FOXBORO — Late Wednesday morning, Patriots heart David Andrews acquired an early Christmas reward.
I do know as a result of I introduced it to him.
Andrews received the 2023 Good Guy award, an annual media honor bestowed by each NFL beat to a participant who “respectfully fulfilling their media obligations with class and professionalism.” The reality is, Andrews has achieved that for years. But nobody participant has taken public accountability throughout this depressing 3-11 marketing campaign fairly like Andrews.
He’s first to the rostrum after wins, losses and rip-your-heart-out defeats. He’s obtainable to reporters throughout the week, and takes each query, pointed or in any other case, in his sluggish, southern stride. He addresses followers, protects his teammates and stands by his coaches,
Andrews is a captain’s captain. So within the giving spirit of this season, let’s hand out just a few extra presents close to the tip of a tricky Patriots season.
QB Mac Jones
A month-long, all-inclusive trip on a distant Caribbean island
Get away. Go on a soccer cleanse. Don’t throw. Don’t watch highlights. Don’t even work out.
Hell, skip watching the Super Bowl, in the event you can. Just loosen up.
Jones loves soccer greater than the game has beloved him again these final two years. It’s time for a damaged participant to piece himself again collectively away from the sector.
QB Bailey Zappe
A neighborhood endorsement deal that performs on his identify
How has this taken so lengthy?
Why is not any there no Boston-area restaurant that includes “Zappe hour?” Or an exterminator enterprise promoting to “Zap” the bugs in your own home? Or Zap software program firm signing this man?
Ride the wave whereas it lasts. He’s affable, snug within the highlight and possibly cheap. If Tommy DeVito can dwell just like the king of northern New Jersey, why can’t Zappe be the prince of a personal enterprise in New England?
RB Rhamondre Stevenson
The Bubble Boy’s swimsuit from that Seinfeld episode
Stevenson is the Patriots’ finest offensive participant. He’s nursing an ankle damage. He will quickly be extension eligible, having competed his third NFL season.
Until Stevenson can probably put pen to paper, or start coaching for an upcoming contract 12 months, he ought to relaxation. Better but, he must be insulated from any hazard that may befall him forward of probably the most essential 12 months of his profession.
Stay protected. Suit up.
RT Mike Onwenu
An exorbitant 3-year contract extension
Where would the Patriots be with out him?
Onwenu stabilized the Patriots’ offensive line as soon as he moved to proper deal with midseason. His plus run-blocking allowed them to change into one of many NFL’s most effective dashing offenses. He additionally dealt with All-Pro edge rusher T.J. Watt throughout the workforce’s final win at Pittsburgh.
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In just a few months, Onwenu will hit free company. It would behoove him to hit the open market, the place he might discover his true worth. The Pats ought to forestall him from getting that far with an over-the-top supply that retains their finest, and one in every of their most versatile younger gamers – overlook simply O-linemen – for years to come back.
The protection
A stress ball
In consecutive weeks, Patriots defenders opened as much as the Herald about how they felt they could not permit any factors in the event that they hoped to win. That angst and frustration appeared to subside after the workforce’s upset at Pittsburgh.
But as soon as the Chiefs staked an 14-point lead final Sunday, that recreation certain felt over. And it was. So the following time reporters stroll by after a loss, be at Denver, Buffalo or for the workforce’s residence finale versus the Jets, seize a stress ball as an alternative of some headlines.
S Jabrill Peppers
A lifetime provide of IcyHot
Have you seen this dude hit?
The punishment he doles out? The outsized violence with which he arrives when he clobbers a quarterback or ball service? The 891 snaps he is performed, 20 away from a single-season profession excessive?
Finally, all of that motion and physicality caught as much as Peppers this week when he suffered a hamstring damage that stored him out of shape. The man deserves to get well. Take a nap, take it straightforward. See you subsequent weekend or in 2014.
HC Bill Belichick
A four-leaf clover
Come the primary weekend in January, Belichick could also be staring down a worst-case state of affairs: dropping to the Jets within the ultimate recreation of his Patriots tenure.
Until then, there figures to be little that may save the Pats of their upcoming video games at Denver or Buffalo. But nobody deserves to go down by the hands of a hated rival, particularly one which hasn’t received a collection recreation since 2015. So previous onto the little inexperienced leaf to beat Gang Green another time.
Source: www.bostonherald.com