99 Problems But The MVP Ain't One

The drumbeat for an MVP for Rob Gronkowski started a few weeks ago. Given the Patriots hostile takeover of the AFC correlated to Gronk’s return to form, it wasn’t a ridiculous proposition. Like J.J. Watt, however, nobody seemed to give Gronk much of a chance to actually win, not with Aaron Rodgers, DeMarco Murray and the Ghost of Peyton Manning putting up big numbers. Lately, some local pigskin pundits and bobbleheads have taken a look at Gronkowski’s award-season credentials, with Christopher Price of WEEI and Field Yates of ESPN (Insider Content) making the case for the big Polish sausage aficionado as Patriots MVP. Not all of the locals agree with Gronk’s candidacy, of course. Some, like Jerry Thornton, also of WEEI, think the real MVP of the Patriots is Darrelle Revis while Tom E. Curran of CSNNE doesn’t think Revis is just the MVP of the Patriots, he thinks he’s the MVP of the league.

Tom Brady? 

Anyone?

Unanswered Points

You’d have to think the Dolphins were feeling pretty good at halftime. They had dominated the first 30 minutes of play. The Patriots seemed to crumble at the end of the half, playing poorly in all three phases of the game to set up Miami for the spectacular one-handed TD grab by Mike Wallace and a one-point, 14-13 deficit. Everyone remembered what happened in the second half of the Week 1 game in Miami, right?

Yeah. Everyone remembered.

Baby Steps

I think I read somewhere that if everything breaks right this Sunday, the Patriots could not only win the AFC East but secure the #1 seed and home field for the playoffs as well. By “everything” I mean the Broncos losing at San Diego, the Colts losing to the Texans at home, the Bengals losing at Cleveland and… You know, it would be great if the Pats could just win the AFC East this Sunday.

Baby steps.

My First F-Bomb

There’s a scene in “A Christmas Story” where Ralphie is helping his dad change a spare tire. As Ralphie’s dad is attempting to break his own personal record for fastest flat tire change, the lug nuts are knocked into the air, and as they arc in slow motion out into the darkness Ralphie says, “fuuuudge.”

Only he didn’t say fudge…

Fair warning, I won’t be saying fudge after the break, either…

Destiny is Transactional

The Patriots control their own destiny. Sort of. I’m sure their opponents will have something to say about it but if New England wins out, they will have the #1 seed and home field throughout the playoffs.

But you knew that.

The Clubhouse Turn

We’ve got four games to go. Here’s where we are, every NFL team in 25 words or less.

Okay, sometimes more than 25. 

When I hate. 

I’m only human.

Losing or Not

Losing is terrible. Everything that’s good about winning is nowhere to be found in losing. Losing is depressing. It sucks. It hurts like a kick in the balls. Okay, it doesn’t hurt that badly (having experienced both I feel safe in making this judgment) but it’s close. So, why do I feel so good today?