MULLEN IT OVER - Boston Sports Blog

Anyone Else Thinking Red Sox in 4?

2013-10-24T00:14:00.000-04:00

David "Big Papi" Ortiz is en fuego.

The Boston Red Sox have now won 9 consecutive World Series games.

Patriots All-22: How Brady to Thompkins Stunned the Saints

2013-10-16T22:58:00.006-04:00

With 1:33 left in the 4th Quarter, Tom Brady and the Patriots trailed the New Orleans Saints 27-23. Trailing by 4 and with no timeouts, it was touchdown or bust.

Brady went for 5 for 7 with 4 first downs on the final drive. After picking up a first down with Austin Collie, he spiked the ball at the 17 yard line. Seven seconds remained on the clock.

They would have two shots at the endzone; Brady only needed one.

Patriots line up in 3WR-1TE-1RB formation.

The Patriots came out in a typical 3WR-1TE shotgun formation: Thompkins, Collie, Hoomanawanui and Dobson lined up as receivers, while Bolden lined up in the backfield.

The 3WR & 1TE ran "Four Verticals" (with no timeouts, there wasn't much choice). Bolden chipped and then released for an out.

Tom Brady scans the defensive coverage.

Brady quickly assessed that the defense was running a "Two Deep Man Under" meaning Cover 2 over the top with each receiver facing man coverage underneath.

Cover 2 can be exploited by attacking where the safeties can't get to quickly. In this case, the back corner of the endzone. However, the WR still needs to beat his man in a short field.

Brady launches touch pass to back corner of endzone before Thompkins gets open.

Brady's pre-snap read was correct. The safety froze on Collie's pattern from the slot and had no chance at helping assist the deep corner.

Rookie Kenbrell Thompkins is raw but can beat just about anyone in man coverage. Defensive Back Jabari Greer let Thompkins get a step behind him, and Brady's ball was placed perfectly for Thompkins to jump up and grab.

Kenbrell Thompkins jumps over cornerback for game-winning TD catch.

This play, like the rest of the drive before it, was surgical and precise. Of course, it didn't hurt that the Saints were playing a much softer defense then they had the rest of the game.

Can the Patriots build off of this and create more drives just like it?

5 Reasons Patriots MUST Acquire Tony Gonzalez or Hakeem Nicks

2013-10-10T01:15:00.001-04:00

Tony Gonzalez bids farewell to the Georgia Dome crowd.

The Giants (0-5) and Falcons (1-4) are falling fast and will soon be out of contention. Both teams have skilled receivers who could help New England's offense get back on track. Here is why the Patriots need to pull the trigger on a trade (if either becomes available):

5. Uncertainty With Injuries

Danny Amendola returned last week, and Rob Gronkowski is slated to be back this Sunday. Can the Patriots survive if either of these top 2 targets goes down?

Both Nicks and Gonzalez are durable and tough; they will do whatever it takes to get to the finish line. I would take my chances down the stretch with either of these guys over rookies and injury-prone veterans.

Hakeem Nicks pulls in another end zone TD.

4. Ineptitude In Red Zone

The New England Patriots are second only to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Red Zone efficiency. Nicks has the strength and ability to abuse corners one-on-one in the Red Zone.

Gonzalez has made a career out of "posting up" defenders in the end zone for touchdowns. Wouldn't these two big targets be an improvement over slot guys and tackle eligible gimmick plays?

3. Price Is Right

Nicks is in a walk year and looks like a bad long term fit for the Giants. He's playing for a new deal and is greatly motivated.

Gonzalez repeatedly has said this will be his final season. He's never been to a Super Bowl and wants one last shot at one. Gonzalez says he is not open to a trade, you have to think that his mind could change quickly.

Either guy could be on their way to Foxboro for presumably a mid-round draft pick. Oh yeah, and Bill Belichick has some history with Thomas Dimitroff.

2. Can't Waste Another Brady Year

The Patriots finally have a defense that can hold teams under 20 points, but suddenly their offense is struggling. How many more seasons does Tom Brady have left as a top flight quarterback? Can the frugal Krafts afford to waste another year with inferior targets?

Tony Gonzalez from the old AFC West days.

1. Denver Can Be Beaten

If we learned anything in Week 5, it's that Broncos can be scored upon. However, it will be nearly impossible to shut down their attack.

If the Patriots want one last shot at the AFC, they need to be able to match Peyton Manning score for score. And wouldn't it be fantastic to beat the Donks with their old division nemesis?

Do you think the Patriots have what it takes to pull off one of these trades?

Patriots All-22: How Did Brady Miss Edelman/Thompkins Deep?

2013-09-26T16:18:00.000-04:00

During last Sunday's Buccaneers vs Patriots tilt, there was one truly baffling play. We saw replays, but the announcers didn't really explain what happened.

In the second quarter, Tom Brady seemed to miss two wide open receivers (Julian Edelman & Kenbrell Thompkins) running deep. Using NFL Game Rewind (which I can't endorse enough), I decided to look at the All-22 game film and figure out what happened:

Pre-play formation: 1RB-2TE-2WR

The Patriots lined up with:

Stevan Ridley as lone RB
Michael Hoomanawanui (L side) and Zach Sudfeld (R side) at TE
Thompkins and Edelman at WR

The play was designed for Brady to sell the stretch play fake to Ridley (like something straight out of the Peyton Manning-Colts playbook) then spin around to look down field for open receiver.

Thompkins and Edelman would go deep, while Sudfeld and Hoomanawanui would run crossing patterns underneath.

Tom Brady sells play-fake, looks down field

Brady sells the play fake and his first look is to Edelman in the deep middle of field. Edelman, running a deep skinny post, is just getting picked up by the deep safety at just this moment.

Meanwhile Thompkins, running a straight jet, has already gotten past his man.

Hoomanawanui runs a crossing drag to right sideline as a safety valve for Brady.

Brady goes to second look

Because Edelman was covered and Brady senses pressure from the blind side, he looks to a secondary target Sudfeld. He sees that Sudfeld, running a crossing pattern, gets a step on his man toward the sideline.

What Brady doesn't have time to see - nor act upon - is both Thompkins and Edelman getting wide open deep. (The safety covering Edelman falls down trying to turn.)

Brady overthrows Sudfeld, and the play ends up an incompletion.

Thompkins and Edelman wide open

CONCLUSION: There were two wide open guys down the field, but, with the way the play developed, there was little chance to get them the ball.

EDIT: Brady confirmed after the game that the play was intended to get Sudfeld open. The two deep receivers were supposed to stretch the field and leave underneath open.

What Brady didn't anticipate was that one or both deep guys would get so open.

No worries though, the Patriots scored not long after this.

Save 10% on NFL Game Rewind

2013-09-15T12:16:00.004-04:00

Use my link below and you save 10% on the yearly subscription:

NFL GAME REWIND subscription link

I can't recommend the Game Rewind enough. The iPad app is incredible and the All-22 Coaches Film is a MUST for any true football fan.

Enjoy!

Patriots' Kenbrell Thompkins: 5 Fixable Rookie Mistakes

2013-09-12T00:02:00.000-04:00

Kenbrell Thompkins

It's Week 2 in the NFL, which means it's time for everyone to overreact to one game.

Rookie Kenbrell Thompkins had an inauspicious start for the Patriots in Week 1. He was targeted 13 times for 4 receptions and 42 yards. He missed two great opportunities at touchdowns.

Thompkins also failed to make two difficult sideline catches and slipped on a wide open crossing route in the middle of the field.

The good news? Most of his issues are correctable; they're mistakes Thompkins can fix watching game film and practicing. Here are his 5 biggest learning opportunities from the Buffalo game:

Toe Tap on Sideline Catches
Turn Body on Back-Shoulder Throw
Use Proper Spacing in Back of End Zone
Make Route Adjustments Quicker
Block Correctly on Screen/Sweep

Don't jump off the bandwagon yet. Once the kid gets it all together, he will be a dangerous weapon in the Patriots' offense.

5 Crucial Tactics For Grounding the NY Jets

2013-09-10T01:06:00.005-04:00

The Buttfumble, Thanksgiving 2012

The New England Patriots and New York Jets face off on Thursday Night Football this week.

New England has won each of the last 5 regular season match-ups by an average of 21 points. However, the New York Jets shocked the Patriots in the 2011 AFC Divisional round. This playoff win came just a month after losing (45-3) to New England.

On Thursday Night, they play in front of a national audience on NFL Network.

Here are my 5 crucial tactics for the Patriots to use against this inferior Jets team:

Score Early and Often
Using a balance of both speed no-huddle and slow, methodical drives, the Patriots should try and put up as many points as possible right off the bat. Don't be surprised to see a deep ball or two to try and hit an early home run.

Blitz Heavily Against Rookie QB
Jets rookie QB Geno Smith had a mixed performance in his season opener against Tampa Bay. As naive as he is, his late game luck probably has given him an extra boost of confidence and swagger. Guys like Rob Ninkovich and Chandler Jones need to attack relentlessly from the corners, keep him in the pocket and make him see ghosts.

Protect the Ball, Minimize Turnovers
Ball security was a major issue in Week 1 for New England. RB Stevan Ridley fumbled twice, one of which was returned for a long TD. Rookie TE Zach Sudfeld tipped a more-than-catchable pass to a Buffalo defender, causing an untimely INT. Belichick will certainly make protecting the ball and winning turnover battle major points of emphasis this week.

Disguise Defenses & Use Robber/Spy
If the Patriots can get the early lead and force the Jets into passing game, they can try some exotic looks. One such tactic is using a Robber/Spy to follow the QB, read his eyes and go for the big play. This worked great last year with Mark Sanchez being susceptible to masked coverage and consequently turning the ball over with great frequency.

Run It Down Their Throats
With jack-of-all-trades speedster Shane Vereen lost to a broken wrist bone, the Patriots running back committee is more thunder than lightning. If they get a big lead and need to seal the win, get ready for "The Stevan Ridley and LeGarrette Blount Show" to drop the hammer in the second half. There is no reason why these two should not combine for 150 yards on the ground.

What do you think are the crucial tactics for winning this game? Are the Jets going to be a walk in the park?

2013 NFL Predictions: Awards, Playoffs & Super Bowl

2013-09-04T23:59:00.001-04:00

Who will win this year's Lombardi Trophy?

MVP:
Tom Brady
Brady gets nod over Manning because he does more with less.

Offensive Player of the Year:
Dez Bryant
I expect this to be the year Dez finally goes off....Beast Mode style.

Defensive Player of the Year:
J.J. Watt
Watt looked like the nastiest guy out there last year and nothing's changed.

Offensive Rookie of the Year:

Tavon Austin

Speed kills, and Austin has plenty of it. There hasn't been a unique offensive weapon like this since Percy Harvin.

Defensive Rookie of the Year:

Ziggy Ansah

The Detroit d-line boasts big boys like Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley. That means Ansah will get plenty of chances to blow by a single blocker.

Coach of the Year:

Andy Reid

Expectations are so low in Kansas City. If Andy Reid can lead them to the playoffs, they might just throw him a parade.

AFC Playoff Teams:

Denver Broncos
Houston Texans
New England Patriots
Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals
Kansas City Chiefs

NFC Playoff Teams:

Atlanta Falcons
Seattle Seahawks
Chicago Bears
Dallas Cowboys
San Francisco 49ers
Washington Redskins

Conference Championship Games:

Patriots over Broncos

Falcons over Seahawks

Super Bowl XLVIII:

Atlanta Falcons over New England Patriots

7 Dynamic Ways for Patriots to Use Shane Vereen

2013-09-03T20:32:00.001-04:00

Vereen and Brady

7. Back-up Running Back

Stevan Ridley is clearly #1 on the depth chart. However if The Riddler needs a blow, Vereen is likely to be the first guy off the bench. Or if you "CAN'T WAIT," you could always use him to embarrass Bart Scott and the Jets.

6. Kickoff/Punt Returner

Since Leon Washington was released, there is a need for someone to step up in the return game. While it is unlikely that Vereen will be used in this capacity, he had some experience returning kicks at Cal.

5. No Huddle Back

When the Patriots opt to run their speed offense, Vereen would be a likely candidate to be on the field. He could be a single back or motion to wide receiver. Just ask the Texans about dealing with him!

4. Wide Receiver

The secret is out of the bag: Shane Vereen is a precise route runner with soft hands. If he gets matched up against a linebacker (like he did against the Eagles), then he can take it to the end zone.

3. Third Down Back

With the loss of Danny Woodhead in the offseason, the role of third down back is suddenly up for grabs. Vereen's unique blend of skills (rushing, receiving, blocking) make him the ideal candidate to fill Woodhead's shoes.

2. Decoy

In an offense with skill position stars like Rob Gronkowski, Danny Amendola and Stevan Ridley, it's only natural to think that the versatile Vereen could be used as a decoy. Using his speed and quickness, he could help distract and split defenses to open up the field for the other offensive threats.

1. The Joker

When you put it all together, the best description for Shane Vereen's role is that of the "joker." Versatile and speedy, the "joker" moves around like a chess piece on the board. Some "jokers" are motion tight ends (like Aaron Hernandez, pun intended). Others are multi-purpose speeds backs who can rush and receive almost equally well.

Can Vereen join names like Percy Harvin, Darren Sproles and Reggie Bush among the elite speed backs? This is the year we should find out.

WHAT ROLE(S) DO YOU THINK SHANE VEREEN WILL PLAY THIS YEAR?

Patriots Cut Zoltan Mesko: Blame NFL Salary Cap?

2013-09-01T01:02:00.000-04:00

Former Patriots punter Zoltan Mesko

Veteran punter Zoltan Mesko was cut by the Patriots this week. Mesko, a fan favorite, was in the fourth year of a 4 year contract. While not exactly Pro Bowl caliber, he was a good situational punter who often pinned opponents back inside their 20 yard line.

Was he released due to performance or a victim of NFL salary cap economics? Let's delve into this question further:

NFL Salary Cap - Quick Facts:

The salary cap for each NFL team in 2013 is $123M.
Effective 2013, the salary floor for each team is 89% of the salary cup number.
Salary includes all of the compensation paid to players (contract, bonus, other compensation) but does not include benefits.
All 53 players and practice squad players are included for salary cap purposes. Coaches, scouts and front office employees are not included.
Players sign contracts that include guaranteed money (signing bonuses, for instance). This is money that will be paid to the player no matter what, counts against the cap, and can be prorated over the length of the contract.
To comply with the salary cap, the team will renegotiate "cap friendly" deals and extensions so that they can fit all players under the cap.
According to the new CBA, unused cap amounts can be rolled over to the next year. So if your team is $10M under the cap, they have option to push those cap savings to the next NFL season.
The New England Patriots are currently $13 million UNDER the cap, however they need to maintain flexibility to sign practice squad and waiver/free agent claims.

Tale of the Tape: Mesko vs. Allen

ZOLTAN MESKO

CAREER: Drafted 5th Round (2010), 4th year, University of Michigan, finalist for Ray Guy Award.
SALARY: Set to earn $1.323 million in 2013, last year of 4 year contract.
STATISTICS: In 2012, he made 60 punts, 2585 yards, 43.2 yards per punt (28th in league). He had six touchbacks and 28 punts inside the 20.
SKILL: Experience on NFL level, acumen for pinning teams inside 20.
PRESEASON: 14 punts, 44.6 yards per punt, 0 touchbacks, 2 inside 20.

RYAN ALLEN

CAREER: Undrafted Free Agent (2013), rookie, Louisiana Tech, 2-time Ray Guy Award winner (best punter in NCAA).
SALARY: Set to earn $405,000 in 2013, first year of 3 year contract ($1.49 million total)
STATISTICS: Over college career, had school record 48.0 yards per punt with 20 punts inside the 20 and 21 punts over 50 yards.
SKILL: Stronger leg than Mesko, best punter in NCAA last 2 years.
PRESEASON: 9 punts, 45.9 yards per punt, 1 touchback, 4 inside 20.

CONCLUSION

Zoltan Mesko and Ryan Allen, by most measures, punted equally well in the preseason. The deciding factor is most likely the contracts. While the Patriots aren't exactly up against the cap, they save ~$900,000 in 2013 by cutting Mesko. The team has the strong-legged Allen under contract at close to the veteran minimum for next 2 seasons. So if you do the math, it only makes sense to go with Allen.

While I, like most of you, will miss Zoltan Mesko greatly for everything he has done on and off the field, this decision came down to money and who has the bigger upside. The NFL is a tough business, and it doesn't always feel fair.

Good luck Zoltan, you won't be unemployed for long!

UPDATE: Zoltan Mesko signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday, September 2. The Patriots face the Steelers in Week 9.

Tiger Woods, Y'all!: 2013 Deutsche Bank Championship

2013-08-30T07:13:00.001-04:00

I'm heading down to TPC Boston in Norton, MA for the 2013 Deutsche Bank Championship. Looking forward to seeing the Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson & Adam Scott group.

Patriots Preseason: 10 Things to Expect on Thursday Night

2013-08-28T11:49:00.000-04:00

Bill Belichick and Tom Coughlin

Mallett plays 1st Half.
Tebow comes in after Halftime.
Patriots rest their first string.
Giants play starters in 1st Quarter.
Gostkowski attempts a FG.
Manning throws at least 5 passes.
A big name veteran plays his last game as a Patriot.
Belichick questions a referee's decision.
So does Coughlin.
Most viewers shut off game by 4th Quarter.

Celtics' Olynyk: Steal of NBA Draft?

2013-08-26T21:24:00.000-04:00

Kelly Olynyk in NBA Summer League action

The Boston Celtics selected Gonzaga's Kelly Olynyk with the 13th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. The scouting report on Olynyk is that he is not a great athlete, but he plays with intelligence and all-around offensive skill.

According to the NBA.com Rookie Survey, his peers predict that he (or Victor Oladipo) will have the best NBA career:

Which rookie will have the best career?

T-1st: Victor Oladipo, Orlando & Kelly Olynyk, Boston -- 18.2 percent

And he was voted third in Rookie of the Year voting by his peers:

Who will be the 2013-14 Rookie of the Year?

3: Kelly Olynyk, Boston -- 18.2 percent

Danny Ainge and Brad Stevens

With the additions of Olynyk and coach Brad Stevens and the returns of Jared Sullinger and Rajon Rondo from injury...suddenly the future looks promising for Team Green.

2013 AFC East: The Good, The Bad & The UGLY

2013-08-26T00:18:00.001-04:00

With the New England Patriots season starting in just under 2 weeks, it's a good time to preview the competition in the AFC East.

Here are the teams the Pats will need to go through to claim a fifth straight AFC East title:

THE GOOD: Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins

OLD FRIENDS: Ryan Tannehill, Brian Hartline, Cameron Wake

NEW FACES: Mike Wallace, ~~Dustin Keller~~

KEY LOSSES: Jake Long, Sean Smith

RISING: Lamar Miller

3 QUESTIONS:

Can Ryan Tannehill improve enough to lead the Dolphins to their first playoff appearance in 5 years? Can he get them their first win playoff win since December 2000?
Is Mike Wallace the playmaking deep threat that he was signed to be?
With the loss of Dustin Keller (to a gruesome knee injury), who else will step up as a solid receiving target for Tannehill?

THE BAD: Buffalo Bills

Bills QB EJ Manuel

OLD FRIENDS: Stevie Johnson, Fred Jackson, Mario Williams

NEW FACES: E.J. Manuel, Kevin Kolb, Matt Leinart, Robert Woods

KEY LOSSES: Ryan Fitzpatrick

RISING: C.J. Spiller

3 QUESTIONS:

With Kevin Kolb's concussions and E.J. Manuel's balky knee, is Matt Leinart now the favorite to start Week 1?

UPDATE: Nope, it will be UDFA rookie Jeff Tuel. (WHO?)

Can gifted C.J. Spiller make the leap to elite RB status and put the Bills' offense on his back?
Is Syracuse grad & former coach Doug Marrone cut out to be a successful NFL head coach or is he there because he's a Cuse guy?

THE UGLY: New York Jets

Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez

OLD FRIENDS: Mark Sanchez, Santonio Holmes, Antonio Cromartie, Nick Mangold

NEW FACES: Geno Smith

KEY LOSSES: Darrelle Revis

RISING: Bilal Powell

3 QUESTIONS:

Whether it's Mark Sanchez or Geno Smith at QB, do they stand a chance with either guy under center?
How do they make up for the loss of shutdown corner and defensive stalwart Darrelle Revis?
If Jets get off to a slow start, does Rex Ryan make it to the end of the season?

Patriots Roster Battles: 5 Up, 5 Down

2013-08-23T15:03:00.002-04:00

Kenbrell Thompkins

1. Cornerback

UP: Logan Ryan - The Rutgers rookie looks like a pro out there and will be needed with uncertainty around Dennard's injury and off-the-field problems.

DOWN: Ras-I Dowling - You can't make the club from the tub. Depth issues at CB may be his saving grace.

2. Running Back

UP: LeGarrette Blount - Big dude has run with a purpose all preseason. That 51 yard, rumlin' & stumblin' TD run was a thing of beauty.

DOWN: Brandon Bolden -There are no roster spots for fumbling 3rd stringers; versatility on special teams could work in his favor.

3. Safety

UP: Steve Gregory - He'a a good cover safety who got lots of action matched up alongside Devin McCourty.

DOWN: Adrian Wilson - Slow and on at least one open field tackle (pursuing Reggie Bush); his better days are definitely behind him.

4. Wide Receiver

UP: Kenbrell Thompkins - The undrafted rookie is getting reps with first team offense and putting up the yards. He is the surprise of the camp.

DOWN: Aaron Dobson - He can't get separation and has been passed on depth chart by Thompkins. He won't be cut but has been a bit of a disappointment thus far.

5. Defensive End/Linebacker

UP: Marcus Benard - Journeymen veteran is working his tail off and seeing lots of reps. He looks like he could be primary back-up to Chandler Jones and Rob Ninovich.

DOWN: Jermaine Cunningham - Like Dowling, he can't stay healthy this camp and has been a massive underachiever. This could be the end of the road.

5 Reasons Belichick Won't Cut Tebow...Yet

2013-08-20T12:48:00.001-04:00

Tim Tebow and Josh McDaniels

5. Redeeming Josh McDaniels
In 2010, then Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels moved up into the 1st Round of the NFL draft (25th Overall) to select quarterback Tim Tebow. The pick was almost universally panned by analysts, and McDaniels was fired the following season. This could be his chance to prove the naysayers wrong.

4. Supporting Urban Meyer
The mutual admiration society between Bill Belichick and Urban Meyer goes all the way back to 2005, when Meyer took the Florida head coaching job. He has come under fire recently for some of the off-the-field problems of his former players (Aaron Hernandez, Riley Cooper et al). Belichick could do him a solid by keeping and utilizing Tebow as a weapon on the Patriots squad.

3. Sticking it to the NY Jets
The NY Jets will pay Tebow more in 2013 than the Patriots would (hypothetically) pay him over the next 2 years. Considering Belichick's hatred for the Jets and propensity for garbage time touchdowns, this could be another way to rub it in on Gang Green. Tebow scoring a TD (or 2) against rival Rex Ryan would be the ultimate victory cigar.

2. Forgetting Aaron Hernandez
Owner Bob Kraft would like nothing better than to further distance his Patriots brand from the former tight end. Just this week, Aaron Hernandez is being implicated in another (double) homicide. Tebow is the perfect addition because he's both a model citizen AND an even bigger media distraction than Hernandez.

1. Belichick Being Belichick
Nothing satisfies a contrarian more than doing things that fly in the face of popular opinion. By almost all measures, Tebow does not deserve a spot on an NFL roster as a quarterback. The smart money says outside-the-box Bill Belichick isn't quite ready to give up on the Tebow experiment...at least not yet.

What do you think the chances are of Tebow making the Patriots?

Jared Remy: Why Half Measures Never Work

2013-08-16T13:21:00.001-04:00

Jared Remy, son of former Red Sox player and current broadcaster Jerry Remy, murdered his girlfriend Jennifer Martell on Thursday night. She was his girlfriend of seven years and the mother of their four-year-old daughter. The daughter was also in the house at the time of the murder.

Jared had been arrested for battery and assault against Jennifer earlier in the week.

From Boston.com article:

It was the second time this week Remy stood in the prisoner’s dock at the Waltham court, accused of physically assaulting Martel. On Tuesday night, Remy allegedly pushed Martel into a mirror in their home, and was arrested on assault and battery with a dangerous weapon charge.

Remy was released on personal recognizance on Wednesday. Ryan said her office recommended Remy’s release on personal recognizance based, in part, on a conversation prosecutors had with Martel and with Waltham police.

And:

According to docket at Waltham District Court, Martel obtained an emergency restraining order against Remy at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, which remained in effect until Wednesday when the courthouse opened.

The docket suggests Martel filled out the paperwork needed to get the restraining order against Remy extended on Wednesday. But she did not appear in the restraining order session of the court held on Wednesday, and the restraining order expired on Wednesday.

“Plaintiff failed to appear,’’ the docket reads. “Event not held.’’

On the AMC drama Breaking Bad, character Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks) is a former-cop-turned-criminal-"fixer" who knew all about dealing with lowlifes like Jared Remy.

His chilling, and prescient, speech on domestic abuse and what happens when you take "Half Measures":

Jerry Remy and the Waltham MA police (along with many other enablers) sadly took Half Measures, and now a young woman has lost her life because of it.

Patriots Preseason: 12 Players to Watch Tonight

2013-08-09T13:09:00.000-04:00

The New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles face off tonight in Preseason Game #1. With close to 90 players on the roster (and only 53 who will make the team), there is an abundance of players and competitions worth watching.

Here are 12 guys competing for spots who might see a far bit of action tonight:

The Tight Ends
12. Zach Sudfeld
11. Jake Ballard
10. Michael Hoomanawanui
9. Daniel Fells

-Rookie Zach Sudfeld has been a standout receiving threat in camp and looks to be a lock for the team.
-Jake Ballard meanwhile has looked stiff and slow early on.
-Returning contributors Michael Hoomanawanui and Daniel Fells have played consiststently well, both in blocking and receiving.
They are likely fighting for 3 TE spots while Rob Gronkowski continues to rehab from his off-season surgeries.

The Defensive Rookies
8. Duron Harmon
7. Logan Ryan
6. Jamie Collins

Three of the Patriots rookie defensive players have great opportunities to show they deserve a major role on this team.
-Safety Duron Harmon looks to be pushing 2012 draft pick Tavon Wilson for a spot.
-Cornerback Logan Ryan has an opportunity to pass oft-injured Ras-I Dowling, veteran Marquice Cole and troubled Alfonzo Dennard on the depth chart.
-Linebacker Jamie Collins has flashed ability dropping back on passing downs in addition to his abilities as a pass rusher.

The Rookie Wide Receivers
5. Josh Boyce
4. Kenbrell Thompkins
3. Aaron Dobson

With the offseason losses of Brandon Lloyd (headcase), Wes Welker (whiner/dropper), Deion Branch (past prime) and Aaron Hernandez (wanna-be Scarface), there is a huge opportunity for these young receivers.
-Speedster Josh Boyce is a deep threat who can play the slot or outside.
-Undrafted Kenbrell Thompkins has the size and speed to play any receiver spot. All he does is get open.
-Aaron Dobson has modest speed but ability and size to make spectacular catches.

The Quarterbacks
2. Tim Tebow
1. Ryan Mallett

Back-up QBs Ryan Mallett and Tim Tebow look to get the majority of snaps tonight.
-Will Ryan Mallett show enough improvement to solidify the backup role and/or garner trade interest?
-Can Tim Tebow demonstrate that his mechanics and decision making are improved enough to make him a viable NFL QB? Are there any special packages, trick plays or non-traditional roles devised especially for him?

Which players are you looking out for tonight and this preseason?

Why Philadelphia is Perfect Preseason Pairing for Patriots

2013-08-06T01:53:00.002-04:00

Chip Kelly and Michael Vick are all smiles at Eagles training camp.

The New England Patriots eagerly head to Philadelphia this week to participate in joint practices and a preseason game with the Eagles. Rookie head coach and offensive savant Chip Kelly brings his frantic-paced offense to the NFL with the Patriots getting the first chance to see them up close

Here are 3 reasons why this match-up couldn't be any more perfect for New England:

1. Facing Up-Tempo Offense

HISTORY: The Patriots unleashed a fierce no-huddle offense on the league in 2012, averaging an incredible 74.4 plays/gm. Their inspiration? It was of course Chip Kelly's Oregon Ducks (more below).

CONCLUSION: In this copycat league, even more teams will be integrating hurry-up components to their offenses this season (and it just might be the future of the NFL). What better way to start preparing than by facing the godfather of the modern up-tempo attack?

2. Building Confidence Against a Rebuilt Defense

HISTORY: Philadelphia sported one of the most porous defenses in the NFL. They finished 29th in the league in 2012, giving up 27.8 pts/gm. They have a new defensive coordinator Bill Davis and are transitioning from Wide 9 to two-gap 3-4.

CONCLUSION: As the Patriots new offensive weapons look to gel with Tom Brady, you couldn't ask for a more vulnerable defense to face right off the bat.

3. Picking Chip Kelly's Brain

HISTORY: If the advent of the joint preseason practice was a windfall for anyone, it would be the cutthroat coaches of the NFL first and foremost. A legend like Bill Belichick has been able to swap notes with impressive football minds like Sean Payton, Greg Schiano (and now Chip Kelly).

CONCLUSION: The coaches have created an environment where they can share best practices and create competition in a low stakes environment. Whether it be about using one word playcalls or how to run practice, the Belichick/Kelly connection has already reaped some benefits. You've got to think that these two football visionaries have many more unique ideas to share with each other.

What do you think of these joint practices? What team would be your ideal matchup for the preseason?

5 Reasons Red Sox Trade Not All About Peavy

2013-08-01T23:38:00.001-04:00

Jake Peavy

When news struck late Tuesday night that the Red Sox had reeled in Jake Peavy from Chicago, the question from Boston fans on social media was immediately: "BUT WHAT DID THEY GIVE UP??" It was clear that while Peavy would be a great addition to any rotation, there was more to this trade than just his services:

5. White Sox Rebuilding

At 25 games under .500, Chicago GM Rick Hahn knew his Pale Sox needed to hit the reset button. As many in Chicago conceded, this was a trade that had to be made. The White Sox picked up three low level prospects and rising 22 year old outfielder Avisail Garcia.

4. Workman to Bullpen

Brandon Workman went from first major league start/win to bullpen duty in under 24 hours. Many Red Sox observers felt like bullpen help was their most important need at trade deadline. In this deal, they killed 2 birds with one stone (despite what straw-men-arguers Felger & Massarotti might tell you).

3. Tigers Losing Peralta to PED Suspension

Jhonny Peralta

When Tigers caught wind of Jhonny Peralta's PED guilt and likely suspension, it became clear that acquiring an everyday shortstop would be a necessity if the team wanted to continue its World Series aspirations. Giving up a key prospect like Garcia means the Tigers were definitely "all-in."

2. Cherington Sells High on Iglesias

There was never a question of whether Jose Iglesias had a major league glove; it was always about whether he had the ability to hit big league pitching. With the continued emergence of uber prospect Xander Bogearts, the slick-fielding/weak-hitting Cuban became a luxury. His trade value would probably never be higher.

1. Buchholz Cannot Be Depended Upon

Clay Buchholz

Clay Buchholz can say whatever he wants now, but, make no mistake, this trade was made because the Red Sox were worried about Clay physically AND mentally. Buchholz went from being arguably the best pitcher in baseball to shutting himself down in the heat of a pennant race.

Jake Peavy is many things (including injury prone), but a quitter he is not.

Do you agree that this trade was as much about not trusting Clay Buchholz as it was about adding a quality arm like Jake Peavy?

Patriots Camp: 5 Reasons To Attend Sunday Practice

2013-07-28T01:08:00.000-04:00

5. The Fast Rise of Aaron Dobson

The 59th pick in the 2013 NFL Draft is impressing early in camp. With the losses of Brandon Lloyd and Wes Welker, a huge vacuum opened up at outside WR this off-season. The rookie from Marshall has the chance to bring his highlight-reel skills to the Patriots' starting offense.

4. "TE-BOW! TE-BOW! TE-BOW!"

Of all the new additions to the team, no one is creating as much buzz as Tim Tebow. Rightly or wrongly, Tebow is a lightning rod for attention and discussion. If he's not skipping passes in the dirt, he is catching passes of his own during drills. For a team that needs some good off-the-field publicity, keeping a positive Tebow around wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

3. Who Gets 1st Team Reps?
Danny Amendola called this the most intense Training Camp he has ever been involved in. It's no wonder, as there are battles everywhere for spots on the depth chart and roster. On Saturday, just about everyone got a shot with the first team offense:

Patriots skill guys who got 1st team reps during a 7-play sequence today: Dobson, Fells, Amendola, Ballard, Ridley, Hoomanawanui, ... (cont)

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) July 27, 2013

(cont) ... Jenkins, Bolden, Thompkins, Washington, Ford, Blount, Boyce, Slater, Aiken, Sudfeld, Hawkins. Everyone's getting a shot.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) July 27, 2013

2. Helmets and Shoulder Pads...FINALLY!

Shorts & Shells is to football what kissing your sister is to love-making. Jim Schwartz of Detroit would no doubt agree. Sunday will be our first glance at something much closer to Patriots football. Looking forward to Brandon Spikes and/or Adrian Wilson making their presence felt with an early bone-jarring hit.

1. Football is My Religion; Gillette Stadium is My Church

No offense to the devout among us, but NOTHING beats football on a Sunday. There should be a few thousand of the Patriots' most faithful attending this week.

LET US PRAY...for no rain!!

Did Belichick Neutralize the Aaron Hernandez Situation?

2013-07-25T00:54:00.002-04:00

"It’s a sad day, really a sad day on so many levels." -Bill Belichick

THE PRESS CONFERENCE

Bill Belichick approached the podium at Gillette Stadium yesterday not as a head coach but as a leader of men. People expected him to come out guarded and defensive. After all, he is notorious for terse answers and a chilly demeanor towards sports media. After the 2007 season, he was surly and obtuse while answering questions about Spygate. After Super Bowl and AFC Championship game losses, he skipped out on media obligations to NBC and CBS respectively.

However, these circumstances are unprecedented and this press conference dictated a different approach. Belichick was plain-spoken and honest, aware of the gravity of the situation. Will this be enough to satisfy the masses?

THE REACTION

Almost universally, Bill Belichick was commended for his handling of the press conference:

Belichick, IMO, knocked it out of the park. Smart choice. Gave his team the best chance to move on.
— Greg A. Bedard (@GregABedard) July 24, 2013

Belichick in first 5 minutes, home run . Sympathetic, Disappointed. Unacceptable. Still think he's a robot?
— Scott Zolak (@scottzolak) July 24, 2013

Give Belichick credit ... Handled that well. Tone was of someone affected by the events of the last six weeks.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) July 24, 2013

This has been the most forthcoming Bill Belichick has ever been. Excellent statement. Understandable responses to Q's. #patriots
— Zuri Berry (@zuriberry) July 24, 2013

THE AFTERMATH

Bill Belichick took one for the team and removed some pressure from the players. The Patriots captains will be given an opportunity to comment on Thursday. After that, it's business as usual, and the only people who matter are the guys in the locker room.

In the locker room, Belichick can now create an "Us-vs-Them" motivation not seen since the 2007 season. He will undoubtedly tell the team something to the effect of: "No one respects you; they think you are weak and vulnerable."

Listening to fans and sports media, we hear the same common criticisms:

Bill Belichick wouldn't want it any other way.

"Moving forward consists of what it’s always been here: to build a winning football team, be a strong pillar in the community, be a team that our fans can be proud of. That’s what we’re here for." -Bill Belichick

THE CONCLUSION

While Bill Belichick did an admirable job, the blowback from the Aaron Hernandez situation is far from over.

As long as the trial stays in the news, Hernandez will cast a shadow over the Patriots and the NFL season. However, Wednesday was a good first step towards distancing themselves from the Hernandez situation and getting back to building a playoff-caliber football team.

The Patriots will move forward.

5 Things Belichick WILL Say at Wednesday's Press Conference

2013-07-23T14:31:00.004-04:00

5. "One of our former players was involved in a tragic incident during the off-season. The Patriots organization sends its deepest sympathies to the family of Odin Lloyd."

4. "After today, I will take no further questions about the former player."

3. "When we learned of his involvement in the investigation, we determined that we would immediately cut ties with him."

2. "We will move forward with the players that are on this team."

1. "I already answered that."

Napoli Goes Boom

2013-07-22T21:36:00.001-04:00

In case you missed it last night. Just Napoli being Napoli.

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What Spygate Teaches Us About Hernandez & the 2013 Patriots

2013-07-21T16:58:00.001-04:00

The New England Patriots face one of the biggest off-field distractions in team history. The season has barely begun, yet the team faces intense scrutiny from fans and experts alike. Media hordes descend upon Foxboro, MA looking to interrogate Kraft, Belichick or any other Patriots personnel. We are left to wonder: How will the Patriots respond to this uncomfortable and challenging situation?

If this narrative sounds immediately familiar to you, it's probably because the Patriots went through an analagous crisis in 2007.

In a scandal that was dubbed "Spygate" by the national sports media, the Patriots failed to comply with videotaping regulations set forth by the NFL. The team was fined $250,000 and docked a first round pick in the 2008 draft. Coach Bill Belichick was also personally fined $500,000 for his role in the affair. The team, already disliked/envied nationally for their recent run of success, suddenly had an even larger target on their backs.

So how did the Patriots respond? They turned their shame into one of the most memorable regular seasons in NFL football history. In many ways, their actions in 2007 could show us the blueprint for how they plan to respond this season:

1. Addressing the Controversy

THEN: In 2007, Belichick tried to squelch the issue early on the season by accepting full responsibility and apologizing to Bob Kraft and Patriots fans. He also released a one paragraph statement confirming his meeting with Roger Goodell and accepting his punishment. (Belichick would later apologize to the other NFL owners at their annual meeting.) Instead of letting the scandal linger, the Patriots coach got in front and accepted blame so the team could move on.

NOW: With Hernandez, the Patriots quickly decided they would cut the player if he was arrested in any way in conjunction with the murder case. I would expect a prepared statement and a lot of "no comment"s when Belichick holds his first press conference this week. Also, Belichick can use his favorite "I'm only talking about guys on our team" excuse when the media grills him.

2. Taking It Out On the Opposition

THEN: In the first game after the Spygate controversy, the Patriots dismantled the San Diego Chargers at Gillette Stadium. Tedy Bruschi dedicated the victory to all Patriots players, past and present, who he felt were unjustly maligned that week. It was the first of many no-mercy blowouts the Patriots would exact on opponents that season. It wasn't enough for them to just beat opponents; the team set out to make every game a statement win.

NOW: Tom Brady has lost many of his key weapons from last year. Without Welker, Lloyd, Hernandez and possibly Gronkowski to start the season, it might be difficult for the Patriots to score through the air. Their first three opponents are the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers who are all susceptible to blowouts. If the new Patriots offense is capable, they will try to make a statement that they won't skip a beat without Hernandez and others.

3. Creating New Motivations

THEN: The 2007 Patriots decided early on that they were going for 16-0. They wanted to score score as many TDs as they could, and they wanted to embarrass as many teams as they could. Tom Brady and Randy Moss set single season TD records, respectively.

NOW: This year's team will not be able to match the 2007 squad in offensive production. However, they could set some new goals to accomplish. One new goal might be to use their stable of RBs and hurry up offense to lead the league in rushing. Another goal might be to use their youth and speed on defense to create a new attacking strategy built upon blitzing and man-to-man coverage.

4. Just Win, Baby

THEN and NOW: While the Patriots have not won another Super Bowl since the Spygate controversy occurred, the team has had incredible success in the regular season. Since the beginning of 2007, the Patriots regular season record is 76-20 (.792 winning percentage). The true constant has been the Patriots success at racking up wins, before and after "Spygate."

The website Pro-Football-Reference.com created a statistic (Simple Rating System, or "SRS") that measures how one NFL team is compared to another. As you can see below, the Patriots annual ratings since Spygate have been among their highest regular season ratings in this (or any) era**:

Credit: BusinessInsider.com

**Note: The Patriots' SRS in 2012 was 12.8, meaning Belichick has actually produced four of his five best regular season teams since Spygate.

The 2007 Patriots became the first (and only) NFL team in history to finish the regular season 16-0 and came within a miracle catch of winning the Super Bowl and going 19-0. While the teams and circumstances may be different, it is hard not to draw a parallel between dealing with the distractions caused by Spygate and the ones caused by the actions of Aaron Hernandez. The Patriots created new motivations and channeled their anger into damage on the gridiron.

So if history is any indication, the 2013 Patriots should still be successful despite all the noise. You could argue that they should be as ruthless and motivated as ever to prove they still have what it takes to dominate. Likely this will translate into points and wins...at least in the regular season, that is. Losing Hernandez however won't make getting that 4th Lombardi Trophy any easier.