The Five Best Super Bowl Winners Since 1985 posted by Colin Linneweber

The New Orleans Saints will play the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV Sunday at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

The Colts (16-2) are currently favored by nearly six points to defeat the underdog Saints (15-3) this weekend.

No matter what the ultimate outcome is, fans can expect to witness a thrilling game between the offensively explosive Saints and Colts.

In tribute to this weekend’s championship matchup, I have decided to rank the five best Super Bowl winners of the past quarter-century.

1)      The 1989-1990 San Francisco 49ers- The dominant 49ers (17-2) absolutely destroyed the overmatched Denver Broncos (13-6) by a score of 55-10 in Super Bowl XXIV to repeat as champions at the Superdome in New Orleans.

To this very day, the 49ers lopsided margin of victory over the Broncos remains the biggest blowout in Super Bowl history.

Legendary Niners quarterback Joe Montana was justifiably named the game’s MVP after he completed 22 of 29 passes for 297 yards and five touchdown passes.

San Francisco’s underrated defense stifled John Elway’s aerial assault and they managed to limit Denver to a paltry 167 yards on offense.

Joe Montana is a four-time Super Bowl champion and he has been the focal point of many tremendous squads.

Still, the 1989-1990 49ers unit was the greatest one that Montana ever played on.

2)      The 1985-1986 Chicago Bears- The Bears (18-1) humiliated the New England Patriots (14-6) 46-10 in Super Bowl XX at the Superdome in New Orleans.

A Message to Boston Sports Fans posted by Charles Bisbee

There’s been a lot of griping recently over the state of Boston sports, serving (for me) as another ugly reminder of the developing, spoiled and cocksure nature of fans in this area. Let’s take a quick look, shall we?

Despite not  having played superbly of late, the Celtics stand at 31-16 and hold a five-and-a-half game lead in their division over Toronto.  

The Patriots finished the season at 10-6 (and a perfect 8-0 at home) and lost in the conference semi-finals to Baltimore.

The line between the Red Sox and Yankees is becoming more blurred each year (I know, I know, blasphemous!). But the Sox pay more and more to rob smaller market teams of their best players. Last year they finished 95-67 and, again, made the playoffs.

The Bruins are apparently stinking up then Garden this year but last year made a nice push into the playoffs.

All this leading me to ask, “what the deuce is the matter with Boston sports fans?” Have we become so spoiled and jaded by the seemingly constant ticker-tape parades down Tremont St. that we’ve subconsciously assumed an unwarranted sense of entitlement traditionally held by Yankee fans?

Not to sound like some ornery, old folgie wannabe but do you remember the early-mid 90’s? Do you remember Carlos Quintana? Todd Day? How about Marty Conlan? Lets gain a little perspective and lose the sense of entitlement. Isn’t that what always has (and still should) differentiate us from Yankee fans?

Patriots Defense Only a Pressure Player Away posted by Mike Dussault

Just about anywhere you look these days you'll hear the pundits and bloggers say the Patriots need to improve their pass rush this off season, and as Pats fanatic I have to agree. Sure, the secondary was raked across the coals more than once this year, but I believe one or two players could make the entire Patriots defense look a lot better than they did in 2009.

The Patriots D was split almost evenly in 2009 between a base 3-4 (or 4-3 the first half of the season) and sub-packages. The most common passing down subpackage we saw early on was one with Derrick Burgess, Tully Banta-Cain, Mike Wright, and Jarvis Green as down lineman. Their job was to apply pressure and they were just so-so.

Later we saw a new sub-package that Patriots nation was excited to see, dubbed the Five and Dime. While at first it seemed like this new subpackage, with five linebackers and six defensive backs, was a throwback to the early dynasty days when Coach Belichick was known for innovative defenses designed to confuse opponents. In reality the Five and Dime was more of an attempt to generate pressure because the earlier pass rush subpackages were not generating enough.

It doesn't matter if you've got Ed Reed, Darren Sharper, Darrelle Revis and Ty Law circa 2003 in your defensive backfield, NFL quarterbacks are too good, and too favored by the current NFL rules, that with time they will destroy any secondary.

Many say the Patriots need to blitz more, but the reality is that blitzing gets you burned as well. In the 2010 NFL what you must do is generate pressure without blitzing.

A New Coach posted by Randolph Charlotin

Head coach Bill Belichick added Corwin Brown to the coaching staff. The former Notre Dame defensive coordinator now commands the New England secondary. It’s a homecoming for Brown, as he was a fourth round draft pick of the Patriots back in 1993.

Belichick still has some work to do to fill out his coaching staff. The team lacks a defensive coordinator since Dean Pees’ contract expired and he decided to move on. Pees will be Baltimore’s linebackers coach in 2010.

The two projected favorites to replace Pees are defensive line coach Pepper Johnson and linebackers coach Matt Patricia. If one is promoted, it will leave a hole in the coaching staff. As Belichick mulls his decisions, hopefully he extends an offer to retired LB Junior Seau to be a linebackers coach.

Seau sounds committed to not playing again. But as a football lifer with 20 years NFL experience, hopefully the jones to be close to the game tugs Junior’s heart strings enough that he replaces the shoulder pads with a team logo polo shirt.

It’s very possible the linebacking corps will be very young next year. Jerod Mayo and Gary Guyton will be third year players in 2010. If blessed with good health, Shawn Crable and Tyrone McKenzie will contribute after a season on injured reserve. If more youngsters are added through free agency and the draft, it will be a very impressionable unit.

Seau’s effect could be dramatic with Mayo and Guyton. While both players turned in solid seasons, finishing first and second on the team in tackles, neither were play-makers. Learning from Seau could take their abilities to another level.

The Best Quarterback Matchups in the Super Bowl Since 1985 posted by Colin Linneweber

The Indianapolis Colts will play the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV on February 7 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

The contest is expected to be an offensive shootout pitting Colts (16-2) quarterback Peyton Manning against Saints (15-3) signal-caller Drew Brees.

Manning, 33, a four-time AP NFL MVP, and Brees, 31, a three-time All-Pro selection, are two of the greatest quarterbacks to grace the gridiron during this generation.

In recognition of the impending Super Bowl matchup, I decided to rank the best quarterback showdowns to have occurred in the Super Bowl since 1985.

1)      Super Bowl XXIV- Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers destroyed John Elway and the Denver Broncos 55-10 in the most lopsided championship game ever at the Superdome in New Orleans.

Montana, a three-time First Team All-Pro selection who made the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, was named the Super Bowl MVP after he completed 22 of 29 passes for 297 yards and five touchdowns.

Elway, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and five-time All-Pro, played horrifically in the embarrassing blowout loss.

In total, Elway completed 10 out of 26 passes for a measly 108 yards and two interceptions.

On this January evening, Montana and the 49ers overwhelmed Elway and the Broncos.

Nevertheless, this Super Bowl showcased perhaps the two greatest quarterbacks in the annals of the NFL.

2)      Super Bowl XIX- Montana and the Niners thrashed Dan Marino and the Miami Dolphins 38-16 at Stanford Stadium in California.

Wilfork Decision a Major One for Belichick posted by Mike Dussault

Today soon-to-be Free Agent Vince Wilfork went on WEEI in Boston and said, in a 320-pund nutshell, that he wants a long term deal or he wants to be free to seek one elsewhere. The Patriots informed their free agents that they would contact them in early February so the fact that Wilfork hasn't been contacted yet should not be a red flag.

However Patriots fans are well versed in situations like these. Bill Belichick always does what is best for the Patriots, and in his 10 seasons with the team the Wilfork situation could be the most intriguing decision Belichick has had to make.

On paper it seems like a long term contract for Wilfork should be a no brainer. Wilfork was originally saddled with a six year deal that many would say he outperformed. He never held out, never made a scene or became a distraction. he was the consummate professional through all six years of his deal.

This isn't like the past when Patriots fans knew many of the departures of their favorite Super Bowl winning players was due to age. It hurt to see Adam Vinatieri leave, but ultimately Stephen Gostkowski proved that it was the right decision. Same with Willie McGinest and ultimately Mike Vrabel.

Asante Samuel wanted more money that the Pats were willing to pay a cornerback. At the time it was believed that lineman and quarterback were where the money had to be spent.

So now we have Vince Wilfork, a nose tackle who is the centerpiece of Belichick's 3-4 defense in the prime of his career, on the verge of free agency. Both the Dolphins and Jets could be in the market for a player like Wilfork, and the Pats are already paper thin on the defensive line.

2010 New England Patriots Defensive Off-Season Preview posted by Mike Dussault

As we sit here on January 21st it seems like the 2010 NFL season is a lifetime away. There will be many moves made between now and the start of training camp, and probably even more made between training camp and the opener in September, so while it is both foolish and presumptuous to predict what will happen over the next seven months it will make me feel somewhat better seeing what needs to be addressed.

First things first. It is absolutely imperative that Vince Wilfork is re-signed, preferably to a long term deal that keeps him with the Patriots for the next four years. I don't know how you can justify not locking up Wilfork long term. I drink the "In Bill We Trust" Koolaid as much as anyone but here's a guy who is a consumant professional, playing what is the most important position in the 3-4 defense, and is the best player at a position you're already thin at. Wilfork and Mayo should be the foundation for the Hoodie Pats D version 2.0. Wilfork must be retained, even if by the dreaded Franchise tag.

The Patriots played almost as many snaps defensively in their nickel and dime sub-packages as they did in their base 3-4/4-3 defenses so let's breakdown what roles will open up and who might step up or be brought in to take them.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Assuming Wilfork is locked up, he and Ty Warren will anchor the line. I don't think Jarvis Green is likely to be re-signed, leaving a hole at starting RE. You do have Mike Wright, Myron Pryor and Ron Brace as backup players, but none are the ideal Richard Seymour mold that is ideal for RE in the 3-4 (a mold that Green did not fit anyway). Look for a potential move there in the draft or in Free Agency.

Free Agents posted by Randolph Charlotin

Head coach Bill Belichick knows he has to make changes to the Patriots in order to reverse the sliding trend. Fortunately, two were made for him.

LB Junior Seau announced his second retirement. This time he says it is permanent. He wants to spend his days surfing. And defensive coordinator Dean Pees, whose contract expired, won’t resign and will pursue other options.

While this may slightly clear things up, there are still plenty of decisions left to make regarding New England’s free agents. The decision for the exclusive free agents shouldn’t be hard. Between Brett Lockett, Gary Guyton, and Chris Taylor, Guyton should be resigned. Some thought must go into what to do with the remaining free agents though:

Restricted

K Stephen Gostkowski – A young, accurate kicker with a strong leg and a Pro Bowl under his belt should be back. By virtue of the position he plays, he won’t be too expensive to keep.

OG Logan Mankins – His reputation is growing, as evidenced by his second Pro Bowl selection. He doesn’t seem like a guy that wants top dollar. If he’s willing to accept a below market value contract (that’s just the Patriot Way), he will remain between LT Matt Light and C Dan Koppen.

OLB Woods – Woods can play in a pinch, but will become a full-time starter on defense. He’s a special teamer, but that’s not enough reason to keep him, even though Woods would come cheap.

Unrestricted

DE Jarvis Green – He’s solid, but Green is no longer a pass rush specialist like in past years. With that being said, it’s safer to keep him than hope a replacement can come in and do the job as well as Green.

Pick Six: Wild Card posted by Randolph Charlotin

The loss was the equivalent of a mugging. The Patriots didn’t see it coming, and before they knew it, New England was on the ground, wondering what happened.

There’s no sugar-coating this. They got whipped. Baltimore came out with a fury and the Pats had no answer for the rapid flurry of haymakers.

This is easily the worst loss of the year because the expectations were, despite the difficulties over the course of the year, they would respond to adversity and put up a good fight. But the Pats couldn’t stop the freight train moving at full speed.

Now that the season is over, head coach Bill Belichick has to take a real tough look at his team and no one is spared. Players, coaches, and scouts must be evaluated and determine who’s doing a good job and where there’s room for improvement. Based on Sunday, looks like a lot.

1. The Patriots playoff winning streak at home came to an end. New England won eleven straight home playoff games. The franchise’s first ever home playoff loss was the first home playoff game in 1978.

2. The Pats had their worst two consecutive quarters of the year. After giving up three straight touchdowns to Houston in the fourth quarter last week, Baltimore ripped off a 24-0 start in the first quarter, for a total of 45 straight points.

3. It took until 7:40 left in the first quarter for the Pats to gain their initial first down. New England didn’t have two first downs in a drive until 10:28 left in the third quarter.

4. Believe it or not, but I found a couple of positives. Congratulations to OLB Tully Banta-Cain on his first career playoff interception. And WR Julian Edelman had his first two touchdown game in his career.

WTF of Wild-Card Weekend: Ravens trounce Patriots 33-14 posted by Joe Anello

Well that happened. 

From the very first play from scrimmage, it was obvious: These aren't your dad's Patriots. (If you dad was a Pats fan two years ago.) Ray Rice took the opening hand-off 83 yards to the endzone to put the Ravens up 7-0 en route to embarrassing Bill Belichick's Patriots 33-14.

On the following Patriots possession, Tom Brady was stripped by Terrell Suggs, who also recovered the fumble to set up a Le'Ron Mclain 1-yard touchdown scat. Two Brady interceptions stopped Patriot drives in their tracks, setting up another Rice score and a Billy Cundiff field goal to bring the score to an impossible 24-0 before the first quarter ended. After that, the Baltimore defense only needed to avoid a monumental collapse as the Raven offense dominated the line of scrimmage for 234 yards on the ground. 

The Patriots first touchdown came in the second quarter after questionably recovering a punt that grazed off Raven special teamer Tom Zbikowski. Baltimore Head Coach Jim Harbaugh chose not to challenge, giving the Pats a short field for the Julian Edelman score. At that point it seemed Belichick's boys would use that momentum to get back into the game, but the Ravens' defense refused to yield, forcing three consecutive punts and snagging another interception. Another touchdown and field goal in the third put the game out of reach and ended a phenomenal decade for the Patriots with a whimper.

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