Ellis Hobbs of the New England Patriots is hugged by a fan after the player’s 95 yd TD run in a game where the Pats triumphed 49-26 over the Oakland Raiders in an AFC game played in Oakland, Ca. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/Tom Mangold ……………
We had been left for dead after Pro Bowl quarterback Tom Brady went down injured for the season. And what with last season’s debacle in the Superbowl still fresh in everyone’s minds. It was the belief that in order to redeem themselves this season they’d either have to make it back into the playoffs or at least try and show everyone that they were still capable of showing their prowess on the field. Rather than being the butt of everybody’s jokes concerning Spygate. Obviously with that being ever present in a number of people’s minds and the stain therein still not having disappeared. I’m one fan of the Pats who’s hoping that they can redeem themselves this season.
Sammy Morris of the Patriots celebrates with teammate Wes Welker after Morris’ touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during the game. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Martin Richardson ……………………
Well on Sunday with the three teams ( Pats, New York and Miami Dolphins) being in a tie atop of the division it was a chance for either of the three to separate themselves from the rest of the division or at best still be in a position whereby everything would be on the line quite possibly at season’s end. Though the advantage within the division and conference sits squarely with the New York Jets. And though we’ve seen all three teams slip up somewhat they’ve managed to maintain some semblance of competitiveness as the season has progressed. The Dolphins have proven that last season’s 1-15 record was just an aberration that’s forgotten. And the beating that they handed out to the Pats earlier on in the season all but assured their fans that this is now a team to be reckoned with. This isn’t your grandmother’s Dolphins anymore. Coach Tony Sparano along with President of Operations Bill Parcells has the team heading in the right direction. The New York Jets for their part have been rejuvenated as the Brett Favre Show has come to town. It’s the same old Brett Favre but in a new style of clothing. The same cavalier attitude that we’ve come to know of Favre is still here with the player today.
Randy Moss(81) celebrates his touchdown against the Oakland Raiders in Oakland ,California . picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/George Nitkin ………
Much has been said of the ongoing problems of the Raiders and the fact that this season their problems have manifested themselves to enormous proportions. And the team’s principal owner Al Davis seems to be botching the day to day operations of the franchise by seemingly being too overly involved in the franchise’s operations. With Tom Cable now leading the franchise for this season and one can only summize that at season’s end there may well be a change for the franchise as far its coaching opportunities are concerned. It wasn’t that long ago that the Patriots were in a similar position as that of the Raiders. And as the team struggled a resolve was in place that if the franchise were to improve then they’d have to have the right people in place from the executive positions on downwards. If there’s been one failing of the Raiders it’s been the fact that hasn’t been put in place by its hierarchy. And if they’re to fare well in the future then Davis will have to relinquish control of the franchise to someone who has the knowledge to place on the right footing. The Patriots have the template as how this can be achieved with owner Robert Kraft, GM Scott Pioli alongside coach Bill Belicheck. As they say the rest is history.
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Alan Parkins
