Patriots vs Buccaneers: What New England Fans Should Watch for in Preseason Wk 3 | Bleacher Report
Good stuff from Frenz…
Statistical storylines will loom over every team in 2012 season – Kerry J. Byrne – SI.com
Statistical storylines will loom over every team in 2012 season – Kerry J. Byrne – SI.com
New England’s formula for winning Super Bowls was rock solid: pair a meat-and-potatoes but highly efficient offense with a ball-hawking opportunistic defense that repeatedly made big plays in big games. It wasn’t pretty or glamorous. But it yielded three Super Bowl victories in four years. The Patriots since 2007 have been very glamorous, setting offensive records of one kind or another almost every season. But their prettier style of football has fielded zero Super Bowl victories, including two crushing defeats in the big game itself in which the offense failed to show. The missing element has been those game-changing defenders making big plays in critical moments, while handing the offense easy points. So the Patriots this year went all in on defense in the draft, grabbing stoppers with the first six of seven total picks. The group was led by first-round selections Chandler Jones, a pass rushing specialist defensive end, and Dont’a Hightower, a multi-purpose linebacker. Jones has shown signs of game-changing pass rush capabilities so far in the preseason. If he and one or two other young defenders prove home-run picks, it should be all New England needs to relive its Super Bowl-winning glory days.
Jets, Patriots, Bills, Dolphins — 2012 AFC East Preview – Don Banks – SI.com
Jets, Patriots, Bills, Dolphins — 2012 AFC East Preview – Don Banks – SI.com
The Patriots have yet to have a losing season in the realigned AFC East, and their eight playoff trips and four Super Bowl appearances since 2002 dwarf the accomplishments of the rest of the division. The Bills (a league-high 12-year playoff drought), Dolphins (one playoff berth) and Jets (five playoff trips) together can’t come close to matching what the folks in Foxboro have done in the postseason. The Patriots also own the six best regular season records in the division’s history: logging a 16-0 in 2007, 14-2 marks in 2010, 2004 and 2003, a 13-3 in 2011, and a 12-4 in 2006. Put another way, New England’s nine double-digit win seasons in that span are four more than the rest of the division combined, and none of the other three have finished better than 11-5.
The New England Patriots are an absolute juggernaut. Granted, the team hasn’t won a Super Bowl since 2005, but Bill Belichick’s bunch has gone an astounding 64-16 during the regular season over the last five years.
Any Spygate-monger care to comment?
https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-new-england-patriots-are-an-absolute/
As for the players [Mike Reiss] is anxious to see – Tavon Wilson (starting next to Steve Gregory at safety), Julian Edelman/Nate Ebner (possibly playing in place of Wes Welker in slot), Spencer Larsen (fullback making a late bid for a spot), Alfonzo Dennard (rookie CB likely makes return after missing a lot of time), Ron Brace (can he keep it up?).
https://www.patspropaganda.com/as-for-the-players-mike-reiss-is-anxious-to-see/
15 Thoughts: Preseason and Roster Edition | NEPatriotsDraft.com – 2013 NFL Draft
15 Thoughts: Preseason and Roster Edition | NEPatriotsDraft.com – 2013 NFL Draft
I’m always a sucker for quick hit thought articles like this. Great point here on Kyle Love and it’s clear from his extension that the Pats are impressed with his progression and see a long-term fit for him.
As we look at the new Pats defense it’s clear that you need at least three or four players like Wilfork and Love in the middle. They might’ve been nose tackles in the old 3-4 but both do have the ability to get up the field. Causing some chaos in the middle of opposing offensive lines is vital with these guys.
With training camp wrapping up last week and the second preseason game in the books one player who has taken a significant step forward in his development, but still is flying under the radar is DT Kyle Love. Love has solidified his starting role next to Vince Wilfork and has been a consistent contributor both in practices and in the preseason games. After re-watching both of the preseason games, Love ha been nearly impossible to block one on one. He plays with good leverage and uses his strength to push the pocket. Eagles OC Jason Kelce was helpless against Love and it forced the Eagles to double team him on a number of occasions. Coming to the Patriots as a UDFA out of Mississippi State two years ago little was expected of him. But, Love has quickly and relatively quietly turned himself into one of the Patriots’ better defensive players. Love isn’t mentioned as one of the young building blocks on the defense like Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung and Brandon Spikes are. But, it might be time more people start taking notice, he is a very good player who keeps getting better.
Spikes: ‘Defense showing signs of being great’
Spikes: ‘Defense showing signs of being great’
I don’t know how long this trio will be together but they really have a chance to be special. Such an outstanding combination of speed, aggression, and physicality.
“We’re all SEC linebackers and we know we’re really physical and we’re athletic too,” said Spikes when asked about the relationship between the three players. “Jerod can do it all, Hightower can do it all, I’m just a guy. I do my job. It’s fun to have those guys around. As far as Jerod, he’s a savvy vet, he does it the right way and I try to follow in his footsteps.”