Tag Archives: NFL

Five College Quarterbacks Who Could Be Brady’s Successor

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The Fountain of Youth could possibly be located in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Tom Brady is still a quarterback in the NFL at age 40.

As the Patriots exit their bye week, Brady has looked nothing short of phenomenal, something we all have come to expect. With an injured receiving core, Brady has managed to lead the league in passing yards thus far. Critics and fans alike have wondered when Brady will hang up his jersey for the last time. Showing no signs of aging in his eighteenth season, Brady hopes to play as long as possible. In 2014, on WEEI’s Dennis and Callahan morning show, when asked when he plans to retire Brady simply said:

“When I suck I’ll retire. But I don’t plan on sucking for a long time.”

In the wake of Tom Brady’s play during the first half of the season, the Patriots made roster moves. During the team’s bye week, the Patriots agreed to trade backup quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, to the San Francisco 49ers. Earlier in the season, the team also moved third string play-caller Jacoby Brissett to the Indianapolis Colts. Both backups saw starting time early last season, and have won at least one Super Bowl ring under Tom Brady. After trading both substitutes to Brady, the Patriots resigned 32 year old Brian Hoyer. With Brady proving to the Patriots that he can play well into his 40’s, the team now has time to pursue a new successor. Luckily for the team, there are a few quarterbacks who could hold down the starting job in New England after Brady.

J.T. Barrett, Senior at Ohio State University

Barrett has been somewhat consistent in his four years playing for OSU. Coached by Urban Meyer, J.T. has realized his craft in passing, and running, the football. Barrett is having his best season at OSU, posting 28 touchdown passes, and 2374 yards. He is quickly zeroing in on his career bests, with a few games to spare. Barrett quietly sits in the Heisman Poll rankings, with a quarterback rating of 83.3. He could be a raw prospect who could learn a lot watching Tom Brady play out his final seasons. With a similar throwing arm, Barrett could fit right into Patriots’ offensive scheme which focuses on medium passes over the middle. One component Barrett could add to the offense is his own running game, which could open up a few passes downfield to Gronk, or Brandin Cooks. Expect the Patriots to exercise that second round pick they acquired from the 49ers, or a third rounder in the 2018 Draft, to get Barrett if Belichick is impressed by him.

Sam Darnold, Sophomore at University of Southern California

Darnold has put up considerable numbers as a young college quarterback. For the second season in a row, he has accumulated almost over 3000 passing yards, and 20+ passing touchdowns. With an average QBR of 79.2, he has proven to be a reliable quarterback for the Trojans. With talks of Darnold remaining at USC for the 2018 season rather than declaring for the draft, he could be a possible prospect for the Patriots in the future. He would be a top prospect if he were to declare in 2018. Were he to drop to the second round to the Patriots, it would be a steal. Coming from a big team in the PAC-12, Darnold would have what it takes to play the next level for the Patriots.

Luke Falk, Senior at Washington State

Luke Falk has fallen out of the constant media coverage CFB stars like Baker Mayfield receive. Falk quietly threw for two 4000+ yard seasons at Washington State, something which has definitely raised a brow for Coach Belichick. Bill Belichick has had a history of scouting players at lesser-known colleges (i.e. Jacoby Brissett at NC State, Jimmy Garoppolo at Eastern Illinois). Falk is on pace to have three consecutive seasons with 30+ touchdowns, with a high passing rating. His name might slip in the 2018 Draft due to the hype of some other quarterbacks, but Falk can hang with the rest of them.

Mason Rudolph, Senior at Oklahoma State University

Rudolph might be the lesser hyped quarterback coming out of Oklahoma this season, behind Mayfield. However, Rudolph’s consistency with passing the ball in his career at Oklahoma State has been downright impressive. Since his first full season starting in 2015, Rudolph has not had a season where he has thrown for less than 3000 yards. His passing percentage has been around 63% his whole career. He has also been consistent with throw 20+ touchdowns per season. These numbers are not extremely flashy, but show Rudolph can play at a similar level each year without going cold. This trait will be coveted in the NFL. Rudolph could possibly fall to third or fourth round, where the Patriots can draft him.

Jake Fromm, Freshman at University of Georgia

Fromm is certainly a young prospect, but he has helped the Bulldogs rise into the top three of the national rankings. With around 1500 yards and 15 touchdowns, Fromm has played exceptional, but could definitely use some work. Should he declare for the draft in 2018, which is doubtful, he could learn a lot from Tom Brady. He has shown leadership in Georgia early, which is a great skill. He should be a future prospect for the Patriots, if they do not take a quarterback in the 2018 draft.

Possible Jets 2018 Offseason Signings

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JETS OFFSEASON SIGNINGS

Michael Salfino, writer for the Meadowlands Media Group, weighed in on the possibility of Kirk Cousins going to the Jets. The original tweet and cap space argument:

This is fun to think about as a Jets fan, given the possibility of having a decent quarterback like Cousins, coming to the Jets. Does it really make sense? Let’s look at whether the Jets should try to sign Kirk Cousins in March. We can look at which positions the Jets should address in free agency with the amount of cap space they possess.

Pros

Kirk Cousins brings a skill set and talent to a team that lacks overall talent, and a consistently good quarterback. In 2016, he was third in passing yards and yards per game. Cousins was in the top-ten completion percentage, passer rating, and QBR. He also led the Redskins to four 4th quarter comebacks, which was tied fourth in the league. This season, he has continued putting up similar numbers. Cousins is fourth in completion percentage, yards per attempt, as well as third in total QBR. He is in the top ten of nearly every quarterback statistic in the NFL. All of the rankings and stats previously mentioned are brought to you via Pro Football Reference.

The Redskins have had a disappointing record of 3-4 so far this season. The disappointment cannot be blamed on Cousins. He has played well this season, and the offense has put up good numbers. They are 12th in terms of offensive points per game, and are 17th in rushing yards per game this season. Combining these statistics draws the conclusion that the Redskins are in the top half of the league in offense. The defense, however, is 28th points per game, despite ranking 12th in yards surrendered per game. The defense, or lack of defense, has been the Achilles heel of this Redskins team, not a lack of offense.

Cons

Cousins turned 29 this past August, which would make him 30 years old to start next season. That is not a haunting age, but the Jets may not be contending for another two or three years. This would put Cousins at 32 or 33 when Gang Green hits their stride. That is the same age as Aaron Rodgers, Joe Flacco, Matt Ryan and Alex Smith this season. Can Cousins turn into an undisputed elite quarterback by then? Sure, but the upcoming quarterback class is strong. The Jets should have a good pick in this upcoming draft, as I pointed out in my previous article.

Cousins would also cost a pretty penny, probably demanding upwards of $18 million per year, and a five-to-six year contract. This demand could block signings to fill in other positions, such as improvement of the offensive line, defensive tackle and cornerback. These positions can be filled in this offseason via free agency. With drafting a quarterback in the first round, it would only take up about $7-$9 million a year of cap space, half of what Cousins would cost. These are based on projections that the Jets finish between the fifth and tenth pick.

Uses with the Cap Space: Cornerback

At cornerback, Trumaine Johnson, Vontae Davis and Malcolm Butler are future free agents. All are top 20 cornerbacks, and can fill in needed roles for the rebuilding New York Jets franchise. Morris Claiborne, the Jets current number one cornerback, has played beyond expectations thus far. Another top 20 cornerback can be afforded by the Jets’ cap space this offseason, even after resigning Claiborne, who is a free agent in the spring of 2018. If the struggling Muhammad Wilkerson is cut, this will free up $11 million in cap space for next season, as described in Salfino’s thread of tweets.

Offensive Line

At offensive line, John Greco, Nate Solder, Trai Turner, Luke Joeckel and several more suitable linemen, are on the free agent market this season. I would expect the Jets to sign one or two offensive linemen in the upcoming offseason. Thankfully, Gang Green can afford to shell out a bit of cash for the line, given the enormous cap space they have created.

Defensive Tackle

At defensive tackle, the talented Dontari Poe is up for grabs, but may cost too much. At the age of 27, he is hitting his prime at defensive tackle, which makes Poe an intriging option at defensive tackle, to take over the aging Steve McLendon. Bennie Logan and Jared Crick are all younger, but established, defensive tackles or nose tackles, who will cost less than Poe. Crick has less talent than both Logan and Poe, but Crick can serve as an effective, somewhat young defensive lineman.

Where Cousins May Go

Although Kirk Cousins has undeniable talent, he may not fit this Jets team right now. He could land a role with another team, one who may not have a top ten pick in this year’s draft. I would look out for the Jaguars, Saints or Cardinals to pursue Cousins as well. The Saints and Cardinals have aging quarterbacks, and Drew Brees is a free agent this offseason. Cousins would be an upgrade over the inconsistent Blake Bortles, and would create a bigger threat to defenses than Bortles. The receiving core of Robinson, Hurns and Lee resembles that of the core Cousins had last year with the Redskins.

Kirk Cousins may be the most intriguing free agent this offseason, and will be a story to track. Stay tuned for more free agent rumors in the second week of February.

Is Belichick Only Thinking Of Now, Not The Future?

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In Bill We Trust?

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick speaks to the media following an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) ORG XMIT: NYOTK

Last night, the night before the NFL trade deadline and Halloween, Belichick made a massive trade. The Patriots traded Jimmy Garoppolo to the San Francisco 49ERS, for a 2018 second round pick. With this move, it’s clear the Patriots expect Brady to be the guy at least until his contract is up. I believe Brady will play until he is 45, and retire a Patriot, which means he and Belichick will walk away together. Thus leaving the Patriots with no decent quarterback. I get Garoppolo wanted a chance to play, but why not give him a contract to be a backup until Brady is done?

The Future Of The Patriots Post Brady/Belichick?

I know people think it’s a stupid idea to do that. If you’re planning for the future, which is post Brady, you give Garoppolo a contract to back up Brady now. When Brady is done, and Bill is done, Jimmy is the starter, and Josh Mcdaniels the head coach. Instead, Brian Hoyer could be coming back here, and he is no Garoppolo. They have to draft another quarterback to again shadow Brady. Garoppolo has two Super Bowl rings, and has been here for two and a half years shadowing Brady.

Will Garoppolo Comeback?

Will Garoppolo comeback and be the starter after Brady is gone in five years at most? That question remains to be answered, but here is an alternative or fake news fact: Brady gets traded to San Francisco in three years, and Garoppolo comes back as the starter. That would never happen, Brady is bigger than the team, and the Krafts won’t let Belichick trade or cut Brady. In 10 years, the Patriots could be the next Cleveland Browns. Whichever quarterback they have hopefully gets them on the right track. This could still be Garoppolo, who again could get some playing time, and come back when the time is right.

Will The Patriots Be The Next Cleveland Browns Post Brady/Belichick

Garoppolo wasn’t told about this trade by Belichick, but rather was told by his agent, Don Yee (Yee is also agent to Brady). Belichick said in his conference call this morning, that he and Jimmy had weekly meetings. You would think a potential trade would have come up in one of those meetings. Apparently not, as Garoppolo was caught off guard. Enjoy these last two to five years of Brady.  After he’s gone, it will be back to the way it was before. Hopefully Garoppolo comes back, because at least they would have a decent quarterback.

The Patriots At The Half Way Point

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The Patriots Are 6-2 Going Into The Bye Week

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)

We have reached the halfway point in the NFL season. The Patriots are going in to the bye week at 6-2. Yesterday’s win was all about field goals for the Patriots. They couldn’t convert in the red area. Good thing the Chargers are stupid, if it had been a better team, they could have lost.

Bill Belichick was asked about the offense not scoring and the defense giving up big plays. He said, “Yeah, we’re obviously not doing a very good job in that area and that’s something we have to do better at. No question about it. We’re giving up too many big plays on defense and can’t convert on third down in the read area. Those are two huge issues. ”

The Patriots Have A Lot Of  Road Games

Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots makes the Broncos defenders look silly. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

The Patriots have five road games from now until Christmas Eve. Starting with Denver a week from Sunday, they then travel to Mexico to play the Raiders. In the AFC, there are only two other teams besides the Patriots who are 6-2. The Pittsburgh Steelers, who have issues with players not getting the ball enough and a quarterback who doesn’t know if he still has it. The Kansas City Chiefs, who will find a way to choke when it matters the most.

The Patriots Have Issues On Defense And Offense

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)

As far as the injuries go, Hightower out for the season is a huge loss. Gilmore will hopefully be back for the game in Denver, but has been out for three straight weeks. Will the Patriots get another receiver like Calvin Johnson? This remains to be seen, but here is Brady on yesterday’s win and not executing on offense:

“Yep, that’s a good word for it. We didn’t finish them off. We just have to do a better job of that. I know I’ve said that about 100 times this year, but it’s tough and we’re trying. It’s just the execution is coming up a little short in critical times. I’m glad we won. That’s the most important thing. You know, starting 0-1 and then being 6-2 – you know, a lot of mental toughness. So, that’s good, and we’ve got to keep it going. You know, biggest games are ahead of us, so we’re going to have to go play well. ”

We’ll see what happens in the second half of the season . There is still a lot of work to do.

The Life of a Jets Fan: Why It Isn’t As Bad As You Think

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I have been a Jets fan for about twelve years now. For all but three years, it has been a repetitive kick in the groin. The first year under Rex Ryan, 2009, the New York Jets defeated the Bengals and Chargers in the playoffs. Eventually they lost to the Colts in the AFC Championship game. The future looked very bright, the ground and pound offense combined with a stifling defense provided some hope. In 2010, the same Gang Green group defeated Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in back-to-back weeks in the playoffs. Sexy Rexy and Co. then lost to Big Ben and the Pittsburgh Steelers. That loss to the Steelers, in the AFC Championship game, sent the Jets into the never ending abyss. Since then, they have had one season over .500, which occurred in 2015. After losing to the Bills in Week 17, due to two fourth-quarter interceptions by Ryan Fitztragic, the Jets failed to make the playoffs. I was not able to stand that season, but surprisingly, I have been able to stomach is this season.

Why We Can Endure This Season

This underwhelming season has featured a team that possesses veterans far past their prime; and young players who have two or three more years until they hit their prime. They have 38 year-old Josh McCown at quarterback–who had a career record of 2-24 as a starting quarterback coming into the season. They have a duo of rookies at safety–Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye. Their anticipated bright spots are two former All-Pro defensive lineman, who  have more combined interceptions than combined sacks this season. To cap it off, their best receiver, Quincy Enunwa, was sidelined for the season in August. They were projected to win zero games this season, even with the lowly Browns on their schedule.

Eight Games In, and the Results Are…

At the halfway mark for the season, the Jets have  won three games. One of those victories was against the Jaguars, who are the leaders of the AFC South at 4-3. The next was against their division rival Miami. The most recent win, in Week 5, was against the winless Browns. The Jets have exceeded expectations. They are rebuilding a franchise with a solid core of young talent. The green and white possess a GM that has drafted efficiently in his first two NFL Drafts. He and the scouts choose by determining who is the “best” player at what pick they are given. They retained all players they had chosen in the 2016 or 2017 draft, on either the active roster or their practice squad. Of those fourteen picks between 2016 and 2017, about eight and a half have made contributions to the team. The half being Jordan Leggett, who has been bothered by a knee injury for the majority of the season. Despite the injury, he has a good upside, given his large frame (6’5″, 258 lbs) and promising ability, to both block and catch the football.

 Where to Go From Here

Where do the Jets go from here? They sure as hell should NOT tank. It is such an easy way to give up on yourselves, and is poor for team morale and the franchise in general. Jordan Jenkins, Coach Todd Bowles, and others claimed early in the season, that tanking was not on the agenda. So far, their words have been true. Three of the five losses have happened when they have had at least ten-point leads on teams. This is poor showing, they seem to have an inability to keep leads and close out games. This problem can be contributed to the inexperience of the defense, and the lack of clutch talent on the offense. Those losses against the Patriots, Dolphins and the Falcons, who are all more experienced, and more talented teams than the Jets. To fix these issues, they need three things: a quarterback, a young early-down running back, and a slot receiver. All of these can be acquired through the 2018 NFL Draft.

Addressing the Running Back

Bilal Powell will turn the haunting age of 30 after this season. Matt Forte is past the age of 30. Elijah Maguire has potential, but he should be used as a third down running back. I think they need to take a running back in the second round. If I were Coach Bowles and Mike Maccagnan, I would look at Nick Chubb out of Georgia. He provides the ability to be a workhorse back, and as of right now, holds an early second round value. Another running back that may fly under the radar for a third-round pick is Kalen Ballage out of Arizona State. His size (6’3″, 230 lbs) will compliment the smaller, shiftier Elijah Maguire in the backfield. Ballage has had a down season this year compared to his 2016 campaign. In 2016, he totaled 1,005 offensive yards, and fifteen touchdowns for the Sun Devils. Ballage could reach his potential as a big-time back after a year or two of experience in the NFL.

Addressing the Quarterback

The quarterback scenario is dire, and it is quite obvious that Christian Hackenberg, nor Bryce Petty, are the answer. This needs to be the first thing the Jets address in this year’s draft. The obvious choices are Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen, but if the Jets slip out of the top 10, these options won’t be available. In the case that Darnold and Rosen are not available, Ryan Finley, Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson should be available. I really like Lamar Jackson, especially the athletic similarity Jackson has to Michael Vick.

Addressing the Wide Receiver

To fit wide receiver needs, I would look to Deebo Samue,l out of South Carolina; Deontay Burnett, out of USC; or Antonio Callaway, out of Florida. All are six-feet tall or smaller, ideal for the slot. All reportedly run a sub-4.50 40-yard dash, according to walterfootball.com. Walter Football also projects all receivers to be drafted in the second round or later. This is a perfect value, for a solid receiver, to play at a WR3 or WR4. Right behind Robbie Anderson, Quincy Enunwa and Jermaine Kearse.

The future for the New York Jets looks bright, despite what has been a poor season thus far. The tandem of Jamaal Adams and Marcus Maye, should mirror that of Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas, in a year or two. The receiving core is young and explosive. They possess a young, talented but relatively inexperienced linebacker core. With a quarterback, additions of an early-down running back and another solid wide receiver, the future looks bright for the Jets.

Cover image: CBS Sports

Lamar Jackson image: SI.com

Fantasy Football Love/Hate: Week 8

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Here are the fantasy football players that I love and hate for this week. Reminder, these are not start/sit recommendations, but rather players I feel will exceed, or fall short of, expectations in week 8.

PLAYERS I LOVE IN WEEK 8

KIRK COUSINS, WASHINGTON REDSKINS QB

Kirk Cousins is a top 3 QB this week, he has been on fire as of late. Over his last four games, he has thrown 10 TD passes. He has thrown for over 300 yards in three of those four contests. I fully expect him to continue this trend against Dallas. The Cowboys enter this contest ranked 25th in opponent passer rating. This game is bound to be a shootout with both Dallas and Washington having high-powered offenses. The Cowboys and Redskins rank 7th and 11th respectively in points per game this year. Expect a lot of scoring, and a lot of big plays this week from both teams. Washington is a team that does not run the ball effectively, so they will be relying on Kirk to get the job done through the air against the struggling Dallas secondary.

Image result for kirk cousins

KEENAN ALLEN, LOS ANGELES CHARGERS WR

Juicy match up here for the Chargers top wide out. He is coming off of a tough week where he was held to just 41 yards and three catches against Denver’s stingy defense. Despite last week’s blemish, Allen has been mostly consistent this year, notching at least five catches in five of his first six games this year. His numbers are not that great thus far which is mostly due to his lack of touchdowns (1). Allen is by far Phillip Rivers favorite weapon, he has targeted him 68 times this year, which ranks third in the NFL. This game should be a high scoring affair, and the Chargers will likely be throwing a lot trying to keep up with The Patriots offense. Although they have shown improvement recently, New England’s defense has allowed 323.1 receiving yards per game against opposing wide outs this year, which ranks last in the NFL.

LEGARRETTE BLOUNT, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES RB

I love this match up for Blount. First of all, San Francisco is an awful team. Their defense is ranked 30th in the league in opponent rushing yards per game. They surrendered 147 yards to Ezekiel Elliott last week. This game will likely be a blowout; the Eagles will be running the ball often to drain the clock. While the Eagles backfield remains crowded, Blount is still a fine fantasy option. He has at least 12 carries in every game he has played this season, including 14 carries in each of the past three games. Blount is the clear cut goal-line back for this team, and I expect they will be in that area multiple times in this contest. Assuming the Eagles blow this game open early, Blount will see a massive workload, and potentially receive his largest volume of work this season.

PLAYERS I HATE IN WEEK 8

FRANK GORE, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS RB

It appears the Colts may be dividing up touches between Gore, and rookie Marlon Mack, evenly. Mack has looked solid all year in his limited role, but finally received equal work with Gore in week 7. Gore saw 11 fewer snaps than the rookie in week 7, and they both had nine touches. Mack also seemed to be favored in the passing game with 4 catches for 40 yards, while Gore had 0. If this trend continues, Frank Gore will lose some serious fantasy value. It is hard to imagine that Gore has a good game this week considering his dwindling role in the offense. It is a not a favorable match up as they go up against Cincinnati’s defense, which is allowing the 7th fewest point per game.

BEN ROETHLISBERGER, PITTSBURGH STEELERS QB

Big Ben would be a shaky start this week. He is on the road against Detroit, who has had two weeks to prepare for this game, and are they are coming off their bye. Everyone knows Big Ben seems to struggle on the road. This year he has just 5 pass TD and 4 turnovers in his 4 road games. After a solid showing last week at home vs the Bengals, some may think he is out of his 2017 slump, but I am not yet convinced. The offense, as of late, clearly belongs to super star running back Le’Veon Bell. Until Ben proves he can play better, I think the Steelers will continue to hand off the ball to Bell 30+ times a game.

Image result for ben roethlisberger loss

JOE MIXON, CINCINNATI BENGALS RB

Potential breakout performance this week for the rookie running back. Mixon has lead the Bengals in carries in every game since week 2. He had three straight games of at least 15 carries, until earning just 7 last week. Despite only 7 carries last week, he still had as many as Bernard and Hill combined. He is the clear cut lead running back for Cincinnati. He has an enticing match up in week 8 against the atrocious Colts defense. Indi’s defense ranks 26th in the league in opponent rushing yards. I expect the Bengals to blowout Indi, and spend most of the second half draining the clock with run plays. Start Joe Mixon this week.

 

*Follow me on Twitter @MLBfromNH (Kevin Civiello)*

Dion Lewis’ Search for Good Health and an Opportunity

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College Stardom

 

Dion Lewis’ freshman season of 2009 at Pitt put him on the map. A 5’8″-195-lb running back ran all over the Big East. He broke multiple Big East and Pitt rushing records previously held by both Tony Dorsett and LeSean McCoy. Big East MVP, Big East Offensive Player of the Year, Second Team AP All-American, Doak Walker semifinalist and Maxwell Award semifinalist. Dion Lewis’ talent has never been questioned.

To put Lewis’ freshman season into perspective,  compare his statistics to those of Kareem Hunt’s best college season.

Dion Lewis:

2009 Pitt (FR) – 1988 total yards / 5.7 yards per touch / 18 total touchdowns 

Kareem Hunt:

2016 Toledo (SR) – 1878 total yards / 6.2 yards per touch / 11 total touchdowns 

Dion Lewis’ talent was undeniable. To put up better numbers as a freshman than NFL star Kareem Hunt did as a senior, presents pure evidence that from the beginning the talent has been there.

Drafted and Blocked

Due to concerns about Lewis’ lack of ‘NFL Size’, he fell to the fifth round where he was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles.

In Philadelphia, Dion Lewis was never given the opportunity to get on the field. He was being blocked, rightfully so, by LeSean McCoy: One of the best running backs in the NFL. Dion Lewis was still in search of the team where he could show the skills that helped him shatter numerous records back at Pitt.

Traded to Cleveland

In April of 2013, the Eagles traded Lewis to the Browns. At the time of the trade, Cleveland possessed a budding star at the running back position: Trent Richardson. Cleveland used a first round pick on Richardson, and in the 2012 season, they worked their 22-year-old running back to death. Many saw the addition of Lewis as a way to lighten Richardson’s load in the passing game. In 2012, Richardson caught more than 50 balls and was targeted 71 times. If Lewis was indeed going to help in the passing game, he certainly had a large opportunity to do so.

Any potential plan for Dion Lewis in the Cleveland offense never got to play itself out. In the preseason of 2013, Dion Lewis broke his fibula and suffered ligament damage.

 

Cleveland Browns running back Dion Lewis is taken to the locker room after an injury in the third quarter of a preseason NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Thursday, Aug. 15, 2013, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

 

There was potential for Dion to make a name in Cleveland. All hope came crashing down with the break of his fibula. The next season, Trent Richardson was traded away from Cleveland, leaving a larger-than-life hole that could have easily fit a 5’8″ 195 lb frame in it. The seriousness of Dion’s fibula break, however, ensured that he would never play a down of his contract for the Cleveland Browns. An enormous opportunity for Dion Lewis to showcase himself, stolen by injury.

New Team… No Opportunity

In September of 2014, the Indianapolis Colts took more than a flyer on the still-young running back.  They signed him to a two-year contract. Dion’s time with the Colts lasted no longer than a week. The Colts decided to add defensive depth. When doing so, Dion was the counter-cut.

Future Contract

During the 2014 season, three months after being cut by the Colts, Bill Belichick came calling. Dion Lewis signed with the New England Patriots on a future deal for the 2015 season. Dion Lewis sat out the entire 2014 season, waiting for his opportunity in the 2015 camp.

Looking back, it seems Bill Belichick had a plan all along. Two running backs on the Patriots in 2014 were set to become free-agents after the season. The Patriots saw signing Dion Lewis to a future contract as an opportunity to add depth before they inevitably lost both of those backs, Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen to free-agency.

2015 New England Patriots Camp

A battle brewed in camp. Matter of fact, it was the talk of the camp.   Who would play the passing back role for the New England Patriots? Long-time Patriot, Brandon Bolden? James White, who the Patriots spent a draft pick on? Other signee, Travaris Cadet? Journeyman Dion Lewis?

By the end of the preseason, it was clear to everyone that covered that team.   Dion Lewis had won the ‘scat back’ role in New England. In case you aren’t familiar with how things work in New England, Bill Belichick isn’t one to announce who wins battles. Nothing was different in this instance.  It was noticeable how much better and more prepared Dion Lewis was than the others in line. Come opening night, it proved true.  Dion Lewis won the job.

The Opportunity

Dion Lewis started as the primary running back on opening night vs the Steelers. He has LeGarrette Blount’s mishaps to thank for that. Blount was supposed to start Week 1 as the lead back.  Sadly for him, he was suspended one game for an incident that happened the year before. Dion Lewis winning the ‘scat back’ role, and Blount’s suspension combined for the only true opportunity Dion had in the NFL up to this point.

Dion Lewis burst onto the map on September 10th, 2015 vs the Steelers. He finished with 19 total touches for 120 yards from scrimmage. Dion Lewis finally got the opportunity to show what made him a human video-game at Pitt, and boy did he ever. The lateral quickness was still there, and he could make cuts just the same as before snapping his fibula. “Lewis” jerseys instantly went into production, fantasy football players were hyperventilating as they scrambled their way through waivers to see if he was available. ‘Pitt Dion Lewis’ had landed in New England.

Dion’s Dream Season

Through just over six regular season games, Dion Lewis had piled up 622 yards from scrimmage, four total touchdowns and 36 catches.

He became a household name in New England. Dion Lewis tore up the NFL in his first ever opportunity to shine. Big play after big play, jump cut after jump cut, juke after juke, and spin after spin. Dion Lewis arguably became the ‘X-Factor’ of the Patriots offense through six games.

Defenses had no answer for him. A player his size usually excels outside of the numbers. Dion did exactly that. What made Dion so special and different was his ability to create space as a runner inside of the tackles.  Dion continued to surprise everyone around him, especially opposing defensive coordinators.

Nightmare Ending

As the Patriots approached the halfway point in the season, Dion Lewis entered the seventh game of his ‘rebirth’. The Washington Redskins were next up. Throughout the game, like every other team, Washington had no answer for Dion Lewis.

In the third quarter, Dion Lewis snagged a screen pass and shifted his way up the field. In an instant, a non-contact injury to his knee sent him leaping to the turf in order to avoid putting weight back on his leg.

Dion knew, Patriot fans knew, and as the broadcast showed, Matt Patricia knew. Dion Lewis’ dream season was over. The image of tears streaming down Dion’s face while getting an emotional pep-talk from coach Patricia… That will never leave the minds of Patriots fans. Dion had worked so hard for his opportunity. Multiple teams, fought through a gruesome injury, all to lose it again. Dion had gone through so much, and was forced to go through it all once more.

Dion Lewis watched the rest of the season from the sidelines with a torn ACL.

The Comeback?

Dion Lewis spent the entire rest of the season and offseason in rehab, trying to get back on the field. Many at first believed that Lewis would make it back for Week 1 of the 2016 season. Sadly for Dion, he was forced to start the season on the PUP list, preventing him from seeing the field for the first six weeks.

While Week 7 was the likely scenario anyways, it was a setback during rehab that truly pushed the timetable back.  Dion, eligible to play in the seventh game, didn’t see the field until Week 10, more than halfway through the NFL season.

The Comeback.

While Dion Lewis was healthy enough, and did play in Week 10 for New England, being “healthy enough” falls short of the player that Dion was before injury. Regaining the quickness in and out of cuts that Dion possessed before his injury didn’t come back when he did.  Not until Week 14 vs the 49ers did Lewis start showing signs of his old self. In that game he totaled 104 yards.

The first time that season that Dion Lewis truly was ‘Pitt Dion Lewis’ occurred in the Patriots first playoff match up vs the Texans. Dion Lewis scored  three touchdowns.  One receiving, one rushing, and one on a kick return. Dion Lewis looked electric again.

The Opportunity of Every Kids Dreams 

Along came the Super Bowl: Patriots vs Falcons.  The comeback of the century that taught everyone how to bet on sports from Boston.

While Dion got to play all of regulation, he injured his hamstring on the final play of the fourth quarter. The injury wasn’t serious, but enough to sideline him for the entire first overtime quarter in Super Bowl history.

At the end of the day, the Patriots and Dion Lewis became Super Bowl champions. Not until long after the Super Bowl, during an NFL Network documentary where Bill Belichick revealed that the ‘Super Bowl clinching play’, a power toss, was designed specifically for Dion Lewis. Belichick said that only Dion had ever run that play before. With that said, the injury sidelined Lewis  for the entirety of overtime.  James White had to run that play, scoring the game-winning touchdown in overtime of the Super Bowl. That play was supposed to be Dion’s.

The end result was still just as glorious for Dion, with or without him being the one diving across the goal-line. Still, any player would be lying to say that they wouldn’t want that opportunity, another opportunity that was stripped away from Dion by injury. 

On to 2017

Dion Lewis is healthy now, and it is very easy to tell. He makes jump cuts reminiscent of 2015. He’s running with the electricity of his Pitt days. Breaking long run after long run, Dion Lewis has worked his way back into the hearts of the Patriot faithful. The opportunities remain.  If he stays in the injury-free zone, the sky’s the limit for Dion Lewis.

 

Has Aguayo Found A Home In Carolina?

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With Graham Gano possibly suffering a leg injury, the Carolina Panthers signed Kicker Roberto Aguayo to the practice squad. The initial reaction: “This could be great, he was outstanding in college!” However, upon returning to reality, let’s remember he has been cut by both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears. Is the time now or never for Aguayo in Carolina?

Aguayo Could Return to College Form

During a three year stint with Florida State University, Aguayo put up impressive numbers. He had a total of 405 points on 198 extra points and 69 field goals for the Seminoles. When Aguayo decided to enter the 2016 NFL Draft, most expected a late round selection.

The Buccaneers made the decision to use their second round pick on Aguayo. Although he had impressive college stats, most saw this pick as questionable at best. After eventually being cut by the Buccaneers and Bears during the 2017 season, he now belongs to Carolina. If he could return to his godly college ways, the Panthers just might have found a steal.

 

Evaluating Aguayo in the NFL Thus Far

In 2016, Roberto Aguayo’s kicking stats were rather ugly. Although he went a solid 32 for 34 on extra points, his field goal numbers were quite the opposite. From a distance longer than 39 yards, he made four out of 11 field goals. In other words, when looking for a clutch kicker for the team, this is clearly not the guy.

On the other hand, the majority of Gano’s kicks in 2017 have come from 39 yards or less. Out of 17 field goals attempted this season, only five have come from 40 yards or farther. This shows that Carolina has the ability to drive down the field, but is unable to finish drives with touchdowns.

 

Overall Grade for Carolina Signing Aguayo

After considering what he did in college, the NFL, and the contract which he signed with Carolina, I give this move a B. Before you wonder, “How could he rate this so high after trashing his NFL career!?,” hear me out.

The Panthers signed Aguayo to the practice squad. His contract is not very expensive, and he is not currently the primary kicker. Carolina’s current kicker, Gano, is thought to be suffering a leg injury, and may need to take some time off. This window of time could provide a test run for Aguayo with the Panthers, and prove if he has any NFL value.

 

McHale’s Musings Vol. 3

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Hello again, readers! It’s Ryan McHale with another edition of “McHale’s Musings.” I’m going to mix it up a bit and expand my horizon beyond the world of Boston sports.

That’s right…

It’s time to go national, baby!

NFL

Flacco Hit

I understand that football is not for the faint of heart. It’s a gruesome sport with bone-shattering collisions. However, there was nothing clean about the unnecessary hit Dolphins LB Kiko Alonso laid upon Joe Flacco last night. While Flacco may have gone into his slide a bit late, Alonso had more than enough reaction time to avoid slamming into the quarterback. The hit was as dirty as they come, and how he avoided ejection is beyond me. Hopefully he’s nailed with a significant suspension and hefty fine.

 

Suh’s Throat Punch

Speaking of dirty hits…

Surprise, surprise. Ndamukong Suh’s anger management issue has reared its ugly head again. This time it manifested itself by way of a failed attempt to land the Undertaker’s patented choke slam on Ryan Mallett – the Ravens backup quarterback forced into action after Alonso’s spear. I’m not sure how many infractions Suh has to amass before he’s out of the league. Instead of owners colluding to keep Colin Kaepernick out of action, why don’t they band together to give the boot to a player actively trying to injure his opponents?  

 

Steelers Pose Biggest Threat to Patriots

While the Kansas City Chiefs remain the darlings of many NFL talking heads, I believe it’s the Pittsburgh Steelers who remain the biggest obstacle from keeping the Patriots from reaching yet another Super Bowl. Despite Martavis Bryant’s erratic, diva-like behavior, the team has started performing at the level most expect from the Steel City heroes. With Le’Veon Bell running at will, Antonio Brown catching everything that comes his way, and a defense suddenly creating turnovers, this team will be one to watch as we inch closer toward the playoffs.

The Buffalo Bills Are for Real

Ok, #BillsMafia. It’s time. As much as it pains me to compose this paragraph, I must swallow my pride and say what needs to be said. This Bills team is a legitimate Wild-Card team. Yes, wild-card. Even with the devastating, season-ending injury to defensive stalwart, Dont’a Hightower, they will not surpass the Patriots in the AFC East. With that said, don’t be surprised to see Buffalo playing football the first weekend of January.

On a non-football related note, my sincerest condolences go out to Buffalo’s tight end, Logan Thomas, and his family. If you’re unaware, Thomas’s daughter, Brooklynn was born prematurely and passed away on Tuesday. As a father, I can’t imagine what he’s going through right now, and I wish the entire Thomas family all the best as they attempt to heal.

 

MLB

Epic Game 2

How about that second game of the World Series? Without question, Wednesday night’s back and forth, extra-innings affair between the Dodgers and Astros was one of the more dramatic ballgames I can remember. If Game 2 of the series was just the start of things to come, we’ll be forever talking about this championship matchup.

 

Puig Discusses Correa’s Bat Flip

Yasiel Puig’s response to Carlos Correa’s 10th inning bat flip on Wednesday night was a thing of beauty. Here’s a guy who understands that baseball needs an injection of fun. After the phenomenal game, Puig had this to say about Correa’s so-called “antics”:

“I loved it,” Puig said. “It was a little bit higher than the bat flips I normally do. He was happy and that’s the way you should play in the World Series. Not everybody gets in a place like this. It’s good that he plays like that and it’s good that Latino players are able to contribute that way. He wasn’t batting too well, he was only getting a few hits and when he hit the home run, it was a moment for him to be happy. I’m glad he was able to celebrate that way.”

I personally love a well-timed bat flip. Sure, it’s showing up your opponent while relishing in your own accomplishment, but don’t we allow players to celebrate in every other sport? What about the Steelers offense playing hide-and-seek in the endzone after a touchdown last weekend against the Bengals? I’m pretty sure the sideshow was half-self congratulatory/half-showing up Cincinnati. What about an NBA player screaming and flexing after finishing off a huge dunk? Part of the intent is to make it known to their opponent that they’re unstoppable. I get that the majority of baseball viewers these days are on the older side, but in order for the game to not only survive, and thrive once again, we need to inject a bit of fun into the game.

 

NBA

LaVar Ball Not Helping Lonzo

I’m sure you, like many Americans, have stopped to ponder why today’s youth is overconfident with a massive superiority complex. Well, wonder no more. Thanks to LaVar Ball, we have our answer!

That’s right. You can place the blame on helicopter parents like LaVar Ball for producing children who grow up believing they’re untouchable. Unfortunately, these children eventually grow up to be adults unable to accept criticism or failure. I worry what will happen to Lonzo Ball when he inevitably hits a rough patch during his rookie season.

While Lonzo may have the talent to become a true superstar in the NBA, it’s his father who could potentially derail his fate. LaVar Ball, a former collegiate basketball player who dominated opponents with an blazing average of 2.2 PPG, continues living out his days by inserting himself into his kid’s career – opting to live vicariously through his more-talented son rather than carve out a path of his own.

For the sake of your son’s career, Mr. Ball, please sit down and shut up.

 

MLS

Atlanta United FC Attendance

Yesterday’s Knockout Round battle between the Columbus Crew and Atlanta United FC was played in front of a raucous crowd of 67,221 – a new MLS playoff attendance record. Who says Americans don’t appreciate soccer? It was an electric atmosphere at the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Here’s hoping the soccer bug spreads from Atlanta to the rest of the country, much like airborne virus from Outbreak (highly underrated motion picture) did in 1995.

A Star is Born

Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

If you did happen to watch the Crew’s victory over Atlanta, you were more than likely witness to birth of a new US soccer star. Zack Steffen, the 22 year old netminder of the Columbus Crew, stole the show with 8 unbelievable saves that enabled the Crew (#SavetheCrew – story for another day) to shock Atlanta and their fans. The new coach of the USMNT will certainly have to look in Steffen’s direction when piecing together the next roster. The young goalie’s athleticism and personality would be the perfect addition to the lifeless squad that failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Until next time,

McHale

Johnson Bademosi — The Next Man Up

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Flashback to September.  The New England Patriots brought in corner back Johnson Bademosi from the Detroit Lions for just a 2019 sixth-round draft pick. Originally Bademosi was acquired as a solution to the depth problem at corner. However, his niche on the team might have changed after the past few weeks. Injuries to Stephon Gilmore and Eric Rowe sent Bademosi to the starting lineup in Weeks 6 and 7, which will influence his role later on.

When the Patriots rolled into East Rutherford to take on the Jets, they did not know how Bademosi would perform. Stephon Gilmore and Eric Rowe, the number two and three cornerbacks, were both inactive going into Week 6 with injuries. Jonathan Jones took over operations as corner in nickel formation while Bademosi relieved Gilmore’s duties. After a 24-17 victory, Bademosi logged in five tackles, being present in the Patriots’ secondary for 96% of defensive snaps. That following Monday, Coach Belichick praised Bademosi on WEEI’s Dale & Holley with Rich Keefe.

“[He] did a great job for us”, Belichick reflected. “He played [73] plays on defense, 14 in the kicking game, and we really didn’t know that he was going to play until Saturday- defensively. To have a big role like that, it says a lot for for his preparation, and he came through for us.”

Johnson earned another starting nod this past weekend with Super Bowl 51 opponent Atlanta Falcons. He rose to the challenge of covering Pro Bowl receiver Julio Jones, and posted a considerable first half:

At the conclusion of the game Bademosi recorded seven tackles and a pass deflection, letting up only thirty one yards. For the second week in a row he stayed on the field for 96% of defensive snaps, tying Malcolm Butler. Bademosi’s one pass deflection came from a huge third down-and-short stop intended for Julio Jones.

“If you want to win games you have to be able to stop teams on third down, and everybody knows that”, Bademosi reflects. “We have to do that on defense.”

What’s to come for Johnson now that he is on the rise? The Patriots still are not in the clear, still having offensive powerhouses Raiders and Steelers left in their season. In a press conference on Tuesday, Belichick hinted on Bademosi’s future role:

“The guys that play the best play the most. The guys that don’t play as well continue to keep working until their performance either moves ahead of somebody else’s or they get an opportunity because of circumstances.”

As Gilmore and Rowe return from injury hopefully in the near future, the corner could still see an increase in reps after showing success. All the practice and preparation Johnson Bademosi has clocked in will not go unnoticed by Belichick. He will find a way to incorporate him more in the secondary, because he is potentially the next man up.