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Hard to see a scenario where Aqib Talib sticks around – WEEI | Christopher Price

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Hard to see a scenario where Aqib Talib sticks around – WEEI | Christopher Price

After Welker, Talib will be the second major piece of free agency.

Regardless of the long-term ramifications of the injury, Talib certainly has bargaining power, particularly when it comes to the Patriots. He was able to shore up a sagging secondary, and provide a competitive presence at corner, one New England has been lacking for the better part of the last couple of years. Talib just wrapped up the final year of a five-year, $14 million contract he signed as a rookie, and traditionally, players consider themselves lucky to sign three deals over the course of their careers: Their rookie contract, where they make their name; their second one, where they make their money; and third; where they make their legacy. And with the list of available free-agent corners, frankly, this is as good a time as any for Talib to cash in.

It Is What It Is » Four forgotten players who could have a sizable role in 2013 for Patriots

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It Is What It Is » Four forgotten players who could have a sizable role in 2013 for Patriots

All four of the guys mentioned could have a big impact next year. Fletcher could really help out in coverage, while Demps could bring some explosiveness to the kick return game again. We’ll all be holding our breath for Ras-I to stay healthy again as well.

But perhaps most impactful, especially against physical teams like the Ravens and 49ers that the Pats couldn’t beat this year is:

Tight end Jake Ballard: Hey, another tight end. Why not? The 25-year-old Ballard, who suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in Super Bowl XLVI against the Patriots while playing for New York, was acquired this past summer by the Patriots (he was signed off waivers from the Giants, much to the consternation of New York coach Tom Coughlin). Undrafted out of Ohio State in 2010, he turned himself into a effective downfield threat in 2011 with the Giants (38 receptions for 604 yards and four touchdowns), and could provide the same sort of presence in 2013 with the Patriots. The 6-foot-6, 275-pound Ballard compares with Rob Gronkowski in his bulk and his overall playing style, and the idea of deploying a three-tight end set with Ballard, Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez would be an intriguing matchup problem for opposing defensive coordinators. Figures to weigh heavily in the Patriots’ plans for 2013.

2013 NFL playoffs — New England Patriots show common threads in playoff losses – ESPN Boston

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2013 NFL playoffs — New England Patriots show common threads in playoff losses – ESPN Boston

Common threads, anyone? The three that stand out are not meeting the physical match, poor clutch play and a defense that might keep the game close, but doesn’t deliver the plays to win it. When it comes to physicality, it showed up most Sunday inside the red zone, where the Patriots scored one touchdown in four trips and the Ravens scored four touchdowns in four trips, which Belichick cited as a key to the game. When the space gets tight, it makes sense that the more powerful team often wins. And the Bernard Pollard hit that knocked out running back Stevan Ridley, dislodging the ball from his grasp, highlighted which team was playing with more force.

Have Gronk, Will Travel: Patriots to play four playoff teams on road in 2013, including Ravens

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Have Gronk, Will Travel: Patriots to play four playoff teams on road in 2013, including Ravens

We won’t know the schedule until mid-April, but the Patriots opponents are already set, and wow it’s a tough slate.

The Broncos are the only playoff team that they will host, but they’ll have to face four other playoffs teams on the road. This includes a trip to Baltimore.

Playing in Atlanta is never easy and the Texans will be excited to get a shot at the Pats in Houston. Then there’s the always tough Mike Zimmer defense in Cincinnati.

Not an easy road, and that doesn’t even include the divison.

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Scary… but I guess they say low man wins for a reason. Really looks like it was Ridley who delivered the hit. Pollard takes it on the side.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/scary-but-i-guess-they-say-low-man-wins-for-a/

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Not bad if you don’t count when the Pats D went into “invisible mode” from the late third quarter into the early fourth when they gave up three straight touchdown drives.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/not-bad-if-you-dont-count-when-the-pats-d-went/