PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Patriots ability to run on Giants “NASCAR” package a huge key

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We’re all aware of the Giants crew of defensive ends, and they even like to get all of them on the field at once in a four-DE package referred to as “NASCAR” because of all the speed they bring.

One of the biggest keys for the Patriots will be their ability to get their run game going against this package. Having multiple pass rushers is great when the opposition is passing, but if New England’s offensive linemen are able to make their run blocks it will take the Giants out of their element.

One of the biggest issues in the 2007 Super Bowl was that everyone knew the Patriots wanted to pass the ball. The Giants defensive linemen had little to fear with Laurence Maroney and the Patriots ground game.

But this time things are different. Now the Patriots run their 12 personnel (1 RB/ 2 TE) package more than any other. This package gives them the ability to run or pass with equal effectiveness and without tipping their hand.

Rob Gronkowski has really been the key to their ability to run this offense, so his ankle and how much it affects his blocking and route running will be major areas of concern.

If Gronk is able to play at even 80% it will still give the Patriots the match-up advantage. When the NASCAR package comes in it will be imperative that Benjarvus Green-Ellis makes them pay. If they’re able to do that it will keep the Giants on their heels, and give Tom Brady the extra second he will need when the Patriots do pass the ball.

Belichick’s got a whole new D

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Lost somewhere in between Gronk’s ankle and the Patriots 31st-ranked passing yards allowed is the storyline that the Patriots are returning to the Super Bowl for the first time in four years with an almost entirely new defense.

Take a moment to think about the latest “old and slow” defense that the football pundits are talking about needing a youth movement, the Pittsburgh Steelers. How overwhelming does it seem to have a complete turnover of that defense (save one single starter) and have them back in the Super Bowl in four seasons?

That is no small undertaking when replacing players as talented on that defense, just like it was no small undertaking replacing legends like Bruschi, Harrison, Vrabel and Seymour.

The pundits love to talk about Belichick’s draft misses, and to be sure there have been plenty of them. That’s what happens when you have a ton of draft picks, you’re going to miss on some. But you’re also going to hit on some, and the Patriots have hit on enough to give Pats fans confidence that this defense is going to only get better, and will be very good for a very long time.

Ron Brace might not live up to the 2nd round pick you selected him with. But Kyle Love and Brandon Deaderick have certainly exceeded all expectations anyone had for when they were undrafted and a 7th rounder respectively.

The fearsome foursome I want to focus on are Jerod Mayo, Patrick Chung, Devin McCourty and Brandon Spikes. Now all have had their performance and injury issues over the first few years of their Patriot careers, but their style of play and temperament have become the signatures of this Patriots defense. It won’t always be perfect with them, but they never get down and they certainly never give up.

The result of Super Bowl 46 will of course be over-analyzed to death, with repercussions on the legacies of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. But the Patriots defense, for all it’s faults and imperfections, is set up extremely well for the future and the playoff experience that the players have gotten this year will only be a booster to their development.

Not many organizations in NFL history have the kind of continuity that allows for one person in charge to oversee a complete turnover on one side of the ball. Of course it hasn’t been perfect, but returning to a Super Bowl with an almost entirely new collection of hand-picked draft picks and castoffs from other teams should certainly be a major feather in Belichick’s hoodie.

Are Patriots building another dynasty? – AFC East Blog – ESPN

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Are Patriots building another dynasty? – AFC East Blog – ESPN

This is the storyline we’ve been tracking since the defensive re-build began in 2008. And I’d argue that the defensive pieces that are in place now and about to play in their first Super Bowl will be the guys who allow for some growing pains when a new quarterback has to take over for Brady. At that point you’re looking at another 2001-esque run with a quarterback who can manage the game and a tough veteran defense.

Belichick has done a masterful job of fielding a championship-caliber team while simultaneously positioning New England well for the future. The Patriots have two first-round picks and two second-round picks thanks to previous trades. The Patriots also have approximately $20 million in cap room to spend in free agency. Expect most of those resources to go to New England’s 31st-ranked defense. Belichick is a defensive-minded coach, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he spends at least three of those first four picks on that side of the football. That is where the Patriots need depth and impact players. Leading receiver and pending free agent Wes Welker will take up a chunk of New England’s cap space, assuming he re-signs. But the Patriots can still add two or three difference-makers in free agency. A cover corner? A hard-hitting safety? A deep threat at receiver? The Patriots have the ability to plug all these holes next season.

Spotlight: What Spikes brings to D – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

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Spotlight: What Spikes brings to D – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

The Spikes lovefest keeps on rolling this week. Nice to see him getting the recognition. Him and Mayo will form a formidable inside backer duo for the foreseeable future.

What has he brought to the defense?

“A ton of energy,” fellow linebacker Rob Ninkovich said Thursday. “He’s one of those guys on game day that you want to be around, because he’s so amped-up and ready to roll. So I love him out there and it’s great having him out there. … His physical play is just at a higher level. He’s just very physical, and he’s just great at stopping the run and really getting after people.”

“He’s tall like Pepper was. You don’t see a lot of inside linebackers with that kind of height, that 6’4”ish height,” Belichick said. “Most guys are a little more compact than that. He’s a pretty powerful guy for being that tall like Pepper was, but a lot of those explosive hitters are six feet, 6’1”, that type of guy. [Brian] Urlacher’s another. I’m just saying there aren’t a lot of them and I think that’s a problem for the quarterback in terms of the passing game because of their length, their height, their range. They get their hands on a lot of balls, but again kind of like Pepper, Brandon has power. He’ll go up and strike with a good thump whether it tackling or taking on blockers, that kind of thing. He’s done a good job for us, he gives us a little bit of a different presence in there.”

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