The Boston Breakdown

Mike Vrabel is rounding out his coaching staff headlined by a third stint at offensive coordinator by Josh McDaniels. Joe gets into if this is a good hire from Vrabel and what McDaniels could bring to Drake Maye and the offense. Also, is Terrell Williams a trustworthy hire at defensive coordinator? Then, its not a struggle or a hot streak so we need to diagnose what is going with the Celtics. And,...

The worst kept secret is out as Mike Vrabel was named the next head coach of the Patriots by Robert Kraft. What can the former Super Bowl champion and team hall of famer fix and does this help move the trajectory for the franchise forward? Plus, the defending champs haven't been playing that well recently, but the concern level for the Celtics is still low (for the time being). And, the Bruins fin...

The best time of the year for football has arrived with the start of the NFL playoffs kicking off with Wild Card Weekend. The episode of the sub-series previews every single game and detailing which teams are on upset alert with their dreams of a Super Bowl dashed. Joe also gives his prediction for who will play each in the Super Bowl and who will hoist the Lombardi Trophy down in New Orleans in F...

Joe is back from the holiday break where so much has happened mainly in the past week when Robert Kraft fired Jerod Mayo making him a one and done head coach. Was this the right decision and where did things go wrong for Mayo since the last time we had an episode? Also, Mike Vrabel seems like the next guy in waiting, but the interview process should be taken seriously for guys like Ben Johnson in...

In a season full of dysfunctional, one video of the Krafts and one shot at his offensive coordinator has Jerod Mayo at a tipping point with Patriots' fans and potentially ownership. Joe gets into just how bad things have been since Sunday's abysmal loss in Arizona and if this could be the beginning of the end for Mayo as head coach. Also, Alex Van Pelt seems like he'll be the fall guy if Mayo does...

Contrary to what has happened over the past few years, the Red Sox made a big splash and traded for pitcher Garrett Crochet. Joe explains what kind of ace the Sox just acquired and what the mood is now surrounding ownership's willingness to spend big. Then, Craig Breslow salvaged his time at the Winter Meetings in Dallas, but still has a long way to go on his to-do list of needs for the offseason....

Since firing Jim Montgomery, the Bruins have found new life under Joe Sacco and have seemingly had a reversal of fortunes to their season. Joe chats with WEEI Bruins' writer Scott McLaughlin about the change the B's went through and the boost the move made to the rest of the squad. Also, Scott explains why parting with Montgomery was a hard decision for management to make, but so far seems like th...

Another week has gone by where the Patriots can't get out of their own way and drop a winnable game against the Colts. Joe discusses the biggest issues with Jerod Mayo and the coaching staff about gameday decisions. Then, the race for Juan Soto continues and the Red Sox are still in the fight, but the chances the Sox actually land the most coveted free agent. And, Joe Sacco keeps the Bruins rollin...

Don Sweeney and the Bruins officially pulled the plug on Jim Montgomery and fired the head coach after a slow and below average start to the season. Joe looks at how much blame Montgomery gets for the troubles among the black and gold and how the team can salvage their year. Then, no shock to see the Patriots fall to the Rams, but the chaos in Foxborough is shocking to hear about. And, the case fo...

Its the return of the sub-series "Speak On It" where Joe details the landscape of the NFL with roughly two months to go until the playoff picture is set. Just how wide open is the league with only one unbeaten team left and the real challengers towards the Chiefs' hopes of a three-peat. Also, what's the balance between how many good teams and how many bad teams there are with tankathon taking a bi...

Despite a tough overtime loss to the Titans, the Patriots wouldn't have been in that spot if not for Drake Maye's heroics. Joe gives his feeling on another good performance from the third overall pick and why the future is even brighter than before sans the 2024 season. Then, Jim Montgomery is getting closer to being the scapegoat for the Bruins while Grant Williams is more than a scapegoat now to...

In a wild time in Boston, it was the Patriots who brought the rare optimism with a victory over the Jets. Joe explains why everyone should be feeling good even if the season doesn't get modestly turned around especially for Jerod Mayo and Jacoby Brissett. Then, the Celtics and Bruins appear on opposite ends of the spectrum with fears of the B's blowing things up this early in the year. And, a brie...

Patriots' season was already a mess and it didn't get any cleaner after head coach Jerod Mayo called his team soft after the most recent loss. Patriots' writer Alex Barth details the mess in Foxborough both on and off the field and if Mayo can salvage any damage already caused. Then, Alex dives into the defensive struggles for the past number of weeks and the bright spot Drake Maye has provided in...

Boston is ready to see its next banner get raised which will happen at TD Garden when the Celtics kick off their title defense. Joe sits down with WEEI Celtics' writer and friend of the program Justin Turpin to detail an odd offseason for a reigning NBA Champion and the motivation it may provide. Turp also describes how the roster will look with almost everyone returning and how minutes will be ma...

In his first career start, Drake Maye thrilled Patriots' fans with his play despite the team's 41-21 loss to the Texans. Joe talks about the potential now for the third overall pick and what are realistic expectations for the rest of the season. Then, one week into the Bruins' season and there's a lot to like about how the Black and Gold have started so far.

Some call it too soon, some say too late, but either way Drake Maye has taken the reigns as Patriots' quarterback and will debut in that position against the Texans. Joe discusses the excitement surrounding the decision from Jerod Mayo to give their third overall pick the chance to show the future is now. Then, among the excitement come the actual expectations for a season that still seems to be l...

The Bruins are certainly glad to end the drama involving Jeremy Swayman just before a new season begins. Friend of the program Bridgette Proulx from WEEI's Bruins' team details how an extension got done between both sides and when to expect the presumptive starting goalie assume that role. Bridgette and Joe also discuss how much impact the two big free agents Nikita Zadorov and Elias Lindholm will...

It was a very frustrating season for Red Sox fans watching the many ups and downs of 2024. To help summarize it all, Pat Brown from the "Play Tessie" podcast joins to diagnose where things went wrong and which aspect of the Sox cost them a shot at the postseason. Pat then gives his perspective of the end of season press conference with Alex Cora, Craig Breslow, and Sam Kennedy and how he would app...

Joe opens the show discussing the Jets flying right over the Patriots and why things could only be getting worse for the Foxborough football team. Then, the Red Sox were officially eliminated which means its time to figure out where things went wrong. And, Bruins and Celtics open up training camp with contrasting emotions and showing love to Boston College football for their start in the Bill O'Br...

Its been a layer of bad news for the Boston sports scene and Joe tries uplift the spirit (since it is his birthday). Are there any moral victories from the Patriots' 1-1 start to the NFL season? Then, the Red Sox playoff chances have sunk so we figure out when exactly things went wrong. And, the concern about Jeremy Swayman and the Bruins is starting to rise.

The time for talking is over and the game action will be the chatter now; except on this episode. Joe sits down with Patriots' writer Mike Kadlick to give his thoughts on where the Pats stand heading into their season opener in Cincinnati and the realistic expectation is for Jerod Mayo and company in this presumptive new era in Foxborough.

Jerod Mayo has decided that Jacoby Brissett will be the starting QB when the Patriots open the season in Cincinnati. Joe talks about if making Drake Maye QB2 is the right decision and if Brissett will make it through all 17 games. Then, the Red Sox have turned things around in a hurry, but can it be sustained. And, Jeremy Swayman wants money that the Bruins simply can't afford.

Through two preseason games and the Patriots seem to have a conundrum at quarterback; at least outside the walls of Foxborough. Joe discusses why choosing Drake Maye as the Pats' starting quarterback over Jacoby Brissett should be the call for Jerod Mayo. Then, why the race for the playoffs isn't over for the Red Sox after winning their series in Houston over the Astros.

Game action finally went down for the Patriots and their preseason opener left more questions than answers. Joe sits down with Pats' writer Jon Lyons on Drake Maye only playing one series and the areas of struggle that could prove deadly for the season. Jon also describes what he's seen during joint practices with the Eagles and what to really expect in their upcoming preseason game.

There haven't even been any preseason games and the drama is running wild throughout Foxborough for Patriots' Training Camp. But with actual game action on the horizon, Joe talks about the chaos Matthew Judon has caused amidst his contract dispute and how unhealthy it is for Jerod Mayo's introduction to coaching. Also, besides the controversy what to watch for in the Pats' preseason opener.