Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0 Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 Patriots kick off new NFL season New England kick off the new NFL season on Thursday against Oakland chasing a third straight Super Bowl win and a record 21st consecutive home victory. The Patriots lost their offensive and defensive co-ordinators, as well as three key players, in the off-season. "Every season sees changes," said coach Bill Belichick. "Sometimes, when it seems like we've had the most changes, it turns out to be a good year." Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Atlanta are also Super Bowl contenders. Belichick, unbeaten in nine play-off games with the Patriots, will call the offenisve plays for quarterback Tom Brady. "We have to improve on our weaknesses while maintaining our strengths," Brady acknowledged. One of Philadelphia's key strengths - receiver Terrell Owens - could turn into a weakness if his contract dispute with the team is not settled. Owens - who helped the Eagles to Super Bowl XXXIX in February, where they lost 24-21 to the Pats - wants to renegotiate his $48.7m, seven-year deal. He has publicly fallen out with QB Donovan McNabb, and said: "I've got nothing to say to Donovan, but I'm going to play hard even if my contract isn't what it should be in relation to the other receivers in the game." Owens may struggle to repeat his 77 catches for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns from last season, but McNabb pledged: "We can still take care of business on the field. If he's open, he'll get the ball - simple as that." Atlanta, Carolina and Minnesota all figure to fight the Eagles for National Conference berth in Super Bowl XXXX next February in Detroit. Fleet-footed QB Michael Vick makes Atlanta a major threat. Defence-minded Carolina lost the Super Bowl two seasons ago but will be out to make amends for missing the play-offs last year. New Orleans, forced out of their home Superdome by Hurricane Katrina, will struggle to challenge the contenders. Minnesota lost seven of the final 10 games of the season but won their play-off opener at Green Bay and could frustrate the Packers again in what could be Brett Favre's final season. Seattle have the NFL's longest playoff drought and will fight with St Louis to conquer the weak National Conference West Division. New England's prime American Conference rival look set to be Pittsburgh again. The Steelers went 15-1 behind rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger but lost at home to the Patriots in the play-offs. Indianapolis boast the NFL's most prolific offence, with 522 points and a record 49 touchdown passes last season from quarterback Peyton Manning. The Colts have been consistent contenders but have lost six games in a row to the Patriots. Last season's surprise package, San Diego, led by running back LaDainian Tomlinson and quarterback Drew Brees, will be tested in the AFC West by Kansas City. The Chiefs toughened up their defence in the off-season to complement their high-scoring offence. The New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars will also figure to challenge. My second favourite sport is back tonight: American Football. If I remember rightly myself and Zico Martin are the only ones here who like this game. I think its great and combined with the Ashes series, the climax of the F1 season and the brave new world of NUFC I'm in my sporting element. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zico martin 89 Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 Patriots kick off new NFL season New England kick off the new NFL season on Thursday against Oakland chasing a third straight Super Bowl win and a record 21st consecutive home victory. The Patriots lost their offensive and defensive co-ordinators, as well as three key players, in the off-season. "Every season sees changes," said coach Bill Belichick. "Sometimes, when it seems like we've had the most changes, it turns out to be a good year." Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Atlanta are also Super Bowl contenders. Belichick, unbeaten in nine play-off games with the Patriots, will call the offenisve plays for quarterback Tom Brady. "We have to improve on our weaknesses while maintaining our strengths," Brady acknowledged. One of Philadelphia's key strengths - receiver Terrell Owens - could turn into a weakness if his contract dispute with the team is not settled. Owens - who helped the Eagles to Super Bowl XXXIX in February, where they lost 24-21 to the Pats - wants to renegotiate his $48.7m, seven-year deal. He has publicly fallen out with QB Donovan McNabb, and said: "I've got nothing to say to Donovan, but I'm going to play hard even if my contract isn't what it should be in relation to the other receivers in the game." Owens may struggle to repeat his 77 catches for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns from last season, but McNabb pledged: "We can still take care of business on the field. If he's open, he'll get the ball - simple as that." Atlanta, Carolina and Minnesota all figure to fight the Eagles for National Conference berth in Super Bowl XXXX next February in Detroit. Fleet-footed QB Michael Vick makes Atlanta a major threat. Defence-minded Carolina lost the Super Bowl two seasons ago but will be out to make amends for missing the play-offs last year. New Orleans, forced out of their home Superdome by Hurricane Katrina, will struggle to challenge the contenders. Minnesota lost seven of the final 10 games of the season but won their play-off opener at Green Bay and could frustrate the Packers again in what could be Brett Favre's final season. Seattle have the NFL's longest playoff drought and will fight with St Louis to conquer the weak National Conference West Division. New England's prime American Conference rival look set to be Pittsburgh again. The Steelers went 15-1 behind rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger but lost at home to the Patriots in the play-offs. Indianapolis boast the NFL's most prolific offence, with 522 points and a record 49 touchdown passes last season from quarterback Peyton Manning. The Colts have been consistent contenders but have lost six games in a row to the Patriots. Last season's surprise package, San Diego, led by running back LaDainian Tomlinson and quarterback Drew Brees, will be tested in the AFC West by Kansas City. The Chiefs toughened up their defence in the off-season to complement their high-scoring offence. The New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars will also figure to challenge. My second favourite sport is back tonight: American Football. If I remember rightly myself and Zico Martin are the only ones here who like this game. I think its great and combined with the Ashes series, the climax of the F1 season and the brave new world of NUFC I'm in my sporting element. 30568[/snapback] you remembered right but i must admit to have drifted away from the sport after the last few years but I feel I owe it to myself to give it my all again this year. Christ not only have i got thousands of new players to become accustomed with, even the bloody teams are different now. Come on back John Elway, I'm sorry I turned my back on you all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom_NUFC 0 Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 I'm not interested in Gridiron myself, but what's happening about the team from New Orleans? and the one from Houston as well, given that their stadium is full of refugees? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0 Posted September 8, 2005 Author Share Posted September 8, 2005 The New Orleans Saints are basing themselves in California for the time being, There are two or three suitable stadiums in the L.A area and they haven't got an NFL team at the moment. The Astrodome hasn't been used for American Football for a few years. It was the first domed stadium and quite old-fasioned (by american standards). The Houston Texans have their own shiny new stadium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zico martin 89 Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 The New Orleans Saints are basing themselves in California for the time being, There are two or three suitable stadiums in the L.A area and they haven't got an NFL team at the moment. The Astrodome hasn't been used for American Football for a few years. It was the first domed stadium and quite old-fasioned (by american standards). The Houston Texans have their own shiny new stadium. 30586[/snapback] hurrumph Oilers tssk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shakermaker 0 Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 The New Orleans Saints are basing themselves in California for the time being, There are two or three suitable stadiums in the L.A area and they haven't got an NFL team at the moment. The Astrodome hasn't been used for American Football for a few years. It was the first domed stadium and quite old-fasioned (by american standards). The Houston Texans have their own shiny new stadium. 30586[/snapback] or they could stay where they are but change their name to the new orleans stains. go steelers!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0 Posted September 9, 2005 Author Share Posted September 9, 2005 Patriots beat the Raiders 30-20, good start for the champs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toonpack 9422 Posted September 10, 2005 Share Posted September 10, 2005 Go Pack Go........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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