OUR LOCKER ROOM STILL REEKS OF CHAMPAGNE!: The Official 2017 New England Patriots Offseason Thread

[Seven1986]

I don't think there's a media personality that's a bigger moron when it comes to the Patriots than Rob Parker. Can't stand that moron..

The sad thing is that he really believes the idiotic things that comes out of his mouth......

This is interesting.....

 

[William F. Russell]

The NFL playoffs start this weekend and it is looking more and more like the biggest mystery is just which team will win the NFC and face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI.

Earlier this week we took a look at which teams have the best chance to win the Super Bowl and the New England Patriots were an overwhelming favorite with a 35% chance to win it all. The biggest reason that the Pats have such a higher chance than the No. 1 seed in the NFC, the Dallas Cowboys at 14%, is because the Patriots seemingly have a much easier path to the Super Bowl...

...Things are much different in the AFC. How different? Take a look at how lopsided the Patriots' first playoff game will be.

The Pats have a bye in the first round and will face one of three teams at home in the divisional round. The Las Vegas Westgate Casino has already released point spreads for all three potential matchups (via ESPN).

• If the Dolphins beat the Steelers in Round 1, the Patriots would play the Dolphins in Round 2.
• • The Pats would be favored by 13.5 points over the Dolphins.
• If the Steelers beat the Dolphins, the Patriots would play the winner of the Texans-Raiders game.
• • The Pats would be favored by 14.5 points over the Texans.
  • The Pats would be favored by 16.5 points over the Raiders.

In other words, the Patriots will be approximately a two-touchdown favorite (or more) in their first playoff game, suggesting it should be an easy win. If so, that means the Patriots only need to win one real game to reach the Super Bowl, the AFC title game. Even then, the Patriots will likely be heavily favored.

:PacHahaPats:

http://www.businessinsider.com/new-england-patriots-road-to-the-super-bowl-2017-1

 

[William F. Russell]

.

 

[BucciMane]

What happened to @Abogago?

 

[BucciMane]

 

[William F. Russell]

The Patriots have had 65 players appear in at least one game this year, while that number was 77 last year. As he's noted multiple times over the course of the season, Belichick has specifically been pleased with first-year strength and conditioning coach Moses Cabrera and some changes he's implemented that have helped reduce soft-tissue injuries.

With just 4 players on IR, Patriots healthiest playoff team of Belichick era

 

[William F. Russell]

Caserio is undeniably one of the league's best personnel men and -- given the success of people who've worked under him -- is a shoo-in candidate for any team to show interest in. But the situation in New England is somewhat unbeatable. Although it will always be necessary to get Bill Belichick's assent on any big decision, Caserio and Belichick share a brain at this point and there aren't any known instances of there being any friction. Caserio's acquisitions on all fronts -- free agents, undrafted free agents, restricted free agents, street free agents, draft and trades -- his knowledge of the Patriots scouting operation and experience as a coach make him a lot more valuable to New England than he might be anywhere else.

For the Patriots the fact he's got no interest in San Fran is a boon. It also means there will be no package deal with Caserio and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels going to San Fran. McDaniels was scheduled to interview Saturday with the Niners, Jaguars and Rams in Massachusetts.

Caserio reportedly passes on 49ers, will stay with Pats

 

[William F. Russell]

...expectations from many were modest for Flowers entering 2016. While he had flashed briefly in the '15 preseason with a notable sack of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, he pretty much remained an unknown.

Fast-forward to the present day and Flowers, in the words of ESPN Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden, is in the conversation among the team's best defensive players. His seven sacks led the Patriots during the regular season.

Trey Flowers' emergence as Patriots' sack leader a surprise

 

[William F. Russell]

“When I was young I did a lot of things that when I look back, I wish I probably wouldn’t have done (like) flying cross-country and things like that,” Brady told Boston sports radio station WEEI on Monday. “It just wasn’t publicized.”

Tom Brady says he can relate to Odell Beckham Jr.'s trip to Miami

 

[William F. Russell]

In New England’s first nine games its defense allowed four opponents to score 20 or more points, including a season-high 30 given up in its 31-24 home loss to Seattle on Nov. 13.

But during their current seven-game win streak the Patriots only allowed an opponent to score 20 or more points once, during their 30-23 win over the Ravens on Dec. 12.

And after going three straight weeks in the middle of the season without forcing a turnover, 14 of the Patriots’ 23 total takeaways came in their final six games.

It adds to the challenge for a Houston team that enters Saturday’s divisional-round matchup having already been shut out by the Patriots in a Week 3 loss (27-0). Texans coach Bill O’Brien said finding a way to crack the Patriots’ run defense will be one of the biggest priorities.

New England has 34 sacks, led by Trey Flowers (7), Jabaal Sheard (5), and Chris Long and Rob Ninkovich (4 apiece). It will mean lots of different looks for Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler.

What about the defense? Stingy Pats a challenge for Texans

 

[William F. Russell]

This hype video

 

[I AM WARHOL]

Feels like a Blount game to me

 

[William F. Russell]

Bennett was already familiar with the Boston school. Before Christmas break, the star tight end had visited the Tobin to read his new children’s book, “Hey A.J. It’s Saturday!” to first- and second-grade students. The book, according to the Patriots’ website, is part of a series based on the player’s life and his family. A.J. is based on Bennett’s daughter, Austin.

Maginnis said while there, Bennett, who was featured in the sport section of the 2017 Forbes “30 under 30” list, spent more than an hour talking with students, teachers, and other staff, having his picture taken, and answering questions.

Patriots player Martellus Bennett ‘saves the day,’ fulfills school fundraiser - The Boston Globe

 

[Malcolmxxx_23]

Fred

 

[William F. Russell]

Welp, there goes Mitchell...

Mitchell injured the knee in the third quarter of the Patriots' 41-3 victory over the New York Jets on Dec. 24. He missed the season finale at the Miami Dolphins on Jan. 1 before returning to practice on a limited basis for the first time on Jan. 5.

Mitchell had been limited since his return, but sources tell Schefter that the Patriots are hopeful he might be available for game action should the team advance to the AFC Championship game on Jan. 22.

Source: Pats WR Mitchell (knee) out vs. Texans