PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Mike Dussault

A Closer Look at Patriots Defensive Personnel and Roles

by

Each year the Patriots defensive schemes slowly evolve over the course of the year and each year is unique. I always pray that people can get past the simplistic 3-4 vs. 4-3 debate which is archaic and meaningless now.

The Patriots trend of heavily using sub defense continued this season, as did their evolution to incorporating more Cover-2 Zone as the season progressed. The line between defensive ends and outside linebackers continues to blur, while the importance of having three good safeties and three good corners has become more imperative.

Here’s a look at some of the formations the Patriots utilized in the Super Bowl and what they might be able to tell us about their offseason plan of attack.

[Read more…] about A Closer Look at Patriots Defensive Personnel and Roles

Linkage: The MMQB Podcast with Tom Brady

by

Download past episodes or subscribe to future episodes of Peter King, The MMQB Podcast by Sports Illustrated for free.

Source: Peter King, The MMQB Podcast by Sports Illustrated on iTunes

It isn’t often you get an in-depth breakdown from Brady about much of anything, much less one of his epic performances, but here it is. Fascinating to hear Brady’s perspective on one of the craziest comebacks we’ve ever seen.

Just hearing him talk football like this was awesome.

One of the most interesting points by Brady is how in every Super Bowl he’s played the defenses have had trouble stopping the offenses at the end. Never really put that together before but it’s so true.

[Read more…] about Linkage: The MMQB Podcast with Tom Brady

Time to Put Out the Blount

by

This is the first in a series of Patriots internal free agent posts. You can find the full offseason plan here.

LeGarrette Blount is coming off the best season of his career. At 30 years old he put up 1,161 yards and a Patriots team record 18 touchdowns. However Blount was once again a total non-factor in the playoffs, putting up his worst playoff numbers in his three trips to the post-season with the Pats.

Blount didn’t draw much interest on the open market last season, re-signing with New England on a one-year, $1 million deal. He was coming off a season-ending hip injury which might’ve scared away some potential bidders.

Now, Blount’s deal is up again and despite his record-setting 2016, I think it’s time to let the veteran running back go and throw some youth at the position.

[Read more…] about Time to Put Out the Blount

Crafting a Patriots Offseason Plan

by

The last year has had some crazy Patriots personnel moves and there’s no reason to think this spring will be any different. The Patriots have a bunch of free agents and a bunch of cap space that has to go somewhere.

Will this be another soft defensive reset if they were to lose Logan Ryan, Dont’a Hightower, Alan Branch, Chris Long and Jabaal Sheard? Will those who have now won two Super Bowls seek to maximize their leverage?

As is always the case when we enter a Patriots offseason, anything goes. It might be exciting. It also might hurt. It might be a little scary. That’s the NFL in the free agency age. Especially with cold-hearted Bill Belichick.

Here’s a jumping off point for my views on the Patriots offseason. I’ll expand on each in then coming weeks. Perhaps my feelings will change, but right now, here’s what I think.

[Read more…] about Crafting a Patriots Offseason Plan

Pats Posits: Patriots 2017 Offseason Primer

by

It is time to turn the page to the Patriots 2017 offseason, the relaxed portion of the football cycle where it’s all about team building. I reserve the right to dive back into 2016 without notice, but now the door to 2017 is fully open and there’s plenty of work to do.

Many blogs jump right into the draft but over the years I’ve tried to keep focused on the task at hand,  so I will start with internal free agents, then external free agents and then finally, the draft.

I’m going to avoid getting too analytical in this kickoff post. This will just be more of a general overview of what’s to come in the next few months. It’s about information gathering and getting a feel for where the holes are and, most importantly, how the Pats can stay ahead of the curve. That often means making hard decisions on players we all love.

First, let’s start with the depth chart, with all the free agents (restricted and unrestricted) removed. Those highlighted in light red are entering the last years of their deals and could be extension candidates. Those highlighted in green are possible cut/restructure candidates. Those in red are dealing with injuries from the season. Starters are bolded.

Note – Sebastian Vollmer spent the season on the PUP list so he should still be under contract, though it’s expected he could retire.

[Read more…] about Pats Posits: Patriots 2017 Offseason Primer

Boston Sports Doc: How does Hightower’s injury history affect his contract negotiations?

by

Hightower’s injuries are most likely not going to get better. If anything, they could worsen. He has proven that he can play through the injuries, for now, but the Patriots did treat his playing time differently toward the end of the season this season than in years past. Does that signal worsening symptoms, the Patriots’ recent improvements in the realm of injury prevention/management, or a blossoming leadership role for the 26 yo ILB and increased attention to his health?

Source: How does Hightower’s injury history affect his contract negotiations? – BOSTON SPORTS DOC

I’m kicking off the offseason on Monday, but I couldn’t resist sharing this piece from Boston Sports Doc because Hightower is the biggest piece of the offseason puzzle.

This was a really balanced piece that went out of its way to praise Hightower’s toughness. We don’t need to rehash what Hightower has meant to last two Super Bowl teams, the huge clutch plays he made. There wouldn’t be two more Lombardi Trophies in the Patriots Hall if it wasn’t for Hightower. But his injury history is going to be a factor for the Patriots, and that’s even more true when you read how Dr. Flynn breaks down what’s been breaking down in Hightower’s body.

Solely as a football player I want Hightower to be on the Patriots until he retires. It’s not an accident that he’s wearing number 54 and has a respected spot in the locker room. The Patriots seemingly have been actively grooming Hightower to be the defensive captain, but there has seemed to be something missing at times.

[Read more…] about Boston Sports Doc: How does Hightower’s injury history affect his contract negotiations?

Patriots Unbelievable Comeback in Super Bowl LI to Beat the Falcons | NFL Turning Point 

by

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyLPJ5JWZYk&feature=youtu.be

With Sound FX and Inside the NFL out of the way earlier this week, now we can add NFL Turning Point to the list of must-watch Patriots Super Bowl porn. Of the three, Turning Point is always my favorite because they really break down the Xs and Os like no one else. Not only do you get everyone miked up and the sounds of the game, you also get a healthy dose of the strategy.

Now we just have to wait until summer for America’s Game and whatever special NFL Films pulls together like they did with Do Your Job and the one they did for the Broncos last year that I’ve never seen and will never see.

Five days later, I’m finally starting to wrap my brain around what the Patriots pulled off. It was the perfect “just STFU” win we’ve been waiting for. All the stupid criticisms of this year and all the years before — that the Patriots were the only team stealing signals, that .02% PSI had any real effect on anything, that they could win without Gronk, that Brady was done (remember that one from a couple years ago?), that the defense hadn’t played anyone…. all that… JUST STFU!

Now it’s all gravy from here forth. You’re going to see the exact same kind of focused unflappable Patriots team next season and if they have similar injury luck to this year, they very will could be raising a SIXTH (!) Lombardi. What a ride. What a ride…