‘The League’ kicks off Year 5 with dominant defensive performances

May 3, 2026

By Tom O’Brien NEFJ Correspondent MALDEN- ‘The League’ officially kicked off its fifth year with games on Sunday. Three teams looking to put some good film together for college scouts played each other once in legitimate 11-on-11 games. “It’s the first week, the guys were competing and getting better,” said The League founder and BB&N head coach Mike Wiley. The first game was between the Boston Junkyard Dogs and the……

Read More >>

Newest Patriots looking forward to ‘energy’ from the fan base

April 30, 2026

I’m obviously biased, but this is the best sports fan base in the country. As far as being true a-holes to opponents, Philly probably takes first, then it’s a battle between Boston and New York and Detroit has an argument. Chicago is too nice. So, for some of the newest free agent signings for the Patriots, getting to be on the other side of fans’ attention will be a welcomed…

Read More >>

BC Director of Player Personnel Ryan Roberts explains pitch to recruits

April 30, 2026

The new regime at BC has completely changed the way the program looks at recruiting. From top to bottom, with an NFL structure now in place, Boston College – and more importantly the people above the staff – have shown a renewed commitment to recruiting, particularly locally. On Wednesday, I had the chance to speak with new Director of Player Personnel Ryan Roberts and asked him what the pitch is…

Read More >>

Rob Gronkowski elected to Patriots Hall of Fame

April 29, 2026

Image courtesy of the New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH – In one of the biggest no-brainer decisions of all time for the fan base, the Patriots announced on Wednesday that Rob Gronkowski has officially been elected to the Patriots Hall of Fame. Arguably the greatest tight end of all time retired as a Patriot with a one-day contract last season and now he’ll have a red jacket coming his way sometime…

Read More >>

Hunter Henry eager to see Drake Maye take next step in 2026

April 28, 2026

Image courtesy of Associated Press FOXBOROUGH – Hunter Henry stepped to the podium inside the new workroom at the New Balance Athletics Center all smiles on Tuesday. The now six-year Patriots tight end took questions for about seven or eight minutes from some assembled media as the team continues to go through the early portions of voluntary offseason workouts. Henry touched on various things like the sting of the Super…

Read More >>

2nd ‘A Shot For Life’ football event in Connecticut another smashing success

April 27, 2026

All images courtesy of Scott Sulkazi  By Rob Gullo NEFJ Correspondent WEST HARTFORD — Around a year ago, Mike Sloninia, CEO/owner of A Shot For Life (a non-profit organization that funds cancer research initiatives) introduced the ASFL initiative to high school football in Connecticut. Slonina, a Massachusetts native, started the A Shot For Life organization 15 years ago when he found out his mother was diagnosed with cancer. This led…

Read More >>

‘The League’ unofficially kicks off with jamboree

April 26, 2026

By Tom O’Brien NEFJ Correspondent MALDEN- Spring is truly here. In an unofficial sign, The League kicked off its season with a jamboree before official games begin next week. “It was kind of our last dress rehearsal before the games actually start next week, so we call this our jamboree. It’s like a combination of inside run, seven on seven, and then some 11-on-11 button up stuff and it was good,”…

Read More >>

UMass spring game recap

April 26, 2026

By Ryan Barry NEFJ Correspondent AMHERST – A cool spring afternoon at McGuirk Alumni Stadium was the setting for the 2026 UMass Football Spring Game in Amherst, Massachusetts. Unlike last year’s event that featured a Team Maroon vs. Team White format, this year was a lot simpler with four quarters, a running clock, and an offensive vs. defensive unit without points. Across 13 total drives, fans saw four touchdowns and…

Read More >>

New facility allows Patriots’ front office more efficient draft process

April 25, 2026

Image courtesy of @Patriots (Instagram) The New Balance Athletics Center is a beautiful new building for both the staff and players right next door to Gillette Stadium. Whether it’s the new enormous locker room, a completely upgraded weight room, meeting rooms attached to indoor fields or the gorgeous cafeteria, it’s exactly what an NFL team should have. Frankly, most D1 programs now have what the Patriots are using in Foxborough….

Read More >>

Important day for future of BC with four players taken in NFL Draft

April 25, 2026

Image courtesy of BC Athletics This may sound like hyperbole, but it’s not. Day three of the 2026 NFL Draft could be game-changing for recruiting moving forward. Jude Bowry (4th round), Logan Taylor (6th round), Lewis Bond (6th round) and Quintayvious Hutchins (7th round) are all NFL-bound after hearing or seeing their names called on Saturday. Bowry was the second pick of the entire day Saturday, going to the Buffalo…

Read More >>