PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Archives for March 18, 2014

Report: Patriots inquire about DeSean Jackson

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It’s already Tuesday night and it was surprising that the ever-churning Patriots rumor mill hadn’t found something new to glom onto, and alas, here we go…

Look, I think the Patriots do their due diligence on any and everyone that is or could potentially become available. It doesn’t mean they’re actively pursuing him, it means they likely asked what it would take to get him and are weighing the value and risks of that compensation.

But this would certainly put the “Patriots need a deep threat” crowd into a frenzy. On the field there’s no question that DeSean Jackson would add an element that has been missing since Randy Moss circa mid-2009ish.

Is he worth all the other baggage he comes with off-the-field and in the locker room? That’s for the Patriots to ultimately decide.

We’ll see how it all unfolds over the next few days, but as I see it, there are far bigger needs in the front seven and offensive line than the one to take a chance on someone like Jackson. I’d still prefer Kenny Britt if he’s still potentially in the mix.

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Patriots’ Secondary Additions Prove Bill Belichick’s Ability to Adapt

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Patriots’ Secondary Additions Prove Bill Belichick’s Ability to Adapt

Great read here from Matt Bowen at B/R on the impact of Browner and Revis.

McCourty played at a Pro Bowl level last season from my perspective and has the range, plus the transition skills (hips, footwork, speed out of his pedal), to benefit greatly as a middle-of-the-field defender with Revis and Browner on the field.

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[E]xpect the Patriots to use man pressure often with the amount of depth they have at the cornerback position. Look for five- and six-man pressure schemes out of both nickel and dime packages.

Patriots’ Secondary Additions Prove Bill Belichick’s Ability to Adapt

I guess here’s one answer to my complaining about the lack of a defensive end signing thus far. Can two lockdown man corners like Browner and Revis push BB to send more blitzers in general?

Usually he’s pretty conservative, content to send only three or four and play coverage behind that. But if you have two corners eliminating two receivers it does open up options.

So maybe just maybe the Pats will be less reliant on getting to the QB with fewer guys this year, i.e. winning one-on-one matchups.

Let’s not forget that both Arrington and Ryan are pretty good off the edge. Might be on answer to the “no DE depth problem”, though things can change quickly with a couple signings.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/expect-the-patriots-to-use-man-pressure-often/

Any word on if gronk should be ready for the start of the season

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Gronk was in a video last week meeting Triple H and he said he’s on track and should be good to go. I think it’s probably safe to expect him to at least open camp on the PUP list, but how soon he gets off will be up in the air.

It’s a huge year for Gronk, because 2015 is when the big money really kicks in on his new contract. Check this out from Jason LaCanfora:

Gronkowski is set to make $15 million alone in 2015, in the form of $5 million in salary (which is guaranteed only for injury but not for cap or production purposes), as well as a $10 million option bonus that the Patriots could opt to pick up at any point in the 2015 league year. Numerous sources who reviewed this contract said they highly doubt New England picks up that $10 million option, which would make Gronk a free agent. Should New England pick up that bonus, that triggers Gronkowski’s deal from 2016-2019 (worth $27 million).

I don’t think people are making a big enough deal out of this yet, but I’m sure they’ll come around this offseason. The pressure is on Gronk this year and he’s already behind the eight ball because while guys can usually return from an ACL tear in 8-10 months, it really takes until the following season for them to be back to full strength (why Revis should be awesome this year).

So Gronk has something to prove and likely won’t ever be his same old self this season at least. Also wondering if he’ll still have to wear that huge arm brace. If ever there was a year he needed to finish the season healthy this is it.

I would never rule the Gronk out and of course, I am pulling for him. He’s the best tight end in the game, and I bet he could still be the best at 80-90%. 

Hopefully we’ll see some Gronk spikes early, often and late in 2014. If not, this really could be his last year as a Patriot.