PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Four Great Patriots Draft Picks From the Belichick Era

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When it comes to the Pats, Bill Belichick, and the draft, the one name that
immediately springs to mind is Tom Brady. It’s impossible to ignore the impact
of the greatest quarterback that the game has ever seen. However, what
others may not know is that there have been many other notable draft picks
brought in during the era of the 69-year-old head coach.

Today, that’s where we’re going to focus our gaze as we take a look at some
of the players who have been helped to greatness by the six-time Super Bowl-
winning head coach.

Richard Seymour

Seymour was drafted to the Pats in 2001 after a successful college spell with the University of Georgia, where he starred alongside another future Patriot in Johnathan Sullivan. Coming in as the highest first-round pick in the era of Belichick, he went on to become one of the most reliable players in a seven-year stint in Foxborough. After winning three Super Bowl titles with New England, he went on to further personal success with the Oakland Raiders, after being selected for the Pro Bowl twice in his final three seasons before retirement. His status as a legend of the game was further sealed when he was recently inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame.

Rob Gronkowski

It has to be said the draft-day deal with the Oakland Raiders, which allowed the Pats to bring in Gronk, turned out to be one of the best in franchise history. From the moment he stepped into the building, he made an impact, scoring four touchdowns in pre-season before winning three Super Bowl rings with the Pats in eight years. After announcing his retirement in 2018, it was somewhat surprising to see him return to action with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over a year later. But linking up with his former colleague, Brady, has proved to be a masterstroke. Gronkowski won a fourth championship in 2021, and many thought they could repeat the feat this year. However, they couldn’t overcome the challenge of the L.A. Rams in the playoffs. It’s quite a measure of the Bucs strength that only now do The Rams find themselves the favorites for the title in the latest Super Bowl odds from Ladbrokes, with Gronkowski and Brady out of the picture. That will come as little solace for Gronkowski who’s been a player synonymous with victory for over a decade.

While it’s been tough to see him go to further successes away from New England, you can’t deny that Gronk is one of the best players of his era, one of the best players the Patriots have had, and as ESPN cites him, one of the best tight ends in the history of the NFL.

Stephen Gostkowski

Arguably, the stage was set for Gostkowski to become a star from a young age. He excelled in soccer, football, and baseball before stepping up as a potential future NFL legend in college with the Memphis Tigers. His performances with the Tigers set him up perfectly to replace the legendary Adam Vinatieri. He was thrust straight in during his rookie season and showed steely nerves even at such a young age. In a 13-year stint with the Pats, becoming the all-time leader in franchise history and holds the record for the most consecutive successful extra-point attempts in the NFL.

Jamie Collins

The outside linebacker wasn’t a star in the mold of those we’ve already mentioned, but he was no less vital to the Pats in the road to winning Super Bowl XLIX. He had a slow start to his career in Foxborough, starting as a backup to Dont’a Hightower and Jerod Mayo, but his determination shone through, and within a year, he was in the starting lineup. Collins had his best season, recording over 115 tackles, four sacks, four fumbles, and two interceptions in 15 starts in the season running up to the Super Bowl win. He’s now in his third spell with the Pats after returning from the Lions. Upon his return to Massachusetts in 2021, Collins proved he’d lost none of his defensive awareness when he sacked Texan’s quarterback Davis Mills in the victory in Houston earlier in the season.

Can we get some love for the kickers!?

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Fluffs, field goals and frenzy! The divisional round weekend of playoffs in the NFL 2021 season.

In case you didn’t know, three of the four divisional match-ups last weekend came down to a field goal. Not only that, the fourth game was moved into overtime by a field goal… C-R-A-Z-Y for K-I-C-K-E-R-S! 

And the nuttiness doesn’t cease there!

T’was the second quarter in Tennessee, Derek Henry took the direct snap and powered through for a touchdown. The Bengals had too many men on the field and Vrabel changed his play, and the Titans went for two. Henry rushed to the right and was taken down, conversion failed. The craziness is, had they gone back to the original play, and just took the extra point the Bengals couldn’t have won in the final moments with a field goal. Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda. 

Obviously, that’s easy to say, and you could about many, many games… Cowboys fans look away now…

But this is the playoffs baby!

Next up were the 49ers at Green Bay, McDreamy verses McMVP? Well, that’s popular opinion (but if you have listened to the latest episode of A Clare Perspective the podcast, you’ll know we aren’t ALL under that Jimmy G handsome spell). 

So, the 49ers were going to regret they didn’t draft the greatness that is Aaron Rodgers? (Oh, I so wish you guys could hear my sarcasm right now.)

But, in all seriousness the 10 and 7 Niners were the 6th seed, and the Packers were number 1. Not only that, it was looking shaky for Jimmy G with a couple of injuries, including his thumb! Don’t forget AR’s poorly pinky toe… Sorry, sorry I will can it. 

So, my personal feelings aside, Aaron Rodgers and his Green Bay Packers had a super successful season going 13 to 4, and people thought this Packers team were going to be different. January hasn’t been a great month for Green Bay in the past. 

There was snow, there was a blocked field goal, but you could argue that the Packers lost this game more than the 49ers won it, however, the blocked punt for a game tying touchdown in the fourth quarter by the Niners – pretty good. Either way, we witnessed some more franticness for the playoffs and the 49ers continued their journey to the Super Bowl with a 13 to 10 win at Lambeau Field. 

A headline in itself for the third game, “The Rams caused Tom Brady to draw his own blood!” The controversial penalty call on TB12, when the guy who hit him late didn’t even get slapped on the wrist, isn’t the only crazy thing that was seen in Tampa Bay. 

The Bucs kicker hit out of bounds twice, (not great Bob), Brady was under pressure far too often, and the Buccaneers were depleted by injury, unfortunately it showed. 

Tom Brady flung and slung, but sometimes he didn’t look like the GOAT we know, particularly when he threw too low for Gronkowski (anyone else think he was having a flashback and was actually looking for a certain cute squirrel? JE11, could just be me?). 

The Rams didn’t play a perfect game, so the Bucs left Cooper Kupp open too often, but he lost the ball at one point causing a turnover. And, I don’t know if Rams fans have arranged for that very early 4th quarter wild snap to Matt Stafford to be erased from history, but it was the craziest snap I may have ever seen, Stafford’s face was actually comical, I’m pretty sure he won’t see the funny side though.

And there at the end, as the game clock ticked down and it’s 27 to 27 did we witness another playoff winning field goal, and the Rams are one step closer to playing a Super Bowl in their own house.

The final game of the weekend was a doozy. It wasn’t quite as nut-job crazy as the others (well until the very end) but it was a battle of the elite. As much as it pains me to say it (you guys all know how much I dislike the Bills) this match up was one of some gifted players, and it came down to the toss of a coin, or did it? Don’t worry I am not here to start a fight, I’m moving along from that controversy.

So whether you think the ruling on the field should stand, that it is on a defense to get the ball back, or that each team should get a touch of the ball, at the end of the day Patrick Mahomes took less time to get a field goal, 13 seconds (yep, that’s right another important field goal) than it did for Dak Prescott to run… you know what, let’s not go there…

And so there you have it folks, another wild weekend of football, as we get one step closer to the almighty Super Bowl let’s take a moment to thank the kickers, ‘cos without them where ever would we be?

Go Pats!

Patriots Ups & Downs Wildcard Weekend

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Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images

What a crushing way to end the season, just crushing. The Patriots fell 47-17 in Buffalo last night, being completely overpowered by the divisional champions. For the final time this season, here are your Ups & Downs.

Ups ⬆️

Mac Jones

I came away from the game feeling better about Mac Jones. Sure, he didn’t play great, but for me he was an up overall on the night. He was one of the few players who was fighting until the very end, which is frankly embarrassing that your rookie quarterback is setting the tone.

On the field he did make some really good plays, and found the endzone a couple of times when the game was finished, again, it felt like only him and Kendrick Bourne were still trying. I think the team needs to get him a real WR1 threat, Agholor just isn’t that.

Not dismissing his mistakes, but, I think he will take a lot away from this game and will fuel a fire under him into the off-season.

Kendrick Bourne

I think we’ve come to find that Kenrick Bourne can be a real complimentary piece to the offense moving forward. Bourne caught two touchdown passes, albeit once the game was effectively over, but, it’s carried on a trend from the season of his good productivity. Bourne is an up.

Downs ⬇️

The Secondary

The defense was terrible all game, and I’m really concerned about how the team will rebuild a secondary unit that gave up five touchdown passes in a complete mis-match with the Bills.

I can honestly say that I never felt like the unit was going to find a turnover or force a punt with coverage.

The off-season will be intriguing to see where Bill goes with this unit and the defense overall, but last night they were just bad.

Matthew Judon

Judon has been a shell of himself since the bye, I can’t recall him forcing any pressure on the opposing QB which as harsh as it may sound, is not good enough.

He came out of the blocks with blistering pace, potentially on course to break the Patriots season sack record, but something changed with him during the week off, and it’s played a part, like last night in not making it hard enough for the enemy signal caller.

A Final Note

I’m just going to leave the downs there, I could go on about all of the mistakes, bad play calls, but we know what happened out there.

There is going to be lots of movement in the next few months that will re-shape this roster, especially on defense. But just from a personal note, I wanted to say thanks to everyone for tuning in to mine and Clare’s content this season. We’ll be back with plenty during the off-season to keep you up-to-date on all things Patriots.

The not so grand finale to the Patriots season

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Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

The Patriots repeat visit to Buffalo resulted in another blow out, of the touchdown kind, as the Bills won 47 to 17. 

I gotta say, I like that the Pats denied the Bills of the fifty burger, but I shall put my visceral Bills hatred aside for the moment. 

I won’t sum up the game this time as frankly, I don’t think any Patriots fan wants to relive it, and if you haven’t seen it I’d rather not be responsible for traumatising you. Needless to say, the Patriots weaknesses were made rather obvious under the late night lights, and they just couldn’t get it done.  

But, that’s all the doom and gloom you’re getting from me folks. Sure, the Patriots only just made it to the playoffs, yes there are plenty of holes to be worried about, players and possibly personnel, but this is the rebuild of a dynasty baby! 

It is not about the destination, it is about the journey, and all this is still pathway!

The Patriots picked a new quarterback and he’s good, and who knows his potential?! Okay, he isn’t a playoff game winning QB, this year, and we may have seen some of his limitations, but he’s the only rookie to make the play offs. A smart kid with determination and dedication, leadership and heart. Let’s shoot for the moon Pats fans, and whilst we are there, we don’t want to miss the stars. 

Now, I know I’ll be criticised for glass more than half full attitude, but that just how I try to be. I am also realistic, I say when things aren’t great, and that was the offensive line earlier in the year, then the secondary, special teams, oh and about that so called dominant defence… 

So yeah, the QB is a rookie who’s potential could be limited, there’s issues on both sides of the ball and less cap space to play with next season, and the Patriots only got as far as the play offs. But we got through it, together. Patriots Nation had a team to root for, a team to be disappointed in as well as proud. And, we had each other. 

It’s been a rough couple of years and we’ve sought solace in sports, and hopefully in each other. 

This isn’t the end Patriots Nation, it’s another new beginning!! With Mac Jones, David Andrews, Kendrick Bourne, Jakobi Meyers, Hunter Henry,  Rhamondre Stevenson, Adrian Phillips, Christian Barmore, (hopefully) Big Kick Nick Folk and many others, we can see the team build up once again. Remember it is not just the one, but the sum of the parts. 

Sport is a cruel mistress sometimes, and that is how it goes.  However, try to be thankful for all that you do have, be the light in someone’s day, and just thank goodness you aren’t a Jets fan… 

As some of you know, I have lost loved ones during the last 18 months, as I am certain many of you have too, it’s been tough. And so, I dedicate this article to all those loved and lost.❤️

PatsProp Preview – Buffalo Wildcard

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Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images

Playoff football is back on the schedule for the Patriots as they travel to Buffalo for the second time this season, hoping to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive. Here’s your preview for Saturday night’s Wildcard game!

One’s To Watch

Mac Jones

Mac hasn’t had the best run of games down the final stretch coming into his first pro playoff game, but, it’s now his time to shine. The rookie has shown glimpses of brilliance and flashes of annoyance during his first year, he now heads into Buffalo for the second time, but it will be a different game, with more at stake.

It’s win or go home, and we’ve yet to see Mac win a game for the Patriots himself, and he may well need to tomorrow by throwing the ball, more than the three times he did when during his first time in Buffalo last December. Anyways, let’s think positively, after all, things worked out well the last time a Pats QB wore a scuba suit in the playoffs away from home.

Damien Harris

Harris played a huge roll when the Pats won earlier in the season at Buffalo and I think it’ll be a similar story tomorrow if the Pats manage to pull it out of the bag. Harris has had a great year, and whilst he’s been well supported by Rhamondre Stevenson, Harris will be lead back tomorrow and is key.

Matthew Judon

Judon has been super quiet of late, and he needs to be visible tomorrow if the Patriots have a chance of winning. I know it’s a lot to pin the result on one player, but, I really think him being able to pressure Allen into making mistakes is huge. He’s been cold of late, a big game is needed by him.

J.C. Jackson

In what could be one of his final games in a Patriots uniform, J.C. will be tasked with covering Stefon Diggs again, something which he will no doubt be relishing. We saw in their second meeting at Gillette Stadium that Diggs wasn’t the receiver the Pats should have been worried about, but nonetheless, he’s always a danger threat and his matchup with Jackson tomorrow is one to watch for sure.

Offensive Line

Isaiah Wynn was confirmed out of the game as he failed to recover from an ankle issue that has kept him out of training all week. Either Trent Brown or Justin Herron are replacements to fill the left tackle position, but either way it’s not ideal heading into a game where the Patriots need to have solid blocking in both their run and pass attacks.

Kenrick Bourne

Bourne has shown the ability this year to be the chunk playmaker for the Pats at times. He’s come up big in key moments and I have a feeling he will have a good game tomorrow. Jet sweeps and maybe a trick play could be on the cards.

Bills Mafia

Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Who for the Bills could cause problems for the Patriots?

Josh Allen

We know what Josh Allen can do, his rise as one of the best QBs in the league has been a fun watch, he’s now an accurate passer with the ability to kill you with his running. Pressure on him will be key, if the Pats defense can limit his running and cause him to force and error or two, it could be a massive turning point.

Stefon Diggs

Diggs is one of the best receivers in the league and will garner much of the defensive back attention tomorrow, as he should. J.C. Jackson will be matched up with him, but even when game planned against, Diggs has the ability to still deliver soul-crushing catches.

Cole Beasley

The Bills get one of their most trusted pass-catchers back in Cole Beasley, who missed the last game as he was on the COVID list. Beasley should be targeted a bunch by Allen, he’ll be another problem for the coaches to scheme against.

Prediction Corner

@ShawMellors – Patriots 20 – Bills 17

As much of a homer I am, I have to be realistic at the Pats chances. I think it’ll be a competitive game, but, the Bills will edge it as the superior team on the night. Pats 21 Bills 24

@clazzyclare – Patriots 17 – Bills 14

Let’s see the return of the Mac! The Patriots can win this game, they need to win this game, and somehow, they will win this game. Pats 17 Bills 14

Patriots Ups & Downs Week 18

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Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

The Patriots finished their 2021 regular-season in a slump, falling 33-24 in Miami to the Dolphins. The curse of playing in Miami continues, but it wasn’t just bad news for the Pats, Dolphins HC and former Patriots DC Brian Flores was fired this morning in a fairly shocking move.

For one last time before the playoffs here are your Ups & Downs from Week 18.

Ups ⬆️

Brandon Bolden

There isn’t much good stuff to talk about from yesterday’s game, but Bolden certainly is. He finished with two touchdowns and continued to show how important he’s been for the offense this season, filling the void left by James White. A top day for BB.

Jakobi Meyers

Meyers had another solid game to finish off his third regular-season on the roster. He hauled in four catches for 70 yards, including this absolute gem of a diving catch. Another up game to cap of a big up year for Meyers.

Jakob Johnson

Johnson stuck out on one key play for me yesterday, he made a great block to open up Bolden’s route towards the endzone. Sure, it’s a standard for the role of his position, but he flies under the radar a lot and I think he’s really improved this season.

Downs ⬇️

Mac Jones

A bad start for Mac yesterday that he never really recover from in a game where he looked flustered and not entirely focused. He made some good throws, flashing his ability, but his two turnovers were a big factor in yesterday’s loss.

The positives I take out of the game is that it was another learning experience for the rookie, he’ll get his first taste of professional playoff football on Saturday with his second trip to Buffalo. I think it’s safe to say he’ll throw more than three times, right?

Special Teams

Albeit a cliche, the Patriots have prided themselves on their special teams efficiency over the years, but this year has been a polar opposite of the work done in previous seasons, especially under Joe Judge more recently.

We’ve seen missed kicks, blocked punts, fumbles and penalties all year, and they had to go out on a high for the regular-season didn’t they. Lawrence Guy flagged on a crucial fourth-down for lining up over the Dolphin long-snapper which is an illegal formation and gave Miami a first down, effectively icing the game.

Whilst the book stops with Bill for all performances from the team, the fault really lies with Cam Achord, the second-year ST coordinator, and don’t be surprised if he’s demoted or banished completely from the staff in the off-season. Something needs to change.

Run Defense

Not being able to stop the run is an issue that has plagued the Patriots all year, it continued yesterday as the Dolphins racked up 195 rushing yards, courtesy of Duke Johnson and Phillip Lindsay. We thought this weakness would be fixed this year, but it certainly needs more focus ahead of the next campaign.

The Patriots fizzle out in Miami

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Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images

If the game against the Jaguars was a burger (get it, fifty burger) then the game against the Dolphins was those few limp, soggy, skinny fries at the bottom of the brown paper bag. Ew.

The Patriots are renowned for heading to Miami and not doing great, and well, Sunday was no different.

This season has been an inconsistent one for many teams as well as the Patriots. I mentioned earlier in the week that I was concerned the Dolphins were generally out for vengeance following the spanking they took by Mike Vrabel’s Titans. And i’m not too sure if what we watched was vengeance, but it felt to me simply that the Patriots lost the game rather than the Dolphins won it, but that’s all semantics for this 24 to 33 result.

Now, the Patriots didn’t need to win, and the Dolphins future is the same if they did or didn’t, but still, as a Patriots fan you can’t watch that match up and not worry about the length of time the Patriots will be in the playoffs.

The Patriots run defense did not do its job, the defense itself did not look like the line we have been used to watching lately. There are many questions and few answers, but the loss of Dont’a Hightower and Kyle Dugger, as well as Myles Bryant did not help matters. 

To compound the issue, the bright spark of Matt Judon we had at the beginning of the year seems to have really dimmed lately. 

And not to kick ya whilst you’re down, but the awesomeness that is Christian Barmore suffered an injury and is uncertain for any further games in the near future.

I love me a good take away, food and football, but Devin McCourty needed to make that interception catch and in hindsight it could have really turned the game around, there’s no guarantee of course but still…

But you know what folks? It isn’t all doom and gloom. Brandon Bolden, Damien Harris, Jakob Johnson and Hunter Henry came to play. These guys have shown up and owned up this season and have been the light in some of our darker days, and I know I’m a tight end enthusiast but you know I’m only speaking the truth about that Los Angeles pick-up.

The second quarter gave us some fab blocking by Kendrick Bourne for the Bolden touchdown. Unfortunately, the next offensive play the Patriots undertook had a great block by Hunter with Mac airing it out to… Bourne and Meyers having a chat. Okay so I am exaggerating, and we have no idea who was at fault but that play, not great Bob.

Kendrick Bourne still flashed his infamous smile, and proved he was definitely worthy of his free agency signing as he gave Dolphins linebacker Phillips a piggy back down the field! 

And so Patriots fans, that is the regular season fizzling out there, but, BUT, the Patriots are in the playoffs with their rookie quarterback, in a year that covid is still on the horizon. 

I don’t know about you, but I’m not certain about how sure I was that they would get this far in the first real rebuilding season, so it all feels quite positive when you look at the bigger picture. 

Either way, we are on to Buffalo! Go Pats!