by The Boston Breakdown
Patriots' season was already a mess and it didn't get any cleaner after head coach Jerod Mayo called his team soft after the most recent loss. Patriots' writer Alex Barth details the mess in Foxborough both on and off the field and if Mayo can salvage any damage already caused. Then, Alex dives into the defensive struggles for the past number of weeks and the bright spot Drake Maye has provided in his first two career starts.
Boston is ready to see its next banner get raised which will happen at TD Garden when the Celtics kick off their title defense. Joe sits down with WEEI Celtics' writer and friend of the program Justin Turpin to detail an odd offseason for a reigning NBA Champion and the motivation it may provide. Turp also describes how the roster will look with almost everyone returning and how minutes will be managed with no Kristaps Porzingis to begin the year. And of course, the big prediction on if the Celtics will go back-to-back.
In his first career start, Drake Maye thrilled Patriots' fans with his play despite the team's 41-21 loss to the Texans. Joe talks about the potential now for the third overall pick and what are realistic expectations for the rest of the season. Then, one week into the Bruins' season and there's a lot to like about how the Black and Gold have started so far.
Some call it too soon, some say too late, but either way Drake Maye has taken the reigns as Patriots' quarterback and will debut in that position against the Texans. Joe discusses the excitement surrounding the decision from Jerod Mayo to give their third overall pick the chance to show the future is now. Then, among the excitement come the actual expectations for a season that still seems to be lost, but was given a shot of interest with this roster move.
The Bruins are certainly glad to end the drama involving Jeremy Swayman just before a new season begins. Friend of the program Bridgette Proulx from WEEI's Bruins' team details how an extension got done between both sides and when to expect the presumptive starting goalie assume that role. Bridgette and Joe also discuss how much impact the two big free agents Nikita Zadorov and Elias Lindholm will have and if Jim Montgomery's job is on the line for the season.
It was a very frustrating season for Red Sox fans watching the many ups and downs of 2024. To help summarize it all, Pat Brown from the "Play Tessie" podcast joins to diagnose where things went wrong and which aspect of the Sox cost them a shot at the postseason. Pat then gives his perspective of the end of season press conference with Alex Cora, Craig Breslow, and Sam Kennedy and how he would approach an extremely important offseason.
Joe opens the show discussing the Jets flying right over the Patriots and why things could only be getting worse for the Foxborough football team. Then, the Red Sox were officially eliminated which means its time to figure out where things went wrong. And, Bruins and Celtics open up training camp with contrasting emotions and showing love to Boston College football for their start in the Bill O'Brien era.
Its been a layer of bad news for the Boston sports scene and Joe tries uplift the spirit (since it is his birthday). Are there any moral victories from the Patriots' 1-1 start to the NFL season? Then, the Red Sox playoff chances have sunk so we figure out when exactly things went wrong. And, the concern about Jeremy Swayman and the Bruins is starting to rise.
The time for talking is over and the game action will be the chatter now; except on this episode. Joe sits down with Patriots' writer Mike Kadlick to give his thoughts on where the Pats stand heading into their season opener in Cincinnati and the realistic expectation is for Jerod Mayo and company in this presumptive new era in Foxborough.
Jerod Mayo has decided that Jacoby Brissett will be the starting QB when the Patriots open the season in Cincinnati. Joe talks about if making Drake Maye QB2 is the right decision and if Brissett will make it through all 17 games. Then, the Red Sox have turned things around in a hurry, but can it be sustained. And, Jeremy Swayman wants money that the Bruins simply can't afford.