Patriots coverage for MassLive. Past: Providence Journal & Boston Herald. UNH alum. Proud husband and father. Come for the binocular pics, stay for the stories.
The photo Tom Brady used to announce his retirement was taken on Oct. 3 - inside Gillette Stadium when the Bucs beat the Patriots.
I do not think that’s a coincidence.
During virtual offseason workouts, Gronk had to run sprints, record them and send them to the Bucs. So, to get out of it, he'd record himself running sprints in different shirts on the same day. Then, he'd send in the videos on different days.
The Chiefs failure to get back to the Super Bowl is another reminder of how special the Patriots dynasty was. It’s really hard to get to that championship game - never mind win several (or six).
Here’s a story I’ve never told before - When my father passed away, Bill Belichick pulled me aside after a press conference and offered his condolences. We chatted about our dads and other things.
I saw a different side of Bill and I’m grateful
Going into this game did you think you'd be able to do what you did against Amari Cooper?
Stephon Gilmore: "Yeah."
Why?
Stephon Gilmore: "Because I believe in myself."
Mac Jones has a 66.5 completion percentage through his first two NFL seasons.
Here’s a list of QBs in NFL history with a better number through their first two seasons:
Joe Burrow (68.2)
That’s it.
Cam Newton taking about Christian Wilkins:
“You just have to realize who you’re talking to… I realized I
was talking to a person known for doing splits. So that was uncharacteristic of myself to keep on going back and forth. But at the end of the day, it’s football.”
Hunter Henry's wife is pregnant and due at the end of the month. He hopes the birth doesn't fall on a game day, but won't miss the birth of their first child.
Henry: If it had to be a game or see my first born, I'm going to see my child born.
In NFL history, there have been 61 rookie QBs to attempt at least 30 passes in their first-career start.
No one has ever completed 70% of their passes.
Until tonight.
Mac Jones completed 74% of his throws, which according to
@Stathead
, is the best mark among rookie QBs.
Heard some players in the locker room saying they want to wear all red uniforms again because they're good luck.
I'll co-sign on that. Uniforms looked great today.
Matthew Judon: This season is incredible. It’s had its ups and downs… I’ve had my best season since the NFL but as a team, we’ve gone to war… I’m having a lot of fun.
People were/are killing Mac Jones for his legs kicking upward in that Chicago game, but I don’t think it’s unusual to see a QB’s foot kick up when they’re sliding. Here, it happens to Joe Burrow
I talked to a league source about Cole Strange. He wasn't getting out of the second round. Don't fall for the 'third round grade' talk.
One NFL offensive line coach. who worked him out said if Strange played at Alabama, he'd be considered a surefire first-round prospect.
Jakobi Meyers has 2,758 receiving yards in his first four NFL seasons.
The only Patriot with more (through four years) since 2000 is Rob Gronkowski (3,255).
Meyers passed Deion Branch (2,744) on Sunday. He’s one of the best homegrown WRs in the Belichick era.
Cam Newton connects with Julian Edelman. Edelman joins the likes of Mohamed Sanu, N’Keal Harry, Devin Asiasi and Damiere Byrd. All have worked out with Newton out west
“No man, I definitely want to be back here. I like it here. I love it here."
I talked to Kendrick Bourne last night about his tough 2022 season. He said he's not going to request a trade and wants to be a part of the solution in the Patriots offense
Cam Newton's time in Foxboro was short but he was a pleasure to deal with. Super professional and honest in his meetings with the media. He was fun to cover.
Brady: “It doesn’t matter what I think. It matters what we do.”
He was pissed and ended his press conference before two minutes. I’ve never seen him this mad after a win.
Source confirms that the Patriots are acquiring Cordarrelle Patterson in a deal with the Oakland Raiders. This was first reported by the Big J Journalists over at
@PardonMyTake
.
Bill Belichick is a poet
"If you get too caught up in what happened in the past, you’ll miss an opportunity in the future. Think too much about what’s too far ahead, you miss the opportunity that’s in front of you."
Red Sox = World Series champions
Patriots = Super Bowl champions
Now, the Bruins are headed to the Stanley Cup Final. Just another regular year for Boston sports.
Mac Jones, on
@MerloniFauria
, was asked if he gets mad when people call him a dink and dunk quarterback:
Mac Jones: "I think it's great... As long as you're taking a profit, you can't go broke."
Belichick's voice begins to crack as he thanks the fans.
"It's amazing how far the arm reaches... So appreciative to the fans and the support they've given me and my family."
Josh Gordon on Tom Brady: He’s family man. Love his family... something I can relate to with my family, my kids. He enjoys the game. He just enjoys everything that comes with it and it’s good to be able to be in such close proximity to learn from. I look up to the guy.
Michael Bennett on Belichick: When you have a boss that respects you like a man, it’s easy to go out and play for him. I think for me, it’s easy to look him in the eye and whatever he asks me to do, I’ll do it simply because he respects me as a human being. I respect that.
Jonnu Smith said he and Hunter Henry are “two alpha males” pushing each other in the weight room and practice field. Said they’ve gotten close this offseason.
Kyle Van Noy might be the best trade in Bill Belichick's history with the Patriots. The Patriots gave up a sixth for Van Noy and a seventh. Glad to see Van Noy turn it around in New England. It worked out for both parties.
Did you all notice what's going on with Mac Jones?
Since the Patriots bye week, he's fifth in passing yards and third in completion percentage. He also had the longest active interception-less streak in the NFL.
All this came with poor pass protection
Revis in 2014: QBs completed 45% of their targets and had a 55.3 passer rating against
Gilmore in 2019: QBs completed 50.5% of their targets and had a 44.1 passer rating against
J.C. Jackson so far in 2021: QBs completed 44% of their targets and have a 29.4 rating against