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Toucher & Hardy

Rob ‘Hardy’ Poole: Patriots’ Red Zone Failures and Defensive Collapse Lead to 25-24 Loss

Author Nick Gemelli
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo during the team's most recent game on Dec. 1 vs. Indianapolis. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

The New England Patriots lost to the Indianapolis Colts 25-24 on Sunday, dropping their record to 3-10 for the season. The game was decided in the final moments when Colts QB Anthony Richardson threw a fourth-down touchdown pass, followed by a successful two-point conversion. The Patriots couldn’t answer on their final drive, sealing the loss.

Rookie quarterback Drake Maye threw for 238 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the tough defeat. His interception came after a drop by tight end Hunter Henry, but overall, Maye showed promise despite the loss.

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On the Toucher & Hardy radio program, Rob “Hardy” Poole expressed frustration over the team’s performance. While many fans expected the offense to struggle with Maye stepping in for Jacoby Brissett, the bigger issue has been the defense. Despite outgaining the Colts in yards and plays, the Patriots’ defense allowed a game-winning drive when it mattered most.

Poole also pointed out that the most frustrating part for fans is the team’s self-inflicted mistakes. Even though the Patriots aren’t a great team, they were in a position to win. Dumb penalties, especially in the red zone, cost them key opportunities. Failing to convert red-zone visits into touchdowns or field goals has become a major issue. Fans aren’t just upset about the record—they’re frustrated with the way the team is losing.

Nick Gemelli, the wizard behind the scenes at Toucher & Hardy and a maestro on 985thesportshub.com, kicked off his radio escapade back in 2007 as an intern for Toucher & Rich on WBCN. After navigating through WFNX and the Boston Phoenix, he made a triumphant return to the show in 2016. Hailing from Marshfield but currently holding it down in Tewksbury, Nick’s radio journey is as dynamic as his Twitter feed. Nick writes about what happens on the Toucher & Hardy Show and Boston area lifestyle content.

Hip Hop Playlist: Toucher & Hardy's Truly Top Tunes, Vol. 1

For those of you who’ve taken note of the music played on Toucher and Hardy, here’s a hip hop playlist I’ve made.

This will be the first in a series we can refer to as “The Sounds of Toucher & Hardy” or something along those lines. And by that I mean it’s the first one I’m compiling. So if you saw another one before this one, whatever. You get the point.

I’m Adam 12, Executive Producer of the Toucher & Hardy show, weekday mornings from 6-10 on 98.5 the Sports Hub. I run the board. I get on the mic when it makes sense to. I book guests, help produce bits, and pitch segment ideas. And I pick tunes.

Hip Hop Playlist: There’s a Method, Man

Much like Fred and Hardy, I have an extensive background in rock radio. Middays at WBCN, two stints at WFNX, college radio at WRBB. And I’m the Program Director of ROCK 92.9, which you can still listen to, it’s just in different places now.

I share all of this because the love of music is what got me into radio, and it’s what’s kept me here, for the most part. And thanks to Fred and the rest of the show, I get to scratch my musical itch getting us into segments each morning.

Hip Hop Playlist: Dropping the Needle

Fred and I are big hip hop fans, and we know lots of the listeners are, too. So there’s plenty of beats in the mix to keep me motivated, put Fred in the right headspace to make great radio, and to entertain you as we segue into a segment.

I’ve hand-picked a dozen (of course) rap songs that are currently in rotation on the show. Some from the old heads, some from newer artists, all for your reference and listening enjoyment below. Dig the hip hop playlist and stay tuned for more mixes to come.

  • Audio Two "Top Billin'"

    Kicking things off with a classic. That, and the list is alphabetical. Still, this beat goes so. damn. hard.

  • Camp Lo "Luchini"

    This one’s been in the mix on the show for years. In fact, back when I was just a listener, I’d text Fred every time I’d hear it come on. He loved that.

  • Cities Aviv "Coastin'"

    Cities Aviv is a rapper and producer from Memphis. This is his first single, dropped back in 2011.

  • Czarface "Bomb Thrown"

    Esoteric has been a friend of the show for years, so Czarface has been in the rotation for years, too. This one’s my go-to.

  • Das Racist "You Oughta Know"

    Another group that, when they came on the scene in 2008, Fred and I became obsessed with. Their Shut Up, Dude mixtape is an all-timer.

  • Dizzee Rascal "Fix Up, Look Sharp"

    Billy Squier has been sampled by loads of rappers, but none as deftly as Dizzee. This one’s the lead single from his 2003 debut album.

  • DJ Shadow "High Noon"

    DJ Shadow makes plenty of appearances on the show, both as a solo artist and collaborator. This cut gets the blood up.

  • MF Doom "Rapp Snitch Knishes"

    Doom, like Das Racist, is another artist Fred and I obsess over. And one I try to go deep on with the in-show mix.

  • The Pharcyde "Passin' Me By"

    I’m always trying to turn any ears I can onto new sounds. But I also like to celebrate the classics. And this is one of those.

  • The Roots "The Next Movement"

    Black Thought is the greatest rapper of all time. And no, I won’t be taking any questions at this time.

  • Souls of Mischief "Cab Fare"

    One of the West Coast’s greatest groups of the ’90s rapping over a sample of the theme to Taxi. It’s a pity they could never get that sample cleared.

  • A Tribe Called Quest

    Had to get some Tribe in the mix because everybody on the show loves ’em and we spin a few tracks from ’em. I’m going with this one from their debut.

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Author Nick Gemelli
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