Tanya kicks off NFL season with Patriots beat reporter and Locked On Patriots host Mike D'Abate by hitting on some of the hot preseason topics around the league (2:30), including Aaron Rodgers' chances of making the Jets the real deal and which NFC North team is most ready to grab the division by the horns in his absence. Stay tuned after that for a Patrick Mahomes GOAT hot take (34:16) and then a blind ranking of 10 random NFL head coaches (48:06).
Aug 16, 2023•1 hr
Tanya quickly recaps why it's encouraging that the Patriots won decisively against the Lions, who were a great matchup for their ailing offense, as they head into a more forgiving stretch of their season (2:00). Then she discusses the weird way that the broadcast handled Lamar Jackson's final drive in the Ravens' Week 5 win over the Bengals, and why it's yet another indication that Lamar doesn't get the respect he's earned (8:13). For the rest of the show, Tanya welcomes on Ladarius Brown to dis...
Oct 13, 2022•38 min
Tanya dives into why the NFL and the Miami Dolphins deserve all the skepticism regarding what happened to Tua, and how it ties into learning our lesson from all the passes that we gave Brett Favre in spite of a million red flags (3:30). Then she hits on why she's tired of Bill Belichick's game of chess with the media regarding Mac Jones' injury status and availability in Week 4, and why it doesn't matter THAT much who is going to be behind center against the Green Bay Packers (16:16). Finally, T...
Sep 30, 2022•28 min
Tanya takes a deep dive into some major reporting failures in the story of Ime Udoka's misconduct within the Boston Celtics organization, the red flags raised by his one-season suspension and why it should never have been reported as a consensual relationship without more context (2:53). Then she hits on the Patriots win over the Steelers and why the Patriots offense may have to look back at what worked last year in order to move forward and help Mac Jones progress as they prepare for the Ravens...
Sep 23, 2022•28 min
Week 2 kicked off with a messy game between the AFC West rival Chargers and Chiefs, and we learned a lot about how not only that division could play out but also what it means for the rest of the AFC as the Chiefs establish their ability to stay in any type of game (1:58). With that in mind, Tanya takes a look at where the Patriots stand as they head to Pittsburgh to take on a weakened Steelers team, and makes a prediction on how the game will go based on where both teams stand after Week 1 (8:0...
Sep 16, 2022•24 min
Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season officially kicked off on Thursday night with the Bills trouncing the reigning Super Bowl champion Rams, so Tanya dives into what we learned about both teams in the inaugural game of the year (01:31). She also examines what it means for the Patriots' ceiling this season (12:00). Then it's time to take a tour around the NFC to look at which teams have the best chance at locking up the division and who should be in wild card contention (15:15). Finally, Tanya explains ...
Sep 09, 2022•31 min
The new season of Almost Shameless with Tanya Ray Fox kicks off with a more optimistic assessment of what we can and should expect from the New England Patriots coming off of a less than impressive preseason (03:47). Then she goes in on critics of Bill Belichick's career without Tom Brady (09:08), and hits on the issue of how sports media continues to deal with sexual assault stories in the NFL and why it's important to leave outdated journalistic values in the past (17:38). Finally, Tanya takes...
Sep 01, 2022•39 min
Almost Shameless is back with guest and Patriots insider Mike D'Abate just in time to break down the major QB moves that are shaking up the NFL, beginning with the blockbuster trade of Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos (03:17). Mike and Tanya continue the conversation by discussing whether Wilson can get the Broncos out of a very competitive AFC West (09:29). Next up they hit on the breaking news that the Indianapolis Colts traded Carson Wentz to the Washington Commanders, and what that might...
Mar 10, 2022•47 min
That's a wrap on the NFL season! (muffled cries) Tanya kicks the show off with few broad takeaways from the Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl win over the Cincinnati Bengals, including the difference between a good game and good narratives. Then she dives into the main topic of the show, explaining why Aaron Donald should have been the game's MVP, how broadcasters can better help shape the conversation about players and how Cooper Kupp's MVP win is a perpetuation of the league's insistence on rewardin...
Feb 15, 2022•39 min
We should be talking about the impending showdown between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. However there are bigger things at play this week. Tanya starts the show off with an overview of the allegations in the lawsuit filed by Brian Flores accusing three NFL teams of racism in the hiring process (3:36). She goes into exactly what is at stake for the former Miami Dolphins head coach, how the power structures remain complicit, and she outlines exactly where the l...
Feb 03, 2022•35 min
This was one of the best NFL divisional rounds that most of us can remember, and Tanya hits on every game and every major storyline from the weekend. First up is the Bengals in over an underwhelming No. 1 seeded Titans, and her concern over what she sees as Cincinnati's greatest liability as they establish themselves as real players in the AFC (3:52). Then it's on to the 49ers edging the Packer in Lambeau and specifically the demystification of Aaron Rodgers whose real character on and off the f...
Jan 26, 2022•40 min
The wild card round is complete and the New England Patriots are just one of several teams to leave the playoffs with more than just hurt pride. Set aside the hysterics, Bill Belichick and the defense will be fine. But there is one major change the team will have to make in the offseason if they want any chance of getting Mac Jones into AFC contending shape. Tanya breaks it all down, from his standing among rookie playoff QBs of the past to what the Patriots will need to see next season if they'...
Jan 19, 2022•30 min
The Winter AMA mailbag has arrived and Tanya is ready for the questions from across sports and pop culture. She kicks things off by laying out the latest with Antonio Brown and his bizarre take on Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady. Then she hits the mailbag, beginning with musings on 'Survivor' as the greatest competitive social experiment of all time (5:12), then discusses the evolution of her dream job (8:50). Tanya gives a quick and uninformed defense of Tuukka Rask (12:32) before moving on to the...
Jan 09, 2022•40 min
We've finally made it to the first inaugural WEEK 18 of the NFL season and much like the season itself, things are still very chaotic. First up, Tanya addresses the situation with Antonio Brown that led to his swift release from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - and her controversial tweet about Tom Brady's role in bringing him to the team (3:42). Then she breaks down the NFL playoff picture and which matchup she prefers for the New England Patriots in the wild card round (21:32). To wrap up, Tanya off...
Jan 04, 2022•34 min
From Bill Belichick vs Tom Brady to Mac Jones vs Cam Newton to the Red Sox vs the Yankees, Tanya hit on all the best rivalries in Boston sports this year... and did a little ragging on Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers for good measure. Here's some of the best rants from Almost Shameless in 2021. See you in 2022, gang. (1:23) Enough of the comparing, Brady and Belichick did it together. (4:15) Fox & Fallon reunite to assign each of Brady's 7 Super Bowl rings to a day of the week (6:16) Aaron ...
Dec 25, 2021•36 min
Tanya followed the New England Patriots' lead and took a bye week for the holidays, but she's back and taking a tour of the NFL's weird Week 15. She kicks things off by checking in with the Buccaneers and Tom Brady after another loss to the Saints (3:03) before delivering a blunt explanation for what we saw from the Patriots in their loss to the Colts on Thursday Night Football (7:41). Then she takes a look around at the rest of the AFC and the NFL overall amidst accusations that some teams are ...
Dec 21, 2021•36 min
The Patriots beat the Bills in an unforgettable way on Monday Night Football to take sole possession of the No. 1 seed in the AFC heading into their bye week. The aftermath was fraught with accusations of overreaction and hyperbole, balanced out by the dawning realization from everyone else that the Patriots are back on top. Tanya breaks down exactly what the conditions were like and rips into people who complain about bad weather games outside (3:08). Then she explains that Monday's unique game...
Dec 07, 2021•32 min
Tanya is joined by the host of the Locked on Patriots podcast and writer for SI Patriots Maven, Mike D'Abate to catch up on the NFL season through Week 13. They kick things off by chatting about the players on the offense who are best positioned to help Mac Jones continue his hot streak (4:48). Then they hit on the state of the Patriots defense and if that unit has any weaknesses (10:41), which guys might be the unsung heroes on the season so far (16:54), and how they expect the final five games...
Dec 01, 2021•46 min
Tanya starts things off this week by taking a look at Cam Newton's triumphant return to the Panthers and to the field in Week 10, and what it could mean for Carolina in a surprisingly open NFC South divisional race (5:08). Then it's a full deep dive into what the Patriots are doing that's working so well, how Bill Belichick turned a rebuild into real playoff contention, the rise of their elite defense and what the next two games could mean for the season-long outlook of the conference (9:35)....
Nov 20, 2021•27 min
The New England Patriots have played nine games in this new 18 week season and so it's time for the Almost Shameless Podcast to hand out some midseason awards!! First, Tanya quickly touches on a few of the biggest stories of the week, including Odell Beckham Jr. signing with the Rams over the Patriots (among others), Cam Newton landing back with the Panthers and the Ravens losing a very bizarre game to the Dolphins (2:45). Then it's time to hand out the awards for the best offensive, defensive, ...
Nov 12, 2021•26 min
The Patriots secured their biggest win of the season on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers with a classic Bill Belichick defensive performance and some old-school possession offense. Now that people are paying attention to the GOAT and his rookie up in New England, can they deliver on the promise they've shown and make a real playoff run? Tanya addresses that, where they stand in the AFC playoff picture as of now, and what it will take to sustain this momentum (2:40). Then she lays into A...
Nov 05, 2021•27 min
Tanya is back and kicks things off with examining the harsh realities of Roger Goodell's reign over the NFL, and a critique of the way fans and media respond to the lack of transparency in league culture and investigations (3:00). Then she moves onto Thursday night's wild game between the Cardinals and Packers, and the resulting praise of Aaron Rodgers that took a turn back into the delusional GOAT discussion that won't go away (17:12).
Oct 30, 2021•31 min
Tanya welcomes Jarrett Bailey, Fansided NFL contributor and co-host of the Laces Out Podcast, to take a look across the league as we head into Week 6 and the real meat of the NFL season. First though, Tanya and Jarrett breakdown and react to the fallout from Jon Gruden's resignation after the leak of a slew of racist, homophobic and misogynistic emails between he and former Washington Football team President, Bruce Allen (2:06). Then they move into assessing which of the NFL's top-tier teams are...
Oct 14, 2021•1 hr 26 min
Tanya kicks things off by sharing some of her favorite reactions to the Red Sox beating the Yankees in the wild card game, including an absolute masterpiece from a former Yankee himself (5:02). Then it's onto reactions to Patriots Bucs, but specifically analyzing where Mac Jones is at through 4 games of the regular season (10:45). She also breaks down why she's not as worked up about the Stephon Gilmore trade as some others in the media (28:51), then looks ahead at the next six games of the seas...
Oct 08, 2021•41 min
The fall AMA mailbag is here to lighten things up ahead of maybe the most stressful regular season game that Patriots fans will ever watch, so sit back and grab your fall beverage of choice and get to know Tanya a little better while also getting your weekly does of sports hot takes sprinkled in. From Halloween movies and aggressive wrestling fans to preparing your emotions for Patriots v Bucs, there's a little something for everyone.
Sep 29, 2021•25 min
This week Tom Brady Sr. spoke with NBC Sports Boston's Tom E. Curran and said he thinks his son has been vindicated by winning in Tampa Bay. But what exactly is Brady's gripe with 20 years of unprecedented success again? (2:51) Plus Tanya proposes a batshit idea for getting the NFL to back off of their taunting rules for on-field celebrations (25:21).
Sep 23, 2021•31 min
As we all wrap up our Week 1 analysis, Tanya checks in on where the Patriots stand as they prepare to bounce back in Week 2 against the Jets - and dives a little deeper into exactly what Bill Belichick is looking to get from Mac Jones this season and whether it's a formula that can stand up long term against the current powers of the AFC (2:34). Then she expands the conversation to the rest of the NFL to take a look at 3 teams we can expect to look a lot different in Week 2 than they did in Week...
Sep 17, 2021•35 min
It's the last podcast of the NFL offseason before the most wonderful time of the year kicks off on Thursday night, and this week's episode is setting some ground rules for the Almost Shameless listeners, watchers and followers. First Tanya addresses the trolls and broader misogynist community that seemingly cannot move themselves into the 21st century to adjust to the new reality of a diversifying sports landscape (3:50). Then she clarifies her stance on Mac Jones, and why she won't be eating an...
Sep 09, 2021•27 min
In a twist no one saw coming, Cam Newton didn't just lose the starting Patriots QB job -- he lost his job altogether. Tanya quickly breaks down her thoughts on the mysteries surrounding the surprising cut as well as Bill Belichick's somewhat alarming comments about COVID vaccination in the NFL (4:00). Then she checks in on the recent history of rookie QB success, and explains the three major hurdles the Patriots MUST clear to make a playoff run with the rookie Mac Jones at the helm (13:26). Fina...
Sep 04, 2021•35 min
Tanya cuts to the chase as she launches into a breakdown and critique of Scott Zolak's problematic comments about Cam Newton's on-field demeanor at Patriots practice, and how his viewpoint is a reflection of a much larger issue with the way too many people all around New England speak about Newton in general (2:50). The show wraps up with a quick plea to the listeners to step outside their comfort zones and (gasp!) watch some English soccer -- in the name of Ted Lasso (23:57).
Aug 27, 2021•30 min
