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thepatriotsandwe · 6 years

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New England Patriots 2017-18 Season Awards

With media week on the horizon there’s not a ton of Pats news to report on, and I have no intention of previewing the Pro Bowl (which I’ll be attending, so that’s exciting!) so it’s as good a time as any to unveil the blog’s New England Patriots regular season awards.

Best Off-Season Acquisition

This award is pretty self-explanatory. After many pundits declared the Patriots to be the “winners” of the off-season, high expectations were put on the class to come in and immediately perform. While the Patriots did have some failures such as now-Jets defensive lineman Kony Ealy, there were many success stories. This is a tight award, but it has to come down to:

Stephon Gilmore

The Patriots were in a bit of a situation when entering the off-season after their 2016-17 Super Bowl run. Cornerback was an area of potential flux with Malcolm Butler seemingly on the trade wire, and Logan Ryan assuredly moving on from the Pats. Somehow, the Patriots managed to keep Butler and acquire Cooks (the rumors had been indicating a player-for-player flip), but that still left the position of left cornerback in question.

Belichick attempted to address these concerns by offering Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore a massive five year, 65 million dollar contract. This was all reportedly done without Gilmore even working out with the Patriots. The season did not begin well for the corner as he struggled in the first four occasions with the worst of it coming week 4 against the Panthers in which an illegal hand to the face penalty extended a Carolina drive which would result in a game clinching field goal.

What transpired for the rest of the season made Gilmore worth every penny of that contract. Week in, and week out Gilmore shut down the number one receiver of the opposition beginning with an outstanding performance against Buccaneers’ receiver Mike Evans who was held to just 49 yards. Gilmore filled a hole, and played to a much higher level than the ever mercurial Logan Ryan, and managed to seemingly even take over Butler’s spot as number one cornerback for the Patriots. For this reason, he’s the best off-season acquisition.

Honorable Mentions: Brandin Cooks and Rex Burkhead.

Best Rebound Season

This award goes to the player who may have struggled last year, but managed to get it together in 2017. Many times these awards are known as “comeback player” awards, but often those seem to be designated for players returning from injury or illness and this is more focused on performance. With that being said, the 2017-18 Patriots Rebound Player of the Year is:

Stephen Gostkowski

The Patriots longtime kicker had a very troubling 2016 campaign. Typically, Gostkowski is considered nearly automatic. In the three years prior to 2016, Gost split the uprights an outstanding 93% of the time on all field goal attempts. He also had not missed an extra point since 2006 when entering the 2016 season.

However, things went downhill in a big way that year. Gostkowski only hit 84% of his field goals and missed three extra points. This put Gost 18th overall in the NFL. The highest paid kicker is expected to perform at a much higher level than below middle-of-the-pack, and there was a point in which some were wondering if the kicker’s job was in jeopardy.

This all changed in 2017 in which Gost returned to form with another outstanding year hitting his field goals at a top five rate of 92.5% and continuing his dominance in the kickoff game by pinning opponents deep in their own territory (which is one aspect that did not slip in production in 2016 and may be a major reason why he received Belichick’s vote of confidence in 2017). He truly showed his stuff in the Oakland game in Mexico where he hit the longest field goal of his career at 62 yards. His clutch play has keep him on the roster for a long time (the second longest tenure behind Brady), and it seems the Patriots will be staying with their kicker for years to come.

Honorable Mention: Malcom Brown

Most Emerging Player

Most Emerging Player basically means the player who either made his name known, or truly evolved into a more critical role throughout the course of the season. This could be caused by any number of factors, but this particular case is due to injury to key starters at the position. This was the tightest award of them all, and it really could have gone to either player, but the Most Emerging Patriot is:

Kyle Van Noy

Picture the situation: The Patriots defense has been getting back on track, but still looking suspect at times. The front seven has a massive challenge with the Atlanta Falcons upcoming in one of the bigger games on the Patriots schedule from a comparison standpoint. In the midst of the game, Hightower goes down with an injury that proves to be season-ending.

The linebacker position had been thin to begin with when Shea McClellin was injured before the season even began, and the blow to the Patriots captain thrust Kyle Van Noy into a large role. In that very same game, Van Noy made a play to silence a lot of the doubt within Patriots fans:

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Kyle Van Noy can be considered one of the best values Belichick has received for a player. He was obtained for just a sixth round pick in 2016 (the Lions also traded the Patriots a seventh rounder), and has since proven himself to be worthy of a central role within the Patriots defense. He will continue to be critical in the upcoming Super Bowl going up against a talented Philadelphia rushing attack, but the former Lion has proven he’s up to the task.

Honorable Mention: Dion Lewis.

Patriots MVP Not Named Brady

Obviously, Brady would win Patriot MVP every single year that isn’t 2008. Don’t take it personally, Tom, but it’s far more interesting to exclude the greatest quarterback of all time from the discussion. Patriots MVP boils down to the single most critical piece for the Patriots success as a team. With that being said, your 2017-18 Patriots MVP has to be:

Rob Gronkowski

Yo soy fiesta, indeed. With the loss of Julian Edelman in the preseason, the Patriots needed a physical presence in their offense. Cooks, Hogan, and Dorsett are mostly regarded as speedsters, and Amendola could not produce consistent enough results to truly take on the role. With Dwayne Allen also appearing to not be a factor in the passing game, all the weight fell on Gronkowski’s massive shoulders to bring that level of physicality to the Patriots.

Gronk delivered. He led the team in receptions, yards, receiving touchdowns, and had the highest average yards per game of any Patriot. He did all this while missing two more games than runner up in all those stats, Brandin Cooks. Even when Gronkowski isn’t being targeted, he’s still a complete menace, demanding teams implement solutions to find a way to contain the 6′6 beast which frees up Patriot receivers elsewhere. Look no further than the second Dolphins game in which Gronk missed due to suspension for this to be shown in full effect. With no physically dominant player to respect across the middle, the Dolphins were able to play tight coverage across the field and suffocate New England.

It was crucial for Gronk to remain healthy for the season if the Patriots wanted a realistic shot at going to the Super Bowl, and he largely did that missing only one game due to injury. For a player long hampered with injuries, it seems Gronkowski may have taken a step in the right direction in terms of self-preservation this season. His concussion suffered in the Jaguars game will need to be monitored, but early reports suggest optimism for his return in the Super Bowl.

Congratulations Rob, not only are you the greatest tight end to ever lace up cleats, you’ve also won this Tumblr blog’s Patriots MVP award.

That will do it for the 2017-18 Patriots awards ... or at least it would if there wasn’t one final designation to hand out. Due to a certain report by a certain journalistic organization regarding the stability of the Patriots dynasty, The Patriots And We would like to overstep the nonexistent authority possessed and give out one final award:

“Patriot of the Week”

Hey, if the award doesn’t actually exist (at least in the way ESPN portrayed it), I suppose I could give it out. The Patriot of the Week is:

Enjoy, Tom. You finally did it. Now go get ring number six.

Thank you all so much for reading. I hope it was as much fun to read as it was to devise and write it. The outpouring of support for the Jaguars at Patriots Three Up, Three Down was simply beyond any of my highest expectations, and I’m truly encouraged that so many of you seem to enjoy the work I put into this silly little blog. Expect the Super Bowl preview next Friday.

Until then,

Go Pats.

#New England Patriots #Patriots #Tom Brady #Rob Gronkowski #Dion lewis #Brandin Cooks #Bill Belichick #Robert Kraft #Danny Amendola #Kyle Van Noy #Stephen Gostkowski #Stephon Gilmore #Malcolm Butler #NFL #Football #Sports #Article

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misssophiachase · 7 years

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More than a Feeling

Six former teen actors find themselves thrown together ten years later for a Netflix reboot of their TV series. Given the way things were left, what's their rationale for coming back and can they get past their issues? 28 days of stifling Californian heat, copious amounts of tequila and enforced bonding rituals will make deep seated secrets emerge and change things forever.

"The reason you can never go home again isn't necessarily that places change, but people do. So nothing ever looks the same."

Part 1: Tainted Love

Covina, CA – August 3

"Cut!" The Director yelled. The cast began to move around the set busily, no doubt trying to find some shade in the relentless Californian heat in the stifling 103-degree heat of Summer.

"It's about bloody time," Caroline growled, sending her co-star a dirty look before heading towards her trailer for some much needed respite, not just from the weather but from his oversized ego.

"Sounds like someone is starting to love working with me again."

"And what makes you think that exactly, Mikaelson?" She asked spinning around, unable to help herself.

"You're using quirky English terms like bloody," he quipped, licking his crimson lips teasingly as he did it. "And by the way, you're welcome, love."

"Don't ever call me that again," she hissed, flicking her golden waves over her left shoulder then continuing on her way far from his pompous ass. Caroline had promised never to work with Klaus Mikaelson again but yet here she was still beholden to his smug attitude ten years later. Whoever said this reunion was a good idea obviously never met the real Klaus Mikaelson.

Her mind drifted back to when she decided to make that stupid decision.

9 months earlier - Denver, CO

It had been a normal day for the most part. Caroline had finished running some chores when her cell rang. She threw open the front door and dropped her shopping bags hurriedly not bothering to consult the screen before swiping to answer.

"Hello," she answered, slightly out of breath.

"Caroline, darling," she rolled her eyes, knowing that smooth voice all too well.

"Ah Lorenzo, to what do I owe the pleasure."

"What have I told you about calling me that, Forbes?"

"That you don't like it and not to do it but since when did I ever listen to you?"

"Call me naive but I thought you might have matured since leaving the craziness of Hollywood."

"Please tell me you're only calling to give me a hard time because I tormented you," she drawled, steadying herself and taking a much needed seat on the kitchen stool.

"I've missed that cheeky wit of yours, gorgeous," he chuckled. Caroline's expression softened, she really had missed her Agent. "But to answer your question, I do have a proposal."

"A proposal?" She asked curiously. "I thought I already told you I don't think of you in that way?"

"Someone's been saving up some comedic gems," he chuckled. "Netflix want to do a two-part Roswell reboot." Caroline was glad she was sitting down, that proposal she hadn't expected. It all seemed like yesterday that her life had changed.

A role on an upcoming and unique supernatural series wasn't something she ever expected. She was plucked from an audition for Colgate toothpaste at eighteen and cast in the biggest up and coming ensemble production. What Caroline hadn't expected so suddenly was to have her picture splashed across billboards and magazines. She could still remember the cringe worthy headlines, "From the ranch to the bright lights of Hollywood." Then everything snowballed.

"Another reboot, really?" She huffed thinking they needed more originality to sway her.

"It's the new thing, Caroline."

"I know, trust me I saw The Gilmore Girls," she murmured. "It was pure torture; I mean Jess was supposed to end up with Rory, you know just saying."

"I heard there were great reviews though, even though I didn't see it myself..."

"Oh come on, liar," she teased. "I seem to recall a particularly drunken debate at a questionable bar at 3am about Logan vs Jess."

"Why does your memory have to be so damn sharp?" He chided. "Logan's awesomeness aside, the script for this project is really quite outstanding."

"Oh really? Last time I checked, the writers said they'd never do a reboot."

"And they were true to their word and given their inflexible lack of vision, I couldn't be bloody happier. This is from a new, edgy writing partnership. They wrote this show called Stranger Things…."

"Are you serious?"

"Oh, you've heard of it?"

"Maybe," she groaned, realising she'd answered a little too enthusiastically.

"Apparently they were huge fans of the show, well you know except the poor special effects and…"

"Believe me I know its faults, but it was ten years ago."

"Exactly why they plan to transform it."

"I'm not really ready…"

"You've been saying that for years and I've always respected your privacy Caroline but this script is too good to ignore."

"It's not just about the script," she murmured.

"Well, as much as I hate to make this all about financials, I'm sending you an email with your offer. People want to see Maria back on screen and they are willing to pay lots for that opportunity."

She'd been silent. Usually Caroline would argue that she didn't care about fame and had no interest in making some pathetic comeback but the associated paperwork with the enticing figure was tempting. She did have a heap of mounting bills after all. That's when she'd stupidly made a deal with the devil.

"Great news, Lisa," the entertainment reporter beamed breaking Caroline's trance, her red painted lips curving upwards in direct contrast to the black microphone beneath them. "Netflix has announced a two-part special to be aired in the Fall of 2018."

"But the cast have always been coy if not adamantly opposed to any sort of reunion, in fact the executive producers and writers vetoed that concept shortly after the series finale ten years ago," Lisa commented.

"The reunion will feature different writers and crew but the six core characters are back on set in Los Angeles as we speak."

Caroline switched off the television in frustration, tired of the same repetitive news but also of E News reporter Lisa and her perky smile and those fake double D breasts swinging precariously from her brief, halter neck top, no doubt on purpose to hypnotise viewers and in turn boost dismal ratings. After all, this was Hollywood and nothing was actually real.

Trailer 3

"You know, I specifically asked for poached eggs, hold the yoke, the white and only the heads of the asparagus," Katherine complained, throwing the tray back in her assistant's direction.

"That's what it is," she insisted, albeit quietly, gesturing to the tray of lonely green stalks. Katherine rolled her eyes, she had no patience right now for this kind of argument.

"I need some sleep," she replied dismissively, waving her away before lying on the makeshift bed, soothing eye mask on the ready. Before she could relax completely, her cell sounded out loudly, that particular annoying ring tone telling Katherine just who it was.

She connected the call and held it to her ear, not bothering to speak. "You're avoiding me."

"Did you ever think I have better things to do with my life?" She sighed. Her heartbeat may have started to race but she had no intention of admitting that to this ass.

"I thought that was why you were doing this reunion, even if those glances you throw that stuffy idiot's way are pathetic."

"Are you spying on me now?" She squeaked, sitting up suddenly, her face mask long forgotten as she peered out the trailer's window. "That wasn't part of the deal."

"Last time I checked you owe me, so the methods I use to collect my money shouldn't concern you, darling," he chuckled sinisterly, disconnecting the call before she could respond. Katherine thought she was scared before but now she was petrified.

Trailer 4

"That's no way to treat me, gorgeous," Kol complained, pushing the door she'd just thrown in his face in trepidation. Bonnie had been learning lines between scenes before heading back to make-up to replace the melted foundation due to the extreme heat.

"Last time I checked, that's exactly what you deserved."

"You know, I don't need to revisit the past," he drawled. "In fact, I was hoping we could start afresh given this whole show reboot."

"Are you really that deluded, Mikaelson?"

"I guess I just hoped that we could put our issues aside for the sake of our filming schedule the next four weeks."

"Me too," Bonnie muttered, hoping rather believing that to be true. "But if you want this to work then don't ever visit my trailer unannounced." To an outside observer she seemed extremely harsh but to them it wasn't unexpected given their history was so complicated.

3 hours later…

Caroline had obviously passed out after a long day of filming, her head thick with sleep as the knocks came thick and fast at her trailer door. She raised herself sleepily, her hand self consciously checking her hair wasn't the bird's nest she imagined it to be.

"Took your time," their revered Director Alaric Saltzman drawled as she pushed open the door.

"Last time I checked, there were no more scenes to be filmed tonight," she murmured. "Unless someone switched my schedule and given this group I wouldn't put it past any of them."

"That answer says it all," he muttered. "You can't even hide your hatred for each other for five seconds."

"That's why we're actors, we're paid to pretend that we're one big, happy family," she argued. "And since when did you care, Ric?"

"Since it's ruining the general atmosphere, and even though you claim to be an actor the camera never lies," he huffed. "When I took on this reunion project it wasn't to babysit your precious asses."

"I'm..."

"Oh yes you are." Caroline knew exactly what he was going to say but didn't need to hear it yet again.

"Fine," she growled. "So, what exactly do you want?"

"Team bonding," he smirked knowingly. "But you might want to cover up."

"I'm not sure if the heat's getting to you Ric but…"

"It's more of a safety concern," he interrupted. "Covering your skin would be preferable so there's no accidents…"

"Accidents?"

"It's obvious to me that all your egos need to expend some of that combustible energy and what better way than on your very own battlefield?"

On FF HERE

#more than a feeling #sweet child o' mine #misssophiachase #sophia chase

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