Chris Mason
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bychrismason.bsky.social
Chris Mason
@bychrismason.bsky.social
2.3K followers 58 following 550 posts
Sports enterprise reporter at MassLive. How the hell can a person go to work in the morning, and come home in the evening, and have nothing to say?
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bychrismason.bsky.social
In a brutal day for the Patriots offensive line, Will Campbell and Jared Wilson have both been carted to the locker room.

www.masslive.com/patriots/202...
Two Patriots rookies carted to locker room after suffering injuries vs. Bengals
A pair of Patriots rookies were hurt at Paycor Stadium.
www.masslive.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:36 PM
bychrismason.bsky.social
How Randy Moss’ wisdom shaped one of Stefon Diggs’ favorite Patriots coaches

www.masslive.com/patriots/202...
How Randy Moss’ wisdom shaped one of Stefon Diggs’ favorite Patriots coaches
Something Randy Moss said early in the early 2000s stuck with Todd Downing as a young coach.
www.masslive.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:02 PM
bychrismason.bsky.social
The Patriots have started 5-0 on the road this season, with wins at Tampa Bay and Buffalo.

Stefon Diggs believes an "F it mindset" has been one of the keys.

”When good things happen, cool. When bad things happen, F it. Move on and band together."
www.masslive.com/patriots/202...
Stefon Diggs: ‘F it mindset’ and Mike Vrabel’s ‘words to live by’ are keys to Patriots’ perfect road record
The Patriots will look to improve to 6-0 on the road in Cincinnati.
www.masslive.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:20 PM
bychrismason.bsky.social
Stefon Diggs had other suitors in free agency — reportedly including the Broncos — but elected to sign a deal in New England with $26 million guaranteed.

So what drew Diggs to Foxborough?

"It was like a conglomerate."
www.masslive.com/patriots/202...
Stefon Diggs explains ‘conglomerate’ that drew him to Patriots
At his locker on Wednesday afternoon, Stefon Diggs detailed what drew him to Foxborough as a free agent.
www.masslive.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:49 PM
bychrismason.bsky.social
The booming MVP chants at Gillette Stadium began before the opening kickoff. So how does Drake Maye feel hearing that from his home crowd?

“Those may have been for TreVeyon tonight,” he smiled.

Then Maye offered his real two cents on the chants:
www.masslive.com/patriots/202...
How Drake Maye feels about ‘MVP!’ chants from Patriots fans at Gillette Stadium
The booming chants began before the opening kickoff.
www.masslive.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:06 PM
bychrismason.bsky.social
It was a terrific week to be TreVeyon Henderson.

The Patriots rookie scored 5 touchdowns in 5 days, and on Thursday night, the plays that impressed Mike Vrabel most weren't TDs.

www.masslive.com/patriots/202...
Patriots rookie RB scores 5 touchdowns in 5 days as winning streak keeps rolling
With Rhamondre Stevenson sidelined due to a toe injury, TreVeyon Henderson has run with New England’s No. 1 running back gig.
www.masslive.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:04 PM
bychrismason.bsky.social
Why Patriots leaders declined two offers from Mike Vrabel for easier week

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Why Patriots leaders declined two offers from Mike Vrabel for easier week
With only three days between two games, Mike Vrabel offered Patriots players a couple of perks this week. They declined.
www.masslive.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:01 PM
bychrismason.bsky.social
During his first matchup with the Bruins, Brandon Carlo said it wasn’t a specific play but a familiar voice that provided his most memorable moment of the night.

www.masslive.com/patriots/202...
How Bruins star provided most memorable moment for Brandon Carlo in first game as foes
During his first matchup against the Bruins, Brandon Carlo said it wasn’t a specific play, but a familiar voice that provided his most memorable moment of the night.
www.masslive.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:01 PM
bychrismason.bsky.social
With a night off in Boston ahead of his return to TD Garden, former Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo decided to visit some of his old favorite haunts.

www.masslive.com/bruins/2025/...
Longtime Bruins defenseman took ‘walk down memory lane’ before TD Garden return
With a night off in Boston ahead of his return to TD Garden, Brandon Carlo decided to visit some of his old favorite haunts.
www.masslive.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:45 PM
bychrismason.bsky.social
“You’re pretty much just giving yourself up to sacrifice for the team... You’ve gotta be able to take on (blockers) and die a slow death sometimes.”

There’s no stat for what Khyiris Tonga does on the Patriots FG team, but his dirty work is certainly appreciated:
www.masslive.com/patriots/202...
Patriots coach highlights player willing to ‘die a slow death’ in unsung role to help team win
“You’re pretty much just giving yourself up to sacrifice for the team.”
www.masslive.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:48 PM
bychrismason.bsky.social
“I think we have all the answers we need.”

With the trade deadline looming and Patriots RB injuries mounting, Josh McDaniels expressed confidence in New England's internal options:
www.masslive.com/patriots/202...
With NFL trade deadline looming and Patriots injuries mounting, how does Josh McDaniels feel about running game?
Though the Patriots have sprinted out to an unexpected 6-2 start, there’s plenty of room for improvement in the running game. Might they find some of that through a trade?
www.masslive.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:53 PM
bychrismason.bsky.social
Following a five-sack performance, Myles Garrett assessed both Will Campbell and Drake Maye.

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What Myles Garrett thought of Patriots 1st-rounders Will Campbell and Drake Maye
Following a five-sack performance, Myles Garrett offered his two cents on Will Campbell and Drake Maye.
www.masslive.com
October 26, 2025 at 10:28 PM
bychrismason.bsky.social
Milton Williams had an insightful answer on where he believes the Patriots defense has grown the most:

www.masslive.com/patriots/202...
Patriots star pinpoints where defense has grown the most
Eight weeks into the season, the Patriots have yet to allow an opposing running back to hit the 50-yard mark.
www.masslive.com
October 26, 2025 at 10:03 PM
bychrismason.bsky.social
Six-time All Pro Myles Garrett registered a career-high five sacks on Sunday afternoon, but the Patriots won easily, 32-13.

Here's what 1st-rounder Will Campbell had to say about his performance against Garrett:
www.masslive.com/patriots/202...
Patriots 1st-rounder evaluates his performance against All-Pro Myles Garrett
Myles Garrett was an absolute menace on Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium.
www.masslive.com
October 26, 2025 at 9:37 PM
bychrismason.bsky.social
Patriots outside linebackers coach Mike Smith has a unique (and amusing) way of welcoming new players to his group.

“It’s a superstitious thing.”
www.masslive.com/patriots/202...
How Patriots coach’s hilarious welcome ritual builds camaraderie for new players
One Patriots coach has a unique way of welcoming players that are new to his group.
www.masslive.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:21 PM
bychrismason.bsky.social
As a freshman at LSU, Kayshon Boutte emerged as one of the NCAA's most explosive WRs.

Then multiple ankle surgeries derailed things.

Two plates and six screws later, Boutte realized he couldn't do some of the same things. He's adjusted and is thriving again:
www.masslive.com/patriots/202...
How ‘2 plates, 6 screws’ changed the way Kayshon Boutte plays WR for Patriots
Kayshon Boutte suffered a major ankle injury in college. He's adapted his playing style since then.
www.masslive.com
October 23, 2025 at 7:34 PM
bychrismason.bsky.social
Why the snap count disparity between Rhamondre Stevenson (49) and TreVeyon Henderson (9) in Tennessee?

Mike Vrabel: "I thought Rhamondre was running well. Had some good protections. TreVeyon is going to be a large part of what we do."
www.masslive.com/patriots/202...
Mike Vrabel explains Patriots rookie TreVeyon Henderson’s light workload vs. Titans
The Patriots ground game finally got going in Tennessee, but TreVeyon Henderson didn't see many snaps.
www.masslive.com
October 20, 2025 at 4:55 PM
bychrismason.bsky.social
While Kayshon Boutte’s on-field growth has been obvious, Mike Vrabel has seen the 23-year-old receiver mature behind the scenes, too.

Here's how:
www.masslive.com/patriots/202...
Mike Vrabel: ‘Pretty personal, private’ Patriots WR is improving in this area behind the scenes
Kayshon Boutte’s on-field growth has been obvious. Mike Vrabel has seen the 23-year-old receiver mature behind the scenes, too.
www.masslive.com
October 20, 2025 at 4:31 PM
bychrismason.bsky.social
DeMario Douglas: "It starts with our coaches and then the players that we have, we’re all close. I think this is the first team that offense and defense are (personally) close. We’re close."

www.masslive.com/patriots/202...
Patriots WR says this is first team where offense and defense have close bond
It wasn’t hard for one Patriots WR to pinpoint why the team has gotten off to such a fast start.
www.masslive.com
October 19, 2025 at 9:51 PM
bychrismason.bsky.social
With No. 1 Catholic Memorial squaring off against No. 5 Xaverian on Friday night, there were a lot of eyes on the Top 5 matchup.

That included Drake Maye’s.

"It brings me back to those days when I was playing. It was pretty cool to see them out there."
www.masslive.com/patriots/202...
Why Patriots QB Drake Maye attended Mass. high school football game on Friday
With No. 1 Catholic Memorial squaring off with No. 5 Xaverian on Friday night, there were a lot of eyes on the Top 5 matchup. That included Drake Maye’s.
www.masslive.com
October 19, 2025 at 9:21 PM
bychrismason.bsky.social
As the Patriots were kneeling out the clock in a lopsided road win over Tennessee, there was a chant from the Nissan Stadium crowd so loud that it was audible on the CBS broadcast.

“Vra-bel! Vra-bel! Vra-bel!”

Here's what Mike Vrabel said about it:
www.masslive.com/patriots/202...
How Patriots coach Mike Vrabel reacted to ‘Vra-bel!’ chants in return to Tennessee
As the Patriots were kneeling out the clock in a lopsided road win over Tennessee, there was a chant from the Nissan Stadium crowd so loud that it was audible on the CBS broadcast.
www.masslive.com
October 19, 2025 at 8:55 PM
bychrismason.bsky.social
“I left some out there.”

Drake Maye set a new franchise record for completion percentage (91.3%) in Tennessee — he threw 2 TDs and had 2 incompletions — but still isn't satisfied.
www.masslive.com/patriots/202...
Drake Maye set a Patriots franchise record in win over Titans but still isn’t satisfied
It’s tough to be more efficient than Maye was on Sunday, and in fact, no quarterback in Patriots history had been.
www.masslive.com
October 19, 2025 at 8:51 PM
bychrismason.bsky.social
Downing cited this play as an example.

Kyle Williams drew a DPI, but if you watch the top of the screen, Kayshon Boutte is running down the sideline because he thinks the rookie might score and wants to celebrate him.

"That’s the kind of culture that I’m proud of in the room."
October 17, 2025 at 1:13 PM
bychrismason.bsky.social
“There is something special about it. I’ll say that.”

Todd Downing has over two decades of NFL coaching experience on his resume. The unselfishness he's seen from the Patriots WR room early in the season stands out to him:
www.masslive.com/patriots/202...
Why Patriots coach believes ‘there is something special’ about WR group
One Patriots position coach with over two decades of experience believes there's "something special" brewing with his group.
www.masslive.com
October 17, 2025 at 1:01 PM
bychrismason.bsky.social
What has Mike Vrabel's energy been like as he prepares to face the owner who fired him in Tennessee?

“Like it always is: Intense. It’s fourth-and-1 every day.”

www.masslive.com/patriots/202...
Patriots coach has great 6-word phrase to describe Mike Vrabel’s intensity
One Patriots coach found a unique new way to describe Mike Vrabel's intensity.
www.masslive.com
October 17, 2025 at 12:53 PM