It will be an exciting night Thursday when the New England Patriots kick off the 2017 NFL season with a matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. But before the opening whistle blows, there will be some business to take care of at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots will unveil their fifth championship banner to commemorate the team’s thrilling win over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI. While there certainly will be pomp and circumstance in Foxboro, Mass. on Thursday, head coach Bill Belichick’s all-business style should keep his team level-headed amid the festivities. To hear NESN’s Marc James and Jermaine Wiggins break down what to expect fr... NESN.com
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Virginia Tech QB Expecting Pep Talk From Tom Brady Before First Start
As quarterback Josh Jackson prepares to start his first game for the No. 21 Virginia Tech Hokies on Sunday night, he’ll be reviewing film, going over the game plan and waiting on a call from the greatest quarterback in NFL history — Tom Brady. Jackson’s father, Fred, was an assistant coach at the University of Michigan when Brady was the signal-caller for the Wolverines, and the young quarterback has received advice from Brady before and reportedly will again before Virginia Tech takes on old Big East rival West Virginia, according to The Roanoke Times. “Tom says he’s going to call him,”Fred Jackson said. “And if Tom says he’s going to d... NESN.com
LaVar Ball Rips ‘Short And Slow’ Steve Nash, Says He Can’t Help Lonzo Ball
LaVar Ball has ripped, trashed and claimed he could beat about every professional athlete you can think of, and a certain surefire NBA Hall of Famer was next on his list. Rumors swirled this week that LaVar Ball’s son, Los Angeles Lakers rookie point guard Lonzo Ball, had started working out with former Laker Steve Nash, but LaVar Ball put an end to those rumors in an interview with ClutchPoints’ Ryan Ward. “I’d say no,” Ball said. “The reason I say no because if he was, my son would’ve said, ‘You know what I’m working out with Steve Nash’. What Steve Nash going to teach my boy? He’s short and slow, man. Come
Charlie McAvoy, Bruins Preparing For Upcoming Season With Captains Practices
Believe it or not, hockey will be back before you know it. Camp soon will start for the Boston Bruins — Sept. 7 for rookies — and captains practices already are underway. NESN was at Friday’s practice, where young defenseman Charlie McAvoy talked about his growth over the offseason. Hear what McAvoy said about that and more in the video from “NESN Sports Today,” presented by People’s United Bank, above. ... NESN.com
USA Vs. Costa Rica Prediction: What To Expect In World Cup Soccer Qualifier
It’s lights, camera, action for the United States men’s soccer team. USA will face Costa Rica on Friday at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J., in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier. The hosts control their own destiny in their quest to secure one of the CONCACAF region’s automatic qualification spots, and a USA victory will pull them level on points with the second-place “Ticos.” But how will USA go about achieving its desired result? It starts with matching their performance to the sky-high expectations of the northern New Jersey/New York City market, and tactical prowess also will play a key role. In the latest episode of the “NESN Socce... NESN.com
NBA Twitter Had Jokes After Kyrie Irving Trade Finally Was Completed
After more than a week, the deal finally is done. The Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly finalized their megadeal Wednesday that will send Kyrie Irving to Boston in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, the Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 first-round draft pick and a 2020 second-round pick. And that last part is what all the hold up was about. As you probably know, the deal hit a snag when the Cavs were alarmed by Thomas’ nagging right hip injury and demanded more compensation. And after a few days of posturing and negotiations, the 2020 second-round pick, which originally belonged to the Miami Heat, is what got the deal do... NESN.com
MLB Rumors: Astros, Mystery Team Pursuing Tigers’ Justin Verlander
The Major League Baseball season has reached the stretch run, and teams still have a short amount of time to add keys players that can help them clinch their spot in the postseason. Justin Verlander is by far the most intriguing name out there, and he just might be moved before the Aug. 31 deadline. MLB.com’s Jon Morosi reported Tuesday, citing sources, that “trade interest in Verlander has increased this week,” with the Houston Astros and one unknown suitor in the hunt. There is no doubt the Detroit Tigers ace could help a team like the Astros once they reach October, but the question is whether or not they are willing to pay