Zolak & Bertrand: Positivity ends after Episode 4 of “The Dynasty”
On Monday’s edition of Zolak & Bertrand, the guys break down why all positivity ends after Episode 4 of The Dynasty.
It’s all downhill from here…
Marc Bertrand: It starts to go a little dark here at the end of episode four. If you didn’t like how episode four ended, I just want to brace everyone. Strap yourself in because it doesn’t get much better from here on out. Anything that’s truly positive in this series is pretty much over once you get to the end of episode four. It’s all downhill from here. Even when they’re winning, it’s all downhill from here in this series.
Scott Zolak: Look at how mad they look. They’re undefeated and they’re mad. Tom Brady’s not smiling. Hurry up get to the cut of him in the locker room not smiling.
Marc Bertrand: They won two Super Bowls back to back. Three out of four. Yes, that’s a dynasty, Gil Santos. That barely gets mentioned.
Scott Zolak: I heard this song, Black Betty, that I always thought was like a hockey song. Bruins get fired up. Next thing I know, it was zoom zoom through ’03 through ’04 and didn’t even mention the 21 game winning streak. The reason after the 2004 championship, which was back to back and the third in four years, it allowed you to hoist Patriots Football Weekly, which said what on the front of it? Mark Dynasty and Gil Santos said, yes, it is a dynasty. That run allows you to even call this the dynasty and yet you didn’t even mention it.
Marc Bertrand: I’m going to give you a couple of criticisms. Yeah, that’s what I do.
Scott Zolak: Real quick. I feel bad if you had a young kid, a lot of fans are watching this with their kids to relive it.
Marc Bertrand: Skipped the (Aaron) Hernandez episode with them by the way. That’s coming up. You’re going to see that one this week if you’ve been following along.
Joe Murray: I actually thought that that was the best episode of the whole entire thing. It’s tough to watch.
Marc Bertrand: But here are some of my criticisms. Number one this seems to be a series…. not that I care. It doesn’t bother me, but it’s just I wish if you were going to cover everything, you’d cover all the football items first. Then you could do all of it. You could do Hernandez and Spygate and Deflategate and Brady and Bill’s deteriorating relationship. You could do all of it, but it feels like after you get through episode 4, that’s all it is the rest of the way.
Scott Zolak: So like they should have stopped you between 3 and 4 and said go watch Three Games to Glory 2, then watch Three Games to Glory 3. Pick us back up in episode four and we move on.
Marc Bertrand: Too many media people in this series. Too many and too much of them. I would prefer more players and more people that were there, speaking honestly about what it was like to be there. I don’t care about Howard Bryant’s takes, or Jackie MacMullen takes, or Nora Princiotti, or Bob Holder, I don’t care about any of you.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 11: Owner Robert Kraft (L) hugs head coach Bill Belichick (R) of the New England Patriots during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Belichick announced he is stepping down as head coach after 24 seasons with the team. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Listen to the full segment!
NFL Combine schedule: When quarterbacks and more have their workouts
The 2024 NFL Combine schedule is officially out.
One of the league’s biggest off-season events, the annual scouting combine gathers the best, most athletic prospects in the NFL Draft for workouts, team interviews, and other obligations. The NFL Network is set to broadcast the workouts and other aspects of the combine as part of the TV schedule, which you can read below.
MORE: NFL releases franchise tag numbers for 2024
Combine workouts are broken into four days with groups of positions. They’re all set to begin in the afternoon this year. Here’s the full position-by-position NFL Combine TV schedule, with some names to watch…
Thursday, Feb. 29: Defensive Line, Linebackers
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 01: Dallas Turner #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates in the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines during the CFP Semifinal Rose Bowl Game at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2024 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The front-seven leads things off for the NFL Combine on Thursday. Between defensive ends & defensive tackles, and inside & outside linebackers, there will be a variety of young athletes on display to work out for NFL teams. For prospects, the combine is also their time to have pre-draft interviews with interested clubs and meet with reporters.
Among the top defensive prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft is Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner. He’s described as fast, strong, and versatile, making him arguably the best prospect at his position.
Friday, March 1: Tight Ends, Defensive Backs
AUBURN, ALABAMA – SEPTEMBER 30: Brock Bowers #19 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts after scoring the go-ahead touchdown against the Auburn Tigers during the fourth quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
On Friday, the NFL Combine will feature one position each for offense and defense. The tight ends, however, are likely to draw more fanfare than the defensive backs, as the offensive guys who will find themselves on fantasy teams across the country.
At the top of the heap among the tight ends is Georgia’s Brock Bowers. But if defensive backs are your thing, watch for Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins.
Saturday, March 2: Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, Running Backs
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 28: Drake Maye #10 of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks to pass against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The main event. Quarterback is the most important position in sports, wide receivers are more important in the NFL than ever, and elite running backs are staples of winning fantasy rosters. There will be more eyeballs on these players than any others in the combine.
At quarterback, top prospects Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels are not expected to work out. That leaves UNC’s Drake Maye, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., Oregon’s Bo Nix, and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy as the top names to watch, if they choose to take the field.
As for the wide receivers, Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. is reportedly not expected to test at the combine. So, keep an eye on Washington’s Rome Odunze and LSU’s Malik Nabers.
Sunday, March 3: Offensive Line, Special Teams
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 16: Joe Alt #76 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish warms up before the game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Notre Dame Stadium on September 16, 2023 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
The NFL Combine schedule finishes off with the least sexy positions on the field. But offensive linemen have also never been more important, as their impact has risen with that of offenses across the NFL. So, top tackle prospect Joe Alt from Notre Dame is worth your attention. Offensive lineman workouts do have a chance at being a nice source of entertainment.
