PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Archives for December 2010

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Jets coach intentionally tripping a Dolphin. Huge loss by the Jets today. Thanks guys, the NY media/fan vultures are circling…

https://www.patspropaganda.com/jets-coach-intentionally-tripping-a-dolphin-huge/

Football Outsiders: Run Rankings Of Remaining Patriots Opponents

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Shame on me for simply looking at the NFL.com rushing rankings when stating my claim that the Patriots would face lowly rushing offenses in their final four games and wouldn’t miss Spikes that much.

Here’s what the run of the mill stats say: 

  • Bills 17th
  • Dolphins 18th
  • Bears 22nd
  • Packers 23rd

But when we look over at the far more insightful Football Outsiders rankings things look a little more difficult.

  • Packers: 10th
  • Dolphins 15th
  • Bills 19th
  • Bears 26th

If you’re not familiar with how Football Outsiders do their rankings it’s based off this simple theory.

If it’s 1st and 10 and you get 2 yards it’s a bad play.

But if it’s 3rd and 1 and you get 2 yards it’s a good play.

So really, yards per carry isn’t really a telling stat. So Football Outsiders looks at the situation, the down/distance and then the result and assigns a grade. So basically their rankings are better and tell you more.

So from these rankings it looks like the Pats run defense will definitely be tested in these final games without Spikes.

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Brandon Spikes versus the Baltimore Ravens. This video doesn’t really make me feel better about losing Spikes for four games. He’s making some plays here, his impact in the run game will be missed for sure. At least he’ll have some time to overcome the rookie wall. Making lemonade, y’all…

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

https://www.patspropaganda.com/brandon-spikes-versus-the-baltimore-ravens-this/

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I’ve been contacted by the NFL and informed that I will be suspended four games for the detection of an illegal substance in a drug test. The substance was a medication that I should have gotten clarification on before taking. It was not a performance enhancer or an illegal drug. The integrity of the game is very important to me. I understand the league’s ruling and apologize to my teammates, the fans and the Patriots organization for this mistake.

Brandon Spikes

https://www.patspropaganda.com/ive-been-contacted-by-the-nfl-and-informed-that/

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As you can see above the games where Spikes was used most was against heavy running teams (or teams that were attempting to be run heavy against us as was the case in Cleveland).

Though he showed some great signs of improvement and is currently number two behind Jerod Mayo in tackles he’s seen less playtime as of the last four games. Against the Jets he only played 23 snaps yet recorded 7 tackles. That’s impressive. What it shows is that Spikes comes in when teams are going to run, and almost 33% of the time against the Jets he was in on the tackle.

The good news? The Patriots four remaining opponents are ranked 22nd, 23rd, 17th and 18th respectively in rushing offense. Of course stopping the run is always one of the first and most important things for a defense, but with this upcoming slate of opponents it looks like the effect of losing Spikes can be minimized to an extent.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/as-you-can-see-above-the-games-where-spikes-was/

Brandon Spikes Suspended Four Games

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Brandon Spikes (seen below making the biggest play of his young career against the Jets) was suspended today per Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald. It’s a four game suspension for violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy. We’re not sure what the substance was… Steroids? Weed? Sex Tape Juice?

This is a significant loss for the Patriots. Spikes has been an excellent run defender and just seemed to be hitting his stride when he made pretty much the play of the game by picking off Mark Sanchez. Ouch…