After their loss to the Colts the Pats could only admit that Indy made more plays than they did.

Reche Caldwell admitted that he had 2 big dropped passes. Tedy Bruschi admitted that the scene in the locker room was very odd, but he went right over to Peyton Manning to congratulate him. Tom Brady was frustrated after seeing it slip away in the 2nd half. Ellis Hobbs admitted that the team was playing on their heels in the 2nd half. Richard Seymour admitted that the Colts made more big plays. The Coach echoed those feelings.

And Asante Samuel claimed that he had not thought about this possibly beiong his last game with the Patyriots since he is now a free agent. Hope you enjoyed his season because the Patriots are not about to break the bank to pay him. Look for Samuel to end up with someone like the Jets next season. 

I guess we can cancel our reservations to Miami. It took a herculean effort by Peyton Manning and a very disappointing performance by the Patriots, defensively and offensively, to lose a 21-3 1st half lead and lose the AFC championship game 38-34.

So what happened? How could, how did a Belichick coached team blow an 18 pt lead to lose to a team they had owned. The Pats defense gave up over 300 yards in the 2nd half alone when the Colts scored on 4 straight possessions. The Patriots looked tired and just may have been after last weeks cross country trip from San Diego which ended up setting back a couple of players with the flu. But having said that- the Patriots defense did very little in that 2nd half, and quite frankly the offense wasn't much better.

The Patriots gave up 2 killer plays of 52 and 32 yards- each of which led to a touchdown, while the offense had jusy 1 legitimate 1st down in the 3rd quarter when they loss their lead

The Patriots must now take a close look as they evaluate their personnel. They need to upgrade their team speed at a number of positions. They must continue to surround Tom Brady with quality players like they did last year with the draft of Lawrence Maroney. They can only hope that speedy rookie wide receiver Chad Jackson pans out like they hope because this year he was a major disappointment.

Finally, while this looss was a downer for Pats fans, a well deserved congrats goes out to Colts Coach Tony Dungee-one of the real nice guys in sports and QB Peyton manning who has had to carry a very monkee on his back because of the Patriots, until tonight.

I know that there is still 2 and half quarters to go, but this is OVER. Is it too early to start resting your starters?

Asanta Samuel just made it 21-3 with a 39 yard interception for a return. Tom Brady has done very little and they are up by 18, AND manning looks dazed and confused. How about a guess on the early super bowl line. Pats by 7.

More to come

Tom Brady just 1 of 4 and he contributed to a fumble and the Patriots are leading?? You got it.

Corey Dillon's big 35 yard rush on 3rd and 1 helped set up a TD by Logan Mankins, that's right offensive lineman Logan Mankins who fell on a fumbled handoff from Brady to Lawrence Maroney, and the Pats lead 7-3.

Peyton manning is 6-10 for 42 yards but his 2 long attempts were deflected by Asanta Samuels on one and ellis Hobbs on the other- 2 very good plays

Both teams have left the field and are in their respective locker rooms for their final briefings.

As Tom Brady was running off the field he was smiling and went over and gave Colts linebacker Cato June a friendly nudge with his helmut. June and Brady played at Michigan together. That loosened up June a little who had been staring at all of the Patriots

The pre-game was highlighted by a field goal kicking contest and Patriot fans might not want to know who won.

Both Kickers- Adam Viantieri and Stephen Gostkowski ended up at the same end of the field and kicking right next to one another. Vinatieri was nearly flawless, hitting at least 3 from 55 yards with 5 yards to spare while all 3 of Gotskowski's attempts from over 50 yards were wide.

Every one of Vinatieri's kicks were greeted by loud cheers by the locals as were gotskowski's misses.

Was this a deliberate psyche job by Vinatieri and the Colts? Probably not, but a weird coincidence.

The Dome is already packed and loud and getting louder.

Both teams will re-enter the field in another 5 minutes

More to come

All Patriots Players are present and accounted for, except Rodney harrison who will not play this game due to the knee injury he suffered in the last regular season game against Tennessee.

Many of the special team players are already out on the field including the kickers who are beginning to stretch out.

Be Prepared for a Sea opf Blue here in the dome. Colts fans have been encouraged to all wear blue and all indications are that they will gladly comply.

The Doors open at about 5pm. To see the fans enter the Dome- watch newscenter 5 at 6.

More updates to come

The 1st bus has left the Team hotel, which is only about a block away from the RCA Dome. The Dome has a listed  capacity of 55,500, but on this day will house at least 57,000 fans but will sound like about 157,000 fans. Believe me, I have been here for about 10 games and this is a very loud building, much much louder than the crowd the Patriots faced last week in San Diego

All Patriots players should be here in the dome in the next 30 minutes.

More to come

The Experts all agreed and they are all wrong.

I talk of the local weather forecasters, who like most weather forecasters predicted the gloom and doom that 12 hours and 4 inches of snow arriving today would bring to the locals. Surprise, surprise- they were wrong.

We received about 2 inches. It stopped falling at about 9am and it is already beginning to melt (Note to readers- we are told by our high paid consultants that all people really REALLY care about is weather- so there is your weather fix….please)

Now as far as all of the football forecasters- the so called experts. 95% of them (100% of the local “experts”) are picking Peyton Manning and the Colts to finally get it done.

This week’s stay here in Indiana is as close as I can imagine to being in an intense brainwashing situation. I have heard it over and over and over again. It is Peyton’s time, he is overdue, the Colts defense is finally playing like winners. I’ve heard it so much that it all started to make sense. I mean Manning IS a bona fide Hall of Famer. He has exceptional wide receivers. Their defense has played very well the past 2 playoff games…. BUT, feeling like 24’s Jack Bauer, I fought off the torture.

I admire Peyton Manning and think he is a great quarterback, yes, I said great, but alas he is no Brady.

On Friday afternoon at 2:30 I watched intently to Manning’s press conference and while I saw a very nice polite young man, I saw a nervous energy that I did not like if I am a Colts fan. Now I know that public speaking may have very little to do with performing on the football field but I am a firm believer in a personality directly affecting one’s performance- especially under pressure.

Now if The Colts get off to a fast start, which could happen (but I doubt it) all bets are off. But keep it close and I like Brady’s ability over Manning’s to get it done.

Now there is the Adam Vinatieri factor. But it is Manning who would have to put him in position to win it.

Patriots, listen up. Do Not leave the Colts with much time- like less than a minute or so.

The Bottom line is that I like the Patriots to win- how can you pick against Tom Brady's Pats. I know that one day he will lose a big game, and this is certainly a prime opportunity but I think that the Colts are not that great of a team (tho the Pats are not yet a great team either).

Pats 31 Colts 27

More Pre-game coming up, but Rodney Harrison is out of todays game

I have just had to put up with Blue Friday. No, I am not sad or sick, just Blue, courtesy of the City of Indianapolis.

Everything in this town was Blue. 2 rallys were held with thousands attending- all dressed in Blue. Every building in town was lit up last night in Blue. Last night while walking around the city I even ran into someone (actually 3 young good looking happy people) from the local Visitors Bureau who gave me a cookie with, have you guessed yet, blue icing.

(Can you imagine ever walking around Boston and running into someone who is handing out cookies-you’d wonder what was in them, or how much you would end up paying ). Yes, people here in Indy are that nice, yet blue.

I did attend Peyton Manning’s press conference-nice guy, not sure if his accent would fly in New England- unless of course he won like Larry Bird did.

He still seems a little hyper and nervous (tho in fairness it’s tough not to compare him to Tom Brady). Poor Guy had to try and explain over and over and over again why he hasn’t won the big one and why he hasn’t been able to beat the Patriots in a big game. Nice guy tho.

So where does all leave us? It leaves me in Indy, but not blue. Am I ready to give you a pick??..not quite yet. I do think I know where I am leaning, but most do some final calculating, and coin flipping.

Stay tuned- I promise I’ll give you something tomorrow before game time.

When I first arrived here in Indianapolis earlier this week I read everything I could get my hands on to try and get a read on how this area feels about this game.

While on the internet I found a local TV stations web page where they had a poll on who their readers thought would be the Super Bowl match-up. Obviously 4 choices were given Colts-Bears, Pats-Bears, Pats-Saints, & Colts-Saints. Believe it or not, more people voted on this Indianpolis based web site for the 2 Pats match-ups than the Colts match-ups.

Now I’m not saying that this accurately depicts the feeling of all of Indy, but there were more than 2,000 responses to this poll (and no, I did not make 1,000 of them). So why the doubts? Don’t people here in Indy feel like that this is finally their year?

People here in Indy want to believe- they really do, and many of them do, but the memory of Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the Patrtiots beating Peyton and the Colts 6 of the last 8 times is just hard to erase. These fans here in Indy are a little like Red Sox fans, or should I say how Red Sox fans used to be-hopeful but fearing the worst.

How do the Colts themselves feel? The Colts locker room is a loose place, certainly much looser and relaxed than the Patriots usual uptight and business like atmosphere. While that approach obviously has worked for the Pats, it does look like the Colts are really enjoying what they are doing and they are not fearful of actually expressing their feelings. Does any of this actually have any affect on the outcome of the game? Probably not, but it is always an interesting obsversation to someone who has covered Bill belichick’s reign in New England.

How do I think this game will come out? Will Belichick and Brady continue their overall domination of the Colts, or will peyton manning’s recent 2 game win streak over the Pats continue to 3.

He is the toast of the town here in Indianapolis. No, not Peyton Manning, and I’m not talking about Pacers President Larry Bird either. The toast of this town is none other than that turncoat, Adam Vinatieri.

If that last sentence sounds derogatory, it is not. To meet Adam Vinatieri is to like Adam Vinatieri and I, like thousands of Patriot fans and now Colt fans, respect Adam Vinatieri, if only for the reason that he, despite all of his success, fame and fortune, has remained grounded. I credit his upbringing in South Dakota where he grew up an unspoiled athlete. Believe me, It is SO refreshing because quite frankly, there are so few of those athletes left (Tom Brady is also one of the select few)

Adam Vinatieri remains was one of the most beloved players ever to put on a Patriots uniform and now he is one of the brightest hopes to beat the Patriots. As much success as he had in his 10 year stint with the Pats, he just may be kicking better than ever. Already this Post season, In just 2 playoff games, he has kicked 8 field goals which is more than he kicked in any single post season with the Patriots.

He told me that he still holds dear the 10 years he spent in New England and the many friends he made their, tho this Sunday he may be the major reason for their heartbreak if he does what he did 19 times for the Pats and that is to kick a game winning field goal.

His teammates love him, not only for his abilities on the field but for what he brings to this team off of it- leadership, confidence, and for just being Adam Vinatieri.

He left for more money, and for the Patriots placing the franchise tag on him 2 years in a row preventing him from making the money he thought he was due. He is making it now along with many new friends here in Indianapolis

Indianapolis-

It’s really too bad that LaDainian Tomlinson’s controversial remarks the past few days have taken a little away from this Patriots win, because I believe that this win was definitely one of the 5 Best during the Brady/Belichick regime.

While we all have seen this team do this before, or at least win playoff games, I think that this was different. It really was. Besides Super Bowl 36 against the Rams, had the Patriots ever overcome a more talented team in the playoffs which is why this just may be their 2^nd most impressive win ever.

I am well aware of the many miscues that the Chargers made- especially the Coaching snafus-none more egrecious that not using the League’s MVP enough –Tomlinson touching the ball just 9 times in the 2^nd half? Are you kidding?

Make no mistake about it- The Chargers are loaded with talent, but they just don’t get it, making a lot of stupid mistakes (which a championship team ie-the Pats , do not do)- the personal foul penalty in the 1^st half which extended the Pats drive leading to a field goal (and wait, didn’t the Pats win by just a field goal?!). And how about San Diego’s Eric Parker not just jumping on his own fumbled punt instead of trying to pick it up and losing it, resulting in another Pats field goal? There is that 3 pt winning margin again.

But even with those miscues-give the Pats credit for taking advantage, especially Brady who had a very uncharacteristic up and down performance. But when it comes right down to it- who is better in the clutch? He hadn’t completed a pass longer than 19 yards all game long but on 3^rd and 10 with less than 3 minutes to go and the game tied- he throws a perfect pass to none other than former charger Reche Caldwell for 49 yards to set up the game winning field goal.

But that play would not have been possible except for the heads up play by Troy Brown a series earlier when he stripped the Chargers McCree who had just caught Tom Brady’s 3^rd interception of the game. Alot of players try to strip the ball from an opponent, but it rarely works, especially when the game is on the line. This game was definitely on the line, if not in serious jeopardy after that interception. The only single play in Patriots history comparable to Brown’s in potential long term ramifications is the now infamous Tuck play that reversed Tom Brady’s fumble in the Raiders on the Patriots way to their 1^st Super Bowl.

So now, can the Pats build on this win? What can we expect from Indy this week? Could this finally be Peyton Manning’s year? And what kind of influence will Adam Vinatieri have against his old team? Stay tuned- more to come, tomorrow from Indianapolis.

San Diego-

Nearly all of Southern California (hey, there are some transplanted New Englanders that I have run into) are confident that their Chargers are going to the Super Bowl, but will they?

The Bad news for Patriots fans is that the San Diego Chargers ARE definitely the most talented team left in the playoffs.

The Good news is that the Patriots have beaten the most talented team in the playoffs before, and it is going to again take the kind of performance that allowed the Patriots to beat the St Louis Rams in Super Bowl 36 for the Pats to win this game. Beating the Chargers is that big of a task. Those Rams may been bigger favorites than the Chargers this week (14 pts to 5) but back in 2001 no one knew exactly how good Tom Brady and the Patriots really were. Since that game they have figured it out. But, then again, the Pats winning 3 Super bowls also give “the experts” a tendency to overestimate the present Patriots, who are not as good as their previous Super Bowl wining teams as a number of key players from those championship teams have gone elswhere.

The bottom line is that the Patriots are definitely overmatched talent wise by the Chargers from an MVP running back who his own coach is comparing to the immortal Jim Brown, to a linebacker who brings back memories of Andre Tippett and Lawrence Taylor. Can Bill Bellichick and Tom Brady pull this one out too? Will the smarts of Bill Belichick possibly win out over LaDainian Tomlinson and QB Philip Rivers?

Look for the first few series to be the key. San Diego will start the game running the ball, and running it often. If the Pats can somehow prevent LT from getting off to fast start- this is going to be a game, and in a close game- I like the Patriots chances to win. If Tomlinson gets off fast, it could be a long afternoon for the Patriots and their fans. We'll soon see if Belichick can come up with enough to confuse San Diego QB Philip Rivers.

San Diego- Where IS the perfect San Diego weather I’ve heard about all my life? Now, I’m not complaining, just curious. On Wednesday it was mostly cloudy with a high of about 62 and the next 2 days it is supposed to rain with highs in the mid 50’s (Obviously I’ve alreadybeen gone too long-I’m starting to sound like Dickie Albert)

I bring up the weather because these subpar conditions did nothing to keep over 5,000 people away from a rally yesterday at the home of the Chargers-Qualcomm Stadium, and no Charger player even showed up for the rally. Most all of the fans were wearing a Charger jersey, with a heavy emphasis on the popular Powder Blue Jersey version.

Oh, Yah what about the game and the Chargers preparation.

-These guys are very relaxed, or at least compared to the uptight, somewhat paranoid nature of the Patriots. You can talk to the players as they come off the practice field without PR and security people putting you in handcuffs.

-The pressure of being in the playoffs does not appear to affecting them, tho their young quarterback, Philip Rivers admits to be very anxious- he is a very high energy young man which could be a factyory come game time. He says he is sleeping well now, but doesn’t know about Saturday night.

Local products- LB Stephen Cooper from Wareham and DL Jacques Cesaire from Gardener, while not starters, have been major contributors to the success of this team. Chargers Coach Marty Schottenheimer lauded both players work ethics.

-Pressure is mounting on Chargers Coach Marty Schottenheimer to finally have some success in the post season. His career playoff record is 5-12 but this team appears to be his best chance ever to go deep in the playoffs. Yesterday at the Chargers practice facility, he acknowledge his past record but said , like Bill Belichick always says, past performances have little to so with what happens in the next game, “ When you get down to this situation you have the best of the best playing. You are going to be given opportunities in the course of every game that is played – regular season or postseason – where you have an opportunity to make plays. If you make them, generally you win and if you fail to make them you are going to lose. That has been the formula that has followed us in the past in the playoffs”.

More to come from San Diego

San Diego-

Here in Southern California- they are confident, well sort of.

This morning I made an appearance on XX Sports Radio here in San Diego with former Charger Billy Ray Smith and fellow co-host Scott Kaplan on their #1 rated morning talk show where I had to defend the Patriots, sort of.

Kaplan admitted that San Diego is a championship starved area and went on to describe Charger Fans much like Red Sox fans of a few years ago- confident, sort of, having been let down before. Callers tried to attack the Patriots but almost every caller tempered their remarks by admitting that the Patriots have proven that they are winners, and that the Patriots do have Tom Brady and Bill Belichick and, oh yah, the Chargers are coached by a guy who is 5-12 in the playoffs. And their were some doubts expressed about their young quarterback Philip Rivers facing a Belichick coached defense.

Having said all that- Charger fans do have a lot of confidence in their all-world running back LaDainian Tomlinson, and their all Pro Tight End Antonio Gates, and their All-Pro Fullback Lorenzo Neal, and their All-Pro Linebacker Shawne Merriman and their All-Pro defensive lineman Jamal Williams. This team IS loaded !! and that’s why they are 4 ½ point favorites.

Billy Ray Smith was quick to make fun of Belichick’s post game attack of Globe photographer Jim Davis when he asked my photographer, Steve Menard, if he felt safe around Belichick.

This afternoon I will talk to the Charger players including 2 Massachusetts natives. I’ll have that for you later this evening.

What ? New Yorkers more relaxed than New Englanders?

Coaches Press Conferences- Relatively similar without a lot of direct answers (NFL Paranoia) but Mangini smiles a lot more and tho nearly 20 years younger than his Mentor and this being his 1^st year of handling these pressersm, seems to be a lot more comfortable

Locker Rooms- Believe it or not- New York’s is much more friendly. So much for the stereotype that all New Yorkers are much more rude than New Englanders. Jets players are not nearly as uptight and most of their players are actually available to talk to the media (ironically 3 of the Jets players not available to talk to- all former Patriots). Patriot Players hide out in lunch room and are generally very unfriendly. Maybe it’s because they have been spoiled with success and a locker room that is about 5 times as big as the Jets.

Quarterbacks - Advantage Patriots. Tom Brady still friendly and pretty honest. Chad Pennington?- well Bill Belichick would love this guy- Very Businesslike, and boring.

Practice atmosphere- Advantage Jets. From a long sound track from Rocky, dialogue and everything, also some nice loud rock music, this is a slam dunk.

Talent level- Oh yah, what about the game? Patriots-despite their mediocre passing attack, are much more talented and should not have too much trouble with the overachieving Jets.

Look for Dillon and Maroney to control this game. Pats 20-6

And I thought I came to New York to only get some pre-game info from the Jets players but it was the aggresive NY media that came up with the todays most surprising and uneasy moments.

After Jets Coach Eric Mangini this morning spoke, and glowingly so, about his former boss Bill Belichick, talking about his many good qualities and how he is certainly headed to Footballs hall of Fame, it was Belichick's turn with the NY Media via a conference call.

Belichick volunteered a few bouquets of his own toward his old assistant saying what a good job Mangini and his staff have done this year and things were going along swimmingly until a member of the NY Media asked Belichick point blank why he and Mangini haven't gotten along since Mangini left. What happened next was an uncomfortably long period of silence, so much so that the reporter finally asked "Are You there?". Belichick replied by giving an answer that had very little to do with the present relationship between the 2 saying that "I made comments about Eric when he was hired (by the Jets). I still feel that way"

And if that was not uneasy enough, later in the 10 minute conference call Belichick was asked how he balances his family life with football. Belichick who has split with his wife does does in fact bring his 2 sons with him on road games where they usually roam the sidelines. Belichick basically ignored the question.

Weymouth's pride and joy- Pete Kendall

I had a chance to talk to BC Grad Pete Kendall who is finishing up the 11th year of a very successful Pro Career. He is the Jets starting left guard and looks like he still has a few good years left in him. When asked if his friends back home have converted from Pats fans to backers of what team he plays for he said, "I get alot of wishes for good health" meaning he doesn't get wishes of Good Luck for him and his team. But Kendall, having grown up a big Pats fan himself, knows that Pats fans are diehard fans hardly ever switching allegiances.

Hempstead NY -Hofstra University

I am here at Jets Camp and have just heard with my very own ears that Jets coach Eric Mangini and Pats Coach Bill Belichick(via conference call) have moved on from their jilted teenage like actions which for the past 11 and half months have prevented them from referring to each other by their proper name.

Mangini, with a smile on his face said "We can say New England" adding "we all evolve and change" but when asked if he can say Super Bowl, he said "No".

Belichick, on his conference call, unsolicited referred to Mangini by name at least 5 times. But when asked about why their relationshiop turned so frigid, their was a long silence on the phone before he started talking and talking but never answering the question, a common practice that both coaches use fearing that any specific answer can reveal a secret and hinder their chances of winning. Hey Guys, it's only football and the better team usually wins and in this case New England is the better team and hence, barring 4 Tom Brady Interceptions, will win.

More from New york and the Jets in a few hours