Red Sox Free Agency 2019: Does Charlie Morton Compare to Nathan Eovaldi?

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One of the surprises of the 2019 Free Agency crop in Major League baseball is that Charlie Morton is available.  The Astros did not sign him before he hit free agency and they did not extend him a qualifying offer.

Nathan Eovaldi In Demand

Why does that matter to the Red Sox?  Because Nathan Eovaldi is suddenly starting to attract attention in the market.  A quick google search will show the Yankees’ interest.  And shockingly, curveball enthusiast Lance McCullers is going to miss the 2019 season for the Astros due to Tommy John Surgery.  According to many, this puts Eovaldi on the Astros list.

All of this is to say, the Red Sox will have a lot of competition for Eovaldi.  And while we rightly sing songs to his World Series heroics, it’s not like Eovaldi is the second coming of Pedro Martinez.  So it’s worth asking, if Eovaldi signs elsewhere, are there legit replacements available?

Charlie Morton

Let’s play a choose your own pitcher game.  Here are the average stats for the past two active seasons of each pitcher.  One of these is Charlie Morton, the other is Nathan Eovaldi:

  • Pitcher A: 118 innings, 23 starts, 4.28 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 7.6 K/9, 2.5 BB/9
  • Pitcher B: 157 innings, 27 starts, 3.53 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 10.4 K/9, 3.3 BB/9

Can you guess which is which?  A is Eovaldi, B is Morton.  Charlie Morton gets a bad rap that he’s injury prone, but he’s averaging 157 innings a year, which is what you need from a number 3, 4 or 5 starter.  He walks a few more than Eovaldi but strikes out a lot more too.

The fact that Morton, like Eovaldi, is right-handed also works in his favor.  The Sox already have three left-handers in Sale, Price and Eduardo Rodriguez.  There are a lot of right-handed bats on the Red Sox closest competitors, the Yankees, and Astros.  Having a right-handed starter to counteract Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gary Sanchez, George Springer, Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, and Carlos Correa is a necessity.

One other nugget about Morton: He is the forerunner of Eovaldi in terms of bullpen work in the ALCS and World Series in 2017.

Charlie Morton is 35 years old, 6 years older than Eovaldi, and because of that, there will be less demand for his services.  MLB Trade Rumors state, and I love this, that Morton is aging like fine wine.  They also estimate a 2 year $32 Million deal for him, verse a 4 year $60 Million deal for Eovaldi.

The Alex Cora Connection

There’s that man again.  Cora worked with Charlie Morton last year with the Astros, he has the inside knowledge on this guy.  Because of this, if there is smoke out there about the Sox interest in Morton I would believe it.

To me, Nathan Eovaldi is the Number 1 priority for the Red Sox in Free Agency.  But if the numbers start to creep towards $20 million a year I think the Red Sox should search for alternatives.  Charlie Morton is a great back up plan.

Boston Bruins Winter Classic Jersey

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Boston Bruins jersey for 2018 NHL Winter Classic 

The official announcement is scheduled for Thursday, November 8th but the official jerseys have been leaked.

The jerseys are inspired by the 1930’s era. The team chose to go with brown and gold, the original colors the Bruins wore when they came into the league.

This year’s game will be versus the Chicago Blackhawks at Notre Dame Stadium on January 1, 2019.

All About Sports Betting in the USA

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Generating billions of dollars in revenues a year, sports betting is one of the world’s most lucrative industries. And it has a rich history, too. According to experts, people have been gambling on sports since ancient times, with bets being initially placed on sporting events like chariot and canoe races.

Even though it has been practiced for thousands of years, sports betting remained illegal in the USA for a very long time. If you are curious to find out why wagering on sports remained banned for such a long time, you might want to check out the following article – sportsbettingday.com present you a history of sports betting in the USA.

  • Colonial period

Believe it or not, organized betting on sporting events began even before the States got their independence. In the early 17th century, horse racing was established as a royal sport in the UK and gained unparalleled popularity over the first few decades. It became so popular, in fact, that the British even established a racecourse in the US.

The first racecourse in the US was created in Long Island in 1665 and by 1868 the sport had grown into a well-organized business as well. For some time, horse racing remained the only sport to wager on. Similarly to the UK, however, the enterprise was reserved for the rich, and those who could not afford to bet on horses had to look for alternatives.

It is believed that the gold rush brought immense wealth to California citizens, which was complemented by a diversification of the gambling market. What followed was the legalization of a number of gambling establishments throughout the state in the 1850s. And, once citizens spread beyond California, gambling was introduced to a wider US public.

In the following years, however, the public began to associate professional gamblers with municipal corruption and gambling was even blamed for the economic depression that happened at the time.

  • A ban on gambling

Ironically, California was the first state to issue anti-gambling laws. The initial laws were weak and had to do with the prohibition of specific games. Nevertheless, the public attitude towards betting remained unchanged.

Slowly, the state strengthened its anti-gambling measures and by the 1860, all forms of gambling which included a bettor and a bookmaker/house were banned. As this law did not make betting itself illegal, people kept on betting; this time in a parimutuel form, though.

In 1891 at last, all gambling-related activities were banned across the USA.

  • A new era begins

In the early 20th century, wagering activities remained illegal in the US and it was only in 1949 that Nevada finally legalized sports betting. Even though wagering on sports was finally possible, good faith was missing. Moreover, sports-related scandals that happened in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s did little to improve the reputation of the enterprise. On the contrary, sports wagering was again deemed as a decaying activity.

What came as a natural result of the sports-related scandals of the time was the Federal Wire Act of 1961, which not only made the activity of betting on sports illegal, but also prohibited the sharing of information concerning the enterprise, too.

And yet, gambling thrived in spite of the attempt to ban it again – it was way too popular. According to a report of the 1970s, about two-thirds of US citizens gambled and 80% of the population approved the enterprise. Still, legislation was not changed, and gambling remained a prohibited activity, loved by many.

  • 1992 and PASPA

Slowly and steadily, the government changed its views on casino gambling, but the attitude towards sports betting remained largely unchanged. In fact, professional sports leagues also held a negative view on sports betting, arguing that the activity would compromise the integrity of different games.

And that is how PASPA, which was signed in 1992, came into existence. Simply said, PASPA enacted a total ban on all sports betting and other gambling activities in all US states. The government gave individual states one year to decide whether they wanted to allow sports betting within their borders, and Nevada was the first state to demand a comprehensive list of betting options. Several other states also included some forms of gambling, but their demands were not as extensive.

  • Present-day and future

In May 2018, Supreme Court abolished PASPA and gave states the right to decide whether they wanted sports betting within their borders or not. Following the overruling of PASPA, New Jersey became the first US state to open online sportsbooks and land-based betting shops within its borders. Second to follow was Mississippi, which launched sports betting back in August 1. Additionally, West Virginia is expected to launch sports betting on September 1, 2018.

In the near future, we can expect a number of other states to allow sports betting, which will tremendously boost the industry’s growth.

Red Sox Free Agency 2019: Is Marwin Gonzalez A Fit?

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When last we gazed on the 2018 Red Sox, the view was majestic.  But the 2018 season is over, and second base is a need.  Could Marwin Gonzalez meet that need?

On The Roster Now

For over 10 years, Dustin Pedroia was the guardian of second base and the second spot in the batting order for the Red Sox.  Before the dark times, before Manny Machado.

But let’s not be too harsh.  Machado’s spike and the aftermath, it could be argued, ended with the Sox getting Alex Cora.  That’s a great thing!

Pedroia is making a lot of money.  He’s on the books for an average of $13.75 million until 2021.  And that would be fine if he could play.  But the outlook is extremely iffy. He had knee cartilage restoration surgery in late 2017, followed by arthroscopic surgery to remove scar tissue in late July of this year.

I’m not a doctor, I don’t even play one on the Boston Sports Extra website, but because of those knee surgeries, I’m not hopeful for a full recovery.

Eduardo Nunez and Brock Holt are the remaining possibilities at second base.  But Nunez is a DL stint waiting to happen, while Brock Holt provides limited returns the more he plays.

Look, I love me some Brock Holt, but he’s averaged 89 games a year for the past 3 years.  He’s not reliable for a full season.

Can Marwin Gonzalez play 2B?

Gonzalez is what’s known as a super utility player.  Think Ben Zobrist.  He has played 1B, 2B, SS, and OF for the Astros over the past few years, and done well.  His 3-year averages are 140 Games, 28 Doubles, 17 Home Runs, and a .778 OPS.

He has been held back from a set position because of the team he’s been on.  The Houston Astros have MVP candidates at Second Base in Jose Altuve, and at Short Stop in Carlos Correa.  In his career, Marwin Gonzalez has spent 54% of his time at either Short Stop or Second.

I think Gonzalez can definitely play Second Base, but why would he come to the Sox?

The Alex Cora Connection

Because of Alex Cora.  Even the most casual observer could see the difference over a full season and in the playoffs that Alex Cora makes.  It’s no mistake his teams have won the World Series two years in a row.  And Marwin Gonzalez knows Cora from their time together last year with the Astros.

Even if Pedroia comes back, Holt gets playing time, and somehow Nunez stays healthy, Alex Cora knows how they communicate with the team effectively.  Gonzalez’s versatility would be put to cooly efficient use by Cora in those circumstances.

The Cost

MLB Trade Rumors pegs Marwin Gonzalez as the 16th best free agent and estimates he will garner a 4 year, $36 million dollar deal.

These are the types of players I believe the Red Sox will go after because of their substantial payroll.  The Luxury Payroll Tax is a complicated matter that will be addressed at a later time.  But after all the arbitration numbers for the entire All-Star Outfield, as well as Xander Bogaerts, the Sox will be well into Luxury Tax territory.

Less expensive players like Marwin Gonzalez would go a long way towards solidifying the roster and getting the Red Sox back to the playoffs in 2019.

Patriots vs Packers: Week 9 takeaways

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Can you believe it? Week 9 of the NFL season has come and gone (yes, Week 9!), and what a week it was. Whether you were locked in on the undefeated Rams going down to the Saints or you were anxiously waiting for Brady to prove yet again why he is and ALWAYS will be the GOAT, it was an action-packed week for sure.  Let’s take a look at my week 9 takeaways from our match-up with the Green Bay Packers.

The Offense:

Photo via the New York Post

Last night, the hype around the number 12 was REAL and the world saw firsthand why the number 12 in Foxboro is indeed the greatest of all time. With Gronk and Sony Michel out, many wondered where the scoring would come from and how much damage our offense could do with virtually one running back. The questions were answered with an “all hands on deck” type of approach to this game which saw Cordarrelle Patterson become a goal-line beast, carrying 11 times for 67 yards and a touchdown (5.5 yards per carry average).

Not only did CP turn in a great performance, we saw Josh Gordon GO OFF for 130 yards and TD (prior to the game I predicted a 140 yard game with 2 TD’s for Flash) and saw James White continue to dominate defense’s from out of the backfield whether he was running the ball or catching passes from Brady and making plays with his sweet feet.

White not only caught passes from Brady in the game, but we also saw offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels go into his bag of tricks with a WR pass from Julian Edelman to James White for a 33 yard gain that was stopped just short of the goal line.

As a whole, the offense got contributions from everyone involved in the game plan and came out successful as time expired in this epic match-up. Tom Brady is 41 and still looks as poised, determined, and hungry to win as he ever has, which means the rest of the NFL is officially on notice (per usual). With Gronk and Michel due back soon, watch for this offense to become more lethal down the final stretch of the season.

The Defense:

New England Patriots defensive end Adrian Clayborn (94) chases down Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

 

The biggest takeaway for me last night which probably surprised most was the play of the defense and how well they caused havoc for Rodgers in the pocket. While the team may have recorded only 1 total sack, they also hit Rodgers 6 times and forced him out of the pocket often.

Tom Brady was vocal after the game about how well the defense played and gave credit where it was due, check out what he had to say after the game:

“The defense played spectacular, and 17 points against that offense is great,” said Brady. “You know, that’s a tough offense to defend. I mean, he could fit the ball into a lot of tight spots. They got off the field on third down, they were great rushing – I mean, it just looked like they had to work for every yard, and I know when they’re working for every yard, it’s a good night for our defense. So, it was a great team win.”

(article via Tom E. Curran)

Two players that personally stood out to me more than anyone else last night were Adrian Clayborn and Stephon Gilmore.

Clayborn for the first time this season seemed comfortable in the Pats defense. Clayborn registered 3 total tackles (2 solo), 0.5 sacks, 1.5 tackles for loss, and 2 QB hits. Hopefully, this is the kind of game that will get him locked in for the remainder of the season and remind fans why we signed him away from the Falcons in free agency.

The other player I need to mention here is Stephon Gilmore. Earlier this week Davante Adams came out and said that he does not think ANYONE can guard/cover him. Well, Gilmore did just that and posted a RIDICULOUS defensive stat line which included:

Thrown at 4 times

Allowed 2 completed passes totaling 15 yards

Did not allow a touchdown

Gilly 1 / Adams 0

Make no mistake about it, Stephon Gilmore as of now is the best all-around cornerback in the NFL! Look for the defense to step it up and carry this momentum through the rest of the season and hopefully a deep playoff/super bowl run.

Wrap-up

With week 9 in the books, the Patriots defense appears to be coming into shape and should build a ton of momentum going into their week 10 match-up with the Tennessee Titans. As for the offense, expect the same big numbers from the Brady bunch with huge reinforcements coming in the form of Sony Michel and Rob Gronkowski (hopefully).

 

Additional notes: The Patriots have signed former Oakland Raider, Obi Melifonwu. Melifonwu is a former 2nd round pick out of UCONN who has great size as a safety (6’4) and also fantastic speed (ran a 4.40 / 40-yard dash at the combine). Obi should immediately add depth and athleticism to an already solid secondary.

Don’t forget to visit BostonSportsExtra.com for more great coverage and articles surrounding our New England sports teams!

Which Sox Players are Going to Win Awards?

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The biggest trophy of them all was already captured by the 2018 Red Sox. However, there is still some hardware yet to be determined for members of our World Series team. From the major awards like MVP and Cy Young, to the position based awards like the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger, Boston has candidates. They have guys that should be locks to win awards, and they also have dark horses that could end up taking home some of these awards too. For a team that won 108 games, they were bound to have some of the best players in the league. We take a look at who should win each award that has a Sox player in contention.

Gold Glove Award

The Red Sox have players nominated for Gold Gloves at five different positions. Mitch Moreland was solid at first, but I don’t believe he’s going to beat out either Justin Smoak or Matt Olson, who were both superior. Second base is a close race between all three horses, and I actually believe our guy gets it. Ian Kinsler was tied for the American League lead amongst second baseman for defensive runs saved (DRS). He’s also the only one of himself, Jed Lowrie and Rougned Odor to have won an award, which is most likely going to help swing things in his favour.

I believe Andrew Benintendi has a good shot to win in left field, but knocking off Alex Gordon is no easy task. Gordon again was one of the best defenders in baseball, and should pick up another Gold Glove. As much as it feels like Jackie Bradley Jr. may deserve this, or even Mike Trout, it’s going to Adam Engel. He was so impressive with both the eye test and by the metrics, and should win the award. Finally, is Mookie Betts in right field. Mookie Betts is going to win the Gold Glove in right field, take it to the bank, it’s Mookie Betts.

Silver Slugger Award

Finalists have yet to be named for any of the positions, but the Red Sox have some very strong candidates. Let’s start with those who are mortal locks to take home this trophy. J.D. Martinez was one of the best hitters in the entire sport, and trailed only Khris Davis‘ in home runs. Martinez and Davis will go head to head for this award, but J.D. was the better all around hitter by far. That should be enough to take the award home for him.

Mookie Betts has a pretty good chance at taking home an even bigger prize. The Silver Slugger should join the Gold Glove in comfortably being his. Unfortunately for Xander Bogaerts, Francisco Lindor is alive and well in the American League as a shortstop. If it weren’t for Lindor, Xander would likely be snagging another Silver Slugger. He should finish right behind Lindor, as Bogaerts put out arguably the best season of his career.

Cy Young Award

The Red Sox do have a solid candidate for this award as well, Chris Sale. However, even the most biased Red Sox fan could tell you that Sale isn’t going to win this award. Nor does he probably deserve to. Not to diminish his season, as it was one of the best of his already dominant career. He went 12-4 with a 2.11 ERA, but shoulder fatigue caused him to miss time down the strecth. The lack of innings will obviously hurt Sale, who is still in search of his first Cy Young. With the seasons that Blake Snell and Justin Verlander posted, it’s going to be tough for this to be Sale’s year of finally overcoming this specific milestone.

MVP

Last, but certainly not least, is the Most Valuable Player. The Red Sox have both a candidate, and a favorite for this award. J.D. Martinez is absolutely a candidate, and has a good chance to finish in the top five. However, as a designated hitter, he’s highly unlikely to win. His offensive numbers were outstanding, but not enough to put him above the likes of Trout, Jose Ramirez or his own teammate. Mookie Betts was oh so close to capturing this award a couple years ago, when Mike Trout snatched it from his hands. This year however, this year is different. Betts was better than Trout in almost every category. Plus, he propelled his team to the best record in the entire league. This award is Mookie’s to lose, and there is no chance that he loses.

Celtics

Three Takeaways: Pacers 102, Celtics 101

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The Celtics suffered a heartbreaking one-point loss at the hands of Victor Oladipo and the Indiana Pacers. Boston had control of the game throughout, though lost the lead with 3.4 seconds remaining in the fourth after an Oladipo 3-pointer.

Despite the loss, the Celtics showed signs of promise. Marcus Morris lead the way with a season high 23-points in 33 minutes off the bench. Morris was one of the five Celtics to score in double figures, as well as one of seven to have at least six-rebounds. The team is playing unselfish basketball, though needs more time to gel.

Celtics

Via USA Today

Here are three takeaways from the Celtics third loss of the season.

Live by the three, die by the three

Boston continued their barrage from beyond the arc. After attempting 55 3-pointers against Milwaukee, they hoisted up another 46 in Indiana.

The 3-point shot has taken reign, and Brad Stevens and the Celtics have made a major impact. The NBA has seen an increase in 3-point attempts per game in consecutive seasons since 2011-12.

Since 2014-15, the Celtics have averaged more 3-point attempts than the league average. Withholding tonight’s performance, Boston ranks fourth in the NBA in 3-point attempts per game with 36.3. Though, they currently rank 21 in in three-point percentage at 34.8 percent, which is a far cry from their 2017 rank of sixth at 37.0 percent.

The Celtics will have better shooting nights, and worse. Their 41.3 percent mark was not the reason they lost tonight, though it will take more than that to beat the Indiana Pacers at the Fieldhouse.

Lack of free throw attempts

Due to the Celtics settling for the 3-point shot, they failed to draw many fouls in the paint. Boston ended the game with nine free throws compared to Indiana’s 25. It is fair to say the discrepancy in free throws allowed the Pacers to keep the game close.

Boston is 0-3 in game this season with 10 or less free-throw attempts. They will have to do a better job of drawing fouls otherwise they will continue to play close games.

Celtics

Via NBA.com

Celtics in Foul Trouble

Boston committed 12 personal fouls in the first half and finished the game with 20. Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward and Aron Baynes each had three at half time. Specifically, Gordon Hayward played just 11 minutes in the first half due his foul trouble. His presence on defense was missed, as Indiana outscored Boston 27-17 in the second quarter.

Hayward will need to avoid foul trouble, as his impact on the defensive side of floor is integral. His defensive versatility is incredible, as Stevens has matched him up with guards and forwards alike. We’ve seen him matchup with face-up forwards like Blake Griffin and Thad Young, as well as crafty guards like Corey Joseph. If Hayward is in foul trouble, the Celtics will be in defensive trouble.

Their next test will come in Denver against the Nuggets on Monday, November 5 at 9:00 PM ET.

What does Duke Dawson bring to the table?

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The New England Patriots’ second-round pick, Duke Dawson, could possibly return from IR. What impact could this have on the Patriots? Let’s dig deeper.

Draft analyst, Mel Kiper, had ranked Dawson as the eighth-best cornerback in the draft. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Duke Dawson returned to practice last Wednesday after being placed on IR with a hamstring injury before the season even started. He can practice with the team for 21 days. The Patriots will have to activate him in that time period or his season is over.

COLLEGE RESUME

At Florida in 2017, Dawson totaled 34 tackles and posted four interceptions. He allowed a 37.1 passer rating with quarterbacks completing just 21 of 48 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns (24-7 Sports). The numbers that have to stand out is the 37.1 passer rating and the low completion percentage. One of the biggest problems for the defense is that teams are just able to complete passes consistently and move the ball; Dawson appears to be an immediate help to that.

Dawson played primarily the nickel back position in his preseason games. In college, he had allowed a 41.0 passer rating when targeted from the slot. Now, the Patriots’ current starting slot corner, Jon Jones, has not been playing bad at all; he even had a crazy one-handed interception versus the Bears. However, he has allowed one of the fewest passer ratings when targeted but also the second most yards out of all our defense. Dawson can maybe rotate with Jones to allow for a bit more efficiency in this New England defense.

PLAYSTYLE

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Compact, strong slot corner who can beat up finesse receivers when he’s allowed to crowd and disrupt the route release. Dawson can match and blanket underneath, but hip tightness shows up when he’s forced to turn and run from a backpedal. Dawson can handle himself in man or zone coverage and is ready to work when run support calls. He has some length and speed limitations, but he has the instincts and cover talent to become a starting nickel cornerback. – NFL.com

Clearly, Dawson can bring a tough, physical presence that can help the team immediately. New England traded up to draft him for a reason.

Michel is important for NEs SB chances

Sony Michel is a Vital Piece to Patriots Offense

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Sony Michel’s Importance to Patriots

Sony Michel has been one of the most important pieces in this Patriot offense. Since Week 2, all the rookie running back did was improve and get better each week. With injuries to Rex Burkhead and Jeremy Hill, suddenly the rookie was the main focal point.

Michel played his first NFL game in Week 2 and was still getting used to the offense and playbook. He didn’t have a preseason, but he used Weeks 2 and 3 to get himself acclimated to this complicated offense.

Week 4 Was The Turning Point

Of course, James White is still involved as he is on a historic pace for receptions by a running back. He isn’t the early down back this team needs, he’s perfect in his role. Adding more to Whites plate could result in another loss, to what was once a crowded backfield.

Running mates

Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

James White is teaching Michel everything he knows. It showed in a week 4 win over Miami. Sony Michel broke out for 112 yards on 25 carries averaging 4.48 yards per carry. Week 5 was more of the same as Michel rushed for 98 yards averaging 5.44 yards per carry. Michel scored a touchdown both weeks.

New England’s Offense is playing great football, using the ground game to set up the pass. When week 6 came it seemed obvious that Sony was worth the high draft pick. Sony Michel did not disappoint turning in a great game for the third week in a row, it was no fluke. The rookie rushed for 106 yards averaging 4.42 yards per carry, scoring two touchdowns as the Patriots kept their win streak going.

Patriots Offense Without Sony Michel

Sony Michel was looking like a seasoned veteran, riding a hot streak with 4 touchdowns in his last three games. While his counterpart James White was catching passes out of the backfield, New England’s running backs were playing at a very high level.

A scary situation

Sony Michel somehow dodges season ending bullet

Unfortunately just 4 rush attempts into week 7 against Chicago, Michel went down with what looked to be a season ending injury. All of New England held their breath as they watched this dynamic rookie get helped off the field. Fans and teammates fearful it could be the last time he played in 2018. During Sony’s absence during that game James White and Kenyon Barner stepped in and played well enough to contribute to the win. James White is a great running back, he’s not a guy who is going to take it 25 times a game and hit the hole. He has his own role carved out, and he’s done it better than anyone before him.

Sony Michel’s absence really showed up against the Bills on Monday Night. Barner was nowhere to be found, while White was still amazing as a pass catcher. New England was really missing the early down back Michel had turned into. Josh McDaniels used WR Cordarrelle Patterson and James White to fill Michel’s spot and it wasn’t pretty. Without Sony, this offense is very unbalanced, and the red zone may be where the rookie is missed most. Field goals instead of touchdowns were an issue Monday night, the Michel and White combo will change that.

To Play or Not to Play…What Will the Patriots Do?

New England needs Sony back to get those short yards on third down or in the red zone. He’s questionable for Week 9 against GB, his importance can’t be understated. I’m not sure if Bill Belichick is going to play him Sunday night, or if we won’t see him again until after the bye in week 12. Michel seems to be trending in the right direction and could quite possibly play against the Packers. New England knows the positive effect this rookie running back has on every single player on this team. So they will not rush him back if he’s not ready, he is the only early down back N.E has. When he does return, Sony will allow the offense to look like it did Weeks 4-6 and the offense will run much better than it did last week.

 

Celtics Rookie First Round Pick Robert Williams Assigned to G-League

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Robert Williams III, the Celtics first round rookie out of Texas A&M, has been assigned to the NBA G-League by the Boston Celtics to play for the Maine Red Claws. The Celtics franchise G-League affiliate tips off Friday night, November 2nd, 2018, against the Westchester Knicks. He is expected to start right away.

Williams was selected with the 27th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. In two seasons at Texas A&M, he averaged 11.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.

Has he been performing badly?

Not in the slightest. Robert Williams has actually impressed thus far in his action. He threw down a thunderous dunk 0:05 seconds into his game against the Detroit Pistons on October 27th, and then recorded 3 blocks.

The assignment isn’t because Williams hasn’t been playing well. Rather, it’s because they have no minutes for him to play. Aron Baynes, Marcus Morris and Al Horford have gotten the overwhelming majority of the minutes at the five position. That’s not including Daniel Theis, currently injured, who has been getting a lot of minutes too.

I’m sure this was a decision made by Brad Stevens. Stevens see’s the big play material and potential written all over Williams, and would rather him be playing minutes against lesser talent then playing no minutes at all.

Is this a good move?

Hell, yeah! The Celtics have plenty of depth this season and are currently healthy. Plus, they can call up Robert Williams and then send him back whenever they want. This move allows Williams to play, continue to refine his game and keep him ready for NBA action.

So far, the Celtics had only played him in eleven and a half minutes over four games. I’m certain that Williams will return to the team at some point this season. With extra experience, he should play very well upon his return.

In the meantime, someone please make sure that Maine has a roof high enough to keep Williams from bumping his head on the rafters during his launch for a dunk.