For many US states, online sports betting has been off the cards for years, which meant that sports bettors would typically have to travel to Nevada, and more specifically, Las Vegas, to get their sports betting fix. However, with the state of New Jersey pushing the US Supreme Court to overturn the decades old PASPA law, things started to change in 2018.
New Jersey became the first state to offer online gambling and sport betting, which was soon followed by a number of other states including Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia and several others. However, even though PASPA is a thing of the past, and several states have begun to offer online sports betting, things are still moving slow. To make matters worse, you have to be in those states to bet online and, to make sure that happens, your location is tracked and your IP address is verified. This then leaves the vast majority of sports betting resources if you want to bet on sports for real money, in the dark.
Of course, not everyone can travel to New Jersey or Nevada to get some real money betting action going on, so what’s the alternative? For many outside of these states, the only alternative is to look at the somewhat murky world of offshore sports betting. Murky because many are unsure of what the legal ramifications are to sports betting for real money at offshore sites, and murky because how would one know which sites offer legitimate opportunities and which are a scam?
Why Betting Offshore Makes More Sense
Offshore online gambling is not a new phenomenon that just sprang up after the PASA repeal. For years, gamblers in the US have sought to circumvent the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA). This has meant either using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to disguise their IP address, or finding offshore sites such as those licensed out of Costa Rica and Curacao, that were willing to accept US gamblers online.
While there may be some risk involved in gambling offshore, this is largely due to not enough research being done into potential sites, which includes reading in-depth review such as those found on US offshore sports betting resources like OffshoreSportsbooks.com. Provided enough research is performed, and the necessary level of caution and common sense is applied, offshore sports betting can provide an excellent alternative to the currently sluggish US state-based online sports betting options.
There are plenty of offshore sports books with an excellent reputation and track record, that provide top notch online sports betting opportunities across the board. In most cases, the amount of sports betting options and opportunities far exceeds what is currently available at US state-based online sports betting sites. Once you get comfortable with the idea of betting offshore, and have found a suitable, safe and trustworthy site, you may even find that posted odds are superior in most sports, and the chances of clearing significant profits are higher too.
Is Betting Offshore Legal?
This is the million-dollar question that everyone asks at some point. Is it legal to bet online at an offshore sportsbook? The truth of the matter is, at this stage, no one really knows. The overturning of PASPA by the US Supreme Court seems to have only added to the confusion, as no one is sure anymore what is legal and what isn’t.
Essentially, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act made it illegal for anyone to take a bet and process the payment within the United States. However, this does not mean that you can’t place a bet online, as long as the site you’re dealing with is not based within the US. So basically, in a nutshell, you can be a sports bettor online, you just can’t be a bookie.
What Sports Can You Bet on with an Offshore Sportsbook?
As a US sports bettor, you will be very happy to learn that most offshore online sportsbooks will offer plenty of action on all of the sports that you love to bet on. This includes plenty of NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL action. Top offshore sportsbooks will usually give you highly competitive odds on current and upcoming events, and will often include plenty of details as they build up to the events.
Aside from the regular US sports which everyone enjoys betting on, most offshore sportsbooks will also offer a wide array of other sports, including tennis, golf, soccer (the other football), MMA and UFC action, horse racing, dogs and much more. You’ll be able to take advantage of some great sign-up offers, free bets, cashbacks on losses and all sorts of other promo goodies. Signing up is fast, US dollars are accepted, and there are plenty of payment options to suit your specific needs. It just becomes a matter of shopping around to find the best fit for you.
So, What’s the Best Way to Choose a Good Offshore Sports Betting Site?
As the saying goes, there are plenty of ways to skin a cat. Some prefer to go it alone, trying out different offshore sports betting sites until one sticks. However, the obvious drawback to this is that trial and error can be costly, and if you’re on a limited budget, this is simply not a viable option. The more practical, and somewhat safer alternative, is to simply find a reliable and trustworthy offshore sports betting resource.
We mentioned OffshoreSportsbooks.com earlier in this article, and that is a good place to start your journey. The reason why it’s important to go with an online resource like that is so you can find several potential offshore sportsbooks to choose from at one site. There is no need to then run around trying out different ones first. You can read in-depth reviews which go through all the key features including bonuses, number of sports covered, odds and payout speeds, reliability, support and so much more. Be sure to pick a site that is truly independent and that pays for all their own reviews, there are sites out there that are nothing more than sponsored advertising for specific sites.
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Always ensure the safety of playgrounds
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How to have good quality pitching rubber
Actually climbing is one inherently dangerous sport and is part of attraction to some however and then sensible climber will always strive to minimize danger and wherever possible. Good quality mats improve player’s skills and safety are easily installed and then last for years. You will also find such things at an established sports equipment distributor that giving quality products and consistent services.
You must avoid surprises by surveying the road right before you encounter it. You need to make sure that trail goes beyond obstacle and actually not become a bottomless quagmire. Driving diagonally always drives straight down hills or steep terrain and to know the approach and departure angles the bumper to tire distance etc.
Use of loose material in safety surfacing
Actually with the regards to lose safety surfaces materials as a good gravel and then playground sand can also work well as seeing they are also easy to keep it neat and clean. Sports that our surfaces are installed for including, basketball and hockey is definitely involved are good to developed with the surface measurement. It can also keep surface in excellent performance condition and then extend its life expectancy. People can also support design a specific cleaning plan of the sports pitch surfacing to keep it safe and to go maintain the playing features.
Preferences for safety surfacing
Actually wet pour rubber flooring is used by most of companies and creating seamless finish to the play area and then fulfilling its main role. It is not only to ensure that child is protected if they fall but it can also add color to they are and further supports. Not only do playground installations required safe equipment and then surfacing is also valuable component for it. Maintaining sports facilities is a valuable part of keeping pitches for sports in good and appropriate conditions. On the time we exactly install sports pitches and always suggested and explain to the further clients about the valuable of having sports facilities maintenance.
Brock Holt is an awesome enigma. He was an All Star on a last place team, averaged .255 or lower in half his seasons, and had the only Cycle in the long history of the MLB playoffs.
Holt’s story is one of perseverance, major highs, and frustrating lows. What can we look forward to in 2019?
A Parade Of Obsticles & Injuries
Here is a list of names that the Red Sox have put in Brock Holt’s way since he came over in 2013 from the Pirates: Jose Iglesias, Will Middlebrooks, Brandon Snyder, Jonathan Herrera, Ryan Roberts, Pablo Sandoval, Mike Carp, Daniel Nava, Grady Sizemore, Kelly Johnson, Allen Craig, Carlos Rivera, Jemile Weeks, Josh Rutledge, Deven Marrero, Chris Young, Ian Kinsler.
And why so many, with only Iglesias as a true everyday player on the way up or in his prime? The dreaded DL. In August of 2014 Holt got a concussion. This injury would lead to another concussion in May of 2016, and essentially losing all of 2017 with Vertigo as a result. He had knee tightness in 2015, a hamstring strain in April of 2018, and was spiked in the knee in July of 2018.
The bottom line is he can’t be hit in the head again, but the chances are slim. Pitching inside is a lost art these days, and playing with consistent teammates reduces the chances of a fielding collision. Holt’s other injuries are garden variety MLB injuries that have shown no ill effects.
Skills
When Brock was called up in 2013, the book on him was spot on:
“Maximizes tools with instincts and all out effort. Focuses on making contact with a short, simple stroke. Knows how to run the bases and can steal a bag from time to time.”
Baseball HQ minor league analysis
Here are the types of things Brock Holt can do when he is maximizing his tools:
Hit .281 with a .331 OBP in 2014, including 12 steals and finishing 8th in Rookie of the Year voting. He played 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, and OF that year.
Despite the team paying Pablo Sandoval and being overlooked, Holt had a .886 OPS by early July, hit for the cycle in June, and was an All Star. Tightness in his knee, and the emergence of Travis Shaw, led to a lost end of that year.
After coming back from his concussion in 2016 he had a 1.389 OPS vs right handers before losing time to Andrew Benintendi’s rookie year.
2018 saw him start hot before injuring his hamstring, then he had a 14% walk rate (that’s elite) by July before getting spiked and losing time to Rafael Devers.
In August of 2018 he had a .348 OBP as he was still seeing the ball well, and a .917 OPS in August and September as his power returned.
In the World Series run he had the Cycle against the Yankees, and threw in another double and a stolen base along the way.
He’s hitting .313 with .917 OPS in spring training.
In summary, he walks, has good pop, steals a bag now and then, and makes good contact.
Give Him A Chance
There is much consternation in Red Sox Nation about the state of the minor league system. When players like Shaw, Benny and Devers matriculate in consecutive years that will happen. While Brock will never hit 30 home runs, like Shaw has and Devers should, his all around power more than plays. Players don’t hit for more than one Cycle in their career without legit power. He might never have the ceiling of Andrew Benintendi’s future multiple batting champ skills, but he’s not far behind with the contact to hit .280 or higher. And his ability to take a walk will always keep him on the bases and scoring runs.
This is the skill-set of a very talented major leaguer. The Red Sox should not feel the need to backfill in case of Dustin Pedroia’s rehab going awry.
Give him a chance at 500 at bats and this is the year he puts it all together. Think Bill Mueller in the 9 hole in 2004, or Nunez on his best days.
Plus, we all need more joy in our lives right?
(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
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Welcome to the Monday Morning Shotcaller column. For all you New Englanders, I hope you’ve shoveled yourself out and get a chance to build yourself a snow hero.
It’s been somewhat of a cluster for the Boston Uprising this year. Our new DPS player was suspended the first two games. Our star, called up from our minor league team, had to negotiate a new contract two games into the season. But no more! There’s nothing like waiting until 3 weeks into the season to have your house in order. Why have an offseason end at the start of the season?
That’s all in the past. Boston is 1-2 headed into stage 1 week 3. The starting roster is set. We’re locked in and ready to go. Fusions is in midseason form. Let’s get it started.
With all that drama as background, what was there to expect going into his match? First, we know Boston has failed time and time again against the Sombra play. After making Shanghai (and DDing specifically) look like the best team in the league, would Boston come prepared to counter the Sombra strat? Surely their supports, Kellex, Aimgod, and Alemao, would be prepared to take an EMP and twist it in Boston’s favor?
Second, would Fusions pick up where he left off? Clearly his last minute ejection from the starting roster had much to do with Shanghai’s win. Now that the Brit is under contract and had a week to prepare all the excuses are off the table. If he could continue his aggressive push into teams, timely Earthshatters, and possibly self-endangering shout calls (seriously dude, take a throat lozenge), Boston looked good.
But what about Seoul? First, they happen to have one of the best Sombra players in the league. Michelle as Sombra plays very aggressive – getting a lot of hacks but also a lot of deaths. Having a strong hacker would logically give Seoul an advantage. With wins against the LA Gladiators and the Chengdu Hunters and a loss against the Dallas Fuel, it’s been difficult to read the tea leaves on the Dynasty. They had just as much to prove going into this match as Boston.
Nepal
Capture began for Boston with Fusions playing on the Winston. Picking up right where he left off against Houston, he leapt into Seoul territory. While he occupied the Dynasty, Boston got the first capture. Playing a solid defensive front, Boston held on until Seoul landed a Self-Destruct on Kellex that spiraled into a team wipe. Up 69% – 0% at that point, the Uprising bided their time. Accumulating enough ults, Boston eventually recaptured the point. After several exchanges (including this Self-Destruct from Note that catches the Lucio, Zarya, and DVa) Boston cruises to a 100% – 27% stage win.
Boston gets the first cap on stage two, but Seoul charges in with several ults in tow (grav, rally, trans, earth shatter) to take it back. The stage features even exchanges on both sides for most of the match. The broadcast’s caster, Monte, started begging Seoul to go to the Sombra. To no avail. Michelle lands an unbelievable 3k as overtime starts to lead to a cap. With Seoul up to 88%, the Uprising charge in with a set of ults only to have Jesce boop the team right into a Michelle Self-Destruct 4k. Despite a decent last second Wrecking Ball by Fusions the delay doesn’t work and Seoul wins 100 – 99%
In sudden death, Seoul decides they don’t want to let Boston be the aggresor anymore. Fortunately for the Uprising, the initial push fails and Boston gets the first cap. Typical GOATs exchanges rules the match until the game goes to Overtime. Fusions gets a critical shield from Colourhex’s Zarya and times a perfect Earth Shatter in OT to lead to a 100% – 99% win.
Numbani
Boston’s first offensive push was highlighted by their playing mind games with their route to Point A. Taunting the high ground but running low, Kellex comes out of nowhere to boop some of the Seoul down to ground level to steamroll a capture. They capture Point B with less than a minute to go after Aimgod and Colourhex each get a 2k.
At long last, Seoul pulls out the Sombra with Munchkin taking the hacker role. With a Phar-Mercy combo running, Seoul steamrolls Boston for a quick Point A. Boston gets 4 players hit with the first EMP from Seoul, but, they’re ready. Aimgod, having hung back, pops the Transcendence. Unfortunately, they lose as Note getting picked snowballs the team. But everyone watching learned something – Boston could take the EMP.
Back on offense after Seoul caps Point B, we see the Uprising do the same strategy. This time the Overwatch League meme it:
Boston uses the boop and Point A capture to snowball to an incredibly far push. Back on offense, Seoul runs the same DPS heavy comp to get Point A. Unfortunately, they have to reset their ultimate economy to get back to 3-3. Boston didn’t. Punishing the Dynasty with shatters and gravitons, Boston stops Seoul in their tracks to win the map.
Temple of Anubis
Boston and Seoul put on a GOATs buffet for fans of the 3-3. Discoordination and inability to combo ults doomed Boston from the get-go. Taking 3 attempts to get the final point, Fusions decided it was time to show everyone what they were missing from the Shanghai match:
Seoul decides they don’t want to get thrashed in front of the whole audience and put everything on the line. Punishing Boston’s choice of the Winston, they roll through Point A onto Point B using their cult advantage and picking off the right supports. They take Point B with a huge (5 minute) advantage.
After stopping the Uprising from capturing Point B, the door is open for Seoul. Note does a notable job on defense, particularly surviving as baby DVa long enough between team fights to call down the mech and push with the rest of the Uprising. Unfortunately, Seoul gets a 4k with the Self Destruct that they snowball into a Point A & B capture to win the map.
Route 66
Boston says they’ve had enough of the Sombra comp and pull it out themselves. Their first EMP hits 5 and allows them to get past the Bastion on offense. Munchkins’ first EMP does hit Aimgod, but Kellex is there with a Sound Barrier. The cat and mouse between Aimgod and Munchkin continues through to the last point, where this beauty happened:
If it's @aimgod_ow you seek, attempt to hack his team and out he shall peek. #OWL2019
After making it through to the end, Boston shows an impressive defensive effort. Between Note’s Self-Destructs and Fusion timing his Earth Shatters, Boston nearly gets a full hold. Seoul gets their act together enough through Point A, but the Uprising put an end to any thoughts of a reverse sweep.
Boston Uprising fans were served a smorgasbord of deliciousness to chew on this night. Goodness gracious. Let’s start with an unsung hero in Kellex. First, his Lucio was seemingly in the perfect position all night. Whether it was hitting a boop to set up an ultimate combo or knock Seoul out of position, Kellex’s offense was fantastic. Additionally, he staggered the Uprising’s losses all night by wall riding into tough places to get picked off. Supports don’t get enough love and here’s some shine for our main support.
Aimgod and Kellex both did a great job showing that the Uprising were up to the Sombra challenge. The two positioned themselves outside of EMP range masterfully all night. In the future, when scholars look back at why a seemingly overpowered hero like Sombra wasn’t nerfed, they’ll study this game’s tape. Seemingly every time an EMP hit from Seoul, Boston triggered a support ultimate to weather the storm. Aimgod in particular baited Munchkin’s EMP all night and seemed to win each bout.
Our captain also showed he had something to prove. Has any Rein ever had over 100k in blocked damage on 4 maps? That stat is unbelievable. But the numbers don’t tell everything. Anyone with eyes could see Fusion was leading the Uprising into each battle, hitting his charges, sweeping the hammer, and knocking his Earth Shatters with surgical precision. If anyone thought the NYXL & Houston matches were a fluke, they are all certainly paying attention now.
At 2-2, with their full roster finally available, Boston was in the driver’s seat.
https://gfycat.com/gargantuanseparatecod
I know what it’s like to lose. To feel so desperately that you’re right, yet to fail nonetheless. Dread it. Run from it. Destiny arrives all the same -Fusions
Boston Uprising (2-2) vs. Toronto Defiant (2-2)
After the high of beating Seoul, Boston was feeling invincible. They’ve got the starting roster they waited all season for. Sombra no longer posed a threat. Fusions was destined for league MVP. NYXL was sweating playing Boston in the stage 1 playoffs. What could possibly go wrong?
Enter Toronto. Themselves waiting for their star player, Neko, to come off a suspension. Tonight was their coming out party, five games into the season. Who is this Neko guy? If you don’t know, Neko is the star off support Boston plucked from obscurity and built into a juggernaut last season. I’m sure that he has nothing to prove going up against his former team. In his first game of the season. With Boston playing the guy (Aimgod) that replaced him in the starting roster. Just another normal game!
Busan
Boston walked out in this game with their pants down. Weird/nervous switches from the very start from a tank heavy to a damage heavy and back to a tank heavy team comp. I haven’t seen such indecisiveness since I asked my wife what movie she wants watch on Netflix. More importantly, by the time they got their act together, Toronto had the point. Both teams ran the traditional 3-3 and saw the typical grav/self-destruct/earthshatter combos we’re used to. Only thing I saw that was interesting was Aimgod popping trans in a team fight towards the end of the stage that was too late to save Colourhex. They had baited Toronto into popping theirs, but lacked the coordination to fully counter with their own. Toronto ends up winning 100%- 84%.
Stage 2 was even worse for Boston. Kellex did a nice camp on top of the point to delay a Toronto cap at the start, but to no avail. That summed up the stage, too. Boston never seemed well coordinated, mismanaged their health and ultimate economy, and couldn’t hit their ultimate combos. Toronto wins the stage 100% – 43% for the map win. A pretty decisive first map win for the new expansion team.
Hollywood
After getting rolled on the first map, Boston came up flaccid on the second. Unable to pull off any ultimate combos or meaningful engagements, the team looked dead. Defiant’s Ivy on Zarya got several picks, especially on Fusions and Blasé. Note was Boston’s bright light, getting some great picks on Zarya and DVa. Once again, Note showed throughout the day how quick on his feet and improvisational he is. This is special, as his team operates based on set plays. Unfortunately, Aimgod was outmatched by Neko on Zen, as was Colourhex by Ivy. Defiant won handedly.
Temple of Anubis
Coming back from halftime, Boston faced a daunting task in having to get a reverse sweep. On offense, Kellex played a crucial role getting a pick on Neko that allowed the Uprising to cap Point A, and immediately snowball to Point B to finish the round with over 5 minutes in the bank. Taking note of how they just got rolled, Toronto pushes Point A and ropes the team wipe they unleashed into a snowball of Point B – also with over 5 minutes in the bank.
Big shatter from @Fusions helps clutch the second point!
Back on offense, Boston had to keep up the pace from their first go-around. The back and forth on point A prolongs the round, but they capture it with under 3 minutes to go. Toronto holds several times. In fact, with nearly all six of their ultimates, Toronto pushes out past the entrance to hold off Boston. Unfortunately for them, Kellex booped them off the high ground and the Uprising feasted off the ensuing chaos. Boston pushed to the point and…
Toronto pulls one of the most egregious pauses in the history of eSports. Yes, we don’t know what happened. But after Toronto gets cocky enough to push out with six ultimates, under a minute to go, get steamrolled, and are about to lose the Point, who else did it? Regardless, Boston finished the push and went up 4-2.
Having to push back Toronto or else face another round on offense, Boston nuts up and pulls off a full hold. Toronto actually picks Kellex off at the last team fight first and eats the graviton. Unfortunately, they fail to put someone on the point just as the team fight is turning their favor. That’s Boston’s first C9 of the season!
Rialto
Coming out of halftime with something to prove, Boston was looking good. They turned things around coming out of Point A and put Toronto on their heels. Reverse sweep was hanging over Blizzard Arena. Uprising were not going to go quietly into that good night.
Then Rialto. What is there to say? Envy got a quad kill with the Self-Destruct. Oops wrong team. Boston didn’t give up the third point. Yeah! That’s it! Toronto couldn’t bring the payload home. There’s that.
Boston didn’t give up. It certainly looked like they were going to get full held at the first point. Leave it to Note to come in and pop a Self Destruct that clears the way for a cap. There was at least that. But not much else. Toronto wins the map and the match.
Analysis
Coming back to reality hurts. Whether you get a bad test back from a teacher, get scolded by your parents, step on the scale, or look at your bank account. Sometimes all the hubris and positive thinking in the world can’t obscure the painful reality of things. And that’s what this game was for Boston. Remember when the Boston Celtics used the fact that the Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kendrick Perkins squad never lost in the playoffs? Those excuses ended against Seoul for the Uprising. While the Celtics had injuries and nostalgic memories of championship glory, the Uprising had to put their nose to the grindstone. And they didn’t deliver.
Where do we go from here? We’ve got Fusions. We’ve got Colourhex. Axxiom and Alemao, who have each shown moments of brilliance, are sitting there on the bench. Maybe Boston spent too much time training for Sombra. The fact that Toronto didn’t pull it may have hurt them. But there is enough tape out there on Toronto to not justify such a shortcoming.
Also screw this guy. Neko sprayed the Uprising logo throughout the match. In a post-game interview, he claims he hadn’t switched his setting. Right. And I have crouch speed-binded to the wrong key because I let my wife use my computer. This guy has put himself on top of the Uprising hit list. Public enemy #1.
Looking Forward
I’m not hitting the panic button yet. This type of humility, early in the season, could be good for them. At this point it seems likely that stage 1 playoffs are off the table. Short of a collapse by one of the higher ranked teams, Boston needs to prepare for stage 2. With only Florida and Dallas left to play in stage 1, there’s no reason they can’t build up some confidence. I’m sure the coaches are already looking at the PTR, studying Baptiste (and his Immortality Field), and drawing up strats. Still, today is a pretty dark day. It’ll be a long week before next Sunday’s match.
http://gph.is/1UOPmVL
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Martellus Bennett hinting about a return to the Patriots?
With free agency starting next week the Patriots are already looking ahead to 2019. With them winning the Super Bowl they are weeks behind the rest of the league with getting ready for next season. The Patriots have to go into this offseason with the notion of needing a backup quarterback. They also don’t know the status of Rob Gronkowski. If he’s coming back I think it’s because he wants to play with Tom Brady. The Patriots are releasing tight end Dwyane Allen, who was really productive with his time with the Patriots. In his two seasons, he only had one touchdown and 113 receiving yards. As for a former Patriot, Martellus Bennett, there could be a possibility for a return to the Patriots.
It would be great for Bennett to come back to the Patriots
Bennett was way more productive than Allen on the Patriots. In his two seasons, he had seven touchdowns for 754 yards. Bennett wants to be on a winning team, and when Gronkowski comes back they’ll be set at the tight end position. Brady had better chemistry with Bennett than with Allen. Also, with Gronkowski always injured you need someone more reliable than Dwyane Allen at tight end.
Bennett just wants to win, and what better team to do that on than the Patriots. He can also be clutch in big game moments when a play needs to be made. Tom Brady will be 42 when the season starts and needs veterans around him. He doesn’t need players that won’t give him production. Allen was a good blocker but nothing else. Bennett can both block and gain yardage. Bennett wasn’t really a standout until he got to New England and got his chance to be on a winning team.
The Patriots 2018 draft class could be defined as either a success or failure. On one hand, there were several picks that ended up on IR, including Duke Dawson and Isaiah Wynn. Contrarily, Sony Michel and Keion Crossen both contributed in big ways for most of the season.
Michel very well could have had over 1,000 yards if he was healthy the whole year. Crossen was instrumental on special teams, and was good depth at cornerback. The rest of the rookie class didn’t contribute much of anything, with only Danny Etling and Duke Dawson seeing the practice field.
However, one of the more devastating blows to the 2018 rookie class was linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley.
Coming out of Purdue, Bentley was a fifth round pick and looked to be on the rise after a stellar preseason. As an inside linebacker, he was tasked with taking on covering responsibilities in the open field and handled it extremely well. New England always seems to lack linebackers who can effectively cover running backs, but Bentley was fantastic in limited action.
Ja’Whaun Bentley had a fantastic preseason in 2018, giving the Patriots an easy choice when it came to roster cuts.
He was given an 80.7 grade from Pro Football Focus in the three games he played, which was higher than any other Patriot linebacker by far.
The former Boilermaker had 14 combined tackles and one interception in 2018. The interception came against Detroit, where he perfectly covered tight end Luke Willson and picked off Matthew Stafford. It was textbook coverage against a good tight end, helped by a bad decision by Stafford.
Later on in the Lions game, Bentley made a tackle and came up with a torn biceps. New England later placed him on Injured Reserve, ending his season. It was an ill-timed injury at the time for the Patriots, who were struggling mightily.
Bentley was the lone bright spot for the 1-2 Patriots, as he was progressing quickly for a rookie. At one point, he had the green sticker on his helmet, signalling he was receiving the play calls from Brian Flores. This sticker is usually on Dont’a Hightower’s helmet, so the fact that Bentley had it speaks volumes.
Bentley left the Week 3 Detroit game with a torn biceps, ending his season. He finished the game with an interception, instilling hope for next season.
So with this stellar, yet limited, rookie year, what can be expected out of the fifth round pick in 2019? If we’re looking at the past, linebacker has been the one position that New England has seen steady production in terms of draft picks. Dont’a Hightower, Elandon Roberts, Brandon Spikes, and Jerod Mayo are some examples.
There is precedent for rookie linebackers going on to succeed in New England, but does that mean Bentley will? Obviously time will tell, but it seems like he’s trending the correct way.
He was given the play call helmet for the Patriots games against Jacksonville and Detroit, which is a huge deal. He handled his assignments with great aplomb, covering receivers and tackling well. It also helps he has great veterans like Hightower and Kyle Van Noy to help him in his sophomore year.
Ja’Whaun Bentley could breakout in his second year campaign. If his rookie season was any indication, he has the potential to live up to his number 51, previously donned by Jerod Mayo. Those are big shoes to fill, but he seems to have the attitude and talent to pull it off.
It will be interesting to see how the Patriots view Bentley’s development, because Dont’a Hightower is counting for nearly $11 million against the 2019 cap. Elandon Roberts also had an up and down year, which could make him a cut candidate.
If New England does cut either one of these two, it would say a lot about how they see Bentley in the future.
As we creep closer to the start of the baseball season it is time to start thinking about what we might see from the Red Sox players. As a team that won a World Series in 2018, expectations will be high. Those expectations will be boosted even further by how the Red Sox performed in the regular season. To kick off my look at what we can expect I am starting with the 40 home run superstar J.D. Martinez. In 649 plate appearances in 2018, Martinez hit 43 home runs with a .330 batting average a combined 240 runs and RBI. If we dig deeper into Martinez’s performance, can he sustain those numbers in 2019?
The Power
Martinez came into Boston off the back of one of the best second halves of a season in baseball history. In the back half of 2017 with the Diamondbacks, Martinez hit an incredible 29 home runs in 257 plate appearances. To put that into context, that is a home run every 8.86 plate appearances! The numbers behind that incredible number are also impressive. Across the whole of 2017, Martinez had a 91 mph exit velocity and a barrel percentage of 19.5%. Many people felt the only way was down in 2018, but they were mostly wrong.
Yes his PA/HR numbers dropped from that incredible second half, but it was a still home run in every 15.1 plate appearances. His barrel % dipped to 16%, which is still incredible, and his launch angle dropped 4.6 degrees. However, we actually saw his exit velocity increase by 2 mph to 93 mph. All told, Martinez ranked right up among the top 2% in the league in all the right metrics for power, hard hit rate, exit velocity and barrel %.
Getting On Base
Something that Martinez took to a new level in 2018 was his ability to get on base. Martinez set a career high in OBP, with a .402 mark, thanks to a career high in batting average, and pretty much matching it for walk rate. When you are getting on base over 40% of the time you are absolutely killing it for your team. Those numbers are the reason he had 110 runs and 130 RBI last season.
Focusing on the batting average, which sat at .330, it is a number he could come close to repeating. A good indicator of whether a batting average is true or not is expected batting average. Expected batting average is calculated based on the % chance of success of each batted ball event. Well, Martinez had an expected batting average of .310, which is extremely impressive. In fact, it ranked in the top 1% of the league. If I had to bet I would say .330 is something he will not repeat, but I would definitely bet he is right around the .300 region, which is still extremely impressive.
The Final Product
Martinez is now 31 so he may be coming towards the end of his prime. However, the numbers from last year did not suggest a drop off, and it would be unfair on him to expect anything less than a 90% return on what we saw last season. If I had to put numbers on it I would say 37-40 home runs, a batting average in the .300 region and a combined 220 runs and RBI.
Injuries will always be a concern for Martinez, but he will play the bare minimum in the outfield. Therefore, he will be at the plate causing havoc once again for the Red Sox. 2019 should be another great year for this late blooming slugger.
Despite the snowfall in Boston, the Bruins are looking hot as they face the New Jersey Devils tonight at TD Garden. Since the trade deadline, former Devils Marcus Johansson is set to face his old team. Tonight’s game will also mark the 666th career game for Brad Marchand, who has 18 points in his past 12 games. Tuukka Rask , who’s been playing red-hot (13-0-3), will get the start in net.
(Photo: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports)
HOT IN THE CITY
The Bruins are coming off a huge 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning this past Thursday. Boston is hoping to extend their amazing game point streak to 16 games. Forward Jake DeBrusk has 12 points in his last eight games. A big side note: Boston has gone the entire month of February without a regulation loss. During the Lightning game, Bruins forward Sean Kuraly took a nasty hit that saw him being bounced between Braydon Coburn and Erik Cernak. He has been placed in the NHL concussion protocol.
UPDATES
With Kuraly’s sidelined, Providence’s Peter Cehlarik is once again recalled on an emergency basis. He will be most likely slotted with Charlie Coyle and David Backes. Look for Joakim Nordstrom to play with Noel Acciari and Chris Wagner. Kevan Miller will miss tonight’s game as he is recovering from an upper-body injury. For new Bruins player Marcus Johansson, he was quoted that facing his old team will be a “little weird”:
“Obviously made a lot of good friendships. It’s gonna be weird, but I got to do it when I got to Jersey and played Washington, so I kind of know the feeling a little bit, but it’s gonna be a little odd at first.”
.@mjohansson90 talks about facing his old team tomorrow night and his chemistry with new linemates Jake DeBrusk and David Krejci: pic.twitter.com/VJUEZwWM2I
Patrice Bergeron was given another maintenance day on Friday. David Pastrnak continues to skate as he recuperates from his surgery. With the regular season coming to a close, expect more maintenance days for key veteran players:
“…weeks like this, we’d rather them not skate day of game. So if they go out today and do like a pregame skate for 15 minutes, sometimes the day after a game, as long as you get your sleep, its easier than going twice the day of a game…There may come a time when you might give them the whole day off and no morning skate but that kind of depends..how they feel, the fatigue level.”
Coach Bruce Cassidy
(Photo Credits: Steven Ryan | Getty Images)
OPPOSING TEAM
The New Jersey Devils will be facing the Bruins for the second time tonight with the Devils beating Boston 5-2 back on December 27th. New Jersey lost to the Flyers last night 6-3. They have lost two straight and are 5-8-1 in their last 14 games. Drew Stafford will play his 100th game for the Devils. Jersey are 1-5-1 when they play the Bruins in Boston.
Right-winger Kyle Palmieri leads the team in goals (26) and points (48). Nico Hischier leads the team with 27 assists. Their current record is 25-32-8 and they are last in the Metropolitan Division. The Bruins (38-17-9) are second in the Atlantic Division and third in the league. Mackenzie Blackwood will start in between the pipes for the Devils.
The trade demand for Antonio Brown will not be dry this offseason as three teams are quite interested.
Pittsburgh Steelers disgruntled star wideout Antonio Brown has made it very clear that he wants out. It doesn’t matter where to, but Brown is open to playing for any team but Pittsburgh. Considering his age, and contractual price tag, the Steelers initial asking price didn’t seem like a ton. Regardless of how much he’s going to cost though, the Steelers have to get rid of him at some point.
What’s the rush? Well, for starters, Brown already met with the Steelers’ ownership. Both parties agreed that it’s time to move on and there’s that. Oh, and there’s also the fact that Antonio Brown has sounded off on Pittsburgh every chance that he gets. First, it was Le’Veon Bell. Now, it’s AB.
Maybe these guys weren’t lying. Perhaps they aren’t as selfish as everybody thought. The Steelers apparently have some problems internally, and it’s not a very good look. As Brown waits for the league new year to see where he ends up, he’s making the Steelers decision to put him up for sale much more comfortable.
On HBO’s “The Shop” AB sounded off on Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. It wasn’t a secret that Big Ben has struggled to hold himself accountable all throughout the 2018 NFL season as he publicly threw players under the bus. Now, Brown is officially over trying to let it go.
Antonio Brown is upset with Pittsburgh and needs to get out of there pronto. With all of his off-field distractions though this offseason, is his trade value diminished? It’s unclear what teams are offering, but there are definitely some teams interested, which is no surprise. These handy guides will help you filter through the noise and make the right decision when betting NFL futures with Brown’s future still in the air.
Who is interested in AB?
According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, three teams are seriously interested in Brown. There’s only one problem for the Steelers though. Two of the three teams compete in the AFC. Before, the Steelers made it clear that they strongly preferred to dish Brown out to the NFC, but at this point, they may not have a choice.
The Oakland Raiders are one team who have their eyes on Brown. As they traded away Amari Cooper for a first-rounder last season, there’s a possibility that they flip that pick for Brown. It would be very much like Jon Gruden to trade a young wideout just to acquire another wideout who will be 31 in July based off of the need for a wide receiver. So typical.
Oakland isn’t the only AFC team who reached out. Apparently, the Tennesee Titans have their eyes on him as well. The Titans have Corey Davis, but he has yet to really take his game to the next level. The AFC South is somewhat of a tough division, so the Titans do need to start really upgrading in order to compete in the regular season.
Lastly, the Washington Redskins want in on the action. Yes, the Redskins need a wide receiver, but why get one this season when you would need a quarterback too. Alex Smith is out of the year, and apparently, Colt McCoy will be the starter. Yikes. Maybe Washington finds a short-term upgrade in Free Agency. If they don’t, then perhaps they should save their assets instead of getting Brown to struggle with a bad quarterback.
