The Patriots Draft was this weekend and ohhhhh was it a shocker. None of those names that you expected to be in their board were picked. Were you surprised? Shocked? Chagrined? Well, no need to worry...yet. Here is a quick look at a few of their picks.
Devin McCourty - not a bad pick, but a true surprise, particularly when other elite talent was available for their needs. That was disappointing. But, they guy can hit and definitely has the build to take on some top notch receivers....which is important.
Rob Gronkowski - obviously the head of the Gronk fan club. Fact that he missed last year is a scare....but who can deny his enthusiasm. If healthy - and can fit in like he seems he can - will be great addition in locker room and on field. Looks like big receiver, ala Ben Coates of a long time ago.
Jermaine Cunningham - a LB that few expected. Looks like he can run quick and has the speed to be a pass rush. Not the total answer to the rush, but it should go a long way to shoring it up.
Brandon Spikes - okay, speed is not his thing. But the guy was able to hit well, especially early on. With some good guidance, could be a nice addition to the middle, leaving Mayo to roam a bit more. Nice add to the young LB core.
Taylor Price - good blocker and nice speed. Hard to know what to expect, but a welcome addition to a roughed up receiving corp. The Pats still need more, but he should help. Note, he was second all time on team in TD receptions...and he has thrown a TD as well.
Nice!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
What's Up Doc?
There are strange noises developing from the coaching fraternity of Boston. As you may or may not have heard, Doc Rivers has somehow let it be known that he might leave the Celtics at the end of this year to spend more time with his family. As reported by Steve Bulpett in the Boston Herald yesterday and further reported by A Sherrod Blakeley of CSNNE news, Doc is starting to think about his future with the green.
What does this all mean? Well a few things.
First, this should come as no surprise. Doc has mentioned each year that, during the summer, he decides if he plans to coach again or nor. As you may recall, before the 2008 team was assembled, he had seriously (in his mind) contemplated not returning….and it is something that has often gone through his head. So, this should be no shocker.
However, what is surprising is the timing. The person responsible for this “leak” surely has bad timing….which is not always surprising in Boston sports. Remember the Celtics announced the hiring of Danny Ainge right before a playoff game. And, who can forget that Bill Parcells let it leak they he would leave the Pats right before the Super Bowl. We know what happened there. Not to say that these Celts are going anywhere – that is doubtful – but certainly the timing could not be worse.
Which leads to a final point. Is this Doc being Doc? Or has he had it with this collection of players who have seemed to tune him out. He preaches “DEFENSE” and what do we see….a total lack of it. This group is lackadaisical at best and a huge underachieving disappointment to be true. Doc might have seen enough of this crew and might know that his message can only go so far.
What does this all mean? Well a few things.
First, this should come as no surprise. Doc has mentioned each year that, during the summer, he decides if he plans to coach again or nor. As you may recall, before the 2008 team was assembled, he had seriously (in his mind) contemplated not returning….and it is something that has often gone through his head. So, this should be no shocker.
However, what is surprising is the timing. The person responsible for this “leak” surely has bad timing….which is not always surprising in Boston sports. Remember the Celtics announced the hiring of Danny Ainge right before a playoff game. And, who can forget that Bill Parcells let it leak they he would leave the Pats right before the Super Bowl. We know what happened there. Not to say that these Celts are going anywhere – that is doubtful – but certainly the timing could not be worse.
Which leads to a final point. Is this Doc being Doc? Or has he had it with this collection of players who have seemed to tune him out. He preaches “DEFENSE” and what do we see….a total lack of it. This group is lackadaisical at best and a huge underachieving disappointment to be true. Doc might have seen enough of this crew and might know that his message can only go so far.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Bruins Big Night
You may not be aware, but tonight is a big night for the Bruins. Tonight they learn what position they will be in the upcoming NHL draft.
Why is this such a big deal? Well, as you remember, they have Toronto's first round pick. By virtue of finishing second to last, the Bruins will have the second most ping pong balls in the lottery tonight - the lottery that determines who gets the first pick. A lot is riding on those ping pong balls.
If all goes true to form, the team with the worst record - Edmonton - will have the most ping pong balls in the lottery and will get the top pick. All other placements are determined by team record after the first pick is selected....so, under these circumstances, the Bruins well get the second pick. If another team besides Edmonton or Boston wins the lottery, then the Bruins will get no worse than the third pick.
Is this such a big deal??? Yes. The top two players in the draft will be game chances. Taylor Hall and winger and Tyler Seguin a center, are believed to be legitimate impact players who will be in the NHL next year. All look like they will be sure fire young kids who'll be an important part of teams for the years to come. Now, they may not be Sidney Crosby, but they are comparable in talent to a lot of other top flight players.
So keep you fingers crossed....the Bruins have a lot riding on the NHL lottery tonight!!!
Why is this such a big deal? Well, as you remember, they have Toronto's first round pick. By virtue of finishing second to last, the Bruins will have the second most ping pong balls in the lottery tonight - the lottery that determines who gets the first pick. A lot is riding on those ping pong balls.
If all goes true to form, the team with the worst record - Edmonton - will have the most ping pong balls in the lottery and will get the top pick. All other placements are determined by team record after the first pick is selected....so, under these circumstances, the Bruins well get the second pick. If another team besides Edmonton or Boston wins the lottery, then the Bruins will get no worse than the third pick.
Is this such a big deal??? Yes. The top two players in the draft will be game chances. Taylor Hall and winger and Tyler Seguin a center, are believed to be legitimate impact players who will be in the NHL next year. All look like they will be sure fire young kids who'll be an important part of teams for the years to come. Now, they may not be Sidney Crosby, but they are comparable in talent to a lot of other top flight players.
So keep you fingers crossed....the Bruins have a lot riding on the NHL lottery tonight!!!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Way to go BC Hockey
Congrats BC
Just like old times. Boston College and Wisconsin squaring off in the National College Hockey Championship finals.
Now, admittedly the games weren’t quite what you’d expect. Both teams score impressive blow out victories over their competition. But, BC’s 9-1 rout of Miami at Ohio should make people stop and take notice.
BC hockey is one of the underrated stories on the Boston sports scene. Two national championships in the past decade or so is impressive. As a former Eagle myself, obviously I am proud of the school….but I am also proud to see that the program has done so well and sent so many players into the NHL. It is a wonderful statement about the school that – from some places – gets negative attention. In the wake of problems with football and basketball coaching the past few years, it is great to see a man like Jerry York get the credit he is due.
And for the crew of 98.5 in the afternoon – especially Mssrs Felger, Massarotti, and Bertram – may BC win. You may have a warped idea of BC graduates – I do not consider myself among the smug minority of Boston College grads permeating the city with an unbearing attitude which is probably inherent from their own background and not the fact that they went to BC (and no, I don’t typically refer to it as the Heights) – but I tell you that there are a lot of BC grads who do NOT have that heir of superiority that you talk about. We’re just proud of the school and the education we got there. I have no clue where you three are from – though I have heard you forever on the radio dial (both this one and your former one) and until recently, never thought you three were totally boneheaded….but now I do.
Congrats BC. I wish the BC hockey team well and may you bring in another National Championship.
Just like old times. Boston College and Wisconsin squaring off in the National College Hockey Championship finals.
Now, admittedly the games weren’t quite what you’d expect. Both teams score impressive blow out victories over their competition. But, BC’s 9-1 rout of Miami at Ohio should make people stop and take notice.
BC hockey is one of the underrated stories on the Boston sports scene. Two national championships in the past decade or so is impressive. As a former Eagle myself, obviously I am proud of the school….but I am also proud to see that the program has done so well and sent so many players into the NHL. It is a wonderful statement about the school that – from some places – gets negative attention. In the wake of problems with football and basketball coaching the past few years, it is great to see a man like Jerry York get the credit he is due.
And for the crew of 98.5 in the afternoon – especially Mssrs Felger, Massarotti, and Bertram – may BC win. You may have a warped idea of BC graduates – I do not consider myself among the smug minority of Boston College grads permeating the city with an unbearing attitude which is probably inherent from their own background and not the fact that they went to BC (and no, I don’t typically refer to it as the Heights) – but I tell you that there are a lot of BC grads who do NOT have that heir of superiority that you talk about. We’re just proud of the school and the education we got there. I have no clue where you three are from – though I have heard you forever on the radio dial (both this one and your former one) and until recently, never thought you three were totally boneheaded….but now I do.
Congrats BC. I wish the BC hockey team well and may you bring in another National Championship.
Monday, April 5, 2010
So much for the pitching and defense.
Last night marked the debut of the Red Sox new team/new philosophy. The results – the more things change, the more things stay the same.
Sure, we heard about this all year. Defense and pitching will make up for the lack of offense. Great bullpen. Perhaps the best starting pitching. Defense to stop anything.
Right. They 9 to 7 win over the dreaded Yankees proves a few things about the plan.
First, they may have great pitching, but the Red Sox don’t necessarily have to win games 3 to 2 in order to win. Beckett – he of whom wants a new contract – didn’t quite cut the mustard last night, which surely sent a scare through the entire RS Nation.
Second, defense may win ball games….but it may still take some time. There were a few misplayed balls in the game last night (e.g. Ellsbury and to some extent Cameron), as well as a great play that should have been an out to begin with by J.D. Drew barehanding the bounce near the bullpen wall. A little shaky, but not to bad.
And the boring offense. Well, as many people thought, it wasn’t so bad. Cameron (on base three times), Scudaro (two hits), and Beltre (two RBI), when all put together in this lineup aren’t so bad. Sure they will have off games, but all three are offensive minded enough to help this team….and the bottom of the lineup looks like a far cry from last year.
Overall, a great opening night filled with fireworks and surprises (literally, and figuratively).
Sure, we heard about this all year. Defense and pitching will make up for the lack of offense. Great bullpen. Perhaps the best starting pitching. Defense to stop anything.
Right. They 9 to 7 win over the dreaded Yankees proves a few things about the plan.
First, they may have great pitching, but the Red Sox don’t necessarily have to win games 3 to 2 in order to win. Beckett – he of whom wants a new contract – didn’t quite cut the mustard last night, which surely sent a scare through the entire RS Nation.
Second, defense may win ball games….but it may still take some time. There were a few misplayed balls in the game last night (e.g. Ellsbury and to some extent Cameron), as well as a great play that should have been an out to begin with by J.D. Drew barehanding the bounce near the bullpen wall. A little shaky, but not to bad.
And the boring offense. Well, as many people thought, it wasn’t so bad. Cameron (on base three times), Scudaro (two hits), and Beltre (two RBI), when all put together in this lineup aren’t so bad. Sure they will have off games, but all three are offensive minded enough to help this team….and the bottom of the lineup looks like a far cry from last year.
Overall, a great opening night filled with fireworks and surprises (literally, and figuratively).
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