PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Mike Dussault

Introducing the PatsPropaganda Forum

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As you’ve probably noticed things have been slowly evolving here on the new version of the site and today I’ve added a forum where we can chat. After moving on from Tumblr one of the things I liked but lost was the ability to take and answer questions through their platform, so I’m hoping that this forum will help replace that and give me a chance for some back and forth with you guys.

I’ve kicked things off with a couple questions about two areas I think are at the forefront this offseason — what kind of a third linebacker should the Pats pursue and what to do with Chandler Jones. I’d love to hear your thoughts on these topics and anything else that is weighing on your mind as we get going into Free Agency and then the draft.

You’ll find an easy link to the forum in the top navigation menu and as always, any thoughts, comments, tips, ideas, etc for the new version of the site are always welcome.

Bleacher Report/Frenz: Dion Lewis’ Health Is Critical in Complexion of New England Patriots Offense

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Good read from Frenz on Dion Lewis, who gave us possibly the most unexpectedly exciting seven-plus games from a running back in Patriots history. He also gave us maybe the biggest buzz kill of the season when he tore his ACL against the Redskins in a non-contact situation.

Just fascinating how Lewis, who had been kicking around the league and dealing with injuries for a few years, could suddenly show up, seamlessly fit into the offense and look like the second coming of Barry Sanders. There’s no question if Lewis remained healthy this would’ve been a totally different and more multi-dimensional offense in the playoffs, and one that would’ve been nearly impossible to stop.

Like most previous season ACL injuries, Lewis will likely be brought along slowly, but having James White already locked in is good insurance to manage Lewis’ snaps. I’d take the same approach they took with Gronk in 2014. Slowly bring him back with the goal of having him healed and raring to go by late December.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdZJk1xtU00

 

Source: Dion Lewis’ Health Is Critical in Complexion of New England Patriots Offense | Bleacher Report

Malcolm Butler 2015 Highlights

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No one really knew what the Patriots had with Malcolm Butler heading into 2015. Of course we knew he made one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history (along with a couple other impressive pass breakups before that), but to the casual fan it was easy to think Butler could be a one-hit wonder who would fade back into the unknown.

The thing about Butler though was that he was making plays on the ball from the moment he stepped on the field in training camp in 2014. Every single practice report had Butler always around the ball and that’s a skill that can’t be taught. Behind the scenes, Butler had shown enough in 2014 for Bill Belichick to believe the Super Bowl hero could be the Pats’ best corner in 2015 and he was right.

When the Patriots declined options on Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner, and then also dumped Alfonzo Dennard and Kyle Arrington it seemed like a head scratcher. Personally I was pissed because I just couldn’t believe the Patriots would go back to more zone-heavy defensive coverage. It’s just not practical in today’s NFL, yet most of the pundits simply assumed it to be the case without a “shutdown” corner like Revis.

Well Butler (and Logan Ryan) proved them all wrong. They allowed the Patriots to primarily stick with the Cover-1 Man Robber coverage, with Ryan usually taking the bigger receiver and Butler taking the other, often faster one. The thing about Butler in his first year as a starter was that he gave up very few uncontested catches. Anything he gave up, the ball missed his hands by mere millimeters. Some might knock Butler for that, saying that he needs to work on his hands, but it’s truly the sign of a special corner. He’ll start picking off those passes soon enough, and that’s if quarterbacks keep throwing at him.

And another great sign, was even when Butler gave up a big play, he always bounced back.

Add in his feisty, competitive gameday attitude and fearless tackling, and it’s not a stretch to say Butler is the best young cornerback the Patriots have had since Ty Law. Now with more experience he’ll be even more prepared to face the game’s best wide receivers. The sky’s the limit for Butler and there should be a new contract coming to him in the next year.

Finding Patriots Free Agency Fits

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Football fans love flashy objects and at no time is that more true that during Free Agency. Despite a decade-and-a-half sample size, many Patriots fans can’t help but imagine all the big name free agents possibly landing in New England. Every year the story is the same — the rest of the AFC East signs all the big names while the Pats sign from the bargain bin and… win the division.

The Super Bowl is never won in March, despite the splashy signings for huge money.

Over the years it’s become apparent the kind of free agents the Patriots target. Players who were underutilized or injured and never quite lived up to expectations. Especially those “just looking to win” and willing to take veteran minimum deals. Rarely do the Patriots go out and secure an unquestioned starter in free agency for significant money.

With that in mind here are the areas where I could see the Pats making some moves externally in free agency and some players who could fit the bill.

  1. Running Back: While Matt Forte would be the flashy name that gets everyone excited, the more I consider him, the more unlikely it feels that he would take the kind of low-ball offer the Pats would need to give him. That’s why Tuesday’s release of Joique Bell makes me think he’s more in line for what the Pats do, reminiscent of the Sammy Morris signing. Morris joined the team at age 30 in 2007 and gave the Pats three solid years in a number of roles, putting up 12 touchdowns. Bell is a threat both with his hard running and receiving, but go lost in the shuffle in Detroit, having a down year in 2015. He’s just the kind of buy low, high return back that could step in and compete for the early-down role against Tyler Gaffney and a rookie draft pick.
  2. Wide Receiver: I think Brandon LaFell returns but Danny Amendola will likely have to restructure his deal again. I’d like to add some more size and some more versatility to this group, and I think former Rutgers/Bengals receiver Mohamad Sanu makes a lot of sense. Sanu is one of those receivers who can do a lot of different things and would immediately bring an element of size to the group. Again, a guy who got lost in the shuffle a bit, but checks a lot of boxes the Pats like and should be affordable. Could see a world where Sanu is swapped into the slot for Amendola, who could also be let go.
  3. Middle Linebacker: Even before Jerod Mayo‘s retirement the Pats had a need at linebacker and while one should be added via the draft, they’ll shore up depth in free agency. Dane Fletcher, who never made it off PUP after an ACL tear, was basically on a one-year injury rehab contract last year. He could make sense for depth, I think he’s better than Jonathan Freeny. Externally the Pats kicked the tires on Rolando McClain last season but he ended up in Dallas and had a bad season. He’s the kind of reclamation project the Pats might like to try, especially pairing him with old Alabama teammate Dont’a Hightower. At 6’4″, he’d make for an imposing trio with Hightower and Jamie Collins. The Jets’ Demario Davis could be another interesting option.
  4. Cornerback: I think the best option here would be to bring back Tarrell Brown, who was looking like a starter before a lingering foot problem put him on the shelf for the year. Now he has a year in Foxboro and if his foot is fully healed he could be a good veteran presence to keep in the cornerback room. There’s plenty of young talent in this group between Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan, Justin Coleman, Leonard Johnson and Darryl Roberts. A vet like Brown would be the perfect way to round things out.
  5. Offensive Tackle: This is a position I really have no idea on. Do they just bring back LaAdrian Waddle for some depth? The Pats always sign off-the-radar offensive linemen. There are certainly plenty of available, I just don’t think it will be a splashy signing of any kind. No, offensive tackle is my top draft target right now depending on how high the Pats can get their first pick of the draft and how much tackle value is there. Again, athleticism is the key trait to add.
  6. Interior defensive tackle: Picking up Alan Branch’s option seems like a good value move and I think the Pats should at least take a swing at retaining Akiem Hicks as unlikely as it seems that he’ll be in their price range. If one or both of those two walks, they’ll need to look for another big body for the interior rotation. The Chargers’ Kendall Reyes was a good Patriots fit coming out of UConn but has underperformed. The return of Dominique Easley can cushion the blow of losing Hicks, but not Branch.

2015 Patriots Highlight Video For Your Hump Day

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I gotta be honest, I didn’t love this season. Of course there were plenty of highlight moments, mostly by Gronk and Dion Lewis, and seeing this young homegrown defense really take a significant step forward was exciting to see but were there really any epic, unforgettable games outside of finally getting a win over the Giants? Beating the Colts was nice and a better game than many expected, and torching Rex in Buffalo Week 2 was fun. But once the injuries started in Dallas Week 5 each week became about hanging on long enough to get healthy.

Thinking back I’m not sure I remember much of anything about Jags, Titans, Redskins or Texans games. Still, the 2015 Pats did what they always do, fight to the end with everything they had. It was just one of those seasons where it didn’t quite hit epic mode very often.

Jerod Mayo Announces Retirement

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Mayo's speed and leadership set him apart.

Jerod Mayo takes the field as a rookie.

From this Instagram post it looks like Jerod Mayo is retiring, a move not entirely unexpected. At the very least the Patriots weren’t picking up his option and now this now clears almost $7 million dollars from the Pats’ cap number.

First, a quick look back at Mayo’s career. He was taken 10th overall in the 2008 draft and immediately stepped into a starter’s role in an aging defense that was about to be completely turned over. Mayo was the constant during that turnover and missed just five games in his first five years.

There wasn’t a lot of talent around Mayo from 2008-2011 and with his excellent speed he wracked up 341 tackles in those four years. By all accounts he was a consummate Patriot, and despite the injuries of the last few years, was still always around the team, being a leader and helping in any way he could.

Still, I think there was always something missing with Mayo and that was his big play ability. He just never got over the hump to be a player who made critical plays in critical moments.  For his career in the regular season he had just three interceptions, eight forced fumbles and 11 sacks. In eight career playoff games he had just one forced fumble. No interceptions. No sacks.

I remember a lengthy pre-game chat between me and Erik Frenz discussing how Mayo was a “tackling machine” but he just wasn’t the impact player you really wanted him to be.

Of course you can’t always judge a player by their stats, but there’s some truth in there. Still, Mayo did a ton for the Patriots and I shudder to think to what depths the defense of 2008-2011 would’ve sunk to without Jerod Mayo making the calls and cleaning up the trash.

Best wishes to Mayo and his family as he turns to the next chapter, whatever that may be.

For the Patriots, they get some much-needed cap relief and can start to formulate a plan on who’s getting paid next. Mayo’s departure certainly reinforces the need for a middle linebacker, but it will be interesting to see what kind of linebacker the Pats’ target. Collins and Hightower are seemingly best used on the outside, along the line of scrimmage in the regular package, with Collins sliding off the line in sub-packages.

The Pats need a dedicated run-stopper in the middle, but also someone with the kind of range to drop into the flat. This doesn’t have to be a three-down linebacker, but he does need to be better than Jonathan Freeny was in 2015.

ESPN/Barnwell: Fives moves the Bills, Dolphins, Jets and Patriots should make this offseason – NFL

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Here’s the quick rundown of what Bill Barnwell thinks the Patriots should do:

1. Release Jerod Mayo.

2. Release Marcus Cannon and Brandon LaFell.

3. Re-sign Jamie Collins, Dont’a Hightower and Chandler Jones

4. Sign a veteran offensive linemen.

5. Pass up Matt Forte and add a big back to replace LeGarrette Blount.

Source: Fives moves the Bills, Dolphins, Jets and Patriots should make this offseason – NFL

Okay, here are my thoughts on each of these little nuggets.

  1. Releasing Mayo is a no brainer because yes it will free up a much-needed $7 million in cap space. I wouldn’t rule out Mayo coming back on a veteran minimum either, Belichick loves him that much. He started to show some pop toward the end of the season and yes, he’s ended up on IR three years in a row but I don’t think it’s a lock that he’s done. That will however scare other teams away and maybe keep the door open to a return in New England. Or, if he is done, there’s some speculation he could end up on the coaching staff in New England. That might be a stretch.
  2. I’m not down with releasing Cannon or LaFell. First, with Cannon I wrote a bunch about the offensive line earlier today. He is what he is, a backup swing tackle. Yes, they’re probably overpaying him a bit, but as we saw this year, it’s okay to overpay a guy a bit when he ends up being a starter at two positions in-season for you. But let’s not forget he’s been generally solid and with the return of his original mentor Dante Scarnecchia I don’t see why you don’t give him another year, hopefully in the role he’s best at. As for LaFell, he had a bad year, but let’s remember he had a foot injury that kept him on PUP and he never truly looked comfortable again. Despite the drops the guy is still a blocking demon who plays the position the way the Patriots want. He’s entering a contract year and he knows what is on the line. I like that combination, especially if he has a healthy offseason.
  3. Definitely re-sign Collins and Hightower, with Hightower being my top priority by a nose. As for Chandler, let him play it out this final season. He’s been so up and down and usually saves his most anonymous performances for the biggest stages. The depth at DE is great, with Jabaal Sheard really being a better fit for the Pats style than Jones at this point. Behind him will be second year players Trey Flowers and Geneo Grissom, not to mention preseason standout Rufus Johnson. Pats could even dangle Jones as trade bait, though his weird drug situation during the week before the first playoff game certainly didn’t help his stock. Ultimately I think Jones still has yet to prove he’s an every down force. Give him a chance to prove it this year, and either way he probably walks in 2017.
  4. Don’t really see the Pats springing for an offensive linemen as even Barnwell points out his example is probably too expensive. The OL is all about the draft with the Patriots. Develop the guys they have, add some rookies, maybe a cheap vet FA that no one knows and they’ll be fine.
  5. I agree the Pats need a power resurgence, but I think if there’s one place to throw a bit of money in FA it’s on a running back like Forte. Of course it would have to be at the Pats price but I don’t rule out Forte giving them a huge bargain. But someone like Tim Hightower is just the kind of Pats thing to do. Either way, there will be draft picks spent on at least one running back, preferably one with size and one-cut ability.