Tag Archives: boston sports blog

A Slight Cure to the Super Bowl Hangover: Beanpot ’12

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While all of New England feels like they got ran over by a bus, four local college hockey teams take the ice today in the first round of the Beanpot. Although nothing will fix the feelings every Patriots fan has, the Beanpot provides classic New England hockey. BU matches up against Harvard in the first game, while BC goes against Northeastern in the second game. BU took down Harvard in an overtime thriller in their only matchup this year, while BC has beaten Northeastern in all three games played this year, all by one goal a piece. I’m expecting more of the same in the Beanpot. I expect some good, close games, but I’m predicting a BC vs BU final here, going with the 1st and 2nd place teams in Hockey East. Although BC is 2nd in the Hockey East this year, they have won the last two Beanpots. Despite this, BU is the hot team heading into the tournament and is my favorite to pull through and win it.

 

Weekend Recap

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Is there really anything to say about this weekend? Yesterday was turning out to be a great day. Celtics won, Bruins won…only one more win left and the day was complete. Then our hearts and dreams were shattered, again. Toughest Monday in a long time. I think 90% of New England is in depression. The other 10% have already jumped off the Zakim bridge. Not a great way to start the week.

 

Patriots vs. Giants: The Quarterbacks

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Alright so here goes the hottest topic of discussion over the past two weeks, other than Gronkowski’s ankle. The battle of two great quarterbacks in Sundays Super Bowl. Eli vs. Brady. Who has the edge?

Eli Manning is a great quarterback and that isn’t something up for debate. He has proven in the recent years that he can win the big games when it matters. His bold statement he made prior to the start of this season doesn’t look as crazy as it did before. This season has completely changed Eli’s career as far as I see it. Everyone questioned his ability to make the accurate decisions on the field. Eli has been often criticized for his mistakes and it’s been well deserved. Eli has the tendency to make that great play, then follow that great play up with a rookie-like mistake. It showed last season when he threw 25 interceptions, and although that number dropped this season he still ended up throwing 16 this year. Yes Eli is a quality quarterback, but the recent comparisons between him and Tom Brady just are not warranted. What separates quarterbacks like Eli, Romo, and Rivers from Brady, Peyton, Rodgers and Brees isn’t the amount of yards or touchdowns they throw. It’s keeping the mistakes to a minimum. So unlike most people my opinion differs. Eli Manning is not a top tier quarterback.

Overall Grade: B+

Like I stated above, there is no discussion when it comes to comparing Brady with Eli. Tom Brady is on another level. Brady has earned the right to be put in the same class as his idol Joe Montana along with the other greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. Yes Brady struggled last week, but not too many QB’s don’t struggle against the Ravens defense. After the Broncos game the talk was all about how great Brady really is. How quickly things change huh? Now it’s all about how he’s not as great as he used to be and that Eli is better than him. Everyone looks at last week to quickly decide whom you would rather have as your quarterback this week. It’s not even a question. Tom Brady is a proven winner. Brady’s career high for interceptions in a season is 14. Eli Manning has thrown 14 interceptions in a season SIX times. I still see Brady as being the best in the league at what he does but if someone is in his rear-view its Brees or Rodgersk, not Eli Manning.

Overall Grade: A

Edge: Patriots

 

Talkin’ with Marchand

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At the end of the Brad Marchand signing I got a chance to kick it with Brad for a little bit and ask him a few questions about last year’s cup run and this year’s B’s squad. Check it out:

AM: Going back to the playoffs last season, what was your favorite part of the Stanley Cup run?

BM: I think my favorite part would be after we scored our fourth goal (in game 7 a 4-0 win), we were all on the bench celeberating watching the clock count down and we knew we had it and we knew we won it. Everyone’s kind of running back and forth on the bench giving each other hugs.

AM: How is this team different from the team that won the cup a year ago?

BM: Well we have three different guys but it’s not a whole lot different. We want to play the same way, we play hard and want to be tough to play against. We have Pouliot who came in and is playing really good hockey and Joe’s (Corvo) has played great too. We still have a great team and hopefully make another good run.

AM: Speaking of Joe, last night after your goal (against the Senators, tied the game 3-3) I saw that you were real pumped with him, what did you say to him?

BM: I said great job getting the puck to the net for me in a position where I could get a rebound, I just had to let him know (wry smile)

AM: Your on pace for a 70+ point season, what has been the key from last year to this year that has caused the increased production?

BM: I think a lot of it is who I am playing with (The Bru-tang Clan). Seguin and Bergy, they are both great players who make a lot of great plays. I’m learning to be a consistent player and learning to play your best every night, that’s what they (Claude and his staff) expect of you.

Just as everyone would probably guess, I can personally tell you Brad is a real laid back guy that everyone one of us would be down to throw some beers back with. 23 and Stanley Cup champion, doesn’t get much better than that. Thanks again to Brad for his time and answering my questions.

PS: To see the video from the interview, hop on over the Boston Sports Blog Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/BostonSportsBlog) and be sure to like us while your checking it out.

Patriots vs. Giants: Running Backs

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Up second today is the running back position for both teams. Usually I include stats in my comparison articles but when it comes to how both these teams use their running backs, and the depth they both have I just don’t think stats are a key factor in determining their talent.

The Giants have a great combination of size and speed in the backfield. Bradshaw is a hard runner with solid speed. A couple of years back he was second in line to Brandon Jacobs but that certainly is not the case anymore. Last season Bradshaw became more of the feature back with Jacobs coming in during goal line and short yardage situations. Brandon Jacobs possesses size that is a rarity at the running back position. Jacobs being stuffed behind the line of scrimmage for a loss is something that is difficult to achieve. He is bigger than your average linebacker and even if you are lucky enough to bring him down, he’s going to pick up the extra two yards almost every time. Although the Giants don’t rely on their running game too much, they certainly have the talent back there if they had to.

Overall Grade: B

20120203-131125.jpgThe Patriots running game this year is very similar to every other year. They use a combination of guys that each have certain strengths and use them to their abilities. BenJarvus Green-Ellis has good size and never fumbles the football, and when I say never I mean he has literally never fumbled the football during his pro career. Belichick trusts Green-Ellis in the red-zone because he knows the ball is safe in his hands. Rookie Stevan Ridley has shown flashes of greatness at times this year. He’s not huge, and doesn’t have Chris Johnson like speed but he is very elusive and not easy to bring down. Now on to Danny Woodhead…Minus the fumble on the kickoff last week this guy has been a great option for the Pats. He comes in primarily on passing downs, and that helps his yard per carry ratio out a lot because when he does run the ball the defense normally isn’t expecting it. Woodhead has been a solid replacement for the aging Kevin Faulk. Overall the Patriots have a solid backfield, but just like their opponents, they don’t use it to often. My prediction is that will change this week. I expect the Patriots to come out pounding the ball to keep those Giants pass-rushers on their toes.

Overall Grade: B-

Edge: Giants

Gronk Moment #3 – The Flip

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The touchdown flip against the Chiefs was basically the first time Gronk established himself as that guy, the beast of a player we currently know him as. He pretty much broke his neck, shrugged it off, and still managed to spike the ball into orbit. Only Gronk.

 

She’s the Man – Alli B.

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How To Watch the Super Bowl With Your Girlfriend

Do you immediately start laughing at your girl when she talks football? Don’t flatter yourselves guys. Over 1,000 people were surveyed through an online study conducted by Atlanta Journal-Constitution who confirmed that 73% of women would rather watch the Super Bowl than have sex. Guys on the other hand were split 50/50 when asked which activity they’d prefer on this upcoming Sunday. Ask yourself this- where does my loyalty rest?

Believe it or not, women have started placing Super Bowl bets just as often as men. These bets may not be the standard ones like who will actually win the game, but rather, “Will Madonna play Like a Virgin at Halftime?” “Will Kelly Clarkson mess up the National Anthem?” Guys, keep your hundred dollar bets on whether the final score will end in a 3 and a 7, but dish out the extra $5 to go up against your girl.

Competition and hostility are trivial aspects of football that can be expressed in varying ways amongst both males and females. Trust me, your true colors shine when you start screaming every profane word you’ve ever heard in your life in a never ending sentence of vulgarity. Whether you actually do that or not, sporting events such as the Super Bowl are meant to bring us together! So if you’re crushing 30-40 wings or nibbling on Skinny Buffalo Chicken Dip (ladies I suggest the recipe from SarahFit), remember that we’re all in this together- GO PATS!

P.S. Listen up ladies. Do not wear a pink jersey. Do not drink wine. Drink beer only out of a bottle or in a red cup. Do your homework and know the QBs on each team. Do not ask questions during play. Party on!

-Alli B.