Filed under: New England Patriots
Well I would like to extend a warm welcome to Martin Gramatica. Obviously everyone here is wishing that the newly acquired Patriots kicker will return to his previous form that donned him the nickname ‘Automatica’. Considering he sucked in the 2004-05 season with Tampa Bay and sat out for 2005-06, I think this is about as likely as a Krispy Kreme re-opening in Medford. I like Gramatica already because he looks like the field goal kicker in The Simpsons. The Patriots are also looking at other, younger options at kicker, including the possibility of investing a draft pick into the position. The plan, I would imagine, would be to groom a young rookie kicker with high potential with the guidance of a seasoned veteran in Gramatica. If and when the playoffs come, whomever is kicking the best would take on the full time duties. If this indeed is the Patriots’ plan, I am completely fine with that(granted I have been a Belichick juice drinker since 2001), especially considering our schedule for the upcoming season.
The Patriots start off with AFC East Conference play right away, facing the Bills and Jets on September 10 and 17. This should be a good way to start the season off since neither team are big threats to the AFC East title. Conference games are always tough though and equally as important. The next three games will be a tough stretch when we host the Broncos on September 24, then head to Cincinnati on October 1, and then come back home to play the Dolphins on the 8th. If we head into the Week 6 BYE with a 4-1 record(or better) it would be a great start to the season. Even 3-2 would be acceptable although obviously not ideal.
We then face the Bills again followed by the sex party Vikings on Monday Night Football October 30. One of the biggest games of the year for the Pats will come November 5, as we host the Indianapolis Colts in a prime time game. It will be Adam Viniateri’s homecoming, as well as an important game in evaluating just how good the 2006 squad really is. The next two weeks we host the Jets and then travel to Green Bay to play the struggling Packers franchise. We complete our NFC Central opponents by hosting the Bears and Lions. The Bears game November 26 should be a good game considering Chicago’s revival in recent seasons. It may be an important game as well if the Bears are battling for their Conference title or Playoff berth.
December 10 we head to Miami which will likely turn into an important game in determining the winner of the AFC East. We definitely cannot write off the AFC East this year with Miami’s constant improvements(specifically adding Culpepper at QB) and the Jets’ addition of Mangini(the former Belichick assistant last year). After hosting Houston on December 17, we finish the season at Jacksonville and Tennessee. Without getting ourselves too too much(its too late for too much), both those games might end up being important for playoff seedings and (knock on wood then cross your fingers) home-field advantage.
All things considered, this schedule doesn’t seem completely overwhelming, and certainly not as challenging as last year. Granted in the NFL this day and age any team in any season could rise the ranks to be competitive. I am just hoping its not the Jets or Bills. However, if we had to face a schedule like this, I am glad it’s the year after we lose some of our most valuable contributors in recent years. Here’s the 2006 Regular Season schedule mapped out:
Sunday, Sept. 10 – vs. Bills, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 17 – at Jets, 4:15 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 24 – vs. Broncos, 8:15 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 1 – at Bengals, 4:15 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 8 – vs. Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 15 – BYE
Sunday, Oct. 22 – at Bills, 1 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 30 – at Vikings, 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 5 – vs. Colts, 8:15 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 12 – vs. Jets, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 19 – at Packers, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 26 – vs. Bears, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 3 – vs. Lions, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 10 – at Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Sunday. Dec. 17 – vs. Texans, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 24 – at Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 31 – at Titans, 1 p.m.
GO PATS!!!
theaveragefan@bostonprosports.com
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