SANTA CLARA, CA – On Tuesday afternoon right around 2:00 p.m. out in California, the entire NBC Sunday Night broadcast team was part of an informal sit down with media members for about an hour. I had the opportunity to speak with both former Colts head coach Tony Dungy and Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk. I asked them both about Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft not getting into the…
Gareth Patterson/AP SANTA CLARA- To many in New England, the idea of Tom Brady not waving a “Patriots” foam finger during Super Bowl LX feels like a personal betrayal. After twenty years, six rings, and the recent unveiling of a seventeen-foot bronze statue at Gillette Stadium, fans naturally expected Brady to be the franchise’s “Supporter-in-Chief.” However, Brady’s recent “no dog in the fight” comments regarding the Patriots, Seahawks matchup shouldn’t…
Image courtesy of Hudl SANTA CLARA, CA – Massachusetts will never get the credit it deserves for producing talent. It is what it is. But, over the last decade or so, the Commonwealth has certainly climbed the ranks from a national perspective when it comes to high-quality talent that isn’t just offensive linemen or tight ends. One shining example is former Belmont Hill star, now Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jake…
File Photo SANTA CLARA- The steps of the Pro Football Hall of Fame will remain just out of reach for Robert Kraft for at least another year. Despite a resume that includes six Super Bowl championships and the transformation of the New England Patriots from a struggling franchise into billion-dollar franchise, reports surfaced on Tuesday confirming that the 84-year-old owner did not receive the necessary votes for induction in the…
Image courtesy of @Sarahhhfarnan/IG SANTA CLARA, CA – During his time as a player at BC, on a near-weekly basis, a question would come up for linebacker Vinny DePalma about coaching in the future. Jeff Hafley used to say that DePalma was basically another coach on the field and he would often tell us that coaching very well could be in his future…if he didn’t end up on Wall Street….
Kyle Terada-Imagn Images SANTA CLARA- Drake Maye provided a reassuring update on the right shoulder injury that had limited him in practices the previous week. Speaking at Super Bowl Opening Night last night, Maye said that the cross-country trip and the change in environment marked a significant turning point in his recovery. “I think I turned a corner landing on the flight,” Maye told reporters, noting that the rest and…
The Patriots have been one of the most aggressive defenses in the playoffs and I would expect that to continue this week. If they want to win this game, they are going to need to blitz Sam Darnold, early and often. Not only do they need to pressure him, but they need to be willing to bring 5, 6 and 7 man pressures on a consistent basis. Mike Vrabel and…
Image courtesy of Assumption & The New England Patriots SAN JOSE, CA – When Ashton Grant was playing at Assumption, the dream never got this far. Mostly because busses were the main form of transportation. Playing or going to a Super Bowl as a coach was a pipe dream as a young player for the Greyhounds. Now, as the quarterbacks coach partially responsible for the sudden arrival of Drake Maye,…
Getty Images SANTA CLARA- Milton Williams signed the largest free agent contract in New England Patriots team history and the largest free agent contract of all time for a defensive tackle. Fast forward ten months later and with the Patriots in the Super Bowl, it is safe to say Williams has been worth every penny Williams has emerged as a catalyst for the Patriots Super Bowl run, serving as a…
By John Sapochetti NEFJ Contributor The Patriots will be appearing in their league record 12th Super Bowl on Sunday, February 8th when they face the Seattle Seahawks in Santa Clara California. There are more angles to cover, heading in to a Super Bowl, than I faced in my sophomore geometry class. One angle is to rank the 12 opponents the Patriots will have faced in the Super Bowl. Here we…