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PatsFans’ Ian Logue on Schefter’s Mankins Take
PatsFans’ Ian Logue on Schefter’s Mankins Take
PatsFans omnipotent overlord Ian Logue breaks down Adam Schefter’s comments on Logan Mankins from WEEI today for those who missed it. I have to say I am at a total loss as to what the endgame on Mankins is.
On one hand he could be starting against the Lions while I’m mauling my turkey dinner. Or on the other hand he could be traded by Monday for anything from a 1st round pick to a 3rd round pick. Then on my right foot he could try to return to the Pats and they just say “thanks but no thanks” (unlikely I know, but not entirely impossible). Finally on my last foot they could extend him and make him a Patriot for life. I think I’d like that the most of anything.
Or he could come back and get injured then end his Patriot career on IR before signing with the highest bidder next March. Good thing I don’t have another appendage for that because that scenario sucks.
New England Patriots Game Plan: Baltimore Ravens
t’s weeks like this one that make it fun to be a football fan. If you only allow yourself to truly get excited about playoff games you’re really missing out. That’s why seasons like 2008, when the Patriots traveled through a warm, cuddly schedule of the NFC and AFC West divisions that made an 11-5 record sans Tom Brady possible, was never really that exciting. Not just because Matt Cassel was playing QB.
This year there is no rest for the wicked young Patriots. We’ve already been beaten over the head with lowlights of the Ravens mopping the field turf of Gillette Stadium with the Welker-less Pats but now it is time to write a new chapter of an emerging Baltimore-New England rivalry.
If there had to be a consensus best team in the NFL right now at week six, the Ravens would be it. However they are not a perfect football team just yet.
It won’t be easy, but the Patriots could pull this one off and answer a great many questions that are currently swirling around this team. The game plan after the jump…
Interesting Patriots Nuggets from Reiss-Bruschi Podcast
Interesting Patriots Nuggets from Reiss-Bruschi Podcast
As I mentioned earlier today the Mike Reiss-Tedy Bruschi ESPN podcast has to be the greatest Patriots media addition for the 2010 season. Some little things of interest to pass along:
Bruschi spoke of what it means to have that veteran “savvy” and specifically mentioned how veterans don’t take false steps forward biting on play action, something the young Pats D has been getting killed on all year. This is an outstanding example of how experience can dramatically improve a defense.
I’m pretty familiar with the Inside Linebacker spots in the 34 defense (called “Mike” and “Will”) but one thing that Tedy pointed out that I thought was interesting is how the run reads for the Will are pretty simple, with only two reads.
Mike Reiss wondered if the Patriots might open in a 4-3 defense to throw off ex Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees. Pees knows the Patriots system and personnel inside and out, so going to a 4-3 might be a good way to throw the Ravens game plan off. However we haven’t seen any 4-3 this year (unlike 2009) so I would find it pretty surprising. That includes training camp, where in 2009 there was a lot of 4-3 being run. In 2010 there wasn’t any reported. Though a line of Brace, Wilfork, Wright and Warren could hold up pretty well.
I don’t know, I’d say there has been less of that since time has gone on,” Belichick said. “So, they’ll have to defend some other guys, we’ll see how they choose to do it. I think teams have been playing more of what they play, less specific coverages for a specific player — Wes, Randy,” he continued. “Not that we don’t see them, just I’d say less, a lower frequency. I’d say things changed kind of in ‘07 and then in ‘08, and in ‘09, they gradually declined.
Bill Belichick on coverages changing with the departure of Randy Moss. (via The Rapsheet)
https://www.patspropaganda.com/i-dont-know-id-say-there-has-been-less-of-that/
Bruschi’s Breakdown: Pats vs. Ravens
Bruschi’s Breakdown: Pats vs. Ravens
This is pretty much just a transcript from Mike Reiss and Tedy Bruschi’s ESPN podcast which has quickly become must-listen for me.
