NFL 2002 Episode 37 -- The return of the P-Men

So do you want to know how my first day in Smithfield went?

Do I really have to tell you that I was somewhat surprised at the circus that was taking place on the campus of lovely Bryant College?

Will the administration miss all of this hoopla when their contract with the Pats ends after this season?

Does performance anxiety cause RB Antowain Smith to always fail his conditioning test on the first try?

Today the Sinista One will answer all of those questions, while dazzling you with his wit for another season of Patriots Football.

What a sight it was to see in Rhode Island yesterday. I've been doing this since 92, and have never seen anything like this in New England.

To sum it all up it the scene was like "ESPN meets TRL" without Chris Berman or Carson Daly. There were plenty of females on hand trying to catch glimpses of their favorite Patriot hottie*, and they let their presence be felt with the screams they yelled, the signs they held, and the attire some pigeons* wore. The women also provided some of the best laughter of the day. At the end of practice most of the team surprisingly made their way around the field area and signed autographs. While signing an item for a young woman SS Lawyer Milloy 's sweat dripped on her. All of a sudden that sweat was worth more than the item he signed.

For the first time in Patriots training camp history the women almost ruled the day giving autograph seekers a run for their money.

Oh well, let's get on with the important stuff.

It may have been the first day of open camp, and I know I usually wait to make some serious assumptions, but this will be a first. What I saw yesterday wasn't great, and it wasn't bad. But looking at who the Pats signed in the off-season, and who's services they retained the Pats may have the chance to start something here if we survive the injury bug.

Yesterday, the offense looked well ahead of the defense despite RB Antowain Smith riding the stationary bike all practice, and G Joe Andruzzi nursing an ailment. QB Tom Brady looked sharp. It seems those alleged dating offers from Britney Spears and Mariah Carey didn't go to his head.

Brady hit his receivers with crisp passes, and got the crowd going when he targeted FB newcomer Scott Dragos. The BC Alum caught the long ball and took it down the sideline for a TD.

Now if you all can remember, this was my problem with Brady from last year's camp and all season long. He made good field decisions, and stepped back into the pocket better than Bledsoe, but he didn't have the long ball.

This year, the word out of camp is that Brady didn't miss a day at S&C* earlier this year, while the Globe reported that he hasn't missed S&C two years in a row. Hopefully, he worked on his throwing strength, because opposing defenses aren't going to let the Pats pick them apart with short passes this year. If they do, then that team will deserve whatever they get dished.

So to succeed, and not look like a fluke. Brady will NEED to throw the long ball to survive this season. I think Kraft, Belichick and Weis also know that. Which is probably why this team has nine wide receivers and five tight ends entering camp this year.

The defense may have looked slow but, it was the first day and team defenses don't really get going until that first preseason game. I say by August 10th the defense will show us something. To be honest, just looking down the Pats secondary is more than enough. If the secondary can stay healthy. The Pats may have the most potent in the league. I'm not going to say the Pats are going to have the No. 1 defense this year because in my eyes the Pats had that last year but no one recognized it with that lull defense they were playing.

Remember last year I explained how the Pats defense lulled opposing offenses into a false sense of security? The Pats allowed teams to move the ball, but when it came time to lay the chips down, or score from the red zone the Pats shut everyone down. I still have nightmares of FS Tebucky Jones' hit from last season. Continue to picture that defensive highlight reel, and throw in S Victor Green's two cents. Teams will either force the ball long or work the FB or TE for most of the plays. This makes the Chiefs game just as interesting now.

As for the rest of the team, it's still early to tell especially with Charlie Weis out of action for a bit. Plus you have a bloated roster right now so this is how I put the preseason rosters into perspective for those who don't understand.

On September 1 there are 53 Playboy playmates on a deserted island just waiting to spend 17 weeks 53 lucky guys, but there is one problem. The team has 83 guys so thirty of you have to go. The only way to do that is to gruel through two a day sessions under sometimes scorching heat, or rain soaked practice fields. Team meetings after team meetings, and film reels after film reels. Then, when you are done with all of that you need to read this 400+ page book in your spare time, and learn it from front to back. With talent, skill and hunger you may just make that cut come September 1st.

Now before I go I've had some guys posing some questions to me but only one stuck out, and I'd like to take the time to answer that here.

Q: Which Pats Player from last season do you think will come back to haunt us?

A: Okay here's the surprise. QB Drew Bledsoe will have his success in Buffalo, but the only way he'll come back to haunt us is if he keeps us out of the playoffs, and the same goes for WR Terry Glenn. The player to come back to haunt us will be Houston Texans FS Matt Stevens. This was the guy who sparked a light under Tebucky Jones' ass last year. He hit hard and seemed to have a great work ethic. If this kid goes on to be successful it will haunt us because the team gave him up in an expansion draft and got nothing in return.

Now before I go... I'd just like to touch base on a non Patriot issue at this moment.

Ryan Leaf has retired from the NFL at age 26?

How the hell can he call it a retirement? The guy played a WHOPPING 25 games in his four year career. Why can't we just say he quit? Or how about he SUCKED himself right out of the league? Ryan Leaf is probably hands down the biggest disappointment of any NFL Draft. There was so much expected from this kid, and he did nothing but blame the media, refs, fans, and teammates for his issues and problems on the field. I say good riddance, and don't even show his face during half time at next years Super Bowl.

* Notes:

-- Hottie: an attractive person

-- Pigeon: This generations' version of a sports groupie. They usually come armed to camp with a media guide, and clothing that usually reveals some part of the body.

-- S&C: Strength & Conditioning Program

Holla, Holla to the Sinista One at sinista1@msn.com