If you can find a pats fan that said any version of "well, we traded Moss but holy crap, we got a 3rd round draft pick for him, WHAT A DEAL!!!" let me know. That was never the discussion.

Yeah, but how many of the draft choices are playing? If it's somewhere close to a fifty fifty shot at someone that plays in the NFL, I think the Deon Branch deal is a very good one. He's definately going to play.

So I looked it up from the 2006 4th round draft out of 37 picks...

6 pro bowlers
13 current starters
23 players on an active roster
1 player on a practice squad
3 players on IR who would be on an active roster if it was not for season ending injuries.


This draft was a little bit more successful but basically the same.

Oh and just because players are on an active roster does not mean they play. That just means they made the 45 man roster. They could be backups who rarely see the field

Thanks Ship. I could have looked this stuff up as well. So, I'm still feeling pretty good about the trade. Seems as though Branch is certainly worth a fourth rounder, it seems.

Ouch!!

From ESPN.com


NEW YORK -- Even Justin Bieber is making fun of Tom Brady's hair.



Brady

Bieber

The New England Patriots quarterback's long locks have been mocked for resembling that of the teen pop sensation -- and now Bieber himself is piling on.

In a video posted by Bieber late Wednesday, he raps: "Sacked like a sacker. Call up Mr. Brady. Tell him to leave his hair to the guy who sings 'Baby.'"

First half without Moss. Welker is getting smothered in coverage. Brady has a mailbox-sized window in which to get the ball to him.

Well I was wrong so far. He looked great today. Is there any reason Baltimore stopped going to Boldin in the 2nd half and just kept running it? Seemed like they had our number in the first half, and then just completely went away from the passing game. Did our secondary really just shut them down that well?

Regardless of various problems during the game, if the Patriots can beat the Ravens, they're a strong contender in the AFC. Scoring 23 in a comeback win against the Ravens' defense is a very good sign that the Pats' offense can be a juggernaut this year.

I'm feeling a little better about the team after today's win.

I think mostly Baltimore just wet themselves and played way too conservatively.

Wilfork, Chung, McCourty, Cunningham, Spikes and Mayo all played well though.

A great win for sure. After a slow first half, Welker and especially Branch looked really sharp, against a very good defense. Our own defense looked particularly good in spurts.

Does anyone question why we didnt let Gostkowski try a super long FG at the end of regulation? I saw it as a no lose proposition with a much higher % chance of working than a Hail Mary. Maybe BB knows Gostkowski cant hit from 62 ever? I would think he would have the distance kicking with the wind.

Woodhead is doing a fine job filling in for Kevin Faulk, and seems to be getting more and more reps. Not to mention 11 FF points lol. I was disappointed in Aaron Hernandez obv.

Long FG -> lower trajectory -> greater risk of block and/or return

This is our house.

Our best DE, Ty warren, out for season
Our best back/3rd down back, kevin faulk, out for season
TE stopper, brandon mcgowan, out for season
Our best corner, leigh bodden, out for season
Our starting right tackle, nick kazur, out for season
Top 3 guard in the NFL, logan mankins, has yet to play a snap

On top of that trading moss and dropping 20+ on the ravens D.

Honestly, do people really appreciate the coaching job Belichick does? Best coach in all of sports AINEC whatsoever

I didn't understand the call not to go for the 62 yard FG. Seems like it's more likely that Gos hits that FG than the hail mary works but I guess I'm not sure.

So happy with how the D stepped up in the 4th and OT. They were huge and it's a really good sign for the future. Also, obviously happy with the Offense clicking in the second half as well.

Just a great win against a really good football team. Really, all positives today.

I heard Edelman sustained some sort of head injury. Anyone know how bad? I dont see anything on any of the obvious places.

I read somewhere (maybe Reiss) that he was hitting around 53 max in practice w/ the wind. Considering he was skying it out of the EZ on kickoffs with the wind it sure looked like he could hit it, but I imagine they have some protocol for deciding what his range is that day. As ridiculously long as that FG is, he probably does hit it more often than they connect on a Hail Mary, but the Ravens also return it on a blocked punt or short kick for a score more than they do from a botched Hail Mary.

Don't kid yourself man! It's all the video cameras!

Seriously though BB is amazing. I mean the team had a winning record without Brady. That speaks for itself. Not to mention his drafting is ridiculous. McCourty, Mesko, Cunningham, Hernandez, Gronk, Spikes, and Deadrick are all rookies and all already contributors. Not to mention Price is waiting in the wings, and has solid potential too. I can't imagine who we'll get in the draft this year with all the early picks we've got.

Wonder what we could get for Branch when we trade him 15 TDs later.

I'm going to agree with you that BB is the best but I have to nit pick your list. Brandon Mcgowan, really? And Kazur was not going to start. Plus check every team and there are tons of injuries. Jets started season without a few key players ie.

Count me as one who also was yelling at the TV to try the 62 yard FG at the end of the game. But looking back (and maybe it's just because we won) but if you work out the percentages I'll bet the chances for a successful hail mary are at least as good as making that kick. Then factor in that the Hail Mary is nearly 100% safe and the FG is not, I can see why BB didn't try it.

Anyone else really excited about Woodhead as well? I know it still early but he looked really impressive yesterday with 115 total yards. The first tackler never gets him. Love that guy.

Goodie, I'm very excited about him, he's my new favorite player. Every time he touches the ball, I yell "WOODHEAD". If he can run that well against Baltimore, then he could be something special. Only thing is, can he withstand the abuse at his size?

this is the only thing I was able to find. of course, the sample size of guys attempting 60+ yard FG's is really small, but going by the below, it can't be more than 15% or so to make it. it is literally...off the charts. the below chart is by line of scrimmage - Pats were on the 45 iirc. see that after 53 yard field goals or so, there is a very steep decline in probability, that seems to be the "tipping point".

Hail Mary's are probably even less, but the only thing that makes it close is a potential PI call. then again it's pretty rare to see PI called on a true hail mary.

either way your win % is extremely small, but I tend to agree with the FG %. I'm quite sure BB ran through the same #'s and has exactly prepared for this decision, so he has to disagree with some of those assumptions,


now, Gost does have a huge leg, one of the biggest or the single biggest in the league. but I doubt many coaches have weak legged kickers attempt 55 yarders, so the #'s probably already reflect that these kicks are only taken by strong kickers.

yes and no. Warren is a real loss. Bodden a real loss.

mcgowon is really JAG. kaczur is good but replacable. faulk is a fan favorite but you can find guys like him.

and I think the odds are in favor of mankins being back soon, which would be nice.