PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

America’s Game: 2003 Patriots

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5acS3_ySd8

Little something to watch on this dead-of-the-offseason Saturday, the 2003 Patriots episode of America’s Game. I couldn’t quite believe what was happening before my eyes with the 2003 team. Yes, the 2001 Patriots had a magical ride, but that one Super Bowl didn’t erase all the feelings of inevitable doom I had acquired growing up as an 80’s/90’s Patriots fan.

The 2-2 start only reinforced that but then the Pats started winning and winning and they didn’t lose again until October of 2004. But they were never dominant. There was never a moment of believing the Patriots were unstoppable, they just were. After it was all said and done, the 2003 probably had the best defense of the Belichick era. Biggest thing was being healthy at the end.  The entire defense was just at their peak and everyone brought something to the party. Things started falling apart in 2004 with injuries and the inevitable decline of the defense. That’s when Brady and the offense took center stage.

But the 2003 team really embodied all the legends we’ve come to embrace about the Bill Belichick Patriots. And it was even the first season BB donned his infamous Reebok Hoodie.

ProJo/Daniels: Patriots show interest in re-signing Akiem Hicks

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Akiem Hicks is expected to generate plenty of attention when free agency starts next month. You can count the Patriots in as one of his suitors.

Source: Patriots show interest in re-signing Akiem Hicks

I’m all for giving it a shot with Hicks who really started to step up once Dominique Easley went down. General consensus seems to be that Hicks would get more money elsewhere but he’s young and talented and as anyone who knows me knows, I can never get enough front seven talent.

Re-signing Hicks might come at the expense of Alan Branch‘s contract option, but he’s younger and still ascending so I think that’s an okay trade. Plus, in my early draft research, I think there’s some really good fits at DT for the Pats.

Malcom Brown was great as a rookie and will be the unquestionable top tackle in 2016. Add in healthy Dominique Easley (fingers crossed as always), with Sealver Siliga (RFA who had a somewhat down year in 2015), vet Chris Jones who’s solid rotationally and I think it’s a pretty solid group. Either way I think you just have to have Branch or Hicks back, plus a mid-round-ish pick.

 

Logan Ryan Highlights and Look Back

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Yesterday I put up some Malcolm Butler highlights with some discussion about his 2015, today it’s his counterpart Logan Ryan‘s turn. Ryan had a great rookie year with five interceptions in 2013, but got knocked down the depth chart in 2014 with the arrival of Revis and Browner. Over those first two years and into the preseason of 2015 Ryan just couldn’t seem to find consistency.

There were plenty of people who were ready to cut him after watching him get torched in the 2015 preseason. At that point it looked like Tarrell Brown would start opposite Butler, but then Brown goes down and Ryan suddenly finds his consistency and becomes a solid starter on the outside when we were wondering if his ceiling was any higher than a backup slot receiver.

Now you look at it and Ryan has 11 interceptions in his first three years, including four last year. The Pats seemed to like him against the bigger receivers and it’s hard to argue he could’ve done a much better job against Demaryius Thomas facing him twice. Still it feels like many aren’t quite sold on Ryan. I’ve even seen some draft need boards listing cornerback near the top of the list.

I’m not sure if the Patriots can retain both Ryan and Butler past 2017. Certainly Butler should get a deal first to set the ground floor for Ryan. I’m also curious to see how Darrell Roberts fits into the equation this year after flashing some playmaking ability in 2015 camp as a rookie.

Ryan has cemented his place as a solid homegrown starter but one who could bolt for greener pastures in 2017.

Introducing the PatsPropaganda Forum

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As you’ve probably noticed things have been slowly evolving here on the new version of the site and today I’ve added a forum where we can chat. After moving on from Tumblr one of the things I liked but lost was the ability to take and answer questions through their platform, so I’m hoping that this forum will help replace that and give me a chance for some back and forth with you guys.

I’ve kicked things off with a couple questions about two areas I think are at the forefront this offseason — what kind of a third linebacker should the Pats pursue and what to do with Chandler Jones. I’d love to hear your thoughts on these topics and anything else that is weighing on your mind as we get going into Free Agency and then the draft.

You’ll find an easy link to the forum in the top navigation menu and as always, any thoughts, comments, tips, ideas, etc for the new version of the site are always welcome.

Bleacher Report/Frenz: Dion Lewis’ Health Is Critical in Complexion of New England Patriots Offense

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Good read from Frenz on Dion Lewis, who gave us possibly the most unexpectedly exciting seven-plus games from a running back in Patriots history. He also gave us maybe the biggest buzz kill of the season when he tore his ACL against the Redskins in a non-contact situation.

Just fascinating how Lewis, who had been kicking around the league and dealing with injuries for a few years, could suddenly show up, seamlessly fit into the offense and look like the second coming of Barry Sanders. There’s no question if Lewis remained healthy this would’ve been a totally different and more multi-dimensional offense in the playoffs, and one that would’ve been nearly impossible to stop.

Like most previous season ACL injuries, Lewis will likely be brought along slowly, but having James White already locked in is good insurance to manage Lewis’ snaps. I’d take the same approach they took with Gronk in 2014. Slowly bring him back with the goal of having him healed and raring to go by late December.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdZJk1xtU00

 

Source: Dion Lewis’ Health Is Critical in Complexion of New England Patriots Offense | Bleacher Report

Malcolm Butler 2015 Highlights

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No one really knew what the Patriots had with Malcolm Butler heading into 2015. Of course we knew he made one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history (along with a couple other impressive pass breakups before that), but to the casual fan it was easy to think Butler could be a one-hit wonder who would fade back into the unknown.

The thing about Butler though was that he was making plays on the ball from the moment he stepped on the field in training camp in 2014. Every single practice report had Butler always around the ball and that’s a skill that can’t be taught. Behind the scenes, Butler had shown enough in 2014 for Bill Belichick to believe the Super Bowl hero could be the Pats’ best corner in 2015 and he was right.

When the Patriots declined options on Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner, and then also dumped Alfonzo Dennard and Kyle Arrington it seemed like a head scratcher. Personally I was pissed because I just couldn’t believe the Patriots would go back to more zone-heavy defensive coverage. It’s just not practical in today’s NFL, yet most of the pundits simply assumed it to be the case without a “shutdown” corner like Revis.

Well Butler (and Logan Ryan) proved them all wrong. They allowed the Patriots to primarily stick with the Cover-1 Man Robber coverage, with Ryan usually taking the bigger receiver and Butler taking the other, often faster one. The thing about Butler in his first year as a starter was that he gave up very few uncontested catches. Anything he gave up, the ball missed his hands by mere millimeters. Some might knock Butler for that, saying that he needs to work on his hands, but it’s truly the sign of a special corner. He’ll start picking off those passes soon enough, and that’s if quarterbacks keep throwing at him.

And another great sign, was even when Butler gave up a big play, he always bounced back.

Add in his feisty, competitive gameday attitude and fearless tackling, and it’s not a stretch to say Butler is the best young cornerback the Patriots have had since Ty Law. Now with more experience he’ll be even more prepared to face the game’s best wide receivers. The sky’s the limit for Butler and there should be a new contract coming to him in the next year.

Finding Patriots Free Agency Fits

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Football fans love flashy objects and at no time is that more true that during Free Agency. Despite a decade-and-a-half sample size, many Patriots fans can’t help but imagine all the big name free agents possibly landing in New England. Every year the story is the same — the rest of the AFC East signs all the big names while the Pats sign from the bargain bin and… win the division.

The Super Bowl is never won in March, despite the splashy signings for huge money.

Over the years it’s become apparent the kind of free agents the Patriots target. Players who were underutilized or injured and never quite lived up to expectations. Especially those “just looking to win” and willing to take veteran minimum deals. Rarely do the Patriots go out and secure an unquestioned starter in free agency for significant money.

With that in mind here are the areas where I could see the Pats making some moves externally in free agency and some players who could fit the bill.

  1. Running Back: While Matt Forte would be the flashy name that gets everyone excited, the more I consider him, the more unlikely it feels that he would take the kind of low-ball offer the Pats would need to give him. That’s why Tuesday’s release of Joique Bell makes me think he’s more in line for what the Pats do, reminiscent of the Sammy Morris signing. Morris joined the team at age 30 in 2007 and gave the Pats three solid years in a number of roles, putting up 12 touchdowns. Bell is a threat both with his hard running and receiving, but go lost in the shuffle in Detroit, having a down year in 2015. He’s just the kind of buy low, high return back that could step in and compete for the early-down role against Tyler Gaffney and a rookie draft pick.
  2. Wide Receiver: I think Brandon LaFell returns but Danny Amendola will likely have to restructure his deal again. I’d like to add some more size and some more versatility to this group, and I think former Rutgers/Bengals receiver Mohamad Sanu makes a lot of sense. Sanu is one of those receivers who can do a lot of different things and would immediately bring an element of size to the group. Again, a guy who got lost in the shuffle a bit, but checks a lot of boxes the Pats like and should be affordable. Could see a world where Sanu is swapped into the slot for Amendola, who could also be let go.
  3. Middle Linebacker: Even before Jerod Mayo‘s retirement the Pats had a need at linebacker and while one should be added via the draft, they’ll shore up depth in free agency. Dane Fletcher, who never made it off PUP after an ACL tear, was basically on a one-year injury rehab contract last year. He could make sense for depth, I think he’s better than Jonathan Freeny. Externally the Pats kicked the tires on Rolando McClain last season but he ended up in Dallas and had a bad season. He’s the kind of reclamation project the Pats might like to try, especially pairing him with old Alabama teammate Dont’a Hightower. At 6’4″, he’d make for an imposing trio with Hightower and Jamie Collins. The Jets’ Demario Davis could be another interesting option.
  4. Cornerback: I think the best option here would be to bring back Tarrell Brown, who was looking like a starter before a lingering foot problem put him on the shelf for the year. Now he has a year in Foxboro and if his foot is fully healed he could be a good veteran presence to keep in the cornerback room. There’s plenty of young talent in this group between Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan, Justin Coleman, Leonard Johnson and Darryl Roberts. A vet like Brown would be the perfect way to round things out.
  5. Offensive Tackle: This is a position I really have no idea on. Do they just bring back LaAdrian Waddle for some depth? The Pats always sign off-the-radar offensive linemen. There are certainly plenty of available, I just don’t think it will be a splashy signing of any kind. No, offensive tackle is my top draft target right now depending on how high the Pats can get their first pick of the draft and how much tackle value is there. Again, athleticism is the key trait to add.
  6. Interior defensive tackle: Picking up Alan Branch’s option seems like a good value move and I think the Pats should at least take a swing at retaining Akiem Hicks as unlikely as it seems that he’ll be in their price range. If one or both of those two walks, they’ll need to look for another big body for the interior rotation. The Chargers’ Kendall Reyes was a good Patriots fit coming out of UConn but has underperformed. The return of Dominique Easley can cushion the blow of losing Hicks, but not Branch.