Tag Archives: Patriots

Dez Bryant to the Patriots?

Dez Bryant in a Patriots Uniform?

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (right) talks with receiver Dez Bryant (88) before an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, Sunday, November 15, 2015. The Buccaneers defeated the Cowboys, 10-6. (James D. Smith via AP)Dez Bryant is about to be released by the Dallas Cowboys. With Brandin Cooks gone and the lack of a deep threat, should the Patriots try to sign Dez Bryant? Overall, Dez Bryant has scored 73 touchdowns in his career. Bryant could be the missing piece the Patriots need to fill the whole of Brandin Cooks. New England comes into this season without Danny Amendola and Brandin Cooks. Cooks wasn’t really productive when he was here, but the hole Danny Amendola is leaving is big. Especially in the playoffs. Jordan Matthews has some big shoes to fill to replace Danny Amendola.

Dez Bryant Has Similarities to Randy Moss

Via Caleb RandallDez Bryant is your Randy Moss type of receiver regarding his personality. Randy Moss, though, was much worse in Oakland than Bryant is with the Cowboys. Bryant can really have the chance to win in New England and be productive in the Patriot offense. It will be a big loss for Dallas, but he deserves a chance at being on a winning team. Dallas is good; they just seem to be missing pieces like leadership.

As for the Patriots, Julian Edelman is coming back from an ACL injury. Rob Gronkowski has a hard time staying on the field. As for Jordan Matthews, he played in ten games last season and had one touchdown. Bryant played in 16 games last season and scored six touchdowns. If Edelman, Gronkowski, or Matthews gets hurt, at least Brady will have someone decent to throw too.

Today Bryant will meet with Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones to discuss his future with the Cowboys. Let’s see how this plays out. If he gets released, the Patriots should be all in on him. Who knows, he could be a legit player for the Patriots for a few years beyond this one too.

Julian Edelman’s Instagram Story

Julian Edelman’s Shot at Bill Belichick

In the video above, you see Julian Edelman being worked on by Alex Guerrero. Edelman by the sound of his voice sounds like he’s really doing this on purpose to stick it to Belichick. By making this video, Edelman is really sticking up for his teammates Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. As I said before: don’t be surprised if you see Edelman start saying he isn’t happy with Belichick’s style either. This is the first sign of it.

Edelman and Brady were throwing inside the practice field the other day. Edelman is coming off ACL surgery and needs to get back on top of his game. As for Belichick, this just proves my point that he’s just sick of Brady going over his head and thinking he has the answers. Which is why Belichick will be leaving after this season.

Edelman Getting Ready for the Season

Edelman is going to the extreme by posting this video to his Instagram story. Again, I’m not sure if the players, especially Brady or Gronk, know this will be Belichick’s last season. I’m pretty sure they are trying to keep that in-house or so they thought. Edelman and Brady are best friends. When Brady came out with TB12, Edelman started JE11. If Edelman or Gronkowski get hurt this season Belichick will be upset. But he also might call them out again for training at TB12. Belichick will walk away with his head held high from everything he’s accomplished.

Everyone knows this video will make Belichick upset, just like Gronk telling Amendola to ‘BE FREE, BE HAPPY’.  But he can give an I told you so to Robert Kraft at the end of this season about trading the next guy when Brady will be gone at the end of his contract. Consequently, the Patriot Way is starting to be the player’s way.

 

Should Alex Guerrero Be Allowed to Work with the Patriots?

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Alex Guerrero: Health Guru / Locker Room Menace

This past season for the New England Patriots was filled with more drama involving its own clubhouse than I can ever remember in recent history. The drama started to unfold when Seth Wickersham cited a rift between Kraft, Belichick, and Tom Brady. The drama stemmed back to one man: Alex Guerrero.

For those not familiar with Mr. Guerrero, he is Tom Brady’s trainer, health guru, close personal friend, and now ENEMY of Bill Belichick. The Wickersham report basically stated that Belichick was unhappy with Guerrero’s presence in the clubhouse and on the sidelines, which ultimately lead to a ban him from being associated with the Patriots. To no one’s surprise this did not settle well with TB12, who loves having this guy around. Let’s face it, he played an ENORMOUS role in saving Tom’s career.

SIDE NOTE – Not sure if anyone noticed in Tom vs Time, but EVERY TIME Brady got treatment at the Patriots facility, it appeared to be on a massage bed in some sort of luxury suite.

 

(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Should He Be Allowed to Work with the Team?

The question football fans have surrounding this situation is an easy one: is Bill taking this entire situation too far? My answer is simple. Yes, he is going WAY too far with this one, and usually I don’t question The Hoodie (unless it comes to sitting Malcolm in the Super Bowl). But I have to question this decision from an outsider’s standpoint.

It has been speculated that not only Tom, but other Patriot players have reached out to Alex for help with battling injuries or his health methods. Guys like Jimmy G, Gronk, Julian Edelman, and now Malcolm Mitchell have been reported as other players seeking for Guerrero’s guidance and methods. Don’t get me wrong, I can understand Bill’s perspective behind banning Alex from the locker room because he doesn’t want to undermine the trainers. But guess what Bill: TIMES CHANGE, METHODS CHANGE, THINGS CHANGE. If certain guys want to enhance their health and ability to perform on the field and for the good of the team, then let them. Nothing wrong with new methods.

Malcolm Mitchell, Julian Edelman, and Rob Gronkowski do have something in common with Tom Brady, and that is INJURIES. These three guys knew beforehand about Tom tearing his ACL and also being 40 years of age, yet still playing at the highest level imaginable. Why wouldn’t these guys want to seek help from the same man who put Tom’s health and training over the edge? With Julian tearing his ACL too, and the numerous injuries Gronkowski has sustained, why wouldn’t they want to get better and improve for the long-term? It’s a NO BRAINER! Let these guys do what they have to do! And let’s immediately get them some avocado ice cream!

 

photo credit- @OnlyInBos

Closing Argument

Since working with Guerrero, Tom Brady has been an absolute mad man. A man on a mission. An old dog still in the fight, and off his chain. The last thing I want to do is upset the Greatest of All Time. Brady has credited his recent success in large part to Alex and the worth ethic that he has. A no days off mentality, and boy has it showed. Tom is going to be 41 and is still THE BEST QB in the NFL.

I 100% back Tom in this decision and hope Bill doesn’t ruin relationships over Alex and his methods. Alex should just be hired by the team and  guys who want to train with him can do so. There’d be no chastising like Rob Gronkowski dealt with in a locker room incident. Tom, Bill, and Robert Kraft have built a legacy together here in New England. One can only assume they won’t let a trainer get in between that and ruin another Super Bowl run… Or a friendship

 

 

BOTTOM LINE- Dont piss off the GOAT !

 

 

Bill Belichick Is Building a Team for the Future

Inside The “Patriot Way”

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)

According to an insider at Patriot Place, Bill Belichick retiring after this season. It’s clear through what he’s doing this off-season. Bill Belichick will build a team through the draft. So, when Josh McDaniels is the head coach next season, he will have a fairly young squad. The Patriots need to start planning for the next ten years, which means post-Brady and Belichick, starting this season. Belichick won’t leave Josh McDaniels stranded when he leaves after this season. Belichick will make sure Josh has the right players to win. That means a new quarterback too, Tom. A quarterback will be drafted in this upcoming NFL draft like I’ve previously stated.

FOXBORO, MA – SEPTEMBER 22: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots (R) talks with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels during the first half against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 22, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Bill Belichick Has High Praise for Josh McDaniels

Belichick has always highly praised Josh McDaniels. However, it just goes against the “Patriot Way” for Bill or Josh to come right out and say that this will be Bill’s last season. This draft class has bad wide receivers, which means Tom Brady could have a very hard time if Edelman or Gronkowski gets hurt. It will be up to 41-year-old Tom Brady to carry the team, like he has for 19 seasons.

However, Bill Belichick will ride off into the sunset after this season, giving Josh everything he needs to be successful. Also, Brady will be forced out because he won’t want to be on a rebuilding team. But he can say that he was on a team with Josh McDaniels as a head coach. It’s not certain if Brady knows this will be Bill Belichick’s last season. But when he does find out this is how these next two seasons will play out behind the walls of Gillette Stadium.

The First Episode of “Tom vs. Time” Was Different from the Last Episode

Via hubwav

Remember the beginning of “Tom Vs. Time” when Brady said, “I’m willing to give up my life. Are you willing to give up yours?” Then in episode six, after Jimmy Garoppolo trade, he says, “Why are we doing this?” Also, he began talking about spending more time with his family this off-season. It seems Kraft is on both sides when it comes to Belichick and Brady. He was on Brady’s side last year with getting rid of Jimmy Garoppolo. Now, this off-season he’s siding with Belichick. The man who wants to build a team for Josh McDaniels when he takes over next season.

Can We Move on from Malcolm Butler?

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.

Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft Speak

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.

Gotham Chopra Speaks About Being Tom vs. Time Director

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.

 

Grading the Patriots’ Offseason so Far

It’s for certain that the Patriots are cleaning house at One Patriot Place. The Patriots have cut ties with Danny Amendola, Dion Lewis, Nate Solder, and Malcolm Butler. It’s fun to speculate at how this offseason is different from previous years. Last year they made a lot more moves, and really who worked out? Brandin Cooks wasn’t great, Kony Ealy was a bust and so was Dwyane Allen. Right now the Patriots have less talent now than they did in the Super Bowl. All they have right now are players from the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns.

Amendola Looks Depressed

Via Twitter

I saw the video of Amendola trying to pump up the Miami crowd. He looked like a kid that didn’t get what they wanted. Amendola left on his own because he wanted to be free from Belichick. If things were different in Foxborough maybe he would’ve stayed in New England. Malcolm Butler was forced out as well, which was obvious. Solder was offered the same amount of money from the Patriots he was with the Giants, and he chose the Giants for a different environment.

Brady All About His Brand

Jan 16, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s look at what Tom Brady has thinking about. He’s really has been making his rounds this past week, with his media tours and selling his brand. Also, he doesn’t feel appreciated by Belichick. A lot of other prominent players agree. In the first episode of Tom VS. Time, Brady said that he puts everything into playing football, and how he makes sure he’s prepared. Brady in the final episode, however, talked about more of his family and being there for them. Even Gisele said he’s been through a lot these last few years with not only Deflate-Gate but with Garoppolo creeping up behind him too. It just seems Brady, now that he’s going to be 41 and doesn’t feel like he’s having a good time anymore, might be eyeing his last days playing football.

What’s in Store for the Future for the Patriots?

Via GoogleHowever if I’m Belichick, I’m not happy because I was just forced to trade the next guy in Garoppolo. To keep Brady for three more years. The contract with Brady is still up in the air and seems Brady is giving Belichick a hard time about it. So far I give the Patriots offseason a C.

 

Malcolm Butler Got His Wish

Malcolm Butler Is on to the Titans

Jan 21, 2018; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) celebrates against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the AFC Championship at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsThe Super Bowl hero three years ago finally got his wish last night and got paid. Malcolm Butler is headed to the Tennessee Titans on a five year $61 million dollar contract. The controversy surrounding why he didn’t play in the Super Bowl is obvious. Belichick thought he could win without him. The Patriots have some questionable things going on this season, and Butler not playing has been the final straw.

Money Wasn’t an Issue

Via USA Today

The Patriots made an offer to Butler last season for 6 years and $66 million, according to Field Yates. Also that would be about $25.5 million guaranteed. Altogether, it was five seasons added to the free agent tender he singed last year for $3.9 million. According to 247 Sports, Butler would’ve made $62 million from 2018-2022. That is more than the Titans contact. One thing is for certain- money wasn’t the reason why he left. He, like the rest of the Patriots, are sick of the dictatorship at One Patriot Place. They would rather have fun and be on a losing team and make millions. I say go ahead. If you don’t like to win Super Bowls, then the Patriots aren’t for you.

Butler Now Gets Paid

FOXBORO, MA – OCTOBER 22: Malcolm Butler #21 of the New England Patriots breaks up a pass inteded for Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons during the fourth quarter of a game at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Butler was mad that the Patriots gave that huge contract to Stephon Gilmore, who had a down year this season. Belichick thought Butler didn’t have a good week of practice leading up to the Super Bowl. He did what he thought was best; to bench Butler for the entire game. Honestly, not putting him in for one play says a lot. As long as you have Brady he’ll make the plays to win the game. However, it didn’t work in this Super Bowl against the Eagles. For Malcolm Butler, he can be free and be himself. He doesn’t have to worry about sitting the bench and crying on the sidelines.

Patriots Acquire DT Danny Shelton from Browns

Danny Shelton to the Pats

Cleveland’s fire sale shows no signs of ending. Earlier today John Dorsey and the Browns agreed to send defensive tackle Danny Shelton to the Patriots, per ESPN.

The Browns made headlines yesterday after their new GM Dorsey made three blockbuster trades. In the past 24 hours, Cleveland has jump-started their roster by bringing in Jarvis Landry, Tyrod Taylor, and Damarious Randall. The Browns’ front office is going all out to make moves in their pursuit to change their status in the NFL from chumps to champs.

The Patriots are bringing in Danny Shelton in pursuit to fix their pass rush woes. With Alan Branch out of the picture after the team denied his option, Shelton can carve his way into a starting role. In his three seasons in the NFL, Danny Shelton has 128 tackles (71 solo) and 1.5 sacks. He started for the Browns for 44 of the 46 games he was active. According to Pro Football Focus, Danny Shelton has a grade of 81.5, ranking in the upper percentile of defensive tackles. He is a huge value acquisition for the Patriots, considering that he only has a $3.7 million cap hit for the 2018 season. Shelton is the run-stuffing tackle that New England needs to correspond with their pass rush. He can be the support the defensive line needs to be able to get to opposing quarterbacks more often.

Courtesy of 247Sports

Cover image courtesy of waitingfornextyear.com.