Brady was throwing to Danny Amendola and Michael Jenkins on the near side of the field the majority of the time. Amendola was expected, but it was surprising to see Jenkins on the other side.

The Patriots have plenty of options to start at the X wide receiver between Jenkins, Donald Jones, Aaron Dobson and Josh Boyce. Jenkins has the most experience of that group at the position, so that may be the reason he was getting the most work early in the offseason.

On this week’s Gunslingers Podcast, NESN.com NFL writers Doug Kyed and Luke Hughes discuss what they saw at Patriots OTAs. They also talk about Brian Urlacher‘s retirement and the possible partnership between the WWE and NFL.

Listen in below or download the podcast on iTunes for all the latest on the Patriots and the NFL.

The Pacers, fresh off a tough victory against the New York Knicks, do not seem intimidated by the Heat’s aura, or by the star power of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and friends.

Instead, Indiana seems ready to embrace the challenge of facing this top-seeded Miami squad and trying to take advantage of some potential matchup problems. The unfortunate reality, however, could very well be that even those problems will not be enough to derail Miami’s momentum.

NESN.com NBA writer Ben Watanabe joined NESN Nation’s Dan Duquette on the podcast Monday, where the two previewed the upcoming Eastern Conference finals. They also broke down the Spurs-Grizzlies matchup out West, Greg Oden‘s chances of landing with the Celtics and which dinosaurs would have made the best basketball players.

Listen to the latest episode in the player below, or subscribe on iTunes to download it there.

LeBron James

The Miami Heat haven’t sewn up their title defense quite yet, despite holding a commanding series lead against Nate Robinson and the Chicago Bulls. The Heat’s next test will be a tougher one, and one that should provide many more interesting storylines than those appearing in the team’s current matchup.

Who Miami plays in the next round (assuming they advance past Chicago) is still up for grabs, and either way, basketball fans should be looking forward to what’s in store. While seeing Carmelo Anthony face off against LeBron would certainly be an intriguing matchup, the Heat could end up having a much tougher time against the Pacers.

NESN.com NBA writer Ben Watanabe and NESN Nation’s Dan Duquette stopped by the podcast to break down all the latest playoff action. They also discussed whether Kevin Durant needs more help, how much Mike Woodson is to blame for the Knicks’ troubles and more.

Listen to the latest episode in the player below, or subscribe on iTunes to download it there.

In the past the Patriots have kept pretty shallow depth at wideout, but since so many players are trying to learn the complex New England offense quickly, it could mean keeping as many as six or seven players at the position — especially since one of those wide receivers is Matthew Slater, who likely won’t contribute on offense.

There are very few sure things at the position to make the New England roster, but it’s safe to say that Danny Amendola, Julian Edelman, Aaron Dobson, Josh Boyce and Slater will be on there. It’s then up to Donald Jones, Michael Jenkins, Lavelle Hawkins, T.J. Moe, Kamar Aiken and Kenbrell Thompkins to fight it out for the remaining spots — if there are any.

On this week’s Gunslingers Podcast, NESN.com NFL editors Doug Kyed and Luke Hughes go through their 53-man roster predictions position by position to explain their differing ideas. The two also give their “shocking roster cuts” at the end, and the names mentioned may come as a surprise.

Listen in below or download the podcast on iTunes for all the latest on the Patriots and the NFL.

Photo via Facebook/New England Patriots from B/R

The New York Rangers enter the Eastern Conference semifinal series against the B’s as one of the hottest teams in hockey and with one of the game’s best goalies. Henrik Lundqvist was great against the Capitals in the Rangers’ opening series, and there’s no reason to believe he’ll relent against Boston.

On the other end of the ice, Tuukka Rask and Zdeno Chara have been the backbone of a strong Bruins defense that was sorely tested against Phil Kessel and the Maple Leafs. With the Boston defense dealing with some serious injury issues, Chara has stepped up in a big way — and the team will need him to do it again.

NESN.com NHL writer Mike Cole stopped by the podcast on Tuesday to break down the magic of the Bruins’ incredible Game 7 victory with NESN Nation’s Dan Duquette. The two also previewed the challenges waiting for the Bruins in the next round and much more.

Listen to the latest episode in the player below, or subscribe on iTunes to download it there.

That book smarts and football savvy should allow most of the new acquisitions to get on the field early and often. There aren’t many projects among this year’s rookies.

Duron Harmon and T.J. Moe graduated from Rutgers and Missouri, respectively, with GPAs in the mid-3s, and tight end Zach Sudfeld has a masters from Nevada in business administration. While business acumen or deep knowledge in labor studies won’t help much on the gridiron, aptitude in the classroom is something Bill Belichick deeply values.

Since the clock is ticking on both the careers of Tom Brady and Belichick, the mentality within the Patriots’ organization may be leaning towards “win now” even while getting younger across the board. There may not be many immediate starters in this class, but they’ll dive into their playboooks, know the scheme and be able to contribute somewhere.

In this week’s Gunslingers Podcast, NFL editors Doug Kyed and Luke Hughes discuss how the new players will fit in to the already deep Patriots roster. They also get into Rob Gronkowski‘s forearm, depth at defensive tackle (including some cloning talk about Vince Wilfork) and Tom Brady seeing ghosts.

Listen in below or download the podcast on iTunes for all the latest on the Patriots and the NFL.

Photo via Facebook/Rutgers Football from B/R

That’s the question on everyone’s mind after the team’s first-round playoff exit, and the immediate future certainly holds more questions than answers for the C’s. Paul Pierce‘s status with the team is chief among them, and Kevin Garnett might be waiting to see what happens to his captain before deciding his next step.

Add Doc Rivers‘ and Rajon Rondo‘s uncertain futures into the mix, and all of a sudden the Celtics offseason is shaping up to be anything but mundane. Danny Ainge will certainly have his work cut out for him this summer, and Boston fans will be anxiously watching to see what happens next.

Should Ainge decide to blow up the team’s roster, fans might have to stomach the idea of seeing Rondo in an opposing uniform come next winter. More controversial still, even Pierce could visit the TD Garden in enemy colors for the 2013-14 campaign.

With all that uncertainty in mind, NESN.com’s Ben Watanabe stopped by the podcast to talk with NESN Nation’s Dan Duquette about what the future might hold for the C’s. The two also talked about Avery Bradley‘s share of the blame for the Celtics’ playoff loss, whether the Bulls can beat the Heat and much more.

Listen to the latest episode in the player below, or subscribe on iTunes to download it there.

With the Jays in last place of the American League East, nothing has coming easy for Boston’s division rival, so it should come as little surprise that Toronto is now trying to make life difficult for the Red Sox and their ace pitcher, Clay Buchholz.

Despite allegations that Buchholz was doctoring the baseball, however, the Red Sox have soldiered on, leading the AL East and standing tall as one of the season’s biggest surprises so far.

NESN.com’s Ricky Doyle stopped by the podcast to discuss those surprises with NESN Nation’s Dan Duquette. The two also hashed out the Buchholz-Dirk Hayhurst shenanigans, talked about why the Angels are struggling and much more.

Listen in the player below, or subscribe on iTunes to download it there.

But the Celtics responded with an overtime win last Friday, followed by their most complete performance of the postseason in a 92-86 win in Game 5, and just like that, we have a series.

Off-the-court storylines aside (looking at you, Jordan Crawford), there is plenty of game action to analyze, so NESN.com NBA editor Ben Watanabe joined Zack Cox on the podcast Thursday afternoon to do just that. They touch on Kevin Garnett playing like Kevin Garnett again, Jason Terry taking flight and Avery Bradley struggling to perform at a position he just is not suited for.

Listen to the latest episode in the player below, or subscribe on iTunes to download it there.

After arguably their most complete game of the season, Boston holds a 1-0 lead over Toronto in a best-of-seven series. Despite how dominant the Bruins looked in that first game, however, it only counts on the scoreboard as one victory just the same. Now it’s up to the Bruins to show that they can do it again and again and again until they eliminate the Leafs.

NESN.com’s Mike Cole joined the NESN.com podcast on Thursday to break down the B’s dominating performance with NESN Nation’s Dan Duquette. The two also discussed Dougie Hamilton‘s playoff future, why Phil Kessel struggles against the Bruins and much more.

Listen to the latest episode in the player below, or subscribe on iTunes to download it there.

Jason Collins

Despite the widespread support being shown for Collins both at a local and national level, the full impact of Collins’ announcement won’t be felt until he suits up in a NBA locker room next season. The fact that Collins is a free agent-to-be entering the NBA offseason adds yet another layer to the unfolding drama, and it offers questions that won’t be easily answered any time soon. The rest of Collins’ story is going to be fascinating as it plays out, and many eyes will be watching the basketball world to see how everything goes down.

NESN.com’s Ben Watanabe spoke with NESN Nation’s Dan Duquette about what the future might hold for Collins. The two also discussed the latest developments surrounding the Sacramento Kings, handicapped what’s left of the Celtics-Knicks series and much more.

Listen to the latest episode in the player below, or subscribe on iTunes to download it there.

Draft analysts had some harsh words for Bill Belichick over drafting Duron Harmon, who was considered a reach in the third round, but the Patriots also got some steals in the later rounds. Steve Beauharnais was expected to be a fourth- or fifth-round pick after being a semifinalist for the Butkus Award as the leader on Rutgers’ defense. An impressive showing at the combine shouldn’t have hurt him, but he still fell all the way to the seventh round, where New England couldn’t help themselves from scooping up a third Scarlet Knights defender.

Logan Ryan was a nice value pick in the third round, as well. Ryan showed some nice ball skills in the Big East and should be a starting-caliber player in a zone defense. No matter how well those two players do, though, the real success of the 2013 class will depend on the top picks, especially Aaron Dobson.

New England has shown an inability to draft wide receivers in the past (especially in the second round) and the Marshall wideout will have to reverse the curse of the speedy, but raw, Patriots pass catcher. Dobson has the size, speed, strength and smarts to make it in the complex New England offense, but taking on the massive playbook will be tough for a wide receiver with limited experience in different routes.

On this week’s Gunslingers Podcast, Luke Hughes and Doug Kyed dive into the 2013 draft class. They debate where Jamie Collins‘ best fit will be in 2013 and beyond, and they tackle some of the biggest winners and losers of the three-day festivities.

Listen in below or download the podcast on iTunes for all the latest on the Patriots and the NFL.

Photo via Facebook/Steven Beauharnais

If the perfect player is there at No. 29, whether it be D.J. Hayden, Tank Carradine or Bjoern Werner, New England will likely stay put and use the No. 29 pick on an impact player. If a top-tier player like Star Lotulelei, Sheldon Richardson or Xavier Rhodes starts to fall, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Patriots trade up. They did it last year, and with the new lower rookie contracts, it might be good business.

Of course, the possibility always exists that the Patriots could trade down, as well. This draft is very deep at wide receiver and cornerback — the team’s two biggest needs — and the difference between a player at that position at No. 29 and in the 40s may not be that great.

We’ll have to wait until late Thursday night to see what the team will do at No. 29, but NESN.com’s Luke Hughes and Doug Kyed run through all the possibilities in this week’s Gunslingers Podcast. The two also discuss how the top five may shake out and how far some of the top quarterbacks could fall.

Listen in below or download the podcast on iTunes for all the latest on the Patriots and the NFL.

Tank Carradine Photo via Facebook/Florida State Football from B/R
D.J. Hayden Photo via Facebook/D.J. Hayden

As the Celtics and Knicks square off in a first-round playoff series, emotions will be sure to rise as the tension does. Paul Pierce and Carmelo Anthony will be doing their best to add another winning chapter to their team’s story of Boston vs. New York. However, that won’t prove to be a very easy task.

NESN.com’s Ben Watanabe spoke with Earl “The Pearl” Monroe about the Celtics-Knicks rivalry in the latest NESN podcast, and also previewed the NBA playoffs with NESN Nation’s Dan Duquette.

Listen to the latest episode in the player below, or subscribe on iTunes to download it there.

The Patriots could take a number of different routes this year with the No. 29 pick. They could trade down like many expect them to, they could trade up and surprise everyone for the second year in a row, they could draft a wide receiver or cornerback to fill immediate needs or they could look to the future and draft a pass rusher or linebacker. Or, of course, there’s a fifth option, and Bill Belichick could shock everyone with his selection — though we suspect some New Englanders will revolt if a running back or tight end comes off the board first for the Patriots.

If New England takes a linebacker or pass rusher, it means they’re looking toward the future. Current starters Brandon Spikes and Rob Ninkovich are both free agents in 2014. And if the team signs a veteran defensive end, it will likely be on a one-year deal or a contract that would be easy to get out of after 2013 because of guaranteed money and signing bonuses.

There are a number of players at those two positions the team has shown interest in. The Patriots have worked out Kansas State linebacker Arthur Brown and defensive ends Ezekiel Ansah out of BYU, Dion Jordan out of Oregon, Florida State’s Tank Carradine and UCLA product Datone Jones. There also seems to be a lot of smoke around the Patriots and SMU’s Margus Hunt.

On this week’s Gunslingers Podcast, NESN’s Luke Hughes and Doug Kyed discuss what the Patriots may do with the No. 29 pick. They also discuss this year’s quarterback class and how the Top 10 picks may shake out.

Listen in below or download the podcast on iTunes for all the latest on the Patriots and the NFL.

Photo via Facebook/Cornelius Tank Carradine

David Ortiz

The team is tied for first place entering Friday, and after Boston’s poor beginnings to the last few years, that’s a welcome change around Red Sox Nation. Ortiz’s return certainly will be as well.

While Big Papi continues his rehab assignment in Pawtucket and moves closer to his eventual reunion with the major league club, the Sox have plenty of other storylines to concern themselves with.

So, NESN.com MLB writer Ricky Doyle stopped by the podcast to chat with NESN Nation’s Dan Duquette about them. The two also talked about how worried the Blue Jays should be, what to expect from Stephen Drew and much more.

Listen to their conversation in the player below, or subscribe on iTunes and download it there.

Photo via Facebook/Pawtucket Red Sox

On the one hand, the C’s have an aging roster, and that demands a certain amount of restraint with the postseason in mind. After all, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett are not the young men they once were, so Doc Rivers has already begun resting his stars in anticipation of the playoffs. On the other hand, the Celtics need to be playing at their best at this point of the year.

How can they do so with their best players on the bench?

That’s the conundrum that the Celtics face with only a few games standing between them and a likely first-round matchup with the New York Knicks, and it’s one without an easy answer.

Still, NESN.com NBA writer Ben Watanabe and NESN Nation’s Dan Duquette did their best to tackle it in the latest NESN.com podcast. The two also touched on Derrick Rose‘s recovery, Rajon Rondo‘s eventual return and much more.

Listen to their conversation in the player below, or subscribe on iTunes to download the episode there.

While neither Julian Edelman nor Emmanuel Sanders play the same position as Rob Gronkowski, they will give the Patriots’ offense some added insurance should the star tight end miss any time to start the season.

If Gronkowski’s arm keeps him out at the beginning of the year, it could mean Aaron Hernandez plays more tight end than wide receiver to start the season. That should put a third wideout on the field more often, and if Sanders does join the Patriots, it would likely put he, Edelman and Danny Amendola on the field with Hernandez and a running back often.

On this week’s Gunslingers Podcast, NESN.com’s Luke Hughes and Doug Kyed talk about how the day’s big moves affect the Patriots as well as the team’s updated draft needs.

Listen in below or download the podcast on iTunes for all the latest on the Patriots and the NFL.

Julian Edelman photo via Facebook/New England Patriots from B/R
Emmanuel Sanders photo via Facebook/New England Patriots from B/R

The Knicks haven’t lost since March 18 and their best player, Carmelo Anthony, has been playing like a man possessed, averaging 32.7 points per game over his team’s 12-game winning streak.

That span has included two wins over the Celtics — by a combined 34 points — yet many in New England are not intimidated by the prospect of facing New York in the postseason.

The Celtics and Knicks seem to be on a collision course to meet in the first round, and NESN.com NBA editor Ben Watanabe joined Zack Cox on the podcast to discuss whether this is really as good of a matchup as Boston fans seem to think it is.

They also break down the battles currently raging for the No. 1 seed and the No. 8 seed out West and offer their take on the recently announced 2013 Basketball Hall of Fame class.

Listen in the player below or subscribe on iTunes to download it there.

Da’Rick Rogers is the same height as Bryant at 6-foot-2 and has similar speed, agility and explosion as the Dallas wideout. Rogers, like all 2013 top wide receiver prospects, has his fair share of question marks. Rogers was kicked out of Tennessee and had to transfer to Tennessee Tech before the 2012 season. There have been some questions about his coachability as well.

Bill Belichick has been willing to take risks on players with questionable character before, and if Rogers slips to the second round, the Patriots may jump at the opportunity to take him.

Draft Headquarters’ Shawn Zobel joined NESN.com’s Luke Hughes and Doug Kyed to discuss the NFL draft on this week’s Gunslingers Podcast. Zobel has Rogers ranked as his top overall wide receiver.

Zobel, Hughes and Kyed get into the Chiefs’ No. 1 overall pick, the quarterbacks in this class and even some of the controversy surrounding Zobel in the draft community.

Listen in below, or download the podcast on iTunes, for all the latest on the Patriots and the NFL.