Tag Archives: Tom Brady

What Bennett’s Rotator Cuff Injury Means for the Patriots

Leave a reply

If you are an NFL fan then you likely have heard that Martellus Bennett is back in New England. The big, fun loving tight end was picked up by the Patriots on November 9th after being released by the Packers. The reason why Bennett was released is that he has a confirmed torn rotator cuff. Before you all say “oh great another broken player”, let’s look at this for what it is. I will tell you how I feel that Bennett will play through this injury and help the Patriots win.

in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium on January 22, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

WHAT CAN MARTY GIVE THE PATRIOTS ?

I sincerely do feel that Martellus Bennett, who could be called one of the world’s largest cheerleaders, is going to play through his rotator cuff injury. The reason why I feel that Marty can do this is fairly simple. The tear that Bennett is experiencing is located where the tendon that holds the muscles of your shoulder stable. Does this sound sore? Oh yes it does and speaking from experience it is. He can play through this injury because of the fact that he does not have to throw. The rotator cuff is more for stability of the shoulder muscles when using a throwing motion.

Now that the Patriots have two QBs I do not think Bennett will be needed. Also, the Patriots have Rob Gronkowski, Dwayne Allen, and Jacob Hollister which could easily allow Bennett to manage his snaps. Bennett would not have to do a huge amount of blocking and could be used only as desired by the offense.

A few of the movements that Bennett would be using will be painful. Catching passes over his head and lifting his arms out to full extension will be painful but definitely not anything he could not play through. I do believe that blocking would be the roughest as the muscles would be pushed hard and not be as stable as usual. This would be something that Bennett would be able to manage and handle I believe.

IF THERE IS SUCH A THING AS A MANAGEABLE INJURY, THIS IS IT.

The rotator cuff injury, as I have said, is somewhat manageable so I say that he plays. If the Patriots and Bennett manage his snaps and allow him to play in the “safest” situation possible, then he can play. The other positive about this, if there is such a thing with an injury, is that Bennett should not be able to hurt this any worse by playing. As long as he gets the proper attention before, during, and after games then I think the “Imagination Agency” is back open for business in New England.

Bringing a player into the fold at this point of the season is normally very difficult. In this situation, you are bringing back a player who was there just last year. Picking up the plays won’t be that hard for Bennett. Definitely one of the hardest parts will be finding out how good Bennett’s snaps can be managed. Bennett’s pain tolerance is also going to be tested as well. Like I said before, I had this injury and played varsity rugby for an entire season. Yes it was painful, but so is the game in general.

Bennett will likely receive a dose of “Dr. Feelgood” before games to help him manage the pain. The whole concoction is not as sinister as it sounds. Players can often receive a pregame injection of a drug called Toradol (ketorolac) mixed with lidocaine. Ketorolac is the strongest non-narcotic pain reliever available, and also legal. Toradol can often be mixed with lidocaine which is a local anesthetic in the same family as Novocaine (that your dentist uses) to deaden pain also. This injection works almost immediately and should last for the entire game.

WHY WE REALLY NEED BENNETT BACK !!

The main reason the Patriots could use Bennett back is to help with our red-zone TD conversions. The Patriots have been settling for too many field goals and keeping games closer then they should be. The Patriots need another tall big target in the red-zone will also take pressure off of Gronk and should also help open up some other plays.

Bennett is also a helluva lot of fun to have around. He is not a dull player to have on your roster and can bring a refreshing air of lighthearted fun. Patriot fans have seen that Bennett can be a very serious player but also can be a “riot” depending on what is needed. Let us just hope that the second semester of the “Imagination Academy” ends as good as the first one did.

Martysaurus Rex Returns to New England

Leave a reply

A familiar face has returned to the New England Patriots.

Yesterday, the Patriots claimed tight end Martellus Bennett from the waiver wire. The Green Bay Packers released the ex-Patriot earlier this week after he failed to disclose a medical condition to the team.

The thirty-year old-vet, on the Patriots’ squad last season, overtook a starting job in the offense after Rob Gronkowski had season-ending surgery. Bennett went on to have a statement year, showing fans his prime hadn’t passed by filling Gronk’s role perfectly. He posted 701 receiving yards and seven touchdowns with the Patriots. Three of these touchdowns came from Tom Brady in his first game back from suspension against the Browns. He earned his first Super Bowl ring with the Patriots after playing in the league for now a decade. He anchored the Patriots’ offense in Gronk’s absence, and fans admired what he did on and off the field in Foxborough.

In the 2016-17 off season, though Marty had fun in New England,  he double-downed on his all-business attitude. He left the Patriots for the NFC-giant Packers, who offered more money. This season so far, however, took a turn for the worst quickly for Bennett.  So far, Marty has seen fewer targets than anticipated. His quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, suffered a broken collarbone in October, now out for the remainder of the season. These events all led up to Bennett’s release, a positive note in an otherwise sour season.

Looking into Marty’s Injury

Martellus Bennett has not played in a game since October 22nd. His absence from the field came shortly after he announced that he’ll retire after this season. Currently on a three-year, $21-million contract with the Packers, Bennett showed no signs of nearing retirement prior to this year. His explanation? “Life.” Almost at the same time as announcing his retirement, Marty suffered an unexplained shoulder injury that has kept him sidelined since.  The Packers released him because he did not offer a reasonable explanation of his ailments.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk is not fully convinced by this situation. Florio claims that Bennett probably toyed with retirement in order to be traded near the deadline, and afterwards his shoulder injury popped up. This all happened after Aaron Rodgers hit the injury reserve list, so what Florio says makes sense. It would be an advantage for the Patriots if Bennett was not actually injured. Only time will tell in the next few days.

Double Trouble

A healthy Gronkowski and Bennett will pair up in the near future, and the Patriots’ offense can now regain its scary edge. With injuries plaguing the wide receiver core, Bill Belichick could electrify the offense by adding in more dual tight end sets. The Patriots have not seen this type of big-man offense in years, but it worked like a charm. Gronk and Marty share vertical threat similarities. Together they present a nightmare for linebackers and safeties assigned to either of them. Dual tight end sets will relieve the workload the wide receiver core will face. At the same time, it will give Tom Brady more wiggle room with calling play action, which could also spark the running game as well. The Patriots originally were planning to a similar set with Gronkowski and Dwayne Allen, but Allen has not lived up to expectations.

Watch out world, the Martysaurus is back in New England.

UPDATE: 11/10 AT 11:00 AM EST

This morning ESPN’s Adam Schefter has confirmed that Martellus Bennett has a torn rotator cuff and torn labrum. Pending Bennett’s physical with the Patriots he could possibly be facing season-ending IR or the waiver wire once more. More to come in the next 24 hours.

UPDATE: 11:50 AM EST

Ian Rapoport has reported that Marty passed his physical with the Patriots and practiced today. He hasn’t attended practice since October 22nd while he was on the Packers.

How Injuries and Actions May Really Hurt the NFL Longterm

Leave a reply

If you are even a marginal NFL fan, you are aware that injuries are a part of the game.  It is a contact sport and injuries are to be expected. During this season in particular, some of the NFL’s biggest stars have suffered season-ending injuries. These injuries have not only hurt those teams, but the NFL itself.  Let me tell you how I feel the NFL will hurt as a league because of these injuries.

 

MANY STARS HAVE FALLEN

This season alone so many of the NFL’s most marketable stars have gotten injured. The list is very long, including Aaron Rodgers, Julian Edelman, Odell Beckham Jr, Deshawn Watson, JJ Watt, and Carson Palmer being some of the most notable. As a fan you might think that this sucks for the player and also for the team as well.  What you might not be aware of is that these injuries to these star players has hurt the NFL.

By taking these players out for the season, it appears that networks have taken notice. Many of the networks that show NFL games such as CBS, ESPN, and NBC have tried to maximize their viewership. They have done this by trying to show games that they feel people will watch. The injuries to star players has made this an incredible challenge. Teams such as Houston, Green Bay, and the Giants have really had a hard time with these key injuries. Just note their records since these injuries occurred if you don’t believe me.

What this is going to do to the NFL in the long run is soon to be noticed. With declining viewership, declining sponsor dollars, and market constraints, the networks will negotiate tough on the next TV deals. The big cash cow that the NFL used to count on will not be as lucrative. This is likely going to cause friction in the next CBA negotiations. I believe this item will be the issue that the owners will try and get the most mileage from. The owners are those very rich men and women that sit in those ritzy boxes and watch games with binoculars. They are more than a little out of touch in my opinion. Just remember Bob McNair’s “can’t have the inmates running the prison” statement if you’re unsure of this.

WHAT WILL IT MEAN FOR THE FANS?

The NFL fan experience will be quite different in the next few years I believe. Some of the league’s most marketable players are getting up there in years. Players such as Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Carson Palmer (who may retire from his current injury), Larry Fitzgerald, etc., are only going to be playing a few more years. Many of these players are some fans’ only link to the NFL.  Once they depart, are the players of today like Cam Newton going to be able to fill the void? If how Newton handles press conferences is any indication, then I would say maybe.

Some of the younger players of today are much more brash and in your face then in years past. Players like Odell Beckham Jr. going on a boat trip right before a playoff game, and the whole Ezekiel Elliott mess are just a couple of examples. Are these players setting examples that you want other players to follow? Are they acting in the best interest of their team, ownership, and fans?  I believe the answer you are looking for is a resounding “HELL NO”.

Many of these players have turned off fans by their actions, and many have cost even themselves (ie. Cam Newton’s comments in a recent press conference cost him sponsorships). Not exactly a role model you want your kids to look up to is it? Their actions are costing themselves now and in the long run with lower viewership.

WOULD YOU BLAME FANS FOR NOT WATCHING?

Some of the actions by a few notable players have hurt the league in the last few years. The actions are one thing, but how the league has handled these actions has turned a lot of people off.  The whole Ray Rice disaster was really the start of things in my opinion. The Greg Hardy issues are also ones that stand out in my mind as poorly handled by the NFL.

If you want people to watch your product and respect your league then handle things like these properly. What is the proper way to handle these things you ask? I believe a small group of middle school students could have made better judgement calls then Commissioner Goodell (aka Peckerhead).

If there is not a better outlook by some of the players and owners then the NFL is going down the crapper. The injuries that have happened this year are unfortunate but they will heal. Let’s hope that the league gets a decent commissioner soon and looks after their affairs in a much more effective and fair manner. If this happens then hopefully we will get to continue to enjoy this great game.

 

 

 

Belichick breaks the “Patriot Way” for Brady

Leave a reply

I remember my dad swearing at the sight of Bobby Orr in a Blackhawks sweater. I remember Joe Montana in a Kansas City uniform, Jerry Rice in Oakland, and Emmitt Smith in Arizona. The idea of Tom Brady playing anywhere else is nauseating. I get it. As a fan, I’m glad he’s staying in New England.

That said, however, in trading Jimmy Garoppolo, Bill Belichick broke all the rules that have made New England the NFL’s premier franchise since 2001. Remorseless professionalism. Dispassionate player decisions.

I know this will make everyone lose their minds; but rather than laughing at 49ers GM John Lynch at the suggestion, the “Patriot Way” would have been to trade Brady.

The Foundations of Sustained Excellence

Since arriving in New England, Belichick has lived by the adage “buy low, sell high.” Nobody in professional sports has said good-bye to as many high performing veterans as the Hoodie. Ty Law, Lawyer Milloy, Richard Seymour, Willie McGinest, Logan Mankins, Chandler Jones, Jamie Collins, Vince Wilfork. All beloved Patriots, all will have finished their careers elsewhere.

Embed from Getty Images

As a GM, Belichick has ripped emotion from the equation and relied on cold calculus when making player decisions, especially with veterans and especially at contract time. Rarely has he held on to someone only to watch that player decline. He gets rid of them early, gets maximum value in return, and invests in the future. He didn’t do that this time.

Jimmy G, We Hardly Knew Ye

We don’t yet know what Jimmy Garoppolo will be as a quarterback. We liked what glimpses we caught, but the sample size was limited. Belichick knows, and by all accounts he loved Garoppolo.

Is Garoppolo better than Brady? Of course not. Tom Brady is the greatest player in NFL history. Player, not just quarterback. Any argument about Rice, Brown, Taylor, or anyone else is just silly. The QB is the single most important position in all of sports. And nobody has ever done it better.

But that’s not what the Patriots should have asked before trading Jimmy. What they should have asked was: Would the Patriots be a better team in the future by trading Brady? and Will Garoppolo be a better QB for the Patriots than Brady in 3-5 years?

Garoppolo will likely struggle initially in San Francisco as he adjusts to a different system, new coaches, and unfamiliar players. None of that changes the fact that in New England he could have been a top 5 NFL QB.

40 Is Not the New 20

I don’t care how much avocado ice cream he eats or how comfy his magic pajamas are, Tom Brady is old and getting older. At some point soon his performance will decline. I’m not talking about Mad Max Kellerman’s wishful cliff theory. I’m talking about arm strength, ability to come back from hits, and ability physically perform at the same level he mentally performs.

Brady has indicated that he wants to play well into his forties. This is undoubtedly what forced the team’s hand with Garoppolo. Today, at 40, Brady remains the best QB in the NFL. But is a 43 or 45-year-old Tom Brady still among the league’s best behind center? Doubtful. Hell, behind this offensive line it’s a 50-50 proposition that he is even alive after week 10.

Gambling on Alex Guerrero

Jimmy Garoppolo could lead the NE Patriots. Sitting and learning behind Brady for the past three seasons, he was already the second best QB in the division. Under Jimmy the Pats were still winning the division for the foreseeable future.

Embed from Getty Images

By investing in Brady, the Patriots have put all their chips on snake oil salesman Alex Guerrero to keep their investment ahead of father time. That’s not calculated risk taking, that’s gambling. To date, Bill Belichick hasn’t gambled in player decisions.  We’ll see how that gamble pays off when the Patriots face off against the Broncos in Denver on Sunday.

Trading Tom Isn’t as Crazy as You Think

Everyone got a good chuckle at the John Lynch story this weekend. BB’s reported incredulous response to Lynch’s suggestion of trading Brady was, according to FOX Sports Jay Glazer, “Did you just ask if I’d trade the greatest quarterback of all time?” Yeah Bill, he did. And it was a legitimate question that you should have taken a minute to consider.

If Brady had been on the table, the return from SF or anyone else would have been almost incalculable. The Patriots could have addressed multiple roster shortcomings for years – including quality linemen on both sides of the ball. Led by Garoppolo, in whom NE management had complete trust, the Pats would have locked up the AFC East for another decade.

In trading the New England’s future franchise QB, Belichick got a second round pick and retained the better QB for the immediate future. He held serve. That’s it. The future remains very much in doubt.

Five College Quarterbacks Who Could Be Brady’s Successor

Leave a reply

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.

The Patriots At The Half Way Point

Leave a reply

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.

McHale’s Musings Vol. 2

Leave a reply

Hello again, everyone! Welcome to another edition of “McHale’s Musings.”

There’s been a lot happening in the world of Boston sports, so let’s get right to it!

Patriots

Embed from Getty Images

  • Big-time win over the Falcons last weekend at Gillette. The effort from Matt Patricia’s defense was a stellar reminder of this group’s talent. If they can string together a few solid games, their confidence will grow.
  • Tom Brady is 40. 40!
  • Josh McDaniels needs to continue letting Dion Lewis be more of a factor on offense. He’s a dynamic running back who can stretch out a defense. He’s the ultimate weapon for Brady and Co. if used consistently. #fantasyfootballpickup
  • It sounded like Gillette was rocking on Sunday night. It’s about time! For myriad of reasons, Gillette Stadium is no longer a place opponents fear to visit. However, fans can help make a change. This team needs support from the 65,878 members of Patriots Nation in attendance each and every home game. Perhaps those early losses at the start of the season were a wake up call to fans. Things aren’t going to come easy on this “Blitz for Six.” Fans, you’ll have to do your part to make it happen. Get lubed up!

Celtics

Embed from Getty Images

  • Hello, Kyrie. I’ll like to see your, “Suck my d**k,” and raise you a “Shut up and play.” You are a 25 year old professional athlete. You will be taunted by opposing teams’ fans. You’re the one with all the leverage here. By walking away, you’re making sure you don’t make headline news for all the wrong reasons. Sure, that Philly bro may hop on Instagram Live to boast, “Damn, you won’t believe what I said to Kyrie. He just took it like a chump.” However, I don’t think his 27 followers are going to band together and ruin your reputation. It’s like the world of teaching. Sure, I could rattle off some solid insults mixed with biting sarcasm at the student who refused to work, but what good would that do? At the end of the day, we can only control our own reaction.  Kyrie, I urge you to ignore the taunts and move on with your day.
  • I see you, Jaylen Brown.
  • It’s too early to say that the Celtics made the better move in drafting Tatum over Fultz. With it becoming increasingly clear that Fultz has been hurt to start the season. Let’s give it some time before we declare that Danny Ainge bamboozled the 76ers.
  • Through four games, the C’s are 9th in the league with an average of 46.3 rebounds per game. I’m hopeful that this team will be able to rebound with more efficiency than last year’s squad that finished 27th in the NBA.

Bruins

  • Last weekend’s loss to Buffalo was a colossal failure. Thus far in his tenure as head coach, it appears as though Bruce Cassidy has been unable to strengthen the mental toughness of this hockey club. The 3rd period and subsequent overtime was simply a train wreck. It will be inexcusable defeats such as Saturday’s debacle that prevents this team from making a deep postseason run.
  • What is up with the NHL schedule to start the season? I’m not liking this staggering of games, and I’m willing to bet the players aren’t fans of it either.
  • How good was it to see Bergeron back on the ice? The guy is a warrior through and through. He is Bruins hockey personified. With that said, he’s getting older and deserves to be surrounded by talent that has the potential of winning another Cup. Is he surrounded by that kind of talent now? Time will tell. One thing’s for sure…that kind of crippling loss to Buffalo can’t happen again.

Red Sox

Embed from Getty Images

  • Dustin Pedroia is out seven months after undergoing knee surgery. I get the sneaking suspicion that we’ll soon be reading headlines along the lines of, “Pedroia Hopeful of Returning after All-Star Break.”
  • I love the Alex Cora hiring.
  • While I agree that we shouldn’t give up the farm for Giancarlo Stanton, it would be foolish not to put together a reasonable package for the All-Star slugger. This Red Sox lineup needs power in the worst way. He also has a personality that is sorely missing from the clubhouse after David Ortiz’s retirement. Go for it, Sox!

Revolution

Embed from Getty Images

  • The Revs won a road game! I repeat…The New England Revolution won a road game!
  • In a match that proved to be well worth the watch, the Revolution closed out their disappointing season by finally winning a road match. The win over Montreal helps the team avoid going winless away from Gillette for the first time in franchise history.
  • I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again…Diego Fagundez deserves to be the face of the Revolution. This young man is going to be a difference maker for the Revs for years to come.

That’s it for me! Until next time…

Ryan

Patriots-Falcons Q & A with The Falcoholic

Leave a reply

I sat down with Dave Choate, Editor-in-chief of The Falcoholic , for a Q & A session discussing this weeks game between the Patriots and Falcons. Below are the questions I asked Dave regarding key matchups in the game. Dave will be posting the other side of the Q & A session on the Falcoholic website this weekend.

What is a weakness on the Falcons side the Patriots can exploit?

A huge weakness they can exploit right now is Duke Riley at linebacker. If you can get into space, the Falcons linebackers have struggled to make open field tackles; Riley in particular.

Running plays or short passes? Both?

Both, the whole defense has been missing tackles but he is worst culprit. Teams have had tons of success if they can get to the second level of the defense.

The Patriots have a variety of running backs. Gillislee is more of a between the tackles banger while James White is almost strictly a receiving back. Dion Lewis has looked great the past couple weeks and can both run or catch the ball while being the shiftiest of their backs. Is there a particular running back you see having more success against the Falcons defense this week?

Probably going to have the best luck with James White. The Falcons have had some trouble with running back between the tackles, but they did just sign Ahtyba Rubin who will help their run defense in the middle, but as I mentioned, the Falcons have had trouble containing speedy players who can get into space. A short passing game that functions like a running game is very effective against Atlanta.

Would it then be fair to say the Patriots should possibly focus on using the smaller Lewis and White combo?

That is probably a smart play. Only thing to remember about this Falcons defense is they are least effective when they are worn down late in games, so it would be smart to try and balance things out to at least tire the defense.

HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: James White #28 of the New England Patriots dives for the end zone against the Atlanta Falcons during the third quarter during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. The New England Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons 34-28. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

So we’ve talked a lot about the running game and the Falcons defensive front and linebacking corps. Is there a matchup in the secondary you think plays in one teams favor?

I think your defensive backs against Julio Jones plays very much in Falcons favor. Just because the Falcons haven’t done a great job of targeting Julio, people can forget just how productive he can be. I do not think there is a defensive back on that roster who is capable of stopping him.

How about in the Falcons secondary? Do they have a player they’ll assign to anyone in particular or just play sides of the field?

They’ll probably primarily play sides of the field. The team trusts Robert Alford almost as much as Desmond Trufant when it comes to slowing down quality receivers; so I don’t expect them to do a lot of switching. I think that the most favorable matchup for the Patriots is whoever has to cover Rob Gronkowski. Devondre Campbell is a very good linebacker who will probably get his chance to do that, but it’s not really ideal.

What do you see being the Falcons plan of attack? Their offense is still trying to get in sync with their new offensive coordinator this season.

I think the Falcons are finally going to try to establish the run early. I think you’ll see quite a bit of Devonta Freeman, and I think if they’re smart they’ll try to get Tevin Coleman more involved as both a runner and receiver. The Falcons need to stop being timid and treat the Patriots defense like its going to allow them to do whatever they want so long as they don’t get too predictable or conservative.

HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: Devonta Freeman #24 of the Atlanta Falcons scores a touchdown on a 5 yard run against the New England Patriots in the second quarter during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

How do you think the motivation factor will come into play? The Patriots seem to always have motivation, but it seems quite difficult for the Patriots to match the Falcons motivation for this weeks games considering the outcome of last years Super Bowl.

The Falcons won’t lack for motivation in anyway. Devondre Campbell talked about how he’s been waiting to play the Patriots since February. Makes you wonder if they have looked ahead a little bit.

What is your score prediction for the game?

Terrific question my friend. I think this will be the first game of the season where the Falcons just cannot contain the opposing offense, but it will also be the first time since the Packers game where they will be facing a team that isn’t a top 10 defense in the NFL per Pro Football Focus. So, I would say that this will be a high scoring game, and I am going to predict that it will be 34-31 Falcons, and that it will never be 28-3.

Remember this?

What’s Wrong With The Patriots?

Leave a reply

The Patriots Are 4-2

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 15: wide receiver Brandin Cooks #14 of the New England Patriots makes a catch against cornerback Morris Claiborne #21 of the New York Jets during the second quarter of their game at MetLife Stadium on October 15, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The New England Patriots are 4-2 and atop the AFC East. But they don’t play like a Super Bowl winning team right now.  Why? Because the new guys think they can just walk in and think they’ll just win a Super Bowl?  With Tom Brady and Belichick here we should be fine? It’s okay for the media to say that, but as a player, you can’t think that way or you’ll be out. The defense can’t give up 300-plus yards a game as they have done. The defense ranks last in the league. With Stephon Gilmore and Eric Rowe out last week the defense still gave up more than 300 yards.

Bill Belichick Conference Call

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)

In Belichick’s conference call yesterday he was asked how to balance week-to-week adjustments with the foundation and system installed before the season began? His answer ” I don’t think we had a lot of major issues with pass protection. I mean, I think overall our passing game wasn’t particularly efficient. We had a couple plays, they got us on a couple of pressures where they schemed up a look and then had a little variation off it. They beat the protection, so they did a good job coaching-wise of setting up a couple things. That’s really not a player issue. That’s more of a scheme issue for us, but they hit us a couple times.”  Very interesting and long six- minute answer from Belichick. Sounds like he’s sticking up for his players and this it’s too early to judge them.

Tom Brady Can’t Do It All Himself

FOXBORO, MA – SEPTEMBER 24: Tom Brady #12 reacts with Brandin Cooks #14 of the New England Patriots after a touchdown during the third quarter of a game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Tom Brady can’t do this all himself. Yes, he has the wide receivers and the talent on the offensive side to score, but they have been missing plays. The defense has to do their part and not give up big plays on third down. The New York Jets win was an ugly one and needed the refs help at the end with the questionable touchdown or down at the one. The touch-back call proved lucky for the Patriot.s   Up next — Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night, the much-anticipated rematch of the stunning Pats victory in SuperBowl LI.

Tale of the Tape: Brandin Cooks’s Catch Percentage

Leave a reply

Brandin Cooks has not failed to impress as the NFL zeros in closer to the midpoint of the season. He has clocked in 472 receiving yards on 24 receptions and two touchdowns, including a game-winner against Houston, all in six games. Leading the Patriots’ crippled receiving corp, Cooks has held down the role of running routes on the sideline. Before the season began there were comparisons to Cooks and Randy Moss, one of Tom Brady’s all-time best receivers.

Cooks is on pace for a third consecutive 1000+ yard season and is comfortable being a Patriot. But one of his stats so far this season has raised a few eyebrows in confusion. In his three-year stint in New Orleans prior to this season, Cooks has boasted extremely high catch percentages. From 2014-2016, Cooks averaged 7.5 targets per game and caught 69.5% of his targets. In his first six games as a Patriot, he has averaged 6.8 targets, hauling in 58.5% of them.

How Could This Be?

Brandin Cooks is not on a decline surely enough, he is the same receiver that he was in New Orleans. But how could he catch targets more often on the Saints? The answer could lie within the routes Cooks has ran for the Saints compared to the Patriots. He has solely ran deeper routes across the sideline for the Patriots, but did similar things for the Saints. If anything, the Patriots have relied on Cooks a little more in the absence of Julian Edelman. At the same time, however, Chris Hogan has shared a similar role to Brandin Cooks in the offensive scheme.

Football and Physics

The answer to this enigma could possibly be the product of pure physics. No two quarterbacks throw at the same velocity and force. Brandin Cooks has had the privilege so far in his career to work alongside Drew Brees and Tom Brady. In an ESPN Sports Science segment years ago, Drew Brees clocked in his throwing speed at 52 miles per hour, or 23.2 meters per second. Tom Brady on average takes 0.39 seconds to get a pass off at an initial velocity of 61 mph, or 27.3 m/s.

https://youtu.be/Kl7ZK3a0TkU

The acceleration of each QB’s passes are found using the equation Δv/t, or the change in velocity over time. Assuming the initial velocity is the same as the final and using 0.39 seconds as the time for each, Brady’s acceleration would be 70.0 m/s² and Brees’s would be 59.5 m/s².

The formula for force is m·a (mass multiplied by acceleration). If the average football mass is about 0.425 kilograms and using the accelerations yielded, Tom Brady would throw with a force of 29.75 N and Drew Brees would throw with 25.29 N.

The Math Doesn’t Lie

Brandin Cooks’s targets from Tom Brady are thrown harder than from his former quarterback Drew Brees. In order to catch a more forceful pass the receiver has to bring his hands in closer to his body to absorb the ball’s momentum. Brandin Cooks has been fairly successful with catching Brady’s passes, but has shown some struggle catching shorter passes.  In recent weeks, however, he has shown improvement with his catch percentage. It has fluctuated from around 40% in Week 1 to around 65% in Week 6, and the high was Week 3 at around 70%. The Archer is slowly acclimating to a new quarterback, and will be in mid-season form in no time.