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Draft Prospects: Tight End

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This year the wide receiver depth seems a lot less than the previous few years. Just a couple of guys projected to go in the first round, however, as you are probably aware the one skill position that seems to have depth, the best in a decade in fact, is the tight end one. It really is a serious, athletic filled, draft class this year. 

You lovely lot didn’t actually think there was going to be a draft with so many tight ends, and I wasn’t going to cover it?!? Don’t worry, I’m just going to give you a little taste of what there is because I know you aren’t all quite as enthusiastic as I am. But there are some (maybe!) later round tight ends that the Patriots might target to fill the cupboard for the future.

Generally, first round tight ends haven’t worked out quite to the expected level. The most recent one is Kyle Pitts, selected fourth overall in the 2021 NFL draft. Now, I fully appreciate he has talent and athletic ability but he didn’t catch my eye for some reason and he hasn’t quite performed to what was expected from those that championed him.

Thus, many Patriots fans are rather against that first round selection for a tight end, and that’s fully understandable. Even I, a tight end enthusiast, is swaying towards a later round kinda guy. For me the top need is tackle, tackle, tackle, oh and a large cornerback too! Besides, how can I judge when I am tainted with superstition to not take a wide receiver in the first round, following a certain 2019 first round draft selection, even if it was the 32nd pick. 

Anyways, moving along!

Michael Mayer of Notre Dame is my draft crush but deep down I know he won’t be a Patriot. Dalton Kincaid and even Darnell Washington may be a little “too rich”, but with such a cacophony of athleticism, later round selections could still have some serious promise in a position that really is a difficult one to play in this sport today.  

With players draft stocks moving up and down, particularly following the combine and pro days and also the team visits, it is becoming increasingly tricky to assess the round in which a guy may go. But, to that end I have selected a few names that may be possibly a little more realistic for the Patriots. 

Sam LaPorta is a solid framed, 6’ 3.5” versatile pass catcher with a powerful looking lower body out of Iowa. 

Luke Schoonmaker, is a name I am hearing more and more, which worries me as he may become too much in demand for the Patriots! From Michigan, a tall, lean built, inline Y tight end with the room to add weight, Schoonmaker is good in the run game and whilst not necessarily dynamic, he shouldn’t be overlooked as playmaker.

Tucker Kraft of South Dakota State may not be unfamiliar to you either. The surname is a big one in New England, and this 6’ 5” combination tight end has good body skills and acceleration. Clocking up a 7.08 second three cone drill, this big guy is smooth. 

Brendon Strange, Penn State’s own, is perhaps more of a developmental player than those mentioned above. A great blocker on the outside, good hands and his sledge work at the combine warranted a nice job in the Clazzy Clare tightendage notebook! Plenty of strengths when it comes to blocking and the run game, Strange has a few problems with drops, his pass catching and route running need sharpening up. A solid 6’ 4” good tight end that would benefit from a year of developmental time behind say two starter veteran tight ends?

Whichever type of tight end takes your fancy, this draft class is almost dripping with them, I just hope the Patriots pick one!

Tight Endage!! Unisex T-Shirt

The Combine Cometh!

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from the notebook of Clare “Clazzy Clare” Cooper

Firstly, I just want to give a big thank you to everyone who reads my work and supports Pats Propaganda. I have been writing for this fabulous site for over two years now, two years on Tuesday 7th March, and I am so blessed to be able to do so. So, a huge thank you to YOU who is reading this, as well as my awesome colleague (and buddy) Tom Shaw-Mellors, and the founder and chief Mike Dussault. I appreciate you all!

And so, another combine has wrapped up, pro days on the horizon, but many of us are still chewing over the tape, reading the statistics, and checking the interwebs for highlight reels in order to get our draft prospect fix. 

Now, I know many may say that the combine is just a media event and the teams have no real value to it, and whilst that may be somewhat true, there is still plenty to champion, especially as a fan for the event that is held near St Elmo’s with its fabulous shrimp cocktail (as I have been told, I am yet to sample personally). 

The interviews and medicals are something that I have heard have value for the teams, and this makes complete sense, and the interviews are what the sports media roll up to Indianapolis to indulge in. 

But, the 50 hours of “on field” coverage is what the fans get when they turn on their televisions, and whilst that’s a lot for a small brain like mine to contend with, it is great to be able to find the player classes that you are most interested in, and spend some time doing that eyeball testing. 

I fully appreciate that the combine is only a sample of what these players can do, but for someone who doesn’t watch much college football, and has never been shy in admitting that I don’t, mostly for access reasons, having the opportunity to see these players “in the flesh” is definitely of an advantage. 

You can make reasonable assessments from an individual’s performance, and you can also make those “gut feeling” choices that may come back and severely bite you in the behind when the guys absolutely sucks, but hey that’s half the fun… Right?

I am rarely shy in admitting my draft crush (I am shy generally, but not when it comes to that!) and if you are a regular reader or listener of my work, you will be able to confirm as such. To me, a draft crush is that “gut feeling” one, not necessarily the sensible one, or the one that fits your team the best, it’s the one that you’re just like “Oh I want that guy!!”. 

It will not surprise you that my draft crushes are pretty much always tight ends, what can I say folks, I like to live up to the nicknames I have been given. 

However, the Patriots have significant needs, and the two that most of Patriots Nation agree with are offensive tackle and cornerback. 

The only thing is… free agency happens before the draft, and there appear to be a few rather decent names suddenly potentially available. Does that mean that with the number one pick in the 2023 NFL draft the Patriots may not need to take a tackle? 

Whilst there is a potential for that, and I am so looking forward to bringing you a bit of free agency fun soon, lack of depth at that position really hindered the Patriots in 2022, and so, even if it isn’t number 14, I am pretty darn certain we will be hearing “and the Patriots pick *insert name and collage* offensive tackle”. 

But to that end, I thought I’d give you a sneaky peak at the names of some of the top offensive tackle draft prospects, and how they faired at the combine, should you so fancy.

First off is the one who seems to have plenty of controversy around him, because of… an inch. Yes folks, Peter Skoronski has 32 1/4 inch arms which is, reportedly, short for a tackle. However, he is an exceptional player who lined up as a left tackle for three years at Northwestern. Rashawn Slater, who plays left tackle for the LA Chargers, has been proving this size “requirement” wrong for a season. And with the wealth of experience Skoronski has, it does feel a little crazy to miss on a proven quality player because of, about this ___________ much. 

For the sake of stats, I can advise the NFL has Skoronski running a 5.16 seconds 40 yard dash, bench press of 30 reps, a 34.5 inch vertical jump and a 7.8 second three cone drill. And from the notebook of one Clare “Clazzy Clare” Cooper, I can confirm: nice strong base, big guy, nice footwork on the fold block, versatile, NICE.

The next two prospects are both much larger athletes, but are a lot lighter on experience than Skoronski. 

Paris Johnson Jr of Ohio State comes in at 2 inches taller and with arms almost 4 inches longer, but with only one year experience at left tackle. Johnson didn’t undertake many of the drills at the combine, bench pressing 29 reps is pretty much all that I can report. 

Broderick Jones from Georgia drops size wise in between Skoronski and Johnson with 34 3/4 inch arms. His NFL combine results were a 4.97 seconds 40 yard dash (!) and a 30 inch vertical jump. The “Clazzy Clare” note book can confirm: Wave drill: wide base, legs wide – athletic – nice!, good feet, good athleticism. And my personal favourite: DISPATCHED the coach wearing the pad in the screen drill, threw that guy outta the club!

So there you have it you lovely lot, a sneaky glance at the combine! Keep your eyes on us for more content, and also listen out for a special episode of A Clare Perspective, a Patriots podcast that delves into a few behind-the-scenes bits of the NFL combine, coming soon!

A five-step New England Patriots 2023 offseason plan

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 26: during the second half of a preseason game between the Las Vegas Raiders and New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium on August 26, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada (Photo by Chris Unger)

Even though the Pats didn’t manage to make it through to the playoffs this year, there are plenty of Super Bowl betting promotions to take your mind off of it until Belichick can get New England back to their winning ways. Coming off an 8-9 season, it’s a third-straight year around .500 with just one trip to the playoffs for New England. With a clearly defined power structure in the AFC becoming more and more defined during the playoffs, the Pats must figure out a way to first crack the bottom three playoff spots, which feature the Chargers, Dolphins and Ravens, before then tackling the next group, the AFC’s final four, Kansas City, Buffalo, Cincinnati and Jacksonville.

Here are five quick steps on how the Patriots should approach the offseason to re-emerge in the AFC.

  1. Revamp the attack: With reports that the team will begin meeting with offensive coordinator candidates this week, it seems the Patriots are already focused on taking the most important step, installing a better offensive approach from a coaching and schematic standpoint. Many signs point to Bill O’Brien as being the best candidate given his experience in New England and some familiarity with Mac Jones. Regardless if it’s O’Brien or someone else, the team needs someone like Josh McDaniels to get their offense humming at a high level.
  2. Reinforce Protection: With Isaiah Wynn due to hit free agency, the Patriots have at least one starting-level need at tackle and might even need two as Trent Brown enters the final year of his deal. The consistency from the tackle spots was spotty at best in 2022 and it’s a critical position of long-term stability. If the team can have confidence in their edge protectors the whole offense should benefit.
  3. Repeat weapons search: Jakobi Meyers and Nelson Agholor are free agents so the team will also have some turnover at receiver position, another spot where a key addition or two could help elevate the attack. Can Tyquan Thornton take another step forward and be a consistent threat? DeVante Parker had quite a few flashes late in the year and is a player to build around, as the team should be aggressive in the draft to continue stacking speedy talent.
  4. Real cover corner: Injuries hammered the Patriots cornerback depth this season, by the end they were on fumes, but that only highlights the need to restock the position as Jonathan Jones heads for free agency. The team has lacked a true number-one corner since Stephon Gilmore’s departure and the effects against the top receivers in the league have been obvious. Finding another number-one corner, whether in free agency or with a first-round pick seems like one of the most critical additions to the defense that needs to happen in the spring of 2023.
  5. New leadership: With the potential retirements of Matthew Slater and Devin McCourty, the team could have significant role to fill on the field on defense and special teams, as well as inside the locker room, where the duo has been critically important with their experience and leadership. Finding a new identity post Slater and McCourty figures to be a significant storyline this season as the team continues to find themselves further away from their last Super Bowl title. Free safety could be a sneaky big need, while the team already found a gem on special teams in Brenden Schooler.

The Patriots conclude the season with an emotional loss at Buffalo

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(Photo by Chris Unger)

As the Patriots 2022 season comes to a close, it is difficult not to reflect on what might have been. The craziness of the game in Las Vegas, the almost win against the Bengals, those poor officiating calls that pulled the legs out from under the Patriots, I could go on, but I won’t. 

What you lovely lot are here for today, is the game recap against the Bills in Buffalo, and so that is what I shall bring you, and with it, hopefully a little hope!

Or at the very least, a smidge of positivity!

It may have been his last game as a Patriot, (wow, it’s really dusty in here today…) but Devin McCourty proved, even if he is a little older and a little slower, he still knows how to read a field with his end of the first quarter knock away in the end zone, preventing the Bills from a touchdown. Oh, then there’s the end of the second quarter interception, and that early third quarter fumble recovery!

Names I continue to use in these recaps are the likes of Matthew Judon, Joshua Uche and today I add to that Jahlani Tavai, with some great tackles and his great read to tip the ball at the two minute mark of the first quarter. 

Whilst the defense has been the strength of this team this season, a sentence I’m glad I don’t have to pay for as I am sure I have used it a-plenty, this game had the offense show up a lot more than we have witnessed in many weeks. Unfortunately, it was the special teams department that was the weakness this Sunday, allowing the Bills to return two kickoffs for touchdowns.

However, I am attempting to stick with the positive on this ‘Monday after the day before’.

We saw Jakobi Meyers make another great air catch with beautiful control mid first quarter, not to mention a touchdown!

DeVante Parker had a great game with two receiving touchdowns, and we saw Kendrick Bourne in some glorious play action down the middle, mid second quarter, for a first down.

Hunter Henry was being utilised way too much for blocking and you know, when they use that guy properly they win games! He did, however, notch up 6 receptions for 7 targets. 

Okay, as we go into the off season we know the Patriots have a lot to sort out, especially the tackle and punter positions, but Patriots Nation are on tenterhooks with all that is going on at coaching. This season has been strange in many ways, but none more than with the lack of quality and depth at coaching. 

Around we go again with the coaching carousel, free agency, and the draft! So much potential! 

And so, that is it for the 2022 season ‘Clazzy Clare Pats Propaganda game recaps’ you lovely lot. It may be the offseason but Tom and I aren’t going anywhere, so keep your eyes on patspropaganda.com and we shall see you all soon!

Go Pats!

PatsProp Preview – Regular Season Finale In Buffalo

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Adam Glanzman/Getty Images

A brighter end to the week than how it began following one of the scariest moments in NFL history on Monday night. Thankfully, as this preview goes out, Damar Hamlin is awake and recovering well in a Cincinnati hospital following his cardiac arrest during the game.

With the best news possible on Hamlin’s condition now known, the Patriots 8-8 Patriots and the 12-3 Bills face off in Buffalo NY with the Pats needing a win to extend their season into the playoffs. Here’s your week 18 preview!

Injury Update

Patriots To Watch

Rhamondre Stevenson

The Pats will need their best players in the groove if they’re going to make it to the playoffs, which means Stevenson will need to put in a big shift in Buffalo. The Bills are ranked fourth in the NFL on average rush yards allowed per game with 104.4, meaning it won’t be an easy task to get the ground game moving.

Even with a couple of embarrassing moments late on in the season, Stevenson still has been the best player on offense, and here’s hoping he can finish big on Sunday.

Matt Judon

Judon has kept his quality of play up down the stretch this season, and he’s vital to the playoff hopes in this one. Allen for sure can be forced into mistakes, Judon should be the one forcing them.

He remains on 15.5 sacks, just 3 shy of the current Patriots season sack record of 18.5, held by HOF’er Andre Tippet. Judon will be wanting to get close to, or equal that number on Sunday, hopefully aiding a must-win for the team.

Mac Jones

Mac has been a lot more secure with the ball in the second half of this season as turnovers have come way down, but a negative downside is that the amount of touchdowns he’s thrown is shamefully low. The offensive has to have productive drives against Buffalo, otherwise, it’ll be over before halftime. Let’s go Mac!

Marcus Jones

Marcus Jones was a noticeable absence last week against Miami, weirdly on all three sides of the ball. The rookie has emerged as a swiss army knife this season and I’m excited to see what he can bring to the team on Sunday. Remember, it was against the Bills back in Week 13 that Jones scored his first career offensive touchdown. #25 is a must-watch.

Devin McCourty & Matthew Slater

This is likely the final game for these two future Patriot Hall Of Famers, not saying they’ll have a massive bearing on the game, but enjoy one final time seeing two Patriots legends.

Nick Folk

If the Pats come out of Buffalo with a win, it will have come down to the very fine margins, meaning that Nick Folk will have played a role in the victory. Folk has missed a bunch of kicks in recent weeks, he needs to be 100% on Sunday regardless of if it’s for 1 or 3 points.

Bills Blizzard

Josh Allen

Allen has shown his human side a few times this year, throwing quite a few picks when he’s not fully focused. With everything going on this week, we could see anything from Allen on Sunday, his best version, or, he could leave things open for the Patriots to earn a win. A must-watch.

Stefon Diggs

Unsurprisingly, like Allen, Diggs is a must-watch too, he’s having his second-best career season with 1325 receiving yards, and a joint career-high 10 touchdowns. The Pats have some secondary depth back with Marcus Jone returning, but, they’ll have their work cut out trying to stop the main Bills target who caught 9 passes for just shy of 100 yards and a touchdown back in Week 13 on TNF.

Ed Oliver

One of the reasons the Bills have been so good against the run this season is Ed Oliver, the former 9th overall pick in the 2019 draft has been a quality defensive line addition for them. With the Pats’ offensive front struggling to get consistency in either blocking game, the interior will need to be solid Sunday.

The Patriots bring a win home against the Fins to start 2023

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Photo credit Michael Dwyer

Whilst the NFL world is sending prayers for Damar Hamlin and his family, I fully appreciate that a Patriots game recap is not on everyone’s mind, and I debated even writing this one. However, Damar Hamlin is a football player and so in tribute to him and with hopes of his speedy recovery, I write this. 

With week 17 in the bag, the Patriots are apparently controllers of their own destiny, although it can depend upon a multitude of scenarios so, are they?

Technically yes, because as we like to say “you can only play who is on your schedule” and the Patriots are where they are because they won some games and lost others. 

And to many peoples surprise, not mine, they won against the Dolphins. Now, there may be murmurings of it was third string quarterback, but that doesn’t really show fair for the rest of the Dolphins team which has been rather good, in particular the first half of the season under a new Head Coach. I mean, they do have one of the top wide receiver duos in the league too. 

It’s safe to say that the Patriots defense has been the strength of the team for this season even when they haven’t played at their best, and it would be easy for me to gloss over the shortcomings of the offense, although I have tried really hard this season to say it like it is, just with a more positive tone to it. 

Following the Bears game, Mac Jones has only thrown two interceptions and five wins under his belt, but it is difficult to celebrate these positives when he seemed much further along in his career, this time last year. 

We all know the coaching and offensive line, and the coaching of the offensive line, are big issues. They have been discussed ad nauseam, so let me run you through a few delights of the game against Miami to warm your cockles this dark and damp Tue-onday (also known as a Tuesday that feels like a Monday).  

I could also name this “things to celebrate on the Patriots team!”

We finally saw a bit of Hunter Henry action, and whilst some of us have been desiring this more than others, it was a welcome show of 5 receptions for 52 yards. The peak might have been the ‘on side kick recovery and secure’ that helped the game conclude in a win. I pose a question to you though… why is it that we really only see success with Hunter Henry when Jonnu Smith isn’t on the field? This is a conspiracy theory for 2023, methinks. 

The secondary was depleted almost to the point of insanity as newbie to the roster Tae Hayes (number 39) played 24 snaps, but they still managed great containment of Jaylen Waddle. Tyreek Hill was a little more challenging especially as Myles Bryant had plenty of responsibility to cover him, and also played 100% of he defensive snaps. 

If the defense without the dynamic duo of Marcus Jones, Jack Jones, and the solid player of Jalen Mills can succeed against two of the great wide receivers in the NFL at then moment, then it can’t be all bad, right?

As usual, the names of those that make the good list are:

Rhamondre Stevenson, particularly with his great cut-cut-cut and run early in the second quarter. 

Damien Harris returned from injury looking strong, and Michael Onwenu made sure his teammate had a bit of extra assistance with a great block to almost close out the second quarter. 

Jakobi Meyers continues to be my number one Patriots wide receiver with a great air catch, or it could be called a flying touchdown. Depends how you feel, but either way it was fabulous. Unfortunately, he left the game not long after with a possible chest injury and as I write this I have no further updates on that. 

And that’s what sparkled on the offense, as aforementioned the defense is the strength! Christian Barmore, Josh Uche, Deatrich Wise and Matthew Judon… the stuff of nightmares! And then, the mighty King Doug, Kyle Dugger, had an interception for a touchdown!

Devin McCourty almost closed out his 2022 season as a New England Patriot at home with an interception.. almost!

So that concludes week 17 for the Patriots! Tune in next time you lovely lot, and go Pats!

PatsProp Preview – Miami Showdown

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Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Another heartbreaking loss last week condemned the Patriots to their fourth loss in the last five games. They currently sit 7-8 on the season and somehow still control their own fate for a wildcard playoff spot. To get there they must win their final two games, starting on Sunday against Miami, here’s your Week 17 preview!

Injuries

Patriots To Watch

Jon Jones

While he is questionable to play, expect Jon Jones to be out there on Sunday, and boy do the Pats need him. The secondary has been struggling with injuries over the last few weeks and rookie sparks Marcus and Jack Jones were both ruled out earlier.

With Miami enjoying the duel threat of Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill, Jones will be one to watch as he tries to contain one of them for his assignment.

Jalen Mills

Like Jon Jones, the Pats will be relying heavily on Mills, if he plays. The secondary has missed Mills whilst he’s been dealing with a groin problem in recent weeks. He doesn’t possess the type of speed Jones does, but if he’s able to play, he’ll be expected to cover one of the two deadly Miami speedsters.

Damien Harris

We haven’t seen Damien Harris play for the team since Thanksgiving, and with his contract up at the end of the season, this could be his final home game at a Patriot. Harris was officially off the injury report and will play on Sunday, perhaps splitting a larger share of the carries with Rhamondre, who’s been dealing with an ankle injury.

Harris will want to put some solid tape up in these last couple of games for any potential landing spots in free agency, he’s one to watch in the backfield.

Matthew Judon

Although I haven’t seen his name mentioned nationally for DPOTY, I think there is certainly an argument to be made that Judon should be in the conversation after a career-high season so far. Miami will be without their starting QB, Tua Tagovailoa this week as he deals with another concussion, the real key to victory will be if Judon & co can put some good pressure on Teddy B.

Judon is currently sitting on 15.5 sacks, just 3 shy of the current Patriots season sack record of 18.5, held by HOF’er Andre Tippet. Judon will be wanting to get close or equal that number on Sunday, hopefully aiding a must-win for the team.

Dolphin Danger

Tyreek Hill

You know what Hill brings, he’s been red hot in his first season in Miami, currently sat on 1,632 receiving yards, with 7 touchdowns.

Tua being out could potentially stall Hill’s production as they have had quite the partnership this year, but, Bridgewater could easily throw him a 5-yard pass and he’ll take it 70 yards for the touchdown. Shut. Down. Hill.

Jaylen Waddle

As if Hill wasn’t enough, Miami also have Jaylen Waddle at their disposal, who at times is equally as dangerous as his pass-catching counterpart. Waddle is currently sat on 1,260 receiving yards, with 8 touchdowns.

Christian Wilkins

The Pats have struggled in the redzone all year, they’ve tried to pound it in on the ground numerous times without success. Wilkins will add a major barrier in that plan should they try that again on Sunday, he’s been very good for Miami this year, leading the team in tackles for loss.