Here's the 28th installment of the Audio Blog, in which Bill Belichick gets in touch with his feelings as the resumption of the Border War with the New York Jets approaches.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tears of a clown, when there's no one around.
Because the football world is all a-buzz over reports that Jets' coach Rex Ryan cried in a talk to his team last week, it was inevitable that someone would ask Patriots' coach Bill Belichick if he had ever teared up in front of his team.
"I've coached 35 years, so I've probably covered most bases," Belichick said. "I think I swore once, too."
Those who've been around here for a reasonable amount of time have seen two obviously emotional moments out of Belichick -- one in the post-game press conference after a game with the Saints on Nov. 20, 2005, a day after the passing of his father, Steve Belichick, and the other during his farewell remarks to Tedy Bruschi at the press conference announcing his retirement earlier this year.
But a full-out bawl? Not likely.
"I can't ever imagine Coach Belichick doing that in front of us," Tom Brady said. "He coaches us pretty hard. Every coach has a different style ... it's an emotional game, so I think we all put a lot into it every week. You try to convey a message, and our coach always conveys a message of the truth: 'This is how I feel, this is the truth and this is what we need to do.' I think we always find a way to respond to that."
"I've coached 35 years, so I've probably covered most bases," Belichick said. "I think I swore once, too."
Those who've been around here for a reasonable amount of time have seen two obviously emotional moments out of Belichick -- one in the post-game press conference after a game with the Saints on Nov. 20, 2005, a day after the passing of his father, Steve Belichick, and the other during his farewell remarks to Tedy Bruschi at the press conference announcing his retirement earlier this year.
But a full-out bawl? Not likely.
"I can't ever imagine Coach Belichick doing that in front of us," Tom Brady said. "He coaches us pretty hard. Every coach has a different style ... it's an emotional game, so I think we all put a lot into it every week. You try to convey a message, and our coach always conveys a message of the truth: 'This is how I feel, this is the truth and this is what we need to do.' I think we always find a way to respond to that."
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Patriots fill practice-squad gap.
The Patriots have filled their open spot on the practice squad with a player who was there before, defensive lineman Adrian Grady. Here's the press release from the team:
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PATRIOTS SIGN DL ADRIAN GRADY TO THE PRACTICE SQUAD
FOXBORO – The New England Patriots signed DL Adrian Grady to the practice squad today. New England had an open position on the eight-man practice squad following the signing of QB/WR Isaiah Stanback to the 53-man roster last Saturday.
Grady, 6-1, 290 pounds, was originally signed by the Indianapolis Colts as a rookie free agent out of Louisville on April 30, 2009. He was waived by the Colts in their final cuts and signed to the New England practice squad on Sept. 7. Grady was waived from the practice squad on Sept. 30.
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PATRIOTS SIGN DL ADRIAN GRADY TO THE PRACTICE SQUAD
FOXBORO – The New England Patriots signed DL Adrian Grady to the practice squad today. New England had an open position on the eight-man practice squad following the signing of QB/WR Isaiah Stanback to the 53-man roster last Saturday.
Grady, 6-1, 290 pounds, was originally signed by the Indianapolis Colts as a rookie free agent out of Louisville on April 30, 2009. He was waived by the Colts in their final cuts and signed to the New England practice squad on Sept. 7. Grady was waived from the practice squad on Sept. 30.
B-R goes to playoffs.
According to my good friend Danny Ventura of the Boston Herald, Bridgewater-Raynham emerged the winner in the three-pronged coin flip that determined the Old Colony League's representative in the upcoming MIAA playoffs.
The flip, which was staged earlier this morning at a restaurant in the shadow of the Sagamore Bridge, was forced when Barnstable defeated Attleboro Sunday afternoon and B-R held off Taunton later that evening, creating a three-way tie at the top of the league standings.
With representatives of all three schools flipping coins, Barnstable's coin came up heads and the other two tails, eliminating the Red Raiders immediately. Then it came down to head-to-head competition between B-R and Taunton, and that was that.
I certainly hope someone bought a Happy Meal for the Barnstable reps ... given where that program had been in recent years and how far it has come, it had to be crushing for everything to be riding upon a coin flip.
Leagues have the responsibility of setting their own tiebreaking procedures. The Hockomock, for instance, would eliminate the school that had most recently represented the league in the playoffs in the event of a three-way tie, Other leagues use a mathematical formula similar to the old football ratings.
In any event, I don't think that anyone who saw B-R fend off Attleboro in the waning seconds would doubt the Trojans' credentials. There just has to be a better way to settle these things than pure chance.
The flip, which was staged earlier this morning at a restaurant in the shadow of the Sagamore Bridge, was forced when Barnstable defeated Attleboro Sunday afternoon and B-R held off Taunton later that evening, creating a three-way tie at the top of the league standings.
With representatives of all three schools flipping coins, Barnstable's coin came up heads and the other two tails, eliminating the Red Raiders immediately. Then it came down to head-to-head competition between B-R and Taunton, and that was that.
I certainly hope someone bought a Happy Meal for the Barnstable reps ... given where that program had been in recent years and how far it has come, it had to be crushing for everything to be riding upon a coin flip.
Leagues have the responsibility of setting their own tiebreaking procedures. The Hockomock, for instance, would eliminate the school that had most recently represented the league in the playoffs in the event of a three-way tie, Other leagues use a mathematical formula similar to the old football ratings.
In any event, I don't think that anyone who saw B-R fend off Attleboro in the waning seconds would doubt the Trojans' credentials. There just has to be a better way to settle these things than pure chance.
Bonus thoughts from Barnstable and McGrath.
Been a long football weekend, and I wasn't even in Indianapolis -- and glad, too, because I can just imagine how many times my game story would have been re-written on deadline.
Anyway, here are a few observations from the last two high school games I covered in this four-game weekend:
** Sunday at Barnstable High, I had a season "first" -- I had to use five pages of my custom-made scoresheets to chart the entire game. That may not sound like a big deal, but it is to me.
You see, over some 40-plus years of covering high school football, I've come up with my own system for recording the plays so I can complile a statistical summary in a short amount of time after the game. I use a clipboard, and in my earlier years of having professionally-printed scoresheets, I designed them to be horizontal on a sheet of 8 1/2-inch-by-14-inch paper.
Well, that was wasteful. I'd use anywhere from 8-10 pieces of paper for each game, and that doesn't lend itself to a quick review while writing, So about 15 years ago, I re-designed my scoresheets to be vertical, and most games require the use of only four pages, regardless of whether they're played in 10-minute or 11-minute quarters.
Anyway, here are a few observations from the last two high school games I covered in this four-game weekend:
** Sunday at Barnstable High, I had a season "first" -- I had to use five pages of my custom-made scoresheets to chart the entire game. That may not sound like a big deal, but it is to me.
You see, over some 40-plus years of covering high school football, I've come up with my own system for recording the plays so I can complile a statistical summary in a short amount of time after the game. I use a clipboard, and in my earlier years of having professionally-printed scoresheets, I designed them to be horizontal on a sheet of 8 1/2-inch-by-14-inch paper.
Well, that was wasteful. I'd use anywhere from 8-10 pieces of paper for each game, and that doesn't lend itself to a quick review while writing, So about 15 years ago, I re-designed my scoresheets to be vertical, and most games require the use of only four pages, regardless of whether they're played in 10-minute or 11-minute quarters.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Bishop Feehan 25, Somerset 24.
One of the best games to settle a league championship I've ever seen ... and I've seen quite a few of those. The Shamrocks battled back from a mistake-filled first half and an 18-7 deficit to win -- and set up the first round of the MIAA Division 3 playoffs against Dighton-Rehoboth in a couple of weeks.
Here's the box score, and the bonus thoughts will follow later.
Bishop Feehan 25, Somerset 24
Som BF
First downs 16 14
Total yardage 270 251
Rushing yardage 236 104
Passing yardage 34 154
Sacks-yds. 0-0 1-7
Comp.-Att.-Int. 3-5-1 9-13-2
Punts-Avg. 0-0 0-0
Fumbles-lost 2-2 2-1
Penalties-yds. 5-26 5-65
Somerset 12 6 0 6—24
Bishop Feehan 7 0 6 12—25
Scoring summary:
First quarter
BF — Mike Albert 41 pass from Tommy Romero (Stan Pacuk kick), 9:30.
Som — Seth Demello 2 run (rush failed), 0:59.
Som — Jaron Spear 59 interception return (rush failed), 0:00.
Second quarter
Som — Demello 9 pass from Adam Ledoux (pass failed), 1:08.
Third quarter
BF — Zack Schwieger 2 run (rush failed), 2:16.
Fourth quarter
BF — Albert 24 pass from Romero (rush failed), 10:24.
Som —Spear 69 run (rush failed), 10:05.
BF — Nick Cataldo 19 pass from Romero (rush failed), 5:18.
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Somerset — Estrella 16-71, Spear 6-89, Ledoux 3-9, Demello 18-59, McGowan 3-8. Feehan — Boland 9-37, Schwieger 14-66, McHayle 1-1, Romero 4-0.
PASSING: Somerset — Ledoux 3-5-1—34. Feehan — Romero 9-13-2—154.
RECEIVING: Somerset — Demello 3-34. Feehan — Albert 4-88, Boland 1-minus 1, Cataldo 3-39, Beyer 1-28.
MISSED FIELD GOALS: None.
Here's the box score, and the bonus thoughts will follow later.
Bishop Feehan 25, Somerset 24
Som BF
First downs 16 14
Total yardage 270 251
Rushing yardage 236 104
Passing yardage 34 154
Sacks-yds. 0-0 1-7
Comp.-Att.-Int. 3-5-1 9-13-2
Punts-Avg. 0-0 0-0
Fumbles-lost 2-2 2-1
Penalties-yds. 5-26 5-65
Somerset 12 6 0 6—24
Bishop Feehan 7 0 6 12—25
Scoring summary:
First quarter
BF — Mike Albert 41 pass from Tommy Romero (Stan Pacuk kick), 9:30.
Som — Seth Demello 2 run (rush failed), 0:59.
Som — Jaron Spear 59 interception return (rush failed), 0:00.
Second quarter
Som — Demello 9 pass from Adam Ledoux (pass failed), 1:08.
Third quarter
BF — Zack Schwieger 2 run (rush failed), 2:16.
Fourth quarter
BF — Albert 24 pass from Romero (rush failed), 10:24.
Som —Spear 69 run (rush failed), 10:05.
BF — Nick Cataldo 19 pass from Romero (rush failed), 5:18.
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Somerset — Estrella 16-71, Spear 6-89, Ledoux 3-9, Demello 18-59, McGowan 3-8. Feehan — Boland 9-37, Schwieger 14-66, McHayle 1-1, Romero 4-0.
PASSING: Somerset — Ledoux 3-5-1—34. Feehan — Romero 9-13-2—154.
RECEIVING: Somerset — Demello 3-34. Feehan — Albert 4-88, Boland 1-minus 1, Cataldo 3-39, Beyer 1-28.
MISSED FIELD GOALS: None.
Hots and nots and game notes from Pats vs. Indy.
I'll be quick with the hots and nots.
WHO'S HOT
NOBODY: They lost a game they should have won. You don't get rewarded for that.
WHO'S NOT
BILL BELICHICK: He told half of his team that he had no faith in its ability to stop a team from marching 70 yards to a score in the last two minutes, and instead forced them to try to make the stop from 40 yards closer. Clock management was a disaster, too. This one is solely on the Genius' shoulders.
GAME NOTES
NEW ENGLAND SCORES AGAINST STINGY COLTS DEFENSE.
The New England offense scored 34 points against an Indianapolis defense that entered the game ranked first in the NFL in fewest points allowed per game with 13.5 points per game. The most points they allowed in a single game was 23 by Miami.
WHO'S HOT
NOBODY: They lost a game they should have won. You don't get rewarded for that.
WHO'S NOT
BILL BELICHICK: He told half of his team that he had no faith in its ability to stop a team from marching 70 yards to a score in the last two minutes, and instead forced them to try to make the stop from 40 yards closer. Clock management was a disaster, too. This one is solely on the Genius' shoulders.
GAME NOTES
NEW ENGLAND SCORES AGAINST STINGY COLTS DEFENSE.
The New England offense scored 34 points against an Indianapolis defense that entered the game ranked first in the NFL in fewest points allowed per game with 13.5 points per game. The most points they allowed in a single game was 23 by Miami.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Where's Fearless? On that lovable old sandy spit.
I'll be watching the Patriots-Colts game here tonight, either at my hideaway or at Bobby Byrne's Pub in Mashpee (or both), so there will be no in-game blogging, which should come as a huge disappointment to some of my fans.
Indeed, I just heard from old friend Jim Donaldson of the Providence Journal, who's in the press box at Lucas Oil Stadium and was having a problem connecting his computer to the wireless access there. Fortunately, the issue was quickly resolved. See, they DO miss me on the road!
I have to admit, I really missed the horseradish-laden shrimp cocktail and the New York strip sirloin at St. Elmo's Steakhouse, too. But I don't always miss the late games. I kind of like the idea of getting more than just three hours of sleep after the game and not having to race to the airport to catch a plane.
After the game, I'll provide final stats courtesy of NFL.com, and the game notes that are provided by the Patriots' media relations department. There may even be a few hots and nots, depending upon how much of the game I get to see.
Barnstable 43, Attleboro 24.
A nightmarish first half in the mist and fog in Hyannis as the Bombardiers fall behind 29-0 to one of the better no-huddle offenses you'll see in high school. Here's the box score of Attleboro's last Old Colony League game, and the bonus thoughts will follow later tonight.
Barnstable 43, Attleboro 24
AHS Barn
First downs 16 16
Total yardage 323 344
Rushing yardage 217 98
Passing yardage 117 262
Sacks-yds. 1-9 2-16
Comp.-Att.-Int. 8-21-4 15-21-0
Punts-Avg. 3-30.3 5-35.6
Fumbles-lost 0-0 1-1
Penalties-yds. 6-35 8-75
Attleboro 0 0 8 16—24
Barnstable 8 21 0 14—43
Scoring summary:
First quarter
Barn — Dennis Reddy 3 run (D.J. Crook rush). 1:11.
Second quarter
Barn — Crook 4 run (Giorgio Dugani kick), 10:54.
Barn — P.J. Edmonds 4 interception return (Jordan Henderson pass from Matt Delaney), 5:47.
Barn — Joe Stanek 7 pass from Crook (kick failed), 1:24.
Third quarter
AHS — A.J. Hoose 36 pass from Nate Robitaille (Matty Campbell rush), 4:03.
Fourth quarter
Barn — Ralston Cameron 8 run (Dugani kick), 10:24.
AHS — Campbell 1 run (Campbell pass from Robitaille), 7:24.
AHS — Campbell 1 run (Abiola Aborishade pass from Robitaille), 3:35.
Barn — Henderson 53 pass from Crook (Dugani kick), 2:20.
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Attleboro — Jalaoso 7-45, Campbell 23-128, Robitaille 9-41, Reading 1-minus 3, Grenon 1-6. Barnstable — Crook 10-20, Reddy 12-60, Cameron 5-19, Henderson 1-minus 1, Amato 1-0.
PASSING: Attleboro — Robitaille 8-21-4—117. Barnstable — Crook 15-20-0—262, Delaney 0-1-0–0, Dombrowski 0-0-0—0.
RECEIVING: Attleboro — Campbell 5-76, Reading 1-minus 3, Hoose 1-36, Aborishade 1-8. Barnstable — Reddy 2-5, Stanek 5-116, Smith 2-9, Delaney 2-24, Henderson 4-108.
MISSED FIELD GOALS: None.
Barnstable 43, Attleboro 24
AHS Barn
First downs 16 16
Total yardage 323 344
Rushing yardage 217 98
Passing yardage 117 262
Sacks-yds. 1-9 2-16
Comp.-Att.-Int. 8-21-4 15-21-0
Punts-Avg. 3-30.3 5-35.6
Fumbles-lost 0-0 1-1
Penalties-yds. 6-35 8-75
Attleboro 0 0 8 16—24
Barnstable 8 21 0 14—43
Scoring summary:
First quarter
Barn — Dennis Reddy 3 run (D.J. Crook rush). 1:11.
Second quarter
Barn — Crook 4 run (Giorgio Dugani kick), 10:54.
Barn — P.J. Edmonds 4 interception return (Jordan Henderson pass from Matt Delaney), 5:47.
Barn — Joe Stanek 7 pass from Crook (kick failed), 1:24.
Third quarter
AHS — A.J. Hoose 36 pass from Nate Robitaille (Matty Campbell rush), 4:03.
Fourth quarter
Barn — Ralston Cameron 8 run (Dugani kick), 10:24.
AHS — Campbell 1 run (Campbell pass from Robitaille), 7:24.
AHS — Campbell 1 run (Abiola Aborishade pass from Robitaille), 3:35.
Barn — Henderson 53 pass from Crook (Dugani kick), 2:20.
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Attleboro — Jalaoso 7-45, Campbell 23-128, Robitaille 9-41, Reading 1-minus 3, Grenon 1-6. Barnstable — Crook 10-20, Reddy 12-60, Cameron 5-19, Henderson 1-minus 1, Amato 1-0.
PASSING: Attleboro — Robitaille 8-21-4—117. Barnstable — Crook 15-20-0—262, Delaney 0-1-0–0, Dombrowski 0-0-0—0.
RECEIVING: Attleboro — Campbell 5-76, Reading 1-minus 3, Hoose 1-36, Aborishade 1-8. Barnstable — Reddy 2-5, Stanek 5-116, Smith 2-9, Delaney 2-24, Henderson 4-108.
MISSED FIELD GOALS: None.
Bonus thoughts from Holbrook, via other far-flung destinations.
I'm already on Cape Cod, preparing to see another high school football game in about 12 hours or so, but I figured it was time to put up some bonus thoughts from Saturday's 38-0 win by Tri-County over Holbrook-Avon:
** My impressions of Saturday's game have already been written -- for Sunday's newspaper, in my column. But I don't mind repeating them here because, in this case, first impressions were lasting ones.
In the event that anyone reads these comments, and somehow interprets them as insults directed at the student-athletes of Holbrook or Avon, let me state for the record right from the start of this post that I am not criticizing the kids who wore the uniforms Saturday. This is what I saw in a bigger-picture sense, and the comments you'll read (and I'm going to put the column parts in quotes) are not intended to have any hidden double meanings. It may sound a little harsh to some, but in no way do I intend to criticize any athletes in these observations -- just the adults who apparently don't care much about what the kids are doing.
In fact, it scares me that I even have to say that.
Anyway...
** My impressions of Saturday's game have already been written -- for Sunday's newspaper, in my column. But I don't mind repeating them here because, in this case, first impressions were lasting ones.
In the event that anyone reads these comments, and somehow interprets them as insults directed at the student-athletes of Holbrook or Avon, let me state for the record right from the start of this post that I am not criticizing the kids who wore the uniforms Saturday. This is what I saw in a bigger-picture sense, and the comments you'll read (and I'm going to put the column parts in quotes) are not intended to have any hidden double meanings. It may sound a little harsh to some, but in no way do I intend to criticize any athletes in these observations -- just the adults who apparently don't care much about what the kids are doing.
In fact, it scares me that I even have to say that.
Anyway...
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