I tried to post this before, but I guess Fox is doing some updates....
I know that I have been absent and have not been able to participate in my favorite pastime, well my second favorite, lol! I am working a shift that is not allowing me to blog, but now that I have my actual days off I will try to get out a blog or two. The days will be Tues. and Wed.
I am unable to watch my 'Skins, but I do listen to the game...GRRRR! Remember, this is the best time of the year for football, but it is almost over and I am sure you all hate that as much as I do!
I miss you all very much, and miss reading your blogs. I promise I will be catching up this upcoming week. So I am sending you BIG HUGS and all that "Girly" stuff!
First I would like to say that I was surprised by the overwhelming support and love from the entire NFL community in my last post. Each comment, for the most part, was consumed with grief, love and understanding for Sean and the entire Taylor family.
I want you all to know that your condolences and love for the Redskins Nation where cathartic and a step towards healing.Thank each and everyone of you! I will continue to pray that you will never know this pain...
I have been so overcome with sadness and grief since Tuesday and many people within my world, outside of family and friends, just could not wrap their minds around why I would feel this loss so personally. At first it was tolerable, but for those who do not understand and believe it to be silly, I truly have come to feel sorry for.
I have been a very lucky girl to have loved a team that is very geared towards their fans. Most teams around the league put their fans last and I think that is a shame. The Washington Redskins have always made sure that their fans are placed at the top, as they know how much we love our 'Skins! It does not matter what team is yours. All I am saying is that once you take a team into your heart they become your family and you truly bleed their colors. You protect and cherish your true family, be it blood related or blood brothers. When one goes down, we all go down.
I would like to address the fact that Sean Taylor has been raked over the coals since this tragedy, and I sick of it. Instead of focusing on a young man, who yes made mistakes in his youth as we all have, should have been respected as he had changed his life for the better over the past year and a half since his daughter was born.
Now I know there are you out there that disagree with what I am saying, but is life not about learning from your mistakes and moving forward? How many of you changed your ways once your children were born? I would be willing to say a good percentage of you did. I can assure you I did.
So for now I would like for the media, people who are intolerant, and simply those who feel the need to hop on the blogs and put up shock comments to upset people, to step back and look back over your own life and come to me and say you have been perfect. Because of my faith I know that not one single person on the face of this earth can make that claim.
Let Sean rest in peace and know while he is looking down on his child, that he was remembered for what he did for his daughter, and for his outstanding performances on the field, be it at the U, or with the Redskins...
For those of you who do not have a good source of access to the Washington Redskins there are a few things that are being overlooked. I know that the media has played short clips of players, coaches and fans grieving, but for those of us who are able to have access to more info with the team we have seen much more grieving from within the Redskins organization.
I briefly want to touch on those who are most devastated by the loss of this great safety. Clinton Portis was the closest to this quiet and reserved young man, and has not been able to enter the locker room due to the fact that his locker is right next to Sean's. Sean's locker has been sealed with Plexiglas to be forever left exactly as it was the last time he was in it.
Santana Moss, as well, is having difficulties, but he has come out and said that he knows that Sean himself would have mourned had it happened to another player, but come game time he would have laced up and played hard for his lost teammate.
Both Portis and Moss played at the U with Sean, and though they are both on the opposite side of the ball, they were very close with Sean and proud of the changes he made in his life. Coach Gregg Williams who had a close relationship with Sean seems to be crushed.
The Taylor family made an emotional trip up to FedEx Field and behind closed doors, without any media, Sean's Dad addressed the entire staff, players and ALL who worked with Sean. He told them that Sean would not have wanted them to cancel any game. Instead he would want his teammates to take that field and play.
After that they made a heart wrenching trip to Sean's home in Northern Virginia, and from there they flew back to Florida. My heart goes out to them, as I know how it feels to walk into the home of a loved one and see that the home seems to be waiting for your loved ones to come back through the door.
Sean was a Father, Son, Grandson, Friend, Teammate and a Washington Redskins Safety who was one of the best in the league. He has now gone home to be with Christ. I know he is the better for it, though we will always be left with the thought of what could have been....
It has been a policy of the Redskins to never retire a jersey. Instead they have the ring of honor. Well to those who make the decisions on what to do with number 21, I would like to issue this plea....
We have lost the heart of our defense and in order too never forget Sean, please break the rules this once, and retire # 21. Let us honor Sean's memory in a way that our team never has done before.
The # 21 should become the eternal "Twelfth Man" so that he can still lace up and take the field, though we may not see him, let us hear him through every Redskins fans cheers...
On Sunday I will stand with my blood brothers as they take the field with a heavy heart and tears running down my face. What I am sure of is that Sean WILL be there in spirit as the Washington Redskins take the field for their first time at home in three weeks. I send them great love and prayers for inner peace when they play the Bills. Sean will be there beside each one of you!
HAIL TO THE REDSKINS... HAIL VICTORY... BRAVES ON THE WARPATH... RETIRE 21 FOR OUR BELOVED SAFETY!
God bless each of you. Please remember to never take a loved one for granted, because this year has taught me far too many times that saying I love you later is not guaranteed.
RIP SEAN... 21 FOREVER! You may be gone, but you will never be forgotten...
AS A FAN I AM DEVESTATED, AND I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW HIS FAMILY FEELS AND HOW HIS TEAMMATES AND COACHES FEEL.
GOD BLESS SEAN AND HIS LOVED ONES. I CANNOT WRITE ANYMORE, AS I AM TOO UPSET.
WE WILL NEVER FORGET # 21!
WE LOVE YOU SEAN!
As most of you know by now, the Washington Redskins were alerted to devastating news in the early hours Monday morning. Our most talented safety, Sean Taylor, was shot in his home by an intruder after hearing noises coming from his living room.
Upon him and his fiance hearing the noise, Taylor reached for a machete that he kept under the bed, and then proceeded to lock his bedroom door to protect him, his fiance and his eighteen month old daughter who was also asleep in the room.
Just as he locked the door it was kicked in and two, from what I have heard, shotgun blasts erupted. One hit Sean in his leg, severing his femoral artery. The other, thankfully hit the wall. According to information released, ALL land-line phone connections had been cut in Taylor's home. When his fiance finally crawled out from under the blankets, she immediately contacted 911 around 1:45 am on her cell.
Once emergency services arrived at the home, Sean had already lost a tremendous amount of blood. His eyes were rolling in the back of his head, and his breathing was labored. He was immediately airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital where he flat-lined twice.
He was rushed into emergency surgery for over seven hours today, and is now in the Critical Care Unit where there has been some good news this evening. According to Cerrato, Taylor was able to respond to Doctors asking him to squeeze their hand and squint his eyes. He has responded to his Mother as well.
There is still much to be concerned about though.... With the amount of blood lost, as well as the lack of blood and oxygen to his brain, doctors fear that he could possibly suffer lifelong brain damage, the loss of his leg, or possibly death.
With a long night a head for him and his family, friends, teammates and all fans, I can assure you that Sean is surrounded by many prayers.
When Redskins players arrived at work this morning, for what they thought was to be a review of the game against Tampa Bay, were instead ushered in with Coach Gibbs, the entire coaching staff, Daniel Snyder and a Chaplain. Learning the news about Sean devastated the whole team.
Snyder took several players down to Florida to be there with Sean and his family by lending their support. There have been candlelight vigils held in many places in the D.C. area, as well as the numerous states that surround the Washington Redskins. Just like many teams, Redskins fans are extremely loyal, and speaking for myself, I have been out of sorts all day due to the fact that a family member is so severely injured.
I am sure that most are all aware that Sean has had issues in the past with the law ,but Taylor has become a changed man since the birth of his daughter Jackie a year and a half ago. According to 'Skins Tackle Chris Samuels, he approached Sean letting him know how proud he was to see such a positive change in Sean. Samuels also had a long conversation with Coach Gibbs, where they both agreed about the positive turn around in Sean both on and off the field.
Sean injured his knee three weeks ago in the game against Philly and has been rehabbing up in FedEX. But due to a previous break in eight-days ago Taylor may never return to not only the game, but to a normal life if he survives.
COMMENTS FROM REDSKINS TEAMMATES, COACHES AND OWNER:
"This is not just a member of the Washington Redskins," fellow safety Pierson Prioleau said. "But we're talking about a dad, a brother, a friend of ours, and that's where we're at with this right now."
"For all of us here, we are obviously in shock," Gibbs said. "I know I can't put it into words. I wouldn't do a good job of explaining how we feel. I know all of our fans out there are praying. "All of us are emotional and caught up in it. We are praying for the absolute best for Sean and his family."
DANIEL SNYDER: "On behalf of the Redskins, the players and everyone here at the Redskins, our hearts and prayers go out to Sean and his family. A group of Redskins and I are on our way to Miami now. "I really don't have any details other than what everyone else has been reading and reporting. Our hearts and prayers are with Sean and his family."
As coach and player, Gregg Williams and Sean Taylor bonded immediately. So it was with a heavy heart that Williams spoke with reporters about Taylor's shooting injury on Monday, in an emotional media session at Redskins Park:
"From a fiance standpoint and him being engaged, from a son's standpoint, from a grandson's standpoint in his own family's eyes, for me I have had an inner smile go on with me as I have seen him grow here and see him change dramatically for the good.
"The power of prayer is very powerful and all of us here, Redskins fans, the media, all of us--we need to get on our knees and say a prayer for him.
"Whether he plays again, I don't know. If he does, great. If he doesn't, great. I just want him to recover. I just want him to be all right."
Clinton Portis, one of Sean Taylor's closest friends, spoke to the media on Monday morning and discussed the ongoing situation involving Taylor:
"It's an unfortunate situation," Portis said. "It's hard. How can you deal with it? It's hard. There's nothing we can do. All we can think about is if he had been with us on the flight to Tampa, if he was at the game with us, then he would not have been in that situation.
"At the same time, you can't divert or change God's plan. Sean is a tough guy and I believe he will pull through this."
"Ever since Sean had his little girl, it was like a new Sean," Portis said. "He was always smiling, always happy, always talking about his child. It was good to see Sean walk by smiling. "Now all of a sudden, his back is up against the wall, our backs are up against the wall."MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS...
I had just put on my shoes and was making my way into the living room to grab my purse to leave for work, when my eyes locked on to the TV. It was on Fox News and I saw Sean Taylors face, but everything seemed to become suspended into slow motion.
Within a second, it connected in my brain and I dropped to me knees on the floor. I could not believe what I was seeing. I picked up the phone and called my Mom, who once she was able to speak, or should I say sob, told me she had to go and find a TV there at work. I then called my Husband, who was so silent, it left me to wonder if the call had been dropped. I called out his name and he barely responded. He had to go as well to get to a TV.
In my car I frantically searched all of Sirius until I found some info on Sean. I then prayed all the way to work. People at work, I think, finally got the fact that the Redskins are very important to me.
I periodically checked his status throughout the day, and was glad to get home this evening to get some good news about the movements and responses. Since then my TV has not left the NFL Network and ESPN. My computer pages are FOX and redskins.com.
In closing I just wanted to voice how odd I find it that someone broke into his home eight-days ago, leaving a kitchen knife on his bed. Also the fact that he had his family and friends staying there when this occurred. Where were they when all this went down, and why did whoever did this know to go strait to Sean's room and kick open the door?
I truly believe that someone on the inside of this home allowed, or participated in this. All phone lines were cut??? Where was the security alarms and why did they not go off and alert someone?
These are just some of many questions I have. I would like to know what you think, but please be respectful, as Sean's life is hanging in the balance....
God Bless you Sean ! Stay Strong and I am praying for you!HAIL TO THE REDSKINS...#21
~Ang
**Latest Update**
"Sean was not responding well to blood transfusions and things were going in the wrong direction when totally out of the blue he woke up," the source said. "Anything can happen at any time, but the phrase now being thrown around is cautious optimism. Before the guy was slowly passing away. Now, he's slowly getting stronger."
As many of you know I had to drop out of the finals of Mike Greenspires' 1st Annual Blogger Comp. I want you all to know how very much it killed me to do that. It was a tough decision, one that i struggled with for quite some time. But clearly KSP113, or Kev as I call him, did a fantastic job and was most deserving of being crowned winner!
Just to briefly let y'all know why things ended that way, I will explain....
This year has been the worst year my family has ever faced. On February 1st, my Nanny passed away unexpectedly. She was the matriarch of our family. Two days later I came home from buying a picture frame befitting my beautiful Grandmother to find that my oldest yellow lab was dying. We had to take him to the Vet to be put down.
Devastated was not even a word close to what I, my husband and my children were feeling. Little did we know it was far from over....
Five days later was the funeral for my Nanny, and we noticed that my Grandfather (Poppy) was not acting himself. And of course we all assumed it was because he had just lost his wife of over 50 years....
One day later my Poppy was rushed to the hospital due to hallucinations and pain. It was there at the hospital we found out that he had stage four cancer. We were told that he would not last more than six months. It had already spread to his brain and other areas. This was difficult, because my Pop was such a great man. He retired as Navy Chief in 1971 and twenty years later retired as a Civil Servant. But that was not the only thing that made him special....
Back in the 50's he met my Nanny and fell madly in love with her and her three young daughters, my Mom being one of them. They married in '56 and he adopted my Mom and her two sisters, and never one time in his life did he say these were his adopted daughters. No, these were HIS GIRLS! My Mom and her two sisters never speak of their biological father and have never looked for him, because they had a true Daddy, as they called him.
Now here is where I have to tell you the hardest blow too all of us. My Nanny and Poppy had two sons in the '60's, Jimmy and Jay. Jay loved his parents and our family home. He stayed with them and always cared for both of them, especially in these past ten years.
When my Nanny passed away he was crushed as we all were, but more so because she was not there at home where she was supposed to be. Then he found out his Father too would not be with us much longer.
Now I have to say that back in February when my Poppy was in the hospital, Jay caught my eye, as he was walking along the hallway looking lost. You see Jay and I were only eight years apart, and he and I were more like Brother and Sister than Uncle and Niece. Well while he was walking I called out to him, and he turned around and shuffled his way back to me. I walked to him and we hugged each other so tight and I looked him in the eye and told him how much I loved him. He told me the same, both of us crying....
My friends that would be the last time I would see my beloved Jay Bird alive. On February 22nd he was found on the couch in the room where my Poppy was sleeping in his recliner not breathing.. He could not be revived .
At the young age of forty-two he went home to be with Jesus and my Nanny. John (Jay) Patrick Byrne was laid to rest beside his Mom three weeks to the day she was laid to rest. He is now my "Free Bird" which was one of our favorite songs.
My poor Poppy had to be told he lost his baby, as Jay was the youngest on top of losing Nanny and knowing he too was not long for this world. Every ones focus shifted to my Poppy, and God love him he fought as hard as he could, and at one point he was putting on weight and seemed to be gaining strength. But on Fathers Day he took a turn for the worse and finally on July 17Th he too went home. All three of them had passed away in the house that we have all called home for more years than I have been on this earth.
I have to also say that in between those loved ones passing away, we lost a cousin on my Mom's side, and my Dad lost his oldest brother. My Mom's cousin and my Uncle were the same age and both passed away from their hearts being too large.
Now on top of all of this, the home that has been a family member as much as any single one of us is being made ready to sell, because my Poppy wanted my Mom and her siblings to have some money to make their lives more comfortable, though I truly believe had he known that they would have rather kept the house....it would not have ended up this way.
This weekend my Mom was rushed to the ER and she was told she is very sick with COPD and Emphysema as well as Bronchitis. Now they are testing her for numerous other things. She also has Lupus.I am so scared. I cannot lose her as well. She is my best friend! If you think I am a Redskins fan, boy can she teach me a few things!
I wanted you to know why I had to back out here at the end. Having to get my Grandparents home cleaned out, which was something I hope no one ever has to go through, though I am sure many of you have and will at some point.
But,
I want to leave you all with this....My family was blessed because we had each other for many years. The only death that had occurred in my family up until now was my Great Grandfather passed away back in 1980. I was able to have my Nanny and Poppy until I was thirty-five years old, but my oldest Son Ben, who was the first Grandson and Great Grandson was able to have his Great Grandparents until he was seventeen.
Like I said, we were blessed. Just remember that tomorrow can change everything in your world, so please love your family and MAKE SURE they know how much you need and love them!
I will be back soon my friends, and thank you all for the support I received from all of you through the competition and on all of my posts! This is for you Uncle Jay.....HAIL TO THE REDSKINS! HAIL VICTORY......BRAVES ON THE WARPATH! FIGHT FOR OLE DC!
Hollywood could not have written a script that could do justice to what is inevitably staged to happen Sunday, November 4Th at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. Two teams, both riding waves of immense success, will meet in a never before seen battle on the Gridiron....
For the first time in the eighty-eight year history of the National Football League, two undefeated teams with seven or more wins will face off against each other. So much hype has surrounded this game that is has been dubbed Super BowlXLI and a half .
The (8-0) New England Patriots are set to take on the (7-0) Indianapolis Colts in what will, no doubt, be the most intense game of the season.
In order to do justice to this match-up, I will examine both teams, their players and their Head Coaches. I have to say that these two teams are as different as night and day in just about every aspect, except for one. . .they are both Undefeated.
BILL BELICHICK :
In every great war story there has to be a brilliant, but hated general. I could think of no better description than this to describe such a man.
Bill has had much success in his time as Head Coach of the New England Patriots. He has been solely responsible for laying out each battle plan in order to create this now Dynasty.
A highly respected Coach for many years, whose probably the most hands on Coach in the NFL, Bill is involved in every aspect of his team. From the Offense, Defense and Special Teams, Bills hands are right in there, directing each play like a well-choreographed dance.
And while this is a bit unheard of in a time of very expensive Offensive Coordinators, Defensive Assistant Coaches and numerous others, who are hired to make the Head Coaches job that much easier, Bill remains cemented in his way, or no way.
Unfortunately, this season Bill was caught cheating by filming the defensive calls in the season opener against the Jets. As usual, the media jumped on a name for the scandal, which has stuck. SPY-GATE! The reason I even bring this up is to allow you to see where the chip on Bills shoulder comes from.
Unlike most, who would find them self in this type predicament, Bill instead became defensive, and barely apologized, if that is what you can call it. Since then the New England Patriots have been using the mentality that it is, "Us against the world!"
*Quote From Bill on Sundays Game*
"It's the next game, he replied."
TONY DUNGY:
Most are aware of the trials, tribulations and tragedy that have affected Colts' Head Coach Tony Dungy on and off the field. It is how he has handled these situations that have given us an intimate picture of this most beloved Head Coach. . . .
Dungy first became a household name when he was the coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During his time there the team went to four consecutive playoffs. Dungy built a team that was good enough too win the Super Bowl, but unfortunately it would come the following year after the Bucs fired him for not making it to the Super Bowl. Talk about irony.
This almost made Tony walk away from football all together, but fate intervened and a new door opened in Indianapolis. It is here where his faith, quiet authority and his strong desire to persevere would pay off.
Dungy is a master when it comes to knowing how to get the best out of his players. He plans a brilliant battle attack, but allows for his players to make the necessary changes when need be. Working as a team has allowed them many things, but none more important then winning Super Bowl XLI last February against the Chicago Bears.
Unlike his opponent, Dungy will go into this game looking ahead to the rest of the season. Remaining undefeated is not a priority on his list. The number one priority on his list is leading his fifty-three players and sixteen coaches back to the Super Bowl.
*Quote from Dungy on Sunday's match-up*
“It's going to be fun,” Dungy said. “It will be fun, and it will be two good teams that know each other, but nothing more than that, really.”
DUELING QUARTERBACKS:
Undoubtedly Manning and Brady are the best quarterbacks in the entire NFL. They both have Super Bowl wins, Super Bowl MVP awards, and both have been in numerous Pro-Bowls. These two have met a total of eight times in their careers, which would explain the deep seeded rivalry between them. But, if there was a recipe to create the perfect QB, it would have to be based solely on these two. . . .
Their passing skills alone are flawless. When both release that pigskin it appears to be effortless on their part. It is a purity that is rarely seen in a game where most quarterbacks scramble to get the ball off.
For both, it almost seems as if they have all day to access where their deadly accurate aim will be placed. With Manning and Brady together, keeping it in the air all day, this game will likely be referred to later as the "Day of the Aerial Attack."
Tom Brady:
This season for # 12 has become a Cinderella story in the making. Brady has thrown for thirty touchdowns in only eight games. It seems that there is no doubt that he is enjoying the role reversal this year between him and his adversary Peyton Manning.
In previous seasons, it had always been Brady who has had the Super Bowl rings, but lacked severely behind Peyton in best overall Stats. With all that now changed, we have come to see a poised Brady who takes charge of his offense with supreme command.
With thirty touchdowns, nineteen short of Manning's record, a total of 2,431 yards and only two interceptions, this guy is a freight train who has yet to be stopped. While relying on his receivers heavily, Brady has been able to exploit them with his pin point accuracy. He is a mechanical QB, who appears to be more robotic than human at times.
If you think that Tom Brady is being humble about his success think again. With the team being called cheaters all season, Brady has developed a boulder, not a chip, on his shoulder. When being asked about the upcoming game against the Colts, Brady had this to say. . .
*Quote from Brady on Sunday's match-up*
"They are a great football team but I think we have proven over the last eight weeks that we can play at a pretty high level ourselves. You can’t turn the ball over against the Colts. It’s usually seven points. You can’t punt the ball to them because it’s usually seven points.”
Of course there will be no trash talking between these two, but the tension is definitely there. With so much at stake, it is very clear the Tom Brady will bring everything he has in his arsenal Sunday. And though I am not certain about this, I feel that Brady has an ax to grind in Indy during this match-up. He wants to walk away from a game, that could possibly define his entire career, victorious, because anything less than that just would not do.
PEYTON MANNING:
What a year this has been for Peyton Manning. He is the reigning Super Bowl MVP and has won the last thirteen home games in Indy, as well as twelve consecutive wins. On Sunday's his face is all over everywhere with his plethora of television commercials.
Last Sunday against the Panthers Manning tied and then broke Johnny Unitas' team TD record with a total of 228. But, this Sunday holds much more weight than anything Peyton has done since February.
While it is true, statistically speaking, Peyton has not been as good this season, he has benefited from the stability of his offensive combined with that cannon he calls an arm, which has allowed him to lead them to week nine undefeated.
With the weapons Peyton has at receiver and running back,and playing at home in front of his adoring fans, we may very well see Manning at the top of his game. There is no doubt that Peyton has the faster arm of the two, and that where Brady is mechanical, Manning is more human than robotic.
Peyton has thrown thirteen touchdowns for a total of 1,833 yards with only three interceptions this season. He seems to have a knack for always knowing where to throw the ball, and knowing where the rush is coming from. It is actually uncanny that he always seems to know exactly how much time on every snap he has to throw the ball. Peyton is a clutch player, and has always held command of that offense.
*Quote from Manning on Sunday's match-up*
“They’re playing great and it’s well-documented what we think about the Patriots, their organization and how good of a team we think they are. You just don’t want to give an inch,” Manning said. “You don’t want to come out flat and lose one. In the AFC now, you can’t afford to lose one.”
Manning knows that this is one of those career defining moments, and I am sure that he wants this win as much as Brady does. But I think he also understands that it is more important to maintain a hard earned two game lead in the AFC South. Still with that being said, it is a certainty we will see Peyton Manning at his best this Sunday.
MATCH-UPS:
I am not sure if anyone else is aware of this, but there are more players than just Manning and Brady playing in the game tomorrow. Here, I am going to briefly match Patriot and Colts player by posistion.
ADDAI vs. MARONEY:
Both of these guys are great running backs, but Joseph Addai is the better all-around back. He can pick up a blitz well, catch out of the backfield and over all is the better runner of the two. Amazingly they match up in size almost perfectly. The only thing different about Maroney is he is a bit better at being more versatile than Addai.
RECEIVERS:
Colts:
What a group the Colts have. There is no doubt that they are three of the best receivers in the NFL. Marv Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark. These are the guys that make Peyton look good. In tough situations you can always count on their combined experience together to get them through.
Wayne and Harrison are excellent route runners. I honestly believe that Dallas Clark may have the best game of his career this Sunday, especially if Dungy does not clear Harrison to play. Clark will be called upon to step up the intensity of his game.
Pats:
The Patriots do not have a shabby group of receivers' either. Between Moss, Welker and Stallworth they have both put up impressive numbers combined for a total of 1,803 yards. Among the three of them they have twenty touchdowns, with the most (11) going to Moss.
It seems with every snap Moss finds away to get wide open, and Welker has the ability to go underneath. The only thing going against these guys is that they have not been together long. Still eight consecutive victories can only make you imagine just how great they will be after being together for a few years.
DEFENSIVE ENDS:
Colts:
Dwight Freeny is a defensive end who causes offenses to worry whenever they are on the opposite side of the ball as him. This season he has eighteen tackles, four forced fumbles and 3.5 sacks. When playing Freeny it has been said that he has to be doubled teamed at all times, otherwise he will be face to face with the QB quickly. I think Brady should be a tad worried about Freeny Sunday, because he has been nursing a right shoulder injury most of the season.
Pats:
Richard Seymour has been out most of this season, but made his return in the game against the Washington Redskins. It is apparent that there still may be some issues over whether or not he is 100%. If he can play without pain this game, and play well, he could be a force to contend with. Still, his stats from the past '06 season are not as good as theyshould have been. Therefore, with too many if's concerning Seymour, I am really not expecting a big game for him.
SECONDARIES:
Colts:
Marlin Jackson absolutely ranks the best in this group. This season he has already had a total of forty-eight tackles and one interception. While he has not recorded any sacks yet, he will be the one who dominates the field Sunday.
Colts:
Bob Sanders has thirty-eight tackles, one interception and two and a half sacks. Between Marlin and Bob I am giving them the advantage in this match-up.
Pats:
Rodney Harrison is not having the kind of year that I am sure he would like to be having, but he does have sixteen tackles, with no interceptions and two sacks.
Pats:
Asante Samuel also is not having a great season. He has only recorded seventeen tackles, with zero sacks. The one bright spot for him and the Pats defense is he does have four interceptions.
SPECIAL TEAMS :
Colts:
It has been said that if this game comes down to a field goal, Adam Vinatieri could be the key to a Colts victory. This season Vinatieri is 14/15 with his longest kick from thirty-nine yards. Adam's average is just slightly below the leagues leading kicker( Patriots Gostkowski) in the NFL. But the most important fact is that Vinatieri was the kicker for the Patriots ten out of twelve years in his career. So this is personal for Adam, which in my opinion gives him the advantage.
Pats:
Having to fill big shoes after Vinatieri left, Stephen Gostkowski is leading the league with 10/11 attempts, his longest being from forty-five yards. This week he will face off against Vinatieri in what could very well be a game decided by the kickers.
*Side Note: It will be worth watching to see if either team will "Ice" the kicker the way Buffalo did to Dallas.*
Summary:
New England has outscored this season's opponents by at least seventeen points. Brady's passing rating is incredible at 136.2 yards. Randy Moss is on course to breaking a team record this weekend with most touchdown catches. In all the teams the Patriots have played only two teams have scored more than twenty points on them, the Dallas Cowboys and the Miami Dolphins. Odds have the Pats by four and a half over the Colts.
If for some reason Brady was unable to finish this game, back-up QB Matt Cassell would have to come in....the Patriots would then have to say, "Goodbye" to the rest of their season. It is the only position that the Patriots have no depth to.
This is a serious issue that one would think Belichick would never have allowed to happen. With Brady already suffering from an injury to his right shoulder, Cassell coming in, if Tom goes down wrong on that shoulder, is a real possibility.
So what do the Colts need to do to win this game?
With Dungy being able to figure out Belichicks game plan in the last three games, I think it is safe to say that this will also be the case tomorrow. Many adjustments have been made to Indy's defense this season to allow for more coverage in the backfield, as opposed to blitzing on every play.
Still, pressure has to be applied to Brady constantly. If he is allowed to much time in the pocket, Brady will take full advantage of the situation. Make him feel pressured. If at all possible sack him as many times as you can. Keep Moss double-teamed at all times, never letting him get open in the backfield. Stallworth should be covered as often as possible, but be more concerned with Moss.
The Patriots quarterback and dynamic trio have not been together long enough to gel in such an intense game like this. Let's not forget that though Randy Moss seems to have changed his bad-boy ways, simply because he has yet to be shutdown. But, I can almost guarantee, should that happen, we will see his bad-boy ways return.
My choice for the winner of this game has to be the Indianapolis Colts by six over the New England Patriots. The Colts, first and foremost, are the reigning Super Bowl Champs. They are at home playing in front of their fans, and they have won the last three match-ups against the Patriots. And while there is no denying that the Patriots appear to be unstoppable, I just feel very strongly that the Colts are the brick wall that will stop them.
Final Score: Colts 34- Pats 28
All in all, this is probably the best game that will occur in the NFL this entire regular season. Two equally consistent and well organized teams will give a game for the record books. So kick back and relax, because this game has been dubbed the "BIGGEST RIVALRY" ever in the National Football League!
After a weekend that all Redskins' fans would rather soon to forget, a bright light has shined down on former Redskin Greats! Thank you FoxSports for having a preview on the front page that immediately drew me in because of my Hero Darrell Green.
Darrell is eligible this year, as it has been five years since his retirement. Wow, that blows my mind. His last game was on my thirtieth birthday, and I cried. I am not shamed to admit that I cried buckets! Darrell honored us all by doing a lap around FedEx Field and then he gave a tear filled speech. We miss you Darrell!
After I read the article here, I went to check out the HOF's homepage. I pulled up the 2008 Preliminary Nominees and I was shocked and delighted to find that thirteen plus retired Redskins players have been nominated.
First I would like to say that I was surprised by the overwhelming support and love from the entire NFL community in my last post. Each comment, for the most part, was consumed with grief, love and understanding for Sean and the entire Taylor family. 
MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS... 
HAIL TO THE REDSKINS...#21 
As many of you know I had to drop out of the finals of Mike Greenspires' 1st Annual Blogger Comp. I want you all to know how very much it killed me to do that. It was a tough decision, one that i struggled with for quite some time. But clearly KSP113, or Kev as I call him, did a fantastic job and was most deserving of being crowned winner! 
But, 
BILL BELICHICK : 
TONY DUNGY: 
Tom Brady: 
PEYTON MANNING: 
