The tight end position has evolved in the last ten years. Tight ends are no longer big, vertical targets that strictly line up next to the offensive tackle and run block first. Tight ends are athletes now. They are mixed and matched within personnel groupings and line up as split ends or in the slot. Tight ends are used to generate match ups now. The 2018 class has a handful…
Patriots Pulse Blog: The Patriots Cannot Give Up the Farm for Josh Rosen
The Patriots are rumored to be interested in UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen. By all accounts the interest on the Patriots part is genuine. There is only one problem. Rosen is expected to be drafted within the first five picks. If the Patriots want to draft Rosen, they would have to jump into the top five. The Giants, Browns and Broncos would all be willing trade partners if the return was…
Patriots Pulse Blog: Breaking Down the Patriots 2018 Schedule
The Patriots 2018 schedule will be unveiled tonight but thanks to the internet and Jeff Howe of The Athletic, we got our hands on the 2018 schedule early. Here is our breakdown of what could be a tough schedule for the Patriots. Week 1: Houston Texans 1pm: Deshaun Watson and company almost beat the Patriots last season in a thriller at Gillette, losing 36-33. Now the two teams will play…
2018 NFL Draft: Scouting the Offensive Tackles
Offensive tackle has always been the strongest offensive line position in the NFL draft but that is not the case in this draft. It is a position with two tackles possibly going in the first round. After Notre Dame’s Mike McGlinchey and UCLA’s Kolton Miller, there is a drop off at the position. Texas’ Conor Williams and Oklahoma’s Orlando Brown have first round talent but teams have reservations about both…
NFL: Aaron Rodgers Should Focus on Playing Football, Not Running the Packers
According to Charles Robinson of yahoo.com, Aaron Rodgers is growing frustrated with the Packers for not seeking his opinion on personnel matters. Rodgers has expressed frustration with the organization after they fired quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt and released wide receiver Jordy Nelson. Rodgers is so frustrated in fact that some around him wonder if he will stay in Green Bay once his current contract expires after the 2019 season….
2018 NFL Draft: Scouting the Guards
The guard position in this draft is as good as I have seen in my twenty of years of covering the NFL draft. Quenton Nelson is the best guard prospect I have watched on tape since David DeCastro. He has everything you are looking physically and technically. There are not many flaws in his game. Here are our top ten guards and some thoughts on the position. XNOJOE’S Top Ten…
2018 NFL Draft: Mock Draft 2.0
The Browns are going to shock the football world and take Josh Allen number one overall. My second of three mock draft is here. There are some changed at the top based on pro days and some of the chatter that is circulating around teams at the top of the draft. Here is our second mock draft of the pre-draft process. 1. Cleveland Browns: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming: Where there is…
NFL: Top 5 Landing Spots for Dez Bryant
The Dallas Cowboys released pro bowl wide receiver Dez Bryant yesterday in a move that will save them $8 million dollars in cap space in 2018. Bryant’s release wasn’t a surprise given his lack of production the last three seasons. That along with a shift in philosophy offensively led to the mercurial receiver’s departure in Big D. So, where will Dez be throwing up the X next season? Here are…
2018 NFL Draft: Scouting the Centers
The center position has experienced a revival of sorts in recent years. Gone are the days of the short, compact center. Teams are now looking for centers who have size, length and offer versatility. Offensive line coaches want centers who can also kick outside and play guard. Here are our top ten centers in this draft. XNOJOE’S Top Ten Centers 1. Billy Price, Ohio State, 6-4 305 2. James Daniels,…
Patriots Pulse Blog: I Just Don’t See the Lamar Jackson Fit With the Patriots
Image courtesy of Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports Let me start off by saying that I am a Lamar Jackson fan. Unlike the Bill Polian’s of the world, I think Jackson is a quarterback and I think he has the potential to be a very good quarterback. When I watch Jackson on film, I see Marcus Mariota with more speed. Jackson has the physical tools to be a good starting quarterback…