Now I'm worried... Pats lose again

Alright... For the last few games I didn't feel a sense of urgency about the state of the New England Patriots, and how things were progressing. I admit I had long predicted the loss to the Packers, and the loss to the Dolphins, but I did have them bouncing back against the Broncos which didn't happen.

Now this team heads into Buffalo dropping four games in a row, and seeming like everyone is against them. Well they need to pull it together because Drew Bledsoe can smell the blood and you can be damn sure he's going in for the kill.

So what is the problem? Well here's my opinion, and if it seems harsh... Eff' it.

Fair-weather Patriots Fans: Last year, the lot of you jumped on the bandwagon via New York, Miami, Indy, Pittsburgh, and Oakland, while some of you had never even watched a game. But, for some reason, after the Snow Bowl, most of you ran out and purchased those No. 4 and 12 jerseys. Oh yeah, you were on the bandwagon, and it felt good. It felt good to stand at the water cooler or canteen truck on Monday and discuss the infamous replay with your boss. It was nice to hug a perfect stranger at Hooters when Brady went down in the Steelers game, and watch Bledsoe go 3 for 3 and capping it off with a TD pass.

Oh yes those were the days...

Today the Pats have lost four in a row, and most you have gone back to wearing your silver and black, or maybe that Marino jersey (get over it). Gee... If you look real carefully you may just spot a Curtis Martin Jersey eating at the 99, or a Kordell Stewart pumping gas...

I said pumping gas.

Go ahead, I predicted the team to go 10-6, but I wasn't expecting the team to go south in this fashion.

Coaching Staff: What has happened here? After the first two weeks, I had Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel the next in line for head coaching jobs. If this keeps up they'll be lucky if their directing traffic in the Gillette parking lots. Leaving Bill Belichick possibly calling an old friend for advice. I know the O-Line was banged up, and you had to move some guys around, but I think you may have over tinkered. As for the play calling, I have said time and time again that Brady doesn't have the long ball consistently. He's a threat when he's passing six to seven yards at a time. Be patient with the play calling, and give RB Smith the routes he ran last year. These out patterns, and swings are not cutting it. Go back and look at his YAC's (yards after contact).

Pretty impressive stats, and most of those came from plays designed to go through the middle. Also last week; I would have never went for the two point conversion. And lastly, why is all of the NFL following the same game plan? Pass... Run... Run/Pass... Convert or Punt...

Tom Brady: Yeah, he got Super Bowl MVP last year, but everyone, including Brady, knows it should have went to K Adam Vinatieri or CB Ty Law. Brady is a nice Michigan product, but that MVP status is what kept him here and sent Bledsoe packing. To be honest, I would have dumped him because his value was worth more. Last year he threw 162 passes without a pick. This year he's thrown almost two a game with the exception of Denver where he decided to get sacked four times instead. So where is your head at Tom? Rumors have it that you are depressed about dumping Tara Reid ("American Pie").

Well, if that's so, Mr. "Milk Ad," he better get his head cleared before she destroys his career like Yoko Ono broke up the Beatles.

Hmm, maybe it's not Tara. Maybe you're upset because of the royalties you're losing since Dunkin's stopped the sale of those steak, egg and cheese bagels. Is that it?

Whatever it is, you need to fix it fast because the way Bledsoe is playing, you might have the former Bledsoe Bashers looking to run you out of town. And don't think it won't happen because Boston fans can turn on you at the blink of an eye.

Antowain Smith: You ran for over 1,000 yards last year, and the Pats paid you well, but how do you repay them? You show up to training camp three Whoppers over the weight limit, and fail the conditioning test. You are so lucky that there are no free agent running backs out there to take your job. If Barry Sanders wasn't still committed to the Lions I'm sure he wouldn't mind playing here, and Robert Kraft wouldn't mind spending that dough at the expense of your ass.

Deion Branch and Donald Hayes: Branch was supposed to be the "second coming," but he has been MIA, and not much of a threat since Troy Brown returned. As for Hayes...

I don't know why he's even here after pulling a "Billy Joe" and claiming he hasn't grasped the playbook yet.

How about grasping an unemployment check!

Christian Fauria, Cam Cleeland and Daniel Graham: The TE spot was supposed to be the most improved area on this team. Everyone including the groundskeepers were expecting some good numbers with this talent.

Willie McGinest and Ted Johnson: Being injured, or hampered by off-season surgeries for the last few seasons you'd think these guys would be glad to be playing here when they could have easily ended up in Houston. Last week Brian Griese was never pass rushed, because McGinest still believes the team gets two-bye weeks, and Johnson has lost the step he never really had.

Otis Smith: YOU ARE THE WEAKEST LINK... GOODBYE!

The rest of the defense needs to tackle. I'm not just talking about taking the man down, but go back to making guys remember who hit them. Make them hear footsteps for the rest of the game. They also need to tighten up on third down. Last year this was the teams best, now it's the worst.

NFL Refs: The coach and players maybe afraid to speak out in public about the that flags have been thrown, but I'm neither. For the first two weeks everything was kosher between the two parties, but ever since Belichick challenged the spot on third and short it seems somebody's feelings have been hurt. Granted the team has made some bonehead penalties, but there have been a lot more questionable ones assessed. The Tedy Bruschi penalty on the field goal during the Chiefs game was one, but nothing tops this past weekend in front of the home crowd. That blown hands to the face, face mask, or roughing the passer no call was well worth 15 yards with first down at best. That would have put them in Bronco's territory with momentum, and who knows what would have happened from there. It sure would have made things pretty interesting.

So now the boys in blue will be heading up into Rich Stadium for what maybe one of the most emotional games since Tuna Bowl 1.

This game will be decided by which QB doesn't wear his heart on his sleeve and makes smart plays. I'm looking for Bledsoe to pat the ball often, and try to stay away from Ty Law's side of the field.

Whatever the outcome, this will be a huge game from every aspect. I expect there's going to be some feelings hurt just to build up the return game in Foxboro.

Well... Pull up a chair and let the fireworks begin.

Comments, write me at the Sinista1@msn.com...