For Now The Patriots' 53-Man Roster Is Set, With Some Surprises

It's a long weekend, basically the last taste of summer, so you're excused if your head is spinning from all the moves the Patriots made the last few days to whittle down their roster to 53 players plus start to assemble a practice squad. Obviously the big news on Saturday was that Tim Tebow was released (I was wrong!) while Adrian Wilson was placed on IR and Zoltan Mesko was cut.

This afternoon, the Pats continued to make some interesting choices as Leon Washington and Marquice Cole were released. Oh and Gronk practiced in full pads for the first time. To fill out their active roster, New England claimed four players off waivers: center Braxston Cave, guard Chris Barker and defensive tackle A.J. Francis who are all rookies along with third-year linebacker Chris White.

I thought Tebow would make the roster simply because he had Josh McDaniels and Bill Belichick in his corner but seeing how much he struggled in the preseason, you have to wonder if he'll ever play in the NFL again. Rookie Ryan Allen beat out Mesko who had been solid for the last few years. It's hard to believe that Gronk would play in Week 1 or 2 (short turnaround for Thursday home opener vs. Jets) but the fact that he's ramping up his activities in practice can only be a good thing.

There are seven spots on a practice squad and so far the Pats have signed five guys: linebackers Ja'Gared Davis and Jeff Tarpinian, defensive lineman Marcus Forston, safety Kanorris Davis and cornerback Justin Green.

We've made it, thus begins the first week leading up to the opener on Sunday (1 p.m., CBS) at Buffalo. During the regular season, I'll post the injury report on Friday then update it before kickoff. Also, I'll keep up to date on any other news that happens during the week. Looking forward to it all, football's back!

UPDATE 9/3: On Monday, the Patriots resigned Cole and waived undrafted rookie guard Josh Kline. Also, fullback James Develin was released and tight end Matthew Mulligan is expected to be signed after New England worked him out on Monday. Undrafted rookie offensive lineman R.J. Dill was added to the practice squad so there is one spot left on that.

UPDATE 9/5: Kline was resigned to the practice squad and linebacker Jeff Tarpinian (the new Ross Ventrone?) was released from the practice squad.

UPDATE: Cave and Mulligan were released while offensive tackle Jordan Devey was signed to the practice squad. Develin reportedly will be re-signed, leaving the Pats with one open roster spot heading into Friday (two days before the season opener in Buffalo).

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Patriots Certainly Know How To Spice Up The Offseason: By Signing Tim Tebow

Nobody would ever question the NFL's status as the most popular sport in the United States. Still, a reminder every once in a while is always important. Two days before the Bruins meet the Blackhawks in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals and while the Red Sox have the best record in the American League, the Patriots stole all the local and even headlines this afternoon with one simple move: reportedly signing Tim Tebow.

In many ways, we should have seen this coming for years (Tebow has been in the NFL since 2010). New England head coach Bill Belichick went to dinner with Tebow before the 2010 Draft and even though the Pats didn't end up taking him, Belichick has always been enamored with Tebow's intangibles. There is no more polarizing figure in pro sports than Tebow, you either love him or hate him. There really is no in between with him.

The good news is that unlike his last stop-the Jets-the Patriots are the exact opposite franchise in terms of winning, stability, direction and purpose. Yes it will be a media frenzy the first time he shows up at minicamp tomorrow and during training camp in August (assuming he makes it that far) but eventually New England will shut it down in terms of non-stop ESPN hype I mean coverage. Keep in mind this is all forgotten if he's gone before the regular season starts in September.

Since he can't throw, Tebow's role in the NFL has always been up in the air. Know it alls like to say that he could play tight end and the Jets traded two draft picks for him although they ended up just using him as a punt protector and in very predictable running plays. Tom Brady is still one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL so he won't feel any additional pressure from Tebow, a guy that supposedly couldn't get any other offers after the Jets released him.

As flawed as he is, I still think Tebow is a better quarterback than untested and unproven Ryan Mallett. Tebow took Denver to the playoffs in his first season as a starter (2011) and they upset Pittsburgh before getting blown out in New England-ironically his last start. At the time, Denver's head coach was Josh McDaniels who is now the Patriots' offensive coordinator. He obviously saw something in him to draft him 25th overall in 2010 (way higher than he was projected).

Studying a couple years behind Brady wouldn't be a bad thing. We all hate to think about it but at some point, Brady will retire and the Pats need to think of a successor. Tebow is a winner, a great teammate and a leader. Those are all good qualities to have and who knows, maybe being in a better environment like the Patriots will allow his career to get back on track. It's a no-lose situation for the Patriots since they'll pay him peanuts on a team friendly deal and Belichick can look like a genius again if he gets anything out of Tebow. Conversely, if he stinks then they can say they tried and dump him without any issues.

Belichick has always been tight with Tebow's head coach at Florida-Urban Meyer-and having two former teammates-Aaron Hernandez and Brandon Spikes-in the locker room should help him quickly adjust to this very different culture here.

UPDATE 6/11: ESPN's Adam Schefter reports it is a two-year deal for Tebow with no guaranteed money.

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Patriots Trounce Broncos 45-10 To Advance To The 2012 AFC Championship Game

It didn't take long tonight to figure out that the Denver Broncos weren't going to put up much of a fight against the New England Patriots, who looked sharp after their bye week.

In an AFC Divisional Round game at frigid Gillette Stadium, the Pats (14-3) jumped out to a 35-7 halftime lead and rolled to a 45-10 win.

New England's first playoff win since 2009 (technically the 2008 season) vaulted them into the AFC Championship game next Sunday, 3 p.m. at Gillette against the winner of tomorrow's Houston at Baltimore matchup.

Despite all of the attention on Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow (9 of 26, 136 passing yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs; 13 yards rushing) coming into this divisional round game, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (26 of 34, 363 passing yards, 6 TDs, 1 INT) showed that any comparisons between the two are laughable.

Brady's six touchdowns tied an NFL record while tight end Rob Gronkowski (10 catches, 145 yards) also tied a postseason record with three touchdown catches.

The limitations in Tebow's ability to throw intermediate routes and Denver's refusal to open up the playbook basically guaranteed that the Broncos were just happy to be here. They shocked Pittsburgh last week, which was a huge break for the Patriots, but they were an overmatched team in every sense of the word tonight.

Deion Branch (3 catches, 85 yards), Wes Welker (6 catches, 55 yards) and Aaron Hernandez (4 catches, 55 yards; 5 carries, 61 yards) each had a touchdown catch from Brady.

After getting gashed in the first quarter against Denver in December by their running game, New England's defense tightened it up and only allowed 144 yards on 40 carries (3.6 yards per rush). The Patriots recorded 5.5 sacks, including a couple kill shots on Tebow, who lacks much pocket presence or awareness.

Oddly enough, turnovers weren't a factor at all in the game since Brady had an interception and Stevan Ridley had a fumble. Denver only had one turnover, a fumble by Tebow that was caused by Dane Fletcher and recovered by Brandon Spikes.

For once the Patriots chose to receive the opening kickoff and the move paid off since Welker scored on a 7-yard touchdown catch less than two minutes into the drive.

Gronk scored his first touchdown in the first quarter, a 10-yard grab.

Willis McGahee (17 carries, 76 yards) got the Broncos on the board with a 5-yard touchdown run to start the second quarter but that's as close as Denver would get.

Once again, Denver failed to account for Gronkowski in the red zone as he caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Brady. Even more pathetic, the Broncos allowed two touchdowns in the last two minutes of the half.

Branch tightroped down the sideline for a 61-yard touchdown catch and then Gronk caught a 19-yard touchdown with five seconds left in the half.

The second half got so pathetic that I hoped for running time. A bunch of Broncos got hurt which only prolonged the agony for them.

Hernandez had the final Patriots touchdown, a 17-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter.

Denver elected to kick a 41-yard field goal by Matt Prater when they were down 42-7 later in the third.

Stephen Gostkowski needed some work too so he was called on for a 20-yard chip shot in the fourth quarter.

The most interesting play in the fourth quarter was in garbage time when Broncos rookie linebacker Von Miller decided to take a cheap shot against Dan Connolly on a punt return. It sparked a rare football brawl on the sideline.

This game couldn't have worked out any better for New England. They avoided the Steelers, a team that they probably would have beaten but at least would have been much tougher than the Broncos. This win gives them plenty of confidence after two brutal losses the past few seasons in the playoffs, both at home.

Clearly, we're all rooting for the Texans tomorrow to upset the Ravens. With Baltimore's defense plus Ray Rice, they present many more challenges for the Patriots. Houston has a good defense and Arian Foster but I feel like the Pats could stack the line and make the immortal T.J. Yates beat them (unlikely).

Regardless, we should all be very happy at the moment. The Patriots are in the AFC Championship Game and regardless of who they face, they will be favored. Win once more at home and they'll be in the Super Bowl for the fifth time in the last 11 seasons.

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Be Aware That The World As We Know It Could Very Well End On Saturday Night

So by now you are aware that the Denver Broncos (9-8) beat the Pittsburgh Steelers (12-5) 29-23 this afternoon as Tim Tebow threw an 80-yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas on the first play of overtime.

Yesterday, the Cincinnati Bengals couldn't come through with a win (shocking, I know) at the Houston Texans, meaning the winner of today's AFC Wild Card game would advance to face the New England Patriots (13-3) next Saturday night (8 p.m.) at Gillette Stadium.

In terms of things falling into place for the Pats, they couldn't have asked for a better scenario to unfold for them. Denver was a heavy underdog but they managed to outlast Pittsburgh after building up a 20-6 halftime lead.

All New England has to do is beat the Broncos and they'll be in the AFC Championship game the following weekend against the winner of Sunday's Texans at Baltimore Ravens matchup.

As we learned first-hand from last season, you can't read too much into regular season meetings when you play the same team in the playoffs. The Patriots had blown the Jets out in December but then New York came into Gillette and shocked the Pats under a similar scenario: top seed, homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.

New England sent Denver into a tailspin-they lost their last three regular season games but still backed into the AFC West-by winning 41-23 at Mile High on December 18. It seemed like the NFL had figured out Tebow but all he did today was shred one of the top defenses for 316 passing yards, two touchdowns plus 50 yards rushing and a touchdown.

Nobody in the world deserves as much attention as Tebow gets but at this point, it's impossible to argue that the guy isn't a winner that's beloved by his teammates and isn't that all that really matters?

Thomas (4 catches, 204 receiving yards) is a great young wide receiver along with Eric Decker, who hurt his knee today on a hit by Steelers linebacker James Harrison. Decker is scheduled to get an MRI tomorrow, I doubt he'll play this weekend. You can't really fear Willis McGahee at this stage in his career but he put up 1199 rushing yards in the regular season. He was held to 19 carries for 61 yards today and it looked like a fumble by him might cost Denver the season.

Denver also has a very underrated defense filled with playmakers, namely defensive end Elvis Dumervil, linebacker Von Miller (sure to be defensive rookie of the year) and the ageless cornerback supreme Champ Bailey. Their kicker Matt Prater is also one of the NFL's best.

The biggest issue for New England is that they don't want to be in a one-score game entering the fourth quarter, aka Tebow Time. The former Florida Gator and Heisman winner has an uncanny ability to lead his team back in crunch time so the best way to squash that is to build up an insurmountable lead like the Pats did the first time they played the Broncos.

I'm not going to hold my breath on it but is it too much to ask for the crowd to be loud on Saturday night? Hopefully the Pink Hats are phased out and mostly true Patriots fans make up a majority of the crowd. There is no excuse not to go crazy: the weather should be mild, it's a Saturday night, a trip to the AFC Championship game is on the line and it's a very winnable (Pats opened as 14-point favorites) contest. If people can't get excited for this one, well I guess Gillette will never be a good atmosphere.

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Another Season, Another AFC East Title (9th in 11 seasons) As Patriots Top Broncos 41-23

The hardest thing to achieve in the NFL is consistency. For that alone, the New England Patriots need to be lauded as they picked up their ninth AFC East title in the last 11 seasons (third in a row, 8th in the last 9 seasons) with a 41-23 win (their sixth straight) over the Broncos this afternoon at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

New England (11-3) was able to knock off the NFL's flavor of the month, Denver (8-6), who had won six games in a row before today. I'll dare to call it the Pats biggest win of the season thus far, given the hype and the fact that nobody in the NFL besides the Packers was hotter than the Broncos.

It is certainly easy to pick holes in the Patriots terrible defense but in a season like this, where there is no dominant team in the AFC, they have as good a shot as any to reach the Super Bowl based on their superb offense, quarterback and head coach.

Broncos quarterback/messiah/global icon Tim Tebow (11 of 22, 194 yards passing; 12 rushes, 93 yards, 2 TDs) was slowed down when the Patriots figured out the obvious solution to stopping him: building up a big lead, which forces him to throw the ball (not his strong suit).

The fact that John Fox is the Broncos head coach means that they'll never outcoach any other team. Talk about riding Tebow's coattails, Fox is the luckiest guy in the country that he gets to coach him and therefore has kept his job. Other than the one random Super Bowl appearance with the Panthers, what has Fox ever done? He's another bozo in a league full of them.

Also, Denver was careless with the ball, they fumbled three times and the Patriots converted those into 13 points.

After a very shaky start, trailing 16-7 early in the second quarter, New England was able to run off a 34-7 run to close it out and win the division (the Jets also lost although all the Pats had to do was take care of their own business).

The only negative that tempers this win is the fact that defensive end Andre Carter left on the last play of the first quarter with a knee injury and early reports seem to indicate that the Pats defensive MVP (an oxymoron) is done for the season.

If that's true, it's a huge blow to their Super Bowl hopes since he's their only real pass rusher. However, Mark Anderson (3 tackles, 2 sacks) continues to quietly have a nice season and he'll be counted on for much bigger things if Carter is out. Likewise, rookie Markell Carter will probably be activated from the practice squad.

Denver's defensive gameplan was clearly to limit Wes Welker (4 catches, 41 yards) and Rob Gronkowski (4 catches, 53 yards). They were successful at doing that but unfortunately they forgot about Aaron Hernandez (9 catches, 129 yards, TD), who set career-highs in catches and yards.

Demaryius Thomas (7 catches, 116 yards) was Denver's only effective option in the passing game while Patriots rookie running back Stevan Ridley (11 carries, 65 yards) came back out of hiding after not seeing much of the field for months. Strange considering he's been New England's most explosive running back for most of the season.

Besides a highlight reel sack on Brady in garbage time by Elvis Dumervil (2 tackles, 2 QB hits), him and Von Miller (1 tackle for loss) were completely held in check by New England's offensive line.

On a day when some truly wacky things happened around the NFL: Colts win, Packers lose, Reggie Bush ran for over 200 yards, it was fitting that Chad Johnson caught his first touchdown of the season.

Denver marched right down the field on the opening drive with Tebow running it in from nine yards out. That basically caused Twitter, ESPN and the Internet to simultaneously crash. Former Patriot Lonie Paxton's bad snap caused Denver to have no chance on the point after.

Tom Brady (23 of 34, 320 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs) went to work and tied it up with a 33-yard strike to Johnson, who was wide open. Stephen Gostkowski's point after made it 7-6 New England.

Lance Ball (11 carries, 64 yards) put the Broncos ahead 13-7 with a 32-yard touchdown run later in the first quarter.

Matt Prater's 26-yard field goal early in the second quarter gave Denver its biggest lead at 16-7 but from there, the Patriots woke up and the Broncos had no answer for anything they did.

Brady found Hernandez for a 1-yard touchdown which cut it to 16-14 Denver. On the next play, Ron Brace (remember that bum?) forced a Ball fumble that Rob Ninkovich recovered. New England's offense was stuffed in the red zone and they settled for a 21-yard field goal by Gostkowski. However, the Pats led 17-16 and they would never trail again.

Three plays later, Anderson forced a fumble by Tebow and recovered it. Brady and Co. were able to take advantage of it as he scored on a quarterback sneak. Brady put the cherry on top with a Gronk spike.

Quan Cosby was in a giving mood, it being the holiday season and all, so he fumbled on a punt deep in Denver's territory. No idea why he fielded it but Dane Fletcher was happy to pounce on it. Gostkowski's 34-yard field goal on the next play gave the Patriots a 27-16 halftime lead that truthfully felt like stealing.

Surprisingly, the Broncos barely showed a pulse in the second half after living off improbable fourth quarter comebacks during their absurd last two months. Danny Woodhead had a pretty 10-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, Tebow added a 2-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter and BenJarvus Green-Ellis closed it out with a 1-yard run.

We will watch Sunday Night Football tonight (Ravens vs. Chargers) and Monday Night Football (Niners vs. Steelers) tomorrow night in hopes that both AFC contenders will fall. The fraud Texans lost earlier today so it looks like a three-team race between the Patriots, Steelers and Ravens for that coveted top seed in the AFC playoffs.

No more road games in the regular season for New England. They host Miami on Christmas Eve then Buffalo on New Year's Day. Two more weeks and then things will really get interesting as the 2011 NFL playoffs roll around.

UPDATE 12/19: The Ravens got blown out last night by the Chargers and ditto for the Steelers tonight against the Niners which means your New England Patriots are in the driver's seat for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. They are one game ahead of Houston, Baltimore and Pittsburgh with two games remaining; win out and they lock it all up. Wow.

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