we'll learn if he's a pretty boy or a franchise quarterback, a vital element for the Jets future of possibly capturing multiple titles.

He's nowhere near as superb as Brady, yet he is the face of the Jets, but with much on the line, he has to beat the Patriots and then he'll earn more cheers from a rabid fanbase in New York.

It's one thing to be defined as a good quarterback, but he still needs to perform amazingly in a game that he's placed under the radar until he produce eye-opening wins and elevate his legacy.

His 54.8 completion percentage and 75.3 quarterback rating, which ranks low in the NFL, is evidence that if he desires to validate his legacy and improve as one of the league's top quarterbacks, he'll need to beat the Patriots.

If so, maybe this can shut Ryan's mouth.

Who cares??

As long as he backs up his trash-talking, I couldn't care less what he says. His trash-talking, dirty mouth doesn't bother me. And it shouldn't bother you, either.

Aside from Ryan's mouth, in the playoffs alone, his quarterback, Sanchez is 3-1 as a starter. Although he settles for the entire spotlight given to him, he's matured and ignores the media, including the critics that belittle his performances each week.

The underdogs of such a watchful playoff game are the Jets, even if New York is loaded with supremely talented running back LaDainian Tomlinson, a veteran star everyone thought was washed up and well past his prime.

Along with running back Shonn Greene, who had 35 carries for 152 yards in the Jets' 17-16 win at Indianapolis last Saturday, and Braylon Edwards, a lengthy and explosive wide receiver, Sanchez is surrounded by reinforcements and Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.

The luxury of having a coordinator as confident as Schottenheimer is that he trusts Sanchez and allows him to call the plays.

Ever since the summer, when the overblown reality TV show "Hard Knocks" bothered us, the Jets created unnecessary drama, from the television chaos to the revelations of Ryan's foot fetish.

The Jets are caught in the middle of bedlam, but amid the insanity, they are managing to win when it matters. There's no doubt that he's not an excellent football coach, not even an average coach, but a funny man with a unique style of coaching.

It turns out that Ryan cares about his mind-blowing ego, but not so much about winning games. In many ways, he's concern with not only his legacy but winning as well, especially outlasting the Patriots in this intense rivalry.

Where there is bad blood, Ryan is definitely inclined to open his mouth and rip his foes, such as the Patriots, ready to face the Jets and silence their babbling.

This is the fourth time in the last two seasons that Belichick and Ryan meet. More troubling is that the Jets talk too much, but the Patriots let the game speak for itself.

In Ryan's tenure, the Jets have trailed painfully by a score of 24-7 and 24-3 in two road meetings at New England, but it's a new year, so none of this is relevant. Whether the Patriots are the stronger team of survival, the Jets are committed to an assertive, play-making defense.

Whether the Patriots utilize a systematic style, as agile running back Danny Woodhead could be a problem for the Jets to handle since New England diagrams running plays out of the shotgun, New York has the deepest secondary with Darrelle Revis and Cromartie, even if the shut-down corner was a factor in the Jets win over the Colts.

Facing a tougher assignment this postseason, Revis is expected to cover Brady's go-to receivers Deion Branch and Wes Welker. So obviously, as the Jets have spent much time talking, the Patriots have spent time preparing.

By now, however, the Jets-Patriots enlarge as an intense rivalry, from the nonsensical chatter to the preparations and quietness by New England. That's what we love, a rivalry like no other.

Peyton Manning's Hell Toss Diminishes Comeback In Cordial Patriots-Colts Rivalry

The rivalry, which defined the significations of the NFL over the last decade, sort of reminds us of a bittersweet, warmhearted meeting with limited drama and endless action-packed scenes that leave us breathless as the final minutes trickle down.

For nearly 10 years, as we embraced a rivalry without bad blood, the Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots has never been verified as a typical rivalry, nothing like Alien vs. Predator, Batman vs. Joker, Disney Princesses vs. Villains, King Kong vs. Godzilla or even Kendall vs. Greenlee from All My Children. And because we live in an insatiable society, we have relished the birth of a rivalry in the most endearing sport on our continent, anxious to witness Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady.

The beauty of what has emerged into an annual contest is that usually a blunder materializes near the end of a mesmerizing masterpiece, an epic event hyped intensely to attract our consciousness on a compelling Sunday. In considering a renewed masterpiece, the latest installment in football history is noteworthy for a pair of high-profile franchises.

This time, especially in the final moments, resembled last season’s date at the Colts’ $720-million Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. As in the last meeting, it felt like a playoff atmosphere on a bone-chilling evening in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

That said, the comparisons of Bill Belichick’s fourth and two blunder with Peyton’s Hell Toss mostly describes one of the most inexplicable rivalries in the history of football. As anticipated, it was vividly one of the most thrilling games this season, circling two premier pocket passers with unreal resumes while quarterbacking their teams charmingly to triumph.

And normally, in sports, teams hate opposing teams, but there is no real animosity between the Colts and Patriots, just as there is with the Red Sox and Yankees or Lakers and Celtics.

It's a collision course in football worth rooting for, but maybe it's too cordial and sweet for which both star quarterbacks are classy in the greatest of duels, well-respected for representing humility and civility.

It's fair to suggest that Brady is defined as the villain for such a bombastic nature, arrogantly wearing his pompous facial expressions or uttering his sardonic comments via radio airwaves or even during press conferences, a pretentious trait which doesn't settle too well with disgusted fans.

The difference from the last engagement is that Brady outdueled Manning in a yearly bout. While on the verge of stringing together another breathtaking comeback, the Colts, after trailing by 17 early in the fourth quarter, were victimized by Manning's Hell Toss, the latest blunder in a notable duel. With a minute left, he walked off distraught and furious, wearing an irritable scowl by the time he stood on the sideline following one of the most embarrassing miscues of his monumental career.


He is, without question, the star of the Colts and has been verified as the endearing icon at the most laborious position on turf. This year, of course, Belichick trusted in his uninspired and inexperienced defense to hinder Manning and the Colts stout passing attack. Amid his prime, as long as he's a Colt, he can lead Indianapolis to their second championship in five seasons, if he doesn't replicate his miscues when much is at stake.

Quite simply, he might have a shot at redemption as both the Colts and Patriots are on path to play in a rematch possibly in the AFC Championship Game. For once, in his lifetime, he wasn't savvy or wise with possession on the Patriots 24 in position to tie it 31-31 on an Adam Vinatieri field goal or either win it on a sensational game-winning connection with one of his reliable receivers in Jacob Tamme or Reggie Wayne, since wide receiver Austin Collie was forced to leave the game with an apparent aggravation of his concussion.

The annual Quarterback clash, the friendly meeting, of course, almost went in the favor of Manning. Next thing, he clumsily hurled a late interception directly into the quick hands of James Sanders for the Patriots to secure a dramatic 31-28 lead in a convincing fashion. It didn't matter that just last season he was praised as the greatest quarterback ever, installing hope in a small town where football is top priority, ever since the Colts arrived overnight in 1984 and became known as the Indianapolis Colts, not the Baltimore Colts.

Months later, he exposes his flaws, even when he is considered the beneficiary of a humbled franchise. Whatever happens, Patriots-Colts is a showdown like no other and a lopsided deficit quickly metamorphosed into a wild finish, but ended all so miserably on a night when Manning hadn't played like a four-time MVP.

His struggles favored the Patriots, a team riding at 8-2, tied for the best record in the NFL, while the Colts are forced to recover in a hurry at 6-4 with two straight road losses. Each contest ending so poorly on late-game picks by Manning to prevent believable comebacks.


This time, a sequel was written, recalling horrendous memories of Belichick's fatuous decision to go for it on fourth-and-two from his own 28. This time, it was called Manning's Hell Toss, a poor decision that cost the Colts a winnable game. It seemed he tried to pass the ball to Pierre Garcon, his intended receiver, on a deep throw. Right then and there, Sanders read the play and showed off his leaping ability to reel in the interception for the glaring play of the game.

"I was thinking touchdown there," Manning said, shaking his head in disappointment. "I just got my body twisted around a bit. I'm not sure what happened there."

So was he being greedy?

No, he was aiming for the win.

Not to sound like an overstatement, but people are downplaying the mental toughness and immediate impact Patriots running back Danny Woodhead, a 5-foot-8 running back from Division II Chadron State, has had on such a remarkable season.

He alleviates much of the pressure off Brady, who now has plenty of time in the pocket to find a receiver.

His rushing ability widens the passing attack, diagrammed perfectly on Brady's well-executed passing capacity. For much of the game, the Patriots controlled the momentum, leading 21-14 at the half and added to a large deficit when they had a 31-14 lead. In his lifetime, Brady has improved to 8-4 against Manning, including 2-1 in the postseason. On the opposite side of things, Manning has fallen to 6-10 all time against the Patriots, and more staggering, he has thrown 23 interceptions along with averaging 36 touchdown passes. Their last six meetings have been decided by 22 points.

As the perfectionist faltered in the critical moment, he almost had it.

"We were in an uptempo mode the last seven minutes," Manning said. "We almost scored three touchdowns. But you're playing against the clock."

Maybe Brady was ranked as the top quarterback in prior sporting magazines for holding the edge over Manning. It's just too bad that a near-beautiful comeback diminished in the final minutes of a friendly rivalry which will never produce a tremendous amount of blood.

Patriots-Jets: A Bitter War Sends a Reality Check to Lackluster Jets

It doesn’t take long, just unforeseen drivel and everlasting trash talk, before a long-awaited Sunday sends each team into a bitter clash and lures television viewers, as the game of the weekend is Patriots vs. Jets, a pair of teams set to meet on a collision course in a late afternoon war.

So now, it’s a traditional birthright to anoint a couple of teams that have fueled a hated rivalry and allured fans all over the world, magnetizing our minds and hearts as loyalists wait to be entertained by a resentful feud in an emotional contest. If there’s anybody more whimsical and comical, it’s New York Jets' head coach Rex Ryan, the funniest man who tells jokes about his own belly during news conferences and becomes famous in a community, where local tabloids tease the next comedian to make Broadway laugh.

If there’s a villain everyone despises greatly, it’s Bill Belichick, of course: the Spygate criminal and arrogant mastermind who really wasn’t a modest genius, but a devious con artist for ruining the aspects of football with his slick demeanor. Now, suddenly, we are witnessing an unfriendly tale in football and a competitive symphony between the Jets and Patriots.


By now, it is known that the Jets disclosed the truth and accused the Patriots of cheating, shockingly disgracing and embarrassing Belichick as three of their Super Bowl rings were called into uncertainty and tainted. The full-blown history of animosity comes as no surprise, and it was exactly not surprising a few weeks ago when Tom Brady was asked if he watches “Hard Knocks,” the Jets reality show and said bitterly that he loathes the Jets.

“I hate the Jets, so I refuse to support that show.”

This was a harsh statement for the Jets, who are now fiery and ready to take on the enemies of the AFC East division. It was a modest assessment that those were retaliation words, more than senseless words, and could easily force the Jets to be meaner, disciplined, and more violent. Maybe this is a wake up call entering the second week of the regular season, currently 0-1 in the standings.

Maybe this cures any thoughts of another meltdown as the Jets take on their foes in a critical matchup early in the unpredictable season. Seen as darlings and a rebirth in football, the overexposed show on HBO has advertised the Jets as primary contenders in an unsettled division. As recently, the team wearing green in New York is overrated, unprepared, and incapable of riding to the Super Bowl.


But with plenty of talent and reinforcements, the Jets are capable of punching a ticket to Dallas. As it is, no one expected the Jets to begin the season 0-1, but at the New Meadowlands Stadium, particularly with a feel of desperation to avoid an 0-2 skid, the Jets will enter the game with a stronger, urgent mentality and partly because of its opponent. In many instances, the Jets seem very vulnerable and have to withstand the pressure as doubt becomes immense for a team which embodied much fluidity.

For now, of course, the Jets are a respectable pick to win the division, despite the slow start that can suddenly transform into a credible streak. But with all the adversity, New York is suddenly facing hard times. And ever since they collapsed on Monday Night Football in their season opener against Baltimore and accounted for the most penalty yards in 22 years, learned defensive star Kris Jenkins will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury, and lastly, were accused by a female reporter who filed a harassment complaint against players and coaches, the Jets hit a downside.


In a way, this is a huge advantage for the Patriots. This is supposed to be an ecstatic game in the most intense atmosphere. The Pats will treat it as if they are contending for a playoff berth or like this is a postseason matchup, still upset over the revelations of Spygate. Back in the day, Jets owner Woody Johnson hired Eric Mangini from Belichick’s staff. From there, it sparked an ugly feud, and Belichick refused to talk to him as he clearly was viewed as a traitor for accepting the coaching gig in New York and converting to green attire. He simply broke NFL rules for spying on teams, publicly creating a fuss once the Jets exposed evidence of his secretive tapes. That explains why THE BRADY BUNCH hates the Jets, as well as BELICHEAT, right?

Exactly, end of discussion.

By working underneath the so-called mastermind, Mangini obviously knew all of Belichick’s secrets and infected schemes. Ever since then, the Pats disliked the Jets. Ever since then, the Jets disliked the Pats. So, it’s a mutual feeling of hate and bitterness, no doubt. And publicly announcing that a player strongly dislikes a team builds rivalries, and the Pats and Jets have become the biggest, most appealing rivals in the NFL. This isn’t just another game. This is a violent game with lots of implications.

The Pats and Jets are expected to collide with powerful blows and brutal contact, to spill blood all over the turf. How interesting we are gazing at yet another rivalry happening before our very eyes, more fun and exciting than the Lakers-Celtics, Yankees-Red Sox, North Carolina-Duke, or Candiens-Bruins. All that matters is a bitter rivalry on opposite sides. As it turns out, Ryan is bombastic and silly, but more than ever, he’s a flawless defensive specialist with innovative tactics to inhibit Brady’s passing display, another way to make his task miserable.


The problem is, of course, the Jets offense and Mark Sanchez’s miserable performance. In comparison, he’s a pretty boy as was Joe Namath, who recently tweeted “conservative play calling style,” referring to the Jets' struggling offense.

Sanchez has the intangibles to be the best quarterback in the league, but as of now, his body language reveals frustration and paranoia terrified to hurl downfield passes and worried about throwing interceptions for an encore season, tossing a mere 22 picks last season, and pitifully lost 31-14 to the Patriots last November.

He badly tossed four interceptions, and New England’s top receiver Wes Welker caught 15 passes for 192 yards. But this time around, Sanchez is looking to rebound and get even with the demons standing in their way, just as the Pats are looking to maintain an edge over the Jets.

So here we go, ready to watch the Jets-Pats war.

Let the fight begin.

Patriots Can't Just Send Them Home, Belichick Step Up as Leader

The irony, whether if this decade portrays a dynasty or asterisk is, the New England Patriots have shifted directions. Instead of chasing another Lombardi Trophy, the franchise accused of Sypgate, is deteriorating and is unbalanced. For almost a full decade, the Patriots were referred to as a sleaze in professional sports, committing a stupid act. The Pats were classified as disloyal con artist, without trusting in integrity.

They didn’t have enough aplomb to dominate at will in most perspectives. But even if the three-time Super Bowl champs won their titles purely, controversy very seldom reduces when issues affects the Patriots. Most of the drama comes from the unbearable scandal of Spygate, especially for the masses that dislikes a team for its deceptive spying. Whether it’s legit or a fraud, as usual, the Patriots created a ruckus, not regarding to cheating, but leadership woes.

For much of the season a lack of chemistry has created problems as the Patriots try returning to a championship caliber franchise. Years ago, under the craftiness of Bill Belichick, New England emerged into a vital threat and accumulated titles, in which it’s fair acknowledging he’s a genius after becoming an expertise at assembling a franchise. Granted, the clever-minded Belichick established a successful and dimensional franchise with high-minded knowledge of the game, such as selecting wisely in the NFL Draft and finding the pieces to fit within a branch of talented players.

But, unfortunately, their Super Bowl titles are tainted. Problem is now, there’s no structure or leadership after most of the Patriots inspirational leaders either retired or were sent elsewhere in a trade. So now, a typical fan is screaming and crying, witnessing unfamiliarity as rebuilding is currently taking a stance. From precedence to mediocrity, the Patriots are retooling. Because of its youth, they’re not as lethal or intimidating.

However, youth isn’t the only problem or the rebuilding stage. Instead of faulting the lack of leadership among the veterans, fault Belichick for the absence of inspirational structure. The Patriots are in an awkward position, and Belichick hasn’t stepped up to encourage his players.

Still, New England controls its own fate within the AFC East and will come away with the division.

But there’s no margin for error, no time for disruptions. When it seemed nothing could interfere with the Patriots of making a bold statement and aggressive drive to the Super Bowl, a transition and Belichick’s disciplinary actions and fourth-down blunder were signs of innovation.

Just when it seemed the minor problems have come and gone, worse problems hatched for the Patriots. Of late, much confusion has created trouble. And since Belichick’s fourth down miscue, New England hasn’t been the same with its approach, losing confidence and aspiration. And now, that brings us to the criticism of wide receiver Randy Moss, bashed for quitting on the Patriots in Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers.

Frustrated with all the mediocrity, lack of receptions, and loses, Moss quit on his teammates. Known for insubordination, Moss’ attitude and demeanor can divide and inhibit the Patriots of gelling as a robust team. According to reports, Moss was one of the four players sent home for arriving late to a meeting Wednesday because of snow.

Adalius Thomas had a message sent when Belichick sent home the linebacker, irritable after he was banished from attending the meeting. That’s not all, when he was punished harsher on Sunday as Belichick played the role of a principal and not a coach, benching Thomas in a critical game against the Panthers.

Yes, Belichick knows what it takes to play consistent in a 16-game season, leading the Brady Bunch to an unbeaten season two years ago. But at the time, the Patriots were elite and had the pedigree to symbolize a championship caliber team. Eventually, a team no matter what sport, experiences a rebuilding age when eminence shortens, unknown of capabilities.

What we must come to realize is the Patriots are reconstructing. What we must come to realize it’s a young and inexperience team, and still is maturing into an average contender. What we must come to realize, Belichick needs to be the leader of a disoriented team. Anyone is inspired if there’s motivation and leadership, rather than sending five players home for tardiness as a way of issuing a statement.

Considering the loss of Tedy Bruschi, Rodney Harrison, Corey Dillon, Mike Vrabel and Asante Samuel, the Patriots are starting at the bottom by replacing a veteran core with a young core. It’s the beginning of a new era, and no one is emerging into an inspirational adviser or difference maker in a substandard defense.

Teams wills are tested on the road, confirming if they’re a legitimate team or not. A team, which preserves victories on the road, inherits credit and is characterized as a contender. The Patriots, unfortunately, has yet followed road values. The inability to win on the road is persuading us to believe there isn’t enough in the tank. The lack of experience and leadership influences us to believe there isn’t enough encouragement.

With a 1-5 record on the road, is an unfamiliar scenario for the Patriots. The last time New England lost five road games in a single season was in 2000, Belichick’s first year when the team finished 5-11 at the bottom. Today, most probably wonder if Belichick regrets trading defensive end Richard Seymour, a monstrous force dealt to Oakland for a 2011 first-round draft pick. Today, most probably wonder if Moss has surrendered on the Patriots, dispirited of explosive receiver and teammate Wes Welker’s productivity.

He has ability to cut across the middle and catch passes to showboat excellent speed. And Welker has missed only one start this season, and has a staggering 105 catches for 1,158 yards. Being a non-factor within the Patriots’ offense is frustrating for Moss, especially when Welker was targeted 36 times in the last three games.

Moss had a catch for 16 yards in Sunday’s 20-10 win, but was criticized for fumbling, dropping a ball on a critical play and committing a false start. However, the folks are more concern with Brady’s interception in the first-half, which cost the Patriots when Moss was drilled of not completing a route that seemed well-executed if he had connected.

Whether he quit or not, Chris Gamble, certainly thinks so when he told the Boston Globe “we knew Moss was going to shut it down. That’s what we wanted him to do. That’s what we did…He’d just give up a lot. Slow down, he’s not going deep, not trying to run a route. You can tell, his body language.”

But, of course, Tom Brady, a prolific quarterback known for his desperation victories and clutch finishes has thrown 11 interceptions, eight of his picked off passes were intended for Moss. Nonetheless, he defended his receiver and also blasted at Carolina defensive back.

“When guys play Randy, they want to show everyone what they can do. I guess they came out of the game pretty confident. Randy is one of the best players in the history of the NFL,” said Brady. “When it doesn’t go perfect out there, everyone wants to jump on Randy. It’s all of us, and we all have to do a better job.”

Well said. And it starts with Belichick’s mental state of inspiriting a young core. The man wearing the blue hoodie is responsible for huddling up his team and demanding a sense of urgency. As many times as Brady has led the Patriots in pivotal situations, there’s no excuse for falling poorly. And as many times as Belichick has utilized artistic tactics, it’s hard dismissing the Patriots from playoff contention.

Still, lack of talent and leadership might hurt at the end, unless Belichick changes the approach.

Saints March In, Patriots March Out: 16-0 Belongs In New Orleans

If you believe in marching bands, the New Orleans Saints is the one franchise you believe in. On Bourbon Street, the most active street in the country, a festive crowd is marching with the Saints.


The Superdome, where inside the noise factor used to be silent and less entertaining, is now the loudest venue in the league.

Unlike before, 70,000 fans are now in the stands, optimistic the Saints can finish the season 16-0. In a friendly site, the powerhouse of the NFL happens to be New Orleans.

Is there a team able to match their intensity and hinder their unforeseen dominance? I wouldn’t think so.

As potent as the Saints are in a season, winning seems like an illusion, overpowering each opponent is discernible. With a 38-17 rout in a Monday Night Football showdown, the Saints degraded Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots.

Believe it or not, getting pummeled was as awful as Belichick’s fourth-down blunder two weeks ago, when he flunked the road test in Indianapolis.

Again, the Patriots were pushed around and described as amateurs, not the dynasty of our decade. So the most hated team in the league was again denied an opportunity to alleviate their road woes.

The Spygate suspects are latest victims of losing to the Saints, a franchise America has grown to accept for its inspirational loyalty within a community distressed when a tragedy left a town in self-destruction.

In contrast, our country has grown to hate the Patriots for Belichick’s devious tactics of deceiving the game. Since then, the Patriots have been featured as a sham, accumulating more Super Bowl victories than any team this decade.



















Now, the Saints polished into legitimate contenders and potentially can march to Miami. Assuming the Patriots weren’t Tom Brady-less, much absorption was given to New England, the almighty team of the NFL to begin the season.

At the start of the season, it is funny Drew Brees was ignored until a delusional population excluded doubt and followed the marching band.

At an 11-0, the Saints' star power is unstoppable and impossible to defeat. Remember, they’re unbeaten, as are the Colts, making us wish for a Saints-Colts Super Bowl, a wonderful combination in what should have the makings for an astounding Super Bowl matchup for the ages.

The Saints are nearing New England’s 16-0 regular-season record two years ago and the ‘72 Miami Dolphins' perfect NFL record.

Look at the schedule. If South Beach believes the record is untouchable, it could be the year the Saints fool us all and surpass an unimaginable milestone.


















If so, New Orleans would provoke the biggest celebration—perhaps bigger than Mardi Gras—and embrace the greatest Saints' team of all time. It’s possible with a light schedule.

Think about it.

I’ll be kind enough to define the Saints as the NFC champs a month in advance. It’s hard to imagine Brees and company faltering late in the season, especially against inferior teams.

Let’s all apologize to Peyton Manning and Brett Favre, and crown Brees as MVP.

What is suggested as the scorching debate, the MVP race is the most interesting in recent memory. But if you ask me, Brees earns my vote. The well-deserved award belongs to a compelling quarterback for rejuvenating a town devoid of much reverence amid a devastating tragedy.

Before his arrival, the Saints were the Ain’ts, consisting of an incompetent quarterback. Back then, the Saints were marching through a hellish period when seats were empty and television ratings were paltry. Now football is worth watching each week, and viewers are now guaranteed a captivating event.

They’ll obviously earn a top seed in the playoffs, but an awe-inspiring season is meaningless if the Saints stumble in the playoffs. Right now, New Orleans' storybook season seems relentless, while the Patriots’ horrid struggles continue to hurt a lousy defense on the road.

Against the Breezy Boys, Belichick’s defense was painful watching.

Here’s some statistics: In the game we all waited for, Brees manhandled and shoved Brady out of the spotlight. He completed 18-of-23 passes for 371 yards and an overwhelming 158.3 passer rating in a flawless performance against one of the greatest quarterbacks in the game.

It never was a quarterback duel, but simply a peculiar performance by Brady, who’s known for directing late finishes to secure victories in sensational contests, completed 21-of-36 passes for 237 yards and no touchdowns.

More shocking, Brady had no touchdowns, a rarity none of us could even imagine. Most of us would’ve forecasted that he’ll connect with Randy Moss for a touchdown. Even more stunning, he was replaced by rookie Brian Hoyer, a sign of quickly losing confidence in Brady.


He’s the one despised coach. He’s the one wearing a five-year-old hoodie. Belichick is the one blamed and criticized for the 4th-and-2 blunder at his own 28-yard line while leading by six. As a dynasty is receding, the beginning of a new one is emerging before our very eyes.

A coach by the name of Sean Payton has installed a high-powered offense, which has created an action-packed three hours of fun. Even deadlier and armed with competitors is a lethal defense.

For most opponents, the Saints are difficult to read defensively. Their aggressive and robust defense is established by the guru Gregg Williams.

Though the status of the secondary remains unknown, a veteran core is bonding as a cohesive unit. No secondary clobbered the Patriots' dynamic passing game as well as the Saints.

Just last week, Mike McKenzie signed as a utility cornerback and came to New Orleans’ aid in the secondary, disrupting the Brady Bunch.

Not much action was seen from an explosive Wes Welker or Randy Moss. Late in the third, Moss had a chance to complete a pivotal play to keep the drive alive for a potential comeback, but as usual, McKenzie interfered with the pass on 4th-and-4 at the Saints’ 10.

Keep in mind that Brees is the key to the Saints and has thrown for 5,000 yards this season, joining the company of Dan Marino for a remarkable plateau. Everyone understands the Saints have a solid supporting cast.

A plethora of reliable running backs in Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell is essential to a high-powered offense that is unstoppable.

Their rush attack is as dangerous as launching throws down field, applying all the fundamentals in the physical game of football.

Let’s all speculate. No team can beat the Saints. No team can stop the marching band.

Let’s all predict: 16-0.

Brady Bunch, Belichick Hapless, As Colts Aim for Perfection

Not too sure if the ending of an epic rival went as plan, but this is why over the years we’ve embraced the Patriots-Colts rivalry. Sure, it’s not as bitter as the Celtics-Lakers, North Carolina-Duke, or Red Sox-Yankees, but in an epic period where football has paranoid our senses and allured our interest, the two premier quarterbacks in the league are the beauty of the league.

In the last decade, each of them has captivated our consciousness. In the last decade, the epic theater of the National Football League is Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, indeed, having absolute admiration without even giving each other the evil stare or clowning with silly trash-talking.

Although each of them plays the game with class and dignity, we as fans are entertained and waited for a much-friendlier, less-bloodier rivalry. So again, our country appeared brainwashed with the calendar broadcasting, presumably the game of the year.


None of us were brainwashed, forecasting an epic finish in NFL history and absolutely it was a remarkable finish, in which astoundingly the Indianapolis Colts trailed exactly with two minutes and eight seconds remaining.

The New England Patriots controlled their own destiny and were minutes away from knocking off the unbeaten Colts and almost ruined perfection. But, obviously, the team of the decade and the three-time champions aren’t nearly as ideal as they were, when their potent and dynamic defense posed agony and created discomfort.

As New England rebuilds a new roster defensively, opponents are intimidated or hesitant to attack, which could have easily forced so-called coaching guru Bill Belichick to foolishly lose confidence in the lackluster defense and strictly prayed for a stud offense to come through at desperation times.

Sunday night transformed into a hapless collapse, upsetting Patriots' faithful, but generated loud cheers inside the spacious Lucas Oil Stadium, where echoed sounds and choruses are heard louder than anywhere else.

Belichick was known as one of the most intelligent masterminds in football, knowing when to toss the red flags for challenging difficult plays, knowing when to organize successful plays, and knowing when to take gambles.

He also has been known for his devious demeanor, a psyche animus people cannot stand. As usual, in their biggest game and test, Belichick wore a blue hoodie and stood on the sidelines with an arrogant stare that mostly everyone loves to hate.

The Patriots, by far, might have experienced the biggest miscue and errant call during Belichick’s tenure. After not having enough belief in the defense, he daringly relied on The Brady Bunch to conserve clock and earn first downs. Instead, punting the ball made sense, but on 4th-and-2 at their own 28-yard line they selected to attempt an adventurous task costing the Patriots a possible victory over the Manning and Dangerous.

The smart decision would have been forcing Manning and Dangerous to start at the 20, in which Manning would have had to showcase his unbelievable arm strength and closely imitate NFL legend Dan Marino.

There are solid weapons surrounding the perilous Manning, in which the Colts are riding a perfect season because of youth and aptitude, discovered on their electrifying drive to advance to a splendid 9-0 pulling off an astounding 35-34 victory over the 6-3 Patriots.

The fans sported blue and anointed Manning and booed the Spygate suspects. It was silent much of the game, on a dicey night everything seemed to be working accordingly for the Brady Bunch.

Throughout the night, Brady connected with primary target Randy Moss, who caught two passes for touchdowns and blew pass the Colts shorthanded and depleted secondary without the most dangerous safety in the league Bob Sanders, the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year.


But with a composed and experienced Manning, anything is possible. Winning, indeed, was possible when he typically called his no-huddled plays orchestrating on the most breathtaking drive all season.

Next thing viewers knew, Manning hurled a fascinating 14-yard pass to wideout Reggie Wayne, tying the game with 13 seconds left and took advantage of Belichick’s foolish mistakes to turn a tense night into amazingly a cheerful atmosphere.

If he never had burnt his final timeout or went for it on fourth down, the Patriots could have survived and eased closer to home field advantage. Oh sure, New Englanders have awakened this morning, wondering what faltered and angry with Belichick.

Oh definitely, the Brady Bunch has given us reason to believe they could upset the Colts, when the Pats damn-near left Indianapolis with a satisfying victory.

Considering the Colts have decisive depth, the Manning and Dangerous are Super Bowl caliber. Two receivers Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie are emerging in their performance level each game, though both struggled in an intense matchup.

As years progress, in previous seasons, Dwight Freeney is a fierce and physical defensive end whose speed allows him to pressure opposing offenses.

But the particular, star on this night, was strong safety Melvin Bullitt, who was silent for much of the night until he bull-rushed and denied Kevin Faulk of the first down when the Pats needed a yard and a half. He never had full control when Bullitt’s hit stopped him short of the first down, setting up good field position for the Colts.

Near the end, Brady stood on the sideline helplessly disappointed with the turn-of-events. His precision and natural abilities were overshadowed, and his 375 passing yards for three touchdowns was eclipsed for playing on the same field with Manning.


The Pats are fortunate he recovered successfully from reconstructive knee surgery, and thrown for a remarkable 1,395 yards the last four games. But the Brady Bunch was least favorites, as the Manning and Dangerous dominated as time trickled. It’s impressive rookie coach and Tony Dungy’s successor Jim Caldwell is unbeaten, while the Pats continue to shrink as the decade recedes.

But for now, the Colts are a team everyone doubts, when the Brady Bunch should be the one’s accepting most of the doubt.