Tag Archives: #TB12

Alex Guerrero Back on Board

ALEX GUERRERO BACK IN BILL’S CIRCLE OF TRUST?

Alex Guerrero has boarded the Patriot’s plane for the team’s first road game to Carolina. This is quite a change from last year, which begs the question-what happened to allow Alex back in the mix?

Alex Guerrero looks on from the sideline, Courtesy of The Boston Globe

Last year, Alex Guerrero became a distraction in the Patriot’s locker room. He started to undermind the trainers and team physicians.

Guerrero was telling players that lifting weights and doing squats were a waste of time. He often spoke against the way the team’s trainers were handling and preventing injuries. Bill Belichick had seen enough, leading to Guerrero losing access to the locker room.

ALEX GUERRERO BACK IS A GOOD SIGN

Courtesy of (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)

After Alex Guerrero lost his locker room and sideline access in 2017, Brady made it clear he wasn’t happy. This summer he’s been around the building and at training camp much more. He is working his way back into the mix slowly but surely.

Brady’s contract was made out to be a huge issue for a number of reasons. The glaring focal point was the incentives. As Pats fans know, Tom has never stressed the money. He wants respect, appreciation and Alex Guerrero.

Tom knows that being the top paid QB won’t help his chances at a sixth ring. He does however know that Alex has helped keep him at the top of his game. I believe that Kraft, Belichick, and Brady worked Guerrero into his new contract.

Guerrero flew with the team to Carolina, but don’t expect to see him on the sidelines tomorrow. Bill’s taking baby steps.

Brady Breaking Records: 2018 Edition

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In what is becoming one of my favorite training camp rituals, I am checking out what records the New England Patriots quarterbacking legend, Tom Brady can break in the upcoming season. And let me tell you they are dwindling fast. It is refreshing to take a moment and look at all he has accomplished and the few things he has yet to do in order to prepare myself for those inevitable “Tom Brady is not the greatest quarterback ever” arguments I’ll find myself in.

While he won’t break some of Favre’s more dubious records like most interceptions thrown and only has an outside chance at some of his longevity records. He will probably lose out to the younger Brees on the pure volume statistics when they both decide to retire. He owns virtually every quality and frequency record for the postseason and Super Bowl already.

Without further ado, let’s get into some milestones that we hope Tom Terrific jumps over this season.

Career Passing Touchdowns (including postseason)

Peyton Manning sits at the top with 579. Who is nipping right at his heels? Tom Brady, 559, thank you very much. So a mere 20 touchdown passes from the best quarterback in the game and he will have thrown more touchdowns than any other quarterback ever. Let that sink in. A sixth round pick that’s had to fight for everything he’s had in the game will now be sitting at the very top. He is a little further away from the regular season record and he’s currently tied with Drew Brees at 488. Peyton Manning’s mark is 539 so the likelihood of Brady passing for 51 touchdowns to tie and pass Brees are much slimmer.

Career Passing Yards (including postseason)

Brady just needs less than 3000 yards to break Manning’s record of 79,279 total career passing yards. And Tom Brady could be playing for several more years!! This will be a mark that may be unbreakable. Brees will pass Manning for regular season yards thrown this season and Brady doesn’t have a shot at passing them both this year. He will join the 70,000 regular season yards club this season as the fourth member.

Pro Bowl Selections

For as meaningless as playing in the NFL’s All-Star Game is the selections are a good indicator of ability and popularity. If and when he gets his 14th selection he will move into a logjam with Manning, Merlin Olsen, Bruce Matthews, and Tony Gonzalez. Put that one down for the 2019 season for him to break.

Bonus: How many of those 13 Pro Bowls did Brady actually play in? Just twice!!

Fourth Quarter Comebacks and Game Winning Drives

Peyton Manning:

45 Fourth Quarter Comebacks,

56 Game-Winning Drives

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/play-index/comeback.cgi?player=MannPe00

Tom Brady:

42 Fourth Quarter Comebacks,

53 Game-Winning Drives

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/play-index/comeback.cgi?player=BradTo00

This is is from Pro Football Reference. And it is a little tricky to nail down the exact number. But Tom Brady is close. Within two or three of each and he should have a chance at passing him this year or next. Listen for announcers to be using stats like these as the season moves on.

Here is a great Reddit thread of all the records that Brady owns currently

https://www.reddit.com/r/Patriots/comments/7qee4l/i_could_not_find_a_comprehensive_tom_brady_record/

I can’t wait for the 2018 NFL season. To be able to witness the quarterback of my favorite team on the cusp of breaking these records and hopefully to be able compete for another Championship. I am enjoying each and every game because we may not be getting many more if them. Go Pats!

All photos courtesy of Getty images unless noted otherwise.

Be sure to check out other great articles for all your favorite Boston sports teams on Bostonsportsextra.com

Follow me on Twitter @ALykins32
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Devin Lucien Is Primed To Make The Patriots 53-Man Roster

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Devin Lucien is yet again on the roster bubble for the New England Patriots this summer. It seems that in every offseason since 2016, the UCLA and Arizona State wide receiver is battling for a spot on the 53-man roster. This time around, there seems to be something different in the air. Lucien has more than a fighting chance to make the 2018-2019 team.

Third Time’s A Charm

Lucien was drafted 225^th overall in the seventh round of the 2016 draft by the Patriots. This moment was arguably his most significant one in the NFL to date. Lucien struggled to find his footing with the Pats in training camp and was one of the final cuts that summer. He was subsequently signed to the practice squad after clearing waivers.

The Patriots would go on to win the Superbowl that season (28-3, need I say more?) and Lucien would never see the field. That Patriots team was stacked at wide receiver with the likes of Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Chris Hogan, and fellow rookie Malcolm Mitchell. There simply wasn’t room for Lucien on the 53-man roster in the 2016-2017 season.

Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

From there, things continued to spiral out of his control. On February 7^th, 2017, he signed a futures contract with the Patriots but was subsequently placed on injured reserve on September 2^ndwith a bad foot. He was ultimately released with an injury settlement on September 6^th.

The next four months must have been a blur for Lucien, as he suffered through short practice squad stints with the Colts, Chiefs, Texans, and Buccaneers. Finally, less than a month ago, Lucien signed yet again with the Patriots.

A Clean Slate

The new-look Patriots could be a much more favorable home for Lucien this season. The wide receiver corps is already in a precarious position. It looks quite different than it did during Lucien’s rookie tenure on the practice squad. Gone are the days of Amendola and Mitchell catching passes from Tom Brady. Hogan is still here, but he has never been a targets hoarder. Edelman is on the shelf for the first four games of the season.

While there’s plenty of space for Lucien to find his niche at wideout, he’s not entering the second week of the preseason without considerable competition. As of right now, the only locks for the roster are Hogan, Edelman, Matt Slater, and Cordarelle Patterson. Lucien will be battling amidst journeymen veterans (Eric Decker and Kenny Britt), rookie hopefuls (Braxton Berrios), practice squad mainstays (Riley McCarron), and players defined by unfulfilled potential (Phillip Dorsett and Paul Turner).

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

What Lucien has at his advantage is a few seasons working out with Brady and Co. Guys like Decker, Britt, Berrios, and Turner are experiencing their first summer this season in New England. We all know how daunting that can be. Lucien has been a preseason regular for the Pats over the past three seasons. He often showcased some burgeoning chemistry with Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Jacoby Brissett. Now, it’s time for Lucien to break his way through that circle of trust with Brian Hoyer and Danny Etling.

Opening Game Highlight Reel

Lucien looked well on his way to separating himself from the pack in the Patriots first preseason game last week. He notched four catches on six targets for 71 yards, including two crucial snags to lead the team down the field for three points right before halftime. He looked convincingly more prepared than many of his teammates and has been heralded as an under-the-radar standout in practice.

One Game At A Time

“I think that was one of the great things about coming back was having a fresh start,” Lucien said in an interview on Monday. “That was one of the things I really wanted to build upon when I got here. Not being known as a practice squad guy, but possibly being known as a guy who could make the team. I’m just trying to take it day by day. Whatever happens is going to happen. I’m just trying to be as happy as I can while I’m enjoying this.”

Time will tell if Lucien can make the final jump to the 53-man roster. Look for his number to be called early and often on Thursday night against the Eagles.

Q&A with Patriots Offensive Lineman LaAdrian Waddle

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photo cred- www.zimbio.com

This past week I had the opportunity to connect with New England Patriots offensive lineman LaAdrian Waddle via Facebook. LaAdrian is a cool dude and simply posted the question, “what is ok to mix with your eggs?”, in which I put my two cents into his discussion. We had a back and forth that eventually turned into a quick Q&A. Shout out to LaAdrian for taking the time to answer my questions, and to Boston Sports Extra for giving me the opportunity to write for them and reach out to players and be able to speak with them on a level I never thought I could.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with LaAdrian, this dude is a MONSTER. He stands at 6’6 and weighs in at 315 pounds. In other words, the dude is a mack truck. LaAdrian is a Texas native who played his college ball at Texas Tech University, the same college as former Patriot receivers Wes Welker and Danny Amendola. The big man went undrafted out of college and signed on with the Detroit Lions before being cut after an injury ruined his 2014 campaign. He was eventually signed by the Pats and recently re-signed after testing out free agency (Dallas showed interest). We are glad to have him back.

NOW, LETS GET DOWN TO THE Q & A SHALL WE?

Q: What is your all time favorite meal or food?

A (LaAdrian): “Chinese food”

-Not a bad choice at all big fella.

Q: Do you have any superstitions or rituals you carry out before a game?

A: “Nope”

– A man of few words… Nothing wrong with keeping it short and sweet!

Q: Favorite artist out right now if you had to choose one?

A: “Juicy J”

– Okay, can’t lie on this one bud… JUICY J?!? I was hoping for J.Cole, Post Malone, or Kendrick Lamar… But JUICY J? COME ON MANNNNNNN.

Q: Favorite movie of all time, and are you big into the Avengers movies?

A: “Haven’t seen the Avengers yet but I do like all those movies. Don’t really have one favorite movie, just a long list of ones I like.”

– Much respect for being an Avengers/Marvel fan, but everyone has ONE favorite / go to movie, don’t they?!

Q: It seems like Fortnite is the new craze hitting college dorm rooms, living rooms, and even locker rooms. Has it hit your home yet? Are you part of the Fortnite frenzy?

A: “Yeah I be on there getting beat by little kids”

– I feel your pain brother… I’d laugh but honestly the same happens to me, hence why I stopped playing the game…. Damn kids and their video games!

Q: For the most part do you enjoy living in New England?

A: “It’s alright minus the brutal winters. Boston is a cool city but I’m not about that traffic”

– Traffic in Boston… You don’t say?! I hear ya bro, Boston is a great city to be in but I am all set with traffic on a daily basis too big guy!

Q: Who do you got winning the NBA Finals? Give me your “expert” prediction

A: ” Rockets vs Celtics….Rockets win in 7″

– Wow, okay big man. I can’t say I don’t like the picks… Even with Kyrie and Gordon injured I think we still take the East but lose to the West… But my pick is Golden State

Q: Who would you choose as your favorite college teammate at Texas Tech and your favorite teammate on the Patriots?

A: “I’ve had a bunch of great teammates over the years. That’s what makes this game so special.”

– Kept it humble and to a minimum, so no feelings were hurt. I see what you did there!

Q: What is your most memorable moment playing in the NFL?

A: “Playing in Super Bowl LI”

– Cant lie, Super Bowl LI is one of my favorites as a fan too… FALCONS BLEW A 28-3 LEAD… #NeverForget

Q: What ultimately lead to you re-signing with the Patriots? Was it playing for another ring? Playing with Tom and for Bill?

A: “It was the best situation”

– Okay, easy to see Belichick has these guys trained well when it comes to giving answers! NOT EVEN MAD ABOUT IT.#InBillWeTrust

Q: Who are your most competitive teammates on the Patriots on both sides of the ball?

A: “If you’re a Patriot, you’re competitive lol”

– I think he is under the impression I’m trying to set him up. Don’t worry big fella, I see what your doing. I wouldn’t get you in trouble with the locker room!

Q: What are your expectations for the upcoming season?

A: “Have the best season of my career and help this team win a bunch of big games”

– I cant argue with that big man, do your job right?! I like the sound of that!

Q: We all see how crazy Tom Brady is about winning but from your perspective being inside the locker room and being on his side of the ball at practice and during games, just how crazy is he and do you consider him the GOAT like many of us do?

A: ” The reason you play is to win! He is the GREATEST”

-Basically confirmed what we ALL already know… Brady is a MANIAC and he is truly the G.O.A.T.

photo credit- www.nesn.com

This concludes my Q & A with LaAdrian Waddle. Again, I want to give a big shout out to him for taking the time to answer these and give me some insight on him as a person and as a football player. Stay tuned for more to come! Check out Boston Sports Extra on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more articles from our talented and knowledgeable writers!

GO PATS!

Should Alex Guerrero Be Allowed to Work with the Patriots?

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(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 !

OPEN LETTER TO THE G.O.A.T – TB12

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Dear Tommy (or should I call you GOAT),

In the year 2000 at the NFL Draft a certain name would be called out loud that would become embedded into the brains of Patriot fans and NFL fans around the world. “With the 199th pick in the NFL draft, the New England Patriots select, Tom Brady, Quarterback from the University of Michigan.” No one knew that this announcement would change the NFL and is storied history forever.

Bledsoe down, Brady up

I will never forget the year 2001. In the seventh grade, I watched the Patriots play the New York Jets with Drew Bledsoe at quarterback. A young unknown was sitting on the bench that day wearing #12, just waiting for the opportunity to play and prove more doubters wrong. Little did #12 know that his time to shine would come sooner rather than later thanks to a late hit delivered to Drew Bledsoe from the Jets Mo’ Lewis.

Many Patriot fans watched the game that day and figured it was just going to be another bad season for this team since its starting quarterback had gone down with a serious injury. Then trotting on to the field came a guy no one knew existed, number 12, Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. I remember watching this young guy head to the sidelines in his first ever NFL game and I thought to myself, “Who is this guy? He must be terrified.” Little did I know nor did anyone else know that he would evolve into our cold-blooded, fearless, GOAT.

Claiming the Throne

Tommy, once you hit the field in 2001 and led us to a Super Bowl run you knew you would never look back. The starting quarterback job for our beloved Patriots now belonged to you and you ALONE. I have watched you lead us to five Super Bowl wins, countless AFC Title games, and a number of other historic personal and team moments. I STILL get chills every time I have the opportunity to watch you play. You have been through the wringer at the hands of the NFL and its red-nosed Commissioner. You’ve had haters from every fan base and media outlet in the world saying you aren’t the best. You’re a system quarterback, you’re only good because of your coach, the list goes on and on. But even as you continue to get older, you strive for greater heights and continue to prove them wrong.

40 is the new 20?

You’re now at the ripe age of 40 and doing things most quarterbacks and athletes wish they could do when they were younger — to compete at a high level and more importantly, WIN at a high level. You show no signs of slowing down and you continuously leave it all on the field every week. You truly are an inspiration and a hero to every kid or adult who dreams to achieve greatness and live life with a purpose every day.

You are LITERALLY a god and a savior in every sense of the word in New England. On behalf of a fan base and a nation, I want to be greedy when I tell you to never stop and to never leave us. But I know someday this eventuality will turn into reality. I know you’re not a kid anymore and the days of watching you play will begin to wind down. I will appreciate watching every snap you have left to take, knowing I am witnessing greatness and watching the best signal caller to ever play the great game of football.

A once-in-a-lifetime player

I want to say thank you for the memories I have of you as a kid and now to a man. It has been a pleasure watching you play and compete at such a high level for as long as you have. For playing the game the right way and being a great role model on and off the field. I’ve watched you hoist the Lombardi Trophy vs the Rams, Panthers, Eagles, and Seahawks and watched your historic/monumental comeback against the Falcons. One thing is certain. You, sir, are the GOAT and there will NEVER be another Tom Brady.

In closing I would like to wish you the best of luck this season and however many more seasons you end up playing in the NFL. Winning five trophies is epic, since there are great players who never got a single one. But I’m fully aware that your career does not stop at five. You have more hunger and drive in you. Winning number six is NEVER out of the question. On behalf of ALL #PatsNation, thank you for all you have done and all you will continue to do.

OH AND TOM, ONE MORE THING…..

LETS GOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

SINCERELY,

ALL OF PATS NATION

#KissTheRings