Morning sports update
The Patriots linebacker calls on the fans: Jahlani Tavai became the most recent Patriots player to criticize the team's fans for his or her boos and calls for Jerod Mayo to be fired during their loss to the Chargers last Saturday.
In an interview with WEEI's “The Greg Hill Show” on FridayThe Patriots linebacker said the boos bothered him and that he told a fan to calm down in a “rude way” throughout the loss to the Chargers.
“I don’t know,” Tavai replied when asked if he understood why fans might boo the team. “There’s a reason they’re fans. Everyone can say what they think we should do. At the end of the day, they're not qualified to do what Mayo does, or whatever the Pats do.
“The fans, I appreciate them sometimes, but sometimes they just need to know their place and understand that it's a work in progress. “Rome wasn't built in a day.”
Tavai is the third player on the Patriots defense to praise fans for their boos and shouts since the loss to the Chargers. Patriots defensive tackle Davon Godchaux called the chants “ridiculous” and criticized the boos.
“Being in New England for just four years, I could have done better with the fans with the boos and things like that,” Godchaux said Saturday. “It’s embarrassing, I understand, but at the end of the day you’re fighting for your pride.”
Patriots defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. said that while he had “respect” for the fans, he and the team “didn't appreciate the boos.”
“We don’t appreciate the outbreak [against Mayo]” Wise said after the Chargers' loss.
Mayo, meanwhile, said he had already spoken to Tavai when he met with reporters this morning. The Patriots coach didn't say what he told Tavai but defended fans' right to criticize the team.
“I’ve said this before, I’m a fan of different things too,” Mayo said. “Look, no one is happy with our record. Nobody is happy where we are right now. And the fans pay the bills and they come here and demand that we go out and do well. And we didn't do that this year. So look, I understand.”
The Patriots went through loads of hardships in Mayo's first season as head coach. At 3-13, they’re currently projected to be the No. 1 pick within the 2025 NFL Draft. They are also within the midst of a six-game losing streak, their second such streak this season.
Tavai said he was upset with how the season went, but hopes the team works toward something greater in the long run.
“There were teams that demonstrated – a work-in-progress team; What was your record with the Lions four years ago when Dan Campbell took over? [3-13-1]? “Then I'm not trying to compare the last two years, but that is a goal that we are trying to develop here in this new regime,” Tavai said. “That’s the mission – to find out how the Lions improve. That’s the type of team we see ourselves as – a playoff contender. Unfortunately that is not the case this year.”
Worth knowing: Tavai leads the Patriots with 111 total tackles this season. The player with the second most tackles has a complete of 32 fewer tackles. Who is that this player?
(Note: He was drafted by the Patriots)
Schedule and results
The Celtics began their four-game road trip against a few of the very best teams within the Western Conference on a high note on Thursday. They defeated the Timberwolves, 118-115. Boston faces Houston on Friday at 8 p.m. The Celtics even have a match against the top-seeded Thunder on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
Back on the East Coast, the Bruins lost 2-1 to the Rangers in New York on Thursday. They will face the first-place Maple Leafs in Toronto on Saturday at 7 p.m. They also host the Islanders on Sunday at 6 p.m
Finally, the Patriots' 2024 season involves an end on Sunday. They host the playoff-bound Bills, who aren't expected to play their starters for long. Meanwhile, Drake Maye is anticipated to begin for the Patriots. Kick-off is at 1 p.m
Read more at Boston.com
Mike Vrabel on the interview with the Jets
Former Patriots star and Titans coach Mike Vrabel has his first interview of the 2025 coaching cycle. He will interview with the Jets on Friday. Zack Rosenblatt reported. Vrabel, who was fired by the Titans after the 2023 season, is taken into account top-of-the-line coaches available on the market before the offseason. He has also been speculated as a possible substitute for Jerod Mayo should the Patriots eliminate the first-year coach.
Jimmy Butler is reportedly asking for a trade from the Heat
Butler's days in South Beach could also be numbered. The Heat star has told the team he would love to be traded. ESPN's Shams Charania and Brian Windhorst reported.
There have been recent rumors of a move surrounding Butler as he sought a contract extension however the Heat didn’t grant him one. Heat president Pat Riley previously said the team had no intention of trading him. However, things appeared to return to a head after Butler's nine-point performance within the Heat's loss to the Pacers on Thursday.
“I want to regain my joy in playing basketball. Wherever that is, we’ll find out here soon,” Butler told reporters. “I'm happy here off the court, but I want to be somewhat dominant again, I want to play basketball and help this team win, and right now I'm not doing that.”
Daily highlight
Steph Curry has seemingly achieved the whole lot possible behind the 3-point line in his illustrious profession. But the Warriors star had a brand new first on Thursday night. He made all eight 3-point attempts he made within the Warriors' 139-105 win over the 76ers. It was essentially the most variety of 3-pointers he has made in a game with no miss in his profession. It was also only one point shy of the NBA record for many 3-pointers made with no miss in a game.
On this present day
One hundred and five years ago Friday, the general public learned of the trade that might change the course of baseball history. The Red Sox officially announced that they’d traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees. Red Sox owner Harry Frazee received $125,000 plus a $350,000 loan for Ruth, who was searching for a brand new contract on the time.
The deal established the Yankees' championship dominance and won 4 World Series titles with Ruth. It also marked the start of the “Curse of the Bambino,” which saw the Yankees win 26 championships after the trade before the Red Sox won again in 2004.
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