Thinking out loud while wondering if the person who smiles during a crisis is the one we should blame ...
Have you been Zapped?
How is it possible that a guy who looks just like Ollie from the movie “Hoosiers” (thanks for that spot-on comparison, Dan Roche) becomes a cult hero in ever-tough New England in such short order?
Because we’re hoping to have lightning strike us twice. It happened once with TB12 when he arrived in Foxboro and jumped Drew Bledsoe. Don’t get ahead of yourselves on this second shot.
ZAP-PEE! ZAP-PEE! ZAP-PEE! If you were at Gillette Stadium last weekend, you heard it at the end of the Patriots’ 29-0 whitewashing of Detroit. A star is waiting to shine.
Wait, wut? Didn’t we hear screams of “Let’s go Mac!” just a year ago, when that other rookie QB (Mac Jones, remember him?) performed well in his debut season?
Déjà vu all over again, as Yogi Berra would say. And because we’re so…so…gullible, we’ll fall for just about anything when it comes to quarterbacking these Patriots. We’re so spoiled by success; we’re craving it like day-old Halloween candy.
So, I’ll jump on board the Zappe train. It’s a fun ride. He’s a great story, this kid from Western Kentucky by way of that powerhouse Houston Baptist University. Happy for his success.
And who knows, if something should befall Mac Jones again, at least the Patriots have someone as a more-than-capable backup, amiright?
Or maybe they have a trade chip. And they control the contracts of BOTH QB1 and MaybeQB2 for a few more seasons. Can’t we just enjoy a different kind of “success” these days?
Don’t worry, be Zappe. Apologies to Bobby McFerrin.
Ain’t got no place to lay your head (Mac)? Somebody came and took your bed (that would be Bailey). Don’t worry, be Zappe.
We’re onto Cleveland. After that, if the Pats win, we might be onto a full-fledged QB controversy.
I don’t know about you, but I enjoyed seeing red this past weekend after a 10-year layoff. Wearing reds as throwbacks at home, the Patriots have won seven straight.
Mr. Red Sleeves himself, Matt Judon, was named as the AFC Defensive Player of the Week. With Deatrich Wise on the other side, the Patriots edge rush is scoring high marks – and making life a bit easier on a rapidly-improving secondary.
Need some perspective? @ESPNStatsInfo tweeted this week: Detroit’s shutout loss to New England was the first time in NFL history that a team averaging 35 points per game in its first four games was shut out in its fifth game of the season.
The game plan for the next few weeks should be – run, run, run. And run some more. It won’t be fancy. But it might win games. Rhamondre, hello!
My buddy Russell sez the running game might be making a bit of a comeback in pro football. Last week alone there were nine 100-yard games (Stevenson had one of those), and 18 in the past two weeks. A year ago, there were 17 total 100-yard games in the first three weeks of the season.
Whether it’s Zappe starting, or Jones back in there from injury, making it easier on them should be a focus. It’s not what the original game plan was for this season – this offense hoped to stretch things out and go hunting for the big play more often.
But what about winning now? The demanding fan base will never again accept losing. And maybe rightfully so.
If the defense continues its trajectory, it’s possible we see this team win a few they shouldn’t. Just don’t lose the ones they shouldn’t, either.
The Patriots are getting better odds, probably as a result of better on-field grades. Jacobi Meyers was graded 5th in the NFL at receiver by Pro Football Focus, through five weeks. Jack Jones - #1 at cornerback, Jonathan Jones 4th.
Oh, and that “offensive” offensive line? Cole Strange – 26 pass blocking snaps at left guard, zero sacks or pressures allowed against Detroit. Mike Onwenu – highest pass-blocking grade among all guards in the NFL, through five weeks.
And the offense is tied for 6th in most explosive plays. New England has gone from 150-1 to 75-1 to win the Super Bowl, 40-1 to win the AFC (from 75-1) and 22-1 to win the AFC East (from 33-1).
Like: Big Kick Nick Folk. 63 straight field goals made under 50 yards? That’s nuts.
Dislike: Nelson Agholor. But I don’t know why fans get upset when he drops one. Rookestradamus told you before the season he’ll drop one almost every game. But you didn’t listen.
Here’s a little song I wrote…about a guy with a game of note…don’t worry, Be Zappe.
I’ll have “Amazing Numbers” for $300, Alex: Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, when trailing by 10 or more points in a game – including playoffs – is 12-9 for his career. TB12 has 39 such victories to his credit…but also 63 losses.
Something TB12 owns that Mahomes doesn’t – yet. A professional Pickleball franchise. I bleep you not. Yes, Giselle, pro Pickleball does exist.
My buddy “Big E” sez he has a singular idea in mind every election year. Politicians and diapers have something in common – they both need to be changed regularly, and for the same reason.
Recent PC graduate A.J. Reeves signed an “Exhibit 10” contract with the Celtics last weekend but was waived by the team this week. It’s likely he’ll land with the G League Maine Celtics, which was a probable destination anyway…before he was waived.
Fellow Friar grad Justin Minaya is also heading for the NBA’s G League – to play in Mexico City.
Pack your suit and suntan lotion…next years’ Friars are reportedly headed for the Bahamas in November of 2023…along with Power 6 brethren Miami (ACC) and Kansas State (Big 12).
You might have seen it on social media…but there are new unis and a new court floor at the AMP for this season. The wha? You mean the Dunk? The Civic Center?
The first look at Ed Cooley’s eight newcomers on the 2022-23 edition comes during Saturday’s Mal Brown scrimmage at the AMP. What I’ll be watching for – outside of Jared Bynum – who can become a reliable scorer?
Big East Media Day is Tuesday in New York, and I’d be surprised if the league coaches pick the preseason poll any differently than this: 1) Creighton; 2) Villanova; 3) UConn; 4) Xavier; 5) Providence; 6) Seton Hall; 7) St. John’s; 8) Butler; 9) Marquette; 10) Georgetown; 11) DePaul
NCAA.com’s Andy Katz recently listed what he thought to be the nation’s Top 15 impact transfers from the portal for this season – but not one was a Friar. Noah Locke (Louisville/Florida), Devin Carter (S. Carolina), Clifton Moore (LaSalle/Indiana), and Bryce Hopkins (Kentucky) might take issue with that.
Of his predicted Top 15, Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman was 5th (South Dakota State, remember?) and St. John’s Andre Curbelo (from Illinois) was 6th. Future Friar opponent Miami had guard Nijel Pack (from Kansas State) ranked 14th most impactful.
Health is becoming an early issue for a few. 6-10 Butler big man Jalen Thomas, a transfer from Georgia State, is out indefinitely with a pulmonary embolism. Doctors believe he will make a full recovery.
Villanova star freshman Cam Whitmore – a likely preseason Freshman of the Year – is out for at least a month after injuring his right thumb in a recent practice.
UConn’s Andre Jackson fractured his right-hand pinky finger in practice and is expected to be out about a month.
On the other hand, Xavier’s senior forward Zach Freemantle is back in his teams’ good graces, after being suspended from the team two weeks ago.
Tweet of the Week, from @PaintTouches: “Of the 1077 players that have played at least 40% of minutes in Big East games since 2008, Marquette’s Kam Jones is the only 1 ever to not attempt at least 1 free throw.”
Something you don’t see often: Seton Hall 7-foot center Ike Obiagu, the Big East Scholar-Athlete of the Year last season, has opted for a job with Ernst & Young…instead of trying his hand at pro ball.
ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips said this week there needs to be serious consideration toward expanding the NCAA Tournament? Why? So the ACC can find a way to get Syracuse back in there?
Four words: Just. Don’t. Do. It.
Four more words: They. Want. More. Money.
Long time ESPN executive and former Senior Associate Commissioner for the Big East and American Athletic Conference Tom Odjakjian recently announced his retirement from college athletics. One of the really good guys in the business of college sports and broadcasting, OJ spent the past summer volunteering his time with the Cape Cod Baseball League.
ICYMI, former Friar all-American runner Emily Sisson had a helluva weekend in Chicago last week. She became the fastest American woman to ever run a marathon, winning the Chicago race in 2:18:29…and beating the old American record by a robust 43 seconds.
After a season opening win over Sacred Heart, PC’s 15th ranked Hockey Friars double dip this week. After beating Clarkson 5-2 Thursday at Schneider for a 2-0 start, the Friars get a road matchup with 7th ranked Northeastern Saturday night.
Atlantic 10 Basketball Media Day was held in Brooklyn Thursday, with the Rhode Island Rams slotted for 9th in the 15-team league for Archie Miller’s debut season. Dayton was picked first, possible PC opponent Saint Louis was second; newcomer Loyola Chicago was 4th, UMass 8th.
URI’s Brayon Freeman, a transfer from George Washington, was selected for the preseason all-A10 3rd team.
On the gridiron, #22 URI gets its next big test after a week off last Saturday, playing at #14 Elon Saturday. Holy Cross, now 6-0 on the season after blasting Bucknell 57-0 in front of more than 7600 fans at Worcester’s Polar Park, is up to #8/7 in the FCS national polls this week.
How about this: All NCAA Division II schools will be required to take off election day, Nov. 8th – no games, no practices. The goal here is to increase opportunities to take part in civic engagement activities…like voting, and volunteering.
It’s not a requirement for Division I schools. Why? Do I really need to (cha-ching) answer (cha-ching) that question for you (cha-ching)?
Not for nuthin’, but did someone mention $$$? The Top 10 NBA players will earn a collective $751 million this season, a record amount, and up a whopping 122% from 10 years ago.
How about college football coaches? Saw a list make the rounds on Twitter this week pegging the Top 10 salaries in the game – led by Alabama’s Nick Saban, earning $10.95 million per year.
The pay for college coaches has hit its’ greatest one-year spike ever, with an average increase over LAST YEAR at 15.3 percent.
Meanwhile, inflation continues for the rest of us at its’ worst rate in 40 years. I told my mom I should have kept shooting the ball on my driveway hoop in the rain! Just sayin’.
The baseball playoffs? Meh. Need someone to yell at, or yell for. Got neither.
Here’s a switch the politically correct crowd might find interesting: The Triple A Indianapolis Indians baseball team is keeping its’ name, for now. The Native American Guardians’ Association WANTS the team to keep their name and logo – which they’ve had since 1902.
And yes, Indy’s Indians are the AAA affiliate for the Cleveland Guardians – which did change their name from Indians, as you may know.
Nice work by the Czech line in the Bruins’ opener this week. Good start. Wake me in December.
Providence Bruins’ voice Austin Rooke tells me Boston’s AHL affiliate has some real offensive talent for the AMP crowd to watch this season, which began Friday night at home.
The Revs missed the playoffs for the first-time during Bruce Arena’s tenure, just one year after having the best record in MLS – and a first-round playoff flop. But attendance isn’t suffering – yet.
MLS hosted more than 10 million fans this year, a record high. Next year, the league adds St. Louis City SC as a team, and Apple as a new media partner worth at least $2.5 billion.
Oh, one more verse from earlier, now that McFerrin’s song is firmly implanted in my head as an earworm and won’t go away: In every season we have some trouble…but when you worry you make it double…don’t worry, Be Zappe.
You’re welcome.
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