Patriots.com – 2013 Season Highlights Video
What a crazy year it was. One of favorites, it completely erased the boring 2012 season from my memory.
29. New England Patriots – Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame
The vast majority of mock drafts have the Patriots taking Jace Amaro or another TE with this pick, and I don’t disagree. If they are going to get a tight end in the draft it better be early, because I believe there is a tremendous drop off in talent after the second round or so. I believe the defensive line is the biggest need on the team, whether it’s the tackle or end position, I think it’s an area that will be addressed early.
Mike Loyko’s Pre-Combine 2014 NFL Mock Draft | NEPatriotsDraft.com – 2014 NFL Draft
Always enjoy Mike Loyko’s mocks and it’s hard to disagree on picking Nix in the first round. My focus is DL and OL with that first pick for now, depending on how free agency pans out.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/29-new-england-patriots-louis-nix-iii-dt/
I was wondering if you could go a little more in depth about belichick stopping what opponents do best. Do you think he goes by players or situations. Why does when he go against a team he limits what he wants (to a degree) work compared to other teams.
I think it’s both players and situations. For example, I think he asks his defensive ends to be far more conservative against mobile QBs than most teams are. BB seems far more willing to challenge a quarterback to beat him with his arm than most coaches do. The result that we’ve often seen is that the quarterback will torch the Pats defense, but throw one or two interceptions and that will decide the game.
I think football is the kind of game that whenever you can simplify it for the players, they’re far better prepared to succeed. It also helps that BB knows football as well or better than anyone, and has a legendary ability to identify the critical characteristics of the opposition.
Forgive me for a Star Wars reference, but it’s just like Luke hitting that small exhaust pipe that started a chain reaction to destroy the Death Star. BB finds those exhaust pipes and makes sure his players know exactly how to hit them.
Whether it’s a favorite play on third down, a favorite receiver, and preferred coverage matchup, it’s all about not letting the opposition do what they want to do and force them to beat you with something else.
FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Four Downs: AFC East
FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Four Downs: AFC East
Don’t think there’s much question that tight end is the biggest need for the Pats, but with everyone mocking Jace Amaro in the first round to us, I think that’s kind of a stretch.
Why? I’m not convinced Amaro is truly ready to step in at the “Y” tight end spot and play every down. That’s what the Patriots would expect out of a first-round pick at the position. Let’s remember even Gronk went in the second round, and the Pats haven’t taken a tight end in the first round since Ben Watson ten years ago.
Amaro is more of a fit at the F spot, which Hernandez played. He played mostly as a receiver at Texas Tech and was rarely asked to block. That kind of rookie is not going to step into the NFL and be a three-down tight end. They need an F, but the priority has to be finding a Y who can block and threaten the seam. Amaro would be more of a luxury pick at that point given the value and his skill set.
That’s why you see a lot of Pats pundits mentioning Scott Chandler in free agency. He’s the kind of tight end they need.
I also disagree that the Pats offense is specifically building the two-tight end offense again. I think it just kind of worked out that way. No one knew a fourth round pick like Hernandez would become such a potent weapon. Would they like to get back to that? Of course. Is that specifically what they’ll try to do in the draft? Only if the opportunity presents itself for good value.
Chandler Jones’ Emergence Key To Patriots’ Defense Excelling In 2014 | New England Patriots | NESN.com
Lotta good points in here from Doug Kyed. I think the key to Jones emerging is getting another legit defensive end (or two). Take the attention off Jones. Don’t make him play every snap. It’s a “one step back to take two steps forward” kind of a deal.
Then you can move Jones around, pick your spots with him and then on that key third-and-long he comes flying off the edge to force a hurried throw. That’s what you want.
