I don’t know what sort of bizarro universe I inhabited this week, but in responding to my emails following the Dolphins debacle, I felt like I channeled my inner Dale Arnold and served as the voice of reason. The scoreboard may have said 38-13, but according to me, all is apparently well. Nothing to worry about. What’s up with that?

Otherwise, a lot of you came at me hard for my comments on boo-gate. I also got the requisite number of ``blow it up’’ missives that follow poor performances. Surprisingly, several of you felt the need to defend Ed Hochuli. And, as usual, we also have some fun with my wife, hear from the greatest emailer in the history of Mike Felger Mailbag (Mike in Attleboro) and examine my super sexy, Nike throwback windbreaker.

There will be no report card on Tuesday, for obvious reasons, but keep those emails coming and we’ll do another bag next week. I’ve got emails stored up asking what it’s like covering the Patriots for WEEI.com versus the Herald, so I’ll take that opportunity to give you some inside stuff. For example, I’ll let you know which players want to kick the crap out of me and why. On to the emails….

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Felger,

My mom hates you. But she cannot wait to hear your opinions. She always taught us not to hate, so I don’t know the infatuation. But it's real.

Matthew Duncan

Newport RI

A: I think this pretty much sums up the Felger phenomenon, Matthew. Got any pictures?

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Subj: How do you like Matty D+ now?

Felger,

Could the Pats offense, defense, Matty D+ and coach Bill have put up a worse clunker? I wrote last week that I thought you were praising the Pats and Cassel a bit too much for their win over the Jets. Now the Dolphins spanked them badly right in front of the home crowd. Thankfully, the real Felger showed up and gave the Pats the poor grades they deserved. Quick hits: Give me three reasons why any good Patriots fan should not be worried about the rest of the year? How can Mr. Football History Coach Bill get bamboozled by an offense that was really big when Red Grange was around? How soon before Kraft's stadium deal, high ticket and parking prices start getting the Mike Wallace treatment by the Boston media?

Dave

Cambridge

A: Three reasons not to be worried: 1. The coaches had their hats handed to them last Sunday but they're still pretty good. The foundation is in place, and there will be more days like the one they had against the Jets than the one they had against the Dolphins. 2. Adalius Thomas and Richard Seymour (despite a quiet day against Miami) are playing at a high level, giving the defense a chance to be very good. 3. If the Pats need to win games on special teams, it looks like they can do it. Three reasons TO BE worried: 1. It's going to be hard for the defense to be great unless some of the young players in the secondary make a big impact, and so far guys like Brandon Meriweather, James Sanders, Terrance Wheatley and Jonathan Wilhite haven't. 2. The offensive line, and Logan Mankins in particular, haven't shaken the Super Bowl blues and continues to struggle in pass protection. 3. To this point, Randy Moss seems disinterested in elevating his game to help Matt Cassel.

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Felgy,

There are degrees of being out coached and the Patriots were out coached at the 99.9th degree. I believe that NFL coaches have a shelf life, a point where the players absolutely shut the head coach out. I expected that last year, with an aging team, would be the year. Well, I was one year off. Now the truth is emerging. This is officially the end. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. It happened to all the great dynasties, the Cowboys, Steelers, 49ers. I hope they turn it around soon, but it won’t happen without wholesale changes from top to bottom.

Rich

A: You'd be surprised how many emailers feel this way. It has yet to be seen if we are seeing the death of the Patriots Dynasty (I believe we are not), but I have categorically seen no signs of Belichick losing his locker room. It was right around this time last year that Spygate broke and the players rallied around Belichick in dramatic fashion. It was effusive, actually. The Super Bowl loss may have sent a tremor through the ranks, but not nearly enough has happened for Belichick to ``lose'' his locker room. That's silly talk.

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Mike,

Once Entercom stock becomes worthless, you will need to supplement your income. Well, Buster Olney has written a book about the demise of a sports dynasty (the Yankees). You could start your book with Spygate and proceed with all the events that eventually lead to the fall of the Patriots Empire. Pierre Woods’ inability to hold onto a fumble in the Super Bowl, the Giants final drive, Brady going down, ticket scalpers being unable to unload tickets at face value, Randy Moss acting like Randy Moss, Richard Seymour throwing the coaching staff under the bus. If you hurry, this feel good story could be in stores by the all important Christmas season at which time the Patriots will be out of the playoff picture.

Patrick

Walpole

A: I don’t think the Patriots are done competing for titles. Not even this year. But let’s be honest, people: didn’t the Super Bowl loss feel like that night in Phoenix in 2001 when Mo Rivera couldn’t close out the Diamondbacks? Just a little?

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Michael.

Dead nuts on with the grades. I think what you saw this past Sunday will probably be the rule (maybe not to that extreme) rather than the exception the rest of the year. I think we will see the true talent (or lack thereof) come out as the proverbial poop hits the fan. And I never truly realized how important Tom was to this team. The fact that he’s gone trickles down through the ranks (including Belichick). The balloon has been deflated and it will rear its ugly head every other game this year.

John

Milford, NH

A: I’m not discounting you're theory, John. But I will say this: if the players are in a malaise because Brady isn't there, and if it’s affecting their play, then shame on them. This is their chance to prove that what's gone on the last eight years isn't all Tom Brady. It should be a rallying cry, not an excuse. By the way, ``dead nuts on?’’ Brilliant!

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Michael:

Why do all of you in the press let Bill Belichick off when he says ``We did not play well and we did not coach well?’’ He has said on numerous occasions ``We have to coach better.’’  Next time he says that, PLEASE QUESTION HIM ON IT. Are you not spending enough time at the stadium coaching? Do the coaches need to spend more time coaching or watching film? Are the coaches just not good enough? What are you personally doing to coach better – watching more film, spending more time preparing? Are there going to be any coaching changes to make sure you do not have another bad coaching game? What do you mean you have to coach better? PLEASE question him.

Thanks,

Doug Parigian

Lowell

A: I'd like to nominate Mike Reiss or Tom Curran for this duty. You know, someone who could ask those questions and not get shot dead on the spot.

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Attention: Pete Sheppard

FACT: The 2007 Patriots run defense was 26th in the league in yards allowed per carry (4.37). They were a top 10 in total yards allowed (per game) because they built up huge leads and teams abandoned the run. This ``vaunted’’ D-line with Wilfork, Seymour and Warren (along with Green) is completely overrated. This D-Line was manhandled in the Super Bowl as well; it wasn't just the offensive line. Statistically speaking, this defense is, and has been for over a year now, below average.

Dan Faucon

A: Don’t know why I got this one; sounds like you and Pete have issues to sort out between yourselves. But your point is a valid one. I’ve often heard Belichick say that when it comes to run-defense stats, the per-carry number is far more important than the per-game number. That being said, I still feel the Pats are a pretty good team against the run, even if some stats don't back that up. Every once in a while someone is going to gash them like the Dolphins did. But when it counts, I don’t think you can run on them. In last year’s playoffs, for example, the Jaguars gained just 80 yards as a team on 22 carries (3.6-yard average); the Chargers managed 104 yards on 22 rushes (4.7) and the Giants had 91 yards on 26 attempts (3.5). The Pats' postseason average was 3.9-yards against. That's not great, but it’s respectable. I think the pass defense is a far bigger issue, then and now.  

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Mike,

The Big Show would have you believe this is the 2003 team minus Tom Brady. However, it is more reminiscent of the 2002 Patriots. I think the Pats have been hurt by some mediocre drafts in 2007 and 2006 and of course THE injury. But the problem on defense is a mixture of too young and too old.  The D-Line is mid-prime, the linebackers are a combo of too old and too young and the secondary is too young period. The last impact defensive draftee is Vince Wilfork. Am I wrong?

George

A: I think the Big Show boys are closer to the truth than you are, George. In 2002, the Pats allowed 21.7 points per game. In 2003, the defensive chopped that number dramatically to 14.8 per contest (best in the league). In my opinion, the 2008 Patriots  will fall closer to the '03 number, although they certainly won't match it. Let’s see what happens. As for the last impact guy on defense, you obviously don’t count Ellis Hobbs (2005), James Sanders (2005) or Brandon Meriweather (2007), and I would concur. Can we agree that Jerod Mayo looks legit?

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Felger,

Can you elaborate on Meriweather? I think you’re right on the money: what a disappointment. What does this guy do well? He’s rarely around the ball to actually make an impact play. No big hits, few interceptions unless they’re thrown right to him. And by Sunday’s performance he’s clearly not challenging routes over the middle of the field. I just don’t get it. What does Bill see in this guy? This secondary is only as good as Meriweather and (gulp) James Sanders make it.

Will Van Dorn

A: I think you pretty much covered it, on all points. I don't really see Meriweather blowing up plays or even snuffing them out. How many big plays has he made in his time here? Two? Three? The good news is that there's still plenty of time for him. Remember, Eugene Wilson started out great but faded badly. Maybe Meriweather will take the opposite road. I do wonder if time is running out on Sanders to be an elite player. The more we see, the more we may have to accept he is what he is: a good open-field tackler and a strong presence coming towards the line, but a liability going back in the passing game.

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Mike,

Can you tell me Matt Cassel's contract situation? Do the Pats have him under contract for the next few years or will he be a free agent after this year?

Mike Harney

A: As we've stated many times, he's an unrestricted free agent after the season. Here's a question for the masses: Based on where he stands at this very moment, do you think Cassel would get interest from any team to come in and compete for a starting job? Kansas City? Minnesota? Chicago? Before that Miami game maybe; now I'm not so sure. We'll ask this question periodically throughout the course of the year.

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DB,

Three years ago, did the NFL secretly suspend Richard Seymour but agree to let him stand on the field in uniform and allow him to watch the games up close? If so, do you have any idea when the suspension will end? Put another way, aside from Ben Watson, is there a bigger fraud on the planet than Richard Seymour? Could, or should, the Patriots have cut or traded him and spent their resources on Asante Samuel? Why do you guys in the media give Seymour such a free ride?

Regards,

Scott

A: Seymour wasn't much of a factor on Sunday, obviously. And the last two years were a disappointment, whether there were mitigating circumstances or not. But how could you have watched Seymour play the first two weeks this season and still consider him a fraud? When he's healthy and in shape, Seymour is as legit as it gets. As for why he gets good treatment from the media (excluding me, I guess), the answer is easy. He’s a good guy. He’s respectful and well-spoken. He’s a man of principle. There are so many punk attitudes across the NFL, that when you come across someone as solid as him, it’s refreshing. I also think Seymour has gotten a bit of a pass because too many media members buy into the myth that just because you play defensive line in Belichick’s scheme, you’re not supposed to get stats. That’s just not the case.

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Mike,

Why don't the Pats trade for Jeff Garcia? I don't want to hear about how it's going to take too long to learn the playbook. They have a bye this week, play the 49ers and the Chargers in the next three weeks. Even if they go 1-1, they're still 3-2, and Garcia would be ready to play for the rest of the way. Even if they make the playoffs with Cassel, he can't take them far. Cut your losses now before it's too late. I agree with you, no Culpepper, or any of the other QBs these yahoos are suggesting. We need Garcia.

Bill

A: I've said it before and I'll say it again: it's legitimate to second-guess how the Pats built their depth chart at quarterback. I think they could have done more. But the time to address it was March. By the way, Garcia is making a base salary of $2 million this season. Not sure if that's a factor here.

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Hi Mike,

Has anybody mentioned Jake Plummer? He's only 33, healthy, has thrown for 4,000 yards in a season, and you could acquire his rights from Tampa for a bag of donuts. Or, AJ Feely, who is third string in Philly, but has played really well against us in the past. To me, anybody who reads a Belichick defense well has to have some smarts. I don’t buy the WEEI theory that it would take weeks to break in a new QB. If they can dumb down the offense for Cassel, you mean to tell me they couldn’t bring in a decent veteran (not Culpepper!), that could at least provide them a spark and some leadership through the rest of this year? I can’t bear watching the next 13 games of a passing yardage average of 2.3 yards per attempt.

Stephen

A: I happen to agree with the ``WEEI theory'' that it will take weeks to get a new quarterback ready. But I also think that misses the point. Let's say it takes the new guy (Garcia, Feely, Plummer, pick the name) a month to get enough practice reps under his belt to get some timing down. If the trade were made today, that means he would be ready to enter the fray in the Pats' seventh game. He'd be there for nine games, plus the playoffs. Why shouldn’t that scenario be considered?

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Felger,

Did Hobbs play that poorly or was that just me?  He was giving too much cushion off the line and kept getting burnt. Also Bruschi and Rodney are too old and have forgotten how to tackle.

Jon DeFalco

A: It wasn't just you, Jon. Ellis struggled along with the rest of his mates on defense. There's no question that Bruschi has lost a step or two, but I think he has benefited from playing next to Jerod Mayo and has actually looked better this year. That's why having Meriweather and/or Sanders step up is so crucial: they can do for Harrison what Mayo has done for Bruschi.

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Mike,

What the hell is wrong with Maroney? What a puss he is. He is the JD Drew in pads. Suck it up already. We need him playing.

Tim Hurley

A: I don't know what's more disappointing when it comes to Maroney: His running style or durability. Both suck.

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Subj: Stick to pro football!

Felgy,

You dope! It's the "Wildhog" formation at Arkansas. Not the ``Wildcat’’ formation! Stick to following the pro game! BTW, don't tell me ``what's the dif’’ either!

K-dub

A: I'm pretty sure this is Kevin Winter, my red-headed step child sidekick from down the dial. How are Lew and Mike treating you, Kev? Are they respecting the Kendrick?

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Felger,

As a REAL old-timer I recognized the Dolphins were running a modified single wing formation with an unbalanced line. The immediate Patriot response should have been to have the Defensive line move one man over toward the strong side. The Patriots failed to do this, and Miami double-teamed the NG and DT, opening up a highway through which the pulling Miami LG led Brown. Of course there's a little bit more to it than that but that's the basics and I don't think the Pats responded at all.

Tom Green

A: As I wrote in the report card, the single-back, direct-snap thing doesn't worry me. That won't work consistently at this level. The thing I would be more concerned about, if I'm the Pats, is the unbalanced line that the Dolphins threw at them. That's something other teams will definitely copy. The Pats run a defense that is extremely gap-conscious, perhaps more so than any other team in the league. And having Wilfork on the nose is a key element to that. With an unbalanced offensive line, the gap responsibilities change and Wilfork's role changes. Clearly, the Pats couldn't make the adjustment on Sunday. I can't fathom they won't be ready for it the next time it's presented to them.

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Felger,

I'm waiting until 2009 when Brady is back but also when we can bring Crennel and Weis back to resume their offensive and defensive coordinator positions. Pees and McDaniels are awful, especially Pees. Sunday never would have happened under Crennel. The lack of an adjustment to the Ronnie Brown special was disgusting. So when Crennel gets canned by Cleveland (looking like a solid bet) and Weis gets run out of ND (if I were the Alumni I'd be beating that drum) let's bring them all back to New England! While we're at it let's sign up the rejuvenated Deion Branch when he eventually gets cut by Seattle for being unable to stay off the injury list.

Looking forward to the old school,

Matt

A: I'd take all three in a heartbeat.

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Felgy,

The Wood joining Fox 25 is an embarrassment of riches. Maria (Stephanos), Allison (Bologna), Diana (Rocco), and Erin (Hawksworth). Has a news station ever been this deep in talent? I don’t think so.

Rick Ricciardi

A: You forgot Cindy (Fitzgibbon) and Anqunette (Jamison). A strong lineup, indeed. Some very enticing combinations in there.

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Felger,

I was watching your interview with Vrabel (on Comcast Sportsnet) with my wife. She said you have an ``awful haircut’’ and your Nike jacket was ``from the 80's.’’ Conversely she says that The Wood is so ``put together and perfect.'' How does The Wood not help you out with that stuff? Are you sure you two are married?

Mo

Watertown

A: I've gotten a lot of comments on my Nike pullover. Here's the deal: I'm so out of touch that when I bought it, I thought I was being fresh. Turns out it was a throwback. Figures. When it comes to being ``put together,'' the Wood gave up on me a long time ago.

Hey Felger,

The Colts look less impressive than the Pats. Their weak O-line has caused Addai to disappear, and it’s obvious that Manning is hurting. The Chargers defense has suddenly become porous. Jacksonville loses to the Bills at home. The Steelers seem solid but lose to Eagles. I like the Pats chances in the AFC. They are not a lock for the Super Bowl but they are still a serious contender. You have to agree?

I like you. Do you like me?

TH

A: That has to be some sort of gay come-on line, right? If so, thanks but no thanks, TH. As for the AFC, it certainly feels wide open doesn't it? Something tells me San Diego and Indy will still be the teams to beat.

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Mike,

I had a chance to go to the Hall at Patriot Place. For any fan of sports in New England, it is a great take. I am a diehard Pats fan and this place is a dream come true. With all that said, it drives me crazy that the national media and fans think the Pats three Super Bowl victories are tainted. Do you personally feel that the Super Bowl victories are tainted? And is it fair to question the 2 Super Bowl victories of the Giants while Belichick was defensive coordinator? Is it naïve of everyone to think that the taping was only happening when Belichick was a head coach? I have heard Bill Parcells play off Spygate as not a big deal. Don’t you find that curious?

Russ

Walpole

A: Here's my feeling on the ``tainted'' championships issue. I absolutely think the illegal taping helped the Pats to some degree in their championship seasons. Whether it benefited them for one play in one regular season win that helped them gain home field advantage, or it gave them some of the signals of the Rams, who they played twice in 2001, or the Steelers, who they played twice in 2004, it's impossible to imagine Belichick would have put that much into the practice if he wasn't seeing tangible results. Of course it was a factor. What percentage you put on it is up for debate. But just because it benefited the Pats, does that mean it ``taints'' what they did? Absolutely not, because everyone in that league is doing something. You better believe Parcells had his own methods, whether it was taping or something else. Belichick has plenty of stories about what Joe Gibbs used to do when he was winning Super Bowls in Washington. Parcells has suspicions about what Bill Walsh was doing in San Francisco. And on it goes. As I've said before, I think Belichick was just ``doing business as business is done.'' There's a lot of shady stuff in that league, and like most other things, Belichick just did it better and more extensively than anyone else.

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Felgy,

I need someone to explain something that's been bugging me for years. Why are special teamers so fired up to be the guy who downs the ball on punts? Do they get Ohio State Buckeyes or a pat on the ass from the coach? Do they get performance bonuses? What gives? The Slater play was only the most recent example, but it happens every week somewhere in the NFL. Slater's was just extra absurd because he had gone out of bounds. Usually it's three or four guys surrounding a rolling punt like it's an errant tee shot at Augusta and then invariably one of them grabs at it before it stops rolling. It might only cost the team a few inches of field position, but it still drives me nuts because it's unnecessary.

BM

A: I've never heard of performance bonuses tied to ``downed punts.'' I'm sure special teams coaches keep track of them, but when there's five guys around a ball as you say, what's the dif? My theory is that most of those guys play so little and are usually so far away from the ball, they can't help themselves when they see that brown piece of leather at their feet.

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Felger,

Three things: 1) I know he wouldn’t have made a difference Sunday, but where has Shawn Crable been? 2) Peyton Manning is moving around like Dan Marino in his last two years and 3) The people that booed Sunday are the pink hats moron fans that don’t know how to act at games. These are the rich punks that get all the tickets and sit on their ass and boo when things go wrong because they don’t know what is going on. These are the same people that do the wave at Fenway. I hate these people. You’re a hell of a guy, Felger

Brian Shea

A: Three answers for you: 1. The cases of Crable and Wheatley are good examples of fans and media seeing one thing and the coaches seeing another. The pair consistently seemed to make plays through training camp and the preseason, to the point where it was assumed Wheatley would be a starter and that Crable would be in the pass rush rotation. As it turns out, neither has seen a snap on defense. Crable hasn't even been active. I have no answer for you other than Belichick obviously saw something we didn't. 2. You watch, Manning is going to be fine. 3. I disagree completely on who is doing the booing. When the Pats are playing poorly, the red seat crowd checks the BlackBerry and heads for the sushi bar or Range Rover in the parking lot.

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Felger,

I was one of those booing, especially at the half. The reason was, in my case, the obvious lack of effort by the entire team. It wasn't the prices, Patriot place, etc. You don't mind a loss if you feel they tried hard. I didn't.

Chuck Moore

A: Let’s make one thing clear before we go any further: I not saying fans don’t have the right to boo. They do. And I’m not saying there weren’t things worthy of booing on Sunday. There were. Randy Moss seemed to blatantly give up on a ball that would have helped his team and his struggling young quarterback. To me, that was ``boo-worthy.’’ The defense also had some plays like that, but here’s the difference in my mind: Tedy Bruschi (three rings) was on the field at the time; so was Richard Seymour (three), Mike Vrabel (three), Rodney Harrison (two) and Ty Warren (two). Belichick (three) was standing on the sidelines. I just don’t think I’d boo those guys at this time, no matter what the score of a particular game is. I mean, did the Celtics get booed in 1988? There were a lot of people on the field Sunday who have sacrificed a lot to bring a dynasty here. (Unfortunately, Hobbs and Watson aren’t on that list). Bruschi may have lost two steps off his prime, I agree, but he came back from a stroke to play here, for God’s sake. I would never boo Tedy Bruschi. I remember late in the 2002 season the Pats were getting slapped around by the Jets at Gillette Stadium, and Troy Brown muffed a punt. He got booed as he came off the field. I would never boo Troy Brown. You see where I’m going with this? You have the right to do it. I’m just saying I don’t agree with your choice of subjects.

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Felger,

If guys like Watson and Hobbs have problems with the fans, that’s too bad. I sat on Route 1 forever and paid $117 to get in, and if they think for one second I'm gonna sit quietly and watch Moss alligator arm passes, they are crazy. The Super Bowl was a bad day. The game I saw Sunday was pure lack of effort. If they don’t like the truth being told it sucks being them. Light got a drive-killing penalty AGAIN. Cassel missed open receivers all day and no one was blocked. The defense was pushed around all day and stood around waiting for someone else to make a play. That was the first time since they moved to Gillette I can honestly say they didn’t WANT IT.

Paul

Whitman

A: The fans obviously made a statement Sunday. But instead of booing, what if the crowd had stuck around and given the team a standing ovation as they left the field? Not for their performance in the game, of course. But in celebration of an NFL record winning streak. In recognition of nearly two years of undefeated football at Gillette. In support of the NFL’s team of the decade. Now that would have been a statement.

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Hey Mike,

When you start paying to go down and watch the games in Foxboro that is when you can start telling me when I can and can’t boo.

Thanks

Jason Corbin

A: I could take this time to complain that the free clam chowder they serve up in the press box is sometimes a little thick. But I’ll save it.

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Felgahhhhhh!

Tell Ellis Hobbs to save some energy on celebrating every tackle and deflected pass he makes and figure out to cover the middle of the field. I know Hobbs wasn’t rich his entire life, so he needs to understand that all of us middle aged losers that Massarotti deemed us have a right to boo when they suck. Sorry I’m going nuts on Hobbs, but seriously: How about worrying that your secondary sucks? This fool is worrying about the boos?

Mike Pettoruto

A: I think Ellis is lucky there’s not a game at Gillette until Oct. 26.

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Felger,

I was in attendance at that abomination Sunday and I enthusiastically booed as heartily as anyone. Let me count the reasons why: 1.) Seemingly no adjustments made by the coaching staff on defense or offense. It was like watching the 1999 Pete Carroll Patriots get out coached in all aspects of the game. 2.) A defensive line with two Pro Bowlers and another who should've made it (Warren) that got pushed around so much, it was as if they weren't even trying. 3.) An offensive line that is vastly overrated and was exposed in the Super Bowl, yet nothing was done in the offseason to significantly upgrade this crew of mountain men with some actual athletes who can move their feet in pass protection against speed rushers. 4.) The Kraft Family and their $117 game tickets, the $50 parking, and the ``police state’’ atmosphere outside the Stadium where Mass. State Troopers harass even those of us tailgaters who are well behaved and responsible with our alcohol consumption. So, pardon me if I was a little perturbed with the main event Sunday at the Stadium. When food and drink for the tailgate are taken into account, it's a $200 afternoon per person to watch your favorite football team go through the motions against what should've been an inferior opponent. FYI, I was on a flight home from Florida a few years ago and you and the Wood were on it. The Wood is even better looking in person, while you, unfortunately, are homelier in person.

Kevin

Acushnet

A: Let’s focus on No. 4, for a second. I’m convinced this is part of what we heard on Sunday. Fans were livid when their season tickets went up six months ago, and every time they pull into a Gillette parking lot the cost leaves them dumbfounded. Add in the fact days have gotten longer because Patriot Place has led to more pre-game and post-game congestion, and you have a situation where the natives were getting restless even before they kicked the ball off against the Dolphins. Throw in a few adult beverages and a 25-point deficit, and you have the ingredients for what came out on Sunday. FYI, the Wood is dazzling, no doubt about it. What was she wearing?

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Hey Mike,

I know why I was booing, but I'm not sure who I should be directing it towards. Why is this team $7 or $8 million under the cap?  Who gets that boo? Pioli, because he couldn't find a CB to replace Asante or, God forbid, keep Asante? Belichick, for not demanding the money be spent on better safeties, CBs or a Pro Bowl caliber OL for the right side?  The Krafts, is it a budgetary issue? Why is this money not being spent? P.S., obligatory Barstoolsport.com comment of the week here: What do you think is a solid average for coming up with a correct answer for Guess that Ass?

Mike

Southie

A: I don’t know if being $7 million under the cap is that egregious. There are many teams with $20 million or more in room. That said, I would have liked to see them spend it, too. Their free agent class sucked, and it all comes back to money. But now it’s too late to help this year’s team. They’ll probably do what they’ve done in the past and come up with some creative bonuses to push that cap space off to next year. As for guess that ass, you know who is really good at it? That’s right. The Wood. Apparently, a lot of those pictures come from the gossip mags (US Weekly, Star, etc) or Perez Hilton and she’s a big devotee that stuff. She remembers the outfits or bathing suits, I guess. She nailed the terrifying shot of Kim Kardashian this week, for example.

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To WEEI,

Even before today’s show begins, I would just like to say I will listen begrudgingly.

Felger – you are a chump. I don’t read or hear you that often, actually only when you fill in on the Dale and Holley show. Your diatribe on the backup QB for the Pats was atrocious to listen to. Then, after Cassel’s performances (against the Chiefs and Jets) you balk and back down and never own up to anything. I never had much of an opinion of you, except that you yell for no reason. But after the QB nonsense, now in my mind, you are a chump.  Not sure why EEI puts you on the airwaves, but my vote would be that you stay off. Holley, stay sane bro!

Dale

Wrentham

A: Just kidding. This was from Jason in Quincy.

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WEEI,

Eighty percent of Felger's talking points will be other show's talking points a month to a year from now, as evidenced by his takes on JD Drew, David Ortiz, Tom Brady, the Celtics, etc. There should be a new show with Felger, Holley, Dakota and Orlando from Boston. That show would be the greatest of all time. The greatest.

Orlando

Boston

A: Shameless, Orlando. Shameless.

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Felger,

Seriously, did the stuffed suits at EEI make you put something in your contract that states that you are the guy that gets pissed on by everyone at the station? Just because you say and write things that the Patriot and Red Sox ball suckers don't want to hear, you are immediately dumped all over like you are a worthless pile of used diapers. Since when is pointing out the bad along with the good a bad thing?

Steve Guida

A: Hop aboard the Straight Talk Express, Steve.

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Felger,

Are you a man of your words to still say Calvin Johnson will be a bust? He looked pretty good last week against your Green Bay Packers.

Brian

Boston

A: Ah, yes. An 890 prediction coming home to roost. I think the jury is still out on that one, Brian. Last year, Johnson hardly set the world on fire with 48 catches and four touchdowns. This year, thanks to that Packers game, he’s well ahead of the pace with 17 grabs and two scores. We’ll see what happens. I think I said last year he wouldn’t make more than one Pro Bowl in his career. I’ve seen more than one big, can’t-miss receiver go to Detroit and turn into a total stiff. I say he could still end up on that list.

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Hey Felger;

Very original analysis of two intriguing storylines last week: 1. Curt Schilling calling into WEEI to talk about Manny’s hijinx; 2. Ed Hochuli blowing the call that “cost” San Diego the game. In your commentary of both stories you accused Schilling and Hochuli of making it all about “him.” You even went to so far as to use Hochuli’s physique and his pattern of explaining calls as evidence that he is an egoist. In your criticism of Schilling you neglected to acknowledge that the Manny discussion began with the listeners and callers of WEEI and was continued by Lou Merloni. Michael, Red Sox fans have been trying to figure out how the “loveable oaf” Manny could be the same guy who shoves a travel manager and gives up on his team. Schilling’s insight was great, not to mention radio gold. And as for Ed Hochuli, I have always found him informative -- particularly when I was just getting into the game. His explanations were far more helpful than the blathering of many of color guys in the booth. That you feel it necessary to slam a guy for keeping very fit when at any moment he needs to run twenty yards or take a hit from a 300lb defender is just ludicrous. Or is it that you can’t reconcile the fact that he is not only a dedicated sports professional who also is a respected jurist? Either way, Felger, please move on to another hook. It’s starting to be all about you.  

Best Regards,

Laurel Bowman

A: So I guess I should follow Ed's lead and hit the gym.

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Felger,

STOP HATING ON HOCHULI! He's a great official and the fact that he had the balls to admit his mistake makes him a better man. There are plenty of officials who blow calls and are too stubborn and proud to admit fault, like...um...gee...just about every NBA ref!

Alex

A: Well, you raise a great point about those NBA refs, Alex. Next to them, Hochuli is Abe Lincoln. Those NBA officials are dirty. Ed is just incompetent. By the way, while we’re on Hochuli, an NFL owner came out last week and basically echoed what I said about the solution the whole mess: When the ball is on the ground, swallow the whistle. In other words, always assume it’s a fumble and sort it out later. Said Dallas’ Jerry Jones: ``Now, you could easily say that it rests in the competence of the official not to blow that whistle and maybe an emphasis on that would dramatically change just a real awareness and be punitive in some areas. You know, that guy is quick to call penalties. He’s quick to draw.  He’s known for that….He’s very quick. His crews call a lot of penalties. Maybe the answer is to tell people like that, ‘Keep that whistle out your mouth.’’’ Couldn’t have said it better myself, Jerry.

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Felger you DB!

First off, Straight Talk Express? Weak sauce my friend. You got to do better than something that sounds like a whistle stop speaking tour for the 700 Club. You're a founding member of the new WEEI.com. You got to have something that sounds a little cutting edge and net savvy. ``Reality Bytes.’’ You can thank me later. Enjoyed the report card but did you see who Tom Jackson's player of the week was?  That's right, Joey Porter. Hey Tommy, we know you hate the Pats and Belichick like the French hate soap, but at least try to maintain some credibility. And we know that's hard considering you have obviously suffered irreparable brain damage from providing a booze free Ed McMahon-esque laugh track to Chris Berman and his amazing array of sound effects for the past two decades, but at least give it a try. Yeah he said the Fins were going to win but, Joey Porter wasn't even the player of the week on his own team! Ronnie Brown, less than a year removed from major reconstructive knee surgery, was the closest thing to unstoppable this side of Bo Jackson in Tecmo Bowl. Joey Porter got to rush the passer repeatedly because Brown and the offense scored at will. That isn't even mentioning Jake Long bitch slapping the Pat's D-Line and Pennington completing more passes than Harold Reynolds at a Boston Market, both of which were also more impressive than Joey Porter opening his yap and putting up garbage time numbers A-Rod would be proud of. TJ, take a breath, hold off on texting Casale for more dirt and get real. If Belichick was your coach and could win you a ring, not only would you NOT have hated him for cutting Lawyer Milloy, but you probably would have driven Milloy to Buffalo yourself. Oh and one other thing that nobody should hate. Heidi Watney soaked in champagne. She could make Zima look good.

Mike

Attleboro

A: Take a bow, Mikey. Still the king.

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Mike,

I believe that you should keep the mailbag ``straight’’ and get rid of the sexual innuendos -- they just don't belong there. I expect that there are a lot of young people reading your

writings and you shouldn't be influencing them in that direction.

Respectfully,

Irv Arons

A: I'll see what I can do

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Felger,

Only you would describe Ed Hochuli as the ref with the nice muscles. I don’t think it’s a coincidence you do your TV show in the Dicks (Sporting Goods) Hall Of Fame.

Paul Fitzgerald

A: Hey now. Sorry, Irv.

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Michael,

My theory is that too many professional writers, especially in sports and politics, get distracted by the trash talk coming through their readers’ email. Then when they try to do legit reporting -- the job they’ve been paid to do -- they lose their game and end up responding to the trash talk instead. I think Borges’ career is a prime example of this. After a while his reporting ended up being nothing more than anger directed at his emailers. Do you think if all reporters had a mailbag like yours to deal with their emailers, it would improve the overall quality of journalism in this country?

Dan Riley

A: I like the theory, Dan. That’s what this is, sort of a cleansing. Like giant enema. Hope you all had a good one. Talk to you next Thursday.

Mike Felger can be seen nightly on Comcast Sportsnet. Reach him at mfelger@weei.com.