St. Louis still has a chance to win this. Keith Null replaces Lewis needing to advance the Rams from their 40 in a few minutes to be close enough for a field goal.
Roughing the passer against New England linebacker Marques Murrell has moved the Rams to the Patriots' 34.
St. Louis is going to get a good chance for a 3-pointer to end this. And they do - a 37-yard field goal for a 36-35 St. Louis win as time expires.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
New England leading late 35-33
With the second and whatnot units in on both sides, St. Louis reels off a long touchdown drive to get within 35-33. But a mix up on a 2-point conversion try for a tie is botched and the Pats are trying to run out the last four minutes.
Without Maroney getting any action. For the second straight week.
A roughing-the-passer on third down gives the Pats more chances to get out of this shootout on top.
Without Maroney getting any action. For the second straight week.
A roughing-the-passer on third down gives the Pats more chances to get out of this shootout on top.
McGOWAN sets up another New England touchdown
Lewis is picked off by Brandon McGowan - McGOWAN! - and returns the ball to the Rams' 10 after a 35-yard return.
And conspicuous by his absence in the New England backfield is Laurence Maroney, a St. Louis native who openly lobbied for more playing time.
He hasn't been in the game yet. Can't say the same for Hoyer, who hits wide receiver Sam Aiken for a 5-yard touchdown pass.
Set up by McGOWAN!
And conspicuous by his absence in the New England backfield is Laurence Maroney, a St. Louis native who openly lobbied for more playing time.
He hasn't been in the game yet. Can't say the same for Hoyer, who hits wide receiver Sam Aiken for a 5-yard touchdown pass.
Set up by McGOWAN!
Pats go up 28-27
Trailing 27-21, the Pats have to go 98 yards for a touchdown. During a timeout - geez, a timeout in an NFL game? - Brady warms up with backup quarterback Brian Hoyer.
They exchange crisp throws. No designated catchers for these guys to protect their pinkies.
Brady now throws to the likes of Kevin Faulk and Moss and finally to a leaping Gronkowski, a 6-foot-6 emerging monster a la Russ Francis for the go-ahead score for a 28-27 lead early in the fourth quarter.
They exchange crisp throws. No designated catchers for these guys to protect their pinkies.
Brady now throws to the likes of Kevin Faulk and Moss and finally to a leaping Gronkowski, a 6-foot-6 emerging monster a la Russ Francis for the go-ahead score for a 28-27 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Brady and Moss connect.
Is Bill Belichick sending a message to his offense? Brady and the rest of the first unit trot out for New England's first series in the second half.
Brady and Randy Moss send a message to the coach? On second and three, Brady does a good play-action fake into the middle then hits a flying Moss in stride deep down the middle, well behind safety Kevin Payne, for a 65-yard touchdown.
Moss really got separation.
That should be it for the first offensive unit. Now its time for the defense to show up.
Brady and Randy Moss send a message to the coach? On second and three, Brady does a good play-action fake into the middle then hits a flying Moss in stride deep down the middle, well behind safety Kevin Payne, for a 65-yard touchdown.
Moss really got separation.
That should be it for the first offensive unit. Now its time for the defense to show up.
Pats trail 27-14
St. Louis is moving the ball against New England's first defensive unit despite having unheralded rookie quarterback Thaddeus Lewis from Duke under center to start the third quarter.
The Rams have picked up first downs on third downs down to the New England 23.
And now this third-string free agent quarterback throws a 20-yard touchdown pass. St. Louis goes 76 yards on 15 plays that gobble up 9 minutes and 19 seconds.
This makes it 27-14 in favor of a team that went 1-15 a year ago.
The Rams have picked up first downs on third downs down to the New England 23.
And now this third-string free agent quarterback throws a 20-yard touchdown pass. St. Louis goes 76 yards on 15 plays that gobble up 9 minutes and 19 seconds.
This makes it 27-14 in favor of a team that went 1-15 a year ago.
Rams lead New England 20-14 at halftime
Pats give up a 45-yard field goal with a second remaining to go off at halftime down 20-14.
New England's lucky Bradford didn't connect for a third touchdown pass. Pats rookie cornerback got turned around as Rams wideout Laurent Robinson got wide open on the left side, but made the catch well out of bounds.
New England's defense figures to get an earful during intermission.
New England's lucky Bradford didn't connect for a third touchdown pass. Pats rookie cornerback got turned around as Rams wideout Laurent Robinson got wide open on the left side, but made the catch well out of bounds.
New England's defense figures to get an earful during intermission.
On further review(s) the Pats are back in this
That's what the Pats needed, a couple of reversed calls to rev up this crowd. First veteran tight end Alge Crumpler makes a great catch on the left side for a long gainer that is first called incomplete but on review goes as a catch. Then rookie tight end Rob Gronkowski holds on to a Tom Brady pass and hops his way with his right ankle held for five yards to a diving 14-yard scoring effort inside of two minutes before halftime.
The Bradford Conspiracy
Want an omen as to why the Rams are up 17-7 midway through the second quarter and Bradford has thrown two touchdown passes?
The singer of the pregame national anthem - Jennifer BRADFORD. Said to be from Foxborough.
The singer of the pregame national anthem - Jennifer BRADFORD. Said to be from Foxborough.
Rams go up 10-7
Slingin' Sammy becomes sacked Sammy Bradford. Former Boston College wide body Ron Brace gets a sack, but the Rams get the lead at 10-7 on a field goal.
Slingin' Sammy Bradford
Sam Bradford looks like Sammy Baugh. He's shredding the Patriots' secondary as the first quarter ends with the scored tied but the Rams on New England's 10.
Rams have nine first downs to the Patriots' one.
Rams have nine first downs to the Patriots' one.
Okie looks more than OK early on
Rookie quarterback Sam Bradford from Oklahoma looks sharp leading St. Louis to a long touchdown drive. He completes all four of his passes, including a 5-yarder for the tying score.
The first pick in the NFL draft looked great on the first series, but good New England pressure on a St. Louis series late in the first quarter keeps the game at 7-7.
The first pick in the NFL draft looked great on the first series, but good New England pressure on a St. Louis series late in the first quarter keeps the game at 7-7.
New England up a touchdown on the first play against St. Louis
Hello from Gillette. And Brandon Tate says goodbye to the Rams, going up the middle from the 3 and see ya. 12 seconds in and untouched for 97 yards to put New England up on its first touch.
Tate showed no sign of that knee injury that made him a question mark a while back at North Carolina.
Tate showed no sign of that knee injury that made him a question mark a while back at North Carolina.
C's in our city
Earlier in the week, The Daily News published a story, citing quotes told to The Boston Globe, about Boston Celtics captain Paul Pierce, who feels the team needs a new site for its training camp, which for the last two seasons has been held at Salve Regina University in Newport.
“I think it would be good for this group to get away. I’m really getting tired of Newport. Really, I want to go somewhere else,” Pierce told The Globe.
Well, apparently when the player with the longest tenure on the team speaks, management listens. Danny Ainge, the president of basketball operations for the Celtics, is taking Pierce’s sentiments into consideration.
“We haven’t made a confirmation on that yet,” Ainge told The Globe. “We’re looking into the different possibilities, and (head coach) Doc (Rivers) and I are discussing where we want to have training camp, what’s best for our team.
“I think (Pierce) has a point. I’m not so sure that that’s the only way to bond together as a team, but I certainly understand where he’s coming from. There’s always a lot of factors in training camp, and we certainly try to do what’s best.”
To reiterate our view, having the Celtics come to Newport and Salve Regina, specifically, makes for a great week for both the city and the school. Salve officials have welcomed the team with open arms for the last two seasons and would love to have it back for another training camp.
Here’s to hoping Ainge and the Celtics brass choose the City-by-the-Sea at least one more season.
“I think it would be good for this group to get away. I’m really getting tired of Newport. Really, I want to go somewhere else,” Pierce told The Globe.
Well, apparently when the player with the longest tenure on the team speaks, management listens. Danny Ainge, the president of basketball operations for the Celtics, is taking Pierce’s sentiments into consideration.
“We haven’t made a confirmation on that yet,” Ainge told The Globe. “We’re looking into the different possibilities, and (head coach) Doc (Rivers) and I are discussing where we want to have training camp, what’s best for our team.
“I think (Pierce) has a point. I’m not so sure that that’s the only way to bond together as a team, but I certainly understand where he’s coming from. There’s always a lot of factors in training camp, and we certainly try to do what’s best.”
To reiterate our view, having the Celtics come to Newport and Salve Regina, specifically, makes for a great week for both the city and the school. Salve officials have welcomed the team with open arms for the last two seasons and would love to have it back for another training camp.
Here’s to hoping Ainge and the Celtics brass choose the City-by-the-Sea at least one more season.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Remember the Titan
Bobby Sewall likely is accustomed to people incorrectly pronouncing his last name, so it should come as no surprise that ESPN's Monday Night Football announce team botched it when Sewall and the Tennessee Titans played the Arizona Cardinals in a preseason game Monday in Nashville.
Nonetheless, it was exciting to hear the former Portsmouth High School football star's name on national TV. Unfortunately, Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski then clumsily segued into a conversation about fellow ESPN football guy Chris Berman, who, like Sewall, graduated from Brown University.
"See Wall" was on camera plenty in the second preseason game of his NFL career, and had a chance to make a highlight-reel play, had he not been overthrown.
The undrafted rookie went deep early in the fourth quarter, and may have had half a step on his defender, but the throw from Titans third-string quarterback Chris Simms was over Sewall's head, and Sewall went to the sideline for the next play.
He returned to the game, but the ball didn't come his way again. He blocked on some run plays, covered punts and lined up in the backfield as another Titans QB, Rusty Smith, took a knee on the final two plays of the game. When Sewall wasn't in the game, he regularly was seen when cameras turned toward the Titans' sideline.
The first cut day is a week from today, when NFL teams must pare their rosters to 75 players. If Sewall is able to survive the first round of cuts, it would be a huge step toward being on the Titans' active roster for Week 1.
Nonetheless, it was exciting to hear the former Portsmouth High School football star's name on national TV. Unfortunately, Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski then clumsily segued into a conversation about fellow ESPN football guy Chris Berman, who, like Sewall, graduated from Brown University.
"See Wall" was on camera plenty in the second preseason game of his NFL career, and had a chance to make a highlight-reel play, had he not been overthrown.
The undrafted rookie went deep early in the fourth quarter, and may have had half a step on his defender, but the throw from Titans third-string quarterback Chris Simms was over Sewall's head, and Sewall went to the sideline for the next play.
He returned to the game, but the ball didn't come his way again. He blocked on some run plays, covered punts and lined up in the backfield as another Titans QB, Rusty Smith, took a knee on the final two plays of the game. When Sewall wasn't in the game, he regularly was seen when cameras turned toward the Titans' sideline.
The first cut day is a week from today, when NFL teams must pare their rosters to 75 players. If Sewall is able to survive the first round of cuts, it would be a huge step toward being on the Titans' active roster for Week 1.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Speaking the Truth
The first reaction to Paul Pierce's recent comments about Newport was a mix of disappointment, anger and sour grapes. Now that I've had a chance to reread what the Celtics captain told the Boston Globe, the disappointment remains, but the anger, for the most part, has subsided.
For those who haven't seen or heard yet, Pierce, in no uncertain terms, said he'd rather the Celtics didn't return for a third year of training camp at Salve Regina University.
"I think it would be good for this group to get away. I'm really getting tired of Newport. Really, I want to go somewhere else.
"Newport is good, but I want to go somewhere else. It would be good to get away with this type of group, when you have Jermaine and Shaq."
"When you got new guys and these types of personalities, I think it's good for all of us to get out, be at a dinner table -- me, Shaq, Kevin [Garnett], Ray [Allen], Jermaine. I think it would be good for that relationship, building that chemistry. We get away and go somewhere, that's something we'll definitely do.''
Certainly Pierce has every right to speak his mind, especially when it comes to how his team prepares for the 2010-11 season. But someone who's been in the game as long as Pierce should know to choose his words more carefully. Really, if he'd started with "Newport is good, but ..." all would be forgiven.
Maybe he meant no disrespect to our fair city, but to say he's "really getting tired of Newport" seems unnecessarily negative. There are a million ways he could have expressed his thoughts that wouldn't translate, in our minds, as "Newport sucks."
Salve Regina hasn't yet heard from the Celtics about their training camp intentions, but Pierce's comments tell me that Newport was at least a consideration for this year's camp, if not a leading candidate. We'll likely find out in a month or so what the team's plans are.
Like a lot of people around here, I hope the Celtics do come back. I'm not a Celtics fan, but it's been fun the last two years having them around, watching them practice and hearing stories not fit for print about how certain players spent their time outside of practice.
If they do come back, I wonder what kind of welcome Pierce would get around town, if he decided to venture downtown.
For those who haven't seen or heard yet, Pierce, in no uncertain terms, said he'd rather the Celtics didn't return for a third year of training camp at Salve Regina University.
"I think it would be good for this group to get away. I'm really getting tired of Newport. Really, I want to go somewhere else.
"Newport is good, but I want to go somewhere else. It would be good to get away with this type of group, when you have Jermaine and Shaq."
"When you got new guys and these types of personalities, I think it's good for all of us to get out, be at a dinner table -- me, Shaq, Kevin [Garnett], Ray [Allen], Jermaine. I think it would be good for that relationship, building that chemistry. We get away and go somewhere, that's something we'll definitely do.''
Certainly Pierce has every right to speak his mind, especially when it comes to how his team prepares for the 2010-11 season. But someone who's been in the game as long as Pierce should know to choose his words more carefully. Really, if he'd started with "Newport is good, but ..." all would be forgiven.
Maybe he meant no disrespect to our fair city, but to say he's "really getting tired of Newport" seems unnecessarily negative. There are a million ways he could have expressed his thoughts that wouldn't translate, in our minds, as "Newport sucks."
Salve Regina hasn't yet heard from the Celtics about their training camp intentions, but Pierce's comments tell me that Newport was at least a consideration for this year's camp, if not a leading candidate. We'll likely find out in a month or so what the team's plans are.
Like a lot of people around here, I hope the Celtics do come back. I'm not a Celtics fan, but it's been fun the last two years having them around, watching them practice and hearing stories not fit for print about how certain players spent their time outside of practice.
If they do come back, I wonder what kind of welcome Pierce would get around town, if he decided to venture downtown.
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