PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Gosselin: Patriots #1 Special Teams

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You might’ve already seen this report that Rick Gosselin, one of the most respected football writers out there, had the Patriots ranked number one in the NFL for special teams. 

Meanwhile Football Outsiders had them eighth. To be honest I think the Pats had a great start to 2010 from a Special Teams perspective but they were pretty average the rest of the way.

There are definitely some memorable moments… from Tate’s two kick returns for TDs, to the Miami game, Mesko’s punt in overtime against the Ravens, and Edelman’s punt return TD against the Dolphins, just to name a few.

Also making this more impressive is how much yardage they lost when Gostkowski went on IR. Shayne Graham was great replacing him at field goals, but his kick off distance was considerably shorter that Gostkowski’s.

Clearly their solid special teams play was a big part in going 14-2.

Patriots Blogging 2009 Flashback: GU!

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From time to time this off-season we’ll bring you some blog posts from years gone by. Either articles that were timeless or make me look really smart or (probably more often) really dumb.

Today we bring you a post from February 18, 2009 from our very first blog. This was after just surviving the Brady-less 2008 season and we were still trying to gain perspective on the season. But one thing that bothered me then, and still bothers me today, is every time I see an NFL highlight with the Gene Upshaw “GU” patches. Instantly you know what day that game took place, the opening Sunday of 2008. The day that will live in infamy for Pats fans.

ProFootballFocus.com: Patriots movers and shakers from 2010

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Here are some interesting numbers from ProFootballFocus.com for the Pats:

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (14-3)

Moving On Up: ILB Jerod Mayo (-2.2 to +8.1)

Mayo improved his game in year three, looking like a better player than in his rookie year and his injury-affected 2009. We’d still like him to make more plays to go along with his tackle numbers, but you get the feeling Mayo’s presence allows others around him to have a bigger impact.

Had a Bad Year: S Brandon Meriweather (+6.7 to -10.0)

You know a guy is a bad Pro Bowl selection when even the home fans don’t support the choice. Meriweather just didn’t have a very good year, which is a surprise considering his success prior to this. Even cutting back on some of the missed tackles (from 11 to six) didn’t help his grade, and he finished the lowest rated player on the Patriots defense. A classic case in the Pro Bowl process where team success + big name = trip to Hawaii.

Give This Guy More Snaps: ILB Brandon Spikes (+18.6 in 364 snaps)

A real fun player to watch, Spikes is that kind of two-down linebacker that times the snap well and really knows how to shoot gaps and disrupt plays. For a time during the middle stretch of the season he was the most noticeable thing about the Patriots D, and did his bit to prove there’s more to playing linebacker than just racking up tackles.

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Light is the Pats’ NFLPA rep. The 33-year-old wants to return to New England, and beat writer Ian Rapoport suggests a three-year compromise in the $5 million-a-year range. According to Pro Football Focus, Light was the fifth best run-blocking tackle in the NFL last season, but 55th in pass blocking.

Rotoworld on Matt Light via Rapsheet

https://www.patspropaganda.com/light-is-the-pats-nflpa-rep-the-33-year-old/

Potential Patriots: Ryan Kerrigan

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For the second year in the row everyone is wondering if the Patriots will alter their philosophy of only taking three down players in the first round to take a pass rushing DE/OLB conversion project.

Last year Jerry Hughes was that guy I was kinda hoping they pick. Which in hindsight was obviously the wrongest choice they could’ve made.

This year the sexy pass rushing pick has got to be Ryan Kerrigan. 

The only knock on him is that he might be more suited to play in a 4-3 defense where he’s not asked to play in space or cover tight ends.

So schematically he might not be a perfect fit for the Pats, especially early in the draft as it would probably take him longer to develop into a run defender than it did for Jermaine Cunningham.

But right off the bat he’s bringing a non-stop motor, excellent leadership and attitude. He looks like he has the size and speed to get to the quarterback, a need the Pats desperately have.

So if he’s there at 17, do they take him? Watch the video below and I guarantee your answer is yes!