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Clare Cooper

Patriots game recap 2!

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The Patriots scoop up a pre-season win at Gillette against the Carolina Panthers

Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Isn’t it great when the first drive of the game is a Patriots defensive penalty? 

Obviously I jest, but in some seriousness, the Patriots did notch up 12 penalties during the win against the Panthers. But hey, it’s the pre-season, there is still plenty of time to tighten up… insert grimacing gif of choice!

Not to single guys out, but well, this is a game recap. Scanning a play and not blocking at all as well as some penalties, earned James Ferentz himself a spot on many peoples bad list, even if the late hit for unnecessary roughness at the end of the second quarter, was perhaps a little sweet revenge. 

Whilst there is considerable depth at wide receiver at the moment, and we are watching guys to make that final 53, unfortunately Tre Nixon had a catchable ball that he… didn’t, and Josh Hammond suffered a similar fate. 

But the offense wasn’t all bad, not at all. Damien Harris with great pass protection, and to risk cries of “biased for tight ends” we finally saw something from Devin Asiasi, did we see enough, the jury is still out, but he had a great grab for a 19 yard reception as well as several other good catches. 

As well as wide receiver choices, the running back room has some depth and skill sets, and JJ Taylor may be on the bubble, but not for the sake of trying! Yes, he had a drop on an easy short pass, but he scurries around with some good movement, and threw a great block for quarterback protection considering he isn’t exactly a tall guy. 

Speaking of quarterback, as much as I love me some Mac Jones, I really do, Bailey Zappe ignoring the Panthers player wrapped around his ankle and still making the throw… delicious. 

The defense has reportedly had a good training camp. Watching the last two pre-season games, against the Giants last week and now the Panthers, the defense have been the stronger side of the Patriots. 

Whilst there is a lot still being talked about with coaching and play calling, the defensive mind of Bill Belichick continues to bear fruits!

The good list for the defense is definitely long. Davon Godchaux with some good spin coverage, Ja’Whaun Bentley swallowing up the receiver, Christian Barmore on the edge barging in, Matt Judon pushing his mark back giving Lawrence Guy the opening for some quarterback pressure, Josh Uche with the sack, and that is all just in the first quarter! 

Josh Bledsoe forced a fumble and Myles Bryant was on the collect, but the officials with the premature stop of play, possible cost the Patriots some points, good job its only a pre-season game huh?

The end of the second quarter saw Mack Wilson almost having an interception, reading the quarterback’s eyes well, showing that the Chase Winovich trade-off, could really pay-off!

And just when you thought the pace of the game was ebbing away, Terrance Mitchell with the safety! Well, actually it turned out to be a fumble recovery and a touchdown. And finally, Brandon Schooler made sure his name was noted down in your game book, by sealing the Panthers fate with an interception within the final moments, and so the Patriots notched up their first pre-season win of 2022, Pats 20 – Panthers 10. 

Until next time, you lovely lot! Go Pats!

The game recap is back!

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The Patriots host the NY Giants in the first game for pre-season

Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images

So football is back… kinda.

Sure, it’s only the first game of the pre-season, and spoiler alert the Patriots didn’t win, but there was plenty to be positive about, even if there is some to still have those concerns over.

You all know by now, it’s my second full season writing these, I like to keep it as positive as possible whilst still letting you know what went on, and I’ll be honest folks I’m feeling rather rusty! Saying that, it wasn’t a tight pre-season game, but the Giants did put out a lot of their first team against, what the Patriots would probably specify, as the second, maybe third string guys.

An early in the game call, of too many men on the field for the Patriots defence, was a sloppiness that’s avoidable, not the greatest of starts.

Henry Anderson was a sight we didn’t see much of last season, although I know some of us were looking forward to, and he blocked his guy well moving him towards the Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. This gave way a little for Anfernee Jennings to charge through for the QB pressure, causing the Giants to settle for a field goal, putting the first points on the board. 

Tre Nixon had himself a great kick return, followed not long after by a false start from Justin Herron, the penalties had really begun. 

Currently the running back room has significant depth, but we did see JJ Taylor out there ‘scuttle bugging’ his way around, I’m just not certain it was always successful enough. 

The defense continued to show some of the good stuff we saw in training camp, as Daniel Ekuale took on two guys, and Anfernee Jennings brought the heat taking down the Giants running back. Raekwon McMillian and Joshua Uche delivered some quarterback pressure, and there was good coverage by Terrance Mitchell on the runner. 

The first quarter displayed good complimentary defense by the Patriots, and Myles Bryant had himself his first NFL punt return for a gain of 30 yards. 

Hoyer continued the game with some great throws, I quote the fabulous Scott Zolak here with; “Hoyer dropping dimes!”.

The later part of the first quarter saw a catch by 87, the tight end Matt Sokol. It didn’t result in much, granted, however, on a personal note, a ball to a tight end always has me excited. 

The second quarter showed Tristan Vizcaino kicking off, and Terrance Mitchell once against working hard and fighting through the block to help with the take down. 

Another name some were hopeful to see, LaBryan Ray, the undrafted rookie out of Alabama, was out there earning his reps, with good stance keeping his guy contained. 

A second false start by Justin Herron continued to rack up the penalties, and whilst he aired out some good balls, Bailey Zappe was under pressure.

Physicality on defense, whilst good by Mack Wilson, and then Jennings losing his containment to get after the quarterback, it saw Shaun Wade break up a play that resulted in a pass interference call. 

Guys like Uche, Jennings, and Bledsoe were catching my eye quite positively, but Joejuan Williams a little less so, especially when he was beaten by Richie James for the Giants touchdown. 

Shifting focus to the offence, Matt Sokol has undertaken his blocking tight end role rather well, and the third quarter saw Tre Nixon breaking free of some major coverage to make several great catches from a few lovely balls by Bailey Zappe.

Unfortunately, as much as the defence had some great flashes, including new comer to the team, Jalen Elliott, the Giants were still a little too successful against the run. Although, I must admit it seemed that Cameron McGrone could sniff out a ball whilst it was still in the air, and the third half saw his second almost interception. 

But, the penalties kept on coming, as rookie Nate Weiland, with initially a lovely power charge, got a bit too heavy with Daniel Jones and used his weight to drive him into the ground. Penalty number 12 for the Patriots. 

Jalen Elliott continued to show up all over the place, and Jack Jones gave us glimmers of his skills knocking the ball away beautifully with two almost pick-offs.

With the wide receiver core having some depth, we saw plenty from Tre Nixon and Kristian Wilkerson to prove that the 53 man cut down is going to be tricky, and Lil’Jordan Humphrey had a great vertical with some good engineering by Bailey Zappe, to throw another name into the wide receiver melting pot of choices. 

Unfortunately, there were some injuries on the offensive line for Cajuste, Herron and Murray, and although they all walked off the field, it’s still a worry when that many O line guys, even if second tier, are nursing issues. 

All in all, the defense and the offense had good flashes, and so I feel there is plenty of good to focus on. It’s still only pre-season game one, and whilst there is much to work on, I believe there are building blocks there stable enough to utilise, that’s just my two cents folks.

Until next time, you lovely lot. Go Pats!

Addition by Subtraction? A Pats recap by Clazzy Clare

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Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Obviously, following the draft the Patriots have added to their roster with several of the draft selections already signing contracts, but is it the players who have left that’s of more significance?

(For a full draft recap see the great work from Tom Shaw-Mellors https://www.patspropaganda.com/patriots-2022-draft-recap/)

Going back aways the Patriots said bye bye to Chase Winovich for Mack Wilson — bit of addition by subtraction — kinda. Maybe just a like for like in regards to player talent, but time will tell. It would seem both guys needed a change of scenery so expectation may not be too high. 

Ted Karras and Shaq Mason — you know what, it’s still too fresh, I can’t talk about their departure from Foxborough just yet…

But the Patriots and the NFL, did poach a shining prospect in Drew Desjarlais, top offensive lineman from the CFL. They also added depth to the wide receiver room with DeVante Parker heading over from Miami. 

Terrence Mitchell, Jabrill Peppers, and Malcom Butler came over to put a bit of extra experience in the defence, with the Patriots not signing one linebacker in the draft. They picked up the UDFA DaMarcus Mitchell, who is noted as a DE, but did play in the linebacker position at Purdue, but it’s looking like all those year two chaps might have some time to shine in 2022. 

Jarrett Stidham recently joined the slew of participants on the bus to Las Vegas, catching up with the likes of Brandon Bolden and Jakob Johnson who departed New England as free agents. And whilst we are talking about it, other past Patriots have been drawn to the bright lights of Sin City and Josh McDaniels, with the Raiders signing Chandler Jones, Duron Harmon, Jacob Hollister, Tashawn Bower and Cre’van LeBlanc. Not to mention a stack of coach and personnel peeps too! 

And how can I forget, the release of the very versatile Devine Ozigbo, who was another casualty of the draft with running back being a double dip position. 

But you know what they did bring in !?!?!? A tight end!! Yeah okay, I’m not that excited by Matt Sokol really, yet, he hasn’t played many games in the NFL after being picked up as an UDFA by the Chargers in 2018, but he’s said to be a great blocker and we all know how much I like those! Probably a bit of a practice squad addition really, indicating it’s a good chance Troy Fumagali isn’t on his return stint to New England, but with the revolving door that is training camp, you never know. 

Whilst some fans wait to see if N’Keal Harry gets on the Vegas bus, or any other for that matter, some of us wonder if Devin Asiasi has a ticket out of Foxborough too. Some even believe Nelson Agholor could be another candidate for exit. Agholor did help the offence last year by drawing coverage, but there’s a possibility that role could be filled with the addition of the speedy receiver in the draft of Tyquan Thornton. I feel it’s a catch-22 situation, they spent a lot of cap on him to give up after just one year, but there’s the catch, spent a lot. So moving on from him could free up some cap. According the fantastic @patscap Miguel Benzan, releasing Nelson Agholor in 2022 could create $3.9M, trading him opens $8.9M and extending him (I know, I know that’s the opposite, but it’s for informational purposes!) $3.94M. 

It’s still all kinds of “ifs and butts and candy and nuts” right now, but the schedule is out and we have games on the calendar, it’s beginning to smell a lot like football!

Clazzy Clare does the Draft: Tight End

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Now you know I couldn’t write any draft articles and not tell you all about some of the tight ends for this year. 

Whilst I know the Patriots early round picks need to be spent elsewhere, and I’m not in any argument, I want me a cornerback and some offensive line please. But, late round picks, undrafted guys…. I fancy a spot of that.

If you are a team who needs an earlier round tight end, you are going to be hearing names like Trey McBride of Colorado State, a complete tight end who is projected to go early in the third round. Second to him would be Greg Dulcich of UCLA projected to go around 70th, mentioned at the combine by Daniel Jeremiah as his number one tight end. These guys are both quality tight ends, but the Patriots aren’t going to be looking at these boys. 

Further down the ranks, moving into the later rounds such as a projected fourth, is one guy I had my eye on, and that is Daniel Bellinger from San Diego State. A traditional Y tight end, a great blocker at 6 foot 5 and 253 pounds with very sure hands. He has been an afterthought in the pass attacks, so has a low yard average. 

A fifth round guy that has been on the NFL radar is Jake Ferguson out of Wisconsin. Strong hands and great with the ball, he has limited speed, and whilst he is an experienced line blocker, he may have some difficultly transitioning those skills into the NFL. So a possibility for needing a developmental first year, but hey it was good enough for Jonnu Smith, right?

My favourite tight end who may be feasible for the Patriots is Austin Allen out of Nebraska. His skill set hadn’t been shown in the best light with Nebraska’s offense underperforming in recent years but his combine tests went well. 

Really tall at 6’8” (depending on what you read), he performed as a good blocker, had good hands, and great movement for such a tall guy.

Bottom line, I know not many Patriots fans are looking for a tight end right now, and I am totally with you there. But, I do implore you to think about tight ends for the future, and some of these later round guys might just be feasible. The Patriots went through some lean years at tight end, and I feel they need to set up so that they don’t again. Hunter and Smith, yep top guys for a few years. But that doesn’t mean the Patriots should sit on their heels. If Keene and Asiasi don’t pan out, then the back up cupboard, the developmental tight end shelf, is empty baby and you can’t have that!

Clazzy Clare does the Draft: Running Back

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

To say I was weak on my defensive line research is nothing compared to my running back scoping.

At the moment my personal opinion is that the Patriots don’t need to think about running backs this year. 

I appreciate there are many of you out there who are running back enthusiasts, and I applaud you! I applaud any player position enthusiast to be honest. 

And so to that end, I took a little time to go back and assess some of the combine info, and read the scuttlebutt on running backs for 2022. 

During my research, I came across a possibly sleeper guy who could be a great Rex Burkehead replacement, and that is Wan’Dale Robinson out of Kentucky. He is noted in the draft and combine information as a wide receiver but previously at Nebraska, Robinson played as a running back. This kid could be a great Swiss Army Knife, and whilst the market for wide receiver can be hot and crazy, he is a projected fourth round guy, and look at how hot the market is for Deebo Samuel right now, a wide receiver who can carry the ball out of the back field. 

Now, whilst I am not claiming in any way that Robinson is on the same level as Samuel, he is one of those players that when on the field, defenses may be uncertain as to why, and we all know that Bill likes some versatility in his ranks. 

So perhaps running back is a low priority in my fan opinion but with the draft you never really know what anyone is going to do!

Clazzy Clare does the Draft: Wide Receiver

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

With the recent signing of DeVante Parker, the feel in the air is that the Patriots might not be on course for that top round wide receiver. 

I know how that will upset many of you John Metchie fans, but there could be a back-up plan. 

The Patriots still don’t have that typical slot receiver, known to some as the Julian Edelman, although it could be argued that Parker is a bit of a Swiss Army Knife when it comes to his skill set. 

Out of Western Michigan is Skyy Moore. A 5’10” kid who has said to have moulded himself on the mighty squirrel JE11. 

Now, I know some may not approve, but when a guy says he models himself on Edelman, it’s difficult not to pay attention to him. 

Wide receivers have been going at hefty price tags this free agency and unsurprising the draft class has been possibly affected as a reflection with Moore being projected as a later round guy initially, is now being talked about as a first rounder. 

This may not work out great for the Patriots with plenty of need going into this year’s draft, and that 21 spot kinda, sorta wanting to be filled with a top cornerback or linebacker, depending upon which side of the fence you fall. 

He has great movement skills and no issue getting off the line. He is short, but at 195 pounds, he’s not exactly small! One of the downsides is that he is said to have performed well, but against lower level opponents. 

No clairvoyancey here, but Moore has some definite pluses for this Patriots team who could do with a slot receiver. Should he go at 21? Will he? That’s another bag of tricks entirely, and I am not for a moment saying the Patriots should use their first round pick on him. 

My goal here was to shine a light on a guy who I think might be a good Patriot. Just my two cents, especially because it feels that at the moment the Patriots have so many holes to fill. Could a top wide receiver really be what they need at 21? Many say yes, and they would be well within their rights to. I’m not so sure myself if I’m more on the cornerback or offensive lineman bandwagon, but it really depends upon who falls when the Patriots are sitting there, waiting to make that 21st pick. 

Keep an eye on Pats Propaganda as I scope out a couple more Patriots possible prospects for this 2022 draft. 

Clazzy Clare does the Draft: Linebacker

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The linebacker class this year is filled with quality, and I think many of us are hoping the Patriots will tap into that resource. 

Studying the selection at the combine, one guy really caught my eye but with the way things are transpiring, it would seem less and less likely that the Patriots will get this kid. 

The significant need, it feels is mostly cornerback, and if the Patriots want the top CB, they probably have to use their 21st pick for one. 

However, if they see something they like in a later round cornerback, and do go younger and faster at linebacker in the first, Chad Muma the linebacker out of Wyoming is on my wish list. 

But that’s a name you probably all recognise by now. He was a tackling machine in college with serious range and explosiveness. 

So, if 21 is too rich, I understand and don’t disagree. It’s just tricky when you spot such a good player, and want him on the Patriots (as well as about ten others). But to that end I’ll leave you with another decent-looking linebacker who may not be that top round talent, but could be a good back up plan maybe. 

Malcolm Rodriguez is a smaller guy at just 5’11” but the key is he wrestles. This guy may be small, but he is powerful with a high football IQ, and we all know how Bill likes them smart… I mean I don’t blame him, looks aren’t everything you know… but I digress. 

He has short arms, and this is definitely something being used to downgrade him in this draft, but his balance is great with a low centre of gravity, and he’s powerful. 

If the Patriots look at addressing cornerback and offensive line earlier on in the draft, I will be on the edge of my seat, hoping they scoop this guy up as a later round linebacker, and I kinda hope you will too!