PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

AFC East draft primer: Patriots – AFC East Blog – ESPN

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AFC East draft primer: Patriots – AFC East Blog – ESPN

The Patriots will be drafting toward the end of the first round, because they are a quality team heading to the playoffs. New England doesn’t have a lot of holes to fill, but pass defense is the biggest issue. Expect the Patriots to stock up on good safeties and cornerbacks. Talib and Chung are both free agents and may not return. Receiver depth also will be an issue. Welker is playing on a one-year franchise tag and the Patriots are not expected to pay Welker market value for his immense production. The emergence of Julian Edelman this season would ease that blow. But depth will be needed on the outside.

I don’t touch the draft or college football until after the Patriots season is over, but I disagree with this assessment that CBs and Safeties are the primary need.

As I see it right now the main position to target is defensive tackle and I’d be happy to take two of them, and I’d prefer at least one of them is a “get upfield” type.

I really don’t care who the secondary consists of. Any secondary can be managed if your front seven gets consistent pressure.

However my second area of need is directly related to the Patriots struggles covering the middle of the field. I’d like to see a coverage linebacker picked up. Someone who can compliment Mayo/Spikes/Hightower. Dane Fletcher could compete in that spot already assuming the Pats re-sign him after the season.

And I would definitely not rule out a wide receiver, which will certainly make things interesting since they’ve missed on so many of them.

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Bill Belichick always comes into the team meeting and gives each unit three goals. I think one of the three on defense this week will be to set the edge on Reggie Bush, but it will be altered a bit – it will be ‘set the edge and keep the edge.’ Bush does a great job of recognizing the edge is set, playing with you a little bit by making the defensive end think he’s going inside between the tackles, before bouncing out. So the Patriots really have to be disciplined in terms of setting the edge and keeping the edge against Bush. It’s similar to when they played the Bills and running back C.J. Spiller and they used players like Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich to peel off their rush and cover him, or ‘butch’ him as soon as he tries to release, which is coming off the rush and hitting him. That will be a big part of the plan because Bush is one of Tannehill’s best weapons.

Bruschi’s Breakdown – New England Patriots can’t overlook Miami Dolphins – ESPN Boston

https://www.patspropaganda.com/bill-belichick-always-comes-into-the-team-meeting/

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https://www.patspropaganda.com/14855/

Patriots Today – Belichick breaks it down

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Patriots Today – Belichick breaks it down

Great stuff as always from the Belichick Breakdown including this:

Ridley’s late 9-yard TD draws raves. “This is probably one of the best looking plays we’ve ever had here, to be honest with you. It’s an outside zone play. You love to see this,” Belichick says of the touchdown that made it 49-12. Belichick then points out a strong block from tight end Daniel Fells, who comes across in motion left to right. Receiver Wes Welker also delivers a nice block. Right tackle Marcus Cannon has a crunching block, while Donald Thomas executes a reach block. “That’s a beautiful picture for a running back to see – 3 guys on the ground, a nice soft edge, it’s a jog-in touchdown,” Belichick says.

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Miami has sent at least five rushers on 40.9 percent of dropbacks, second highest in the league. It will be interesting to see if the Dolphins adjust their strategy, given Tom Brady’s success against extra pressure. Brady has thrown 14 touchdowns and no interceptions this season against added pressure, both numbers the best in the league.

New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

https://www.patspropaganda.com/miami-has-sent-at-least-five-rushers-on-409/