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The tide turned against the New England Patriots this week, and once again they showed that rumors of their demise had been greatly exaggerated. Here’s a tid bit from Ian Rapoport about BB’s pregame motivation:

The master motivator, Belichick had a barb for every player, emphasizing why they weren’t wanted or why they were overlooked. He ended telling them they played “just OK” for three weeks, but in Sun Life Stadium, “We explode.”

Explode they did. At least on offense and special teams. The funny thing is that there will be much love for the Patriots over the next twelve days but just as we didn’t get too low after the Jets/Bills games, we’re not getting too high after what might look like a blowout of the Phins.

The fact is that yes, the defense showed improvements and made some big plays, but they also gave up 66% of their third downs. The promising thing is that the Patriots defense is really not that far away. Just getting to that many third downs as a defense is a positive. Once they tighten up and stop a few more of them they’ll be on their way.

QUICK HIT THOUGHTS:

Brandon Deaderick showed up well in limited snaps, showing power to drive offensive lineman back.

Ron Brace didn’t play a defensive snap that I saw. Not sure if that’s an indictment of his play of late, but I think it’s probably because they wanted Wilfork at LE for this one and that’s the only position Brace has played this year going all the way back to training camp.

If you’re one of the people banging the we need pass rush drum I think you need to start looking at Myron Pryor/Mike Wright and not just the OLBs. Pryor and Wright are the guys responsible for getting interior rush and you’ve probably noticed we haven’t seen much from them. Wright gets somewhat of a pass since he logged heavy time at nosetackle but Pryor needs to start producing. Myron plays the role Jarvis Green used to have, and he seems to have a good motor, but he really needs to get into the 5 sack range. If he doesn’t start getting consistent pressure this season he could be marked for upgrade this offseason.

Another guy that I’m starting to lose patience with is Gary Guyton. He’s been moved back to a sub-package coverage linebacker role, usually covering runningbacks and tight ends, occasionally blitzing, and it seems like the backs and tight ends are consistently killing the Patriots defense. I’d be curious to see more Jarrad Page in that role if Guyton can’t start making plays.

Banta-Cain, Cunningham, and Ninkovich are all playing a lot in a variety of spots. It is interesting to see how Cunningham got the start at ROLB again, I wonder if the coaches feel he is better against the run than TBC, and/or if this is just a way to help keep TBC fresh for pass rushing.

Cunningham continues to show flashes, if he continues to improve it looks like the Patriots will have finally hit on an OLB via the draft.

Looks like the light is finally starting to come on for Meriweather and that’s a good sign. Shalise Manza-Young reported that she didn’t think his knee injury was serious. That is good. The Patriots really need Meriweather.

I have to say I feel kind of proud of PatChung! after the way I was pimping him all off-season. It’s nice to see a player you believe in have a breakout game. Now everyone needs to catch on that he doesn’t go by Patrick. I also really enjoyed his “Woosah” comment on the postgame interview. Perhaps that becomes this season’s defensive catch phrase.

Rob Ninkopoop made two great plays on his interceptions. He’s one player who is really seeming to improve with each snap he gets. He might not be Mike Vrabel but he’s a smart player and has the athleticism to compete on every down.

I love the thought of everyone complaining about how the Patriots always acquire/draft noted special teams players eating a nice, greasy shit sandwich this morning.

Devin McCourty’s fourth quarter, fourth down tackle of Ronnie Brown won’t make the highlight packages but it was an excellent heads up play by the rookie that Bill Belichick made a point to congratulate him on. McCourty looks like he could be a special player.

I try not to get past this year, but imagining this team with Bodden and Ty Warren back next year makes me warm and fuzzy. Assuming there’s not a lockout….

That Woodhead touchdown was a vintage Kevin Faulk one. I don’t know if Woody can block like Faulk but he clearly brings some pass catching ability to the party. Every time he touches the ball must make Rex Ryan shake his head.

Aaron Hernandez was a fourth rounder and is the youngest player in the NFL? Wow and double wow.

It’s kind of unheard of these days for a running back like Law Firm to be developed over three seasons, isn’t it? He runs hard and always gains positive yardage. Maybe there won’t be as much turnover at RB this offseason as we thought.

What can you say about Tom Brady getting to 100 wins faster than any quarterback in NFL history? It’s clear that Brady is back to the old Brady now. I guess it really does take two years to get back to 100%. (Welker in 2011?)

I heard Jay Shields mention on the Patscast podcast after week one that he thought Sebastian Vollmer had regressed a little bit and after last night I think it’s pretty clear that he’s right. Shields thought Vollmer was going back to relying too much on his athletic ability rather than technique and is paying the price for it against good pass rushers like the relentless Cameron Wake. 

How about Dan Connolly?

Special Teams can be a feast some games, but a famine in others. Maintaining consistency is one of the hardest things for a football team, but it appears that at the very least, the kickoff return team must be respected and game planned for by opponents.

The Patriots head into the bye week feeling pretty good, but there is still much work to be done. With the Ravens coming back into Foxboro, then a cross country trip to San Diego, the Patriots must continue to tighten up the blown coverages and mistackles on defense.

As Mike Lombardi has pointed out the advantage to having a young defense is that you can practice hard and improve throughout the season. This young Patriots defense must do just that.