With the unfortunate postponement of Monday’s annual Patriots Day game, it is time to look on to the upcoming road trip for the Sox. Their first stop will be at Anaheim to face the red hot Angels. This was already going to be such an intriguing series, but it got even more exciting as we learned the new superstar Shohei Ohtani, will be facing Boston in the first game of this set. And who will he be facing? David Price.
The next two matchups will be Rick Porcello against Tyler Skaggs on Wednesday, and Erod versus Nick Tropeano on Thursday.
So far this year, 16 games in for the Angels, and 15 games in for the Red Sox, Boston is 13-2, while Anaheim is riding a 13-3 record. Both teams are also leading their divisions in the early going. So yeah, it doesn’t take an expert to realize these teams have been on fire to start the year.
Talent in Anaheim
Let’s now look into how these teams have gotten to where they are now. As far as the Angels go, their rotation led by Garrett Richards, Tyler Skaggs, and some guy named Shohei Ohtani, has been solid. Their bullpen has also been strong led by Noe Ramirez (an old Red Sox), Blake Wood, Jose Alvarez, and their closer Keynan Middleton. Those four have combined to give up only three runs in 34 innings. Pretty decent.
The Angels offense led by Ohtani, Pujols, Justin Upton, and many who say is the greatest in the game, Mike Trout, have also been very productive in the early going. They’ll definitely be a challenge for the Red Sox rotation in this upcoming series.
Showtime Ohtani
Now remember when I mentioned that guy Shohei Ohtani, who’s in the rotation? Yeah, well not only can that guy pitch, but he can hit the ball 400 feet too. It’s really incredible to see what he’s done thus far. He had such high expectations going into the season. After the awful spring he had, everyone wrote him off. Some said he could start the season in AAA.
He has come right out of the gate and hit .367 with a .767 OBP. He’s also hit three home runs. Pretty good numbers right? You have to know that this all comes with him also starting two games and getting two wins. In his last start against Oakland, he took a perfect game into the seventh inning, striking out 12 and only giving up one hit. I’ll tell you right now this man does not look fun to hit against. He throws an easy 100 mph with a 68 mph curveball, along a nasty splitter. Just insane what this guy has done so farm and it will be fun to keep an eye on as time goes on.
No Bogaerts No Problem
The Red Sox starting pitching kept it going this weekend. After a huge series victory against New York last Thursday, the Red Sox took all three games this weekend against Baltimore. They got strong starts from Rodriguez, Velazguez, and five great innings from Chris Sale in the brutal cold weather.
I recently wrote a piece on how even though Xander Bogaerts is out for a little while, there is no need to worry. And I 100% stand by that. Tzu Wei Lin, who was called up after the Bogaerts injury, played all three games this weekend against the Orioles. In 12 AB’s he hit .500 with a .571 OBP. It seemed like every time he was up, he was hitting the ball hard somewhere. You also can’t forget the great defense he played throughout the series at shortstop.
This is the thing I’ve been most impressed with this Sox team so far. Even with Bogaerts, the hottest hitter on the team at the time getting hurt, the offense still thrived and they still found ways to win.
Boston’s Versatility
On Saturday, after a collision at home plate in the bottom of the first inning, Mookie was taken out of the game after the fourth inning. No big deal. JBJ just moved to right and made one of the most spectacular catches you’ll ever see.
Mookie, along with Nunez, were out of Sunday’s game with the weather being ugly and Cora just being cautious. No big deal. Andrew Beninendi and Lin drove in a run apiece and won the game. This team has found ways to win even without key guys. The bullpen was also sneaky good in the Orioles series, which is another great sign.
So there is no doubt in my mind that this upcoming series is an incredible matchup and should be a fun next three games at Angel stadium in Anaheim. It all starts with David Price taking the bump against Shohei Ohtani on Tuesday night. You won’t want to miss this.
Heading into their first round matchup with the Toronto Maple Leafs, many were expecting a competitive series. Two games in, and it’s been anything but that as the Bruins hold a 2-0 series lead. In their first two matchups, the Bruins have outscored the Leafs 12-4 at TD Garden. The Bruins emasculated the Leafs in Game 2, with Pastranak going between the legs in front of the Leafs goal. Right now, the Maple Leafs are in a tight spot heading back to Toronto its do or die for them in Game 3. But let’s take a look at some of the reasons the Bruins have embarrassed the Leafs up to this point:
The Bruins have been men among boys against Toronto up to this point. Everyone knew that Toronto had issues on the back end coming into the series. But no one thought it would look this bad. The Bruins are doing whatever they want wherever they want on the ice right now, and Toronto cannot do anything about it. Backes and Nash in particular have been a problem down low for the Leafs, because they just cannot match that type of physically dominating player. We have seen this in both games, with both of them scoring a goal right on top of the blue paint. It’s getting to the point where the Leafs are shying away from contact. When they do decide to throw their weight around the Bruins have just bullied them. Mike Babcock needs to do something because right now. Toronto looks like a bunch of helpless kids out there.
The Bruins’ first line has taken one of the best players in hockey in Austin Matthews, and turned him into a scoreless almost useless player. Which should tell you how good the line of Marchand/Bergeron/Pastranak has been. “I don’t know **** happens”, is how Matthews responded when asked about the Bruins first line when they put up an insane 14 points in the Bruins 7-3 massacre of the Leafs.
The Bergeron line has put up 20 points in the first two games. Pastranak has four goals, nine points, and is the youngest player in NHL history to put up six points in a playoff game. Marchand has one goal, and five assists, while Bergeron has also put up five assists. Combined they have a +18 rating heading into Toronto. If Toronto has any chance of winning this thing they need to contain the Bergeron line, or they are going home fast.
A change of venue usually has a big effect in hockey, so do not count the Leafs out quite yet. But one thing that I did not expect to see this series is that Toronto is a soft team. While the Bruins have kept doing what they have done all year: winning.
I drove down to Boston the other day to meet former Boston Bruins goalie Byron Dafoe for an interview. Dafoe was kind enough to take a little time out of his trip to meet with me, and I’d again like to thank him for doing so. Dafoe has kept in touch with the area since leaving and feels a strong connection to the city and its sports teams. He was at the Bruins opening game of the playoffs last Thursday with his son and got to watch the game from the alumni box for the first time. His son, who was playing hockey at the ice arena where we met, hopes to play hockey for a college in Boston.
Dafoe played five seasons with the Bruins, starting with the 1997-98 season and lasting through the 2002 playoffs. During that time he really blossomed, even leading the league with 10 shutouts in 1998-99. That year he was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy and posted a 1.99 goals against average. Byron Dafoe is fifth all-time in Bruins history in saves made despite playing in parts of just five seasons. His 2.30 goals against average places him third on the franchise’s all-time list, as does his .911 save percentage while with the team. Anyway you cut it, he is one of the better goaltenders the Bruins have had.
Byron Dafoe was drafted in the 2nd Rd by the Capitals in 1989, just 16 picks after they selected fellow goalie Olaf Kolzig.
BSE: You were drafted the same year as Olaf Kolzig, another goalie, both pretty high picks. What were your thoughts on that, them taking two goalies early on?
Byron Dafoe: Yup, first and second. I think it’s still the only time it has ever happened. It was at that point, I don’t think anyone has done it since. What’s funny is, Olie and I became best friends after that, and we still see each other every year. He always tells a story, he got drafted in the first round and he was going down to meet the coaching staff, and then he heard over the PA “the second round pick of the Washington Capitals is Byron Dafoe.” He perked up, “wait a minute, what are you guys doing now?” There’s always been a competitive competition between the two of us on the ice. They had some holes in goaltending so they took the top two available.
BSE: So the two of you did wind up best friends; how did that come about?
Byron Dafoe: So actually, right after the draft, that September in training camp the Capitals did what was called “the Friendship Tour” over in Russia. It was back when Russia still had the iron curtain up, so it was a big deal for the NHL to go into Russia and play hockey. We played five or six exhibition games in Russia. They took their current team from the year before and then their two top draft picks, which were Olie and I. As the young kids, we hung out all the time and we became good friends. When we turned pro we lived together in Baltimore and then again when the Skipjacks moved to Portland, Maine and became the Portland Pirates we were roommates there again.
BSE: I know you probably get asked this a lot about your little scuffle with Olie on the ice. What was going through your head with that?
Byron Dafoe: You know it’s funny, my wife was at the game and she just shook her head. Basically what happened was, a little skirmish happened in the corner. We were out-manned, I think they might’ve been on the power play. I did maybe the dumbest thing and grabbed Dale Hunter, which is not the guy I would want to tussle with. In the meantime, Olie saw me go in so he skated the length of the ice. I think he grabbed Ken Belanger, which that would’ve been fun to watch. Somehow we ended up getting paired up, the whole place is going crazy, they want to see two goalies fight. I did get his jersey over his head, and I have a picture of that in my bar, and he refuses to sign it. He was 6’3″ 220, he did say, “don’t you dare do anything because I will kill you”, and he would, I admit that. But I’m the one who has the picture to prove it.
Dafoe and Kolzig during a skirmish.
BSE: I don’t know, Patrick Lalime might have something to say about that.
Byron Dafoe: Well that’s true. That one I do like.
BSE: That one isn’t as talked about, probably because you and Olie are such great friends, but your fight with Patrick Lalime might be my favorite hockey fight ever.
Byron Dafoe: My son and I were watching it just the other day for some reason. Yeah, that was legit, that was real, and I’m definitely going to take a knock out win on that one.
BSE: Yeah, you got some knocks on him, then he took your mask off and you really got some hits on him.
Byron Dafoe: Yeah, then I got mad. What’s funny about that story, we played in Ottawa, but a week later, and during warm-ups we’re both stretching at center ice and he’s got a nice shiner.
Dafoe lands a knock out punch on Patrick Lalime. January 17, 2002.
BSE: We touched on this a little bit, things were kind of crowded in Washington, Olie was there, they also had Jim Carey, who I think won the Calder. What were your thoughts when you got traded to LA, was it like, alright, here is my chance?
Dafoe playing goal for the Kings.
Byron Dafoe: Yeah, how that came about was the lockout year, 94, Jim Carey got sent to Portland. I was going to Portland, so they didn’t want both of us playing together, so I got loaned to the Phoenix Roadrunners of the IHL, which was LA’s farm team. I played almost a whole year in Phoenix, had a really good season. And that essentially is what prompted the Kings to trade for me. I played two years in LA, Kelly Hrudey got hurt and I kind of got thrown into the starting role, which is what ended up getting me to Boston.
BSE: You were traded with Dmitri Khristich twice, once to the Kings and once to the Bruins. Did you guys form any bond being traded together twice?
Byron Dafoe: Yeah, we were friends, our wives were friends. That’s another rarity, I don’t think it’s happened very often that the same two guys get traded together like that. For me personally, I had two solid years of development in LA, but then coming to Boston, Pat Burns is the coach, I loved playing for him. Completely different organizations and cities, going from LA to Boston, and I just loved the feel of this city. The fans are just so passionate, which just different situation in LA (laughs).
BSE: So you feel more pressure playing out here?
Byron Dafoe: For sure, without question. But again, it’s a good pressure. If you are going to play in the NHL, you need to perform under pressure. For me, I think it brought another element to my game that I hadn’t had in LA or Washington. I loved it.
BSE: You seem to stay in touch with Boston sports, based on what I see on twitter, and you are wearing a Red Sox hat right now, I like it. So this was your favorite place to play?
Byron Dafoe: Without question. It was unfortunate we never came to a contract after my fifth year here. I always would have loved to stay, but it’s a business for both sides. I ended up going down to Atlanta, I was kind of banged up at the time, I’d had eight knee surgeries. I was hurt down there as well, so it probably made sense why the Bruins did what they did and why I did what I did. But like I said, my heart’s always been in Boston. Both my boys were born here and we’re thinking of potentially moving back here. Got lots of connections and friends still here.
BSE: What accomplishments are you most proud of from your career?
Byron Dafoe: Anytime you win a championship is obviously great. The Stanley Cup would’ve been the best, but that didn’t happen. But, to win a Calder Cup in Portland with the Pirates was pretty special, to be playing hockey in June and have a ring to show for it was fun. In the NHL, here in Boston, being nominated for a Vezina was pretty cool. I was fortunate to play in four completely different organizations. It was pretty amazing career, I wouldn’t trade it for anything, other than to have a Stanley Cup.
Byron was not a fan of the “Winnie the Pooh” jerseys.
BSE: How do you feel about the team this year?
Byron Dafoe: After the first month I wasn’t too sure what was going on. Since then, by far the best team in the NHL. Obviously, they’re just hitting their stride after these first two games with the Leafs. One thing they have is their scoring power, they can put the puck in the net. Even their support players, Donato stepping in, Riley Nash is having a phenomenal year. A lot of guys you didn’t expect have stepped up which makes them so much deeper than just their top three. They have got to be a favorite to win the Cup. Tuuka is Tuuka, he’s played phenomenal down the stretch.
BSE: You played with Don Sweeney, back then did you see anything like this in his future?
Byron Dafoe: Oh yeah, it didn’t surprise me at all. Donny, Harvard grad, smart, astute guy, very long successful career playing. It’s totally natural he is now the general manager and architect of this team. And now it’s paying off after just a couple years.
BSE: Moving on to the NHL right now, do you see any changes that you think should be made to the game?
Byron Dafoe: I put a tweet out there about the goaltender interference. I ended up going on Sportsnet in Canada with Darren Millard and Grant Fuhr. We had a big debate on that, which was all because of the tweet. I personally think that they’ve kind of missed the boat a little bit on this goalie’s interference. Even now, they’ve made another change where they have someone upstairs make the official call. That’s great, but you’re never going to have the same guy for every game, every call. The guy wouldn’t have a life. I think that’s gotten a little carried away, goalies can take advantage of it. Now they’re not so worried about stopping the puck in traffic, they’re more worried about, “hey, I got interfered with.” I think that’s a negative on the game right now. Positives, I love the 3-on-3 overtime, I think that’s one of the best things to come to hockey. I think in my career I had 50 ties, I’d love to trade those for 3-on-3 and see how many more wins we could get. The game, to me, is as exciting as it’s ever been. It’s fast, there is more scoring, it’s pretty exciting.
BSE: How about goalie equipment? Has it gotten too big? Or should the nets be expanded?
Byron Dafoe: I think you can’t put a handicap on the size of the athlete. When I played we had wider pads. I believe they’re more narrow than when I played. They seem to be taller, but that’s just personal preference. You got a guy, 6’6″, 6’7″, he’s just going to take up a lot of space in net. That’s how things are trending now, they aren’t looking for goalies under six feet too often anymore, I’d have a tough time at 5’11”. Once you make a change, it’s a snowball effect, that’s the concern when you start tinkering with the rules. There’s nothing wrong with a good 2-1 hockey game, it doesn’t have to be 7-6 all the time. As a fan I’m pretty excited with where we are at.
BSE: What are you doing nowadays?
Byron Dafoe: I’ve been living in Kelowna, British Columbia for the last ten years. It’s a real big hockey spot, a lot of hockey players live there in the summer. I got involved in purchasing some real estate, developing it, and selling it off. I’m kind of getting at the end of that. With my kids getting older I was kind of prompted to maybe make a personal change and come back east. I’ve kept myself busy, been able to coach my younger son who plays hockey, and it’s been a lot of fun for me. His goal is to get a scholarship and come play hockey here in Boston. He was only six months old when we left but he feels like this is his home.
BSE: Is there any charity work you have been doing?
Byron Dafoe: I got involved with, my older boy has autism, so we were involved with an autism foundation for a while. Anything I can do to help, charity golf tournaments and stuff like that.
BSE: I was thinking of throwing out a few names and having you say what comes to your mind about them. Dominik Hasek.
Byron Dafoe: You know, the one thing that always impressed me with Dominik Hasek is one of the very first times I was playing against him, I was watching him during warm-ups. I wasn’t playing, so I was just watching him. For the 15 minutes of warm-up, I still, to this day, don’t think he ever let a goal in. That epitomized to me what he was as a goaltender, he never let up, and he tried on everything. There is a reason why I think he is one of, if not the best goalie ever to play.
BSE: Martin Brodeur.
Byron Dafoe: Marty was a year younger than me, we came up through the minors together. When I think of Marty I think of a winner. What I think he was a little underappreciated for was, New Jersey had a very defensive-minded team all those years, sometimes he might only get 18 shots a night, but he would get that big save when they needed it to win the game. There’s a reason he won three Stanley Cups.
BSE: Patrick Roy.
Byron Dafoe: Another proven winner. Fiery guy, that’s what I liked about him. Very intense for a goaltender. How he orchestrated his trade from Montreal to Colorado, then to win a couple Stanley Cups there, pretty impressive.
BSE: Well, think I got everything, I appreciate your time.
Byron Dafoe: Alright Scott, thanks for driving down.
Now for your viewing pleasure, below is the must watch fight with Patrick Lalime. If you have seen it before, it’s always worth a watch. If you haven’t, then you definitely need to watch it.
Lately, it’s been football weather around New England. Today begins the Patriots ‘voluntary’ off-season workout program. Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady will not be participating in the program. Gronkowski will not be participating in the program because of his contract situation. As for Brady, he wants to spend more time with his family, and also nobody at quarterback is trying to take his job from him. Again, Brady will play through his contract and hang it up. Also, this all ties to the team dissing the ‘Patriot Way’ and Bill Belichick.
Relax… Brady and Gronkowski Will Be Back
Via Officialize
I think Brady will be in minicamp in June, and so will Gronkowski. Meanwhile they will be working at TB12 with Alex Guerrero. Brady will have some more family time and think more about his future. Belichick knew this was going to get out. Which is why he got ahead of it on Friday when he said the off-season workouts are voluntary. He knew Brady and Gronkowski weren’t going to be in attendance and people would be talking. With all the teams doing well in New England, the Patriots are the most talked about.
Like I’ve said, Belichick at this point is just going through the motion and getting the team ready. He wants an easy transition for Josh McDaniels when he takes over as head coach. Gronkowski and Brady will be on the field this season. Brady was just in the field house a few weeks ago throwing passes to Julian Edelman. When the Patriots draft a quarterback in the draft, you’ll see how Brady acts differently than he did when Garoppolo was drafted. Why? Because he’s done.
Enjoy the Last Two Years of Brady
When Garoppolo was drafted, Brady hadn’t won another Super Bowl since 2004. Now, what more does he need to accomplish? He’s done it all. Gronkowski will sign a two-year deal and probably leave when Brady leaves in 2019. Edelman too. There’s no way Gronkowski and Edelman will play for the Patriots without Tom Brady.
Via Boston HeraldMike Reiss had a one-on-one exclusive with former Patriot Danny Amendola. In the interview Amendola stated how playing for Bill Belichick is hard, and also the Patriots’ offer wasn’t even close. Last season, Danny Amendola was Tom Brady’s go-to receiver because Julian Edelman was out for the season. Danny was really a great factor in the playoffs, getting the nickname Danny ‘Playoff’ Amendola. In the interview, Amendola also talked about the Malcolm Butler being benched in the Super Bowl. Amendola and the rest of the team thinks Butler’s presence would’ve changed the outcome of the game.
Amendola’s words to Mike Reiss were starting with talking about his contract. “When free agency broke, I came to the realization that he wasn’t going to really come close to any of the other offers I had. I had to make a decision for my family and go down to Miami and continue my career there.” Amendola signed a two-year, $12 million deal. That includes an $8.25 million in bonuses and guarantees. It’s also not easy playing for Belichick who learned from Bill Parcells.
Bill Belichick Can Be an A-hole
Via Clutch PointsAmendola said “It’s not easy, that’s for sure. He’s an a–h— sometimes. There were a lot of things I didn’t like about playing for him, but I must say, the things I didn’t like were all in regards to getting the team better, and I respected him. I didn’t like practicing in the snow, I didn’t like practicing in the rain, but that was going to make us a better football team and that was going to make me a better football player. It wasn’t easy, and he’d be the first to admit, at the [Super Bowl] ring ceremony, that it wasn’t easy playing for him. The silver lining was that we were at the ring ceremony.”
The Malcolm Butler Benching Didn’t Sit Well with the Players
Via SI.comThe take about Malcolm Butler from Amendola is pretty much what every player on that team is thinking. Nobody liked the benching. Amendola said “Yeah, I did, honestly. Nobody really got an explanation for it. He’s a brother of ours. He was a brother of ours that year. And I hate to see a guy who worked so hard throughout the season not get a chance to play in the biggest game of the year and really get no explanation for it. With that said, I don’t know how the business aspect went into that decision. I don’t know how the personal aspect went into that decision between him and Bill. But as a friend, I would have loved to see him on the field that day.”
So there you have it. Players are upset Butler didn’t play in the most important game of the season. If Butler didn’t miss the team plane and had a good week in practice, he would’ve played.
All in all what Amendola said about Belichick is accurate. He runs a tight ship and wants his players to follow. You don’t like the rules in his mind you can leave and go to a 4-12 team. Meanwhile, he’s got championships to back up his toughness.
In Game 1 the Bruins dominated the Maple Leafs. Game 2 was no different, as they were fueled by a special performance by David Pastrnak. In the first two games of the series the Black and Gold have outscored Toronto 12-4. They have been explosive offensively and almost automatic on the power play. Game 2, however, belonged to a Pastrnak. In the playoffs legends are made, and through two games it seems like this could be a historic playoff run for the twenty one year old forward.
Dominating Early
In Game 2 the Bruins took the lead and never looked back. They scored four goals in the first period and again dominated on the power play, as they had two goals bringing their total in the series to five. The Bruins scored their early goals by attacking the net. Halfway into the first period the Maple Leafs changed their goalies, which showed how much the Bruins were dominating. Everything was going the Bruins’ way as Kevin Millers goal bounced off the Maple Leafs’ goalie’s stick and his own defenseman before going in.
Photo Credit: Greg Cooper USA- Today Sports
Bruins Balanced Offensive Attack
Pastrnak had a special game, but his linemates also played very well. Marchand recorded four assists and Bergeron recorder three assists. This line is considered one of the best in hockey and in Game 2 they could not be stopped. Of the Bruins’ five goals in the game, their top line contributed on all of them. They have a unique chemistry and make the hard plays look easy. For the second straight game Krejci and Debrusk also contributed. They both had goals and showed why Boston’s second line is also very dangerous. Through the first two games the Bruins four lines have all been good. That depth is what made them so good in the regular season.
Photo Credit: Tara Sullivan
Pastrnak’s Unreal Performance
During every postseason every player steps up. That’s what makes them so special, but Pastrnak does not fall under that category as he is one of the top young players in the league. In Game 2, he elevated his play to a whole new level. So far in his young career he’s gotten better every year. He still makes mistakes but this year but he has minimized them. On Friday he showed that he could carry a team in the playoffs. The playoffs are young, and Pastrnak is just getting started.
Brandin Cooks’s trade to the Los Angeles Rams is one of the most surprising moves of the off-season so far. The wide receiver was one of the leading players in the league last season for the New England Patriots. His transfer to LA, though, does give Bill Belichick more draft picks to play with ahead of the new campaign.
Belichick and the Patriots will also be monitoring the league closely to see if any of the leading wide receivers in the NFL become available. Tom Brady needs another weapon to throw to as he bids to win his sixth Super Bowl ring. Here are three wideouts which could be in a Patriots Jersey for the opening game of the new season:
Odell Beckham Jr.
Since joining the league in 2014, Odell Beckham Jr. has established himself as one of the leading wide receivers in the NFL. Not only is he at the end of the most receiving yards and touchdown charts, he is capable of the amazing catches as he has shown on more than one occasion.
Beckham’s future in New York very much looks in doubt as contract talks have broken down, which means his future may now be elsewhere. The Giants have stated they will be looking for two first round draft picks for Beckham. It appears it is a case of who will be prepared to give up the most for the 25-year-old. Beckham’s best years could still be ahead of him.
Given their talents, Brady and Beckham Jr. will certainly bring the best out of each other. Therefore, the Patriots are surely considering making an offer for the Giants player. Releasing Cooks may just have been the first piece in the jigsaw in putting a plan together for the new season, which includes Beckham. The Patriots are already the favorites in the betting for Super Bowl LIII. If they can pick up a player of Beckham’s ability, they will be a great bet to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Especially if you open up a new account for a free bet as reviewed and detailed by Oddschecker before the new season begins.
Courtesy of The Daily Meal.
Dez Bryant
Dez Bryant has been with the Cowboys since they drafted him in 2010. In 2014, Dez had the best year of his career, scoring 16 touchdowns and recording 1320 receiving yards.
Bryant is still considered to be one of the elite WRs in the league. However, his figures have not been as good as the likes of Antonio Brown, Julio Jones and Beckham Jr. over the last couple of years. A move away from the Cowboys might just be the best thing for the former Oklahoma State Cowboy.
Bryant has yet to sign a new contract with the Cowboys, so it remains to be seen if the two parties can agree on new terms, or if the 29-year-old will become available over the next few months. Belichick is sure to be a fan of the three-time Pro Bowl player.
Courtesy of Cheesehead TV
Demaryius Thomas
Demaryius Thomas has been one of the most consistent wide receivers in the NFL since 2012, and is one of the reasons as to why the Denver Broncos have managed to reach two Super Bowls in the last five years.
Since Peyton Manning retired, the Broncos have yet to find a quarterback they are comfortable with. This could lead to Thomas considering his options. Consequently, he may push for a move away from Denver before the start of the 2018 season.
This wouldn’t be the first time Belichick has opted for an experienced receiver to help bolster his roster. Given his track record, Thomas will surely jump at the prospect to work under the future Hall of Fame coach.
In the meantime, the focus for Belichick and the management team at the Patriots will be on the 2018 NFL Draft, which begins on April 26 from the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The newest Head Coach of the Merrimack College Warriors Ice Hockey team is Scott Borek. Merrimack College lured Scott Borek away from Providence College. Scott Borek has been working under Nate Leaman the past three seasons. Before that, he was working under Dick Umile at the University of New Hampshire since 2003.
Coaching History
Scott Borek first broke into the college hockey scene as a Dartmouth man before a neck injury. However, the end to his playing career did create some positives. He remained with the Big Green as a student assistant coach. Little did Scott Borek know how important to his life taking that role was to his career.
Scott Borek did not squander this new opportunity. After learning and becoming a student of the game, he turned it into a full time career. In 1985, Scott Borek became an assistant coach for the Providence College Friars. Rhode Island remained his home until 1991. He left his assistant coaching job for his first head coaching job with the Colby Mules. Scott Borek’s reign as a head coach is an uneventful one as he accumulated a record of 33-35-5. This led Scott Borek back to the Division 1 scene as, again, an assistant coach with the Lake Superior State Lakers. Nevertheless, his time as assistant coach only lasted one season. Following this season, the head coach title was his. This stint lasted four seasons. Then Borek had another head coaching gig with New England College. That only lasted one season.
Student of the Game
His up and down time as a head and assistant coach did not last. Borek found himself working under the legendary Dick Umile. While a certainly successful run as assistant coach in New Hampshire, Scott Borek’s time at UNH was not without controversy. During the 2007-2008 season, Borek, who worked with recruits, sent over 900 text messages that are described as “impermissible.” What is said in these messages is unknown. However, the incident was self-reported by the school. Not to mention, Borek only served a two-year suspension. If the messages were anything unspeakable it is unlikely he would be allowed to remain the game of hockey.
In 2015, Borek made his triumphant return to the Friars. This time working under another legendary coach, Nate Leamen. During his time as assistant coach, the Friars are extremely successful. Reaching the NCAA tournament every season under Leamen and Borek. He oversaw recruiting for the Friars, as well as the defense and the penalty kill. Under Borek’s tutelage, Providence ranked 7th nationally in defense, and 6th nationally in the penalty kill. Not too shabby. When asked about Scott Borek, Nate Leaman says,
“Scott is a tireless worker who has an excellent mind for the game. He is an effective communicator with the student-athletes and develops long-lasting relationships with his players. His 16 years of experience provide a great base of knowledge for what it takes to be successful in Hockey East.”
Scott Borek is replacing Mark Dennehy as the Warriors head coach. This upcoming season is going to be a good one for Merrimack. Watch out for the Warriors on the penalty kill and defense. Watch his introduction interview:
Follow Matt McGurn on Twitter: @MickGurn @Ta_CawHawkey
Revs fans have been in a fierce debate since the start of the offseason about what the biggest weakness of this team is. After some good signings and cuts, it’s still hard to answer that question. But there isn’t really any solid answer between players and the coaching staff.
The problem with the Revs is that every starter is a good player and can play well. But in all positions they can do a LOT better. The problem is they have to get rid of a player to get an upgrade, and that’s something the front office doesn’t want to do. This is a good Revs team, but when people say they want better players, some will tell you to get rid of Rowe. That’s not a person fans want to see go and people will jump in and defend Rowe. If people aren’t willing to give up players, this team will never improve the way they want them to.
Like I said, this is a good team. But when you compare them to other teams, they have half their skill set. Many of the starters on the Revs would not be starters on teams like Toronto or Atlanta. Every player is decent, but we can do so much better. One thing that has worked extremely well for some teams is taking advantage of youth players, something the Revs haven’t done lately. Another hot debate is who the captain of this team is. Last year, for the majority of the season it was Lee Nguyen. Toward the end of the season, they gave the armband to other players, including Dielna, Toni Delamea, Cropper, Scott Caldwell, Kouassi, and Tierney. The consensus this year is that there were four top candidates for the captaincy.
Chris Tierney
Photo by Keith Nordstrom
Obviously, Nguyen kissed his chances goodbye with his actions. In my personal opinion, Tierney should be captain no matter what, on and off the field. The counterargument to that is that Tierney most likely won’t be getting minutes this season, and it isn’t the best idea to make your captain someone who isn’t on the pitch often. Ignoring that though, Tierney is the unanimous decision. He is entering his 11th season with the team, with his tenure going through three head coaches now (four if you count Sohen). He posses all the attributes of a leader and professional player.
Antonio Delamea
Photo by David Silverman
Then comes Toni. The guy who won fans’ hearts with his commitment, honesty, leadership, and mentality. The guy was a clear presence on the field, and really seemed to have a command of the backline. The one counter argument I have with Toni being captain is the fact that he can’t speak fluent English yet. I think he might have trouble fluently communicating with the others on the pitch, and a captain needs to be able to do that. Toni also hasn’t made an appearance on the field since his red card against Philadelphia. Jalil Anibaba stepped in and up until this point, Brad Freidel seems to think he’s earned the spot.
Kelyn Rowe
Source | David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Next, there is Kelyn. Honestly, there isn’t much you can say about Kelyn in terms of being captain. He’s been on the team for a long time, does great work with the community, hospitals in particular, is a great guy in general, and has National team experience. Other than that there isn’t much there. Some will say that the tenure is the biggest reason and that giving the armband to a guy who has played half a season or one season isn’t a smart decision. Whatever the final decision is, will certainly have a big impact going forward for the success of this team and its chemistry.
Claude Dielna Named Captain
However, Friedel made the decision to make Dielna the captain. Now Dielna still hasn’t completed a full season, but has won some fans over with his commitment to this team. This includes constant Instagram posts of him in Revs gear training in the offseason, his training workload, and work process. Dielna didn’t start off his season too well, getting a red card in the season opener, but was right back into the lineup after his suspension. With defense still a huge problem, many argue Dielna still has not proved himself to be a quality player on this team. The year is still young, and there are a lot of things this team still needs to address. The Revs lost their seventh consecutive game against FC Dallas on Saturday, but will look to continue their vague road success when they take on Columbus Crew SC next week.
If you have been following the draft closely, two names you might have heard come up for the Patriots are Rashaan Evans and Leighton Vander Esch. Both are talented first round linebackers that can fill a huge need. If both are available at pick 23, who would be the best pick for New England? I analyze and compare both players in this first installment of Draft Battle.
Measurables
Evans
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 234 lbs
Vertical Jump: 30.0 inches
Broad Jump: 116.0 inches
3-Cone Drill: 6.95 seconds
20 Yd Shuttle: 4.36 seconds
*Evans chose not to run the forty on Alabama’s Pro Day because he did not want to be defined as one single position. This caused his draft stock to fall as many teams made their way out there especially for that.
Vander Esch
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 256 lbs
40-yard dash: 4.65 seconds
Bench Press: 20 reps
Vertical Jump: 39.5 inches
Broad Jump: 124.0 inches
3-Cone Drill: 6.88 seconds
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.15 seconds
60-Yard Shuttle: 11.57 seconds
Analysis
For every category Evans did participate in, Vander Esch performed better. One thing the Patriots defense lacked was that second-level athleticism. At a pure physical standpoint, Vander Esch takes the cake.
ADVANTAGE: LVE
Playstyle
Evans
Rashaan Evans is a fierce versatile linebacker who can excel at wherever he is placed on the field. He displays a consistent use of power and finesse to win against offensive linemen, and it showed in his performance in 2017. He led the Crimson Tide defense with 13 tackles for loss and six sacks. Evans is best rushing the passer and stopping the run, but he can win in coverage as well. His versatility is one of his greatest strengths.
Injuries have always hurt the New England defense, and Belichick will love that he can play him almost anywhere in the front seven. Speaking of injuries, Evans can and has played through pain and still does well. He isn’t perfect however. Evans plays with so much power that sometimes he can overshoot the ball carrier and allow him to get by. His instincts are up there, but still need improvement. However, Evans is an explosive hard-hitting linebacker who can match up well for the Patriots.
Vander Esch
Leighton Vander Esch is a long, athletic playmaker who just came off an amazing year. The 2017 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year totaled 141 tackles, 8.5 for loss, 4 sacks, 4 pass-breakups, and 4 fumbles. In other words, he is a tackle machine. He strives at open-field tackling and has loose hips with great change of direction. His instincts are top-notch, and his coverage is spectacular. His biggest weakness is navigating through traffic and getting off blocks. He seriously struggles with blockers and even sometimes takes himself out of play just to avoid them. However, his athleticism and instincts could make him a great piece in a postion needing some help.
Analysis
If you think about it, Evans and Vander Esch are kind of opposites when it comes to playstyle. Evans is a compact, powerful linebacker who can play a couple different positions. Vander Esch is a long, instinctive linebacker who primarily plays inside. In my opinion, Evans’ playstyle is more of a necessity for the Patriots.
ADVANTAGE: EVANS
Conclusion
If both are available at 23 (provided the Patriots don’t trade up for a quarterback), Rashaan Evans should be the choice here. The difference in athleticism is there, but is not much. The biggest tipping factor for me at least is on how the two players deal with blocks. Rashaan Evans is ferocious and has the mentality of a winner. He comes from a system Bill Belichick loves, and can be the player New England needs him to be.
