Tag Archives: NFL

Julian Edelman is a True Patriot

“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work,” as said by retired four-star general, Colin Powell.

Sweat, determination, and hard work is what got Julian Edelman where he is today. He came into the NFL as a seventh-round quarterback out of Kent State. Now, he is a star wide receiver with two Super Bowls to his name. He made this illustrious transition because he took action to achieve success. Julian Edelman is a true Patriot, not only for this organization, but for the country.

Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Awards 2017 - Show

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The Story

Recently, Julian Edelman took action on a matter unrelated to football. The wide receiver just potentially saved lives. According to the New York Times, he received a DM from one of his followers that read, “Dude, there is a kid in your comment section saying he is going to shoot up a school, I think you should alert the authorities.” Edelman notified his assistant who then called 911. They located the boy in Port Huron, Michigan. The 14-year old had admitted to posting the threat and two rifles belonging to the mother were also found. He is now in a juvenile-detention center.

Thoughts

Edelman, and the person who notified him, are both heroes to this country. The fact is that the boy could have shot up a school and killed people. People with families who love them. As a South Florida boy myself, I can see the effects of the lives lost on people close to me from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting. It can change one’s whole perception on life. Mass shootings should never happen, and I for one am proud of the students at MSD who are bringing about change. I also want to personally praise Julian Edelman and the boy who notified him. Hearing about this down here, you don’t understand how much this means. You guys are true Patriots. Thank you.

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Show Me The Money (Manziel)

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In the NFL, teams live and die by the quarterback position. It is indisputable that the quarterback is the most important position on the field. The New England Patriots are blessed with the greatest quarterback in NFL history for the last eighteen years. Now, I do not want to admit it, but let’s face the facts. Tom Brady cannot play forever. After trading Jimmy G to the 49ers, the Patriots are in need of a future quarterback.

Cashing in on Money Manziel?

The Patriots should look no further than Johnny Manziel. I know what you are all thinking, but hear me out. The Patriots currently have the greatest quarterback ever on their roster, with plenty of holes to fill on defense. Their top picks are 31, 43, and 63. Many people believe that they should take a quarterback with one of these picks. However, the Patriots should use those picks to strengthen the defense and sign Johnny football.

This signing would come with absolutely zero risk, and all of the upside in the world. Manziel was a first round talent for a reason. He displays many traits that NFL teams look for in a quarterback. Manziel is a plus athlete, this is seen on film and the NFL combine. Manziel was a top performer in every combine drill at the quarterback position. He also boasts an extremely impressive 6.75 three cone, which is elite even by wide receiver standards.

Considerable Qualities

In the NFL an elite quarterback is extremely hard to come by. If there is a 10% chance that Johnny Manziel can become elite, is he worth it? The answer to that is yes. Why are prospects drafted so highly? They show elite traits and have the potential to develop into something special. Johnny Manziel is considered to be one of these prospects with elite traits.

Normally, to acquire a player of his profile a high draft pick is needed. However, all the Patriots need to do is offer him the veteran minimum. Worst case scenario he is cut. On the other hand, the best case scenario is the Patriots have Tom Brady’s heir apparent. If neither of those hold true, he could become a serviceable backup (we all know too well how important that can be). The Patriots should use their high picks to build the defense and take full advantage of Tom Brady’s window. In the process, they just might stumble upon their quarterback of the future.

Can We Move on from Malcolm Butler?

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Move on from Malcolm Butler

FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 24: Cornerback Malcolm Butler #21 of the New England Patriots has an Interception against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images)

The Super Bowl was two months ago, and people are still on the Malcolm Butler benching. Yes, he should’ve played in the second half. However, there’s a reason he didn’t. That reason is very simple: he never traveled with the team. Instead of seeing a doctor before the team left, he saw one on the day of the team was leaving.

All this talk about Malcolm Butler being benched is really annoying. He was benched because he missed the team plane. By the time he got to the Super Bowl the Patriots already had their game plan in place. The plan was Malcolm would have a limited role. However, Butler didn’t have a good week in practice, so he never played in the game.

Belichick Will Go Around the Answer Because It’s “the Patriot Way”

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick stands on the field before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)Bill Belichick always has his way of doing things. Butler should’ve went to the doctor before he left. The plane is huge. He could’ve gone to the doctor and sat by himself on the team plane. They gave him a chance with a limited role when he got there. However, he wasn’t into the plan and didn’t play in the game at all.

Butler should’ve played in the game because it’s the Super Bowl, but Bill was trying to prove a point. Now you can argue that wasn’t a time or place to have a teachable moment. But if we know Belichick, he doesn’t care what game it is. If he’s trying to prove a point he will. The reason has already been out about Butler. You just have to read in between the lines.

Reason number one: Butler didn’t travel with the team. Reason number two: he didn’t have a good week in practice, and was then benched for the entire game. Butler has moved on, or so we thought, since he likes to keep talking about it. The Patriots sure have moved on, and maybe somebody else will as well soon. Stay tuned.

Rob Gronkowski Is Back for Another Season

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Rob Gronkowski will be back for another season with the Patriots. The speculation comes after his Super Bowl comments about weighing his options out. According to ESPN, though, Rob Gronkowski will be in a Patriots uniform this season. The rift between him and Belichick still remains, however.

Gronk 'pretty certain' he'll return, sources say https://t.co/9KipqGbBQF pic.twitter.com/gDfB6y7mvi

— ESPNBoston (@ESPNBoston) April 1, 2018

The “Patriot Way” Is Getting Old

Gronkowski likes to be taken out of his shell. Meaning having the power to do and say what he wants. Belichick didn’t like that Gronk told Amendola to be free and happy in a Instagram post. With everything mostly held in-house at One Patriot Place, some players are starting to get sick of the “Patriot Way”.

Bill’s way of doing things has been the same for 18 seasons. He’s brought five Super Bowls to New England and drafted the greatest quarterback of all time. However, players want to have more fun. Gronk wants to win, so as long as Brady returns, he’ll follow in suit. He won’t return next season for Belichick; he’ll be back because of Brady.

(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Kraft confirmed the other day that there is tension between him and Belichick. However, there was more tension when Kraft first became the owner of the team. Let me say this- there’s no way he would ever leave Brady stranded. He’s already lost Amendola, Edelman is coming back from injury, and who knows how Brandon Cooks will do.

Rob Gronkowski Is Tired of Belichick’s Orders

Via Bleacher ReportGronkowski and other players have tension with Belichick, but that’s not stopping Bill from doing what he thinks is best for the team. Bill has made appearances at the majority of combines and NFL camps this off-season. Why is that? Yes, because he loves the game, but there could be even something bigger happening. Bigger than just Gronkowski coming back.

Gronkowski will be back for at least two more years, as long as Brady keeps playing.

The State of the New England Patriots Offensive Line

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There may not be a more important unit in football than the offensive line. A good and a bad offensive line oftentimes are the difference between wins and losses. The Patriots offensive line is in something of a flux this off-season after Nate Solder signed with the New York Giants. Fortunately, the Patriots offensive line situation clarified itself after New England re-signed tackle LaAdrian Waddle. With the draft less than a month away, let’s take a look at the state of the New England Patriots offensive line.

The New England Patriots Offensive Line Situation

Right Tackle: Marcus Cannon

Starting right tackle Marcus Cannon has had one of the more interesting careers on the Patriots. Selected in the fifth-round of the 2011 NFL Draft, Cannon played sparingly as a swing tackle until 2015. Injuries forced him into the starting lineup, and he did not play well. His worst game of the season came in the 2015 AFC Championship Game, when Von Miller blew by him on seemingly every snap.

However, despite that poor season, Cannon has gone on to establish himself as one of the better right tackles in football. Thanks to the return of offensive line coach Dante Scarneccia, Cannon had a great 2016 season, culminating in a Super Bowl title.

Cannon began 2017 where his 2016 left off. He played like one of the best right tackles in the league through seven games. Unfortunately, an ankle injury prematurely ended his season. If Cannon can fend off injuries, he’s one of the best right tackles in the league. However, that’s a big if. Throughout Cannon’s career, he’s only played one full 16-game season, and that was when he was a backup. 2016 saw him start in 18 of a possible 19 games, but he’s no guarantee to stay healthy.

Right Guard: Shaq Mason

Right guard Shaq Mason has evolved into one of the best guards in the league

Image credit: The Tennessean

While Cannon carries upside with injury risk, right guard Shaq Mason only carries upside. Mason has been a phenomenal run blocker ever since entering the league, and has steadily improved as a pass blocker. Between Cannon and Mason, the Patriots should be able to run to the right with great success. Mason is easily the best guard to enter Foxborough since longtime star Logan Mankins. The right guard position is nothing to worry about so long as Mason stays healthy.

Center: David Andrews

Andrews was one of the best surprises of the 2017 season. He was a league average center his first two years in the league, and earned a modest three-year, 11.7 million dollar contract. The deal clearly made him the Patriots center of the future, and he spent 2017 earning every penny.

Andrews 2017 season was easily the best of his career. The third-year center was one of the best in the league at his position, constantly winning the tough fights in the trenches. New England’s offensive line ranked as the best run blocking unit in the league, and Andrews was a big reason for that.

Additionally, Andrews has stayed remarkably healthy over his career. Andrews has played in all but four games in his career, and only missed two due to injury. Just as with the right guard position, there’s no need to worry about the guy lining up at center.

Left Guard: Joe Thuney

The weak link on the 2017 offensive line was the left guard, but that says more about the rest of the line than it does Thuney. While the rest of the line was above average to great, Thuney was just solid. That’s not to say he was bad – far from it – but he was only a serviceable player.

However, there’s plenty of reasons to believe Thuney is the long term answer at guard. Thuney has been a starter ever since entering the league in 2016, and has improved in every season. He’s undersized for a guard and probably won’t ever become a top-ten player at his position. However, he’s further along than Andrews was last season, and it’s not unrealistic to expect a similar third-year jump out of Thuney.

Left Tackle: LaAdrian Waddle

LaAdrian Waddle projects as the 2018 starting left tackle

Image credit: MassLive.com

This is where things get interesting. After losing Nate Solder to the Giants, New England turned to his longtime understudy to fill the starting role. While there are worse tackles than Waddle, there’s certainly room for improvement.

He’s below average as both a pass blocker and a run blocker, but he’s not so bad that he’s an active liability. Additionally, there’s reason to believe in his pass blocking. After struggling in 2015 and hardly playing in 2016, Waddle had an encouraging 2017. Filling in for Marcus Cannon, Waddle didn’t allow a single sack all season, per Pro Football Focus. It’s unrealistic to expect him not to allow a sack in 2018, but there is hope that his development as a pass blocker is still improving.

Much like with Cannon, injuries have plagued Waddle’s career. The former Detroit Lion has never played in more than 12 games in a season, either due to injury or being benched. With the injury history of both Waddle and Cannon, the chances of both players starting all 16 games are incredibly slim. The organizational depth will likely be tested.

Tackle Depth

With so many questions with the starting tackles, it goes without saying that the depth is questionable at best. Currently, the only other tackles on the roster are underwhelming options such as Andrew Jelks, Matt Tobin, Cole Croston, and Antonio Garcia.

All the aforementioned players either lack experience or success at the NFL level. However, of this bunch, Garcia has the highest ceiling. The second-year Patriot was drafted in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, but lost his entire rookie season to blood clots. He was recently cleared to play, but it’s anyone’s guess how effective he will be.

In summary, the interior of the Patriots offensive line should be one of the best in the league. Mason and Andrews are two of the best at their positions, and Thuney should only get better as his career goes on. If this group can stay healthy, as they have throughout their careers, then New England should have nothing to worry about.

The tackle issue, however, is a problem. Cannon is an above average starter, while Waddle is just serviceable. However, both have injury problems and the depth behind them is less than inspiring. Heading into the draft, the Patriots will need to address this issue.

Cover image courtesy of Football Scoop.

Boston Sports Extra Mock Draft 1.0

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After a crazy free agency, teams are left with different needs. BSE projects how the first round will look like in its first mock draft:

1.Cleveland Browns – Sam Darnold, QB

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Darnold is the best QB in the draft, and someone they desperately need. Tyrod Taylor is not a long-term plan, and the addition of Carlos Hyde means that they really don’t need Barkley here. QB of the future is the pick here.

2.New York Giants – Saquon Barkley, RB

PlayStation Fiesta Bowl - Penn State v Washington

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Barkley gives the Giants a spark in their offense and takes pressure off Manning. They could also trade down to the Bills if they get a good deal.

3.New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts) – Josh Rosen, QB

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They gave up three second-round picks to move up three spots. The most polished passer in the draft is the right pick here especially with the Jets’ addition of Terrelle Pryor.

4.Cleveland Browns (via Houston Texans) – Denzel Ward, CB

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With Barkley gone, the Browns go to their true top need outside of quarterback: a true lockdown corner.

5.Denver Broncos – Quenton Nelson, OG

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The Broncos addressed their QB need with the signing of Case Keenum and pick someone to protect him with one of the most bust-proof prospects in the draft. The Broncos had a terrible offensive line unit last year, so Nelson is the pick here.

6.Indianapolis Colts (via New York Jets) – Bradley Chubb, DE

Bradley Chubb North Carolina v North Carolina State

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Chubb is arguably the best defensive player in the draft, and falls to the team that needs a pass-rusher the most.

7.Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Minkah Fitzpatrick, S

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With the additions of Vinny Curry and JPP, the Buccaneers look to improve their secondary with the best player available.

8.Chicago Bears – Tremaine Edmunds, LB

Edmunds is considerably the best and most versatile linebacker because he can rush the passer, drop back in coverage, and can stop the run. The Bears can use him effectively as they need someone who can consistently do this.

9.San Francisco 49ers – Derwin James, S

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While it is not a dire need, the 49ers take a great hard-hitting safety. The pick makes sense to bolster the secondary along with Richard Sherman and the fact that starting safety, Eric Reid, is a free agent.

10.Oakland Raiders- Roquan Smith, LB

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After addressing the secondary in free agency, the Raiders choose someone who can help them from Day 1. Smith is a fast, athletic playmaker which is a player the Raiders defense desperately needs.

11.Miami Dolphins – Vita Vea, DT

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Vea can fill a Ndamukong Suh sized hole left in the Dolphins defense. A QB can be a pick here but doesn’t seem likely after the Brock Osweiler signing. He is the best interior DL according to Mike Mayock.

12.Buffalo Bills (via Cincinnati Bengals) – Josh Allen, QB

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The QB-needy Bills’ best bet is to roll with McCarron and Allen, two young quarterbacks with great promise.

13.Washington Redskins – Mike Hughes, CB

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Redskins lost Kendall Fuller and are likely to lose Bashaud Breeland. They draft a two-phase playmaker that can also contribute as a kick returner.

14.Green Bay Packers – Marcus Davenport, DE

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The Packers pick a player that adds much-needed pass rush off the edge.

15.Arizona Cardinals – Baker Mayfield, QB

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One thing the Cardinals have learned over the years is you can never have too many quarterbacks. Bradford is injury-prone, and Glennon lost his job to a rookie. Mayfield is the pick here. Another option would be a wide receiver who can learn from the great Larry Fitzgerald.

16.Baltimore Ravens – Calvin Ridley, WR

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Ridley is the top-rated receiver in the draft and falls to the Ravens, who is needing offensive weapons even after signing Michael Crabtree.

17.Los Angeles Chargers – Lamar Jackson, QB

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The Chargers choose to groom their quarterback of the future with their pick here. Jackson could strive under the coaching of Anthony Lynn.

18.Seattle Seahawks – Mike McGlinchey, OT

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Seattle had an abysmal offensive line unit in 2017. Here is a player that can tremendously improve it.

19.Dallas Cowboys – Maurice Hurst, DT

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Hurst is a first round talent that has shown he can disrupt the passer and get off blocks.

20.Detroit Lions – Da’Ron Payne, DT

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The Lions found their workhorse back in LeGarrette Blount with Ameer Abdullah to complement him. Here, they draft a player who can stop the run and rush the passer on the interior defensive line.

21.Cincinnati Bengals (via Buffalo Bills) – Will Hernandez, OG

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Cincinnati picks Hernandez to improve the interior offensive line and give Joe Mixon a powerful player to run behind. He may lack height but makes up for it in strength and toughness. He has all received comparisons to Pro-Bowler Richie Incognito.

22.Buffalo Bills – Rashaan Evans, LB

Rashaan Evans CFP National Championship presented by AT&T - Alabama v Georgia

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The Bills look on defense after targeting a quarterback with their first pick. Evans is a fast and skilled tackler who can fill the hole of tackle leader, Preston Brown.

23.Los Angeles Rams – Courtland Sutton, WR

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The Rams pick a big-bodied receiver to replace Sammy Watkins and give Jared Goff a new target.

24.Carolina Panthers – Ronnie Harrison, S

Ronnie Harrison Alabama v Mississippi State

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The Panthers are looking for a leader and difference-maker at safety. Harrison fits the bill.

25.Tennessee Titans – Harold Landry, OLB

Harold Landry Quick Lane Bowl - Boston College v Maryland

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The Titans need a consistent pass-rusher. Landry displays the quickness and hustle to get to the quarterback.

26.Atlanta Falcons – Taven Bryan, DT

Taven Bryan SEC Championship - Alabama v Florida

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Bryan is a versatile player who can play both tackle and end. He should help the Falcons right away, especially with the losses of Dontari Poe and Adrian Clayborn.

27.New Orleans Saints – Mike Gesicki, TE

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The Saints draft class of 2017 might have been one of the best. They filled a lot of holes on their team last year. One thing they do need is a new weapon for Brees to take the load off Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara. The trio would be a nightmare for defenses to guard if they pick this athletic touchdown machine.

28.Pittsburgh Steelers – Leighton Vander Esch, LB

Mountain West Championship - Fresno State v Boise State

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With Ryan Shazier out for the 2018 season, the Steelers look for a capable inside linebacker in the Boise State product.

29.Jacksonville Jaguars – Dallas Goedert, TE

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Although they signed Austin Sefarian-Jenkins, the Jaguars could look to add a long playmaker capable of being a go-to guy for Blake Bortles.

30.Minnesota Vikings – Jaire Alexander, CB

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With 39 year old Terrence Newman likely to leave in free agency, the Vikings draft a tough physical corner who can replace Newman as the nickel.

31.New England Patriots – Lorenzo Carter, OLB

Many mock drafts have New England drafting a tackle with the loss of Nate Solder. However, the resigning of LaAdrian Waddle, return of Tony Garcia, and signing of Matt Tobin provide the team with enough depth. Garcia does have to get back to football shape, but his college tape shows that he is a more than capable linemen. In the meantime, Waddle can start while Garcia can develop. He was drafted because the Patriots planning a future without Solder. In turn, New England looks to add talent and depth to a depleted core group. The Patriots have shown interest and could use someone like Carter who is fast, athletic, and capable of getting to the quarterback.

32.Philadelphia Eagles – Hayden Hurst, TE

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The Eagles do not have a lot of holes on their team. Behind Zach Ertz, there is no real depth. Therefore, the Eagles draft Hurst who is a big-bodied catch-and-run threat who fits perfectly in the scary Eagles offense.

Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft Speak

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Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft Both Speak Ahead of Owner’s Meetings

Jan 22, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) points to teammates as head coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft look on after the 2017 AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY SportsBill Belichick and Robert Kraft have both spoken to the media regarding the Patriots. They talked about the changes and what’s going to happen going forward. Belichick convinced Josh McDaniels to stay after the Super Bowl loss to the Eagles. According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Belichick said, “Once that game ended, I think that really gave Josh and I a chance to sit down [Tuesday] and talk more directly about the situation, as opposed to, ‘We really want to talk about the game and what we need to do to try to compete in that game.’ That’s basically what happened. Before the game, I’d say we had minimal discussions. I’d say we had much deeper and longer and more in-depth and more constructive discussions immediately after the game.”

Belichick wouldn’t talk about the Malcolm Butler benching in the Super Bowl, other than saying he wished him luck going to Tennessee. Belichick has talked to Tom Brady, but wouldn’t touch on Rob Gronkowski’s status about next season. Robert Kraft also spoke, saying, “The residual of this loss was hard on everyone. But I see that as a high-class problem. The fact that we lost and we lost the way we did, I still haven’t gotten over it.” Kraft also said he has had meetings with Belichick and Brady. He also said he has faith in his coach even though he may not have made the right decision in the Super Bowl.

Robert Kraft Has Faith in Bill Belichick

Via GoogleKraft doesn’t deny that there isn’t tension. It’s healthy tension according to him. Kraft mentioned there was more tension when he first bought the team in 1994. Everyone was walking on eggshells around the coach at the time Bill Parcells. Maybe things cleared up a little bit with Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick speaking. The media still haven’t heard from Brady, and probably won’t until June. The most we’ve heard from Brady is in his documentary, Tom VS. Time.

Johnny Football In Foxborough?

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Johnny Manziel in a Patriots Uniform

Via For The Win – USA Today

Johnny Manziel, who completely destroyed his NFL chances once before, is attempting to make a comeback in the league. Manziel worked out for 13 NFL teams yesterday, one of those teams being the New England Patriots. When he first got drafted by Cleveland, Manziel made that stupid money sign like he’s getting paid millions. He didn’t care if the Browns were terrible. Then the reality check stepped in fast and he went on a downhill spiral.

The Patriots are trying to get their locker room back. They re-signed Matthew Slater and signed Devin McCourty’s brother, Jason, for this very reason. Why would you bring in someone who is a complete dysfunctional mess and doesn’t care about anybody but himself? Patriot fans who say Belichick can fix Manziel, because he’s done it before with other problem players, need to realize this- Belichick has completely lost his locker room. With that clown in there things would only get worse.

Manziel Belongs on a Terrible Team

Via 247Sports

Manziel belongs on a dysfunctional team. He needs to be on a team where he’ll have to earn a championship and not just get one because he’s on the Patriots. The Patriots should just draft a quarterback and develop him. The difference between Tebow being here and Manziel was that Tebow isn’t a punk.

The only reason Manziel wants to come to the Patriots is that he wants a championship now. He might also be eyeing the starting job down the road. Yesterday, Johnny spoke after the workout saying, “I feel like my head’s on right. If people get a chance to be around me and sit down and get a chance to see where I’m at, maybe they’ll see something different than in the past, maybe I won’t come off as entitled or arrogant or cocky or whatever it might have been in the past that rubbed people the wrong way.”

I’ll believe it when I see it. He could be all talk so a team can pick him up.

Gotham Chopra Speaks About Being Tom vs. Time Director

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The Director of Tom vs. Time Speaks

Via FacebookGotham Chopra, the director of Tom vs. Time, appeared on FS1’s Undisputed yesterday. The six episode series went in depth of behind the scenes footage of Brady’s football life and Brady’s personal life. It went from the first episode, with Brady talking about football and his family’s sacrifice, to the sixth episode where he became introspective. Chopra talked about filming and getting Tom to do this documentary:

“Last season, about a year ago right now offseason, Tom, I think in large part because he was hearing that chatter, like this can happen at 40 years old. Nobody continues to perform at this level. Plus, the prior season, the comeback against the Falcons, the stuff with his mom off the field, the suspension, all of that, there was drama. And I think Tom sort of thought, OK, let’s try this. So it was supposed to be an offseason thing. It became a full season because Tom got hip to storytelling. And if you’re going to set it up, you might as well pay it off. And so we kept on rolling.”

Afterwards, Chopra talked about the tension between Brady and Belichick. He said he was not allowed in the locker room, which was understandable.

“All the stuff around the team and all of the politics, look, I think Tom’s been doing this and coach was doing this for 18 years. I would also say I didn’t have any interaction with the coaching staff. I was never once in the locker room. We were very, very conscious of that and mindful of that. So Tom had to do his stuff up in the– halfway through the season, he had to start doing it up in his suite. So we did.”

Gotham Chopra Spoke About Brady’s Relationship with the Team

Via WEEIChorpa even talked about Tom’s relationship with Jimmy Garoppolo, saying,

“I’m just saying I think Tom likes Jimmy. He’s happy for him now on the 49ers. But yeah, I don’t disagree with you. Competitively, this is my job. And until you take it away from me, you’re not getting it, until you earn it. Well, I feel better if you’re not here, so that way– I want to fight. But if you’re not here, I won’t have to fight as hard. Look, I also think Tom is a pretty unique case. I’m biased, but this guy has established himself. And he’s so confident in his process, not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, the way he’s able to calibrate all these things. And I don’t think he feels particularly threatened by anyone.”

Tom Brady isn’t going to retire this season, but if he does after next season what a slap in the face to Belichick that would be.

Realistic Expectations for Adrian Clayborn

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The New England Patriots entered the offseason with a desperate need for an edge defender. The 2017 Patriots struggled to stop outside runs and lacked consistency getting to the quarterback. Two days into free agency, the Patriots addressed that problem with the signing of former Altanta Falcons defensive end Adrian Clayborn. But what are realistic expectations for Adrian Clayborn as a Patriot?

Setting Realistic Expectations for Adrian Clayborn

Clayborn Rushing the Passer

Clayborn’s six-sack game against the Dallas Cowboys won’t be the norm

Image credit: SI.com

Clayborn finished his 2017 season with 9.5 sacks, but that number is a little deceiving. Six of his nine and a half sacks came in one game, against Dallas Cowboys backup left tackle Chaz Green. Take out that game, and he only had 3.5 sacks in 15 games.

This isn’t meant to take any credit away from Clayborn – six sacks in a game is an incredible feat – it’s merely to point out he’s not an elite pass rusher. Anyone expecting the second coming of Richard Seymour is asking for disappointment.

While Clayborn isn’t a Hall of Famer, he’s still a huge upgrade as a pass rusher. He’s never had a double-digit sack season. However, he consistently gets to the passer. He’s capable of lining up all over the Patriots defensive line, although he’s best when lining up wide off the edge.

While he doesn’t always bring down the quarterback, he’s phenomenal at generating pressure. Per Pro Football Focus, Clayborn pressured the quarterback on 54 snaps, despite having just 9.5 sacks. If Clayborn can continue to bring pressure and move the quarterback off the spot, then the rest of the defense can finish the job.

Ultimately, Clayborn won’t fix the pass rush all by himself. However, pairing him with fellow defensive end Trey Flowers should give the Patriots one of the better pass rushing duos in the league. Factor in edge rushers Deatrich Wise Jr. and Derek Rivers coming off the bench, and suddenly the Patriots have one of the deeper groups of pass rushers in the league.

Clayborn Against the Run

While Clayborn is an above average pass rusher, he’s not quite as good against the run. Per Pro Football Focus, Clayborn finished his season with 18 run stops overall. While that’s not an elite number, it’s fine for a player whose game is primarily rushing the passer.

However, he doesn’t need to be an elite run defender to be an upgrade. The 2017 Patriots edge defenders couldn’t set the edge to save their lives. Cassius Marsh was a failed experiment, while younger players like Wise and Adam Butler just didn’t have enough experience to play the run and the pass. Outside of Flowers, the only player capable of setting the edge all last season was former Pittsburgh Steeler James Harrison.

Clayborn is an upgrade on all of the non-Flowers defenders in the run game. While it’s not his speciality, he’s still capable of setting the edge, eating up a blocker, and allowing linebackers Dont’a Hightower and Kyle Van Noy to finish the play.

How Adrian Clayborn Fits

Trey Flowers will be happy to have Clayborn in town

Image credit: ESPN

Essentially, New England is getting a lesser version of Chandler Jones. While Clayborn isn’t the same pass rushing threat that Jones is, he’s capable of generating pressure on a snap to snap basis and getting to the quarterback. Like Jones, Clayborn is an adequate, if unspectacular, run defender. He’s not a liability, but it’s certainly not his strength.

Ultimately, the Patriots got the ideal #2 edge defender on a good deal. Clayborn should be a perfect complement to Flowers, and Flowers will have a genuine pass rushing threat alongside him.

Clayborn, Flowers, Wise, Butler, and Rivers should combine to be a ferocious pass rushing unit on passing downs. The base defense of Clayborn, Malcolm Brown, Danny Shelton, and Flowers won’t be one of the elite run stopping units in the league, but they’ll certainly be capable of holding their own against opposing offensive lines.

Clayborn came over on a two-year, $12 million dollar deal and he already looks like a bargain. He fits an immediate need on the Patriots defensive line and should be a Week One starter. While this free agency has been turbulent for Patriots fans, this is one move that absolutely goes New England’s way.

Cover Image Credit: USA Today