PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Mike Dussault

by

BB at the B’s game last night (via Barstool). Love how he always pops up at the other Boston sporting events. Clearly he lives for competition. And short sleeves. And visors.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/bb-at-the-bs-game-last-night-via-barstool-love/

by

“You try and match what OTA’s would be like at this point, try and get out there and running on the field and throwing and working drills as well as lifting,” said Fletcher, who lined up at multiple linebacker spots last season. “Just do as much as you can do to be on top and try to stay on top of things.”

“There are definitely people out there grinding. I’m working out a lot, throwing — Fletcher and I, we’re always out there grinding every day about five times a week,” Gronkowski said. “We’re just ready to play some football and hoping there’s a season. I’m ready to play.”

Dane Fletcher and Gronk via WEEI

Worth mentioning that Chris Price said in a tweet that Fletcher looked like he had put on some good weight. Really hoping we have a training camp so he can have a chance to show how much he’s improved. Working out with Gronk certainly has to help.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/you-try-and-match-what-otas-would-be-like-at/

CoachHoover: Notes on Belichick Coaches Clinic

by

CoachHoover: Notes on Belichick Coaches Clinic

Another great find! Here are the notes taken by a coach attending a coaching clinic by BB. Some great stuff, but since we’re on a defense schemology week we’re only posting the notes from that side of the ball. Note the very last note at the bottom…

Defense

  •        Just because you have 11 guys wearing the same-colored jersey doesn’t mean you are a coordinated unit.

Pass Defense – must collision WRs so they don’t just run down field uncontested. 

  •         Get on WRs quickly – don’t give them any space.
  •        Don’t let them inside – keep good inside leverage.
  •        He showed his team cut-ups of Arizona’s WRs running downfield uncontested to reinforce what NOT to do.  Then show examples of what you do want to do.
  •        Pass Defense – DBs – job #1 – defend the deep ball.

Run Defense – set the edge – turn the ball back inside toward pursuit.

  •        Don’t just run upfield – must attack at correct angle. 
  •        Don’t let the ball outside for uncontested yardage.
  •        Force player – once you force it inside, shed block and get in on tackle.  You want to push back the  LOS.
  •        Must teach players how to defeat blocks.
  •        QB as runner – Offense will always out-gap you.  Somebody must be a two-gap player.
  •        Backside of Defense – still want to set the edge for Reverse, Cutback, and Misdirection.
  •       Every week – emphasis is on setting the edge.
  •      Tackling – don’t leave your feet – run thru the RB.

Pass Rush – worst place to be is behind the QB.

  •      Must collapse the pocket to get at depth of QB.
  •       Must have push up the middle – don’t let QB step up in pocket.
  •       Michael Vick – obviously would play differently.
  •       Pass Rusher behind QB – worst position in football that you can be in.
  •       Pass rush helps the coverage more than having four Champ Baileys will do.

Nick Saban’s Belichick-influenced defensive philosophy

by

We posted this a few months ago but in keeping with our Patriots defensive schemology week we’re posting it again. Saban learned the ropes under BB so it’s safe to say that much of what you’ll read below is heavily influenced by the hoodie.

Saban has been coaching defense – and coaching it quite well – for decades. But there is no question that the defining period of his coaching career was 1991-1994, when he was Bill Belichick’s defensive coordinator with the Cleveland Browns. Just knowing that tells you a great deal about Saban’s defense: he (primarily) uses the 3-4; he’s very aggressive, especially on passing downs; he wants to stop the run on first and second down; he’s not afraid to mix up schemes, coverages, blitzes, and looks of all kinds; and, most importantly, he is intense and attentive to detail, which is the hallmark of any great defensive coach.

Now here is Saban’s defensive philosophy in his own words:

[Our] philosophy on first and second down is to stop the run and play good zone pass defense. We will occasionally play man-to-man and blitz in this situation. On third down, we will primarily play man-to-man and mix-in some zone and blitzes. We will rush four or more players versus the pass about ninety-percent of the time.

“In all situations, we will defend the inside or middle of the field first – defend inside to outside. Against the run, we will not allow the ball to be run inside. We want to force the ball outside. Against the pass, we will not allow the ball to be thrown deep down the middle or inside. We want to force the ball to be thrown short and/or outside.

“… Finally, our job is to take the ball away from the opponents’ offense and score or set up good field position for our offense. We must knock the ball loose, force mistakes, and cause turnovers. Turnovers and making big plays win games. We will be alert and aggressive and take advantage of every opportunity to come up with the ball … . The trademark of our defense will be effort, toughness, and no mental mistakes regarding score or situation in any game.”