by Brent Schwartz
The end of July brings forth the smell of fresh grass (or turf), practice jerseys, helmets, and a renewed sense of hope for 31 NFL franchises and their fans, and a persisting rash of confidence for the New England Patriots. The foundation for the eventual Super Bowl LIV champion is being built in these hot … Continue reading NFL Monday Morning Madness: Why the 49ers will win the NFC West in 2019
NFL training camps are officially underway, as thousands of Patriots fans flooded the team's practice fields to get a glimpse of team today. I was in attendance to take on the aurora of a new season, and to give my readers some notes and observations from the first day of camp. Here are my thoughts: … Continue reading Patriots Training Camp Notebook: Instant Day 1 thoughts
After making my first ever Top 50 list last summer, I decided to expand the list to 100 players this summer, in honor of the NFL's 100 year anniversary. Before diving in, here are some other notes and facts about my list: -- My rule in creating this beast is what I like to … Continue reading Brent Schwartz’s Top 100 NFL players of 2019
Now that the draft has come and gone, the lull point of the NFL's offseason has officially arrived. But before the abyss ascends, here is a quick take on every first-round pick from over the weekend, with a few additional notes on picks in the second round or later. 1. Kyler Murray – QB, Oklahoma … Continue reading 2019 NFL Draft: Analyzing first-round picks + Interesting Day 2 & 3 notes
For three quarters, the Rams' talented defense played like a unit that holds the Super Bowl-record with seven first-round picks. Even with two of those players lined up as cornerbacks (Marcus Peters, Aqib Talib), Julian Edelman made a mockery of Wade Phillips' otherwise brilliant zone defense that confused Brady for much of the game. Super … Continue reading Edelman, the NFL’s most clutch receiver, adds to legacy in Super Bowl LIII
With just over eight minutes remaining in Super Bowl LIII, and the score tied, the crowd of fans overwhelming run by Patriots' backers began their chant. "Brady! Brady! Brady!" Tom Brady delivered a 29-yard pass to Rob Gronkowski up the seam, setting up a two-yard, eventual game-winning touchdown by Sony Michel. As always, Brady calmly … Continue reading Belichick, Patriots halt Rams with defensive masterpiece
By now the storylines have reached a point of exhaustion. The hate for the Patriots' self-contrived 'underdog' status has been well-documented. The Rams' aggressive team-building approach and wunderkind head coach, well-profiled. But this should come as a sigh of relief -- here is a FOOTBALL preview of Super Bowl LIII. That's right -- matchups, x-factors … Continue reading Super Bowl LIII Preview: Brady’s second shot at ring No. 6 comes versus ‘all-in’ Rams
Greg Zuerlein's 57-yard, walk-off boot sent the Los Angeles Rams to the Super Bowl, but the path to franchise's first league championship bout since 2001 started roughly 10 months ago. Last March, the team most noted for its offensive transcendence and aggressiveness on the field in 2017, geared up for their 2018 campaign by vigorously … Continue reading No matter what happens next, Rams’ aggressive offseason paid off
At one point this season the Patriots were 9-5, fresh off a last-second, miracle loss in Miami, and an ugly, demoralizing 17-10 loss in Pittsburgh in consecutive weeks. The season appeared lost, as the pulse around the nation seemed to suggest that this Patriots season was different. Five weeks (and four wins) later, New England … Continue reading Brady, Patriots reach Super Bowl LIII in unlikely (yet, not surprising) story of redemption
As soon as Nick Foles' pass slipped through Alshon Jeffrey's fingers and into Marshon Lattimore's hands, the storyline of Conference Championship weekend was revealed. This is the group the league deserves. The stage is set. The four very best teams in football in the NFL's version of the Final Four. Not the most talented teams, … Continue reading NFL Monday Morning Madness: Fitting Final Four is set
No Guts No Glory 