Boston Bruins 4th Line: #1 in the #4 Business?

Too Good to Break Up

After an another impressive win by the Boston Bruins, one line really stood out. The 4th line consisting of Tim Schaller, Noel Acciari and Sean Kuraly are really starting to make a name for themselves!

4 points by the 4th line, on night where they played a team that boasted a home record of 12-3-3, is pretty darn good! This line plays the wear-you-down drag-’em-out type of hockey we have been looking for. They have been called the lunch-pail gang but they are starting prove their worth.

All three guys were in the double digits for time on ice and also had some penalty kill time, which shows that the confidence Cassidy has in these guys is growing. Not since the Thornton-Campbell-Paille line, that helped hoist the cup in 2011, have we seen a coach with this much faith in his 4th line. Whispers from all around the media water cooler are calling our current grind line one of the best in the league.

Looking Ahead

Our next three games are no cake-walks. The Bruins host the Panthers and the Hurricanes before heading to Pittsburgh on Sunday, January 7. None of these three teams will be easy to beat. Only the Pens have a losing record in their last 10 games, BUT they are the 2 time defending champs. We will definitely have to bring our A-game.

Adam McQuaid is soon ready to return and management needs to figure out that mess. David Krecji is back and healthy which saw Bjork watching the game from the cheap seats. Having a healthy team is a great problem to have but figuring out where to put them is not.

Tuukka Rask is playing as if his life depended on it, which is an awesome sight. So far this season over 25 games Rask has a 2.13 GAA along with .923 SV%. Rask was also named first star of the month with a record of 9-0-1 with 1.22 GAA and .955 SV%. Even Anton Khudobin has a winning record over 14 games. 2.47 GAA and .923 SV% are pretty good numbers when you spend 3/4 of your time on bench. Needless to say he has been there when we needed him.

In my humble opinion it is a great time to be a fan of the Boston Bruins. We are getting back to being the team nobody wants to play and for good reason. With a game in hand over the Tampa Bay Lightning, we are just 10 points out of first in the division. It is a good feeling when you see any one of the lines on the ice and not get nervous! 2018 is off to a great start and I am pumped for each and every upcoming game.

Until next time….

Keep Your Head Up

Top 5 Most Disappointing NFL Teams of the Season

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5. GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-9)

Awful season for the Pack, and yes, I know Aaron Rodgers missed the better part of it. Of course, it would be unfair to expect them to remain a premiere team with an inexperienced rookie under center. However, can they really be considered a great team if they can not win without Aaron Rodgers? They were 4-1 prior to his injury in Week Six and were 3-6 without him. I think this confirms the notion that Green Bay is not a good team, Rodgers is just a phenomenal quarterback. Luckily for Green Bay, Rodgers will be back and healthy for next season. However, they have to be a little concerned about the state of the rest of the team, considering the fact that they fold like a two dollar lawn when Rodgers is not playing.

4. DENVER BRONCOS (5-11)

denverpost.com

The Broncos have been lead by a dominant defense over the past few seasons. They have not really had much offensive firepower since the Manning days, but a viable offense was always enough to get by. It looked like they would use this recipe once again to compete for a playoff spot this season. However, this plan did not go as expected. There were certainly concerns regarding their offense this year, specifically at QB. They have a talented group of wide receivers and a solid run game with CJ Anderson. Unfortunately none of their three quarter backs could play well enough to allow the defense to win them games. It is safe to say that the Siemian, Osweiler and Lynch experiments all failed.

The dreadful offense was actually so bad that it affected the effectiveness of the defense. Denver’s inability to sustain drives forced the defense to constantly be on the field for 35 minutes or more all season long. No matter how talented, there is no defense that will be able to stay fresh and healthy while being on the field that much. Hey, at least Denver was bad enough to land themselves a solid first round draft pick. They may want to consider drafting a QB that can throw the ball.

3. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (5-11)

This was supposed to be the year for the Bucs to make a playoff run. It was Winston’s third year in the league and it appeared that he may have had enough experience to lead this team to a great year. Well, unfortunately, he was responsible for the steep regression of the offense. Last year, Jameis threw 28 TD’s and 18 interceptions in 16 games. Not great numbers, but it was reasonable to think he could reduce the turnovers this year. He did manage to do that thanks to an injury that forced him to sit out for three games. This year he only threw 19 TD’s and 11 interceptions while his QBR dropped from 64.7 to 50.3.

Winston was not the only one to blame for Tampa’s struggles though. The defense was horrendous as they ranked 22nd in points allowed per game and dead last in yards allowed per game. What looked like a bright future for Tampa may in fact not be so bright.

2. NEW YORK GIANTS (3-13)

footballstories.com

2016 was a whole lot more fun for the Giants than 2017. Many expected them to struggle last year but they went 11-5, riding one of the leagues best defenses. In 2017, it was the exact opposite, they were expected to be a great team but ended up being the second worst. Maybe they should try to suck next year, in hopes that they can continue the trend? Anyways, in 2016 they ranked 2nd in the league allowing 17.8 points per game. It was quite the turnaround in 2017, as they ranked 27th in the league allowing 24.3 points per game. With Eli Manning’s struggles and the loss of OBJ, those defensive numbers are not going to cut it. I think this team as a whole, especially Eli will benefit greatly with a coaching upgrade from McAdoo.

OAKLAND RAIDERS (6-10)

In my opinion, the Raiders were by far the biggest disappointment of the season. Many assured they would make the playoffs, possibly even make the Superbowl or perhaps even win it. Well, lets just say the answer was D, none of the above. Everything went wrong for this team. Derek Carr was not close to the guy he was last year. Amari Cooper continued to be inconsistent. Marshawn Lynch is evidently no longer Beast Mode anymore, as he averaged less than 60 rushing yards per game. The defense was picked apart all year. The secondary was particularly bad as they ranked 26th in the league in pass yards allowed per game. From 12-4 to 6-10 with a very similar looking roster and coaching staff is puzzling. With the recent firing of head coach Jack Del Rio, we will have to see how this team performs in the future. I supposed the only positive to take away from this season is the fact that they managed six wins in a tough division while playing their absolute worst. For Oakland fans, lets hope this year was a representation of this team’s floor.

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

*Featured picture credit goes to bostonherald.com*

Matt Patricia, Josh McDaniels Are Going Nowhere

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Let the Rumors of the Coordinators Leaving Begin

Via nj.com

The Patriots are once again in the playoffs. Matt Patricia and Josh McDaniels are in rumors of head coaching jobs around the league. Josh McDaniels said this week, “My focus here when I come into this building will always be on what’s best for the Patriots. Trying to do what I can to help us prepare to play our best game the next time we go out on the field”. Patricia also is only focused on the Patriots, saying, “I have no idea about any of that. None of that is even really applicable for me right now because I don’t have any information on that. I’m in normal mode”.

Will Belichick Leave or Retire After This Season?

Via NBC Sports

It’s been reported the Giants have asked permission to talk to McDaniels and Patricia. Many other teams but I have a different theory. Bill Belichick is 65 and wanted to keep Jimmy Garoppolo, when Robert Kraft stepped in and sided with Brady. What if after the Patriots win their sixth Super Bowl Belichick either retires or just leaves? Imagine if he left the Patriots to coach the Giants, where he started his career as a coach. It sounds far-fetched but it’s an interesting theory. Patricia becomes the head coach of the Patriots next season and McDaniels is the offensive coordinator for next year as well. Until Brady retires after next season, Garoppolo comes back maybe after getting some playing time in San Francisco.

By Keeping Brady the Patriots Aren’t Planning for the Future

Via UMass Blogs

Now if Garoppolo doesn’t come back, the Patriots are screwed at quarterback. They will have to find a decent replacement for the greatest of all time. Patricia and McDaniels have been around the Patriots for a long time and know how the team works. McDaniels has tried head coaching jobs in the past but they haven’t worked out. Patricia has never held a head coaching job and I really don’t think he would go anywhere besides New England.

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XX

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The Super Bowl is just 32 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 32 years ago to honor this not that significant occasion!

The Louisiana Superdome hosted Super Bowl XX on January 26, 1986. The game pitted the NFC champion Chicago Bears against the New England Patriots of the American Football Conference.

Chicago Bears 32 Years Ago

In 1985, there was President Reagan, Michael Jackson and the ’85 Bears when it came to things every American was familiar with! The Bears were built in the image of their Head Coach, “Iron” Mike Ditka and their brash defensive coordinator, Buddy Ryan. Chicago did not experience much team success since their 1963 NFL championship. But, they always had Hall of Famers on their roster.

Walter Payton was such a man. Drafted in 1975 out of Jackson State, Payton was a superstar. He possessed immense talent and personified character. Chicago added a character of a different sort when they selected BYU’s Jim McMahon at quarterback. McMahon was not a great quarterback, but was a great leader and teammate.

On defense, the 1985 Chicago Bears will likely be compared with the greatest units of all-time as long as there is a National Football League. It was called the “46” defense. Their defensive line featured the ferocious Richard Dent, the brutal Steve McMichael, “the Danimal” Dan Hampton and “the refrigerator” rookie William Perry. Perry was a fine tackle no doubt. But, it was his contributions on offense in goal-line situations that endeared him to the national public.

The Bears had great linebackers as well. Their captain Mike Singletary anchored the middle with the meanness of Jack Lambert and speed of Luke Kuechly. Simply put, he was everywhere. He was just as intelligent on the field as he was talented. Ryan molded his defense around the skills and brains of Singletary and safety Gary Fencik.

Awesome 46 Defense

The Bears rampaged through the 1985 season coming off the heels of being shut out in the 1984 NFC Championship game. However, they had one blip on their resume. Dan Marino and the high-flying Dolphins put up an unbelievable 38 points on 12-0 Chicago. The win preserved the 1972 Dolphins as the only undefeated team in modern-league history. It also demonstrated that the Bears’ defense was not infallible.

In the playoffs, the Giants were no match for Chicago. The game was played in such windy conditions that Giants’ punter Sean Landeta completely whiffed on a punt. The following week, Chicago shut out Eric Dickerson and the Rams in the championship game. Linebacker Wilber Marshall scored late in the game amid a snowy backdrop. Bears’ fans were rewarded with their first Super Bowl appearance.

New England Patriots 32 Years Ago

While Chicago was the most popular team in the NFL in 1985, the New England Patriots were among the least-known squads. They were a good, but not great team that season. In fact, they finished in third place in their own division!

However, the Patriots had two great things going for them. They were marvelous on special teams and they created turnovers. Linebacker Andre Tippett was perhaps the second best defensive player in the league (behind Lawrence Taylor) in 1985. On a team largely void of superstars, Tippett stood tall.

The Pats were inconsistent on offense. Wily Steve Grogan and youthful Tony Eason shared the work. They both had good and poor moments in 1985. If anything, New England had an established running attack. SMU’s Craig James and East Carolina’s Tony Collins were dependable and versatile.

In the playoffs, the Patriots became the first team to win three road games to get to the Super Bowl. In the Wild Card game, they were +4 in turnovers. Eason managed a fine game, going 12 for 16 and hitting Stanley Morgan for a huge TD. The Pats prevailed 26-14.

Wild Road Show

New England followed a similar formula in upsetting the Raiders in the divisional round. Again, they were +4 in turnovers. With the score tied at 20 late in the game, the Pats forced a special teams fumble and Jim Bowman recovered in the end zone for the game winner.

The powerful Dolphins were next up for New England. Nobody gave the Patriots a shot to win this game and why would they? As an organization, the Patriots had not won in Miami since 1969! Furthermore, the Dolphins had been THE team to beat the Bears in 1985.

The Patriots ignored all the negative hype. They went into Miami and won convincingly. They moved the ball well on offense and they harassed Marino all game. Again, they were +4 in turnovers. Raymond Berry’s Patriots were off to the Super Bowl as they upended Miami, 31-14.

Super Bears

In the Super Bowl, New England forced a Walter Payton fumble on the second play from scrimmage. However, Eason threw three incompletions and the Pats settled for a field goal. Chicago proceeded to score the next 44 points!

Here’s some stats: Eason was benched after going 0 for 6, the Patriots rushed for seven yards, and New England was -4 in turnovers. The Patriots’ offense scored 10 points and the Bears’ defense notched nine. Chicago rushed for four touchdowns, but none were scored by Payton which was probably the most unfortunate development for the Bears on the day.

The Bears were excellent for the remainder of the 1980’s but could not get back to the Super Bowl. Buddy Ryan left for Philadelphia and Payton retired after the 1987 season as the all-time leading rusher.

Those red-uniformed Patriots of 32 years ago never got back to the Super Bowl. But, later in this series, we will hear frequently from that franchise!

Brandon Fazzolari is a Super Bowl expert…@spot_Bills

LeBron Knows the Answer to the Big Question About Kyrie

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“…I don’t have any advice for him now. I got no advice for him or any other people that’s on any other team. Noooo.. Listen man we trying to win a championship here, I don’t have time to give advice to other guys…”

LeBron seemed sincere in his opening press conference for the season, and it’s a fair point to not want to help players that aren’t helping you win a championship. The thing is, LeBron has been giving advice to all kinds of young players in a very public manner after games. We saw it with Lonzo Ball. The very next game against the Jazz we saw him and Dwayne Wade pull another rookie, Donovan Mitchell, aside and give him a short lecture. You might remember last year when he did the same thing with a rookie Jaylen Brown.

So, why does he have nothing left for Kyrie?

KYRIE IS READY

The answer is simple: he knows Kyrie is ready to win without him. He’s already given his former protegé more than he would like the leader of a serious contender to have. Kyrie is no wide-eyed rookie. Still, LeBron has established himself as a “big brother” of sorts for young players around the league. The two have built a bond together. Now, he doesn’t have anything left to say to Kyrie. He can act like it’s everyone, but it’s not. It’s just guys he sees as a threat to his legacy, and that list now includes Kyrie Irving. His explanation of why he has nothing left for Kyrie seems inaccurate and pointed. If you ask me, he is legitimately worried about Irving and the Boston Celtics.

“…The only thing I’m upset about is he took a lot of the DNA and the blueprint to Boston.”

LeBron has been to 7 straight NBA Finals. He knows what it takes to get there. He also knows Kyrie Irving knows what it takes to get there. Kyrie Irving is ready to be the #1 guy. LeBron may have been ready to give him the keys, as he said in his preseason interview. But Kyrie was tired of riding in the backseat. So he went out and found himself his own car. One that he could drive. And one that has yet to reach its top speed.

KYRIE VS LEBRON ON THE BIG STAGE

The Celtics are still a work in progress. They have cooled off a bit since their 16 game win streak at the beginning of the season, but they are still an obvious force. Even without Hayward, the general consensus is that there will be an Eastern Conference Finals rematch between the Cavs and Celtics. The biggest difference this time around would be the size of the storylines.

Kyrie will be trying to put the last stamp of approval needed to validate his move to Boston. Maybe more accurately, out of Cleveland. It would be truly epic to see Kyrie take down LeBron and end his Finals reign. Instead of LeBron handing Kyrie the keys, Kyrie will be looking to take them from him, head to head. We could see these teams clash in the playoffs for years to come. It seems inevitable the Celtics take the crown and reach the Finals.

THE MAKINGS OF A TRUE RIVALRY

For Celtics fans, perhaps watching Isaiah Thomas try to exact revenge on his old team and new rival will be the hardest thing to watch. It is tough not to root for this guy. It is tough to realize he could be heavily responsible for ending the Celtics’ season.

It would also be the 2nd year in the row the two play in the ECF, and could mark the start of a true rivalry. The Celtics are getting better every year and will soon be the favorites in the East. But until somebody knocks him off, LeBron holds the key to the Finals. As long as he is in Cleveland, they will be a force in the playoffs.

Eventually, there will be a team that comes along and beats LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Most would agree that team will most likely be the Boston Celtics. Even if LeBron isn’t willing to give Kyrie any more advice. Kyrie has everything he needs to succeed. Who knows, maybe we’ll see LeBron give the rookie Jayson Tatum some love Wednesday after the game. Or, maybe he’ll see him as a member of a team that is a serious threat to his championship aspirations and stay far, far away.

MLB FREE AGENCY: Top Five Hitters Remain

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Most major headline deals have already been wrapped up this winter. But a fair share of impact players remain unsigned to an MLB contender. With names like Ohtani, Stanton, and Wade Davis all finding new homes, other contending teams are scrambling. Hitting was king in 2017. Right now, five top sluggers still need homes. Who do you think tops the list?

Honorable Mentions

Jonathon Lucroy

Lucroy heading into his age-31 season may have been more appealing two years ago. Only recording six HR in 2017, it seems the power hitting righty needs to make some adjustments at the plate. The Rockies bulking their bullpen shows their ‘win now’ mentality. Completely realistic considering last year’s run with some true superstar names on the roster. Although home runs of years past are a glaring non-predictive statistic, it is hard to lose all faith in Lucroy. In 142 at-bats, Lucroy managed to hit a solid .310 BA with a .866 OPS in the cold mountains. In an ERA of batting statistics with not many true hitting catchers, Lucroy could find himself behind a new dish this coming spring.

Jay Bruce

With 36 HR in 2017, it seems like Jay Bruce is not a bad bat to have in the middle of the order. Although a .254 BA cannot be overlooked when it comes to Bruce, he still brings value to a ball club. It seems like most teams Bruce would audition for a DH role. And in venues that favor this lefty, he could provide quite the impact for a contending ball club. What is impressive is this 30-year-old slugger saw the peak of his career in the homerun statistics at later stages in his prime. Look for those adjustments to land him a decent contract for a contending ball club in 2018.

Top Five

5) Mike Moustakas

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY8Ufc-DzQI]
For many teams, Mike Moustakas popped on the radar well before this off season. Moustakas was seen as a hot commodity at the 2017 trade deadline for his unbelievable power and his improving glove in the field. In presumably his prime year at age 29, Moustakas hit 38 HR with a .272 BA. The sweeping, swinging lefty came eight at-bats shy of his season record 563, this in his second full season of major league play. As the years go on he hasn’t slowed down, just improved and taken on more. It seemed like the writing was on the wall for a good chunk of Royals players at the end of the 2017 season. Although on a lot of teams’ Christmas lists, this gift may never leave the workshop. Moustakas showed no interest in leaving KC last season and has stated he wants no part in leaving.

Top Suitors: KC, NYY, STL

4)Eric Hosmer

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdXKEqoPglw]

One of the top players in this group would be Eric Hosmer, a solid player all over the diamond. Hitting his peak in WAR last season at 4.0, Hosmer provided defense/offense and experience/leadership. Many managers in the MLB praise his clubhouse presence which has been talked about for a majority of his career. Hosmer duplicated his 25 home run season of 2016 in 2017 and with that brought a .318 batting average(.266 in 2016). It’s clear Hosmer is a weapon, with a contract that may be the only scary aspect of the 28-year-old.

When Scott Boras sits across from you at the negotiation table you’ll end up with two things. An empty wallet, but a mighty fine player. It is estimated by most Hosmer will ask for six or more years with a dollar amount over $120M USD. He has intangibles and tangibles to bolster his resume. It’s just about finding the team to go all in.

Top Suitors: COL, MIL, KC

3)Eduardo Nunez

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIUvlnMHWv0]
To get my personal Eduardo Nunez feelings out of the way now, I will be very upset to see him leave Boston if he does. Nunez was one of the stand-out deadline deals in the second half of the season, creating an instant impact for the Red Sox. He fulfilled a role trading the contact swing for power that Boston desperately needed going into the postseason. Nunez batted a .313 BA in 2017 with 24 steals and a .892 OPS for Boston in the second half. The 30-year-old posted a career high in doubles for 2017 with almost 100 fewer at-bats than the year prior. Not to mention Nunez is comfortable playing almost any position on the diamond, providing the flexibility any team needs. Watching Eduardo go down in game one of the ALDS against Houston was heartbreaking. How he bounces back from this injury and surgery is still to be determined, which may hurt or improve his chances of landing a large deal. Personally, I believe a Nunez deal will all be dependent on if Manny Machado is in a different clubhouse this coming season.

Top Suitors: NYY, BOS

2)Lorenzo Cain

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFCQ-t1y5Y4]

This past season Lorenzo Cain made his case as a top free agent known with a stand-out season. Cain hit a clean .300 in BA and came one long ball from hitting his career high of 16. Although compared to the rest, this may not be an impressive number. But Cain is a complete player. Bringing in a WAR of 5.3, he brought in 26 stolen bases and took a free pass to first a personal record of 54 times.

Cain continues to grow into a veteran presence at the plate, opting for selectivity when racking in his career high 175 hits in 2017. Along with all of this, Cain seems just to be a more realistic option for most teams who need a spot filled in the outfield. The center fielder is likely to receive a deal from $60M- $70M USD for what most suspect to be four years. By the end of his contract, Cain would be playing in his age 35 season.

Top Suitors: TOR, NYY, KC, COL

1)J.D. Martinez

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pex6NsyKwh0]

Coming off the year of the home run, it is hard to make a case J.D. Martinez isn’t the top in his class right now in free agency. As the offseason goes by and teams watch top hitters go by, Scott Boras and his client continue to drool. The money Martinez will be looking for is not something you’ll find under in you couch during your spring cleaning spree. No, no, no. For this money you can buy a 29-bedroom Hamptons mansion (America’s Largest) or a private island in the Bahama’s or even the Playboy mansion. The contract will be somewhere north of $200M for eight years from a 30-year-old Miami man.

Although it may seem annoying to see J.D. get that payday, the facts stand. J.D. roped in 45 long balls last season, hitting an average of .303. Martinez was all general managers dream for in the trade deadline for years to come. Martinez brought in 29 of the 45 home runs in the second half of the season for Arizona. All this makes Mike Hazen look like a pretty smart man for orchestrating that trade at the deadline for his NL Wild Card champions. J.D. does have incredible value, and will probably get his money. Now it’s about who is signing the check? The only realistic rumbles in this man’s future have come from Boston. If Boston can not clear up the space needed to provide him a home, look for a top contender to sweep in.

Top Suitors: BOS/ If Not BOS: HOUS, LAD, STL

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XIX

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The Super Bowl is just 33 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 33 years ago to honor this not that significant occasion!

Palo Alto’s Stanford Stadium hosted Super Bowl XIX on January 20, 1985. The game pitted the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers against the Miami Dolphins of the American Football Conference. 1984 was an epic season for the NFL by any standard. Washington’s Art Monk broke the receptions record. Eric Dickerson of the Rams broke the single-season rushing record. Dan Marino seemed to break every passing record imaginable. And, the 49ers came three points away from a perfect season.

San Francisco 49ers 33 Years Ago

Where the Dolphins were a great passing team and nothing else, San Francisco was a great passing team and everything else. The 49ers were 2nd in points scored and 1st in points allowed. There is no better recipe for success in any sport than that statistic. They were led, of course, by their fabulous quarterback, Joe Montana. Montana was almost the perfect football player. He was accurate. He was a solid scrambler. Montana could hit the deep ball. He was cerebral. He was a joy to watch perform.

Coach Walsh surrounded his terrific QB with a solid running game. Wendell Tyler rushed for over 1200 yards averaging 5 yards per carry. Roger Craig was an innovation at halfback. He would substitute for Tyler on third downs. The Roger Craig-type is on every team in the NFL in 2017. But, he was the first of his kind and one of the best.

San Francisco’s defensive backfield has ridiculous skills at every spot. Ronnie Lott was arguably the best safety ever to play in the NFL. They had a super front line and solid linebackers. This was truly a team without weakness; one of the ten best teams in NFL history. They completed the 1984 regular season with a then-record 15 victories. In the playoffs, they were workmanlike in defeating the upstart Giants and Bears, 21-10 and 23-0 respectively.

Miami Dolphins 33 Years Ago

There was nothing workmanlike about Miami’s 1984 regular season. Their offense was way ahead of its time and, frankly, Marino was the best quarterback we had ever seen up to that point. His receivers were the uber-talented Mark Duper and Mark Clayton. They combined for 144 catches for 2700 yards! Clayton score a then-record 18 times. These numbers don’t sound extraordinary by today’s standards. But, by 1984 standards, they were off the charts. Marino, Clayton and Duper played together for about a decade, but 1984 was their climax.

In the playoffs, Miami got revenge on the Seahawks for their 1983 upset. In the championship game, Miami only had to face 9-7 Pittsburgh. The Steelers had shocked 13-3 Denver in the divisional round, a foreshadow of things to come for John Elway in the 80’s. Pittsburgh was no match for Miami’s powerful offense, losing 45-28.

Marino Shut Down

The Super Bowl started off in competitive fashion. Miami took a 10-7 lead late in the first quarter on a short TD pass from Marino on the roll to tight end Dan Johnson. However, the Niners responded with a three-touchdown explosion. Meanwhile, Miami went three-and-out an astonishing three times. The score was 28-10 late in the first half. The Dolphins got two late field goals to move within 12 points at the break and nobody felt the game was over at that point.

But, Miami came out of the break with more three-and-outs. Marino also threw two red zone picks. Hence, the Dolphins did not score in the second half. Craig, on the other hand, scored three times in the game himself for the Niners! And, San Francisco won the Super Bowl, 38-16.

The Niners have the reputation for being the team of the ’80s. However, they did not reach the Super Bowl again until 1988. But, they won it that season and in 1989. Miami’s Super Bowl XIX appearance was its fifth and last. They have suffered through three decades of mediocrity since then.

Tomorrow, we’ll talk about the phenomenal 1985 Chicago Bears!

Brandon Fazzolari is a Super Bowl expert…@spot_Bills

James Harrison: The Savior of The Pats’ Defense

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There are lots of cliches that could be used in this article, but “if you can’t beat them, then join them” could top the list. It’s just a small part of the story which brought James Harrison to the Patriots. The clown show that runs the Steelers thought that Harrison was done. Pittsburgh thought his best days were long gone, but as we saw Sunday, wrong again Steelers. Let me tell you why I feel that Harrison could become the savior of the beaten up Pats’ defense.

Via The Big Lead

Some Players Just Want To Win

The fact that James Harrison was cut by the Steelers seemed like a strange development to me. Harrison terrified me when the Patriots played the Steelers. The Steelers told the media that Harrison would not contribute much and they didn’t plan to play him. Unless they live under a rock, they would see that Harrison is a workout monster. His workouts include a game of volleyball using medicine balls. Just picture that for a minute. The Steelers also declared Harrison as too old and did not fit their schemes anymore. As you can see in the photo above, age does not matter if you are great. Harrison evidently has a sense of humor as well. The picture above on his Instagram was followed with “finally a teammate older then me.”

Harrison wants to win and wants to play where he can contribute. Watching Harrison on Sunday, he wants to win and hasn’t lost too many steps at all. In limited playing time Sunday against the Jets, Harrison recorded five tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. Does that sound like a player that has lost anything or does not want to play anymore? Imagine when Harrison learns the defense and his teammates better. Be afraid, be very afraid.

Harrison — The Piece The Pats D Has Lacked

Every team in the NFL has injuries. Not exactly a newsflash there. The Patriots have certainly had their fair share, if not more then a few other teams. Already missing some key defensive players like Hightower made the Pats’ D vulnerable. James Harrison will give us a solid and sustained pass rush which has been an issue for the Pats. Other then Trey Flowers and blitzing occasionally, the Pats have not posed a threat to the opposition’s QB. Sunday could mark the turning point for this dilemma the D has faced all season. James Harrison, inserted after minimal practice, looks like the scary monster of the past. He looks like the defensive savior we have needed this season.

The opponents of the Patriots now have consider potential pass rushes from both sides. Flowers on one side and Harrison on the other is not an easy puzzle for any team to solve. I think James Harrison may have just saved the Patriots in the one true area of vulnerability. Our pass rush issues did not seem like much of a problem on Sunday. Granted, we played the the Jets, but I do not think it would have mattered a great deal who it would have been.

Could Harrison Be ‘The Guy’?

It is a lot to ask for one player, but in his own way he joins the roster in the nick of time. Isn’t it the Patriot Way to take players with something to prove and give them a platform to do it? Harrison joins the likes of Randy Moss, Rodney Harrison and others players that have found a new home in Foxboro. It is hard to believe after watching Sunday that Harrison will do anything but get better.

I would like to formally thank the Pittsburgh Steelers for allowing us to have James Harrison. Once the Steelers find their way to winter vacations before the Super Bowl, they will realize that this was a stupid move on their part. James, we are so glad to have you and look forward to you looking Goodell in the eyes in February. I am sure that Goodell will just love handing you the Lombardi trophy and we will love seeing you hoist it as our savior.

Jason Groome: The Next All Star Pitcher

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The 2016 12th overall pick out of New Jersey throws a lot of heat, but working with Chris Sale makes him that much deadlier.

In 2016, Jason Groome heard his name called as the 12th person in the MLB Amateur 2016 draft. After being given a $3.65 million contract with the Red Sox, the 6’6 southpaw out of Barngat, NJ came into 2017 as MLB.com’s #43 prospect. Last season, he sported a 3-9 record with a ghastly 5.69 ERA through 55.1 innings of work throughout low a and single a baseball.

He has a wide arsenal of pitches that he uses to work his counts. He has a fastball velocity range from low to mid 90s, as well as a nice power curve that glides with great movement. His tall frame works to his advantage as well. It helps give him good downhill action on his pitches, which will make the timing harder to follow. His change-up is a work in progress, as command issues have plagued that pitch in 2017.

Once he fully develops throughout the minor league system, he could be a dual threat pitcher. What could make him more valuable? Enter Chris Sale. The ace of the Red Sox has been training throughout the offseason in Florida with the young lefty. He could learn a lot from a pitcher like Sale. Sale came in second place in the Cy young voting just two months ago. He is coming off a season in which he struck out over 300 batters. If you pay close attention to both pitchers, the similarities are striking.

Both pitchers have a long, lengthy left-handed body. Even though Sale has a wider delivery than Groome, they both throw with their arms a bit to the side. This helps give them a better angle on their pitches. In Chris Sale’s case, the awkward delivery helps make the timing of the hitter off kilter at first sight. Not many pitchers have his size and delivery, while being able to whip a fastball over 95 mph.

Jason Groome will adapt after his first full season in the minors. Seeing what the pace is will help him make the right adjustments while being able to do it comfortably in the offseason. While recent pitchers such as Jordan Cote, Jacob Smith, and Josciel Verjas were released and never signed up to this point. Coming straight out of high school has its disadvantages, but they can be easy to overcome.

How far he progresses this year is up to Dave Dombrowski and company, but one things for certain. As the days, months, and years go by, expect to hear about Jason Groome. This kid is only getting better. With some hard work, could be a multiple Cy Young award winner at some point throughout his career.

Photo Cred: Baseball Hot Corner

Backes on Track: An Overview of David Backes’s Career

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The Signing

When I heard that the Boston Bruins signed David Backes to a 5 year deal on July 1 2016 I was jumping for joy! The Big Boy Backes was just the power forward we have been looking for since the departure of Lucic. That one still bugs me! Standing 6′ 3″ and tipping the scales at 225 pounds, David Backes would be the prototypical Bruin.

The Rookie

The St Louis Blues drafted David Backes 62nd overall in the 2003 NHL entry draft. He went back to play for Minnesota State for three seasons where he put up some decent numbers. He amassed 119 PTS and 212 PIMS in only 115 games! Not too shabby, eh? He had a brief stint in the AHL with the Peoria Rivermen before joining the St Louis Blues for the 2006-2007 season. His best production season with the Blues was the 2010-2011 season where he netted 62 points in 82 games. On Sept 09 2011 he was named the 20th captain of the Blues, taking the reigns from Eric Brewer who was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning. While he may not be an offensive juggernaut, he is a mean two-way power forward who can score when called upon.

The Man

Off the ice Backes is a big gentle bear. David and his wife Kelly are quite involved in animal rescue efforts and pet adoption drives. He has a huge passion for animals which goes all the way back to his childhood where always had pets around. David received his private pilots license in 2012. He is also a graduate of Minnesota State University.

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David made his international debut in 2007 where he was named to the US national team for the IIHF World Championships. He was named to the team for next two years and played in the bronze medal game in 2009, losing to Sweden 4-2. The national team came calling again but this time on the Olympic platform. With a goal and 2 assists he helped the team get to the gold medal game, falling to team Canada 3-2 in OT. Again in 2014 he suited up for team USA in the Olympics. This time there would be no medals, but he did help out with 4 PTS in 6 games.

The Legend?

Now with the Bruins he his quickly making a name for himself. Last season with the B’s he had 38 PTS and 69 PIMS in 74 games. Now this season is a bit of a different story. He went under the knife in November to remove a portion of his colon due to diverticulitis. Much to the joy of his teammates Backes has made a full recovery! So far this season he has 15 points in 20 games. David Backes was just named the NHL’s 3rd star this week with 6 points in 3 games all while playing on the 3rd line! With his help the Bruins have been steam rolling along. They are currently sitting 2nd in the division with a 7-1-2 record over the last 10 games. Yee Haw!

This is exactly what a young Bruins team needs right now. The former captain who, while still in his prime, is showing tons of leadership on a very young and talented team. They are playing with a ton of confidence and looking to make some noise in the playoffs. The problem I see moving forward is how to make room for everyone in the line-up once all the injuries have healed. The young call-ups are starting to look like seasoned veterans which is definitely not a bad thing.

The Bottom Line

Was signing Big Boy Backes to 5 years for 30 mil a good move for the Bruins? ABSOLUTELY!!! He is fearless power forward with some all-star skill. He is giving coach Cassidy some needed options on the 3rd line. Playing alongside Riley Nash and Danton Heinen, they are giving the top 2 lines much-needed rest and security. It nice to know that you can send out the 3rd line and not have to worry about defensive breakdowns. With this line it is the complete opposite. They look like a top line every time they step on the ice! Let’s hope 2018 will continue to be kind to this Bruins team as they make a mad dash for the finish line.

Until next time….

Keep Your Head Up