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Reputation:79
Level:Pro
Since:Jan 25, 2007
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Patriots'">LOL@Patriots' fans.....Pacman is despicable and a PR nightmare, but their own head coach who was fined by the NFL for cheating is acceptable! Billy Boy is their own, self-made PR nightmare.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 12, 2007
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another Detroit Lion blunder!!!! Everyone we cut goes on to get a ring. Bad move again Millen!!!!
I don't think so Sammy, he is just a role player at best on this team and likely was signed due to the influence of his old coach Dom Capers.
Millen has to go in Detroit until that happens the team will struggle to rebuild and gain an identity and respect. I gotta love Lions fans they are so loyal to the team if not the franchise
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 24, 2006
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Coach Marinelli, of the Lions, has nothing but great things to say about Bryant. Sounds like the Patriots may have gotten a bargain in more ways than one, as M.R. notes:
If you listen to Detroit Lions head coach Rod Marinelli, the Patriots made a shrewd move in inking cornerback Fernando Bryant. The Patriots signed the nine-year veteran on March 20, with the sides agreeing to a one-year deal with a base salary of $730,000.
Marinelli suggested that Bryant's departure from Detroit was not performance-based but rather due to salary cap considerations -- Bryant would have had a $3.35 million base salary for the Lions this coming season and carried a $4 million salary cap charge.
"We had a little flexibility there and just decided to move on at that point," said Marinelli. "He gave a tremendous amount for us. You're going to like him a lot. He's the consummate pro.
"When he comes out he'll know his job. He'll do what the coaches want him to do. He's physical. He'll tackle. He's very physical. He's a tough tackler. He will not shy away. I think you'll like that physical aspect of him."
That physical aspect of Bryant's game is sometimes to the detriment of his health. The 5-foot, 10-inch, 184-pounder played in all 16 games for Detroit last season, despite battling a foot injury. It was the first time since 2003 he made it through a full season.
Bryant, who has started 109 of 110 career games, could turn out to be a bargain for the Patriots, if he can stay on the field, according to his old coach.
"He started the last couple of years for us. Boy, he's a pro," said Marinelli. "You're going to like him. As a person, wow. He's just a family guy, a good human being. Very productive player, very good. You're just going to like him."
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Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:May 17, 2007
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Good post Dawnie!
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 24, 2006
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We hear veterans from other teams have been impressed when they join the Patriots but this is a little insight as to one of the reasons why. Here's some comments from Fernando Bryant regarding the Patriots' off-season program:
"The off-season program is one of the best I've ever seen, because it's not generic. Some teams might have a program where everybody does the same thing; everybody is going to bench on this day, run on this day, things like that. Everything here, the first couple weeks, is generic, but then it gets to the point where everything is based on your position -- what you need in your backpedal, if you're a wide receiver it's what you need in your cuts, offensive linemen it's what you need in your pass protection. Everything is based upon you getting better on the field as a football player. Most programs it's based on you getting completely stronger. That's not what this is really based on, and that alone, you have an upper hand on people. The things we're going over now, in my nine years in the league, haven't been in other programs. That says a lot. They know how to win."
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 18, 2006
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Dawn, I'm impressed with his comments. Its almost like he already had the humble pie. Very impressed!
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 19, 2006
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I'm pretty excited that we have a veteran like Bryant to start opposite Hobbs. As long as he is a solid, if not spectacular, starter for us then our secondary should be just fine. Our rejuvenated Linebacker corps is going to wreak havoc this season and when you have a great pass rush you don't need exceptional players at corner. It should be interesting to see our revamped D this year.
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 18, 2006
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I'm with you Pats. If anything the LB corps looks to be stronger since the Pats injected some youth and speed in the middle, which will put AD back outside where he is most comfortable. Hopefully Seymour is able to work out more during the offseason, and I am thinking he will be back to his old self. The whole D should definitely be rejuvenated when season starts.
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 19, 2006
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Great point! Seymour should definitely be back to 100%, which will make the entire defensive unit perform better in my opinion. Our front seven is definitely the strength of the D as of right now. I think by the very nature of the game, it will have a trickle down effect on our secondary, whose only real question mark goes to the cornerbacks. We just don't know what we're going to get from them at this point. Will they perform well together and gel? I'm definitely happy with our safeties heading into the 2008 season though. I like Sanders a lot and he's proven that he is a reliable starter but I'd like to see Meriweather emerge as our starter at FS and live up to his first-round billing. If he plays well this year then we have four legitimate starters at safety. That's a luxury that most teams don't have.
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