Connect with us

Boston, MA

NFL notes: The new glue of the Patriots defense is a 24-year-old safety from Sacramento State

Published

on

NFL notes: The new glue of the Patriots defense is a 24-year-old safety from Sacramento State


FOXBORO — Last year, Bill Belichick had this draft crush.

He was small-school prospect, undersized and undersold. A defender without a clear position, but obvious potential. And evaluating him became more difficult as the draft drew closer.

An injury at the Senior Bowl in early February forced this Sacramento State product to sit out most of the traditional draft process. No combine invite, no lifting, no running. No chance for NFL teams to compare him side by side with other prospects.

Suddenly, his film became his resume. On that film, he hunted. Running backs, wide receivers and tight ends, none were safe from this 6-foot-3, 217-pound self-guided missile.

Advertisement

But how exactly, at that size and coming from the FCS level, would he translate to the NFL?

To find out, the Patriots hosted Marte Mapu for a pre-draft visit in mid-April. He impressed, and weeks later, they selected him in the third round.

Even then, Belichick didn’t know if Mapu would settle as an NFL linebacker or safety. But the kid, he figured, could play, and his new teammates were quick to learn one reason why Belichick loved Mapu.

“He’s always in the film room studying. Even day one of (spring practices) when he was a rookie,” Patriots defensive captain Deatrich Wise said. “And you can tell when coach asks question, who speaks, who corrects things. He’s always that guy.”

Fast forward, and Mapu demonstrated the power of his studying in a stunning season debut last Sunday.

Advertisement

After missing two months with another injury he suffered in training camp, Mapu played all 75 defensive snaps during the Pats’ loss to Miami. He aligned as a deep safety, inside linebacker, outside linebacker and even over the slot as a nickelback, finishing with seven tackles and a pass breakup. Patriots coaches also tasked him with leading the defense, relaying play-calls and making pre-snap checks.

Coach Dont’a Hightower talks with Marte Mapu of the New England Patriots during training camp at Gillette Stadium. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)

The Dolphins tested Mapu’s leadership immediately, going up-tempo on their first drive. Except Mapu had anticipated that tempo, reasoning Miami head coach Mike McDaniel, an ex-49ers assistant, would mimic what his old boss, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, had done to the Patriots the week before. Mapu relayed his gut feeling to linebacker Raekwon McMillan, who then made the tackle on Miami’s opening play, a harmless four-yard run, and scooted back to the defensive huddle.

“(He’s) a young guy, but he comes in like a vet,” McMillan said. “Things that took me two or three years to pick up on, he’s getting right now.”

For the Patriots, the timing of Mapu’s emergence couldn’t be better. Jabrill Peppers, a captain and pillar of their defense, is out indefinitely on the commissioner’s exempt list following his arrest on assault charges and drug possession. Kyle Dugger is dealing with a lingering ankle injury.

Without them, the Patriots nonetheless deployed three safeties on more than two-thirds of their defensive snaps. They trusted Mapu and rookie Dell Pettus to capably replace two of their 10 best players in a critical divisional game. For one Sunday, they delivered.

Advertisement

“There’s a bunch of stuff going on out there that people don’t really know,” McMillan said, “but Marte and Dell (Pettus) were on it last game.”

New England Patriots safety Marte Mapu talks last year during his rookie season. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
New England Patriots safety Marte Mapu talks last year during his rookie season. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)

Pats defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington agreed.

“I’m proud of the way (Mapu) played on Sunday,” Covington said. “I think he earned the right to do that, because I know he studied in the classroom, on the field. That’s a smart guy who prepared very, very well.”

Like the wisest Patriots defenders of the Belichick era, Mapu pulls from the team’s past to propel himself forward. Any time ex-Patriots safety Devin McCourty visits the facility, Mapu requests some 1-on-1 time with him. He wants to know how McCourty played so consistently, walking the tightrope that is the deep safety position in a single-high defense.

McCourty obliges.

“It’s cool, just to have someone that’s been so great at what they do,” Mapu said. “And everybody has their own style, but to hear from him and how he played in this system, it’s so specific that it really helps.”

Advertisement

Mapu, other team sources says, is interested in little outside of football. He keeps a low profile. He’s straightforward. Asked about recovering from such a sudden workload last week, Mapu didn’t mince words.

Callahan: How a Drake Maye-led Patriots offense could look and more Week 6 thoughts

“Move as slow as possible,” he said. “Rest as much as possible.”

Mapu also explained eventually last week’s game reached a point of stasis. The Dolphins wanted to run the ball, and the Patriots were intent on playing three-safety personnel to withstand their rushing attack, while keeping enough speed on the field to defend Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. The game slowed.

Eventually Miami wore the Pats down, breaking through for a game-winning three-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Yet Mapu never left the field, solely focused on fulfilling his assignment down after down; wherever and however he was asked to play.

Advertisement

“I didn’t want to do too much or try to identify too many (of Miami’s) plays,” he admitted. “but that’s what growth is for.”

Growth, and the foreseeable future as the new glue of the Patriots defense

Play-calling lessons

Halloween is almost three weeks away, but Alex Van Pelt feels haunted already.

The Patriots’ 54-year-old offensive coordinator volunteered Thursday he still regrets play-calls from the team’s loss at the Jets in Week 3. In the days after that game, Van Pelt said he got too pass-happy.

On Thursday, he reviewed his first five games as a play-caller.

Advertisement
Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt on the field during Patriots training camp. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt on the field during Patriots training camp. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)

“I feel like I’ve put us in good situations, I’ve had some bad calls,” he said. “Obviously the Jets game haunts me a little bit so in that game, but we all collectively just have to better. We have to do better in situations, situations like that. At the same time, we all just need to step up our game across the board. That goes for everyone, coaches, players.”

Covington has led another struggling unit, which ranks 28th by DVOA and 23rd by EPA/play. Covington has rebounded since Seattle’s Geno Smith and Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers torched his blitz package in back-to-back weeks. But managing a banged-up roster has proved to be his greatest challenge.

“It’s just, for me, to continue to evolve as the season goes on because it seems like every week we have, whether it’s a player that goes out, a different unit that needs to step up, I need to help the players play in the right way, based off who’s available for the game,” Covington said. “We haven’t had a consistent group this season. It’s always been somebody different, whether, like last week we had both dugout, we had family out and that, like every single week.

“So just trying to make sure that we’re all playing together as a unit, and then making sure that we tailor their game plan for who we have out there on the field. So I think that’s, that’s the biggest thing for me as a play-caller.”

Coaching connections

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans, right, answers questions as team owner Cal McNair listens at NRG Stadium in Houston on Feb. 2. (Michael Wyke, AP)
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans, right, answers questions as team owner Cal McNair listens at NRG Stadium in Houston on Feb. 2. (Michael Wyke, AP)

When the Patriots’ defensive braintrust stares across the sideline Sunday, they will spot a familiar face.

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans is a fellow Alabaman that Covington followed as a high school and college player, also from the greater Birmingham area. Ryans played at the University of Alabama, where he became a unanimous All-American and eventually left to play 10 years in the NFL. Since then, he’s enjoyed a meteoric rise through the NFL coaching ranks, making the playoffs last season as a first-year head coach after two seasons as the 49ers defensive coordinator.

“I’m proud of him, the success you see,” Covington said. “You know, a Black head coach in the National Football League, and just the success he’s had and what he’s done with that team. I’m proud of him, and I look up to what he’s doing over there … (They) fly around, (he) gets those guys playing hard.”

Advertisement

Shortly after Ryans left Alabama, Jerod Mayo was coming up as a new star linebacker for the University of Tennessee. Mayo, 38, admitted this week he used to chase Ryans’ tackle records in the SEC.

“I would say the history between DeMeco and myself goes back a long way, and he doesn’t even know it. He was one of those guys I looked up to. In college, you try to chase those tackle numbers. I would put Patrick Willis in that same realm, as far as me as a young guy trying to chase those guys as far as stats are concerned. He’s done a fantastic job. … I look up to DeMeco and that entire organization, and hopefully we can replicate some of that stuff here in the near term and in the future,” he said.

Quote of the Week

“He played his balls off last week.” — Patriots defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery on defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale



Source link

Advertisement

Boston, MA

BU spoils Northeastern final game at Matthews Arena

Published

on

BU spoils Northeastern final game at Matthews Arena


BOSTON – Before the lights went out at Matthews Arena for the last time, they shined brightly on Boston University center Brandon Svoboda.

The sophomore from Pittsburgh scored two goals including the game-winner at 18:21 of the third to lift the Terriers to a 4-3 victory over Northeastern, on Saturday night. Svoboda’s fourth of the season was the final goal scored at Northeastern’s historic Matthews Arena.

The Terriers’ victory over the Huskies was the last sporting event played inside Matthews Arena, which officially opened its doors as Boston Arena in April of 1910.

“I got a lucky bounce and I capitalized on it and put it in the back of the net,” said Svoboda. “Playing the last game ever in this building is pretty special and what was it, 1910 this place was built so it was pretty special being the last team playing in this building.

Advertisement

“We are a young group and we are figuring it out so it was obviously a big deal to get a W in the last game in this arena.”

BU improved to 9-8-1 and 6-3-0 in Hockey East going into the semester break while the No. 11 Huskies fell to 10-6-0 and 5-4-0 in the conference.

“It was just a big win for us going into the semester break,” said BU coach Jay Pandolfo. “The first half has not been ideal for us so to finish it that way, to come back in the third period to win a hockey game in this environment, where this is their last home game here and they wanted to win and we found a way to pull it off.”

Northeastern purchased the structure in 1979 and renamed it Matthews Arena three years later. The demolition of the old barn nestled between Mass. Ave and Gainsborough Street will begin in January and the new arena is scheduled to go online in September of 2028.

“Having a new facility is definitely a big selling point,” said NU coach Jerry Keefe. “It is going to have all the amenities you need to develop players and I think this generation of recruits like the shiny and the new.”

Advertisement

The first Beanpot Tournament was played at Boston Arena in 1952, so it seemed appropriate that Northeastern would play its final game against a neighboring Beanpot opponent. BU played its home games at Boston Arena from 1918 to 1971 before moving into its new facility on Babcock Street.

Pandolfo enjoyed many Matthews moments both on the ice and behind the bench. Pandolfo also played in the final Beanpot game at the old Boston Garden.

“I always enjoyed playing here that’s for sure,” Pandolfo said. “It was a fun place to play and I always enjoyed it and I enjoyed coaching there. It is a great environment and a special old building.

“That’s the biggest attachment for me and that I just enjoyed it. My grandfather played at Northeastern, my mom’s dad and that makes it special as well. It was also Boston University’s home rink as well for a long time and that is a big reason we are here closing it out with Northeastern.”

The Huskies had some extra zip in their blades that created several scoring opportunities, all of which deftly handled by BU netminder Mikhail Yegorov.

Advertisement

NU went up 1-0 on a power play goal by freshman center Jacob Mathieu at 11:28 of the first. Mathieu found an opening outside the BU crease and redirected Giacomo Martino’s wrister from the left circle for his fifth of the season.

NU went up 2-0 at 14:36 when junior center Tyler Fukakusa finished a two-on-one break with his second goal of the season. BU got on the board when Svoboda netted a power play goal at 17:40, his third of the season.

“We were playing fine but we just made some mistakes so to get out of that first period 2-1 was important no question about that,” said Pandolfo.

BU tied the game 2-2 on sophomore center Sacha Boisvert’s second of the season at 13:38 of the second. NU went up 3-2 when sophomore left wing Joe Connor beat the buzzer at 19:59 with his sixth of the season. NU tied the game 3-3 on Kamil Bednarik tally at 18:02 of the third. Svoboda would score 19 seconds later to complete the comeback.

“You give up a late goal at the end of the second period after a power play, that can really hurt you,” said Pandolfo. “But our guys were determined to come back.”

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Boston, MA

Boston city councilor pushes for state audit of federal grant funds after misuse by city program

Published

on

Boston city councilor pushes for state audit of federal grant funds after misuse by city program


Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn requested that the state auditor’s office conduct a formal audit of the nearly $560 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds the city received from the federal government, in light of misspending by a city program.

Flynn sent a letter to State Auditor Diana DiZoglio on Friday requesting an audit of the federal grant funds the city received through the ARPA legislation of 2021 that was issued as a COVID-19 pandemic-relief measure.

The councilor said Boston received nearly $560 million in federal funds for pandemic recovery. The money was committed by the end of 2024, and must be spent by the end of next year, he said.

“In May of this year, it was reported that the City of Boston’s Three Squares Main Streets program allegedly misspent ARPA funds in the amount of $32,000,” Flynn wrote in the letter. “Irresponsible funding and spending leads to inflated costs and missed opportunities to improve our communities.

Advertisement

“It is critical that the City of Boston spends taxpayer dollars responsibly to regain our credibility and show respect to the residents,” he added.

Flynn wrote that he chose to pursue a state audit due to the City Council’s failure to hold oversight hearings, and ensure that “Boston is in compliance with spending regulations.”

Auditor DiZoglio’s office said Friday that it had received Flynn’s letter and that the councilor’s request requires a majority vote from the City Council and approval from the mayor to permit the auditor’s office to conduct a municipal audit.

“Our General Counsel will be sending Councilor Flynn the legal process required, under the law, to engage the Office of State Auditor with respect to a municipal audit,” DiZoglio spokesperson Andrew Carden said in a statement.

“Unlike the Office of Inspector General, which has the full legal authority to audit and investigate municipal government entities without a request or permission from a city or town, the Office of State Auditor, while mandated to audit state government entities, is actually legally required to obtain permission from a municipality, via both a majority vote from the City Council and approval by the Mayor, to be permitted to conduct a municipal audit,” Carden added.

Advertisement

Flynn told the Herald he wouldn’t hold his breath for approval from his colleagues on the City Council, which is largely allied with Mayor Michelle Wu.

“Since the City Council failed to hold the necessary oversight hearings to determine how we spend federal funds, an outside audit is essential to ensure appropriate spending, demonstrate transparency and accountability,” Flynn said. “The Boston City Council will not support an independent audit of our financial records to ensure we are complying with federal spending laws.”

Mayor Wu’s office didn’t respond to a request for comment on whether the Wu administration would support Flynn’s request for a state audit.



Source link

Continue Reading

Boston, MA

Skip the chaos and crowds with unique holiday markets are worth the detour – The Boston Globe

Published

on

Skip the chaos and crowds with unique holiday markets are worth the detour – The Boston Globe


The holiday season is in full swing: The puffer jackets have been broken out of storage, carols and festive pop classics play throughout every store, and the annual struggle of what gifts to get your loved ones (and that one office White Elephant) is back. If you are looking to skip the long lines (and stinky cheese) at more social media-famous markets, but still want some one-of-a-kind holiday shopping from small businesses, here are some smaller holiday markets to visit this winter.

A CLASSIC CHRISTMAS Reading Memorial High School’s Drama Club (and supporting organizations) will host a Dickens Holiday Marketplace and Craft Fair once again this holiday season. The market, which has run for over 20 years, hosts 55 New England-based vendors selling artisan goods, including wooden cutting boards and goods from Magnus Woodsmith, pottery from Nancy Littlehale, and more. There will also be hands-on crafting opportunities, including coloring and cookie decorating. The Saturday marketplace — including an on-site warm beverage sale — is also a fund-raiser for RMHS’s drama department, raising money to support production equipment, scholarships for graduating students, and other needs. RMHS drama club members dressed in Victorian costumes will roam the fair and perform short skits and sing carols. There will also be tap, jazz, and contemporary dance performances by local troupes in the school’s performing arts center.

Dickens Holiday Marketplace and Craft Fair. Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road, Reading. Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Entry is free. rmhsdrama.org

Shoppers look through artisan goods from female-owned businesses at Boston Women’s Holiday Market.Cara Loffredo

SUPPORTING WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES Boston Women’s Market hosts its holiday market at Night Shift Brewing in Everett on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. New England-based, women-owned vendors will be selling gift-able goods, including handmade jewelry from ADK Jewelry, natural skincare products from Beauté Noir, and cat toys and playhouses from Cat in the Box. The market will also be host to a family holiday celebration, including free ornament painting and an ugly sweater contest. There will be giveaways throughout the market of Night Shift Brewing gift cards and merchandise. If you’re hungry, Daddy’s Bonetown Burgers has you covered, and specialty holiday cocktails, yet to be announced, make the perfect holiday treat.

Advertisement

Boston Women’s Holiday Market. Night Shift Brewing, 87 Santilli Highway, Everett. Dec. 13, noon to 5 p.m. Entry is free. bostonwomensmarket.com

A booth at a previous Winter Solstice Indigenous Art Holiday Market with Indigenous art, jewelry, and goods.Jamie Malcolm-Brown

CULTURAL COLLECTIVE In celebration of the season, the Cultural Survival Bazaar will hold a Winter Solstice Indigenous Art Holiday Market on Dec. 13 and Dec. 14 at The Boston Center for the Arts Cyclorama. The market will highlight Indigenous art and artists from around the world, including North and South America, Palestine, East Africa, and more. There will be over 50 vendors, such as Chinampa Temachtiani, which sells jewelry, clothing, and axolotl plushies, Hebron Glass, which sells blown glass goods, and Afri-Root Collective, which sells handmade African art from women artists. The market will also feature live musical performances from Lyla June, Yarina, and more. Looking for a new book to cozy up with this winter? Attendees can also participate in a book swap.

Winter Solstice Indigenous Art Holiday Market. Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St. Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $10. Free for children under 18. bazaar.culturalsurvival.org/boston

A shopper looks through a box of pre-loved books at a Small Mart Market.Ezra Enzo Photography

SHOPPING SMALL Returning for its fourth year, Small Mart Market is hosting the second of two holiday vintage shopping events in Greater Boston. The holiday market will take place at the Crystal Ballroom with over 50 vendors, including vintage clothing resellers and upcycled fashion designers. Vendors include the market’s organizers, High Energy Vintage, a Somerville-based secondhand clothing and record shop, and Existential Thread, a Rhode Island-based vintage clothing store, as well as others, such as Jessamy Shay, who designs clothing by repurposing garments and fabrics. There will also be artisan goods and artists selling prints, posters, and pottery. The market will also feature a full bar, complete with festive beverages such as a cranberry Moscow Mule and Irish Coffee for purchase.

Small Mart Market Holiday Market, Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, Somerville. Dec. 20, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry is free. smallmartmarket.com

FRIENDLY SHOPPING (AND COMPETITION) The Charles River Speedway and the Brighton Bazaar are partnering for the Bazaar’s 100th event, The Holiday Stroll, on Dec. 20 and 21. The Speedway hosts over 60 local vendors, featuring a variety of artisan goods, including metal art, kitchenware, and decor from Eli West, handmade pottery from Sugalski Ceramics, and more. At the upper courtyard of the Speedway, there will be a gingerbread house building competition on each day of the market. With a $5 buy-in, which can be purchased ahead of time or on site, the competition will last from noon to 3 p.m. Winners will be announced within the week after the market for prizes such as a $75 gift card to a Speedway vendor of their choice or two tickets to a show at The Roadrunner of the winner’s choice. For a less high-stakes activity, there will be card-making stations where attendees can craft personal holiday greetings for loved ones.

The Holiday Stroll. The Charles River Speedway, 525 Western Ave., Brighton. Dec. 20-21, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entry is free. charlesriverspeedway.com

Advertisement
Shoppers visit the vendor booths at last year’s Somerville Flea Holiday Market.Greg Ghazil

SECONDHAND STOCKING STUFFERS The Somerville Flea — usually known for holding court in Davis Square in summer and fall — hosts its annual holiday market on Dec. 21 for last-minute shoppers looking for one-of-a-kind secondhand goods. The extensive shopping event will feature around 40 vendors and their curated collections of vintage goods, such as clothes from Dandelion District, books from Hiding in Books, and home decor from Unpredictable Finds. A DJ will play holiday mixes to set the festive mood while you shop. Snacks and beverages will be available at Arts at the Armory’s ROOTED Café.

The Somerville Flea Holiday Markets. Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Avenue, #1C, Somerville. Dec. 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry is free. thesomervilleflea.com


Isabella Bernstein can be reached at isabella.bernstein@globe.com.





Source link

Continue Reading

Trending