Good news on the Armond Armstead front: The second-year defensive tackle is on track to be ready for April 21, when the Patriots begin their offseason workout program.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/good-news-on-the-armond-armstead-front-the/
Patriots’ Secondary Additions Prove Bill Belichick’s Ability to Adapt
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.
[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
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.
Just the mentality of the team, how everything is done – the scheme, the players, the locker room, the fans – it’s just something that I couldn’t leave. I’m really glad they were able to work something out and bring me back.
Julian Edelman says decision to remain with the New England Patriots was an easy one | masslive.com
Just so excited to have Edelman back, he competes so hard and has really earned everything he’s gotten. It wasn’t an easy road for him but it’s good to see him get rewarded for his hard work and I’m looking forward to rooting for him for another 4-(ish) years.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/just-the-mentality-of-the-team-how-everything-is/
What the team lacked last year was someone who could run short-to-intermediate routes outside the numbers. If LaFell is able to grasp the offense and win a job, he should add that dynamic to the offense.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/what-the-team-lacked-last-year-was-someone-who/
Setting Realistic Expectations for Each New England Patriots Signing
Setting Realistic Expectations for Each New England Patriots Signing
Kicking off Tuesday with one of my weekly pieces over at Bleacher Report, taking a closer look at each of the Pats’ signings thus far and just how they might fit into the equation.
