PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

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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https://www.patspropaganda.com/19866/

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annathisisme:

“This is really cool. The Associated Press just released a photo from the AFC Championship game, and it’s of Patriots QB Tom Brady’s arm. (H/T Jay Tate!) If you read closely, you can see Brady’s keys. All that respect for Ravens S Ed Reed? Not fake. He reminds himself, “Find 20 ON EVERY PLAY.” He also wrote, “Knees flexed — DOWN, DOWN!” and “NO TURNOVERS.” Still harping on fundamentals after all these years…”

https://www.patspropaganda.com/annathisisme-this-is-really-cool-the/

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https://www.patspropaganda.com/19873/

Cosell Talks: A Look Back at Week 9 Giants/Pats : NFL Films Blog

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Cosell Talks: A Look Back at Week 9 Giants/Pats : NFL Films Blog

Greg Cosell on Patriots alert! Interesting stuff as always. There are definitely some personnel changes for both teams this time around. And while the Giants are getting more impact from guys returning from injury, I think the Pats are getting more impact from finally having some continuity in their line-up.

The Giants winning touchdown drive was fascinating. The most important play was a 28 yard seam completion to Ballard on third and 10. It was Manning at his best: a stick throw into a small window in a critical situation, the kind of throw that separates quarterbacks in the NFL. The coverage defender was Tracy White. What was interesting was White had not played in the nickel sub-package all game until the final drive.

Neither had safety Sergio Brown.  It was his pass interference penalty against Cruz that put the ball on the Patriots 1 yard line with 30 seconds remaining. Watching the tape that week, I was curious as to why White and Brown were in the game at that point, after not playing the first 58½ minutes.