One Pats Great Retires & Another Unexpectedly Returns Here After A Brief Taste Of Free Agency

 

    One of the craziest weeks in Patriots history continued today with three more moves involving solid veteran players. This morning, longtime Pats safety Patrick Chung announced his retirement after 11 seasons in the NFL. This afternoon, kicker Nick Folk was re-signed to a one-year deal with $1.225 million guaranteed. Finally, tonight came the biggest news of all: center David Andrews was returning to New England with a new four-year contract after he look destined to leave in free agency a few days ago. The net result of these transactions is that the Patriots are fortified by not having to worry about finding another quality kicker or center going into next season. 

Chung spent all but one season (2013 with Philadelphia) in the NFL with the Patriots and he won three Super Bowls along the way. A tough, versatile guy that got much more consistent in his second go-around in Foxborough, he will be missed. He could help shut down top tight ends in the passing game and was also able to provide help stopping the run. You could tell that he was one of head coach/GM Bill Belichick's favorite players to work with in recent years that he really respected. He had opted out of last season and he will turn 34 this August so he could probably see the writing on the wall after he played through his share of injuries in the NFL. Enjoy retirement, you earned it!  

    Folk has been on the Patriots the last two seasons after he won their kicker tryout in the middle of the 2019 regular season. It's been a long time since he made his lone Pro Bowl appearance way back in 2007-his rookie year in Dallas-but he's dependable and that's all you can ask for from a kicker that's not named Adam Vinatieri or Justin Tucker. He was 26-of-28 on field goals in 2020 for the best field goal percentage (92.9%) of his career. He also went 30-of-33 on extra points and while he will turn 37 in November, he seems to keep himself in decent enough shape so there isn't much to worry about there at least as far as next season goes.

    Andrews is one of New England's biggest success stories since he was an undrafted free agent coming out of Georgia in 2015 and he morphed into a captain and one of their team leaders. After missing the entire 2019 campaign due to a scary blood clots condition, he returned last season to play and start in 12 games. When the Pats signed their former offensive lineman Ted Karras to a one-year deal worth $4 million dollars earlier this week, most of the beat writers figured that signaled Andrews was gone. There were reports of other teams that wanted him and he definitely could have cashed in during free agency but props to him for returning here probably at a hometown discount whenever the full contract details are publicized. Cam Newton and whatever other quarterbacks play for the Patriots this season will be thrilled to have him back.

Six Patriots (and counting) Have Now Opted Out of the 2020 Season, What Are We Doing Here NFL?

From the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic that started in mid-March (which feels like it was roughly 150 years ago), the NFL of all the big-time professional sports leagues in America seemed the most difficult to safely return. While college football hasn't officially been cancelled yet for this fall, it's probably only a matter of time with so many players testing positive for Coronavirus since going back to their respective schools this summer. MLB started its laughably unorganized 60-game regular season last Thursday and already, there is an outbreak with the Miami Marlins (shocker!) suspending activities indefinitely after almost half of their team came down with this dreaded ailment. The NHL (with hub cities in Toronto and Edmonton) and the NBA (all at Disney World) have put together the most comprehensive plans for returning to action, they realized that the best option was to create bubble cities. With the sheer size of NFL rosters not to mention coaching and support staffs, that has never really been discussed for the world's most profitable sports league.

With teams around the NFL gathering at various times this week for the start of the most bizarre training camps in history (no preseason games whatsoever), you are starting to see players choose to opt out for 2020 with that deadline quickly approaching on Saturday. Perhaps it shouldn't come as a surprise that the New England Patriots (who have so many respected and smart veterans that have won multiple Super Bowls) are at the forefront of this topic because they've had a whopping six players so far punt on this ill-fated campaign. Illustrating how much things can drastically change in a single day during a pandemic, it all started last night as their new fullback Dan Vitale along with a backup offensive lineman Najee Toran (who?) were the first ones to opt out. No big deal, Bill Belichick loves fullbacks more than any other NFL head coach from the last 20+ years but you can literally find that dinosaur position anywhere (boxing gyms, MMA misfits, local rugby leagues, etc.). As for Toran, I had never heard of him before yesterday so again, no huge loss there.

Today was the sobering reality check for Pats fans as a team captain and one of their best overall players-linebacker Dont'a Hightower-as well as three other extremely valuable guys (in their roles)-running back/special teams ace Brandon Bolden, right tackle Marcus Cannon and safety Patrick Chung-all understandably opted out of 2020. I'm not usually into doom or gloom, but honestly what's the point of having the NFL this season if it poses so many long-term health risks to everyone involved? At least the league will rightfully pay guys who make the decision not to play based on a myriad of reasons (family, friends, personal health, etc), remember this is the same shameful group of owners that has no use for guaranteed contracts despite a majority of players having very short professional careers which are then compounded by life-long injuries and issues.

Don't get me wrong, I love football at every level. I never played it formally but there are countless lessons and positive elements to be gained from such a brutal activity. A fall and winter without high school football, NCAA football or the NFL would be bizarre beyond belief. Finally, fantasy football is by far the best of all fantasy sports. For instance, I'm in a Yahoo league with many buddies from high school that is the main thing that helps us keep in touch from year to year. Still, if the pandemic has taught has anything (let's be real, hopefully it's shined a light on many aspects of your own life), it's that sports aren't everything. Trust me, I am obsessed with sports. I have been a sportswriter for almost fourteen years (damn, I'm old) since I graduated from Providence College. There are more sides to me than just sports but I am as into them as anyone I know. That's not a humblebrag either. Regardless, putting people's health on the line for a football game or season is beyond reckless and absurd. The NFL is such a physically demanding sport plus you cannot socially distance yourself from your opponent or wear a mask while you play, so it is impossible to prevent positive Covid-19 tests from happening in large numbers with teams becoming the Marlins of football in no time. Woof.

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Longtime Patriots Safety Patrick Chung Signed a Two-Year Extension to Remain In New England

Not that anyone has really noticed besides your grandfather but the 2020 MLB regular season has yet to start while the 2019-20 NBA and NHL regular seasons have been paused now for more than two months while we all deal with this endless nightmare called Covid-19 aka the 'Rona. Since they have more time to plan and see what the world looks like this fall, I have the most faith (along with the stubborn meathead nature of Roger Goodell) that there will be some form of the NFL in 2020-most likely without fans. That's why talking about NFL news and moves seems most relevant these days versus the other leagues that all still seem very far away from getting back on their respective fields, courts and rinks for any games that actually count.

With that said, the Patriots might be in rebuild mode but at least whenever they fully return to work, we can be confident that they possess one of the best safety groups in the entire NFL. Today they signed veteran Patrick Chung to a two-year extension (through 2023) which means that the 32-year-old is basically guaranteed to end his productive career where it all started: in Foxborough. With their top pick (2nd round, 37th overall after they traded away their 1st round pick) from last month's NFL Draft Kyle Dugger (a safety from Division 2 Lenoir-Rhyne) unsigned, the Chung move allowed the Pats to free up $925,000 in cap space. Keep in mind that their best safety-captain Devin McCourty-also signed an extension earlier during the pandemic which truthfully feels like it happened about three years ago.

It's hard to believe but this will be Chung's 12th season in the NFL so anytime a non-kicker, punter or backup QB reaches double-digit years in the league, you know that the clock is really starting to wind down. For being a solid player, he received a $3 million signing bonus which added to his $1.1 million salary for 2020 makes for a nice payday. By nature, NFL contracts (particularly for the detail-oriented Patriots) are always very tough to comprehend if you're not a lawyer, player agent or Bill Belichick. The former Oregon Duck can also earn up to $800,000 in per-game roster bonuses and a $100,000 workout bonus. Should Chung choose to play beyond this season, 2021-2023 would have the identical setup money-wise: base salary of $1.9 million, up to $400,000 per-game roster bonuses, $200,000 in incentives and a $100,000 workout bonus.

For many reasons both on the field and off the field, Chung has had a unique journey with the Patriots. He was drafted in the 2nd round (34th overall) in 2009 and had an up-and-down first four seasons for the Pats, probably because he missed a bunch of games with injuries (playing only 8 games in 2011 and 12 games the next year). From there, he went to the Eagles for one mostly nondescript season in 2013 (39 solo tackles, 20 assisted tackles & 1 fumble recovery in 12 games) before surprisingly returning to New England where he's been tough, dependable and consistent in his second go-around. In the last six seasons here, he's only missed five total regular season games which is a rather incredible change from his early days.

He's never been (and will never be) a Pro Bowler but he is on the next tier of quality players that every good football team needs to have in droves to compliment its stars. Chung is not big in stature (5-foot-11, 215 pounds) by the NFL's superhuman standards but he's athletic enough to be able to cover tight ends and be close to the line of scrimmage to help defend wide receivers and running backs in the short passing game. He has appeared in three Super Bowls with the Patriots and is a two-time champion.

Last summer ironically might have been his most notable headline as a Patriot when he got busted with a mountain of cocaine in his lake house in New Hampshire. Somehow, someway that was mostly swept under the rug (pun totally intended) and he never went to jail nor has been suspended by the league for it. I just think that's notable in terms of ways that Chung wants to celebrate this deal under quarantine. Granted, I'm not advocating for it but couldn't we all use a little booger sugar right now to get away from our troubles for a bit? Haha just kidding, stay in school (remember those?) kids!

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Patriots Blow Out Dolphins 41-13 To Win Their 6th Straight AFC East Title

I am as guilty as anyone of not respecting the AFC East so thanks to New England's 41-13 pasting of Miami this afternoon at Gillette Stadium, I can stand my by ruling that the AFC East is a complete mess every year. The Patriots (11-3 overall, 7-0 home) captured their sixth AFC East crown in a row which is a very impressive accomplishment regardless of how poorly their division has played outside of them. New England still holds the No. 1 seed in the AFC with two regular season contests left (at Jets, vs. Bills).

New England followed their recent pattern of playing poorly in the first half and that continued today as they slogged to a 14-13 undeserved lead at the break. Just like last Sunday in San Diego, the Pats exploded in the second half by outscoring Miami (7-7 overall, 4-4 away) 27-0 including 24-0 in the third.

LeGarrette Blount started that flurry with a 3-yard touchdown run then Stephen Gostkowski had to settle for a 35-yard field goal. No problem, Ryan Tannehill (29 of 47 for 346 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs) promptly threw his second interception of the game-to Patrick Chung (10 tackles, 5 solo, 2 passes deflected). The next play was a 27-yard touchdown laser pass from Tom Brady (21 of 35 for 287 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) to Rob Gronkowski (3 catches, 96 yards). Goodnight Dolphins, hope you have a safe flight home!

A few minutes later, Julian Edelman (7 catches, 88 yards) caught a six-yard touchdown catch to make New England's lead 38-13. The only points in the fourth quarter came off a 36-yard field goal by Gostkowski. Earlier in the contest, Gostkowski became New England's all-time leader in points scored, passing Adam Vinatieri in that very exclusive club.

The first big play of the game was so Dolphins in December at Gillette that it hurt. Caleb Sturgis' field goal attempt was blocked by Jamie Collins (5 tackles, 4 solo, 1 tackle for loss, 1 quarterback hit) and returned 62 yards for a touchdown by Kyle Arrington. Miami drove into New England's red zone but the Patriots' defense held them to a 24-yard kick by Sturgis that made it 7-3.

Tannehill's first interception was killer since Duron Harmon (yes he's still on the team) returned it 60 yards to Miami's 8-yard line. Three plays after that, Shane Vereen ran it in from three yards out for a 14-3 Patriots advantage. Miami got another field goal, a 53-yard bomb by Sturgis and then New England's bizarre play calls at the end of the first half helped the Dolphins add seven more points. Actually, Mike Wallace (5 catches, 104 yards) made it all happen with a ridiculous 50-yard touchdown catch that was originally ruled out of bounds but replay rightfully overturned it.

Chandler Jones (7 tackles, 4 solo, 1.5 sacks, 2 quarterback hits) played for the first time since Week 7 vs. Jets and he didn't show much rust at all. It was also nice to see Jonas Gray (11 carries, 62 yards) finally get out of Bill Belichick's doghouse. He's more talented than Blount and there is no reason that they couldn't at least split time between them.

The Pats hit the road for the final time this regular season with a game on Sunday afternoon (1, CBS) at MetLife Stadium vs. lowly Jets (3-11 overall, 4th in AFC East). New York beat Tennessee 16-11 in a true rock fight this afternoon. The Jets actually gave the Patriots everything they could handle in that Week 7 meeting, a Thursday Night Football 27-25 win by the Pats that was as tight as it seemed. I'm not dumb enough to say that the Jets will beat them or even make it competitive again since they are a disaster and Rex Ryan is rehearsing for his upcoming role in "Dead Man Walking."

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Patriots Survive Crapfest 23-16, Mostly Because They Were Playing The Hapless Jaguars

The less time spent talking about this afternoon's brutal 23-16 Patriots win against the Jaguars at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, the better. If you didn't see any or even some of this one, I'm jealous of you. I feel like I need a cold shower to wash away the filth from viewing this.

Patrick Chung's (2 interceptions) interception in the end zone sealed a win that was way closer than it should have been for the Patriots. It is not hyperbole to say that if they were playing pretty much any other team in the NFL than Jacksonville, they would have lost. Oh well, I guess it was the predictable letdown/trap game after primetime matchups with the Texans and Niners in consecutive weeks.

New England (11-4, 6-2 away) spotted the Jaguars a 10-0 lead in the first quarter but after Jacksonville (2-13, 1-7 home) went up 13-3 early in the second quarter, it all went to shit for the team that is currently tied with the Chiefs (2-13) for the worst record in the NFL.

With all the guys that they sat with "injuries" or moved around, it appeared that the Patriots didn't have much interest in winning this game when it kicked off. However, maybe once they realized that Houston was losing (they fell 23-6 to Minnesota), they remembered that they were still able to get the No. 1 or 2 seed in the AFC. Hey, we all lose our minds at some point or another during the holidays.

Former Dolphins great Chad Henne (29 of 51, 348 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs) picked the Patriots apart in the first quarter but he soon regressed to the awful quarterback that he's always been. Conversely, Tom Brady (24 of 41, 267 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs) threw two early interceptions but then he settled down and began to find plenty of holes in Jacksonville's awful defense.

Stevan Ridley (18 carries, 84 yards) ran well after his bobble led to Brady's first interception. Wes Welker (10 catches, 88 yards on 12 targets) was Brady's main target as always while Brandon Lloyd (6 catches, 62 yards on 12 targets) came back to Earth after his huge game vs. San Francisco and Aaron Hernandez (1 catch, 13 yards on 5 targets) was M.I.A. all game. It goes without saying that the Pats really miss Rob Gronkowski and he can't return soon enough, maybe next week?

University of Maine product Montell Owens (77 yards receiving; 42 yards rushing) made the most of his rare start while Jordan Shipley (5 catch, 82 yards on 10 targets) and Justin Blackmon (7 catch, 79 yards on 12 targets) took advantage of a depleted secondary for New England with no Alfonzo Dennard and a banged up Aqib Talib.

Blackmon caught a 3-yard touchdown to give Jacksonville a 7-0 lead and Josh Scobee's 41-yard field goal made it 10-0 in the first quarter. Stephen Gostkowski's 25-yard field goal got New England on the board late in the first quarter.

Scobee added a 35-yard field goal before the Patriots finally woke up. Gostkowski drilled a 49-yard field goal and Brady hit Danny Woodhead with a 14-yard touchdown pass with 18 seconds left in the first half to improbably tie it at 13.

Gostkowski's 38-yard field goal in the third quarter was the only score of the frame as both defenses settled in and each offense sputtered. Welker's 3-yard touchdown catch put New England up by 10 (23-13) and that was just enough for them to hold on. Scobee had a 42-yard field goal but Henne couldn't complete the comeback at the end. Story of his life.

Marquice Cole (6 solo tackles, 2 tackles for loss, pass defensed) had his first interception as a Patriot while Dont'a Hightower (6 tackles, 4 solo, sack, tackle for loss, pass defensed, quarterback hit) had one of his best games of the season. Kyle Arrington (7 solo tackles, tackle for loss) also played well in extended action for him.

The 2012 regular season ends next Sunday with the Patriots hosting the Dolphins (7-8) at Gillette Stadium (4:25 p.m., CBS). New England is currently the No. 3 seed in the AFC but they can move up if either Houston or Denver lose. That's what we have to root for, the Pats could even jump to No. 1 if both lose but that probably won't happen with Denver hosting Kansas City (Texans are at Colts).

The game means plenty so I would expect that almost all the healthy Patriots will play. The difference between a bye and having to play during Wild Card weekend is enormous so they should go all out to ensure that they win. Miami isn't going anywhere and they are not great by any means but they'll make it competitive mostly because their defense is above average.

UPDATE 12/24: The Patriots made a bunch of roster moves involving guys you probably have never heard of. They released fullback James Develin and wide receiver Kamar Aiken from the 53-man roster. They also released wide receiver/punt returner Tony Logan and offensive lineman Jeremiah Warren from the practice squad.

New England also received a one-week exemption for Jermaine Cunningham after his four-game suspension ended yesterday. They have a week to activate him to the roster, which they are expected to do. As it stands now, the Patriots have two open roster spots.

UPDATE 12/25: Aiken and Develin both cleared waivers today, meaning they are now free agents. The Patriots have three open slots on their practice squad and both retain practice squad eligibility so look for at least one of them to stick around Foxborough.

UPDATE 12/26: Today, the Patriots signed three guys to the practice squad: Aiken, Develin and cornerback Cyhl Quarles. You're obviously familiar with Aiken and Develin while Quarles spent two plus weeks on New England's practice squad earlier this season.

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Jonathan Fanene We Hardly Knew Ya

The Patriots were lucky enough to survive last night's preseason game against the Eagles without suffering any major injuries. Safety Patrick Chung left with a shoulder injury but it wasn't serious from what I've read in the aftermath.

New England made news this afternoon as they released three players: defensive end Jonathan Fanene, offensive lineman Kyle Hill and former UMass-Amherst kicker Chris Koepplin. Fanene is the surprising choice out of that group since the Pats signed him to a three-year, $9.85 million contract last offseason with a $3.85 million signing bonus.

Due to a knee injury, Fanene hadn't played in either preseason game so far with the Patriots and I didn't get down to any practices (he missed the last 13 sessions) so I can't say anything about his short time in Foxboro. When he was brought in, he seemed like a promising player but as Bill Belichick said today on a conference call, "it just didn't work out. Don't really think I have much more to add than that, it just didn't work out."

So yeah, what else is there to say? As for Hill and Koepplin, they had zero chance to make the 53-man roster so losing them means absolutely nothing.

New England traveled to Tampa Bay today and they'll practice with the Buccaneers tomorrow and Thursday before a preseason game on Friday night. There will be a million more roster moves in the next few weeks as the Patriots cut their roster down to 53 players and figure out who is on the practice squad ahead of their season opener Sunday, September 9 at Tennessee.

UPDATE 8/22: Hix cleared waivers so the Patriots put him on IR. They currently have 85 players on the roster after those moves and they'll need to get to 75 by Monday at 4 p.m.

Also, offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer and tight end Daniel Fells were activated off the PUP list so they experienced their first practice today (against the Bucs).

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Neither the Dolphins nor myself saw that one coming

Nobody, not even the biggest Pats footie pajamas fanboy, could have possibly seen last night's Pats blowout of the Dolphins coming.

It was Monday Night Football in Miami and after losing to the Jets (3-1) on Sunday night, the Dolphins (2-2) figured to bounce back.

Miami led 7-6 at the half but the Patriots (3-1) exploded for 35 points in the second half, on the way to a 41-14 thrashing that completely changed the complexion of the AFC East (for one week at least).

In the process, New England became the first team in NFL history to record a touchdown catch, touchdown run, interception for a touchdown, a blocked field goal for a touchdown and kickoff return for a touchdown.

Obviously, the special teams were the difference, giving every football coach in the world a pants tent since that's something they harp about ad nauseum.

The biggest stars last night? Patrick Chung, Rob Ninkovich, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead, Brandon Tate and Jerod Mayo. And yes, this is real life.

When the game started, Miami looked like they were going to run over New England, literally. The Pats defense continued to play like they were wearing ice skates as Chad Henne (302 yards, 2 touchdowns, 3 interceptions) threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Davone Bess (9 catches, 93 yards).

Ninkovich made two picks, one late in the first quarter and the other in the second quarter, that were converted into two field goals by Stephen Gostkowski: 23-yard and 30-yard kicks.

Brandon Tate took the opening kick of the second half and completely changed the game by returning it 103 yards for his second return touchdown of the season.

That 13-7 lead morphed into 20-7 a few minutes later as Green-Ellis (16 carries, 76 yards) ran up the middle 12 yards for the touchdown. It was all set up by Chung, who blocked a punt that was scooped up by Brandon Spikes at the Dolphins' 15-yard line.

Miami seemed to respond as the ageless Ricky Williams ran a screen pass in for a 28-yard touchdown.

Tom Brady (153 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions) and the offense got the job done on the next drive, as he eventually found Woodhead for a 11-yard touchdown pass.

It got much worse for the Dolphins in the fourth quarter as Dan Carpenter's 54-yard field goal was blocked by Chung and picked up by Kyle Arrington, who returned it 35 yards for the touchdown. Game over, it was 34-14 New England.

Finally, Chung capped off his career night with a 51-yard interception return for a score off of Henne. Once again, Henne was exposed for the fraud he is. I should have known better, I saw him enough at Michigan to realize that he'll never be better than average but I bought into the Dolphins.

Mark Sanchez is better than Henne and the Jets are better than the Pats and Dolphins. Fact not opinion as Mike Felger has famously said a million times.

The post-script from the game are some interesting stats: Randy Moss didn't have a catch for the first time in his Patriots career. Wes Welker had eight catches for 70 yards, including a vital third-down conversion. Mayo looked awesome, making 14 solo tackles and two assists. Also, Ninkovich had a sack in what Mike Tirico called "the best night of his football life."

Now we have two weeks to all jump back on the Pats bandwagon and feel the love. The schedule gets particularly hard after the bye week since they host Baltimore then go to San Diego.

For one night though, Belichick and Brady were pumped up on the sidelines as the game wound down and this season has much more hope and potential.

One of the most pathetic wins you'll ever see

Due to some problems connecting to the Internet today, I had more time to digest the Patriots-Bills game from yesterday before I put my thoughts online.

Nothing changed as the did that really happen question lingered in my head.

Yes the Pats (2-1) won 38-30 at Gillette Stadium against the Bills (0-3) but it's hard to remember a much less satisfying win.

Sure New England's offense looked great and I couldn't be happier to have Danny Woodhead on our side but could the defense be any worse?

Today Buffalo released Trent "Captain Checkdown" Edwards and you know why he was expendable? Because former Harvard star Mark Zuckerberg I mean Ryan Fitzpatrick torched them for 247 yards and two touchdowns.

If he didn't throw two terrible picks in the fourth quarter, the Bills might have snapped their 13-game losing streak to the Patriots but here we are.

Ridiculous haircut not withstanding, Tom Brady can still tear it up (especially against the sisters of the poor) to the tune of 252 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

The good news for Pats fans is that the offense looks potent, at least when they're not playing the Jets and throwing it deep to Moss on every play.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis got the start and he had his best regular season game in almost two years with 98 yards rushing on 16 carries. The aforementioned Woodhead made his Patriots debut, carrying the ball three times for 42 yards, including a 22-yard run.

Moss only had two catches but they both went for touchdowns, Aaron Hernandez had a team-high six catches and 65 yards, Wes Welker caught four balls for 45 yards and Rob Gronkowski had 42 yards receiving and another touchdown.

As good as the offense looked, the defense was equally head-scratching and just plain awful, making the Bills (one of the worst teams in the league with one of the most wretched offenses) look like the Colts.

Rian Lindell, the Bills' excellent kicker, gave Buffalo an early 3-0 lead in the first quarter. Brady responded with a 7-yard touchdown to Moss that was too easy.

After another 39-yard field goal by Lindell, Buffalo went ahead in the second quarter thanks to a 5-yard catch and run from Fitzpatrick to rookie running back C.J. Spiller.

Woodhead provided what will surely be one of the most memorable plays of the season with his 22-yard score in the second quarter, which gave New England a 14-13.

The tiny running back that won over America this summer during Hard Knocks with the Jets proved that he has some serious game. Plus with Kevin Faulk done for the season, he could very well have a role on this team.

Lindell's 34-yard field goal put the Bills up 16-14 right before the half but Stephen Gostkowski hit a 43-yarder as time ran out in the first half.

As everyone knows, the second half has been a twilight zone for this team last season and so far this season, sadly yesterday was no exception.

Brady and Moss connected again on the first drive of the second half, a 35-yard dart between a couple Bills defenders.

On the ensuing kickoff, Spiller went 95 yards for the score. The terrible angles and tackle attempts that plague the Pats' defense was evident on the return. That shouldn't be a surprise since many of the same starters play special teams too. Yikes!

Gronkowski's 5-yard touchdown catch late in the third quarter put New England up 31-23 and Green-Ellis added to that with his 7-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter.

The fact that the Patriots couldn't finally step on Buffalo's throats then and end it is horrifying enough. Some clown named Steve Johnson caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Fitzpatrick and after a three-and-out, the Bills got the ball back with the chance to tie it.

Is this real life? For the second time, the Patriots' defense made a play or more accurately caught an interception that was thrown right at them. Patrick Chung (7 tackles) had the first one and Brandon Meriweather closed it out with the second one.

Jerod Mayo also made an appearance, recording a sack (the second of his career, really?) and nine tackles, six solo.

Even though the Jets (2-1) won in Miami on Sunday night, the Dolphins (2-1) proved that they are on the same level as New York and probably a step ahead of the Pats.

New England heads to Miami on Monday night for what should be a very tough road game. In the past decade when the Dolphins were miserable, they always seemed to give New England problems and now they're a legitimate contender in the AFC East.