PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Which types of receivers hurt the Patriots most in 2010?

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I’ve kind of been operating under the assumption that opponents of the Patriots picked on their slot corners (Wilhite, Chung and Butler) more than any other area of the defense.

Kyle Arrington and Devin McCourty seemed to be fairly solid, despite getting occasionally beat deep. But when looking at Football Outsider’s breakdown of Defense vs. Types of Receiver rankings there are some surprising revelations.

The Patriots overall pass defense was ranked 15th overall. Let’s start with who they were best against:

5th overall vs. Other WRs (3rd/4th/5th WRs)

  • That’s right, they were actually one of the best teams in the league against 3rd/4th/5th WRs. Shows how much I know right? Perhaps this means our criticism of Jonathan Wilhite, and those who filled in for him after he was lost for the season, might’ve been a little misplaced.
  • I still believe that having an elite slot corner would be something

11th overall vs. 2nd WRs

  • Now FO’s decision between who’s the #1 and #2 WRs is somewhat subjective, but still not a bad job.
  • The Pats keep their corners on the same sides traditionally, so it’s hard to really say that this was because Arrington or McCourty specifically did a good job.

21st overall vs. TEs

  • Offhand I can’t really recall any tight ends that really destroyed the Pats this year. Dustin Keller was great in the September game, but after that?
  • Primarily you have to look at Gary Guyton, and perhaps Jerod Mayo somewhat as those most responsible in this area.
  • The slot corners could also bear some of the responsibility here, along with even some of the safeties.
  • Clearly covering TEs is done by committee, and that committee was not getting it done in 2010.
  • Important to note thought that difference between the Pats 21st ranking and the 49ers #1 ranking was only approx. 4 yards per game.

23rd overall vs. 1st WRs

  • Okay clearly this isn’t good, and the return of Leigh Bodden along with the progression of Devin McCourty should help in this department.
  • Another interesting stat to point out: an opposing WR had game-high receiving yards in 13 of the Patriots 17 games.

30th overall vs. RBs

  • This kind of shocked me. Who knew the Patriots were so horrible in coverage against opposing RBs? This certainly shines a light on Gary Guyton who was most often the coverage linebacker against both RBs and TEs.
  • This also tells us that a lot of times the coverage down the field was good, but it was the coverage underneath that was lacking.
  • Dane Fletcher is an interesting player to watch in this area. Him vs. Guyton could be a major camp battle to watch, because in limited time Fletcher certainly made some big plays in pass coverage, including a third down tackle that forced a punt in the playoffs. 
  • The Bengals were the best coverage team versus RBs, giving up 28.9 yards per game, that’s half of what the Patriots were giving up (56.6), so clearly here the difference is significant.

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The new holy grail of Patriots schwag: vintage snapback hat

There was a time not too long ago when the holy grail of Patriots schwag was a blue satin starter jacket from the 80s. Well I conquered that one via ebay for a steal of $12, now this vintage 80s snapback is the new object of my schwag desires.

This hat harkens back to the days of Raymond Berry, Steve Grogan and Craig James, when I first became a Patriots fan. The only problem is that those who have these hats know their value and you’re going to pay anywhere from $80to even $199 on ebay or other online stores to score one.

But the thing about ebay is, if you know what you want, be patient, be diligent and it will fall into your hands. I expect to make one of these beauties my 2011 hat. Watch me make it happen. For under $30. I promise you.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-new-holy-grail-of-patriots-schwag-vintage/

On Belichick’s rebuild of the Patriots defense

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Looking at the 2010 New England Patriots through a historical prism would show a team that performed how you would think a young team with an elite quarterback would perform. Brady helped them overcome a lot of deficiencies, but with such a talented young roster, that will only be infused with more young talent in a few weeks, it’s clear that things are heading up.

The Patriots will probably not top their fourteen regular season wins of 2010 in 2011, but you can bet that they will be a better team considering the progression and experience of their younger players along with the return of their injured ones.

Sure, there are needs, but they have enough ammo to fill them with talented high-round picks. The Patriots first dynasty was built on a veteran defense that played clutch in the post-season and a second dynasty defense is slowly being assembled before our eyes. It hasn’t been without it’s trials, especially the last two seasons in the playoffs. As the young D learned against the Jets in January, playing clutch in the regular season is one thing, but in the playoffs it’s something else entirely.

In a lot of ways I find the story of building a defense from the ground up more interesting that hanging on and trying to squeeze one last championship out with an aging crew.

We’re witnessing something that I don’t think has ever happened before in NFL history. A Hall of Fame head coach hand picking an entirely new defense, for a system that is established and proven.

NFL head coaches just don’t get that kind of longevity, and they especially don’t have the level of control and oversight that BB has with the Patriots. Given what we know about BB I’d say it’s pretty obvious that he relishes the challenge, and the chance to construct a unit that is entirely of his own design.

To use Bill Parcells’ analogy it’s like a master chef finally getting to choose every single last ingredient. Sure, BB had total control in the past, but many of the ingredients were inherited. Now it’s his turn to pick each one, to create a masterpiece that will be years in the making.

There have been a lot of special things that Patriots fans have witnessed, the construction of BB D 2.0 is an unheralded one that we are right in the midst of and another major chapter will be added in just 22 days.

Getting an OLB like this guy would certainly help matters…

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It’s clear that some teams with a first-round running-back interest – Miami, New England, New Orleans, Seattle – are studying both players hard, and it could come down to whether they trust that Ingram’s knee won’t give him trouble for the next few seasons.

“The question is whether you think Ingram’s toughness and physicality sets him apart from Leshoure,” one coach said at the league meetings last month. “I’ve seen a lot of Leshoure being physical himself, and he [Leshoure] is faster to the corner. I think he’s going to have a very good career.”

Peter King

(The Pats have first round runningback interest?)

https://www.patspropaganda.com/its-clear-that-some-teams-with-a-first-round/

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It’s obvious that’s the Patriots/Bilichick front office formula is starting to take root in the league and is spreading quickly. Eventually, these teams will have to start spending to keep their top players. That is the price a team should pay for drafting well. But if they keep drafting well and developing players they still wont necessarily have to be in the top 5 each and every year in cash expenditures. It also points to Nick Casario, Director of Player Personnel for the Patriots, and Les Snead of the Falcons being high on owners’ GM short list.

The bottom line is that; intangible management methods that produce effective scouting and coaching staffs reign supreme in building a winning organization. Owners who are willing to let go of the mom and pop attitude and hire good football people with a solid plan will be successful.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/its-obvious-thats-the-patriotsbilichick-front/