PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

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Of the active 53-man roster, 17 of those players were undrafted in the NFL. That number doesn’t include undrafted special-teamer turned linebacker Dane Fletcher, who is now on season-ending IR. That’s nearly a third of this season’s active roster filled with players passed up by every single team time after time … after time. No, the Patriots didn’t sign them all out of college, but they saw enough out of some early on in their careers to scoop them up before they established themselves in the NFL.

Undrafted players making mark on 2012 Patriots

https://www.patspropaganda.com/of-the-active-53-man-roster-17-of-those-players/

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The Patriots have always had two classes of tight ends. There is the traditional “Y,” whose job requirements read: 6 feet 5 inches or taller, at least 255 pounds, can run but absolutely must be a standout blocker. He has to be a viable receiver, but not a great one. The “F” or flex tight end is 6-3 or taller, around 235 pounds, must be able to run and be an excellent pass receiver. Does not need to be a good blocker. Everyone in the building agreed that Aaron Hernandez out of the University of Florida, where he did a little bit of everything, was the prototype “F.” There was disagreement on the Y. Some were scared off by Rob Gronkowski’s back surgery in college. There also wasn’t agreement on whether Gronkowski as a rookie could think quick enough to play with Brady. But at least one person did have Gronkowski ranked as the No. 1 Y: Belichick.

Rise after fall – Patriots – Boston.com

Back to back great reads from Bedard. Must read both of them!!

https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-patriots-have-always-had-two-classes-of-tight/

Tight ends are changing how defenses are constructed – Sports – The Boston Globe

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Tight ends are changing how defenses are constructed – Sports – The Boston Globe

Great read from Bedard, really interesting football evolution/personnel stuff that always gets me hot and bothered…

Belichick has long been interested with those types of versatile defenders, even back to his Browns days, where Savage was in the personnel department. The “star” is a fifth defensive back that ideally would be a little bit stronger than the cornerback most other teams prefer in the slot. The “money” is a sixth defensive back that is a safety/linebacker hybrid. In recent years, Josh Barrett and James Ihedigbo have been targeted for those spots. Now it’s Wilson and sixth-round pick Nate Ebner. In theory, those players are an even bigger asset now against tight end-driven offenses because they can stay on the field on multiple downs, especially against the (also rising) no-huddle attacks. “That’s going to become an important position,” said NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell. “That guy has to match up on people. That kind of guy can play a [Rob] Gronkowski, or at least has a chance. Belichick’s way of saying the defense has caught up to the spread offense, with all the speed and pressure packages that make it tough to protect, is to put two tight ends on the field. “We can line up in base offense and pound the ball against your smaller people if you choose to go with a sub package. Line up base, we’ll split out Hernandez and who are you going to put on him?” That’s why it’s important to find hybrid players that can play inside. It allows cornerbacks to stay outside.

A Patriots fans drinking game for dealing with the Giants stuff tonight

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One of the worst parts of losing a Super Bowl is the opening game of the following season when we have to relive all the misery that we just spent the last six months burying deep inside.

So the Giants will probably have fancy Super Bowl champs patches tonight, and we’ll get a bevy of not only Super Bowl 46 lowlights but also some Super Bowl 42 ones sprinkled in too. Yeah football’s back but first us Patriots fans have to relive a bunch of misery. Great.

So if you’re like me it will help to be drinking heavily throughout. Here are the official rules for the “Patriots fans guide to drinking heavily during the Giants victory lap” game.

Manningham Sideline Catch: just one tiny sip, they’re gonna show this one at least 50 times and we don’t want to lose anyone.

Tyree Helmet Catch: finish your beer. They’ll show it a couple times and we might as well get the party rolling.

Bradshaw falls into the end zone: fall over yourself and take a sip of your drink.

Cruz salsas, highlights or real time: Scream “learn a new dance” and take a sip.

“Eli” and “Elite” mentioned in the same sentence: Take 3 sips for the 3 Super Bowls Brady still has to Eli’s 2.

Michael Strahan makes an appearance: yell “where’s Kelly Ripa, gap tooth!?” and drink.

Shot of any Giant getting Super Bowl confetti’ed: pour your drink out on the closest Giants fans face.

Any shot of Brady getting decked in either Super Bowl: punch yourself once in the face then drink.

I don’t know about you guys, but I sure feel like a Cowboys fan tonight. Feel free to add some of your own in the comments below.

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I think you realize at a young age that you really don’t know what you don’t know, so you see guys in the springtime that have great spring camps. I remember my second year, we had a receiver, Aaron Bailey, that was pretty good. I thought, ‘Man, this guy is really good,’ and then we released him and I couldn’t believe it. ‘Man, we released that guy. He’s the one that made all the plays.’ That’s just what happens. You see a lot of players come and go and you just learn to deal with it, learn to live with it, and you understand, like, what my job is – it’s challenging enough as it is. I don’t have to worry about too many other jobs.

Tom Brady Media Availability Transcript

https://www.patspropaganda.com/i-think-you-realize-at-a-young-age-that-you-really/