Quick Super Bowl LIII Prediction - Zeurlein pulls a Vinatieri

Just to get on the record. I am taking the Rams to maybe not sack Tom Brady a lot, but to force him off of his spot just enough. Aqib Talib and Brandin Cooks are the additions of this year's squad that sets them apart from last year. Gronkowski is going to get his. I do think the Patriots will struggle to run the football this game and the Rams are ready for this game. In some weird ways, the Rams talent is perfect for a one-game setting. Some guys are going to get some big contracts after their performances. Guys like Suh, Peters, CJ Anderson, Dante Fowler will capitalize with their speed and talent. That said Belichick and Brady will keep this game close as they always do. The Pats have their own special talent. The experience may tilt the game in their favor. I believe this game begins slow and really picks up in the second half. Take the first half under and the second half over. The will be 34-33.

Just like Vinatieri did for New England 17 years ago, Greg Zeurlein will do for the Rams and win with a game-winning field goal kick. They will be hoisting the Lombardi trophy at the end of the day. Enjoy the game!!

Historic Championship Sunday for NFL misses opportunity

A historic championship Sunday for the NFL could have even been more epic and legendary than it was. How much did the NFL miss on their chance? I believe they missed out severely. The Saints got the really bad end of officiating in their game and the AFC Championship was so great, but it could have even been better!!

The AFC and NFC championship games both were historic in their own right. Overtime games that had clutch coaching, plays, and performances. Unfortunately, both games could have been more special and epic. There is little argument that NFL is king when it comes to playoff games and its product. Personally, I cannot shake the feeling that it fell short despite nail-biting dramatic finishes. The fans and audience were given legendary plays and performances that will be talked about for years to come. Stories that will be discussed with parents down to their children and the upcoming generations that did NJ of witness the historic Sunday.

It goes without saying the Saints and Rams game left many with a sinking feeling about what was missed and really would have clinched a Super Bowl berth for the Saints. This was a call to all watching that was obvious and even the head of NFL officiating admitted such to the Saints coach, Sean Payton after the game. It would have allowed the Saints to kick a field-goal with very little time on the clock for the Rams to tie the game and go into overtime. Yes, like all games, there are other chances or plays to be made, but in the playoffs, it is usually one play or one missed play that makes the difference in winning and losing.

Yeah. That was pass interference. pic.twitter.com/niV9z2rnJi

— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) January 20, 2019

"A tough pill to swallow," Drew Bress described afterward. One can only imagine the Saints had this game taken from them to a certain degree. The Rams won in overtime 23-20.

The Patriots and Chiefs game easily described as unbelievable. The game gained momentum as less time remained on the game clock and turned into heavyweights exchanging blow after blow. It was really remarkable to watch. Sadly, we witnessed a game that left one wanting for more and wondering was that the right way for such an epic ending to conclude? I was personally disappointed. The Patriots won 37-31.

The star in the NFL this season and throughout the sports world was not even given a chance to respond to the great Tom Brady. Patrick Mahomes is no doubt a superstar in the making and has done things we have not seen at the quarterback position. Especially so early in a career. He set records, is the likely league MVP for an outstanding jaw-dropping season for the Chiefs. Sadly, the potential for maybe the greatest playoff finish to ever go down was not realized.

From where I am looking, a huge opportunity for the league was missed because the NFL has applied a pretty short-sighted overtime rule. It took years for them to change the rule and when they finally did, they misapplied it to only allow the opponent to match an FG and not a touchdown. With the way the league favors offense due to its rules currently, it is naive to think the team winning the coin toss could very well end the game without the opponent getting to touch the ball. How come college has applied their overtime rules accordingly since the inception of overtime in their sport?

Not to take anything from the road performance by the Patriots and what they accomplished. They did what they need to do to pull out a very tough win on the road. Just as the Rams did what they needed to do to win in as tough of an environment for a road team as well. The Rams coach pulled the string on a 57-yard field-goal that I do not believe many other coaches would have attempted. If that kick was missed by arguably the most clutch player of the day, Greg Zuerlein, the Saints essentially have to complete one or two throws and they likely win with a field goal. It was gutsy and credit goes to McVay.

Sadly I will always remember this great championship Sunday as bittersweet in many ways because it could have been better. A missed call like that is unforgettable and how I feel for Saints fans. I cannot imagine the grief, anger, and hard to accept emotions they are experiencing. I said all year the Chiefs will get stung by their defense if they cannot blow teams out and that is what happened on Sunday. It will be interesting how the Chiefs approach one more season before some serious paydays for some of their roster come around and the reality of having to replace some talent setsin. That said, they have the most crucial piece in football to win championships and that is an amazing talent at the quarterback position.

.@robertmays explains how the missed Nickell Robey-Coleman call—which swung the NFC championship game—means the league has no choice but to make pass interference reviewablehttps://t.co/aDSkmhelTw

— The Ringer (@ringer) January 22, 2019

We now will hope that the Super Bowl is just as close as the Rams square off against the Patriots. A lot of storylines come to mind. The young budding Rams squad versus the dynasty and experience of the Patriots. It will be fun to analyze and drum up a preduiction over the next two weeks.

NFL Conference Championship Round Preview

This Sunday pits the top two seeds from the NFC and AFC against one another. It is an ideal circumstance for the NFL as it really leaves the four most dominant and consistent clubs throughout the season. An added bonus, the games are rematches of regular season matchups that were two of the more memorable games of the season.

The New Orleans Saints carry the number one seed and bragging rights a they host the Los Angeles Rams at 3 p.m. EST. In their first meeting of the season in New Orleans, the Saints won 45-35 against the Rams. The Saints won with defense to advance to this week and the Rams won with their running game and run defense to get here. Both teams have prolific offenses that scored a lot of points this season. There are so many variables that this mathchup can come down to. One major difference is that the Rams have an All-Pro cornerback that is playing this time around in Aqib Talib. The Rams are minus some of their offensive lineman and budding star, slot receiver Cooper Kupp.

On the other side, the Saints are without one of their biggest defensive lineman contributors Sheldon Rankins who went down in the diviisional round last week. The Saints have speedy WR Ted Ginn Jr. back into the fold after missing much of the season. He may not dominate but he does have to be accounted for because of the one of two potential deep shots that Brees will hit opponent with.

The Rams ran all over the Cowboys defense last week, a reinactment of when the Colts shutout the Cowboys in the regular season and ran the ball to dominate the game. It should be noted that the Rams are different animal in Los Angeles. They struggled on the road this year at times. Marcus Peters was beat several times last week and is known for playing out of position trying to make a big play. Emotions will hurt players in games like this and I believe the cool-headed Drew Brees will take full advantage if Peters tries to jump a route or read his eyes. 

The Mercedez-Benz Superdome will be rocking for the home team. This game comes down to which team has more success in the run game. That can be interpreted two ways and it means both of them in reality. Which team has more success stopping the run and running the ball? Special teams will be fun to watch in this game and potential trick plays. Also fourth down conversions will be the most important factor in the outcome, is my prediction. 

This game pivots two teams that are very hungry after disappointing losses in the divisional round in last years playoffs. Ultimately being at home for the Saints will give them just enough to win this game. Although I would not be surprised if the Rams are able to control the line of scrimmage and pull this game out. We know what we will see from Aaron Donald, but if Ndomukon Suh can reek havoc in the run game like he did against the Cowboys. If this were in Los Angeles, this game would go to the Rams.

The Kansas City Chiefs host the New England Patriots in the AFC championship game at 6:40 p.m. EST. The two clubs earlier matchup was your prototypical PAc-12 late night college shootout with the Patriots prevailing 43-40 in what basically came down to whomever had the last possession was going to win. The Patriots wisely used the last precious moments on the clock in their final drive to not allow the Chiefs a realistic chance to score afterwards.

The biggest caveat in this game is that it is in Kansas City and in much colder temperatures that is expeted to be around 20 degrees. The Patriots have their worst road record since 2009. Many pundits have dismissed the Patriots this year which is a surprise considering they have five championships under Bill Belichick and Tom Brady to go with eight Super Bowl appearances. The times they have failed to advance though have been on the road in the playoffs.

Andy Reid, the Chiefs head coach is notorious for being highly successful in the regular season but coming up short in the playoffs. He hosted four straight conference title games while the coach of the Philadelphia Eagles and he did not win until the fourth one. Eventually losing to Belichick and Brady in the Super Bowl. The Eagles had a chance to win at the end but came up short as the Patriots brought home their third Lombardi in four years.

The Chiefs have the season's likely MVP in Patrick Mahomes who threw for 50 touchdowns this season to lead the NFL. In what has not been a flashy passing season for Brady and Patriots, they have shifted back to a run-heavy time of possession offense while the majority of the NFL offenses have shifted to the new spread RPO (run-pass option) college prototype schemes. It is the blueprint that Mahomes played to perfection in college and in his first year as the Chiefs starting QB.

The Chiefs weakness has been their defense all season as they have relied on having the lead and allowing their edge rushers to just worry about rushing the opposing QB to create turnovers and sacks. The Chiefs have not been forced to slow down the run in a tight game really all season.

The more things change and alter in NFL offenses with the spread, three wideout sets and nickel defenses all the field about 70 percent of the time, the more things stay the same. Defense, running the ball, and controlling the line of scrimmage win the games that matter late in the season. 

It is almost as if Bill Belichick knew this after their win against the Chiefs as he has relied heavily on controlling games with the run and shortening the games. The Patriots defense is not loaded with speed or really playmakers aside from Trey Flowers and Stephon Gilmore. Belichick is masterful at putting his players attributes in the right scheme and in a position to do what is expected of them. Mahomes can make plays that amaze but he also can force the ball into bad spots if the game is tight. Tom Brady looked right last week in a drubbing of the Los Angeles Chargers and to those close to the team said that he was quietly dealing with a bad knee and last week he ran across the field for the first time in more than a month in warm ups.

Julian Edelman looked like the Edelman that was so dominant two years ago in the Super Bowl comeback win for the Patriots over the Falcons. Health is a big factor and home field advantage is also one. This game is tough to call but I will give the nod to experience and how fresh an older club in the Patriots looked after the bye week. They will run the ball on the Chiefs and control just enough of this game.

BELICHICK NEVER BELIEVED TOM BRADY REGARDING DEFLATEGATE (Per Sources)

Belichick never believed Brady's Deflategate story, says Boston reporter

By CHRIS CHASE

All through the Deflategate process, one in which many voices were shouting many different things, there was one group that was conspicuously quiet: NFL quarterbacks, past and present.

Oh, a few would do a demonstration on PSI for television cameras or give a perfunctory quote about their own preference for an ideal football, but no one at all came rushing to Brady’s defense. There were two inferences to make from this: First, everybody was doing the same exact thing, so they hoped Brady’s saga would end quickly so they could get back to tailoring footballs to their specificities. Or, as Boston Herald writer Ron Borges told a Boston sports program this week, nobody besides Don Yee lept to Brady’s defense because no one believed his story, including Bill Belichick. 

#Belichick never believed #Brady’s #Deflategate story, says #Boston reporter #NFL #Wolverines +@FTW 

BELICHICK NEVER BELIEVED TOM BRADY REGARDING DEFLATEGATE (Per Sources)

Belichick never believed Brady's Deflategate story, says Boston reporter

By CHRIS CHASE May 22, 2015 9:32 am ET

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(Getty Images)
All through the Deflategate process, one in which many voices were shouting many different things, there was one group that was conspicuously quiet: NFL quarterbacks, past and present.

Oh, a few would do a demonstration on PSI for television cameras or give a perfunctory quote about their own preference for an ideal football, but no one at all came rushing to Brady’s defense. There were two inferences to make from this: First, everybody was doing the same exact thing, so they hoped Brady’s saga would end quickly so they could get back to tailoring footballs to their specificities. Or, as Boston Herald writer Ron Borges told a Boston sports program this week, nobody besides Don Yee lept to Brady’s defense because no one believed his story, including Bill Belichick. 

#Belichick never believed #Brady’s #Deflategate story, says #Boston reporter #NFL #Wolverines +@FTW 

$40 Million + per year as base salary, hmmm, Goodell? So sick of the SPIN from the Commissioner and the Patriots

Roger Goodell said he has not had a chance to study the NFLPA's official request to recuse himself from Brady appeal.

— Bob Glauber (@BobGlauber) May 20, 2015

+SPORTS CR3W finds it extremely difficult to believe that a man of his stature, position, wisdom, overwhelming ego, has not procured every aspect of this appeal. If he has not, which he claims, than once again, +Roger Goodell gives us even more desire than previously held for the return of a man we trusted and truly respected, the former +NFL commissioner, Paul Tagliablue, or a man cut from the same cloth as him. 

Andy Lyons, +Getty Images

NFL is what it is today because of two great hall of fame caliber commissioners that preceded Goodell. Haven't trusted Goodell because of they way he 'covered up' Spygate and then brought a hammer down on the +New Orleans Saints and Sean Payton for Bountygate that didn't even make one player in the league cry foul, and former players. Even players that were named as ones targeted by the Saints players such as Brett Favre. 

Suffice it to say, deflategate, spygate, and recording defensive coordinators signals during games had a much different and opposite outcry from current, past (even the greatest to play) and surefire, future Hall of Famers. How can the casual and potential fan of the great game of football and the NFL trust this guy? The +New England Patriots and Goodell have had several incidents of distrust and cover ups that just carries on... This is not trial court nor litigation. This is a sports game that American boys and girls grow up loving, and now polls show that a mere 61% look at one of the faces of this league and sport as a role model. To put it lightly, that is embarrassing for this caliber and juggernaut of a league and operation and in our opinion, completely UNACCEPTABLE!

------- Article Published Below ---- H/T +The Denver Post

Owner Robert Kraft took a step back Tuesday, viewing the Patriots’ drama through a wider lens. After initially contesting the findings of Deflategate, Kraft said from the owners spring meeting that he would “reluctantly accept” commissioner Roger Goodell’s discipline of the team and not appeal the discipline.

This represents a stark reversal for Kraft. Kraft insisted the Wells’ report was flawed and that quarterback Tom Brady told him the truth when he said he did nothing against the rules regarding the use of deflated footballs in the AFC Championship game.

Kraft insisted Tuesday that he didn’t want the “rhetoric to continue,” noting it was not good for the league. He didn’t say whether he will advise Brady to drop the appeal of his four-game suspension. The NFL Players Association announced that Kraft’s decision will not impact Brady’s position. The Patriots received a record-breaking $1-million fine and lost a number one draft pick in 2016 and a fourth-round selection in 2017.

“Mr. Kraft is a brilliant businessman,” said former offensive lineman Damien Woody. “This was good for business.” Continue to read story from the The Denver Post

NFL Owners vote to have PAT moved back amongst a couple minor changes for the "Point(s) After Touchdown"

SAN FRANCISCO -- As expected, +NFL owners on Tuesday voted 30-2 to approve a change in the rule governing extra points after touchdowns.

The owners considered three proposals but ultimately approved a rule change endorsed by the competition committee. The new rule pushes the kick back to the 15-yard line and leaves the two-point conversion at the 2-yard line.

It also makes the play "live," meaning the defense could return a blocked kick or a turnover on a two-point play for two points.

The +New England Patriots proposed snapping the ball from the 15 for a one-point kick or placing the ball at the 2-yard line for a two-point try. According to the Patriots' proposal, a team's choice was not final and was subject to change following a timeout or penalty.

The +Philadelphia Eagles proposed snapping from the 15 for the kick but moving the ball to the 1 for a two-point conversion. The Eagles also wanted the defense to be able to score points if it returned a turnover on the two-point conversion to the other end zone.

+Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith pointed to the high rate of success of extra points as a reason for the change.

+Washington Redskins and Oakland were the only teams to vote no. The rule change will be reviewed after one year.

Click here for the remainder of the story: H/T +BRONCOS CR3W +ESPN Eric Williams of +ABC6NEWS in Philadelphia

While many are happy that the NFL extra point has been altered, some are still having issues. One of those people is former kicker Jay Feely, who played 14 seasons in the league. After the rule was announced, which is taking the extra-point snap from the 2-yard line to the 15-yard line, Feely went on Twitter and blasted the NFL. Click here for remainder of story on +FanSided

What did the NFL really accomplish? It's still nearly automatic (90%vs 99%) but greater risk of injury to Oline https://t.co/PgEpxEE3CT

— Jay Feely (@jayfeely) May 19, 2015

Another PK, Connor Barth, who is currently on the +Denver Broncos roster is not a fan of the rule change either. He was not emphasizing the injury or risk of injury aspect in an interview with +The Denver Post. Barth was focused on the fact that if they are aiming to make PAT's more difficult and a bit more uncertain, that the +NFL should make the FG posts thinner whereas pushing them back to a 32 yard kick won't affect the 99% success rate much. 

+SPORTS CR3W actually finds this enlightenment much more practical and sensible. We speculate the issue with this concept is that it means the NFL stadiums would have to provide alternative field goal posts as well as installing the new ones. Which probably made the +NCAA push back as they would eventually be forced to looking into changing hundreds of fields, not to mention the thousands of high school fields down the road. Still with all things considered, makes one wonder if any PK's practice on narrower FG posts? One that we will seek to find the answer from previous or current NFL place kickers.

Last season, Barth was perfect from the 20-yard PAT distance (15-of-15) and from 30-39 yards out (5-of-5). In his career, he has hit 100 percent of his PATs (149-of-149) and 88.6 percent (31-of-35) of his 30- to 39-yard field goals.

Barth, who says he's "kind of old school," sees no reason to change a game that is so popular.

"It'll probably change the percentages a little bit, but we're all pretty good kickers, and I still think we'll be in the high 90 percent range on extra points from the 15," he said. "I think they're just trying to find something to change."



Barth, who prides himself on his accuracy more than his power, sees a silver lining, however.

RELATED: NFL players have mixed reactions to new PAT rules

"It would weed out the strong-legged kickers who aren't accurate," he said. "It would make our value go up."

Robert Kraft says Tom Brady told him that he had Zero Involvement in the 11 of 12 Deflated balls during AFC Championship game

+New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft continues to lash out against the +NFL for its Deflategate punishment because he has unwavering trust in his quarterback.

Kraft, who’s already in San Francisco for the NFL Spring Meeting -- where he’ll be face-to-face with commissioner Roger Goodell and the other 31 team owners -- told the MMQB.com’s +Peter King that he believes Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had no knowledge of deflated footballs.

“Yes. Because we had the discussion: 'If you did it, let’s just deal with it and take our hit and move on,'” Kraft said. “I’ve known Tommy 16 years, almost half his life. He’s a man, and he’s always been honest with me, and I trust him. I believed what he told me. He has never lied to me, and I have found no hard or conclusive evidence to the contrary.”

Click for Rest of the story by +Doug Kyed from NESN.com

NFL Players Pile on Brady with Deflategate Findings

World News Videos | ABC World News

Justin Gilbert, 2014 Defensive Backs Draft Prospects, Appears to have the Physical & "Social" Tools

Justin Gilbert plans visit to Broncos ahead of 2014 

NFL Draft

Oklahoma State defensive back Justin Gilbert runs a drill at the 

NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis on Feb. 25, 2014. 

(Michael Conroy, +The Associated Press )

Despite 15 wins, a Super Bowl appearance and a free-agent haul, the Broncos have needs.

They are looking to add depth, if not immediate contributors at cornerback, linebacker and the offensive line. Even with the addition of Aqib Talib, the Broncos could use help on the perimeter to protect themselves as Chris Harris recovers from knee surgery.

Justin Gilbert fits the bill. The 6-foot, 202-pound Oklahoma State star tweeted that he will visit the Broncos this week in advance of the upcoming May 8-10 draft.

Would love to see @JGil_4 in that Black and Gold! #whodat #wedat #saints @CowboyFB @OSUAthletics pic.twitter.com/P1sDRolaAK

— MsMayHemDat (@msmayhemfamous) April 15, 2014

Gilbert is long, rangy and fast. He clocked a 4.37 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine and ran back six kickoffs for scores for the +Oklahoma State Cowboys. 

From his account @JGil_4: New York Tmrw to visit the +New York Jets, followed by +Denver Broncos, +Detroit Lions, & +Atlanta Falcons ✈️✈️ wish me luck #Business #BusyWeek #Blessed #Grateful

Never hate on others success. We all making it. Just taking different ways to get there! @jgil_4… http://t.co/LppJEIhiSQ
— Chris Parks (@cparks01) April 22, 2014

Patrick Chung Signs with First Franchise, New England Patriots

Odd move with the position depth at the draft. Maybe he will fit in the cog in the wheel for only Bill's system, but it is not an exaggeration to say this guy could easily get cut. Sign of a hit&miss on Safety FA's from the +New England Patriots, but more or less an insurance policy? His best year was his first one. This isn't something to boast about regarding additions. But a plug in scheme fit insured policy is far more appropriate.

Strictly a run 2 safety down scheme the +University of Utah mastermind Whittingham has really been the architect (to stifle the zone-read or at least cover the assignment of the zone read QB keeper on the edge. Safety sitting on each to help. This cannot be to assist in pass defense much or they failed on the rookie SS talent out there. They've got 3 of 5 (some may even say six) secondary spots locked down though and no doubt this is more arbitrary. Don't get too delusional about this and don't have blinders on regarding Chung. He's walking a thin line of a career being done obviously. A return to Bill's system could be exactly what he needed to reignite it. That, or cement it...? Our thoughts on it... S/O to +UTES CR3W
-------

Patrick Chung with the +Philadelphia Eagles in 2013. +NFL 

+The Associated Press 

Patriots sign S Patrick Chung

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Safety Patrick Chung is back with the New England Patriots as the latest addition to their rebuilt secondary.

After one season with the Philadelphia Eagles, Chung signed on Thursday with the team that drafted him in the second round in 2009.

"I'm glad to be back. It's like family here. It feels like home," Chung said in a conference call. "I love the fans, love the coaches, love the environment, love the city."

The Patriots already have added free agent cornerbacks Darrelle Revis andBrandon Browner and have a vacancy at starting safety after releasing Steve Gregory. Safety Devin McCourty and cornerback Alfonzo Dennard, a starter last season who could be replaced by Browner, return.
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Chung said he's excited to be in the same secondary as Revis and Browner.

"You've got two playmakers like that on the outside," Chung said. "It definitely helps."

Chung, 26, was released by the Eagles on March 11, the same day they agreed with former New Orleans Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins on a three-year contract. Both were drafted in 2009, Jenkins with the 14th pick and Chung with the 34th.

"I can't really tell you why things didn't work out in Philly. I don't make those decisions," said Chung, who praised the city and the team's coaches and personnel, "but I feel now that this has happened, I feel like it's a better fit here. I've been here for four years. I know the system. I know the coaches. The coaches are cool. I know most of the players.

"Now I'm back in the city that gave me my very first chance."

Chung started 10 of the 12 games in which he played last season, making 56 tackles with one fumble recovery and no interceptions.

In four seasons with the Patriots, he had seven interceptions while playing in 50 of the 64 regular-season games with 30 starts.

Chung was plagued by injuries and never showed the consistency expected of him when the Patriots drafted him out of Oregon. He missed seven of the last eight regular-season games in 2011 with a foot injury and was sidelined for four games in 2012 with shoulder and hamstring problems.

He became a free agent after the 2012 season and signed with the Eagles on March 12, 2013.

He said he doesn't feel he's a different player than he was before leaving the Patriots and has no expectations for what his role might be.

"I feel I'm the same," Chung said. "The scheme, I guess, would fit a lot better."

When the Eagles released him he had "no clue" he would return to the Patriots.

But then, "I got the call and I was excited. I was happy. I was relieved."
----------------

+CSNNE.com
Former +Philadelphia Eagles safety Patrick Chung is returning to the +New England Patriots.

The Patriots have agreed to terms with Chung, Tom Curran of +CSNNE.com reported. The team later announced the signing.

Chung lasted just one year into a three-year, $10 million contract signed with Philadelphia last March. He was a weak link in the Eagles' secondary, failing to generate a single turnover and often getting lost in coverage.

Although he's still just 26 years old, Chung has regressed since showing signs of promise after the Patriots selected him in the second round of the 2009 +NFL Draft. Increasingly injury prone, he's missed at least four games in each of the past three seasons.

The Patriots were in the market for safety depth after releasing Steve Gregory, but Chung is unlikely to be guaranteed a roster spot -- much less a starting job.

Look for Duron Harmon to start opposite star free safety Devin McCourty this season.

Pats Owner, "Pretty Convinced" Browner is a good fit...

Gotta love the use of words on this. Just for kicks really, nothing to starting throwing fits over or anything. +New England Patriots owner, Bob Kraft, is "Pretty Positive..."

+SPORTS CR3W

Kraft says he is "pretty positive" about Brandon Browner being a good fit with the Pats. Fully vetted his suspension issues
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 24, 2014

Related Stories:

Browner, completes Legion of "Belichick" (or a delusional +New England Patriots fine)

Browner, Seahawks former CB, signs with the Patriots

Philadelphia Eagles GM, "We Only Care About Winning"

Roseman: We Only Care About Winning

Original Post By +Philadelphia Eagles
Video Clip By: +FOX Sports Fox Football Daily

The Eagles have spent the offseason looking to build upon the foundation that was set last year when Chip Kelly became the first rookie head coach in franchise history to lead the team to a division title. Prior to free agency, the Eagles solidified the nucleus of the team by signing five players, including offensive linemen Jason Peters and Jason Kelce, to new deals. Once free agency kicked off two weeks ago, the Eagles jumped into the fray signing four new players, trading for running back Darren Sproles and re-signing Nate Allen and Donnie Jones.

Eagles, DeSean Jackson Available for Trade - Jets Interested

This week, the +NFL is hosting the Owners' Meetings in Orlando where among other things the teams will vote on the rule proposals for the 2014 season. General manager Howie Roseman met with reporters and addressed a wide array of topics. Here is an overview of what Roseman discussed...

On the status of wide receiver DeSean Jackson: "He's still under contract. For us, until there's anything to report on our players, that's where we are.

"I've always been open and willing to talk to (the media) and our fans, and I think if it's appropriate other than speculation, I'll be happy to do that. Obviously, the only thing we care about is winning. We want to win. We are very fortunate we have an owner (Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie) who gives us the resources to do it. I think if you look, even now, where we are in team spending this offseason, it's high. We're going to be aggressive. We're going to do whatever it takes."

On whether the team will sign a backup quarterback: "That's a position we've always talked about having a lot of depth, a lot of competition. ... If there was an opportunity to add a player who we thought added competition, was a good player, we'd have to look at that."

On the culture of the locker room that is being cultivated: "It's going to be a constant mission for us to have the right culture and the right chemistry, but when we looked at last year it was really the first year in that process. It was a great learning experience for us about what we had, what we needed. ... Certainly, that takes time. It's the most important thing that we're trying to do is develop that and develop a core group of players that we can go with for a period of time. I think that's something that is constantly evolving."

On the philosophy of the decisions made in free agency: "For us, it's all about making sure that the guys that we're paying the money to are a fit in our scheme. That we're not just paying because they can do something well, but we're not going to maximize their talents. It's because we have a limited amount of resources. We have a limited amount of (draft) picks. We have a limited amount of money to be able to build our team. ... We're trying to build a culture. We're trying to build cohesion.

Could DeSean Jackson be on the move soon? 5 potential landing spots for the Eagles WR: http://t.co/FmERuILAAo pic.twitter.com/voydDCnzji

— NFL (@nfl) March 19, 2014

"If you’re going to pay a guy that sort of money, what is he going to do in your scheme and how do you project him moving (forward)? You can’t sign a player in free agency based on what they’ve done. You have to plan for what they’re going to do, and how are you going to use them and how are you going to change what you’re doing with a particular player, and does that make sense? … I think there are a lot of factors involved in it, but in college there are a lot of good players and then there is also the time that you take for a negotiation and it doesn’t always work out. You’re bidding against 31 other teams that have walk-away numbers, so in free agency, that’s kind of how we look at it."

In Favor of Negating or Moving Extra Point Back?

On the addition of Malcolm Jenkins: "What we were looking for specifically at the safety spot was we were looking for a quarterback for our defense. We were looking for a safety who could do a variety of things. The way we play defense is different than the way other people play defense. First off, our most important function is making sure we get the players that fit our scheme.

Rule Changes the NFL Owners Will Look at

"He's 6-feet. He's over 200 pounds. He's got over 34-inch arms. He's got a lot of length. He has ability to come down and play the slot with a corner background at both +Ohio State Buckeyes and +New Orleans Saints. He has ability to play in the deep end and then cover a tight end. He can do a lot of things that we look for in a safety, so our scheme is different than others with what the responsibilities are. In a lot of schemes, the safety's primarily responsibility is the run game and making sure the fit for the run game is right.

"You add to it that he was a team captain and, obviously, when we talk about building culture and chemistry and the words that go with Malcolm, the leadership that comes with him is obviously a huge plus and something we were looking for."

On the contracts doled out to players across the league in free agency: "A lot of teams had cap room, and I think there was more cap room in the league than there has been in the last couple of years. In the market, I think there were a lot more teams that were signing their own players early. There’s a lot of competition for the top players in free agency and you try to figure out where you are on those and then it’s just what we talk about a lot, trying to make sure we keep our own draft picks and save money and sometimes you look at it and it’s kind of hard because you try to be aggressive, but we spent a lot of money on our own players this offseason, and that was really our primary focus in free agency, signing those guys. When you look at those contracts, we were aggressive in trying to keep them off of the market, even if was a year early, but when you get to the free agent market, you sometimes forget what you did two weeks ago."

On the addition of Darren Sproles: "For us, it was all the things that he brought to the table. You talk about his ability to be a dynamic space player with the ball in his hands, whether it’s catching the ball or running the football. We’ve had a churning of the return position, and when we went back and looked at his returns this year and looked back in the past and saw what we thought he can do, we still think that he’s a dynamic returner and every time he’s got the ball in his hands, defensive coordinators and special teams coaches have to game plan for it. We saw it firsthand on more than one occasion.
"Add that to the leadership that he brings. We have a young offensive skill position set and he has off-the-charts leadership, off-the-charts work ethic, off-the-charts character, certainly a fit for us in our scheme offensively and special teams. We feel like because of the way he gets touches more in space than around the line of scrimmage, so getting hit more by linebackers and defensive backs rather than big 300-pound linemen, that certainly helps him."

On Michael Vick signing with the +New York Jets: "It was very important to Mike that he was legitimately going to have an opportunity to start. I think we all appreciated his honesty and him being upfront with us with what he’s looking for, and we said from day one that we can’t compete with that. I don’t think this is just a money issue for Mike. For him, it was about the opportunity and what he wanted to do."

Original link: http://bit.ly/1gVl0Nc

Talib and Spikes claim that Patriots (Hoodie) Falsified Injury Reports for IR Placement

Via Sports Injury Alert:

Former Patriots Brandon Spikes and Aqib Talib say team falsified injury reports

By Chris Hecker on 3/19/2014

+Buffalo Bills linebacker Brandon Spikes and +Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib both say their former team, the New England Patriots, have put out false information about them on their official injury reports, according to Mike Rodak of +ESPN Boston.

Spikes played through much of the 2013 season with a nagging knee injury and was placed on season-ending injured reserve January 6th, less than a week before their divisional playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts. However, ESPN NFL Insider Chris Mortensen reported Spikes mutually agreed to be placed on injured reserve to avoid being cut after showing up late to a team meeting.

 

 Keith Allison via Wikimedia commons

"I heard they put me on the IR and stuff like that. That was just a false report," Spikes said. "That's just how things go there. Almost like what happened with Talib and his hip."

Spikes' agent Gary Uberstine also denied that there was any mutual agreement for him to be placed on injured reserve.

"The team's decision to place Brandon on injured reserve was not a mutual decision, nor need it be," said Uberstine. "Brandon had every intention to keep playing throughout the playoffs, despite the pain he was experiencing throughout the season. We never had a single conversation with the Patriots in which they threatened to release him if he didn't accept the injured reserve designation."

Talib appeared on the Patriots injury report nearly every week last season. But after signing a six-year $57 million deal with the Broncos, Talib claims he hasn't had a hip injury since his days with the +Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who traded him to New England prior to the 2012 trade deadline.

"The Patriots have their way of reporting stuff, but I haven't had a hip problem since Tampa," Talib said. "The injury I had was actually a quad injury. It was reported as a hip injury, but that's how they do things."

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has a history of keeping quiet and being very cryptic about player injuries, so the news shouldn't come as much of a surprise. It also shouldn't come as any surprise if the league looks to investigate Belichick and the Patriots to see how the team goes about their business when it comes to the weekly injury reports each team is required to provide.

We already knew Belichick and his interpretation of what is spirit of the league and sport is not akin to most others'. Falsified injury reports saving money and/or open up a spot despite paying a player and committing to them for the full season. "The Hoodie aka Shady Bill," the behemoth Goodell, and his best buddy, Robert Kraft are not concerned of the tainted SpyGate penalty and what many deem 'cover up aside from current unwritten conduct or "spirit' of the game behavior. It does not exist in Foxborough, that has consistently been proven, suffice it, to say.

Seahawks DB, Browner, signs with Patriots

Patriots sign suspended DB Brandon Browner

By JIMMY GOLEN

Suspended former Seattle cornerback Brandon Browner said on Friday that he has agreed to a contract with the +New England Patriots, giving the AFC East champions another potent defender in pass coverage.

A day after representatives for Darrelle Revis confirmed that the three-time All Pro would be joining the Patriots, Browner said on Twitter: "I am proud to announce that I am a New England Patriot." The team has not confirmed either deal, but Browner's contract was reportedly worth $17 million over three years.

"I am honored that the Patriots are making me part of their legendary organization," Browner wrote. "I intend to diligently work with the same passion and dedication that I have displayed since coming into the NFL to uphold the great traditions and qualities that are embodied by the Patriots."

After winning the AFC East for the fifth consecutive year, the Patriots lost the AFC championship game in Denver 26-16 as Peyton Manning threw for 400 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. This week, No. 1 cornerback Aqib Talib agreed to a reported six-year, $57 million free agent contract with the Denver Broncos.

+BRONCOS CR3W wrote an article that touched upon Browner and his stance on marijuana violating the league's substance abuse program

Another Patriots defensive back, Alfonzo Dennard, is serving a 60-day jail term in Lincoln, Neb., for a 2012 assault on a police officer. He is expected to be out in time for training camp.

Revis, one of the top players on the free agent market, reportedly agreed to a one-year, $12 million deal Thursday.

Browner, who was suspended four games in 2012 for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs, was suspended in December for again violating the league's substance abuse policy. He will miss the first four games of the 2014 regular season, but he will be allowed to attend training camp and play in exhibition games.

The 29-year-old Browner had 19 tackles and one interception before he was injured in Week 10 last season. He missed the Super Bowl, which the Seahawks won 43-8 over the Broncos.

"I would be remiss if I didn't thank the Seattle Seahawks for giving a CFL player the once in-a-lifetime opportunity to return to the NFL, making a young boy's dream come true," he wrote on Twitter. "I say thank you for everything you have done for myself and my family. I am a truly blessed person."
___

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org
----------------------------------------------------------------

A day after the Patriots made huge waves by agreeing to contract terms with cornerback Darrelle Revis, they've reportedly made another splash on the defensive back market.

+SPORTS CR3W shows what Revis will look like as a Patriot.
According to ESPN's Josina Anderson, the Patriots have agreed to a three-year contract with former Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner. NFL.com's Albert Breer reports the deal is worth $17.5 million.

Although he was recently reinstated from a year-long suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy, Browner will be suspended for the first four games of the season and won't be paid for the next four games after that.

But he seems happy with his new team. Wrote Browner on his Twitter page:

Today, I am proud to announce that I am a New England Patriot. I am honored that the Patriots are making me part of their legendary organization, and am grateful for the opportunity Mr. [Robert] Kraft, Coach Belichick, Nick Caserio and the entire team have given me. I intend to diligently work with the same passion and dedication that I have displayed since coming into the NFL to uphold the great traditions and qualities that are embodied by the Patriots. I would be remiss if I didn't thank the Seattle Seahawks for giving a CFL player the once in-a-lifetime opportunity to return to the NFL, making a young boy's dream come true. To Coach Pete Carroll, GM John Schneider, John Idzik, Coach Richard, Rocky Seto, the LOB, my teammates, the training staff, the equipment guys the Seahawks organization as a whole and most importantly the 12th Man, I say thank you for everything you have done for myself and my family. I am a truly blessed person.

Topics: Brandon Browner, Darrelle Revis, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, NFL

Fox Sports Shows what Revis will look like for Patriots

This is what Darrelle Revis to the @Patriots looks like: pic.twitter.com/VvTbMMOfjM
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) March 14, 2014

For Patriots, Darrelle Revis is best choice

Darrelle Revis could be the best option at cornerback for the Patriots. Now a FA, released by Tampa Bay

Original piece, By Ben Volin | +The Boston Globe Staff - Edited by +SPORTS CR3W 

Stephen Brashear (AP)

The Patriots did what they usually do on the first day of free agency – sat on the sideline. Meanwhile, they lost their top cornerback to the rival Broncos, who made two impact moves Tuesday while the Patriots did nothing, and let their top receiver hit the open market.

The +Denver Broncos struck a deal late Tuesday night for cornerback Aqib Talib, paying him an eye-popping $57 million deal over six years, with $26 million guaranteed, according to ESPN. The deal leaves the Patriots without a true No. 1 cornerback on the roster, and most of the top options came off the board Tuesday — Tampa Bay signed Alterraun Verner for $14 million guaranteed, and Indianapolis signed Vontae Davis for $20 million guaranteed.

If the Patriots want to replace Talib in free agency, the best option remains Buccaneers +Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Darrelle Revis, who is expected to be released Wednesday afternoon if the Bucs can’t trade him. Revis is due $16 million this season, but would become a free agent if released by the Bucs and free to sign with any team. He still would command a large contract on the open market, and perhaps could equal or exceed Talib’s deal.

Related
Talib leaves Patriots for Broncos
3/6: Why Patriots should get Revis

Other, less expensive cornerback options for the Patriots are Antonio Cromartie, Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie, Cortland Finnegan, and Captain Munnerlyn. It’s possible the Patriots could go with Alfonzo Dennard, Logan Ryan, and Kyle Arrington as their top three cornerbacks and find another one in the draft.

7 potential landing spots for Darrelle Revis (via @NFL_ATL): http://t.co/h2bQcB3Syr #NFLFreeAgency pic.twitter.com/0Fw4EBS9nc
— NFL (@nfl) March 12, 2014

Meanwhile, the Patriots are also in danger of losing their top wide receiver for the second year in a row. Last year they let Wes Welker leave for Denver over $1 million, and they are currently at an impasse with Julian Edelman, who will continue to negotiate with the Patriots but also will speak with other teams, a league source told the Globe.

Reports already have linked Edelman to the Browns and Ravens, and the Texans with new coach Bill O’Brien could be a good fit, as well.

Edelman, entering his sixth NFL season, is coming off a breakout year in which he led the Patriots with 105 catches for 1,056 yards and six touchdowns. He also has been a standout punt returner throughout his career, averaging 12.3 yards per return, one of the best marks in NFL history.

Edelman would like to return to the Patriots, but he doesn’t seem intent on giving them a hometown discount. He was a seventh-round pick in 2009 and has been paid near-minimum salaries for each of his five NFL seasons. Last year he barely received any interest in free agency, and he returned to the Patriots on a one-year, league-minimum contract with incentives.

Edelman likes playing in New England with quarterback Tom Brady — the two share the same agents — but after establishing himself as the team’s top receiver, Edelman wants to cash in this time, especially since big paydays only come once or twice in a career.

Edelman could be looking to better the $10 million guaranteed that the Patriots gave Danny Amendola last season.

“It’s just business,” the source said.

If the Patriots move on from Edelman, they still have several options – Hakeem Nicks, James Jones, Emmanuel Sanders, and Kenny Britt likely can be had for relative bargains.

And in an interesting move, the Falcons released tight end Tony Gonzalez, who retired and took a job on the CBS pregame show. The Falcons were forced to release Gonzalez because he never filed retirement papers and was due a $3 million roster bonus this week. Now that Gonzalez is free, it will prompt speculation that he will un-retire and play for a Super Bowl competitor this fall.

As for Talib, 28, he had 1½ productive seasons in Foxborough after the Patriots acquired him from Tampa Bay for a fourth-round pick after the Bucs grew weary of his off-field issues. He played in 19 games in two seasons, compiling five interceptions and 16 passes defended while emerging as the team’s best and most physical cornerback. He shined in the early part of 2013, helping shut down elite receivers such as Jimmy Graham, A.J. Green, and Roddy White, but he missed three games with a hip injury and left the AFC Championship game with knee injuries in both seasons.

Talib’s injury history and off-field issues — he had a four-game suspension while with Tampa Bay — scared the Patriots off his asking price. The $26 million guarantee is the highest among all NFL cornerbacks, surpassing the $25.5 million Dallas gave to Brandon Carr. In Denver, Talib will replace departed veteran Champ Bailey and will face the Patriots in Foxborough next season.

And the Broncos, who defeated the Patriots in the AFC Championship game, may not be done loading up. They entered the day with more than $25 million in salary cap space, signed Talib and front-line safety T.J. Ward, and are the favorites to land pass rusher DeMarcus Ware, who was cut by Dallas. They also hosted former +Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen on a visit.

The +New England Patriots also didn’t do much with their other free agents and haven’t made any roster cuts or contract extensions, either.

Broncos veteran linebacker Wesley Woodyard visited New England Tuesday, according to a Denver radio report, and he could be the replacement for Brandon Spikes, who isn’t expected back after four seasons with the Patriots. Spikes, the team’s second-round pick in 2010, said goodbye to New England and Patriots fans on Twitter Tuesday afternoon.

“It’s been real, it’s been fun. But it hasn’t been real fun lol,” he wrote. “Thank u to the cities of New England & @Patriots for an amazing run.”

The Patriots also haven’t re-signed center Ryan Wendell, and may lose backup linebacker Dane Fletcher, who visited Tampa Bay Tuesday, according to reports.

Ben Volin can be reached at ben.volin@globe.com.