An Independent Patriots Blog
These final days leading up to Super Bowl 51 are really starting to drag now. To help pass the time here are 50 Bold/Stupid predictions for the game. I’ll leave it to you to decide which are actually bold and which are just dumb.
[Read more…] about 50 Bold/Stupid Predictions for Super Bowl 51
Here we go again. The Patriots are headed to an NFL-record ninth Super Bowl, their seventh under Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, and have a chance to firmly place themselves atop the history books in almost every regard.
Going to the Super Bowl never gets old. It’s wall-to-wall media coverage of your team as their season is dissected by all the best analysts. The nerves this week have been pretty tame. There’s not much to hate about the Falcons, but I’m still looking very forward to smashing them.
It’s a truly formidable test for the Patriots defense. This was supposed to be a culmination year, when all the great drafting on the defensive side of the ball since 2012 really paid off. And in a roundabout way, it still might be.
Plenty of Boston media jackasses who would love nothing more than to see the Patriots’ defense collapse so they can spend all offseason saying “toldya!”… I don’t believe the defense will let us down like that.
If they shut down this Falcons attack all that talk will be put to rest forever, along with countless other horrible takes and doubts. Unless Brady goes ham and then it doesn’t really matter how the defense plays. Because barring a couple weird turnovers, the Patriots offense should have their way with the Falcons’ defense.
I haven’t researched an opponent more in-depth than I have with the Falcons these last two weeks, and, as BB would say, the hay is in the barn. Let’s break it down in the final gameplan of the 2016 season!
[Read more…] about Patriots Gameplan: Super Bowl 51 vs. Atlanta Falcons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLCc9CPIip8
Forgive them, Tom, because they know not what they do.
That is the guy the NFL framed and vilified. That guy right there. Can you imagine how much hate he might elicit if he was actually the monster everyone seems to think he is? I don’t know if I could. I also don’t know if I can quantify in words his mental toughness. As frustrated and exasperated as he must have been with his name and image dragged through the mud over the last two seasons by vindictive owners and an empty suit commissioner, we found out this week he had more important things on his mind: the health of his mother.
[Read more…] about Best/Worst in Weekly Patriots Links-2/4 (Super Bowl 51)
One game in my Falcons’ film study that has stuck out was their 24-15 loss to the Eagles in mid-November. The Falcons put up a season-low 303 yards of offense with just 48 yards rushing.
It’s important not to take one game, especially their worst of the season, and take it as proof-positive their offense can be easily stopped. The Patriots have had plenty of outliers over the years that were extrapolated as “The Blueprint” to beat the Patriots.
Still, there’s plenty of analyze in terms of the Eagles schemes and coverages that gave the Falcons problems.
Here’s what stood out to me and what I think the Patriots are well-equipped to reproduce.
[Read more…] about Can the Pats Copy the Eagles Defensive Plan vs. Falcons?
Sources say the Browns’ interest in Garoppolo is real and that they’ll try to trade for him depending on how their draft evaluations go over the next five weeks or so. If the Browns decide to draft Mitch Trubisky or Deshaun Watson in the first round, they’ll be much less likely to pursue the Patriots’ backup — but wouldn’t rule it out.
But they’ll have competition for Garoppolo that will drive up the price. Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan liked him coming out of the draft, and might pursue a deal once he formally becomes the 49ers’ head coach.
The 49ers have the No. 2 pick in the draft, and are also looking for a quarterback.
But the Browns are intrigued, sources say, and they’ll strongly consider it. The cost could be the No. 12 overall pick and more.
Source: Mary Kay Cabot/Cleveland.com
As expected, teams are going to line up to get a shot at Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason, with the Cleveland Browns leading the way. The Browns have two first round picks and two second round picks, so they have the ammo that the Pats will likely require to part ways with the talented Tom Brady apprentice.
I wrote this a couple months ago, and I haven’t really changed my tune. I know Brady has looked as good as ever this season but the end can come quickly and this is one position you shouldn’t mess around with. You have a player in-house and under contract for another season that can step in and win football games.
Here’s everything you need to know about The Atlanta Falcons, aka “The Last Ones Standing”
New England Patriots vs Atlanta Falcons
Sunday February 5 at NRG Stadium in Houston Texas
6:30 pm EST, FOX
Dome Stadium
Opponent/Patriots Stats:
Falcons: 11-5 (2-0)
Common Opponents:
History: These teams are not common enemies. As Marcellus Bennett pointed out, Patriots natural predator is the Red Coat, not the Falcon. The last time the teams met, Aqib Talib was balling for the Pats in 2013. The teams have only met 13 times since 1972, making them some of the most unfamiliar opponents New England has had in a while. Patriots lead the series 7-6, and winners of the last 4 meetings, with only one them being played at Gillette Stadium. As of late, the Pats have owned the Falcons, but that’s kinda true about the Pats versus everyone and the Falcons are different this year so read into that what you will.
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[Read more…] about Super Bowl LI Scouting Report: The Atlanta Falcons
The Super Bowl circus is in full swing with the “Opening Night” last night kicking off the festivities in Houston. It’s become so much of a production compared to the old days where media availability happened during the day and was far more informal and fun. Still, it’s always good to get a read on the Patriots during these events as we close in on Super Bowl Sunday.
Here’s a 10 pack of thoughts on the latest developments…
