The scene has been set, sitting in a bar watching the Cleveland Indians play the Chicago Cubs in Game one of the 2016 World Series. The history for the Cubs, the atmosphere of championship rings and banners being hung right across the street for the NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers. This is as good as it gets for the atmosphere, but there was something else game one gave to the fans. The Chicago Cubs may have been the best team in the 2016 regular season, however, the best team in baseball in the month of October has been the 2016 Indians, Cleveland proved this with 6-0 victory in game one.
Starting for the Tribe, Corey Kluber through the first three innings Kluber as he etched his name in the history books. Through the first three innings Kluber struck out eight batters, something no other pitcher had ever done. The Indians ace looked calm as could be while he was out on the mound and it reflected in the way Cleveland played behind him. Reporters asked teammates how they felt about Kluber and his calm demeanor, as left fielder Brandon Guyer was quoted after the game as saying “He’s always the same guy. He is even-keeled. It makes him such a good pitcher. He is a fun guy to play behind, even though it gets boring sometimes.” It is very easy to be relaxed when the final line on Kluber was six innings giving up no runs, nine strikeouts, four hits and no walks. The confidence showed with his teammates on the offensive side as the Indians went on to put up six runs, for the 6-0 win. As of now Kluber is 3-1 this post season, with a 0.98 earned run average. You can guarantee that Kluber will pitch again in Game four with the same results.
The offense did its part early for the tribe, scoring two in the first from John Lester, one in the fourth, and three in the eighth, the Indians ran away with Game one of the World Series. For catcher Roberto Perez, it was as good of a night as anyone could hope for; Perez extended the Indians lead to 3-0 in the forth inning with a home run, and played the long ball again with a 3-run shot in the 8th inning to give the Indians the 6-0 victory. Everything that could go right for the Tribe did, they now have a 1-0 series lead with game two set back in Cleveland. For game 2, the offense must be at the top of its game for the tribe, they will face Jake Arrieta. Arrieta has not had the best post season 0-1, 4.91 earned run average, but has 10 strike outs. Wednesday night baseball will certainly not disappoint for game 2 of the World Series.
This series is everything that is great about the world of sports; this year’s World Series sees two teams who have waited a long time for the big win. Cubs fans have been waiting 108 years to get back to the World Series, while Cleveland fans have been waiting just 68 years. Two teams who in recent history. Both teams saw some very low years but they are now kings of their respective leagues and one of them will be crowned the kings of baseball. For me, it is hard to not want to witness 108 years worth of history come to an end with a ring. With that being said in the sports world (minus the Browns), this seems to be the “Year of the Land”, Cleveland. It is tough to say but after game one of the World Series my prediction is Cleveland Indians in five games. The Cubs will win one at home and the games will be close but the sports higher powers have touched Cleveland with greatness.
Written by
Carlo Guadagnino
Edited
Cody Yocca
Daniel Bishop M.A.
References
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/10/25/sports/baseball/world-series-preview-chicago-cubs-cleveland-indians.html?_r=0&referer=https://www.google.com/
http://www.espn.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/125490/the-interesting-and-unusual-stats-of-the-2016-postseason
http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/chicago-cubs-team-stats?season=2016&category=BATTING&group=1&time=2
https://www.google.com/amp/www.sbnation.com/platform/amp/mlb/2016/10/25/13413692/indians-cubs-2016-results-score-mlb-playoffs-world-series?client=safari
https://www.google.com/amp/www.oregonlive.com/articles/19531595/world_series_game_1_chicago_cu.amp?client=safari
http://m.mlb.com/player/453562/jake-arrieta
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Burfict Crime: Anger, Aggression, Football
<a href="http://feedshark.brainbliss.com">Feed Shark</a>
When the Cincinnati Bengals signed Vontez Burfict as undrafted free agent in 2012, they knew what they were getting. Burfict has been under the microscope since he was in high school and from the way his career has gone, that is precisely where he likes to be. Burfict is again under review from the NFL for a hit in the 4th quarter Sunday on Martellus Bennet.That was not the only play under review; a late touchdown by LeGarrette Blount was followed by Burfict allegedly stepping on the ankle of Blount. The game of football is one that comes with a certain level of anger, aggression and reckless abandonment. With that being said with the NFL focusing on player safety, it is time to drop the hammer on dirty unnecessary plays that could result in players being injured.
Vontez Burfict was a five star recruit out of high school, he played college ball at Arizona State University. His temper got the best of him in 2011; the Preseason All-American was involved in a “Blindside attack” on fellow teammate at the time Kevin Ozier. This type of behavior and other behavior like it, dropped Burfict from a sure first round draft pick, to an unsigned free agent in 2012. Burfict faced a 3 game suspension to start the 2016 season, the result of being a repeat offender after a hit on Antonio Brown earned him league attention. Now you get this week’s hit on Martellus Bennet, which could easily be seen as unnecessary and potentially targeting. That is first and foremost. Secondly with the ball not even being in the area of Burfict or Bennet, the play looks malicious with intent to injure the leg. There is no place for plays like this in football. Later on in the game, coaches’ film showed Burfict stepping down on running back LeGarrette Blount’s leg after a late fourth quarter score.
Burfict’s work ethic has always been visible; in his first year with the Bengals, recording 127 tackles and only being penalized four times. Since that season, Burfict and his wallet have taken a major hit. In fines alone he has had to give $204,875, not to mention the nearly $700,000 he has forfeited in pay. The NFL should hit Burfict and his wallet again this week, and he really has no one to blame but himself. He is getting paid large amounts of money to play a game that others in the league do not want him in. Offensive lineman throughout the AFC North have said this week that “He's endangering others livelihoods, by his reckless play.” The fact of the matter is that the NFL is so concerned with player safety; this man has manifested into a danger for player safety. As a football fan aggression is great, but when it is visible that a player is deliberately trying to injure or potentially end the career of another player(s), a line must be drawn.
A decision on what will happen with Vontez Burfict was made early Wednesday morning, the NFL fined Burfict $75,000 for unnecessary roughness in relation to the LaGarrette Blount incident. One former NFL official called the league gutless, for not suspending Burfict, if the league is really serious about improving player safety, this would have been the type of play that must be eliminated. How does one even go about righting this? The only way you can is to issue a huge fine and suspend the player; simply make an example out of him so that other players in the league will be persuaded to not engage in such tackles. In Burfict’s case, the league came up short, like they have so many times before.
Visit my website: http://cguadagn.wixsite.com/carlo-guadagnino
Written by
Carlo Guadagnino
Edited by
Daniel Bishop M.A.
Cody Yocca
References
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2016/09/03/cincinnati-bengals-vontaze-burfict-suspension-officially-begins/89836312/
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17815082/nfl-reviewing-hit-vontaze-burfict-cincinnati-bengals-martellus-bennett-new-england-patriots
https://www.google.com/amp/deadspin.com/nfl-will-review-vontaze-burficts-latest-dirty-hit-1787874962/amp?client=safari
http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2012/story/_/id/7821147/nfl-asu-linebacker-vontaze-burfict-draft-most-misunderstood-player-espn-magazine
http://archive.azcentral.com/sports/asu/articles/2011/08/07/20110807asu-football-vontaze-burfict-punch-teammate-report.html
https://www.google.com/amp/www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/vontaze-burfict-cincinnati-bengals-suspension-fines-nearly-one-million-dollars-steelers-011116.amp.html?client=safari
When the Cincinnati Bengals signed Vontez Burfict as undrafted free agent in 2012, they knew what they were getting. Burfict has been under the microscope since he was in high school and from the way his career has gone, that is precisely where he likes to be. Burfict is again under review from the NFL for a hit in the 4th quarter Sunday on Martellus Bennet.That was not the only play under review; a late touchdown by LeGarrette Blount was followed by Burfict allegedly stepping on the ankle of Blount. The game of football is one that comes with a certain level of anger, aggression and reckless abandonment. With that being said with the NFL focusing on player safety, it is time to drop the hammer on dirty unnecessary plays that could result in players being injured.
Vontez Burfict was a five star recruit out of high school, he played college ball at Arizona State University. His temper got the best of him in 2011; the Preseason All-American was involved in a “Blindside attack” on fellow teammate at the time Kevin Ozier. This type of behavior and other behavior like it, dropped Burfict from a sure first round draft pick, to an unsigned free agent in 2012. Burfict faced a 3 game suspension to start the 2016 season, the result of being a repeat offender after a hit on Antonio Brown earned him league attention. Now you get this week’s hit on Martellus Bennet, which could easily be seen as unnecessary and potentially targeting. That is first and foremost. Secondly with the ball not even being in the area of Burfict or Bennet, the play looks malicious with intent to injure the leg. There is no place for plays like this in football. Later on in the game, coaches’ film showed Burfict stepping down on running back LeGarrette Blount’s leg after a late fourth quarter score.
Burfict’s work ethic has always been visible; in his first year with the Bengals, recording 127 tackles and only being penalized four times. Since that season, Burfict and his wallet have taken a major hit. In fines alone he has had to give $204,875, not to mention the nearly $700,000 he has forfeited in pay. The NFL should hit Burfict and his wallet again this week, and he really has no one to blame but himself. He is getting paid large amounts of money to play a game that others in the league do not want him in. Offensive lineman throughout the AFC North have said this week that “He's endangering others livelihoods, by his reckless play.” The fact of the matter is that the NFL is so concerned with player safety; this man has manifested into a danger for player safety. As a football fan aggression is great, but when it is visible that a player is deliberately trying to injure or potentially end the career of another player(s), a line must be drawn.
A decision on what will happen with Vontez Burfict was made early Wednesday morning, the NFL fined Burfict $75,000 for unnecessary roughness in relation to the LaGarrette Blount incident. One former NFL official called the league gutless, for not suspending Burfict, if the league is really serious about improving player safety, this would have been the type of play that must be eliminated. How does one even go about righting this? The only way you can is to issue a huge fine and suspend the player; simply make an example out of him so that other players in the league will be persuaded to not engage in such tackles. In Burfict’s case, the league came up short, like they have so many times before.
Visit my website: http://cguadagn.wixsite.com/carlo-guadagnino
Written by
Carlo Guadagnino
Edited by
Daniel Bishop M.A.
Cody Yocca
References
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2016/09/03/cincinnati-bengals-vontaze-burfict-suspension-officially-begins/89836312/
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17815082/nfl-reviewing-hit-vontaze-burfict-cincinnati-bengals-martellus-bennett-new-england-patriots
https://www.google.com/amp/deadspin.com/nfl-will-review-vontaze-burficts-latest-dirty-hit-1787874962/amp?client=safari
http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2012/story/_/id/7821147/nfl-asu-linebacker-vontaze-burfict-draft-most-misunderstood-player-espn-magazine
http://archive.azcentral.com/sports/asu/articles/2011/08/07/20110807asu-football-vontaze-burfict-punch-teammate-report.html
https://www.google.com/amp/www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/vontaze-burfict-cincinnati-bengals-suspension-fines-nearly-one-million-dollars-steelers-011116.amp.html?client=safari
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Roger Goodell: Tyrant of the NFL
<a href="http://feedshark.brainbliss.com">Feed Shark</a>
As the NFL season rolls into week 6, a trend from NFL officials is becoming more apparent. Commissioner Goodell and the League are going to fine players for whatever they want. Antonio Brown has found this out, along with his wallet. Brown was fined $12,154 for twerking because it was deemed inappropriate sexually explicit behavior. Which under league rule is a fineable offense. Excessive celebration is one thing, but fining players based on personal messages or the cleats they wear, it seems like personal preferences are starting to take over actual offenses. Roger Goodell continues to shove as Steeler Guard Ramon Foster stated “this is what happens when you give someone total control of power.” Goodell proves almost weekly that he is the worst thing to happen to the NFL since the Janet Jackson Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction.
There are those who remember the days of Joe Horn 03’ Saints who was fined $30,000 for having a cell phone stashed under the goal post. Everyone can agree that excessive celebrations are something that the game of football can do with out. Most fans would rather see players score and hand the ball to the official and be done with it. The twerking in week one and the excessive celebration call Brown received against the Chiefs in week four, are for the most part excessive fines but fineable offenses nonetheless. However, fining a player over his black and gold cleats? In the win against the Chiefs, Brown wore a pair of cleats similar to those he wore vs the Jets. One week he was not fined, the following week the NFL went so far as to threaten to have Brown benched if the cleats were not removed. This leads one to believe that Roger Goodell could wake up on any given Monday, and decide he did not like the specific attire of one player, fining them whatever amount he sees fit.
This is not the first time that Goodell has gone after players for expressing themselves. In 2015, three Pittsburgh Steelers were fined for messages they were trying to represent for their own personal reasons. Cam Heyward was fined $5,787 for “IronHead” appearing on his eye black. Iron head was Heyward’s way of paying his respect to his late father. Goodell fined him the following week $11,576 for a repeat offense. William Gay came under fire when he was fined $5,787, for wearing purple cleats to raise awareness for Domestic Violence. Gay’s mother was killed as a result of domestic violence at the hands of his stepfather; Gay was 8 years old. The last Steeler on the list of obscure fines, DeAngelo Williams was in Goodell’s crosshairs. Williams was fined $5,757 for the phrase “We will Find a cure” on his eye black to support breast cancer awareness. Williams mother passed away as a result of breast cancer. Now, you can add Antonio Brown to that list, who was threatened to be ejected from the game for wearing Black and Gold spikes with Ali’s face on them. A week earlier Brown received no issues for the same Black and Gold spikes with Arnold Palmers likeness on them. So the question must be asked why is Palmer acceptable and Ali is determined to be inappropriate?
The examples given go to show that Roger Goodell is the worst thing to happen to the NFL and football in general. You have examples of players trying to shed light on important issues and being punished as if they have done the most awful thing in the game. It does not make sense that he would punish players, who are expressing themselves on a national stage while they are playing a childhood game, and getting paid very well for it. Mr. Goodell, you are the worst thing to ever happen to this great game. The best thing for the NFL and football in general is for you to go to an island far, far away and never look at, talk about or have any involvement in the game of football again. Seeing as that suggestion unfortunately will never happen, football fans will have to continue to watch Rodger Goodell destroy the game they love.
Edited by:
Cody Yocca
Daniel Bishop M.A.
Sources
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2015/10/28/nfl_fines_deangelo_williams_and_william_gay_for_trying_to_raise_awareness.html
https://www.google.com/amp/www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/antonio-brown-draws-a-ridiculously-large-fine-for-his-latest-end-zone-twerk/amp/?client=safari
http://www.espn.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/20659/antonio-brown-vs-the-nfl-cleats-pumps-and-the-american-way
http://operations.nfl.com/football-ops/fines-appeals/
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2015/10/19/Steelers-Cam-Heyward-wants-NFL-to-allow-players-to-honor-more-than-just-breast-cancer-victims/stories/201510190147
As the NFL season rolls into week 6, a trend from NFL officials is becoming more apparent. Commissioner Goodell and the League are going to fine players for whatever they want. Antonio Brown has found this out, along with his wallet. Brown was fined $12,154 for twerking because it was deemed inappropriate sexually explicit behavior. Which under league rule is a fineable offense. Excessive celebration is one thing, but fining players based on personal messages or the cleats they wear, it seems like personal preferences are starting to take over actual offenses. Roger Goodell continues to shove as Steeler Guard Ramon Foster stated “this is what happens when you give someone total control of power.” Goodell proves almost weekly that he is the worst thing to happen to the NFL since the Janet Jackson Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction.
There are those who remember the days of Joe Horn 03’ Saints who was fined $30,000 for having a cell phone stashed under the goal post. Everyone can agree that excessive celebrations are something that the game of football can do with out. Most fans would rather see players score and hand the ball to the official and be done with it. The twerking in week one and the excessive celebration call Brown received against the Chiefs in week four, are for the most part excessive fines but fineable offenses nonetheless. However, fining a player over his black and gold cleats? In the win against the Chiefs, Brown wore a pair of cleats similar to those he wore vs the Jets. One week he was not fined, the following week the NFL went so far as to threaten to have Brown benched if the cleats were not removed. This leads one to believe that Roger Goodell could wake up on any given Monday, and decide he did not like the specific attire of one player, fining them whatever amount he sees fit.
This is not the first time that Goodell has gone after players for expressing themselves. In 2015, three Pittsburgh Steelers were fined for messages they were trying to represent for their own personal reasons. Cam Heyward was fined $5,787 for “IronHead” appearing on his eye black. Iron head was Heyward’s way of paying his respect to his late father. Goodell fined him the following week $11,576 for a repeat offense. William Gay came under fire when he was fined $5,787, for wearing purple cleats to raise awareness for Domestic Violence. Gay’s mother was killed as a result of domestic violence at the hands of his stepfather; Gay was 8 years old. The last Steeler on the list of obscure fines, DeAngelo Williams was in Goodell’s crosshairs. Williams was fined $5,757 for the phrase “We will Find a cure” on his eye black to support breast cancer awareness. Williams mother passed away as a result of breast cancer. Now, you can add Antonio Brown to that list, who was threatened to be ejected from the game for wearing Black and Gold spikes with Ali’s face on them. A week earlier Brown received no issues for the same Black and Gold spikes with Arnold Palmers likeness on them. So the question must be asked why is Palmer acceptable and Ali is determined to be inappropriate?
The examples given go to show that Roger Goodell is the worst thing to happen to the NFL and football in general. You have examples of players trying to shed light on important issues and being punished as if they have done the most awful thing in the game. It does not make sense that he would punish players, who are expressing themselves on a national stage while they are playing a childhood game, and getting paid very well for it. Mr. Goodell, you are the worst thing to ever happen to this great game. The best thing for the NFL and football in general is for you to go to an island far, far away and never look at, talk about or have any involvement in the game of football again. Seeing as that suggestion unfortunately will never happen, football fans will have to continue to watch Rodger Goodell destroy the game they love.
Edited by:
Cody Yocca
Daniel Bishop M.A.
Sources
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2015/10/28/nfl_fines_deangelo_williams_and_william_gay_for_trying_to_raise_awareness.html
https://www.google.com/amp/www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/antonio-brown-draws-a-ridiculously-large-fine-for-his-latest-end-zone-twerk/amp/?client=safari
http://www.espn.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/20659/antonio-brown-vs-the-nfl-cleats-pumps-and-the-american-way
http://operations.nfl.com/football-ops/fines-appeals/
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2015/10/19/Steelers-Cam-Heyward-wants-NFL-to-allow-players-to-honor-more-than-just-breast-cancer-victims/stories/201510190147
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Tom Brady's Return to Football
<a href="http://feedshark.brainbliss.com">Feed Shark</a>
After serving his very controversial four game suspension, Tom Brady will make his 2016 debut this Sunday. Minus the 16-0 loss at home this past week, the Patriots using their 2nd and 3rd string quarterbacks are 3-1, surviving the first 4 games without Brady. The Patriots will travel to Cleveland for a 1pm start against the Browns. If you are a Patriot’s fan you have to be happy knowing Brady gets to get back in the swing of things against a struggling 0-4 Browns team. What does this mean for the rest of the NFL and the AFC East? It's a little scary. Brady has had an extra 4 weeks to stay healthy and workout. It could get very scary once the second half of the season starts.
In 225 career games played, Tom Brady has 58,028 passing yards and 428 passing touchdowns. If you look at the way that the Patriots run game has produced, averaging 4.2 rushes per carry. Defenses will have to respect the backfield which should opening things up in the passing match ups. Brady in his career average throws for 257.9 yards per game, with the run game just under 5 yards a carry. The Patriots will face 2nd and short of 3rd and short with Brady under center. This could cause match up problems for defenses with Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and the big tight end mismatch Martellus Bennet. Adding Brady to the mix, with these offensive weapons among others it's crazy to think where this team could go by the end of the season. As long as Brady returns to the field as the Brady of old, defenses could be in for long games against him and the Patriots.
This recent suspension wasn't the first time that Brady, Belichick, and company have had their fair share of on the field controversy through the years. January 9th, 2002 Patriots vs Raiders, Charles Woodson sacks Brady and forces what he thinks is the game winning fumble for the Raiders. After further review it was determined that Tom Brady's arm was coming forward in a throwing motion and therefore was ruled an incomplete pass. The game ends on a Vinatieri field goal to send the Raiders home and eventually sending the Patriots, back to New England as Super Bowl Champions.
September 9th, 2007 the Patriots are caught filming the New York Jets defensive coaches’ signals. Belichick later admitted to violating the rules, but said there was no intent to hide what he was doing and that he made a mistake. Obviously the most recent was “DeflateGate” in a 45-7 beating of the Indianapolis Colts. All but one of the footballs the Patriots were using, were slightly under inflated, it was decided by NFL commissionerRodger Goddell, that a suspension was needed. Break up the sentences. To be completely honest if you get beat 45-7 the weight of the football is not going to make that big of a difference. Thankfully this chapter in the NFL is closed and Tom Brady can get back to playing football and we can all go about our business either loving or hating Tom Brady.
The Patriots were faced with adversity, losing Tom Brady four games, and they responded about as well as a team can. With the next man up mentality, Jimmy Garoppolo looked like a poised, season veteran and his stats show it. In two games this season Garoppolo completed 71% of his passes for 496 yards and 4 touchdowns. If you are a Patriot fan, the future after Tom Brady looks just as bright for the Pats. Garoppolo quickly can get himself in rhythm and his accuracy would make one question why he is only a backup. The brightest spot is the amount of football IQ the young QB out of Eastern Illinois, he had the ability to dissect a play almost before it happens. All in all, the Patriots showed the team can rise above not having their star QB or that Gronk guy and still be OK. The Patriots also found that they have a QB of the future when Father Time inevitably catches up with the 39 Brady.
What does all this mean for the Patriots remaining schedule? Going 3-1 without Brady gives the team a lot of confidence, one would have to assume when most were writing them off at the beginning of the season. Coming off of a loss to division foe Buffalo 16-0 for the first time being shut out at home since 1993, one would assume Belichick and his coaching staff will have the Patriots focused and ready to play in Cleveland. Which brings the last point up, the Patriots are playing the Cleveland Browns who have continued to struggle as an organization, look for Brady and the Patriots to roll all over the Browns in Cleveland righting the ship with captain Tom back at the helm.
Sources
http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/deflate-gate-england-patriots-controversies/story?id=28373420
http://www.patriots.com/schedule-and-stats
http://www.nfl.com/teams/depthchart?team=NE
Written by
Carlo Guadagnino
Edited by
Cody Yocca
Anna Riddel
After serving his very controversial four game suspension, Tom Brady will make his 2016 debut this Sunday. Minus the 16-0 loss at home this past week, the Patriots using their 2nd and 3rd string quarterbacks are 3-1, surviving the first 4 games without Brady. The Patriots will travel to Cleveland for a 1pm start against the Browns. If you are a Patriot’s fan you have to be happy knowing Brady gets to get back in the swing of things against a struggling 0-4 Browns team. What does this mean for the rest of the NFL and the AFC East? It's a little scary. Brady has had an extra 4 weeks to stay healthy and workout. It could get very scary once the second half of the season starts.
In 225 career games played, Tom Brady has 58,028 passing yards and 428 passing touchdowns. If you look at the way that the Patriots run game has produced, averaging 4.2 rushes per carry. Defenses will have to respect the backfield which should opening things up in the passing match ups. Brady in his career average throws for 257.9 yards per game, with the run game just under 5 yards a carry. The Patriots will face 2nd and short of 3rd and short with Brady under center. This could cause match up problems for defenses with Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and the big tight end mismatch Martellus Bennet. Adding Brady to the mix, with these offensive weapons among others it's crazy to think where this team could go by the end of the season. As long as Brady returns to the field as the Brady of old, defenses could be in for long games against him and the Patriots.
This recent suspension wasn't the first time that Brady, Belichick, and company have had their fair share of on the field controversy through the years. January 9th, 2002 Patriots vs Raiders, Charles Woodson sacks Brady and forces what he thinks is the game winning fumble for the Raiders. After further review it was determined that Tom Brady's arm was coming forward in a throwing motion and therefore was ruled an incomplete pass. The game ends on a Vinatieri field goal to send the Raiders home and eventually sending the Patriots, back to New England as Super Bowl Champions.
September 9th, 2007 the Patriots are caught filming the New York Jets defensive coaches’ signals. Belichick later admitted to violating the rules, but said there was no intent to hide what he was doing and that he made a mistake. Obviously the most recent was “DeflateGate” in a 45-7 beating of the Indianapolis Colts. All but one of the footballs the Patriots were using, were slightly under inflated, it was decided by NFL commissionerRodger Goddell, that a suspension was needed. Break up the sentences. To be completely honest if you get beat 45-7 the weight of the football is not going to make that big of a difference. Thankfully this chapter in the NFL is closed and Tom Brady can get back to playing football and we can all go about our business either loving or hating Tom Brady.
The Patriots were faced with adversity, losing Tom Brady four games, and they responded about as well as a team can. With the next man up mentality, Jimmy Garoppolo looked like a poised, season veteran and his stats show it. In two games this season Garoppolo completed 71% of his passes for 496 yards and 4 touchdowns. If you are a Patriot fan, the future after Tom Brady looks just as bright for the Pats. Garoppolo quickly can get himself in rhythm and his accuracy would make one question why he is only a backup. The brightest spot is the amount of football IQ the young QB out of Eastern Illinois, he had the ability to dissect a play almost before it happens. All in all, the Patriots showed the team can rise above not having their star QB or that Gronk guy and still be OK. The Patriots also found that they have a QB of the future when Father Time inevitably catches up with the 39 Brady.
What does all this mean for the Patriots remaining schedule? Going 3-1 without Brady gives the team a lot of confidence, one would have to assume when most were writing them off at the beginning of the season. Coming off of a loss to division foe Buffalo 16-0 for the first time being shut out at home since 1993, one would assume Belichick and his coaching staff will have the Patriots focused and ready to play in Cleveland. Which brings the last point up, the Patriots are playing the Cleveland Browns who have continued to struggle as an organization, look for Brady and the Patriots to roll all over the Browns in Cleveland righting the ship with captain Tom back at the helm.
Sources
http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/deflate-gate-england-patriots-controversies/story?id=28373420
http://www.patriots.com/schedule-and-stats
http://www.nfl.com/teams/depthchart?team=NE
Written by
Carlo Guadagnino
Edited by
Cody Yocca
Anna Riddel
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