Thinking out loud…while wondering if reaching a conclusion is simply the part where you get tired of thinking?
Were there any Patriots roster ‘surprises’ as the Final 53 was set this week? Not really. You could make an argument here and there for maybe one guy over another, but for the most part – the coaches did their jobs.
We think.
Now, depending on how well these 53 perform, we’ll see if some of the coaches keep their jobs.
BB ain’t going anywhere for another couple of years. He’s earned that right…but only to a point. The issue, and much of the hubbub since the end of last season, concerns the present staff makeup and job assignments.
Matt Patricia and Joe Judge are Belichick guys, like it or not. He is handing them job security on a silver platter…but not for New England. For somewhere else.
If the team performs well here, they’ll get credit and reinvigorate their coaching careers…much like Josh McDaniels did after his jilting the Colts and getting his next shot in Vegas this year.
It’s why they’re here, gang. Job and rep rehab.
Few know that better than BB himself. Or do you not recall what happened in Cleveland?
The Patriots have had a ton of turnover in the past half-dozen years on the coaching staff and in the scouting department. It might be unfair to harshly criticize relative newbie performances.
But the NFL is an unforgiving league that thrives on the realization of expectations…expectations created here by BB himself 21 years ago.
If you can’t deliver on those expectations, you can’t stay. Anywhere, including New England.
Matty P. and Judge know this. They must. Thus, they turn to their mentor for a little assistance in the coaching rehab department after failed attempts in Detroit and New York…and the mentor is all too willing to help.
‘Cuz he needs the help, too. BB knows he’s earned the benefit of the doubt, for now…but he also knows legacy is at stake.
If he doesn’t know it, then why is he still in the game, ostensibly chasing Don Shula as the all-time winner in the NFL, at age 70 instead of sailing away somewhere into history on his boat?
Criticize BB all you want…but the man is loyal to those who have shown him loyalty. To a fault. And therein lies the problem with the present Patriots coaching staff.
Maybe you don’t like Patricia and Judge? Maybe you believe they’re miscast in whatever roles they hold? Fine. But you’d best hope they figure it out before this year is done.
So they can be done and potentially on their way…somewhere else.
Don’t like BB’s draft skills? Consider the plight of the Raiders, who let go last year’s first-round pick Alex Leatherwood this week. That makes three first-round picks the team has parted with since they moved to Vegas.
What I like: Lil’Jordan Humphrey. Sure, he’s a Texas Ex, as am I. Don’t hold it against either of us. But he busts his butt. He’s got good hands. He can block. Glad to see him hit the practice squad, but for my money he earned a spot on the 53.
What I also like: The streak of at least one undrafted free agent making the final 53 lives for another year…now at 19 straight seasons…with the addition of UDFA (and former Texas Longhorn) Brenden Schooler.
How can a team with such middling draft acumen (of late) find, develop, and keep around undrafted talent with such accuracy? “Mysterium tremendum” is what my buddy Buddha used to say to explain the unexplainable.
What I don’t like: The wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth around Mac Jones. Give it a rest. Mac’s performance thus far is predicated on the unpredictability of the offensive line in front of him. If the line plays well, and stays relatively healthy, Jones will be fine.
Still calling for 9-8 and in the postseason mix at least into mid-December. And not for nuthin’, but Rookestradamus agrees with me.
He correctly called McDaniels’ departure from the Pats at this time a year ago…so, there’s that. Call him now for your free readin’.
AFC East? Buffalo has remade its defensive front from a year ago. Better hope the offense carries them for at least awhile. Miami has Tyreek Hill, but also has Tua Tagovailoa throwing to him. Not sure (yet) that’s a winning combo.
And the J-E-T-S? They’re gonna try to fly without a QB…again.
Happy to see and hear locker room interviews being held at Gillette Stadium in person for the first time in nearly three years. Take that, Covid.
Ernie Zampese was the architect of the “Air Coryell” offense at San Diego, which certainly helped Don Coryell reach the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a contributor for next year. He also was the offensive coordinator for HOF’er Troy Aikman’s third of three Super Bowl wins in Dallas.
Zampese spent two years as the Patriots’ OC in the ‘90’s before ending his career with Washington in 2004…where his son Ken is currently the team QB coach. Zampese passed away this week at age 86.
Among some of the surprising NFL cuts announced this week, ex-Bryant Bulldog Tom Kennedy was cut from the Lions even though he starred on (and off) the field as Detroit’s “Hard Knocks” got started.
Kennedy was the only NFL player to top 100 yards receiving during Week 1 and led the team with 16 receptions for the preseason. The Lions did re-sign Kennedy to their practice squad for his 4th season with the team…and six total receptions in the previous three years.
All of those catches came last year, along with throwing a 75-yard touchdown pass, too.
Other local connections reaching NFL rosters for this season…Kenny Yeboah, born in Providence, signed to the Jets practice squad as a TE; receiver Isaiah Coulter from URI signed onto the Bears practice squad; former Brown QB and all-Ivy E.J. Perry signed onto the Jaguars’ practice squad; former Brown tackle Michael Hoecht once again landed on the Rams’ 53-man roster after winning a Super Bowl ring.
Declining TV ratings? Overall, maybe. But not necessarily in the NFL. The preseason is largely as worthless as teats on a wild boar, but viewership was up 10% last season over 2020, and the expectation is for a similar trend this year, sez CBS.
Actually, ICYWW, teats aren’t worthless on a boar. Those that hunt them say the number of teats on a boar determine the number of teats on his daughters born of his offspring. The mo’ the bettah.
I (bleep) you not. Again, ya’ know, in case you were wondering.
My buddy “Big E” sez he knows smoking can kill you. He also knows bacon can kill you. But he wonders if smoking bacon might not be the cure-all to whatever ails you.
Looks like there could be at least some sanity injected into the wild, wild west of the Transfer Portal in college athletics. The NCAA Division I Board of Directors adopted transfer window rules for all sports this week, and athletes will continue to be automatically eligible the FIRST time they decide to move…provided they first notify their schools in writing of their intentions during the designated transfer window.
For basketball – the 60-day window begins the day after championship selections are made…which is Selection Sunday for March Madness.
Several media reports have the Big East hoop schedule ready to be released next week. Expect the Friars’ entire slate to be released at the same time, even with a potential non-league schedule addition or change hanging in the balance.
ICYMI, one national college hoop publication has targeted incoming PC sophomore transfer Devin Carter as a potential national breakout player. Nothing like rolling on the hype train a bit early, amiright?
Did you catch the new NIL deal for Jared Bynum? Bynum is a likely preseason all-Big East guard selection – and he has a marketing deal in place with 110 Grill, which has a relatively new location across the street from the RI Convention Center in downtown Providence.
Former Friar David Duke, who has been in give-back mode with his hometown, has a new two-way deal with the Brooklyn Nets after scoring 19 points per game during Summer League play.
Looks like a solid Coaches vs. Cancer coaching clinic at Brown on Sept. 11. Coaches featured in the instruction at the Pizzitola Sports Center: Ed Cooley, Brown’s Mike Martin, BC’s Earl Grant, UMass’ Frank Martin, Northeastern’s Bill Coen, Bryant’s Jared Grasso and Celtics’ assistant Joe Mazzulla.
Big ups to former PC athletic director Bob Driscoll, who retired from his active post this summer and handed the position over to Steve Napolillo. Driscoll was named this week as the recipient of the Big East’s second annual John Thompson Award, recognizing significant efforts within the league to fight prejudice and discrimination…and advance positive societal change.
ICYMI…UConn’s Paige Bueckers sez she’s coming back to college basketball before turning to the WNBA. Bueckers tore an ACL last month, and she’ll miss the entire upcoming season.
I mean, I agree with the one-and-only Bob Ryan, who doesn’t believe Kevin Durant’s addition to the Celtics’ roster is, um, necessary.
I’m just not sure I would have termed it as he did, telling a Jeff Goodman podcast “I don’t want to win with that sh*t head.”
Was this before or after Danilo Gallinari’s knee injury? And the rumors of the C’s interest in Carmelo Anthony as a potential replacement?
Please. Just say no.
22nd ranked URI football found itself in a 14-14 tie at Stony Brook Thursday night. Then, the Rams flexed their muscle – which is kinda cool to say – and pulled away with a 21-0 second half, winning 35-14. It’s Rhode Island’s first ever win at Stony Brook, and the Rams’ 4th season opening win in the past five years.
Next weekend, the Rams may have their hands full playing Bryant in Smithfield. The Bulldogs had FBS and Conference USA member Florida International on the ropes, leading 16-0 in the first half.
Forced into overtime but leading 37-30 and playing in Florida for the first time in program history…the Panthers answered at the end converting on a 4th and four from the Bryant five to make it 37-36.
And they scored on a two-point conversion for the win. Ouch.
But a helluva game. Bryant outgained FIU by almost 100 yards of total offense and dominated time of possession.
College Football Playoff expansion – which should happen – may be voted on this weekend.
This week’s NIL bonus: Heisman candidate and Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud, through his deal with Express, gave each of his teammates a $500 gift card for new suits. Recruit against that.
It has been a Serena Williams love affair at the US Open Tennis Championships. Deservedly so. And she reached the third round of her “farewell” tournament with a win over the second-ranked player in the world, Anett Kontaveit…who nobody has ever heard of.
Except for Edward in East Providence, of course. But that doesn’t lessen the impact of her win by one bit – ticket prices for her Friday match doubled to more than $500 each.
And did you catch Gatorade’s tribute on social media…by turning their “G” logo into an “S” logo for Serena?
Anyone else find it odd the Red Sox went out of their way this week to say Chaim Bloom and Alex Cora will be back next season?
That they felt compelled to say something should give you a clue as to how it’s going around Fenway these days. But what about the players? Should THEY be back next season?
Tweet of the Week, from @BostonSportsInf: “Did you know…Red Sox relievers have allowed more earned runs in July and August than the Astros relievers have allowed in the ENTIRE season…scary stuff.”
You can also say Red Sox relievers have thrown the most innings in the majors since July 1, have the highest ERA (at 5.69!) and are next-to-last in inherited runners scoring.
But that’s beating unnecessarily on a dead bullpen. Just sayin’.
Cora should return…if he actually gets to work with a decent roster. I don’t know how in the world pitching coach Dave Bush keeps his job, Bryan Mata or no Bryan Mata down on the farm.
The big question – can Bloom produce a productive roster, considering the cost-containment philosophy he’s been shackled with?
That, perhaps, is the most embarrassing aspect of the Red Flops’ season. Big market Boston. Small market minds. Big market prices, too. But you go ahead and sing “Sweet Caroline” like nothing else matters…while shelling out your hundreds (thousands?) of dollars on THAT product.
You see, the Sox are expecting you to do just that. They’ve got you pegged. And bamboozled.
The MLBPA sent union authorization cards to minor leaguers last weekend – the first step toward organizing the minors. The MLBPA also announced it had absorbed the staff of the nonprofit Advocates for Minor Leagues…which has been fighting to improve minor league working conditions and pay.
Considering MLB’s slicing and dicing of the minors over the past couple of years (and decades), this will be interesting to watch unfold.
Should we be welcoming LIV Golf to Boston? The 4th LIV tournament, funded by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, is being played at The International in Bolton, MA this weekend.
And Big Papi, David Ortiz, is apparently on the payroll…welcoming fans to Boston through a video LIV has produced with him.
Six of the Top 30 in the current world rankings have jumped from the PGA Tour, including reigning British Open champ Cameron Smith. All have said…it’s for the money.
Somewhat fitting, methinks, for a golf club facing bankruptcy just two years ago, to undergo a facelift and then turn to the PGA’s somewhat controversial “rival” tour for its own revival.
The International opened in 1901. It has played a large part in golf history here, and clearly hopes to be a part of history in the present – starting this weekend.
Our buddy Joey Mac reported this week that while LIV was opposed by some in the local community…if not for a successful rebirth of the golf course, it’s likely housing would have/could have been built on The International’s property.
Has a familiar ring, doesn’t it, to what transpired at Metacomet in Rhode Island?
The conclusion is…we’re tired of thinking about it. Out loud, at least.
Interested in having your questions on local Rhode Island sports (and yes, that includes the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics) answered in a somewhat timely fashion? It’s your chance to “think out loud,” so send your questions, comments, and local stories to jrbroadcaster@gmail.com. We’ll share mailbag comments/Facebook posts/Tweets right here! Would appreciate the follow on Twitter, @JRbroadcaster…and join in on Facebook, www.facebook.com/john.rooke ...
Don’t forget to tune into Providence’s 103.7 FM, every Saturday from 7:00-9:00 am for Cordischi and Coit! Call in at 401-737-1287 or text at 37937.
