PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Mike Dussault

Patriots Offseason Primer

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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

Five Biggest Draft Needs for Patriots

Patriots 10 Biggest Offseason Decisions

Five areas for Pats to focus on – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

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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.

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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/

R.I.P. 2012 Patriots

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And another Patriots season comes to a disappointing end on a big stage. No excuses here though, the Ravens were the better team. They proved it twice this season. Once they gave up trying to run the ball and just attacked the Patriots defense through the air they had their way with them.

If you want to look for an easy excuse you could say No Gronk + No Talib + No Chandler = No Super Bowl, and there’s no question that the Patriots were not at full strength. 

But as just a football fan it was an impressive effort from the Ravens. I thought the Patriots were better than both Giants Super Bowl teams, but I don’t think they’re better than the Ravens.

The Patriots enter the offseason and must first figure out what to do with Wes Welker. Will they be able to sign him to a two or three year deal? Or is it time to move in a different direction? The offense certainly looked like they never came back out of the locker room after halftime. Perhaps it is time to evolve a bit.

On defense the Patriots will have to figure out how to better defend the middle of the field against the pass. They were killed there once again. They also must get more pass rush. The return of Chandler Jones should help, but Rob Ninkovich, Trevor Scott, Justin Francis and Jermaine Cunningham were just not getting it done tonight. 

Hats off to the Ravens on an impressive victory. They might’ve been old and tired but they played like champions and deserve to hoist the AFC Champs trophy.

Also hats off to the Patriots for another thrilling ride. It’s a disappointment not to make it back to the Super Bowl, but they certainly gave it their all in every game they played. It’s just unfortunate that they couldn’t put forth a better effort, especially in the second half. But every problem and flaw we knew about the Patriots was exposed tonight and they must find a way this offseason to improve those.

Finally, thanks to everyone who has followed the blog this season. We appreciate all the support and it’s interacting with Pats fans from around the world that really makes all the fun. 

I am already looking forward to that September day when Gronk is back to full health and there’s a new collection of talent on both sides of the ball to be excited about. Until then we’ll be here all offseason with free agency, draft and every thing else to help us all get through the bitter months without football.

Opening day will be here before we know it.

Go Pats.

Mike D.

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Fans should throw the Texans’ game out. I don’t care what the stats say, that was an overmatched team in every respect. The Ravens are not. And if you’re a team that just “does what they do” on offense and defense, the Patriots are going to throttle you if you’re not as talented. That’s what happened against Houston. These Ravens are an entirely different animal. Not only do they know they can beat the Patriots, they’re nearly as talented. This one will come down to turnovers, and who can swing a handful of key plays. It’s a toss up to me.

Ravens at Patriots: 5 keys, prediction – Extra Points – Boston.com

https://www.patspropaganda.com/fans-should-throw-the-texans-game-out-i-dont/

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Bill Belichick was effusive about cornerback Aqib Talib this week. “He’s a good football player, good teammate [and] he’s very well-respected because of his professionalism,” Belichick said. “He studies hard and prepares well. He’s tough. He competes well, both in practice and on Sundays. Smart kid. I like him; the team likes him.” That quote prompted this text from a league source, who knew Talib with the Buccaneers: “Belichick is such a master manipulator of personalities [in a good way]. Knowing Talib very well, that’s EXACTLY what he needs to hear.”

Patriots should edge Ravens in another hard-fought game – Sports – The Boston Globe

https://www.patspropaganda.com/bill-belichick-was-effusive-about-cornerback-aqib/