AGRI Biz

News broke early today that Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards, recently caught up in a bit of controversy between himself and a friend of LeBron James, has been traded to the New York Jets. It's a curious move by any standardùyou simply rarely see receivers of his caliber traded a month into the seasonùbut even more curious given the circumstances. While Browns coach Eric Mangini has assured the media and ...

Of all the plays that have defined the New England Patriots in this decade, one, to me, stands out above all the rest. It took place on November 30th, 2003 against the Colts at the old RCA Dome. If you look at the box score from that game, especially Peyton Manning's stat line, you'd hardly think it was the shining moment of a defense that ultimately brought home three championships: Manning, Peyton: 29-of-48, ...

I'll admit it's an odd sight, watching Tom Brady struggle. With the obvious exception of last season, football fans have watched Brady play rather well since he first began starting for the injured Drew Bledsoe in 2001. Until 2007 he was never a "blow the doors off" quarterback. He'd have some big games, and certainly some big drives, but he was a smart, deadly efficient quarterback who wouldn't kill you with mistakes. Then ...

I've got a little quiz for you: if you talk about the best rushing teams in the league, what teams come to mind? Baltimore surely does, with their gaudy 156.7 yard per game average this season after leading the league in attempts last season. The Giants may have an offensive line that is full of relative unknowns to the casual fan, but they led the league last year in running the ball. ...

Trying to figure out the 2009 New England Patriots is like trying to punch a puddle: not very successful and ultimately, painful. They're an enigma wrapped in a riddle, wrapped in a Rubik's cube with the stickers peeled off. As soon as you think you have them pinned down, the next Sunday rolls around and everything changes. In truth, it's been difficult to get a bead on anybody on this team, ...

These are the days when it's best to just turn off the radio. When you write about a team that is followed by a fanbase as passionate as the New England Patriots, you have to expect a little bit of an overreaction after a performance that can, at best, be described as disappointing. With two large sports talk stations to listen to now in New England, you're going to hear a lot ...

Fourteen years ago, the 12-0 Chicago Bears and their vaunted "46" defense marched into Miami on a Monday night in December. Led by coordinator Buddy Ryan, they were chasing history, fueled by what was already considered one of the greatest defenses of all time. They played before I was born, but I've seen the tapes. They were animals. They were big, mean, and fast, and played with the kind of reckless abandon ...

Since the New England Patriots upset the St. Louis Rams in the Super Bowl following the 2001 season, the team has been known mostly for its defense. While the last few seasons have seen the Patriots reach lofty heights with their offense, many NFL observers and casual fans alike look at the "dynasty" years as ones built on a stout and sturdy defense. Still, the New England defense has hardly been as ...

There are many things that separate a Super Bowl team from an also-ran. Injuries. Great coaching. The schedule. Talent. Pure, dumb luck. Sometimes, it just comes down to taking advantage of the few opportunities afforded you. The Patriots did that Monday night, when Pierre Woods and Brandon Meriweather stripped away the ball and Buffalo's hopes of a week one upset. Staring down the line at Buffalo's "hands" team, Stephen Gostkowski looked as though he ...

It's finally here. Thursday night may have been the first game of the 2009 NFL season, but that was like opening a single present on Christmas Eve. My parents tried that (as in, me and my sister talked them into it) once when I was a little kid and it just didn't feel the same. Thursday's game was great and everything, but there's just something about waking up, knowing you have a full ...