NFL Random Thoughts

In spite of yesterday's historic victory over the Titans - no Patriots team has gained that many yards or scored that many points before - there has to be some doubts about the Pats. Right? Can we say with conviction that Tom Brady (29-for-34, 380 yards, 6 touchdowns) and the offense (59 points and 619 yards) are back to being the juggernaut they were in 2007? Do we believe that Laurence Maroney (16 rushes for 123 yards and a touchdown) is ready to prove his many doubters wrong? Is the young defense capable of stopping any of the elite offenses (Saints, Colts, Vikings) that the NFL has to offer? I say that Brady and the offense is closer to 2007 than they are to the Week 2 debacle in New York but I still have doubts about Maroney and the defense, while talented, is still a little too inexperienced for my liking. With that said, the Pats head to London this week to face the 0-6 Buccaneers before entering their bye week. When they return to Foxboro on November 8 against the Dolphins, they should be 5-2, well rested, and ready to make a run at the Super Bowl... The best nickname that I have heard all year concerns Oakland's hapless quarterback, JaMarcus Russell. Due to the horrible start that his career is off to, the name "Off the Marcus" Russell has been tossed around at his expense. Yesterday in upsetting the Eagles, Russell quieted a few of his doubters with 224 yards and one touchdown on 17-of-28 passing. He did thrown two interceptions but he got the job done and earned the Raiders an unexpected victory... As the focus on the severe effects of the head injuries suffered by NFL players grows stronger, this article by best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell is worth reading... Yesterday did answer many questions about the Patriots offense but the fact is because they rely so heavily on the pass, Tom Brady needs a more reliable third wide receiver to pair with Randy Moss and Wes Welker. Julian Edelman, the rookie from Kent State, has shown flashes of promise but this is his first year as a receiver after playing quarterback in college. With the NFL trade deadline tomorrow, TheBostonInsider is hoping that the Pats will be willing to part with anything below a 3rd round draft pick to bring back Deion Branch from Seattle. Branch has Brady's trust and is familiar enough with the offense to be able to contribute right away. With the bye week approaching, Branch would have time to absorb anything he needs to learn... Here is this week's edition of the "Super Seven": 1. New Orleans Saints (5-0) 2. Minnesota Vikings (6-0) 3. Indianapolis Colts (5-0) 4. New York Giants (5-1) 5. Denver Broncos (5-0) 6. New England Patriots (4-2) 7. Atlanta Falcons (4-1) Enjoy Darren Sproles tonight...