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.

Patriots announce their team captains

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Patriots team captains announced

The Patriots have announced their team captains. Tom Brady has made the list along with David Andrews, Matthew Slater, James White, Patrick Chung, and Devin McCourty. One name that did not make the list was Rob Gronkowski and people are asking why not Gronkowski? Because of the things he pulled in the offseason. Now you can say Brady did that too but not to the extreme Gronk did. Gronk held a press conference talking about dirt bikes while OTA’s were going on. Brady was training and enjoying time with his family. Also, Brady has earned the right to be all about himself after the career he’s had, he’s the first person on the field he’s a captain because of the career and success he’s had on and off the field.

Brady has been a captain since 2002

James White is also deserving of being a captain. He’s a big part of that offense and I’m sure will have an impact especially with Edelman out the first month. Devin McCourty has always been a leader on and off the field. Matthew Slater seems like he’s always a team player and get the players fired up. He doesn’t get much playing time but his presence in the locker room is somewhat what drives the team.

Patrick Chung is well deserving of team captain as well. He brings talent to the defensive side of the ball which is somewhat weak but having him back there helps. David Andrews has always been Tom Brady’s go to as a center. Andrews was also a team captain last season. Dont’a Hightower, and Duron Harmon are no longer team captains for this season as well as Gronkowski. The speculation on whether or not Belichick wanted Brady as a captain is a waste of time to talk about. If Brady wasn’t a captain people would be calling out Belichick, now Brady is a captain people think Brady and Gronkowski should be captain together. Really a no-win situation, In my opinion, the captains are fine the way it is and Brady deserves it.

 

Courtesy of Nancy Lane

Tom Brady Doesn’t Care What People Think

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Tom Brady Silencing the Drama

The final episode of Tom V Time has told us one thing. Tom Brady doesn’t care what anybody says. He’s playing until he’s 45 and that’s it. Brady also confirmed that he hasn’t been having fun playing football and that every team has issues. However, the drama around the team according to him has been blown out of proportion. Also, when he doesn’t win a Super Bowl, he gets frustrated just like anyone would. The greatest quarterback of all time is frustrated with the nonsense rumors surrounding the team. He put away any doubt that he isn’t ready for this season and wants to play until he’s 45 years old.

Five More Years

Will he last until 45 playing in New England? My opinion is yes, as long as Robert Kraft keeps him here and keeps him satisfied with the people around him. It’s Tom Brady and everybody else. He is and always will be bigger than the whole team. He didn’t like how the situation with Garoppolo was going to happen. We’ve heard it a thousand times. Belichick wanted to keep both quarterbacks but the money wasn’t there to keep both. Brady is also promoting his TB12 brand. By playing until 45 he can get people to learn his product and train like him so they can feel younger, too.

Brady has felt different since Garoppolo was traded. However, his determination hasn’t changed about wanting to play. He really put all the drama to bed so the main focus can be football. With the season starting on Sunday, Brady’s timing of releasing this five minutes of talking about the nonsense was to put away any doubt. Brady will not stop playing at the end of his contract.

I must admit I was wrong. Kraft would do whatever he can to keep Brady so he retires a Patriot. Playing until 45 is going to be hard to do. But Brady thinks he can do it. I say go for it, but draft a backup just in case he takes a hit and he’s out. Brady will be Brady. He will do what’s best for him which is doing something nobody has done before. That is to play at a high level at the age of 45.

Rob Gronkowski Will Make Jalen Ramsey Eat His Words

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Jalen Ramsey Giving The Patriots A Reason To Destroy The Jaguars in Week 2

Jalen Ramsey isn’t afraid of talking about his opinion about other players around the NFL. The latest remark Ramsey made was about Gronk. He flat-out said Gronkowski isn’t very good. He elaborated and claimed that Tom Brady makes Gronkowski better than he is. Yes, Brady can make a superstar out of an average receiver or tight end, however, Gronkowski isn’t an average tight end. Gronkowski is the best tight end in the game when healthy. The five-time Pro Bowler has 76 touchdowns and 7,179 yards in his career. He may like to party and have a good time but when it comes down to business he works hard to get open for Brady.

Gronkowski Will Be Responding to Ramsey’s Comments On The Field

September 16th is when the Patriots play the Jaguars. With Edelman out expect Gronkowski to put on a show. Not only to live up to the incentives but also to shut Ramsey up on the field. You know Gronkowski has heard what he said and is ready to get as many yards as possible. Gronkowski and the Patriots do their talking on the field and don’t really feed the media too much of anything about an opponent. Ramsey has only been in the league for three years. He’s had one interception and only been to one Pro-Bowl. Sure, Jacksonville has a great defense. But the mouth on Ramsey could get him in trouble with the Jaguars and other teams coming after him on the field. For Gronkowski, you know he wants to be matched up with him once they play the Jaguars.

If Ramsey was retired and he wasn’t facing the Patriots in week 2 then it would be different. It’s not giving the Patriots a reason (Gronk especially) to literally destroy you on the field. It’s a stupid take regardless. Gronkowski works hard and puts the time in. Ramsey should win a Super Bowl first before he starts talking about the best tight end in the game.

The 2018 NFL Season is a week away

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Patriots Season Begins A Week From Today

Here we go it officially is one week until the start of the 2018 NFL season. The weather will start to get cooler and the smell of football will be in the air. The Patriots and the rest of the NFL cut their roster to 53 yesterday. The Patriots open the season against the Houston Texans next Sunday. The most notable cuts made on Saturday was RB Mike Gillislee, QB Danny Etling, Cyrus Jones, LB Marquis Flowers, RB Brandon Bolden, and WR Riley McCarron. All the drama in the offseason has been pushed aside after Brady and Gronkowski have restructured their contracts. Now it’s all about the actual game itself finally.

Photo Courtesy of USA Today

We’ll see the offense run without Edelman for September

As we look into the regular season we start with this month as Edelman will be out the first four games. Talks of getting a receiver are pretty quiet around New England about adding one. But knowing Belichick you never know what he has up his sleeve. Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett, and Cordarrelle Patterson will have to step it up. Tight end Rob Gronkowski wants to play as much as possible to reach those incentives so he can make his money. Except James White to lead the running back position, along with Rex Burkhead, and rookie Sony Michel when healthy.

Patriots Initial Roster Includes Just 52 Players, Three Full-Time Receivers

Photo Courtesy of NESN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the defensive side, Jason McCourty seems to have made the team. There was speculation whether or not he would because he played Thursday night in the last preseason game against the Giants. Stephon Gilmore will be the cornerback who had a great training camp this year. Jordan Richards finally is off this team and was traded Friday to the Atlanta Falcons. All of the bad defenders from the Super Bowl are off the team to begin the 2018 season. From Richards who again is on the Falcons to Johnson Bademosi who’s now playing for the Texans.

The Patriots as long as they still have Brady they’ll be good. We’ve been saying that for along time now. Edelman will come back in October ready to go and be a contributor to the offense. I expect Sony Michel when he is healthy to be a full force in the running game. Coming out of college he was being compared to Dion Lewis I’d like to see him be explosive out of the gate for the Patriots. Overall it should be a fun exciting year and another division win. A first-round bye and a chance at another Super Bowl.

 

Rob Gronkowski will be a Patriot as long as Tom Brady is quarterback

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Rob Gronkowski getting money added to his contract

Rob Gronkowski’s new deal is a lot like Brady’s. It’s all performance based for the tight end. The Patriots added $4.3 million to his contract this season. It gives him $1 million per game and $3.3 million in incentives. The total amount of his deal is now $13.05 million according to Adam Schefter. Gronkowski has been seeking a new contract since the start of training camp last season. He was also contemplating retirement in the offseason. Once he found out Tom Brady was coming back and he got a talking too by Bill Belichick he was a full go for the 2018 season.

Gronkowski wants to win championships but he also wants his money too. As Danny Amendola said- the Patriots aren’t known for playing their players. But if you want to win New England is the place to be. Like Brady, Gronkowski’s contract had no years added. Gronkowski is year to year. However, Brady’s contract is up at the end of the 2019 season. If Brady walks at the end of his contract you might see Gronkowski either retire or play somewhere else. Gronkowski’s contract is also up at the end of the 2019 season. Gronkowski will be 30 by the end of the season. The tight end wants to be on a winning team with a great quarterback, and with the Patriots he can get both.

Health is key

If he meets all the incentives he will become the highest paid tight end in the NFL. Gronkowski deserves it but he has to stay on the field. Gronkowski is so injury prone but the team really needs him healthy for the entirety of the season. If he remains on the field he’ll make the money. Same goes for Brady if he plays at a high level. With Brady skipping the offseason voluntary workouts the Patriots were questioning his commitment to the team. We could be seeing a completely different team in 2020.

People need to get over Alex Guerrero

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The Alex Guerrero drama needs to stop

The Alex Guerrero drama is getting old now. Alex Guerrero was on the team plane when the Patriots traveled to Carolina to take on the Panthers. Big deal Brady has his trainer on the plane let’s ask thirty questions about his trainer but none about the wide receiver problem. Brady had his weekly radio interview on WEEI this morning and hung up after repeated questions about Alex Guerrero. Brady didn’t want to get into it and instead would much rather talk about the actual football instead of the drama. Alex Guerrero was on the team plane get over it.

Brady should do interviews on the Sports Hub

There are many other issues with the Patriots other than Alex Guerrero traveling with the team. For example, the wide receiving position. What’s going to happen the first month of the season with Edelman out? Who’s going to take his place? The Pats also have concerns with their offensive line that should be addressed. The defense as a whole has some issues that could be discussed. This isn’t the first time WEEI has made Tom Brady mad. Quite honestly Brady should be doing interviews with 98.5 The Sports Hub with Zolak and Bertrand. At least there would be actual football questions not questions about drama. Zolak does the games on the radio side of the broadcast with Bob Socci.

Who cares if Alex Guerrero was on the sideline at the game or not. He’s Brady’s trainer and is allowed to fly on the team plane to treat Brady with what he needs before game time. Even though Brady isn’t on the field the knowledge he has about the game, in general, is good. Overall the stupid questions about Guerrero need to stop because that’s not going to win football games. The production on the field is what matters. Brady should consider doing weekly interviews on the Sports Hub instead since they cover the games on the radio side.

Who Should the Patriots Target at Wide Receiver

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Wide Receiver Options

The Patriots lost another wide receiver over the weekend. Eric Decker announced his retirement after eight seasons in the NFL. It really was no shock as Decker was probably going to be cut anyway. Decker didn’t play with Brady on Friday night against the Panthers so that was the final straw. Decker was having an issue connecting with Tom Brady all training camp. As of right now the Patriots have Edelman, Hogan, Patterson, and Dorsett as the primary receivers. With Gronkowski rounding the corps out it appears as long as Brady remains healthy they should be alright. That being said, the team could always use another solid wideout. Let’s take a look at who they could pick up.

  1. Dez Bryant: Dez Bryant is still on the market. He’s a big bodied receiver that would get open and demands the ball a lot. Bryant had 6 touchdowns last season with 838 yards. Bryant did have some issues with the Cowboys and how they were running things. Belichick doesn’t take any nonsense though so if locker room drama began expect to see Bryant out of New England in a heartbeat. If Bryant wants to be on a winning team the Patriots are the best option. If Belichick doesn’t want the drama that comes with him Belichick will look in another direction.
  2. Golden Tate: Mike Reiss makes a good point on his personal website mikereiss.net Golden Tate is entering the final year of his contract. Reiss suggested a trade package of Elandon Roberts and Malcolm Brown for Golden Tate. Does that trade make sense for the Patriots and Lions? It might for two reasons. First, Matt Patricia knows Brown and Roberts from when he was a defensive coordinator for the Patriots. Second, Tate would be great for Brady to have someone other than Hogan, Patterson, and Dorsett to throw to. Tate scored five touchdowns for 1,003 yards last season for the Lions.

They aren’t going to trade for someone in the division or even in the conference. The receiving core in the division isn’t really that good anyway. If any quarterback can make it work though it’s Brady. We have seen him time and time again do more with less talent than any other quarterback in the history of the game. I personally like the Golden Tate idea even better than Bryant. Getting Deymarius Thomas from the Broncos isn’t really a good idea since the Broncos are in the conference.

 

Kenny Britt Released. What it Means for New England’s Receiving Corps

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Kenny Britt released

With the release of Kenny Britt the Patriot’s receiving corps has gotten even weaker. It was clear Britt wasn’t getting the Patriots offense. He even said on Sunday he was behind. Overall not a good sign when they are in week three of the preseason. With Edelman out for a month the only reliable receiver right now is Chris Hogan. That clearly isn’t good enough.

The Patriot’s receiving corps is weak

The Patriots signed Eric Decker but he’s having a hard time connecting with Brady. Friday’s game will be a test to see which receiver will come through other than Hogan. Dez Bryant is still a free agent receiver waiting to be signed. Brady has to be frustrated but is Bryant really the answer to the problem? He can get open and catch the ball yes, however he does come with a lot of baggage. Between his attitude and wanting the ball all the time. I’m also waiting to see what Patterson can do to help this offense. This is arguably Brady’s worst group of receivers since 2006.

 

Tom Brady when asked if he worked with Britt in the off-season repeatedly said “I wasn’t here.” Even away from Foxborough Brady said he wasn’t here. He usually goes to Montana and take receivers up there to practice with him. Last year he took Edelman and Danny Amendola. It was reported he worked with Edelman during the off-season but not with Britt or anyone else.

Brady already connects well with Hogan and Gronkowski. Now he needs to connect with Decker, Patterson, Dorsett, McCarron, Berrios, and Lucien. Beyond Edelman and Hogan not one other Patriots receiver has caught a touchdown pass from Tom Brady.

There may be more cuts coming for the Patriots receivers too if some don’t shape up. That might even include Eric Decker who’s a year younger than Edelman. It’s going to be hard trying to replace last year’s receiving corps that could connect with Brady.

 

Tom Brady Felt Rusty On Thursday Night

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Tom Brady Felt Rusty In His First Preseason Game

Tom Brady missed all offseason voluntary workouts but did attend minicamp. Brady also went to training camp a few days early. With Julian Edelman out the first four games of the season, the wide receiving group is struggling to connect with Brady. On Thursday Brady’s time on the field consisted of throwing passes to James White, Julian Edelman, and Chris Hogan. He did not throw a pass to Eric Decker or Cordarrelle Patterson. The connection between Brady and Decker has been especially troublesome, as he’s dropped a lot of passes during training camp.

 

Tom Brady has been reported to being rusty during training camp. On Thursday he looked sharp throwing to the receivers he feels comfortable with. However, according to Brady, he felt rusty. Brady told WEEI this morning that he felt rusty because it was his first game since the Super Bowl. Without the joint practices, the preseason games provide key opportunities. Especially with Brady missing the offseason workouts the preseason provides him with the opportunity to get the workouts in he would’ve gotten had he attended.

Tom Brady Behind With His New Receivers

It seems like Tom Brady is behind which could be a cause for concern as the season approaches fast. Cordarrelle Patterson or Eric Decker is going to have to step it up. One of them will have to be a key factor besides Chris Hogan and Rob Gronkowski. Kenny Britt was on the practice field yesterday but is still recovering from a hamstring injury. Britt told reporters on Sunday that he’s behind.

“I definitely feel like I’m behind, because I’m not out there with the guys, getting the chemistry I need with the quarterbacks, and getting on the same page with everyone.”

Overall this is not a good look. If Hogan, Edelman, or Gronkowski get hurt the Patriots could be in for a bumpy start to the season. Brady will play at a high level but if his new receivers can’t catch the ball you’ll be seeing a very frustrated Tom Brady.

Who Will Make the Cut at Running Back

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Which Running Backs Will Make The Team

It’s no secret the New England Patriots have lots of running backs at the moment. Injuries have plagued the position early on. Newly drafted Sony Michel has a knee injury. According to Jeff Howe of the Athletic Michel had his knee drained earlier this month due to a tear in his meniscus. Running back Rex Burkhead is also dealing with a slight tear in his knee but according to Howe it’s a minor injury and nothing serious. James White seems to be Tom Brady’s go-to guy as we saw on Thursday night against the Eagles. Fighting for a roster spot on the Patriots is running back Mike Gillislee who had 383 yards last season and 5 touchdowns.

Rex Burkhead was initially on the practice field Sunday afternoon but would go to the lower field with teammates on the physically unable to perform list. Rex Burkhead has not taken a preseason snap yet. Rookie running back Sony Michel was a no show in practice yesterday. Undrafted free agent Ralph Webb made a good impression in the first preseason game this season. Bill Belichick had this to say after the game against Washington:

“It’s what he was like at Vanderbilt: he ran hard, he’s tough. He’s not the biggest guy, but he’s got good strength for his size and he runs hard. … He’s a tough kid, runs with good pad level. Webb’s got good speed, catches the ball well. Made a nice catch on the two-point play. It was a low ball, made a good adjustment on the catch and got it in.”

My Predictions

In my opinion, I think the following running backs make the team.

  • James White. He had 429 yards and three touchdowns last season. He also is Brady’s most trusted running back on the team.
  • Rex Burkhead. He had 264 yards and five touchdowns last season.
  • Ralph Webb. He’s had a decent preseason and Belichick seems to like him.
  • Sony Michel singed a rookie contract and has the potential to be the next Dion Lewis.

That leaves Mike Gillislee not making the roster for the upcoming season. Last season Gillislee finished the season with 104 carries for 334 yards. Gillislee appeared in just one of the team’s final eleven games last season. He would injure his knee in that game and miss the entirety of the postseason.

The second running back who will be cut is Jeremy Hill. Hill never found the end zone and only had 116 rushing yards last season. The Patriots will carry four running backs on the roster heading into the season.