This morning I published a Bleacher Report/Draft Kings article on the top five tight ends in the NFL this year. To no surprise, Rob Gronkowski is No. 1. The trained writer in me had to be pragmatic with my expectations for Gronk, so I projected him to score 13 touchdowns this season, one more than he did last year.
However, the Patriots-fan side of my brain is not quite so reasonable. During New England's offensive-juggernaut 16-0 season in 2007, Randy Moss caught 23 TDs from Tom Brady, the NFL record for a receiver. I think Gronkowski may break that this year.
As much as 2007 was an "FU" season for the Pats because of Spygate, this one will feature an even bigger chip on Brady's shoulder--and Gronk is just as dangerous a weapon as Moss was, maybe even more so.
Brady potentially missing the first four games might cause Gronkowski's numbers to take a hit. On the other hand, if Brady is forced to sit, he'll return even angrier and likely pile on to his No. 1 guy even more.
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Saturday, August 15, 2015
Friday, August 14, 2015
Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck selling $22.5 mil Vineyard house; I'm pretty sure I went to a party there once
I met Wyc Grousbeck on Martha's Vineyard in the summer of 2008, just after the Celtics won the championship. He and Ray Allen took part in the Edgartown 4th of July parade that year:
You can see Ray in the bottom right corner of the picture as well. Quick sidebar--Allen played golf with the President on the Vineyard just the other day, something that is apparently becoming a yearly ritual. In my mind, once he spurned the Celtics in 2012, Ray should have found a new place to go on vacation.
But anyway, back to Grousbeck. His Edgartown estate is on the market for $22.5 million. After looking at the pictures (click the previous link), I'm about 85 percent certain I went to a party there in either the summer of 2002 or 2003. Did Wyc own it then?
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Thursday, August 13, 2015
Happy left-handers' day!
Yes, apparently that is a real thing. A year ago on this day I though Jon Lester, one of my favorite lefty athletes, might come back to Boston for less money. That didn't happen...
Big Papi slugged two homers yesterday (including the extra, extra long one below), No. 490 and No. 491 for his career, because he realized the Red Sox were off today. He's going to hit his 500th this season.
David Ortiz hit a baseball so, so far. #RedSox pic.twitter.com/MjWrz2htgr
— Joon Lee (@iamjoonlee) August 12, 2015
And for NBA fans:
In honor of #LeftyDay, here's the All-Lefty Team according to @ESPNSteinLine. pic.twitter.com/nTmPtO7K21
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) August 13, 2015
Isaiah Thomas totally got snubbed for the last spot on that team, he probably should have won the award for best sixth man in the whole NBA last season.
But here's the real highlight of this blog, from 2011:
The Top 5 Things That Sucked About Being a Lefty Kid
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Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Coors Light Citrus Radlers are quite good; also my computer is clearly omniscient
The other day I purchased a 12-pack of Coors Light Citrus Radlers (which are much better than I expected--not too lemony, and with a nice orange-lime flavor as well). After drinking one, I set the empty can down on a table next to my laptop, which was shut with the power off.
When I turned it on, here's what appeared on the first web page I viewed:
I know my computer reads my emails and places internet ads accordingly. I've wondered if it also does the same by listening to my conversations. Now it's apparently become so powerful that it can just sense what's going on in the world around it.
RELATED:
I may have to buy Harpoon's entire stock of grapefruit beer
Smirnoff Ice 'Watermelon Mimosa' looks quite tasty, why am I just learning of it?
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When I turned it on, here's what appeared on the first web page I viewed:
I know my computer reads my emails and places internet ads accordingly. I've wondered if it also does the same by listening to my conversations. Now it's apparently become so powerful that it can just sense what's going on in the world around it.
RELATED:
I may have to buy Harpoon's entire stock of grapefruit beer
Smirnoff Ice 'Watermelon Mimosa' looks quite tasty, why am I just learning of it?
Follow @LucidSportsFan
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
The Jets starting QB missing half the season after getting sucker-punched by a teammate is so Jets
You're not supposed to punch the guy in the face who's wearing the red jersey... |
When I first read this, I was 99 percent certain it was a joke. It was a good joke too, almost believable for the New York Jets. And then it turned out to be real:
Holy Moly: Geno smith got sucker punched in locker room this morning. Broken jaw. Out 6-10 weeks at least.
— Ben Shpigel (@benshpigel) August 11, 2015
Geno Smith has a broken jaw resulting from a fight with IK Enemkpali this morning, Todd Bowles told reporters. Enemkpali released.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 11, 2015
From what I was told, Smith put his finger in Enemkpali's face during an argument and that's what led to the punch.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 11, 2015
Ryan Fitzpatrick & rookie Bryce Petty are the #Jets other options at QB. Geno Smith’s make-or-break season might have to wait til next year
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) August 11, 2015
Oh Jets. I can't wait to see where this story goes. Finally something dumber than footballs missing a bit of air.
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Monday, August 10, 2015
Justin Masterson's sad second stint with the Red Sox was incredibly predictable
Justin Masterson's second go-around with the Red Sox is officially over:
#RedSox have DFA'd Justin Masterson.
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) August 9, 2015
Last December, Boston signed Masterson to a one-year, $9.5 million contract. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out why. In a Bleacher Report article entitled Predictions for Each Top Offseason Acquisition's Career with the Boston Red Sox, here's what I wrote about Masterson:
"...he could easily still be the same pitcher who posted a horrendous [5.88 ERA and] 1.63 WHIP last year.
Given his difficulty with lefties and the large number of young, up-and-coming arms in Boston's organization, if Masterson's 2014 struggles continue, he may quickly find himself in a situational bullpen role.
Prediction: One mostly disappointing and overpaid season pitching primarily in relief."
Masterson tossed a total of just 59.1 innings for Boston this year. He made nine starts, followed by eight relief appearances. His ERA and WHIP? 5.61 and 1.60--nearly identical to last year.
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Sunday, August 9, 2015
What do you think of this water slide through a shark tank?
Two recent blog topics: The coolest water slide I've ever seen, and a giant outdoor screening of the movie Jaws for people floating on the water.
Here's the combination of both:
Read this if you want to know more.
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