An Independent Patriots Blog
Join Clazzy Clare and Chudders as they percolate over the recent loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Clazzy Clare and Chudders bring you a little Patriots game recap wrap up, in a casual and light hearted show that (hopefully) has you feeling like you’re sitting back and having a laugh with some fellow Patriots buddies!
And so the Patriots preseason has concluded with a loss at Tennessee of 7 to 23, and that sound you heard, Pats Nation, was a collective sigh of relief with a hint of concern.
It was a tough game to watch, and that’s got nothing to do with the fact that it was on at crazy’o’clock in the morning for us not on eastern time!
On reflection the most difficult thing for me now, is the fact that whilst we are worrying, and looking over it saying how bad the game was, there were guys out there fighting for their livelihoods. It may be a game but it’s also a business, a job, and so for that reason I want to give respect for the players that did well but probably aren’t going to be on that 53 list that gets cut down just a bit later on, and champion those in my final preseason game recap wrap of 2023.
Now, don’t misunderstand me you lovely lot, I’m not here to gloss over the bad, there was plenty. I will call out how the offensive line still looked weak, how Bailey Zappe played possibly one of his worst games so far, and how Jack Jones may be feeling the effects of the distraction his legal case could be. I know there are still so many questions we want answering, so much of the offense we (thank goodness) didn’t see and may just be so much better than we expect, and how well will that first round draft pick really end up being.
But, as I mentioned, this preseason recap wrap is to remind you of those guys who really tried to kick butt and take names on Friday night.
The first note I made this game was defense are stopping the run, something that wasn’t happening earlier in the preseason and something that is a key to success in this ever evolving sport we love.
Calvin Munson first hit my notes in the middle of the first quarter with a great play stopping the run, and then i’m guessing he shows up in everyone’s note book with his end of the first quarter interception!
Diego Fagot has been released as I write this, however I would still like to champion his efforts in Tennessee as his was one name that appeared in my notes multiple times and perhaps we see him back on the practice squad. To close out the second quarter Fagot took out the runner Chestnut with a thump that had the guy somersaulting and fumbling. Mid third quarter Fagot had multiple instances of good coverage on the receiver, and unfortunately sustained a shoulder injury. However, he was back in the game and mixed in to take down the runner. Definitely a name I would like to see on game day sheet in the near future.
Sam Roberts chased down Malik Willis rather quickly for a big guy on multiple occasions, and again as I write this Carl Davis was released perhaps Roberts did enough to secure himself a one of the 53.
Thyrick Pitts opened the second quarter with a great catch and a powerful run through people! I do love it when a received runs through people. Unfortunately, with the current depth at receiver Pitts may have been playing more as an interview for another team at this point.
Anfernee Jennings may not exactly be fighting for his roster spot, but with the NFL you never truly know and he had a strong game. He stepped it up whilst stopping the run early in the first quarter. A big, physical guy from Alabama who really fits in with the Patriots way at defense.
One side note, the broadcast I was privy to was some sort of Titans network and they moved away from the game plenty when it was time for Patriots offensive plays, perhaps they were saving us from ourselves! I jest, mostly. But, they did mention, in regard to the pending cut downs, how the Titans may keep five but more certainly four, tight ends. FOUR?!? FOUR tight ends?! I won’t lie, I got a little flush!
But back to the Patriots, we have survived the preseason and next the real football is back and we all wait with bated breath to see who makes the 53. My main hopes at this moment are a third tight end… but right now my heart goes out to the guys who don’t make the team, particularly those that don’t make any team and wish them lots of luck in their future endeavours!
Go Pats.
Firstly, at the time that I write this we have heard good things following Isaiah Bolden’s on-field injury. He was taken to the hospital, had feeling in all of his extremities and was conscious. He returned to Foxborough with the team. This week’s joint practice has been cancelled, and the team will travel to Tennessee on Thursday. The last report I saw on social media was that Isaiah was in good spirits, pretty much the best we can hope for.
So here we are on Monday with a Patriots preseason win* of 21 -17 over those pesky Green Bay Packers! (*possibly more accurately an incomplete game that was 21-17 Patriots when called).
I don’t know about you, but I left this game with more questions than answers, but right now that’s okay, it is preseason after all.
With the roster cut down looming just over a week away, there are many names that we are noting down in the game book with statistics that may be on the practice squad or even an opposing team come the regular season, so we really shouldn’t get too attached, but easier said than done, right?
For the third year running I know that I for one am not the only Patriots fan to succumb to the delights of JJ Taylor and his preseason performance. He was the second name on the stat chart for both passing and rushing, with 4 attempts for 29 yards and 4 targets for 3 receptions for 27 yards. Perhaps third time’s the charm for the jitter bug?
It feels like all we talk about is the offense, and whilst I have a huge soft spot for tight ends, and a bit of one for offensive linemen too, my respect for the defense runs deep. It’s just at the moment it seems like we know what the defense can be, the first round draft pick Christian Gonzales is growing momentum, Jalen Mills is stepping well in to the shoes of the veteran leader, but the offense, still a bit offensive.
For me the woes are the o-line. The trouble is it doesn’t appear at this stage to be scheme, but talent. And you lot know me, I hate to say stuff like that, but right now I’m as grumpy as heck because I just want some good o-line-age!
Trent Brown took to the field, yay, and then just over two minutes into the game, false started. Now, you can’t slate a guy for one penalty, these things happen. But in that case of this particular left tackle, they need not to.
The carousel of offensive linemen continued, and to highlight that the Patriots utilised the talents of one Matt Sokol, tight end blocker.
I am all for them having plenty of tight ends out there. You know this. Give me four, but it’s not a good thing when they do because the line is weak.
On the topic of receivers, in what feels like it might be a more positive topic is the depth. With Kayshon Boutte and Demario “Pop” Douglas out proving they are worth consideration, the musical chairs of wide receivers may see a guy you weren’t expecting to be chairless come the regular season.
Kendrick Bourne is back doing Kendrick Bourne stuff, showing us why he shouldn’t have been in the Rocket Scientist dog house (if he was, of course) and whilst neither of the veterans DeVante Parker and JuJu Smith-Schuster have put up much in the way of statistics, second year Tyquan Thornton really, really hasn’t either!
So, as I mentioned still many questions but now isn’t the time for answers, yet, the Titans are the next mountain to climb, and then the real football begins!
Go Pats!
Apologies for my tardiness, but I missed my flight to get to training camp… Okay, obviously I am teasing, making light of an offensive lineman’s unpunctuality.
But anyway! Monday morning has dawned, shedding new light upon what we witnessed Thursday night (or Friday morning if you’re in one of the more UK type time zones).
Or does it?
Well, the Patriots certainly thought so as Saturday they signed a tackle! The position we have been crying out for!
Whilst, like me, you may not of heard of Micah Vanterpool, he is a tackle, and I don’t know about you, but right now I’m hoping he’s a diamond in the rough that Adrian Klemm can polish until he’s darn shiny!
As we look back at the first pre season game for the Patriots of 2023, it really is the o-line that is the glaring issue. And so, about that light that needs to be shed.
Now, with that said, it doesn’t really need to be said how pre season games aren’t really about the statistics or even the scores, but about evaluating the players. As Patriots fans we have had a little taster of some of the newbies.
Keion White showed up and proved his versatility when it comes to which side he can play on. He was flipped to the left side in the game’s second quarter after a late in the first quarter tackle on the Texans quarterback. But, we kind of already knew was destined to be great. Just listen to the college tape on him, total bruiser.
Fortunately for the fans and for him, first round draft selection Christian Gonzales improved after his “welcome to the NFL” moment that was so early in the first quarter we could almost say it doesn’t even count as the preseason! Okay perhaps not, but the guy improved during the game and the media darlings were impressed.
There wasn’t exactly much to report on the play by play situation. The defense played well, the offense were pretty bland, but in my opinion that was mostly due to the offensive line and their lack of cohesion together. But with any luck by September we may have some more solidity there.
The offense had some late game sparks I’ll admit, and Malik Cunningham was the match to light that flame with his movement to get outside of the pocket well on containment, producing a beautiful throw to Tre Nixon in double coverage, towards the final four minutes of the final quarter. But before you say I am beating the drum for Cunning-hum (see what I tried to do there? – okay, okay I’m sorry) this was the first game of the preseason and I am waiting to see Mac Jones in action in September. This fan is a bit of a self confessed homer, and my quarterback is Mac, baby.
One more positive to throw into the mix was the Jalen Mills experience. Experiment? Either way, the huge loss that was felt with the retirement of Devin McCourty had a small bandage stuck over it by some quality Jalen play. In particular, an early first quarter interception and an end of the first quarter off the corner safety blitz to stop the runner. I have high hopes that this guy will add some kindling to the fire that should be stoked in the locker room this season, too.
So, we chalk up the first loss of the preseason, but now as they say, we are on to Green Bay! Go Pats!
Firstly, I just want to give a big thank you to everyone who reads my work and supports Pats Propaganda. I have been writing for this fabulous site for over two years now, two years on Tuesday 7th March, and I am so blessed to be able to do so. So, a huge thank you to YOU who is reading this, as well as my awesome colleague (and buddy) Tom Shaw-Mellors, and the founder and chief Mike Dussault. I appreciate you all!
And so, another combine has wrapped up, pro days on the horizon, but many of us are still chewing over the tape, reading the statistics, and checking the interwebs for highlight reels in order to get our draft prospect fix.
Now, I know many may say that the combine is just a media event and the teams have no real value to it, and whilst that may be somewhat true, there is still plenty to champion, especially as a fan for the event that is held near St Elmo’s with its fabulous shrimp cocktail (as I have been told, I am yet to sample personally).
The interviews and medicals are something that I have heard have value for the teams, and this makes complete sense, and the interviews are what the sports media roll up to Indianapolis to indulge in.
But, the 50 hours of “on field” coverage is what the fans get when they turn on their televisions, and whilst that’s a lot for a small brain like mine to contend with, it is great to be able to find the player classes that you are most interested in, and spend some time doing that eyeball testing.
I fully appreciate that the combine is only a sample of what these players can do, but for someone who doesn’t watch much college football, and has never been shy in admitting that I don’t, mostly for access reasons, having the opportunity to see these players “in the flesh” is definitely of an advantage.
You can make reasonable assessments from an individual’s performance, and you can also make those “gut feeling” choices that may come back and severely bite you in the behind when the guys absolutely sucks, but hey that’s half the fun… Right?
I am rarely shy in admitting my draft crush (I am shy generally, but not when it comes to that!) and if you are a regular reader or listener of my work, you will be able to confirm as such. To me, a draft crush is that “gut feeling” one, not necessarily the sensible one, or the one that fits your team the best, it’s the one that you’re just like “Oh I want that guy!!”.
It will not surprise you that my draft crushes are pretty much always tight ends, what can I say folks, I like to live up to the nicknames I have been given.
However, the Patriots have significant needs, and the two that most of Patriots Nation agree with are offensive tackle and cornerback.
The only thing is… free agency happens before the draft, and there appear to be a few rather decent names suddenly potentially available. Does that mean that with the number one pick in the 2023 NFL draft the Patriots may not need to take a tackle?
Whilst there is a potential for that, and I am so looking forward to bringing you a bit of free agency fun soon, lack of depth at that position really hindered the Patriots in 2022, and so, even if it isn’t number 14, I am pretty darn certain we will be hearing “and the Patriots pick *insert name and collage* offensive tackle”.
But to that end, I thought I’d give you a sneaky peak at the names of some of the top offensive tackle draft prospects, and how they faired at the combine, should you so fancy.
First off is the one who seems to have plenty of controversy around him, because of… an inch. Yes folks, Peter Skoronski has 32 1/4 inch arms which is, reportedly, short for a tackle. However, he is an exceptional player who lined up as a left tackle for three years at Northwestern. Rashawn Slater, who plays left tackle for the LA Chargers, has been proving this size “requirement” wrong for a season. And with the wealth of experience Skoronski has, it does feel a little crazy to miss on a proven quality player because of, about this ___________ much.
For the sake of stats, I can advise the NFL has Skoronski running a 5.16 seconds 40 yard dash, bench press of 30 reps, a 34.5 inch vertical jump and a 7.8 second three cone drill. And from the notebook of one Clare “Clazzy Clare” Cooper, I can confirm: nice strong base, big guy, nice footwork on the fold block, versatile, NICE.
The next two prospects are both much larger athletes, but are a lot lighter on experience than Skoronski.
Paris Johnson Jr of Ohio State comes in at 2 inches taller and with arms almost 4 inches longer, but with only one year experience at left tackle. Johnson didn’t undertake many of the drills at the combine, bench pressing 29 reps is pretty much all that I can report.
Broderick Jones from Georgia drops size wise in between Skoronski and Johnson with 34 3/4 inch arms. His NFL combine results were a 4.97 seconds 40 yard dash (!) and a 30 inch vertical jump. The “Clazzy Clare” note book can confirm: Wave drill: wide base, legs wide – athletic – nice!, good feet, good athleticism. And my personal favourite: DISPATCHED the coach wearing the pad in the screen drill, threw that guy outta the club!
So there you have it you lovely lot, a sneaky glance at the combine! Keep your eyes on us for more content, and also listen out for a special episode of A Clare Perspective, a Patriots podcast that delves into a few behind-the-scenes bits of the NFL combine, coming soon!
As the Patriots 2022 season comes to a close, it is difficult not to reflect on what might have been. The craziness of the game in Las Vegas, the almost win against the Bengals, those poor officiating calls that pulled the legs out from under the Patriots, I could go on, but I won’t.
What you lovely lot are here for today, is the game recap against the Bills in Buffalo, and so that is what I shall bring you, and with it, hopefully a little hope!
Or at the very least, a smidge of positivity!
It may have been his last game as a Patriot, (wow, it’s really dusty in here today…) but Devin McCourty proved, even if he is a little older and a little slower, he still knows how to read a field with his end of the first quarter knock away in the end zone, preventing the Bills from a touchdown. Oh, then there’s the end of the second quarter interception, and that early third quarter fumble recovery!
Names I continue to use in these recaps are the likes of Matthew Judon, Joshua Uche and today I add to that Jahlani Tavai, with some great tackles and his great read to tip the ball at the two minute mark of the first quarter.
Whilst the defense has been the strength of this team this season, a sentence I’m glad I don’t have to pay for as I am sure I have used it a-plenty, this game had the offense show up a lot more than we have witnessed in many weeks. Unfortunately, it was the special teams department that was the weakness this Sunday, allowing the Bills to return two kickoffs for touchdowns.
However, I am attempting to stick with the positive on this ‘Monday after the day before’.
We saw Jakobi Meyers make another great air catch with beautiful control mid first quarter, not to mention a touchdown!
DeVante Parker had a great game with two receiving touchdowns, and we saw Kendrick Bourne in some glorious play action down the middle, mid second quarter, for a first down.
Hunter Henry was being utilised way too much for blocking and you know, when they use that guy properly they win games! He did, however, notch up 6 receptions for 7 targets.
Okay, as we go into the off season we know the Patriots have a lot to sort out, especially the tackle and punter positions, but Patriots Nation are on tenterhooks with all that is going on at coaching. This season has been strange in many ways, but none more than with the lack of quality and depth at coaching.
Around we go again with the coaching carousel, free agency, and the draft! So much potential!
And so, that is it for the 2022 season ‘Clazzy Clare Pats Propaganda game recaps’ you lovely lot. It may be the offseason but Tom and I aren’t going anywhere, so keep your eyes on patspropaganda.com and we shall see you all soon!
Go Pats!
Whilst the NFL world is sending prayers for Damar Hamlin and his family, I fully appreciate that a Patriots game recap is not on everyone’s mind, and I debated even writing this one. However, Damar Hamlin is a football player and so in tribute to him and with hopes of his speedy recovery, I write this.
With week 17 in the bag, the Patriots are apparently controllers of their own destiny, although it can depend upon a multitude of scenarios so, are they?
Technically yes, because as we like to say “you can only play who is on your schedule” and the Patriots are where they are because they won some games and lost others.
And to many peoples surprise, not mine, they won against the Dolphins. Now, there may be murmurings of it was third string quarterback, but that doesn’t really show fair for the rest of the Dolphins team which has been rather good, in particular the first half of the season under a new Head Coach. I mean, they do have one of the top wide receiver duos in the league too.
It’s safe to say that the Patriots defense has been the strength of the team for this season even when they haven’t played at their best, and it would be easy for me to gloss over the shortcomings of the offense, although I have tried really hard this season to say it like it is, just with a more positive tone to it.
Following the Bears game, Mac Jones has only thrown two interceptions and five wins under his belt, but it is difficult to celebrate these positives when he seemed much further along in his career, this time last year.
We all know the coaching and offensive line, and the coaching of the offensive line, are big issues. They have been discussed ad nauseam, so let me run you through a few delights of the game against Miami to warm your cockles this dark and damp Tue-onday (also known as a Tuesday that feels like a Monday).
I could also name this “things to celebrate on the Patriots team!”
We finally saw a bit of Hunter Henry action, and whilst some of us have been desiring this more than others, it was a welcome show of 5 receptions for 52 yards. The peak might have been the ‘on side kick recovery and secure’ that helped the game conclude in a win. I pose a question to you though… why is it that we really only see success with Hunter Henry when Jonnu Smith isn’t on the field? This is a conspiracy theory for 2023, methinks.
The secondary was depleted almost to the point of insanity as newbie to the roster Tae Hayes (number 39) played 24 snaps, but they still managed great containment of Jaylen Waddle. Tyreek Hill was a little more challenging especially as Myles Bryant had plenty of responsibility to cover him, and also played 100% of he defensive snaps.
If the defense without the dynamic duo of Marcus Jones, Jack Jones, and the solid player of Jalen Mills can succeed against two of the great wide receivers in the NFL at then moment, then it can’t be all bad, right?
As usual, the names of those that make the good list are:
Rhamondre Stevenson, particularly with his great cut-cut-cut and run early in the second quarter.
Damien Harris returned from injury looking strong, and Michael Onwenu made sure his teammate had a bit of extra assistance with a great block to almost close out the second quarter.
Jakobi Meyers continues to be my number one Patriots wide receiver with a great air catch, or it could be called a flying touchdown. Depends how you feel, but either way it was fabulous. Unfortunately, he left the game not long after with a possible chest injury and as I write this I have no further updates on that.
And that’s what sparkled on the offense, as aforementioned the defense is the strength! Christian Barmore, Josh Uche, Deatrich Wise and Matthew Judon… the stuff of nightmares! And then, the mighty King Doug, Kyle Dugger, had an interception for a touchdown!
Devin McCourty almost closed out his 2022 season as a New England Patriot at home with an interception.. almost!
So that concludes week 17 for the Patriots! Tune in next time you lovely lot, and go Pats!
Victory Monday! (via Raiders vs. Patriots: Week 3)
