An Independent Patriots Blog
The Patriots are now just one player away from having their entire rookie class under contract before the end of the offseason program. Second-round receiver Aaron Dobson is the lone holdout, and his contract is likely to be completed soon.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-patriots-are-now-just-one-player-away-from/
What Happens in Vegas (Ends up on CNN)
I also saw the famous dance that landed him in the headlines. I saw the bar-tab and the parties. And, we all watched the round-the-clock coverage of his short vacation. We were incredulous at the negative press. And, the inaccuracies. He kicked a friend. He kicked a stranger. He re-injured his arm. He was out partying and drinking all night. In fact, he was with his brothers and playfully flipped one brother to the ground. He was not wasted and he did not injure his arm. It may be a minor point but who doesn’t wrestle with their brothers? Also, minor misstatements from the press are rarely insignificant. The story doesn’t quite sell as well if it is framed as ordinary horsing around.
Here is what he will never tell you. He spent four hours each day in the gym carefully working out after a long rehabilitation. Four hours. I cannot think of a single thing that I can do for four hours. This guy cares about his body. He cares about his team and his career. And the fans. Trust me, I am sure he would have preferred to sleep in but his work ethic and his commitment to his fans wouldn’t abide such reasonable behavior.
Alexander and Slater tied for the league lead with 16 Return Stops last year, and in a surprising example of the Pro Bowl getting something completely right, the two players were chosen as the Pro-Bowl special-teamers for the NFC and AFC. Slater was particularly impressive with a Return Stop on all 16 of his tackles.
FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Special Teams Tackles 2012
Matthew Slater getting some love. When everyone talks about the Patriots draft history, rarely do you hear about Slater, a player without a true college position that the Pats took in the fifth round of the 2008 draft.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/alexander-and-slater-tied-for-the-league-lead-with/
Inside linebacker Brandon Spikes was the only player not in attendance last week when the Patriots hit the field for the first week of voluntary Organized Team Activities, otherwise known as “practices in shorts.” And that’s not going to change this week.
But when attendance is mandatory, Spikes will be in Foxborough with his teammates.
Anyone else get the feeling that Spikes might be dredless when we see him next week? Trying to figure out what “transformation” means…
https://www.patspropaganda.com/inside-linebacker-brandon-spikes-was-the-only/
It Is What It Is » Deconstructing Patriots roster by age
• As it stands right now, the average age of the 90-man roster is at 25.3 years old. The oldest average age group is at quarterback, where the three signal-callers average 28 years old (that group includes the oldest player on the roster in Tom Brady). In addition, the linebackers and offensive line have an average age of 26. Meanwhile, the specialists, receivers, offensive line, defensive line, tight ends and defensive backs all average 25 years old. The youngest average position is at running back, where the group averages 24 years old.
