Pressure on Pats' O-line to protect rebuilt Brady

[WilliamPitt]

Pressure on Pats' O-line to protect rebuilt Brady

Steve DeOssie is neither a hater nor a homer when it comes to the New England Patriots. The linebacker-turned-sportscaster is aggravated easily by contrarians, those in the local media who "make (expletive) up to find something wrong" simply because the Patriots "have been so good for so long."

Yes, DeOssie grew up in Boston, played a couple years for the Patriots and now makes a couple bucks talking about them. But that doesn't mean he'll shill for the Patriots either. "People say, 'You always say nothing but good things about the Patriots.' Well, you know what? This team's had the best record in football for the last eight years," DeOssie said. "You call it as you see it.

"If not, I'd have too many people beating down my door to call me an idiot, and I would be off the air for five minutes and get a call from my dad to ask, 'What the hell are you talking about?'"

So when DeOssie perceives a critical issue that could reduce the Patriots' chances of returning to dominance, it's probably a good idea to listen. DeOssie has identified the chief area of concern for 2009, and it might surprise you. The problem isn't outside linebacker or cornerback or nose tackle Vince Wilfork's contract. It's all about protecting Tom Brady. Their quarterback's left knee was sewn together in two places, and regardless of how far ahead he is in his recovery, he could be one thwack away from crutches.

"The offensive line's going to be under the gun," said DeOssie, a 12-year veteran who won Super Bowl XXV with the New York Giants. "The offensive line becomes more important this year than in any year that I can remember.

"Defenses like to smell blood. If they think that there's a little weakness there, they're going to be coming after Brady."

The rest: http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afceast/0-8-129/Pressure-on-Pats--O-line-to-protect-rebuilt-Brady.html

[trumad]

1. Taylor is back with the Phins and I hear he's very determined

to get his mojo back... Taylor on one end and Porter on the other..... let's hope Tom's line takes care of him.

[cboy4]

2. Trumad, you should make a bet with Will!

:eyes:

[Upton]

3. He's determined?

Wasn't Taylor, Porter too for that matter, part of the Dolphins 1-15 year? A team that ranked 30th in defense?

They didn't mean much then and they won't have much influence now...not with the Dolphins playing a REAL schedule this year.

[cboy4]

4. And you know what mojo is in Miami

[trumad]

5. Hansel and Gretal strike again......

[Forkboy]

6. other than the fact that the Dolphins won, how can you call that a victory?

:D

[cboy4]

7. EVERYONE picking on trumad.

Where's my fucking camera? :D

[trumad]

8. Whooosh!

[cboy4]

12. Whooosh .. one loss right after the next for Miami this year.

Normally I would look ahead to see when you'll be breaking your bet this year with Mr. apologist up in Boston.

But what's the point? You'll be furious and angry for most of the season.

That's all the joy I need.

[Forkboy]

10. I was kind of directing that at you. It may have been Upton. It was someone, let's put it that way

I swear, it was all in fun!

:yoiks:

Besides, no need for a new picture of me. Here I am from last week, when my little brother and I went door to door selling encyclopedias.

[cboy4]

11. Oh sorry, my eyes darted to the most glaring point comment, which

was how can you call that a win.

And you look like a couple of Raider fan wanna-bees!

[trumad]

13. That's because you're a douche.

[cboy4]

14. Nope .. I was distracted looking for more Miami fans wearing sacks.

[trumad]

15. No---it was because you're a douche.

[cboy4]

16. Disagree. You're like a broken record. Time to throw you in a sack

[trumad]

9. LOL---good point.