Another Patriots game in four days? Yes please.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/another-patriots-game-in-four-days-yes-please/
“Packaged” plays and rethinking the concept of modern play calling – Grantland
“Packaged” plays and rethinking the concept of modern play calling – Grantland
Interesting read for the X and O gurus out there…
How do you feel about Ninkovich’s new role in the defense? It worries me a little, because I still get bad memories from when he played nickel end against Pittsburgh last season.
I think it will put him in a better position to be successful by eliminating his coverage responsibilities. He did have a horrid game against Pitt last year but I think that was a fairly isolated performance. The question is going to be how well he holds up when he’s at the point of attack and has to take on multiple blockers. His move back to defensive end shows the philosophical shift of getting more athletes on the field for early downs so that they’re able to get pass rush at all times.
The Patriots defense deserves praise for hanging tough against the Eagles, as Philadelphia sent out most of its regulars (including Michael Vick until his injury) for extensive reps on Monday night. Though the Patriots surrendered 14 first-half points, all of them were scored off turnovers that stranded the defense deep in its own territory. The secondary did well to not let up any big gains, and although LeSean McCoy was productive in the running game in the first half, he was unable to break free for chunk yardage.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-patriots-defense-deserves-praise-for-hanging/
Picked-up pieces from 1st quarter review
Picked-up pieces from 1st quarter review
Brace has been getting some praise this morning. He didn’t jump out initially at me so I’ll have to take a closer look at what he did.
Patriots defensive lineman Ron Brace, who was aligned over right guard Danny Watkins (a 2011 first round pick), got off on a great first step, locked his arms out on Watkins, and rode him laterally down the line before eventually knocking him on his behind. That play was a microcosm of the unique skills and overwhelming strength Brace brings at his size (some 330 pounds), and was very sound technique. The Patriots relied on defensive linemen gaining control of their blockers and being able to engage them towards the action of the football more often in their 3-4 system, but there’s still a place for it in the team’s now four-man front based defense. Just two plays later, Brace collapsed the pocket against Watkins, and bear hugged Eagles quarterback Nick Foles to the ground. The officials ruled that Foles was able to flick the ball out of his hands just in time to prevent a sack. More plays like that from Brace could result in both a spot on the roster and extended playing time.
Demps’ signing bonus brings the Patriots closer to the $76,585 maximum that teams could spend on signing bonuses for undrafted free agents in 2012. (New England currently is at $76,500.) In addition to the signing bonus, the Patriots have fully `guaranteed $200,000 of the $390,000 base salary Demps would earn if he makes the 53-man roster. If Demps does not make the team, he’d still get that money. The total of $211,000 in guaranteed money is the second-largest sum given to a 2012 undrafted free agent, exceeded only by the $214,000 the Dallas Cowboys guaranteed offensive lineman Ronald Leary.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/demps-signing-bonus-brings-the-patriots-closer-to/