That’s a good question, and everyone certainly loves it when old players/coaches return. I think the problem is that it would put a shadow over Matt Patricia, and perhaps retard his development. Now there surely an argument to be made that he needs a shadow over him given the Pats defensive performances of the last three seasons, but it’s my belief that Belichick will want to give Patricia room to grow, without feeling like he’s suddenly been knocked down a peg. Maybe it could work, but I think if it was going to happen it would’ve already.
It Is What It Is » 10 most intriguing veterans on Patriots roster
It Is What It Is » 10 most intriguing veterans on Patriots roster
Good stuff as always from Chris Price, I’m especially intrigued by Jake Bequette. Price writes:
Bequette, a third-round pick of the Patriots last spring, fundamentally took a redshirt year last season as he grew accustomed to life in the NFL. (He played in three games and didn’t register any numbers.) Meanwhile, he was passed on the depth chart by fellow rookie Justin Francis, who flashed positively down the stretch and figures to be one of the first defensive ends off the bench in 2013 if given the opportunity. The 6-foot-4, 265-pound Bequette, known primarily as a pass-rusher at Arkansas (he had 23.5 sacks as a collegian, including 10 as a senior in 2011), was strong enough in practice that he was named a Practice Player of the Week in late October. However, he needs to assert himself now if he wants to become part of the mix in 2013.
Had plenty of debate about Bequette over on my latest Bleacher Report 53-man roster article, where I left him off. Hard to believe he was a third round pick, and I guess my problem is that we didn’t see much versatility out of him last year. Can he play the LDE spot Ninkovich holds? Is he a linebacker? Or is he just a hand-down designated pass rusher? If he’s just a DPR he needs to really flash an array of pass rush moves this preseason, along with an elite burst, otherwise it’s bye bye.
New England Patriots: An In-Depth Look at New Patriots WR Aaron Dobson | James Dimaio
New England Patriots: An In-Depth Look at New Patriots WR Aaron Dobson | James Dimaio
Nice closer look at Dobson…
Draft review: New England Patriots | ProFootballTalk
Draft review: New England Patriots | ProFootballTalk
There’s a lot of room for growth in this draft class and if enough of them hit, the Patriots’ remarkable run under Brady and Bill Belichick will be well positioned to keep running through a second decade.
Part of the respect that I have for Bill Belichick is his ability to stay ahead of the curve – or ahead of evolution. He’s setting the pace, not adapting to it. The Patriots were one of, if not THE, first to drop the fullback position, go with primarily two tight ends, use one as an h-back and “Joker” type of player, and now he’s figured out a way to establish a power run game out of three wide receiver sets with Ridley, Bolden, and Vereen. So while the Jets are still trying to figure out how to defend two tight ends at once, Belichick has already moved on to figuring out a way to attack them in a different way.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/part-of-the-respect-that-i-have-for-bill-belichick/
I’ll be honest, the years we tried to go in there and fire zone and play Tom Brady in that way, he was able to pick us apart. In that, you’re not overloading the offense – one-on-one rushes, only rushing five, so he’s able to find places to go,” Clark answered. “Two years ago we played them and dominated them, because we went man-to-man and had a big corner in Cortez Allen on Gronkowski, and made it hard for Tom Brady to get the ball off, in timing, and made him to have to make plays. It was hard for him.
Steelers’ Clark on Brady seeing ghosts – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston
Interesting read, and really everything that Ryan Clark lays out is why I believe the Pats were ready to evolve from the Welker-based offense. Will Amendola play the slot receiver role that Welker did? Sure. But what the Pats are now trying to do is develop outside threats in Dobson and Boyce.
So if the Steelers want to keep playing man-to-man like they did in 2011 they might be in a for a little surprise when they’re getting beat off the line and Brady’s chucking it deep instead of just sitting on Welker and waiting for him to get open.
And yeah Ryan, you dominated us in 2011… and won by 8 points.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/ill-be-honest-the-years-we-tried-to-go-in-there/
