Why the Red Sox Need Eric Hosmer

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We all know Eric Hosmer, the stud first basemen for the KC Royals, a key piece to their two World Series appearances in 2014 -15, and their title in 2015. A great defensive first basemen and an outstanding hitter who can hit for both power and contact, he is a special player.

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After the 2017 season, he hits free-agency, where he will definitely land a big contract. The question now is…should the Red Sox try to sign him?

Battle for first

Other 1st base options:

Mitch Moreland  

Moreland has definitely had his moments this year, but only signed through this year and then hits the FA market again.   Will the Soc decide to resign him?  In 440 at bats this year, Moreland is hitting a measly .248 with 18 homers and 65 RBI. Not a bad season, but certainly not a great one, especially compared to the production that Hanley Ramirez brought to the team in the 2016 season. Mitch Moreland has been a nice fill-in this year, but probably not the long-term solution.

Sam Travis

Known as DoctorChill, Sam Travis has impressed this year at first base. He stands at 15-48, boasting a .313 average this year. He has shown the ability to hit the ball, but not for a lot of power to the pull side. His scouting reports that he hits a lot of balls to the opposite field, not ideal for a righty at Fenway park. Usually, you would like a Red Sox righty to pull the ball to the wall. Sam Travis presents the Sox with  definitely a cheaper option than Hosmer, but he needs to work on his ability to pull the ball for power.  In his own words, his six home runs in the minors this year is doesn’t cut it.

Hanley Ramirez 

I know what you are thinking, and I am thinking the same thing…hell no! I figured I would just throw him on the list because there might be  one percent of Red Sox Nation that would want this, and even that is a stretch. Hanley Ramirez had a monster 2016 at first base from an offensive standpoint, and was also very good with the glove. However, his numbers tanked this year, and his future as a DH even may be in question, never mind a spot in the lineup that requires him to play almost every night.

Eric Hosmer

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The moment we’ve been waiting for —  the Wizard of Hoz. Eric Hosmer is easily the most well suited option on this list, and I think I can speak on behalf of most people when I say that Red Sox Nation would love to have him on board. There is nothing not to love about this guy. He seems to have great chemistry with the fans and his teammates, and appears to be a great overall guy off the field as well as on. Speaking of on, there is nothing he can’t do as a first basemen. He’s a great fielder, has legitimate pop in his bat, hits for average, as can run. In what he could consider an off-year, a year in which not many people have been talking about him, he has produced .315 with 23 homers and 82 RBI. Not only does he play great year in and year out, he has EXPERIENCE. He has played in two World Series, and has absolutely mashed in the playoffs.

Eric Hosmer represents everything that the Red Sox could use at first base to win in the future, and at a reasonable price. They should push to bring Hosmer to Beantown.

Marcus Smart Drops 20 Pounds Over the Summer

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Celtics G Marcus Smart, has been in the gym all off season trying to improve his game, and dropped 20 pounds in the process.  So this means Marcus was around 240 pounds last season. That’s a outrageous weight for a guard.

Via Boston Globe

“I’ve been in the gym nonstop, been eating right, making sure my body’s right,” Smart said on Wednesday during a visit to Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center.

“It’s a different me. I’m more explosive and I’m healthy,” Smart said. “That’s a big part for me. I had to get on my plan. I’m really focused and I locked in this summer.”

“I’ve really been working on my game and getting ready for a larger role,” Smart said. “The Celtics expect me to take that on and be ready, so I’m ready for whatever. I’ve talked numerous times to Danny and Brad, before anything happened, even just during the season . . . be ready to take on that role. And now it’s put into reality. We don’t have Avery, we don’t have Jae, a lot of responsibility is on my shoulders.”

Smart also said he hired a new personal chef.

Marcus comes off a 10.6 points, 4.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 3.9 rebounds campaign where he struggled to find his shooting stoke. He shot just .358% FG and .283% 3PT, but a successful season nonetheless.

Marcus is also now the longest-tenured Celtics player on the roster. And yes, he´s only 23.

Less can create more

With Avery departure, Smart looks to fill the gap that AB left in the defensive side of the floor. Marcus is just as good, or better defender than AB but a bit slower. A slimmer and quicker Marcus could cause some problems for opposing Guards.

This also helps him defend the quicker guards that AB handled in the last couple seasons.

But we probably wont see much of this:

 

Or this:

 

 

This can also help his offensive game a little bit. He lacked explosiveness last season and he never really created much separation off the bounce from defenders, struggling to finishing around the rim. A slimmer Marcus could also mean a quicker shot release.

Marcus will enter his final year of his rookie contract and due a qualifying offer of just over $6 million. This could be an important year for the 23-year-old.

No wonder Bill Belichick went to so many Celtics games. He’s was obviously intrigued by the linebacker in the house.

Blessing In Disguise– Gaining From a Loss

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Well folks, if you are like me, I’ll bet you are glad that the first game is over.  The Pats got a slice of humble pie that I believe they needed.  On a positive note, I believe that the loss to KC will prove a true blessing in disguise.

FOXBORO, MA – SEPTEMBER 07: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts on the sideline during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on September 7, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Why I Think the Loss Will Help Us

The loss to the Chiefs at Gillette on September 7th was more than a little disheartening to Patriots’ fans. A large portion of Patriot Nation already planned out the SB route for next February. Even before we had played one quarter.  I believe some of the players believed the hype, even though Coach Belichick would definitely say otherwise.  There are reasons you play the games, because anything can happen.  The Patriots lost, Hightower and Amendola before the last play and it looked like all was lost.  To tell the truth, it made it evident to fans and even coaches that the Patriots had some work to do.

I believe the media can be blamed as culprits for starting the perfect season pressure for the 2017 season.  With the loss to the Chiefs, the Patriots just have to go out and play their games.  The pressure  to win to keep up the undefeated string went up in musket smoke, as did “dreaming the impossible dream”.  By not having that large monkey hanging off their backs, the Pats may just run the table now out of sheer determination.

What The Loss Will Show Us About The Patriots

This recent loss will truly be a blessing to the coaching staff of the Pats because they will constantly remind the players of it.  Knowing players like Brady, Amendola, Hightower, and many others, they just want to get back to winning. The loss will also show us that the team will have to go back to “Patriot Fundamentals” and just “do their job”.  Not trying to do too much or something that is just not your strength  got the team wrapped around the axle.  Brady firing the bomb way too often, and running up the middle without extra blockers  —  just a couple of examples of what I’m talking about.

Anyone who knows me also knows that when the Patriots’ offense slows down, I’m always screaming the same thing at the TV.  “Go to up tempo no huddle” and whenever we do, it succeeds.  The offense finds a rhythm and the opposing defense just ends up being gassed.  This stops them from putting up much of a challenge.  That would be our savior on one side of the football, but our defense may need more tweaking than that.

 

HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on from the sideline during the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

What The Defense Can Learn From The Loss

We saw more than a few little gaps exposed on the Patriots’ defensive unit during the loss against Kansas City.  It is very evident to myself that Dont’a Hightower is truly the key to our defense.  His role became painfully evident when he left     the game.   Other players and the coaches could truly see that for themselves.  A solid effort is going to be required by the defensive unit this week against the Saints.   Getting pressure on Drew Brees is always the key, and the Minnesota Vikings did a great job of that this week.  Getting QB pressure has been challenging for the Patriots’ defense.  The D unit is going to have to find a way this week to get the W,.

How do you get pressure on the QB when you are struggling to do so?  That’s easy in my opinion.   You do things that your opponent does not expect.  If you bring pressure on Brees from the safeties, corners, or even blitz LBs up the middle at unexpected times you will have success.  The key to this?   Getting in Drew Brees’ face.

I believe the running game for the Saints should be non-existent if our D-line plays the way we know they can.  Forced into the passing game, the defense has to hurry Brees. The defense also has to cover the backs out of the backfield.  Those are Brees’ safety valves,  lacking a multitude of other offensive weapons to bail him out.  By blitzing, it will be difficult for Brees to use his other reliable safety valve of Colby Fleener.  Fleener would be required to block for Brees or risk getting him creamed..

 

All Is Not Lost

Everyone soon will see that the loss against the Chiefs was a true blessing in disguise for the Patriots.  No more listening to the reporters and analysts go on about the flawless season, and if it can be kept up.  Listening to the coaches and knowing that if you all “do your job” than this team should win.  I truly believe we have a great chance of this team hoisting another Lombardi trophy in Minnesota next February.  Do not give up hope.   e have the best leaders in the sport on this team.  Let’s go Patriots!

Check out more stories on the Patriots at www.BostonSportsExtra.com by myself and our other great writers.

For the Love of the Game…

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It’s game day.

Your buddies are over your house.

Pacing the room with excitement for kickoff.

Running to the fridge to grab another round of beers.

High-fiving when the Patriots score.

Maybe toss the pigskin around the yard at halftime?

Nothing better, right?

Meet Matt

Matt will never be able to do any of these game day routines.

Matt is 8 years old and holds a diagnosis of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).  SMA is a disease that robs people of physical strength by affecting the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, taking away the ability to walk, eat, or breathe. It is the number one genetic cause of death for infants.

SMA sucks, but what this disease has not robbed Matt of is his love, passion and flat-out acumen for all-things-sports.

This is not about SMA.  This is about a kid who smiles through all his challenges and many of those smiles appear on his handsome face when he is watching sports.  Sports, in particular, the New England Patriots, allows Matt that same feeling of excitement we all get when enjoying our favorite teams play the games.  Watching sports puts Matt on a level playing field with the rest of us.  And while Matt can not run around and play catch or high-five his older brother, he gets that same pit of joy in his belly when kickoff/first pitch/tip-off happens.

Matt is 162 Red Sox kid.  An 82 Celtics kid and certainly a 16 (ok, 19) Patriots kind of guy.

This boy is an animal for it all….and a student.

Matt knows football

Here is his quick pre-season rundown he spits out to Mom on a ride to the doctors the other day…

Matt on the Pat’s Season

Matt absorbs sports knowledge like a sponge.  He can literally rattle off every play in order when watching Superbowl 51…because he has literally watched it 51 times (at least).  Being with Matt during a game makes it better.  He doesn’t miss a play, a pitch or a jump shot.

Here is another clip right before kickoff Thursday night…

Matt is “pumped”

He rattled off every NCAA March Madness seed to me last spring.  How about doing your math homework instead, chief?

I caught Matt watching a 2012 NBA finals game on-demand.  Were the Celtics even in that one, weirdo?

I almost told his parents to have him committed for a psychiatric evaluation!

Matt makes you truly appreciate those high-fives and games of catch that he can’t participate in.  In perhaps its’ purest form, Matt demonstrates why we love sports and that his passion can not be taken away from him by any ailment or perceived “disability”.

Matt is the man.  (Did I mention he is my nephew?)

And lastly, if you are ever in a bar debating what was the greatest touchdown in football history, I’ll settle the bet for you, ’cause Matt scored it in the storied Westford Pop Warner E season opener of 2015.

Don’t Panic Patriots Fans!

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Put away your pitchforks and torches, estranged Patriots fans. The sky is not falling.

Patriots fans across the nation were left speechless after an astonishing loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the inaugural game of the 2017-18 season. The Patriots celebrated the unveiling of their newest banner commemorating their victory in Super Bowl 51, but their play was nothing close to the caliber of their performance back in February. A swift bout on consecutive drives energized supporters as the Patriots soared to a 17-7 lead in the second quarter. However, Gillette Stadium fell to a murmur after the Chiefs’ offensive resurgence in the second half, the Patriots fell 42-27.

The Patriots? Losing? In their home opener? Armageddon must be upon us. What happened to going 16-0 in the regular season?

The truth is that there were too many factors adding up early into this season that made being perfect impossible. The Patriot’s schedule in its own is rigorous enough to raise a few eyebrows. Tonight’s home opener against the Chiefs was one of the Pats’ true tests in the waking moments of the season. The Chiefs coming into the season are ranked as the 7th best team, per ESPN, and have only improved after adding depth into their powerful defense like linebacker Ukeme Eligwe. Other notable tough match-ups later into the season include the vengeance-seeking Falcons, and away both against the Raiders and Steelers.

The Patriot’s performance did not amount up to their Super Bowl 51 victory. However, it is noteworthy that the Patriots have become mechanically different from they were in February.

Both injuries and free agent acquisitions shook up the roster. Star reciever Brandin Cooks joined the squad as well along with running backs Mike Gillislee and Rex Burkhead.

Two of the more prevalent roster changes are that of which Rob Gronkowski returning to his starting role after dealing with injuries for the past two seasons, and Tom Brady’s go to receiver Julian Edelman suffering a torn ACL and planning to miss the entire year. Emotions for those faithful of the Patriots became high when Edelman took the field during the pregame banner ceremony.

Kansas City Chiefs v New England Patriots : News Photo

Another huge loss for the Patriots came from a surprise retirement from linebacker and defensive end Rob Ninkovich. Since his departure with the team the Patriots’ edge rushing core has been far from the same. This and the dwindling wide receiver depth has proved to be the Patriots’ challenges early on. Without a proven edge rusher adjacent from Trey Flowers the defense has shown struggling on pass rushing Week One. Dont’a Hightower seemed to be the answer to this call until he left the game with a right knee injury. Tom Brady also showed frustration after his new primary target Danny Amendola left the game with a head injury. All production thereon out came to a halt in the second half. Subsequently the team’s morale fell as their lead depleted.

Coach Belichick was blunt with his answer on how he felt the game went in his post game interview:

A new year and huge expectations for a seemingly stable squad, when really some cogs in the machine are now replacements. September for Coach Bill Belichick is a month of trial and error with his ever-changing squads each year. The first weeks of the regular season are used to revise any holes on the roster and exploit player’s strengths. Jonas Gray, Malcolm Butler, and Dion Lewis all metamorphosed before fan’s eyes by Belichick’s system.

Fear, not Patriots fans, this loss is not one that marks any end of the dynasty. Like in 2014 when critics began to echo “Brady’s time is up”, the Patriots will come back swinging. Future Hall of Famer Coach Belichick has seen situations like this before with the team and is capable of making fixes to better the squad for the future.

Did the Chiefs outplay the Patriots? Yes. Have the Patriots lost all chances to make a postseason run already after losing this game? Absolutely not.

We’re on to New Orleans.

 

BREAKING DOWN THE CELTICS ROSTER.

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Just a couple weeks ago I was breaking down this Celtics roster that very much included Isaiah Thomas on it. Two weeks later and I’m here thinking, what’s next season starting lineup? That’s 4 starters gone, in 1 offseason. Avery traded to the Pistons for Morris, Amir (yes, I know, but he still was a starter for most of the regular season), Jae the Bae Crowder and the mighty one, IT.

Plus Olynyk, Jerebko, James Young, Jordan Mickey, Jackson. That’s a complete roster turnaround. Only Brown, Smart, Rozier and Al left from the ECF team. That’s madness! We are talking about the team that made the ECF last year too.

And what’s, even more, crazier, we might have gotten better. Let’s break down this team and how everyone will fit into Brad’s new system. I will break down the team in 3 categories.

BALL HANDLERS: Kyrie, Smart, Rozier, Larkin, Bird and Allen.

WINGS: Hayward, Brown, Tatum, Ojeleye, Nader.

BIGS: Horford, Baynes, Morris, Yabusele.

PROJECTED STARTING 5: 

PG: Irving

SG: Brown

SF: Hayward

PF: Morris

C: Al

Let´s get rid of the obvious first. Kyrie, Horford and Hayward are locks to start.

Celtics replaced Thomas with Kyrie, one of the most gifted offensive players in the league. Kyrie averaged 25.2 points, 5.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds while shooting just over 40% the 3PT last season. And that while sharing the stage with the man himself, LeBron James.

At SF, Hayward. The now All Star, who was under the head coaching of our very own Brad Stevens in Butler, has improved his scoring averaged in the last 6 seasons. He’s also a great playmaker.

 

Hayward is great with the up fake. Here he drives to the middle of the lane, as his path was blocked, he adjusted quickly and found an open Lyles who knocked down the open corner three. Kyrie and Hayward will compliment each other very well. Both can make plays for each other and the rest of the team.

Because of Al’s ability to stretch the floor, this lineup could have some serious offensive upside.

After that? It’s all based up on match ups.

Jaylen is coming off a successful rookie camping. He looked great in the second half of the season and shot the ball very well (37.9% from 3PT after All Star break).

Fans might argue Smart at the 2 and I can see why but he just fits that 6th man role so well and at this point, Rozier isn’t ready to lead the bench. Great rebounder but still lacks shooting (only .367% FG and .318% 3PT last season) and playmaking.

Now, this lineup could have some issues, actually lots of issue with rebounding. Morris isn’t a great rebounder, in fact, he is not a very good rebounder. He only averaged 4.6 rebounds last season and we all know Al is not a very good rebounder for his size. How can Brad maybe fix that? Insert the bigger Baynes at C, and move Morris to the bench.

Baynes would serve the same purpose Amir had. A tough, nasty dog who plays 15 mins a game and does the dirty work. But not finish games. We know Brad loves going small in close games in the 4th. We will see lots of Smart in those situations.

BENCH

Smart and Rozier will share ball handling duties off the bench.

Baynes and Theis can provide much-needed size to the front court off the bench.

Tatum’s role will unfold as the season goes on. He’s so gifted offensively. Can create his own shot while being effective. He’s got the size. He is a little bit more NBA ready entering the league than Brown was and that will earn him some minutes.

And he is already clutch.

DEEP BENCH

Yabu

Ojeleye

Nader

Larkin

Allen

Bird.

Bird? Allen? Is this a throwback season or what? Jokes aside,  this completes the team for now. The player to watch here is the big dancing bear, Yabu, who was overseas last season. We did not see him this past summer league, which sucks, due to a foot injury. The rest will either spend time going back to Maine.

If Danny does not decide to randomly trade Kyrie for Curry, this is the team the Celtics will be rolling with to start the season.

What’re your predictions for the Celtics next year Celtics Nation? Let us know!

The New England Patriots Dynasty

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After completing the “Drive for Five”, the Patriots have moved on to the “Blitz for Six” as if nothing ever happened last season. As if the Patriots didn’t appear in their record breaking 9th Super Bowl. As if they didn’t orchestrate the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history by coming back from a 28-3 deficit. Why? Because they reset every single season. Win or lose, they refuse to dwell on the past but rather choose to focus on the present and the future. It is this very simple aspect of their organization that has made them one of the greatest, if not THE greatest, dynasties in NFL history. Their favorite ring is indeed the next one. This mindset starts at the very top of the organization with the Krafts, and it trickles down to Belichick, then Brady and the rest of the team.

Owner Robert Kraft, President Jonathan Kraft, Coach Bill Belichick, and QB Tom Brady

BOSTON, MA – APRIL 13: From left, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, New England Patriots President Jonathan Kraft, head coach Bill Belichick, and quarterback Tom Brady hold Vince Lombardi trophies on the pitchers’ mound at Fenway Park on April 13, 2015, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

THE KRAFTY BUSINESSMAN

Let’s start with Kraft. Unlike some owners, looking at you Jerry Jones, Kraft knows to stick out of the matters at the team level. Little things like who should start at a specific position or who the Patriots should pick up in free agency. Kraft knows to stick out of this. Kraft instead focuses on the business side of the Patriots and excels at his job. For example, by the start of Kraft’s first season, every single game was sold out. To put this in perspective, this had never happened in any of the prior 34 Patriot seasons. Also, what does Kraft say almost every time they win? “This is unequivocally the sweetest one.” His favorite one changes every time they win.

Patriots head coach - Bill Belichick

HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on from the sideline during the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

THE BRAINS BEHIND THE ORGANIZATION

What is arguably Kraft’s greatest move? Hiring Bill Belichick. Bill Belichick has done something the mere mortal coaches could only dream of doing. Not only coaching a record breaking 7 Super Bowls but winning 5 of them. As GM and Coach, Belichick knows exactly who and what he’s dealing with each and every season. He resets his focus every season, builds an offense around his super-mega-uber-star QB, and builds tough defenses out of mainly non-star players. What was that chant Belichick led in the 5th Patriots parade? “No days off.” He’s focused on the next ring.

Patriots 2016-17 QBs: Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Jacoby Brissett

Jacoby Brissett, Tom Brady, and Jimmy Garoppolo (left to right) at the Patriots 2017 ring ceremony

 

THE GOAT

This finally leads us to Thomas Brady Jr. The comeback kid. Tommy terrific. THE GOAT. I firmly believe that Tom Brady is the greatest thing to ever happen to the Patriots organization. What was it that rookie-Brady told Kraft? “I’m the best decision this organization has ever made.” And he was right. If I had to count all the records Brady’s demolished, we’d be here all day, but let’s just say he’s broken almost every significant NFL record. He has the insane stats, and he’s got the rings. And the cherry on top is deep humility and his insane drive to win every single game.

Tom Brady celebrating his 5th ring and 4th Super Bowl MVP after winning Super Bowl 51

HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates after the Patriots defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

 

THE THREE KINGS

It’s these three focal points – Kraft, Belichick and Brady – and the fact that they all have the same vision that has made the Patriots the greatest dynasty in NFL history. Each the best at their respective roles, they do what’s best for the team and the organization. The Patriots are now on the Blitz for Six to cement their legacy as the greatest team ever, and we are all lucky enough to be able to witness it.

The Patriots Next Undrafted Superstar Is … ?

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Pats fans, please retweet this and if you follow me, I will follow you back. Thank you!

When it comes to finding undrafted free agents, Bill Belichick is like some shady yard sale hunter taking advantage of the other 31 General Managers. These knuckleheads clean out their basements and attics, overlooking their “junk” by practically giving it away for nothing.

Picture this: Belichick approaches the brainless GM, and asks, “*snort* How much for the *throat clear* beat-up cup?” The GM shrugs, and says, “Uhhhh. One dollar?”

Belichick hands the GM a buck, then brings the beat-up cup, which happens to be the Holy Grail Jesus Christ drank from, to an auction. He sells it for a cool billion. Meanwhile, the GM sees the cup all over the news and internet, and says, “Heyyyyyy. Dat’s my cup!”

This is yet another way that Belichick has out smarted everyone else. He makes it a point on a yearly basis to not only make certain that an undrafted player makes the team, he sometimes turns them into stars. How does this benefit the Patriots exactly?

Every year hundreds of college players who have potential go undrafted. The second the draft is over, GM’s across the league call these players in hopes of signing them to their training camp roster. Belichick now has a reputation that’s so strong in this player pool, these diamonds in the rough wait to see if Belichick calls them first, before committing to another team. Why are they keeping their fingers crossed that Belichick calls? They’re hoping The Hoodie will turn them into the next Wes Welker, or Danny Woodhead, or David Andrews, or Malcolm Butler. And trust me, there’s a ton more.

The proof of this? Out of what were considered the top 10 undrafted free agents in 2017, The Patriots signed the top SEVEN. (After all, who the hell wouldn’t want to play for the greatest franchise in sports while backstroking in the tears of Patriots Haters?) And one of these players is going to be a stud!

D.J. Killings, Jacob Hollister, Austin Carr, Adam Butler, Cole Croston, Kenny Moore, and Harvey Langi were all undrafted and signed by Belichick. Killings got injured during camp, while Carr, and Moore were released after training camp. Carr and Moore were immediately claimed by other teams, while Hollister, Butler, Croston and Langi made the Patriots roster. So amongst these players, who is the next undrafted Patriots Super Star?

Once again … the Butler did it!

Here’s what you need to know about Adam Butler. He’s #70. He went to Vanderbilt. He has lost 30 pounds since the combine. He is now a ferocious monster who will be flattening quarterbacks like a teenager with a learners-permit mowing down pylons in Drivers Ed.

While I keyed on Butler during the preseason games, I noticed he pancaked FOUR offensive lineman. To put into perspective how ridiculous this is, a “Pancake” is a college stat kept for offensive linemen who knock a defender onto their ass. Butler is a DEFENSIVE lineman who in 3 games, has knocked FOUR offensive linemen onto their Goodell’s. Three of these Pancakes were done with a bull-rush, (this is how a pancake is usually accomplished) and one was by a spin move. A flipping SPIN move!

There was also a play against the Lions where he nearly killed quarterback Matt Stafford. There was no replay of the hit, and it was barely visible because the camera followed the ball as Stafford just released the throw. But Butler had beaten his man, gained a full head of steam, and hit Stafford so hard he could taste his own jockstrap. The next camera angle showed Stafford coming back to the huddle rather gingerly. (And probably spray spitting the taste from his mouth.)

There are other indications that suggest Butler will be a breakout star. He’s nearly 300 pounds and the Pats like to play him at defensive end. Reports from training camp have buzzed about him and in the fourth preseason game when all of the backups played and every starter sat, Butler was one of the players Belichick kept off the field for the meaningless contest.

Keep an eye on this kid. He will be a force by the end of the year. This following statement will have people demanding I take a drug test: I believe Butler could be a poor man’s Bruce Smith. And trust me people, I’m as anti-drug as they come. No dope for this dope.

Pats fans, please retweet this and if you follow me, I will follow you back!

Ranking The Super Bowl Banners

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It’s that time of year again.   It gets darker earlier, summer fades,, the leaves change, and football begins. This season is a bit different though, as the Patriots will drop their fifth Super Bowl banner Thursday night against Kansas City. Coach Belichick has moved on from Super Bowl LI, but In honor of the fifth Super Bowl Banner, let’s rank them.

5. Super Bowl XXXIX

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My fifth-best Super Bowl is Super Bowl XXXIX. February 6, 2005 matched up the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles. The Super Bowl was held in Jacksonville that year and it didn’t disappoint. The players on that team included Troy Brown, Teddy Bruschi,and  Rodney Harrison, who got the game winning interception. Deion Branch earned MVP honors in that Super Bowl. He had 12 targets, and 11 receptions, for 133 yards. Tom Brady passed for 236 yards, and two touchdowns in the win, to record his third Super Bowl title, with a 24-21 win.

I chose this game in fifth place because they had just come off a Super Bowl win the previous year, and it seemed almost as if they were expected to beat the Eagles that Season. Following that Super Bowl, though, Coach Belichick lost his father, and Teddy Bruschi had a health scare. The Patriots wouldn’t win another Super Bowl for 10 years after the third.

4. Super Bowl XXXVIII

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I rank Super Bowl XXXVIII s fourth best.  The Patriots played the Carolina Panthers in Houston and were favored. Brady looked for his second Super Bowl Victory after only being in the league for three years at that point. The Patriots won that game 32-29 on an Adam Vinatieri field goal to win it. Tom Brady was the MVP in that Super Bowl and passed for 354 yards, and three touchdowns.

The reason it’s my fourth best Super Bowl is because my third one just blows this one out completely. The Patriots Panthers Super Bowl was a good game and close, like every Super Bowl the Patriots play in.  You’ll see why number 3 is my third best Super Bowl.

3. Super Bowl XLIX

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My third Super Bowl pick is Super Bowl XLIX.   You can call it the “Malcolm Butler Super Bowl.” Former Patriots coach Pete Carroll hoped for a Super Bowl win for his Seahawks. The Patriots had the Lombardi in their sights for their first Super Bowl win in 10 years. At this point in Brady’s career he was sliding a little. Garoppolo was drafted in the 2014 draft. The Patriots had two losses previously in the Super Bowl in 2011, and 2007. This one was important. Thank God for Pete Carroll’s insane coaching decision to throw at the one yard line instead of handing it off.   Malcolm Butler gets the INT to seal the 28-24 victory.

This game is number three because Brady was nails and made a statement that he was the best in the league. He passed for 328 yards and four touchdowns. They also hadn’t won in decade so they were overdue, big time.

2. Super Bowl LI

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Why would this be number two? The greatest comeback in Super Bowl history.  Down 28-3 with 2:08 left in the third quarter. Tom Terrific once again puts the statement on the field that at 39 he is still the best quarterback in the league. Brady, as we all know, was suspended last season because of the so-called ‘deflategate’ and came out firing,  from October 9th- February 5th.

The Patriots finally had a miracle catch of their own with Julian Edelman, and James White’s game-winning touchdown sealed it. Brady passed for 466 yards and two touchdowns.

1. Super Bowl XXXVI

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The Patriots-Rams Super Bowl was a special one. This is my number one Super Bowl for a lot of reasons.   Not only was it their first Super Bowl win but they came out as a team. They were the first team to do so. They were heavy underdogs, and it was a Red, White, and Blue season after 9/11. So everything the Patriots stood for made sense after they won this game, which makes this Super Bowl win the best. It was Tom Brady’s first ever Super Bowl after being drafted in the sixth round the year before.

Ty Law had an INT, David Patten caught a pass, and Adam Vinatieri sealed the deal,  and the Patriots won 20-17.

All these years later on Thursday we begin another chapter in New England Patriots history.  They unveil their fifth Super Bowl banner, and the “Blitz For Six” begins.   The past 17 years have been extraordinary.  Let’s hope the next 17 are even better.

Farrell Falls Short as Sox Biggest Flaw

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The 2017 Red Sox aren’t a World Series caliber team. This much should be obvious by this point in the season. That doesn’t mean they can’t win the World Series, it just means they’ll have to get hot and play above themselves for a few critical weeks. We’ve seen that before – I hope we can all agree that the 2013 Red Sox weren’t a great team either.

This year’s squad can’t hit for power, a critical ingredient to October baseball, and they run the bases like little leaguers hopped up on Mountain Dew. We can blame Farrell for the almost nightly disaster on the base paths, as well as for a litany of line-up and pitching decisions.  But we can’t pin the team’s structural flaws on him.

Mismanagement

John Farrell didn’t sign Panda; that was Ben Cherington. He didn’t spike Pedroia at second base; that was Manny Machado. He didn’t trade Travis Shaw for an injured Tyler Thornburg and he didn’t not sign Edwin Encarnacion or any other suitable replacement for David Ortiz; those are on Dave Dombrowski.

Sure, Dombrowski landed Kimbrel, but he also invested $217 million over seven years in David Price. How’s that working out? We knew long before his classless meltdown with Eckersley that Price was a spoiled, over-paid number two starter, incapable of performing under pressure, and unwilling to accept criticism. That was the book on him. Red Sox ownership was so worried about coddling his sensitive ego that their mouthpiece Boston Globe took time out of their busy schedule slandering Tom Brady to publish one article after the other about.   What a great guy, he how works so hard, and how we should all treat him better. Dombrowski and John Henry have been poor David’s helicopter parents since the moment he arrived.

Price and Sandoval are the most obvious examples. But there are so many other bad player decisions in recent years that have shaped this ball club. The 2017 Red Sox are poorly assembled. That’s not John Farrell’s fault.

Plateaued Performance

What we can, and indeed should, ascribe to Farrell and his coaching staff is the poor on-field performance of so many talented players. Forget entirely about the lunacy on the base paths that has resulted in Boston running into more outs that any other team in the league.  What’s most disturbing this year is the regression of players like Bogaerts, Bradley, and Betts.

Xander is hitting 25 points below last year’s batting average, 74 points lower in OPS, has 13 fewer home runs, and 17 fewer runs batted in. He’s also committed more errors this season to date than all of last year (in 100 fewer total chances).

Bradley’s averages are comparable to last year but his power in significantly down. His 12 home runs are just over half last season’s 26 and he has driven in 33 fewer runs.

Most troubling is Mookie Betts’ decline at the plate. His .259 BA and .769 OPS are nearly 60 and 130 points below last season respectively. Last season Betts was second only to Ortiz in HRs and RBI with 31 and 113. This year he will be lucky to break the 20/90 threshold.

Bogaerts, Bradley, and Betts represent the future of the franchise. Yes, Benintendi and Devers look promising, but Betts could easily have been AL MVP last year and we once spoke of Xander and Jackie as untradeable perennial All Stars. Does anyone still feel that way? More to the point, does anyone have a ton of confidence when either of them come up in a big spot in an important game?

It’s frustrating to try and discern why Mitch Moreland isn’t in the line-up all the time.  Or why a starting pitcher goes out to start the eighth inning already having thrown 100 pitches.   John Farrell isn’t our biggest problem. Poor team construction is our biggest problem. John Farrell just isn’t helping.