-by DNOMN8R314
Story time.
Last year, on December 9, I was taking part in my church’s Christmas show. I’d caught some snippets of Pats-Miami before the start, but for most of the game I was performing and so couldn’t watch. During my one ten-minute break, I went up to my phone and pulled up the game, watching the Patriots kick a field goal to go up 33-28. With so little time left, I figured I’d watch the kickoff and the Dolphins’ last offensive play before going down to take my place.
You all know what happened next. I won’t bother linking it.
I tell this story because tomorrow afternoon is the first rehearsal for my church’s Christmas show this year, and I’ll be able to catch a touch of the game at the beginning but not much after that. I’m certainly hoping for whatever the opposite of a repeat is.
Anyway, you’re here for the Y Factors.
Harris wheel: New England downgraded Brandon Bolden to out Saturday, leading to suggestions that third-rounder Damien Harris might make his Patriots debut. Like Bolden, Harris is considered an all-downs back, though we haven’t got much of a sample size for special teams, and Harris would remain the fourth running back on the depth chart. But throughout his Patriots tenure, Bolden has always been good for a play or two a game, so if Harris is active, he may see time on offense; if that’s the case, don’t be surprised if he gets a chance with the ball.
Preston to service: Albert Wilson’s absence from Miami’s office should mean more snaps and opportunities for Dolphins UDFA Preston Williams. The six-foot-four Williams was Miami’s third-most proficient pass catcher in their opening week Ravens debacle, catching three passes for 24 yards and the team’s only touchdown. The Patriots drafted a six-foot-four defensive back of their own this year, second-rounder Joejuan “the second j is lowercase, please” Williams, but he was inactive last week. My guess is that New England will match him in coverage with J.C. Jackson, who is six-foot-one and took on several tall receivers in his impressive rookie year. Either way, the Patriots have to keep an eye on Williams and make sure his opportunities are shut down.
Shilique to my stomach: If I asked you which member of the Patriots front seven led the team in snaps last week, you’d probably only guess Shilique Calhoun because you saw his name in the paragraph heading and knew what was coming. Despite injuries sidelining Calhoun for the second half of the preseason, Calhoun made the roster and played 81 percent of defensive snaps in his first game as a Patriot. While a portion of that may be due to Kyle Van Noy’s opening night absence due to his wife giving birth (congrats again, Kyle!), Calhoun’s regular presence on the field indicates the Patriots see him as a significant part of this defense. He’s been primarily seen as a pass rusher, and though Miami’s most dynamic offensive threat is arguably running back Kenyan Drake, Calhoun could still see the field if New England hopes to match speed with speed. Regardless of how, and even with Van Noy’s return, Calhoun should continue to see time on defense this week.
Izzo does it: Of the Patriots’ three seventh-round draft picks from 2018, only Ryan Izzo remains with the team, and he has suddenly taken on an important role. With Matt LaCosse injured, Izzo was the only tight end to see snaps for New England against the Steelers, and in his primary role as a blocker he performed well. LaCosse remains questionable, and Izzo isn’t a significant threat in the passing game, but his importance to the offense should not be overlooked. (And don’t count him out for a target or two.)
Gunner-from-Bemidji-State-Olszewski is his name: While I don’t make it a habit to put players on the Y Factors list in consecutive weeks, our favorite Division II converted cornerback gets on the list because, as with Harris above, of Bolden’s deactivation. Bolden served as the kick returner Week 1, and while the Patriots have a few candidates to fill in at that spot (such as Sony Michel), Olszewski should certainly be in line to return kickoffs as well as punts. He’s also taken a role on coverage units, getting his nose cracked on one Pittsburgh return, and continues to play to the limit each time he takes the field. We all love this guy.
reintroducing the weekly BoSoxJim TUMS-O-METER prediction:
Well, here we are: the annual trip to Miami, the place that gives the Pats fits – the latest being the final play fiasco of last year. Many on this site think this will be a breeze. This year, Miami is not good, and key injuries to starters will put them on the bench. But their coach is former Pats defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and last year poor teams coached by former Pats coaches did well against their old team. (See the Titans and Lions to name a couple.) And again, the game is in Miami. So this week’s prediction: 5 bottles.
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That was not a TD.
Did McCaffery get hurt?
Yeah he got his head knocked off.. it was brutal, Patterson is playing far better though.
Your plane landed ok?
No, he’s typing from beyond the grave. 🙂
Helps when Wisconsin’s starting safeties were both ejected (one deserved it, the other didn’t).
OK, this is a good one…
Denlesks
@Denlesks
· 19h
Patriots owner Robert Kraft said Antonio Brown played well but rubbed him the wrong way
The decision tugged at his heartstrings
Well…. if anyone knows anything about rubbing…..it’s Kraft…
My computer’s in the shop so you may be getting the Y Factors tonight rather than tomorrow morning.
MI 8 WI 35
To repeat from below, here are the skill guys on the active roster who could potentially add to the TD12 list:
-WRs Meyers, Gunner, Slater
-TEs LaCosse, Izzo
-RBs Michel, Harris
-FB Johnson
Additionally, WRs Harry (on IR) and Meredith (on PUP), if activated.
Also James Develin – forgot he has a playoff score but no TD grab in the regular season.
OK, that one was bad.
1st guy didn’t deserve to be ejected but this guy does.
That was a BS call.
Defender had no idea what the QB was doing.
WI 35 MI 0 Oof!
Does Michigan even have a defense?
Prevent D 🙂
Good o-line- bet the Pats have a scout there.
Rutgers player celebrates a touchdown by punching his quarterback in the head
https://twitter.com/i/events/1175452370219585537
Dummy.
Jonathan Taylor had 12 carries 143 yds 2 TDs in the 1st qtr. He didn’t play in the 2nd qtr. due to cramps. Should have had his TB12 electrolytes before the game 😉
Michigan had 2 weeks to prepare for this game.
Harbaugh is gone.
Wisconsin is beating Michigan 21-0
Dammit, Smack! 🙂
I blame ESPN site
The score would be even worse if Taylor wasn’t in the locker room getting looked at.
28-0 now
it WON’T be a great story 🙂
After BARELY beating Army last week and getting their asses handed to them by Wisconsin today (so far), are there any people who still think Michigan is good?
Sorry, I meant a couple weeks ago.
Calvin Johnson: Lions “wanted me to change my story” after concussion
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/09/21/calvin-johnson-lions-wanted-me-to-change-my-story-after-concussion/
Johnson says he suffered at least one concussion every year in the NFL, but he says concussions aren’t why he retired and aren’t affecting him today.
Imagine the scandal if the team was the Pats…
We talk about how Miami is a dumpster fire right now (well, they are), but they never had the greatest RB of all time (IMO) and a WR that had a chance to be, both retire early rather than continue to play for them.
Jakob Johnson Tyme!
HOF! (Europe)
not even german GOAT. Vollmer is. 😛
Seahawks previously had interest in Antonio Brown but no longer do
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/09/20/seahawks-previously-had-interest-in-antonio-brown-but-no-longer-do/
Are they really going to post an article about every team not interested in him? Just let us know about teams that are.
No one.
Not talking about you, Smack. 🙂
He is poison at this point.
Tucker Boynton
@Tucker_TnL
23 catches on the last 23 targets. Phillip Dorsett has been money
Here’s a video of all 23:
https://twitter.com/Tucker_TnL/status/1174421231749255168
That’s regular season only though. Still VERY impressive if you add in the playoff results.
He was targeted 7 times in the playoffs and caught 5 of them (PFF). Other sources have it 8 targets/5 receptions.
FWIW: PFF has him 4 of 5 vs the Steelers.
Again, all still very impressive.
I should say that PFF has them (TB12 & Dorsett) as 4 of 5 vs Pitt in week 1.
IDGAF that’s still pretty damn dependable! I’m just glad the Pats have been patient with him (and him patient with the team). Hope he can become our new Dola.
He’s got some dependable mitts.
Oh, I can afford a half dozen donuts now. The prize for 2nd place includes the 3rd place prize. $600 divided by about 90. Woohoo!!!!!
This is really going to affect my tax status though. Bummer.
Still bummed. Hopes are still high for the season but feel robbed that we missed out on something special.
It would have been fun to watch on the field. Less so, off the field.
But not having to hold your breath to see what was going to happen next with AB is a relief.
wuss
Agreed. I was getting anxiety opening up Twitter every morning
wuss
Jakob Johnson promoted from the PS to the 53- Cap Space—————————–>
Hopefully just for STs.
Don’t think so.
If you have any fear for TB12’s safety when he’s throwing, you should be terrified if FES is required to block.
Have to have faith Jim.
Almost forgot about that Cali-ism. 🙂
I do have faith that with an OL that struggled to run block when healthy, might also struggle to run block when they have a subpar LT, a RT that is questionable, and possibly no blocking TE (or receiving TE for that matter).
What they do have is a stable of WRs and a couple backs who can catch. They should concentrate on that this week.
If Brady can get the ball out consistently under 2.5 seconds, the Jets probably won’t even be able to lay a finger on him no matter who they have at LT.
They’ll be fine 🙂
Rebuttal.
Who do we have on the roster who hasn’t caught a TD from Brady? What are we up to? Brown as the 73rd? Better question, who’s most likely to be #74?
I’m thinking Slater, in one of those goal line… is he a blocker, isn’t he a blocker deals where he just slips past to the corner.
Jakobi!
I thought you typed Jakob for a second, and was thinking you were going bold.
I call him FES.
Has Sony caught a TD pass? Harris might at some point, if they ever activate him.
I see that Sony has NOT caught a TD pass in his career.
I’ve been waiting on that Slater play for YEARS now!
Potential new TD12s (skill positions only) currently active: Meyers, Gunner, Slater, LaCosse, Izzo, Michel, Harris, Johnson.
(Also Develin.)
GO EAGLES!!!
Relax! Not the NFL team in Philly. Rugby World Cup, Team USA are the Eagles. They play England on the 26th and France October 2.
It could be a good idea to try to run over the Jets. But with 5/7 of last year run blockers out/gone I wonder if keeping the running game going could not be as challenging as trying to keep TB alive in the passing game.
They will do whatever they want aganist the Jets, their offense will allow us to dictate the game.
Won’t be shocked if it’s another shutout.
The Pat’s D is very good and it got nothing to do with who they have played.
Yeah the Jets D is ok but AB or not the offense is still too good for them.
The O line will be fine.
I’d prefer they do death by a 1000 cuts. Run a lot of 4 wides and some 5 wides and attack them with the short passing game (tire out the pass rush). When they have 4 wides, that should spread them out (and force the defense to go small) and open some running lanes.
Depending on the OL’s conditioning, I’d also like to see some hurry up.
If they go 5 wide they can use White or Burkhead as one of the receivers.
So does Jakobi get put on the game day roster?
It’s the Jets, who have some vaguely decent defenders. Might be worth it if they trust him to protect Brady.
Yes.
Back in late April i predicted the Sox would win no more than 80-85 games and was skewered for it. And now…………..
You get a sticker.
I’d prefer a star.
Not star worthy.
It really wasn’t a horrible season. It was fairly obvious that they’d overpaid to grab a WS… but can you really overpay to get a WS? Still, I lowered my expectations and just enjoyed the ballgames each night.
It’s all your fault!
What team is in first place in the American League East? 🙂
Be quiet, you.
Hmmm.. the Red Sox with the highest payroll ($220 Mil) won’t make the playoffs. The Rays with the lowest ($66 mil) is fighting for a wild card spot.
…..aaaaaaaaaaand the shitshow that was the Red Sox season has officially reached its ultimate result: No playoffs.
Normally you let the rising farmhands from AAA and AA play out the season, but they don’t have any. Thank you Dombroski….
Let’s get the running game going – it can save wear and tear on Brady and the WRs
Need a stable OL for that.
Looks like the Patriots wisely got out in front of any Kraft/Belichick schism rumors, by going to their guy Mike Reiss, who reported that the AB cut was a decision that Kraft/Belichick came to together.
I’m also pleased that the veteran Watson didn’t give up his number, and Brown was stuck with the disposable #17.
GRONK
will be back soon
He says it will take him a month to get back into football shape. I’m not going to believe it until he’s put on at least 30 pounds of muscle… and I don’t see that happening in a month. Could he come back and be vaguely effective as skinny Gronk? Also seems kind of dubious.
Still, we can dream.
If he puts on 30 lbs of muscle he will be bigger than he has ever been. He wasn’t a ripped to shreds football player. He’s lost some bodyfat as well since retiring.
He’s lost 15-20 lbs…according to TB12 and more importantly, Gronk himself.
is not walking through that door.
-R. Pitino
I have just read the news about AB. I have a rather pragmatic view on this. If they cut him because the situation had become internally disrupting or if it was the only appropriate timing to do it to protect the team financially I am ok. If they cut him for PR or “moral” reasons I would have left the league and the courts handle it. Overall if BB took his precautions and cap space can be recovered it was worth taking a chance. If not, it was plainly stupid.
NFLPA will fight this tooth and nail.
Welp fellas.. our pilot’s about to try to land our 737 in 60 mph winds. It’s been nice knowing ya fellas.
If I don’t make it, remember me well.
Go Pats!
Who are you exactly?
Alaska.. tried to land in Junesu, couldn’t do it.. had to do a go round at 500 feet and then re-directed to anchorage 500 miles away.. not thrilled, but I’m alive.
Sounds scary. Be safe!
You’re a crazy mofo, Blighty. Hope you didn’t die. 🙂
Our limit is 50, and that has to be mainly a headwind
well i will be happy to see Gordon getting more targets along with Dorsett
please Josh stay off the pipe
Gordon will definitely benefit from Brown being gone.
He appeared to intimidated with AB on the field. I believe that he had a couple of drops and a holding penalty. Of course, he could have merely had a bad game.
I mean In theory no. But we’ll see how it plays out.
Yeah, Gordon essentially disappeared against Miami. I want to see a lot more of that guy with blistering speed who bulled his way over 3 Steelers to score a TD in game 1.
gronk too 🙂
NE dismantled the Steelers 33-3 without Brown. He was a nice addition but not at all essential.
AB is only 5 kids away from being the top NFL player named Antonio to have the most kids:
https://jocksandstilettojill.com/professional-athletes/a-history-of-antonio-cromarties-baby-mama-drama/
https://heavy.com/sports/2018/11/antonio-brown-kids-children-how-many/
NFL won’t place Antonio Brown on exempt list as long as he’s a free agent: https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/09/20/nfl-will-not-place-antonio-brown-on-exempt-list-as-long-as-hes-a-free-agent/
I felt a great disturbance in in the force. as if dozens of turd blossoms slammed shut in terror, and were suddenly vapor-locked…
i hope that if he signs with a team… the league immediately puts him on the exempt list… and he stays there forever
hey he is on my fantasy team
Watch the Chiefs sign him. They have no shame.
“Seriously? it was just a photo of the kids… it wasn’t even physical abuse!” – KC
is this some kinda star wars bs or space balls???
The former.
No one should be surprised by this. The NFL cannot discipline, in any way, a person who is not an employee of the NFL. Duh.
we wont hear much about AB anymore he isn’t on the pats. ESPN wont care
Antonio Brown when asked why he is the way that he is:
Belichick and Kraft did the right thing. I was willing to let this whole thing with his accusers play out and see where it was going to lead, as long as he stfu and didn’t allow himself to be a distraction. But apparently Brown was going to Brown no matter where he was. Sending threatening texts (with her kids pictures no less) to the woman was just too much.
I hate to be outraged but the whole kid thing is just way over the top
Yes! His behavior with the women in question is gross and pathetic, but threatening kids is criminal.
man it could have been special. put the damn phone down!!!!!!!
Absolute child
unfortunately I cant laugh I want to but cant
good night
It’s sad that I take Kraft’s “anger” towards Brown’s actions with a grain of salt. Getting BJ/Handies at a parlor that probably employs women from human trafficking (regardless if he solicited it from them, or the owner) is pretty f’n despicable, too.
Uh, zoo. I completely agree about the despicableness of soliciting sex for money but the Florida investigation into human trafficking at that chain of massage parlors revealed that there were exactly zero employees at any of the chains that were victims of human trafficking. All were legal residents and present voluntarily. Kraft is creepy, but human trafficking has absolutely nothing to do with what went down there.
we all solicit sex for money. one way or another
Kraft is stuck between a rock and a hard place on this one – probably why he’s staying away from the media on it
there’s a penis joke in there somewhere
the government solicits me for sex every year… i pay them taxes then they f*ck me
My wife makes almost the exact same salary as I do. Who is the john?
human trafficking is to the Robert Kraft issue as illegally taping the Rams walkthrough is to spygate…
unrelated and blown up by the media to be eternally connected, despite not actually taking place
Cool, do you think that’s the only place Kraft has ever visited?
but Zoo we have to deal with facts. these are the facts we have. I know in todays world we like to make shit up but I dont
We don’t have any facts on AB, either. Just his idiotic texts.
im with you. if he didn’t text the other day he would be playing sunday
No, but do you have any reason to believe that any other places he visited engaged in human trafficking? This “Human Trafficking Task Force” that was created in southeast Florida was stunningly inept. They did not turn up a single instance of human trafficking after spending a couple million dollars. It was a pure PR stunt.
Agreed. Kraft is a businessman who should be connected with the 21st Century world. He has had several opportunities to gain insight, yet he chose the path of his inhibitions rather than doing what is right.
isn’t his anger towards AB texting like 10 people including the artist like a couple days ago??? maybe im late to the game
Yes – but the second he comes out and says that, the instant response will be: you’re one to talk – how’s your court case coming along in Fla?
all AB had to do was shut the F up and play. Kraft paid a consenting adult to have sex? am I missing something
No – that’s right on
Most people don’t bother getting too detailed on that stuff so they lump it all together
well our society is lazy
Don’t forget stupid
Times infinity
“Think of how stupid the average person is. Then realize that half of them are stupider than that”
-The legendary George Carlin
…george… carlin…
But oddly, no one thinks they themselves are a member of the “stupider than that” category. Stupid indeed.
what kraft did is legal in lots of places… including canada… yet people act like he’s some sort of wretched monster
Faux-puritanical hypocrisy is what a sociologist would say I imagine
I don’t get all the virtue signaling
But, it’s not legal in this country. Nor is it ethical for an owner of the greatest sports franchises and a leader in the business community to continuously get involved in. There is no excuse for his actions.
so its ok for a 70 year old man to have a 20 year old gf? whats the difference?
One is illegal, is more about control than sex, and is beneath Kraft. The other is weird, but borderline ethical.
both you are paying women for sex. but ok ill take ur point
The sex is a small part of being in a relationship.
Thanks…
The NFL is hellbent to call holding penalties this year. To the point where it’s ruining games, making them unwatchable. And the other ancillary fallout is that about a quarter of the starting QBs in the league have gone down with injuries. Yep. Those holds were helping keep QBs upright. The league massively miscalculated the effects of their new anti-holding jihad.
From the Athletic article about Kraft/AB people were referring to below: Patriots owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick jointly determined Friday that wide receiver Antonio Brown had overstayed his welcome. Kraft, who was on a business trip, became enraged Friday when he heard the details of Brown’s most recently reported incident of text messaging harassment of a former female acquaintance. Kraft and Belichick spoke and decided together to officially release Brown just 11 days after the Patriots signed the controversial star receiver, according to sources. This all came to a head due to a pair of Sports Illustrated… Read more »
Thanks for posting that, Zoo. Good breakdown.
The last paragraph is incorrect. “The Patriots could have cut Brown a week earlier in the wake of the civil suit and cited similar detrimental conduct to recoup his money”. That’s not true. Someone suing AB does not constitute “conduct that was detrimental to the organization” by AB. The contract can only mean his actions as a Patriots employee. Last night’s texts gave the Patriots iron clad evidence that they can pull AB’s “guaranteed” money.
spot on
Oh, but I should also say “Thanks for posting this zoo.” Good read.
Can’t remember where I read this, but apparently the pats could have cited the fact he did not disc.ose the lawsuit as grounds to void the contract.
I don’t know if that ploy would have worked, Sami. Unless there specifically is something in his contract that mandated that he provide full disclosure of any pending issues (i.e. lawsuits or past personal conduct), I don’t think that the Pats would have a legal leg to stand on.
Whatever it was that I read made it seem like the pats were covered. I’ll try to find it
It’s hard for me to imagine that there was a clause in AB’s contract that said “If you think someone might sue you at some point in the future, you have to tell us it might happen.”
That’s not what I heard, Sami. AB was under a nondisclosure agreement about the lawsuit, as he was in negotiations to settle it. If he told the Patriots, he violated the NDA.
Shank on Belichick:
“Belichick was consistent if nothing else. The diabolical coach has never talked about “the Patriot Way.’’ He has hired a rogues gallery of talent, many of whom straightened out when they got to Foxborough. But one of the great Patriot myths is that all the troublemakers turn things around when they come to Gillette Stadium. Albert Haynesworth did not. Chad Ochocinco did not. Aaron Hernandez did not. And Antonio Brown did not.”
WTF did Ocho or Haynesworth do while they were here? Nothing at all, they just didn’t work out! It’s not like they caused trouble while they were here.
Yeah, and the entirety of 85’s antics in Cincy were purely bush league compared to an average evening for Antonio.
A list with only Hernandez probably didn’t feel long enough to make his point
Shank on Brady:
“Brady is hardly covered with glory in this one. The day it was announced that Brown had been signed, Brady told his agent that Brown would be welcome to stay at the Brady home. He told Kraft he was “a million percent in” on Brown. Then, after the allegations surfaced, Brady stepped back and said, “Things that don’t involve me, don’t involve me.” Of course, this didn’t stop Brown from heading over to Brady’s TB12 emporium, and sending out an Instagram post, yukking it up with Brady trainer Alex Guerrero and promoting the workout facility.”
Shank on Kraft: “As usual, Kraft tried to have it both ways. He never said a word when the Patriots agreed to terms with Brown hours after the receiver got himself fired in Oakland. He never said anything when the sexual offense allegations surfaced two days later. He never said anything when it became clear that Brown would play Sunday in Miami. Instead, the owner used his media cartel to float the notion that he never would have brought Brown to Foxborough if he had known about the impending lawsuit. Not good enough. In January, when the Patriots owner was… Read more »
Shaughn of the Dead has a point. Kraft does have some misogyny working.
That’s endemic among owners league wide.
Sox officially eliminated from postseason
Yawn