NFL Network: Patriots Draft Strategies
Hard to put much weight into these kind of things right now, but you know, they’re kinda fun when there’s really nothing else to talk about.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
patriots
In 2014, Patriots did well by giving players a second chance – Sports – providencejournal.com – Providence, RI
It’s easy to criticize any NFL team’s personnel moves, especially when you have a track record as long as Bill Belichick does. It’s far from an exact science and you’re going to miss on at least as many players as you hit on, probably more.
But this season’s free agency moves were special. And while many of the draft picks are still a year away from making an impact, it was an undrafted free agent who made the biggest play in the Super Bowl.
All the veterans – Revis/Browner/LaFell/Branch/Chung and even Ryan Wendell eventhough he was an internal free agent, played big roles in the fourth championship season.
They’re back! Ignore the Noise! Order in the sidebar…
https://www.patspropaganda.com/theyre-back-ignore-the-noise-order-in-the/
Super Bowl Sound Fx: Teams get amped up
https://www.patspropaganda.com/super-bowl-sound-fx-patriots-seattle/
Super Bowl XLIX: Final film-study impressions of Patriots, Seahawks | The MMQB with Peter King
Super Bowl XLIX: Final film-study impressions of Patriots, Seahawks | The MMQB with Peter King
Great wrap up film study read from Andy Benoit, shedding light on the Patriots’ tactics on both sides of the ball.
Pats Posits: The Sound and the Fury
I’m not sure what’s better about winning a Super Bowl – the happy, glowing feeling I’ve had all week, or being able to watch all the extensive Super Bowl coverage after the game.
The last two Super Bowls I went into a football hibernation immediately as the games ended, and have never watched Inside the NFL, Sound FX or Turning Point from either of those debacles.
All that changed this week, with each of those three programs giving great behind the scenes sites and sounds. Plus all were at least an hour long and just filled with Patriots goodness.
Here are some thing that stuck out to me in getting these revealing looks behind the game.
– Julian Edelman steals the show. We know Edelman has put together two years that have elevated him to being one of the best receivers in the game (note I didn’t give him the dreaded “slot receiver” qualifier), but this game should put Edelman up there as a Patriots’ legend. He went toe to toe with Richard Sherman and was a leader on the field, picking his teammates up throughout the game. His catch on third-and-14 will never be forgotten and was the spark that started the comeback. I was just blown away by how much heart Edelman plays with, something you can see in any game, but it’s even more magnified when you can hear what he’s saying all game long.
– It’s funny how Belichick literally uses “Do Your Job” constantly. Now that it’s been turned into a team slogan and is all over hats and t-shirts (I’d like to think I helped blaze that trail), it remains a main coaching point for BB. Getting a chance to hear him coaching up the team on both side of the ball is always a treat. I especially liked him telling Brady in the fourth quarter how Seattle was reeling on defense and would struggle to put together three good plays. The gist of the message? Just no negative plays.
– Brady’s pregame speech about being honored for winning this game got things a little misty in the Ministry of PatsPropaganda. Brady seemed locked in all game long, but it was good seeing Josh McDaniels telling Brady to let his first interception go.
– I gave Richard Sherman some credit yesterday for going to shake Brady’s hand immediately as the game ended, but Sherman also went to shake Brady’s hand after the first Seattle interception. I don’t like to celebrate a Super Bowl win at anyone’s expense, but it really feels good to shut up Sherman as far as we’re concerned for the foreseeable future.
– The Patriots short passing attack was as deadly as it’s ever been in this one, surgically picking apart the Seahawks defense. Take away Brady’s two interceptions and I’m not sure this one isn’t a Patriots blow out. The entire game plan just illustrates how well-coached and prepared the Patriots were. The Seahawks had no answers on defense. Still, some won’t give the Pats any credit for this kind of attack for whatever reason, but it’s an offense in complete harmony and it’s something special to watch.
– Found it strange how much the Seahawks were telling each other they were “the best” on the sidelines". I guess it’s a confidence thing.
– There were just as many Patriots telling each other that the loved each other. Maybe that is telling.
– The credit goes to Belichick and the Patriots coaches for the final play. This has been lost in the “should they have called timeout” or Pete Carroll’s playcalling debate. The Patriots were prepared for that play and did not flinch, even on their one-yard line. They earned this Super Bowl win and deserve more credit than they’ll probably get.
Now we just have to wait for the fourth installment of Three Games to Glory!
We’re On To The Patriots Offseason!
Okay, there will still be plenty of 2014 posts coming (Butler INT will be reblogged at least another 1000x), but today we start looking forward at 2015.
While everyone can’t wait for all those mock drafts to start pouring in, we’ll begin mostly with free agency here, since the Patriots will likely fill just about every major hole long before the draft gets here.
As for the draft, I pay zero attention to college football until now. So I’ll start looking into guys and putting together my big board for the fifth year in a row.
Let’s start with the depth chart. I’ve left holes where starters are hitting free agency, or are under option like Revis, and I’ve bolded players that I generally think are locks to remain, i.e. probably won’t be cut or restructured. Doesn’t mean it won’t happen of course.
Based off the depth chart, and the weaknesses of the 2014 Patriots, here are some general priorities as a starting point. This list is highly fluid, but given the Pats current roster and strengths/weaknesses of the past couple years, this is where I’d start.
1. Darrelle Revis/LCB – There’s no question the first priority is to try to get Revis an extension before they have to pick up his huge option or he hits free agency. There’s no corner I’d rather have. It’s a no-brainer to keep him while he’s still in his prime.
2. Devin McCourty – McCourty seems a good candidate to be franchise tagged, but if there’s a way to give both him and Revis long-term extensions, things will be looking good on the back end, especially with so much depth. Honestly, I love McCourty, but if I had to choose only one, I’d pick Revis.
3. Dan Connolly/LG – Connolly seemed to settle the line once he moved to left guard. Is he an elite guard? Nope. But he’ll give you a solid presence and he should be cheaper than his last deal. I’m sure there will be plenty of people who want to go after another guard in free agency (I like Clint Boling from Cinci), but I think the best play is sign Connolly and another low priced FA, then draft at least two.
4. Stephen Gostkowski – This is where things start to get interesting with the Pats and kickers. Let’s not forget they tagged Vinatieri twice (one time he was later extended, the second he played it out). Gostkowski has shown no sign of slowing down. It would be hard to let him walk, but he won’t come cheap.
5. Shane Vereen/3rd Down RB – The Pats do have James White waiting in the wings, but it will be hard to forget Vereen’s clutch performance in the Super Bowl. Still, there have to be priorities and I don’t think it’s a lock that Vereen returns. I don’t think he’s irreplaceable.
6. Right Guard – We didn’t even know Ryan Wendell could play guard until last season. He proved he can do it pretty well, but I still think we can upgrade him. While I don’t expect the Pats to spend big money on external free agents, they need to add at least a couple legitimate guards to the competition, assuming one of them is Connolly. Using a high-round pick on a guard seems like a good idea. The found Stork last year, he needs a mauler next to him with good size.
7. Big Defensive Lineman – Wilfork’s future seems to once again be up in the air. Maybe he retires? Or maybe the Pats try to re-work his deal again. Either way, we know New England will end things a year early rather than a year late. Wilfork had an amazing year coming off an Achilles tear, but with Siliga waiting in the wings, how much more can they squeeze out of Big Vince? A defensive tackle with size could be an excellent draft target. Bringing back Alan Branch is a possibility but I thought he was just okay. Ideally I’d like to upgrade with a big ugly who can play multiple spots. Easley/Chris Jones have the penetrator-type covered.
8. Defensive End – Chandler Jones hits free agency next year while Rob Ninkovich just turned 31. A third developmental defensive end could be a good ideal, depending on how they feel about the futures of Zach Moore, Michael Buchanan and Jake Bequette. Re-signing Akeem Ayers would be a good step as well. We saw what happened last year when Chandler went down and they had to trade for Ayers. They can’t keep running Ninkovich and Chandler into the ground, it will come back to haunt them eventually.
9. Early Down RB – The Pats do have some depth already in this spot, including Blount, Jonas Gray and Tyler Gaffney, who was a rookie this year who spent the season on IR after being snapped up from Carolina. Maybe re-signing Stevan Ridley to a prove-it deal makes sense. Or they could just wait until the draft which I think would be fine as well.
10. Box Safety – Patrick Chung had his best season as a pro and earned an extension, but the search should never end for a strong safety with size who can cover tight ends. That was a big weakness for the Pats this year and one they should continue to try to address.
