Author Archives: @stevea1127

About @stevea1127

I'm 25 from Taunton Ma and have a passion for sports especially Boston. My strong sports are MLB and the NFL. I'm hoping to get a job in sports writing someday.

Alex Guerrero Has Meeting at Brigham and Women’s Health Center

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Alex Guerrero Holds Meeting at Pats Health Center

(Foxboro, MA, 08/07/17) New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and his nutritionist Alex Guerrero during Patriots Training Camp Joint Practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium on Monday, August 07, 2017. Staff photo by Matt Stone

Last week Alex Guerrero had a meeting at the Health Center at Patriot Place. The purpose of the meeting is unknown, but according to an insider at the facility, the meeting was about the Dana Farber Facility being built. Also, the Brigham and Women’s Health Care Center will expand into the new building. The speculation is that Guerrero is upset about the new healthcare center going up. There’s a physical therapy department going into the new facility too, which could take business away from TB12. The new Health Care Center along with the Dana Farber Center is going up right across from TB12.

Via Steve Atkinson

If that’s true, it’s no wonder why Belichick can’t stand Guerrero and kicked him out of the locker room. TB12 has enjoyed success. Guerrero seems like the kind of guy that knows what he’s doing better than everybody else. It probably has to do with Tom Brady, who at 40 is still playing at a high level.  Brady has established his brand so well that I really doubt they will lose business with another health center going up. Players currently go to the Brigham and Women’s Health Center for their x-rays and treatment.

Will Business Decline at TB12?

The treatment Brady and other players on the team get from TB12 seems to work wonders. However, that doesn’t sit well with Belichick, who wants the players to use the team’s medical staff for treatment. Belichick is sick of the Brady drama with Guerrero, a cause for some of the rift between Brady and Belichick. Guerrero’s meeting the other day raises questions about his integrity. Does Guerrero go too far? Is that what he did when he was treating Brady in the Patriots locker room and telling him not to listen to the team trainers?

If that meeting was about taking business away from TB12, that’s short-sighted on his part.  If the health center is expanding into the new building and it takes away business from TB12 because of the new physical therapy department, then Brady should come up with new treatments. I wonder if Brady had any part of Guerrero setting up the meeting. If not, he needs to remember it’s TB12, not AG12.

Why Did Josh McDaniels Come Back?

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The Future Is Now for the Patriots

Let’s go back in time to after the Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Josh McDaniels was on the verge of taking the Indianapolis Colts head coaching job. He was about to step away from the Patriots organization. But after the Super Bowl, Belichick, Kraft, and McDaniels got together and had a meeting. During that meeting, there’s speculation that Belichick announced his upcoming retirement at the end of the season. Josh McDaniels would become the head coach following this season. I’ve said this before, but the more I see how they are planning for the future it could be true.

Belichick had McDaniels in the draft room in April, along with Director of Player Personnel Nick Caserio. They stacked up for the 2019 NFL Draft so Josh and Nick can really build a team for the future. While they are trying to do that, the drama between Brady and Belichick has taken a toll on this off-season, and with good reason. However, some Patriots fans think this is all part of Belichick’s plan to fool the media, but if that was the case Brady would be at OTAs.

Josh McDaniels Had to Know What His Future in New England Was Going to Be Like

McDaniels had to know what his future was going to be like before he made his decision to come back. Once he found out that he would be the next head coach, he really had no choice to come back. It hasn’t been released because they don’t want it to become a distraction. There’s enough drama going on in Foxborough. If it is true the only people who know are Belichick, Kraft, McDaniels, and possibly Nick Caserio. Tom Brady or any other player wouldn’t know. It’s a fact that Brady had a say in bringing McDaniels back. Just like how he went over Belichick’s head to get rid of Jimmy Garoppolo.

Belichick is still mad about Brady going over his head, while Brady is still upset that Belichick won’t let his trainer in the locker room. The answer to why did Josh McDaniels come back? It’s pretty simple, because the future is now for this team, like it or not. Josh is part of the future along with Danny Etling who just signed a four-year contract. He may not be Brady, but it helps that he was working with Brady’s throwing coaches.

Bill Belichick Is Annoyed with Brady

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Bill Belichick Is in Midseason Form

(Foxborough, MA 07/27/17) Coach Bill Belichick walks up to the practice field for the start of Patriots training camp at Gillette. Thursday, July 27, 2017. Staff photo by John Wilcox.

The one topic Bill Belichick will talk about? His players that are participating in OTAs. The first question earlier this week from the media about Tom Brady’s absence was quickly shut down by Belichick.  The coach is also showing signs he’s done at the end of the season. He wouldn’t even touch on the 2018 draft picks, replying that Director of Player Personnel Nick Caserio took care of that. Bill Belichick is sick of the drama with Brady and Guerrero, and Gronkowski’s salary demands.

Belichick Won’t Discuss Draft Picks

Belichick seemed very bitter earlier this week — in mid-season form at his press conference. Julian Edelman is participating in the workouts and he also goes to TB12 for treatments. It is a big deal Brady isn’t participating in OTAs.  Some are saying he’s a fraud. Garoppolo used to talk about giving up his life for football. When Garoppolo got traded, Brady all of a sudden needs to have more family time.

Patriots fans need to be realistic.  Belichick is on his way out. Brady doesn’t feel appreciated and is holding out because he wants to spend more time with his family. He realizes Danny Etling could be the next quarterback for this team. They have loads of draft picks for the 2019 NFL Draft. Belichick doesn’t care who you are or what you’ve done. If you aren’t participating he’s only going to talk about the players that are. According to NFL Network, Brady will be at mandatory minicamp in the first week in June along with Rob Gronkowski.

Will Tom Brady Join Mandatory Minicamp?

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No Sign Of Tom Brady

Via hubwav

With OTA’s starting today at Gillette Stadium, Tom Brady is usually there bright and early. This year, however,  he’s spending more time with his family and will pass on OTA’s. According to Ian Rapoport, people close to Brady think that it would be unlikely that Brady would show up. Tom Brady doesn’t want a new contract. He’s done when his contract is up.

Now, most Patriots fans don’t want to hear this just like they don’t want to hear Belichick is done at the end of the season. With Garoppolo gone, Brady doesn’t feel the pressure and wants to be more of a family man this offseason.

Let’s See What Danny Etling Can Do

Via NESN.com

The Patriots signed Danny Etling to a four-year contract. As a result, like I’ve said before, like it or not they’ll groom him to be the best quarterback he can be. All those draft picks to benefit Josh McDaniels in 2019,  stocking up talent and making sure Danny Etling has a good team in 2020. Brady is bigger than the team.  We saw that last year when he went to Kraft about getting rid of Garoppolo. Bill Belichick is still not happy about that. He’s supposed to be the man in charge.

Some Patriots Fans In Denial

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) sits on the bench on the sideline in the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) ORG XMIT: FBO1

Fans need to realize that good things always come to an end. For Brady, he’s making a statement that he doesn’t feel appreciated. However, Rob Gronkowski doesn’t feel appreciated either and they are working on his contract. Furthermore, there is no way Gronkowski stays when Brady leaves. Will Brady attend mandatory minicamp? Probably not and the reason will be he wanted to spend more time with his family and that he’s been working on his own which means at TB12. That’s what he’ll tell the media .

All that talk about playing till 45, and I’ve given up my life are you willing to give up yours? That was all to get Garoppolo out of here. Now with him gone, he takes his kids to school, plays out his contract and walks away as the greatest quarterback of all time

The Importance of Devin McCourty

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The Importance Of Devin McCourty

Via BET.com

Devin McCourty had an MRI last week and a follow-up today according to an insider at Patriot Place.  McCourty is a leader on that team and really is the voice of the locker room.  He brings that leadership quality and it really shows. I’m not sure why he had the MRI.  I just know that he had one and it doesn’t seem serious.

Devin’s Leadership Is Needed

McCourty is also happy about having his brother on the team, telling Mike Reiss last Tuesday, “He brings leadership that I think we don’t have on this team; he knows how to deal with adversity,”Sometimes we get in a routine — we’ve won a lot of football games — and it’s always good to hear a different perspective of what it takes so you’re not kind of getting worn down or thinking this is too much. You get a perspective from him going 0-16. He always tells me, ‘Last year, worst year ever.’ I think hearing that motivates you and lets you know you’re doing the right things that push you.”

Jason McCourty will replace Malcolm Butler at cornerback. Jason is excited to be a Patriot, and to be on the same team as his brother. He also told Reiss last week, “There were times when you thought ‘maybe,’ but kind of towards the end it was just, ‘I don’t know if it’s going to happen. Mostly for our family, this has been really exciting and cool for them just to have the opportunity; our mom, older brother who’s kind of watched our careers our whole lives. So to see us come together at this level is just kind of a special thing.”

Devin McCourty getting checked out by the Patriots medical staff and attending the workouts is a great sign. He doesn’t let the outside noise get to him, and makes sure he does what’s in the best interest of not just for himself: he knows the Patriot Way centers on the team.

Red Sox Struggles

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Jackie Bradley Jr.’s Struggles

The Boston Red Sox are now in second place in the American League East. However, Jackie Bradley Jr. can’t seem to get the bat on the ball. In his last 20 games, Bradley has had 62 AB, 0 HR, 3 RBI and 30 strikeouts. According to Boston Sports Info on Twitter, in his last ten games, Bradley has had 29 AB, 0 HR, 0 RBI and 16 strikeouts.

The slump has gotten worse for Bradley. Something might have to be done if it doesn’t change. Alex Cora spoke a few weeks ago about Bradley’s slump, saying, “I don’t know. I trust the guy. I trust him. But we’ve got to sit down and talk, obviously. Decisions here, they’re not only made by me. We talk to the coaching staff, see where the hitters are, see where the players are and go from there.”

Poor Leadership Between Price and Smith

The team’s struggles don’t come from only Bradley. The Red Sox have issues with their bullpen and starting pitcher David Price. Price pitched a complete game the other night but lost the shutout. The weather must’ve been not a problem for the $31 million pitcher. Also, Carson Smith throwing Alex Cora under the bus is such a dirty move when there’s supposed to be a better vibe in the clubhouse.

There’s a subtle difference between Ortiz breaking a dugout phone out of frustration and Smith throwing his glove and missing time. Ortiz was a leader and never complained about being tired after playing in only 14 games. Carson Smith complained about being fatigued after only pitching 14 innings. That is not a leader.

Mookie Betts Is on Fire

Rick Porcello is back to his old self and Andrew Benintendi needs to start running the bases better than what he has been. The only player that’s really on fire and has been all year is Mookie Betts. He looks like he’s the voice in the clubhouse, even when Dustin Pedroia comes back.

Matt Light: 27th Inductee in Patriots Hall of Fame

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Patriots Hall of Fame Spotlight Shines on Matt Light

Via CLNS Media

The New England Patriots have announced that former offensive lineman Matt Light will be inducted into the Patriots Hall Of Fame this September. Light spent his career 11 seasons with the Patriots, earning three Super Bowl rings in his five league championship appearances protecting quarterback Tom Brady’s blind side.  He joins Troy Brown, Kevin Faulk, and Tedy Bruschi as the fourth player to enter the Patriots Hall of Fame with three Super Bowl wins. Matt Light was selected by the Patriots in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft.

High Praise For The New England Patriots

Matt Light told ESPN yesterday ” First and foremost, it’s very humbling,” It’s the biggest honor I can think of where you’re being recognized by the people in the community and the fans that really understood you as a player. It’s hard to put into words, really, I mean, I had an opportunity to come to New England, and play football.  There are so many things about my NFL experience that’s truly unique… it’s hard for me to believe I’m a Hall of Famer for the Patriots. It’s tough for me to grasp that.”

Last season when the Patriots were one of the teams taking a knee during the anthem protests, light told the Boston Herald he’d never been so ashamed to be a Patriot. “If you think that it’s OK to take a knee during our national anthem and disrespect openly the national anthem, you are wrong. As a guy that’s been there and helped set up the Patriot Way so they can walk in there and do what they do, it’s beyond disheartening. It’s the first time I’ve ever been ashamed to be a Patriot. And I promise you I’m not the only one.” But when he’s going into the Hall Of Fame he has to praise the Patriots organization.

Did he have to say he was ashamed to be a New England Patriot? He wouldn’t have those Super Bowl rings without the quarterback or the head coach. But congratulations on getting into the team Hall of Fame.

Carson Smith’s Self-inflicted Injury

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Carson Smith Regrets Decision To Throw Glove

Via NESN

You thought the Red Sox were going up after starting the season 17-2.  Alex Cora had connected with the players, getting through to them, then reality reared its ugly head. First, whiny David Price can’t pitch because he doesn’t know how to take Zyrtec or Claritin for his allergies. Now Carson Smith injures himself because he threw his glove in frustration last night in the loss to the Oakland Athletics.

The Red Sox Will Not Discipline him

Both Dave Dombrowski and Alex Cora spoke about the injury today saying that it could be significant. All over throwing a glove in anger. Dombrowski said  “I’m sure at some point we’ll get a second opinion. But I don’t know the severity of it. But I’m not expecting him back in 10 days by any means at this point. We’ll see how severe it ends up being. But it’s got the potential to be a major injury.” Smith seemed apologetic and the team isn’t expected to discipline the reliever.

Avoidable Injury

The last thing this team needs is an injury to a reliever struggling in the late innings of games recently. Carson Smith spoke about the injury today and appearing emotional, according to Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston. ” I think fatigue played a factor in my shoulder and my shoulder just couldn’t handle it.” “I think my shoulder’s tired in general, it’s just from pitching. I’ve thrown a lot lately and I think my arm was just tired” Said Smith. Smith also said it’s never happened to him before but he does throw his glove every day while warming up.

To face potential surgery because Carson Smith decided to throw his glove is unreal. For a major league pitcher to end a season because of a self-inflicted wound defies logic. In the video below, you can hear Carson Smith sound like David Price saying that the 14 innings he’s pitched so far made his arm tired. He’s pitched only 23 innings over the last three seasons, and it’s only May. All I can say is thank God he and Price don’t play football.   They’d last maybe a couple of hours playing for Belichick.

The Patriots Hire Martial Arts Expert Joe Kim

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Bill Belichick Hires Martial Arts Expert

The New England Patriots hired martial arts expert Joe Kim as a pass rushing consultant yesterday. According to USA Today, Joe  Kim has worked with eight other NFL teams. He worked most recently for the Cleveland Browns in 2016. Bill Belichick gave Joe Kim his first job in the NFL with Cleveland in 1992.  Kim began his martial arts career in 1974 and will help the young defenders on the Patriots to develop a better pass rush.

The Patriots tied for seventh last season in the pass rush. They had 42 sacks, but they really never got to the quarterback when they needed to. Most notably, in the Super Bowl loss to the Eagles, Nick Foles never went down.

Kim Has Worked With Eight NFL Teams

In addition to the Browns, Kim has helped the Chicago Bears, New York Giants, Denver Broncos, Washington Redskins, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins and Penn State. Danny Shelton got the opportunity to work with Kim with during his time with the Cleveland Browns. Shelton praised Kim on his Instagram in January 2017. “Got the opportunity to work with [Master Joe Kim] this past year and felt like I really improved from my first year with his help. Appreciate your work Master Kim and I know the best is in store for you. #blessed #masterjoekim.” Shelton posted also on Instagram a video of Kim working with Kim in April  2017.

http://www.instagram.com/p/BSebe9ig0uh/?utm_source=ig_embed

 

The Importance of the Patriots Offensive Line

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Physical Day for the Offensive Line

Half of the Patriots offensive line got their physicals today. The Patriots have to make sure they do a good job protecting soon-to-be 41 year old Tom Brady. The Patriots have Brian Hoyer and Danny Etling, but neither is Tom Brady. Patriots assistant coaches met with the media last week, and Dante Scarnecchia is looking for a replacement for Nate Solder. The Patriots will probably try Isaiah Wynn and Trent Brown for the left tackle position.

Newly Acquired Players Will Be Key to Protecting Tom Brady

Scarnecchia has a challenge trying to replace Nate Solder. Scarnecchia said on Friday, “It’s a big challenge, because you get in a real big comfort zone with him, and especially the way Nate played over the last half of the season,” Scarnecchia said. “He’s been given this opportunity and he’s taking advantage of it for he and his family, so now the next thing is we gotta replace him. So, we have guys that we’re hoping will be able to step in there”. Wynn was drafted 23rd overall in the NFL Draft. According to the Boston Herald as a senior Wynn was a second-team All American. He also started all 15 games at Georgia, including the National Championship.

Scarnecchia spoke highly of Wynn on Friday, saying, “He was a really good player in the best conference in America at his position, and he played left tackle and he’s played guard, so that’s what I like about him, He’s got great traits. We look for three traits: Smart, tough and athletic enough to play the position. He’s got all three, so we’ll see if that translates to this level.”

Trent Brown, was acquired from San Francisco for a third-round pick in the NFL Draft. Scarnecchia also had a lot to say about Brown: “He’s attentive, wants to know what we’re doing, kind of a quiet guy, but that’s all right,” He’s listening to what’s going on around him, can answer a lot of questions, so we just have to see how that works. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to see it until we get to training camp, with he and Isaiah.”