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The Patriots also must work on their first-down defense. They were last in the league, at 48.8 percent, in allowing first-down rushes to go for 4 or more yards (30th at 48 percent in 2011). And they were 31st in allowing all first downs to go for 4 or more yards 51.7 percent of the time (also 31st at 53.3 percent in 2011).
https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-patriots-also-must-work-on-their-first-down/
This is true, but I think you have to look at both sides of the ball separately. On offense they tried a lot at wide receiver last year and Lloyd wasn’t Moss circa 2007 but he was the closest thing to an X receiver they’ve had since Moss. Personally I think they just need to continue to add talent at receiver via both the draft and free agency. It’s easy to get caught up in the exact kind of receiver they need, but ultimately they just need an influx of talent, preferably young talent, in any form.
As for the defense I really think Chandler Jones filled one of their biggest missing needs of the last few years. But the problem that arose is that they couldn’t get enough performance from their sub-rushers both inside and outside.
I really don’t get overly concerned with the secondary. I like McCourty and Dennard, and they’ll need to fill in the holes around them, but the defense will always live or die with their front seven so I continue to see that as the priority.
And really these are needs that every team tries to address. There’s not a single team out there that doesn’t need more pass rush. Slowly but surely they’ve been building their defense and it’s light years ahead of where it was in 2009. I think we’re just about at the point where this can be a defense that can win a championship.
Just need to keep adding players who are smart and physical.
One of the areas where the Patriots improved dramatically was in third-down conversions, a very important category. Not only did they go from fifth in the league at 45.9 percent to first at 48.7 percent, they were better across the board relative to the rest of the league in every category: third-and-1 (12th to first), third-and-10-plus (18th to first), third-and-short (fifth to third), third-and-medium (seventh to first), and third-and-long (15th to fifth).
https://www.patspropaganda.com/one-of-the-areas-where-the-patriots-improved/
Absolutely. He fits the profile of the kind of receiver they’ve lacked, and brings return ability. Coaches also “rave about his football intelligence”. But yeah, assuming he’s long gone by the time it’s the Pats turn to pick.
For free agency you have the names that are popping up a lot: Danny Amendola and Brian Hartline, but I’ll throw a random idea out there, how about bringing back Brandon Tate? They still need to replace his kickoff return ability, and he had some speed for the outside and he has experience in the system. He was a victim of numbers a couple years ago, but he could be an option.
As for the draft I’m still getting acquainted with the WR class, and where they take one will depend on how the board falls. Personally I think the DLs and DBs will be where the value is when the Pats are up in round one, but I think there’s a great chance they trade back as always.
Pats have had their fun in the snow – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston
Great list, all fantastic memorable games.
Anyone got some offseason Pats Questions?
Send me your thoughts on the offseason plan… free agency, draft, scheme changes… what else do you have to do?
Two more days till the re-match!