Is Patrice Bergeron the Most Underrated Superstar in the NHL?

For the past decade Patrice Bergeron has been one of the best two-way forwards in all of hockey. His accolades include an impressive four Selke trophies and a Stanley Cup. Despite his consistent production, Bergeron is overlooked when talking about NHL superstars. At this point it’s hard not to wonder if Patrice Bergeron is the most underrated star in the NHL.

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Offensive Consistency

Ever since entering the league as a promising prospect back in 2003-2004, Bergeron has been an excellent offensive player. He racked up an impressive sixteen goals and twenty-three assists in his rookie season for thirty-nine points and a +5 rating. Bergeron has not slowed down since, putting up 275 goals, and 428 assist for 703 points in 934 games played. However many people do not see Bergeron as an offensive threat. He consistently posts at least fifty points a season. The reason for that is because Bergeron is not flashy he plays a rather simple offensive game. Most of Bergeron’s goals come from the dots or cleaning up rebounds. While Bergeron is not going to make highlight reels, his offensive consistency and reliability cannot be understated.

Bergeron also makes the players around him better, which is the true sign of a great player. Bergeron and Marchand have rapidly developed into one of the best pairs in the NHL.

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Defensive Reliability

What can you say about Bergeron’s defense that has not been said? The four-time Selke winner is widely viewed across the NHL as the best defensive forward. Bergeron has not had a minus season since 2006-2007. He finished two of those seasons with a +36 and +38 rating. The veteran center also provides unreal consistency during faceoffs, which makes him valuable in key defensive situations. In eleven straight seasons Bergeron has finished above 50% at the dot, and finished three seasons with over 60%. His willingness to do the little things in all three zones is what makes him one of the most respected players in hockey.

While Bergeron has played a lot of high pressure minutes in his career he still has maintained his defensive excellency. Currently Bergeron is on pace to finish his third consecutive season with over 19:30 TOI.

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Competitiveness

Patrice Bergeron may be the toughest player in hockey. Anyone remember back in the 2013 Stanley Cup Final when Bergeron played through injuries that would have most people bedridden? Bergeron suited up for Game Six against the Blackhawks with a broken rib, torn cartilage, torn muscles, a separated shoulder, and punctured lung. His willingness to lay it all on the line is what makes him a great player, leader, and competitor. The latest example of his competitiveness was when he took a slap shot to his knee against the Penguins. It was reported that Bergeron lost a healthy-sized piece of skin and needed stitches during the second period. But not wanting to miss a shift the center just played through the pain.

While national media continues to disregard the excellence of Patrice Bergeron, Boston fans appreciate what number 37 brings to the rink everyday. As the most underrated player in hockey, Bergeron just continues to do what makes him great win.

Where Are the 2016-2017 Celtics now – Free Agents

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I covered the players that got traded in my most recent article. The players that left via free agency had some say in their new contracts. A lot of these guys would have loved to stay on the Celtics. The fact of the matter is we couldn’t afford to re-sign everyone from last year’s team. Some of the most difficult decisions Danny Ainge made in the offseason was who fit into the team’s long-term plans, and who he would have to let go. The players that were lost all found great spots for their careers, and should be happy with the outcome.

A lot of these guys got an opportunity as a Celtic that allowed them to sign bigger contracts in free agency elsewhere. This can be attributed to the system that Brad Stevens runs. He maximizes a player’s talents while hiding their flaws. I view it as Ainge helping out players land in the right spots via trades. Brad Stevens helps players earn better contracts and be attractive free agents. It all comes down to the organization doing great work.

If you click on each players name, it will take you to their basketball reference page so you can see what they’re doing this year statistically and compare with what they did in Boston. I did this so I wouldn’t have to bore you with statistics here, but they are linked in case you’re interested.

KELLY OLYNYK

KO didn’t play less than twenty minutes a game in any of his four seasons as a Celtic. In turn he had some big time contributions. Game Seven against the Wizards last year comes to mind, where he went off in the fourth quarter and helped the C’s advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. He was a hero in Beantown after that. But Ainge couldn’t afford to keep him and stay out of the luxury tax, so he hit free agency and chose the Miami Heat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzssSy0l4LY

In Miami, Olynyk has an expanded role and has been a starter for the last eighteen games. His averages are career-highs across the board. With Olynyk continuing to progress, it’s safe to say the Heat got what they paid for. He signed a four year, $50 million deal. That means he is now making more per year than he made over four years in Boston combined. This is what you want to see out of guys. Stevens was able to set Olynyk up for success when he was with the Celtics, which turned into a big paycheck and bigger opportunity for him.

The Celtics have already played Olynyk and the Heat three times this season. The most recent outing was Olynyk’s return to Boston, and he went off for thirty two points and seven assists. I think it’s safe to say he feels comfortable playing in TD Garden. He also recently posted twenty-five points and thirteen assists, and is making a serious push for even more minutes.

JORDAN MICKEY

Another player that signed with the Heat in free agency is Mickey. After being drafted thirty-third in 2015 but never gaining traction with the Celtics, he has carved out a bench role for his new team. He has had a few games over twenty minutes when Whiteside was out, and is fighting to try to stay in the rotation. It would be nice to see him stick and have a successful career as a role player. He signed a two-year deal that holds a second year team option, so he will have to prove himself this year to stay in Miami.

JONAS JEREBKO

Jerebko singed a two-year $8.2 million contract with the Jazz. He is earning less than his $5 million per year in Boston. His decision was more about fit. He wanted to sign somewhere he felt he could make a difference, and has done that in Utah. What stands out from a similar stat line to what he posted in Boston is his three-point shooting. He’s taking more threes than he has in any year in his career, and is shooting a career-best 43% from deep. His role is to shoot and get defensive rebounds. In his return to Boston, he posted seventeen points, a season-best to date, to go along with seven rebounds.

Another interesting fact is Jerebko has started fourteen games already this year, more than his entire 2.5 years in Boston. The Jazz want to put shooters around rookie sensation Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell is great at penetrating and kicking back out, making Jerebko a perfect running mate with the rookie. Quin Snyder likes to play what he calls advantage basketball, which is supposed to allow players that might not be as quick as the competition to get an advantage. The concept is centralized on off-ball movement, and is something that many teams, the Celtics included, practice. Because of this, the move from Boston to Utah has been pretty seamless for Jerebko.

AMIR JOHNSON

Amir is now in his thirteenth season. As a traditional big with below-average quickness and footwork, his value is quickly declining. Yet, the OG was able to land one of the better deals in free agency, signing a one year contract with the 76ers for $11 million. Just $1 million less annually than he earned in Boston.

Amir was a leader by example in the locker room in Boston. He is now looking to set that same example in Philly for their young core. On the court, he has given Joel Embiid some spot starts here and there. When Embiid plays, Amir gets in sparsely. In his return to TD Garden, he posted a full stat line of 6-6-4-3.

TYLER ZELLER

After picking up plenty of DNP-CDs as a Celtic despite his $8 million contract, Zeller had to take a huge pay cut in free agency. It’s a shame, because he really did contribute whenever he got in the game. He has always been a solid player, and I felt there would always be a place for him in the league. Regardless, he found himself more concerned with finding a team that would pay him rather than how much the contract would be worth.

He settled for the Nets on a minimum contract, but it has worked out well for him. After not seeing much time through much of the first month, Zeller broke through with a twenty-one point game. He entered the starting lineup for good a few games later. His playing time has seen a slight decrease since Jahlil Okafor was sent over via trade, but he is still starting. It will be interesting to see how long he can hold off the inevitable of Okafor taking the starting role.

JAMES YOUNG & DEMETRIUS JACKSON

James Young recently signed a two-way deal with the 76ers after averaging over twenty-two points per game in the G-League. He was the least valuable piece that came out of the infamous Brooklyn deal, never able to crack the rotation in Boston after being selected seventeenth overall in 2014.

Demetrius Jackson signed a two-way deal with the Rockets before the season, but it has apparently been terminated. He has since signed a ten-day deal with the Rockets, which started on January 6th. He is averaging sixteen points in the G-League.

BONUS: GERALD GREEN

GG was invited to Bucks camp, but inexplicably cut before the season. It seemed as if he would sit the season out, and perhaps retire. However his hometown team came calling. Green grew up in Houston, and was ecstatic when he got the call that they wanted more shooting. It didn’t make sense that a team that already shot more threes than any other team wanted to add more shooting, but it didn’t matter. Green came in and has made an instant impact. Through seven games, he is averaging twenty-five minutes and over seventeen points, shooting 50% from deep. He has made a big time impact off the bench.

CINDERELLA STORY

( Boston, MA, 03/24/17) Boston Celtics forward Amir Johnson (90) congratulates Boston Celtics forward Gerald Green (30) after his 3 pointer with a foul as the Celtics take on the Suns at the Garden. Friday, March 24, 2017. (Staff photo by Stuart Cahill)

Gerald Green’s contributions during his second stint in Boston can’t be forgotten. In the first round of the playoffs when the Celtics were down 0-2 to the lowly Bulls. Stevens needed to make some changes. He inserted Green into the starting lineup for the third game. Green had logged just over five minutes in the first two games combined. He also hadn’t started the entire regular season. It didn’t matter. Green was ready to go. He scored eighteen points in Game 3, and sixteen in Game 5. The Celtics won four games in a row with Green in the starting unit to win the series 4-2. This is the stuff of legends.

It was only fitting that when the Rockets called Green, they needed him to suit up that night. Oh, and the Rockets were visiting Boston. Conveniently, Green was sitting at his house, in Boston. He still enjoyed the city, and kept his house after last season. He has the role in Houston he has always wanted, as a key piece to an all-out offensive assault. Averaging over eight threes a game, he is right where he needs to be, at home in Houston. Basketball has taken Green around the world and back, so it would be a fitting ending for his career to finish in Houston. Again, this is the stuff of legends.

FINAL THOUGHTS

For the most part, all of these Celtics landed in favorable spots, especially the players that were traded. It has been fun to see some of them come back to Boston and give them the love they fought for while they were here. It hasn’t been as fun to see them all torch the Celtics in their returns, back in a familiar place. Regardless, I wish all these guys the best of success in their careers as they continue to thrive in new roles.

The Top 5 Boston Bruins Rookie Seasons

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Here are five Bruins who had a great rookie season in no particular order. Before you start yelling at your screen and saying how crazy I am, remember that these are rookie seasons!

Sergei Samsonov

Sergei Samsonov was drafted eighth overall in the 1997 NHL entry draft. He had legs like tree trunks and the ability to change directions in the blink of an eye. When the Boston Bruins traded Glen Wesley to the Hartford Whalers in August of 1994, they received three first round draft picks. These were first overall picks for 1995, 1996 and 1997. The latter pick turned out to be for Samsonov.

In his rookie season with the Bruins he racked up twenty-two goals and forty-seven points in eighty-one games. Bruins fans thought the duo of Samsonov and Jumbo Joe would be a saving grace. He went on to play six and a half more seasons with the black and gold. His best point total came in the 2000-2001 season, scoring seventy-five points in eighty-two games. He was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in March of 2006 for a few rolls of tape and a second round pick, which was used to acquire Milan Lucic.

Bobby Orr

I have to be careful with what I say about this legend to avoid upsetting the hockey purists out there.

Mr. Orr signed with the Boston Bruins for the 1966-1967 season. This was his first year as a professional. There are many debates pertaining to his salary that year, but he was the highest paid player in league history.

For his first preseason the Bruins tried Orr out at center and he wore the number 27. When the regular season rolled around the team offered him number 5, but he chose the famous number 4 and was placed in his natural spot on the blue line. Orr played his first regular season game in October of 1966 against the Detroit Red Wings, finishing with one assist.

Orr had one of the best seasons by a defenseman in his first year, scoring thirteen goals and forty-one points in sixty-one games. That year he won the Calder Memorial trophy as the league’s top rookie and was named NHL’s second all-star team.

There is not enough room to list all of the achievements that Bobby Orr accumulated over his career, but here are a few of the highlights. He won the Art Ross trophy twice and the James Norris trophy a whopping eight times. He went to the NHL All-Star game eight times and was named the MVP of the game in 1972. Orr hoisted the Stanley Cup twice in 1970 and 1972, along with the Conn Smythe in both of those years.

Many argue that he is the greatest player ever to dawn an NHL sweater, and with numbers like these you can see why. 657 games played. 270 goals. 645 assists. 915 points. 953 penalty mins and an astonishing +597!

Joe Juneau

The best rocket scientist to play in the NHL. Joe Juneau received a degree in aeronautical engineering in three years, while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

The Bruins drafted Juneau in the fourth round in the 1988 NHL entry draft. However, he did not suit up for the big club until 1992. Ask Harry Sinden and he’ll tell you all about it!

His best season in the NHL was his rookie season, where he racked up one hundred and two points in eighty-four games. He gathered seventy assists that season, setting a NHL record by a rookie. A mark which still stands. Juneau won the Calder Memorial trophy that year for the best overall rookie. Some will say his linemates that year should have accepted the award with him. The powerful line consisted of Adam Oates centering Cam Neely and Joe Juneau.

During his fifteen year NHL career Juneau never played a game in the minors and retired as a member of the Montreal Canadiens in 2004. He finished his career with 572 points in 828 games.

Andrew Raycroft

After being drafted in the fifth round 135th overall in 1998, Andrew Raycroft was a real long shot to make a name for himself in the NHL. Let alone win Rookie of the Year.

Raycroft played his first full NHL season with the Bruins in 2003-2004 with a stingy record of twenty-nine wins in fifty-seven games. He had a GAA of 2.05 and .926 SV% and three shut-outs.

Never finding his groove again after that, Andrew was traded to the Leafs during the offseason of 2006 for some no-name Finnish prospect Tuukka Rask. Even if the trade never materialized, it was later revealed that Raycroft would have been released from his contract and made him available to the Leafs without any compensation whatsoever! Sorry Leafs fans.

Andrew Raycroft announced his retirement from professional hockey in April 2014 after spending a few years around the European leagues. He now volunteers as an assistant coach for Connecticut Huskies.

Raymond Bourque

Now this piece might sound biased, but Ray Bourque is my all-time favorite hockey player. But that does not take away from the fact that he had an amazing rookie season.

With the eighth pick in the 1979 NHL entry draft the Boston Bruins selected Raymond Bourque. The club received that pick in a trade with the LA Kings. Boston sent goaltender Ron Grahame to LA in exchange for the eighth pick. Ironically enough, Ron’s son John became teammates with Bourque.

Bourque played his first game against the Winnipeg Jets in 1979, where he also scored his first NHL goal. From his first game Bourque showed that he would be one of the best NHL defenseman ever! During his rookie campaign he tallied sixty-five points which was a record by an NHL rookie d-man at that time. The sixty-five points and his steady play was more than enough to win the Calder Memorial trophy.

When Rick Middleton retired in 1988, Bourque was named the sole captain of the Boston Bruins, and kept that title for his entire Bruins career. With that distinction he surpassed Alex Delvecchio as the longest-serving NHL team captain, a mark which has been broken by Steve Yzerman.

Bourque went on to play twenty-one solid and steady years for the Bruins. Ray won the Norris trophy five times and became the sixth defenseman in history to score thirty goals in a season. He won the King Clancy Memorial and Lester Patrick trophy once and was named an NHL first team all-star thirteen times. Bourque is eighth all-time (fourth among defenseman) in games played with 1612. Bourque also holds the record for shots on goal in one game with nineteen! Also he is first in career points and goals by a defenseman. I could go on and on.

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few guys that could have also been in the top five:

Frank Brimsek
Dereck Sanderson
Brad Marchand
Tiny Thompson
Brad Boyes

The New Wave

Will this year see another Bruin name etched on the Calder trophy? With rookies like Danton Heinen, Charlie McAvoy, and Jake DeBrusk it is a distinct possibility. So far this all-star trio are really helping the Bruins to a great season. A great playoff run is looking better each game.

Until next time….

Keep Your Head Up

How Do You Beat Brady and The Hoodie ?

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I think it is time to ask the question again that many NFL teams have been asking themselves for years. The pressing question is “How do you beat Brady and the Hoodie?” The answer is really not complicated, but it is the execution that’s so difficult. In this article I will elaborate a little further to show you why Brady and the Hoodie make such a formidable tandem.

Jan 16, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) reacts before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo

The Real Answer is Quite Simple

If you really want to beat Tom Brady and Bill Belichick then you just need to out- work them. See what I mean, it is not a complicated answer so why does it not happen more? The reason why it is hard to out-work TB12 and Coach B is that they constantly work and try to improve. Their sheer dedication and desire to to win and improve makes them just so damn good.

Think about how dedicated you would have to be to win and improve if you were Tom Brady. He has already won more then almost anyone else that has ever played in the NFL, so why the desire? That is the intangible that makes Brady better then anyone that has ever played the QB position in the league’s history. The very same thing can be said about Bill Belichick when it comes to wanting to win and improve. Both of these men still have as much desire as they have did when they joined the league.

You Just Have To Out Work Them

As I have been saying, the way to beat Brady and the Hoodie is to just out-work them. That is such a simple but impossible thing to actually accomplish though. It is your off day as an NFL player, and you decide that you are going to hang out with some buddies. This is where you have already lost. Tom Brady is at home with his clicker in hand watching video of your team. Tom has looked at every defensive scheme your team can use against him. Not only that, but already figuring out how to beat them as well. That is why Tom Brady is a winner and your team comes close but does not win.

Coach Belichick is a man that constantly studies football. Coach does not spend any time using all that social media like Snapface, because he has better things to do. There is not a scenario that Coach B and his other coaches are not prepared for when playing the game. The best team in the NFL at making adjustments at all points of the game is Belichick’s Patriots. BB is always the next move ahead of you, which makes beating him very difficult to anticipate. It is evident to anyone watching that Brady and Belichick are playing chess and the others are playing checkers.

Do You Have The Dedication To Beat Them?

The biggest question that opposing players and coaches have to ask themselves is “are we dedicated enough?”. Unless you are not willing to put in more work than ever then you cannot expect to win. The tandem of Brady and Belichick are just willing to out work anyone and everyone in their path. You would have to expect to lose unless you can match their dedication and work. Both of these men have forgotten more then most players and coaches will ever remember about football, period. Unless you have the dedication to give your blood, sweat, and tears to the sport then you will just come close but not win as much as you think.

Two Minute Drill: Every AFC Team’s Season in a Nutshell

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NEW YORK JETS

Josh McCown proved he can still play at age 38, maybe better than he ever has. As a team, the Jets proved they respect HC Todd Bowles as they fought hard in every game this season. This group certainly exceeded everyone’s expectations. Unfortunately for the Jets, exceeding expectations means going 5-11.

BUFFALO BILLS

A very rocky season full of highs and lows, rather typical for Buffalo. What was not typical for the Bills was making the postseason for the first time in 17 years. Hey Sean McDermott, I have an idea for next season; maybe don’t bench Tyrod Taylor for Nathan Peterman. Just a thought.

MIAMI DOLPHINS

The Dolphins are always so unpredictable, you never really know what to expect from this group. However, two things remain constant.

They will always give Tom Brady a hard time in Miami
Jay Cutler is not the answer

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Pretty Typical season for the Pats. The world ends after a few tough losses. The media claims Brady has “nothing left in the tank.” Brady puts together an MVP-caliber season. The Patriots finish first in the AFC East at 13-3. New England has again found themselves on their way to another AFC Championship game following a game against the bye wee- I mean Tennessee Titans.

patriotswire.usatoday.com

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Much like Brady, Big Ben silenced his haters with efficient play in the second half of the season following a rough start. Teams still do not have an answer for Le’Veon Bell or AB. Pittsburgh is a home win away from earning the privilege of losing to New England in the Conference Championship.

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Gotta give credit to these guys for their scrappy nature and ability to find ways to win games. Baltimore finished 9-7 with a non-existent offense and the worst version of Joe Flacco we have ever seen. On the other hand, I want to take away any credit I gave to them for losing to Cincy at home in a scenario in which a win would have clinched a playoff birth (facepalm).

CINCINNATI BENGALS

The Bengals flat out sucked this year. Their highlight of the season was probably the three-point loss in Green Bay when Rodgers was still healthy. However, the Bengals did one thing better than everyone else this year; play the spoiler role. In weeks 16 and 17 they knocked off the Lions then the Ravens to eliminate each team from playoff contention. Also, Marvin Lewis IS back for next season.

CLEVELAND BROWNS

The Browns season could be symbolized by a big pile of something else that is typically brown. If their season goal was to put together their best ’08 Lions impression then might I say “Job well done boys.” Unfortunately, I think their goal was probably to win a game, which they did not do.

cbssports.com

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Ahh finally, a good team, tough to come by in the AFC. The Jags were certainly one of the biggest surprises of the season. Finishing 10-6 is rather impressive considering no one really projected this team to even be in the playoff hunt. The key to their success? Calais Campbell + Malik Jackson + Jalen Ramsey + AJ Bouye = nightmare for opposing QB’s.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

No luck for the Andrew Luck-less Colts. If there is anything positive to take away from this season it may be Jacoby Brissett. Nothing too special stats wise but the kid did a pretty decent job this year. Considering the fact that he was given a bottom-three offensive line and defense, he deserves a little credit. 17 total TD’s compared to just seven interceptions isn’t too bad given the circumstances.

TENNESSEE TITANS

Strange season for the Titans. Many expected improved play by Mariota would lead to Tenneessee winning the AFC South rather easily. However, they played pretty poorly all year but ended up with a 9-7 record, thanks to an easy schedule. They somehow won their wild card playoff game in KC And now head to New England for a true test.

HOUSTON TEXANS

Every team has to deal with injuries, but the Texans may have had the most injured team in the league. Of course, good teams learn how to play without key players. However, the fact of the matter is that sometimes too many key injuries is simply too much to over come. The loss of JJ Watt and Whitney Mercilus pretty much ruined the foundation of this defense, then losing Deshaun Watson was the final blow. Bright future for this team though.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

It was a season of streaks for the Chiefs. It went hot, cold, hot, out. they started the season 5-0. Then lost six of seven to drop to 6-6. Then finished the season on a four-game win streak to finish 10-6. Right as it looked like they were back on track, they lost to the Titans at home in the first round of the playoffs. Yes, the Tennessee Titans.

Image result for derrick henry vs chiefs

kansascity.com

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

I firmly believe that this team was the most unlucky of all the NFL teams. They had a reputation of not being able to close out games. Early on this year they were having that issue. They lost three of their first four games by a combined seven points. Two of those games could have been won with a Younghoe Koo last-second field goal. However he decided to miss both. They got red hot mid season but ultimately came up short.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

Probably the most disappointing team of the season. So much promise from last years excellent effort turned out to be a whole bunch of mediocrity, at best. Where was the Derek Carr of last year? What happened to the fearless nature of “Black Jack Del Rio’s” team we saw last year? The best thing the Raiders can do is forget this season happened. Luckily they have a football genius coming into town to take over the head coaching job.

DENVER BRONCOS

Another disappointing AFC team. An elite defense was made mediocre thanks to an abysmal offense. Of course, QB is the most important position in football, but teams can still get by with a viable QB under center as long as the defense is solid. Unfortunately, the Broncos QB’s couldn’t hit water if they fell out of a boat. Trevor Siemian? No. Brock Osweiler? No. Paxton Lynch? No.

*Questions or comments? Find me on Twitter @MLBfromNH*

*Feature picture credit goes to betlabssports.com*

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXIX

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The Super Bowl is just 23 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 23 years ago to honor this not that significant occasion!

South Florida hosted Super Bowl XXIX on January 29, 1995. The game pitted the San Francisco 49ers against the San Diego Chargers of the American Football Conference. If ever there was a predictable Super Bowl, this was the one.

San Francisco 23 Years Ago

The 49ers were undoubtedly the team of the 1980’s. They continued their stellar play into the ’90’s but had yet to win the Super Bowl. In 1990, they were stunned by the Giants in the NFC championship game. In 1991, Steve Young took over as starting quarterback. And, while posting some of the best statistics ever seen, Young failed to defeat the Cowboys, his boyhood team, in consecutive NFC championship games. 1994 was his season.

Deion Sanders, arguably the finest cornerback the NFL has ever seen, was a key acquisition to an already fine defense. The defense also added Richard Dent, Toi Cook, Tim McDonald, Ken Norton, Rickey Jackson and Gary Plummer (all Pro Bowl players from other teams). They had two other young-stud defensive linemen in Bryant Young and Dana Stubblefield who would serve as fixtures on the Niners’ defense for a decade. And, finally, Merton Hanks and Eric Davis manned the defensive backfield. Since San Francisco was a dynamic offensive team, Coach Siefert’s focus was totally defense and he built a good one!

On offense, the 49ers were #1 yet again. Jerry Rice was the best player in the NFL. But, it was not all roses early in the season. In week two, the Niners lost to Kansas City, 24-17. Who played quarterback for the Chiefs that day? Joe Montana. In week five, the 49ers were pulverized by Philadelphia by the unreal score of 40-8 and Steve Young, the 1994 NFL MVP, was benched. And he was mad!

Epic NFC Championship

Young bounced back to help San Francisco win their next 13 meaningful games, posting ridiculous numbers in the process. Young was smart, fast, strong, and accurate. None of those things would have mattered if he lost to Dallas again. San Francisco defeated the Cowboys during the regular season by a score of 21-14. They would meet again. The stage was set for the real Super Bowl of the 1994 season: the NFC Championship game.

The Niners came out with their pants on fire. Eight minutes in, the score was 21-0! Dallas received the kick. Aikman threw a pick, Irvin fumbled, Kevin Williams fumbled and Dallas had to be wondering what kind of nightmare they were in. But, like Cowboys always did in that era, they battled back. They got within 10 late in the fourth. Aikman went deep and Sanders had very tight coverage on Irvin, but a flag was not thrown. San Francisco prevailed and was on to their fifth Super Bowl. There would be a new champion!

San Diego Chargers 23 Years Ago

Their opponent was the San Diego Chargers. Bobby Ross and his ’93 Chargers finished 8-8. Coming into the ’94 season there were not lofty expectations in San Diego. However, the Chargers started 6-0 and established themselves as a serious contender in a weak AFC. Although San Diego endured a mid-season slump, they did enough to get a #2 seed in the AFC playoffs.

Their offense was built around their powerful RB Natrone Means and underrated QB Stan Humphries. On defense, they had the fantastic linebacker and future Hall of Famer Junior Seau. The Bolts did just enough to edge Miami in a thrilling divisional round game. San Diego trailed 21-6 at the half. But, a safety and a Means’ TD cut the lead to 21-16. Then, Humphries hit Mark Seay for a go-ahead score. Dolphins’ kicker Pete Stoyanovich badly missed a fied goal at the buzzer. So, the Chargers were on to Pittsburgh to play the highly favored Steelers.

In the championship game, the Chargers again fell behind. This time they trailed 13-3 late in the third quarter. But, Humphries hit on two 43-yard touchdown passes; one to TE Alfre Pupunu and the other to WR Tony Martin. The Steelers, led by Neil O’Donnell, marched right down the field only to be thwarted on a fourth and goal on a PBU by linebacker Dennis Gibson. Miraculously, the 1994 San Diego Chargers would play in Super Bowl XXIX.

Well-oiled Machine

The game was tough to watch for Chargers’ fans. San Francisco came out of the gates flying. It took them seven offensive plays and five minutes to compile a 14-0 lead. Thankfully, the Chargers had the ball over the next minutes and scored to cut the lead to 14-7 on a Means’ plunge.

But, the 49ers came right back scoring TDs on two of their next three possessions. The halftime score was 28-10. In the second half, the Niners continued the onslaught. They went 42-10 before Chargers’ kick returner Andre Coleman took one back.

The final score of the Super Bowl from 23 years ago was 49-26. Steve Young passed for 325 yards and six touchdowns. He also ran for 49 yards. This was his day in the sun. 1994 was his season. It was his first and last Super Bowl title for the 49ers. Indeed, he would run into a gunslinger playing in the midwest the rest of the decade. As for the Chargers, they have not been back to the Super Bowl despite having several legends on their team in the 2000s. And, now they live up the highway in Los Angeles.

Tomorrow, we’ll discuss how the Cowboys got their groove back.

Brandon Fazzolari is a Super Bowl expert…@spot_Bills

Stop Taking Greatness for Granted

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There is something inherently wrong with that large segment of American culture that sees greatness and feels victimized by it. Rather than appreciate it for what it is, they feel the need to attack it.

As Patriots fans, we’ve seen that for years in the petty jealousies of vanquished foes and corrupt league officials. We are also more than accustomed to local beat writers who hate the local teams. Rather than report on the game, they disparage the team’s accomplishments, take exception with the leadership, and attack the players. They do this because the coaches and players do what those writers only dream they could. Yes, Dan Shaughnessy, I’m talking about you.

From Foxborough to Tuscaloosa

As awful as life may be outside your chosen athletic distraction, it’s pretty good as a New England fan. As sports fans we should recognize that we live in magical times. To answer for the brutal awfulness of Saturday’s NFL playoff games, Monday’s College Football National Championship game was a gift from the football gods to remind everyone why we watch sports.

Photo Credit: SI

Love Nick Saban or hate him, Alabama football is a thing of beauty. And they are not alone. From UConn’s women’s basketball to Duke’s men’s team, and from the San Antonio Spurs to the New England Patriots – there are organizations today that defy the norm and achieve on historic levels in every sport. We should recognize and appreciate their greatness, even if they’re not our team.

What Saban has accomplished in Alabama – five national championships in the last nine years – is astounding. Given that there are 129 NCAA Division I FBS football programs, all of which get 85 full-ride scholarships – or about 25 new scholarship athletes per year – the recruiting playing field is level. Saban doesn’t get all the best players, there is talent enough to go around. How else can the University of Central Florida go undefeated and beat SEC powerhouse Auburn in a bowl game?

Despite a level playing field and abundance of talent, the Tide consistently out-recruit and out-play the rest. Like the Patriots, Alabama is a case study in excellence.

Appreciate the Greatness

Like many, I have predicted that the Patriots will lose both Patricia and McDaniels this offseason, and that the dynasty is nearing its end. Barring some draft, free agency, or a series of medical miracles that will fix Jules’ knee, keep Gronk healthy, and prolong MVP-caliber performance from the oldest guy in the league, I still believe that to be true.

But so what? There is a game to play this weekend. The Patriots should be in the Super Bowl this year. Things happen so quickly in the NFL that we should savor what we have today. And, on top of all that, we know that the New England Patriots are the gold standard for organizational excellence.

The NFL is the most competitive league in professional sports. It is designed to ensure everyone is equally competitive. From the salary cap, to draft and waiver order, to schedules designed to challenge better teams with stiffer competition, the NFL tries to level the field. Despite their efforts, for the past sixteen years the New England Patriots have won at the most impressive, historic rate imaginable. Nothing comes close to their five Lombardi’s, seven conference championships, and an absurd fifteen division titles.

Trust the Hoodie

The modern New England Patriots stand alone as the greatest professional sports dynasty in American history. And, rather than relish in the hyperbolic attacks by agenda driven morons in Bristow, Connecticut or professional naysayers at the Boston Globe, we ought to just appreciate what they’ve accomplished. We, myself included, should also trust that Kraft and Belichick are smart enough to keep this training rolling for a while longer.

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXVII

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The Super Bowl is just 25 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 25 years ago to honor this not so significant occasion!

Pasadena’s Rose Bowl hosted Super Bowl XXVII, on January 31, 1993. The game pitted the NFC champion Dallas Cowboys against the two-time defending AFC champion, Buffalo Bills.

Dallas Cowboys 25 Years Ago

The Cowboys, known as “America’s Team” due to their tremendous popularity in the late ’70’s, had fallen on hard times in the late ’80s. But, Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson replaced the venerable Tom Landry regime and heads rolled. The biggest deal accomplished by this traded Herschel Walker to Minnesota for a truckload of draft picks. Those pieces assembled formed a Cowboys team that excelled in all phases of the game during the ’90s. It is one thing to have a lot of draft picks, it is quite another to draft wisely. And, the Cowboys of this era had a lot more hits than misses.

Emmitt Smith out of Florida was an instant success after college in 1990. He joined QB Troy Aikman and WR Michael Irvin to form “the triplets.” The triplets were joined by an outstanding offensive line, fullback Daryl Johnston, tight end Jay Novacek and WR2 Alvin Harper to form the 4th-ranked offense of 1992.

The 1992 Dallas Cowboys had one of the greatest and most underrated defenses in NFL history. One word to describe this defense was: speed. Coach Johnson and defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt expertly used a defensive line rotation that was nearly impossible to run against. Dallas did not have big, strong linebackers. Instead, they used an ultra-quick group. Robert Jones, Ken Norton, Vinson Smith and Dixon Edwards flew to the ball. Their safeties were very sound as well with James Washington and Darren Woodson patrolling the back end.

America’s Team is Back

On opening day, the Cowboys made a statement by shutting down the defending champion Redskins, 23-10. Although the 49ers were the clear-cut favorite in the NFC, Dallas gained momentum with each passing week. San Francisco and Dallas were on a collision course in the NFC title game. And, this game did not disappoint. The 49ers had effectively begun their own dynasty when they defeated Dallas in the 1981 NFC championship game. The Cowboys’ organization and fans were out for revenge. For anybody who has not watched this game, it’s a ‘must-review!’

Dallas took a 24-13 lead midway throught the 4th quarter. Led by Steve Young and Jerry Rice in their respective primes, the 49ers were not about to quit. They stormed down the field cutting the lead to four. Dallas received the ensuing kickoff, which was returned to the 20. On the very next play, instead of sitting on the ball, Aikman hit Harper on a deep slant-in and he was off to the races. The play racked up 70 yards. Dallas scored a few plays later to ice the game, 30-20. In hindsight, this was the real Super Bowl. The two best teams in the NFL from 1992-1994 were unquestionably Dallas and San Francisco.

Buffalo Bills 25 Years Ago

The AFC was much more wide open. Six teams all with 10-6 or 11-5 records would battle for the AFC championship. The Bills were seeking their third consecutive trip to the Super Bowl. Their defense improved by leaps and bounds over their 1991 effort. And, for the third straight season, the Bills finished in the top two on offense. However, the Bills lost in the season finale at Houston. The loss cost Buffalo homefield advantage as well as the AFC East division. Houston and Buffalo were scheduled to play in the Wild Card game the following Sunday, but Jim Kelly injured his knee to make matters worse. He would be out 2-3 weeks.

Circle the Wagons

The Oilers were led by Warren Moon, and the magnificent run-‘n-shoot attack. They ran roughshod over the Bills in the first half, as Moon threw four TD passes. In the early moments of the third quarter, Bubba McDowell returned a deflected pass from the arm of Frank Reich, into the end zone for a 35-3 lead. (*I have been to dozens of Bills’ games, and after that pick six, the stadium was so quiet, you could hear the Oilers yelling exuberantly!)

Buffalo bounced right back with a short scoring drive. Then, they recovered an onside kick and scored again. After a three-and-out and horrendous punt, Buffalo scored again. Henry Jones next intercepted a pass and Buffalo…scored again. This one came on a fourth and five from the 18. Frank Reich hit a wide open Andre Reed over the middle. In six minutes, the score went from 35-3 to 35-31. (**This was the loudest stadium I have ever been in!)

The fourth quarter morphed into something that looked normal again. The Bills moved the ball well to lead 38-35 with about four minutes to go. Houston tied it with less than a minute remaining. In overtime, Nate Odomes intercepted Moon on the second play. Steve Christie came on to kick the field goal giving the Bills the unbelievable win.

Buffalo was riding high when they beat Pittsburgh 24-3. And, Kelly returned to lead them to a “not as close as it sounds” 29-10 win over the Dolphins in the AFC championship game. Amazingly, Buffalo was going back to the Super Bowl for the third straight time.

Dallas Dominates Super Bowl XXVII

The Bills got off to a good start in the Super Bowl. Steve Tasker blocked a punt and Thurman Thomas scored, giving them a 7-0 lead. That would be Thurman’s only highlight, though. Both teams moved the ball very well in the first half. However, only Dallas parlayed those yards into points. Aikman was on fire, throwing for three first half touchdowns. Kelly was not. He threw two interceptions and he fumbled. The fumble was snatched by Jimmie Jones for a TD. Sadly, Kelly was knocked out from the ball game. Enter Frank Reich, who could not replicate his wild-card game magic. He was intercepted and Thomas fumbled. At halftime, Buffalo trailed 28-10 and had turned the ball over five times.

They cut the lead to 31-17 on the final play of the third quarter on a TD by Don Beebe. However, Dallas and their superior athleticism dominated the rest of the way. They destroyed Reich. He fumbled two more times and threw another interception. Steve Tasker’s fumble gave the Bills nine total turnovers on the game!

The defining moment of this football game came late in the fourth quarter with Dallas leading 52-17. Leon Lett was returning a Reich fumble all the way. As he neared the goal line, he carelessly extended the ball to his side. Beebe came screaming down the sidelines and knocked the ball away an inch before Lett crossed the plane. So, Dallas only won by 35 points.

Dallas won their first of three Super Bowls in four seasons. They were a truly impressive team. And, they would get another chance to beat Buffalo in Super Bowl XXVIII. Tomorrow, we’ll talk about that game!

Brandon Fazzolari is a Super Bowl expert…@spot_Bills

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXVIII

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The Super Bowl is just 24 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 24 years ago to honor this not that significant occasion!

Atlanta hosted Super Bowl XXVIII on January 30, 1994. The game pitted the defending World Champion Dallas Cowboys against the three-time defending AFC champion Buffalo Bills. It was a Super Bowl rematch that turned out to be a mismatch.

Dallas Cowboys 24 Years Ago

The Cowboys lost their first two games, including one at home to Buffalo. Emmitt Smith’s hold out demonstrated just how valuable he was to his team. He came back after week two and put together an outstanding campaign. One of the most remarkable performances in NFL history, his grit and toughness in the season finale vs. the Giants was on prominent display. The winner would get home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Smith separated his shoulder early in the ball game. It was explained to him that nothing could be done. Sit it out or play through the pain. He chose the latter. All he did after that was rush for 180 yards and catch 10 passes. The win was vital. Dallas cruised in their two home playoff games. Although Troy Aikman suffered a concussion in the NFC title game, he would be good to go for the Super Bowl.

Buffalo Bills 24 Years Ago

Buffalo’s 1993 season was remarkable. Marv Levy was at his best motivating his squad to get back to their fourth consecutive Super Bowl. The offense was sharp as always. Two veterans emerged with surprisingly outstanding seasons: Bill Brooks and Pete Metzelaars.

The defense was an enigma. They were ranked 27th in yards, but 5th in points allowed. So, Walt Corey’s unit offered the true definition of ‘bend, don’t break.’ They put that defensive style to the test in frigid Orchard Park. In the divisional round, the Raiders, led by a familiar foe in Jeff Hostetler, gave the Bills all they could handle. However, Steve Tasker’s huge kickoff return and two Kelly-to -Brooks’ touchdowns gave Buffalo a 29-23 win. In the championship game, Buffalo received an outstanding production from the great Thurman Thomas. They also took advantage of several Chiefs’ mistakes. The final: Buffalo 30; Joe Montana and the Chiefs 13. It was on to Atlanta and a date with Dallas.

Tale of Two Halves

The Bills played a nice first half. They implemented a short, possession-based passing attack. They controlled the line of scrimmage and allowed Dallas to convert very few big plays. Steve Christie set a Super Bowl record by kicking a 54-yard field goal.

Late in the first half, Buffalo led 10-6 when they forced Aikman into throwing an interception to Nate Odomes. The pick resulted in a late field goal and a 13-6 haltime lead. Would this be the year? No.

Dallas totally and completely smothered the Bills in the second half. The bashing started immediately. Thomas fumbled and James Washington weaved his way in for a score. The three and outs kept coming for Buffalo. The sustained Emmitt-led drives kept coming for Dallas. It was genuinely heartbreaking for Bills’ fans. Buffalo’s fourth straight Super Bowl loss would be their last appearance in the big dance. Since then, Bills’ fans have dealt with a brutal stretch, going 17 seasons without a playoff berth.

On the other hand, Dallas deserved this championship. When it comes to the best teams in the history of the NFL, the 1992-93 two-time champion Cowboys are not discussed enough. Their offense was run magnificently by Norv Turner, and their defense possessed speed that may have been unparalleled. After the season, Jimmy Johnson departed. But, the Cowboys under Barry Switzer had two more amazing seasons. One ended up in the Super Bowl; the other ended in San Francisco!

Brandon Fazzolari is a Super Bowl expert…@spot_Bills

Am I Asking Too Much of Jaylen Brown?

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In his second year with the Boston Celtics, Jaylen Brown has become the starter at the two position. He averages14.4 points per game, 1.3 assists and 5.7 rebounds. This is a huge improvement from his rookie season stats. It’s important to remember that he was coming off the bench last season as well. Although he has given us some spectacular performances, the inconsistency still looms large.

Much Needed Improvements

When a second-year player gets the opportunity to start, there are expectations to perform well. I am in no way belittling the good games that he’s had. The opener against Cleveland, the November 18th match-up against Atlanta, and the game against Denver, just to name a few. However, I would like to point out two areas where he can improve:

Points per Game. Jaylen Brown now averages 14.4 points per game, and that’s great. However, I think a good eighteen to twenty points from a shooting guard isn’t a ridiculous expectation. The sporadic nature of his scoring cannot be afforded when they still have a developing bench. And with Irving stepping back a bit to let others shine, Brown will have to step it up—consistently.
Free Throw Percentage. I love his willingness to drive to the basket for the dunk or layup. Sometimes he gets the basket. Sometimes he gets the foul call. But if he’s going to get the call, he has to make the free throws. He’s left too many points out there, and the team could have used them! I don’t want to sound mean, but centers have better free throw percentages than he does.

Issues of Confidence?

I don’t know if Jaylen Brown’s up and down performance has to do with confidence, but it sometimes appears that way. Especially if his BFF on the team is outplaying him. Rookie Jayson Tatum plays like a seasoned pro, and doesn’t seem to get discouraged by missed shots. I think Tatum’s smooth transition and confidence in his play may make Brown feel a bit inadequate at times. Brown’s wavering confidence affects his performance and in turn affects the team. There was an instance in the game against the Nets last weekend where he gave up on a play. Not okay, especially since he didn’t have a very good game.

New Year, New Jaylen Brown

I’m not going to count the first two games of 2018, even though he had a decent one against the Cavs. We’re going to start fresh in London against the 76ers. A second -year player surrounded by so many diversely talented teammates should be thriving. But I know he missed a few games due to injury. Also, the Cs had a brutal schedule, which was not good when you consider the bench situation at the time. But with 39 games over a span of 95 days means more rest, or more time to practice! Hopefully Jaylen can use some of that time to work on his free throws and get out of his head a bit.

Remember, I’m a huge fan of this team and I never want to be divisive in any way. I’m just calling it like I see it. But I’m always rooting for my guys. Go Cs!