The Patriots of this League: A New England 'Chise

The following is my offline New England Patriots franchise, for Madden NFL 11 on the PS3 system. The player skill settings are all at 14, one point shy of All-Madden, with no adjustment of sliders.

House rules:

• No user catches
• No switching defenders post-snap
• Mix up play-calling often on offense and defense
• Never call same play more than twice on offense
• Only play that can be called more than twice on defense is a basic scheme (e.g., cover 2 man or cover 2 zone).
• No excessive audibles, hot-routing, or no-huddles

2011 Week 1 - Panthers Win at Texans, 13-10

Texans LB Brian Cushing comes with a swift hit on Panthers QB Jimmy Clausen, leading with his facemask and causing a sack-fumble of Clausen. Clausen showed great poise despite taking many big hits.

HOUSTON, Texas - Despite having one of the weakest drafts during the 2011 offseason, the Panthers came out determined to make this season better than last year's 4-12 record. Jimmy Clausen would be the unrivaled starter, and thanks in large part to great defensive play and a solid ground game, Carolina managed to beat the Texans 13 to 10. Clausen did well passing though despite zero TDs, as he threw zero picks and Steve Smith had 128 yards receiving, on 10 receptions. CB Chris Gamble helped us ice the game with a late INT of Matt Schaub.

2011 Offseason - Teams' Most Promising 2011 Drafted Rookies*

*I've changed the names of many rookies in order to make the game more unique. AFC East  Buffalo Bills - LB D'Antwone Mosely (72 OVR, A), LB Clark Edmond (81 OVR, B), OL Stefan Hart (78 OVR, B)  Miami Dolphins - RB Mark Rifford (80, B), OL Garrett Wells (73, A), DL Quinton Griffon (63, B)  New England Patriots - DL Elijah Mourning (80, B), RB Davonte Cain (71, A), WR Carrick Carroll (72, A), WR Howard Hill (84, A)  New York Jets - LB Tyrone Dawkins (78, A) North  Baltimore Ravens - TE Deshaun Ford (84, A), LB Alfred Lopez (64, A), WR Nick Jones (65, B)  Cincinnati Bengals - OL Rudy Axton (81 OVR, A)  Cleveland Browns - OL Wesley Peiffer (74 OVR, A), DL Quayshawn Hall (74 OVR, A), QB Ben Nason (69 OVR, B)  Pittsburgh Steelers - TE Joe Larksen (84, A) South  Houston Texans - OL Jeff Alstott (86, A)  Indianapolis Colts - OL Tom Luvert (81, A)  Jacksonville Jaguars - QB Reggie Perkins (80, A), RB Darius Olsen (71, B)  Tennessee Titans - LB JaMarcus Wayans (76, A) West  Denver Broncos - DL Dee Hamilton (65 OVR, A), DL Sam Hodgin (73 OVR, B)  Kansas City Chiefs - LB Cody Marsh (77, C)  Oakland Raiders - QB Cody Hilton (79, B), RB Angel Keith (85, B)  San Diego Chargers - QB Tucker Rarp (69, A), WR Giovanni Deas (70, B) Analysis: Best draft - Patriots, Bills, Lions Worst draft - Chiefs, Seahawks, Panthers

NFC East  Dallas Cowboys - DL Mike Barr (88, A), DL Andre Carson (75, A), RB Jarvis Kirton (68, B)  New York Giants - DB Jake Tyson (79, B)  Philadelphia Eagles - OL Alex Bing (77, A), LB Dillon Sauls (74, A), DB Sam Stuvall (78, A)  Washington Redskins - DE AJ Wade (78, A) North  Chicago Bears - LB Marshall Owens (83, A), OL Tim Paulson (78, A)  Detroit Lions - LB Thomas Jackson (82, A), LB Derrick Campbell (74, B), DB Darnell Black (82, A)  Green Bay Packers - DB Levin Porter (75, A)  Minnesota Vikings - DB Yolando Suggs (78, B), DB Bernard Green (75, A) South  Atlanta Falcons - OL Joe Hawley (74, B), LB Bruce Bassell (70, B)  Carolina Panthers - WR David Markson (73, B)  New Orleans Saints - SS Walt Campbell (80, B), OL Dalton Gist (68, B)  Tampa Bay Buccaneers - DB Darrien Baldwin (68 OVR, A), DL Isaac Rider (78 OVR, A) West  Arizona Cardinals - OL Hal Garseld (75 OVR, A), OL Jamison Darby (83, A)  St. Louis Rams - TE Kevin Dawkins (73, B), WR Camron McNabb (81, A)  San Francisco 49ers - RB Carlton Manningham (83, A)  Seattle Seahawks - RB Steve Riley (78, B)

2011 Offseason - Free Agency

Michael Vick is now a Cleveland Brown.

In a move that surprised many, Philadelphia wasn't ready to reward Vick's 2010 performance with a large contract that would send a message to QB Kevin Kolb to be in a more backup role/trade bait. So the Eagles let Michael Vick hit free agency. The best deal came from Cleveland. Terms of the deal were undisclosed, but given his past, perhaps it is somewhat symbolic of how far he has come with his community service and lectures on humane treatment of animals that the Browns would sign him. Browns' new Head Coach Dom Capers expressed his eagerness to work with another very athletic, mobile QB and help the Browns become a more successful franchise.

Randy Moss goes unsigned.

In perhaps the other most stunning development during the free agency period, record-breaking wide receiver Randy Moss has gone unsigned. An anonymous league source has said that Moss's asking price was far too high. Moss refused to answer any questions unless he asked them of himself, but issued a statement that he remains confident that he can play at a high level for a team. Analysts speculate that Moss might end up on a team if a big time receiver goes down due to injury.

2011 Offseason - Head Coach Changes

Dom Capers is now the Head Coach of the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns were thoroughly dissatisfied with Eric "Man-genius"'s coaching of the Cleveland Browns, and the decision to fire him came as a surprise to few. And many suspected Dom Capers had what it takes to be a head coach, but few expected it to come so soon, and for him to end up in Cleveland. Rumor has it that Cleveland sought Pittsburgh's defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau, but the asking price was too high. It will be interesting to see how the fate of the Browns, and the Green Bay Packers, for that matter, will turn out as a result of this move.

Ron Rivera moves up the coast to NorCal, now Head Coach of the 49ers.

In another defensive-minded head coaching move, San Francisco fires Mike Singletary and instead of going for an offensive-background Head Coach like Jon Gruden, the Niners nab Ron Rivera from his defensive coordinator position in San Diego. Time will tell if this move favoring defense once again (Nolan, Singletary, and now Rivera) was the right one.

Jacksonville announcing Clarence Shelmon as its new Head Coach was probably the most shocking change.

Eager to revamp its offense with a newfound focus on a running game lead by MJD, the Jacksonville Jaguars fired Jack Del Rio and brought in San Diego's offensive coordinator, Clarence Shelmon. Many knew the Jags could go in all sorts of different directions, but this one came as a shocker to many as Shelmon's name was virtually never mentioned as being long overdue for a head coaching gig. Jags fans hope he can breathe new life into the struggling team.

2012 Offseason - Retirements

These players are among the most notable names deciding to hang up their cleats this offseason:

• Terrell Owens (WR, Cincy)
• Jon Kitna (QB, Dallas)
• Mike Vrabel (LB, KC)
• Brian Finneran (WR, Atlanta)
• Jason Hanson (K, Detroit)
• Fred Taylor (HB, New England)
• Derrick Mason (WR, Baltimore)
• Joey Galloway (WR, Washington)
• Brandon STOKLEY!!! (WR, Seattle)
• Brett Favre (QB, Minnesota)

Super Bowl XLV Recap - Patriots Win Over the Saints, 29-14!

Time to craft another one of these for Robert Kraft

The New England Patriots came out in Super Bowl XLV firing on all cylinders, getting three on their first drive, then putting up 17 points in the second quarter. New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees tried to keep pace with the Patriots' prolific offense, and actually ended the game with more passing yards than Patriots QB Tom Brady, but two interceptions proved too costly for the Saints, with the Pats' young but energetic defense. Red zone % was also telling, as for New Orleans, it was 2 for 3 opportunities, whereas for the Patriots, it was 5 for 5. And it's not a big surprise that the season's MVP was deemed the Super Bowl MVP, as Brady finished with a 108.5 passer rating with a 7.6 average, 75% completion percentage, one touchdown and zero interceptions.

Brady, seated near TE Rob "Gronk" Gronkowski, soaks in the celebratory moment with some camera time.

Saints QB Drew Brees hangs his head in disappointment at not being able to repeat a Super Bowl win.

The Patriots celebrate the championship directly with the fans via parade through the streets of downtown Boston.

Of course, a NFL championship victory would not be complete without a trip to the White House and presentation of the Presidential jersey.

2011 Pro Bowl - NFC (user-controlled) wins over AFC by a Touchdown (Highlights)

ALOHA STADIUM, Honolulu, Hawaii - Coached by Tom Coughlin, Aaron Rodgers, Adrian Peterson, Tony Gonzalez, Tony Romo, Hakeem Nicks, Michael Turner, and Marques Colston were all standouts for the NFC, as they helped the team defeat their AFC counterparts, coached by Jim Harbaugh and led by Peyton Manning and Chris Johnson (the Patriots and Saints players sat out for obvious reasons).

1. After NFC QB Aaron Rodgers made several nice completions to WR Hakeem Nicks, FB Leonard Weaver, and TE Tony Gonzalez, he hands off to HB Adrian Peterson running a counter at the 5 yard line, and "All Day" does the rest, powering his way in for six.
2. Just outside the redzone, (CPU) AFC QB Peyton Manning, receiving excellent blocking from the star-studded o-line as he waits in the pocket, hits HB Chris Johnson deep on a very successful HB wheel route, reaching paydirt.
3. NFC WR Marques Colston knows how to get open in the endzone on his short comeback route, and QB Tony Romo fires his signature quick release right on target.
4. (CPU) AFC QB Philip Rivers hits teammate TE Antonio Gates on a deep post route, advancing over 25 yards in the process...
5. Which set up this (CPU) CJ2K run/leap into the endzone for six, but the AFC failed to recover the needed onside kick (interestingly enough, it was the NFC's Adrian Peterson who got his hands to secure the football).

2011 Super Bowl Preview - Patriots versus Saints

Super Bowl XLV will give Brees a shot at taking out Tom Brady this time

The Patriots handily defeated Baltimore, 30-13, thanks in part to three TD passes thrown by QB Tom Brady. And dem Saints made sure there would be no Super Bowl XLII repeat, as New Orleans held on in the fourth for a 7 point victory over the G-Men. So both New England and New Orleans will travel to Arlington, Texas to vie for the title of Super Bowl XLV Champion.

2011 Conference Playoffs - Preview

• AFC Championship Game - Ravens at Patriots: Payback time? After taking out Tennessee, Brady & Co. face off against the team that knocked them out of the playoffs in 2009.

• NFC Championship Game - Giants at Saints: After pulling off the upset against Atlanta in the Divisional round winning by the smallest margin possible (a single point), can the 2007 Super Bowl Champs upset the reigning Super Bowl champs?