Saturday…the calm before the storm. Using this day to get mentally right.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/saturdaythe-calm-before-the-storm-using-this-day/
Brady pulled on his turtleneck sweater, combed his lovely chestnut hair and prepared for a busy day. All of the other babysitters, even Danny and Gronk, were too sick to work, so he would have to lead little Kenbrell and Dobbie all the way across town to face a team with a very good defense, an overmatched loudmouth of a coach and a quarterback situation so ugly even Claudia could not save it with a high-fashion makeover.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/brady-pulled-on-his-turtleneck-sweater-combed-his/
Sub vs. base defensive breakdown – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston
Sub vs. base defensive breakdown – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston
Here’s how it’s looked this year…
- Sub 76.1%, Base 24%
And how it’s looked the last three years…
2010: Sub 57%, Base 40%
2011: Sub 63.2%, Base 34.3%
2012: Sub 57.4%, Base 39.4%
Positional groupings: Disappearing TE – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston
Positional groupings: Disappearing TE – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston
Obviously this will shift once Gronk gets back and maybe Sudfeld starts to work his way into the equation. Wouldn’t be surprised if by November we see Gronk/Sudfeld/Amendola/Thompkins as a go-to.
- 3 or more WRs: 89-of-159
- 2 backs: 46-of-159
- 2 or more TEs: 38-of-159
It’s a lot faster. When you’re playing defensive end, you don’t have anyone outside of you,” he said. “When you’re down in the three technique of 2-I, there’s a center, there’s a guard. Anyone can block you. You have to be ready for any different scheme possible.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/its-a-lot-faster-when-youre-playing-defensive/
At what point in the season do u start to get more critical if the team
After Week 4 is when we start to get a realistic sense of what they’re good at and what they’re not good at. Then I’ll start to feel comfortable being critical of things like I was last year with the 20+ pass coverage, MOF pass coverage, offense lacking the wide and deep dimension, etc. I’ll continue to expect some up and downs with the offense and passing game until the bye, after that my expectations for them will rise.
Not a serious or scheme question but: it seems we now only judge the team based on offense performance or is that just me? Also, I don’t know about you but I’ve managed to go so far with the frustration at the pessimism in New England about the Patriots that I’m starting to enjoy it.
Yeah, personally I always skew a little more toward the defensive side of the ball, but maybe Pats fans have just forgotten what it’s like to have a dominant defense. But also, everyone loves offensive firepower – big passes, touchdowns, etc. are far more exciting to a standard fan than forcing a three-and-out.
And yes, New England fans are famous for their pessimism and there are plenty of media outlets that play on it. I try not to get too high or low here on the blog, keeping sight of the fact that the season is a process and taking everything that happens early in the season with a grain of salt. Am I a homer? Sure. But does that mean I won’t be critical of the team? No. I’m not a cheerleader, but I do try to remind people that we’re in the middle of what might be the best run of Patriots football ever. For those who are kicking and screaming the whole time, I feel bad.
I’ve just accepted that sports are how a lot of people unleash their negativity and really, that’s okay if it happens instead of on their family, friends, co-workers and random passer-bys.
I do get tired of talking people off the ledge or shooting down the “we need this WR who’s been out of the league for two years” ideas. Let’s try enjoying the process with the young wide receivers. We’ll reap the rewards down the road, just like we should be starting to reap the rewards from the defense that has been really young the last couple seasons.