PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

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Aaron Schatz of Football Outsiders says that for the third-straight offseason, the Patriots’ biggest need is to address the cornerback position. Beyond finding a starter to play opposite Dennard, Schatz says the Patriots need a nickel cornerack to play in the slot. Given the team’s recent history of drafting cornerbacks, Schatz says it could be time to address the position via free agency.

Quick hits around the Web – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

I watched an interesting video about team building with BB today (see here) and he makes the point that you build your team from the middle out. The guys in the midde (OL/DL/LB/S/QB/RB) are they ones involved in EVERY play, whereas corners and receivers might only be involved in a handful of plays.

This is why I’m sticking to DT being the biggest need.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/aaron-schatz-of-football-outsiders-says-that-for/

On the Patriots, the Ravens, and the myth of late-season momentum – WEEI | Christopher Price

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On the Patriots, the Ravens, and the myth of late-season momentum – WEEI | Christopher Price

Echoing what Jerry Thornton had to say yesterday…

When it comes to the Patriots, since 2001, they lead the league when it comes to post-Thanksgiving football: in that stretch, they have an NFL-best record of 75-18 (including the playoffs) after Thanksgiving. In fact, the last three years, the Patriots have been a dominant second-half team. The 2010 team won its last eight games, but lost in the divisional round to the Jets. The 2011 team was equally as hot down the stretch, winning eight in a row, but they fell in the Super Bowl to the Giants. And the 2012 team won nine of its last 10 before winning in the divisional round and losing to the Ravens in the AFC title game. But since 2005, late-season dominance is rarely an indicator of postseason success.

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Happy Valentines Day!

We’ve been without internet here in the Ministry of PatsPropaganda but things are finally up and running!

https://www.patspropaganda.com/happy-valentines-day-weve-been-without-internet/

I’m surprised Dwight Freeney is not a name more associated with the Patriots in terms of potential FA target. He is proven veteran — for which Belichick must definitely have a lot of respect — that could be a great pass rush specialist for the Patriots defense.

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I’ve gotten a couple questions about Freeney and I just don’t see him fitting on the Pats. Freeney will be at his best playing a pure 4-3 end position in a 4-3 scheme that just allows him to go forward. He just doesn’t have the diversity to be an every down defensive end in the Patriots scheme, and though he’s a fantastic player (or was), Ninkovich and Chandler are embedded at those spots.

So maybe you consider him a designated pass rusher, but that’s the only role I’d really see for him at this point. Not out of the question, but it’s likely he’ll want too much money for that role. I expect he’ll sign with a team that runs the old 4-3 he was in with the Colts before Pagano shifted them to more 3-4 looks.c

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So what I’ve concluded is, there are no conclusions. I haven’t the first goddamned clue what they Patriots need to improve on in order to win and neither does anyone else. The critics and media know-it-alls look for something to blame… Belichick’s drafting, Brady’s not clutch any more, they need a big wideout, they need to stop the pass… but they’re just grasping at straws. The fact of the matter is that there is no formula for winning. And it doesn’t matter how good or bad your regular season was. Now more than ever, it’s all about just making the playoffs and hoping it all comes together like it did for flawed, average teams like Baltimore, the Giants and the rest. The Patriots as currently constituted have everything they need to win Lombardi 4. All they need to do is hold onto the ball in the playoffs and hope the other team doesn’t. It’s not the sexiest conclusion in the world, but the truth seldom is.

Jerry Thornton

This one was worth a double post.

» What the Hell Does it Take to Win a Super Bowl, Anyway? Barstool Sports: Boston

https://www.patspropaganda.com/so-what-ive-concluded-is-there-are-no/

What the Hell Does it Take to Win a Super Bowl, Anyway? Barstool Sports: Boston

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What the Hell Does it Take to Win a Super Bowl, Anyway? Barstool Sports: Boston

Awesome read from Jerry Thornton, finally nailing down something I’ve been trying to wrap my head around for a long time.

I see it this way, there are about 10 teams in the NFL that can win the Super Bowl. All of them have different strengths and weaknesses, but those really don’t matter. Just one of those teams will put together 3 or 4 great games in January and February. Games where they make all the impossible plays, get all the bounces and just play lights out football.

As Jerry lays out, there’s no real formula other than that. So for all the talk of the Patriots decline, needs, etc. it doesn’t really matter. They’ll be one of the ten teams in contention next year whether they go 14-2 or 10-6.

Really, that’s all you can ask for.