An Independent Patriots Blog
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u32D4VAIWkc
Tom Brady: Definitive 2010 Highlight Film
Hopefully a little of the regular season magic from 2010 carries over to this year.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/tom-brady-definitive-2010-highlight-film/
Bye Bye Blocking TIght End Rookies Smith & Yeatman
When I was projecting my 53-man roster and threw it out there that the Pats could try to get both Lee Smith and Will Yeatman to the practice squad I knew it would be a risk. The Patriots must’ve known that as well, but it really backfired today when both rookies went to divisional rivals. I guess what neither of us realized is just how great the interest is in guys who have spent time in Foxboro.
The Patriots’ cuts were most desirable around the NFL. The team had five players claimed on waivers (WR Brandon Tate, G/C Thomas Austin, TE Lee Smith, TE Will Yeatman, DLLandon Cohen), and a total of 16 claims were placed on those players. No other team came close to that total.
The good news is that the Jets didn’t get either of them, and also look like they’re in full on panic mode about their offensive line.
We could very well see the return of Alge Crumpler, and I’m very curious to see if Crump kept himself in shape. I actually think it will be of benefit to Gronk and Hernando more if there’s a veteran presence with them.
Still, Crump might not even have a full year left in him, and Smith/Yeatman looked like viable candidates to replace his role of the third blocking tight end, who can also catch a few passes. Now the Pats are back to square one in that area, not that a third down tight end is really that hard to find.
Brian Waters
Curious to see how quickly Waters is out there. My thinking is that he’d be worked in slowly behind Connolly and eventually take over there in mid-late October, maybe sooner depending on how in shape and healthy he was.
But from the scouting reports I have to say I think he’s a great addition if he can hold up, and the amount they had to spend to get him makes the James Sanders of it all a little more understandable.
Week One: Miami
Time to start scouting Miami. Chad Henne, Reggie Bush and Cameron Wake are the first names that come to mind. What kind of defense will New England come out in? Just how healthy are the Pats? Lots of questions. Should be fun.
And we’re off on another campaign…
PFW previews the 2011 New England Patriots
Giving Patchung some love!
https://www.patspropaganda.com/pfw-previews-the-2011-new-england-patriots-giving/
SI/Peter King: Chaos by design
Wow, it’s been a great day for defensive scheme articles. Here’s a great Patriots nugget from King…
The biggest myth in football is that your base defense is what you are. The Patriots are known as a 3–4, so they should want a big nose guy and 290-pound defensive ends who play the run first. Right? When New England signed troubled defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, the outcry wasn’t so much about Haynesworth’s work ethic but about how he’d fit in. Haynesworth hates the 3–4, and Bill Belichick’s a 3–4 guy. But is he really? “That’s a media fabrication,” the Patriots coach says. “There are a lot of different alignments out there. It’s the techniques, the fundamentals that you teach your players, more than the 3–4, 4–3 that people say you use.”
In fact the Patriots played a 3–4 on just 39.7% of their snaps in 2010, according to game-tape analysis by ProFootballFocus.com. The site counted 29 plays on which New England cornerback Kyle Arrington lined up at defensive end, with his hand on the ground.
The Patriots weren’t alone in this public deception. Super Bowl champ Green Bay, another so-called 3–4 team, had just two defensive linemen on the field on 68.6% of its plays, according to Pro Football Focus. “Our guys are used to dropping in coverage,” says Packers coordinator Dom Capers. “It’s all about picking your spots—when to rush, when to drop. Sometimes it’s a little bit faddish, just to show a different front.”
“Confusion,” said Payton. “That’s the word. Football has become the battle of confusion.”
Patriots cut veteran safety James Sanders
For the second time this preseason the Patriots cut an old guard veteran at a position where their depth was already questionable. Both Sanders and Ty Warren had their injury issues this preseason, but where Warren no longer seemed a schematic fit, Sanders was credited just last week by Patrick Chung as being a calm, veteran presence who knew all the right calls and adjustments.
Hard to speculate why the Pats would drop him. Clearly letting him go early was to give him a chance to catch on elsewhere. But this now shines even more of a spotlight on Brandon Meriweather.
Could this open a door for James Ihedigbo? He didn’t exactly look like an All Pro against the Lions, missing a couple tackles while losing contain. And this move has to be at least a minor vote of confidence for Sergio Brown.
More than anything I think the signs are pointing to a safety acquisition in the next week, and given the cap considerations of Sanders’ contract it could be a significant player with a significant contract.
Stay tuned as always, there are sure to be lots more changes over the next 8 days. Meanwhile, thanks for the memories James Sanders, none bigger than last year’s game sealing interception of Peyton Manning.
Some quick hit stuff, things we wanted to touch more upon after the podcast….
– Arrington’s poor showing at slot corner was a wake up call for me. In theory it seemed like he would be a great fit there and assured to slide inside to make way for Bodden. But it’s clearly not his strength. Covering the slot can be even more difficult because the cornerback does not have the sideline to work with. So if/when Bodden gets back do we see him as the base RCB who then shifts inside to nickel? Or does Bodden just become the straight nickel back?
– DBut finally showed a little something to me against the Lions. Maybe it’s because he’s no longer using the clear face shield?
– I don’t think we’re seeing Wilhite again for a while, if at all. Just a gut feeling.
– I’m worried about the right guard spot, even when Connolly is healthy. I know I’m not the only one hoping Marcus Cannon is able to get on the field this year. Might be a long shot to expect anything out of him this year. At the very least I expect he’ll be PUP’d.
– I just don’t see Nate Solder or Matt Light moving to right guard.
– Agree very much with Mike Reiss’ take on how someone else besides Brady needs to step up on the Patriots offense. Looked to me like Hernando came pretty close. Perhaps the potential game breaking ability of RIdley and Vereen could help that too.
– I’m not worried too much about Ochocinco just yet. They could get by on Branch and Welker for the first quarter of the season. Assuming Welker is not injured.
– My excitement is really starting to build over seeing Wilfork and Haynesworth* side by side in a real game. It should really open things up for everyone else.
– Still really wish Gary Guyton was just the nickel linebacker. He’s always healthy and filled in at various spots when needed, but I still think he’s easily defeated by run blockers.
– If Brandon Spikes came back this week it would erase the bad memory of Detroit instantly. Though it’s already pretty close now.
– Brandon Tate needs to have a huge week. He’s starting to get that deer in the headlights look about him. His fate could be one of the toughest for BB to determine.
– Is it possible Meriweather is not a Patriots a week from right now? Stranger things have happened on past Labor Day weekends, that’s for sure.
– Seemed clear to me the Pats wanted to get a better look at Mark Anderson versus the Lions, and he didn’t do much that I made note of other than whiffing on a sack and watching the QB scramble for a first down. He’s one of those tough bubble guys, and you don’t want to cut a pass rush guy when the biggest issue you’re trying to fix is third down defense.
Back to back Hernando posts, what’s gotten into me? But seriously folks, how much better is he as an 81? No contest. That’s why he gave 85 to 85 for free.
