HAPPPYYYY birthday mattttt!
https://www.patspropaganda.com/bostonbruinsgifs-happpyyyy-birthday-mattttt/
Patriots re-sign safety James Ihedigbo – Extra Points – Boston.com
Patriots re-sign safety James Ihedigbo – Extra Points – Boston.com
This year’s Patriots training camp is going to be an epic thunderdome battle at so many spots. I don’t envy the coaching staff’s task of cutting down the roster, though I’m sure injuries will make it easier in some spots unfortunately. At least they’re prepared to deal with them no matter where they strike (cough except defensive tackle…)
Basically, beyond Chung, Gregory and Wilson, it’s wide open for one, possibly two spots. Barrett is the better athlete and more versatile, but will he breakthrough this season?
The main reasons I feel McCourty is primed for a bounceback season are: 1) Better health; 2) Projected better safety play behind him; 3) Another season to perfect his technique. While there were times we could point to the scheme as a contributor to his struggles (when the team played man early in the year, it didn’t always look like a great fit), I think that’s too easy of an answer when looking at the overall body of work. Another factor is that McCourty, in only his third season, already strikes me as a consummate pro, mature beyond his years. At the least, anyone investing in him knows they are going to get everything he has from a dedication and hard work perspective.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-main-reasons-i-feel-mccourty-is-primed-for-a/
NFL opens Pandora’s Box by offering All-22 tape to public – NFL.com
NFL opens Pandora’s Box by offering All-22 tape to public – NFL.com
Great take from Michael Lombardi on the release of All-22 from the NFL.
Ultimately I think that this will be an excellent thing for the development of the NFL, not only for the fans who thirst for more X and O knowledge like myself, but for the game itself.
Wanting to learn more about the complex chess match that takes place on the gridiron (coupled with a psychotic love of the Pats) is what got me into blogging. I found out early on that it’s pretty easy to know the educated football guys from the fans trying to sound knowledgeable.
One thing you’ll never find here on this blog is me making definitive statements about my own film evaluation, I leave that to guys like Chris Brown at SmartFootball.com.
I am just excited to use this as a tool to learn more about the game, especially coverages in the secondary. This will open up a whole new area of information to take in for myself, but also give the experts who know what they’re doing more information as well. The trickle down effect will serve to help us all.
If the NFL insiders are really worried about some random blogger making incorrect observations then they haven’t spent much time on blogs in recent years. It’s already rampant, and All-22 might mkae some more self-assured in their analysis but that won’t make it correct. As I said before, it’s usually pretty clear who knows what they’re talking and who doesn’t.
Access to information can never be a bad thing in this situation, and ultimately the education of the fans will serve to regulate those who have no clue what they’re doing.
NFL 2012: Receiving Corps Power Rankings | Football Nation
NFL 2012: Receiving Corps Power Rankings | Football Nation
Yup….
1. New England Patriots (A ) The Patriots head into 2012 with a receiving corps that is head and shoulders above all others in the NFL. Not only do the Patriots have the best slot receiver in the league in Wes Welker and arguably the most dangerous tight end in Rob Gronkowski, they also have incredible depth. Perhaps the best way to understand their depth is just to consider out that they had to cut Chad Ochocinco. He’s not the player he once was, but there are very few teams out there that would cut him after taking a chance on him.
The Patriots had one of the toughest wideout groups to sort through in terms of who will be cut and who will stick around for the regular season. I really couldn’t narrow it down past six receivers, and I think it’s feasible that they head into the season with that number. Even if Donte’ Stallworth and Deion Branch don’t contribute on special teams as much as Bill Belichick would normally look for out of his fourth and fifth wide receivers, I can’t see either of these players being cut. The Patriots probably had the best receivers in football before the addition of Brandon Lloyd. Adding him was just overkill.
Wide Receivers
1. Wes Welker A
2. Brandon Lloyd B
3. Jabar Gaffney B-
4. Deion Branch C
5. Donte’ Stallworth C
6. Julian Edelman C-
Tight Ends
1. Rob Gronkowski A
2. Aaron Hernandez B
3. Daniel Fells D
The Off-Season of Gronk continues…
(via » Mila Kunis Got Gronk’d Last Night Barstool Sports: Boston)
https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-off-season-of-gronk-continues-via-mila/
Life on the Roster Bubble: Thoughts from a Former NFL Player | Bleacher Report
Life on the Roster Bubble: Thoughts from a Former NFL Player | Bleacher Report
Really good read from Ryan Riddle, and although it’s a tough quote about BB below it’s worth pointing out how the Pats consistently have undrafted rookies make their team. Did Dane Fletcher, Gary Guyton, Brandon Deaderick, or any of the other UDFAs who not only made the Patriots but contributed feel like “human sled dummies” too? One way or another they overcame it, and I think that speaks to the “it doesn’t matter how you got here” vibe that you hear about so often with Belichick and the Pats.
Regardless, a worthwhile read especially as we close in on training camp, especially if you want a little glimpse into what playing for Mangini was like.
A good friend of mine from college was signed to the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent. I recall stories about how he felt in camp that year. Struggling to handle the feeling of being utterly worthless, cast aside by the coaches and players. He described Patriots head coach Bill Belichick as a major (insert expletive here), as he was treated like a human sled dummy. It became obvious to him that any real opportunity to make the team was too much of a long shot while the bodily damage and torture necessary to see it realized was nowhere near worth it. He left camp after a couple of weeks.