02:17 PM EST on Friday, January 14, 2005

Frank the Moderator: Hey this is Frank and I'll be your moderator today.

Frank the Moderator: Please feel free to submit questions early. Tom will begin answering them as soon as he logs in later today at 1 p.m..

VenomSquared: Hi Tom, What is the general sense at the Stadium? Is everyone else as fired up about this game as the fans?
Tom Curran: Afternoon and happy Friday...V to the second power, what's going on...the locker room has had an interesting vibe during the media periods this week (11:10 to 11:55) with so many media people hustling around in crowds of 15 to 20, the players have generally either A) hidden or B) acted like buffoons while we're in there...silly string incidents, purple dye in the shoes of -- i think -- matt light...not that there's anything wrong with that... It's not hard to tell that Belichick also is pretty amped up...you can just tell...very upbeat though...comparatively (really)

rrsafety: Two part question: why was there media talk that Ty Law might play the Monday Night Game when it is now clear he wasn't ready? What have you personally witnessed regarding Richard Seymour's injury status?
Tom Curran: Part 1 RR: Because Law went from A) out to doubtful, B) He made the trip to Miami and C) he worked out a little before the game...it may be clear now he wasn't ready, was it clear then? Was it clear to the Patriots if they upped his condition and took him on the trip? Part 2 RR: I haven't seen Richard Seymour in the locker room so as far as bearing witness, I'm empty.

RichC: Any late-breaking news/rumors on Seymour? And do you think they'll risk using Bethel Johnson to return punts? The punt return team could really use a spark, but then Johnson could be a fair bet to cough one up.
Tom Curran: I don't think Seymour's playing. Players I spoke to are not talking in hypotheticals about him "If he doesn't play..." they are talking like he's out...It will depend on the elements and field position, Rich...You have a return on and Indy's punting from its 10 or 15 and there's no swirling wind, it might be worth an effort...But I agree, there are a lot of decisions for punt returners to make while the ball's in the air. Johnson may not be the guy to make them.

dewey24: Is David Givens healthy for this game? He had the signature play of last year's game and I would hope he'd be a big factor again this year.
Tom Curran: He looked healthy to me. His numbers have -- as we all know -- dropped late in the season for a variety of reasons...He had 4 for 80 in the first game. Branch and Graham must be making Indy sweat, I wouldn't be at all surprised if he goes off a little (Givens I mean)

Angry Ron: Tom, Tony Dungy had a documented history in Tampa Bay of not getting his team over the hump and yet the lunatic fringe of the media covering the Patriots insists the coaching matchup is equal. Keeping in mind that John Gruden won a super bowl with the same players Dungy had, isn't there a time in any sports editor's life where he decides that parody is best left to publications like the Onion and Brushback?
Tom Curran: Ummmmm....Well, I read today that, since he's only been in Indy three seasons, he hasn't had time to make the defense better. So the reason they're 28th overall or whatever is simply because, ya know...time crunch

Jeff In NH: We all know the Patriots players live for a chance to play the "no respect card". Will the 90% of the national media that is picking the Colts to win give them the fire they need on Sunday?
Tom Curran: They are extremely motivated by the pregame swirl...now what impact does that have? I think that extends to helping them in their preparation by causing them to bear down even further. I think it helps the level of intensity on the field in terms of delivering hits when they are there...I think it helps players win one-on-one battles where there's hand-to-hand fighting (the lines)...It doesn't extend all game but it does have an impact early and the Colts have not yet shown that their psyche isn't fragile in Foxboro.

Feejis Lulu: Tom, can you explain why nobody outside New England is talking about the Patriots offense? Sure Manning will move the ball and score. But won't Brady and company as well or am I missing something?
Tom Curran: Hey Feej....Because too many people responsible for distributing "stories" have a "give the people what they want" approach that assumes everyone wants to hear what they already know...Manning's tough to stop...Really tough...Wondering, though, which offense has a greater edge over the defense it's facing? I think the Pats do.

Pio S.: Hi Tom-Do you think the signing of Antwan Harris is indicative that Eugen Wilson will play almost exclusively at corner in the base defense this weekend?
Tom Curran: Mr. Sagapolutele, how are you....Hard to say why Pudding is back in the fold...Consider this, after watching Harris play safety for one game against the Bills, the Pats moved Wilson to safety full time. Now probably isn't the time to put Harris in. I think he's just extra ammo...

Angry Ron: Tom, any word on whether the Colts signed Tee Martin this week...just in case?
Tom Curran: I like that...very good...Who's he with, Pittsburgh? Brady mentioned him a few weeks ago as one of the guys who was selected before him.

LJ Sandwich: Hi Tom, I'm really tired of all this grass talk. I'm also tired of whiny Tony Dungy. I guess I really just want the game to begin as the incessant analysis by ill equipped buffoons is driving me half insane. That said (Thanks Steve Buckley), give me your "keys to the game."
Tom Curran: Look, I'm gonna tell ya something right now...(Thanks Paul Maguire) 1) They have to get Manning to move...Have to...Law got picks because he's good but he got them because he threw un-Manninglike passes because he got squirrely... 2) Don't get killed by that stretch play...They are well-suited for defending it with quick D-linemen so they should be able to do so... 3) Warren, Wilson and Pat Pass are my key guys...

jbdclay: Will the Pats show a defense that has no linemen?
Tom Curran: No.

Mendoza: I'd just like to say something to any fans out there going to the game! BE LOUD! Keep up the good work Tom!
Tom Curran : Doza, Thanks I'm listening to EEI. Peter King just said of the officials, "I hope they realize, the eyes of a nation are upon them." Beeee-ko. Biko. Biko-o-o, Beee-Ko.

Dungy 5-6: How do the Pats plan to use the recently signed Poteat & Harris? Only on special teams? Will they even be active? With only 4 guys on the injury list, the Pats will have some healthy scratches for the first time in a while.
Tom Curran: You're right...They are really just trying to keep their options open...With scrub Eric Alexander out of the mix, they released him and added in the spot they were thin. Same with Law and Poteat. I would guess one or both may sit.

VenomSquared: Thanks for giving us the locker room perspective, what are your thoughts on the allegations that Patriots are intentionally doctoring the field to their advantage? I believe the whole notion is absurd because both teams are going to play on the same field.
Tom Curran: We used to have a 3-on-3 tournament every spring in Somerville...tremendous event...anyway, goaltending was legal...the logic was, "If you can get up that high, God bless ya." Same deal for the Pats...if they can do it and get away with it, God bless em. (Nobody goaltended, either)

LJ Sandwich: Hey Mendoza...."HEEEEAH WE GO PAAAAATRIUTS, HEEEEEAH WE GO!!!! That loud enough for ya!!!!

Snapper: Tom, is "Fieldgate" a legit story? It's being played by some as cheating by the Pats, but then the NFL has come back saying they kept the field uncovered because of the new paint. So now you've got Stokley saying all teams should use the same field turf. Much ado about nothing?
Tom Curran: I think it's noteworthy...A notebook lead if you ask me, not a back page (or front page) story....I called Bill Polian yesterday (ok, I was trying to stir it up) and asked what his reaction was to the Pats letting the field get wet and wicked yucky...He said, "I have no reaction. Same for both teams." The Colts reaction makes it a non-issue, I think...

Dungy 5-6: Tom - Has there been any noticeable change in Corey Dillon this week, leading up to his first ever playoff game?
Tom Curran: He's been very silly...I'm serious...Monday, he apparently got into some kind of weekend wrestling match with TBC and the two argued happily about who threw who...I'm still serious...then he was jogging around the room, almost skipping..the week off did him some good...otherwise, he's hidden out...

NAOP: Tom, we all know it's verboten for the local media to actually root for the Patriots, but why is it OK to root against the home team?
Tom Curran: NAOP, Makes you look hard-bitten...

Angry Ron: Tom, is Ty Law not here for any particular reason this week. I would normally assume that even an injured player would want to be on the bench for his teammates
Tom Curran: Yeah...Surgery. I think I'd come back up if it was me, but I also think I'd throw up on my feet if I was him and had to watch Earthwind Moreland from the sidelines with the game on the line trying to do my job...I don't blame him for not being here, but it's worth noting, you're right

dewey24: Have there been any national columnists is the locker room that haven't made a fool of themselves in the throes of Manning lust this week?
Tom Curran: Haven't seen many national guys, Dwight....honestly

SoSHer: Tom: I heard Kevin Faulke is a no go. Torn ligaments. True?
Tom Curran: He said the other day, the injury he has to his knee is "Same thing, opposite side" to the one he had in August. That took like 41 days to come back from. He'd be playing after 26 days this Sunday....That's all I know

Feejis Lulu: Hey TC, Peyton can't play defense. Aren't people ignoring this side of the game?
Tom Curran: Yeah...it's hard to handle the Pats receivers...especially with all the injuries (all their linebackers, both corners and a safety)

WarPat: Tom, How do you think Colvin has progressed to this point? Is he anywhere close to being where Belichick had hoped he'd be going into the playoffs?
Tom Curran: Hi War....I think Colvin is not the player he was...By a lot. ...I also think he's better than the player anyone (including me) expected after his injury...As far as expectations, they just never do that...they don't expect anything, they monitor daily....

ronhatesbeli: DO you think the coaching matchups are equal like other journalists have proposed?
Tom Curran: I haven't seen the Colts play well enough against the Pats in the past few meetings to say that. Not in Indy last year when they kicked off to the AFC's most explosive return man on the last play of the half, giving up 7 in an eventual 38-34 loss...Not at the end of that game when they couldn't take advantage (at home) of some horrendous punting by New England and score on four cracks inside the 5...Not last January when their QB didn't seem prepared to deal with a pass rush and their long-snapper was so keyed up he snapped the ball over his punter's heads and his receivers couldn't stay focused because the Pats hit them hard (when they knew that was goign to happen).

Dr. Football: Who needs to step it up the most? How many big plays do you think the Pats need to make? I'm leaning towards 4, but I could be swayed. Let's play Brown Ball, y'all!
Tom Curran: Ty Warren (who's already been up-stepping all year)...Pat Pass is important...As for big plays...in order to win, they have to make one more than the Colts...To put a number on it, I've never done that...Very complicated...I mean, is a big punt from your own end zone a big play? I'd say so....

Pio S.: If they "hold" the Colts to 28 points, do they win the game?
Tom Curran: Yes, Pio

Pio S.: Not to hammer on Earthwide, but what's worse, his coverage, or his tackling? I feel like his tackling has really hurt them just as much.
Tom Curran: His presence...

PTSTDS: Tom...do u think turnovers are a real key to the game?? seems simple..BUT if the Pats keep that to 0..they will not lose...
Tom Curran: Lemme see what their record is with 0 turnovers...hold on..ok, 32-2 since 2001 when winning TO margin...you are onto something

Jeff In NH: We all have our opinions on who will win the Pats/Colts game - but there are 3 other games this weekend. Do you expect any upsets, and if so, whom?
Tom Curran: I like the Vikes....and I gotta go fellas....Thank you so much for making this chat a good time...it really flew...enjoy the game... Take care, Tom

Frank the Moderator: Thanks to everyone for joining in. We got a great response and Tom got to a bunch of your questions. Enjoy the great weekend of football.