An Independent Patriots Blog
Join us for the Thanksgiving edition of the podcast. We’ve got a great primer for an article that will be coming out later this week that answers questions like:
Flashback Article: Arrington almost went to the Browns
Kyle Arrington’s ascension to atop the leader board in interceptions was far from a direct one. Here’s a great reminder to how close he came to going to Cleveland. I’d say his decision paid off.
Some bloggers projected that perhaps it was the Colts, who had experienced a run of injuries in the secondary, making a run at Arrington. But it was a different team in the Midwest: Eric Mangini’s Cleveland Browns.
When asked about it on Thursday, Arrington explained how the process unfolded.
He said his primary motivation was simply getting a chance to play, and that’s why he strongly considered the offer to join the Browns’ 53-man active roster. At the same time, he described himself as being loyal, which explains why he told the Patriots about the offer in hopes he would remain with them.
NFP/Bowen: Why are the Patriots Tight Ends a matchup issue?
I’ve tried to avoid the deep threat hysteria, but at some point during the Patriot careers of Gronk and Hernando they should be able to add some dangerous outside speed and that will make them even more difficult to defend.
I’m okay with the savvy of Branch and Welker on the outside for now, but Branch especially is closer to the end that the beginning so before Gronk and Hernando’s contracts are done there will be a new starter at wide receiver. They’ll also be more experienced which is scary and should keep Tom Brady playing at a high level in the twilight of his career.
Did I already post this? Oh, who cares, here it is again.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/did-i-already-post-this-oh-who-cares-here-it-is/
Couple things to share as I re-watched the Pats’ defensive series against the Chiefs.
– I need to click a picture of it but the Pats went into the exotic 6-1-4 defensive formation we saw in 2009 for one snap. It featured the standard four man line with Ninkovich and Cunningham standing up at the ends. Mayo was the sole linebacker. It looks to me like this is a pure run stopping formation. Strange that Cunningham would come in on just a couple plays, one of which being this formation.
– Cunningham did see some snaps at OLB, but it was more in the 3-4 front that they went into quite a few times against the Chiefs. Sometimes they’d just have Andre Carter stand up, while having Wilfork at 5-technique, Brace at nose and Deaderick at the other 5-technique.
– Using Julian Edelman as a spy on the waterbug Dexter McCluster was a deft stroke by BB. Edelman drew a crucial holding penalty as well. I wonder if he’ll continue in this role if/when Dane Fletcher comes back.
– Gary Guyton actually took on a couple blocks in this one. Still just isn’t physical enough for my liking. It says a lot that they’re using Tracy White as the nickel pass coverage LB over Guyton now. When Spikes comes back it will be interesting to see what becomes of Guyton. If Fletcher comes back to it could bump Guyton from the game day roster.
– Of the three scrub d-backs (Molden, Adams, Moore) I think Molden has the most long term potential. Adams had a really solid game though and Moore showed up with that big hit that helped Arrington make an interception. All three will add quality depth when Chung/McCourty get back.
– Some people can write about what an expensive disappointment Shaun Ellis has been, but I prefer to look at what the low round/undrafted Deaderick and Love have done. Doesn’t matter how you get to New England, only matters what you do once you’re there.
– Still not sure what to make of Ron Brace. Saw a couple good things, and a few bad things out of him in limited action, though seeing him at nose tackle was a bit interesting after he worked at mostly LDE in the 3-4 last year.
– Will Jerod Mayo ever make a big play? Can’t recall the last time he had a sack/interception. He looked unstoppable in preseason and I really thought this was his year. But it seems like all he does is make tackles 3-5 yards down the line of scrimmage. And he continues to struggle in pass coverage.
– If you put Myron Pryor and Mike Wright back in the mix with their interior pass rush skills it’d make Andre Carter and Mark Anderson even more deadly. Another year without an interior rush, at least we’re getting by this time around.
– Ninkovich was horrible against the Steelers but he’s been on a tear ever since. He has to be one of the most under-appreciated Patriots defenders and he’s been doing it all, playing a majority of the snaps every week. You never know where you’re going to find building blocks and Ninkopoop is a great example of that.
– Let’s close this out with Kyle Arrington, your NFL interceptions leader. I’ve always liked his tenacity and his physical play, but he’s really taking it to the next level this year with his ball skills. Who’d have thunk it? Such an impressive progression, from special team stand out to all around stand out.
This is how the half-day Wednesday before Thanksgiving makes me feel.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/this-is-how-the-half-day-wednesday-before/
Heading out of town for a well-deserved vacation of rest and relaxation. If major Pats news breaks, we’ll talk about it tomorrow-ish. Until then it’s all massages and mai tais!
