Troy Brown Retires

September 25, 2008 · Filed Under NFL, PATRIOTS · 1 Comment 

by the goat… The Patriots and Troy Brown held a press conference today to announce his official retirement from the NFL. I know it is unprecedented to have two hero declarations in two days, but hey, it’s TROY BROWN. He played 15 years, and in this day in age it is truly remarkable that they were all as a Patriot.

Hero status is the least we can bestow upon the man who I will forever refer to as The Patriot. The man was the consummate team player, doing whatever was asked of him. Not only that but he did it with an ear to ear grin on his face. Troy didn’t need to play to the media or the fans, he was just who he was and everyone loved him. Everyone. Teammates, opposing players, coaches, media. I dare you to find someone who has ever muttered the words “You know, I just don’t like that Troy Brown”.

Here is an excerpt from a live blog that boston.com is running covering the press conference:

Owner Robert Kraft spoke for about three minutes before calling Brown up for a presentation.

He then said that the team’s game Nov. 13, against the Jets before a nationally televised audience, will be Troy Brown Night. Kraft unveiled a poster promoting Troy Brown Night.

Bill Belichick is speaking about his memories of Troy Brown’s career. He listed some moments that stand out to him:

  • The Super Bowl against Carolina, when he had a big catch on first-and-20 to set up Adam Vinatieri’s winning kick.
  • The Snow Game against the Raiders, and how his punt return set up Vinatieri’s big kick.
  • His TD catch from David Patten against the Colts.
  • His TD catch to beat Miami in overtime — “one of his biggest catches, 81 yards.”
  • A 2006 game against the Packers in which Brown, playing defensive back, held Donald Driver to one catch.Belichick went into depth about Brown’s performance against Driver, saying the team has a photo of that play hanging in the walls of Gillette Stadium. He believes the picture epitomizes what Brown is all about as a pro.

    • Here are a couple of quotes from Troy during the conference:

    “It’s hard to let go,” he said. “But I know, at the end of the day, I played this game the way it supposed to be played.”

    That is the understatement of the year. Troy played the game the way 1% of all professionals manage to play it.

    And as you all know there is always the straw that broke the camels back when declaring heroes, and here it is:

    Troy Brown talked about passing up the chance to play with another team.

    “I had the opportunity to do it, but it didn’t feel right,” he said of the chance to sign with the Jets, saying he didn’t like the look of green and white.

    “The only colors you’ll ever see on my back are the red, white, and blue of the New England Patriots. I’m proud to say it,” he said, his eyes moistening with a few tears.Game. Set. Match. Hero. Nice playing with you all and welcome, Troy, to the BSP Hall of Heroes.

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    Brady Looked Good In Week One

    September 9, 2008 · Filed Under NFL, PATRIOTS · 2 Comments 

    by the goat… So week one in the NFL season is finally behind us, and while it wasn’t perfect we’ll certainly take it. The Patriots defense looked relatively good for the amount of question marks they have. Except for that one big breakdown in the last seconds, even the secondary showed up. Let’s not forget that this was the Kansas City Chiefs, but hey a win is a win right?

    The offense was… well it was the Patriots offense. Randy Moss had his 56th 100 yard game, putting him three behind Marvin Harrison for second all time. Wes Welker resumed his workmanlike precision with a respectable six catches, and Sammy Morris showed some of the brilliance that had us in love with him at the beginning of last season. I am convinced that Belichick has Morris on his fantasty team. Either that or Laurence Maroney beat up his son or something because it is obvious Bill has it in for Maroney.

    Brady was by no means as spectacular as we came to expect last season, but he did what he needed to do to manage the game and get the victory. This is what great quarterbacks do, they find a way to win even when they don’t have their A game. While he seemed to be on his game for the opening two drives they both ended in fumbles (Welker and Moss).

    After that Brady seemed to really change and just become average, no big mistakes and a few flashes of brilliance but not quite what we’re used to here in New England. He even seemed to look a little bit different on the field, but that is when I realized that he must have ripped his jersey because he had to change into #16.

    He probably just couldn’t get comfortable in the new jersey he had on, but all in all, 20 for 29 with 212 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions is a respectable outing for a guy who didn’t play a down in the preseason. Plus Brady is Brady, solid as a rock, he is the last thing we need to be worried about.

    Overall it certainly wasn’t the greatest game the Pats have ever played, but when you consider it more as a fifth preseason game it was a good tune up. I would say we can expect Tom Brady and company to get back on track next week and resume the 30 point blowout style wins we are all accustomed to.

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