FIRST!

Free Vince Young!

As a Vikings fan, I am scared of this game. Just as I was scared of the Seahawks last week. Thinking we belong in these contests doesn't seem right. Especially when its our defense you're talking about as the reason for it even being a discussion. Last time the Vikes' had a legitimate defense IMHO was 1993. Its been mostly smoke and mirrors and over-hyped DTs (Randle, Hovan) since then. I hope we enjoy Tomlin while we have him. I fear he'll be a head coach elsewhere by next year.

I am guardedly optimistic they at least put on a good showing. Childress talked before the season about being hard to defeat. The Bears came in and won, but I think they'd agree the Vikings were hard to defeat.

I can't explain the Bills game. All I will note is that was the first time the Vikings tried using their new purple pants road uniforms, which they mysteriously "lost" before their next road game.

I like Childress' approach. I'd like to think he can at least talk the same language as Billick.

Anyway. This is the kind of game I will find hard to enjoy, but will watch every second nonetheless.

The Pats have named four of their inactive players (pretty much had to, since they didn't make the trip out to Minnesota):

G Stephen Neal
G/C Russ Hochstein
S Eugene Wilson
TE Daniel Graham

That's all great news for the Vikings. Neal and Graham being out is going to be a big boost to the Vikings' front seven. I won't be surprised to see the Pats' running game get hamstrung and for Brady to get beaten up like he did against Buffalo last week.

With Neal and Hochstein out I'm not sure who's going to play at guard. Anyone know?

There's been talk that Seymour wasn't going to play, i'm surprised he isn't on the inactive list.

With Neal and Hochstein out I’m not sure who’s going to play at guard. Anyone know?
Honestly, nobody who's telling knows for sure.

The possibilities are: Yates start at G, Kaczur start at G (he's done it before), or O'Callaghan slide to G and Britt and Kaczur play RT.

Of course, my guess and $7 will get you a triple venti latte from CoffeeBucks. This is Belichick, after all -- they could call up Bam Childress from the practice squad and start him at guard. :)

Something ate my post. So I have to post it again.

But I heard a nasty rumor that Paris Hilton is to be involved with Monday Night Football tonight. I'm not sure in what capacity...pre-game or booth....or both....but this has the potential to be amazing.

Poke your eyes out with a spoon amazing....but amazing.

Adam, poking your eyes out with a spoon would not solve the problem if she spoke or sang in the show.

Better alternatives would be to catch it on radio. Better yet, use tivo to watch the game on a 30-second delay while monitoring the FO thread for posts of anguish.

Did she take a cruise on Lake Minnetonka with Fred Smoot and Company? Or did she hook up with Tom Brady?

An appearance 2 weeks ago have been more appropriate (Bears-Cardinals), as she has been linked with Brian Urlacher and Matt Leinart.

Last line I saw was NE -2 which seemed just about right. NE is clearly the better team, but MIN has a large HFA and is playing really well right now. Add in the injuries and the game is pretty much a tossup.

This will be a good game to see the Vikings defense... and it's always fun to watch Brad Johnson, especially when he pump-fakes.

My first guess for MNF guest was Kevin Garnett... Hank Williams Jr. was a surprise last week. If it's not someone to plug the NBA, the only other person I could think of was Prince... or maybe just an old Viking.

It would be best if it was Dave Chappelle playing Prince went on the show and offered Theissman some pancakes.

I'm going with Jesse Ventura as the guest...

Pats inactives:

TE Garrett Mills
OLB Pierre Woods
DL Le Kevin Smith
DL Marquise Hill
G Stephen Neal
G/C Russ Hochstein
TE Daniel Graham
S Eugene Wilson

So (crosses fingers) it looks like Warren and Seymour will be playing. Whew (for now).

Someone needs to tell Benjy to set the clock back an hour on the server or at least to tell WordPress that DST is done for the year.

PatsFan (#14 )--

I suspect the Outsiders are waiting for the comment crush due to games to be over.

Well, the Pats only dressing five DLmen pretty much guarantees Seymour and Warren are gonna play.

Actually I think Brady wouldn't play well on the moon. hard to get any air under the ball...

Plus he'd have trouble breathing. And he's never won a game at below -100 f.

Is Bryant McKinnie the first guy doing intros to single out himself?

I can feel the Pats' pass defense DVOA dropping as I type...

Bryant McKinnie on intros singles out himself?

Sweet play by Seau, there.

Saying this may make a total dork, but......

Tully Banta-Cain sounds like something out of Star Wars.

Theismann said the Patriots bring it "from all sides," but how exotic are a LB rish down the middle and a DE rush around the end?

Anyone else not seeing their comments show up?

Our comments are showing up like 30 comments ago.

Look at the comment times... somehow the clock change messed up the comments. but why just now?

I really need to stop making the MNF threads my personal Theismann bashing thread.

Guessing comments will end up correcting themselves in about 53 minutes...

Dumb, dumb, dumb throw.

Nice pick!

I guess benjy adjusted the clock.

When did it become correct to say "the [defense] turned [QB] over."

I'm asking.

Damn. He almost ran himself out of that first down.

How the hell was that not intercepted. Dumb throw by Johnson.

Same team, guys! Call for it.

Neither team's running much, are they?

Free Tony Richardson!

Sloppy, sloppy tackling by the Pats.

Nice comment Joe, praising the decision to run behind Hutchinson when the run went to the other side.

So what's the record for the fastest first quarter?

I'm glad Brad Johnson was throwing to a receiver, not a spot on that throw.

Good thing Johnson never makes mistakes, or that would have been a bad pick.

I don't think I have ever seen a group of LBs who hold as well in coverage as the Pats. And I mean that as a compliment.

hm. According to DVOA, the Vikings are favoured by a bit here, accounting for HFA.

DVOA be damned, then. I hope.

I wonder what the fastest quarter ever is.

I like the Patriots game plan. Don't mess around with a running game that won't work.

I must be hearing things, did the announcers just say Brady is unknown?

Ah, the sweet sound of the Vikes shooting themselves in the foot.

Tony K explains why Tom Brady isn't well-known?!!!

Geez, I know Tony's not real bright, but "Brady's not well known"? What planet has Tony been on?

One of these times, those random fan shots between plays is going to catch some guy elbow deep in his nose.

And i'm going to laugh like a 5 year old.

If pats go up 14, its over.

Call me crazy, but I think Brady could have run for the TD there.

Brady missed Caldwell, there.

I agree with those who said he missed Caldwell. I think he fixated on Watson, who just wasn't open.

Call me crazy, but I think Brady could have run for the TD there.

I thought so too, at first, but there was a Viking at the goal line. He wouldn't have made it in.

Marquise Hill still can't get on the field. I guess it's safe to declare him a bust at this point.

In post 67, stan will note Tony Kornheiser's blow job on Brady.

That's right, I can predict the future.

57: I agree, but I predict that you will get the number wrong.

Ah, they're airing that Make-a-Wish thing with Tedy Bruschi again. Nice story.

I still liked the one where Kobe lets that kid beat him in a game of H-O-R-S-E.

Curling! Yes!

Can someone make Kornheiser's vocal cords seize up?

How long until someone says "as good as a punt"?

... because tonight Tom Brady faces Chester Taylor on Monday Night Football.

I'm trying to figure out what scenario the two of them will be directly facing one another... I guess maybe the coinflip. Yeah, that must be it...

Joe - The Vikings haven't tried to go down the field. Except that one long pass that was almost intercepted... oh, and here's another one that is. Ah, its about as good as a punt.

"Like runs, except they throw it."-Joe Theisman. The man, the myth, the legend.

At least Theismann had the decency to trash Brad Johnson after that INT.

theisman can't believe that brad johnson throws interceptions.

The announcers were praising, at least I think they're praising, the Patriots front office for not being sentimental, yet earlier they said the Vikings should offer Brad Johnson a contract extension because of what he's done the last season or so.

I think the booth guest should be Joe Mauer. Why? Joe Mauer rules.

Please don't send us to the booth. At least Irvin might make a Lamar Thomas-esque comment if we let him call the game.

Who would dare deny the Madden curse?

Irvin can't even pick football games .... sigh.

I am still trying to wrap my brain around Tony K? In the last few minutes, he has told us that 1) Brady is the greatest QB to play in the NFL in the last 40 years, and 2) Brady is not very well-known.

What are the TV ratings for the Super Bowl again?

And these weren't brain farts. Tony clearly had planned these comments. He's been "thinking" about them in preparation for the broadcast. [I use the term "thinking" very broadly here.]

I just don't think I can do it. My brain just can't go there ... just can't wrap, warp that far around, warpping tooo far.

Tony's just a brain warp too far.

Kornheiser obviously hasn't been reading "the thread."

"bill doesn't care about balance. he care about points and production"
that is possibly the most lucent thing theisman has said. which is sad.

So, is that a "mincing, fraidy-cat punt"?

I love Kornheiser, but "all he does is win?" Ugh...

Nice speech, Kornheiser, but it belongs in the irrational Brady/Manning thread.

Brady wins all those games by himself?

What's the over/under on the amount of times they play that annoying Viking horn?

[28]

the hot girlfriend helps ...

Damn you 58, damn you to hell.

The Patriots look really good so far, though they're only up by 10. There have been some great blocks by the running backs.

Just got back from the gym, where they had the MNF game on with closed captioning. It's ________ that I could tell Theismann from Turico/Kornheiser from the transcribed words alone.

Is the announcer race going to count for Simmons's over/under on guys dressed as the booth crew?

What's the over/under on Lake Minnetonka references?

Wow, that Kornheiser blowjob may be the worst I have ever witnessed from an announcer. Not ever Brent Musberger at his most irritating has ever been that big a suckup! (Although I no longer have the sound on when Musberger does a game. If he's gotten worse in the last few years, I wouldn't know.)

Theisman got one right!?!

The Vikes get called for offensive PI more than any team I've seen.

Apparently you've never witnessed Theismann call a Favre game.

and on replay. What the hell did they call that on?

[32]

he's trying to make time with Brady's hot gf?

Nice playing football penalty on that OPI.

Immediately after agreening that was a BS penalty... they then rip the VIkigns for "committing" said bogus penalty.

#31

Does "change the culture" count?

What is BB wearing?

33,

Does Joe T simply write off every single great QB of the Super Bowl era as a nobody compared to the great Favre? I know Joe T is pretty awful, but damn.

Wearing torn sweatshirts is excellent shtick.

Belicheck stole that look off of me.

The jerk.

Typical Brady quiets the crowd.

GREAT pickups by the running backs.

Vikes starting to get some pressure. Or are covering the receivers better.

Matt Light croaked that guy.

That was a nifty little play, fake the draw and throw a WR screen that goes for a ton of yardage.

And the no-names come through beautifully.

Nice opening drive.

Brady just picks them apart

Theisman, after the 40 yard Gabriel play: "Brady threw a rocketship."

Great start to the game. I guess they aren't going to try the running game, at least not early.

way to cover Reche Caldwell guys

Bethel Johnson return coming up. Prediction - an ill-advised return.

46: Tek Jansen.

You know what I want to know? How this can be spinned positively for the Vikings.

Why was the clock running after the Caldwell completion? Didn't he go out of bounds?

How to spin this positively from a Vikings standpoint... um... well, last week they gave up the opening touchdown in 3 plays, this time it took the Patriots 7. And they rebounded nicely from that first drive.

Next up - One of the trio is going to mention that Minnesota has scored on its opening drive every game... and another will counter with "yeah but all field goals" since week 1.

Rats. Evans held.

But at least the Great Post Overlap is over now :-).

As someone whose fantasy opponent started Corey Dillon this week, I couldn't be happier with all the carries Maroney's getting.

Re: 113

In the first half clock doesn't stop on OOB plays until the last two minutes. In the second half the timing rule changes with five minutes left.

Somebody should tell Thiesmann that the paper-mache head is as close as he'll get to the Hall of Fame.

Why the QB sneak?

119-I guess that Brady saw center uncovered, but I agree that it doesn't make sense.

114- thanks.

Game over.

Tom Brady Mad.

Brady only does GQ.

Re: 122

Don't count on it. Remember the NE-Jets game.

Brady's line this half: 17-25, 257yd, 2 TD, 1 INT.

Did they just say Brady doesn't do many commercials? Am I the only one who remembers the Mastercard ads from last year?

re 119-120

He knew he had the TD on the next play, so he just wanted to take 40 more secs off... ;-)

Okay, revisiting my old post at the top of the post overlap... how to spin this positively for the Vikings..... This is an out of conference game, and it won't count so much intiebreakers.

Childress stressed to his team that this was "just one game" (from pregame commentary). Like he expected this.

That kickoff was Vanderjackian.

Still time for the Pats to pad their score.

Tirico just said the most sane thing this crew has ever thought of.

Give Johnson credit for holding on to that ball on the sack.

What, that listening to them makes one head come off?

I wish they'd bring in Tarvaris for the Hail Mary. He can get it that far.

#126 (and I'm a little sad the hallucenegenic thread is over and #126 will be static)--the O-line said he did the commercial only to get the O-line some love.

I was talking to someone today, and they asked about the game..and I said the Pats would air the ball out...

Bellichek has been talking all week about how good Minnesota is against the run, and how big their D line is....

Sounds like they thought the same thing I did: why run against a great run D team, when you can just throw all day?

On an interesting note, I havent seen a play yet where a pats wide reciever hasnt been wide open... maybe theyre better than people thought.

Is the Steve Young mask that small, or does Michael Irvin have one gigantic head?

Brad Johnson looks awful.

I don't know what drama is left. I'll put my money on the Tirico giant head. Its more aerodynamic.

How much hair did they put on that Berman head?

You know making Michael Irvin play a lame white guy for halloween just pisses him off.

Back to Tom Brady for a minute, he's a really underated trash talker. Before games I always like to go and hang out in the south endzone in that big open end just to see whats going on. When you stand there you are literally within speaking distance of the players, and there is always some sort of witty banter going on back and forth. Well, back during 2004 the undefeated Patriots were in town to play the Steelers and Tom Brady was walking around on the field just hanging out, and this guy standing a few feet away from starts yelling at him. He wasn't really heckling him, just normal "HEY BRADY, WE'RE GONNA BEAT YOU TODAY!" stuff.

Brady turns around and starts pointing to his hears pretending like he can't hear him, this only makes the guy yell louder...and louder...and louder.

Finally, Brady looks up at the guy and goes "Sorry dude, I can't hear you, my Super Bowl rings are stuck in my ears."

The guy then just totally losses it.

"YOU STOLE THAT LINE FROM PATRICK ROY YOU BASTARD!"

And Brady just keeps pointing out his ears while the guy just got frustrated and walked away.

I was howling, not because the guy was quick or witty, but because he was trying to "get inside Brady's head" while Brady ended up getting inside of his head.

This, in my opinion, proves above all else that Tom Brady is indeed the greatest player in the history of players.

Cool. The crowd booed "Irvin" and "Kornheiser" and "Theisman".

136,

Agreed. I've never seen people so wide open. The Pats are sometimes just standing in place without a defender within 10-15 yards. Who designed that defense?

Does it work in the NFC Tundra division?

Lol, theyre booing all the booth crew

I'm disappointed they didn't boo Thiesmann more.

I was robbed!

steve young wins!

That was pretty bland. But it beats most of their halftime ideas.

Andrew,

yeah, brady does talk a ton of shit, and no one seems to notice it.

I think they should keep those guys behind the actual guys for all future monday night broadcasts.

Does anyone else see Irvin getting into a "When Keepin' It Real Goes Wrong" moment with the guy in his head?

Wow... seeing the Countdown guys there with their huge-headed paper mache dopplegangers makes me know what being on acid must feel like.

I think the Young mascot collapsed at the goal line as a homage to the long TD scramble Young had against the Vikings, I want to say, at The Stick. Hokey contest, but a mascot with a sense of history.

They should have had a papier-mache Catholic Match Girl in there...

That defense is based on the idea that the pressure will get to the QB, and if it doesn't they will at least tackle the guy right after the catch.

I think they have to bring more, at least if they die that way it will be over quicker.

The Vikigns game plan for this game missed the ball completely, "force them to stop running?"

Another Vikings plus: Now maybe Tomlin won't be such a hot commodity for a head coaching job.

153: That would have been unfair. The other competitors would have been hypnotized by her eyes and unable to race.

RE #153:

Wouldn't have worked. The weight distribution would have been all screwed up due to those protruding eyes.

First half play of the game was the first Brad Johnson INT. Mewelde Moore was held on that play, but Johnson had to see that he was. If he wanted to throw there to draw the penalty, at least throw it at his feet.

If he's not throwing to spots, I don't know what Brad is thinking.

I guess Brad Johnson is trying to challenge Jeff Blake for the coveted "Highest Vertical 20-Yard Pass" award.

And there is Troy Williamson with his big play drop of the week.

Wow...williamson really can't catch.

The hell he was!

For all the bogus PI calls Asante has been tagged with, he got away with a real one on that Williamson play.

#148- The Patriots do their trash-talking on the field; I think it was the Steelers that said the Pats may do the most trash-talking during the game of any team.

yeah, he did...althought it didnt look like williamson even tried to catch the ball...

SHIT.

Mewelde!

%&$#%&^&$&%&%$$!

Finally something. Amazing there were no flags.

243 games w/out a shutout? lessee. I remember a 23-0 shutout to the '85 bears... but 243/16 is about 15 seasons, so this would be circa 1991.

It was 26-0 to the Saints.

Typical Vikings, give up a return runback to kill the mo.

special teams karma?

maroney is a stud.

We didn't want that touchdown anyway, so here, have it back.

Tirico keeps mentioning the Pats are in 5-wides, but they line up with 4 WRs and a TE.

Have we had a booth interview yet?

The Vikings haven't run much. Don't know why the Pats would even bother honoring the play action.

Warren Moon does not qualify as a booth interview, because he is on the field.

Anyone remember what the FO ref study said about Nemmers's crew?

That's more than one word, Warren.

Did it seem like Michelle Tafoya wanted no part of that Warren Moon hug and peck? Seemed like that to me.

So what exactly is the definition of a "football move", anyways?

not a catch...no football move. The reciever didnt hold onto the ball as he went to the ground. As much as I think he caught it, the call is right.

Husband & I disagree--I think it is a catch and fumble. Let's see....

Troy Brown is one catch away from tying Stanley Morgan's franchise record for career receptions.

Williamson is the new Ashley Lelie. Can't track the longer passes while he's running, for some reason.

I haven't been that impressed by this crew. For the most part it looks like they're just not calling much... they didn't call the near-tackling of Mewelde Moore on the first Johnson interception, then they called a Pass Interference on a play where I couldn't even see contact. Now they just let Belicheck talk them into ruling a completion incomplete. The Patriots would be winning this game anyway, they don't need any help.

Ridiculous.

It's about time Joe Theisman appologized.

The pass was an incomplete...its textbook call. The reciever didnt hold onto the ball going to the ground...its textbook.

I admire Bill's ability to talk people out of anything, but that was a catch+fumble.

There's no point in playing if the officials are going to do that.

I hate play-action in non-passing situations. It just wastes time! Good example on the 4th-and-3 just now.

186... I agree that PI looked ridiculous.. but the angle was tough to see them both.

Bellicheck's mind-control powers aren't limited by his ripped sweatshirt. He can still convince the refs to change calls in his favor.

So what exactly is the definition of a “football move�, anyways?

Some kind of motion you would expect to make in the course of a normal football play. Taking a step is a football move. Falling down is a football move. Catapulting yourself out of bounds is not a football move.

189 textbook? he had a grip on it for 2.5 steps, almost to the ground. The ball didn't move once until ripped out.

So the Vikings follow TMQs advice and don't punt. How'd that work out for them?

He didn't hold onto the ball because Rodney Harrison tore it out of his hands after he took 2 steps with the ball in his hand.

I am not sure if that was the correct call..

195: Really? I've seen all of those things declared not football moves.

Reche Caldwell needs to team up with the Catholic Match girl.

196.

If a reciever catches the ball while being tackled, he has to keep the ball to the ground...he didnt.

Beautifully executed screen.

That wasn't the correct call on the field. In fact, with the volume down I thought the Pats were challenging the call.
Catch + step1 + step2 = complete pass.
Complete pass + step 3 + strip = fumble.

Nemmers... you let me down.

Are you allowed to chuck the football 50 yards across the field after a play?

198

Ellis Hobbs...

WHo apparantly is back from being hurt.

204: Sure, as long as you don't spike it near anybody, I guess.

Theisman: "I will not condemn the system."

He's not a true revolutionary. Damn.

The Vikings are getting some bad calls here, but they're getting dominated in this game so it wouldn't matter anyway. I don't understand how that wasn't a catch.

Steps are football moves, in fact they are the most basic of football moves. If a step wasn't a football move recievers on the sidelines wouldn't be able to "toe tap" to get the catch. Wiggins didn't go to the ground in the process of making the catch, he went to the ground in the process of being tackled, and fumbled in the process of being tackled.

I'm sure Pereria will be able to explain it to us much better than that... because I must have it all friggin' wrong.

he did hold onto the ball for 2 steps. So if Wiggins carries Harrison ten yards on his back and then the ball finally comes loose-its an incomplete pass?

Bloody hell....

Belicheck could win this challenge the way this is going.

Bad challenge. No way that gets overturned.

It looked like his kneee touched smoot, not the ground.

212 - you doubt Belichek?

Yeah, I think forward progress was stopped, but thats a fumble.

and I am sorry-Hobbs caused the fumble not Harrison...

Don't worry patsfan, the Vikes will give it right back.

You know what? I seriously think Belichick threw that flag so that the Vikings would get their makeup call there. Now the refs feel like it's even after hosing the crap out of the Vikings.

Brad Johnson has the ugliest "deep ball" I have ever seen.

219: Worse than Mark Brunell?

Brad Childress just doesn't look like a football coach. Actually, he sort of looks like my boss.

Gah.

Mark Brunell throws a deep ball?

220

Tonight, yeah.

Honestly, hes thrown about 10 of them.. 1 has been picked off. I think about 7 of them a DB was closer to the ball than a reciever

Childress is Gerald McRaney.

I don't care what the coach looks like. And even with results tonight, I'm happy with Childress so far.

I sure as heck hope Chad Jackson doesn't turn out to be the second coming of Bethel Johnson.

RE #226:

*shudders*

Re: 217

You were right...

Another penalty on minnesota for playing football.

Sweet move by Maroney to pick up the extra few yards for the first down.

The Vikings are getting violated. Belichick's mind powers are particularly lethal tonight.

For my money the worst call was the offensive PI, though. The DB was fooled by a curl route, not shoved. Drive ender, really a game ender when the Pats scored right after that.

221: Did you hand him your TPS reports?

Hes officially not Bethel Johnson. Bethel johnson never would have got into the endzone there.

Colts-like tackling

and its over

That TD was ridiculous. Nice demonstration of the balance drill.

Is that a record for "most right hand pushups on a TD catch"?

PatsFan,

I thank Mr. Jackson just double-mule kicked us in the testes for comparing him to Bethel.

226- Well timed.

226- Well timed.

Its time to sit Brad Johnson down. DOesn't mean anything for next week, but no point in risking injury in a game that is way out of reach.

240.

Honestly, It can't get any worse. Atleast if you put a new guy in, theyve got the "no film" advantage.

Tom Brady gets praised for "not doing as many commercials as some other quarterbacks" and it's time to just turn the TV off.

Wow.

Kornheiser with a Shirley McClain reference. Is that his Dennis Miller moment?

Brady's on fire. Love to see him throw another 2 td's in the 4th and go over 400 yards passing.

Remember, no one ever thought he'd be a good college qb let alone make it in the NFL.

GO BLUE AND GO BRADY!

Speaking of risking injury...

OH CMON.

Wilfork got pushed into the QB.

Helmet to the back of the back? As opposed to the front of the back? I guess that would be a really personal foul, then.

So, are these idiots going to fawn all over Walters and Wallace next Monday night, too?

If Johnson or Taylor or an OL gets hurt I take back everthing i said about Childress.

Pretty late, but I didn't see the alleged headbutt. Still probably a good flag.

250.

Watch the play, the RT put his hand in the center of wilfork's back and pushed him right into brad johnson.

I'm just watching on gamecast, but what's with the 38/8 pass/run split for the Patriots? They've been winning all game - it seems kind of silly to pass that much. Have they gotten Andy Reid disease?

250: Wilfork dove into Brad Johnson head-first. Pushed or not, you can't headbutt the QB.

Vikes say Taylor has a shoulder stinger.

On the same token, why is Brady still i there?

252

The Vikings can't stop the pass, and are shutting down the run...so why stop.

Plus, theres been atleast 10 screens at this point

Kraft is so plastered.

Both starting QBs should sit now (31-7, under 14 left). If Brady got hurt at this point, what a tragedy that would be. Ditto Brad Johnson.

That's a bad graphic. 40 years with no superbowl titles before Belichick? at least keep it to the superbowl era.

I want to apologize for my many misspellings of Belicheck in this thread....

oh, and I see the ref crew is getting their makeup calls in late so it looks even.

Too bad there was a hold. That was a great playcall..

And Tom pulls a Bledsoe-esque "run backwards a zillon yards and get sacked".

Bollinger is going to come in.

When does Cassel get in?

259: Well, it would be no AFL championship titles either in that time-span.

The Brooks Bollinger Experience starts.... NOW.

Brady isn't more popular than Ortiz. Not even close, TK.

261.. yeah..that was ugly, although it looked like he slipped more than got tackled, I thought he had the guy for a second

THere we go. Not Tarvaris, but Bollinger. Immediately sacked. But I don't care, he's taking those hits for Johnson.

You gotta feel bad for Brooks right now.

Wow, this is escalating quickly... it's really getting quite out of hand.

Aaron Brooks Bollinger

Jesus... all those expensive O lineman are suddenly the Pat's line's bitches.

Bollinger was a late addition to the team. You think the OL might not work as hard for him as they would for Johnson?

The reason I wanted Tarvaris was he would probably have just run for a few yards each play.

"Amateurs work till they get it right; Professionals work until they can't get it wrong."

Serious question, guys: If anyone but the NFL voice guy were to say that during a business meeting, how hard would it be for you not to bust out laughing? That sounds like something that came out of cliche management slogans 101.

"243 games w/out a shutout? lessee. I remember a 23-0 shutout to the ‘85 bears."

I think that was in 1986. The scores in 1985 were 33-24 in Minnesota (the Thursday night game with McMahon's heroics) and 27-9 in Chicago.

If the Pats lose anyone important in the garbage time of this game, NE fans should be pissed. Yeah, let's watch Watson get gang-tackled by a defense that's frustrated.

Last series for Brady?

I just need Maroney to contribute 12 more yards rushing now, or failing that, 1 reception for 7 yards.

I dont ask much....

This is just padding stats at this point. Gotta pay your respects to the fantasy peole that showed faith in them.

Sorry Dean... Maroney gets a couple more of your yards, but the Vikings penalty wipes them out... C'est la vie du football d'imagination....

Please take Brady out before he gets hurt.

Will Theismann -EVER- just shut his mouth?

A Brady injury on this insane 4th down passing attempt would have been epic

I can't believe not only that Brady is still in, but how many times they've attempted to pass here in the 4th quarter.

This is just New England playing smart football, realizing that they need to give Brooks some room to run backwards so they can get more sack yards.

Eh -- passing on 4th down there isn't insane. A punt from there probably goes in the EZ for a net 15 yard punt. But they should have called a quick-hitting play. This better be Brady's last series, or if he stays in, just have him hand off.

Brady isn’t more popular than Ortiz. Not even close, TK.

I think he is when you take into account the non-Boston audience.

Bryant Makinnie is getting abused.

I think Brady is more popular in Boston. I certainly see more kids with Brady shirts than Ortiz shirts. The media loves to pretend the Red Sox are the most popular team in New England - in reality the Patriots are far more popular, just not with the moneyed crowd.

Bryant McKinnie is good when motivated. He's not motivated at this point.

Well, if the Pats refuse to run out the clock, at least the Vikings will do it for them.

Do we have an official thread for Brady-Ortiz arguments?

Would the Red Sox bought Papi in a 31-7 game? ; )

Belichick is the genius and all, but leaving Brady in that long and having him throw the ball, just idiotic.

heh, you gotta kick the field goal, you're down by 4 scores...

The Pats defense clearly doesn't believe in playing prevent.

Right to go for it on fourth down. They are down 24 (8, 8, 8).

Finally -- Cassell.

Yes, joe. this is a copycat league. Now every team in the league is going to put a deadeye accurate passer who doesn't feel the rush behind center.

Tirico talking of tough schedules - check how Philly ends the last six weeks. Insane. All of their divisional road games in a row, plus at Indy, and home with Carolina and Atlanta.

Come on Maroney, dont do this to me....

I think it's time to bench the announcers now and put in the 2nd stringers. Don't want any of them getting hurt.

Not before Maroney gets 3 more yards....please???

How many yards does Moore have receiving now...