Opening Thought: The Patriots play their third pre-season game tonight in Carolina against the Panthers. Teams have traditionally played their starters the most in the third pre-season game. The Patriots have played their starters a fair amount thus far this pre-season so it will be interesting to see how much Brady and company play. Here are five things to look for tonight. 1. Brady’s Playing Time: It will be interesting…
College Football: You Didn’t Think Ohio State Was Going to Fire Urban Meyer did you?
Ohio State suspended embattled coach Urban Meyer for three games without pay on Wednesday for lying publicly about what he knew regarding former receivers coach Zack Smith abusing his ex-wife Courtney Smith. Meyer’s suspension has been greeted with wide spread criticism and rightfully so. Meyer has shown no remorse for employing a wife beater like Smith or for publicly lying about whether or not he knew Smith was abusing his…
Patriots Pulse Recap: Patriots 37 Eagles 20
Game Rewind: The Patriots exacted a tiny measure of revenge against the Eagles last night in a 37-20 win at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots improved to 2-0 on the pre-season. Here are my thoughts on the game. 1. Brady Was On: Remember all that talk that Tom Brady was going to be rusty after missing voluntary OTA’s? Yeah. It didn’t matter. Brady played the entire first half and put up…
Patriots Pulse Preview: Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots
Pre-Game Primer: It is a rematch of Super Bowl 52 as the Philadelphia Eagles come into Gillette Stadium to battle the Patriots in pre-season game number two. The Patriots played several starters on both sides of the ball last week but they did not start Tom Brady who was out reportedly because of a sore back. Brady is expected to play tonight. Many of the starters should once again see…
Patriots Pulse Blog: Positional Breakdown: Defensive Line
On paper, this defensive line might be the most defensive line the Patriots have had the last ten years. The acquisitions of defensive tackle Danny Shelton and defensive end Adrian Clayborn to go along with Malcolm Brown, Lawrence Guy, Vincent Valentine Trey Flowers, Deatrich Wise and Derek Rivers gives the Patriots a deep and versatile group up front defensively. Rushing the passer has been an issue for the Patriots in…
Patriots Pulse Blog: Positional Breakdown: Linebackers
The success of the Patriots linebacking corp will once again hinge on the health of WILL linebacker Dont’a Hightower. Hightower missed 11 regular season games and three playoff games last season with a torn pectoral muscle. The Patriots need Hightower to play an entire season. He is the leader of the defense. He makes all the calls, all the checks and he plays in all packages. The Patriots defense has…
Patriots Pulse Blog: Positional Breakdown: Defensive Backs
The Patriots secondary lost a key member this off-season when much maligned cornerback Malcolm Butler signed with the Tennessee Titans. Butler went from Super Bowl hero against the Seahawks to Super Bowl cast out against the Eagles. We will never really know why he didn’t play in Super Bowl 52 but regardless of how you feel about his benching, it is time to move on from Butler. Here is my…
College Football: Maryland Has No Choice But to Terminate D.J Durkin
If the vile allegations against Maryland Head Football Coach D.J Durkin and members of his staff in the aftermath of Jordan McNair’s death are true, then Durkin should be fired. The University of Maryland announced today that strength coach Rick Court was relieved of his duties and received a $315,000 buyout. Could Durkin be next? I don’t see how Durkin survives this? A player died on his watch. That is…
Fantasy Football: 15 Skill Players Who Offer Terrific PPR Value
Isaiah Crowell has RB1 potential, especially in PPR leagues. Most fantasy players believe that point per reception leagues are easier leagues to draft players in. The reality is however, you have to do more homework in PPR leagues, particularly if you want to draft well in the later rounds. It is all about finding those proverbial diamonds in the rough. Here are fifteen players that could be real finds, particularly…
Fantasy Football: 10 Fantasy Sleepers, Ten Fantasy Busts
Andrew Luck is back and yes. He’s a QB1. Every year before your draft, you do endless hours of research trying to find sleepers that you think can help you win a championship. As you well know, there are sleepers and there are busts. Here are ten sleepers and ten busts for this season. 10 Sleepers 1. Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants: Yes, Manning is a sleeper. He has…