After spending a full day beating up on the Patriots, it’s okay to start tempering the anger and frustration. Today’s links are a mix of continued hammering on what went wrong, with a newly-unclenched eye on what worked and what maybe wasn’t so bad. Looking at the positives doesn’t erase the 4th quarter meltdown, but it may work as an Aspirin to your Week 1 headache.
I also threw in a couple of columns on the star-studded Rams’ debacle of a debut last night in Australia to add some balance. There
will be no “burn it all down” columns on the NFL’s class pet – despite Myles Garrett putting up zeros across the board, so don’t let all the negative headlines on the Patriots get you feeling down for the season ahead. The Boston media is what it is. Maybe dip your toe in that water but don’t jump in. That water is warm for all the wrong reasons.
TEAM TALK
Evan Lazar’s After Further Review: Drake Maye breakdown, defense review, and quick-hit film notes. “the Pats offense fell apart after [AJ Brown] left the game.”
Mike Dussault reports Robert Kraft was elected to the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
Transcript: Mike Vrabel (Plus 13 min. video)
Patriots Unfiltered: Patriots-Seahawks takeaways, Mike Vrabel presser, Injury updates. (2 hours)
LOCAL LINKS
Andrew Callahan’s Patriots film review: What we learned from Pats-Seahawks. It wasn’t all bad.
Khari Thompson identifies 3 silver linings from the Patriots’ crushing loss. 1. Offensive line put forth a respectable performance, 2. Pleasant surprises from Gabe Jacas, Eli Raridon, 3. Drake Maye played one of his worst games and the Patriots still almost beat the defending champs. /Click for commentary.
Jerry Thornton shares his knee-jerk reactions to Pats-Seahawks. “…teams will try to attack Maye the way the Seahawks have. And he needs to adapt to what’s coming.”
Hector Longo thumbnails three studs, way too many duds from Wednesday night’s loss; Mack Hollins the unlikeliest of heroes in the loss, stepping up as A.J. Brown left with an injury.
Andrew Callahan looks at whether Drake Maye can rebound without A.J. Brown, after his immature play cost the Patriots in Seattle. “Drake Maye confessed. In fact, he sang like a canary.”
Mike Reiss reports WR A.J. Brown is likely out at least 4 weeks with high ankle sprain, according to a source.
Mark Daniels hears from Romeo Doubs vowing to be better after his disastrous Patriots debut.
Alex Barth relays Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel answering for that interception-laden 4th quarter.
Khari Thompson notes Mike Vrabel reaffirms his trust in Drake Maye despite turnover-filled fourth quarter.
Conor Ryan wonders if the Patriots are already regretting the Kayshon Boutte trade.
Michael Hurley remembers the Tom Brady Deflategate 4-game suspension that began 10 years ago, as backup QB Jimmy Garapolo led the Patriots to an improbably Week 1 win in Arizona. /2016 NE-ARI Week 1 highlights (6 min. video) Great read, and worth a watch.
Matt Vautour writes on the 9/11 anniversary: Boston athletes remember that tragic day 25 years later.
Pats Chat podcast: Doug Kyed and Michael Hurley break down the disastrous Week 1 loss, Drake Maye’s bungled chance to win the game, Booms, Dooms and more. (70 min.)
NATIONAL NEWS
Dan Gartland (SI) Drake Maye’s brutal game-sealing pick was worse than you thought.
Jared Dubin (CBS Sports) How Drake Maye’s disastrous fourth quarter ‘cost’ Patriots their redemption game; Maye’s impatience, bad decision-making helped unravel New England’s lead vs the defending Champions.
Chris Bumbaca (USA Today) Drake Maye says he made ‘unacceptable’ decisions in Patriots’ loss. He’s right.
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Bryan DeArdo (CBS Sports) Rams’ Australia gamble backfires as 49ers dominate Week 1, Stafford gets pulled.
Joe Rivera, et al (USA Today) Sean McVay’s travel strategy backfired. Rams vs. 49ers Australia game takeaways. /Ha… the Rams’ loss blamed on travel.
Jason Owens (Yahoo! Sports) Myles Garrett posts zeros across board in shocking Rams debut.
Breer Report (SI) 49ers dominating Rams, Seahawks over Pats, Week 1. (13 min. video)
NFL Nation, et al (ESPN) NFL Week 1 picks, predictions, schedule, More.
Matt Verderame (SI) Joe Andruzzi 25 years after 9/11: ‘Sports at that time helped heal everybody’s wounds.’
Rich Cimini (ESPN) NFL players, coaches, execs remember 9/11 on 25th anniversary.
