New England Patriots: Longest Drought in Beantown

[Toro]

I'm a little surprised even though there were rumors. He played well enough last year that I would have liked to see him return.

[BradysBunch12]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...ding-up-to-12/


BB shopping around his two 1st's for maybe the #12 pick with Barron as the target

[Dynasty]

Welker signed his tender today. He'll get $9.5 million. They may still work out a long term deal.

This means Welker will be at workouts. We're a happy family again.

http://espn.go.com/boston/nfl/story/...anchise-tender

[Jbrochu]

Any thoughts on their draft? I was pretty excited by their 2 early picks, and a bit baffled by a few later choices. (Or maybe conditioned to be baffled, since I don't know nearly enough about who is likely to go where without the Kipper's of the world telling me.)

In any case, glad they went heavy on D. Hope the gamble with the 7th round corner pans out.

[youtalkfunny]

OchoCinco....GONE!

When you lose the title by less than a TD, you know the game could've gone either way, and you agonize over little things that could have changed the outcome. Replacing 85 with ANYBODY will be an improvement, even if only a tiny one, will be welcome.

Originally Posted by Jbrochu

Any thoughts on their draft? I was pretty excited by their 2 early picks, and a bit baffled by a few later choices. (Or maybe conditioned to be baffled, since I don't know nearly enough about who is likely to go where without the Kipper's of the world telling me.)

I had this argument with my cousin. I say if Kiper calls a kid a 6th-rounder and BB thinks he's a 3rd-rounder, I'm siding with BB each and every time.

[BBV Post Rater]

eh whatever. i still <3 ochocinco. i'm sad it didn't work out, but he's one of my all time faves.

[Toro]

85 had no chance of making the team. The Patriots reloaded at WR and BB did him a favor by releasing early but I don't realy see anybody picking him up. BB got a little sentimental (I think he really likes the kid) by keeping him all season. But they were thin at the position and had a lot of dough tied up with him (I think he may have been the highest paid receiver).

But I have no animosity towards the guy, as it seems he tried hard to be a good teammate. Team should be even more formidible than last year as they have plugged some holes and have another easy schedule.

[MDoranD]

Gronk gets 6 years 54 million. Highest paid TE in NFL history. Well done guys.

[youtalkfunny]

I'm really hoping Hernandez gets his #85 back.

[Dynasty]

Belichick is having fun.

The Patriots claimed TE Jake Ballard of waivers from the Giants.

Tom Coughlin isn't happy about it.

Ballard is injured and will spend the entire 2012 season in injured reserve. He's expected to be ready for 2013.

Jake Ballard stats

[youtalkfunny]

What are we gonna do, run 5-TE sets?

[BradysBunch12]

Originally Posted by youtalkfunny

What are we gonna do, run 5-TE sets?

feels good to be back after 1 month of being unable to remember my account info...

But I LOVE the Ballard signing, seems like BB may have done it to piss off the Giants and take away one of Eli's weapons


In regards to the draft, I really liked what BB did. Got one of the best players in the draft (Jones) according to Mayock and others, moved up to get a very solid ILB in Hightower out of 'Bama who looks really good next to Mayo and Spikes and will start day 1, and the corner out of Nebraska in the 7th round. If he can put the legal issues aside, he might be the steal of the draft (or likely a bust, but great upside). I don't know much about the 2nd rounder Wilson, but a lot of "experts" considered it a stretch. We need help in the secondary so I can't argue with that pick.

With that said, I'm excited for next year!!

[youtalkfunny]

How cool is this?

Kid from my hometown comes home after 9 years in the army and a few tours of duty where the bullets are flying. His folks throw him a welcome home party, highlighted by a video, sent by the team, of Brady, Mayo, and Wilfork thanking him for his service (personally, by name) and welcoming him home.

http://www.eagletribune.com/local/x2...atriot-captain

[lew189]

Originally Posted by youtalkfunny

How cool is this?

Kid from my hometown comes home after 9 years in the army and a few tours of duty where the bullets are flying. His folks throw him a welcome home party, highlighted by a video, sent by the team, of Brady, Mayo, and Wilfork thanking him for his service (personally, by name) and welcoming him home.

http://www.eagletribune.com/local/x2...atriot-captain

That's awesome. Post the link once the video gets up on youtube.

[youtalkfunny]

The YouTube link WAS right between the headline and the story, can't imagine why they would have taken it down.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ7mNFyNlyw