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csunsportswriter-blog · 8 years ago

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Boston Sports 11/27-11/30

Boston Red Sox game featured anti-racism banner

During the Boston Red Sox game versus the Oakland A’s baseball was not the only thing America going on.

On their second game of three, a Boston Red Sox fan brought an anti-racism banner and displayed it for the public between the 3rd and 4th innings. The banner said, Racism is as American as baseball.

When Red Sox president Sam Kennedy was asked how it was brought it he explained that the banner was snuck passed security in a backpack.

The protestors were not violent in their actions so Sam Kennedy was not angry by any means.

They were very open, Kennedy said. They were very respectful. There was no real incident other than the unfurling of the sign.

This is opportune timing as the Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots and Celtics will come together at Fenway Park for an event called “Take the Lead,” on September 28. They will address racism, hate speech and intolerance.

http://www.bostonherald.com/

Will Patriots defensive struggles continue?

After opening night for the 2017 NFL season, the microscope has been all on the Patriots. It has been more specifically on their defense rather than offense.

After letting Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt rush for 148 yards and receive another 98 yards in the air to go along with three touchdowns, their are questions to be asked.

Specifically, can they stop the three-headed monster backfield that theÂ New Orleans Saints have?

The Saints have future hall of fame Adrian Peterson to go along with new rookie standout Alvin Kamara and returning starter Mark Ingram.

These three backs are versatile and bring different talents to what they can provide on the field.

After the New England Patriots had the worst defensive showing in the Bill Belichek era, the people will see if they will land back on their feet during their away game against the Saints Sunday at 10 p.m.

http://www.bostonherald.com/

Brandin Cooks returns to play the team that drafted him

On Sunday not only will the Patriots gear up for an offensive shootout against the New Orleans Saints, but new PatriotsÂ wideÂ receiver Brandin Cooks will return to play his old teammates.

During a crazy NFL offseason, the New Orleans Saints traded Brandin Cooks and their 2017 fourth round pick for the New England Patriots 2017 first and third round picks.

In 42 games with the Saints, Cooks hauled in 215 receptions for 2,861 yards and 20 touchdowns. He went over 1,100 yards in each of the last two seasons.

Cooks had an average showing his first game against the Chiefs defense, hauling in three receptions for 88 yards.

The Patriots and Cooks will look to torch a Saints defense that gave up 346 yards in the air to Sam Bradford and three touchdowns.

http://www.bostonherald.com/

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csunsportswriter-blog · 8 years ago

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Boston Sports 11/6-11/9

Patriots claim Martellus Bennett off of waivers

The Patriots claimed tight end Martellus Bennett off waivers on Thursday, a day after he was released by the Green Bay Packers, and eight months after he left, Super Bowl ring in tow, as a free agent in March.

The Patriots hope he can give them the same boost he did last year, when he served as the primary tight end late in the season and through the playoffs while Rob Gronkowski was injured.

Bennett is still suffering from a shoulder injury, one of many injuries he dealt with for much of last season, despite playing all 19 games. The Packers waived him with the designation that he failed to report a medical condition, setting up a potential grievance claim. The 30-year-old has missed the last two games and already had been ruled out for Green Bay’s game on Sunday.

Aaron Hernandez’s brain showed signs of CTE

The pioneering researcher who discovered that Aaron Hernandez was afflicted with advanced chronic traumatic encephalopathy said Thursday that she cannot solve one of the great mysteries in American sports: why the Patriots phenom who seemed to have it all, including a $40 million contract, would murder a friend over a perceived slight and hang himself five days after a jury cleared him of killing two strangers who may have angered him at a nightclub.

But Dr. Ann McKee, a neuropathologist who directs the Boston University CTE Center, said Hernandez’s brain disease the most severe the BU team has seen in an athlete so young is known to manifest in harmful ways.

“We can’t take the pathology and explain the behavior, but we can say collectively that individuals with CTE of this severity have difficulty with impulse control, decision-making, aggression, often emotional volatility, and rage behavior,” McKee said.

She said she received Hernandez’s brain in very good condition, which presented a rare opportunity to study the disease in a person so young. McKee said Hernandez was born with a genetic marker that is associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and possibly CTE.

“He may have had some susceptibility to developing a more aggressive type [of CTE],” McKee said.

Tatum likely out against Hornets

An MRI on rookie Jayson Tatum's sore right ankle came back negative Thursday and he is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Charlotte Hornets, according to the Boston Celtics.

Al Horford will miss his second straight game Friday while in concussion protocol.

Tatum left Wednesday's win over the visiting Los Angeles Lakers in the second quarter after complaining of ankle soreness. The team performed X-rays at the arena, which were negative. Tatum underwent more imaging during Thursday's day off and appears to be day-to-day.

Horford endured a blow to the head from Atlanta's Kent Bazemore in Monday's win over the Hawks and entered the league's concussion protocol Wednesday morning after reporting symptoms that included headaches to the team's medical staff.

Horford missed nine games last season because of a concussion but was at the arena for Wednesday's game, and team brass are hopeful this isn't as severe an occurrence.

The Celtics are already playing without Gordon Hayward, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury six minutes into Boston's opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Boston has won 10 straight games after an 0-2 start.

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csunsportswriter-blog · 8 years ago

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Boston sports 10/30-11/2

Danny Amendola hyperextended his knee

Patriots slot receiver Danny Amendola is gutting through another injury.

Amendola hyperextended his knee during a punt return Sunday against the Falcons, according to a source. The issue kept him from practicing yesterday, but he returned today.

It’s not an ideal injury, but it’s also not a major ordeal. The 31-year-old, who has a history of knee injuries, could play through it Sunday against the Chargers, but it also wouldn’t be a shock if the Patriots decided to dial back his workload with the bye week on the horizon.

The hyperextended knee is truly a day-to-day situation as it really depends on how it responds to rest and treatment as it relates to his game-day availability. His presence for todays walkthrough was at least an indication that he is in the weekly game plan.

Amendola, who missed the Patriots victory against the Saints in Week 2 with a concussion, has required routine maintenance on the left knee this season, but he is tied for second on the team with 29 receptions and fourth with 324 yards. Amendola has 10 punt returns for a 13.1-yard average, and he is the lone Patriot with a punt return yard this season.

Amendola has maintained his clutch factor, too. He has five catches for 76 yards on third down, and his lone touchdown temporarily tied the game in the fourth quarter against the Panthers.

Marcus Smart going to play tonight

Marcus Smart is hoping to get back into the Celtics lineup tonight against the Bucks after missing the last two games with ankle soreness.

Smart appeared determined to play as he laced his sneakers for this morning's working at the former MECCA (now UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena), where tonight's throwback game will be played.

"We haven’t ruled out anything," Smart said. "As of right now, I'm on the roster to play, so we're going to give it a run and test it out and see how it feels."

Brad Stevens was a bit more cautious, but he, too, sounded optimistic.

"From what I've been told by our training staff, he's made great progress," said the coach. "He's going to go through shoot around here and go from there. Don't know what his availability would be tonight."

Smart rolled both his ankles last week, but the left one has been giving him the more lingering trouble.

Red Sox coaches released, Brian Butterfield headlines

If the Red Sox were looking for experienced coaches to help the inexperienced Alex Cora, who is about to enter his first year as manager after serving only one year as the bench coach for the Houston Astros, they’ll have to look elsewhere.

The current coaching staff, full of experienced voices, is disbanding.

After firing John Farrell, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told the coaches on staff they were free to look for jobs with other clubs while the Sox found a new manager. Ultimately it would be the new manager’s decision if the current coaches were going to stay employed.

But given time to look around, most of the coaches have left.

Brian Butterfield, the Sox infield instructor and third base coach, who just completed his 38th year of professional baseball, his 21st year of major league coaching and his fifth year on the Red Sox staff, has joined the Chicago Cubs coaching staff where he’ll handle third base coaching duties under Joe Maddon.

Chili Davis, the hitting coach the last three years who has been coaching since 2011, is also joining the Cubs. He’ll be their new hitting coach.

And Carl Willis, the pitching coach for the last 2-1/2Â seasons who helped Rick Porcello win a Cy Young Award and Chris Sale become a Cy Young candidate, has joined the Cleveland Indians where he’ll be Terry Francona’s pitching coach. Willis previously worked for the Indians.

Willis took over in Boston for the fired Juan Nieves on May 11, 2015. Since then, the Red Sox posted a seventh-ranked 3.94 ERA and eighth-ranked 1.28 WHIP (T-8th). Before Willis arrived, the Sox had a 4.97 ERA and 1.42 WHIP.

Davis, who hit 350 homers in his playing days, found similar success with Boston hitters. After the Sox scored just 3.91 runs per game under Greg Colbrunn in 2014, they scored 4.96 runs per game (1st in the majors) while hitting .268 (2nd) under Davis. But they had little success in the postseason and the power disappeared in 2017.

Butterfield’s absence will undoubtedly be felt in multiple areas, particularly because he worked so closely with young infielders Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers, among others.

But his work at third base had come under some fire late in the year, particularly given the Red Sox wild base running habits. Butterfield sent Mitch Moreland around third base and left him dead at home plate by a few seconds during the ALDS against the Astros, marking the 30th time the Red Sox made an out at home this year, most in the majors.

Under Butterfield, the Red Sox have made at least 60 outs on the bases in each of his five seasons, including a major-league worst 81 outs on the bases during the 2017 regular season.

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csunsportswriter-blog · 8 years ago

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Boston Sports News 10/9-10/12

Tom Brady and Gronk not in full stride

Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski were limited today in practice, a day after not participating in team drills.

Nate Solder was also removed from the injury report after returning. He missed yesterday’s workout for non-injury reasons.

Here is the full report.

Did not participate:

CB Eric Rowe (groin)

Limited:

QB Tom Brady (left shoulder)

RB Rex Burkhead (ribs)

RT Marcus Cannon (ankle)

CB Stephon Gilmore (ankle)

TE Rob Gronkowski (thigh)

LB Dont’a Hightower (knee)

LB Elandon Roberts (ankle)

WR Matthew Slater (hamstring)

http://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/ne/new-england-patriots

Danny Ainge has respect for IT

Danny Ainge said yesterday that he loves Isaiah Thomas, even if the Celtics president of basketball operations tamped down his feelings long enough to include the beloved player in the August trade for Kyrie Irving.

And the now-Cleveland Cavaliers guard clearly isn’t in a forgiving mood, as evidenced by his interview with Sports Illustrated’s Lee Jenkins. Thomas said that though his eventual return to Boston with the Cavaliers will be “all love,” that affection won’t be extended to the man who traded him as part of a league-shaking package for Irving.

Ainge was asked if Thomas’ desire to remain a Celtic was a compliment to the organization.

“He was a great Celtic and I think everybody who watched him play and was in the locker room with him knows how great he was. He’ll be part of Celtic history forever.”

Thomas also told Jenkins of a text he received from Brad Stevens after the trade, with the Celtics coach saying, “I’ve been looking at this wall for five hours trying to figure out what to say to you.”

Last night, Stevens, when asked about Thomas’ vow not to talk to Ainge, said, “I’m sure Isaiah knows how I feel about him and how Danny feels about him.”

Smart on clock

Ainge said he has held conversations, as opposed to negotiations, with Marcus Smart’s agents regarding a rookie contract extension. If the sides don’t reach agreement by Monday night’s deadline, Smart will become a restricted free agent next summer.

Asked if more talks could be forthcoming, Ainge said, “That doesn’t mean anything more than I’m not going to talk about it. I love Marcus. He’s had a great training camp, had a great summer, and I look forward to him having the best season of his career.”

Smart, however, isn’t sure what Ainge means by “conversations.” He knows what he hasn’t heard.

“Danny called us today and said he would get back to us, but we haven’t talked about anything — no numbers, nothing,” Smart said. . . .

Cavaliers star LeBron James’ status for next Tuesday’s opener against the Celtics is up in the air thanks to a sprained left ankle. James didn’t practice yesterday and was ruled out of Cleveland’s preseason finale tomorrow night at Orlando.

Morris joins in

The Celtics pulled out a 108-100 win against the Charlotte Hornets after first blowing a 22-point lead in the exhibition finale.

In his first run in a C’s uniform, Marcus Morris scored seven points on 3-for-6 shooting in 11 minutes off the bench. He’s in a role slightly foreign to his wing-oriented career as a smallish power forward.

“I feel it’s better for me because there’s really no pressure on me. I’m just out there playing,” Morris said. “Not really worried. It ain’t like it’s my first game ever in the NBA. But the start of the season is very important, so I wanted to be ready to get off to a good start.”

Stevens stayed with his starters longer than in the previous three exhibition games, with Irving (16 points, 10 assists, 7-for-11 shooting) dazzling the sparse road crowd with his hesitation dribble, Al Horford (15 points, 6-for-7 shooting, eight rebounds) logging his usual seamless game and Gordon Hayward (13 points, 5-for-13) heating up after a slow start. The C’s shot 50 percent (16-for-32) on 3’s, with nine players hitting at least one.

http://www.espn.com/nba/team/_/name/bos/boston-celtics

The Bruins are sliding

The Bruins clearly need to do a much better job of scoring goals, and at keeping pucks out of their own net.

In the opener of a three-game Western trip and the immediate rematch of their one-sided loss to the Colorado Avalanche in Boston on Monday, the B’s generated a scant nine shots-on-goal in the first 40 minutes, with only a Brad Marchand score to show for it, in a 6-3 loss to the talented young Avs.

“I have no words for that,” said Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara. “(It was) not a very good game, obviously. We were not on the puck, with the puck, under the puck, just not good enough all over the ice. We have to go and play better. It’s up to use that we fix it.”

The B’s did stage a third-period surge to storm back with 14 shots on goal. Tim Schaller scored at the net-front to cut the deficit to 4-2. The Torey Krug kept digging in close on a power play with 7:03 left to make it 4-3.

But a pair of empty-nets goals by the Avs’ iced the win, taking back-to-back wins against the B’s.

“We didn’t really get anything going,” said B’s goalie Tuukka Rask. “We woke up when it was 4-1, but that was too late. Sometimes it just happens that the heads are not there. For my part, I actually felt good. But then the last two (goals), I got caught a half-step too deep (in the net) and they beat me.

“If we want to take some points out of that game, I have to be standing on my head. I just couldn’t made those last two saves.”

The Avs have a slew of talented snipers, who got open looks from close range. But the B’s could have used another save or two from Rask. He stopped 22-of-26 shots before being replaced for the third period by Anton Khudobin. In five periods, Rask allowed seven Colorado goals.

Highly motivated in their home opener after a successful 2-1-0 trip, the Avalanche came out playing very hard and dominated the first half of the period. After 12:25 of play, the B’s had just one forgettable shot, having been pinned in their zone most of the time.

But despite their quick 8-1 edge in shots, the lone goal for the Avs was by rookie Alexander Kerfoot, the former four-year Harvard star, at 8:18. His first career goal wasn’t exactly a highlight film gem. He skated in front of the net, a wrist shot from out high by Tyson Barrie bounced off him and tumbled high over Tuukka Rask into the net.

“I really don’t know how it went in,” said Kerfoot. “It just banged off me.”

The Bruins played better in the second half of the period, and knotted the score at 17:06 on Marchand’s snap from the right circle high to the far side past goalie Semyon Varlamov.

The scoring play began with center Ryan Spooner nudging a puck out into neutral ice. Marchand worked hard to shrug off a rather half-hearted backcheck by Matt Duchene, found some skating room down the right side and put his shot precisely where he wanted it.

There was a rather uneventful fight early in the first period — Matt Beleskey vs. Mark Barberio — and a much better heavyweight bout in Period 2. The Avs didn’t like it when Adam McQuaid shook up Tyson Jost with a crosscheck. And when McQuaid came out of the box, he found a waiting dance partner in 6-foot-5, 230-pound Russian Nikita Zadorov. McQuaid gave him a solid whipping.

That might have been the B’s second period highlight, as the Avalanche scored three times to go up 4-1.

One minute in, Krug made a bad decision to step up and try to keep a puck in the Colorado end. He didn’t but did allow a 2-on-1 Avs breakout. Nathan MacKinnon set up Nail Yakupov’s one-timer in the right circle and he ripped the shot past Rask.

At 12:37, with McQuaid in the box for that crosscheck, the Colorado power play clicked. MacKinnon fed Sven Andrighetto and his quick forehander from the left hash flew past Rask’s glove into the far side.

Then at 15:43, a turnover deep in the B’s zone by defenseman Kevan Miller was quickly turned into a goal from the right circle by Duchene for the 4-1 lead.

Through two one-sided periods, the B’s were outshot, 26-9, as they generated little offensively.

Of course, the Bruins are dealing with the absence of forwards Patrice Bergeron, David Backes and Noel Acciari, all key pieces in the puzzle. But they need more from the guys still here.

http://www.espn.com/nhl/team/_/name/bos/boston-bruins

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csunsportswriter-blog · 8 years ago

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Boston Sports News 10/2-10/7

Boston wins first opener

The area outside TD Garden is a gigantic mess of a construction site for the Jacobs family's long awaited development on Causeway Street.

But the urban renewal project taking place inside the building is humming along just fine, thank you.

Three Bruins rookies found their way onto the scoresheet, two (Jake DeBrusk and Charlie McAvoy) scored goals, and the B's sprinted their way to a 4-3 season-opening victory over the defending Western Conference champion Nashville Predators Thursday night. The Preds scored two late power-play goals with their goalie pulled, but the B's hung on for the win.

DeBrusk and McAvoy each had a goal and an assist, while 21-year-old rising star David Pastrnak scored a goal. Brad Marchand potted a shorthanded empty netter and a rejuvenated David Krejci notched three helpers.

If Thursday night is any indication, this could be a very entertaining season for Bruin fans.

https://www.nhl.com/bruins

Rob Gronkowski out versus the Bucs

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski couldn’t shake off the thigh injury that he suffered Wednesday, and he was inactive Thursday night against the Bucs as a result.

Gronk arrived at the game with his left leg in a heavy wrap. It hasn’t been disclosed how Gronkowski suffered the injury, but the Patriots had a walkthrough Wednesday before flying to Tampa.

The absence will make it difficult for Gronkowski to earn his top tier of incentives, which are worth as much as an additional $5.75 million this season. He’ll earn a base salary of $5 million this season, but there are three tiers to add to his pay scale.

Gronk can earn the full $10.75 million in 2017 if he plays in 90 percent of the Patriots’ offensive snaps, or catches 80 passes, or notches 1,200 receiving yards or is a First-Team All-Pro. Otherwise, he can earn $8.75 million if he plays 80 percent of the snaps, or catches 70 balls, or records 1,000 receiving yards or 12 touchdowns. Or he can earn $6.75 million by playing 70 percent of the snaps, or racks up 60 catches, or 800 yards or 10 touchdowns.

Gronk has 20 catches for 318 yards and two touchdowns and played 88.3 percent of the snaps through four games. He is on pace for 64 receptions, 1,017 yards and six touchdowns. Barring a spike in production over the final 11 games or an All-Pro selection, last night’s absence could cost Gronk $2 million in incentives.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/ne/new-england-patriots

Red Sox no match for the Astros in game 1

The better team won.

And on Thursday, the Houston Astros weren’t just a little bit better than the Red Sox.

They were miles better. Galaxies better. Light years better.

Game 1 of the American League Division Series went to the heavy favorites, who toppled the Sox in an 8-2 game that will test the mettle of John Farrell’s team.

It all started (and perhaps ended, if they can’t flush this one from their memories quickly) with Chris Sale, who was served an ice cold introduction to playoff baseball, giving up seven runs for just the second time this year.

Sale’s slider was, to borrow a line from NFL coach and former broadcaster John Madden, flatter than a pancake. The first slider he threw to Alex Bregman, the second hitter Sale faced in the first inning, was promptly lined out of the ballpark.

It would occasionally catch the edge for a strike or induce some weak contact, but the slider was almost useless against the best offense in the game.

Verlander was strong and the Astros bullpen wasn’t challenged.

The Red Sox better hope this game was simply a wake-up call. A one-sided one, at that.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/team/_/name/bos/boston-red-sox

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csunsportswriter-blog · 8 years ago

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Boston Sports 9/25-9/28

Guerschon Yabusele is “big” time

Guerschon Yabusele was working out in the weight room at the Celtics’ practice facility last spring, rehabbing from May surgery on both his ankles. Fellow Frenchman Mathias Lessort walked by on his way to a pre-draft session with the C’s and looked at his buddy with disdain.

“They call you the Dancing Bear,” he said. “You cannot even dance.”

It’s even funnier when you think of him saying it with that French accent,” said Celtics assistant coach Micah Shrewsberry, who laughed again when reminded of the moment.

More important to the Celtics is that Yabusele, the 16th overall pick in the 2016 draft, can play. And there seems to be no question about that — just welcome amazement from his teammates.

At the mention of his name, Al Horford’s eyes grew wide and a smile washed over his face.

“That kid can play,” Horford said of the 6-foot-8, 260-pound brute who was stashed and played last year in China before a late-season and playoff cameo with the Maine Red Claws. “You look at his body and the way that he can move ... he can really shoot the ball. He has a really good feel for the game. He just has a really good feel, and he plays hard, so I just think that people are going to love him.”

What people have known of Yabusele thus far was mainly attached to the Dancing Bear nickname given him by Shrewsberry during summer league in 2016. But he won’t be some end-of-bench favorite for whom fans chant at the end of games.

Yabusele figures to be in the rotation.

http://www.nba.com/celtics/

Danny Amendola is ready to come back with new gear

Patriots slot receiver Danny Amendola is grateful.

He knew he had been playing with an older helmet in Week 1, when he suffered a concussion against the Chiefs, and Pats equipment manager Brenden Murphy offered the solution that Amendola needed. Murphy delivered a new, state-of-the-art helmet in time for Sunday’s victory against the Texans.

“He’s the best in the entire world,” Amendola said of Murphy. “He saved my life.”

Amendola has been diagnosed with multiple concussions during his 10-year NFL career and has recently admitted the heightened awareness to brain injuries does indeed hit home. But like so many of his peers, the 31-year-old understands the risk of playing in the league.

So Amendola has a new precaution in the hope to prevent another concussion with this technologically advanced headgear. He beamed when he showed off the new helmet, which he clearly holds with a high level of trust while acknowledging the increased comfort level.

“It’s top level, the best they make,” Amendola said. “They’re constantly making new (helmets), testing them out and trying to improve them. Mine was an older model to begin with, and I could have upgraded, so I did.”

Players don’t uniformly wear the same model helmets. Some can seek out a different type while others, like Amendola, become fortunate enough to get advice from a team trainer or even an outside voice.

From a pure football perspective, Tom Brady and the Patriots would be thrilled to deploy a healthy Amendola. He had six catches for 100 yards in the opener, missed the Week 2 victory against the Chiefs and then returned with three receptions for 48 yards against the Texans, including a pivotal 27-yard haul on third-and-18 to set up the winning score.

"I’m ready to go whenever they need me to go. Whatever I can do to help him and help the team,” Amendola said. “I just try to do my job really. That’s all I worry about.”

http://www.patriots.com

Patriots defense continues early season woes

The Patriots defense is woefully bad at the moment.

It’s hard to think about repeating as Super Bowl champions when you’re last in the league in points allowed, yards surrendered and passing defense.

Tom Brady is a miracle maker and can cover up plenty of warts, but let’s be real. If this unit doesn’t improve, it’s hard to see the Patriots making much noise in the postseason.

“The problem with us now, we have too many things to fix,” defensive captain/safety Devin McCourty said yesterday. “It’s a week by week thing where we need to keep getting better. Each day, it’s about coming in here and working and doing what the coaches ask us to do. Guys aren’t panicking. They’re just coming to work trying to get better. Guys are more focused on that, than stats or anything else.”

OK. So what are the most troubling issues plaguing the defense? Why can’t the Patriots get out of their own way?

Let’s start right at the top. Coach Bill Belichick and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, the resident masterminds, have been short on solutions.

If you’ve watched either of the NFL Films “Do Your Job” documentaries, both the head coach and defensive coordinator show why they’ve been smarter than the rest on many occasions. So there’s an expectation for them to fix what’s broken. Belichick, in particular, has been a master repairman over the years. The Hoodie usually makes sure he’s not taken down by any weak areas on his defense.

Only this season, he’s been exposed every week.

While injuries have contributed, particularly with linebacker Dont’a Hightower out, this level of poor play still doesn’t compute. Between blown coverages and communication issues, it’s not what you’re used to seeing from the Patriots.

http://www.patriots.com/news/2017/09/28/patriots-wrap-defense-offensive

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csunsportswriter-blog · 8 years ago

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Boston Sports News 9/18-9/23

Kyrie can lead the Celtics next season

After a wild NBA offseason that saw Paul George, Jimmy butler, and Gordon Hayward being traded to a different team, one man has been the most talked about.

Kyrie Irving was traded in a blockbuster deal to the Boston Celtics from the Cleveland Cavaliers and has been in the spotlight this week.

After appearing on several talk shows, more notably First Take, the question has swirled around. Can Kyrie help the Celtics win a championship, let alone take out Lebron James in the eastern conference?

The preseason ESPN BPI rankings have the Celtics as the eastern favorites to meet up with a Golden State Warriors in the Finals.

Irving is three years younger than the smaller Isiah Thomas, and as stated, he is six inches taller.

Irving, a proven champion, already has more playoff experience than Thomas as well.

Even though Thomas outscored Irving in 2017 28.9 ppg to 25.2 ppg , you can definitely attribute James to being the cause of that.

Irving outscores Thomas in career playoff ppg 23.9 to 22.6.

Irving is ready to take over the team, and with Thomas’ injury preventing him to return until February, it is safe to say Irving is ready to be “the man.”

http://www.landofbasketball.com/player_comparison/kyrie_irving_vs_isaiah_thomas.htm

Chris Sale in the history books for historic franchise

Let us name all the Boston Red Sox pitchers who have thrown 300 strikeouts in a season, shall we? Pedro Martinez and Chris Sale, that is it.

Chris Sale became just the second pitcher in Red Sox history to throw three hundred strikeouts on Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles.

Sale is the first pitcher for the Red Sox since 1999, Pedro Martinez’s 313 strikeout campaign.

He is also the 35th pitcher in MLB to accomplish such a feat. This includes historic pitchers such as: Randy Johnson, Bob Feller, Steve Carlton, and Clayton Kershaw.

“His stuff is electric, [starting with] the movement that he gets with his fastball, the velocity he can generate with his fastball,” said Red sox pitching coach Carl Willis. “It gives you chills.”

Red Sox assistant pitching coach, Brian Bannister, was also high on praise for Sales historic season.

“One of the things you see in those guys, it feels like they’re always in 0-2 counts. They go after hitters unlike other guys,” said Bannister. “Some guys nibble. Some guys are afraid to throw a first-pitch strike. They are ahead. They get you on your heels.”

Chris Sale’s first year with the team has helped them have the best record in the division at 88-64, and third only behind the Astros and Indians.

The Red Sox are one of the favorites to make it to the World Series out of the American League, but they just have to keep riding on Sales shoulders throughout the playoffs.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2017/09/21/teammates-were-happy-celebrate-chris-sale-milestone/SSMC2lL39VN1P3W6qVDZ6N/story.html

Malcolm Butler deserves the starting spot

The New England Patriots have never been afraid to trade or release key players, such as Darrell Revis and Chandler Jones most recently. But more drama is swirling around the Patriots defense happened this past Sunday, when he was not a starter for their game against the New Orleans Saints.

Butler is a two-time Super Bowl champion, and started for both championship games. But not even Butler had been surprised.

“I haven’t been performing at the level that I should be performing at,’’ Butler said. “But you know, I’ve got to do whatever I’ve got to do to help the team. Whatever role that I get, I’ve got a job to do and I’ve just got to keep grinding. Keep grinding, working hard, and do whatever to help the team.’’

In 2015 Butler played in 98.8 percent of snaps and last season he was in 96.5 percent of the time on defense.

The second-team All Pro is looking to pick up his game against his counterparts, newly signed Stephon Gilmore and Eric Rowe.

Coming in for nickel packages, Butler was not used to this since his first season as a undrafted free agent.

“You know, there’s been times when I’ve been through a lot of stuff and I made it through that and I made it to the National Football League,’’ said Butler, “If I can handle that and make it to the NFL then I can put my mind together to make it past this situation. You just got to perform better. It’s still early, but you know, need a sense of urgency and you’ll see that.’’

Butler will look to improve as New England faces the Texans Sunday, Sep. 24.

http://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4805997/malcolm-butler-on-reduced-role-i-havent-been-performing-no-excuses?ex_cid=espnapi_public

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csunsportswriter-blog · 8 years ago

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Boston Sports News 9/11-9/16

Boston Red Sox game featured anti-racism banner

During the Boston Red Sox game versus the Oakland A’s baseball was not the only thing “American” going on.

On their second game of three, a Boston Red Sox fan brought an anti-racism banner and displayed it for the public between the 3rd and 4th innings. The banner said, “Racism is as American as baseball.”

When Red Sox president Sam Kennedy was asked how it was brought it he explained that the banner was snuck passed security in a backpack.

The protestors were not violent in their actions so Sam Kennedy was not angry by any means.

“They were very open,” Kennedy said. “They were very respectful. There was no real incident other than the unfurling of the sign.”

http://www.bostonherald.com/

Will Patriots defensive struggles continue?

After opening night for the 2017 NFL season, the microscope has been all on the Patriots. It has been more specifically on their defense rather than offense.

After letting Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt rush for 148 yards and receive another 98 yards in the air to go along with three touchdowns, their are questions to be asked.

Specifically, can they stop the three-headed monster backfield that the New Orleans Saints have?

The Saints have future hall of fame Adrian Peterson to go along with new rookie standout Alvin Kamara and returning starter Mark Ingram.

These three backs are versatile and bring different talents to what they can provide on the field.

http://www.bostonherald.com/

Brandin Cooks returns to play the team that drafted him

On Sunday not only will the Patriots gear up for an offensive shootout agains the New Orleans Saints, but new Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks will return to play his old teammates.

During a crazy NFL offseason, the New Orleans Saints traded Brandin Cooks and their 2017 fourth round pick for the New England Patriots 2017 first and third round picks.

In 42 games with the Saints, Cooks hauled in 215 receptions for 2,861 yards and 20 touchdowns. He went over 1,100 yards in each of the last two seasons.

Cooks had an average showing his first game against the Chiefs defense, hauling in three receptions for 88 yards.

The Patriots and Cooks will look to torch a Saints defense that gave up 346 yards in the air to Sam Bradford and three touchdowns.

http://www.bostonherald.com/

Keep reading

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csunsportswriter-blog · 8 years ago

Text

Boston Sports News 9/11-9/16

Boston Red Sox game featured anti-racism banner

During the Boston Red Sox game versus the Oakland A’s baseball was not the only thing “American” going on.

When Red Sox president Sam Kennedy was asked how it was brought it he explained that the banner was snuck passed security in a backpack.

The protestors were not violent in their actions so Sam Kennedy was not angry by any means.

“They were very open,” Kennedy said. “They were very respectful. There was no real incident other than the unfurling of the sign.”

http://www.bostonherald.com/

Will Patriots defensive struggles continue?

After opening night for the 2017 NFL season, the microscope has been all on the Patriots. It has been more specifically on their defense rather than offense.

After letting Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt rush for 148 yards and receive another 98 yards in the air to go along with three touchdowns, their are questions to be asked.

Specifically, can they stop the three-headed monster backfield that the New Orleans Saints have?

The Saints have future hall of fame Adrian Peterson to go along with new rookie standout Alvin Kamara and returning starter Mark Ingram.

These three backs are versatile and bring different talents to what they can provide on the field.

http://www.bostonherald.com/

Brandin Cooks returns to play the team that drafted him

On Sunday not only will the Patriots gear up for an offensive shootout agains the New Orleans Saints, but new Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks will return to play his old teammates.

During a crazy NFL offseason, the New Orleans Saints traded Brandin Cooks and their 2017 fourth round pick for the New England Patriots 2017 first and third round picks.

In 42 games with the Saints, Cooks hauled in 215 receptions for 2,861 yards and 20 touchdowns. He went over 1,100 yards in each of the last two seasons.

Cooks had an average showing his first game against the Chiefs defense, hauling in three receptions for 88 yards.

The Patriots and Cooks will look to torch a Saints defense that gave up 346 yards in the air to Sam Bradford and three touchdowns.

http://www.bostonherald.com/

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