PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

vince wilfork

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(On if the fans can help in a practice the way they can during a game) “I don’t know. This is training camp, so I don’t think anything can help us but a day off from training camp. But it’s always fun to come out and have a crowd and see the crowd, even when it’s not in the stadium, to have the fans come out and support us and see us practice. They actually grow with us as the season goes on, because they see us from training camp all the way through the season, so they get a chance to see everything. I think that’s very exciting, from a player standpoint. To have these people be a part of us, that’s big for this team. But some people like this [the crowds]. It’s almost like a game, the amount of people we get out here. So some people like it. Me, I don’t care either way, but it just shows the respect and the love that they have for the New England Patriots and you have to respect that.”

Vince Wilfork

Patriots Training Camp Quotes – 8/1/2012

https://www.patspropaganda.com/on-if-the-fans-can-help-in-a-practice-the-way/

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Kyle Love and Vince Wilfork remain the top two options inside, while Jonathan Fanene subbed in for Wilfork in a sub package. Fanene also did not see any time at defensive end.

Camp Observations: Day 1 – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

Just this little line from day one of training camp gives me great hope that the Pats will make an effort to keep Vince fresh this year. Fanene could be a really important player this year.

Also sounds like Deaderick is getting some time as an inside rusher too. One way or another the Pats have to find a way to get some more push up the middle this year while also not running Wilfork into the ground.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/kyle-love-and-vince-wilfork-remain-the-top-two/

Patriots defensive improvement hinges at one position

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Mike Wright was one of the unsung heros of the Patriots defense from 2008 through a good part of 2010 until his concussion problems started. His numbers from that time frame won’t jump off the page at you until 2010, when he put up an impressive 10.7 pass rush rating (via ProFootballFocus.com) through the first eleven games.

Wright never missed a game in that three year span before the concussion in 2010, and provided a reliable and versatile back up to Vince Wilfork, while also supplying the necessary push up the middle of the pocket. Wright’s presence helped covered up what were lean years at linebacker and defensive back due to turnover from the dynasty defense.

Ever since Wright went down the Patriots have struggled to replace him, especially the way he caused havoc on the line of scrimmage. The lack of a real interior rush threat has been a major reason the short passing teams have torn the Pats apart and wracked up historic yardage against them.

How will the Pats bring pressure up the middle this year?

The first option has to be former Bengal Jonathan Fanene, even though even he is not really an interior rush specialist. Myron Pryor might be another option, he fits the exact mold of what New England needs, but he has battled injuries for the past two seasons and still hasn’t been back on the field yet.

Perhaps this is why a lot of reporters from training camp have been mentioning undrafted rookie Justin Francis as a dark horse to make the team for his quickness off the ball.

A little more on Francis….

He seems too slow to be a rush OLB or full time 4-3 DE, and too small to be a full time DT. But he has nice agility (7.05 3-cone), burst (1.6 10 yard split), explosiveness (36" vertical) and long arms (34.5") in addition to his versatility, and a good motor.

Sounds like just the kind of guy who could hold up inside but also get off the ball and get through centers and guards.

I truly believe that the Patriots defensive improvement in 2012 is heavily dependent on finding a defensive lineman who can get interior pressure,  while also spelling Wilfork. It’s stupid to try and run Wilfork into the ground, especially as he gets older. Losing him would be a tough blow to deal with.

It should be an interesting competition to observe in training camp, but someone must emerge and stay healthy if the Pats defensive fortunes are to improve this season.

Pressure up the middle. Preserve Vince. It’s just that simple.

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Of all the players near the bottom, the biggest concerns would be Vince Wilfork and Ziggy Hood, with Wilfork’s ridiculously high snap count (1,236 pass rushes) not helping him. Both men tend to play in the nickel packages, and it may be something that changes in the coming year.

Three Years of Pass Rushing Productivity: Defensive Ends | ProFootballFocus.com

This x10. I can’t beat the “we need interior pass rushers to help spell Vince” drum any louder. Please Pryor/Fanene or anyone bring it this year (and stay healthy).

https://www.patspropaganda.com/of-all-the-players-near-the-bottom-the-biggest/