Even for a UMass football fan, it was hard to complain on Saturday. There were plenty of positive things to say both in Amherst and across social media platforms as the current Minutemen wrapped up what was a productive spring camp with the spring game, then Larnel Coleman was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the NFL Draft later in the evening. The development this spring…
It was a banner weekend for New England football as several players from our region got drafted or signed with NFL teams
It was a banner weekend for New England as several players from Massachusetts, New Hampshire Connecticut and Rhode Island got drafted by an NFL team or signed with one. Kwity Paye, defensive end out of Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick, Rhode Island was drafted 21st overall by the Indianapolis Colts. Paye should step in and make immediate impact for a team that needed a pass rusher desperately. Merrimac’s Pat…
Patriots Draft: Thoughts on ILB Cam McGrone, S Joshuah Bledsoe, OT William Sherman and WR Tre Nixon
The Patriots added five more players in Saturday’s draft. Here are my thoughts on the players the Patriots in the fifth, sixth and seventh round. Cameron McGrone, ILB, 6-0 235 Michigan: McGrone is only 20 years old so he’s young. He won’t turn 21 until June 22nd. McGrone suffered a knee injury in November so there is a good chance he could miss the upcoming season. McGrone has played SAM…
Patriots Draft: Player Profile: Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Oklahoma
Rhamondre Stevenson is one of the few running backs in this draft who has size, is an elite level pass blocker and can contribute in the passing game. Stevenson wasn’t the guy all the time for the Sooners but when he finally got his opportunity to be the lead back, he capitalized on it. Stevenson rushed for 1,100 yards and 13 touchdowns in his career in a rotational role. He…
UMass: Spring game an opportunity for the Minutemen to see who they will be in 2021
By all accounts, UMass had a productive spring. Head Coach Walt Bell was pleased with the development of his squad this spring. Bell talked about the number of players who participated this spring and how the upgrade in talent was evident from two years ago when he first arrived in Amherst. Due to injuries in some position groups. Bell and his staff have scraped the traditional Maroon vs. White format….
Patriots Draft: Ronnie Perkins adds juice to the Patriots pass rush
The Patriots pass rush has been non-existent the past six years. New England hasn’t had a double digit sack artist since Chandler Jones did it in 2015 when he finished with 12.5 sacks. Chase Winovich led the team in sacks last season with 5.5. Bill Belichick has tried changing that this off-season by signing hybrid pass rusher Matthew Judon in free agency and drafting Oklahoma EDGE defender Ronnie Perkins last…
Patriots Draft: DT Christian Barmore was a steal in the second round
Bill Belichick said in his post draft press conference tonight that it was pretty unusual for the best defensive tackle in the draft to still be on the board in the second round. He is right. It is. That is why Belichick made the decision on Friday to trade up and draft Christian Barmore. The Patriots traded the 46th pick in the second round and picks 122 and 139 in…
Patriots Draft: Best available for rounds two and three.
Rounds two and three of the NFL Draft are tonight. As it stands, the Patriots currently have pick 46 in the second round and pick 96 in the third round. It would not surprise me to see Belichick trade down in the second round and add a second third round pick or trade two of his three fourth rounders to get into the bottom of the third round. It is…
Patriots: Let’s not compare Mac Jones to Tom Brady. It is silly
People in the media need to stop comparing Mac Jones to Tom Brady because let’s face it. He’s not Tom Brady and he never will be. Jones himself would tell you that. If you want to compare their college careers and the road they took to the NFL, by all means. Do it. However comparing Jones to Brady is lazy and it is a byproduct of some people’s obsession with…
Patriots Draft: Patriots draft Mac Jones with the 15th pick in the first round
The Patriots went into the 2021 draft needing to address the quarterback position. Speculation was rampant for the past four months that Bill Belichick would finally draft the future quarterback of the franchise in the first round. Well, he did. Belichick stood pat and let the draft come to him. His patience paid off as Alabama quarterback Mac Jones fell to the Patriots at the 15th pick. The Patriots finally…