Mike Wright, according to a source, has made strides in his recovery and has been working out at Gillette Stadium. While some players have left the area over the last few months, Wright has stayed close by, positioning himself to be at his strongest when organized workouts ultimately begin.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/mike-wright-according-to-a-source-has-made/
NFL Lockout Thoughts… and should fans be included in negotiations?
It’s been getting harder and harder to legitimately talk about the 2011 NFL season as we get closer and closer to the expiration of the current CBA. Sure, we’ve buried ourselves in draft research, and that will be a crutch until early May.
But if there’s a lockout, the selection of Mr. Irrelevant will be a depressing final gasp of the NFL as we know it. So as we all wait for the union and players association to come forward with a real actual announcement there are just a few things we’d like to touch on.
First, I recommend you read Andrew Brandt’s article here as to what the possible outcomes for Friday could be. I’m most optimistic about an extension, that seems most plausible at this point.
Second, I’ve been getting quite a few emails from various fan organizations like SportsFans.org who would like to have the fans at least included as observers of the negotiations. They’ve even been featured in major news outlets like the New York Times.
We also had a group named Block the Lockout presenting 150,000 signatures to owners today.
Unlike a lot of fans I actually make a little money off the NFL. Make that a VERY little, but still, it’s something. And I feel confident saying that I stand to lose as much as any other NFL fan in the event of a lockout, but I don’t believe fans have any place at the bargaining table, even as observers.
What could fans possibly add to this process? It’s the responsibility for the NFL and the players to work out a deal that is amenable to both sides. All that really truly matters to fans is whether or not there’s a lockout. That’s the only issue that legitimately can concern them.
Sure, we can be against an 18 game season, but when it comes down to it are any fans really going to be that put out by having two more real games per year?
If you don’t like the deal that the NFL and players eventually come to then stop supporting the NFL. Cancel your season tickets. Don’t subscribe to DirecTV’s Sunday ticket. Don’t buy any more schwag. And yes, stop writing obsessive blogs that are solely focused on one team.
Yes, the fans made the NFL everything it has become, but to include them in negotiations is pointless. Why should billionaire owners, or players who risk life and limb listen to anything fans have to say? Because we watch them and spend money to support them? Guess what, there will always be fans, no matter how long a lockout, or how contentious the negotiations become. What could fans possibly have to add to the proceedings other than another complication that could stand in the way of a deal?
Anyway, that’s my two cents on that, and with that said I’ve been tossing around a lot of ideas as to what would become of PatsPropaganda during a prolonged lockout (which luckily seems far less likely with the ruling of Judge Doty last night).
But still, if we get to May and there’s a lockout, there won’t be much to say after we analyze all the Pats draft picks. So with that in mind we’ll just have to find other ways to stay entertained, and that might even include adopting a college football team. We’re still figuring it out, as are the NFL and players, but there would definitely be some new non-Pats content springing up on here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1g032qHs6s
Tom Brady: 21st All Time Best NFL Player
And this was done pre-2010 so I’d think the first unanimous MVP in forever would have to bump him at up at least into the top 20.
(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)
https://www.patspropaganda.com/tom-brady-21st-all-time-best-nfl-player-and/
Post Combine Patriots Mock Round-Up
We’ll be keeping an eye on all the mock drafts as they start to pour in over the next few weeks. If you have one you’d like featured please post a link in the comments below and we’ll put it up.
As always no one mock is ever going to be 100% correct, but when taken as a whole you get a pretty good sense of who the general football-following public thinks the Pats will take.
Wes Bunting (National Football Post) (3/2):
17. JJ Watt
- Watt seems like a perfect fit in the Patriots 34 front. He’s got the length/anchor to set the edge, is a better athlete than given credit for and offers some versatility to play inside in nickel situations as well.
28. Akeem Ayers
- His less than ideal 40 time (4.84) could cause him to fall a bit on draft day. However, the guy has a gifted skill set, plays faster on tape and could be a real find for the Pats at the end of round one.
PatsProp Comment: Love Watt, but not sure Ayers is the physical, tough player the Patriots look for.
NEPatriotsDraft.com (3/1):
17. JJ Watt
- Watt is a versatile defensive linemen that should excel at the NFL level. Explosive against the run and the pass, Watt has a motor that just won’t quit. He will need to learn to 2-gap effectively, but his physical and mental makeup make him a great fit for New England.
28. Muhammad Wilkerson
- Ideal 5-technique DE that sheds blockers with ease. This is a trademark Patriots pick, which will have most casual fans scratching their heads initially, followed by an eventual realization of just how good a player Wilkerson is. We have the Patriots loading up on DE’s as Ty Warren’s health is not guaranteed and Wilkerson/Jordan would fit well in the often-used sub-packages.
PatsProp Comment: Again, love Watt, but doubling down on the defensive line is an interesting choice. Would really solidify the front end of the Pats d-line for the next decade. Just the kind of crazy choice the Pats are known for.
PatsDraft.com (3/2):
17: Ryan Kerrigan
- Kerrigan is a very exciting Passrusher. He is a kinetic dynamo on the field, and is a much better athlete than given credit. In fact, I would compare him to Mike Vrabel, and say he is a more athletic Vrabel, and I really like him as an OLB in a 3-4. I see a lot of Vrabel in him. He had 33.5 career sacks and 14 FF, which is a Big Ten record. He has that knack for making the big play. Great quickness off the line. He looks like he has the size and athleticism to play OLB. The most important aspect of his game is his hustle and non-stop motor.
28. Adrian Clayborn
- Top rated player at the Pats top need position. He is just too good a player to be available here come Draft day, but stranger things have happened. Pats have some extra picks and can afford to take a chance on a guy who was truly great in 2009 and played terrible in 2010 do to injury
PatsProp Comment: Kind of a fail for the PatsDraft boys. Though I don’t rule Kerrigan completely out, Clayborn himself said at the combine he’s a 4-3 guy.
DraftEmpire.com (3/2):
17. Cameron Jordan
28. Mike Pouncey
PatsProp Comment: Hard to argue with either of these picks, both stabilize positions where depth is lacking, while bringing certain traits that are badly needed (Size/versatility).
