Keep It Simple Boston

Keep It Simple Boston

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Keep It Simple Boston episodes

  • Gonzo Contract Update

    1. Christian Gonzalez Contract Standoff with Patriots

    • Status: No deal yet, but the two sides are "talking" per Mike Florio, with the season opener just over a week away.
    • Why it's stuck: Devon Witherspoon (Seahawks CB, same agent as Gonzalez) signed a 4-year, $132M extension roughly two weeks ago — $33M APY, $101M+ total guarantees, $59M+ full guarantees. That set the market, and Gonzalez wants to beat it. Patriots reportedly haven't gotten close to that number.
    • Adam Schefter's take: Vrabel prioritizes paying premiums to the D-line over corners, which may be shaping New England's allocation of cap dollars.
    • Structure isn't the sticking point — both sides are aligned on a 4-year extension (6 years total). It's about total dollars and guarantee structure.
    • Leverage angle: Patriots control Gonzalez for two more years ($2.26M this year, $18.1M in 2027) plus a 2028 franchise tag option. They can afford to wait — but risk him becoming a "distraction" storyline if it drags into the season.
    • Deadline wrinkle: Reports say Gonzalez doesn't plan to negotiate during the season — so if it's not done by Week 1, this could be tabled until 2027.
    • Talking point: This is a "will it get done before Wednesday" storyline with real urgency — and it's happening in the same week they play the team (Seattle) whose CB just set the market against them.
    •   The big quote to use: Gonzalez's longtime trainer, Christian "Flight" White, on 98.5 The Sports Hub's Felger & Mazz (Aug. 31): "I think we're getting close... Just from his mood, his vibe... I can just tell he's in good spirits so he's obviously hearing some good things. I wouldn't be shocked if this gets done before the Seattle game."
    •   White also revealed a wrinkle in why talks stalled: Kraft/Wolf publicly said they'd offered to make Gonzalez the highest-paid CB, but per White, "the contract language was kind of trash." That's a good soundbite for why "an offer" isn't the same as a deal.
    •   Schefter (who earlier said the sides "haven't been close") has since softened, saying on Pat McAfee: "I think there's probably another push before the season begins or at the start of the season from both sides."
    •   Gonzalez himself, while frustrated, isn't slamming the door — Tuesday quote: "I'm focused on Week 1 at this point... it's been all offseason, so I feel like the line of today is, 'It is what it is.'" That's a guy managing expectations, not one who's given up.

      • 2. Patriots @ Seahawks — Week 1 (Wednesday, Sept. 9, Lumen Field, 8:20 PM ET, NBC/Peacock)

      • Super Bowl LX rematch — Seattle beat New England 29-13 in February. This is only the 3rd time in NFL history a Super Bowl rematch opens the following season (1970 Chiefs-Vikings, 2016 Broncos-Panthers).
      • Seattle raises its championship banner before kickoff — emotional/crowd factor at Lumen Field will be off the charts.
      • History favors the champ: Since 2004, defending champs are 16-5 in the season opener.
      • Roster changes since the Super Bowl:
        • Patriots added: Romeo Doubs, Dre'Mont Jones, Kevin Byard, Alijah Vera-Tucker.
        • Seahawks lost: Kenneth Walker III (Super Bowl MVP, now with KC), OC Klint Kubiak, and defensive pieces Coby Bryant, Boye Mafe, Riq Woolen.
        • Betting/analyst lean: Vegas favors Seattle at home again; one full breakdown pegs the total Under 45.5, expecting a similar defensive/pass-rush-driven game.
        • Watch for: Jason Myers (Seahawks K) had a rough, winless preseason — special teams could be a swing factor in a close game.

          • 3. Seattle Market Sports Headlines (2026)

          • Seahawks went winless in the preseason (0-2-1) but are described as "feeling optimistic" heading into the opener.
          • Devon Witherspoon's $132M extension is the offseason's marquee Seahawks story — and it's now spilling into the Gonzalez negotiation in New England.
          • Roster cuts drama: Kicker Jason Myers survived a "meltdown" preseason and was kept despite the poor performance — a storyline to watch in Week 1.
          • Traded for CB Avery Smith from the Chargers right before cutdown, signaling the front office isn't fully satisfied with the secondary depth post-Witherspoon deal.
          • Jaxon Smith-Njigba ranked No. 5 on NFL's Top 100 Players list — highest-ranked Seahawk since Russell Wilson.
          • Season-long context: Six primetime games (a franchise record), a Christmas Day matchup vs. the Rams, and a brutal test in Week 1 against the team it just beat for the title.
          • New coordinator, replicated scheme:
          • OC Klint Kubiak left to become Raiders head coach. Seattle promoted/hired Brian Fleury, who explicitly said his goal is "to maintain" Kubiak's approach: "It looks very similar to the one that just won the Super Bowl... We're gonna be fast and violent and aggressive in every way that we possibly can." Untested as a playcaller at the NFL level, though — that's the real risk.
          • Running back is the single biggest question mark:
          • Kenneth Walker III (Super Bowl MVP) left for Kansas City. Replacing him: rookie first-rounder Jadarian Price, who has never played a regular-season NFL snap — he sat out the entire preseason to be "preserved." Coach Mike Macdonald's praise ("He's done a great job... all three downs") is untested against live bullets.
          • Zach Charbonnet (presumptive 1B) is still on PUP with an ACL injury, so it's Price-or-bust early. Depth behind him is George Holani and Emanuel Wilson — unproven.
          • This is exactly what the Patriots should target. In the actual Super Bowl, Seattle's offensive success was built almost entirely on Walker dominating the run game (Darnold was just 19-of-38 passing, and Smith-Njigba caught only 4 of 10 targets). Take away the ground game with an unproven rookie back, and New England could bottle up an offense that leaned heavily on one departed player.
          • Defensive attrition:
          • Seattle lost four significant defensive/offensive contributors in one offseason: CB Riq Woolen (Eagles), S Coby Bryant (Bears, and now out for the season with injury), edge rusher Boye Mafe (Bengals), plus Walker on offense.
          • Analysts flagged specific worry points: "whether the new edge rotation will remain elite against the run and whether we may end up missing Woolen more than we realized" — a Field Gulls analyst wrote he's concerned about run defense specifically with the new edge group.
          • Replacements are unproven: Ty Okada (safety) has never been a full-time starter; Julian Neal and Bud Clark are rookies (Clark already on IR).
          • Kicking game is a real red flag:
          • Jason Myers had what's been called a "meltdown" preseason and went winless (0-2-1) — Seattle chose to keep him anyway, but it's a live storyline for Week 1 in a game that history says will likely be close (home team by 1-13 points the last two openers).
          • What the Patriots can exploit, in one sentence for the show: Seattle's Super Bowl win was a run-first, ball-control formula behind Walker — with Walker gone, a rookie making his NFL debut, a new unproven OC, and a defense that lost four key run-and-pass-rush contributors, New England's clearest path is to force Darnold and a green backfield to win through the air against a defense that isn't as deep as it was in February.


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            48 min
          • 10 Boston Sports Questions With, Dr. BigMac

            10 questions

            1. Was trading Boutte the right move?
            2. Do you send Mickey Gasper down to bring back Trevor story?
            3. Christian Gonzalez publicly said he is frustrated with contract negotiations, is a trade incoming?
            4. You need to have dinner with one of these athletes, Kylie Irving or Jarren Duran who you picking?
            5. Bruins are going over seas during the regular season in 2027-28 why are we doing this, NHL?
            6. How was your family picnic?
            7. Who would be a shocker to be cut from the 53 man roster for the Patriots? 
            8. What Chad Tracy has done this year with the Red Sox should they take the interim manager tag off?
            9. Do the Patriots still have a depth issue?
            10. Dolly Parton died this week along with Tim Curry. Death comes in 3s who is next?


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              18 min
            11. Here Comes Story and Roman

              Dog days of Sox

              Team continues to scratch out wins.

              73-59. 2.5 games behind the Yankees

              4 game series in NYC this weekend

               

              Here comes the Calvary?

               

              Roman Anthony hitting in Portland and Worcester.

              .333 5-15

              .800 SLG

              2 HRs

              6 RBI

               

              Should be back to Boston Soon

              “I won’t really talk on that because it’s not even something that’s relevant and it hasn’t been relevant in our clubhouse,” Anthony said, per MassLive. “It’s never been a problem and it’s never really even been a thing. I prioritize getting to bed and doing everything I can to show up and give it all to my teammates and to the fans.”

               

              Trevor Story –

              .190 4 – 21

              0 HR

              1 RBI

              .190 OBase

              .190 SLG

               

              Seigler - .250 – 3HR – 13 RBI

              Sogard - .275 – 2 HR – 10 RBI

              Cheng - .256 –

              Story MLB - .206 – 3 HR – 18 RBI in 30 – 40 more at bats 130 more the Cheng

               

              Will Crochet be able to contribute? Start for Bello?

               

              Curtis Mead reevaluated

              "He can start some mobility exercises," Tracy said. "So that's good news. It's still a ways off. He's been locked up for a while. So he's still gotta incorporate movement, mobility and strength. But he has moved on to that phase."


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              15 min
            12. Deal Or No Deal

               

              Patriots Camp

              Christian Gonzalez not close to a deal.  Good? Why?

              Devon Witherspoon signed 4 year - $132 million - $59 mill fully guaranteed at signing

               

              Kashon Boutte traded to Houston Texans for 6th round pick S – Jaylen Reed and 7th round pick

              Reed - Despite playing just 173 defensive snaps last season, Reed showed the ability to play the deep portion of the field, while his physicality can make him an asset closer to the line of scrimmage.

               

              Depth issues says Vrable.  What about at WR?

               

              Concerns and confidence

              Concerned about run defense – front 7 – linebacker core – pass rushing

              Concerned about offensive line depth

              Concerned about #3 WR position

              Concerned about TE Depth

              Concerned about CB and S depth

              Concerned about the stupid kicker

              Concerned about Drake Maye against good competition losing and late

               

              Confident in most all starters except for LBs, LG, C.

              Confident in Vrable and McDaniels keeping games competitive

              Confident in Ramadama Ding Dong – great camp

              Confident AJ Brown is going to have a monster year

               

               

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              27 min
            13. 10 Boston Sports Questions with a Guy Named Rob

              10 Questions with a guy named, Rob 

              -1.  Will the puka nacua and Myles Garrett injuries be a lingering concern? 


              2.  The San Diego Padres sold for 3.9 billion ?  Why the hell would anyone pay that much for the Padres ? 


              3. Is this the worst NBA hall of fame class ever ? 


              4. Did the bucs make a mistake not giving baker his money ?  


              5. Would you rather do the dictator of a small country or incredibly wealthy and anonymous? 


              6. Is there anything more pretentious than 6 rich siblings fighting over the sale of 12 billion dollar asset ? 


              7. Roger goodell says no doubt when asked if an nfl team will be created overseas ? Thoughts ?  


              8. What sort of a picnic happens at 8:30 on a Wednesday?  


              9. Did the Celtics owner try and distance himself from the trade by publicly saying it was all brads idea ?


              10.  Does Roman Anthony’s pinky still hurt ? 

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              20 min
            14. Celtics Schedule Release

              Celtics Schedule 


              -The single biggest date circled by Celtics fans is Thursday, January 21, 2027, when Jaylen Brown returns to TD Garden for the first time as a member of the rival 76ers. Adding to the drama, this highly anticipated, nationally televised matchup lands on the second night of a back-to-back for Boston. The Atlantic Division foes meet earlier in the year in Philadelphia on November 10, but Bostonians must wait until mid-January for the official parquet floor reunion.


              -In a highly unusual scheduling decision, the Celtics will open the entire NBA regular season on Tuesday, October 20 at 3:00 PM ET on the road against the Detroit Pistons. This marks the first time since 2011 that the league has launched its season with an afternoon tipoff, offering a unique midday window for fans to get their first glimpse of the revamped roster. 


              -Home Opener vs. the Knicks: Three days after the opener, on October 23, Boston plays its home opener against the defending NBA champion New York Knicks. This will serve as an immediate test, especially for newly acquired center Mitchell Robinson, who spent his entire career in New York before joining Boston this summer


              Analysts note that Boston drew the short end of the stick regarding rest. The Celtics are scheduled for 16 back-to-backs—up from 13 last season and above the league average. More concerning is the front-loaded nature of the stress: the Celtics play a back-to-back sequence during each of the first six full weeks of the season. This will immediately test head coach Joe Mazzulla’s depth management with older veterans like Paul George, Mike Conley, and Mitchell Robinson


              The November and April Gauntlets: The calendar features massive travel extremes. Boston will spend most of November on the road, playing 12 away dates in a 16-game stretch. Furthermore, the team finishes the season with an intense sprint, playing seven of their final nine games on the road against East playoff contenders. [1, 2, 3]

              • National TV Dominance: Boston remains an elite draw, tying for the eighth-most national TV games in the league with 27 total broadcasts. This includes a heavily featured stretch in February where 8 of the team's 12 games will be played on national television


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                11 min
              • Red Sox Postseason March

                Red Sox Post Season Push

                -1. Adley Rutschman Awakens with First Sox Homer

                After an incredibly slow start to his Boston tenure following a blockbuster deadline trade with Baltimore—starting just 1-for-20 at the plate—three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman had his definitive breakout game at Fenway Park on Tuesday night


                -Roman Anthony starts rehab in Portland, hits a homer 


                -Major Injury Blow: Masataka Yoshida Out Long-Term

                The Red Sox received highly discouraging medical news regarding one of their hottest hitters, Masataka Yoshida. [1, 2]

                • The Diagnosis: An MRI on Tuesday revealed a "significant" left hamstring strain suffered during Saturday’s game against Toronto.


                  • -Trevor Story: Veteran shortstop Trevor Story officially began a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Sunday as he nears his return to the Boston infield


                  The “key” players are getting healthy at the right time. Will they contribute for a postseason run 


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                  9 min
                • Patriots Colts Preseason Bore Fest

                  Pats Colts Preseason Bore Fest 

                  Patriots 13 Colts 13 1st preseason game ends in a tie. 


                  -Tommy DeVito: Started the game for New England and played the entire first half. He completed 13-of-22 passes for 138 yards, capped off by a 12-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Williams to finish an 82-yard second-quarter drive. DeVito didn’t look bad from what I saw out of him. 


                  -Anthony Richardson Sr.: Handled the first half for the Colts to get back into game rhythm. He went 11-of-14 passing for 145 yards and added 53 rushing yards, scoring on a 1-yard quarterback sneak. However, he also committed two turnovers. This kid blows but also the Patriots defense can not handle running quarterbacks. 


                  -Four Forced Turnovers: The Patriots' defensive units swarmed the football, forcing two interceptions and two fumbles. Does this matter when they were going up against scrubs?


                  -New England Patriots kicker Andy Borregales missed three field goals during the August 13, 2026, preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts. He finished the night converting just 2-of-5 field goal attempts in a game that ultimately ended in a 13-13 tie. 


                  The Missed Kicks

                  All three of Borregales' misses hooked to the left side of the uprights: 

                  • First Miss (56 yards): Attempted in the first half but fell short and wide left.
                  • Second Miss (55 yards): Attempted during the third quarter.
                  • Third Miss (49 yards): A potential game-winning kick with only 13 seconds left in the fourth quarter, which he completely hooked wide left. 


                    • That’s the biggest problem going in to preseason game number 2 against the eagles 

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                    9 min
                  • Patriots Eagles Joint Practices

                    Patriots Eagles Joint Practice

                    -eagles patriots have joint practices Wednesday and Thursday before their meeting on Saturday night at Gillette. 


                    A.J. Brown Facing His Former Team

                    The massive overarching storyline features Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown lining up directly against his former squad. Since his offseason departure from Philadelphia, all eyes have been on how he would look squaring off against the Eagles' secondary. Early reports from Day 1 of practice indicate Brown dominated early 7-on-7 periods, catching multiple physical passes and a deep curl thrown by quarterback Drake Maye


                    -Maye bounced back from a late interception during last week’s joint session with Indianapolis by looking incredibly sharp on Wednesday, linking up with A.J. Brown and Kayshon Boutte against a talented


                    -Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts sat out Philadelphia's preseason opener against Baltimore and is using these sessions to lock in his regular-season chemistry. Going up against a stout New England defense gives Hurts his first true summer evaluation against outside competition. This is especially crucial as the Eagles navigate early-camp wide receiver injuries, with rookie Johnny Wilson sidelined (hamstring) and DeVonta Smith returning to manage tightness


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                    12 min

                  About Keep It Simple Boston

                  From the publisher's feed

                  A Boston Sports Show