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Post by voiceofreason on May 17, 2022 19:59:17 GMT -5
My thoughts on this series look like they could be valid. The C's are just too good and too big for Miami. The path the C's have traveled to get here render the Heat lacking. If not for Jimmy Butler where would the Heat be? He is not enough to stop the C's.
If Giannis can't stop them there is no way Butler does.
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Post by voiceofreason on May 16, 2022 7:38:13 GMT -5
It would have been nice to win another Cup during these Bergy, Marchand years but it didn't happen. Whether you want to blame Tukka for not standing on his head as many do, not me. Or management for failing to build a better, deeper team. Or the fact that either via injuries or now age Bergy hasn't been a force in the playoffs like you need your best player to be. Suffice it to say that it was a combination of all those factors over the last 10 seasons.
I would have loved to see Krieji on this team centering Pasta and Hall, that might have made a difference. But hey give Carolina credit, they are a very good team and played a very good series.
As far as blowing it up as some have mentioned. The Hampus Lindholm signing now gives the B's a top Dman to go along with McAvoy that is top 5 in the league as a combination. Swaymen looks like he is a legit #1 that could be a top 5 goalie and they have made some nice moves this Spring in signing some very good college players and the pipeline is not empty. Are they a true contender moving forward, no I don't think so but a shrewd trade or some luck in drafting and I don't think they are that far away. At least not as far away as I thought before the Linholm signing and the other signings made over the last few months. Plus Lysell is a good lottery chip that could be a star, his speed plays well in todays NHL.
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Post by voiceofreason on May 15, 2022 17:13:41 GMT -5
They could be the favorite to win it all with a very young core, that bodes well for the future.
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Post by voiceofreason on May 15, 2022 11:05:58 GMT -5
Big game today!!
Everyone needs to step up and stay focused on playing tough D, not giving up 2nd chance points and MOVE the ball for 48 minutes!! No let downs and they win going away.
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Post by voiceofreason on May 14, 2022 8:56:44 GMT -5
I don’t know what to expect but I am proud of them. I believe we found a legit goalie in Swayman. They signed Ullmark last year because they did not want to go into the season without an experienced goalie. They now have enough faith in Swayman to give him the crucial starts - he's starting game 7 today. Do they move Ullmark in the off-season to free up salary to get another goal scorer? I'm saying do it. They need to deepen their lineup. He has another year to go with the no trade clause so he would have to waive that. If he knows he is going get backup minutes maybe he says ok but you never know. Either way I think the B's keep him around for another season, not that I am in favor of that btw. Go B's. Two game 7s this weekend is pretty good for us fans, now go get both of them!!
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Post by voiceofreason on May 13, 2022 8:16:03 GMT -5
Could it be that Plawecki and others are just trying to stay on the good side of the umpires by saying he isn't in favor of the robo ump? Do you think in private that he might feel differently.
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Post by voiceofreason on May 12, 2022 17:08:50 GMT -5
This feels much different to me IMO. We’re inching closer to their primes and I feel like the group we’ve surrounded them with is a damn solid mix of skill sets. One more piece and some further growth from the J’s and I think we get a banner in the next few years You’re probably right. I’m a spoiled New England fan. We could probably have 2 or 3 banners in the next few years if the children could grow up. I love the reference to being a spoiled New England fan, it pays respect and understanding to those of us who have been watching for 50 yrs. Huge Bruins fan that watched the Cup wins in 1970 and 72, had to wait 40 years for another one. Watched the Pats lose for 30 years before winning a SB. Waited 30 years to win a WS let alone the 86. Yes we had the Celtics but that was the 80's The last 20 years have been the greatest run for an area ever, love it and embrace how fortinate you have been. We have been!!
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Post by voiceofreason on May 12, 2022 14:39:09 GMT -5
I don’t disagree, but how many more of these learning experiences will it take for things to click for this group? Not saying players should ever be done learning by 24 or 25, but they’re not your average 24 and 25-year-olds in terms of experience. They’ve been in enough big games before to make last night inexplicable. Lebron didn’t win until he was 27, Shaq didn’t win until he was 27, Durant was 28. Giannis was 26. MJ was 28. They all had heartbreaking defeats in the years leading up to their wins. Takes awhile sometimes. Tatum is 24, Brown is 25. If we hypothetically get bounced- and I still believe in this team so I don’t think it’s a given- it’s not all that different than what happened to Giannis in 2020 when the bucks played the heat. Except that Bucks team was far less competitive with the heat that series than our team is with the Bucks right now Exactly!!! Tatum just turned 24. Enjoy the process. I mean really, we could have Lorenzo Ball or Markelle Fultz.
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Post by voiceofreason on May 10, 2022 14:31:07 GMT -5
All depends on what their board looks like no? I'd compare it to me wanting Shakir so bad because he was the perfect fit for what our offense needed. The only difference is I don't have the information they have and I don't make a crazy small board, which we known in the past they have done. Remember the trading up for Cowart and Bailey because Bill said they were running out of players on their board to draft? That was Nick Caserio, Zeigler seemed to have a much larger board and Groh seems to have a smaller one. It's Bill the OG we took in the 6th, could have been his next rated OG and I wouldn't put it past him to only have one LG rated to be able to start next year. Just like I felt there was only one Shakir in the draft and I would have overdrafted him. That mindset is because I went into this draft determined to get Mac Jones weapons, Bill went in determined to get a starting LG and he's very picky about those guys, compared to RG. We'll never know, our owner isn't Jerry Jones, he won't show off our draft board. Yet what I'd pay to see Bills boards from over the years. If BB wrote a book explaining his thought process throughout the years, that'd be an all-time best seller. I suspect hope and expect he will as a historian of the game he might see his place in that history. He hasn't been shy about telling his story thru the years.
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Post by voiceofreason on May 10, 2022 14:27:07 GMT -5
D'Eriq King could be the 3rd down back of the future? Can he learn how to pickup the blitz and block? His football IQ and size leads me to think maybe 3rd down back might be his best position, hybrid slot/rb position maybe with the routes he could run. Just a thought.
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Post by voiceofreason on May 10, 2022 4:13:31 GMT -5
Tatum has put together one of the softest series you’ll ever see. Just an absolute putrid performance by someone who wants to be in the All-NBA conversation. Pathetic performance by him and this entire team.
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Post by voiceofreason on May 10, 2022 4:12:24 GMT -5
Loser performance by a team that’s proving to be frauds. Spot on.
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Post by voiceofreason on May 8, 2022 10:00:48 GMT -5
My hockey mindset is urging Ime to put Theis in for some physical play and some chin music. The Bucks flying elbows are getting out of control with no consequences from the refs so the C's need to react in kind. Then maybe the refs will be forced to rein in some of the physicality they are letting Giannis get away with.
I still think the C's win this series but with the way it is being called it isn't going to be easy. One thing they are learning is how tough they have to play so they are maturing. Tatum just turned 24 and doesn't play with an angry streak yet, he does need to leave the refs alone and just play though.
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Post by voiceofreason on May 8, 2022 9:06:52 GMT -5
Exclamation point on all of this. The Pats have always been about the middle class roster under BB. I like this roster and my only concern is the question marks surrounding the LB and edge group, BB must like it but there are a bunch of unprovens. The part that’s left out of this middle class is the Studs they fall behind. When you say studs do you mean the plethora of HOF players that were on those teams over 20 years of dominance? I think there are other teams with more HOF players during that stretch, which with all those Super Bowls you would expect more would be from the Pats. JS that the list of guys is long that only really produced great seasons when with the Pats. Some were castoffs from other teams and others were home grown that didn't have good careers after leaving. When you have the concentration of money spent on a middle class roster it doesn't leave a lot of money left over for the stars.
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Post by voiceofreason on May 7, 2022 10:46:34 GMT -5
The Patriots got a lot better by drafting Strange. He’s cost controlled for the next 5 years. I think he’s going to be as good as Joe Thuney, who’s making 16 million a year. Strange is making 3 million a year. That’s a 13 million dollar savings per year. Shaq is making 8 million a year and his contract is up after next season. That’s a 5 million dollar savings with an extra three years of player control. Ted Karras is making 6 million dollars a year. Cole Strange, who is making half that, projects as a better player. New England got better by replacing expensive guards for inexpensive guards (Strange and Onwenu) who can play at similarly high levels. In the future, they will have the money to spend on other needs. I’m reading It’s Better to Be Feared, and one notable aspect of the book is how the Patriots built their dynasty through free agency. After a terrible first season in New England, Belichick signed a bunch of no name free agents like Mike Vrabel, Roman Phifer, Mike Compton, Terrell Buckley, Anthony Pleasant. Belichick then put a giant, rusty anchor in the facility to represent the dead weight that would be cut that year. A team staffer called it “building through the middle class.” New England targeted overlooked players with chips on their shoulders. I love that Belichick’s continues to do that now. It’s prudent. Fans are quick to say “the Dolphins have Tyreek Hill AND Jaylen Waddle!” But the Patriots now have 5 legit wide receivers, two legit tight ends, a stable of backs, and a solid line. Build through the middle class, and you naturally attract players with chips on their shoulders. Winovich was a one trick pony with a weird attitude and stupid hair. Have fun in Cleveland. Mack Wilson is a more versatile player who was passed over after numerous front office and coaching staff shuffles in Cleveland. He never complained, and now your giving a hungry dog a real shot at playing. Exclamation point on all of this. The Pats have always been about the middle class roster under BB. I like this roster and my only concern is the question marks surrounding the LB and edge group, BB must like it but there are a bunch of unprovens.
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Post by voiceofreason on May 6, 2022 7:35:06 GMT -5
I am just trying to look at it from the Pats point of view in why they did what they did in the draft. I always put myself in someone elses shoes when trying to figure something out that doesn't make sense to me upfront and those thoughts are my best guess as to what they were thinking. Now the Pats have,"what they consider", to be good guard play from younger less costly players.
As for other players, one guy I was high on that I think has very little chance of being a bust is Deven Lloyd who I think is going to be very good. As far as I am concerned after following the draft closely for 40 years you never really know who is going to be a bust. Do you remember Tony Mandarich? And every year how many 1st rd WR picks end up being nothing? QBs, Wrs and edge rushers all seem kind of risky. To me the Pats took shots on guys in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th rounds while going with a sure thing in the first. But hey the fact is I don't disagree with you on perceived value and all, I am just trying to look at it and justify it from the Pats POV. I would have been happier with the top CB or LLoyd at 21 in all honesty. And I actually thought they would go OT and build some depth there with Wynn being average and under contract for 1 season plus Brown is signed short term also. I think they will go into next yrs draft needing a OT.
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Post by voiceofreason on May 5, 2022 14:14:16 GMT -5
If you wanted to play it safe why didn't we just pay Joe Thuney? Guys like McCreary, Lloyd and Karlaftis were very safe first round picks. I don't worry any of them bust, it was just would you regret not taking player X. I really liked the idea of Karlaftis as a three down guy, given how Judon plays. Then putting McGrone behind Judon because he doesn't contain the edge. You help the running D and passing D at a premium position. I would have said Schooler is the top guy to make it, yet then they signed Devin hafford tons of interceptions and PD, along with 24 on the bench. It wouldn't be a bad thing to role with Butler, Jones, Wade and three rookies. Mills you just got put on notice. Talk about mining the lower levels, you got the best DL and DB. They need to sign Flowers and Hicks would be a huge bonus. Agholor likely needs to go right? Part of me likes the idea of him in the slot, yet he drops too many Balls to be a QBs safety net. You need to make Thornton at least the #4 WR. You can dream on five WR sets, yet with our RBs and TEs they won't do that much if at all. It just doesn't add up, you can't be a run first team and then have enough balls for everyone. I'm not okay red shirting Thornton and I don't like the idea of not getting Strong playing time either. Adding speed won't matter if they can't get on the field. You know they will try to get Jonnu more involved. Trying to figure out what they have planned makes my head hurt. Now I hear White might start year on the PUP list. The real simple answer to not keeping Thuney is the money. Which is also the reason for trading Mason. If the guard position is so easy to fill and lacks value then how can BB justify paying 18 million for the 2 guard spots? Pretty simple really. Do you think the Bears thought Trubinsky was going to bust when they gave up picks to move up one spot to get him? The list of guys who bust is long and the safest 1st rd picks are Oline. And as far as taking shots on guys with big upside that is what you have in the next 4 picks with all that speed. BTW the more I see of Thornton the more I like his potential, if he had a good QB throwing him the ball his scouting report might have been a lot different.
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Post by voiceofreason on May 4, 2022 12:38:02 GMT -5
Just want to point out that.
Onwenu was taken in the 6th round. Cooper Kupp 3rd rd and 8th WR drafted. Russell Wilson 3rd rd and 5th QB The Bears traded a ton to move up and take Trubisky when Mahomes was right there. Brady went 199... LOL The Pats have had better luck with undrafted FA cornerback prospects develop into good starters than actual drafted guys for the last 10 years.
This list could go on and on for pages but the point is that all those decisions are based off of peoples opinions and hence scouting reports on players. Which leads to picking guys and trading picks to get guys based on opinions of what they might do. So BB and the team have their own opinions to follow, along with their own opinions on the current roster. aka LBs and Edge players. Who knows how it all breaks down 2 years from now when we have the benefit of hindsight but I bet the Pats found some guys who will contribute.
That's the thing about the Strange pick in the first, the chances he is a bust are about zero. That's a good place to start in a draft, a guy that will be good and contribute from day 1. Not huge upside but as good as anyone in the first round that he contributes early and isn't a bust. The Pats aren't the only team holding the bag on a 1st rd WR or QB or Edge rusher that busted out, happens every year. A really good offensive line is a big key for the Pats to be successful.
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Post by voiceofreason on May 4, 2022 11:58:25 GMT -5
I hate to complain about the officials, but do we think the officiating on Giannis gets a bit more reasonable going forward? It’s been absolutely ridiculous so far. The league and the refs must be reviewing game tape and coming to the conclusion that Giannis is going right thru people constantly. I was fit to be tied when JT got the charge call when the defender slid over late and should have been called a defensive foul not a foul on Tatum. Then the very next time down the court Giannis ran over Grant but it wasn't called, in fact Grant got the foul call. The worst sequence of the game. Then when he popped Grant in the mouth with his elbow they ruled he was just pivoting when he clearly moved into Grant by a foot or so.
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Post by voiceofreason on May 4, 2022 7:57:54 GMT -5
Difference between the 1st game and 2nd to me was the extra pass creating a better 3 pt opportunity and better results. The Bucks pack the paint and are a big team, outside of fast breaks that means more 3s. The Bucks played this way all season which led to them giving up more 3s than any other team as that is by design. So hitting the 3s and playing great D is how the C's will win.
If in game 1 the C's hit 2 more and the Bucks miss 2 more and it's a different game and maybe outcome, bottom line is the C's need to make the extra pass and get better looks.
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Post by voiceofreason on May 3, 2022 19:51:25 GMT -5
So Grant isn't a good defender?
He is one of the best players on the floor tonight.
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Post by voiceofreason on May 3, 2022 16:59:46 GMT -5
Thor and Wacha will each give up two hits over 5 innings tonight.
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Post by voiceofreason on May 3, 2022 7:52:21 GMT -5
Really tough AL East heavy and away games schedule to start the season has obviously gotten the Sox off to a bad start. For the next 2 months the Sox will play a home dominant schedule with no games vs Al East teams which should theoretically be a little easier. Then 17 out of 20 games to end the 1st half are against the MFYs, Bjays and Rays, that is a big wow to the schedule makers. The Sox could get their sh!t together and be fine at the break or that stretch of the schedule could basically end their season.
The silver lining to that is if this season truly ends up being a stinker the Sox will be able to be sellers at the deadline and get something for all the expiring contracts but it also provides an opportunity to fix the crooked record from this bad start. The 17 out of 20 against those 3 teams should be very interesting here on the game day thread. I can only imagine the levels of negativity or enthusiasm depending on a streak of losses or wins. The schedule makers have really outdone themselves and that isn't even mentioning the 14 straight at the end of the season against all AL East teams.
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Post by voiceofreason on May 1, 2022 7:56:40 GMT -5
I am predicting the B's in 6. I know Carolina has had the B's number for a while but they will over come that with some decent play in net. The B's could have a good run here but either goalie needs to step up and play above average. If one can stand on his head they can really contend and my guess is that Swaymen has a better chance of being that guy.
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Post by voiceofreason on Apr 30, 2022 12:45:29 GMT -5
I think it is obvious that BB likes the young unproven LBs and edge players he has on the roster.
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