PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Let’s talk about sacks… Patriots style follow-up edition

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Before the 2010 season I wrote this article for Pats Pulpit where I surmised that the Patriots really didn’t necessarily need one OLB pass rusher to solve their pass rush problems. What they needed was more pressure from the entire defensive front seven. So not just the high end sack artist type, but the three to four sacks from a multitude of players.

Here was the breakdown of total sacks and sack leaders from the past decade:

  • 2001 – 41 (Super Bowl Champs) Hamilton – 7
  • 2002 – 34 (missed playoffs due to tie breaker) Seymour/McGinest – 5.5
  • 2003 – 41 (Super Bowl Champs) Vrabel – 9.5
  • 2004 – 45 (Super Bowl Champs) McGinest – 9.5
  • 2005 – 33  (Lost AFCDG) Colvin – 7.5
  • 2006 – 44 (Lost AFCCG) Warren – 7.5
  • 2007 – 47 (Lost Super Bowl) Vrabel – 12.5
  • 2008 – 31 (Missed playoffs due to tie breaker) Seymour – 8
  • 2009 – 31 (Lost AFCWCG) Banta-Cain – 10

And now we can add:

  • 2010 – 36 (Lost AFCDG) Wright 5.5

It was our general determination that you really wanted to be around 40 sacks for the season, and after back to back seasons if 31 total sacks in 2008 and 2009 the Patriots improved to 36 sacks in 2010, good for  t-14th in the NFL.

However Mike Wright’s team leading total of 5.5 was the lowest since 2002, and he only played in 10 games. Myron Pryor also battled back problems this season, limiting him to just a half sack. Losing your top two interior rushers can cripple a team, and it surely had an effect on the Pats, especially in the playoff game where they were sack-less.

But it appears that this Patriots team was on the right track and had Wright played the last six games it’s likely they would’ve been right around 40 sacks.

2010 appeared to be a step in the right direction. It’s hard to read too much into these numbers because they don’t include QB pressures, but when you’re leading sack guy is 4.5 sacks lower than last year yet you still have more sacks total you’re getting better production across the board. 

That is the tenet of the 3-4 defense, applying pressure from multiple different spots. Adding additional young pass rushers both on the interior of the line and at outside linebacker will again be a priority, but it looks like the pieces are starting to come together.

Mike Wright Patriots

The Pats missed Wright late in the season.

Belichick Wins 2010 AP Coach of the Year!

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When it’s all said and done with BB’s Patriots reign 2010 might be considered a year of missed opportunity for the team, but the awards that were won and the regular season games that were won will be a good part of the tally.

No coach has won 14 games in a season more times than BB. And considering this was supposed to be a rebuilding year on defense, and the Pats have 6 picks in the first three rounds this year, and well… let’s just say things are looking good.

Belichick AP Coach of Year

Torry Holt says the Patriots need another receiver

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Torry Holt says the Patriots need another receiver

A lot of good stuff in this article where Holt gives him opinions on Tate, Price and Edelman. A bigger, physical receiver might be just what the Hoodie ordered and I tend to think Free Agency might be the better way to go in this situation.

“I think Price has the ability, the physical attributes, to help them. Mentally he has to continue to come along in terms of learning the system and believing that he can win, in terms of believing that he belongs in the National Football League. 

"Brandon Tate, I think he is a speed guy. We all saw that he can stretch the field. More playing experience will help him in terms of slowing down and understanding the game and knowing where to be, being that much more reliable for Tom. I think that will come. 

"Julian, the same thing. He is a tough, feisty guy who you can put in the slot and he will block and make the tough grab and run reverses. He is kind of a guy you can do multiple things with. 

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It’s hard to win 14 games in this business. I know people are disappointed in New England about the fact they’ve had disappointing losses in the playoffs the last two years. But I can say this because I’m not in New England, but if people in New England are complaining, they’re spoiled. They’re doing something right there, because they win a lot of football games. Bill has a lot to do with it.

Rich Gannon on why he voted for BB as Coach of the Year.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/its-hard-to-win-14-games-in-this-business-i/

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dSl64R067g

In honor of all the snow that has been dumped on New England lately, let’s have a Patriots History Wednesday with overtime of the game that started the dynasty. The Patriots vs. Raiders Snow Bowl. There’s no question that there has never been a more clutch performance by a kicker than Adam Vinatieri in this game.

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)

https://www.patspropaganda.com/patriots-raiders-snow-bowl/