June 2012
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Open OTA #2: Patriots practice observations -... →
Too much good stuff here to pull any specific nuggets. Just click it and read it.
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Junior Seau's last days before suicide –... →
Sad stuff, but a worthwhile read.
May 2012
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“In 7-on-7′s, there were several different combinations utilized in the...”
– It Is What It Is » Notes from the Patriots’ Thursday morning OTA session
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“Brandon Lloyd is continuing to stick out at practice, as the Patriots’ new...”
– BostonHerald.com - Blogs: The Blitz» Blog Archive » Brandon Lloyd, Devin McCourty impress during Patriots’ open practice
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Examining what's out there at returner - New... →
One of the bigger surprises from the draft to me was that the Pats didn’t take a returner, nor did they pick one up in free agency. The value of kickoffs was lessened by last year’s rule changes, but still, you never want to be at the bottom of the league in anything (including defense, heyoo!).
Using Woodhead and Edelman last year illustrated that the Pats felt going with agile guys...
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BostonHerald.com - Blogs: The Blitz» Blog Archive... →
Nice choices by Howe with 5 Patriots to watch at camp. If I had to add one it would be Devin McCourty, although from OTAs it looks like he’ll be back at corner who knows if we’re getting ‘10 Devin or ‘11 Devin until the real bullets start flying.
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Cosell Talks: “He’s a Winner” : NFL Films Blog →
Interesting stuff from Greg Cosell, and it basically sums up why I avoid making superlative statements about any NFL players. It’s human nature to put everyone and every thing in a box. There must be a greatest of all time regardless of the teams that surrounded them or the circumstances they did or didn’t have to overcome.
Of course everyone can agree that Brady is one of the...
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Don’t Play Baseball With Bill Belichick »... →
Interesting analysis of BB’s draft strategy with the new salary restrictions on draft picks.
Of course, if you followed the draft, you know that the Patriots, entering the draft with far fewer picks than usual, still traded up in the 1st round, twice. Taken out of context, these moves seem extremely out of character for the Patriots. Yet the moves are perfectly consistent with an approach...
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Tom Brady would like another shot at Saturday... →
Clearly Brady’s acting has dramatically improved since he last did SNL. But really TFB, if you want to host again you’ve got to win another Lombardi.
“I think that’s the fun part about starting the OTA process is you really start looking forward at that point, so for all of us you suffer a tough end to the season, and unless you win it all it’s a tough end to the season, but you’ve...
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“Ridley fumbled once as a sophomore in 2009 and twice as a junior in 2010. In...”
– BostonHerald.com - Blogs: The Blitz» Blog Archive » Digging deeper to provide context for Stevan Ridley’s fumbles
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Projecting the Patriots receivers depth chart -... →
Good breakdown here from the Globe. Seems to me like most knowledgeable Patriots fans see the wide receiver battle playing out the same. Ocho and Stallworth get cut, Gaffney and Lloyd are the reinforcements and Branch is in for the fight of his life.
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NFL offseason report cards: AFC East →
New England Patriots (A-): Bill Belichick’s bunch was oh-so-close to its fourth Lombardi Trophy in 11 seasons. But the Pats have been busy since their four-point loss in Super Bowl XLVI. Six of their seven draft picks were devoted to a defense that finished last in the AFC.
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“Coverage vs. Welker: Dolphins CB Benny Sapp is trying to show pressure with his...”
– Inside the Playbook: Welker’s 99-yard TD | National Football Post
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“Even if Brady is one of the most accurate throwers in NFL history, his...”
– Darnell Jenkins learned with legends
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“Let’s put it this way: They were 31st last year. They can’t be...”
– New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston
And that sums up expectations for the 2012 Pats D.
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“I would keep an eye on Trevor Scott, who didn’t get much fanfare as a Patriots...”
– NFL Players Association plays defense - Sports - The Boston Globe
As we wrote a couple months ago, Scott is an interesting player to keep an eye on. He did a number of things for the Raiders before injuring his ACL in 2010. Now, 2 years removed from the injury he should finally be back on track....
“Tom Brady was mentally exhausted with Moss by the end of his tenure (from a...”
– New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston
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Secondary expectations for Patriots -... →
There are so many questions for the Patriots secondary this year. Who will stay healthy? Can Devin McCourty bounce back? Is there really an answer for our second starting safety on the roster? What happens if Patrick Chung gets hurt again?
Regardless of the answers it will be tough for them to be much worse than they were last year.
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“As the Patriots evolved, so did Ninkovich and he continued his stellar play all...”
– Love for Ninkopoop!
Secret Superstar: Rob Ninkovich, LB, New England Patriots | ProFootballFocus.com
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“It was really weird. After a few minutes of just kind of getting over that, just...”
– Clark: Pats classy, but Bucs better fit - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston
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“You’ve just got to go out and compete and work hard, show the coaches that you...”
– Koppen: This is where I want to be - Extra Points - Boston.com
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Recapping Thursday's practice itinerary - New... →
Wow, I think I’m going to enjoy reading Field Yates during training camp. Great stuff…
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“Didn’t get to lock in too much on the young running backs — Shane...”
– Cleaning out the OTA notebook - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston
Jeff Howe also mentioned that Vereen was getting reps with the fist team.
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OTA #1 observations - Extra Points - Boston.com →
Great recap of today from Greg Bedard, including a contrary opinion to what we posted earlier with Mike Reiss saying he thought Ras-I looked good.
None of the rookies just assumed a starting role. That’s no surprise at all. But Chandler Jones, Dont’a Hightower and Tavon Wilson appeared to not be far off from being in the mix. Not much jumped out about Jones that we didn’t already know....
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“Nate Solder, predictably, looks like the starting left tackle, while Dan...”
– BostonHerald.com - Blogs: The Blitz» Blog Archive » Observations from Patriots’ first open OTA
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“Second-year CB Ras-I Dowling, who limited to two games in 2011, was a full...”
– Cleaning out the OTA notebook - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston
Well he made it through one practice without getting hurt!
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“At Syracuse, defensive end Chandler Jones wore No. 99, but barring a change in...”
– Patriots quick hits around Web - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston
Admirable attitude, still not loving him in 95 though.
“I just know there’s a focus about us where we’re communicating a...”
– New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston
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“This essentially allows Jones to officially start his professional career two to...”
– New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston 