Welcome To New England, Mr. Holt

Just a little story to pass along...

Since last summer, I have been employed at the restaurant at the Renaissance Hotel at Patriot Place, which is situated in Gillette Stadium's parking lot. I worked as a barback on gamedays last season, which was fine because the restaurant was dead during the games and we got to watch. The most memorable football-related moment of the season was when the whole ESPN booth came down to the bar after the thrilling opening night win against Buffalo. I got to dish about Syracuse football with fellow-alum Mike Tirico (he was real high on Greg Paulus, surprisingly enough) and Ron Jaworski kept calling me 'kiddo' every time he wanted another Mich Ultra. Jon Gruden was harassed by some drunk guys at the bar and Stu Scott had three blond girls around him at all times, who were all taller than him. It was a rather memorable night.

There have been some player sightings, namely Mike Wright, Brian Hoyer, and Brandon McGowen (Alex Smith was in a couple times before he was cut). Kevin Faulk was supposed to have a party with some of his friends and family but cancelled at the last minute (I was not allowed to keep the large banner congratulating him on making the 50th Anniversary team.)

But nothing tops last night, nothing comes close.

Nowadays, I'm the room service runner. And lo-and-behold, someone ordered a turkey club sandwich in one of the suites. I get to the room, give my customary three knocks and announce my presence with a booming "Room Service." The door opens, and standing in front of me is a shirtless Torry Holt. About my height, but the guy is a beast. He had his summer camp binder on the table, but unfortunately it was closed, so I didn't pick up any insider information. I'm pretty sure he didn't think I knew who he was, (ha!) but after standing in his room waiting for him to sign the slip and watching a couple minutes of the Suns game on his TV, I welcomed him to New England and wished him luck on the upcoming season.

Then it happened. Something that seldom happens, at least to me. Torry Holt said, "Thank you, sir." Guy's got a ring, he's now looking for one with the right colors, and he calls me 'sir'? I was smiling the rest of the night.



I have decided to take him in my fantasy draft, case closed (9th-10th Round you'd think, right?). And here's why:
Last year he had 51 catches for just over 700 yards on a Jacksonville team that was ranked in the bottom half of passing offenses (19th). He only caught about half the balls that David Garrard threw his way (103 targets) and none were for touchdowns. All these stats were CAREER LOWS for him. With Golden Boy Tom Brady throwing him the rock (and especially if we keep running the high school spread, even though I hate hate hate it), he will be rejuvenated next year. Hopefully Edelman will develop more consistency, but I look to Holt to fill in the void Wes Welker's knee has left. Torry has been lauded for his football IQ and leadership, and this will be a relief given the ineptitude of 'The Joey Galloway Experiment' in these departments last year.

I know that most things smell like roses at this point in the NFL calendar, but I truly believe that the Holt signing will pay major dividends as the Patriots attempt to right the ship after the embarrassment suffered to end last season. Wideout was considered a need in the draft, and I like what I've heard of this Taylor Price kid out of Ohio, but don't sleep on Torry, he'll make his fair share of noise.