
Off The Pike with Brian Barrett
Veteran Boston sports personality Brian Barrett has teamed up with The Ringer for a podcast dedicated to all things Boston. From Fenway to Foxborough to the Garden, 'Off the Pike' features instant reactions to the biggest games and stories in town, plus unique conversations with local and Ringer personalities.
Latest episodes

Oct 9, 2023 • 1h 26min
It Keeps Getting Worse for the Pats With James White. Plus, First Looks at the Revamped C’s.
Brian chats with three-time Super Bowl champ James White about another terrible Pats loss, their hopeless offense, and how the team can possibly right the ship moving forward (0:30). Then, Brian offers up some more thoughts about Mac Jones’s and Bill Belichick’s futures with the team and takes a couple listener calls (37:15). He ends by recapping the Celtics’ first preseason game, including an impressive debut by Kristaps Porzingis (58:55).The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details.Host: Brian BarrettGuest: James White Producer: Jamie McClellanAdditional Production Supervision: Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 5, 2023 • 1h 44min
Pats-Saints Preview With Nick Underhill. Plus, Five Celtics Takes.
Pats-Saints Preview With Nick Underhill. Plus, Five Celtics Takes.Brian begins with his Starting Five Celtics takes, including Jaylen Brown’s defense this year and Joe Mazzulla’s new offensive philosophy (0:40). Then, Brian chats with NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill about the upcoming Pats-Saints game, Derek Carr’s disappointing season, the Pats’ banged-up secondary, the Saints’ fierce defense, and more (44:00). Then, Brian ends with some loose Pats thoughts, before Brian and Jamie respond to a call and give out their game predictions (1:07:45).The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details.Host: Brian BarrettGuest: Nick UnderhillProducer: Jamie McClellanAdditional Production Supervision: Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 3, 2023 • 1h 48min
Andrew Callahan on Who Deserves More Blame: Bill or Mac? Plus, Celtics Pressure Meter Heading into the Season.
Brian chats with The Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan about the sad state of Pats Nation, if Mac Jones can recover from the worst game of his career, Belichick’s tenuous job security, and more (0:30). Then, Brian shares some Celtics thoughts, including his ranking of the top 5 Celtics under the most pressure entering the season (45:30). Brian ends with some calls before he and Jamie get to a couple of mailbag questions (1:26:50).The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details.Host: Brian BarrettGuest: Andrew CallahanProducer: Jamie McClellanAdditional Production Supervision: Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 2, 2023 • 1h 42min
Celts Trade for Jrue Holiday With Michael Pina. Plus, Pats Hit Rock Bottom With James White.
Brian chats with The Ringer’s Michael Pina about the Jrue Holiday trade, his elite defense, Brad Stevens’s busy offseason, and whether this trade makes the Celtics the title favorites (0:30). Then, Brian chats with three-time Super Bowl champ James White about the Pats’ blowout loss to the Cowboys, Mac’s dreadful performance, and whether the team can recover from its 1-3 start (53:45). Brian ends with a sad note on the passing of Tim Wakefield, and he takes a couple listener calls (1:25:15).The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details.Host: Brian BarrettGuests: Michael Pina and James WhiteProducer: Jamie McClellanAdditional Production Supervision: Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 29, 2023 • 1h 31min
Pats-Cowboys Preview With Cousin Sal. Plus, Leftover Lillard Thoughts.
Brian chats with The Ringer’s Cousin Sal about the upcoming Pats-Cowboys game, how both teams’ lackluster offenses will fare against two of the best defenses in the league, former Cowboys and Pats players in the media, and more (0:30). Then, Brian hits on a few more Pats-Cowboys notes and some best bets heading into the weekend (29:10). After, Brian shares some leftover thoughts on the Damian Lillard trade and how the Celtics will match up with the new-look Bucks. Brian ends by touching on the Tim Wakefield news and the Chandler Jones situation before he takes a call and an email (53:15).The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details.Host: Brian BarrettGuest: Cousin SalProducer: Jamie McClellanAdditional Production Supervision: Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 28, 2023 • 49min
Bill Simmons on the Lillard Trade, the Celtics Going After Jrue Holiday, and the Fallout in the East
Damian Lillard gets traded to the Bucks! Brian is joined by Bill Simmons for an emergency pod to give a perspective from Celtics fans and what this means for them. They also discuss whether they believe the Celtics will get Jrue Holliday.The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details.Host: Brian BarrettGuest: Bill SimmonsProducer: Brian WatersAdditional Production Supervision: Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 26, 2023 • 1h 44min
Who Will Be the Next Red Sox GM With Julian McWilliams. Plus, Is Mac Proving That He’s Not the Guy?
Brian opens by assessing Mac Jones’s season thus far and whether he can ever be a franchise QB. Then, he touches on the JuJu Smith-Schuster signing and why the Pats went with him over Jakobi Meyers (0:15). Brian also chats with The Boston Globe’s Julian McWilliams about a rough end to the Sox season, why the Sox fired Chaim Bloom, who might replace him as GM, and more (32:30).The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details.Host: Brian BarrettGuest: Julian McWilliamsProducer: Jamie McClellanAdditional Production Supervision: Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 25, 2023 • 1h 15min
Pats Escape With a Win With James White
Brian chats with James White about the Pats’ gritty win over the Jets, the Pats’ stagnant offense, another dreadful Zach Wilson performance, and more (0:30). Then, Brian takes a couple calls before he and Jamie talk some more about the game, discuss some Mac Jones–Sauce Gardner beef, and answer an email (35:55). Brian ends with the news that the Celtics signed wing Lamar Stevens, and he talks about Malcolm Brogdon’s future with the team (57:00).The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details.Host: Brian BarrettGuest: James WhiteProducer: Jamie McClellanAdditional Production Supervision: Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 21, 2023 • 1h 14min
Pats-Jets Preview With Connor Hughes. Plus, Is Bill the GM Hurting Bill the Head Coach?
Brian starts with a look at Belichick’s track record as the Patriots general manager in the post-Tom Brady Era, and whether his poor performance as the team’s top executive has hindered his ability to succeed as a coach (0:30). Then, he chats with SNY’s Connor Hughes about the upcoming Patriots Jets game, how long the Jets will stick with Zach Wilson at QB, the Jets’ formidable defense, Garrett Wilson vs. Christian Gonzalez, and more (44:10). Brian ends with a couple Week 3 bets, and he and Jamie make their predictions for the Pats game (1:04:25). The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details.Host: Brian BarrettGuest: Connor HughesProducer: Jamie McClellanAdditional Production Supervision: Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 19, 2023 • 1h 39min
Can the 0-2 Pats Get Back on Track? With Zack Cox. Plus, Would Belichick Ever Leave the Pats?
Brian opens with some thoughts on Bill Belichick’s recent track record with the Pats and whether he could be interested in coaching another AFC team. Then, he takes stock of the Boston sports scene and discusses why Jayson Tatum is poised to be “the guy” in Boston (0:35). Next, he chats with NESN’s Zack Cox about the Patriots, reasons for their 0-2 start, silver linings thus far, and the upcoming Pats-Jets game (31:40). Brian and Jamie close out the show with some mailbag questions (1:12:30).The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details.Host: Brian BarrettGuest: Zack CoxProducer: Jamie McClellanAdditional Production Supervision: Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices