Patriots Get Rid Of A Talented Young Cornerback, Wait What?

The Patriots might be in the middle of their bye week but it is also the middle of the 2012 regular season so they are still hard at work in Foxborough.

On the heels of releasing linebacker Bobby Carpenter yesterday, they surprisingly released second-year cornerback Sterling Moore this afternoon. To take their places on the 53-man roster, New England re-signed linebacker Mike Rivera (who has been with the team a couple times) and safety Derrick Martin, who has played six seasons in the NFL most recently with the Giants last year and was with the Pats during training camp. They also terminated the practice squad contract of defensive end/tight end Alex Silvestro.

Moore was an undrafted free agent that the Patriots discovered last season. He had played in all eight games this season (no starts) as a nickel back and made 13 tackles (12 solo) with one fumble forced and one fumble recovered. Considering the fact that he was released twice last season but ended up playing a prominent role in the playoffs means that I doubt they have completely given up on him (he's only 22). I bet they told him to hang tight and he'll be back on the team in a few weeks when someone else goes down or this Martin character proves to be a bum.

UPDATE 11/1: The Pats signed wide receiver Jarred Fayson to the practice squad today. Moore cleared waivers which means he's a free agent. He does have practice squad eligibility left though and New England has one open spot there.

Tweet


Follow @RichSlate

Patriots Are Headed Back To The Super Bowl After A 23-20 Win Over The Ravens

It had been four years since the New England Patriots reached the Super Bowl. For most of this season, I never would have believed that this current edition of the Pats had a prayer of reaching Super Bowl 46 in Indianapolis but thanks to many breaks and good fortune, they put themselves in the AFC Championship game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Through another series of insane events, the Patriots (15-3) beat the Ravens (13-5) 23-20 this afternoon at Gillette Stadium. With the Giants' (12-7) 20-17 overtime win in San Francisco (14-4), New England will meet New York on February 5 in a rematch from four seasons ago.

As I look over the box score from today hours after the fact, I still can't really explain how the Pats managed to hold off the Ravens. It seemed like New England did everything in its power to self-destruct and lose but somehow they found a way to win thanks to Billy Cundiff missing a possible game-tying 32-yard field goal right before the fourth quarter ended.

New England was in great shape when their defense finally forced a turnover, in the fourth quarter. Joe Flacco (22 of 36, 306 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) was picked off on an incredible effort by Brandon Spikes. With six minutes and change plus the ball at midfield, the Pats just needed to get a decent drive and put some more points on the board. That's when offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien decided that was the perfect time to have Tom Brady (22 of 36, 239 yards, 0 TDs, 2 INTs) throw a bomb to Matthew Slater. Did I mention that Slater was triple-covered?

Jimmy Smith picked off Brady's pass and returned it 39 yards. The Patriots defense forced a turnover on downs after that but New England's offense went 3 and out and that's when the Ravens went right down the field before Cundiff choked in the most epic fashion. Sterling Moore saved the season as he knocked the ball out of Lee Evans' hands (what would have been a TD) then broke up another pass in the plays leading up to the ill-fated kick. The Ravens had to go for the field goal and the rest is history.

New England's 10th straight win was marked by the first time in 36 games that Brady didn't throw a touchdown pass. It doesn't matter though since he's going to his fifth Super Bowl, tying John Elway's record. This will be Bill Belichick's fifth Super Bowl, only Don Shula (6) has coached in more. Brady needs one more Super Bowl win to tie Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana's record (4).

I don't know how Baltimore lost a game when A) Flacco outplayed Brady, B) They won the turnover battle 3-1 and C) New England's defense outplayed its offense. I'll freely admit that the Patriots got lucky in some sense but on the other hand, the team that took more risks (going for it on 4th down) was rightfully rewarded while the team that was too conservative (kicking a field goal on 4th and 1) was ultimately punished.

We all wondered what would happen when Brady and Co. weren't hanging 30+ on an opponent. That transpired today yet the much-maligned Patriots defense, led by Vince Wilfork (6 tackles, 1 sack, 3 tackles for loss), Spikes (9 tackles) and Moore made just enough plays to survive.

Another crazy stat: BenJarvus Green-Ellis (15 carries, 68 yards, TD) had one more rushing yard than Ravens superstar Ray Rice (21 carries, 67 yards).

Baltimore did about as good a job as one could expect against Rob Gronkowski (5 catches, 87 yards), Aaron Hernandez (7 catches, 66 yards), Wes Welker (6 catches, 53 yards) and Deion Branch (2 catches, 18 yards) yet they still lost.

Anquan Boldin (6 catches, 101 yards) and Torrey Smith (3 catches, 82 yards, TD) benefited from Flacco's solid performance.

Stephen Gostkowski had the only points of the first quarter, a 29-yard field goal. Cundiff tied it with a 20-yard field goal early in the second quarter. Green-Ellis gave the Patriots the biggest lead of the game, at 10-3, with a 7-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. The Ravens and Flacco responded with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Dennis Pitta. Gostkowski's 35-yard field gave New England a 13-10 halftime lead.

New England's red zone offense struggled all day and the third quarter was no different as they settled for a 24-yard field goal by Gostkowski and a 16-10 lead.

Flacco found Smith for a 29-yard touchdown pass when the former Maryland Terp broke not one but two weak tackle attempts by the Patriots secondary. Compounding that bitter feeling, Danny Woodhead fumbled the ensuing kickoff. The Patriots defense held Baltimore to a 39-yard field goal by Cundiff and a 20-16 deficit entering the fourth.

New England answered with their biggest drive of the season which ended with Brady diving over the pile at the goalline for a touchdown on 4th and 1.

This will be the sixth Super Bowl for Patriots owner Robert Kraft (a record). Overall, it is the seventh Super Bowl appearance for the franchise which puts it one behind Dallas and Pittsburgh. The Patriots are 7-1 in AFC Championship games, 4-0 at home. Brady and Belichick are the first QB-coach duo to win five conference championships in the Super Bowl era. Brady tied Montana for most playoff wins (16) all time.

Gronk suffered a brutal ankle injury in the third quarter but he somehow returned later in the game so I think that with almost two weeks of rest and care, he should be able to play in the Super Bowl. Only a bionic guy like him could survive getting rolled up by Bernard Pollard (yes that man), something that would hurt most mortals.

In the next 12 days, we'll talk much more in depth about the Giants and the stakes in this incredible matchup. For now, let's enjoy this improbable win which puts the Pats one win away from the top.

Tweet


Follow @RichSlate

For The Second Straight Season, New England Earns The No. 1 Seed In The AFC

I've seen plenty of fake life stuff from the New England Patriots this season but fittingly, on the first day of 2012 (and the last day of the regular season), they topped anything else they had done in 2011.

One week after spotting the Dolphins a 17-0 halftime lead, the Pats (13-3) raised the stakes a bit higher by handing the Bills (6-10) a 21-0 advantage in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Luckily, it was still Buffalo so just like Miami they quickly coughed it up as New England rolled to a 49-21 victory (yes 49 unanswered points).

With the win (their eighth straight), the Patriots clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC to go along with home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and the bye they had already secured. We found out tonight that New England will host either Cincinnati, Pittsburgh or Denver on Saturday, January 14 at 8 p.m. depending on who wins in the divisional round next weekend.

Mostly since the game was announced by the preseason hero unit of Don Criqui and Randy Cross, I'm not too interested in going to in depth on this absurd contest.

Tom Brady (23 of 35, 338 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception) went over 5000 yards (5235) for the season, the first time he's done that in his career. He also finished second all-time (behind Drew Brees) for yards in a season.

Also setting records was tight end Rob Gronkowski (8 catches, 108 yards, 2 TDs). He now has the most yards in a season for a tight end (1327). Bill Belichick will always pretend to not care about statistics but it's a proven fact that the Patriots gun for historical numbers like this. How else can you explain Brady playing at the end of blowouts and Gronkowski breaking the record on the last non-kneel of the regular season?

Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (29 of 46, 307 yards, 2 touchdowns), one of my favorite Harvard alums, was in a giving mood as he threw four interceptions. Sterling Moore made the first two picks of his career, the second of which he took back 21 yards for the final Patriots touchdown. Devin McCourty (who played some safety) and Antwaun Molden had the others.

Stevan Ridley (15 carries, 81 yards) and BenJarvus Green-Ellis (2 rushing touchdowns) proved to be a 1-2 rushing combination for the Pats. Look for New England to stick with that duo in the playoffs. Ridley has the explosive burst in the open field and Green-Ellis is better by the goalline.

I don't know if I've ever seen a quarter of football better sum up a franchise or a city than the first quarter today for the Bills. Buffalo got off to the perfect start thanks to a 4-yard run by Tashard Choice, an 18-yard catch by Steve Johnson and a 15-yard catch by C.J. Spiller.

In an omen of things to come, Johnson was flagged for a personal foul by lifting up his shirt to reveal an undershirt that said "Happy New Year." You can't make this stuff up. Bills head coach Chan Gailey decided to sit the talented Johnson for the rest of the game; Gailey made his point and I doubt that Johnson (who will be a free agent) will return to Buffalo next season. Way to be an idiot.

Green-Ellis' 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter got New England on the board and woke up the hungover and even more quiet than usual Gillette crowd. After that, Aaron Hernandez (7 catches, 138 yards) turned in the play of the game with a 39-yard catch and run for a score.

Brady threw an interception on the last drive of the first half but it didn't matter since the Pats had all the momentum and received the kickoff to start the second half.

Two Stephen Gostkowski field goals (47, 20) cut it to 21-20 Buffalo in the third quarter before Gronkowski put his team ahead for good with a 17-yard catch. Danny Woodhead added the two-point conversion run and New England led 28-21 late in the third quarter.

Things got silly in the fourth as Fitzpatrick threw it up for grabs on basically every play and even the Patriots' terrible secondary could take advantage of that. Green-Ellis added a 3-yard touchdown run and Gronkowski had a 7-yard touchdown catch before Moore's pick-six which was a big play for his confidence.

The crazy part about this team is that even after 16 games, nobody can say they know what will happen when the Pats have to face a worthy opponent and not a team that will piss down its leg and hand the game to them. They can beat anybody in the AFC playoffs and they can also lose to any of those same teams.

The offense can score plenty of points (49 was a season-high) but they basically have to be flawless to make up for the bumbling defense. Along those lines, if the defense can make a big stop or better yet force a turnover, the Patriots have an exponentially improved chance of winning.

All I know is that this team was in the same position last season with the No. 1 seed and a seemingly easy path to the Super Bowl. We all know how that ended up. New England has lost its last three playoff games and they've lost their openers for two years straight at home. That all has to change starting on January 14 and for the record, I don't want to face the Steelers. Bring me the Broncos or Bengals and I like the Patriots chances to get to the AFC Championship Game.

Tweet


Follow @RichSlate

Patriots Sign Safety Vincent Fuller

I meant to write this yesterday when I heard it on Twitter but I figured I'd wait until it became official: the New England Patriots signed free agent safety Vincent Fuller today.

It's a good move first of all because it means that Matthew Slater and to a lesser degree Sergio Brown should get less playing time. Moreover, Patrick Chung was back at practice today (he's missed the last six games) so hopefully one of New England's biggest weaknesses is finally being fixed.

Fuller is 29-years-old and he was selected by Tennessee in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft out of Virginia Tech. He played for the Titans from 2005-2010 and spent one game with the Lions this season before being placed on IR (elbow).

Detroit released him from the injured reserve list Dec. 6 which it opened the opportunity for Fuller (6-1, 192) to sign with another team.

He has has played in 76 NFL games (5 career starts), he's made 163 tackles and six interceptions (4 returned for touchdowns). Prior to signing with the Lions, Fuller worked out for the Patriots in early September before the regular season started (showing that safety depth was an issue even way back then).

In other Patriots news, the Pro Bowl final fan results were released today (can you feel the excitement?). I only mention it since a bunch of Pats won this glorified popularity contest for a game that absolutely nobody cares about. Is there any argument that it's not the worst All-Star game of the four major sports?

Tom Brady was the leading vote-getter in the AFC (second in the NFL behind Aaron Rodgers) while Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski, Logan Mankins and Andre Carter also came in first in the AFC at their respective positions.

Aaron Hernandez, Matt Light and Kyle Arrington finished second while Vince Wilfork, Stephen Gostkowski and Matthew Slater were third.

Pro Bowl rosters are determined by fan votes, player votes and coach votes. Each one counts 1/3 towards setting the 43-man roster. NFL players and coaches will cast their ballots today and tomorrow. The 2012 Pro Bowl is Sunday, January 29 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Regardless of if the Patriots are still alive in the playoffs or not, don't expect any of the big name players to appear in the game. Who could blame them? However, their idiots if they skip out on a free trip to Hawaii; they just have to make up a fake injury.

UPDATE 12/23: In a classic Belichick move, Fuller was released today (he must have been awful) while defensive end Alex Silvestro and defensive back Sterling Moore were added to the 53-man roster from the practice squad.

Tweet


Follow @RichSlate

Rob Gronkowski Gronks His Way To AFC Offensive Player Of The Week Award

Rob Gronkowski has earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors on the strength of his mammoth performance in Sunday's win against the Washington Redskins. No word yet on whether or not he spiked the trophy.

Gronkowski has set himself apart from all the other tight ends in the NFL this season, as his two touchdowns on Sunday broke the record (13 by Vernon Davis and Antonio Gates) for most receiving TDs by a tight end in a single season (Gronk now has 15 with three games left). He caught six passes for 160 yards overall.

More impressive than his two touchdown receptions, Gronkowski wowed us all with his galloping, physics defying scamper on the play before his first touchdown. Gronkowski dove to catch an errant pass from Tom Brady and went to the ground without being touched. Shortly after getting to his feet, he was wrapped up by Dejon Gomes and Reed Doughty, who he dragged a few yards before breaking free and tip toeing down the sidelines. Josh Wilson dove at his legs only to watch as he tightroped the sidelines once again before losing steam inside the Redskins red zone. It was a remarkable higlight reel play that Patriots fans won't forget anytime soon.

Bill Belichick gushed over Gronk after the game. Well actually he was just himself, saying, "that play was right in front of us. He did a great job there, getting the ball off the ground, breaking a couple tackles, staying in bounds-he had almost no room to work with on the sideline. ... He's a tough guy to cover, a tough guy to match up on."

The matchup problems that Gronkowski creates is precisely why he is so dangerous, as he can get open against slow-footed linebackers and rise up to make plays in the air against smaller defensive backs. Gronkowski is clearly the most effective and dependable target for Brady with the possible exception of Wes Welker and he is as important as any player on the Patriots come playoff time.

Also happening today in Patriots world: cornerback Sterling Moore was resigned to the practice squad which means he'll probably be starting on Sunday in Denver.

Tweet


Follow @RyanBurns88

Patriots-Redskins Injury Report

You know that the New England Patriots (9-3) haven't had a big game in weeks since it seems like nobody is talking about them at the moment.

With the NBA's bumbling moves and the Bruins in full swing not to mention the holidays around the corner, it is totally understandable why people have mostly stopped paying attention to the Pats during the weeks between games.

This Sunday should be no different than the last few games because New England plays at the Washington Redskins (4-8). You remember who Washington's quarterback is right? None other than Rex Grossman and if he should get hurt or falter, John Beck is his backup. So yeah, that's why nobody should fear Mr. Tan himself Mike Shannon or his garbage team that is playing out the string as usual.

As far as injuries go, Washington's list is a short one. Defensive tackle Chris Baker (quad) and safety LaRon Landry (groin) have both been declared out. Everybody else on their injury report is probable and I don't bother to mention those. Let's also not forget two of their best players: left tackle Trent Williams and tight end Fred Davis, who will miss Sunday's game and the rest of the season due to failing a drug test (reportedly for marijuana).

The Patriots have declared offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer (back/foot) out. Linebacker Jermaine Cunningham (hamstring), who you probably forgot still existed, is doubtful. Following the pattern of the last few weeks, Bill Belichick has listed a double-digit amount of Patriots players (12 this time) as questionable.

Cornerback Kyle Arrington (foot), safety Patrick Chung (foot), center Dan Connolly (groin), wide receiver/cornerback Julian Edelman (back), linebacker Dane Fletcher (thumb), safety James Ihedigbo (shoulder), cornerback Devin McCourty (shoulder), wide receiver Matthew Slater (shoulder), linebacker Brandon Spikes (knee), running back Shane Vereen (hamstring), offensive lineman Ryan Wendell (calf) and running back Danny Woodhead (abdomen) are all theoretically 50/50 to play at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday at FedEx Field.

The players I'll be keeping an eye on the most for New England that are questionable have to be Chung and Spikes. They've both missed big chunks of time and are two of the Patriots most talented defensive players. New England's playoff hopes will likely fall on their shaky defense to make a few plays/stops here and there. Those are guys that can get that done.

I'll update this tomorrow and/or Sunday when I hear who is going to be out as well for both teams.

Another note: Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo was fined $25,000 on Friday for his hit on Colts quarterback Dan Orlovsky. Apparently, he hit him in the head or neck area but since there was no penalty on the play, I honestly don't remember it. This was the biggest fine received by a Patriot so far this season.

UPDATE 12/10: The Pats have resigned defensive lineman Eric Moore, who was on the team for a while last season, and placed Cunningham on IR. Moore was signed by New England at this time last season and even though he was completely unknown, he was a solid pass rusher (something they desperately needed).

He was cut in training camp so he's spent the season with Virginia's UFL team. Some thought rookie defensive end Markell Carter would be activated off the practice squad but apparently Belichick doesn't think the raw project is quite ready yet.

Cornerback Sterling Moore was released and cornerback Malcolm Williams was activated from the practice squad. Also, Chung (5th straight game), Connolly, Spikes and Vereen.

UPDATE 12/11: Third quarterback Ryan Mallett and defensive lineman Gerard Warren are the other Patriots who are inactive for today.

Tweet


Follow @RichSlate

Addition By Subtraction: Josh Barrett Placed On Injured Reserve

We all know how terrible the New England Patriots secondary has been this season. Still, I'd say that it's a good thing that safety Josh Barrett was placed on injured reserve today with a calf injury.

He hasn't faced much heat from the media but Barrett (14 tackles in 5 games) has been awful. The times that he's been on the field for the Pats, you can always count on him missing tackles or completely blowing assignments. Again, New England doesn't have many suitable replacements but can they be much worse than him?

The team resigned linebacker Niko Koutouvides (who was around during the preseason) and cornerback Sterling Moore, adding them to the 53-man roster. Koutovides could see playing time with Brandon Spikes' injury while Moore will be on special teams.

For the practice squad, linebacker Mike Rivera, safety Ross Ventrone and cornerback Josh Victorian were added to the eight-man team while cornerback Malcolm Williams was released.

Got it all?

Follow @RichSlate


Tweet

Enjoy The Bye Week Ross Ventrone & Sterling Moore But Please Keep Your Phones On

The New England Patriots bye week has begun and with it, they have already made a few roster moves in anticipation of injured players returning before their next game Sunday, October 30 in Pittsburgh.

Now that six weeks have gone by in the 2011 NFL season, players that started on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list are eligible to start returning. For New England, that means defensive linemen Ron Brace and Brandon Deaderick along with rookie offensive lineman Marcus Cannon and iconic running back Kevin Faulk can start practicing and could even play against the Steelers if all goes well.

Safety Ross Ventrone and cornerback Sterling Moore were both released although they each are eligible for the practice squad (which has one empty spot since Moore was promoted this past weekend).

Apparently Moore played on special teams (punt return) vs. Dallas yesterday but I can't say I saw him. He might have been out there or not, who knows other than him and his relatives plus the Patriots special teams coach?

I am certain that Ventrone had been playing on all four special teams units (kickoff return, kickoff coverage, punt return, punt coverage) and I almost spit out my dinner last night when I realized he had subbed in when the Cowboys were near the goalline. Luckily Dallas and its quarterback Tony Romo were too dumb to notice that scary fact.

Enjoy the time off guys but remember that you'll more than likely be needed in some capacity next week when the team fully reconvenes at Gillette Stadium.

UPDATE: 10/18 The Pats re-signed cornerback Philip Adams while Faulk, Deaderick and Brace were taken off the PUP list.

UPDATE 2: 10/19 Ventrone was signed to the 53-man roster while Moore was signed to the practice squad. Their agents (assuming they have them) must be the busiest guys in the NFL, this is absurd.

Follow @RichSlate


Tweet

Your Sterling Moore & Marcus Harrison Update

I have to give credit to my man Marcus Harrison. After the Pats signed him yesterday, I predicted he wouldn't ever do anything for New England.

Little did I know that he would turn in what has to be the shortest stay in a Patriots uniform (assuming he ever received one) and that's saying something.

Today, New England released Harrison-a defensive tackle-and promoted cornerback Sterling Moore off the practice squad for tomorrow's game vs. the Dallas Cowboys at Gillette Stadium. An undrafted rookie out of SMU, Moore was signed to the practice squad last week and he will likely see time on special teams. He is now one of six cornerbacks on the 53-man roster.

Releasing Harrison probably means that Kyle Love and Albert Haynesworth will both play tomorrow, they are listed as questionable with back injuries. Jerod Mayo (knee) made a surprise appearance at practice yesterday and he's listed as questionable for tomorrow along with BenJarvus Green-Ellis (toe), Leigh Bodden (thumb) and Ras-I Dowling (hip) among others.

Follow @RichSlate


Tweet