PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Stop Worrying and Enjoy the End of Belichick/Brady

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It’s hard to remember a time when Tom Brady wasn’t the quarterback of the New England Patriots. The ride for any fan who suffered through the disappointments of the team’s first 40 years has been, in the words of FOPP’er Jerry Thornton, “From Darkness to Dynasty.”

It was, of course, great to see Brady back on the field on Tuesday. The snarky “he’s present” takes all over the place were obvious, but any time I see 12 on the field my heart flutters, and it was a nice reminder that the ride ain’t over yet.

Never before has a football fanbase enjoyed this kind of long-term success and it’s been fascinating to watch how opinions of the team, nationally and locally, have evolved, especially toward the be-hoodied coach and wonderboy quarterback who have been most successful at the start and end of their storied run.

From the patriotic darling underdogs of 2001 to the despised undefeated regular season 2007. The “dying dynasty” of 2008-2013, to legend-cementing wins in Super Bowls 49 and 51. What a long strange trip of football domination it’s been.

For 16 seasons it was in Bill and Tom We Trust, but after falling just short in Super Bowl 52, the cracks internally and externally are becoming the driving narratives behind this team. Personally, I have no doubt at this point Brady and Belichick have an understanding and will be able to join forces until the end like they’ve done for so long.

This is the end game Brady. He’s not the same “first in, last out” kid. He’s the GOAT and that’s enough to not have to be the “first in, last out” vet. Belichick knows that, and really there’s some good football sense to giving Brady some extra time to himself and his family. Keeping him fresh physically and mentally at this stage makes more sense than him being present for the teaching period of OTAs.

But expect the media to ride out any potential divisions until the very end.

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Patriots Tweets of Note from Minicamp Practice #1

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Mandatory minicamp started for the Patriots on Tuesday, finally giving us a glimpse of the full 2018 squad for the first time.  While the teaching period continues, there was was still plenty to digest from the live practice tweets.

Let’s dive into what stood out most to me!

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Pats Posits: Mini Camp Week

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Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski will be back on the practice field at Gillette Stadium this week as the Patriots host their three-day mandatory minicamp.

After choosing to spend their optional OTA days training on their own, the critical eyes will be closely monitoring the two Patriot stars for any signs of rust. Yes, as Tom Brady winds down his career on his own terms he’ll be increasingly under the microscope, especially as he crosses 41 this summer.

At least the “Where in the World is Tom Brady” storylines will be dead for this week. (Instead, we’ll get a Brady-missed-a-pass and Gronk-had-a-drop WHAT DOES IT MEAN!?!?!-athon)

My actual football thoughts in the Posits.

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Tweets of Note from Patriots 2nd OTA Week

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After a quiet week, unless you like playing Where in the World is Tom Brady, the Patriots were back in action for the media on Thursday. These brief glimpses in on the team only give us a taste of the excitement to come in less than two months at training camp.

Per the usual disclaimers, don’t get too worked up about anyone playing anywhere at this point. Sometimes it’s just a temporary look at how players fit surrounded by starters than it is necessarily them actually being considered as a starter. This is still a teaching phase.

Here are the tweets of note that keep us going through the May-Jun post-draft void.

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Tweets of Note from Patriots OTAs

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The media was allowed to peek behind the curtain today, sadly I was not there and thus must rely on their accounts of what went down. First, credit to Doug Kyed for figuring out the riddle behind the rookie numbers.

Always have to love when Belichick devises a new coaching scheme to remind players that it’s a new year and all that matters is what you do now.

Let’s jump into what went on at practice!

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20 Sans-Brady OTA Pats Posits

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The doldrums of the offseason will be a bit alleviated this week as the Patriots host (optional) off-season team activities. Tom Brady has followed through on his commitment to spend more time with his family this offseason and won’t report until the mandatory mini-camp next month.

Of course, there will be plenty of interesting things to pick up for those who are paying attention to the football part of the thing. But expect most of the chatter and debate to continue to revolve around Brady’s absence and what it all means.

Aside from Brady (and Gronk) not being in attendance, are 20 things that will be interesting to me:

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Matt Light Chosen For Patriots Hall of Fame

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh9lf3f5IY0

The Patriots announced today that Matt Light had been selected over Mike Vrabel and Richard Seymour to be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame. While I was a Mike Vrabel voter, Light getting in makes a ton of sense. Of the trio he was by far the fan favorite and when the fans are voting you had to know he had a good chance to get in this year.

Light was one of the hearts of the personality of the 2000-2011 Patriots teams. His tenure perfectly matched the Patriots first Super Bowl win, finishing with the loss in Super Bowl 46. In that time, the Patriots saw much turnover, but Light was a constant, setting the tone for the “bearded brothers” up front who protected the GOAT.

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