Bedard's Daily Briefing 01.08.19: Chargers prep, sensitive Colt fans, Kyrie leads C's

Good morning!

A few random thoughts while I wonder which talking head will say the dumbest thing this postseason (Peter Schrager in the early lead!)...

• Chargers might be still in recovery mode, but the Patriots will be back on the field and all eyes will be on two players: Devin McCourty and Cordarrelle Patterson. This smoke-and-mirrors offense really needs Patterson at full strength.


• On the offensive side of the ball, the Patriots will need to be able to run, and Tom Brady will need to be vintage for Patriots to beat the Chargers.


• Mike Tanier took Brady to the statistical woodshed in this piece. Hard to argue with it, but I would say they're mostly an indictment on the passing game in general. But that also very much includes Brady.


• I think we have a new winner for most sensitive fanbase: Colts fans. So yesterday I sent out this tweet and the onslaught from people with Colts avatars and handles with GM Chris Ballard mixed in, was on:

• And, to be fair, media members like Chris Mortensen and Stephen Holder (covers the Colts) were quick to point out the role Chris Ballard played in hiring Matt Elberflus.


• I have no doubt Ballard had a role in hiring Elberflus, but if anyone thinks McDaniels was just going to install him as his DC as an offensive-minded head coach because Ballard said so ... then you're just drinking the Colts-flavored Kool-Aid from an organization that, after being spurned by McDaniels, won't ever give him credit for anything.


• Of course, there's also this straight from Elberflus to Peter King

• Ok Kyrie, you're in the clear for being the problem on the Celtics (I have my eye on Tatum).


• Marcus Smart ... sniper?