PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Ty Law Named NFL Hall of Fame Semi-Finalist

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The first of the Dynasty Pats has come up for the NFL Hall of Fame, with Ty Law being named a semi-finalist.

Law was selected in the first round of the 1995 draft and played 10 seasons with the Patriots and won three Super Bowls, appearing in four. Of all the dynasty defense, Law might’ve had the most flash and broad appeal, although Willie McGinest might have something to say about that. Law made five Pro Bowls and was twice named an All Pro (1998, 2003). 36 of his 53 career interceptions came with the Pats.

Perhaps most interesting about Law is the window he provided into how Bill Belichick values cornerbacks. Here’s a tidbit from a previous article I wrote on how things broke down for Law in New England:

We begin in 2000 with Ty Law and Otis Smith. Law was already in the midst of a seven-year, $51 million deal he signed before Belichick arrived, while Smith, at age 34, was brought in on a veteran minimum deal. Smith would go on to start Super Bowl XXXVI with Law.

Law was the first example of how Belichick valued cornerbacks. In 2004, Law wanted another extension and the Patriots offered him $26 million over four years. Even today that would be the biggest contract extension the Patriots ever awarded to a corner.

Law called the offer an insult and countered with a seven-year deal worth $63 million, including a $20 million signing bonus.

Then-general manager Scott Pioli simply responded “We can’t do that. Save the paper.”

Law would play out 2004 and then be cut in ’05 and sign with the Jets for an almost identical contract to his last, seven years, $50 million. He was released after just one year by the cap-strapped Jets and would then sign a five-year deal with the Chiefs worth $30 million. He would play just two seasons in Kansas City and continue to kick around until he retired after the 2009 season.

It will be interesting to see if Malcolm Butler, the closest thing the Pats have had to a cornerback of Law’s skill, ends up in a similar situation.

15 finalists will be named in January. Law should have a good chance, but of course I think that…

ty law SB36

Redemption Round: Week 11 San Francisco 49ers Scouting Report

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Okay so last week’s loss was tough. But let’s look at it realistically:

  • It was a battle to the end. Came down to the very last play.
  • The Seahawks are one of the three best teams in the NFL aside from New England
  • #noinjuries (except maybe Gronk but I’m deciding he’s officially fine lalalala)

So now, the team has a chance to right the ship, and historically, Belichick is great after his team loses.

Here’s everything you need to know about the San Francisco 49ers, aka “The NFL’s Punching Bag”

Week 10 at San Francisco 49ers

Sunday November 20

4:25 pm EST, CBS

High 50’s, 80% chance of rain, 7mph winds

Opponent/Patriots Stats
49ers: 1-8

Notable Games: The 9ers lone win of the season came Week 1 when they put up 28 points on the Rams defense and blanked them on offense. Their least ugly loss (they’re not in good shape) was last week against the Cardinals with a final score of 23-20.

Common Opponents: Arizona Cardinals (Pats won, 49ers lost both contests), Seattle Seahawks (both teams lost), Buffalo Bills (49ers lost, Pats won 2nd time, lost 1st match up).

History vs. Pats: Tom Brady never played at the famed Candlestick Park, his hometown field, before it was torn down to make the current Levi’s Stadium. The Patriots have only played the 49ers 3 times in the TFB/BB Era with a 2-1 record. The last time the teams met was in 2012 with a win by the Kaepernick led 49ers.

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Examining the Defensive Line’s Struggles Against Seattle

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Sunday night saw the Patriots defense completely and totally dominated by Russell Wilson and the Seattle offense, with the Seahawks much-maligned offensive line controlling the line of scrimmage for the majority of the game. While the Patriots defense has underperformed for the majority of the season thus far, this was a new low for the unit, who were gashed time and time again by Wilson and running back CJ Prosise.

While Seattle is not without a lack of talent on the offensive side of the ball, their offense thus far in 2016 has been a mediocre unit with one glaring weakness that nearly every team they played had been able to exploit: the aforementioned offensive line. Because of this, I pin the majority of the blame for the defenses struggles on the defensive line, who were unable to generate any kind of pressure on Wilson to affect his throws, and failed to contain Prosise, who had just 30 career rushing yards to his name prior to the contest.

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Patriots-Seahawks Film Review: Defenseless Edition

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After yesterday’s piece I’m not looking to pile on the Patriots defense today in the film review. They’re getting killed throughout the Pats punditry this week and rightly so, but still, there’s a ways to go and there are plenty of talented players who should start playing better. And it’s not like it’s a murderer’s row in the AFC. I still like the Patriots chances against just about anyone. Then it’d be on to the Super Bowl and I’m sure that one would go down to the final play like it always does.

So for all the alarm about the Patriots defense, let’s just remember they’re well-coached, always play their best football in the winter and, oh yeah, still have the best quarterback and best offense in the league. They’ll make a strong run as long as their injury luck continues.

Let’s dive in and take a closer look at some things that stand out, without just trying to take another unnecessary massive shit all over the Patriots defense.

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Why Did Pats Dump Collins, Easley and Chandler Jones Again?

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Before I get into this let me say that I think most hold Bill Belichick to an impossible standard. He’s the best coach in NFL history, but that doesn’t mean he hits on every draft pick or that every personnel decision he makes turns out right. Better than the league average? Yup. More often right than not? Yes. But he’s not perfect and I don’t expect him to be.

I know the likes of Dan Shaughnessy think that bloggers like me are nothing more than fanboys who wave pom poms and blindly think everything Belichick does is infallible. But after how the Patriots defense has looked through nine games, even I have a hard time not casting a critical eye on the moves made by Belichick since last offseason.

By themselves, getting rid of Dominique Easley, Chandler Jones and Jamie Collins could’ve been easily dismissed and swept under the rug. But collectively jettisoning first round picks from 2012 and 2014 and a second round pick from 2013 now seems even more extreme as we’re forced to watch a defense that can’t get off the field, can’t disrupt a quarterback, and looks generally lifeless when they’re supposed to be rounding into form.

Why did we rationalize getting rid of them all again? Locker room cancer and was going to want too much money and freelancing? Something like those? Well at this point I’d happily take all those “problems” back since all three had more energy and life to their game than anything we’re seeing from the Patriots defense now.

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Pats Posits: PATRIOTS DEFENSE SUCKSAGEDDON!!!!

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bill belichick GIFYet again, a Patriots-Seahawks game came down to a final goal-line play, but this time the Patriots fell short, losing 31-24 to Seattle.

With eight lead changes, this was just the kind of thrilling Patriots game we’ve (not) been waiting for. We’re here to see good football games, not just blow everyone out right?

The Seahawks played a clean, tough game and their defense made the one play ours could not. It’s nice to play another NFL team that isn’t in shambles on and off the field.

But hey, big picture: no apparent injuries, a two-game lead in the division and still tied for best record in the AFC (with KC and OAK). I’ll take it.  We’re on to a much-needed road trip to San Francisco as we batten down the hatches and get ready for this week’s PATRIOTS DEFENSE SUCKSAGEDDON!!!!

Here’s the Posits on a defensive dud and yet another near-impossible end-of-game drive (almost) perfectly engineered by Tom Brady…

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Kyle Van Noy is another Protypical Patriot

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New Linebacker Kyle Van Noy will be part of the triumvirate effort in replacing Jamie Collins role in the Patriots defense. While Elandon Roberts and Barkevious Mingo have both played for the Patriots, barring an inactive designation, tonight will mark Van Noy’s first time on the field in New England.

It is unclear how the Patriots will choose to use Van Noy, who after being acquired via trade state he was, “happy to be wanted” in New England, and that the his former team, “didn’t know where to put [him].” Could this be another classic Belichick steal? Honestly, he might be.

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