Category: BSMW Original Column

Well, having the Rams game on our DVR during the bye week was, as my father used to say, not too shabby. New England wrapped up Part I of the season on a jolly good note. Throughout the first eight games, they’ve performed excellently in some stretches (the second half at Buffalo, the last 57 … Continue reading New England To Go 9-3? Third Quarter 2012 Predictions

You know, a .500 record in September isn’t that bad, people. When we predicted a slow 2-2 start by the Patriots in our preseason column, we were met with, shall we say, resistance (link here). New England has had some misfortune. The Aaron Hernandez injury forced them into a different offensive mindset, and other players … Continue reading New England 5-3? Second Quarter 2012 Predictions

Soo, ready for the season yet, or do you want another preseason game? Nope? All set? Good. Speaking of which, before we get into our predictions of the first four contests of the season, a quick review of our Preseason Predictions column posted at the beginning of August. Preseason Predictions (Proper): Pretty short list. Two … Continue reading New England 2-2? First Quarter 2012 Predictions

Way, waay back this spring, right after rookie mini-camp, we tried a Pats roster preview. Now, for your reading pleasure, we have taken the time to review our predictions. (Keep in mind, people: this was on May 14. That’s a long time ago, like before “the Red Sox” served as a punchline for “What has … Continue reading A Far-Too-Early Patriots Roster Preview Review

by Chris Warner Despite the fact that a team’s preseason performance has little relation to how the regular season will go, New England’s competition over the next few weeks will mean a great deal to fans. For one, it’s the closest thing we’ve had to actual football in over six months. We can also begin … Continue reading Patriots Preseason Predictions

by Chris Warner Off-season, off-season, free agents, rookies, whatchathink, whaddyaknow, blah, blah, blah. Enough. Let’s do this … Jones-ing For Athleticism: Before we speak of rookie Chandler Jones, a quick anecdote about last year’s defense, focusing on fan (and BSMW) favorite Rob Ninkovich. Playing against an AFC East rival, Ninkovich made two plays that defined … Continue reading Twelve Points For Patriots Training Camp

Now that New England’s rookie mini-camp has wrapped up, it’s high time we put together the roster for 2012. (Is it really high time? No, not at all. But with all these players in Foxboro, the temptation proved too much.) OFFENSE Quarterback: Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett. Notable Omission: None. Yes, it takes a … Continue reading A Far-Too-Early Patriots Roster Preview (Bias Included)

By Chris Warner Followers of the most recent New England draft noted the contrast between the elation of Day One and the confusion of Day Two. This isn’t a new phenomenon, as we see in our round-by-round review of Bill Belichick’s drafts. (We ran a similar piece in 2009 on Patriots Daily – worth checking … Continue reading Round And Round: Belichick’s Draft History

By Chris Warner New England entered the draft needing defensive help and went after it, snatching pass-rushers (Chandler Jones, Dont’a  Hightower and Jake Bequette, oh my!) plus defensive backs (Tavon Wilson, Nate Ebner, Alfonzo Dennard) before snagging a receiver (Jeremy Ebert) in Round Seven. That late focus on offense continued post-draft, as the Patriots invited … Continue reading Patriots Undrafted Free Agents Review