An Independent Patriots Blog
By virtue of their loss on Sunday to the Ravens and their inferior regular season record to the Falcons (who also lost in the conference championship round), the Patriots will pick 29th overall in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/by-virtue-of-their-loss-on-sunday-to-the-ravens/
With key injuries, Patriots defense fails to make the plays – Patriots – Boston.com
If you think coverage is a determining factor, then the injury to cornerback Aqib Talib in the first quarter made a huge difference. If you believe affecting the quarterback regardless of who’s in coverage is a bigger factor, then the lack of an effective pass rush without rookie end Chandler Jones loomed larger. The fact is, coverage and pressure work hand in hand. You need both to win the biggest games. You can make the case the Patriots didn’t have enough of either.
The problem was, the Patriots failed to make any big plays on defense. The Patriots were second in the league with 41 forced turnovers during the regular season (Bears, 44). Giving the Patriots offense a few extra swings at the plate — with short fields — was one of their greatest strengths. Against the Ravens, the Patriots didn’t force a single turnover.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-problem-was-the-patriots-failed-to-make-any/
The NFL playoffs continue on with the Ravens and 49ers set to meet in the Super Bowl. It should be an outstanding physical game with some future Hall of Famers set to finally get a ring, while leaving some other future Hall of Famers still without one.
Personally I’m leaning toward the 49ers and Randy Moss, though I do have a ton of respect for the Ravens team and the playoff run that they’ve made. Baltimore certainly looks like they’re on a mission, and the quality of their wins rivals those of the Giants last year.
It should be a great game, and really there’s nothing more at stake for the Patriots like there would’ve been if Peyton, Roethlisberger or Eli were playing in it. So we’re just hoping for a good game that comes down to the wire.
We’ll have some Super Bowl commentary here on the blog, but for the most part we’re sticking with the Patriots. This will begin with evaluating the offensive and defensive schemes and the personnel. Who’s a keeper and who should be targeted for upgrade.
As the season wound down we had a couple articles for B/R covering free agency and some cursory draft needs. Might be a good time to revisit those to help the focus shift to the offseason…
Sign, Tag, Walk: Breaking Down What to Do with Each of Patriots 2013 Free Agents
Have Bill Belichick & the New England Patriots Lost Their Magic?
New stuff up on B/R, and if you know me you know the answer to the “Lost their magic” question…
Five areas for Pats to focus on – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston
Five great places to start and this one below is a pretty big concern. Last draft season I skipped over Hightower because I felt he was too similar to Spikes. I do like both those guys but it’s clear that the Patriots need another dimension to their linebacking corps.
The Patriots rounded out their starting trio of linebackers by adding Dont’a Hightower to Jerod Mayo and Brandon Spikes in the 2012 draft. The All-SEC group was stout versus the run this season, but pass coverage by linebackers proved to be an area where the Patriots’ defense struggled. Both Spikes and Hightower have just average speed, and the Patriots were susceptible to backs out of the backfield as receivers. Whether it’s by scheme or personnel, the Patriots’ coverage on the second level has room for improvement.
At least this can bring a smile to all our faces on this, the worst day of the football season, the one after the ride ends…
https://www.patspropaganda.com/at-least-this-can-bring-a-smile-to-all-our-faces/