one down. 3 more games to go.

wow, did i miss watching the Patriots play this season. it felt good to see them on my tv again finally -- and looking like the 10-1 playoff team they've been behind Tom Brady, going into Sunday's game with the Jets. the only thing that worried me a little bit was a slightly overzealous defense taking some big personal foul penalties. however, i would rather see a fired up defense than an apathetic one -- any day, but most especially on a Super Bowl run! i was far more concerned by the somewhat deflated team that took the field after halftime. thank God they found their game faces again!


some favorite points in the game:
**the 2 sacks by Banta-Cain -- he's really stepped up since the Junior Seau season-ending injury
**the Rookie made some consistent kicks, both field goals & points after -- i can safely say "Adam who?" now
**Vinny coming in for the final snap -- i love that he's being given the opportunity to get out on the field with the team, even if it's only to take a knee
**Tom Brady's 12-yard run -- who says that boy can't run? ;-) and he just never looks rattled, even when he's being charged

**Vince Wilfork's 31-yard fumble return -- few things entertain me more in a football game than a big defensive tackle running full-bore down the football field, knowing that half the opposing team will catch him in three seconds flat but that it will take half the offense to drag him down

and my personal favorite:
**yet another interception followed by a 36-yard touchdown run for Asante Samuel -- tell me again why he didn't get a spot in the Pro Bowl??


it was something see Bill Belichick jumping around & cheering... and omg, was that a *smile*?? i thought he saved that only for Super Bowl victories & crazy trick plays?! and did anyone else catch Bill shoving aside cameras & media personnel to give Mangini a hug?! holy crap! we saw more emotion in this game than we have in the last two regular seasons combined! and apparently Bill's jolly alter ego made his appearance even earlier in the week:
Belichick was asked how he keeps the team focused and avoiding outside distractions.
"Not let the media in the locker room," he said, smiling.
(Reiss' Pieces)

in the middle of all this jubilation, does this worry anyone else?
Asante Samuel
(On the chance this is his last game at Gillette Stadium as a Patriot)
I'm not thinking about that. If it is, then it is. It is what it is. I'm just trying to go out and play football and make the best of my situation.
(Riess' Pieces)
i really am not ready to start cutting loose more players the second they start actually finding their spot on the team. i hope they find some way to iron this out...

i am not normally one for football field celebrations, but even i have to admit that Asante's little post game jig was amusing.

let's just not count our chickens before they hatch. next Sunday's match up will be a *big* one & one i have no problem admitting scares the pants off of me. i think that this little quote going into the Jets game needs to be the New England mantra until they hold the Lombardi Trophy over their heads once again:
TE DANIEL GRAHAM: "It's do or die. We don't have any time to make any mistakes. There's no coming back to correct mistakes from this game. We have to go out and play a full game."
(Reiss' Pieces)


one closing thought:
oh how i will miss Rodney Harrison on defense against the Chargers, because i just don't know how he could possibly be ready to play this soon...