The New England Patriots’ quest to be the best NFL team ever continues after two close calls in the past two weeks. They are the sixth team in NFL history to start 12-0 and will be closely watched as they make a run at immortality.
Being a New England player today is as exciting as it gets, but two former Patriots say they are satisfied with their decisions to be with the 5-7 Broncos instead of the Patriots. Tight end Daniel Graham and punter Todd Sauerbrun left the Patriots as free agents in the offseason to come to Denver.
“No regrets at all,” Sauerbrun said. “Are you kidding? I love it here. I’m happy here. This is where I want to be. Sure, they are doing great over there, but I’m happy in Denver and we will turn it around. But being here in Denver and being happy is the most important thing.”
Graham repeatedly has said he believes the Patriots will go undefeated, but the former University of Colorado and Thomas Jefferson High star says he is happy he chose to come home as a free agent. It became clear as free agency neared in February the Patriots weren’t serious contenders to retain Graham, who won two Super Bowl rings at New England.
“I came here and I’m happy I did,” Graham said. “This is home, and I’m happy. You don’t look back.”
Rodgers shows promise.
It’s rare that Brett Favre leaves the field because of injury, so Aaron Rodgers needs to take advantage of the opportunity, and did so last week at Dallas. The 2005 first-round pick played when Favre went down with elbow and shoulder injuries in the second quarter. Rodgers completed 18-of-26 passes in relief of Favre.
With Favre enjoying a renaissance at age 38, there is no sign he is close to hanging it up, so Rodgers might be auditioning for other teams. Teams likely needing a quarterback next season include Baltimore, Miami, Carolina, Atlanta, Minnesota and Chicago. Rodgers could put himself on one of those teams’ wish lists. The Packers could ask a high price if his performance against the Cowboys spurs offseason opportunities.
Ravens are a mess.
When a team has lost six consecutive games, it often is the near-misses that are damning evidence of disrepair. Monday night, when defensive coordinator Rex Ryan called timeout just before the Ravens’ feisty defense stopped Patriots quarterback Tom Brady on fourth-and-1, it essentially was the end for the Ravens. Given new life, the Patriots went on to rally after that play was nullified.
The Ravens players were in disbelief to find out, after they began to celebrate, that their own sideline undermined them with the timeout. Ryan probably never will be forgiven by the players, and the team was already starting to go south on head coach Brian Billick.
Beating the Patriots might have saved Billick’s job, but this likely will be the end for him and for Ryan.
Garrett will get some interest.
Watch for Dallas offensive coordinator Jason Garrett to get some serious looks as a head coach in the NFL and the college ranks. Garrett is the man who has led Tony Romo while also accomplishing the impossible: He has shut up Terrell Owens and made him happy. Owens traditionally has eaten offensive coordinators alive, yet he and Garrett have flourished together.
A member of a football family, Garrett is a former backup quarterback in the NFL and has shown few flaws. The Cowboys’ offensive explosion this season has made Garrett a household name in football offices across the country. He will get a shot somewhere soon.
Nice gesture, bad approach.
It was astounding to hear that Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said he had no idea defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was going to send out 10 players instead of 11 for the first play of the game Sunday against Buffalo to honor slain safety Sean Taylor. It was a nice idea, but Williams had to tell his boss of his plan.
Gibbs is a rational and forgiving man, but he has a right to be upset with Williams. The Redskins are Gibbs’ team and he needs to know everything that’s going on. It was unfair Gibbs was caught by surprise. The Bills had a 22-yard run on the play, by the way.
Around the league.
Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga might be forced to fire general manager Randy Mueller and first-year head coach Cam Cameron if Miami loses its final four games and finishes 0-16. If the Dolphins end up winless, the owner would have little choice but to make wholesale changes. … Travis Henry’s victory on his appeal of a one-year suspension was met with applause from players and agents. Up until Henry’s huge victory, appeals on suspensions and fines seemed to be a useless exercise. … 2006 second-round pick Chad Jackson has been buried in New England. The Florida product, whom the Broncos liked prior to the draft, was brought in to help an anemic receiving group. But this year New England brought in veterans Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth and Wes Welker. All three have made a big impact and Jackson could be expendable in a trade in the offseason. … Don’t be surprised if former Colorado return star Jeremy Bloom gets signed by an NFL team after Jan. 1. Bloom had a good workout for the Broncos in October. … The fans in Oakland are delirious because the Raiders have won two consecutive games, but it will be interesting to see how the 4-8 Raiders finish. In their final quarter of the season they will play at Green Bay, at home vs. Indianapolis, at Jacksonville and at home vs. San Diego. … Some scouts say the most consistent Broncos offensive lineman this season has been newcomer guard Montrae Holland. The team was wise to give him an extension in the summer after signing him to a one-year deal from the New Orleans Saints early in the offseason.
