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Curran: Pats/Chargers Talking VJax for Mankins

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Curran: Pats/Chargers Talking VJax for Mankins

File this in the “take it with a grain of salt” file considering Tom E’s usually hit or miss, but a Mankins for Vincent Jackson trade has to make sense for both clubs at this point. The problem is that the Chargers brass aren’t big fans of the Patriots. Just a couple years ago their entire personnel philosophy was based on beating the Pats so I’m sure they’re not exactly jumping up and down about giving a beast of a wide receiver in his prime to the Pats. Mankins would certainly make it a little easier. 

ProFootball Focus: Pats vs. Phins Stats

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ProFootball Focus: Pats vs. Phins Stats

Here are the Pats parts:

It wasn’t  just two very sweet interceptions that impressed us about OLB Rob Ninkovich (+4.0). He had an excellent day rushing the passer: On only 13 attempts he registered a sack, hit and quarterback pressure. With the Patriots trying to find the answer at outside linebacker, Ninkovich staked his claim on the back of his all-around play while those around him failed to distinguish themselves.

It was a very disappointing end to an impressive Patriots career for WR Randy Moss (-2.1). He looked off the pace and sluggish against a lively Vontae Davis, who followed him around all day, and it was interesting that Moss was taken off the field in multiple-receiver sets on third down. He was thrown at just once on a fake-spike play and dropped a tough but makeable catch.

In better news for the Patriots, they got some excellent inside push on the right side of their line. While RT Sebastian Vollmer (-1.0) had some struggles in the run game, the combination of Stephen Neal (+2.2) and Dan Koppen (+3.4) opened up some big holes for the Patriots running backs to get through on numerous occasions. It’s not quite the line it was in 2009, but it’s staring to find its feet.

Rookie report

For New England, Jermaine Cunningham picked up two quarterback pressures on 29 pass rushes. … Fellow linebacker Brandon Spikes had a quiet day with just one tackle. … Devin McCourty (+1.8) displayed first-round talent in breaking up a ball and allowing just 8 yards on three throws his way. …  DE Brandon Deaderick (+2.2) made a serious case for more playing time and looked immovable at the end spot. … Rookie tight ends Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski had decent days for different reasons. Gronkowski continues to impress with his run blocking, while Hernandez caught five of five balls thrown his way. … Punter Zoltan Mesko (+0.5) was solid with his punting and did well to catch a very high snap when holding.

VIDEO: NFLN Playbook – Patriots Offense Will Be Fine

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VIDEO: NFLN Playbook – Patriots Offense Will Be Fine

For everyone out there ready to throw the towel in on the 2010 Patriots I present a clip from one of the only NFL shows worth watching, Playbook. Some are saying the trade of Moss means Belichick has given up on this years Patriots but I believe just the opposite.

As Mike Reiss wrote yesterday, this move was more of a preemptive strike before Moss started to taint the locker room with his preoccupation with getting a new contract. As Playbook points out Moss was an effective downfield threat, one that had to be respected, however he was limited in this Patriots offense.

The Patriots love shorts passes and bubble screens, and have evolved back to a ball control offense. This is in large part due to the new tight end corps. No doubt teams will defend the Pats O differently now, but the Pats will have more options on the table and more unpredictability.