PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Mike Dussault

Two Biggest Surprise Players from Patriots Minicamp

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With names like Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman getting most of the attention at Patriots minicamp, there are a few surprising players that took advantage of their opportunity during this teaching phase, but might’ve flown under the national drama spotlight.

The one thing about the Patriots, it really is a level playing field after the players arrive. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you’ve done or where you were drafted. That’s why every year an undrafted free agent or two, or some castoff from another team, makes the roster of the winningest team in the league.

Who are the surprising new faces who are standing out already in 2018? Here are two candidates who have opened eyes.

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Can Flores Fix First Down D?

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If there’s a wheelhouse that fans and detractors of the New England Patriots’ defense love, it’s the “be more aggressive” angle and Mike Reiss nails it today taking a closer look at new de facto defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ presence at minicamp.

Quotes like this one from Dont’a Hightower are enough to give some fans a picture all-out Cover 0 blitzes coming on every down.

“Matty P and Flo are somewhat the same, but a little different at the same time. With the playcalling we’ve gotten so far, I definitely feel like we’re going to be more aggressive. Things are a little bit more simple, but it’s still a little bit different, and guys are learning bits and pieces of the defense. But so far, so good.”

The one thing I was never quite sure about with Matt Patricia was where Belichick ended and he began. The defense certainly evolved from the mid-2000’s, especially around 2012 where the switch to a mostly man-to-man defense took hold. Instead of off-the-line corners like Asante Samuel and Ellis Hobbs, who were quick and could pattern read, they actively pursued press man corners like Aqib Talib, Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner.

But for the last 17 years, the Patriots have primarily been a conservative defense, mostly content to play coverage, tackle well and wait for the other team to flame out. They’ll pick their spots with blitzes, sometimes, like 2014 with the Collins/Hightower Double A-Gap blitz, they’ll even make it a featured item.

Exploiting and winning one-on-one matchups up front is more what it’s about, rather than sending five or six rushers every single passing play. We have come to know, and hate, it as the Bend Don’t Break. That has always felt like Belichick more than the defensive coordinator.

Will Flores change this general philosophy? I’m not all that convinced, but what’s clear is that for a number of reasons, the 2017 Patriots defense was the one of the bendiest and break-iest under Belichick. Some adjustments must be made.

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Tweets of Note from Patriots Minicamp Practice #2

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC1clbWAF88

Another day of actual football to talk about! There will only be one more before we start the long void until training camp, which means it’s time to way overanalyze everything that has been going on at Patriots minicamp.

Here are some tweets that stood out to me with commentary.

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Stop Worrying and Enjoy the End of Belichick/Brady

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It’s hard to remember a time when Tom Brady wasn’t the quarterback of the New England Patriots. The ride for any fan who suffered through the disappointments of the team’s first 40 years has been, in the words of FOPP’er Jerry Thornton, “From Darkness to Dynasty.”

It was, of course, great to see Brady back on the field on Tuesday. The snarky “he’s present” takes all over the place were obvious, but any time I see 12 on the field my heart flutters, and it was a nice reminder that the ride ain’t over yet.

Never before has a football fanbase enjoyed this kind of long-term success and it’s been fascinating to watch how opinions of the team, nationally and locally, have evolved, especially toward the be-hoodied coach and wonderboy quarterback who have been most successful at the start and end of their storied run.

From the patriotic darling underdogs of 2001 to the despised undefeated regular season 2007. The “dying dynasty” of 2008-2013, to legend-cementing wins in Super Bowls 49 and 51. What a long strange trip of football domination it’s been.

For 16 seasons it was in Bill and Tom We Trust, but after falling just short in Super Bowl 52, the cracks internally and externally are becoming the driving narratives behind this team. Personally, I have no doubt at this point Brady and Belichick have an understanding and will be able to join forces until the end like they’ve done for so long.

This is the end game Brady. He’s not the same “first in, last out” kid. He’s the GOAT and that’s enough to not have to be the “first in, last out” vet. Belichick knows that, and really there’s some good football sense to giving Brady some extra time to himself and his family. Keeping him fresh physically and mentally at this stage makes more sense than him being present for the teaching period of OTAs.

But expect the media to ride out any potential divisions until the very end.

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Patriots Tweets of Note from Minicamp Practice #1

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Mandatory minicamp started for the Patriots on Tuesday, finally giving us a glimpse of the full 2018 squad for the first time.  While the teaching period continues, there was was still plenty to digest from the live practice tweets.

Let’s dive into what stood out most to me!

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Pats Posits: Mini Camp Week

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Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski will be back on the practice field at Gillette Stadium this week as the Patriots host their three-day mandatory minicamp.

After choosing to spend their optional OTA days training on their own, the critical eyes will be closely monitoring the two Patriot stars for any signs of rust. Yes, as Tom Brady winds down his career on his own terms he’ll be increasingly under the microscope, especially as he crosses 41 this summer.

At least the “Where in the World is Tom Brady” storylines will be dead for this week. (Instead, we’ll get a Brady-missed-a-pass and Gronk-had-a-drop WHAT DOES IT MEAN!?!?!-athon)

My actual football thoughts in the Posits.

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Tweets of Note from Patriots 2nd OTA Week

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After a quiet week, unless you like playing Where in the World is Tom Brady, the Patriots were back in action for the media on Thursday. These brief glimpses in on the team only give us a taste of the excitement to come in less than two months at training camp.

Per the usual disclaimers, don’t get too worked up about anyone playing anywhere at this point. Sometimes it’s just a temporary look at how players fit surrounded by starters than it is necessarily them actually being considered as a starter. This is still a teaching phase.

Here are the tweets of note that keep us going through the May-Jun post-draft void.

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