With the NFL’s lockout in its fourth month, it’s clear everyone involved is sick of it. We know this from countless interviews, appearances… and Twitter.
Yes, in this offseason, Twitter is more popular among the Patriots than ever. There are 30-something Patriots on Twitter, with accounts used in various ways. Some hit it hard, some merely check in randomly. Some are hilarious, other kinda boring.
Considering we’re active on Twitter (@RapSheet), there has been way too much time to analyze all this stuff. In this offseason, of course, there hasn’t been much else to do. With that in mind…
How about a thoroughly analytical breakdown of the Patriots on Twitter?
Buckle up. It may take a while. But here we go:
Kyle Arrington (@Arrington27) — He came on strong early, as so many do, trash-talking with friends like Darius Butler and Leigh Bodden. Then, he kinda petered out. Perhaps Arrington’s run on Twitter is over, which is too bad. He kinda left it hanging. He may not be the most exciting Tweeter ever, but he showed potential. In the end, he may not be enough of a free spirit to really enjoy it.
Leigh Bodden (@LeighBodden) — A prolific user, Bodden uses Twitter to interact with fans, provide updates on what he’s been doing, and plug his charitable efforts. He’s a constant presence and must-follow for any fan. And while he’s very savvy with the information he releases, he’s real, too. When he woke up in the preseason and realized he’d torn his rotator cuff, he unleashed a series of loud, um, exclamations on Twitter. If you ask a question, he’ll respond. And his avatars keep you on your toes. One of the best at doing it.
Ron Brace (@Braceyoself97) — This dude is my pick for most underrated. Mostly undercover on the field for two years, he’s been the same way on Twitter. He’s not a steady user, and he’ll disappear for a while. But when he does emerge, he’s hilarious, raw, and opinionated about everything not related to football. Or, even this recently, “I fell asleep and woke up to another damn lockout.” He’ll often see something ridiculous and Tweet it (”Y I find a bootleg copy of the move “The Ring” Called “The Rings”?!?!) Much like on the field, if he could put that potential together and become a little more consistent, he’d be something. Still fun, though.
Deion Branch (@deionbranch84) — A little disappointing. In person, it’s tough to be a better dude than Branch, either dealing with him as a reporter or how he seems as a teammate. On Twitter, though, he’s in-and-out, popping in and saying hello then leaving for weeks. Sometimes, I’m not even sure it’s him Tweeting. He’ll used it wisely to plug camps and such, but he doesn’t connect as well as he could. Even a random question-and-answer session would help.
Sergio Brown (@38special_) — Brown leads the world in random conversations with teammates on Twitter. He doesn’t provide a ton of information, unless you want to know that he’s working out today or whatever. But if you follow his teammates, it’s often really funny to see the back and forth. One positive about Sergio is that he’s forever responding to questions from fans and people he knows. More of a counter-Tweeter, I’d say.
Darius Butler (@DariusButler28) — MVP of the Patriots Twitter world. Butler is funny, opinionated, real and multi-talented. For instance, if he sees a lookalike on the street, he’ll shoot out a quick Twitpic to say, That dude looks like Kyle Love! It’s basically a streaming feed into his mind, so you get social commentary on a variety of issues, such as bad fashion and crazy things other athletes do. He’ll respond to fans, do trivia contests, and openly root for his alma mater, UConn. Butler is still trying to find his flow on the field, but he’s won Twitter.
Marcus Cannon (@tcuscannon) — Cannon has chimed in sporadically, but he’s clearly not a hard-core Tweeter. For instance, he joined the Patriots in April but still has TCU in his name. And he only has one post in July, though he’s been busy with chemotherapy. But don’t count out the affable big man just yet. This spring, he posted a self-Twitpic of a new haircut, which was clever. But he’ll need to amp up the effort level to hang with the big boys.
Tony Carter (@tonycarter904) — This has to be one of the most hit-or-miss accounts. Carter comes off like a chill guy who is open to interacting with everyone. He called himself a Twitter flirt, and that sums it up. If he’s looking to pick up chicks, Twitter seems perfect for him. But too often, I don’t feel like I’m in on the joke (mostly because I’m not). That makes it tough to follow. If you’re close with Carter, though, it’s probably a lot better. And his quick-hitting analysis of cultural trends does make me laugh. Like, “Idk what’s worse frontin or stuntin.”
Jermaine Cunningham (@PatsLB96) –If this was a test, Cunningham would get an incomplete. Sorry, but #Truthtweets. Mostly, he’s absent on the social networking tool. Now, Cunningham does have a good personality, but much like in the real media world, he has yet to open up and get comfortable with it. Until he does, his account will remain silent.
Ras-I Dowling (@RasIDowling) –If you want to believe in the rookie cornerback the Pats picked in the second round, his Twitter account helps. He’s also sending out inspirational and religiously-based sayings on what’s right in the world and how to handle success and failure. It’s mostly motivational. If this account gives any insight into the player, he’s a studious, straight-laced worker. Good for the Patriots. Not good for Twitter.
Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) –Another newcomer, Edelman is vying with the Law Firm for rookie Tweeter of the year. He’s semi-consistent, not clogging up my feed with nonsense but popping in with a few Tweets a day on the important stuff. Like whether he should have an avocado burger for lunch or where he’s flying. And how his workouts are going. Not the most scintillating stuff, but Edelman really gets what Twitter is about. He simply provides a window into his life and let’s us know what he’s up to. Good stuff.
Marlon Favorite (@bigfav504) –A late addition to the Patriots practice squad, Favorite’s Twitter career mirrors his playing career. Some potential, a few good moments, but lots of lulls in between. He’ll respond to fans and friends, talk about New Orleans and going to church, and tell you what song he’s listening to. But the substance is a little lacking. It appears he’s trying to use Twitter to help him with a career after football… and maybe he has a future as a party planner. But we’ll need a little more.
Dane Fletcher (@Dane_Fletcher) –Fletcher joined Twitter this summer and jumped right into the fray. His detailed trash-talk with roommate Rob Gronkowski and diminutive RB Danny Woodhead has been must-read, as Fletcher doesn’t hold back. Fletcher does post his own info, including how his workouts are going and where he is. But if he only existed on Twitter to rip on teammates, I’d support that. Like this: “@danny__woodhead I think you’ve turned a little soft this off-season without @RobGronkowski and I there to mentor you through life!”
BenJarvus Green-Ellis (@TheLawFirmBJGE) –Probably the rookie of the year on Twitter. Like so many, it mirrored his playing career. Green-Ellis is often quiet in interviews, never saying the wrong thing and always with the company line. He’s never come out of himself. Until now. This summer, while boxing and flying with the Thunderbirds, has embraced the public and shown his personality. And fans have flocked. His Twitter account is a constant stream of conversations with fans, Twitpics of his workout group, and accounts of the stuff he’s been doing. This may be the summer where Green-Ellis became a star for the public. Mostly, it’s that he’s always talking to fans that wins him points.
Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) –Well, this is just a circus. You never know what you’re going to get from Gronk, but it’s always going to be off-the-wall, a little nuts, and worth a laugh. He’ll use Twitter to pump his charity, but also to ask Kate Upton for a date. He trash-talks, he jokes, he lets fans in, and he tries to meet chicks. It’s an NFL player crossed with a frat/party guy crossed with that wise-cracking dude on the couch. And he’s never shy, which is why he’s fit like a glove on Twitter.
Gary Guyton (@GaryGuyton59) — One of the most interactive Tweeters, Guyton spends most of his time responding to fans and answering questions. In that realm, he’s quite good. He’ll also sprinkle in some personal information, such as, “I think I am going to get a cigar today…” The marathon retweeting does get a little annoying, so sometimes I come close to unfollowing. But if you’re a fan who got his question answered, you’re probably psyched. And if you covet completely random commentary on the things he sees, Guyton is your guy: “I just saw this guy.. Working out in a polo shirts with the buttons all the way to the neck…he gone pass out while he is running.”
Brian Hoyer (@bhoyer8) — Tom Brady hasn’t taken to Twitter yet, and he may never. Would you settle for the backup QB? Sure, why not. Hoyer definitely gets how Twitter works, even Twitpicking a picture of himself in the weight room to prove it was really him. Nicely done. As of now, he mostly retweets and responds to others, staying in the background like he does with the Pats. But Hoyer is funny and worldly, meaning there is room for growth there. Perhaps when he gets on the field, he’ll step up his Twitter game.
Matt Light (@LightFoundation) — I’m not even sure this counts, but I wanted to include it, anyway. I’m almost positive, considering how Light isn’t one to feed the beast, that this isn’t actually him. Mostly, it’s a way to promo his foundation and get people psyched about his events. But if you’re looking to find out what Light is like, this won’t help.
Bret Lockett (@BretLockett26) — The only Patriots Twitter account that I have unfollowed. And it wasn’t just because of his faux relationship with Kim Kardashian. Lockett is actually a really good dude in person. But his Twitter account made me want to claw my eyeballs out. It was all retweets from girls talking about how good of a model he was or how good-looking or about his burgeoning rap career or about appearances he was making at parties in LA. Too much! I was done.
Kyle Love (@KyleLove74) — Another underrated account, Love is like a big cartoon character. He’s loud, boisterous, and tells you what’s on his mind. Sometimes, he can get off track and not fully appreciate the power of Twitter (like his night ranting from the club). And he definitely gets frustrated with the haters. But mostly, he shares comical and ridiculous situations that society presents him with, while also updating those who care about what’s up with his life… like getting married and getting his Mississippi State degree. Also, in a move I appreciate, he introduced the world to his wife-to-be, @theLOVEladii.
Ryan Mallett (@Ryan_Mallett_15) — Since the draft, Mallett has embraced Twitter in a way he didn’t beforehand. He’s mostly a retweeter now, using the Tweets of others to get his messages and updates out. He’s rarely funny, perhaps taking it easy and being careful with his Tweets like a good rookie. He has shown some flair, even tweaking his old athletics director at Arkansas for not responding. But it’s clear Mallett is a newbie.
Brandon Meriweather (@BMeriweather31) — I had low expectations when Meriweather began his account, mainly because he’s one of the players who rarely opens himself up in interviews. Two years covering him, and it’s still tough to know what he’s like. Yet on Twitter, he’s been refreshingly candid. When he was drinking at home, he live-Tweeted it, even noting how much safer it was compared to drinking and driving. When he releases a rap song, he Tweets it. And he loves to pepper teammates with questions and responses, leading to some strange and funny dialogues. Apparently, he can cook, too, so you get Twitpics of that. Impressive thus far.
Zoltan Mesko (@ZoltanMesko) –The NFL’s most interesting football player (at least in my mind), Mesko hasn’t disappointed on Twitter. When he sees something hilarious on Youtube, often about Michigan, he Tweets it. He’s often soliciting followers, doing so in an entertaining way. He’s not a constant presence, and considering his intellect, he could offer more comments on non-football issues with authority. He hasn’t yet. But the off-the-wall, affable punter could rise to the top of this genre.
Devin McCourty (@McCourtyTwins) — When I first saw that the McCourty Twins, Devin and Jason, would be combining Twitter accounts, I wasn’t thrilled. Who wants to follow a random Titans cornerback? (No offense Jason!) Instead, it’s been a surprisingly awesome development. Now, I feel like I know both brothers. Plus, when one is working or busy, the other is keeping the account alive, interacting with fans and becoming multimedia mavens. Both savvy players have thrived on Twitter and Facebook, and look for more as they have more success.
Jarrad Page (@JarradPage44) — A reserved, calculating and intellectual player, Page is in his element on Twitter. When he’s not posting pictures of getting pummeled during MMA workouts, he’s talking about his love of sports (baseball, football) and jumping into any argument. Want to talk about the future of the Lakers? Or why it’s not OK to hate LeBron because he went to Miami? Page will engage. He doesn’t talk much football (so as not to get in trouble, I guess) but he’s a prime contributor on anything else.
Taylor Price (@Pricetaylor17) — Not the most long-winded or eloquent, Price is nonetheless a contributor. Most interesting is how quickly he’s jumped into the Boston sports scene. He roots for the Celtics and Bruins, while picking Adrian Gonzalez to win the Home Run Derby. He still speaks in clipped phrases and doesn’t provide much personal info. But like on the field, he’ll grow into it.
Stevan Ridley (@StevanRidley) — A free-spirited Patriots rookie, Ridley has the most potential to be wildly entertaining and a media darling. Hope that remains on track when he walks into Gillette Stadium. On Twitter and Facebook, there are countless examples. He lets you in, tells you about life stuff like fixing his old truck and what he had for breakfast. Examples? “Smh! Yoga for me this morning.. This might be worse than the running, and lifting weights people!” Or “Cant sleep, woke up on the couch with one leg on the floor! Might put a little limp in my walk. don’t ask.” Ridley brings it and you leave smiling.
James Sanders (@JamesSanders36) –Another surprise participant in the Twitter world, the understated defensive backfield leader Tweets like he plays. No-nonsense, good fundamentals, always with a solid Tweet and never flashy. He Twitpicked a stop at a Prince concert, lets you know where he’s working out and chimes in on what’s going on in the world. Like, “Shout out to Jeter!! Mr. 3000!!! Shout out to him and all the ballers doing it the natural way!!” He’ll never wow you, but he doesn’t have to. Just a very solid Twitter game.
Brandon Spikes (@bspikes55) — He had a Florida account that was decent, then discontinued it. It seemed we’d lost Spikes on Twitter forever. Then this week, he popped up again, going hard and Tweeting vociferously. I always thought he had Twitter potential, since he simply tells it like it is (which is why he knows to sensor himself in interviews, lest get himself in trouble). He may have done that this week, noting an apparent injury in a pickup basketball game… that wasn’t to be. Either way, Spikes speaks his own language, which can be tough to decipher, but if you hang on for the ride, you’ll get some unfiltered truth. And sometimes, you’ll wonder what the heck is going on.
Marcus Stroud (@marcusstroud99) — The newcomer to the Patriots roster is a relative newcomer on Twitter, as well. He’ll bring it in bursts, not quite showing the proper Twitter tenacity necessary. Stroud is a likable guy and apparently a good teammate. So, there is Twitter potential. But too often, he’ll throw out random lines that act as non sequiturs and don’t make sense. One positive is that he encourages his Tweeps to get involved, like this: “What hurts worst, biting your tongue or speaking your mind and then having to say you did mean any of the thing you said? Just a question…”
Fred Taylor (@FredTaylorMade) — OK, not technically on the Patriots roster and a likely candidate for retirement, Taylor probably shouldn’t be on the list. But he’s a good dude and a new Tweetaholic, so why not? The effusive running back is entertaining and thoughtful, engaging in conversations with fans and heavy with the use of hashtags. Right now, in its infancy, his Twitter profile is filled with mostly retweets and @messages. But I feel like this will end up being Fred picking everyone’s brain, which is a good thing.
Thad Turner (@TNTurner43) –I’ve only recently begun following Turner, and it does take some getting use to. Often, it seems like he Tweets in a different language, and his avatar is slightly insane. (Change that, please.) But mixed in with the randomness is some noteworthy societal items. Like this: “All the new hip hop hit the strip clubs first.” I have no idea if that’s true, but it certainly could be.
Shane Vereen (@sugamayne34) — The rookie running back seems to revel in his randomness, littering his Twitter account with odd-ball exclamatory phrases and outbursts. Sure, sometimes he’ll including self-reflection like this: “My bucket list is growing.. Newly added.. Swim with dolphins and touch a blue whale while scuba diving.” And that kind of stuff is good, because it gives insight. But Vereen must acknowledge that not everyone is watching the same TV show, so some context helps. And it’s time to embrace a better Twitter name, like his own. Could be good things coming from here, though.
Vince Wilfork (@wilfork75) — It’s tough to judge this one without bias. Because I’m biased. How can you not love a Twitter account that trash-talks me about my barbecue, then supplies sauce and rub to properly test it out? That’s one reason it’s one of my favorites. Wilfork likes what he likes and he doesn’t mind saying so. Big man knows his BBQ? Cool, here are a few Twitpics. Big man likes gardening? No problem, here’s a Twitpic. That kind of stuff develops followers. Wilfork also has used Twitter as a work tool, releasing a statement regarding a new contract and his thoughts on making the Pro Bowl on Twitter. Couple that with his active Twitteriffic wife and it’s a full package.
Danny Woodhead (@danny__woodhead) — It was a huge deal for fans when Woodhead jumped on Twitter, and there still is optimism that he will fulfill his potential. The little guy just hasn’t put it together yet. He’s not quite consistent enough and he still Tweets too much like a Patriot, keeping things at arm’s length. Still, he joined in some hilarious trash-talk with Gronkowski and friends and didn’t mind admitting, “Extreme makeover: weight loss edition is the real deal.” I would never tell anyone I watched that, but he didn’t mind. A little more insight like that, and he’s on his way.
This entry was posted on Friday, July 15th, 2011 at 11:11 am and is filed under offseason. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.