An Independent Patriots Blog
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/
“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
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
Pass Defense – must collision WRs so they don’t just run down field uncontested.
Run Defense – set the edge – turn the ball back inside toward pursuit.
Pass Rush – worst place to be is behind the QB.
We were out of action yesterday due to jury duty but we’re back in the blogging saddle today with this Patriots Today video announcing Bledsoe’s induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/we-were-out-of-action-yesterday-due-to-jury-duty/
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.”
To make the 3-4 work, you need two outside linebackers who can get pressure.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/to-make-the-3-4-work-you-need-two-outside/
Another day, another article with insight into the 3-4 defense. Great stuff and really explains a lot in terms of why it’s so hard to find OLBs that could fit the Pats system.
The key to the success of Belichick’s style is flexibility of personnel. To be able to switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4 to a dime defense and all points in between requires versatility at nearly every position. Players have to be able to run and cover and hit. Linemen have to be strong enough to hold the point in the 3-4, but get upfield in a 4-3. Defensive backs have to be very good in zone coverage but competent in man coverage when needed. It requires special skills, but also an above-average football IQ. Compared with the base Dungy-Kiffin scheme, which probably started with as little as three or four fronts and a couple of zone coverages, Belichick’s hybrid is a maze meant to confuse and confound.
Another important difference in Belichick’s defense is philosophical rather than playbook-oriented. Most coordinators identify the weaknesses of an upcoming opponent and game-plan to take advantage. Belichick specifically seeks to take away the strength of an offense, forcing it to operate out of its comfort zone. In a league where you may face a power offense one week and a spread offense the next, the versatility of the multiple front playbook is the only way to pull off such a philosophy.