An Independent Patriots Blog
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2JxQVoSqpI
Gronk gets the hat trick. But the best part of this video? The Ref telling Lamar Woodley to talk to the hand.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/gronk-gets-the-hat-trick-but-the-best-part-of/
It is with great sadness that I report Shawn “Crazy Legs” Crable has been released. Again. While I adopted Crazy Legs as my personal boo this season I have to be honest, I haven’t really been all that impressed with him.
He’s gotten some significant playing time the last few weeks, and the Steelers game was by far the most snaps he’s seen. But he didn’t really look like he was making much of an impact, despite recording his first half sack. I was willing to give him more time to develop but it looks like Coach BB wasn’t.
Now Crable could still be back on the practice squad. Or the Pats may have released him so they could re-sign him to another long term deal (probably a long shot if even possible), but the major question, assuming Crable is gone for good, is who becomes the DPR on the left side of the nickel packages?
It seems as though the Pats were keeping Jermaine Cunningham a little fresher for run downs after he had some DPR duty earlier in the season. He’s the number one candidate. Or a combo of him and Rob Ninkovich depending on who’s fresher. Tully Banta-Cain is already manning the right side of the pass rush formation.
There isn’t another linebacker on the roster who can really step into the spot, not even on the practice squad. So the move is an interesting one.
There’s definitely going to be some changes to the pass rush package. Assuming Crable’s gone, which I can’t entirely do right now. It’s too soon.
Mike D’s late addition: Good point by Pats guru @DanteSterling, perhaps we could be getting more Dane Fletcher. To be honest I’ve been more excited by Fletcher’s play than Crable this year, granted they’ve been performing different roles. But Fletcher was a sackmaster in college. I hope we’re going to see more of him, even if… dare I say… gasp… it’s at Crable’s expense…
https://www.patspropaganda.com/it-is-with-great-sadness-that-i-report-shawn/
Patriots DVOA Chart (thru week 10)
The offense had a great week, but the defense was clearly hurt by the 4th quarter prevent defense. Special Teams continues a slow decline, could have a break out versus the Colts.
See the full rankings here.
(Mike D’s note: I flipped the defensive DVOA to positive to make it a little easier to read.)
https://www.patspropaganda.com/patriots-dvoa-chart-thru-week-10-the-offense/
Me no like Patriots! But me do like Bring It On. Kirsten Dunst is beauty full.
This sure beats sitting on our couches, huh?
https://www.patspropaganda.com/this-sure-beats-sitting-on-our-couches-huh/
God do I love humiliating the Pittsburgh Squeelers in their own back yard.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/nevercease-god-do-i-love-humiliating-the/
Football Outsiders: The 2nd Best Game of Brady’s Career
Gronk #3 Tight End:
What a difference a week makes; after fumbling in the red zone and causing a fumbled kickoff against the Browns, Gronkowski had three touchdowns on five targets in Pittsburgh. Before Sunday, the Steelers had allowed just one passing touchdown to opposing tight ends in 57 targets, a 12-yard catch by Benjamin Watson in Week 6.
Benny #4 Running Back
Green-Ellis had one carry for 17 yards and two for 13 yards. That doesn’t sound like the makings of a great day, but consider that those are three of the four longest carries against the Steelers so far this season, and it looks a little better. The 17-yarder was Green-Ellis’s opening carry, and it was one of the rare times this year that the Steelers have been defeated at the line of scrimmage, with the Patriots doing a great job of sealing the alley outside to create an easy lane for Green-Ellis.