PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Playoffs put Brady in cranky, intense mood – NFL – Yahoo! Sports

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Playoffs put Brady in cranky, intense mood – NFL – Yahoo! Sports

Must read alert!

New England wide receiver Chad Ochocinco was so worried about the well-being of teammate and quarterback Tom Brady that he approached Deion Branch and Wes Welker and asked them if something was wrong. “I was like, ‘Is Tom OK?’ You know, he’s intense, but this was like a whole new thing, man. They were like, ‘It’s that time of the year, you just have to understand,’ ” Ochocinco said. “I’ve been around a lot of really competitive people and I’ve had Carson Palmer and Jon Kitna as my quarterbacks. You know that quarterbacks are a little different. They have to act a little different because of the position. But Tom has taken that to a whole different level.”

Ninkovich a key for Patriots vs. Broncos

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Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich is a prime example of the kind of player Bill Belichick has built his team on. Once considered a castoff long snapper by the Saints, Ninkovich has earned two contract extension from the Patriots and looks to be one of the pieces Belichick considers a building block.

When the Patriots went to a four man front this season we knew that the Strong Side Outside Linebacker would be a key position that the Pats would need production out of. We weren’t even sure who would play the spot until Ninkovich emerged as the only defender who could. Ninkovich ended up turning in a season where ProFootballFocus had him ranked as the Patriots second best run defender and third best defender overall.

Ninkovich has done a little of everything for the Pats this year. From rushing the passer as a defensive end, to his most common spot at SLB in the 4-3, to outside linebacker in the 3-4; it’s clear that Bill Belichick trusts him in a variety of roles because of his smart and tough play.

Against the Broncos this weekend the Patriots will need a stellar effort from Ninkovich. Despite missing two costly tackles early in the first tilt in Denver, Ninkovich had enough of a turnaround to make that game his highest PFF-graded one of the season.

Ninkovich’s bread and butter is against heavy running teams like Denver, and when he’s on the Patriots usually roll. When he’s not, like against the Steelers early this year, the rest of the defense tends to struggle as well.

His experiences a few weeks ago with trying to tackle Tebow should serve him well, but setting the edge will be absolutely vital for Ninkovich. Keep an eye on him in the game, as he goes so goes the Patriots D this weekend.

It’s good to be Rob Gronkowski – ESPN Boston

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It’s good to be Rob Gronkowski – ESPN Boston

Fantastic Gronk article, must read alert!

He has melded greatness with goofiness, developing a reputation as a Pro Bowl talent with a free-spirited, frat boy mentality. Who has more fun than Gronk? While coaches laud his intelligence and his ability to pick up complex schemes, they scratch their heads upon learning of curious decisions like posing shirtless with porn star BiBi Jones, who happened to be wearing nothing other than his No. 87 game jersey.

NFL.com news: Expect a tight divisional battle between Broncos, Patriots

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NFL.com news: Expect a tight divisional battle between Broncos, Patriots

When Pat Kirwan posts something Patriots-related, I must link to it. Good stuff…

The one factor in this year’s offense that might trump their recent playoff woes is the play of Patriots tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, who, along with Wes Welker, have become major weapons. Hernandez was the star in the first game between these teams when he caught 9 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown. Expect Brady to hit his regular-season home average of 318 passing yards.

Last week, the Broncos faced a gimpy quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger, and inside pressure calls were effective. They will not have that luxury this week; it is difficult to blitz Brady on a regular basis, with Welker requiring constant double-teams.