PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

patriots

by

For the second-straight week, Rob Ninkovich worked only as a DE and Dont’a Hightower was solely a MLB. Not sure what if anything to make of Hightower only being inside so far. You figured coming from Nick Saban’s scheme that Hightower would be able to handle a lot fairly quickly, but to this point he’s only being played inside and not being allowed in space. He’s also behind Brandon Spikes and Dane Fletcher at this point at that spot. Maybe they’re just starting the rookie off slowly and will expand his role from here. Certainly plausible. Hightower appears to be a little heavy. Just expected little bit further along at this point compared to the other rookies, but he’s about on their same level.

Open OTA #2: Patriots practice observations – Extra Points – Boston.com

https://www.patspropaganda.com/for-the-second-straight-week-rob-ninkovich-worked/

by

The 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 portions of practice continued to see a heavy emphasis on sub packages. Most lineups saw Jonathan Fanene and Brandon Deaderick as interior rushers. First-round pick Chandler Jones was also part of a unit where he lined up alongside Vince Wilfork. For the second straight week, third-year defensive end Jermaine Cunningham appeared to receive a heavy workload for 11-on-11 work, more than Trevor Scott, Ninkovich, or Jake Bequette.

Myron Pryor would probably bump Deaderick down the depth chart for interior rushers. The Cunningham observation is a little surprising, but if it really is a make or break year for him they’re giving him plenty of chances to show what he can do.

Follow-up thoughts from practice – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-7-on-7-and-11-on-11-portions-of-practice/

Putting the Patriots defense in any kind of box is futile

by

As Pats bloggers and pundits try to pull water from the rock that is the draft-training camp void you’ll find a lot of tire spinning over the Patriots defense.

Will Devin McCourty be at cornerback or safety? Is Steve Gregory the answer at starting safety? Will the Patriots run a 3-4 or 4-3 base defense?

Well we’ve hit the point where trying speculate anything about the Patriots defense is pointless, not only now in the dog days of the off-season, but even once we get to season itself.

Why? Because this is a Patriots defense that was built to do any and everything. McCourty will likely see time at cornerback AND safety. Gregory will be part of a safety rotation regardless.

And the 3-4 or 4-3 debate is now completely moot in terms of base defense. Nickel is the new base. The four defensive back packages  are now used when the Pats want to stop the run first and foremost. Those games will be in the minority, and if the Pats jump out to a lead it’s likely the opponent will abandon the run anyway.

The things that do matter are who wins the position battles and makes the roster. After that it’s pointless to speculate who will be playing where. It will not only change game to game, but play to play.

This is not by accident. In the modern NFL the offense has so many advantages that a defense can take some of that away by constantly morphing where their personnel line up and what their responsibilities are.

Take this video of Mangini talking about what they tried to do with Brady by not giving him pre-snap information. This is now what the Patriots are trying to do to every QB they face.

Examining what’s out there at returner – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

by

Examining what’s out there at returner – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

One of the bigger surprises from the draft to me was that the Pats didn’t take a returner, nor did they pick one up in free agency. The value of kickoffs was lessened by last year’s rule changes, but still, you never want to be at the bottom of the league in anything (including defense, heyoo!). 

Using Woodhead and Edelman last year illustrated that the Pats felt going with agile guys was the better choice with the kickoff returns being on a shorter field, and it was surprising that it didn’t work to better effect. I really thought Edelman would be better than he was.

So it’s hard to say what the approach will be this year and should be interesting to see what they do, but it has to be an area they want to see improved.

Overall, while keeping in mind that kickoff returns are a team effort, the Patriots ranked 29th in the NFL in kick return average, at 21.4 yards. Only the Chiefs (21.3), Eagles (20.9), and Colts (18.6) were worse.

BostonHerald.com – Blogs: The Blitz» Blog Archive » Sebastian Vollmer, Ras-I Dowling among Patriots to watch throughout offseason camps

by

BostonHerald.com – Blogs: The Blitz» Blog Archive » Sebastian Vollmer, Ras-I Dowling among Patriots to watch throughout offseason camps

Nice choices by Howe with 5 Patriots to watch at camp. If I had to add one it would be Devin McCourty, although from OTAs it looks like he’ll be back at corner who knows if we’re getting ‘10 Devin or ’11 Devin until the real bullets start flying.