Sign-up and post on Iberkshires today.It's Free!
Already a member? Log In
45°  H- 81%
The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.           
Saturday November 21, 2009
 Make us your homepage!
 

What's Playing


The Drury Drama Team presents "Dracula" on Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 19-21.

If you don't know who these guys are, just stay home.


'Pirate Radio': Good Movie Ahoy, Mateys
Movie schedules and times

Bazaars

Nov. 21

St. Stanislaus School benefit, 9 to 4 in Kolbe Hall, Adams. Bake sale, snack bar, games, Chinese auctions, money raffle, crafts, and pierogi.

Blackinton Union Church, 1373 Massachusetts Ave., North Adams; 10 to 2. Crafts table, bake sale, Chinese auction, the Christmas table, and kid's grab bag. Lunch $4, $2 kids.

First Congregational Church, North Adams, 9-2.

Nov. 28

Becket Federated Church
, Route 8, holiday bazaar from 9-3. Lunch, crafts, baked goods, holiday and other items. Information: Mary Peltier, Parish House, 413-623-5217.


Dec. 5

Holiday Fair at First Congregational Church, 25 Park Place, Lee, from 10 to 3; handcrafted items, raffles, children's shop, bake sale, cut Christmas trees and lunch from 11 to 1. Includes angel-themed goods from SERRV. Information, 413-243-1033 or www.ucc-lee.org.


Dec. 12-13

North Adams Country Club, crafts 9-4; food from That's a Wrap from 11-2. Information: Sheryl Morehouse at 413-822-3329.

Planning a bazaar this season? Submit information to info@iberkshires.com to have it listed here.

Sales Fliers

 
 

Daily Digest

Hooray for Vermont's Sanders and his battle against credit card companies.
How Much is Heating Oil this Week?
It's breaking $2.50 but still cheaper than gas.
Clarksburg Crime Watch Signs



We're trying out blogs to offer shorter, easy-to-find news. Let us know what you think.
Send press releases and announcements to info@iberkshires.com. Need to contact someone at iBerkshires? Here's how.
Mammography Dispute
The government's issued controversial new guidelines stating that women shouldn't get annual mammograms until age 50, rather than age 40.

iBerkshires will be meeting with local medical experts Monday. Have a question you'd like answered on this issue? Send it info@iberkshires.com with "mammogram" in the subject line.

Obituaries

Paul Sandler, 64
Robert J. Heideman, 73
Carol V. Vallieres, 75
More obituaries

Sports

Williams College Men's Basketball Season Outlook
2009 MIAA Girls Soccer - State Division 2

Final: Wahconah vs Cardinal Spellman
Date / Time: 11/21/2009; 3:30pm
Location: Foley Stadium, Worcester
MCLA Picked Last in Men's Preseason Coaches Poll

Media Partners

Berkshire News Network (WNAW;WUPE)
WJJW Charlie in the Morning

Election


Trying to remember who won what and why? All the information is right here.

 

 Search: 
 for    
Enter a long URL
to make tiny:


Related Stories

 
Printer Friendly Version
   Recommend this story to a friend

Sports 'N Stuff : NFL Week 2 — Surprise and Disappointment

By Brian Flagg
iBerkshires Columnist
05:16PM / Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Wow! Two weeks are in the books in the NFL and there is a ton of excitement, disappointment and surprise already. I made some picks in my last column and many of those were destroyed after Week 1 (big surprise, huh?).

The biggest newsworthy event already was that of Tom Brady and his Week 1 departure from the rest of the season. He was hit low in the first half during the Pats game against the Chiefs and is now out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury. 

This is probably one of the most season-changing events leaguewide that I have ever witnessed. Not only does this knock the Patriots out of the favorite spot to win the Super Bowl, but it also gives the rest of the AFC East a shot, a real shot, at winning that division. 

Yes, the Patriots are 2-0 but they are not the same dominant team they are with Brady at the helm. At best, the Pats can hope for a wild-card berth in the playoffs. I truly think this division is going to be won now by the Bills by a game over the Pats. Anyone who has watched the first two weeks can see that New England is going to struggle as the season wears on and will miss that veteran, gutsy guy that knows how to win big games.

The San Diego Chargers were another team favored to win it all. They had a heartbreaking loss in Week 1 to the Panthers on a last-second play and were gypped on a fumble against the Broncos during Week 2 that eventually led to the Broncos scoring and beating them by one point. Thus, the Chargers start 0-2 and fall two games behind the Broncos in the AFC West, which could wind up being huge near season's end.

And then there is the team who is the biggest surprise so far. You guessed it - it's those Denver Broncos. They started the season with serious doubts on the defensive side of the ball. They ended last season ranked 30th on defense and didn't make any significant off season moves to shore it up. 

Well, at least so far, that doesn't matter. With a seriously potent offense they lead the NFL in scoring and have a two-game lead in their division. Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Brandon Stokely and Tony Scheffler are showing prowess through the air while the running game still continues be one of the most effective in the NFL. After two weeks, they look like a team that could contend for a division crown.

The defense needs to improve, though, if they want to go further.

With all this and A LOT more happening where does this leave us? Here are some quick points to look at going forward through the season:

The Packers ARE going to be OK without Brett Favre. Aaron Rodgers is better than I thought and they should win that division.

The Jets are still NOT good with Brett Favre.

The Patriots will not win the AFC East or the Super Bowl without Tom Brady but could still contend for a playoff spot.

The best team in football after Week 2 is the Dallas Cowboys.

Finally, there will a new champ in the AFC.

Brian Flagg is the president and co-chairman of the Fall Foliage Charity Bed Race. He was co-host of "The Sports Page" on local public access stations for nearly five years. The North Adams resident has been coaching girls' basketball and softball for 16 years.
Your Comments
Post Comment
Jim, that is the danger with building a team around the success of a single player. That offense was built for Tom Brady. Randy Moss came there to play WITH Tom Brady. I would even go as far as to say to keep an eye on Moss. Typically when things go wrong he is the first guy to lsoe his head.
from: Brianon: 09-23-2008

Boy was I wrong, I take back my previous comment. The Patriots are terrible especially the Defense and Offensive Line.
from: Jimon: 09-21-2008

Brian,
I would have to disagree with you regarding the AFC East. I still think the Pats will win that division even without Tom Brady. In the early going Buffalo does look tough but I do not see them overtaking the Pats not this year. As a matter of fact I wouldn't be surpised to see New England in the AFC Championship game again.
from: Jimon: 09-19-2008



Top Stories...
Beacon Cinema Opens in Pittsfield
PITTSFIELD - "It is the crown jewel of the revitalization of downtown." — Mayor James M. Ruberto
New Moon Mania Hits Berkshire Mall
LANESBOROUGH - "The first 'Twilight' movie did very well so we were expecting good crowds not only...
The Independent Investor: Mutual Fund Fees: Why Should...
NORTH ADAMS - From the institutional investor's point of view; when you buy in bulk, no matter what...
St. Stan's Vigilkeepers Keep Spirit of Parish Going
ADAMS - "We're here indefinitely." — Laurin Zepka
New Moon Rises for North Adams, Pittsfield Theaters
NORTH ADAMS - That's good news for people looking for the first-run blockbusters that fuel the holiday...


iBerkshires.com Text Ads
www.iberkshires.com
sweetwoodliving.com
www.berkshirejobs.com
www.jiminypeak.com
Advertise on iBerkshires.com



Essentials
Berkshire Nightlife
Berkshire Photos
Berkshire Wallpaper
Class Reunion Page
Columnists
Dannyoart.com
Get Lunch Specials
Home & Garden
Movie Times
Obituaries
Randy Trabold
Weddings

Enter your email address below to receive our FREE iBerkshires.com Newsletter

| Home | A & E | Automotive | Business | Community News | Dining | Lodging & Travel |
| Real Estate | Schools | Sports & Outdoors | Berkshires Weather | Berkshires Map |
Advertise | Recommend This Page | Help
Contact Us | Privacy Policy| User Agreement
Execution Time: 767 ms