PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Archives for August 15, 2012

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS | Film Room: Make or Break

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FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS | Film Room: Make or Break

Great stuff here, echoing what I’ve been preaching for a while now…

In today’s pass-happy NFL, the nickel and dime sub-packages have become more important than the starting lineups that make up a base defense. Defenses league-wide last season spent 47.5 percent of their snaps in base personnel (4-3 or 3-4) and 49.6 percent in some variation of nickel or dime. Sub-packages will only become more frequent as spread offenses continue to evolve. That’s not just a passing game issue, either; football’s increasing emphasis on speed and finesse will eventually lead to rushing attacks operating out of three-and four-receiver formations more often, which will demand that defenses line up in sub-packages. Even if sub-packages somehow don’t become more prevalent, they deserve greater scrutiny because that’s what defenses use in make-or-break moments like third-and-long or the hurry-up. Make-or-break moments decide the outcome of most games. Thus, teams are built around winning these moments. That’s why, defensively, this is where teams often show their true identity.

And this too..

So this month, instead of fixating on competitions for your team’s starting strongside linebacker job or left defensive end position, spend your energy focusing on your team’s sub-packages. What kind of depth does your team have at safety? How versatile are your corners; can they all play man-to-man and zone? Does your team have someone reliable to cover the slot?

Instead of concentrating on which three linebackers will emerge as starters, worry about whether your team even has two linebackers that are fluid enough to redirect in space. If it doesn’t, your team will suffer in pass defense. Especially on third down.

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The Patriots kept the Saints out of the end zone during their preseason opener, and the defense has been sharp in practice since. Once again the defense looked to get the better of the offense on Wednesday, with evidence mostly stemming from the defensive front smothering the offensive line. The Patriots were quick off the edge in pass rush, and were like sledge hammers up the interior of the defensive line. The defense is also playing with what looks like a tremendous amount of confidence and swagger. Communication on all three levels is apparent, and the players can be heard from the sidelines supporting their teammates after positive plays. After a string of three particularly dominant plays from the defense, quarterback Tom Brady was riled up and sternly encouraged his offensive teammates – perhaps trying to signal to his huddle that it was time to pick it up.

Camp Observations: Day 21 – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

Trying to keep this in perspective but it’s hard not to get excited, even if it is coming at the expense of our own offense. As always, it’s easier to destroy something than to execute the timing and precision needed for offensive football so in time things should balance out. I’m still not overly concerned about the offensive line either. Guys will come back, communication and orchestration will get better.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-patriots-kept-the-saints-out-of-the-end-zone/

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Don’t look now but Brady’s trying out a new helmet. He tried another new one last year, wearing it in the first two games before going back to old reliable. I’m torn on this one. On one hand it’s a safer helmet and I want Tommy’s noggin to be protected, but on the other hand I do love his look with the old one and I’m not a fan of messing with a good thing.

(via Patriots Training Camp – Wednesday, August 15, 2012)

https://www.patspropaganda.com/dont-look-now-but-bradys-trying-out-a-new/

Tweets of note from Wednesday’s Patriots practice

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WEEI.com’s Chris Price attempts the Patriots Conditioning Test (by WEEIVideo)

I’ve long wanted to attempt this but now that I see Chris dying I think I’m all set…

Here’s what Tedy Bruschi had to say about the linebacker version of the test:

Tedy: My test was three sets of ten 50-yard sprints. You had to complete each sprint in seven seconds, and you had 30 seconds in between each sprint. In between the three sets of ten 50-yard sprints, you got a break of three minutes. I would shorten the break in between sets to one-and-a-half minutes or two minutes. So then when it came time to the real test, and you had the three minutes of rest between sets, you were totally recovered. You get to know the pace. You have to control yourself not to go out too fast. It’s possible to run a 50-yard sprint in six seconds, but there is no reason to. The time was seven seconds for me and I made sure I made every single one in seven seconds on the nose. The coaches only want to see you PASS the test. The time for proving your worth will come during training camp practices. The first two sets of sprints can be passed by almost any professional athlete. That third set shows how much work you put in.

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

https://www.patspropaganda.com/weeicoms-chris-price-attempts-the-patriots/

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“I’m going with the same mindset that I always have, which is to go in and be dominant, and be accountable to my teammates, and do what I have to do get off the field and whatever I have to do to get the victory,” Hightower said.

“It’s football and I’m a student of the game,” Hightower said. “It’s something I’m very passionate about, so each day I wake up and I’m blessed to be able to do something I love and to be able to make a living off of it. Football is my life, so I’m definitely glad that I’m blessed to be where I’m at.”

BostonHerald.com – Blogs: The Blitz» Blog Archive » Dont’a Hightower wants to ‘be dominant’ in second preseason game

https://www.patspropaganda.com/im-going-with-the-same-mindset-that-i-always/