Tag Archives: Patriots

Gronk spikes trade deal – No Brady, No Dice

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TRADE TALK BEFORE THE 2018 DRAFT

Rob Gronkowski was almost traded to the Detroit Lions during the offseason, leading up to the Draft. After Sunday’s loss to Detroit, Rob Gronkowski was asked about all the rumblings of the trade. Gronk casually answered saying, “Yeah it happened, Tom Brady’s my quarterback, that’s all. Wasn’t going anywhere without Brady.”

Gronk and Brady

Staff photo by John Wilcox.

Before the 2018 NFL Draft, Bill Belichick was looking to deal Rob Gronkowski. Rumors of talks with the Lions and Titans were being thrown around. Bill was talking with his ex Patriot friends in an attempt to move the All World tight end. Adam Schefter went on WEEI’s morning show ‘Kirk and Callahan’ Monday for an interview about the situation. According to Schefter “It would’ve been a trade involving draft picks, that was the basic trade.” He continued on about Gronkowski, “He was the only player involved in the trade and it would’ve been a combination of picks.”

HOW GRONKOWSKI NIXED THE TRADE

During the offseason Rob Gronkowski was uncertain about things, he made that clear minutes after the Super Bowl. Since Gronk showed signs of uncertainty, Bill had to keep thinking about the team and its future. Bill has never been one to wait and see about a player, he makes the necessary moves for the team. Apparently, he did and the trade was pretty much done until Gronkowski caught wind of the situation. Schefter again noted, “Basically the deal was all but agreed to, he was going to go to Detroit, and when he found out he called the Patriots.”

Now, this is coming from an NFL insider, not the Patriots or Rob Gronkowski, yet it does seem to line up with the offseasons timeline of events. Gronk and the Patriots did have a meeting before the draft, which was newsworthy because it ended the trade speculation. As Rob Gronkowski said Sunday night, he wasn’t going anywhere without Tom Brady. So what was said during the meeting is unknown to the public, but the end result is clear. New England was the only team Rob Gronkowski would play for, it did not matter if it was the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles. If Brady wasn’t throwing him the ball, he was ready to retire.

Gronkowski

Via USA Today

NO TRADE WITH A HAPPY ENDING

For Patriot fans, the meeting between the Patriots and Gronkowski’s camp, right before the draft worked out. Rob was adamant about what he wanted, which led to Bill Belichick and the Pats agreeing to keep the tight end. I’m sure Bill had his own demands for Gronkowski as well, in the end, it all worked out.

Rob Gronkowski wasn’t traded, his deal was reworked with incentives again. If he reaches those incentives he will receive $4.3 million this season. New England doesn’t have to worry about the cap hit because of Gronkowski’s new deal, it barely changes. So, in the end, both sides seem to have benefited from that meeting before the draft. For fans of the Patriots, everything turned out great. If it wasn’t for Gronk calling the team to have a meeting, a lot of things in New England could’ve changed not just the TE. Luckily this is in the past, everyone has one goal in 2018 and that’s bringing home the Lombardi.

Was Sony Michel overhyped?

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Is Sony Michel a dud?

With the 31st pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Patriots select Sony Michel. So far in the last two games, Michel can’t get in sync with Brady along with the entire offense. Michel was supposed to be this explosive running back and replace Dion Lewis. From the last two games, I would rather have Dion Lewis back. At least he would get a first down on third and one.  Lewis wouldn’t get stopped half the times Michel has in the last two weeks. Maybe it’s a little early to be judging but when Brady is calling Michel out then there’s a problem.

Brady only wants players who can make plays in the game

Last night Brady said he wanted White in the game more.  “Yeah, he had a great catch and had some good runs there at the end. He’s just a great player for us. So, you’re right. He’s gotta be involved. Guys who can make plays are the ones that should be involved. And James is certainly one of them. Guys who can make plays are the ones that should be involved, ” Brady said. In the entire game last night, White had just three touches overall. Meanwhile, overhyped Sony Michel is getting carries left and right throughout the game and getting nowhere, which is leaving Brady frustrated because he can’t get it.

Last night Michel rushed for 50 yards on 14 carries. While James White had that nice touchdown catch from Brady for the only touchdown in the game. Michel had missed a lot in training camp because of a knee injury that kept him out most of the preseason too.  If he’s not fully ready to come back, then he shouldn’t be on the field. It should be the running back who can push the ball up the field and make plays. For Michel, I’m not sure he’s really ready yet, but I could be wrong and he has a great season. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.

The Patriots lost to a bad team and there’s no excuse

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The Patriots loss last night was worse than the Jacksonville one

Last night’s game for the Patriots was dreadful as they get. The Patriots didn’t get a first down until almost the end of the first half. It’s like the Patriots aren’t together on offense and defense. The Patriots desperately need Julian Edelman back because after Gronkowski, White, and Brady the rest of that offense is nonexistent. Patterson runs the wrong route which makes Brady throw the ball to nobody which then is an intentional grounding penalty. Dorsett can’t get open or he drops passes. Chris Hogan seems like he’s not even on the field, and Gronkowski is double covered so Brady has nobody to throw to.

What’s going on with the ‘Patriot Way?’

There was no excuse to lose that game to the terrible Lions who hate their new head coach. The New York Jets went into Detroit and destroyed the Lions two weeks ago. The Patriots, on the other hand, couldn’t do the same with the best quarterback in the game. Why? Because the receivers are weak and the running game besides James White is awful too. Sony Michel is a disappointment so far. I know he’s a rookie but things would be different if they had Dion Lewis and Danny Amendola to help the offense. Someone that can catch the ball would also be nice.

Patrick Chung and Trey Flowers were big losses last night, however as a whole they need to get better on defense or they won’t beat anybody. Gronkowski talking about how the reports were true about him only wanting to play with Brady. That’s fine however what happened to ‘that’s in the past I’m focused on this season.’ Now there’s some pressure on the Patriots to win in week 4 against the Miami Dolphins. If they fall to 1-3 you won’t hear the end of the drama in Foxborough. This loss seems different than last week to Jacksonville and Kansas City in 2014 they don’t seem together or on the same page. When Edelman comes back, maybe the offense will have some life.

Why Bill Belichick disciples have been failures

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Bill Belichick is arguably the greatest coach of all time, and he has been since 2000. With all of the Patriots success, it makes sense for other teams to hire his assistants such as Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia. This should definitely work, right? The coaches can use the Patriots system and everything will be perfect, right? Well, no, that’s not how it works. Bill Belichick disciples have been failures, and here is why.

The myth of “The System”

Many people think that the Patriots have been using the same system for seventeen years and it never changes. This is not true because strategies change every year, game, and play. Bill Belichick is very good at game planning for a specific team and attacking that teams flaws. If a team has a bad secondary, then Tom Brady will drop back 50 times that game. If a team struggles against the run, then the backs will be featured heavily. This seems like a very simple concept to understand, but so many coaches are stubborn and do the same thing every week. Other teams can game plan against them so easily because they know exactly what they are going to do.

Belichick is also very good at making in-game adjustments and decisions. If the game plan is not working, he can change it on the spot and figure things out. Also, when the game is on the line he knows how to strategically manage the game. The two most famous examples are the intentional safety and Super Bowl 49. After Marshawn Lynch’s run from the five, Pats fans were yelling at the TV wanting a timeout. Belichick decided to let the clock run down, and we all know what happened next.

Coaching players up and keeping them in line

Bill Belichick is very good at coaching players up and getting the most out of them. He can find the seventh round pick or journeyman and turn him into a serviceable player. Last year, the Patriots got to the super bowl with James Harrison, Kyle Van Noy, Elandon Roberts, and Eric Lee starting. Harrison was a washed-up veteran, Van Noy was traded for a sixth-round pick and has been good since he was traded to New England in 2016. Even though the defense was the reason they lost that game, no other coach in the NFL could come close to the Super Bowl with that roster.

Even though Bill Belichick has taken shots on players with a troubled past, he knows how to keep his players in line. Belichick does not have a great personality, most of the players like him and wants to play for him. One game into the season, it was reported that the veterans on the Lions do not like Matt Patricia. Also, one of the reasons Josh McDaniels was fired from the Broncos is because of off the field issues with players.

Bottom line

The student will never be as smart as the teacher. Bill Belichick is the best coach in football and there may never be a coach as smart as him. It is impossible to copy and paste what Belichick has done over the past seventeen years because he does almost everything perfectly.

FLASHback to 2007’s Offense

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COMPARING THE 2007 SEASON TO THIS YEARS TEAM OFFENSIVELY

In 2007, New England was a juggernaut on offense. As far as regular seasons go, well, the Patriots went undefeated. Of course, this season won’t be perfect, the offense could look quite familiar. Josh Gordon recently picked up by New England, has many fans very excited. First and foremost, he is not Randy Moss 2.0. I want to make that clear.

However, if Gordon can fall in line, keep his nose in the playbook and contribute all season, then we could be in for quite the show. The comparisons this year to the undefeated regular season are fair, hear me out.

Let’s compare Offenses

(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

DIFFERENT NAMES – SAME GAME

New England’s offense in 2007 was unstoppable, mainly because of Randy Moss and Wes Welker. Other key players had their roles as well, only one player remains – Tom Brady. 2007 will go down as one of the best complete football teams of all time, if not the best. Here is what the offense looked like.

Starting off is Tom Brady, who has seemed to have gotten better with age. As he admits himself, “I feel like I’ve played better the last eight years then I did my first ten.”

Next, let’s look at the running game. Laurence Maroney handled the heavy workload. Patriots HOF’er Kevin Faulk and Sammy Morris as the 3rd down change of pace backs. Heath Evans was the fullback.

Jumping ahead to this season, SB hero James White, Rex Burkhead, and rookie Sony Michel can all either be RBs or receivers in the slot or split out wide. In today’s NFL, I’d give the slight edge to this season’s RB core, as moving the ball through the air is more important than ever. Defenses can’t tell whether it’s a run or pass play when any of these players step on the field. Also, James Devlin is used at FB to open up running lanes and catch the ball as well.

SB hero James White

Photo Courtesy of Sports Illustrated

PASS CATCHING COMPARISONS

Randy Moss is in the HOF, Josh Gordon is not Randy Moss. However, if Gordon is the best version of himself, he will fill the Moss role, which is taking the top off the defense with his size and speed. Brady hasn’t had this since Randy Moss, with the obvious edge going to Moss, with one caveat – the rest of the pass catchers overall compared to this year.

With Gordon attempting to do his best Moss impersonation, Brady now has a real deep threat. His targets also include Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, and Philip Dorsett with special teams ace, Corderelle Patterson, being involved in some packages each game.

Josh Gordon opening up the field for these receivers will not allow defenses to double. If they do, Brady will find one of the open players. Looking at this year’s pass catchers and 2007 receivers, it’s the same concept with similarly skilled players except for Moss. Now, 2018 now has a beast like him plus Rob Gronkowski. That alone is scary for opponents.

JE11 in the slot

Edelman will be back in the slot, with Gordon opening up the field. Just like Welker did in 2007

Patriots offensively in 2007, besides Randy, had an aging local legend in Troy Brown, another Patriot HOF player, along with Wes Welker, Donte Stallworth, and Jabar Gaffney. They didn’t have a huge part of this comparison in Rob Gronkowski. Ben Watson was good along with Brady, but it’s not close to Gronk alone.  2018 also adds Hollister in the mix. So, can this year’s team look anything like the 2007 Patriots?

IN CONCLUSION, WHERE DOES THIS SEASON’S OFFENSE STACK UP?

Going through it by positions was interesting, and all these comparisons depend on one player, who’s never been dependable. In the event Josh Gordon does click with Tom Brady, this year’s Patriots team will do some serious damage. As I see it, this years RB group can be better than 2007.

Pass catchers; if everything goes to plan, will put up eye-popping numbers. Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon and Chris Hogan with the RBs will keep defenses up at night.

No, this season won’t be as prolific as the undefeated team but will have a similar feeling to it. As always, health will play a factor as well of the offensive line.

Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are still here, with players comparable or better to the 2007 team. Still, it’s too early to tell what will happen next.

No Tom Brady led offense will ever be as good, but this year is the closest it will get. Imagine all of this coming after the recent WR drama throughout the last few months.

The Brady-Belichick drama sounds like a broken record

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Brady and Belichick don’t play golf together, but they share the same goals about winning

Cue the ‘fake news’ from people after they read reports of Brady wanting to leave the Patriots in March. It’s all based on a new book about “Belichick: The Making of The Greatest Football Coach of All Time.” This was written by Ian O’Connor after the 2017 season. All the drama surrounding these two is really old news at this point. Also, Brady said he wants to play until 45; however, he never said he’d finish his career in New England. If it was up to owner Robert Kraft, Brady would retire as a Patriot. I still believe Belichick walks at the end of the season, and Josh McDaniels will take over. If that happens, Brady will be a Patriots until the age of 45.

Belichick will probably retire at the end of the season

As for this new book on Belichick, a few quotes really stuck out from people with knowledge of the Brady and Belichick relationship. They told Ian  O’Connor that Brady would divorce Belichick. “If you’re married 18 years to a grouchy person who gets under your skin and never compliments you, after a while, you want to divorce him. Tom knows Bill is the best coach in the league, but he’s had enough of him. If Tom could, I think he would divorce him.” Belichick himself did not do an interview for the book.

Brady was uncertain if he wanted to be a Patriot as of late March. However, he couldn’t ask for a trade because the fans of New England would be irate and also Kraft. They just had traded Jimmy Garoppolo and if Brady then asked to be traded, he would never live it down. All the talk about Brady and Belichick is really starting to sound like a broken record. By now we get it, they hate each other but share the same goals. Now Belichick stripped the receiving core this year to make it harder for Brady. Now the Patriots got Josh Gordon, who is a headache off the field, but hopefully, he’s productive on the field.

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Tom Brady Appears Questionable About Josh Gordon

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Tom Brady speaks about Josh Gordon

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady seems questionable about the trade the Patriots made for Josh Gordon. Josh Gordon has had his troubles on and off the field. Gordon told GQ in November that his ritual before and after games was drinking, smoking, and partying.

“We would stay at the team hotel and then players are allowed to go back home, get what they need, and then go to the game. So I’d leave the hotel early morning, go home, eat breakfast, do my little ritual, whatever it may be, some weed, some alcohol, and then go to the game. And then, I’d definitely be partying after every game, win or lose. Every game.”

Brady hasn’t had a big name receiver since Randy Moss

Tom Brady hasn’t really had a deep threat since Randy Moss. Moss was different because he never was into hard drugs off the field or in trouble with the law. Brady told Westwood One yesterday

“I hate to make projections and expectations, That’s not fair. I’ve never met Josh, personally — just like I hadn’t met some of the guys who have come in the last couple of weeks. We’ll see how it goes this week. Hopefully, he can work hard, put the team first, and end up helping us in any role that he can find for himself on the team.”

It doesn’t seem too promising, but Brady realizes at this point the Patriots are desperate and needed to do something at the position.

I can see why Brady would be questionable about the move. Gordon could be just like Chad Ochocinco or have a great season as Moss did. Belichick doesn’t put up with the distractions or the nonsense, so if Gordon does miss a meeting you can expect to see Gordon off the team quickly. Gordon is quick and can get open which is what the Patriots need especially with Edelman out until October.

No Need to Panic About the Patriots

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New England Patriot fans should not panic over the loss to Jacksonville. Every year the Patriots seem to have a hiccup or two in September, and every year people are in panic mode. 2018 has started the same way three particular seasons have started, but ended in February.

No need to panic

(AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Patriots Start Slow and Finish Strong

Let’s look back to September 7th 2014 against Miami. In Week 1 the Dolphins took it to the Patriots, holding the offense to zero points in the second half. New England dropped the first game of the season 33-20 to start 0-1. After that first game people were concerned, it wasn’t until Week 4 until panic set in throughout New England.

Monday night football against the Chiefs was a complete nightmare for fans, and a celebration across the country that the dynasty was finally over. New England was embarrassed on national TV, losing 41-14 leaving them 2-2 to start the season. Bill Belichick’s famous line, “we are on to Cincinnati” was repeated to every postgame question. Panic had set in by this point, all for nothing. New England didn’t panic. They went to Cincinnati and dismantled the Bengals 43-17. As the season went on the Patriots only lost two games after that, ending 12-4 to go on to win their first Super Bowl in ten years.

Two Years Later No Need to Panic Again Right?

In 2016 the Patriots got shut out at home 16-0 by the Buffalo Bills, again a bad loss in the first four games. Unlike 2014 the panic wasn’t as high, but there was concern. Just as it happened in 2014, New England started with an early loss, yet they only dropped one other game, ending the season 14-2. With a great playoff run, Patriots fans were once again in panic mode during the Super Bowl. Down 28-3 with just minutes left in the 3rd quarter, once again this team showed why they shouldn’t be doubted and how they Never panic. Another nail-biting situation, the Patriots went on to make the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history beating Atlanta in overtime.

Photo Credit: Yahoo Sports

Last year Patriots fans were in shock, more panic than ever

2017 started out with some reconstruction to the stadium, making room for a fifth banner. Fan’s were in a state of euphoria, as the Patriots had just won two Super Bowls in three years. Opening night had arrived, the circus was in town like Bill Belichick has said about banner games since 2001. Something else had arrived that night at Gillette, the Kansas City Chiefs. After all the fireworks and celebration, New England came out looking confused on defense. History was about to repeat itself once more in 2017. Kansas City embarrassed the Patriots on national TV again, beating the defending champs 42-27.

Again New England started the season 0-1, but it got worse as the defense couldn’t figure it out for the first four weeks, losing in Week 4 to the Carolina Panthers 33-30. Another 2-2 start to the season led fans to start getting worried again, just like usual the Patriots only lost one other game that year. Ending the season 13-3 and getting back to the Super Bowl again. Only this time the Patriots didn’t win the final game of the year, but it just goes to show, this is just what happens with the Patriots. They start off a little slow, not showing all their cards, still figuring things out. So should fans be worried about starting 2018 1-1? No, the answer is written in history. Especially this season with so much turnover from last year.

New England is going to take the first four games to figure everything out like they have been for years. September is an extension of the preseason for the Patriots to try different things, while they might start off slow fans should know by now they always finish strong. New England is on to Detroit after a familiar September loss, with a new WR and rookie RB Sony Michel. I’m here to say to anyone who is worried. Look at the recent timeline of events, there is no need to panic.

Bill Belichick Still Won’t Talk About Josh Gordon

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Bill Belichick Silent on Josh Gordon

The Patriots signed Josh Gordon, however, Belichick won’t talk about it. It’s not even known if Gordon is even in Foxborough yet for his physical. With Gordon’s very bad history of staying in the league due to his substance abuse issues, Belichick could be smart and not announce the acquisition yet. Again, Gordon is a higher risk than Randy Moss with off-field issues with substance abuse. New England isn’t the Cleveland Browns- they actually care about winning here.

Gordon Has Played in 41 Games and Caught 16 Touchdowns in His Career

Bringing in troubled players off the field has been a recipe for Belichick. However, is Gordon the worst out of the bunch? Let’s look at Corey Dillion, who had his troubles with the law from DUI’s to domestic violence arrests. In three years with the Patriots he rushed for 3,180 yards and 37 touchdowns. Albert Haynesworth didn’t have the work ethic on the field to keep up with the Patriots. His off-field issues were not as bad as substance abuse, but he did owe lots of child support. Chad Ochocinco couldn’t get the Patriots offense at all, which could be a concern for Gordon down the road.

As for Belichick’s conference call this morning he’s playing it smart. What if something happens and he fails his physical. Now Gordon can’t play on Sunday and could get released before he even steps onto the field. It probably is also the reason why Brady was a little skeptical of the troubled wide receiver too. Tomorrow is practice and Belichick will meet the media. By then Gordon should’ve already had his physical all set and ready to practice with his teammates. Also, the press conference will be a must watch. Again, the Browns aren’t the Patriots. One mess up and you’re gone.

Brady Having Trouble Trusting His Receivers

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Brady Really Needs a Reliable Receiver

Brady is really struggling to connect with this wide receiving group, and it really showed in New England’s Week 2 loss to Jacksonville. With Kenny Britt coming back to work out for the Patriots today is a sign the Patriots are desperate at the position. It’s really just been screenplays and handoffs to the running backs for the last two weeks. Chris Hogan has been a complete disappointment so far. You would think with Edelman out he would’ve stepped it up. This receiving group might be even worse than the 2006 receiving group. Tom Brady can’t even throw the ball downfield unless it’s to Gronkowski, who was silent in the game.

Brady Has a Right to Be Frustrated

Tom Brady was livid on the bench in the first half of the game. Josh McDaniels was chewing out the offense also. They would then go down the field and just settle for three points to make it 14-3. I guess you can blame Belichick for giving Brady terrible receivers to work with besides Edelman. But also there is no one better at doing more with less than Brady. However, the guys he’s throwing to need to be able to catch and have a good connection with Brady on the field. In the first half, Brady was 12/18 for 107 yards with no touchdowns and zero interceptions.

At the end of the first half of Brady only connected with two receivers: Chris Hogan and Phillip Dorsett. Altogether it was four receptions for 26 yards. That isn’t good enough because Blake Bortles was looking like an NFL MVP in the first half also tearing up the Patriots defense. Overall if Brady can’t connect with this receiving group then this is going to be a long season. Finally Belichick is giving Tom Brady someone decent to throw to with Josh Gordon now a Patriot.

No Positive’s Taken from This Game

If Edelman comes back and gets hurt this offense is really screwed. You can’t rely on Gronkowski and your running backs to win you games. You need reliable receivers that Brady can trust. Not some no-name first round picks from the Cleveland Browns who will be cut in a week. They should’ve kept Danny Amendola. At least he knew the offense, and Brady wouldn’t put Amendola in a spot where he could actually catch it and not get hurt. But Belichick wants Brady to win more with less and not spend money. The offense has a lot of work to do. Thank God the Patriots play the terrible Lions next week.