PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

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If there is one area on the Patriots’ roster that would be cause for concern for the personnel and coaching staff, it’s hard to think anything would top defensive tackle behind Vince Wilfork and Tommy Kelly. It has looked like a pretty big drop-off after the top two and that’s why I wouldn’t be surprised if the club signs/claims a big veteran defensive tackle as teams around the NFL trim rosters later this month. Those types of players, as Bill Belichick has noted in the past, can be some of the toughest to find. This is where we’re reminded of how the Patriots were planning on first-year player Armond Armstead being a big part of the mix before he landed on the non-football illness list after undergoing surgery for an infection.

Quick-hit thoughts around NFL & Pats – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

Sorry to be sharing the one place for concern from an article full of good stuff, but this is what I’ve been thinking a lot about…

https://www.patspropaganda.com/if-there-is-one-area-on-the-patriots-roster-that/

Notes on Pats-Bucs

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Had a chance to take another look at the game, a lot of positive stuff to get excited about. Still a lot of questions loom, and while some of the young players have really stepped up, others in “make-or-break” years have not.

Here’s some general observations, and thoughts on the team right now.

– Didn’t see a lot out of Marcus Benard last night, but he’s been pretty consistent so I think we could see him bounce back big against the Lions. But his ineffectiveness, along with Jake Bequette’s invisibility and Michael Buchanan’s rawness, leaves some major questions still to be answered about this defensive end squad. Jermaine Cunningham might make the club from the tub.

– Due to all that uncertainty at DE it might be best to get the fourth contract negotiation going with Ninkovich.

– It’d be nice to see Ras-I this week, and that’s all I’ve got to say about that.

– Little let down watching Duron Harmon, and still not in love with Steve Gregory. Also not convinced Adrian Wilson has any deep coverage left in him. Safety door next to McCourty still seems wide open.

– I can safely say that I feel like an idiot now for questioning a Chandler Jones sophomore slump. He’s been nearly unblockable thus far, and looks like he could be our defensive MVP if he keeps it up.

– TFB is good at football.

– Same old same old with Mallett. Good throw here. Off throw there. No question he has the arm, but in my eyes I’ve see little to no progression in him from the preseason games I’ve seen him in.

– I was also dumb to be unsure on Vereen. He looks explosive and like he’ll be a versatile threat who will give defenses problems.

–Still really like Brandon Bolden and think there’s room for five running backs on the roster.

– The Rutgers rooks are all getting a lot of preseason experience. Along with Dobson, it’s the best thing for them. Really all of this year’s picks have flashed at one point or another, now it’s just a matter of getting them up to NFL speed. 

– Kenbrell Thompkins is why the whole draft process is really just a shot in the dark.

– Why do I fear for Edelman’s life every time he has the ball in his hands?

– Tommy Kelly. I think I’m in love.

– Armond Armstead has been seen around games and practices recently. If he doesn’t practice this week it’s probably a good bet he’s staying on the PUP list.

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Facing a second-and-6 on their opening drive, the Bucs handed the ball off to Peyton Hillis for an off-tackle run to the left side of his line. The Patriots were in a 3-4 alignment with Marcus Forston at the nose tackle spot, head-up on the center. At the snap, Forston was jarred back and failed to anchor in his base, got washed back and then laterally down the line. Forston has showed up as an interior rusher during one-on-one drills (and he had a nice tackle for loss last night, too), but in order to cement his status as the third defensive tackle, he needs to consistently hold up in the running game. That means being able to anchor at the line of scrimmage and give his linebackers room to run and hit behind him.

Picked-up pieces after second-half review – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

https://www.patspropaganda.com/facing-a-second-and-6-on-their-opening-drive-the/

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Jones wasn’t the only member of the defensive line to stand out. Despite not putting much on the stat sheet, newcomer Tommy Kelly also had a solid performance and deserves partial credit for linebacker Brandon Spikes’ first-quarter sack. Upon the snap, Kelly quickly turned to his right and consumed the right guard, which opened up a gap and provided Spikes a clear path to the backfield. After hitting the hole, Spikes blew over running back Doug Martin, who was out of position due to a poorly executed fake handoff, and took down Freeman.

Okay, I can admit Tommy Kelly is really getting me excited. He seems like he could be just the partner inside Vince Wilfork has been missing the last three seasons.
New England Patriots vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers review: Chandler Jones appears unstoppable in win | masslive.com

https://www.patspropaganda.com/jones-wasnt-the-only-member-of-the-defensive-line/

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We said this last week, and we’ll reiterate it today: would love to see more of running back Brandon Bolden. He was on the field during the opening drive of Friday’s game and got some carries later in the game as well. He’s typically productive with each touch he receives, showing good bounce to get to the edge, speed and vision. In our estimation, he’s just behind Stevan Ridley as the team’s most natural runner. Perhaps we’ll see more of Bolden as the preseason continues.

I’m with Yates on Bolden, maybe he’s nursing an injury a bit and they’re trying to protect him a bit before throwing him to the wolves.

Picked-up pieces after second-half review – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

https://www.patspropaganda.com/we-said-this-last-week-and-well-reiterate-it/

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There’s no place I’d want to be, this is the only place I’ll ever want to play. For the only owner I’ll ever want to play for, for the only coach I’ll ever want to play for. We’ve had something special going, and I want to do everything I can to continue making it special.

Tom Brady of New England Patriots says ‘hardest loss’ of career was to New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII – ESPN Boston

https://www.patspropaganda.com/theres-no-place-id-want-to-be-this-is-the-only/