SB Nation User Blog: MichaelMcCoy

OMG THE 49ERS ARE CHEATERS!

MichaelMcCoy — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:00:48 -0000

THE 49ERS TAMPERED WITH CHICAGO'S LANCE BRIGGS WHILE HE WAS STILL UNDER CONTRACT! THIS IS AN OUTRAGE! IS THIS HOW THEY SIGNED NATE CLEMENTS AND TULLY BANTA CAIN? JOHN KERRY SHOULD LAUNCH AN INVESTIGATION! FIRE MIKE NOLAN! THE 49ERS SHOULD BE BANNED FROM THE PLAYOFFS FOR 2 YEARS AND JOE MONTANA SHOULD GIVE UP HIS SUPER BOWL RINGS! I CAN'T FIND MY CAPS LOCK BUTTON!

Patriots and Moss Close to 3 Year Deal

MichaelMcCoy — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:43:04 -0000

It now appears that the Patriots will re-sign Randy Mossto a 3-year deal worth about $27 million. If they can bring Jabar Gaffney back, that would give them a group of Moss, Wes Welker, Gaffney, and Chad Jackson at wide receiver--not a bad group for Brady to throw to.

Patriots Links for Monday 2/4

MichaelMcCoy — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:42:42 -0000

ESPN's Bill Simmons does a pretty good job of capturing the feelings of a Patriots fan right now. The Globe's Jackie MacMullan laments that the season is now for naught, and the Herald's Karen Guregian offers similar sentiments. Christopher L. Gasper recaps the game.

Seth Wickersham writes that the Giants did a great job of pressuring Tom Brady. NFL.com's Pat Kirwan says this pressure was largely the result of Steve Spagnuolo's good schemes.

Michael Vega writes about the defense's failure to stop the Giants on their game-winning drive. Bob Hohler notes that this left too little time on the clock for Brady to respond and win the game.

Mike Reiss has several game notes posted on his blog.

Tony Massarotti writes that the Giants simply outplayed the Patriots, while Michael Felger concurs, saying that the losing result should not be a surprise.

Guregian writes that though free agency looms for Randy Moss and Asante Samuel, both have said they would like to stay in New England.

Finally, as if losing the Super Bowl and letting the chance for an undefeated season slip away wasn't bad enough, John Tomase reports that Roger Goodell is considering re-opening the investigation into the Patriots' videotaping practices.

Patriots Links for Super Bowl Sunday

MichaelMcCoy — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 17:20:37 -0000

The big news is a report that the Patriots may have videotaped the Rams' final walkthrough before Super Bowl XXXVI seven years ago.

The Patriots are denying it, but in light of this report, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has agreed to meet with Sen. Arlen Specter about the "Spygate" scandal.

The NFL has officially denied the allegations, as well.

As for this year's Super Bowl, many of ESPN's experts expect the Patriots to prevail and finish 19-0. I think after all these new allegations surfaced yesterday, we're going to see a fired-up Patriots team, and I expect a result similar to Week 2 against San Diego.

Mike Reiss has a Super Bowl preview posted on his blog.

John Tomase offers five things to look for in tonight's game. He also breaks down many of the matchups. Finally, Tomase expects the Patriots to deliver a victory and end the season as the only 19-0 team ever.

Dan Shaughnessy writes about the historical significance of tonight's game and anticipates how the Patriots will be remembered if they win.

Tony Massarotti writes on Tom Brady's amazing leadership and clutchness, noting this is what really makes him such a great quarterback.

Kevin Paul Dupont has a feature on Bill Belichick and tries to get a look at the man behind the dull press conferences.

Jackie MacMullan writes about Laurence Maroney's perseverance throughout the season. While Brady and the passing game were thriving early, and Maroney wasn't getting many goal line carries, he didn't sulk, and his work has paid off over the few games.

Finally, Steve Buckley and Rob Bradford both have articles on Andre Tippett's election to the Hall of Fame. Bradford looks at why he was selected, while Buckley has a piece on Tippett's reaction.

Patriots Links for Friday, 2/1

MichaelMcCoy — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:09:33 -0000

Marima already linked to this, but I think it deserves to be on the main page: ESPN.com's Wright Thompson has a very good piece on Ernie Adams, director of football research for the New England Patriots. Adams is one of Bill Belichick's closest friends and is considered a brilliant football tactician by those who know him.

John Clayton has 10 reasons why the Patriots will win Super Bowl XLII.

NFL.com's Pat Kirwan writes that the Patriots offense has proven they can run as well as pass. On a related note, Ira Miller agrees that the Patriots offense is "chameleonic" in the sense that they can move the ball in a lot of ways.

Megan King believes Kevin Faulk will be an X-factor in the game, and could even win the MVP.

Sports Illustrated's Lee Jenkins gives an account of Tom Brady's humble football origins and traces how he came to be the superstar he is.

Dr. Z has a positional breakdown for both teams. Unfortunately, he breaks down matchups by comparing the offense to the offense and the defense to the defense, rather than the matchups that will actually play out on the field (offense versus defense). The Herald's John Tomase also has positional breakdowns, though he has them grouped by position rather than individual.

With the Globe, Mike Reiss has some practice reports updated to his blog.

Jim McCabe speculates on the prospects of a perfect season.
At the same time, Dan Shaughnessy wonders if this Patriots season should be considered the best of any Boston team in history.

Meanwhile, Jackie MacMullan looks even further down the road and surmises this could be Asante Samuel's final game as a Patriot.

Rob Bradford of the Herald notes that Brady's ankle injury has become a non-issue. Credit the Patriots for continuing to list him as having a shoulder injury on their official reports.

Tomase credits Bill Belichick's high standards for helping to create the recent run of success the Patriots have enjoyed.

Karen Guregian writes that versatility may be the Patriots' best quality. In a similar vein, she looks back at the many ways the Patriots were able to win games this year.

Finally, Tony Massarotti says there's nothing left to do but play the game. Amen.

Patriots Links for Wednesday, 1/30

MichaelMcCoy — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:00:17 -0000

After yesterday's media day, there is a plethora of links out there. I won't be linking to the ones I consider facetious, because I take my unpaid, titleless job very seriously.

ESPN.com's Greg Garber reports on Junior Seau's motivation, which has kept him playing hungry for a Super Bowl victory.

Len Pasquarelli has a similar areticle on Tedy Bruschi's return to playing at a high level after he suffered a stroke nearly three years ago.

Sports Illustrated's Don Banks writes that he enjoys listening to Randy Moss, and collected several quotes from Moss during Media Day. With the Globe, Kevin Paul Dupont also reports on Moss's Media Day appearance.

Peter King has five random thoughts on the Super Bowl.

Michael Vega reports on the questions asked of Tom Brady yesterday, many of which were focused on his ankle.

Don Banks talked to an AFC scout about the matchups in the Super Bowl. NFL.com's Pat Kirwan also has a thorough analysis of the Patriots and Giants, while Vic Carucci says the Giants defense will have their hands full trying to stop the Patriots.

On the other hand, the Giants have a pretty good receiver of their own in Plaxico Burress. Ellis Hobbs is confident the Pats secondary will be able to keep him in check. Speaking of Burress, you may have heard that he made a guarantee that the Giants would win, 23-17. He was asked about his guarantee at Media Day, and he stood by it. When will they learn?

Mike Reiss writes that despite saying he would like to remain with the Patriots, many think he might interview for the Redskins head coaching job after the Super Bowl.

With the Herald, Tony Massarotti speculates that the Super Bowl might be the last game free agent-to-be Asante Samuel plays with the Patriots. The Patriots have agreed not to use their franchise tag on him during this offseason, and it is likely another team will offer him more money than the Patriots.

Steve Buckley reports that Jarvis Green will be playing for Marquise Hill in Super Bowl XLII.

Finally, Tim Layden reports that former Patriots offensive lineman Joe Andruzzi is fighting colon cancer, a rare and aggressive form. He was diagnosed eight months ago. Best wishes to him and his family.

Patriots Links for Monday, 1/28

MichaelMcCoy — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:39:56 -0000

ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reports that Tom Brady is ready to play in Super Bowl XLII.

He also writes on how the team has been remembering Marquise Hill this season.

Elizabeth Merrill has a feature on Wes Welker, writing about how he's been initially unwanted at every level of the game, but has gone on to become a fine player every time.

With the Globe, Christopher L. Gasper reports that the Patriots have arrived in Arizona, and Tom Brady will play. Bob Ryan adds that no one should be surprised about all the speculation that occurred about Brady's foot.

Mike Reiss and Gasper write about how loose Bill Belichick appeared as the team traveled in a notes column.

Reiss also answers many reader questions about the Super Bowl in a mailbag column.

With the Herald, Rob Bradford writes that the Pats veterans still enjoy reaching the Super Bowl even though they've gotten here several times in the past few years.

The Patriots do have their share of players new to the Super Bowl, though. For example, the players acquired during an aggressive, successful offseason.

Tony Massarotti writes that through all this success, Bill Belichick has been the common element.

Dan Ventura focuses on the Pats offensive line in his notes column.

Karen Guregian examines how the Patriots have changed from the underdog darlings of 2001 to the overwhelming, sometimes begrudged, favorites in 2007. At the same time, Steve Buckley wonders whether so many people really do hate the Patriots.

Getting lost in the frenzy about Brady's foot, Randy Moss has a court date in Florida today. Moss will not be appearing in court, choosing instead to remain with the Patriots and prepare for the Super Bowl.

Finally, Jackie MacMullan looks at Benjamin Watson's newly-founded charity.

Patriots Links for Sunday, 1/27

MichaelMcCoy — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 16:00:52 -0000

With ESPN.com, Seth Wickersham has a list of advice for the Giants if they are to beat the Pats in Super Bowl XLII.

The Patriots are traveling to Arizona today, and Mike Reiss has a loose schedule posted on his blog.

Michael Vega looks at what Tedy Bruschi means to the Pats defense, while Jack MacMullan writes on Jabar Gaffney's rise from obscurity to being a fixture among one of the best receiving corps ever assembled.

With the Herald, Rob Bradford examines Mike Vrabel's outgoing personality, and how that's translated onto the football field.

Speaking of linebackers, Bradford also has a piece that notes how valuable experience is for this linebacking group.

Tony Massarotti notes that both the Giants and Patriots led their conferences in sacks recorded this season.

Massarotti also has a feature on Wes Welker and his great change of fortune, leaving a hapless Dolphins team for one of the best squads in NFL history.

Speaking of greatness, Jim McCabe says it is difficult to rank the Patriots among history's other elite teams, and argues that it might be best not to try judging them to those other teams at all.

Patriots Links for Friday 1/25

MichaelMcCoy — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 22:52:32 -0000

Chuck Klosterman has a fascinating article on the Patriots up at ESPN.com. He argues that the Patriots might be better remembered if they were to lose in the Super Bowl, as heartbreaking losses resonate more with people than victories.

However, Sports Illustrated's Don Banks has five reasons the Patriots will not lose the Super Bowl.

On the other hand, write the Globe's Michael Vega and Mike Reiss, Belichick will be the first to tell you that the Giants will be formidable opponents.

As for Tom Brady, Howard Ulman reports he was absent from media activities today. Dan Shaughnessy believes everyone's imaginations are running wild speculating on Brady's apparent injury. With the Herald, Karen Guregian agrees that no real conclusions can be drawn about the situation.

The Giants also are suffering from ailments, reports Reiss on his blog.

John Tomase reports on some of the recent accusations that some Patriots players are dirty, and he spoke with Richard Seymour about how to get past criticisms like those.

Karen Guregian focuses on Randy Moss and his first trip to the Super Bowl in her notes column.

Jeff Horrigan examines the matchup between Ellis Hobbs and Plaxico Burress.

Finally, Michael Felger looks at how the salary cap and free agency have both helped and hindered the Patriots' ability to win consistently.

Patriots Links for Thursday, 1/24

MichaelMcCoy — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:01:29 -0000

Mark Maske with the Washington Post has an interesting article on how the rules changes made in response to the physical 2004 Patriots defense have helped make the 2007 Patriots what they are today.

The Patriots went back to work today, but Bill Belichick would not discuss Tom Brady's injury. Brady was not in the locker room or on the practice field during the brief times the media had access to those places, either. With the Herald, John Tomase talked to Joe Theismann about Brady's injury. Theismann thinks it will not be an issue.

In other injury news, backup safety Mel Mitchell was placed on the IR today, Mike Reiss reports on his blog.

Reiss also spoke with Doug Flutie, who is impressed with the tactical changes the Patriots often make mid-game.

Those tactics, of course, are at the direction of Bill Belichick, who has something in common with Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin: both served as assistant coaches to Bill Parcells. Dan Shaughnessy examines the time they spent working together. Tomase has a similar article.

Tomase also has a story on Jabar Gaffney, the only WR who played for the Patriots last year and this season.

Karen Guregian spoke with John Hannah, who has high praise for the Patriots offensive line.

But the Giants' Osi Umenyiora recently insinuated that a member of that offensive line, Matt Light, is a dirty player. When will these opponents learn? I now agree with Eric Wilbur, who says the Giants have no chance to win Super Bowl XLII.

Finally, on a more important note, Ben Watson recently founded his 'One More' charity.

Watson founded the foundation with his wife Kirsten under the premise that if everyone can simply help just "one more" person, a legacy of caring, generosity and community will be established. The foundation will not be attached to a specific cause or charity but will help various charities and foundations assisting the needy with such issues as food, clothing, education and medical attention.