Money (Quick Take)

What would we be without money? Some people say money makes the world go round. I would agree and disagree at the the same time.

The world has become so reliant on money its not even funny anymore. But yet at the same time there are those who don't have as much money as others but yet still enjoy life sometimes more than those who have the money.

I'd have to say this is simply because those who have money are used to having it all the time and don't know what to do with it and reach the point where once they don't have as much their entire world is ending. While others with less know how to live better and be happier with what they have and when they do have extra they know how to use it.

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Biggest Offseason Needs for Patriots (Quick Take)

Its pretty hard to nitpick at a team who's just won the Super Bowl this past season but every team can always get better or worse after every offseason for New England its only up from here and heres why.

Need 1- Resigning Darelle Revis

In order for the Patriots to continue to their pass success on defense their main priority will be to bring Revis back. The Pats an option of paying him $20 Million next season or getting a deal done that will lock him in for a few more years. Both sides seem to be ready for contract talk and I Revis signing a new a new deal in New England.

Need 2- Resigning Devin McCourty

McCourty is just as if not more important to the defense as is Revis. He is defiantly in the top  5 talks at the FS position. Recent articles buy NESN and Comcast sports say McCourty is more than interested in returning to New England.

Need 3- Doing anything else that is possible to help the front 7 on the defense. As well as bring back Shane Vareen or if not a veteran like Reggie Bush could fill in the need at the right price.

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New England Patriots Wide Receiver Breakdown

Since 2007 the Patriots have lacked a deep threat, but that has been replaced with slot receivers catching 100 balls every season. We take a look at the top three WR's of the Patriots


Julian Edelman

Edelman since Wes Welker's departure has really thrived into his own. He shows great toughness, route running and quickness. Some would argue that Edelman is a lot quicker than Wes. Edelman brings much more to the table than just playing the slot receiver. He lines outside nearly 50% of plays. He is also a very capable punt returner. This season he caught 92 balls in 14 games for 992 Yards and four scores. Edelman is under contract for another 3 seasons and could really deepen his legacy has a Patriot if he continues such success.

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Brandon LaFell 

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Brandon LaFell addition to the New England Patriots this season proved well. He is under contract for another two seasons and should continue to thrive playing with a QB like Tom Brady. For the first time since 2007 the Patriots had a legitimate outside the number presence. But what makes LaFell so valuable is his versatility has he can line up anywhere on offense. Its also a plus that LaFell really developed a nice chemistry with Brady over the season. It was highly noticeable when the started to hook up on back shoulder fades for touchdowns. Brandon caught 74 balls for 953 yards and added seven touchdowns. 

Danny Amendola 

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Many would argue Danny Amendola is a waste of money but I would disagree. Amendola over the course of the 2014 season really caught on. The chemistry with Brady is highly noticeable. Amendola does everything asked for the patriots. He took over the Kick Returning role, when Edelman went down he proved his worth and in the post season he caught three touchdown passes. I wouldn't expect Danny going anywhere anytime soon but I do expect the Patriots to ask him to restructure his deal to open some cap space. 

THE REST 

Aaron Dobson and Bryan Tyms, not much here. Dobson since his the end of his rookie season has been a disappoint always being hurt and not really having a chance to do anything on the offense. Tyms to me is a mystery. He was trained by Randy Moss and in a way show some glimpse of him. He caught a 45 yard touchdown pass over triple coverage as he out leaped and out ran every defender on a post pattern. Other than that Tyms didn't see much time so I have to wonder what is he really capable of?

New England Patriots Running Back Situation

The New England Patriots haven't had a house hold name at running back since the Corey Dillon days but since then they have had some of the most complete backfields in the NFL with great depth.

On to this off season the Patriots face tough decisions with Running Backs Shane Vareen and Stevan Ridley. Vareen coming off a career year including one of only five NFL backs with 50 plus catches and 50 plus carries will be a free agent. While Ridley himself will be a FA as well coming off an ACL tear.

Both posses great ability for the Patriots and have in their respective careers thus far. Although Ridley  is a major concern as were not sure of what he can bring to the table after his knee injury. Vareen on the other proved his worth in big games this season including a 11 catch performance in the Super Bowl.

Keep in Mind the Patriots have Blount force trauma, Brandon Bolden and James White under contract. Ridleys ability can and has been replaced by Blount. While Vareen posses the ability no other back has till proven (James White).

I don't expect the two both to be back. Although there is a slight chance. Vareen has a better chance of coming back as he brings much to the offense and has developed a great relationship with Brady in the passing game. Ridley if he returns will be on a one year prove it deal but I don't see that happening because of the circumstances regarding much more important players.

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Quick Take

Have you ever just took a moment and realized how fortunate we are? Have you ever just thought to yourself what if I was homeless? Not many people do, a lot of them take life for granted, everyday life for granted. Switch places with someone from a foreign country for a day or even the daily homeless man you see everyday on the same corner. My point is be happy for what you have and be thankful for your situation and if you don't like strive for greatness!!!!

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Quick Facts Tom Brady

Brady the greatest of all time?? 

Let's take a look at a few key achievements over his career 

Brady is top 5 in every major passing stat

Most playoff wins 21-8

Most Playoff Appearances 29 

Most Super Bowl Appearances 6 

Tied for 1st for most Super Bowl Wi s 

Holds every playoff passing record 

(Attempts,completions,yards,TD's) 

Holds every Super Bowl passing record 

2x MVP (1st ever unanimous)

3x Super Bowl MVP (T-1st) 

5,000 yard passing yard season 

Highest winning percentage .715

Highest differential W-L +130 

Those are just a few key stats and achievements by Tom Brady over the course if his 15 year career. What else can he accomplish? As of right now people are debating if Brady is the greatest. If he can win won more that would make 7 appearances and 5 wins, that would cement him as the best ever 

Julian Edelman's Grit

      Edelman is a beast. The 28 year old former Kent State QB has really made his name well known across the league. A seventh round draft choice by the Patriots in 2009 Edelman made the switch to Wide Receiver to be able to play in the NFL. Edelman in his rookie season showed promise catching 37 balls for 359 yards and a score. He also developed a nice role as a punt returner (more on that later).

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The next two seasons featured Edelman barely involved on the offense and an occasional burst on special teams as he was plagued by injury.

In 2012 Edelman was healthy but wasn't asked for much on Offense but he continued to deepen himself as a great punt returner and was also

asked to play defensive back.

In 2013 with Wes Welker's departure many though the Free Agent pick up of Danny Amendola would fill in Welker's shoes. We were all wrong Edelman went on his way to having his best season of his career showing great toughness and some ability that Wes did not show. He finished the season with 105 catches for 1,056 Yards and six touchdowns and was still able to produce in the return game.

The following season many questioned if Edelman could continue to be productive or better yet even stay healthy. He proved his doubters wrong despite not playing a full season. Many times over the season Edelman took huge hits but kept asking for more and continued to chirp his way through defenses on third downs. He finished the season with 92 catches for 972 yards and four scores.

His greatness continued throughout the post season as he threw his first NFL pass for a touchdown to Danny Amendola.

Edelman's toughness and greatness really showed in the Super Bowl. In my opinion I thought he should have won MVP. He caught nine balls for 109 yards and the game winning touchdown. Edelman took hit after hit the entire game and fought for plenty of yards. In a hit were most receivers would have alligator armed the ball Edelman reached out and took a huge hit from Kam Chancellor over the middle on 3rd and 14 to save the drive. He bounced off and rumbled his way for a few extra yards. Two plays later the Patriots faced a 3rd and 8, Brady looked Edelman's way and prevailed yet again running for a first down and more. He struggled in agony to get up but he did. A few plays later Edelman ran a beautiful Zig route for a score to put the Patriots up and the rest is history.

Despite taking hit after hit Edelman showed his biggest heart and biggest performance in the biggest game of his career. Props to him as he continues to cement his legacy as a Patriot great.


ALL STATS COURTESY OF NFL.COM

Change up ( Life )

Did you ever just sit down and think to yourself how lucky you are? 

Have you ever thought about how fortunate we are as humans? 

I sure have more than once, actually everyday. It constantly runs in my mind, why am I here? Is this real where am I? What if I'm the real alien? 

Time and time again I wonder what's my purpose. I suppose we all have one and that's to make it what we want. The world is filled with opportunity, filled with greatness. At the same time the world throws a challenge at you. This life, what we become is a challenge, challenge is humanity. 

The next time your in your room or the bathroom look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself what's our purpose? Comeback and tell me your opinion on this matter

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Super Bowl Tale of the Tape

Super Bowl Tale of the Tape 

Quarterback-

Russell Wilson or Tom Brady? Pick your poison, both Quarterbacks are great in different ways. The three year pro versus the 15 year veteran. In many ways you can compare Brady to Russell in the early stages of their respective careers. Wilson in his third year has a chance to do something no QB has done this Sunday, become the youngest starting Qb to ever win two Super Bowls. Many will say Russell is a game manager at best and is only where he is because of the Seattle defense, you can argue and say the same about Brady early in his career. This will be Brady's 6th SB appearance and Wilson's 2nd. No team has repeated since the 2004 Patriots did so. When the game is on the line I'd take Brady over anyone else in the game, he's proven it this year again. Wilson does have one quality Brady has never possessed, the ability to create plays and extend plays with his feet.

With everything Brady has done in his career up until this point I'd give the the Patriots the advantage and a forth ring would argue Brady as the Greatest of all time.

Advantage- Patriots 

Running Back- 

When you look at the match up between Seattle and New England most people would tend to favor one side. If you really look at it, it's a lot closer than you think due to New England's depth at the position. When looking at Seattle, you know whats coming. Beast mode all the way, Lynch is a great running back and is on pace for most consecutive seasons with double digit touchdowns and at least  1200 yards. He's fast powerful and carries the Seahawks.

New England on the other hand has really no standout but great depth. You don't know what your getting every week. It could be Blount, Vareen, Gray or Boldin. Blount though stands out the most out of all backs, he actually since 2010 leads the NFL in yards after contact with 2.57 yards. Vareen posses a great receiving threat out of the backfield while Bolden and Gray hold their own when asked to.

Advantage- Seahawks

Wide Receiver- 

Unlike many other teams in the NFL neither NE or SEA has a true number one weapon that teams must keep an eye on. Seattle posses Jermaine Kearse and Doug Baldwin and Ricardo Lockette being their best options. NE on the other hand has players like Julian Edelman, Brandon LaFell and Danny Amendola. Edelman and Lafell combined for just around 2000 Yards receiving with 11 touchdowns. Edelman shows great route running in the slot along with Danny Amendola. LaFell gives the Patriots their first true outside X receiver since Randy Moss. Seattle does a great job with what they have. Neither Baldwin nor Kearse do anything special. They are solid receivers though and get the job done. Baldwin caught 60+ balls this season to go along with 800+ yards while Kearse although not very fast provided some kind of deep threat.

Advantage- Push

Tight End- 

Don't get me wrong Luke Wilson is an upcoming star and has had a great sleeper post season but Rob Gronkowski is beast among men at the Tight End position. Coming off ACL surgery many thought he would not be the same player anymore he proved doubters wrong catching 82 balls for 1100+ yards and 12 Touchdowns. Gronk is a match up nightmare and it will be interesting to see how the Seattle defense plans to assign to him.

Advantage- Patriots 

Offensive Line- 

Both New England and Seattle hold not great but very solid offensive lines. Max Unger center of Seattle is the mainstay in the running game for Seattle. Nate Solder and Sebastian Vollmer anchor the Patriots offensive line at the tackle spots respectively. Seattles run offense did rank 1st in the NFL this year but they will face a tough challenge as New England ranked 9th against the run. Meanwhile NE's front 5 will have a huge job maintaining seattle's front 4 pass rush.

Advantage- Push 

Defensive line- 

Both teams have great depth up front but I'd lean towards Seattle's front 4 over New England. Cliff Avril, Michael Bennett, Kevin Williams so on and so forth. Their very deep and could bring huge problems for NE.

New England doesn't have a standout pass rusher, Chandler Jones is the biggest name and he didn't even lead the Pats in sacks. Rob Nikovinch, Vince Wilfork, Alan Branch aren't household hold names but they still are very productive in their respective roles 

Advantage- Seahawks 

Linebackers- 

The Seattle linebackers are great at what they do. Whether it's Bobby Wagner, Malcom Smith, KJ Wright or Bruce Irvin each plays at a high level and all are very young. 

NE is missing a huge part of their linebacker  core in Jerod Mayo and if he was playing it could lean towards the Patriots. Aside from that Jamie Collins and Donte Hightower have developed into two of youngest stars across the league at the position. Outside of them you have Akeem Ayers and Jonathan Casallias both who play their roles well but aren't a KJ Wright or Malcom Smith. 

Advantage- Seahawks 

Secondary- 

Tough one here, each team posses a great secondary. Seattle is known for their Cover 3 Scheme in which Richard Sherman plays the right side while Maxwell plays the left. Jeremy Lane the nickle corner will have a huge challenge this game. Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor are great safeties and arguably the best at their positions. 

New England has great depth and could do a variety of things well. Darelle Revis can take away your best receiver anywhere on the field and Brandon Browner is a big physical corner. Devin McCourty's range in the secondary is unbelievable while Pat Chung is one of the best run support safeties across the league. Kyle Arrington and Logan Ryan were once starters and provide great depth while Arrington is a top slot corner in the league. I'n terms of versatility and what New England can do whether it is Man or Zone they do it well.

Advantage- Push

Special Teams- 

Both teams have great kickers and punters. The game could come down to a return. Julian Edelman is only second in   NFL  history in yards per return behind Devin Hester. Seattle doesn't hold that kind of threat. Players like Matthew Slater, Chris White and Brandon Bolden are superior special teamers. 

Advantage- Patriots 

Overall- 

Patriots- 3 

Seahawks- 3 

Tie- 3 

Prediction- 

This could very well go down as one of the greatest games to ever be played. I believe a few special team plays will make the difference in this one. 

Patriots win 27-20