Schefter on D&C: Pats' flaws will resurface

ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter made his weekly appearance on the Dennis & Callahan show Friday morning and talked about the Patriots' incredible success of late.

"You can't watch them and not be impressed," he said, noting: "They've scored in their last five games 196 points, which is 32 more than the Panthers have scored in 13 games this season."

However, Schefter cautioned not to get carried away. "The team looks incredible, but the one thing that I would say … is that these things go in cycles," he said. "And just because in Weeks 12 and 13 you look dominant does not ensure postseason success. I was talking to a head coach yesterday and we were talking about the Patriots and their dominance. And he goes, 'They're not as good as people are making them out to be.' I go, 'No?' And he goes, 'Every team has flaws, and they show up at different times.' The Patriots' flaws have not shown up the last few weeks. They have not turned over the football in five weeks, which is an NFL record. At some point, the secondary is going to get beat, Brady's going to get intercepted, there's going to be a fumble from a running back. These things have not happened to them lately, and they will happen."

Added Schefter: "All I'm saying is, because they've been so dominant the last two weeks, they're not that good. Not that good. Not dominant."

Schefter predicted the Bears would knock off the Patriots last Sunday in Chicago. After the Patriots rolled to a 36-7 victory, Schefter said he's learned his lesson. "I may not pick against the Patriots from here through the Super Bowl," he said. "So, there's going to be one week — maybe, maybe — when I'm wrong. Otherwise, I'll be right every single week with this team."

Logan Mankins has been a boost to the Patriots offensive line since returning from his holdout midseason. Looking at what might happen in the offseason, Schefter said: "My guess is Mankins is back in New England. I think that the two sides sit down and get something worked out, because they love him as a player. And I think that these hard feelings fade over time. They're not forgotten, but they fade a little bit to the point where you can justify the deal if someone's going to pay you, 'OK, I feel a lot better about things.' "

As for the league's other high-profile 2010 holdout, Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson, Schefter said: "Vincent Jackson, I don't see that getting done because [Chargers general manager] A.J. Smith is a unique personality, and I don't think he's going to pay him. They've got a lot of players that they have to pay. I think Vincent Jackson moves on."

Looking at the Jets' sideline controversy, Schefter said the NFL is set to send a memo to the teams reinforcing the league's policy, but the Jets might escape without further penalty. "Everybody suspects that it goes beyond Sal Alosi," Schefter said. "It's a difficult thing to prove. If they can prove it, then the cover up proves worse than the crime."

Schefter also talked about his friendship with musician Nils Lofgren and how Lofgren — an animal rights supporter and sports fan — is unhappy with the positive press for Eagles quarterback Michael Vick. "He is so worked up over this," Schefter said. "He called me last night, and he's just on a rant."

Explained Schefter: "Nils is incensed about Michael Vick and his success. His point is that you cannot glorify Michael Vick the way that the media has been doing without mentioning that he brutalized dogs. … He thinks it should be a more regular part of the discourse on Michael Vick."

To hear the interview, go to the Dennis & Callahan audio on demand page. For more Patriots news, visit the team page at weei.com/patriots.