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.

Ranking The Super Bowl Banners

Leave a reply

It’s that time of year again.   It gets darker earlier, summer fades,, the leaves change, and football begins. This season is a bit different though, as the Patriots will drop their fifth Super Bowl banner Thursday night against Kansas City. Coach Belichick has moved on from Super Bowl LI, but In honor of the fifth Super Bowl Banner, let’s rank them.

5. Super Bowl XXXIX

Embed from Getty Images

My fifth-best Super Bowl is Super Bowl XXXIX. February 6, 2005 matched up the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles. The Super Bowl was held in Jacksonville that year and it didn’t disappoint. The players on that team included Troy Brown, Teddy Bruschi,and  Rodney Harrison, who got the game winning interception. Deion Branch earned MVP honors in that Super Bowl. He had 12 targets, and 11 receptions, for 133 yards. Tom Brady passed for 236 yards, and two touchdowns in the win, to record his third Super Bowl title, with a 24-21 win.

I chose this game in fifth place because they had just come off a Super Bowl win the previous year, and it seemed almost as if they were expected to beat the Eagles that Season. Following that Super Bowl, though, Coach Belichick lost his father, and Teddy Bruschi had a health scare. The Patriots wouldn’t win another Super Bowl for 10 years after the third.

4. Super Bowl XXXVIII

Embed from Getty Images

I rank Super Bowl XXXVIII s fourth best.  The Patriots played the Carolina Panthers in Houston and were favored. Brady looked for his second Super Bowl Victory after only being in the league for three years at that point. The Patriots won that game 32-29 on an Adam Vinatieri field goal to win it. Tom Brady was the MVP in that Super Bowl and passed for 354 yards, and three touchdowns.

The reason it’s my fourth best Super Bowl is because my third one just blows this one out completely. The Patriots Panthers Super Bowl was a good game and close, like every Super Bowl the Patriots play in.  You’ll see why number 3 is my third best Super Bowl.

3. Super Bowl XLIX

Embed from Getty Images

My third Super Bowl pick is Super Bowl XLIX.   You can call it the “Malcolm Butler Super Bowl.” Former Patriots coach Pete Carroll hoped for a Super Bowl win for his Seahawks. The Patriots had the Lombardi in their sights for their first Super Bowl win in 10 years. At this point in Brady’s career he was sliding a little. Garoppolo was drafted in the 2014 draft. The Patriots had two losses previously in the Super Bowl in 2011, and 2007. This one was important. Thank God for Pete Carroll’s insane coaching decision to throw at the one yard line instead of handing it off.   Malcolm Butler gets the INT to seal the 28-24 victory.

This game is number three because Brady was nails and made a statement that he was the best in the league. He passed for 328 yards and four touchdowns. They also hadn’t won in decade so they were overdue, big time.

2. Super Bowl LI

Embed from Getty Images

Why would this be number two? The greatest comeback in Super Bowl history.  Down 28-3 with 2:08 left in the third quarter. Tom Terrific once again puts the statement on the field that at 39 he is still the best quarterback in the league. Brady, as we all know, was suspended last season because of the so-called ‘deflategate’ and came out firing,  from October 9th- February 5th.

The Patriots finally had a miracle catch of their own with Julian Edelman, and James White’s game-winning touchdown sealed it. Brady passed for 466 yards and two touchdowns.

1. Super Bowl XXXVI

Embed from Getty Images

The Patriots-Rams Super Bowl was a special one. This is my number one Super Bowl for a lot of reasons.   Not only was it their first Super Bowl win but they came out as a team. They were the first team to do so. They were heavy underdogs, and it was a Red, White, and Blue season after 9/11. So everything the Patriots stood for made sense after they won this game, which makes this Super Bowl win the best. It was Tom Brady’s first ever Super Bowl after being drafted in the sixth round the year before.

Ty Law had an INT, David Patten caught a pass, and Adam Vinatieri sealed the deal,  and the Patriots won 20-17.

All these years later on Thursday we begin another chapter in New England Patriots history.  They unveil their fifth Super Bowl banner, and the “Blitz For Six” begins.   The past 17 years have been extraordinary.  Let’s hope the next 17 are even better.

Patriots vs Chiefs Preview

Leave a reply

Embed from Getty Images

We are hours away from the Opening Night in the NFL. The Patriots will reveal  their fifth Super Bowl Banner then it’s game time against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Patriots are 13-17 overall against the Chiefs, but this year is a little different. The Patriots are stacked even with Julian Edelman out for the year. Chris Hogan, Danny Amendola, a healthy Rob Gronkowski,  and newly acquired Phillip Dorsett. Kansas City doesn’t really have a standout player other than Tyrek Hill, they’re wide receiver.

If you look at the Coaches Andy Reid, and Bill Belichick sorry NFL Network but I’m going with Belichick. Belichick is 201-71 since coming to New England in 2000. You’re on something if you think Andy Reid is a better coach. The quarterbacks no question I’m going with Tom Brady at 40 years old, it’s the new 25.

The running backs with White, Burkhead, Gillislee. Kansas City running backs are Kareem Hunt, and Charcandrick West. I’d take the Patriots running backs all day. The Patriots have won 9 of their last 10 season openers. There’s no way they lose this game.

I’m excited to see Stephon Gilmore, and Malcolm Butler on both sides as the corners. Malcolm singed his tender in the off season that kept him as a Patriot for this season. I’m interested at how the defensive line shakes up with the absence of Ealy who was really no big loss. You still have Flowers, Guy, and rookie Adam Butler who made the team. But the rest of the team is stacked.

I’m predicting Brady goes to Brandin Cooks for the first touchdown Thursday night. Hogan, and Amendola both have a good game and Gronkowski even catches a touchdown pass. Stephon Gilmore get’s an INT, and so does Malcolm Butler. The Patriots beat the Chiefs by a score of 31-17 and get their first win.

Continue reading →

It’s September 1st Red Sox Final Stretch of the Regular Season Begins

Leave a reply

It’s September 1st which means summer is over, it’s football season, and the weather changes. It also means  we are pretty much in the final month of the Red Sox season. For some fans it’s a worrisome time, and for some it’s when do the playoffs start? The Red Sox have a rocky history in September we all remember the September collapse in 2011 that lead to Terry Francona’s firing. Could the same happen this season?

The answer to that question is I don’t know, you really never know with this team. This series with the Yankees is a big one they lost last night and really should at least split this series this weekend. The pitching has to be solid, and with the young talent they have can they deliver in the final stretch of the season.

Questions still remain about David Price, and Dustin Pedroia when will they come back? It looks like they won’t be back till the playoffs if they get there. They should make the playoffs, they have the division lead it is there’s to lose. If they do give up the division lead to the Yankees this season would be a failure and manager John Farrell will be gone in my opinion.

Even with the Addison Reed singing you still have questions in the Bullpen as he is average at best. The only real ace on that team right now is Chris Sale. He gets the start Sunday night in New York and should get the win. It will be interesting to see what happens as we head into this final month of the regular season.

Get ready Red Sox fans for the wild rollercoaster ride we will be on for this could be very good or could get ugly pretty fast so enjoy the ride.

 

.

 

Brady Is Immortal: The Madden Curse Falls on Brady’s Favorite Reciever

Leave a reply

When it came out back in May that Tom Brady would grace this year’s cover of Madden 18, the announcement met with a mix of support and outrage. The dreaded “Madden Curse.” Some, including Brady, say there’s no such thing as curses. Others said that he shouldn’t be on the cover. It will destroy his season. Who, can forget when Rob Gronkowski was the cover boy last year, then sidelined for the season.?

Now, Julian Edelman, Tom Brady’s best friend and most trusted receiver, done for the season with a torn ACL. You can argue about whether starters should be playing in a preseason game.  That’s not the point here. The point is that Tom Brady is immortal and turned the curse on Julian Edelman his favorite reciever and best friend.

Why do I say that? We’ll because look at how Edelman wants to be like Brady. Tom Brady has his “TB12” brand, and Edelman has his “JE11” brand. Last year Edelman was supporting Tom when Brady was on suspension saying he couldn’t wait for him to get back.

Let’s face it Brady is a 40 year old quarterback who wants to keep on playing, giving people tips that 40 is the new 25, with the fitness workout he’s on, and his meals. So back in May Brady shrugged at the “Madden Curse”  in May and pretty much said if he could go through an suspension fine, then he could make it though the season being on the cover of Madden. So if Brady is immortal to the so called “Madden Curse”  it literally went to Julian Edelman a Super Bowl hero, to a torn ACL out for season.

Red Sox Have a Rough Weekend

Leave a reply

The Red Sox entered the series with the Baltimore Orioles sitting on a 4.5 game division lead on Friday.  But the starting pitchers took a beating all weekend, barely getting an out. The schedule won’t get any easier, with the Blue Jays Monday through Wednesday, then off to New York for a four-game series beginning Thursday.

Mauled on the mound

Friday night Rick Porcello pitched only 4.2 innings, gaving up nine hits, four runs, and four strikeouts in the 16-3 loss. Saturday, Eduardo Rodriguez pitched, showing no improvement as they fell behind early, again. Eduardo Rodriguez pitched a five-run second inning, with 40 pitches. They lost 7-0. Sunday, Doug Fister had a slightly better outing,  but they still earned an ‘L’ 2-1. Fister pitched a total of seven innings, gave up five hits, two runs, and seven strikeouts.

Listen Sox fans — The pitching isn’t the only problem.  What about the hitting?  Hanley Ramirez stands zero for his last 14 at-bats with 9Ks, according to Boston Sports Info on Twitter.  Since July 4, Mookie Betts had 184 at bats, three home-runs, 26 RBI’s, and 32 strikeouts, according to Boston Sports Info.

The young guys have stepped up, which is good.   But what about the rumblings of an September collapse? It has happened before.  My answer for right now is – no. This team has too much talent to screw themselves out of the division.

Chris Sale had a tough start against Cleveland but he’ll bounce back. We still have to see if David Price can pitch without pain. Nunez has been a great call-up so far along with Rafael Devers. Hopefully injuries won’t factor into the final stretch of the season which begins now.

 

Should Starters Play in Preseason Games?

Leave a reply

Friday night in Detroit the New England Patriots faced off against the Lions, the third preseason game for the Patriots. The starters took the field in the first quarter and completely burned the Detroit defense. But the excitement of watching the points pile up ended abruptly in the worst possible way.

Julian Edelman.  Down on the field.  Not springing up and running into the huddle.  Out came the injury cart.  And down dropped the hearts, if not hopes, of Patriot Nation.  On the following day, the worst fears revealed on an MRI.  A torn ACL, ending the 2017 regular season for one of the Pats most reliable and revered players — Julian Edelman.

Unnecessary Roughness?

Should the starters even play in a game that doesn’t count?  In my opinion, no.  Why expose any starter to injury when it means nothing in the standings? Either cover those players in bubble wrap or have them play a series, maybe two, then get them out of there.

The loss of Julian on offense hurts.  No doubt about that.  While the Pats still have Cooks, Hogan, Amendola, Gronk, and Allen, Edelman is Brady’s go-to guy. Without that amazing catch in Super Bowl LI, who knows what would have happened.  Julian is something special.   He has earned his spot in the organization and his place as one of the best receivers in the NFL.

Julian started talking about his recovery right after the game, even though most feared the ACL diagnosis.  But If anyone knows how to make adjustments to put the team in the best position possible to win football games, it’s Bill Belichick.

 

Belichick has a conference call today at 4 and most likely won’t comment on his injury as he only talks about players on the field. Pats fans look at it this way, Gronk was out last year and they still won the Super Bowl. This year Edelman is out. They still will win the AFC East, and have their place in the AFC Championship game atleast. Most importantly will be playing in the Super Bowl once again. So don’t say the season is over because Edelman is out you still have Tom Brady, other targets on offense, and a pretty good defense.

 

Where is David Price?

Leave a reply

Since David Price went on the DL, the $31M dollar pitcher has had very little to say. The Red Sox have played well and still hold first place in the Division. But where is David Price? When will he come back?

The Red Sox need Price back because when he gets into a groove he can be unstoppable. But lately, the only ace I can see on this team is Chris Sale. The guy pitches with the  attitude of a winner.  Just what the Red Sox needed.

Cheese with that whine?

Price  has whined, complained, and hauled off on at Dennis Eckersely. My advice for Price would be do your talking on the mound and pitch well before you open your mouth. Price has been mouthy since he got here and it’s clear he hates Boston when he said he’d rather go home to his mother-in-law.

I want to see David Price win a playoff game before he opens his mouth. It’s almost like the Red Sox keep Price from pitching so his mouth doesn’t become a distraction. With him on the DL they are better,  but will they win a playoff series without him? I’m sorry to say that answer is no.

The Red Sox have a big series with Cleveland followed by Baltimore this weekend. Price hasn’t walked onto the mound recently, so you have to wonder —  is he hurt or did the Red Sox just make this up? I really hope he pitches well and proves his doubters wrong. The guy needs to live up to his contract,  which clearly he has not done.  Most likely he will  opt out after next season. But I’m looking forward to seeing him come back, and find out if he just pitches and and can shut up.

Can We Leave Politics Out Of Sports?

Leave a reply

When people go to any sporting event in this case baseball, it’s a time when people come together to watch their team play and win. It’s a time during the game when the politics should stop and it’s all about cheering for your team. In this case players that go to Red Sox games from opposing teams some say they have heard racial slurs. It’s not right but doesn’t make the City of Boston racist cause of some stupid fan.

In regards to John Henry’s comments about the “Yawkey Way” sign, if your going to replace it in my opinion don’t say it’s because Tom Yawkey was racist and it hurts the image of the Red Sox. If it hurt the image of the Red Sox John you wouldn’t name a bridge after David Ortiz, probably wouldn’t even have signed him, and wouldn’t have signed Pedro Martinez.

It’s all about politics and the image. All I care about is winning games every night. Apparently that’s not what Henry cares about, he cares about a sign that has been a street name forever because it hurts the image of the Red Sox, give me a break. If the Red Sox lose and people stop going then that’s when the image will hurt them. It shouldn’t matter what a street name says.

When Tom Yawkey owned the Red Sox that’s was a long time ago when race was a problem, people will always find a problem some are just negative. It wasn’t right he was racist but like I said all that should matter is the performance on the field. Not some arrogant fan, or some street sign. When you go to a game all that nonsense should go away and just have fun.

I love sports and when I go to Fenway Park all that bad stuff around the world and this Country leaves the mind so you can enjoy a game and hope the Red Sox win. If Henry just came out and said we want to change the name of “Yawkey Way ” we would like to name it something a little more current then that would’ve been fine. Like be Bill Belichick with it don’t say something and bring up politics, you should just go back to you’re soccer team and watch Liverpool. Be quiet mouthed about it like he litterly told the paper what he said to the Mayor why? To draw controversy and to get people talking. He should’ve just kept it simple with the media like Belichick does but nope.

If they do take it down I saw on Twitter that they could name it “Jimmy Fund Way,” why don’t you just make it “David Ortiz Way,” or leave it the way it is. Whatever they decide makes no difference all that matters is the Red Sox win games.

 

 

Dombrowski Traded The Right Prospect

Leave a reply

Last year when Dave Dombrowski called up Andrew Benintendi and Yoan Moncada right before the trade deadline, it was pretty much a trial period for those two players. Benintendi came  up to the Majors and he shined, with a .295 batting average, 44 RBI, and eight home runs. He continues to produce this year:  .278 average, 17 home runs, and 67 RBI.

Moncada whiffs

Yoan Moncada, however, did not produce well last year when he got his chance. He produced a .211 average, zero home runs, and 1 RBI. So during the off-season President of Baseball Operations, Dave Dombrowski, traded Yoan Moncada to the Chicago White Sox for ace Chris Sale. Boy did that work out in the Red Sox favor.  This season, Moncada has a .205 average, with two home runs, and nine RBI. Compare this to Chris Sale, dominant this season for the Red Sox and proven to be the ace they needed. He has a 2.51 ERA, a 14-4 record, and 241 strikeouts.

Rookies with big bats

This season 20-year-old Rafael Devers was coming through the ranks in the majors and killing the ball. Dave Dombrowski called him up just before the deadline and he stepped up to the league like he owned it. He’s batting with a .339 average, 18 home runs, and 56 RBI.  It’s clear the young talent on this team arrives at big moments. Benintendi and Devers both turned in outstanding performances this past weekend at Yankee Stadium in a crucial series for the division.

Dave Dombrowski has been questioned in the past for trading prospects for mediocre talent. For example, trading Travis Shaw to the Brewers for Tyler Thornburg. Thornburg hasn’t thrown a pitch yet in a Red Sox uniform, While Travis Shaw is crushing the ball in Milwaukee. He’s batting a .292  average, with 25 home runs, and 78 RBI.  So Dombrowski was wrong on that one but made up for it with the Sale deal, not trading Devers, and adding Nunez at the deadline.

Comparing Devers to Moncada is like night and day. Devers was ready to come into the Majors like Benintendi. Yoan Moncada was not ready and still isn’t. Will Moncada ever work out on a Major League team? That answer still remains to be seen, but for Rafael Devers it’s clear that he’s the best shot for this team moving forward.

Dombrowski got it right trading the right prospect in Moncada, and keeping Rafael Devers, who even started a triple play for the first time since 2011 last night against the Saint Louis Cardinals.

Red Sox, Yankees Rivalry is Back

Leave a reply

The Red Sox and Yankees went head to head this weekend, firing up a long-standing rivalry. Maybe not as intense as the 2003-2004 season with Varitek, Jeter, Pedroia and A-Rod.  But as we come to the last two months of the regular season, the AL East is closing in on the Red Sox and Yankees for the number-one spot in the divison.

Season Finale Heating Up

The Red Sox had Eduardo Rodriguez going Friday, Drew Pomeranz Saturday, and Chris Sale Sunday. Notice no David Price pitching in this series.  That’s how big it is.  The Red Sox took two out of three against the Yankees for a five-game division lead ahead of the Yankees.

The Red Sox had their eight-game win streak snapped Friday night, but came back to win Saturday and Sunday.  That game went into extra innings after a monster home run by 20-year-old Rafael Devers, a rookie, off an Aroldis Chapman pitch clocked at 103 mph.

The Red Sox are on fire right now with Eduardo Nunez hitting leadoff. The Sox aquired Nunez before the trade deadline from the Giants.  To date he’s produced 21 hits,12 RBI’s, four homers, and a .420 batting average in 52 at-bats.  Devers has proven he belongs in The Bigs, batting a .319 average, with 15 hits and eight runs in 47 at bats.

Rookie Yankee Aaron Judge is having a great first season in New York. He leads the league with 35 home runs for a a .294 batting average, with 113 hits, and 86 runs from 385 at-bats this season.

Bullpen health check

The Red Sox have some bullpen questions, even after acquiring Addison Reed from the Mets.  Reed completely crapped himself on the mound Friday night. Hopefully he pitches better in the next 60 days. They have only one standout pitcher — Chris Sale — who once again was absolutely dominant  on Sunday.

I do smell a September collapse with this team though. The Red Sox have done it before in 2011 and could do it again. That would really kick John Farrell out of town.

They are playing good baseball, but I need to see how they do after this weekend before I predict that they’ll win the division. The Red Sox and Yankees play each other two more time this season so it will be interesting to see what happens. They play a series at Fenway Park, then  a Series at Yankee Stadium in the beginning of September. So get ready for the rollercoaster ride of the Major League Baseball race to the end of the season. With the Red Sox anything can happen.