An Independent Patriots Blog
A league source insisted that the reported rift between Gronk and the team is overblown, and that the Patriots are understanding of Gronkowski’s precaution; they want him to be productive for several more years as much as he does. But the Patriots feel he is as ready to play as he’ll be this season, and they have put the decision to return squarely in Gronk’s hands.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/a-league-source-insisted-that-the-reported-rift/
I agree on the DL, but on the offensive line you’ve got two first round picks in Solder and Mankins, and a second rounder in Vollmer. Connolly and Wendell might not have high draft pedigrees, but both have been generally solid. No question that Connolly is replaceable, but I like the attitude that Wendell brings and think he has long-term potential.
But on DL, I’ve been banging that drum every draft season since 2011, and I really think it’s a head-scratcher how they ignored such an important position for so long. I thought Tommy Kelly was a great signing, but they had no backup depth and the worst-case scenario has come true.
There’s no question that they’ll have to address DT early and often next offseason.
Breaking Down Tom Brady’s Comeback Drive Against the New Orleans Saints | Bleacher Report
Great play-by-play breakdown of the final drive from Frenz with diagrams and GIFs!
There has been a feeling watching the Patriots early this season that they are hanging on by their fingernails, surviving and advancing through a series of clunkers, waiting for the holes in their roster and in their attack to be stitched up and for the seamlessness to arrive. Maybe it will never come, not even when a physically compromised Gronkowski finally returns. Still, the Patriots were able to stun the New Orleans Saints 30-27 on Sunday — not with dazzling talent, but with relentless resourcefulness. [X]
https://www.patspropaganda.com/pottsisstarksheart-there-has-been-a-feeling/
One of the themes with the Patriots is that they view victories the same way as defeats, often focusing on the negative aspects of their performance as part of a hard-driving approach that focuses on constant improvement. One area that figures to be looked at closely this week: Negative runs. They had three of them in the first half, in addition to another rush for no gain. The Saints get some credit for that, too. Also, the way Saints coordinator Rob Ryan mixed his calls was reflected in how Tom Brady was sacked four times in the first half – some coverage calls rushing just three, and some overload blitzes. It’s a fun scheme to watch.
Picked-up pieces from 2nd-quarter review – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston
Did a quick stat look-up…
Patriots negative runs per game:
https://www.patspropaganda.com/one-of-the-themes-with-the-patriots-is-that-they/
It Is What It Is » Bill Belichick breaks down game-winning drive vs. Saints
Q: Chris Jones played every snap defensively yesterday. How would you assess his performance?
BB: “Chris, as you mentioned, he got a lot of playing time yesterday. I think he was in there for every play, that’s right. Chris is a smart kid. He came in and picked things up pretty quickly. His play time has increased a little bit each week. I think he’s athletic, he runs well, he has good playing strength, he has a little bit of quickness in the pass rush and overall, he’s got I think decent skills in there. Look, it’s not perfect, there are certainly a lot of things that he can improve on. But I thought he and Joe [Vellano] both have given us, given their amount of experience and all the things they’ve had to deal with, in terms of the types of offenses that we’ve played and so forth, some of the payers in there, like Jahri Evans, pretty good player there and [Ben] Grubbs, that they’ve done a good job of hanging in there and being relatively productive.
The Patriots value physicality and strong play against the run from cornerbacks, which is one reason why a prospect like 5-foot-11, 195-pound Logan Ryan (third round, Rutgers) appealed to them. On the Saints’ first offensive play, Ryan’s run force was textbook (and fearless) as he took on offensive lineman Bryce Harris (6-6, 300) and forced running back Darren Sproles back toward the pursuit of the defense (he was stopped for a 1-yard gain). We thought this was a good example of how a cornerback’s ability and willingness to play the run is critical in the Patriots’ scheme, and also how Ryan rose up to help the Patriots in an expanded role Sunday.
Picked-up pieces from 1st quarter review of Patriots vs. Saints – ESPN Boston
If Talib is out for any length of time, Logan Ryan is about to be an even more integral part of the defense.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-patriots-value-physicality-and-strong-play/