Heels in the Huddle » Tom Brady

Week 2 (2010) — New England Patriots @ New York Jets

Nat — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 19:14:58 +0000

Join me as I live blog this game on The Score – Link

You can also access this liveblog on your mobile device. The Score Mobile application is available for iPhone, Blackberry and Android. Fore more details on how to follow along on your phones click here.

PREVIEW

NFL fans tuned in weekly to watch Hard Knocks but Tom Brady refused to be one of them. He was quoted in the off-season saying, “I hate the Jets, so I refuse to support that show.” Well, it’s week 2 and the Jets look undeserving of all the off-season hype. As the saying goes — Time to put up, or shut up!

Tom Brady had quite the week to start the season. A new contract, a TMZ worthy car accident and more importantly, a win. Brady settled in the pocket and amassed 258 yards and 3 TD’s in the win against the Bengals. A target for 2 TD’s, Wes Welker was back on the field earlier than expected. The Patriots offense was clicking like it was 2007 but the same can’t be said for the defense. They seemed to be a step slow against the Bengals but the young secondary has time to get better. Luckily they face the Jets this week and should be able to push Sanchez and his receivers around some.

If the Jets plan to become a dominant force in the AFC they first need to go through teams like the Patriots. For starters, they need to have a better plan on offense. Sanchez had an up ‘n down year last season and looked hesitant all game long in week 1. Rex Ryan needs to show some confidence in the kid and allow him to throw. The offense managed to get just six 1st down’s all game and never converted on 3rd down — absurd! Shonn Greene was pinned on the sidelines after two early fumbles but they are going to need him. LT needs a wingman. Defensively a sound team, the Jets were served a blow when they lost Kris Jenkins to an ACL tear last week. Revis should be blanketed all over Moss this week but the rest of the D needs to step up and help get the offense going.

I expect the Jets to bounce back from week 1 but not enough to topple the mighty Patriots. Expect Brady to spread the love and with one too many weapons, New England should walk out of the Meadowlands Stadium with a 2-0 record.

My Prediction: New England Patriots 28 – New York Jets 20

10 Storylines going into the 2010 NFL Season

Nat — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 23:15:23 +0000

Each year around this time, everyone has a prediction about how things are going to turn out in the NFL. Winners and losers aside, there are always a bunch of great storylines that unfold over the course of the season and these are just a few to look forward to…

Batman and Robin Show: They are both used to being the stars of their own show. How will they handle sharing the spotlight? Carson Palmer has his work cut out for him in order to keep both TO and Ochocinco happy -- Afterall, there are only so many touches to go around.
Don't call it a comeback: He just won't go away. The Favre watch continues as he tries to break/set more records in the NFL all the while becoming the most mocked athlete in sports. Say what you want about the guy, he can still play and now he is set to prove that for the 20th straight season.
Repeat?: Drew Brees set himself up as one of the best in the business when he led the unlikely New Orleans Saints to an NFL Championship earlier this year. With other teams upping their game, will the Saints be able to repeat or go back to being the 'AINTS?
Big Ben's Big Mess: The Steelers and their fans must be getting used to all the drama surrounding their QB -- hardly something to be happy about. While Ben got a lowered suspension, he will miss the first 4 weeks of the season. The team missed the playoffs last season by a hair but if the same comes true this year the winds of change should be rolling through steeltown come January.
Are the Jets and Ravens for real?: Will good on paper translate to good on the field? Young quarterbacks Flacco and Sanchez have gained veteran receivers to throw to. The defense has always been there for both teams, now it's just a matter of the offense catching up.
And the NFC East belongs to…: If all goes as planned, the Cowboys will be playing in the Superbowl on home turf. One problem, they still have to get by the other NFC East teams. Is Romo the man for the job? Will McNabb work out for the Skins? Will Kolb be able to handle the pressure of being the #1? Can Eli put together a Peyton like season? The watch is on...
End of an Era?: 2 years removed from surgery, Tom Brady is back trying to show us he still has it. Heading into this season, for the first time in a long time, I don't have these two guys as my definitive top 2 QB's. Are Peyton and Tom on the decline or are they still at the top of the MVP list at the end of the season?
Baptism by NFL: Kyle Orton signed a substantial 1 yr contract setting himself up as the #1 guy for the Broncos leaving college poster boy Tim Tebow on the sidelines. He may have to do most of his work by watching Orton going to work but with more and more wildcat plays, I expect to see him get some touches as the season goes on. The question is when does Tim Tebow really ARRIVE in the NFL?
Offense over Defense?: They say defense wins Championships... But why do teams spend all summer shoring up their offense? Aside from the Revis storyline, everthing was about QB's, WR's and RB's. All these young, gifted, explosive players in the league -- they are the ones who get people in the seats. When all is said and done though, can offense be relied on to win it all?
Coaching Carousels: Rex Ryan has gone on record saying his team will win the Superbowl. Andy Reid is starting life after McNabb. Pete Carroll has taken his coaching act to the big leagues with the Seahawks. Mike Tomlin will try to get it done without Big Ben. The big question -- who gets fired first?

Week 12: New England Patriots @ New Orleans Saints

Nat — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:11:58 +0000

Join me as I live blog this game on The Score – Link

*This live blog is accessible through web, iPhone/iPod Touch (Details) and/or Blackberry (Details)*

PREVIEW

We are gearing up for what might be one of the most watched MNF games of all time as the NFL’s top offenses go head to head at the Louisiana Superdome tonight. The New Orleans Saints put their potent scoring and unbeaten record (10-0) on the line against the New England Patriots (7-3) who have become a measuring stick for success in the NFL. This may well be a possible Super Bowl preview to boot. Speaking of Super Bowls… this is the first time the Patriots are playing at the Superdome since they won it all in 2002 against the Rams on a last second Vinateri FG.

The Saints drive for a perfect season is about to face its toughest test… that is the only other team to accomplish that feat. They enter this game with the NFL’s #1 attack (420.5 YPG). Drew Brees, leads the league in TD passes (22) and 12 different players for the Saints have scored TD’s for the team coming in at a league-best 36.9 ppg. The Saints are on pace to score 590 points with would better the mark set just two years ago by tonight’s opponent (589 points).

The Patriots offense is nothing to scoff at. If there is one blemish it is the red zone offense (rank 24th in TD %). Settling for FG’s is not going to cut it against the potent Saints offense. To add fuel to this, the Saints rank 5th when it comes to red zone defense. If the Patriots find a way to crack this they should be able to put a stain on what has been a perfect season thus far.

No team has more takeaways than the Saints (29). Darren Sharper, playing out of his mind, leads the team with 7 picks. On the flip side, only one team has coughed the ball up less than the Patriots. After all is said and done tonight, that may just be the difference.

My Prediction: Patriots 31 – Saints 24

Week 3: Come Backs, Bounce Backs & Running Backs

Nat — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 02:15:44 +0000

He paid his dues but is bound to continue receiving backlash for his actions. Week 3 marks the return of Michael Vick. The Eagles gave him a chance but being away from the game so long has left him rusty. I was pretty indifferent towards this move assuming he wouldn’t really play much during the regular season. An injury to McNabb has changed up the scenario and Vick may be thrown into the fire prematurely. Kolb had a decent game and Garcia is still available but Andy Reid is known to take risks. Vick will get his chance to impact the game this Sunday against the Chiefs and it will be in a defined role rather than a decoy. Since the Philly D got killed by the Saints last week, the will surely want to redeem themselves. All the factors combined should get the Eagles back in the win column.

Last Weekend was a reality check for the Patriots as Brady struggled to get anything going. He may be healthy but 2 weeks into the season we can see he has a ways to go before returning to pre-injury form. The Jets found ways to take advantage and pulled off what most considered an upset. This week the Falcons will come in with a similar mindset but Brady should be able to get back on track. I expect New England to get their running game back in order and take care of business against the Falcons – But it won’t be easy!

The Cowboys came into the season with arguably one of the best group of running backs. Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice could all start for an NFL team. There are just not enough possessions to get the most out of every guy over the course of a game. This week should be a coming out party of sorts for the 2nd and 3rd guys on the depth chart if Marion is ruled out for Monday night. There are still decisions to made before now and game time, but I expect Barber to sit out letting his very capable counterparts carry the load in what should be a win for the Cowboys.

Picking the rest…
Baltimore Ravens over Cleveland Browns
Washington Redskins over Detroit Lions
Houston Texans over Jacksonville Jaguars
Minnesota Vikings over San Francisco 49′ers
Tennessee Titans over New York Jets
Green Bay Packers over St. Louis Rams
New York Giants over Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New Orleans Saints over Buffalo Bills
Chicago Bears over Seattle Seahawks
Pittsburgh Steelers over Cincinnati Bengals
Oakland Raiders over Denver Broncos
San Diego Chargers over Miami Dolphins
Indianapolis Colts over Arizona Cardinals