Tom Brady appears to be on course and most likely will be ready to play come fall. I am seriously crossing my fingers and toes for this to be true. He reportedly has been throwing footballs and is progressing as he should be after major surgery and then the complications. It sounds like he is pretty confident and maintaining a positive outlook, which is very helpful to a full recovery. Dr Andrews, a well known surgeon, states that Brady’s doctors acted quickly and aggressively to rid his knee of the infection. He stated because of the actions taken the graft was saved and it has allowed Brady to recover as he needs to. Based on all this information, I would have to say that Brady will be back and will be the Brady we know and love. I am so ready for football season again. And to see number 12 behind center.

It is official, Matt Cassel is the franchise player for the NE Patriots 2009 season. I think I am ok with this decision. I mean he stepped up this last season and helped the Patriots go 11-5, so that is good. But he can’t take Brady’s place and I am so holding out that he will be back soon. But in the mean time, I’ll give Cassel all the support the needs, and to have both Brady and Cassel is a good thing.

I truly miss Jake Plummer in the NFL.

As an ASU alumni and huge Sun Devil football fan, Plummer is like a god in lots of ways. When he went to the Cardinals many of us groaned in disbelief because we knew it was going to hinder his ability to shine. Then he went to Denver, where Elway will always be King. No matter what, I always rooted for Plummer, and always wanted him to succeed. I despise Cutler for being the impetus to ousting Jake from the Broncos roster. I think Plummer had a better hold on things to bring Denver to where they wanted to be.

But I can’t blame Plummer for wanting a change. The NFL and its fans can be unforgiving and merciless. And he is excelling in his new career. So I wish him well, even if I still wish he was playing on Sundays.

If you want a good read, check out this article. It has a good insight into a football player who walked away from the game but still has a desire to play.

The New England Patriots ended the regular season with a record of 11-5. 11-5! Without Tom Brady. And we didn’t make it to the playoffs. Unbelievable. Truly unbelievable. When Brady got hurt in the first game of the season, I know I was not alone when I thought “Oh Shit! There goes the season.” But as t turns out, Cassel can play quarterback despite not playing since high school.

It looked so promising going into the last few weeks and I really felt that it was going to happen. That the Pats would be in the playoffs once again. But instead Miami made it. Luckily we watched them get schooled today and lose to the Ravens, so I feel some peace.

I look forward to the rest of the playoffs and am rooting for the Giants to get killed next week.

It looks like the Patriots will be placing the franchise tag onto Matt Cassel, to prevent him from being an unrestricted free agent in March and possibly leaving the team. While I am happy they are doing this so we know he will be able to start next season and feel comfortable with him playing, after a stellar season this year, I am also sadden. Because this means there is a real big chance Brady will not be ready to play in 2009 and may ultimately be cut. Right now he is having a lot of complications from his knee surgery, i.e. scar tissue build up and may need additional surgeries to get it all squared away. So 2009 is probably out of the picture for Brady to come back. I know the Patriots have faith in Brady that he WILL come back and be just as awesome, but I understand the need to have security in the quarterback position. I am glad to see the organization be willing t pay both quarterbacks big money especially when it does take up a large portion of the salary cap.

Obviously this Patriot fan wants Brady back behind center, healthy and ready to lead us to another Super Bowl. I believe it will happen. But until he is ready, I’ll support Cassel wholeheartedly!

Watching the game today made me a little homesick for New England. But just a little bit. I totally would have loved to be in Foxboro to watch the Arizona Cardinals get killed by the Patriots.

People assume that as I live in Phoenix, I must be a Cardinal fan. Nothing could be further from the truth. I grew up in Massachusetts and will forever be a New England sports fan.

Go Soxs! Go Pats! Heck, even go Celtics and Bruins! (I don’t really watch basketball or hockey).

It is great to see the Patriots doing well, without Brady. But I miss him and hope he recovers nicely. And quickly.

This year we did not watch the draft, which is okay by me because it is kind of boring. But we did keep up with what ASU players were doing through nfl.com. W are excited to see all our players go either through the draft or through free agency after the draft. Scott feels that it is actually better to be signed as a free agent then get drafted. I have no idea.

I am just really excited that ASU was well represented and I look forward to seeing Marquardt, Barrett, Pollack, Tryon, Torain, and Burgess succeed in the NFL. I only wish one of them had gone to the Patriots, but that’s just me being selfish.

Good luck to all of you and GO DEVILS!!!

Seeing as I took all of 2 pictures of the actual spring game with my camera phone, I decided this pic from the post game meet and greet opportunity on Frank Kush field made more sense.

Here you see Nigel (standing with his back to me and a black backpack over his shoulder) waiting patiently for Rudy Carpenter to stop talking to the group of people on the left so he can get an autograph.

We had tried to get one when we first got on the field but there were like 30 or so people in line so we waited until the end when there were way less people. A security guy tried to tell us that Rudy was done signing for the day but he doesn’t know who he is talking to. We just waited and succeeded.

It was a very cool way to end the Spring Game yesterday.

The Patriots 2008 schedule is out and it looks to be good. Just wish they were playing the Cards this year so I could get a chance to see them in person.

On the Red Sox opening day at Fenway Park, something really cool happened. They had members of the 4 Pro teams who have one a national title present the current Red Sox team with their World Champion rings. How cool would that have been to see in person! Members form the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics who won a Championship int he past, all together to help celebrate the current winners. While I don’t get to watch really any Red Sox games living out here in AZ, I am and always will be a Red Sox fan. I can feel the sun baking me as we sat int he bleachers. The awe of the Green Monster. The excitement of driving into Boston to catch a game. It’s times like this when I miss Massachusetts and the place that was my home for 18 years.

GO SOX!!!!!!