An Independent Patriots Blog
Linebacker Snap Graph 11/17
The Steeler game was all about Mayo (of course), Guyton and TBC.
Check out Shawn Crables blue line, if you believed this graph it would look like he was slowly getting more and more involved. Nope, he’s gone. But I bet he’s back on the practice squad later today. Needs more time to develop bigger calves… or something…
https://www.patspropaganda.com/linebacker-snap-graph-1117-the-steeler-game-was/
BB is always so cheery after a win so despite an extreme lack of sleep he was happy to talk Colts.
One thing that stood out to me was how he said with the Colts no huddle you better be ready to ride with the defensive personnel you put out there at the start of the drive. Meaning the Patriots versatility will really come into play this week.
Don’t think he doesn’t remember how he felt walking off the field last year in the picture below either…
Football Outsiders: Breaking Down Gronk
I fully expect the Gronk to feast on the small Colts defenders this week. Hey Robert Mathis, good luck holding your ground against him and Vollmer.
James Sanders Wins AFC Defensive Player of the Week
Kind of surprising. I take it more as an award to the defense and I hope the rest of the Patriots defenders do too. Not bad for a guy I called “solid but unspectacular” last week.
Defensive Lineman Snap Chart 11/17
As you can see it was a pass defense heavy game against the Steelers. Nothing too much you can take from this other than Gerard Warren picking up a lot of slack caused by Myron Pryor’s absence.
Deaderick and Brace are clearly run stoppers in the 3-4 and not used as much in sub-packages. They did a good job early on against the Steelers run game, the Pats got a lead, and Brace/Deaderick got to rest.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/defensive-lineman-snap-chart-1117-as-you-can-see/
The Patriots performed a Michigan linebacker switcheroo this week, letting go of pass rusher Shawn Crable and bringing back special teams guy/run stopper Pierre Woods.
Woods was working as a groundskeeper at Michigan’s Big House when he got the call from the Pats. I have to imagine the motivation for a guy who was staring head on at a reverse Rudy (who went from groundskeeper to player for those who don’t love Sean Astin flicks) will be high.
Imagine yourself, having lived your dream for four seasons, then finding it come to a sudden end. He must’ve felt like he was just hitting his stride as he came into this season before getting cut, having one work out with the Chiefs then finding himself painting lines on the field where he once won glory.
So I have to think that we’re going to get a highly motivated Pierre Woods.
What’s the logic behind this move? Well, as @SkinlessJSN and I discussed on Twitter Woods will immediately bring Special Teams experience. But secondarily I think we could take over as the OLB in the base 34 defense on run downs for Jermaine Cunningham. Cunningham just might be a stronger pass rusher than Crable was, and Woods just might be a stronger run stopper than Cunningham is.
If those variables are correct this move will make the Patriots better. And that’s all Bill Belichick tries to do.
As to whether or not Woods is in shape enough and ready to hop right in and play 15-20 snaps on defense remains to be seen. The Pats probably won’t be in the 3-4 much this week with Peyton Manning coming to town.
