Uncategorized

I think its safe to say that Big Picture Real World 2020 has been, so far, kind of a bummer. Some are calling it a Dumpster fire, which is a descriptive image that’s not quite accurate for the current moment. A Dumpster fire is automatically self-contained, and with protective equipment and tools, the lid can be closed and the fire will smother itself out. That definitely does NOT seem to be the case for Big Picture 2020.

Here, though, its about football, where we go to escape from that real world stuff. But for Patriots fans, maybe the worst and seemingly longest off-season in team history CAN be described as kind of a Dumpster fire.

We knew there was some pretty flammable stuff in there. I covered my ears and closed my eyes like a kid in denial but still heard the rumblings and saw the signs. The Seth Wickersham bombshell piece. The body language and demeanor of “the most miserable 8-0 quarterback in the league”. The frustrating lack of rapport with the young receivers and balls in the dirt. The Brookline mansion listing. The looming free agency with no contract discussions. Even Tom Brady Sr. told us it would end badly years ago.

But still I felt gut-punched. I had held out hope that there would be a last minute deal and Tom Brady’s legacy would be that rare unicorn athlete who retired with his original team. I always try to guard my heart but just couldn’t when it came to Thomas Edward Patrick Brady. He could do no wrong in my mind. Always keeping it professional. Hardest working competitor and humble role model for the new guys. Team over individual accomplishments. Spotless image on and off the field. Someone I pointed to as an example for my boys in both sports and life. I’ve literally said “thank Tom Brady” after a crisis averted. He’s laminated on my celebrity hall pass.

When the deadline for free agency passed with no joyous announcement I smelled the smoke. I already knew March 17, 2020 was going to be a bad day before it even began. We’d just learned schools were closed for the rest of the year. My oldest hockey player’s small town team had their once in a lifetime, Cinderella story trip to Nationals in California cancelled, and our family vacation there for it was off. No recognizable St. Patrick’s Day, quarantine, bleaching the groceries, PANDEMIC.

So when I woke to the news of Tom Brady moving on, it made total sense for Big Picture 2020, and the Patriots Dumpster fire was fully ablaze and engulfed. I cycled through the stages of grief multiple times and I’m not ashamed to admit it felt like actual mourning. Like, “a grown adult woman with kids maybe shouldn’t be blubbering this way over a football player” kind of reaction in my weak moments. But this was someone I pretty much worshipped for 20 years. The 16-20 Patriots games per season are basically sacred in my house and he was an enormous part of that. And when we later learned he was reuniting with Gronk in Tampa, adding fuel to the fire, I’m not gonna lie, it felt a little like the husband running off with the nanny for a bit there. Irrational maybe, but we all have our “hobbies and interests”, right?

With time and distance comes perspective, and while we’ll probably never know all the factors that built and sparked the Dumpster fire of 2020, its not relevant here right now. I believe, until I’m proven wrong, that Bill Belichick has his flame retardant football hazmat suit on. He probably designed it himself and cut the sleeves off. He’s assembling the tools to get the lid closed and put that sucker out (maybe even using some of my favorite drink, Bill’s special Kool-Aid) because this is going to be an intriguing season, no matter what. Fingers crossed for the rest of both Big Picture and Patriots 2020.

Over the past 2 decades the New England Patriots have cemented themselves as one of the best dynasties in NFL history, and a case can be made that they should be in the conversation for the best dynasty in the history of professional sports.

After 17 division titles, 13 trips to the AFC title game, 9 trips to the Super Bowl, and 6 Super Bowl victories, the Patriots are headed into uncharted territories. Losing Tom Brady was something that many Patriots fans never expected to see, but it is the new reality.

The Tom Brady era in New England has come to a conclusion, but that should not stop Patriots fans from getting excited about 2020 and beyond.

As the Patriots begin to turn the page and begin a new chapter, so will PatsPropaganda. I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to become a new writer for the site, and I couldn’t be more excited.

I’m eager to get started and eager to provide Patriots nation with the best possible content.

So, here’s a little about myself, and who I am as a person.

This past May, I completed my undergraduate studies, and received my Bachelor’s degree from Curry College. I enjoyed my 4 years at Curry, and was involved with a multitude of different things on campus. I wrote for the campus newspaper, I was involved with the campus television station, and I was the Program Director for the campus radio station, WMLN. Along with being the Program Director, I was a co-host for the most popular show on WMLN’s airwaves. Pombo and Milliken was a weekly sports show, that was a huge success. As you could probably guess, many of our shows were centered around the Patriots. I had a great time at Curry, it opened up so many doors for me, and I couldn’t have been more thankful for the time I spent there. I was fortunate enough to even intern at the home of Patriots radio broadcasts. During the spring of 2019, I was an intern for the Zolak and Bertrand program on 98.5 The Sports Hub It was a great experience!

However, after completing my tenure at Curry College, I decided to return to school to pursue my Master’s degree. So, this Fall I will be pursing my Master’s degree at Northeastern University.

So, that’s a little about me, and what I’ve really been up to. As training camp gets started, and the season gets underway, expect to hear from me often. I can’t wait to get started, and I can’t wait to provide Patriots nation with everything they need to know!

Be sure to follow me on twitter, @jpombo24!

And of course, check PatsPropaganda for the latest news and updates!

Looking for a outlet to write about the Patriots this coming season and a way to earn some money while doing so? PatsPropaganda is seeking writers for the 2020 season.

Created in 2010, PatsPropaganda emerged as the best independent blogs covering the New England Patriots and, after a season of reduced content due to the departure of creator and lead writer Mike Dussault, the site is now looking for new writers to take things over.

If you’re interested please email patspropaganda@gmail.com and tell us about yourself — why you love the Patriots, what you’re writing history and plans are. This is a low-commitment opportunity to write what you want, when you want but to also produce sponsored content as it arises throughout the season. There are also other ways to monetize the site which will be fully available to writers.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to become the voice of an already-established site, with a proven SEO track record.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Football betting took an unexpected turn on Sunday night as the New England Patriots lost to the Miami Dolphins and fell out of the second seed in the AFC. That means New England will have to play the Tennessee Titans in the Wild Card round instead of getting an expected week of rest that came with the bye.

This will be the first time New England has played in the Wild Card round since 2009 and just the fourth time since Bill Belichick took over in 2000. In 2005 they’d beat the Jaguars on Wild Card weekend but bow out in the Divisional Round against the Broncos. In 2006, they’d beat the Jets and Chargers, but lose in the Conference Championship to the Colts. Finally, in 2009 the Patriots would bow out immediately in the Wild Card game to the Ravens.

The history does not bode well for the Patriots Super Bowl chances, and a matchup against a former Patriot player Mike Vrabel and his collection of other former Patriot coaches and players appears to be a tough one.

The Titans are have a talented offense and a defense that knows how to play the Patriots offense. Following the Dolphins lead, the Titans are sure to take many gameplan elements that made Miami successful in the season finale.

New England will need their best team effort of the season. With the bye on the line their defense let them down after being the primary strength all season long. The one silver lining is that the Patriots should play angry and with something to prove.

While NFL Betting odds might have the Patriots outside their usual spot as Super Bow favorites, the team has had another outstanding season and is on the cusp of getting a bye for the 10th-straight season.

Here are the individuals that have stood out most this season:

Offensive Player of the Year – Julian Edelman

It’s hard to imagine where the Patriots offense would be if not for Edelman toughing out numerous injuries to pick up 97 catches on the season. He needs just nine more catches to break his career high. In a season filled with offensive injuries and turnover, the one constant has been Edelman, who has delivered big plays and clutch catches again and again.

Defensive Player of the Year – Kyle Van Noy

Van Noy continued to build off his breakout 2018 season and cemented his place as one of the key defenders on the Patriots stacked defense. Playing primarily off the left defensive edge, Van Noy is strong and athletic in setting the edge but also has an array of athletic pass rush moves that have him leading the team with 6.5 sacks.

Rookie of the Year – Jake Bailey

Bailey has been arguably the best punter in the league as a rookie, setting a team record for punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard-line. Add in that he’s handled kickoffs since Stephen Gostkowski was lost and Bailey is contributing in multiple ways. In a year when the offense has been inconsistent, Bailey’s punting has helped immensely with field position and has translated into real points on the scoreboard.

Most Valuable Player – Stephon Gilmore

Gilmore has been the best cornerback in the league this year, currently tied for the league lead in interceptions and taking on the top opposing target every week. Gilmore has ascended to the point where he can match up with the best receivers in the game and remove them from being a factor. His effect on the defense has had a trickle-down effect on the pass rush as well, as the Patriots put together perhaps their best defensive season in history. That’s in large part due to a shutdown corner like Gilmore how makes everything easier on everyone else.

Patriots betting odds are trending upward as the team closes in on a second-round bye in the AFC by locking up the second seed. Having lost to the other three division leaders in the conference might detract from the Patriots chances at their fourth Super Bowl title in six seasons, but you can never rule Tom Brady and Bill Belichick out.

How would the Patriots stack up against the AFC competition? Let’s rank the potential opponents.

5. Bills: The Patriots should’ve beaten the Bills more handily if not for a handful of game-changing plays. Having seen Buffalo already twice this season the Pats would have a good understanding and familiarity how to beat them. Josh Allen would have to play the game of his life.

4. Titans: Mike Vrabel’s team beat the Pats last year and any team with a big powerful back like Derek Henry could be a threat to take the vaunted Patriots defense off their game. They’ve been able to play solid football with Ryan Tannehill at quarterback, but losers of two straight, they need to turn things around or risk falling out of the playoffs in the final weekend.

3. Houston: The Texans finally knocked off the Pats this season but the Patriots would still be favorites if hosting a rematch, this time at Gillette Stadium. The Texans have the weaponry to attack the Patriots and the defense to give them problems but New England would give them a better game the second time around, especially if Will Fuller is out.

2. Kansas City: The Patriots also lost to the Chiefs but held their vaunted offense to just a field goal in the second half, giving them hope that they could lock in on what Patrick Mahomes does so well. New England has won the last two playoff matchups against Kansas City and would host them this year instead of having travel on the road like 2018. It would be a tough game that went down to the wire but the Pats have had the Chiefs number in the meaningful games.

1 Baltimore: The Ravens throttled the Patriots once already this season just as they have done to most of the league. Could the Patriots find a way to do what no one has done this year and slow down Lamar Jackson? If anyone can put the gameplan together to do it, it would be Bill Belichick. Forcing Jackson into mistakes would be the key.