Yeah I definitely agree with this. Justin Hunter is one of the guys that has pinged my radar for sure, but after his combine performance he might not last until 59. Thinking more and more the Pats will trade out of 29 unless a player they love falls to them.
Just had a thought… Do you remember the Bears defense of the early 2000’s? It had two HUGE men inside on the line (Ted Washington, Keith Traylor), Some good solid Ends (Phillip Daniels, Brian Robinson), and three versatile LBs who can run (Rosey Colvin, Urlacher, Warrick Holdman). Does this style of defense seem creepily similar to the Pats of 2012? Also, the Bears went 13-3 that year AND lost in the divisional round 33-17… Not to say that the teams are THAT similar, but it got me thinking
Interesting. I don’t remember that defense, but it certainly sounds a lot like what the Pats are doing now. Perhaps the most interesting thing in the comparison is that you can see where the Pats’ weakness is. Urlacher is a former safety who can cover a lot of ground in the middle of the field. Contrast him to Spikes who is a pure inside linebacker who can stop the run and you get a sense of why teams have had so much success targeting the flat in the last two seasons.
I don’t think the Pats are locked into this schematically, it’s just as much a function of their personnel with their lack of tackle depth behind Wilfork, and bevy of defensive end types.
I’m not saying Spikes needs to be replaced but I certainly think he needs to be pushed by someone in the mold of Urlacher who is better in space. Maybe Dane Fletcher is the answer, maybe not. I’m keeping an eye on those kind of players in free agency and the draft.
Two words are enough for Tom Brady.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/nflfanpass-two-words-are-enough-for-tom-brady/
Patriots offseason primer: After Ravens loss, expect a frenzy – Patriots – Boston.com
Patriots offseason primer: After Ravens loss, expect a frenzy – Patriots – Boston.com
Great stuff throughout this one from Bedard, including:
Odds are against Brandon Lloyd’s $3 million option bonus being picked up. There is still a lot of internal debate about what to do considering the Patriots literally couldn’t line up tomorrow at receiver. Lloyd’s erratic behavior in the locker room and on the practice field proved tiresome, according to a league and team source. If they cut Lloyd, that would save the Patriots $4.9 million against the cap this season, though there will be $2 million in dead money that can be spread out over two years. The team was smart to build in protection with Lloyd.
If you combine the amount of time Belichick and the coaches analyzed the loss to the Ravens — and sources said they grinded away at it — and the $8 million freed up from quarterback Tom Brady’s contract extension, this could be a crazy offseason for the Patriots.
Patriots offseason primer: After Ravens loss, expect a frenzy – Patriots – Boston.com
Oh boy oh boy….
https://www.patspropaganda.com/if-you-combine-the-amount-of-time-belichick-and/
How AFC East Rivals Can Catch the New England Patriots
How AFC East Rivals Can Catch the New England Patriots
New column is up at B/R, looking at the Pats decade of dominance over the AFC East, and looking at two key spots I would build around if I were the Dolphins, Jets or Bills.
Wes Welker should be the next to get an extension and it could be done by the start of free agency. Wouldn’t be surprised if Brady made this a handshake part of his deal;
https://www.patspropaganda.com/wes-welker-should-be-the-next-to-get-an-extension/