By Mike Vallee The majority of Patriots games I write about and analyze are consumed from the comfort of my couch or the friendly confines of Gillette Stadium but this week three of my friends and I decided to go behind enemy lines and head out for a little football road trip to the jewel of Lake Erie: Buffalo, New York. The Trip: Nothing like starting your weekend with a…
The Patriots trading linebacker Jaime Collins shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Bill Belichick made a series of moves over the past few months that added linebacker depth but were also signs that the team was ready to move on from Collins. Belichick signed former Chicago Bears linebacker Shea McClellin in the spring, traded for linebacker Barkevious Mingo and just last week traded for linebacker Kyle Van Noy….
Image courtesy of Mark Mulville/Buffalo News Game Recap: Tom Brady sparkled in the Patriots 41-25 win on Sunday. Brady completed 22/33 315 yards and 4 touchdown passes in the win. Here are five quick thoughts on the Patriots win. 1. Pats Get Revenge: I think a lot was made of the Patriots gaining revenge after their 16-0 loss to the Bills earlier this season but the Patriots did indeed get revenge. I…
Storyline: The Patriots will look to avenge a 16-0 week four loss to the Bills today in Buffalo. The Patriots played their last game without Tom Brady in week four but Brady is back and he’s looking to put it on the Bills in this one. Here are our five keys to today’s game. 1. Get Brady in Rhythm Early: Tom Brady has struggled against Rex Ryan defenses in the…
(Photo courtesy of the Eagle Tribune) The high school playoffs are upon us and there some intriguing match-ups on the docket for this weekend. Here are my thoughts on some of this weekend’s action. 1.Everett and Haverhill has the potential to be the best game of the weekend. If Haverhill is going to pull off the upset, they must control the clock with running back J.C. Laguerre and keep Jordan…
College football is better when Miami and Notre Dame play. Week 9 has some intriguing match-ups including Clemson at Floirda State, Northwestern at Ohio State Miami Hurricanes at Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Its Catholics vs. Convicts 2016. The only difference is, neither program is that good right now so this game won’t be as good as some clashes between these two teams were in the 80’s. I like Miami in this…
By Michael Vallee -The New England Patriots, ho-hum, beat the Steelers minus QB Ben Roethlisberger; Brady, ho-hum, was predictably accurate and efficient and the defense, ho-hum, was it’s usual bend-but-don’t-break self, allowing the Steelers multiple trips inside their territory but surrendering only 16 points. Yes, it’s a win against a good team on the road, and yes, as Belichick repeatedly said in his post-game press conference, it is a “tough…
Photo courtesy of SUN/Julia Malakie The playoffs are here but before we start dissecting match-ups, lets look back at the weekend that was. 1. I can’t say I’m surprised that Tewksbury beat Billerica. The Redmen are well coached and they are physical enough to match up with a team like Billerica. 2. St. John’s Prep might be the most dangerous entering the playoffs. The Eagles were impressive in their 17-7…
Week eight featured a major upset by Penn State and return to dominance by Leonard Fornette. Here my thoughts on the week that was in College Football. 1.Ohio State’s season is over. Two years after winning a national championship, the Buckeyes will once again disappoint the faithful in Columbus. I am sorry, but losing to a mediocre Penn State team is inexcusable. 2. Leonard Fournette reminded us of why we…
Game Rewind: The Patriots jumped out to a 14-0 lead and never looked back in a 27-16 win against a banged up Steelers team. Here are my five thoughts on the game. 1. Blount Force Trauma: The Patriots game plan this week was obvious from the out set. They wanted to be balanced and run the football. LeGarrette Blount was a manimal in this game carrying the ball 24 times…