Most 25-yard pass plays in last 2 seasons (by pass-catchers)
Mike Wallace (Steelers) — 29
DeSean Jackson (Eagles) — 26
Brandon Lloyd (Broncos/Rams) — 26
Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals) — 24
Wes Welker, it was noted on the chart, is the Patriots’ leader over the last two seasons in that category (with 14). For those who believe the Patriots could benefit from a big-play receiver outside the numbers, this stat supports that point.
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Previewing AFC East salary cap - AFC East Blog - ESPN And for those wondering what they had to say about the Jets, here ya go:
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Hard to ignore the numbers of where the Patriots like to throw the ball, and how they sputter when teams are able to take that area of the field away.
And how about those numbers behind the LOS?! Why isn’t anyone talking about a field shortener to help those numbers out?
Aside from all the things we’ll be told the Patriots need to do this off-season or players that they should pursue, the simple fact is that with Josh McDaniels back in the fold the Patriots offense will evolve in 2012.
No one can say how exactly, but McDaniels is a creative mind, and he knows that the book is out on this latest Patriots offensive incarnation. There are a lot of pieces to play with, especially with two tight ends who can line up anywhere and do anything.
I expect objective one after bringing back Welker is to upgrade Branch. I like the Brandon Lloyd fit, but as always there are a lot of moving pieces there that would need to come together.
Ultimate Gronkowski Highlight and Gronking Reel (by alexisimon9210)
Rob Gronkowski highlights 2011-2012 (by aLittleBitOfEvrythin)
As we continue to formulate our 2012 Patriots-only Big Board (we’re up to 21 players) we’ll share occasional mock drafts to give a better sense of the general consensus out there.
Fletcher Cox is a player that is quickly becoming this year’s draft boo of Patriots Nation. It seems like he would fit some needs and has the versatility that the Patriots require of a first round pick.
27. Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State: Cox will appeal to Bill Belichick for various reasons, not the least of which is the fact that the 6-4, 295-pound junior is just scratching the surface of his potential. And make no mistake, the potential is there for Cox to be a star. The Bulldog defensive tackle earned the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week four times this season and is highly regarded by scouts because of his size, strength and ability to play inside or out in multiple fronts. That type of versatility will also certainly intrigue Belichick.
31. Nick Perry, DE, Southern California: Some teams are hesitant to grade Perry as a first-round prospect due to the fact that he elected to leave USC after just one highly productive season. He led the Pac-12 with 9.5 sacks in a breakout junior campaign. There are scouts who do believe he’s just scratching the surface of his potential and others who like him best as a defensive end rather than an outside linebacker in the 3-4. For Patriots coach Bill Belichick, Perry would likely be asked to play both positions.
Through the first eight games, Wallace caught 43 passes for 800 yards, on pace for a 1,600-yard season that would have obliterated the team record by more than 200 yards. However, in the final eight games he caught 29 passes for only 393 yards. He averaged 18.6 yards a catch in the first half of the season, just 13.6 in the second half to finish with a career low average of 16.6 yards per catch. He topped it off with a miserable playoff game in Denver, where he caught three passes for 26 yards.
Here’s the question the Steelers and other prospective suitors in free agency must determine: Did defenses figure out Mike Wallace finally as the one-trick pony that Mike Tomlin long declared he was? Wallace is at his best running the “go” routes and outside flag patterns, where he has a chance to outrun someone. However, when faced with cover two defenses and safeties hanging deep, he’s not as effective. He does not seem to fight for the ball at times and even gives up on some when covered.
