PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

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Patriots captain Jerod Mayo has led a series of voluntary player workouts in Massachusetts for his teammates, according to a source, ensuring the Pats won’t be as susceptible to injury when training camp eventually opens.

The workouts are completely permissible because they’re being run by players, and the Patriots’ staff has not been involved.

Safety Patrick Chung, quarterback Brian Hoyer and safety Bret Lockett have been among the players in attendance, although a few others have also been present, according to the source. It is believed that every Patriots player has been invited to attend the workouts.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/patriots-captain-jerod-mayo-has-led-a-series-of/

Patriots looking at undersized LBs to bring more athleticism?

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If you take a look at the list of linebackers that the Patriots have had direct contact with you’ll notice that most of them look far more like inside linebackers in the Pats scheme than outside guys.

If you look at my Patriots-only big board you’ll see quite a few low round outside linebacker types who have the prerequisite 6-04 250 size, but none have met with the Patriots yet. Of the 10 linebackers the Pats have met with six of them are approx 6-02, 240 pounds. This is even on the small side for a weak inside linebacker in the Patriots 3-4 defense, where you need your most athletic tackling machine playing.

And with Jerod Mayo, Gary Guyton, Brandon Spikes and Dane Fletcher it would appear the Pats are all set at inside linebacker, so it is a bit strange to see such a collection of guys. So what gives?

Now I try not to read too much into it when the team meets with a player, but it’s clear that a trend that has emerged and I think that this potentially could signify a change in philosophy.

Usually smaller players in the 6-02 range tend to be a little more athletic than the the bigger linebacker types, and athleticism is one of the things you need most in pass defense.

There’s little argument that pass defense has been the Patriots defensive achilles heel the last few seasons, perhaps even dating back to the final drive in Super Bowl 42.

While most will point to the lack of pass rush as the problem it’s really not that black and white. A good defense is a combination of getting pressure (or just causing general havoc) without blitzing (so only sending four rushers), and getting good coverage long enough to let the pass rushers get there.

So perhaps BB is really considering some of these linebackers who are used to playing in space, and have the athleticism and speed that some of the bigger prospects lack to make more of an impact on passing downs. The catch is that they’ll need to be heavy contributors on special teams since it would appear that their value on run downs and against heavy run teams would be lessened.

It will be an interesting area to watch in the draft, but adding a quick athletic linebacker could be an immediate help on the downs the Patriots struggled most on the past couple seasons.

ProFootballTalk Mock: Not even close for Patriots

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ProFootballTalk Mock: Not even close for Patriots

I really try not to read ProFootballTalk since Perez Florio is just a master of throwing gasoline on any small spark he sees, and here in his mock draft I’m given even more reason to never visit the site.

He’s got the Pats taking Brooks Reed at 17 and Nate Solder at 28, and while both players are on my Patriots-only big board, their selection at these slots would be overvaluing both of them.

Reed would definitely add some attitude, pass rush acumen, and a great uniform/helmet look to the Pats D, and Solder would eventually be a monster bookend with Sebastian Vollmer, but both players are extremely raw.

With both JJ Watt and Cameron Jordan available the selection of Reed seems like a gross over-simplification of the Patriots needs, with an extreme reach to fill that need.

So yeah, PFT should stick to unfounded rumors and leave the real football analysis to those who are actually paying attention.