Author Archives: @ALykins32

First Ever BSE Podcast (@alykins32)

Boston Sports Extra has a Podcast!

Get all your Boston sports news. That’s right, get your Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots, Bruins, and Revolutions news and information, now in podcast form.

On this Episode Anthony, Zack, and Justin get in deep about where the Red Sox stand at the break and where they can and should move forward from here. And a bonus! Get into the latest Celtics news and what it means for all the pieces that Danny Ainge and Brad Stevens has available. Get it right here for all your unbiased news of your favorite teams.

Download the Episode Here!

Eye of the Tiger: Part 2 of Patriots Training Camp

Leave a reply

This is Part 2 of the 10 Patriots with the most to prove heading into training camp. To read the first five Patriots visit Part 1.

Who’s got the eye of the tiger?

The thrill of the fight…

Heading into the 2018 training camp for the New England Patriots, there are 90 hungry young men vying for 53 roster spots. Who wants it most? Which player will fight off challengers for a roster spot? Training camp is the place to find answers to these questions. The quest for a sixth championship begins with the start of the regular season. There is lots of work to be done in that time.

For your pre-training camp look at which Patriots have the most to prove, we have dived deep into the roster and dissected position depth, contract details, and likelihood of making the roster. Of course, we will apply the highly scientific Shakeup Factor to let you know the potential impact if these players do not make the team.

Elandon Roberts, LB

Roberts has performed admirably for a sixth round pick. He has started for the bulk of two years with the Patriots and won a Super Bowl while playing in another. However, his limited coverage abilities have been exposed and the Patriots may be looking for younger, better replacements.

Shakeup Factor: 4.8

He has definitely fallen short of being the “best linebacker in the Draft.” But Roberts has made a very positive impact and replacing his snaps will have to come from Hightower or some of the unproven players on the team.

Mike Gillislee, RB

When the Patriots signed the restricted free agent from Buffalo, many thought that he would turn into the next big thing at running back. It didn’t quite work out that way. In fact, he was not even active for a good portion of the later part of the season. With just under 2.2 million in cap space, it seems unlikely that the team will allow the Gillislee experiment to continue.

Shakeup Factor: 5.2

The SF number takes into account the likelihood that Jeremy Hill will get cut as well. It seems logical that the two big backs are battling for one roster spot. If Sony Michel, Rex Burkhead, and James White are ready to shoulder the load, then it could be that the Patriots don’t keep another RB at all. This logic is surprising, but not unthinkable.

Phillip Dorsett, WR

Trading away a young, cost-controlled quarterback that had already shown he can win games as a rookie would normally result in shockwaves. The Patriots trading Jacoby Brissett for a lackluster Phillip Dorsett was only the second highest QB trade they completed last season. After a year of limited impact, Dorsett has a good foundation and could make more noise this year in the crowded group of receivers. But it will be a dogfight for the speedster to make the team.

Shakeup Factor: 5.5

Trading away a quality QB prospect for a single season of poor production from a wide receiver would be considered a bad deal by any team out there. Dorsett getting cut before the year starts would go down as one of the poorer evaluations from Bill Belichick.

Dwayne Allen, TE

Despite his lack of quantifiable production in 2017, Dwayne Allen made a big impact that didn’t necessarily show up on the stats sheet. As the second tight end on the depth chart, his blocking abilities were surely underestimated. Will that be enough for the Pats to keep him, especially with a 13.4 million cap hit and no dead money over the next two seasons? It doesn’t seem likely.

Shakeup Factor: 7.3

Allen has competition at the tight end spot. The Patriots signed Troy Niklas and Will Tye as veterans and reports on Jacob Hollister have been just short of glowing. Allen will have to turn in his playbook if someone steps up and shows they can block as well as be productive in the passing game. That 5 million cap space could probably be used more resourcefully than for a blocking pylon.

Joe Thuney, OG

The story of Joe Thuney is a compelling one; he was a third round offensive line prospect that won the starting job as a rookie and has started every game since. The current chapter may be coming to an end.

Thuney has struggled at times. Alongside the smaller David Andrews at center, struggles between the two can contribute to breakdowns on the offensive line. Still, there are a lot of questions to be answered. Does Trent Brown win the starting left tackle job? If Isaiah Wynn plays guard this season, do the Patriots value Thuney as a backup?

Shakeup Factor: 8.2

The Patriots have always been relatively unconventional with their offensive line. O-line savant Dante Scarnecchia has surely gained the right to make the risky roster decisions. If Thuney is the best option, he will play. If they can get good value for him, he will get a second chance somewhere else. Regardless, the offensive line should be better for the 2018 season and help the Patriots back to the Super Bowl.

Training camp will shake the tree and the nuts will tell the story. Stay tuned.

All photos courtesy of Getty images unless noted otherwise.

Be sure to check out other great articles for all your favorite Boston sports teams on Bostonsportsextra.com

Follow me on Twitter @ALykins32
https://mobile.twitter.com/alykins32

Ten Patriots That Need to Have the Eye of the Tiger: Part 1

Leave a reply

Who’s got the eye of the tiger?

The thrill of the fight…

Heading into the 2018 training camp for the New England Patriots, there are 90 hungry men vying for 53 roster spots. Who wants it? Who has what it takes? Training camp is the place for answers to these questions. The Patriots’ quest for a sixth championship begins with the start of the regular season.

In the first part of this series we take a pre-training camp look at which Patriots have the most to prove. We’ll take go deep into each position’s depth, contract details, and likelihood of making the roster. We’ll apply my scientific Shakeup Factor to let you know how critical it is for them to make the roster.

10. Jeremy Hill, RB

The veteran running back signed with New England late in free agency. If he wants to make the team, he will have to show that fire that he possessed in 2014. As a rookie he rushed for over 1100 yards. However, Hill is recovering from an ankle injury that ended his 2017 season and has very little money guaranteed.

Shakeup Factor: 1.5

This is all gravy! If he returns to form and produces well. There is no downside here if he doesn’t make the team.

9. Jordan Richards, DB

This was one of Belichick’s more head-scratching picks. When he selected the Stanford Cardinal in the second round, nearly everyone else had the player as a day three pick. Richards’ ups and downs have been numerous. And the moments have been trending towards more downs.

Shakeup Factor: 1.8

It would be disappointing to see another premium draft pick not pan out. However, the CB/DB position is one of the deepest on the team. He does face some stiff competition. Will he rise to the challenge?

8. Ryan Allen, P

We are witnessing the very rare and mysterious left-footed punter competition. Allen needs to fend off the young Corey Bojorquez in order to secure his place on the team. Can Allen take his game to the next level and solidify his spot? Don’t forget he took the job from the Zoltan in an epic puntoff.

Shakeup Factor: 2.5

This is punting we talkin’ about. While Allen has been solid, reliable, and accurate he hasn’t established himself as a top guy. And let’s not forget that there was a grand total of one punt in the Super Bowl, and it wasn’t from the Pats’ guy.

7. Eric Lee, DE

Sometimes the Patriots treat the rest of the AFC East like it’s their minor league farm system. It seemed like a minor move when they grabbed the practice squad player from the Bills in November. And after his first two games with the Patriots, it looked like armed robbery had taken place. Over two sacks and an interception will make you sit up and notice. His production tailed off down the stretch and suffered some miscues. Lee needs to make these corrections and claw his way up the depth chart in order to make the squad next season.

Shakeup Factor: 3.4

Starting to get into temblor territory here. Pass rush is at a premium and he displayed some ability in that area. The defensive front is always in flux with the Patriots and the best guys will play more. Lee aims to be that guy.

6. Cyrus Jones, CB / PR

Fumbles will kill your career on the Patriots faster than Super Bowl confetti falls. Faster than Tom Brady’s anger when you run the wrong route. Faster than… You get the picture. In ten games during his rookie season he dropped five and recovered two. Ask Stevan Ridley for directions to BB’s doghouse. Still, when he wasn’t coughing up the ball to opponents, he showed a flash on returns and looked pretty good on defense. Then he suffered a knee injury in the 2017 preseason. Classic make or break season for the young guy.

Shakeup Factor: 3.9

The potential is there. He just needs to put it all together and stay healthy. There is lots of competition in the DB room that will make it difficult. Needs a standout camp and preseason and for good reasons.

Look for Part II coming soon…

All photos courtesy of Getty images unless noted otherwise.

Be sure to check out other great articles for all your favorite Boston sports teams on Bostonsportsextra.com

Follow me on Twitter @ALykins32

Trent Brown: Who Is This Guy?

Leave a reply

The Belichick strikes again!

The chicken littles came out when in force when Nate Solder left the Patriots in free agency. “How could they let him go”, and “No one on the team can replace him.” Sprinkle in a couple “You gotta protect Tom Brady!”

His Plan

So what does he do? Does he overpay for some of the other departing free agents in a panic? Does he sign marginal free agents in hopes that they stick? No, he waits. And he waits. Then when the moment and the situation is right, he strikes! Selecting Isaiah Wynn to join the team and recently resigned LaAdrian Waddle. Ok, the littles got a little quieter. “But, he’s a rookie” and “He should play guard,” joined the chorus.

Then Friday morning of the draft, news broke that the Patriots traded with the San Francisco 49ers to acquire right tackle Trent Brown. The internet was abuzz with the new look of the Patriots offensive line and what the position coach, Dante Scarnecchia, was going to be working with in training camp. So, who is Trent Brown? Is he going to protect the blind side? Why was he traded? Will we be hearing his name in February as a starter in the Super Bowl or a surprise cut in August?

The Man

Trent Brown was one of those nondescript draft picks, number 244 in the seventh round. If there were any remarks about the developmental prospect, it centered around how large he was for a player. 355 pounds of a tackle is both a blessing and a curse. While the weight will help to anchor and provide blocking power it can also lead to sloppy technique and lack of conditioning. His college career also was that of a young man still learning. He played at junior college Georgia Military College before enrolling at Florida. Brown would start at both tackle and guard before entering the draft in 2015

His Path

Proving that everyone’s football journey is different, Trent Brown actually started the last two games of his rookie season. He followed that up by starting all sixteen games in his sophomore season. This is an accomplishment for any player, let alone a seventh-round pick.

His Game

Are the Patriots getting a raw prospect that uses his bulk to overpower smaller opponents? If anything, the opposite. While his run blocking could use some refinement and improvement, his pass blocking is near elite. PFF graded his injury-shortened 2017 at 86.0, good enough for third on the year. Only Joe Thomas and Jason Peter graded out higher. Good company.

His Future

And consider this widely circulated quote from Von Miller. “He’s the best right tackle in the National Football League. And he may even be a top-five tackle, period, in the National Football League. There’s not another tackle who’s that tall, that big and can move the way he moves.” I’ll take it.

So how did the Patriots manage to score such a prize? For merely moving back two rounds they have a mountain of a man that could become an elite left tackle for the best quarterback in the NFL. The dreaded regime change. Kyle Shanahan took over the 49ers before the 2017 season. There were some rumors about toughness and ability to play through injury that will have to be monitored. The biggest factor to me is that Shanahan likes to move his tackles and guards around. Pull them for blocking assignments and get them to the second level. And while Brown is very athletic and agile for his size it still is difficult for a man his size to do the things Shanahan asks of his linemen.

Don’t think the Patriots acquired damaged goods or a disgruntled player. Think that they are getting a superb pass blocker that is an ascending player. If he wins the left tackle or right tackle job or some other combination of personnel, he will make his presence known.

Reliving Randy Moss’ Patriots Career

Leave a reply

It’s been years since Bill Belichick has been able to call a team and give a low ball offer and get a ready-made star in return. Now, when an executive takes a call from the Patriots and get “I’ll take this guy off your hands for a mere….”, they should immediately hang up and spend the rest of the day figuring out what the hell they are doing wrong. And the trade that was the beginning of the end was the fleecing if the Oakland Raiders in the acquisition of Randy Moss for a fourth-round pick.

But what if the trade was never made? Would the fortunes of both franchise have been forever altered? Could the Oakland Raiders have built championship teams on the legs of one of the best receivers in NFL History? Would the Patriots dynasty have ended with the defensive juggernauts of Tom Brady’s younger years?

Oakland’s Fortunes

Could a motivated Randy Moss have been the key to turning around the storied franchise for the 2007-2010 seasons? No. Not a chance. This team had so many problems, culminating in the power struggle following Al Davis’ death. New head coach Lane Kiffin considered Moss a poor locker room presence and wanted him gone. They took the fourth-round pick and selected John Bowie. Couple that with #1 overall bust of the century JaMarcus Russell, and the world would continue until just recently.

New England’s Fortunes

18-1!

This was the amazingly record-breaking season, resulting in an MVP for Brady, with records for TD passes thrown and TD passes caught. While the fans did not get to celebrate another championship, it provided lasting memories.

The following seasons saw diminishing returns as Moss played out his contract. He ultimately forced himself out of town by mid season in 2010. Age and motivation seemed to slow down the speedy receiver. Meanwhile the team as a whole was entering what was arguably the toughest stretch of Brady’s career.

The Verdict

Brady has displayed a tendency to focus on favorite targets. At times this can be to the detriment of the offense and the team. With a decline in Moss’ motivation or ability, Tom Brady suffered a decline in numbers for the ‘09 and ‘10 season. Following Moss’ exit from Foxboro, the Patriots reset the offense with the two-tight-end offense in the 2011 season and created a Brady resurgence.

We’ll always have the almost-undefeated season. Randy Moss’ contribution to an amazing year is not in question. However, by the end of his third season, his old ways were starting to cause problems with management. On the field his production was dropping precipitously. The 20 games after the ’07 season only resulted in an average of below 67 yards per game. Even with a season of Matt Cassel as the quarterback, that still isn’t #1 wide-receiver worthy. This was a great chapter in the history of the NFL and a storied franchise. But, ultimately it did not vastly affect either franchises’ fortunes in the long-term.

Lesson Plan for Sony Michel

Leave a reply

The Patriots shocked everyone when they selected UG bulldog Sony Michel running back in the first round. But you don’t let your lead running back leave in free agency without a backup plan. Nearly 900 yards on the ground, and another 200 in the air.

Dion Lewis was an atypical lead back. His cutting style and small frame powering through the line of scrimmage. What’s more is that he played the part well. In the 2017 season he looked like a lead back. This production was bittersweet when he signed a free agent contract with the Tennessee Titans. Replacing the yards from his snaps would not be easy. The team did resign Rex Burkhead and looked for free agent options. Eventually deciding on Jeremy Hill as a low risk, veteran gamble.

The Lesson

One only has to look at the Dallas Cowboys as a recent lesson. They did not properly plan for a succession at that position. DeMarco Murray’s production was not immediately replaced when he left in free agency. The Cowboys scrambled with a group that produced a thousand yard rusher in Darren McFadden and little else. In response to this, the Cowboys scrambled and drafted Ezekiel Elliott the next year. This ensured that the position was set. The Patriots have made one thing clear. It’s that they won’t allow that sequence of poor performance to sink a chance at a championship.

Michel carrying the ball for the Bulldogs

The Method

The selection of a running back in the first round is in defiance of current mode for thinking for NFL draft strategy. A common line of thought is to get multiple talented individuals and rotate them. The Patriots have themselves been a primary proponent of this philosophy. This year, however, they swam against the current of this method. With pick 31 they got Michel, an offensive weapon that could rival some of the best in the NFL.

The Application

How best can the Patriots utilize Michel talents? Ideally, he could come in and replace every one of Dion Lewis’s snaps and provide a home run threat at running back. The teams haven’t had a threat in the backfield like that since the early promise of Laurence Maroney, or even as far back as prime Corey Dillon years.

Michel’s skill set is ideally suited for today’s NFL running game. His pass-catching skills and route running are very developed for a soon to be rookie. He is falling forward or getting those extra yards after contact. Michel’s biggest need for improvement will be in pass blocking. In film study he made read errors such as staying in when he should’ve been running a route for a hot read or getting caught up in traffic and not able to make a clean block. When he was able to square up and put everything into it, I saw a blocker that looks like they will be able to learn and grow as an NFL blocker.

The Application Part II

His running style reminds me the most of a more upright Devonta Freeman. His offense at Georgia utilized a lot of the cutback and outlet passes. He commits decisively and does not waste too much time dancing in the backfield. When he sees daylight his second and third gear are activated very quickly. Michel is at his best when he’s trying to let a hole develop he is very patient and almost looks Le’veon Bell-esque. Allows the blocks to open up and keeps his feet moving and eyes up until he sees what he wants and then goes.

Conclusions

At the very worst, the Patriots have drafted for themselves a contributor that will learn from the veterans on the roster. Michel will hone the weaker parts of his game and be ready to steal all the snaps in future seasons. At best they may have drafted a complete running back in today’s NFL that can have his name read with the games great. An exciting future for sure.

Contract Dispute with Gronk

Leave a reply

The Problem

Is there a contract dispute brewing on the fields of Foxboro? After the eruptions following mini camp from Reddit “journalists” and other media members who should know better, the alarms have calmed down to their natural levels of halfway to panic. Reports out of Patriot Place say that while the team and their star tight end, Rob Gronkowski, work towards a contract extension, nothing is imminent. This is not surprising. The Patriots move very slowly with these high-visibility negotiations. Couple that with Gronk’s extensive injury history and multiple years left on his deal and you have the perfect recipe for contentious rumors floating around. It reminds me of the Wilfork years when there were constant starts and stops for a franchise icon looking to maximize his earnings and stay with a team that he loves.

Market Forces

The market is forcing this constant “will he or won’t he” dialogue. Gronk is grossly underpaid given his on-field production. In 2012 he signed a six-year, $54M dollar deal, the richest at that time for a tight end. Since then, free agency has yielded several contracts that have equaled or his surpassed number 87’s. Contracts for players that don’t equal his offensive statistics, and don’t bring his exceptional blocking ability to the table. Still, the team took a chance on a young prospect with back troubles. They have not been too tough on him despite the numerous missed games and seasons as well as the antics off the field from the well-known reveler.

The Resolution

This deal will likely produce many more rumors and reports of displeasure from one side or the other. The alternative would be for the team to trade away a once-in-a-generation player and one of the most feared weapons in the game. R-E-L-A-X and breathe. This is how the Patriots conduct business. Business that has so far yielded returns of five Superbowl rings.

Jacob Hollister’s Opportunity

Leave a reply

“That’s where a lot of players, I’d say almost all players make a big jump—whether that is reflective in their status on the field, that’s another question. But just from a development as a football player, that second year is a big year. It’s a great opportunity for them to take that first-year knowledge that they don’t have as a rookie and be able to apply it in their job now.”

Bill Belichick.

The head coach of the New England Patriots often stresses the importance of making sure that a player is constantly progressing in his skill set and evolving his talents. A player’s biggest jump will be from year one to year two, BB is credited with saying. Many reasons factor into this. Familiarity in the system, a normal player off-season, NFL quality nutrition and strength training, among others.

Opportunity

On the Patriots there is one individual poised to make the most of his opportunity. He is part of a future trivia question: what team had not one, but two sets of twins on its roster and what season? The answer is the New England Patriots and the 2018 offseason. Time will tell if all four of them make the team. But Devin McCourty is a lock, and his brother Jason is not too far behind him. The other twins are a little more obscure. Cody Hollister is a wide receiver who spent his rookie year on the practice squad. His roster spot is always tenuous. The competition for the wide receivers will be fierce during training camp. His brother has a much clearer path.

Making the Most of It

Jacob Hollister already beat out one NFLer for a roster spot his rookie season. Late in camp last year, Jacob won the third tight end spot after the team cut James O’Shaughnessy. Hollister saw action sparingly as Gronk stayed healthy and Dwayne Allen contributed as a good blocker all season long. Tallying only 4 catches for 42 yards, his rookie season was still a valuable learning experience. He is showing up in offseason activities ready to compete.

The Skill Set

The Patriots have him listed at 239 pounds and 6’4″. The reviews from around the latest mini camp are that he has added some really good weight. He worked with Kevin Boss in Oregon to increase his skills as an in-line blocker. The increased familiarity of the system will aid him in his quest for a covered NFL roster spot. He seemed to take advantage of Gronk’s decision to sit out voluntary activities and put himself at the head of the pack heading into training camp.

“I think it’s just becoming reliable and earn the trust of your teammates,” Hollister said. “Obviously, you’ve got to earn the trust of your quarterback and earn the trust of everyone on the team, really.”

And he’s obviously been reading the Patriots manual on talking to the media as well.

The Mission

Carving a role for Hollister is key to making the roster for his sophomore season. Backing up Gronk and being a viable option for three TE sets will go a long way in keeping the offense balanced and the formations complex. The key to this is his blocking ability. If he proves that he can hold his own against the professionals on defense, he’s a lock for the third tight end spot at least. And should Gronk or Allen miss extended time at all, we could hearing his name a lot more this season.

Tom Brady’s Successor 2018 Version

Leave a reply

Has there been any team with a more unprecedented run of success at the quarterback position? With the exception of a torn ACL that wiped out Tom Brady’s 2008 season, the fans have seen star level play from the signal callers for nearly two decades. Is there another NFL city that can boast that? And who will be the Brady successor that New England fans look to for the next decades of passing excellence?

Indy?

Indianapolis? Peyton Manning provided MVP level play from 1998-2010 he accrued numerous awards and accolades, went to the Super Bowl twice and came away victorious once. In the end he lost the entire 2012 season due to a neck injury hit the free agent market. Denver would benefit for a few more mostly up seasons before he retired in 2015. Still, just 12 seasons for the fans of Indiana.

Big Easy?

How about New Orleans? With a free agent signing in 2006 of the short, shoulder-injured passer out of the storied football school of Purdue, the Saints got the best value in the NFL. But again just 12 seasons, one Super Bowl appearance and win and prolific passing statistics do not make a legend.

The Winner is…

To put it into perspective the New England Patriots have seen seven Super Bowl appearances and five rings. This is such a run that has no equal in the history of the NFL. Sadly, like all good things, there is an end in sight. Despite all the pliability that a 40 year old can muster, Brady will reach a day that he chooses a less physical line of work. A 300 pound lineman laying on top of you can get a bit old quick. So we must look to finding a replacement for that day. Welcome to the 2018 version of this pursuit.

Draft History

Since the 2000 draft with the 199th pick the Patriots have selected eight quarterback prospects from the college ranks. Some like Matt Cassel and Ryan Mallet have last several years as the backup to TB12 before moving on to other opportunities in their careers. Some were seventh round picks or undrafted gems like Brian Hoyer. The top 100 picks in the NFL draft is the preferred hunting grounds for Bill Belichick’s QB search. Lately as the market has been shifting and unexpected events like the Deflategate suspension have happened they have been picking higher and more frequently than normal. This year will be no exception. This year we can safely say, that regardless of free agency the Patriots will select a quarterback in the draft.

What’s Coming

In the coming weeks we will profile likely Patriots QBs that could be selected in the 2018 draft in March. We will look at playing styles, testing results, background information and why we think they have traits that will make them a new Patriot. The writers at BostonSportsExtra.com look forward to the debates and speculations that these will likely entail. We eagerly await all of the new Patriots that will try to help the 2018 team get that sixth ring for Brady. And just maybe get to be the next guy for when Brady hangs them up and rides off into the sunset.

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days

Leave a reply

For all the fans excited about @spot_bills running series on all 51 Super Bowls, here is the full list of all the articles published so far. Relive your favorite Big Games or discover new ones. Be sure to comment and chat with our authors and fans.

https://bostonsportsextra.com/nfl/2017/12/51-super-bowls-51-days-super-bowl

https://bostonsportsextra.com/nfl/2017/12/51-super-bowls-51-days-super-bowl-ii

https://bostonsportsextra.com/nfl/2017/12/51-super-bowls-51-days-super-bowl-iii

https://bostonsportsextra.com/nfl/2017/12/51-super-bowls-51-days-super-bowl-iv

https://bostonsportsextra.com/nfl/2017/12/51-super-bowls-51-days-super-bowl-v

https://bostonsportsextra.com/nfl/2017/12/51-super-bowls-51-days-super-bowl-vi

https://bostonsportsextra.com/nfl/2017/12/51-super-bowls-51-days-super-bowl-vii

https://bostonsportsextra.com/nfl/2017/12/51-super-bowls-51-days-super-bowl-viii

https://bostonsportsextra.com/nfl/2017/12/51-super-bowls-51-days-super-bowl-ix

https://bostonsportsextra.com/nfl/2017/12/51-super-bowls-51-days-super-bowl-x

https://bostonsportsextra.com/nfl/2017/12/51-super-bowls-51-days-super-bowl-xi

https://bostonsportsextra.com/nfl/2017/12/51-super-bowls-51-days-super-bowl-xii

https://bostonsportsextra.com/nfl/2017/12/51-super-bowls-51-days-super-bowl-xiii

https://bostonsportsextra.com/nfl/2017/12/51-super-bowls-51-days-super-bowl-xiv