PatsPropaganda

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Archives for March 29, 2017

Has Belichick Had a Change of Heart on Cornerbacks?

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Fun little tidbit from Ian Rapoport this morning, indicating that the Patriots made a call to the Seahawks to inquire about Richard Sherman‘s availability prior to them signing Stephon Gilmore.

This leads me to wonder if Belichick has changed the way he values cornerbacks. A couple years ago I wrote this extensive piece breaking down how the Pats have never been willing to give long-term deals to cornerbacks. Sure, they’d pay a chunk of change for a season like they did with Asante Samuel on the franchise tag ($7.79 million) or a year of Darrelle Revis ($12 million), but prior to 2012 the Patriots didn’t really seem to care all that much about the position.

Then came the in-season trade for Aqib Talib, the Patriots first foray into acquiring a physical man cornerback. They retained Talib for 2013 for $4.86 million after being unable to work out a long term deal. That felt like the same old Patriots, who always preferred to focus on the front seven long before investing in a cornerback.

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How Do Patriots Get Three-Out-Of-Four, Twice?

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6XfJbE6GVI

The Patriots have won two of the last three Super Bowls and all is right with the world. But slowly, my focus has shifted to the 2017 season and just what is at stake.

New England cemented their dynasty in 2004 by winning three-out-of-four Super Bowls and now are staring down the opportunity to do it again, 13 years later. I found myself looking back at the 2004 America’s Game episode above and remembering how the crown jewel of the NFL stayed focused and hungry enough to repeat as champions.

It sure won’t be easy. The target on the Patriots’ backs will be even bigger in 2017 than it was in 2004, as if we ever thought that would be possible. Any bit of the mystique that they lost in Super Bowl defeats or other season-enders is very much gone. That’s what overcoming a 25-point hole on the biggest of stages can do. If the Pats lacked the magic in 2007 and 2011, they certainly got it back in 2014 and 2016, and now they could put their franchise into another stratosphere by winning Super Bowl 52. And there are 31 teams that will be dying for a shot at them.

Here are my thoughts on what the 2004 did right and how the 2017 Patriots can learn from their successful season.

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