SZ698

BY JIM DAWSON

FEBRUARY 4, 2019

This is Sportzine #698. I am taking a sabbatical but will be back for baseball season

PATRIOTS DEFENSE TURNS RAMS INTO LAMBS – WIN SUPER BOWL 13-3

On Sunday, the Patriots Defense played their best game of the year, holding the second best offense in the NFL without a touchdown. The only points that the Rams did get, a 53-yard field goal, wasn’t until near the end of the 3^rd quarter (2:11 left).

There are not many times that I can remember, actually none, when a young quarterback has beaten a Bill Belichick-coached team in a playoff game. So it wasn’t meant to be for young lamb 24-year old Jared Goff. What departing de facto defensive coordinator Brian Flores threw at Goff and his young 33-year old Head Coach Sean McVay boggled their minds, discombobulated them and led to the Rams eventual ‘slaughter’.

I read that one of the ways that the Patriots defense did that was by using a 6-1 man line.

That is a 6-man line with 2 LBs (Van Noy and Hightower) at each end to seal the edges. The 1 was a defensive back. The 4-man secondary played ‘quarters’. (see Sports Illustrated/Andy Benoit’s – 2/4 excellent breakdown of what the Pats did https://stage.si.com/nfl/2019/02/04/bill-belichick-sean-mcvay.).

It also allowed the Defensive line to come after Jared Goff and his running backs as the Rams didn’t know where the pressure would come from. A look at the Gamebook stats shows that the Pats sacked Goff 4 times (Hightower had 2, Van Noy 1) and hit him 12 times. Jonathan Jones had the other sack and led the team with 6 tackles and 2 assisted tackles (8). Gilmore 5/0 (5), Jason McCourty 4/1 (5) and Wise, Jr. 3/2 (5) were next.

Surprisingly Belichick had Jason McCourty playing opposite Stephon Gilmore at cornerback, not JC Jackson. McCourty made a touchdown saving knockaway of an end zone pass to Brandin Cooks. Jackson did play as he shows up having a tackle and assist.

This Sportzine was composed while listening to a compilation CD that I made with 3 of my favorite musicians: Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris and Lucinda Williams.

It’s wonderful that the Patriot Defense played well as Tom Brady struggled early. His first pass was to Chris Hogan and instead of it being to Hogan’s back shoulder, it was where the defender could tip it and cause an interception. It came with the Patriots driving (LA 34 yard line) primarily on Sony Michel’s running.

Tom Brady was sacked only once and it was in the 1^st half – by DE John Franklin-Myers It resulted in Brady fumbling the ball. Fortunately C David Andrews recovered it. In the game, Brady was hit 4 times, but was pressured at times and hurried his throws. The Pats were forced to use 2 timeouts on their 2^nd possession. That’s usually on the QB for letting the play clock run down. It was on that 2^nd possession that Stephen Gostkowski missed a 46-yard field goal, more points left off the board. Gostkowski would kick a 42-yard FG in the 2^nd quarter. Just before half on a 4^th and 1 from the LA 32, Brady tried to hit Gronk on a crossing pattern, an unwise, forced pass. All that the Pats had was a 3-0 lead at the half. The Pats were 2 for 7 on 3^rd down in the first half. They finished 3 for 12

It wasn’t until 9:49 left in the 4^th quarter that the real Tom Brady showed up as he hit Gronk for 18, Edelman for 13, Burkhead for 7 and then 29 yards to Gronk down to the LA 2. Michel ran it in on the next play. 5 plays! The touchdown put the Pats up 10-3. The Pats had started with good field position (NE 31) after punter Johnny Hekker, who had stymied them all game, had his one poor punt – 39 yards.

On the next Rams possession, Stephon Gilmore intercepted Goff’s pass to Brandin Cooks at the NE 4. That was with 4:17 left in the game. The Patriots used the ground game to not only get out of poor field position, but to march downfield (mostly behind Michel though Burkhead had a 26-yard run), and resulted in a game clinching 41-yard FG by Gostkowski. The drive took 3:05 off the clock. It left the Rams with 1:12. When Zuerlein missed a 48-yard FG with 8 seconds left, the Pats and their fans celebrated.

LEFTOVERS

Julian Edelman had a spectacular game. He was targeted 12 times and had 10 catches for 141 yards. He deserved the MVP trophy. Gronk caught 6 passes on 7 targets (87 yards).

The Pats had 44 yards rushing in the first half. They ended with 154 yards. Sony Michel had 94 yards on 18 carries. His Univ. of Georgia counterpart Todd Gurley had only 35 yards on 10 carries. It’s likely that Gurley was not 100%.

The Patriots lost safety Patrick Chung at the beginning of the 2^nd half. Duron Harmon stepped in and the Pats defense didn’t miss a beat.

A tough day for Chris Hogan, who was targeted 6 times but had nary a catch.

The O Line did their job: Aaron Donald and Suh each had 1 QB hit. Fowler had none.

On this day of the Patriots Super Bowl win, both the Celtics and Bruins also won, making for a fun trifecta for local fans. The Bruins beat the Capitals for the 1^st time since 2014. They had lost 14 in a row to Washington.

EMAIL

Hey Jim, Happy New Year! My guess Billy Preston.

Dennis Doyon

Happy New Year Dennis. You are correct - the trivia answer is Billy Preston. - Z

Answer to trivia question=Billy Preston

Ken Forestal

Right you are, Ken. It’s Billy Preston. Z

Hi Jim,

A quick quiz answer (with absolutely no research) - Billy Preston???

I didn't know anything about my favorite Grateful Dead keyboardist, Vince Welnick, before he joined the Dead, but thought I heard he was from the Tubes.

BTW, I just saw that Mott the Hoople has tour dates set for later this year. They haven't toured in 45 years! Got your tix yet?

Bshea

Bill, you are correct - it's Billy Preston. And yes Vince Welnick was with the Tubes but left to play keyboards for Todd Rundgren and then the Dead in 1990. Welnick wrote Don't Want to Wait Anymore for The Tubes.

Closest Mott comes to here is Boston's Orpheum Theatre on April 9. They have three of the original band, including Ian Hunter. I saw Ian Hunter in Providence when he opened for Todd Rundgren way back when Hunter did the LP You're Never Alone With A Schizophrenic. Great album. David Bowie wrote All the Young Dudes for Mott. - Z

Jim,

I'll take a shot at the trivia question with an answer of: Billy Preston, keyboardist.

He played with everyone at some time or another during the 60's, it seems.

Just a note of dissent about football. I grew tired of it about six years ago for it's plodding pace of play; the current situation of last week's playoff games' officiating has only given me additional reasons to relegate it to one of those things of youth that I have left behind in the fog of intolerance to incompetence during my elder years. All of the technology for a dozen views to review play is useless in the utter lack of common judgment by a crew of automatonic asses on a field who are solely charged with proper officiating of a game...and still can't get the job done! Do they ALL drink at halftime or what?

That being said:  I'll pick the Pats by five on February 3rd, like a good expatriated Rhody Boy should.

Bill La Plante aka Big White

Right you are, Bill. The trivia answer is Billy Preston.

As for the NFL, well...I despise Goodell (Deflategate was about pleasing the owners not named Kraft). He is a worthless piece of shit.

The Patriots success has kept me interested (still a season ticket holder).

However as my friend Peter said, after you read League of Denial about CTE and Bennet Omalu, it changes the 'game' for you.

What happened in the Saints-Rams game was a travesty. They were robbed of going to the Super Bowl by an inept official who can be seen on video as having a clear view of the two 'penalties' that weren't called.

I too am picking the Patriots to win the Super Bowl (hope there isn't another horrific call at the wrong time).

I am enjoying the Bruins season (except losing to Montreal) as the baby Bruins start to find their game. - Z

Hi Jim 

Wow we made it to another SB!!!

Did Billy Preston play for both bands??

Can't wait for this bowl. 

Which member of the patriots played against a ram twice in college?

Enjoy

Bill Flanagan

Hi Bill, yes the Patriots are in the Super Bowl again. Did you have any doubt?

It will be up to their O Line to protect Brady from Suh, Donald and Fowler if they want to win. Running the ball may be tougher. Given that the Rams should have lost to the Saints, they can be beaten.

And yes Billy Preston is the answer to the trivia question. Don’t know the answer to your trivia question. - Z

Hi Jim

I'll give you a hint on the Pat's, Ram’s players. 

The colleges involved were Miami of Ohio and Kent State. 

Enjoy the game. 

Bill Flanagan

Bill, the answer I think is Sean McVay, Rams head coach, who was a wide receiver at Miami of Ohio and Julian Edelman, who was a QB at Kent State.  - Z

You are correct.  - Bill Flanagan

Jerry Rice aptly describes Julian Edelman's "f--- you attitude"
Ken Forestal Edelman was miked for the AFC Championship game vs. KC. Inside the NFL (Show) had a replay after Brady hit Dorsett for the TD (his only catch!). Edelman got in Brady's face and screamed "You're too f**king old. You're too old."-Z

Jenrry Mejia

Thoughts on Red Sox signing Him?

Ken Forestal

Ken, well the Patriots gave Josh Gordon a chance. As Dayton Allen said, 'Why not?" - Z

The Pats' O-Line will have more of a challenge against the Rams' big guys (Donald,Suh) than what they had from K.C., but I think for the most part, the Patriots will be up to it (glad we have Dante). If New England gets that running game going, then everything should fall into place....keep Brady upright(!).

This almost feels like the recent Red Sox' World Series run where once they got by the Astros, Boston had played their toughest opponent and games heading into the Series against the Dodgers. After beating K.C. at Arrowhead, that game may be the Patriots' most difficult (and dramatic) win of the season.  The Rams' 'D' makes them a more balanced team than the Chiefs, but will the 'old' New England QB guide them to another Title.....and like the Red Sox......against another team from L.A.? I wonder what the odds are of the Celtics and Lakers meeting in the NBA Finals this year.

Brad

Agree Brad about the O Line. They need to open holes for the RBs and to protect Brady.

I am hoping that the Defense plays as well as the Offense. If they do, it will be the first time since the Super Bowl against the St. Louis Rams that that has happened. 

Forgot about the Beat LA aspect. The Celtics have an outside chance of making it to the Finals. The Lakers are doubtful. - Z

Pre-Game Music:

Ultimate Spinach

Beacon Street Union

Earth Opera

Getting set to open a GANSETT!! Ken Forestal

Your pre-game regimen worked! Title No. 6! While that ties Pittsburgh for most Super Bowl victories, the Steelers did it in two different eras (Bradshaw and Roethlisberger), the Patriots 6 titles all with one coach and one QB. Hate to see Flores go.....Edelman could share the MVP trophy with the Pats' Defense if such a thing was allowed.

Brad Dawson

The Red Sox have won the World Series. The Patriots have won the Super Bowl. Now all we need is for the Celtics to win the NBA Championship or the Bruins the Stanley Cup. Only Detroit has won 3 of the 4 major sports in the same season (1935). We’ll give some poetic license to the Patriots playing in Foxboro (right, Foot Joy?) just like we would if New York won 3. After all, the NY ‘Football’ Giants play in New Jersey. - Z

Sportzine is also available at jimdawsonsports.com thanks to Buffalo Steve Lenz

THE HOT CLUB

Richard Flinn of the Naval Academy Preparatory School had a trivia question for me:

‘What is the Super Bowl? Answer: The last game of the Patriots’ season.’

The Bear had told me recently about a craft brewery in Charlton, Massachusetts called Tree Top Brewery (it’s also called Tree House Brewing Co.). In fact, they have a beer called Bear, an American Brown Ale (6.4% ABV).

So I told the Bear that the same brewery will honor Tom Brady. Before the AFC Championship game vs the KC Chiefs, Brady reportedly described himself as the ‘baddest motherf---er on the planet.’(Source NBCSports.com – Darren Hartwell – Date uncertain). So Tree House Brewery printed a label on the bottoms of 26,000 of their beer cans: ‘BADDEST MF-ER ON THE PLANET (Source – Field Yates tweet of 1/22/19).

So I mentioned to Foot Joy and the Bear that the NFL Rules Committee has outlawed some of the offensive and defensive strategies of the NE Patriots after their success. After the Pats D harassed Rams receivers, especially Marshall Faulk, all the way down the field in the 2002 Super Bowl win over St. Louis, the Rules Committee changed the rule and made it that receivers could only be hit for 5 yards. When Belichick and McDaniels used an eligible/ineligible receiver (reporting to the ref), it thoroughly confused the Baltimore Ravens and Head Coach John Harbaugh. So the Rules Committee then outlawed it. The Patriots beat the Chiefs in Overtime by marching down the field and scoring a touchdown to end the game. I predicted to them that in the off season, the Rules committee will change it so that each team possesses the ball in a playoff Overtime. Foot Joy raised the point that the Patriots beat the Atlanta Falcons the same way in the 2016 Super Bowl. My feeling is that now that the Patriots have done it twice, the Rules Committee will change the rule. We shall see.

ANSWER TO LAST ISSUE’S TRIVIA QUESTION

Last issue, I asked you to name the only musician to play with both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. The correct answer: Billy Preston. Dennis Doyon, Bill Flanagan, Ken Forestal, Bill Shea, and Bill LaPlante all had the correct answer. Professor Peter (in person) too. Thanks to Jim Dwyer for submitting the trivia question.

THIS ISSUE’S TRIVIA QUESTION

This session guitarist played on Taj Mahal’s first 3 albums. He played the solo on Jackson Browne’s Doctor My Eyes. He played on 3 of the 4 Beatles solo albums. Name?

SZ697

BY JIM DAWSON

JANUARY 21, 2019

PATRIOTS BEST KC CHIEFS IN OVERTIME 37-31

Well, I thought Bill Belichick and his coaches had a magnificent game plan when they beat the Greatest Show on Turf Rams in 2002. What they concocted on Sunday came close to matching that brilliance. How else do you explain holding the high flying Chiefs without a score in the first half? Yes I know that KC made adjustments in the second half and scored 31 points, but the outcome might have been quite different if not for the Patriots ability to run the ball, stop the run, pressure kid quarterback Pat Mahomes (4 sacks, 3 in the 1^st half) and protect Tom Brady (no sacks, 1 QB hit!).

The Patriots Offensive Line (and coach Dante Scarnecchia) deserve kudos for the job that they did protecting Brady (30 of 46) and opening holes for Sony Michel (29 carries for 113 yards), Rex Burkhead (12 for 41) and James White (6 for 23).

The Pats signaled their strategy immediately as they took the first possession (KC won the toss but deferred) and went 80 yards in 15 plays consuming 8:05 of the clock. They did that with 10 running plays and 5 passes. For the game the Patriots had 36 first downs, 15 rushing, 20 with passes (1 by penalty). They held KC to 18 first downs. That strategy allowed NE to control Time of Possession 43:59 (4:52 of that in OT) to 20:53.

The O Line also held KC’s pass rushers in check. Chris Jones and Dee Ford didn’t even show up on the stat sheet. Justin Houston had just 2 tackles (all stats via NFL.com’s Gamebook).

The Defense held the Chiefs off by constantly harassing young QB Pat Mahomes, who was sacked 4 times (Kyle Van Noy 2, Trey Flowers 1 and half sacks by John Simon and Lawrence Guy). The Flowers sack came on 3^rd and 9 from the NE 22 and took KC out of FG range. The D also had 9 QB hits. Mahomes was 16 of 31, barely completing 50%.

Forcing KC to play from behind after NE got a 14-0 lead also limited the rushing attempts by the Chiefs. Damien Williams had 10 carries for 30 yards and Mahomes, always a danger to run, had only 2 rushes for 11 yards.

It was 19 degrees at game time with a 14 mph wind. That didn’t stop Tom Brady from hitting 8 different receivers with at least one pass. Phillip Dorsett was targeted 3 times but his only catch went for a 29 yard TD. The other 4 TDs were scored on the ground, 2 by Michel, 2 by Burkhead.

Brady threw 2 INTs. The one on their 2^nd possession, as he tried to force it to Gronk in the end zone, was a bad play by #12. The other went through Edelman’s hands. Another INT (through Gronk’s hands) was negated by an offsides call on Dee Ford. It was a huge mistake as it kept alive the drive that led to the TD that made it 31-28 NE.

So the Patriots now have a chance of winning their 6^th Super Bowl with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. That would quiet the naysayers, right? Nah!

LEFTOVERS

Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski were tremendous. Edelman was targeted 10 times with 7 catches for 96 yards. Gronk, who supposedly was washed up, had 6 catches on 11 targets for 79 yards. He set a record for tight ends with over 1000 career receiving yards in the playoffs. Most importantly, Gronk was a beast blocking. You could see him wiping out defenders on 3rd down plays and in the red zone (with Brown’s James Develin also bowling over the opposition).

Edelman did have that one ball go through his hands for an INT. It was right after Edelman’s ‘fumbled punt’ was reversed on review as he never touched the ball. It gave KC a short field and led to their go ahead TD that made it 21-17 Chiefs.

The Patriots mixed it up defending the KC receivers. I saw Stephon Gilmore on Sammy Watkins and JC Jackson on Travis Kelce. Jackson had a couple penalties and gave up a TD to Kelce. The Pats used double coverage on Tyreek Hill, who was held to one 42 yard catch on 3 targets. With all the TDs by NE, Hill, a dangerous returner, only had one punt return on which he lost 11 yards. Watkins had 4 catches on 8 targets (114 yards). Kelce had 3 on 5 targets (only 23 yards). Only RB Damien Williams hurt NE with 5 catches (8 targets) for 66 yards and 2 TDs.

The Pats were 13 of 19 on 3^rd down. KC was 4 of 9.

Pre-game CBS’ panel had 3 picking the Pats to win and one for KC. The one for KC was, of course, Bill Cowher. Phil Simms, Nate Burleson and Boomer Esiason went with NE.

As for the local newspapers, the Journal had KC winning 33-30 and the Boston Herald had the Chiefs 27-24. The Boston Globe went with the Patriots to win 31-27.

Sportzine is also available at jimdawsonsports.com thanks to Buffalo Steve Lenz

Before the NE-KC game, my wish was for no Patriot injuries and no bad calls like the one in the Rams-Saints game. The Saints had the game stolen from them when a referee failed to call #23 Nickell Robey-Coleman for obvious interference on NO’s Tommylee Lewis around the LA 5 yard line. Robey-Coleman also could have been flagged for a helmet-to-helmet hit. One of the worst non-calls that I have ever seen.

EMAIL

Hi Jim,

My guess is The Tubes tho' I never heard of them being run out of Italy or opening for Zep. I've got "The Tubes" cd produced by Al Kooper. Saw them a few years back at a small venue out here and even though it was long past their heyday, they didn't disappoint.

Bobby Sisto

Good to hear from you, Bob. Yes the answer is The Tubes. They opened for Led Zep at Kezar Stadium. They are playing the Odeum in EG Feb 22 and I have tickets (it's sold out). Saw them with Victoria at the Twin River Lighthouse Bar for free. Good concert but bad atmosphere (they still allow cigarette smoking). - Z

Jim,

The Tubes is your trivia answer. 

Haha - enjoy the concert 

Bill Gunn

Right you are Bill. It’s The Tubes. - Z

Jim,

Great 'Zine. Glad it's back! If the Patriots O-Line can keep Tom Brady fairly well protected again at Arrowhead, then the Pats have a good chance on Sunday evening. I guess it's all about doing the same things they did against the Chargers.....besides protecting TB....run the ball....and play good 'D' the whole game. That is a tough place to get a win (I was there for the '14 Monday Night drubbing the Pats took and it gets loud in that stadium).

Answer to the quiz....of course.....The Tubes! 

Brad Dawson

Yes, Brad, it’s The Tubes. - Z

Nice write up Jim. That Miami game really came back to hurt us huh, would’ve been nice to avoid that KC crowd but it is what it is.

I’m rooting for a 2001 repeat in Super Bowl. Go Pats! Chris Tolentino Well, Chris, you got your wish. Let’s hope that the outcome is the same as it was in that Super Bowl. - Z

THE HOT CLUB

Was talking about a prior trivia question about the best selling movie soundtrack of all time which was The Bodyguard. As Buffalo Steve Lenz pointed out, Whitney Houston had the best selling single by a woman in music history with I Will Always Love You from that soundtrack. Turns out Dolly Parton wrote that song. That prompted Dr. John to tell us about a quote by Dolly Parton, who said, ‘Some people say I’m a dumb blonde. Well, I’m not dumb and I’m not blonde.’A check of Wikipedia shows that the good doctor got the gist of her quote which was : “I’m not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I’m not dumb...and I also know that I’m not blonde.”

Overheard at the Hot Club: “I don’t have a prejudiced bone in my body. I hate everybody equally.”

Special K told me that wrestling legend Captain Lou Albano used to cut his forehead with a razor and then cover it up. That way he would bleed more easily for dramatic purposes. Special K says that Lou claimed the Bruins Terry O'Reilly stole the idea from him. Making his Mark remembered Captain Lou Albano being in Cindy Lauper’s video Girls Just Want to Have Fun. Captain Lou played Lauper’s father in the video.

ANSWER TO LAST ISSUE’S TRIVIA QUESTION

Last time I asked you to identify the band that had albums produced by Al Kooper and Todd Rundgren, opened for Led Zep and Alice Cooper, got thrown out of Italy after performing and had a Top 10 hit though they were known more for their stage shows. Bill Gunn, my brother Brad and Bobby Sisto all had the answer: The Tubes. Members from two Phoenix bands moved to San Francisco and formed The Tubes. A couple went to the San Francisco Art Institute which helped their elaborate, over the top stage shows. Lead singer John ‘Fee’ Waybill was originally the band’s roadie! The Top 10 hit was She’s a Beauty. However they also had such memorable songs as White Punks on Dope, Don’t Touch Me There (Waybill duetting with Re Styles), Talk to Ya Later and What Do You Want From Life? The Tubes will play the East Greenwich Odeum on February 22 (it’s a sell out).

THIS ISSUE’S TRIVIA QUESTION

Jim Dwyer supplied this issue’s trivia question: Who is the only musician to perform with both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones?

SZ696

BY JIM DAWSON

JANUARY 14, 2019

PATRIOTS CORRAL CHARGERS 41-28

Pre-game, Dr. Jim asked me about the Patriots chances. I told him that the Pats needed to run, stop the run and have the O Line protect Tom Brady. Check (155 yards rushing), Check (19 yards rushing for LA/SD), and Tom Brady was not sacked and hit but twice.

This was a rout. Ever the optimist, I never saw this coming. The Patriots won the toss, drove down the field, scored a TD (Michel, 1-yard run) on their way to 4 straight TDs in the first half. When the Chargers finally stopped the Pats, LA’s All-Pro punt returner Desmond King fumbled the punt and LB Albert McClellan recovered. That led to the Pats’ 5^th TD and a 35-7 lead at the half. And it could have been 38-7 had the sideline judge not ruled Phillip Dorsett in bounds to end the half at the LAC 30. Can’t have enough points. The second half was a formality.

Old friend Jim Findesen (R.I.P. James) had always observed that the game is won in the trenches. So it was in this game. Sony Michel had over 100 yards rushing in the first half (105). Michel followed RT Marcus Cannon around right end for 14 yards and his 2^nd TD.

Michel also ran around the right side for 40 yards which led to NE’s 4^th TD by Rex Burkhead (6-yard run).

That O Line had to protect Brady against the Chargers formidable DE’s Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa. Ingram had two tackles and one QB hit. Bosa barely showed up on the stat sheet – one assisted tackle. Job well done.

Meanwhile the Pats’ D Line pressured Philip Rivers all game. They sacked him twice (Flowers and Clayborn) and hit Rivers 7 times. Three were by Clayborn, two by Flowers with Butler and McCourty each having one. Deatrich Wise Jr., with 4.5 sacks, was not active for the game (ankle injury).

Philip Rivers, who spoke like he was pumped and jacked to face Tom Brady and the Patriots, was not supplying any veteran leadership. Rivers is now 0-8 in his career versus a Tom Brady QB’d Patriots team. Rivers only win was when Matt Cassel was QB.

On the Chargers very first offensive possession, Rivers and his team were called for delay of game. It happened again on the Chargers 3^rd possession. Delay of game penalties are on the QB. Rivers would have had another but LA/SD called a timeout. Tom E. Curran of NBCSN said their was a 4^th negated by another timeout. Not what you expect from your 37-year old leader. Oh and he didn’t even complete 50% of his passes (25 of 51 with an interception by Stephon Gilmore).

The one time that Rivers connected was on a first half 43 yard TD pass to Keenan Allen who beat Gilmore on a double move. Allen, a favorite target of Rivers, only caught one other pass (on 6 targets) and it wasn’t against Gilmore.

The KC Chiefs will be a much tougher opponent, especially at Arrowhead Stadium. On to KC. The souvenir towel handed out Sunday says it all: ‘Everything We Got’. The Patriots will bring everything they’ve got next Sunday. We’ll see if it’s enough.

LEFTOVERS (STATS VIA GAMEBOOK)

James White was targeted 17 times and had 15 catches for 97 yards. In the first half White had 12 targets and 10 catches. His 15 catches bested his own post-season NFL record of 14 set in Super Bowl 51.

Julian Edelman was the target 13 times and had 9 catches for 151 yards. Edelman passed Reggie Wayne (93) for most post season catches, and is now 2^nd all time to Jerry Rice (151). Edelman now has 98 post season catches. Doubtful he catches Rice.

Stephen Gostkowski had his 26^th consecutive post season game with a point. Gostko is now 2^nd all time to ex-Patriot Adam Vinatieri (32).

The Chargers were 5 for 13 on 3^rd down. The Pats were 7 of 14 (5 for 6 in the first half).

The Patriots controlled the clock on the Chargers with a Time of Possession of 38:20 to 21:40. That’s almost 17 minutes more for non-math students. Because LAC was so far behind most of the game, they only attempted 10 rushing plays.

The game marked a first. Sarah Thomas was the first female to referee an NFL post season game. Thomas was the Down Judge.

Some home games, Patriots fans don’t sit. This was one of them.

BULLETS

• The Bruins got D Charlie McAvoy back and in his first game Boston beat Toronto 3-2 to move within 2 points of the Maple Leafs for 2^nd place in the Atlantic Division. Today the Bruins face the rival Canadiens, who are in 4^th place, 3 points behind Boston.

• Per Nora Princiotti (Globe – 1/13), Julian Edelman posted a graphic on social media showing Brady, Gronk, Belichick and himself as Queen entitled ‘Bostonian Patsody’.

• Celtics coach Brad Stevens was surprised but pleased when Marcus Smart broke up a scrum between Marcus Morris and Jaylen Brown during the Orlando game.

• Per Ben Volin (Globe – 1/13), the Pats may get 4 compensatory picks in the draft.

EMAIL

Panda’s 1st name is Pablo, not Pedro. And it wasn't a trade, it was a free agent signing.  You should know this. Foot Joy You are quite right, Foot Joy. Last issue I goofed when I called him Pedro Sandoval and wrote that it was a ‘bad trade’. Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. - Z

Answers to last issue’s trivia question:

Saturday Night Fever - Bee Gees – Stayin Alive.

Dennis Doyon

Dennis, good guess. However Saturday Night Fever is #2. - Z

One more shot - Help – Beatles. Or The Graduate - Simon and Garfunkel

Dennis Doyon

Actually Dennis, neither of the two. In fact, you'll be as surprised as I was at the correct answer.  - Z

Trivia guess: Saturday Night Fever, Mamma Mia!

Roger Boudreau

Boud, you are close. Saturday Night Fever is #2. But, no not Mamma Mia. - Z

Re the trivia question, I have no idea, but I do know that "I Will Always Love You".

Buff Steve

Hi Steve, thanks for the "I Will Always Love You' mention. Same goes for me to you. - Z

Don't think you caught my dumb little attempt at a joke. I was referring to the song from the Bodyguard album - my guess at the trivia question. Did you know that song, sung by Whitney, holds the record for being the best-selling single by a woman in music history? Yah,baby! Now don't get me wrong - I do love ya, my brother, but jeez!

Buff Steve

Steverino, I missed the Joke. Yes the best selling soundtrack is The Bodyguard. Forgot about the connection with Whitney and that song, which I discovered was written by Dolly Parton. The soundtrack sold 17 million copies. - Z

Sportzine is also available at jimdawsonsports.com thanks to Buffalo Steve Lenz

THE HOT CLUB

Professor Peter related a Satchel Paige quote to me, one that is very pertinent since we are all aging. The quote: “Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”

Someone was playing Warren Zevon’s Lawyers, Guns and Money on the Hot Club jukebox. Fleet Feet Pete, the Bear and I were enjoying it. So I asked them if they had ever heard Zevon’s Mr. Bad Example. They had not. I told them that the song is as good as anything Zevon ever wrote and sang (co-written by Jorge Calderón).

Here it is: https://youtu.be/b0NlXKPaqZg

Recently I pointed out to Fleet Feet Pete that some big corporations like Constellation Brands (makers of Corona beer) are jumping into the marijuana business. I showed him a clipping noting that Anheuser-Busch InBev just bought into the Canadian Cannabis Company. Observed Fleet Feet: ‘Perfect name – Bud.’

Overheard at the Hot Club about the Foxy Lady being closed down: “Sex is not a spectator sport.”

ANSWER TO LAST ISSUE’S TRIVIA QUESTION

Last issue, I asked you to name the best selling movie soundtrack of all time and as a bonus to name the #2 best seller. It was the soundtrack from The Bodyguard with Whitney Houston. Only Buffalo Steve Lenz had the answer without help. Special K and Making his Mark also got it after a couple clues. Saturday Night Fever was #2. Thanks to Pal Al for suggesting the trivia.

THIS ISSUE’S TRIVIA QUESTION

This band had albums produced by Al Kooper and Todd Rundgren. They had a Top 10 U.S. hit which was Song of the Year, but were more known for their stage shows. An early edition was run out of town by police when they performed in Mexico. Under their eventual name, they were on a tour of Italy when the band was forced off stage by local police and they had to flee the country. Yet they once opened for Led Zeppelin as well as Alice Cooper, and Squeeze once opened for them. They also wrote several songs for movie soundtracks. Name the band.