Author Archives: @Matthew O'Halloran

Patriots vs Bills Game Preview

Bills preview

Tomorrow night, the 5-2 Patriots will go to Buffalo to take on the 2-5 Buffalo Bills. The Bills have had a good defense all season long, ranking 11th in yards allowed, fourth in yards per game, and sixteenth in points per game. The offense for the Bills has struggled to say the least. Rookie Josh Allen was okay when he started for Buffalo, but he has already been ruled out with an arm injury. Nathan Peterman has been awful when given a chance, so the Bills will start journeyman Derek Anderson under center. Last Sunday against the Colts, Anderson was 20/31 for just 175 yards, three interceptions, and a 39.8 quarterback rating. The Bills have relied on LeSean McCoy to carry the offense in recent years, but he has battled injuries and has struggled even when healthy.

McCoy suffered a concussion against the Colts after only getting one rushing yard and is questionable for Monday. Chris Ivory is McCoy’s backup and if McCoy does not play on Monday, Ivory will assume a bulk of the workload as he did on Sunday. Ivory accumulated 106 total yards against the Colts but he is the type of back the Patriots can do well against. McCoy and Ivory is a lesser version of last week when New England faced Tarik Cohen and Jordan Howard. Ivory is most like Jordan Howard of the two because he is a power runner and McCoy is most like Cohen because he is a good pass catcher.

Buffalo does not have any real threats at the receiving position, with Kelvin Benjamin and Zay Jones being the best ones. Charles Clay has not been good this year, but the Patriots are prone to allowing big games to tight ends.

Patriots preview

On the flip side, New England’s offense is just heating up. The Patriots obviously have the advantage at quarterback as they do every game, but especially this one. Also, Josh Gordon and Julian Edelman are getting more and more involved each week. Gordon caught four passes for 100 yards last week and Edelman has already racked up 147 receiving yards. Chris Hogan has gotten more favorable matchups in recent weeks and he has seen improved numbers lately. Cordarrelle Patterson has broken off some big plays in the kick return game but is not featured much on offense.

Rob Gronkowski is questionable to play and Jacob Hollister is out. This means the Patriots will not feature the tight end position at all. Sony Michel returned to practice on Saturday but is still listed as doubtful. James White will take on an increased workload and Kenjon Barner will be more than a garbage time back. The Patriots offense could definitely struggle. They are going up against a decent Bills defense, they are banged up, and they are on the road.

Prediction

I think the Patriots will pull out a 27-14 win over the Bills. The Patriots’ offense will struggle to move the ball. However, Buffalo has zero firepower offensively, especially if McCoy is out.

Why Bill Belichick disciples have been failures

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Bill Belichick is arguably the greatest coach of all time, and he has been since 2000. With all of the Patriots success, it makes sense for other teams to hire his assistants such as Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia. This should definitely work, right? The coaches can use the Patriots system and everything will be perfect, right? Well, no, that’s not how it works. Bill Belichick disciples have been failures, and here is why.

The myth of “The System”

Many people think that the Patriots have been using the same system for seventeen years and it never changes. This is not true because strategies change every year, game, and play. Bill Belichick is very good at game planning for a specific team and attacking that teams flaws. If a team has a bad secondary, then Tom Brady will drop back 50 times that game. If a team struggles against the run, then the backs will be featured heavily. This seems like a very simple concept to understand, but so many coaches are stubborn and do the same thing every week. Other teams can game plan against them so easily because they know exactly what they are going to do.

Belichick is also very good at making in-game adjustments and decisions. If the game plan is not working, he can change it on the spot and figure things out. Also, when the game is on the line he knows how to strategically manage the game. The two most famous examples are the intentional safety and Super Bowl 49. After Marshawn Lynch’s run from the five, Pats fans were yelling at the TV wanting a timeout. Belichick decided to let the clock run down, and we all know what happened next.

Coaching players up and keeping them in line

Bill Belichick is very good at coaching players up and getting the most out of them. He can find the seventh round pick or journeyman and turn him into a serviceable player. Last year, the Patriots got to the super bowl with James Harrison, Kyle Van Noy, Elandon Roberts, and Eric Lee starting. Harrison was a washed-up veteran, Van Noy was traded for a sixth-round pick and has been good since he was traded to New England in 2016. Even though the defense was the reason they lost that game, no other coach in the NFL could come close to the Super Bowl with that roster.

Even though Bill Belichick has taken shots on players with a troubled past, he knows how to keep his players in line. Belichick does not have a great personality, most of the players like him and wants to play for him. One game into the season, it was reported that the veterans on the Lions do not like Matt Patricia. Also, one of the reasons Josh McDaniels was fired from the Broncos is because of off the field issues with players.

Bottom line

The student will never be as smart as the teacher. Bill Belichick is the best coach in football and there may never be a coach as smart as him. It is impossible to copy and paste what Belichick has done over the past seventeen years because he does almost everything perfectly.

Call-ups for the Red Sox in 2019

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The minor league season is over for the Red Sox, so the focus turns to next year for the prospects. There were risers and fallers in the system, but some of them could be on the major league team next year. The most likely call-ups are Michael Chavis, Travis Lakins, Durbin Feltman, and Bobby Dalbec.

Michael Chavis

Coming into the year, Chavis was the best prospect in the organization. An 80 game suspension for PEDs set him back, but Chavis raked when he came back. The 23-year old spent the bulk of the year in Double-A Portland and hit .303 with six home runs in 33 games there. The third baseman was promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket and hit .273 in just eight games there. When Bobby Dalbec and Chavis were on the same team, Chavis moved to first base. Steve Pearce is a free agent and Mitch Moreland is under contract for next year, so the Red Sox will have to make some decisions with that. Also, moving Rafael Devers, who struggled at third, to first base, has been talked about. This would open the door for Chavis to be the opening day third baseman next year.

Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, right, poses with shortstop Michael Chavis from Sprayberry Senior High School in Marietta, Ga., at the 2014 MLB baseball draft Thursday, June 5, 2014, in Secaucus, N.J. Chavis was selected by the Boston Red Sox with the 26th pick in the first round. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

Lakins and Feltman

Travis Lakins got off to a rough start in his Red Sox career, but do not let his 4.42 career ERA fool you. His career was revived when he moved to the bullpen. Lakins was moved to bullpen full time when he was promoted from Portland to Pawtucket and did not disappoint. The righty posted a 1.65 ERA in ten appearances with Pawtucket, picking up two saves.

Durbin Feltman was drafted just a few months ago and has been very impressive already. It only took him four games in which he did not give up a run to be promoted to Greenville. Feltman posted a 2.57 ERA in seven games with Greenville then was promoted to Salem. He was good again in Salem, posting a 2.19 ERA in eleven games. All in all, Feltman had a 1.93 ERA in 22 games this season. The bullpen is obviously the biggest need for the Red Sox, so Feltman and Lakins could be the biggest pieces in the farm system.

Bobby Dalbec

Despite having a decent average, Dalbec makes up for that with walks and home runs. His on-base percentage is .361 which is up about 100 points from his .257 average. Dalbec showed his power this year, hitting 32 home runs in just 129 games with Portland and Salem. Dalbec fits today’s game because nobody really cares about hits and it’s all about getting on base and hitting the long ball. As I mentioned, the Red Sox have a hot corner conundrum. If Devers and Chavis are on the roster, Dalbec may have a tough time getting playing time. He has played third base his entire career so the Red Sox would have to change something to get him playing time.

Photo by Peter Aiken

Bottom Line

Right now, the Red Sox have one of the worst farm systems in the league. However, I still believe that they have great potential and are on the rise. Dombrowski has drafted well since he was hired, and some of the 2018 picks are off to a hot start. They have also gotten unlucky because there top three prospects (Chavis, Groome, Casas) were all suspended or injured at some point this season.

BOSTON SPORTS EXTRA’S NFL AWARD PREDICTIONS

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The NFL season is finally upon us. With this, a few of our writers gave award predictions for the upcoming season.

MVP Award

Scott Frizzell: Kirk Cousins

I’m going with a bit of an upset with Kirk Cousins. Cousins is joining a new team this year, but he’s joining a situation where Case Keenum threw 22 touchdowns versus 7 interceptions last year. The former Redskin is better than Keenum. Cousins has always put up big numbers and now he’s joining a good team with some weapons around him. Cousins has averaged 4392 yards passing and 27 passing touchdowns over the past three seasons with the Redskins. He should have a full year of Dalvin Cook along with Latavius Murray this year in the backfield. Throw in Stefon Diggs and the underrated Adam Thielen to throw to along with their good defense, it could happen.

Mike Buchanan: Drew Brees

Drew Brees is my pick for this year’s MVP award. This award was very hard to choice, as I do not believe they will give it to Brady this year. Brees is the next best choice because he will bring his team to the playoffs while putting up very good stats.

Matthew O’Halloran: Deshaun Watson

Watson set the world on fire when healthy and was an early candidate to win it last season. The Clemson product threw nineteen touchdowns and 1,699 yards in just six games. I think the Texans go from worst to first, basically all because of Watson.

Offensive Player of the Year

Mike Buchanan: David Johnson

My pick for offensive player of the year is running back for the Arizona Cardinals, David Johnson. He got injured in Week 1 last year, but this year I believe he will break the 1,000-yards rushing, and the 1,000-yard receiving mark.

Scott Frizzell: Ezekiel Elliot

Ezekiel Elliott is going to be fed. The Cowboys no longer have mainstays, Dez Bryant or Jason Witten. Zeke is the unquestioned workhorse of the team and has the added benefit of running behind one of the best offensive lines in football. The Cowboys have a lot of question marks at receiver, meaning they will need Elliott to move the football. Even if teams stack the box, Elliott will get his yards behind that line. I suspect he will lead the league in rushing. With questionable receivers, he will probably also set a career high in receptions this season.

Matthew O’Halloran: Antonio Brown

With Le’veon Bell’s status up in the air, Brown’s targets should go up. Brown has racked up over 100 receptions and 1,400 yards each year since 2013. He is the best wide receiver in the league and will be rewarded with an offensive player of the year award.

David Johnson shoves cornerback David Amerson to the ground. August 12, 2017, in Glendale, Arizona.

Defensive Player of the Year

Scott Frizzell: Kahil Mack

Khalil Mack has a new home in Chicago, and I think he will enjoy his best season since 2015. Wanting to get paid, Mack was at a standstill with the Raiders before being shipped to the Bears, who gave him what he wanted. He joins a defense on the rise with a good defensive front. I think Mack will come out with something to prove and as the defense plays well, they will all feed off each other as a unit. Vic Fangio returns for his fourth season as their defensive coordinator and the team’s sack totals have risen each year under him so far.

Mike Buchanan: Myles Garrett

Myles Garrett has shown in his short time in the NFL how dominant he is. This year in preseason he has shown why he went number 1 last year, and I believe that he will be 20+ sack candidate this year.

Matthew O’Halloran: Aaron Donald

Aaron Donald has been one of the best tackles in the league for years and one of the best overall players. Donald has picked up 148 tackles and 39 sacks in his four-year career. He finally got paid and will be paired with Ndamukong Suh in the middle.

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Scott Frizzell: Saquon Barkley

It is hard to go with anyone but Saquon Barkley here. Barkley is one of the best running back prospects in recent memory. Barkley has both size and speed and scored 18 rushing touchdowns each of the past two seasons at Penn State. He joins an offense that hasn’t had a runner for the past few years and has thrown the ball a ton. Barkley gives them a new dimension to their offense and I expect him to lead all non-quarterback rookies in both yards and touchdowns.

Mike Buchanan: Sam Darnold

It was already announced that Sam Darnold will start Week 1 for the New York Jets. Darnold has looked so poised in the preseason which was the reason to why he beat out Teddy Bridgewater for the job.

Matthew O’Halloran: Saquon Barkley

The rookie quarterbacks are not guaranteed to start all games this year, so I have to go with Saquon Barkley. The second overall pick from Penn State will fill a void that’s been for years. New York has struggled to get a running game going, and Barkley will fill that hole. He can run in between the tackles, catch passes, and take kickoffs to the house.

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Scott Frizzell: Tremaine Edmunds

Tremaine Edmunds will be on the field a lot for the Bills his rookie season. The Bills don’t have much of an offense and have an unpolished rookie quarterback throwing to a suspect receiving corps. The offense will get even worse if LeSean McCoy gets suspended. This should provide Edmunds with many opportunities to make plays and a lot of tackles. Preston Brown tied for the league lead with 144 tackles as the Bills middle linebacker last season. Edmunds has a lot more talent than Brown; he’s a gifted athlete who went 16th overall and learned from a former Pro Bowl tight end in Ferrell Edmunds, his father.

Mike Buchanan: Roquan Smith

The popular choice for this pick seems to be Derwin James, but I believe it will be Roquan Smith. Smith will be the center of the Bear’s defense and will be a big reason that they make the playoffs.

Matthew O’Halloran: Rashaan Evans

I am going with a bit of a sleeper here because Evans was not drafted until the 22nd pick. However, Evans comes from the best system in college football and will need to shine. The former Alabama product was a tackling machine when he was there. He will need to be a force in the middle for the Titans because linebacker was a big hole for them last year.

Coach of the Year

Scott Frizzell: Mike Zimmer

I’ll give Mike Zimmer the nod. I think the Vikings will be the top team from the NFC and he hasn’t won the award before.

Mike Buchman: Hue Jackson

Hue Jackson has had a pretty rocky start as a head coach for the Browns. His first two seasons for the team include him going 1-31. However, I believe that the Cleveland Browns will make the playoffs, and if they do I do not see how they couldn’t give him this award.

Matthew O’Halloran: Pat Shurmur

I am giving Shurmur the nod here to take the Giants from worst to first. He has a much better system than Mcadoo, and that was shown when he made Case Keenum a good quarterback last year. Also, Shurmur brings a breath of fresh air to New York. The Giants clubhouse was a disaster last year, and Shurmur should get everyone back on track.

BOSTON SPORTS EXTRA’S NFL DIVISION PREDICTIONS

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The NFL season is finally upon us. With this, a few of our writers gave division predictions for the upcoming season.

AFC East Division

Scott Frizzell: New England Patriots

The Patriots will win double the amount of games as anyone else in this division. The Bills made the playoffs last year, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they wind up with the top pick in next year’s draft.

Mike Buchanan: New England Patriots

The most obvious prediction this year is that the Patriots will bring home another AFC East title. They get back key players on defense. Dont’a Hightower will be back, along with Clayborn and Shelton. New England will prove to be far superior than the younger teams in the division.

Kyle Porch: New England Patriots

Tom Brady and company have had many great seasons of crushing this division, so what makes anyone think they will slow down now? While being slim at the wide receiver position might sting, this team will still manage to cook up something special for the viewers.

Matthew O’Halloran: New England Patriots

It’s been New England’s division for the last 18 years, and that will not change this year. Tom Brady is still playing at an elite level. The wide receiving corps is weak, but the versatile running backs and Rob Gronkowski will be enough. The Bills made the playoffs last year but massively downgraded at quarterback.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, leads his team from the tunnel before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

AFC North Division

Scott Frizzell: Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers will once again win this division, but won’t be as good as they were last year when they went 13-3. The Bengals seemingly wish to stay mediocre forever since they refuse to fire Marvin Lewis. The Browns are trending up but are not ready to compete. The Ravens are okay, but I just don’t see them passing the Steelers.

Mike Buchanan: Cleveland Browns

Even though the Browns are 1-31 in their past two years, I still think they will win the division. Their defense is one of the best in the league led by Myles Garrett, and the addition of Jarvis Landry and Tyrod Taylor will bolster the offense. Pittsburgh has been at the forefront of this division for years, but Big Ben seems to be on the decline, and there are a lot of questions surrounding Le’Veon Bell.

Kyle Porch: Pittsburgh Steelers

While I do believe that the Browns are slowly coming up the ranks, the Steelers have it all. Antonio Brown is still the best wide receiver in the league, and Bell is still on the team as well. It will be an interesting season for them.

Matthew O’Halloran: Pittsburgh Steelers

Assuming Le’Veon Bell shows up, the Killer B’s will do more than enough to win the division. Cam Heyward and TJ Watt are stars in the front seven, and first-round pick Terrell Edmunds will bolster the secondary. The Ravens have an underrated defense, but not enough firepower on offense to make a run. The Browns improved over the offseason, but they are not quite there yet.

AFC South Division

Scott Frizzell: Tennessee Titans

This division should be close all the way to the end. I have the Titans and Jaguars finishing neck and neck, and the Texans may not be far behind if Deshaun Watson comes back off of his injury and plays the way he did last year. I expect the Titans to improve offensively with Mike Mularkey no longer around. In my opinion he was holding them back. Look for Mariota take the next step towards Pro Bowl status this season. The team also comes equipped with a thunder and lightning duo in the backfield in Dion Lewis and Derrick Henry.

Mike Buchanan: Houston Texans

Houston seemed poised for a playoff run last year after their great game against the Patriots in Week 3. Deshaun Watson and JJ Watt are returning from injuries, and the defense also added the honey badger, Tyrann Mathieu. Also, I think Jacksonville is a one-and-done team this year. Their defense is still good enough, but not good enough to propel that awful offensive-line and a bad QB in Blake Bortles.

Kyle Porch: Houston Texans

With Deshaun Watson set to return this season, he makes this offense so much scarier. He loved throwing to Will Fuller and Deandre Hopkins. The defense is also stacked with Clowney and Watt respectfully. Look for them to make some serious noise this season.

Matthew O’Halloran: Houston Texans

The Texans were the best team in the AFC South until Deshaun Watson got injured. Deandre Hopkins is a top five wide receiver in the league and Lamar Miller/D’Onta Foreman is a solid running back core. Whitney Mercilus, JJ Watt, and Jadeveon Clowney form a devastating front seven when all are healthy. The Titans barely squeaked into the playoffs last year, and Marcus Mariota needs a bounce-back year if Tennessee contends. Andrew Luck is back in Indy, but that roster is overall not good enough.

AFC West Division

Scott Frizzell: Kansas City Chiefs

I think this division has declined and the division winner might not get more than nine wins. The Chiefs have the first-year starter Patrick Mahomes at quarterback. I do like Mahomes a lot, but he still has things to learn and there will probably be some growing pains. Tyreek Hill will have a big year with Mahomes at the helm, however. I actually have the Broncos second, a game back.

Mike Buchanan: Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City has one of the most electric offenses this upcoming season. They will be able to stretch the ball down the field to Tyreek Hill more with Patrick Mahomes at QB. Sammy Watkins is also in the mix too after signing a massive deal this offseason.

Kyle Porch: Kansas City Chiefs

With explosive guys such as Hill and Watkins, this offense could be rolling hot this year. Plus Alex Smith is gone, so you can’t really get any worse.

Matthew O’Halloran: Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers have had a great roster forever, but the injury plague always does them in. Philip Rivers, Melvin Gordon, and Keenan Allen are all elite and top ten in their respective positions. The defense struggled last year, so Los Angeles spent their first four picks on defense. Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa is a pass rushing nightmare for opponents. The Broncos have gone downhill since Super Bowl 50, but they finally have a competent quarterback in Case Keenum.

AFC Wild Cards

Scott Frizzell: Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens

I have the Jaguars as the best of the leftovers, but the second Wild Card I can see is one of several I have finishing with the same record.

Mike Buchanan: Steelers and Chargers

Even with all the questions surrounding Pittsburgh, they are still a playoff team. At some point this year Le’Veon Bell will return, and make that offense one of the best in the league. The Chargers are dealing with a lot of injuries, which is why I do not believe they will win the division. However, they still have one of the best pass-rushes in the NFL and were able to get a steal in this year’s draft by selecting Derwin James.

Kyle Porch: Bills at Chargers

Buffalo could very well surprise anyone this season. Why not throw in a team like this? As well as a matchup with Rivers, and that my friend will be a fun game to watch.

Matthew O’Halloran: Chiefs and Jaguars

The Chiefs have virtually the same roster as last year, except for the quarterback. I do not see them winning the division because I have no idea how Patrick Mahomes will play. Week 1 will only be his second career start, but he has a very strong arm and the talent is evident. The Jaguars got worse on offense because Allen Robinson and Hurns left in free agency. Leonard Fournette and the defense will have to drag Jacksonville to a playoff spot, and I think they can do that.

NFC East Division

Scott Frizzell: Philadelphia Eagles

I believe the Eagles will regress from last season but still have enough to win the division. The other three teams in the division seem to be middle of the road teams to me, finishing between six and eight wins.

Mike Buchanan: Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles seemed to have only gotten better a year removed from their Super Bowl win. They added Haloti Ngata and Michael Bennett to an already great d-line, and get they get Wentz back from injury. They have not looked good at all in the preseason, but they are still one of the best teams in the NFL, and will win the division.

Kyle Porch: Philadelphia Eagles

I can’t see another team winning this division right now. Plus the addition of Michael Bennett, and you have yourself a great team… For now.

Matthew O’Halloran- New York Giants

Saquon Barkley, health, and a new head coach are the three reasons why the Giants will win the division. Barkley was the second overall pick in the draft and fills a void that has been on the Giants for years. Odell Beckham is a top three receiver in the league, and the Giants offense is much better when he is healthy. Not only does Pat Shurmur have a better offensive system than McAdoo, he is a refresher in the clubhouse. The defense has tons of talent, they just need someone to fix the chemistry. Philly is very talented, but it is very hard to repeat in the NFL and the NFC as a whole is very tough.

NFC North Division

Scott Frizzell: Minnesota Vikings

This appears to be a strong division, and I have the Vikings as the best team in the NFC. I am picking Kirk Cousins as my MVP, they have a good backfield duo if healthy and a couple good receivers. Pair that with a strong defense and this team looks good. I actually think every team in this division finishes .500 or better though. The Bears are improving and just need Mitchell Trubisky to prove capable.

Mike Buchanan: Minnesota Vikings

In my opinion, this team is the best team in the entire NFL from a talent standpoint. They added a very good QB in Kirk Cousins, get Dalvin Cook back from injury, and return most of their defense from a year ago.

Kyle Porch: Minnesota Vikings

Kirk Cousins will put this team in a better position than Bradford did last year. The offense is explosive and hungry, and the defense is something to fear as well.

Matthew O’Halloran- Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings won the division last year and upgraded at quarterback. Dalvin Cook is back, and they have a great 1-2 punch at wide receiver in Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen. Anthony Barr is one of the best linebackers in the league, and Eric Kendricks is one of the more underrated ones. Danielle Hunter and Linval Joseph clog up the middle and Xavier Rhodes and Harrison Smith makes up one of the best secondaries in the league. The Bears got loads better with Khalil Mack and could be contenders if Mitch Trubisky makes a second-year jump.

NFC South Division

Scott Frizzell: New Orleans Saints

This looks like another strong division, as I can easily see the top three teams all winning 10+ games. The Buccaneers will pull up the rear. The Saints defense was much improved last season and they had the best backfield in football last year. Ingram is suspended the first four games, but he really didn’t do anything until their fifth game last year anyway.

Mike Buchanan: Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons are loaded on both sides of the ball this year. They had a bit of a slump last year after their Super Bowl run, but now look to be even better than they did in 2016. Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian will get more time to work with Matt Ryan, and help him return to his MVP form, and they still have one of the best receivers in the game with Julio Jones.

Kyle Porch: New Orleans Saints

Atlanta proved that their postseason run was a fluke. The Saints have a great team.

Matthew O’Halloran- New Orleans Saints

Drew Brees is an elite quarterback, and he has the weapons. Alvin Kamara is a great pass catcher while Mark Ingram is good in between the tackles. Michael Thomas is an elite reciever and Ted Ginn had a bounce back year. The defense had a bounce-back year last season and it will only get better with star players such as Cameron Jordan and Marshon Lattimore. The Panthers have a mediocre defense, the wide receiving core is bad, and Christian McCaffrey will have to make a big leap.

NFC West Division

Scott Frizzell: Los Angeles Rams

I definitely think the Rams offense is in for regression this year. They came out of nowhere to have a really good offense last year as Sean McVay proved himself as a good offensive mind. I just don’t see it all carrying over; they won’t be terrible again but I don’t see a repeat. With that said, this division is weak. I have the 49ers coming in second just a game back at 8-8. The Seahawks will be carried by Russell Wilson, as the team around him is garbage. If Wilson went down Week 1, the Seahawks might contend for worst team in football.

Mike Buchanan: Los Angeles Rams

The Rams have a lot of talent coming in this year. They were the third seed in the NFC last year under the first-year coach, Sean McVay, and have brought in top-tier players like Marcus Peters, Ndamokung Suh, and Aqib Talib. Todd Gurley will look to cement himself as the best running back in the league, and Jared Goff will continue to grow as a QB under McVay.

Kyle Porch: Rams

This team is very special in the way they blew up last season. Todd Gurley and company will be a fun lovable team to lookout for in the coming years. As long as they stay humble.

Matthew O’Halloran- Los Angeles Rams

The Rams won the division last year and got better over the offseason. They acquired Brandin Cooks, Marcus Peters, and Aqib Talib. Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods fill out a great receiving core, and Todd Gurley is an elite running back. Aaron Donald is one of the best defensive players in the league. Jimmy Garoppolo is a franchise quarterback, but there is not enough around him yet for the 49ers to make a playoff push. Russell Wilson is also a franchise quarterback, but Seattle has gotten worse every year since Super Bowl 49.

NFC Wildcards

Scott Frizzell: Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons

The Packers should be right there for a playoff spot as long as Rodgers is healthy. I think the Falcons offense will bounce back going into a second season with Steve Sarkisian at offensive coordinator. The Falcons struggled some their first season under Kyle Shanahan as well, only to terrorize the league in year two. The Panthers should be right in the thick of this race as well with the Lions and possibly even the Bears contending.

Mike Buchanan: Bears and Saints

The New Orleans Saints are one of the best teams in the NFL. Atlanta is the only reason they are in the wild card and not division winners. The Saints have a three-headed monster on offense with Brees-Kamara-Thomas, and their defense is one of the fastest in the league. Chicago is an uncommon pick, but they had the best offseason this year bringing in Allen Robinson, Trey Burton, and Taylor Gabriel to help their second-year QB. Also, their defense will be one of the best in the NFL led by newly acquired, Khalil Mack.

Kyle Porch: Bears and Packers

the good old rivalry game for the last playoff spot makes for a great storyline. This will be happening this season.

Matthew O’Halloran- Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons

If the Packers have Aaron Rodgers, they will be okay. The roster is nothing special overall but a healthy Rodgers will get Green Bay to the postseason. The Falcons’ offense struggled mightily under Steve Sarkisian’s style. Julio Jones said the offense looks bad in the red zone which is bad for my fantasy team and the Falcons. However, Atlanta has too much talent to not make the playoffs.

Super Bowl

Scott Frizzell: Patriots 27, Vikings 20

Can the Patriots really make it again? They have already been to two straight and three of the last four so I’m really not sure about picking them. But, then I look at the AFC and think, who is going to beat them? I just don’t see anyone else as being good enough.

I think the Vikings are the best team in the NFC so I’ll pick them to make it. The game itself should be a good one, as Patriots Super Bowls always are.

Mike Buchanan: Vikings over Patriots

As dominant as the Pats have been, I do not see them winning the Super Bowl this year. Minnesota seems too talented on both sides of the ball which will lead to a close defensive win for the Vikings.

Kyle Porch: Patriots 31, Rams 28

Get ready for an all out offensive super bowl! These two teams will be on full display and ready to go to war .

Matthew O’Halloran- Rams 34, Texans 25

Deshaun Watson will try to keep up, but the Rams offense will ultimately prevail. Jared Goff and the Rams will expose the lackluster secondary the Texans have.

Down on the Farm 8/25-8/31

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*Down on the farm is a series in which every weekend, I will be updating you on weekly results from the Pawtucket Red Sox (AAA). Also, the Portland Sea Dogs (AA), Salem Red Sox (High A) and Lowell Spinners (class a short season). After every team is recapped, individual stats are posted. Also, I will have a prospect of the week section at the end.

Down on the Farm – Pawtucket Red Sox

The Sox started off the week with an 8-5 win. Chavis and Ockimey went deep while Justin Haley got the win by allowing four runs in six innings. Pawtucket won on Sunday by a score of 8-3. Josh Ockimey hit a home run for the second straight night and Chandler Shepherd allowed no runs over six innings. They won by a score of 4-2 on Monday. Rusney Castillo knocked in a run and William Cuevas allowed two runs over seven innings.

The Sox lost by a score of 9-3 on Wednesday. Mike Miller drove in two runs but Marcus Walden gave up four runs in 1.1 innings. Pawtucket won by a score of 5-3 on Wednesday. The lineup tallied eleven hits and Mike Shawaryn allowed two runs over six innings. On Thursday, they lost by a score of 5-4. The offense left 19 runners on base and Rodriguez Jr gave up the game-winning run in the top of the ninth. Pawtucket closed out the week on Friday with a 3-1 loss. The offense was stagnant and Chandler Shepherd allowed two runs over six innings.

Down on the Farm – Portland Sea Dogs

Portland started off the week with a 4-3 win. Quiroz drove in three runs and Dedgar Jimenez allowed one earned run over six innings. The Sea Dogs won on Sunday by a score of 10-2. Bobby Dalbec knocked in three runs and Daniel McGrath gave up two runs over 5.2 innings. They won by a score of 12-6 on Monday. Jantzen Witte knocked in four runs and Trey Ball got the win in three innings of relief.

On Tuesday, Portland lost by a score of 8-4. Quiroz, De La Guerra, and Matheny went deep but Teddy Stankiewicz allowed five runs in as many innings. The Sea Dogs won by a score of 10-9 on Wednesday. De La Guerra went yard for the second straight day and Matt Kent got the win over five innings. On Thursday, they won by a score of 4-2. The offense was quiet and Cooney allowed two runs over three innings. Portland closed out the week with a 4-1 win on Saturday. Lopez drove in two runs and Jiminez allowed no runs over six innings.

Down on the Farm – Salem Red Sox

Salem started off the week with an 8-2 loss. The offense was stymied and Kevin McAvoy allowed three runs in five innings. The Sox lost again on Sunday by a score of 8-3. CJ Chatham drove in a run but Jake Thompson allowed eight runs over 3.2 innings. On Tuesday they won by a score of 6-5. CJ Chatham recorded four hits and Algenis Martinez got the win in three innings of relief. Salem lost by a score of 9-8 on Tuesday. Osinski hit a home run but Rusconi and Glorius allowed one run in relief to pick up the loss. The Red Sox won by a score of 10-3 on Wednesday. The offense only picked up two hits and McAvoy allowed ten runs over four innings. They closed out the week with an 8-0 loss on Friday. The offense was frustrated and Thompson allowed seven runs over 4.2 innings.

Down on the Farm – Lowell Spinners

The Spinners started off the week with a 4-3 loss in ten innings. Granberg picked up three hits and knocked in a run and Kevin Biondic gave up the go-ahead sacrifice fly in the tenth. On Sunday, Lowell lost by a score of 11-3. Trey Ganns drove in two runs but Thad Ward gave up six runs and record only two outs. On Monday, they lost by a score of 6-1. Williams drove in the lone run and Jose Gonzalez gave up three runs over five innings.

On Tuesday, they won by a score of 7-0. Northcut drove in three runs and Machamer allowed no runs in five innings. On Wednesday, they lost by a score of 7-0. The offense could not do anything and Pantoja allowed two runs over five innings. The Spinners lost by a score of 3-2 on Thursday. Marrero drove in a run but Browning allowed two runs in two innings of relief. The Spinners closed out the week with a 5-0 loss. The offense only recorded two hits and Demchak allowed two runs in 1.1 innings of relief.

Prospects of the week

Tzu Wei Lin, Sam Travis, William Cuevas, Bobby Poyner, and Robby Scott are the prospects of the week. They were all called up because of the roster expansion.

Players Who Can Help in September

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September is rapidly approaching, which means that rosters expand from 25 to 40 players. It is unlikely that the Red Sox make a last-second deal, so who they have now is who they are going with. The Sox are dealing with injuries and they need guys to help the rest of the way. Here are some players who can add depth in the home stretch:

Position Players

Infielders Tony Renda and Tzu Wei Lin are infielders who can play any position in the infield if needed. Even though he has struggled at the big league level this year, Lin has shown that he has potential. He is hitting .182 at the big league level this year, but he is hitting .313 with a .824 OPS in Pawtucket. The infielder showed that he can contribute on the big league level when he hit .268 in 66 plate appearances last year.

Tony Renda appeared in just one game this year as a pinch-runner when he scored the game-winning run against the Yankees. Renda can be the player who pinch runs in late innings. He would be the 2017 Rajai Davis or 2004 Dave Roberts. He is not nearly as good or as fast as those players, but it is the same idea. Renda had 30 stolen bases in 2013. He is a journeyman player who has done well in the minors but hit he hit just .183 in 32 games with the Reds in 2016. He is the classic “4A” player.

Brandon Phillips is not on the 40 man roster, but two spots are open on the 40 man roster. The veteran is hitting .308 with 14 doubles in 41 games with Pawtucket. To be postseason eligible, he must be called up before September first. Red Sox top prospect Michael Chavis is ready to be a big leaguer, but there is no point in calling him up. He is not eligible for the postseason roster because of his suspension, so why waste a year of experience on your top prospect?

Pitchers

The Red Sox bullpen has not been good since the all-star break, and it is clearly the biggest need on the team. Justin Haley has struggled in the big leagues this year, but has a 3.89 ERA in Pawtucket and has been the ace ever since Jalen Beeks was traded. William Cuevas has also been a starter in Pawtucket with big league experience this year. Cuevas has a 3.39 ERA in 135.1 innings this year in Pawtucket.

He and Haley would be the long relief options should someone have a short start. Robby Scott is another option and is a pitcher Cora would bring in for a specific matchup. Chris Sale, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Steven Wright have all been key contributors to the starting rotation this year, especially Sale. All three are on the DL, but all three are expected to come back. Rodriguez is making a start against the White Sox on Saturday.

Durbin Feltman and Travis Lakins are widely talked about prospects, and deservingly so. Lakins has a 2.08 ERA in Pawtucket this year. Durbin Feltman was drafted this year and has shot his way through the farm system. Feltman has a 2.18 ERA in the minors this year over 20.2 innings. There is a good chance one or both of them could fill the final two spots on the roster. This is most important for Boston because the back end of the bullpen is clearly the biggest need.

Down on the Farm 8/18-8/24

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*Down on the farm is a series in which every weekend, I will be updating you on weekly results from the Pawtucket Red Sox (AAA), the Portland Sea Dogs (AA), Salem Red Sox (High A) and Lowell Spinners (class a short season). After every team is recapped, individual stats are posted. Also, I will have a prospect of the week section at the end.

Down on the Farm- Pawtucket Red Sox

On Friday, the Sox lost by a score of 3-0. The offense was stymied and Matthew Gorst allowed two runs in 2.1 innings. The offense was quiet again on Sunday as they lost by a score of 1-0. Justin Haley allowed just one run over 5.2 innings. After an off day on Monday, Pawtucket split a doubleheader on Tuesday. Brandon Phillips went deep to give Pawtucket the win during the night game.

The Sox rebounded and won by a score of 7-2 on Wednesday. Phillips, Travis, and DeJesus drove in two runs apiece and William Cuevas allowed no earned runs over six innings. On Thursday, they lost by a score of 5-1. Josh Ockimey knocked in the lone run and Josh A Smith gave up three runs and walked two over six innings. Pawtucket closed out the week with a 13-4 loss. Michael Chavis had an impressive Pawtucket debut by driving in two runs and Austin Maddox gave up five earned runs and did not record an out.

Down on the Farm- Portland Sea Dogs

The Dogs started off the week with a 3-0 win. Bobby Dalbec knocked in a run and Matthew Kent gave up two hits and no runs over 6.2 innings. Portland lost by a score of 8-2 on Saturday. Tendler drove in both runs and Kyle Hart gave up five runs in five innings. They rebounded and won by a score of 4-3 on Monday. Rivera drove in two runs and Dedgar Jimenez got the win in five innings of relief.

On Tuesday, the Dogs won by a score of 3-2 via a walk-off bunt. Michael Chavis knocked in two runs and Weems got the win in one inning of relief. On Wednesday, Portland went 0-2 in a doubleheader. The offense was quiet throughout the day as they combined to score just six games in the two games. They bounced back and won by a score of 6-0 on Thursday. Matthew Kent threw seven scoreless innings and Tendler drove in three runs. They closed out the week with a 5-4 loss on Friday. Josh Taylor gave up the walk-off run and Quiroz drove in two runs.

Down on the Farm- Salem Red Sox

Salem started off the week on Saturday with a 6-0 loss. The offense could not do anything and Kutter Crawford gave up three earned runs in 5.1 innings. The Sox rebounded and won by a score of 5-4 on Sunday. Osinski and Acosta drove in two runs each and Glorius got the win by throwing two scoreless innings of relief. After an off day on Monday, they lost by a score of 5-3 on Tuesday.

The offense was stifled and Daniel Gonzalez gave up three runs in five innings. Salem split a doubleheader on Wednesday. Durbin Feltman picked up the win in the finale. On Thursday, the Red Sox lost by a score of 3-0. Cj Chatham had four hits but Denyi Reyes gave up two runs over six innings. They closed out the week with an 8-2 loss. Tyler Hill drove in a run and Crawford gave up five runs in 3.2 innings.

Down on the Farm- Lowell Spinners

Lowell started off the week with a 9-2 win. Granberg drove in three runs and Jackson got the win in two innings of relief. The Spinners won again on Sunday by a score of 2-1. Esplin and LeGrant both drove in a run and Pantoja gave up one run in 6.2 innings. They lost by a score of 7-1 on Monday. The offense was quiet and Ahearn gave up six runs in an inning of relief. Lowell won by a score of 8-0 on Tuesday.

Milligan and Ganns each drove in three runs and Haworth got the win in five innings of relief. The Spinners lost by a score of 10-4 on Wednesday. Williams drove in two runs and Gonzalez allowed five runs over three innings. On Thursday, they were swept in a doubleheader. The offense had been quiet all day as they scored a combined three runs over the two games. Lowell closed out the week with an 8-2 loss. The offense was stymied and Pantoja gave up two runs in five innings

Prospect of the Week- Travis Lankins

-17th ranked prospect according to http://www.soxprospects.com/

-Reliever for Pawtucket

-Has a 2.45 ERA this season and 1.41 since moving to the bullpen.

Looking Back at the Kyrie Irving Trade

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One year ago today the Celtics and Cavaliers pulled off a blockbuster trade. Kyrie Irving requested a trade from Cleveland, and Danny Ainge pulled off another heist a few weeks later. The Celtics traded Jae Crowder, Isaiah Thomas, Ante Zizic, a 2018 1st round draft pick (Collin Sexton was later selected) and a 2020 2nd round draft pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Kyrie Irving. (2020 2nd-rd pick from BOS to CLE is MIA’s pick, and was added as compensation for Isaiah Thomas’s injury). Let’s take a look back at each player’s last 365 days.

Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving did not disappoint in his first year in Boston. He averaged 24.4 points, 5.1 assists, shot 49.1% from the field and showed improvement on the defensive side of the floor. After Gordon Hayward went out on opening night, Irving proved that he can lead a team by himself. He was obviously the second option in Cleveland but shined as the man in control in Boston. He worked very well with Al Horford and did a great job getting Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown involved in the offense. These were simply things IT could not accomplish in Boston. He needed the ball in his hands and is not nearly as good of a facilitator as Irving.

However, everything took a turn for the worst on March 11th against the Pacers. He suffered a knee injury, which led to surgery that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. The Celtics ending up falling in seven games to the Cavs and the consensus opinion is that the Celtics would have won that series if Kyrie were playing. Kyrie will be back for the Celtics next year, but rumors about his upcoming free agency next summer are already swirling. The Celtics need to resign Irving next year to ensure that they win the trade.

Jae Crowder

Crowder averaged 8.6 points and 3.3 total rebounds per game with Cleveland. These numbers were a step down from his final season with the Celtics. The Cavs made the decision to flip Crowder to Utah before the trade deadline when they blew everything up and completely revamped their roster. Crowder ended up shining alongside Donovan Mitchell in Quin Snyder’s system. Crowder improved in points per game, rebounds, and assists while he was with the Jazz. However, the biggest knock on him is that he wasn’t very efficient. He got worse in field goal%, three-point%, two point%, and effective field goal%. In Boston, Crowder took a lot more shots than he should have which led to distaste between him and the fans.

Isaiah Thomas

It has been an interesting 365 days for Isaiah Thomas. He was on the Celtics, then traded to the Cavs, flipped to the Lakers, and signed the veteran minimum with Denver. After being out until January with a hip injury, IT played in just 15 games with the Cavs. It was a disaster. His style of play and personality just did not fit with LeBron’s. They are both egomaniacs and need the ball in their hands at all times. Thomas was hated by Cavs fans during that time, and clubhouse craziness was reported.

LeBron James, the former owner, coach, and general manager of the Cavs traded Thomas to the Lakers as part of the roster overhaul at the trade deadline. Thomas settled in nicely and played well off the bench. He averaged 15.6 points and exactly five assists in 17 games played. The offseason and free agency process were very frustrating for Thomas. After telling the Celtics to back up the Brinks truck, he ended up signing a one year, two million deal with Denver.

Collin Sexton

The biggest unknown in this deal is rookie guard Collin Sexton. He was selected eighth overall in this year’s draft. Sexton was a superstar at Alabama and single-handedly dragged Alabama to the round of 32 before they were stopped by eventual champion Villanova. Sexton is a rookie, so nobody really knows what the Cavs are getting. He could be a franchise-altering player or a bust. He is all the Cavs have left over from the trade, so it is up to him to save the deal. To make the deal a win for the Cavs, Sexton has to be better than Kyrie and win championships in Cleveland. He needs to fill the shoes that Kyrie left in Cleveland

Bottom Line

So far, it is obvious that the Celtics won the trade. Irving was great in his first year. The Cavs got rid of two of the three main pieces of the deal, and now they are counting on Sexton. If Sexton is better than Kyrie, then the Cavs will win the trade. Should Kyrie stay in Boston and wins championships, the Celtics will remain winners of the trade. If Kyrie leaves in free agency and Sexton does not turn into a superstar, then the trade is a wash. It is possible that Ante Zizic or the second round pick turns into something, but that is extremely unlikely. If Crowder and Thomas shine on their new teams, Cleveland may regret shipping them out.

Down on the Farm 8/4-8/10 (@Pr1m3_Kyr1e)

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*Every weekend, I will be updating you on weekly results from the Pawtucket Red Sox (AAA), Portland Sea Dogs (AA), Salem Red Sox (High A) and Lowell Spinners (class a short season). After every team is recapped, individual stats are posted. Also, I will have a prospect of the week section at the end.

Down on the Farm – Pawtucket Red Sox

The Paw Sox started off the week with an 8-1 win over the Red Wings. William Cuevas got the win by giving up one run in 6.1 innings and Jantzen Witte drove in four runs. On Sunday, they lost by a score of 6-3. Josh Ockimey hit a home run, but Marcus Walden gave up three runs in 1.2 innings. Then, they had an off day on Monday and won by a score of 3-2 on Tuesday. Travis, Ockimey, and Hernandez drove in one run apiece, and Josh A. Smith gave up two runs over seven innings.

On Wednesday, the Sox lost by a score of 6-5. Mike Miller knocked in two runs, but Robby Scott allowed one run and recorded just one out. On Thursday, Pawtucket won by a score of 6-2. Witte collected three hits and Mike Shawaryn gave up two runs in five innings. They closed out the week on Friday with a 3-2 win. Sam Travis knocked in two runs, and Josh D. Smith did not allow a run over five innings.

Down on the Farm – Portland Sea Dogs

The Sea Dogs started off the week by getting swept in a doubleheader. The offense was quiet in both games as they lost 4-1 and 3-1. They rebounded the next day and won by a score of 7-3. Bobby Dalbec drove in three runs, and Stankiewicz allowed three runs over seven innings. After an off day on Monday, they lost by a score of 5-3. The offense collapsed as Matt Kent gave up five runs in 5.1 innings.

Tuesday did not turn out much better because they lost by a score of 18-1. Harrison Cooney faced six batters then allowed a walk, single, single, double, double, and another double. Not good. Portland rebounded and won by a score of 10-9 on Thursday. Chavis and Dalbec both went yard twice then Dedgar Jimenez allowed two runs over six innings. The Sea Dogs closed out the week with another 10-9 win. Austin Rei knocked in three runs and Josh Taylor gave up no runs over 2.2 innings.

Down on the Farm – Salem Red Sox

Salem started off the week by splitting a doubleheader, losing the first game 3-2 and winning the second game 3-0. They rebounded and won by a score of 7-5 on Sunday. Tobias hit two home runs and Denyi Reyes threw 5.2 scoreless innings. They were off on Monday and won by a score of 7-0 on Tuesday. CJ Chatham went deep while Jake Thompson threw six scoreless innings. The Sox lost on Wednesday by a score of 6-2. The offense was stymied while Kutter Crawford gave up three runs over six innings. They lost by a score of 6-5 on Thursday. Osinski knocked in a pair of runs, but Hunter Smith gave up a run in two innings of relief. Salem closed out the week with an 11-2 win on Friday. Madera and Rusconi drove in three runs, and Kevin McAvoy gave up one run in six innings.

Down on the Farm – Lowell Spinners

Lowell started off the week with a split of a doubleheader. They lost the first game 6-3 and won the second game 2-1. On Sunday, the Spinners lost by a score of 4-0. The offense was frustrated, and Thad Ward gave up one run in three innings. They won by a score of 11-3 on Monday. Dearden knocked in three runs and Browning threw scoreless innings of relief.

The game on Tuesday was suspended and they won by a score of 3-1 on Wednesday. Dearden and Milligan went deep and Ahearn gave up one run in six innings. They won by a score of 5-2 on Thursday in ten innings. Granberg hit a home run, and Bethea threw two scoreless innings of relief. The Spinners closed out the week with a 2-0 win on Friday. Milligan and Berroa drove in a run and Haworth gave up no runs in four innings.

Prospect of the Week- Travis Lankins

-15th ranked prospect in the Red Sox organization

-Has played in Pawtucket and Portland this year as a right-handed pitcher

-Has a 2.36 ERA