Over the last two weeks I banged out extensive previews of each position on the Pats’ roster. You can get caught up on all of them here:
From an article I wrote for B/R this offseason, here are what I see as the biggest things the Pats defense needs to improve.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/from-an-article-i-wrote-for-br-this-offseason/
First, I’m gonna start with saying I’m a huge Rex Ryan defense fan. I love that whole Baltimore line, and I think you can see how well they usually do against Brady. My question is this: people keep talking about how to deploy Revis. It is said that Rex traditionally matched his best DB on the other teams 2nd best WR, then doubled the top receiver. Revis changed his philosophy up to putting his best CB on best WR. How should Bill use him? I think the best WR is always better than the best CB
It might come as a surprise to some but I’m a huge Rex fan as well – both for what he brings to the Pats-Jets rivalry and his defensive schemes.
You bring up a very good point, and this was something that I’ve heard rumblings about the Pats considering – to put Revis on WR #2 then bracket the #1 over the top and underneath.
There is certainly some merit to this philosophy.
Complicating matters is Brandon Browner’s size. In Seattle he was stuck on one side due to their system, but it seems to make sense that Browner might be best used following the bigger #1 corners that the Pats will see like Megatron, AJ Green, Demaryius, etc.
So how will BB use them? I don’t know. And neither does the rest of the NFL, so the Pats can use that to their advantage. It’s one thing going into a game knowing who your receivers are going to be covered by. It’s another when it could be Revis, it could be 6’4" Browner, it could be Logan Ryan or uber pest Alfonzo Dennard. You just don’t know.
So as much as an advantage as this varied personnel gives the Pats, there’s also a sizable advantage in the unpredictability as well.
Q: Specifically on third down, I don’t know how much you researched it, but if you did in the offseason, what stood out to you?
RN: We’ve got to get off the field. That’s huge. Some of the third-and-long situations, we weren’t able to get off the field. I know third-and-long screens hurt us last year, too, so specifically that play and the third-and-long situation as a whole, we’ve got to do a better job. Obviously, everything is working together, so coverage-rush, rush-coverage all works together. That’s just one area that we definitely need to work on this year.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/q-specifically-on-third-down-i-dont-know-how/
Welcome to football season; we’re here. It’s always an exciting time of year – the start of training camp.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/welcome-to-football-season-were-here-its/
Best Gronk play of 2013. So good to have him back out there. What a beast!
https://www.patspropaganda.com/best-gronk-play-of-2013-so-good-to-have-him-back/
Rob Gronkowski has been cleared by doctors and will not be placed on the active/PUP list to start training camp, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Wednesday morning.
Rob Gronkowski of New England Patriots cleared by doctors – ESPN Boston
Always nice to kick off the opening of training camp with some good news. Now I just wonder how many braces Gronk will be wearing on his body? Knee? Arm? Back? Let’s hope he’s got a full season in him this year. If he does the Pats’ offense (and Super Bowl chances) will be very good.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/rob-gronkowski-has-been-cleared-by-doctors-and/