Good afternoon!
A few random thoughts while I wonder if anyone else was wiped from this weekend (draft, Bruins 2OT, Battle of Winterfell), hence the late start...
- Thought the Patriots did a really nice job in the draft this weekend. All their picks made sense (other than the punter but ... special teams) with good football players. Of course, we'll be tracking how their picks do, compared to others they passed on (there's always a scoreboard). But on first blush, things look good and make for a competitive roster.
- My superlatives from this draft class (BSJ members only, sorry)...
- Most immediate impact: WR N'Keal Harry. May take a little time to get used to the offense and Tom Brady, but the bar is how Malcolm Mitchell finished his rookie season.
- Best overall career: G/C Hjalte Froholdt. He was the player the scouts I talked to raved about the most. They think the sky's the limit with Dante Scarnecchia.
- Biggest project: QB Jarrett Stidham. He played at Baylor and Auburn. Both those schemes have produced one NFL starting QB, Cam Newton, who the Panthers had to shape their offense to. Stidham has a solid chance to be revamped, but that Auburn passing offense is terrible.
- Best chance to bust: DT Byron Cowart. He already underachieved in college after being a top HS recruit, but the Patriots must agree with scouts that say he was starting to get it toward the end of his college career. He'll certainly get a chance in the Patriots' rotation. The rest is up to him.
- Fan favorite: Edge Chase Winovich. The guy never stops talking but he's pretty good on the edge.
- Fantasy favorite: RB Damien Harris. He'll be given every opportunity to be the short-yardage back and will steal touchdowns from Sony Michel.
- The Celtics pantsed the Bucks in Game 1 ... lol Bucks fans, who were probably all greek-freaked up about this series. Now, it's just Game 1 and the Bucks will have adjustments, but the Celtics are the better team — especially if the keep riding this wave of good vibes.
- After Saturday's double-OT loss, the Bruins now have to manage at least a split in that hornet's nest in Columbus. Bruce Cassidy is going to have to do some tinkering to get his top two lines going.
- It looked like the Bruins were starting to feel Columbus' physical game late in Game 2. They're going to have to overcome it not to get swept in Ohio. If you thought the Blue Jackets were buzzing in Boston, wait until you see them on their home ice.
Time to hit the links
PATRIOTS
RED SOX
CELTICS
BRUINS
REVOLUTION
____________________
ON TAP
1 p.m.: BSJ Live Q&A — Chris Price on Patriots/Draft
7:10 p.m.: MLB — Athletics at Red Sox, NESN (McAdam)
8 p.m.
8 p.m.
10:30 p.m
PARTING THOUGHT(S)