Tag Archives: New England Patriots

May 1 2013

Mass. College Football: Locals Invited To NFL Rookie Mini Camps

Merrimack's Isaiah Voegeli signed his undrafted free agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday! (Photo Credit: Merrimack College Athletics)

Merrimack’s Isaiah Voegeli signed his undrafted free agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday! (Photo Credit: Merrimack College Athletics)

By Matt Noonan

As noted on our blog yesterday, Bentley University graduate student Nick Halloran was invited to this weekend’s New England Patriots’ Rookie Mini Camp.

“Just amazing news, not a better way to start the day,” Halloran told the Boston Globe on Tuesday.

Halloran isn’t the only local college football player to earn an invite to a rookie mini camp this weekend as Framingham State’s James Muirhead will attempt to earn a spot with the St. Louis Rams, while Middlebury College’s Ryan Moores, who prepped at Governor’s Academy, will tryout with the Atlanta Falcons.

“I’m braced for it,” Muirhead told the Brockton Enterprise on Tuesday. “I understand what’s going to happen. But you know what? I’m not there to make any friends. I’m there to compete. I’m going there to get a job.”

Merrimack College’s Isaiah Voegeli became the fourth player in program history to sign with a professional team as the Hyannis native inked his name on an undrafted free agent contract Monday with the Philadelphia Eagles.

“I am so grateful for this opportunity,” Voegeli said in the college’s release.  “I can’t thank head coach Dan Curran enough for his help and guidance and preparation to get me to this point. This is a dream come true that I’ve dreamt about since I was 7, to just have a shot and I’ve been blessed this opportunity.”

Voegeli will leave the North Andover campus as the all-time receiver in multiple receiving categories, which includes catches (211) and yards (3,554). He also ranks second in program history with 34 touchdown receptions, too.

Prior to this year’s NFL Draft, the Boston Herald reported that Muirhead, Voegeli and Moores, along with Assumption College’s Nick Haag and Boston College’s Jim Noel worked out with the Falcons, Patriots and New Orleans Saints.

Apr 30 2013

Mass. College Football: Bentley’s Halloran Invited To Patriots’ Rookie Mini Camp

By NoontimeSports.com 

Courtesy of the Bentley University sports information department, here’s this afternoon’s release about Nick Halloran, who was invited to the New England Patriots’ Rookie Mini Camp this weekend:

WALTHAM, Mass. – Former Bentley University offensive lineman Nick Halloran (Somerville/ Buckingham, Browne & Nichols) has been invited to participate in the New England Patriots’ Rookie Mini Camp this weekend.

Halloran, a six-foot-four, 302-pounder, started at tackle for Bentley the last three years after beginning his career at Boston College. He moved to the left side this past season after playing right tackle his first two years at Bentley.

Halloran earned first-team All-Northeast-10 honors in both 2011 and 2012, and was named to the 2012 Don Hansen Football Gazette Division II All-Super Region 1 team.  He was also a Football GazetteDivision II honorable mention All-America.

In 2012, Halloran helped the Bentley offense produce 388 yards and 26.3 points a game while controlling the ball for an average of 33 minutes.

“I was obviously very happy when Nick transferred from Boston College to play tackle for us,” said Bentley football coach Thom Boerman. “He has been a dominate lineman in the NE-10 since the day he arrived and he has played both right and left tackle to protect our QB’s blind side.  He has pro size, is very smart and is strong. Nick had quite a bit of interest from a number of NFL teams and I am glad that the Patriots invited a local player to their mini-camp. He has been working hard to prepare for this opportunity.”

Bentley has one player currently in the NFL, Dallas Cowboys’ offensive lineman Mackenzy Bernadeau. He started every game for the Cowboys during the 2012 season, his fifth year in the league. 

Sep 4 2012

NFL 2012: AFC East Preview

By Matt Noonan 

The AFC East may not be the flashiest division this season, but don’t underestimate Buffalo, New York or Miami. All three teams have challenged the Patriots over the past few seasons, and can certainly provide the unnecessary head ache to Patriots coaches, fans and players, especially when they least expect it.

However, New England shouldn’t have a problem winning this division, but keep your eyes on the Bills and Jets.

1.) New England Patriots (12-4) – Some analysts believe this team may mimic their record-breaking performance from 2007, while others think they’re a shoe-in for this year’s Super Bowl. In order for the Patriots to be successful, they’ll need rookies Chandler Jones and Dont’a Hightower to pressure opposing quarterbacks and provide all sorts of havoc.

Will Chandler Jones be the Patriots most valuable defensive player this season? We’ll see! (Photo Credit: Zimbio.com)

2.) Buffalo Bills (9-7) – The Bills bolted out of the gate last season, but couldn’t maintain their momentum, as injuries and errors derailed their chances of a successful season. This year, Buffalo added Mario Williams and Mark Anderson to their defense, and drafted two potential studs in Cordy Glenn and Stephon Gilmore. The usual cast is back on offense – Ryan Fitzpatrick, Fred Jackson and Steve Johnson, but the main question from last year remains: Can they stay healthy? Also, can they be consistent, too?

3.) New York Jets (7-9) – No offense Jets fans, but your team is in complete disarray. New York didn’t locate the end zone until their fourth preseason game, and there’s still questions surrounding their offense and defense. Yet, probably one of the biggest sagas surrounding this team is when will Rex Ryan swap Tim Tebow for Mark Sanchez?

4.) Miami Dolphins (5-11) – There will be a lot of ups and downs this season for the Dolphins, but expect Miami to conclude their year with at least four or five wins.

Aug 10 2012

New England Patriots vs. New Orleans Saints (Post-Game Links)

The New England Patriots earned their first preseason win on Thursday, as they defeated the New Orleans Saints, 7-6! (Photo Credit: SportsNola.com)

By Matt Noonan 

Thursday’s preseason match between the New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints is officially in the books, as the Pats earned a 7-6 victory. New England will return to the gridiron in 10 days when they host the Philadelphia Eagles, but before that particular kick-off, here are some links/stories from their one-point victory.

* ESPNBoston’s Mike Reiss provides an interesting analysis on the game with a few good, bad and ugly moments.

* The Boston Globe’s Shalise Manza Young crafted a piece about Dane Fletcher, who apparently tore his ACL on special teams.

* In case you’re looking for the AP recap — NFL.com has it on their website.

* The Metro West Daily News has an interesting take on the Patriots first preseason game, as well as the play of Tom Brady, too.

* In Friday’s Boston Herald, Jeff Howe wrote about the Patriots defense, which only surrendered two field goals in a span of 60 minutes. Also, Karen Guregian provides an interesting take on Brandon Lloyd‘s first game.

Aug 3 2012

Happy Birthday, Tom Brady!

Tom Brady celebrates his 35th Birthday on Friday, August 3. (Photo Credit: NFLPassers.com)

By NoontimeSports.com

Today, Friday, August 3, marks New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s 35th Birthday. And despite his urge to continue learning and improving, he certainly has a lot to celebrate, and be proud of, too.

Ever since he became a member of the National Football League, Brady has won three Super Bowl titles, and five American Football Conference championships. He’s also a seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro.

Since the Patriots drafted him in 2000, he’s tallied 39,979 passing yards, 300 touchdowns, and 3,397 completions.

His best year as a pro came during the 2007 season when he broke the single-season touchdown record with 50 strikes to the end zone. Randy Moss collected 23 touchdowns that year, which catapulted him past Jerry Rice as the single-season leader in touchdown receptions.

Last season, Brady led his unit to Super Bowl XLVI, but sadly, the outcome was rather similar to Super Bowl XLII, as the New York Giants defeated New England, 21-17.

This year, the New England gunslinger seems more poised than ever, and certainly appears hungry for his fourth ring.

The Patriots begin their season on Sunday, September 9, when they travel to Tennessee to face the Titans.

Jun 28 2012

NFL Announces Time Changes For Double-Headers On CBS and FOX

By NoontimeSports.com 

As noted by ESPNBoston and the Boston Herald — the NFL announced on Thursday that games slated for 4:15PM will be moved to 4:25PM. However, if a contest is currently scheduled for 4:05PM, it’ll remain scheduled.

The New England Patriots will have two of its games bumped back against the Denver Broncos (Week 5/Oct. 7) and New York Jets (Week 7/Oct. 21) — both matches will be played at Gillette Stadium.

Reports by both outlets explained that later start times for double-headers on CBS and FOX will allow fans to watch the entirety of both games.

The NFL provided data that showed 44 of its 1PM games from 2009-11 finished later 4:15PM. Those games were switched to the second game of the networks double-header, but had this new rule been intact during those seasons, 15 of them would have been  turned off early.

Jun 26 2012

Patriots 2012 NFL Training Camp Starts July 26

By NoontimeSports.com 

The New England Patriots announced on Tuesday that their 2012 training camp will begin on Thursday, July 26 at 1:30PM. That particular session will be opened to the public.

Also, the afternoon practices on July 27, 28, and 29 will be opened to fans, too. All four practices will begin at 1:30PM and conclude at 4:00PM.

Additional practice dates will be announced soon. For more information on the Patriots training camp — CLICK HERE.

Jun 17 2012

Tom Brady “Call Me Maybe” Mashup

By Matt Noonan 

It’s summertime, which means loads of Boston radio stations are kicking into high gear with songs for the drive home from work. And while various musicians normally release new beats and tracks during the months of May, June, July and August, we thought we’d share an interesting mashup that was compiled of various Tom Brady interviews and press conferences toward the tune of “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen.

Jepsen’s song is currently the number one single on i-Tunes, (as of Sunday, June 17) and the top song on Billboard.com’s “Hot 100″ chart.

May 30 2012

Daily Noontime – May 30, 2012

Daniel Nava drove in three runs on Tuesday, as Boston defeated Detroit, 6-3! (Photo Credit: CTPost.com)

By NoontimeSports.com 

It’s “hump day,” which means this week is somewhat over, right? OK… OK… here are some headlines, news and stories from the city of champions.

* The Boston Red Sox earned their 25th win of the season on Tuesday, as they defeated the Detroit Tigers, 6-3. David Ortiz cranked his 11th home run and 18th double of the season, while Daniel Nava recorded three RBIs. Also, Daniel Bard picked up his fifth win on the bump by tossing 5.1 innings and yielding five hits and two earned runs. Bard also recorded four strikeouts before he was relieved in the sixth for Rich Hill.

* Boston has now won 12 games at Fenway Park this season, and will attempt to even their home record on Wednesday against the Tigers – Jon Lester faces Drew Smyly – first pitch is scheduled for 7:10PM.

* According to reports – Carl Crawford is two weeks away from throwing. The Sox outfielder has apparently tallied 60 swings of a tee, but is 10 days away from being able to test the arm, which he believes will be the “true test.”

* The New England Patriots announced on Tuesday that they released the 2007 first-round draft pick of the Indianapolis Colts, Anthony Gonzalez. The wide out, who was a free agent this past winter, has been hampered by injuries and hoped to revive his career in New England.

* Finally, the Boston Celtics will attempt to even their Eastern Conference Finals series with the Miami Heat on Wednesday — tip is scheduled for 8:30PM.

May 17 2012

Patriots Offering Welker Less Money Than 2011

By Matt Noonan 

Earlier this week, various reports, as well as a Wes Welker tweet confirmed that the New England Patriots wide receiver had agreed to sign his franchise tender, which guarantees him a one-year deal worth $9.5 million. However, after the deal was finalized, sources confirmed that Welker and the Patriots  have until July 15 to hash out a long term contract.

On Thursday, ProFootballTalk.com confirmed that the Patriots are offering Welker less than an original deal from the 2011 season, which was two-years, $16 million. Although, despite the various negotiations, Welker is determined to focus on football, and get ready for the upcoming 2012 season.