Image courtesy of AFCA Two New England teams will begin the season in the Top 25 of the FCS AFCA coaches poll. Rhode Island is ranked No. 8 in the country, while Yale came in at No. 19 when the initial vote was unveiled on Monday morning. Coming off a an 11-3 overall record in the regular season and a perfect 8-0 mark in the CAA – clinching the league…
UMass defense gelling quickly in camp
Image courtesy of UMass Athletics AMHERST – If UMass is going to have any chance of turning things around in 2026, the defense is going to have to get off the field. Every football team at any level can say that, but if the Minutemen have to win shootouts – even with Pop Watson now slinging it to Joe Griffin and T.Y. Harding – it’ll be an uphill climb for…
Patriots begin Philly prep with 17th training camp practice
FOXBOROUGH – It’s not hyperbole to call this the most important week of the offseason for the Patriots. With a two-day preseason litmus test against the Eagles coming up in joint practices, we’ll know exactly where the Patriots stand against one of the teams that (should) be in the Super Bowl hunt. It was back to work in full pads on Monday after a walkthrough on Sunday. Here’s how everything went…
Former Harvard standout Rizy relishing opportunity with Patriots
FOXBOROUGH – Connecticut native and former Harvard offensive lineman Jacob Rizy is currently living the dream. No matter how long it may last, Rizy’s time in training camp with the Patriots after growing up playing for Staples and then playing four years in Cambridge has afforded him a special opportunity to pursue his NFL dream back home. Following practice on Monday, Rizy got to meet with reporters for the first…
Patriots could face tough decision in 2nd preseason game
FOXBOROUGH – Will the Patriots starters see any time during Saturday’s preseason game against Philadelphia? As of now, that’s still to be determined. With two joint practices scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday against the Eagles this week, throwing Drake Maye, AJ Brown, Will Campbell, Milton Williams, Christian Barmore and others out there for a meaningless game, even if it’s only for a series or a quarter could be disastrous. That…
5 observations from our camp visit with New Haven
By Rob Gullo NEFJ Correspondent NEW HAVEN — Entering Year 2 as a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC), the University of New Haven Chargers are ready to make noise and defy preseason expectations. Under head coach Mark Powell, who took over as head coach and defensive coordinator prior to New Haven’s transitional season last summer, the Chargers finished last season with a 5-5 record which included three losses to…
Casdia ready to carry the load once again for Glastonbury
Dante Casdia is used to being busy on Friday nights in the fall. One of the top returning running back in the state of Connecticut, Casdia is the focal point of an offense that goes as he goes. He is the epitome of a bell cow back, something Casdia embraces.
Patriots provide special day for media families
FOXBOROUGH – For one special summer afternoon on Saturday, the Patriots allowed the storytellers to metaphorically tell each other their own personal stories. The media covering the team regularly was invited to bring their families to training camp and a barbecue on Saturday. But, not just training camp like the same event last year…this time, they were also invited into the media workroom for Mike Vrabel’s pre-practice press conference, a…
Kayshon Boutte’s professionalism a lesson to use for Todd Downing
Image courtesy of New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH – Hearing your name in trade rumors during a contract year is nothing new for NFL players, but it doesn’t make it any easier. The uncertainty of waking up in a certain city one day and possibly having to move your whole life to another is as stressful as it gets. Kayshon Boutte has been living that professional nightmare pretty much all offseason,…
Lots of positives to take away from BC in-stadium scrimmage
CHESTNUT HILL- Boston College headed into Alumni Stadium for an energetic in-stadium scrimmage that offered a clearer picture of where the Eagles stand as training camp progresses.
The practice featured noticeable steps progress across multiple position groups, balanced out by clear areas that still require refinement before kickoff.