PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Patriots Offseason Article Recap

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Posts tend to fly by pretty quickly here on the site, and with the two-to-three columns per week that I write for B/R, it’s pretty easy for things to get missed.

So, as we draw closer and closer to training camp, here’s a collection of the best articles from the offseason, ones that really sum up my view of what the team needed to do in the offseason and what challenges await them in 2013. As well as a couple historical ones with in-depth looks at our two favorite blog topics: BB and TFB.

Why the Patriots must alter defensive scheme again in 2013

How the Patriots offense can reach new heights in 2013

A simple first-down fix for the Patriots defense

Continuity a key for Patriots defense

Three reasons Tom Brady is the greatest QB of all-time

Cutting off the Sleeves: The History of Bill Belichick and his Hoodie

Football First is the Real Patriot Way

Are you high or low on Tavon Wilson being an impact safety or starting caliber safety. And do you see Mark Harrison making the team or the PS.

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I actually really liked what Tavon Wilson did once he moved back to the Money spot near the end of the season. He had a couple big hits that I remember from the playoffs. He’ll need to continue on that path. 

Regardless of his competition with Adrian Wilson, I think Adrian will be a good mentor for Tavon. I’d still like to believe in a long-term Tavon-Devin back-end, with Duron Harmon at the Money spot. I think they’re a good complimentary combination, but Tavon will need to take some big strides this preseason and show he’s developing.

As for Mark Harrison, I’m extremely intrigued by him, and think of all the wide receivers in camp, he could be the biggest dark horse of them all. His yards per catch in college was higher than any other rookies. So if we’re looking for a field stretcher, he might just be the answer.

If Mallet isnt traded this season, will the Pats allow him to walk in free agency or will they tender him.

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Well, he is signed through next year (see contract details here), but I truly believe this preseason will go a long way toward determining Mallett’s future.

The hard part for him is that it’s likely Brady will take more preseason snaps than usual while trying to get used to his new receivers. So Mallett’s time could be limited.

Did we really see any great progression from him last preseason? Not really. Yup, he’s got a cannon for an arm, but it still seems like he’s struggling to develop some touch, and from the OTA reports it didn’t sound like he suddenly found it this offseason either.

It’s doubtful at this point the Pats are going to trade him any time before February 2014, and if they don’t trade him next offseason it will seriously reduce his potential value when he hits free agency in 2015. He wants to play well enough to motivate a team to trade for him, and then extend him like Chiefs did with Cassel. 

If he has another average preseason, where he’s rocketing balls off receivers hands and into the 200s section of Gillette, teams will be scared off. Including the Patriots, and he’ll spend 2014 backing up Brady again, hoping someone gives him a decent free agent contract.

Overall, I think they must start loading up on QBs who might possibly replace Brady next offseason. I’d even be fine with a high round draft pick, since any high 2014 pick will come with a four-year contract that mirrors Brady’s years.

From what I’ve seen out of Mallett so far I don’t think he’s the heir-apparent, but he’ll have a big spotlight on him this preseason.

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Among the players worth closely monitoring is running back Shane Vereen, a third-year pro who has natural talent as a receiver. Like Hernandez, he has the ability be used in various alignments around the formation, opening the door to the Patriots using him as a pre-snap motion player. He might leapfrog from the backfield to a flexed out alignment to a wide receiver alignment in three successive plays. He was successfully used as a split wide receiver on occasion in 2012, taking advantage of man coverage against linebackers (a Thanksgiving night performance against the Jets was the pinnacle of his season). The Patriots have long excelled at dictating matchups, something they can explore further with Vereen this season.

How New England Patriots change without Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez – NFL – ESPN (INSIDER)

Really hope Vereen stays healthy this season.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/among-the-players-worth-closely-monitoring-is/

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Been hard at work this week writing a mega training camp preview for B/R. Couple that with the lack of Patriots news and it will continue to be a slow week around the Prop. Just know it’s not because I don’t care….

https://www.patspropaganda.com/been-hard-at-work-this-week-writing-a-mega/