PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

More thoughts on Patriots going 16-0 – AFC East Blog – ESPN

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More thoughts on Patriots going 16-0 – AFC East Blog – ESPN

I really don’t care for the 16-0 talk but this is a good list to look at the best challengers for this upcoming season. 2007 taught me a lot of things:

  1. Having an additional underlying motive like proving to the NFL that their championships weren’t tainted certainly helped. But you can only run on hate for so long.
  2. Even the good teams have 2-3 stinkers per year. Take the 2010 Browns game as a prime example. Some games you just don’t have it, and being able to overcome those games is extremely difficult. The 2007 Pats should’ve lost to Baltimore and Philly.
  3. Losing can be a good thing when the ultimate goal is to peak for one game in early February.

Of the list laid out in the article it’s a safe bet they’ll lose at least one of them, and probably another one that nobody saw coming because they’ll just stink. The offensive line will not show up, and/or Brady will be off and it just won’t work out.

But again, the goal is to peak in February and that’s all that I really care about. If the Pats blow a regular season game it’s just a chance for BB to turn the screws on them a bit and refocus the team. That can be a great thing.

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We thought Tavon Wilson might be headed for a tight end-killer role, and he’s delivering on that. He’s providing excellent coverage, including a pass breakup when Brady tried to find Gronkowski in the end zone.

Practice rundown #16 – Extra Points – Boston.com

Interesting that the guy no one had heard of when the Pats drafted him could end up playing a significant role at the “Money” position this year.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/we-thought-tavon-wilson-might-be-headed-for-a/

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS | Film Room: Make or Break

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FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS | Film Room: Make or Break

Great stuff here, echoing what I’ve been preaching for a while now…

In today’s pass-happy NFL, the nickel and dime sub-packages have become more important than the starting lineups that make up a base defense. Defenses league-wide last season spent 47.5 percent of their snaps in base personnel (4-3 or 3-4) and 49.6 percent in some variation of nickel or dime. Sub-packages will only become more frequent as spread offenses continue to evolve. That’s not just a passing game issue, either; football’s increasing emphasis on speed and finesse will eventually lead to rushing attacks operating out of three-and four-receiver formations more often, which will demand that defenses line up in sub-packages. Even if sub-packages somehow don’t become more prevalent, they deserve greater scrutiny because that’s what defenses use in make-or-break moments like third-and-long or the hurry-up. Make-or-break moments decide the outcome of most games. Thus, teams are built around winning these moments. That’s why, defensively, this is where teams often show their true identity.

And this too..

So this month, instead of fixating on competitions for your team’s starting strongside linebacker job or left defensive end position, spend your energy focusing on your team’s sub-packages. What kind of depth does your team have at safety? How versatile are your corners; can they all play man-to-man and zone? Does your team have someone reliable to cover the slot?

Instead of concentrating on which three linebackers will emerge as starters, worry about whether your team even has two linebackers that are fluid enough to redirect in space. If it doesn’t, your team will suffer in pass defense. Especially on third down.

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The Patriots kept the Saints out of the end zone during their preseason opener, and the defense has been sharp in practice since. Once again the defense looked to get the better of the offense on Wednesday, with evidence mostly stemming from the defensive front smothering the offensive line. The Patriots were quick off the edge in pass rush, and were like sledge hammers up the interior of the defensive line. The defense is also playing with what looks like a tremendous amount of confidence and swagger. Communication on all three levels is apparent, and the players can be heard from the sidelines supporting their teammates after positive plays. After a string of three particularly dominant plays from the defense, quarterback Tom Brady was riled up and sternly encouraged his offensive teammates – perhaps trying to signal to his huddle that it was time to pick it up.

Camp Observations: Day 21 – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

Trying to keep this in perspective but it’s hard not to get excited, even if it is coming at the expense of our own offense. As always, it’s easier to destroy something than to execute the timing and precision needed for offensive football so in time things should balance out. I’m still not overly concerned about the offensive line either. Guys will come back, communication and orchestration will get better.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-patriots-kept-the-saints-out-of-the-end-zone/

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Don’t look now but Brady’s trying out a new helmet. He tried another new one last year, wearing it in the first two games before going back to old reliable. I’m torn on this one. On one hand it’s a safer helmet and I want Tommy’s noggin to be protected, but on the other hand I do love his look with the old one and I’m not a fan of messing with a good thing.

(via Patriots Training Camp – Wednesday, August 15, 2012)

https://www.patspropaganda.com/dont-look-now-but-bradys-trying-out-a-new/

Tweets of note from Wednesday’s Patriots practice

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