Mrs. B’s Patriot World Podcast

Who would have thought that we would be meeting up with the Jets at home for a second time this season? Certainly not the huge contingent of Jet Fan/Friends making the trip up for the Wildcard Game and the final tailgate of of the 2006 season. Bren had contacted me early in the week to let me know to expect a crew! The Jets Insider crowd came out in full force and shared in the fun.

Who would have also thought that Mrs. B would be wearing flip-flops at a tailgate in January and that temps would be in the 60s? The final tilt at the Razor rounded out a season where heat and walls were not required…. certainly the overall warmest weather of my tailgate career.

Prep started on Saturday with shopping and cooking so come Sunday morning, Al and I picked up Erdo Ed who rode up for the game on his bike and just happened to be staying with a friend in our town. We arrived at the stadium ready to call the crew waiting at Dunkin Donuts the minute they opened the gates. Then we were instructed to move out of our spot on Rt. 1 as we were partially blocking the entrance to another lot, but miraculously, when when we left to do the infamous U-turn, the outer gate to P2 opened and we were waved right in and jumped right to the front of the line! People didn’t waste time grabbing spots and the lots filled to capacity in record time this week… thankfully, we had room for our 6 adjacent tents and Pats and Jets fans alike.

As usual, food was aplenty and beverages were flowing freely. Chili was on the stove and followed various breakfast offerings by folks in each tent. Karen and Don, Robin and Bob, and Robin and Geoff among others had breakfast burritos and early morning foods to share. Zip’s crew included Charts, Chris, Jeremy and Jen offering the usual Bruschi Brats and special skewered New York Sirloin kabobs. Of course, Monty’s grill was ablaze with various meats for the carnivores in the crowd. Al’s swordfish was a hit and burgers always go over big as well. Bren brought along Mac n Cheese and Limolady provided NY wine and Italian cookies. Regulars Darren, with delicious clam chowder, Laureen and Larry, with usual box of Joe, and Chris and Kelly, with jet shaped chocolate chip cookies, (and their assorted guests) all took part in the fun, had food to share and shared alike.

Hunter and Chrissie, Garbanza, Dave, Mike, listniks Bill, Ed Bryant, Kim and Miguel (with Nancy), Planeteers Ras and JoePhoto, all took part in the fun and Dan Pires even stopped by as I was painting Ed, assisting in his Kabuki transformation. Jello shot toasts were shared by all, and chants of J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets! followed by Suck, Suck, Suck! were heard throughout the lot. Good natured ribbing took place and bets were laid down between Zip and Sooth with the winner having to pay homage to the other’s team during the post game tailgate.

As game time drew near, final beverages were consumed, the tents were lowered and secured and we headed in, ready to win the rubber match between divisional opponents and the only one that mattered. With the sun shining and a slight breeze blowing up in our section, we were quite comfortable and did our part as the 12th man to secure a victory. Pats won 37-16 in an exciting game that was close until the end. We headed down to the banner for the final handshake of the season, but Tedy was called over for an interview and upon finishing blew by with quick hand slaps on his way into the locker room. Saw Johnnie “Noiseman” on the way out and stopped to chat for a minute and take a quick pic.

Post-game, the celebrations ensued, multiple champagne toasts went round and the lots were alive with the excitement that only a playoff game can provide. Folks even had fireworks blowing close by! We all ate once again, talked football, watched the late game on TV and hung out until it was time to head home. As promised, Sooth toasted our team and paid homage and instructed… Bring it home for the AFC East! I agree!!! Go Pats!

Click here for complete album!

Convinced by Bama to join him in Tennessee for the final game of the 2006 season, Al and I added an addition trek to our plans. Of course, the fact that I didn’t have to take any time out of school sealed the deal for me! In an effort to save a night’s hotel stay, but still have as much time there as possible, we booked a 6:15AM flight out of Providence and arrived in Nashville on Saturday morning. What we didn’t plan on was a party the night before and getting only 2 hours sleep! However, it worked out fine and we hit the breakfast buffet while waiting for our room to be ready for check-in.

Once we settled in, I camped out with my laptop and books in the lobby while Al took a nap. Bama and Judy came down then the boys went out to smoke while I waited for Erdoboy to check in. Things were pretty quiet in lobby until it got close to the time for the team to arrive then it began swarming with family members and (unfortunately) lots of eBay sharks… (I’m actually surprised that hotel management allowed them to camp out in the lobby with their duffle bags and follow players to the elevators as in most hotels it’s prohibited.)

Bama talked quite a bit to Laurence Maroney’s mom, Terri and her crew. I took an elevator ride with Ed “pipes” Hochuli during the afternoon, said hello to Jarvis when I saw him a bit later but just missed Tedy when I ran outside for a minute to talk to Al. Basically, I hang in the background on my computer and say hello to the guys that I know but don’t pursue anyone. If they notice me, I say hello but other than that I keep pretty much to myself and my group.

During dinner, Bama was thrilled to have his Alabama boy Wesley Britt call him over to his table to introduce him to his folks. Other players dined with family as well. After eating, I spoke a bit to Pats photographer David Silverman and Patriots Video News man Brian Lowe as usual, and hung loose reading, blogging and surfing for most of the night. Unfortunately, the ebay crowd took over most of the primo seats in the lobby, so Ed and I moved over to some couches off to the side.. and got blasted with cold air as people headed in and out to smoke. It was worth it though, as the seating was comfortable and the wifi was steady

The next morning dawned with a grey sky but it wasn’t raining until we arrived at the stadium parking area. Luckily, we packed our ponchos from home and because the weather was 65 degrees at kickoff we were quite comfortable. Bama secured two sets of primo lower bowl seats and once again, Tennessee fans were cordial and psyched to support their team. In fact, the most obnoxious person in our section was a Pats fan… There was a steady rain until half time at which time the sun came out and shone brightly for the rest of the day. We stood for the entire game, sitting only during TV time-outs if we so chose.

Patriots were victorious, beating the Titans 40-23 and dashing their hopes of sneaking into the playoffs via the Wild Card. Tempers were flaring during the game, players were riding high on adrenaline and there were tons of flags thrown for unsportsmanlike conduct and roughing. The game was actually closer than what the score indicated and at one point the Titans came within 3 points and it was a bit hairy. By the fourth quarter with the game in hand, Cassel came in to relieve Brady then BB presented Vinny Testeverde with a veteran “gift” much like Flutie’s drop kick to end last season. Vinny threw a touchdown pass to Troy Brown, beating his own record and throwing TDs in 20 consecutive seasons.

After the game, we returned to hotel and decided on a quiet New Years Eve dinner in the hotel restaurant. Besides the fact that reservations were nearly impossible to get, avoiding the possibility of running into drunk people on the road, staying safe in the hotel sounded great to this quad of party animals! So, while Ed and I fired up the computers, recapped the game, talked about a variety of subjects including our favorite books and authors, the cigar aficionados smoked their victory cigars outside and watched the southern ladies heading out for New Years Eve dates. With all of us having early departure times scheduled, everyone was upstairs in their rooms by 2007! We watched the highlights, packed up our stuff and prepared for a 4:00 wake up.

On departure day, we took the early shuttle to airport and were dismayed to find out that our flight was delayed and we could have stayed in bed longer had we known. Once it finally took off, our connecting flight in Detroit was also delayed and rather than getting home around 1:00 we didn’t reach our house until after 5:00. Unpacking ensued and I prepared to head back to work, ending my Christmas vacation on a high note and getting psyched up for a home playoff game in less than a week!

Check out the Complete Titans Trek Album for more pics…