Pats D Dominates Eagles, 31 - 10

Last week a lot of people, media and writers blasted Patriots head coach Bill Belichick over the loss of safety Lawyer Milloy and the beating the team took against the Bills.

Just previous to this Sunday's game ESPN's Tom Jackson said that "the team hates Bill Belichick."

Well, I'd like to put my two cents in and say that I doubt this team hates their coach because it's a business, and in a business like this anybody with some football sense and salary cap knowledge will agree with this one thought.

A thought that I admit, will put closure on this "Milloy Factor."

I don't care how much control BB has over this team, you don't let a four-time pro-bowler walk without any type of compensation. Not without conversing with your team owner first hand.

The wrong guy is taking the heat, but, unfortunately, that's what he also gets paid for.

As the Verizon Guy would says... "Can you hear me now?"

Sunday the Pats went into Lincoln Financial Field and proved that they had put all of the issues from the past week behind them.

They also did it by playing solid defense. There were some strong plays made by some key players, including DE Willie McGinest, who I swear must have heard me bashing him since week one.

McGinest was a machine with three tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble and one recovered fumble for 20 yards.

While McGinest was oiled and ready, someone let the leash off of LB Tedy Bruschi who exploded with five tackles, one sack and one interception returned for a 19 yard TD.

The nightmare didn't end there for Eagles' QB Donovan McNabb.

He could have easily have filed a restraining order against the Pats D after the game, as he was harassed on almost every play and sacked four more times by NT Ted Washington who also forced a fumble, LB's Matt Chatam (3 tackles/1 forced fumble), Mike Vrabel (2 tackles) and DE Jarvis Green (1 tackle).

DB Aric Morris had two tackles and an INT to boost his stock on this team, while LB Roman Phifer had two tackles and one forced fumble.

The keynote for this game was that every defensive player contributed one time or another to give this team a much needed win.

The only downsides to the day was LB Ro Colvin going down early on with a dislocated hip and CB Tyrone Poole (6 tackles) getting two costly face mask calls setting up the Eagles lone TD.

The Philly D was depleted with injuries and I felt the offense should have put on a better performance with the long ball, but instead BB and Charlie Weis decided to wear down a weakened line with sweeps and screens that ate up the clock and frustrated Eagles head coach Andy Reid, whose team seemed to do nothing right on this day, and dropped with injuries as the game lumbered on.

One incident I won't forget was DL Paul Grasmanis going down late in the game near the end zone and grabbing his face mask in pain.

The Philly med tech felt his ankle and immediately called for the emergency cart. It was later reported that he ruptured his Achilles tendon.

With the Eagles heading into their bye week, I'd advise McNabb and his O-Line to spend some time at a couples retreat so they can get to know one another again.

Pats' QB Tom Brady (30/44 for 255 yard, 3 TD's) spread the ball all over the field with short pass precision.

He also finally found TE Christian Fauria (3/19 yards) for two TD's. This is a guy I have been pointing out since preseason, who gets open on almost every red zone drive because teams defenses are disrespecting the TE spot because they are more concerned with the run, blitz or WR's.

WR Deion Branch (6/89 yards) showed flashes of his rookie year when Brady hit him wide open on the run for a 26 yard TD.

Troy Brown seemed in form across the middle as he picked up 43 yards on seven receptions.

For the second week in a row, my man, RB Kevin Faulk (7/23 yards) continued to pull ahead of Antowain Smith (12/25 yards) with some crucial receptions (4/59 yards).

So where do the Pats go from here? Well they have the Jets in a crucial divisional home opener next Sunday and they need two things to make this game go right...

1. Address Penalties: This team has been penalized way too much over the last two games. These aren't questionable calls either these are concentration penalties like false starts, off sides, and personal fouls.

2. Fan Support: I have attended games for over 10 years now and last year was the worst ever for crowd noise. This team needs fan support, so bring your lungs to this game and cheer for your team. Also for you new fans... Quiet on offense, noise on defense.

Comments, email me at Sinista1@msn.com