‘This is the same governor who practically made it against the law to have Thanksgiving dinner last month. This is the governor who wants to prevent flights to New York from the United Kingdom in order to stop a new, more contagious strain of the virus from infecting the state.’
Archives for December 24, 2020
Patriots should take a page out of Bills playbook when it comes to receiving corps
‘Heading into the 2020 season, the Bills had a decent group of receivers to complement their young gun quarterback Josh Allen, but didn’t have a game-changer in the stable. They didn’t have that stud who would not only make the receiving corps better collectively, but also help Allen develop into a top 10 quarterback in the league. So during the offseason, Bills GM Brandon Beane went out and got one.’
Patriots Pro Bowler Matthew Slater: Hall of Fame conversation needs to begin with Steve Tasker
‘“I think that if you want to start having those conversations they need to be had with the name Steve Tasker because I think he paved the way for us to play the game,” Slater said on a video conference Wednesday. “Do I think Steve deserves a place there? Yes, absolutely. But, what my career is and how people view me as a player that is not something I think about at all. How men view you has never really been something that has been part of my creed and although I am humbled by it, it’s important that I continue to try and represent myself and my family the best way I can on and off the football field.”’
Bills are preparing for both Patriots QBs Jarrett Stidham and Cam Newton
‘“We do our due diligence. That’s what I can say,” McDermott said. “Whoever they play, they are both good quarterbacks, both play at a high level. So, we have to prepare ourselves to play our best football is how we look at it.”’
What Bills Expect From Cam Newton, Jarrett Stidham In Patriots Matchup
‘“We do our due diligence. That’s what I can say,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said Wednesday in a video conference. “Whoever they play, they are both good quarterbacks, both play at a high level. So we have to prepare ourselves to play our best football is how we look at it.”’
Perry: What Josh Allen can teach us about Patriots’ QB search
‘”Like most players, as they gain experience and gain confidence and get more familiar with the system and the defenses they see, they improve,” Bill Belichick said when asked about Allen’s improvement this week. “He’s done that. It’s a well-balanced team, they have a lot of good players at a lot of positions and they utilize them in multiple ways. They’re hard to defend. He’s done a good job of orchestrating it and being a key playmaker in the offense.”‘
Thursday’s New England Coverage
Patriots assistant Jedd Fisch hired as head coach at University of Arizona (Boston Globe)
With nothing to play for, no question Cam Newton will start for Patriots Monday night? (Boston Globe)
Patriots’ assistant Jedd Fisch lands University of Arizona head coaching job (Boston Herald)
Patriots should take a page out of Bills playbook when it comes to receiving corps (Boston Herald)
Bill Belichick still not revealing Patriots quarterback starter for Bills game (Boston Herald)
New England Patriots QB coach Jedd Fisch leaving for University of Arizona (Springfield Republican)
Bill Belichick has another terse exchange over whether Jarrett Stidham might start over Cam Newton (Springfield Republican)
Stephon Gilmore injury: Patriots place CB on injured reserve, he’s approaching fascinating crossroads (Springfield Republican)
Patriots Pro Bowler Matthew Slater: Hall of Fame conversation needs to begin with Steve Tasker (Springfield Republican)
Patriots standout kicker Nick Folk wants to continue career (Providence Journal)
Matthew Slater ‘adopted’ a fifth grade class in Providence (Providence Journal)
Patriots Jake Bailey ‘over the moon excited’ about Pro Bowl honor (Providence Journal)
Patriots RB Sony Michel: I’m one of Damien Harris’ biggest supporters (Providence Journal)
Jackson confident he has the skills to be the Patriots top cornerback (Providence Journal)
No surprises at Patriots practice on Wednesday (Providence Journal)
Patriots QB coach Jedd Fisch to become head coach at Arizona (Providence Journal)
Bills are preparing for both Patriots QBs Jarrett Stidham and Cam Newton (Providence Journal)
Arizona Wildcats hire New England Patriots’ Jedd Fisch as new football coach (ESPN)
Bill Belichick channels his inner Grinch as he grows tired of Cam Newton-Jarret Stidham questions (CBS Sports)
Matthew Slater Is The GOAT, So Is Patriots Captain Hall Of Famer? (NESN)
Patriots Know They Have Something Special In Pro Bowl Punter Jake Bailey (NESN)
Bill Belichick Shares High Praise For Outgoing Patriots QBs Coach Jedd Fisch (NESN)
Jedd Fisch’s Departure Leaves Patriots With Succession Questions On Offense (NESN)
What Bills Expect From Cam Newton, Jarrett Stidham In Patriots Matchup (NESN)
Patriots Lose QBs Coach As Arizona Hires Jedd Fisch As Head Coach (NESN)
Bill Belichick Gives Blunt Response On Patriots’ Goals After Playoff Elimination (NESN)
Bill Belichick Seems Extremely Tired Of Being Asked About Patriots’ QBs (NESN)
This Bill Belichick Quote On Young QBs Is Damning For Jarrett Stidham (NESN)
Curran: Why Josh Rosen joining the 49ers matters in Foxboro (NBC Sports Boston)
Perry: What Josh Allen can teach us about Patriots’ QB search (NBC Sports Boston)
Belichick loses patience over latest Patriots QB question (NBC Sports Boston)
Patriots QB coach Jedd Fisch named Arizona head coach (NBC Sports Boston)
Bill Belichick gives Jedd Fisch extremely high praise following becoming Univ. of Arizona head coach (WEEI-FM)
Reports: Patriots QB coach Jedd Fisch lands University of Arizona head-coaching job (WEEI-FM)
For Patriots fans who want Jimmy Garoppolo back, a recent move could make it more realistic (WEEI-FM)
Bill Belichick again annoyed by questions about Cam Newton’s starting job (WEEI-FM)
Patriots special teams players react to Pro Bowl selections (WBZ-FM)
Patriots place Stephon Gilmore on IR (WBZ-FM)
The Patriots are reportedly losing an assistant to the college ranks (WBZ-FM)
Belichick not willing to discuss Patriots quarterback change (WBZ-FM)
Bill Belichick Is Clearly Tired Of Taking Questions About Cam Newton As The Patriots’ Starting Quarterback (WBZ-TV)
Patriots QB Coach Jedd Fisch Taking University Of Arizona Head Coaching Job (WBZ-TV)
To Get Back on Top, Belichick Still Right to ID Next QB (WBTS-TV)
Patriots Place Cornerback Stephon Gilmore On Injured Reserve (Patriots.com)
Unfiltered Notebook 12/23: Herron is latest rookie to see an expanded role (Patriots.com)
Transcript: Bill Belichick Press Conference 12/23 (Patriots.com)
Patriots Sign DL Isaiah Mack to Practice Squad; Release TE Paul Quessenberry from Practice Squad (Patriots.com)
New York Considers Allowing Some Fans At Bills Playoff Game
‘The team’s fans would undoubtedly be excited at the chance, with hundreds coming out to the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport late Saturday night to greet the players and celebrate their victory.’
NFL playoffs: NY governor considering reopening Bills Stadium to limited number of fans for postseason
‘The overarching concerns would involve fans adhering to strict policies on distancing and face coverings, violation of which would result in immediate ejection from the building. Additionally, all parties are considering the possibility of having every fan take a COVID-19 test prior to entering the facility and contact tracing them when the game concludes, among other variables, are being discussed between the Bills, Cuomo and the health commissioner, Dr. Howard Zucker.’
Brian Daboll likely among the top NFL coaching candidates for 2021
‘When you consider how many detractors Josh Allen had when he was taken No. 7 overall by the Bills in the 2018 NFL Draft, Daboll deserves tremendous credit for helping develop Allen into being one of the sport’s most complete quarterbacks. Most teams looking for head coaches tend to either have a young quarterback or a draft pick they plan to use on a quarterback, so Daboll projects to be one of the most appealing coaching candidates this offseason. The 45-year-old has worked under Sean McDermott since the 2018 season, and also has experience on the staffs of Bill Belichick and Nick Saban.’
McDermott: Would hate losing Daboll or Frazier, but ‘would highly recommend both of them’
‘”I think they’ve both done a phenomenal job. I’d hate to lose either of them, but I would highly recommend both of them that they’re ready to take the next step. I think they’ve show that they can lead and do the coordinator job at a high level, both of them. You’d hate to lose both of those guys, but when you win and you have sustained success like we’ve been able to have the last two seasons, that’s what happens.”‘
Zack Moss: Josh Allen can throw a football 100-plus yards
‘”His arm is just— I mean, he has a top-five arm… he’s super strong, and he knows how to use his body to help him get a lot of throws off and stuff like that, so I would say 100-plus.”‘
Josh Allen named AFC Offensive Player of the Week
‘With his sixth-career AFC Offensive Player of the Week honor, Allen moves past Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas (five) for the second-most Offensive Player of the Week awards in Bills history. He just trails Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly for the most in team history with 10.’
Bills’ plan to have 6,700 fans at playoff games under review
‘Cuomo said on Tuesday that the New York State Department of Health was looking at an “experimental model” that would allow fans back at Bills Stadium this winter. He explained that the state is working with the Bills, and that it’s all a work in progress.’
He did it again! Bills QB Josh Allen named offensive player of the week for fourth time this season
‘In the team’s win against the Denver Broncos on Saturday, Allen finished with 359 yards and four total touchdowns [two rushing, two passing]. He now has 4,000 passing yards this season, second-most in franchise history, and is just 360 passing yards away from passing Drew Bledsoe [4,359] with two regular season games left. He’s also four touchdown passes away from another franchise record in most TD passes in a single season.’