PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Film Room: Colts-Patriots

by

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Film Room: Colts-Patriots

As the season has worn on, the Colts have become more and more aggressive with downfield shot plays. Expect to see a barrage of them Sunday, as the Patriots defense leads the league in passes of 20 or more yards allowed, with 47. Deep throws aren’t the only way Indy will attack, though. Against two-deep zone teams (which is what the Patriots have been this year), the Colts like to stretch the back seven defenders with rolled pockets and slow-developing plays. Expect the Colts to do what the Bills did last Sunday and attack New England’s linebackers through the air. The Bills went spread to do this; the Colts generally involve their tight ends in the passing game out of base sets that allow for play-action and misdirection. The absence of Fleener, who was declared out early in the week, could limit their ability to take advantage of this though.

by

bleacherreport:

The circle of life in the NFL. Every team beat the team to the clockwise direction. 

Via reddit

https://www.patspropaganda.com/bleacherreport-the-circle-of-life-in-the-nfl/

Patriots step on the gas – BostonHerald.com

by

Patriots step on the gas – BostonHerald.com

Good analysis from Jeff Howe on Jermaine Cunningham and the use of him as an interior rusher.

There’s a logic to getting Cunningham on the field in the untraditional fashion. He’s a speed rusher with a decent amount of power, but his quickness can throw off interior offensive linemen who are used to blocking much bigger and slower but stronger players.

Considering Brandon Spikes’ place among the great young linebackers of the NFL – WEEI | Christopher Price

by

Considering Brandon Spikes’ place among the great young linebackers of the NFL – WEEI | Christopher Price

Great stuff on Spikes…

While the highlight-reel hits and animosity with opponents (either real or perceived) makes for great theater, if Spikes wants to be considered a truly elite linebacker, some believe he needs to start stringing together more consistent performances, particularly when it comes to pass defense. Over the course of the 2012 season, there have been several occasions where opposing quarterbacks have been able to locate Spikes in man coverage and pick up passing yards. To that end, Aaron Schatz of Football Outsiders says there’s a lot to like about Spikes’ game, but at this stage of his career, he’s not quite among the most feared linebackers in the game.

“If Spikes is one of the most feared linebackers in the game, it’s because he hits hard,” Schatz said. “But he frequently seems to get lost in pass coverage. He’s good against runners and is better than most players when it comes to jarring the ball loose. I would say he’s probably an average NFL starter. That still makes him one of the 25 best middle linebackers in the world, but he’s not ‘elite.’

by

“I think you can talk about the pass defense, but at the same time, you need to also talk about the pass rush,” Parcells said. “I know Bill addressed that this past season with the addition of a few guys like Chandler Jones, but I think they could use another guy coming off that edge. They could use another pressure player off the corner.”

“Bill knows what the problems are, and he’s better than just about anyone when it comes to identifying the problems and going about trying to fix it and adjust it,” Parcells said. “With the wide-open offenses, the problems with pass defense are everywhere. It’s just a matter of making the adjustments and seeing who can play best late in the season, and I’m confident that Bill will have them headed in the right direction.”

It Is What It Is » Bill Parcells: This Patriots team is better than 2011 edition

https://www.patspropaganda.com/new-england-patriots-3/