Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer
98.5 The Sports Hub - Boston's Home For Sports | The Flagship Station of the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Revolution Felger & Mazz: Jrue Holiday would be massive upgrade over Marcus Smart
98.5 The Sports Hub - Boston's Home For Sports | The Flagship Station of the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Revolution
  • Latest
        • Latest News

        • Writers

          • Tony Massarotti
          • Matt Dolloff
          • Ty Anderson
          • Alex Barth
          • Sean Sylver
          • Matt McCarthy
  • On Air
        • Shows

          • Toucher & Rich
          • Zolak & Bertrand
          • Felger & Mazz
          • Joe Murray
          • The Baseball Hour with Tony Mazz
          • Full On Air Schedule
        • Full On Air Schedule

          sports hub schedule logo
        • How To Listen

          how to listen
  • Teams
        • Teams

          • New England Patriots
          • Boston Bruins
          • Boston Celtics
          • New England Revolution
          • Boston Red Sox
        • Patriots News

        • Bruins News

        • Celtics News

  • Watch + Listen
        • Shows On Demand

          • Toucher & Rich Podcast
          • Zolak & Bertrand Podcast
          • Felger & Mazz Podcast
          • Joe Murray Podcast
          • The Baseball Hour with Tony Mazz
        • Original Podcasts

          • Stick to Wrestling
          • Over/Under 98.5
          • Sports Hub Underground
          • Patriots Audio
          • Bruins Audio
          • Celtics Audio
          • Revolution Audio
        • Weekend Shows On Demand

          • Gasper & Murray
          • Sports Hub Sunday Kickoff
          • The Sports Hub Hockey Show
          • Sports Hub Celtics Show
          • The Soccer Show
          • The Sunday Football Show
          • Sports Hub Golf Club
        • The Fuppets

          • Fuppets Video
        • The Fuppets

  • Events
        • Contests + Events

          • Contests
          • Sports Schedule
          • Station Events
          • Community Events
  • Shop
        • Must Haves

        • Shop The Sports Hub Store

  • More
        • Connect

          • Contests
          • Advertise with Us
          • Contact Us
          • Subscribe to the Sports Hub Newsletter
          • All The Ways To Listen
          • Work for Beasley Media Group Boston
          • DraftKings SportsBook
        • Advertise With Us

          image overlaid with copy that reads advertise with us
98.5 The Sports Hub - Boston's Home For Sports | The Flagship Station of the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Revolution

Felger & Mazz

  • Home
  • About
  • Articles
  • Podcasts

Felger & Mazz

Felger & Mazz

  • Home
  • About
  • Articles
  • Podcasts

Felger & Mazz: Jrue Holiday would be massive upgrade over Marcus Smart

Author Felger & Mazz
September 28th 4:24 PM

 

The Portland Trail Blazers finally parted ways with superstar Damian Lillard, and in a stunner based on the summer reporting regarding his situation, sent him to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Looking through a Boston Celtics scope of the situation and how the fallout may impact their chances at a championship run in 2024 and beyond, the team would be smart to trade for Jrue Holiday, a player not expected to stay with Portland.

And on Thursday’s Felger & Mazz program, the guys got “thirsty” for Jrue Holiday.

Would he be an upgrade over Marcus Smart?

FULL CONVERSATION

Felger: Should the Celtics be in on Jrue Holiday? 

Mazz: Yes! 100 percent. 

Felger: Do they need to answer the Lillard move? 

Mazz: Not necessarily, but Jrue Holiday would make them better. I mean it gives them a huge upgrade over Marcus Smart. I mean he brings a lot of what Marcus Smart brings to the table in terms of toughness and defense and that sort of stuff. And he’s way better at the offensive end. 

Felger: He’d be an upgrade over Marcus Smart! 

Mazz: Massive. 

Felger: He’d be a massive upgrade over Marcus Smart. He’s Marcus Smart without the crap. He’s Marcus Smart without the ego and the D-P-O-Y boxer robe. Jrue Holiday won’t burst into the SI photo shoot with Tatum and Brown. And, do what, Murray? 

Murray: “Get out of my way. This is my team!” 

Yeah, I think Jrue Holiday is more of a guy who knows his role and knows how to be more of a professional. I’m not trying to bag on Marcus Smart, but the ego is out of control. The ego-to-talent ratio with Marcus Smart was maybe his biggest problem. You won’t get that with Jrue Holiday. 

Felger: He’s Marcus Smart without the fake tough guy treat-me-with-respect bullcrap. He’s Marcus Smart without the “I’m the pillar! I’m the longest tenured!” 

None of that. 

 

SEGMENT AUDIO

 

Ryan Beaton is a producer for 985thesportshub.com. You can follow Ryan at @ry_beaton on Twitter.

Patriots Mailbag: Midseason moves and more

It’s an interesting week for the New England Patriots. They’re coming off of their much-needed first win in a 15-10 victory over the New York Jets. At the same time, that win left a lot to be desired as the team moves forward and tries to return to the postseason.

Given that, it’s not surprising to see the majority of this week’s mailbag questions be about the long-term outlook of the season rather than this Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys (another team that is in a weird spot, after losing by double-digits to a tanking Arizona Cardinals team last week).


READ MORE:

—The Cowboys are changing their offense as they prepare for the Patriots
—An unfortunate injury update on the defensive line
—Rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez keeps passing tests


Many of the questions this week are about changes the Patriots can make to their personnel moving forward. That includes external additions, as well as changing the way players currently on the roster are used.

Let’s start with some of those internal moves as we get into this week’s questions…

  • Fitzzy01 on Twitter: "Do you think it's time for a fullback to help out the run game because of the troubles on the offensive line? / Twitter"

    Do you think it's time for a fullback to help out the run game because of the troubles on the offensive line?

    Adding a fullback to the run scheme not only would help, it has helped. The Patriots employed tight end Pharaoh Brown as a fullback against the Jets, and it appeared to make a difference on traditional run calls. It’s a look the Patriots shouldn’t be afraid to go back to in the future.

  • Forgotten Patriots on Twitter: "With the reports that Ekuale is out long term, do you see a Carl Davis reunion or more snaps for someone like Sam Roberts? / Twitter"

    With the reports that Ekuale is out long term, do you see a Carl Davis reunion or more snaps for someone like Sam Roberts?

    So, there’s two things at play here when we talk about Daniel Ekuale missing time. The first is the impact he makes as an interior pass rusher. To fill those snaps, Sam Roberts could get some looks but it’s a role that would suit Keion White as well, especially in pure pass situations (ex. 3rd & long, end of game).

    However, Ekuale had also been the Patriots best interior run defender through three games. In terms of finding a player for that role, the Patriots don’t have many options – especially if Davon Godchaux misses time as well. Beyond Jeremiah Pharms on the practice squad, the team doesn’t really have another nose tackle. A reunion with Carl Davis would make sense, but the team has yet to reach out to Davis, according to Andrew Callahan of The Boston Herald.

  • Clint on Twitter: "What happened to Matt Ioannidis? Would he be a possible replacement for DE? Or could we look at a big NT? ie. Like a Tyler Shelvin (6'2" 350) / Twitter"

    What happened to Matt Ioannidis? Would he be a possible replacement for DE? Or could we look at a big NT? ie. Like a Tyler Shelvin (6'2" 350)

    Both Ioannidis and Shelvin are currently free agents. While both would give the Patriots some needed depth on the interior, there’s usually a reason players with their experience (especially in Ioannidis’ case) are unsigned at this point in the season).

  • Andrew Caraway on Twitter: "Would bringing in a pass catching RB like Kenyan Drake make sense? Especially if Ty Montgomery is MIA. / Twitter"

    Would bringing in a pass catching RB like Kenyan Drake make sense? Especially if Ty Montgomery is MIA.

    I was all for the Patriots signing Kenyan Drake back in the offseason, but he has since signed with the Ravens. Signing a similar kind of back might help, but most have signed by now. Leonard Fournette would probably be the top option if this is the route the Patriots want to go.

  • Ken on Twitter: "@RealAlexBarth if the patriots win to the cowboys and or come very close to winning but it is still glaring he needs a number one. Could they/will they go after Jerry Juedy on a trade?? I feel they are a guard and a receiver a way to winning these games/putting games away / Twitter"

    @RealAlexBarth if the patriots win to the cowboys and or come very close to winning but it is still glaring he needs a number one. Could they/will they go after Jerry Juedy on a trade??

    I don’t think this one game will make or break the Patriots’ outlook for the season. But there certainly is a conversation to be had about them adding a wide receiver if they win a few more games between now and the trade deadline at the end of October.

    If/when we get to that point, Jerry Jeudy is certainly a name to know. The Broncos look like a disaster, and still need to recoup draft capital from the Russell Wilson trade. If the Patriots feel they have a shot at the playoffs, they should explore moving a Day 2 pick for Jeudy or a comparable player.

  • Jason Brassard on Twitter: "Would trading Uche potentially for a WR that is also coming into free agency be an option to pickup a number One WR? / Twitter"

    Would trading Uche potentially for a WR that is also coming into free agency be an option to pickup a number One WR?

    As much as it would help the Patriots to add a wide receiver mid-season, moving Josh Uche would be a steep price. The Patriots’ pass rush is one of their biggest strengths, and Uche is a key part of it. While they do have the depth to replace him in theory, it would come with a step down as well as tremendous risk if somebody gets hurt.

    Plus, mid-season wide receiver additions – while helpful – aren’t always a guarantee. It’s a lot to pick up a playbook and build chemistry with a quarterback starting in November. If there was a time to trade Uche for a wide receiver, it was back in the spring.

  • Michael Daly on Twitter: "People are turning on Bill O'Brien as Mac Jones keeps being a subpar quarterback. Why can't people just say Jones has to be benched? / Twitter"

    People are turning on Bill O'Brien as Mac Jones keeps being a subpar quarterback. Why can't people just say Jones has to be benched?

    I’m going to need to see the evidence on Mac Jones being ‘a subpar quarterback’ so far in 2023. He currently ranks top 10 in the NFL in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and completion percentage (min. 100 pass attempts).

    Could Jones be better? Of course. But calling for him to be bench is incredibly short-sighted and feel more like the continuation of a predetermined, prior dislike of the player take rather than the result of objectively watching the games. Not only has Jones shown promise this year, but his would-be replacement Bailey Zappe, struggled throughout the summer to the point that the team was O.K. risking losing him during roster cuts.

    In terms of the issues with the Patriots’ offense, neither Jones nor Bill O’Brien look like the biggest issues right now. The lack of production seem to be driven mostly by the struggles of the offensive line, followed by a limited group of playmakers.

  • Mark Cleland on Twitter: "Rhamondre Stevenson has gone away from what made him have a successful season last year and that's being a North/South runner. Do you think he will return to that style and who can get in his ear to make sure it happens? / Twitter"

    Rhamondre Stevenson has gone away from what made him have a successful season last year and that's being a North/South runner. Do you think he will return to that style and who can get in his ear to make sure it happens?

    If the Patriots identify these issues with Rhamondre Stevenson on film, it would be running backs coach Vinnie Sunseri that would likely be tasked with working with him to find a fix. That being said, it hasn’t looked easy to run behind the offensive line. The best thing the Patriots can do for Stevenson at this point is get him more of a push up front. If Stevenson doesn’t have to do as much to find rushing lanes as often as he has through three games, I think you’ll see him start to look like a more determined ball carrier.

  • How would you be happy with the season playing out at this point forward?

    — Collin St.John (@CollinStjohn) September 27, 2023

    Making the playoffs is still the bar this team needs to hit. Missing out two years in a row after making the postseason with a rookie quarterback would be noticeably significant regression.

  • Agro on Twitter: "For everyone who was banging the table for DeAndre Hopkins... do you think he's doing for Tennessee what everyone projected he'd do for the Patriots? / Twitter"

    For everyone who was banging the table for DeAndre Hopkins... do you think he's doing for Tennessee what everyone projected he'd do for the Patriots?

    Playing in an offense that’s worse than the Patriots’, and that throws the ball less, Hopkins still has as many catches (14) and more yards (153) than any current Patriots receiver. It’s tough to say whether he’d hit the ‘projections’ people had for him in New England since there was such a wide range, but early on it does look like he would have improved the offense to some extent.

  • Will Tyquan have an impact on this team? Even if he's not a WR1 I feel like they're lacking high end speed to take the top off the defense and open things up underneath. Thoughts?

    — PatsFanKev (@PatsFanKev) September 27, 2023

    The second point Kev makes here is absolutely correct. A vertical element would definitely help the Patriots’ offense be more effective both throwing the ball underneath and make things easier on the run game as well. Can Tyquan Thornton be that guy?

    That role is about more than being fast. If he can’t get open/earn targets/catch the ball, teams will still probably be comfortable covering him one-on-one. If he starts making plays deep, that’s when things will change.

  • Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.

98.5 The Sports Hub - Boston's Home For Sports | The Flagship Station of the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Revolution

Sign me up for the 98.5 The Sports Hub email newsletter!

Get the latest Boston sports news and analysis, plus exclusive on-demand content and special giveaways from Boston's Home for Sports, 98.5 The Sports Hub.

*
*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Author Felger & Mazz
Category:
  • Celtics
  • Felger & Mazz
  • Latest Content From The Shows
Tags:
basketball,Boston Celtics,Felger & Mazz,Jim Murray,Jrue Holiday,Marcus Smart,Michael Felger,NBA,Tony Massarotti

More Felger & Mazz

SPONSORED Pirates rewrote the record book in 2021

SPONSORED Pirates add three new weapons to help the passing attack

SPONSORED Pirates announce themes for 2022 home games

SPONSORED Pirates New Year’s resolutions for 2022

SPONSORED Pirates QB Alejandro Bennifield shares his goals for the 2022 season

SPONSORED Pirates championship banner flies at Logan International

SPONSORED Pirates to lead IFL’s Midwest Conference

SPONSORED IFL Champion Pirates release 2022 home schedule

SPONSORED Pirates IFL champs; Beat Arizona 37-34 in United Bowl

SPONSORED Pirates beat Frisco 43-22, advance to the United Bowl

SPONSORED Pirates face Frisco in IFL semifinal

SPONSORED Pirates advance, beat Bucks 44-19

SPONSORED Pirates look for first playoff win

SPONSORED Pirates: New heights with low numbers

SPONSORED Pirates kickoff playoff run at home Saturday night

SPONSORED Pirates beat Iowa 55-19

SPONSORED Pirates roundup Wranglers 51-16

SPONSORED Pirates beat Blizzard 50-33

SPONSORED Pirates clinch IFL playoff berth

SPONSORED Pirates hold off Spokane in overtime 63-57

SPONSORED Gonzalez IFL special teams player of the week

SPONSORED Pirates shake Rattlers 68-44

SPONSORED Pirates add youth and experience with Young and Barnes

SPONSORED Pirates pass the Bucks 43-38

SPONSORED A look at the Pirates defense by the numbers

SPONSORED Pirates look for third straight win

SPONSORED Gable’s walk-off field goal hands Fighters first loss

SPONSORED Gable Likes the “Ice” – Earns IFL Honor

SPONSORED Stoute Joins Pirates Staff

SPONSORED Gable’s Kick Gives Pirates 37-34 Win

SPONSORED Pirates fall to Frisco 40-33

SPONSORED Pirates face Frisco on Saturday

SPONSORED Pirates prevail over Louisville Xtreme, 42 to 37

SPONSORED Pirates shocked in home opener

SPONSORED Massachusetts Pirates transactional roundup

SPONSORED Pirates add depth at receiver

SPONSORED Pirates re-sign Tarver

SPONSORED Bennifield powers Pirates past Bucks

SPONSORED Pirates strengthen defensive their defensive line

SPONSORED Pirates fall to Green Bay in thrilling ending

SPONSORED Pirates vs. Xtreme: 3 Cannonballs Of The Game

SPONSORED Pirates start 1-0 in IFL

SPONSORED Mardy Gilyard: The man who could have played football blindfolded

Pirates coach Kizer provides training camp update

Pirates Positional Breakdown: Offensive Line

SPONSORED Pirates ink former Cowboys standout receiver

Pirates History: Week of April 7-13

Pirates Positional Breakdown: Defensive Backs

Load More
Beasley Media Group
Download our station app

Download the app to LISTEN LIVE wherever you are and connect with us like never before!

Download on the App Store Download on the Google Play
Newsletter sign up

Don't miss on pre-sales, member-only contests and member only events.

98.5 The Sports Hub – Boston's Home For Sports Newsletter
About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • DMCA
  • FCC Public File
  • FCC Applications
  • EEO
  • Terms and Conditions
  • General Contest Rules
  • Archived Contest Rules
  • Advertising Terms and Conditions
Connect
  • Advertise with Us
  • Subscribe to the Sports Hub Newsletter
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • How To Listen
  • Flagship Station of
  • New England Patriots
  • Boston Bruins
  • Boston Celtics
  • New England Revolution
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram