Patriots 31, Buccaneers 14

I'm excited. I know it was a preseason game. I know it was against the Buccaneers. But it was exciting just seeing Tom Brady throwing passes in a game for the first time since that calamity against the Jets, especially with that lockout thing in between.

Brady was 11 for 19 for 118 yards, 2 TDs, and 0 picks. That's a 111.3 rating, by the way. He connected with Aaron Hernandez for a touchdown, and with Ochocinco. It was one of only two passes caught by the receiver formerly known as Johnson.

The Patriots amassed 200 yards on the grand, thanks mostly to Stevan Ridley's 84 yards on 14 carries. Ridley also caught 3 passes for 27. BJG Ellis ran for two scores.

If the Patriots can get a solid, reliable running game, it will help their passing so much. With tight-ends, and medium-route receivers like Welker, Branch, and Ochocino, it's a real luxury to be able to run the ball on 1st and 2nd downs, and create 2nd & 6, or 3rd & 2. That just opens the whole playbook for Brady.

The Patriots look good, but is that a surprise? This team won 14 games last year. We know they have the talent to make the playoffs and contend for a divisional title. So far, they look a little better than last year.

Maybe that's because we're anticipating guys like Woodhead, Hernandez, and Gronkowski to be good. They were surprises last year. They all have expectations now. Maybe because Ridley is having a good pre-season. Maybe because the young players are a year older and wiser. Maybe because the Pats added Ochocinco.

I haven't been this excited for a Patriots season to start since 2007.

-The Commodore

Ochocinco and Fat Albert To Be Cut?

In this week's "Sunday Blitz" column over at the National Football Post, Dan Pompei relayed word he's heard that one or both of the big-name acquisitions the New England Patriots made in the abbreviated offseason receiver Chad Ochocinco and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth could be cut from the team sooner than later. From the article:

"One day before this story came out by my guy Mike Reiss, one NFL executive familiar with the Patriots ways told me he believes one or both of the big name acquisitions will be cut before the season starts. The front office man thinks coach Bill Belichick will use the controversial players to help control and send a message to his locker room." More



I want to call bullshit because I don't get why would Belichick would cut them to make a statement. I would get it if Ochocinco was having a hard time picking up the offense or if Albert is regressing into his fat piece of shit ways. They say that if the cut the only impact it would have little financial impact as Albert is only owed 1.5 million before incentives and that Chad is owed 5 million, which is significantly bigger than Alberts.



I haven't heard much of Albert, and it wouldn't surprise me if he was cut. It seems as if he doesn't practice much. But who the fuck knows, the Patriots are weird about stuff.



In unrelated news, TJ Houshamazoui and Darren Sharper are in camp today through work outs. Sharper wouldn't be a bad option to have if he's somewhat healthy.

Why Not Let OchoCinco Live With You?

New Patriots wide receiver Chad Ochocinco said Tuesday afternoon he's going to pick one fan to stay with "for the first two [or] three weeks of the season" to live with until he gets "acclimated" to the area.



"I'm going to do something different — I'm going to stay with a fan, probably for the first two, three weeks of the season, so that should be fun until I get myself acclimated and learn my way around and just find a place," Ochocinco said after the Patriots held a nearly three-hour practice on the fields behind Gillette Stadium.



There are some prerequisites, however.



"I'm not sure how many Boston fans I have, but I'm just going to pick someone. I'm not sure how it's going to work, They have to have Internet and they have to have Xbox. That's about it," he said (WEEI).



Sorry, but OchoCinco is the best, and honestly people should jump at this chance. Could there be an easier roommate? All he wants to do is sit back and play XBox. Plus, he seems happy all the time, which is a lot more then I can say about most people living in the New England area (myself included). Plus, on his part I think it's a real cool idea. What a better way to endear yourself to fans then to actually just live with one for a couple of weeks. Plus, OchoCinco is self-proclaimed cheap, so it's a great way for him to get around having to pay for rent.



Already love this guy. He is kind of like the football Shaq, although I hope this works out better then that did.

Captain's Thoughts on Patriots' Moves

It was an interesting day for Pats fans. Albert Haynesworth in the morning, Chad Ochocinco in the evening. It's one of the most intriguing day in Patriot maneuvers since Randy Moss was traded. And the phrase to repeat over and over is "low risk, high reward."

And there is a high reward. Haynesworth was an All-Pro twice, Ochocinco received that honor 4 times. These are two extremely talented players. One has numerous on the field and off the field problems. The other was stuck in Cincinnati, where they find ways to lose even when talent falls into their laps (see: allowing Palmer to retire), and is perhaps in the twilight of his career.

Albert Haynesworth is a lazy scumbag. There, I said it. He's got a bit less than Randy Moss potential, and puts in even less effort than Moss did with Oakland. Now, if he tries, he can help the Patriots. If he tries, he'll at least be a second DT, to give relief for Wilfork, and sometimes play in a 4-3. And the Pats play more 4-3 than most people realize.

If Haynesworth tries, and still has "it," then things get fun. Wilfork can shift to DE in a 3-4, where he played a significant amount of time last year, and be free to rush upfield, using his power, and surprising speed. A line of Wilfork, Haynesworth, and Warren would present some difficult conundrums for opposing offensive lines. And that would also help out the LBs.

If Haynesworth doesn't try, the Patriots lose a 5th round pick. Would you draft a defensive lineman with his upside, but with his baggage, with a 5th round pick? I would.

Then there's Ochocino, whose problems are not effort related. This is a guy with seven 1,000 yard seasons under his belt. Thought he can't do the deep thing anymore. But the Patriots are ingenious in implementing matchups to allow guys like him to get open, and get the ball. He's not Randy Moss. His longest reception last year went for 42 yards. But he can still produce.

Ochocinco gets a slightly unfair reputation because he tweets and talks. But his effort and dedication have never been in doubt. We all thought it was silly when he kicked PATs for the Bengals in a preseason game against the Pats. But he nailed the kicks, which demonstrates that he'd been practicing them. He was the Bengals' emergency kicker because he put in that little bit of extra effort, not as part of some joke or stunt.

Ochocinco might have to cool down the tweets, or at least edit them. But he already has a tremendous rapport with Belichick. I think Ochocinco will slot in nicely with the Pats, and find himself in a Deion Branch kind of role.

One thing's for certain, and that is uncertainty. Will Haynesworth try? Will Ochocinco give bland press conferences? Suddenly, training camp and preseason games have become more interesting. And that's good. These guys CAN help. I'm pretty sure Ochocinco will help. I have no idea if Haynesworth will.

All I know for certain right now is that perennial Belichick doubter/hater Ron Borges has his doubts, which is typically a good sign.

-The Commodore

Breaking News: Patriots Land Ochocinco

The New England Patriots have acquired wide receiver Chad Ochocinco after he accepted a restructured three-year contract from the Patriots, a source told ESPN.com's John Clayton.

We will have more on this tomorrow.