These Stories About Easley and Garoppolo are Pure Patriots Porn
Herald – Several hours after the Patriots selected Dominique Easley in the first round of the NFL draft [h]e returned the next day to Curtis High in Staten Island, N.Y., where his football career began, and asked administrators for the chance to share some time with the student body. A menacing presence once described by his University of Florida defensive coordinator as someone who plays to physically hurt his opponents, Easley showed the fiercely loyal side of his character… Easley passionately pleaded for the kids to stay in school, use every resource at their disposal, surround themselves with those who root for their success and befriend authority figures. It was the same way Easley lived as he became the No.?2 football recruit in the country while keeping up a stellar transcript and reputation, which all made him a low-maintenance prospect… The support helped turn Easley into the bright, friendly character coveted by the Patriots. From every stage of his life, Easley has supporters who vouch for a jovial guy who lights up the room and faithfully stands by his family, friends and teammates. The Pats did their homework… Now, the Patriots are getting a tenacious team-first competitor who plays with a harnessed violence that will benefit the entire defense. Said Florida defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin: “One of the great things about Dominique (is) when he lines up across from someone, it’s the same. He’s trying to physically hurt them. Seriously, that’s the guy’s approach. It’s an amazing thing.”
And – Quarterbacks have to be key leaders, and the Patriots are making sure Jimmy Garoppolo doesn’t miss a beat despite being a rookie. Garoppolo, a second-round pick out of Eastern Illinois, has been tasked this week with making sure the rookies are on time for everything at Gillette Stadium… “Coach has given him the responsibilities offensively of making sure that everyone is in the right spot, making sure we’re on time and things like that,” tight end Justin Jones said. “He has gladly taken that role of being accountable for everybody…” The rookies are still mostly separated from the veterans this week, so Garoppolo has been in charge both on and off the field. So far, so good, it sounds. “He’s great, a great athlete,” Jones said. “…He’ll be walking around and he’ll just walk up to me and shout me out a play and ask me to tell him what it is, what I’ve got, my responsibilities. That’s one of the key components of being a great quarterback, absolutely.” Running back Roy Finch added, “He’s a great player. He’s learning just like us. He’s just a great kid to be around.”
It’s been a tough time for Boston sports, obviously. The Bruins scored one lousy goal in two closeout games before Montreal shoved them out the Moon Door. The bottom half of the Sox batting order looks like the first half hour of “Major League.” And it’s been… what? Seven months since our last championship? We’re not used to that kind of drought around here and it’s wonder the Duckboat industry has survived this long. So now, more than ever, we needed news like this and we needed it yesterday. And while I’ve had my differences with the Herald (casting the stinkeye in your direction, Borges and Tomase), God bless them for having the courage to tell the world the truth: That the Patriots are awesome, and quietly building a team of high character athletic beasts in the post-Hernandez world. Dominique Easley is a heroic figure who, when he’s not menacing opponents and physically trying to hurt them, he’s inspiring America’s youth to achieve greatness and befriend authority figures. A jovial guy who lights up a room AND a tenacious competitor who harnesses violence? Um, yes please. And Garoppolo no sooner hit rookie camp than he started showing Brady’s intangibles combined with the leadership of Captain America in the body of a Muscle & Fitness model. A couple of stories like these are exactly what a grieving region needed to begin the healing process. @JerryThornton1