Steve Sabol is one of my personal heroes. It was NFL Films that first made me fall in love with the game of football. Even though I was a hockey player there was nothing like watching a football game to me. Every clip NFL Films does gives such an epic sense to the game. Without NFL Films the NFL would be nowhere near where they are today. Here’s what Sabol had to say about the Patriots…
Seriously, this is demento Patriots world. 2010… where 2004 and 2009 collide.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/seriously-this-is-demento-patriots-world-2010/
A tactical change, which came after the Patriots were scorched on third-and-10, third-and-9 and third-and-11 situations early in the game, helped spark the turnaround.
On those third-and-long plays, the Patriots lined up in a 4-2-5 nickel defense, with four rushers, two linebackers and five defensive backs. Obviously unhappy with the results, they substituted a linebacker for a defensive lineman, making it a 3-3-5.
Having one fewer rusher often put the Patriots into more of a coverage mode and explained why rookie linebacker Dane Fletcher – an underdog free agent out of Montana State who wears Ted Johnson’s old No. 52 – started showing up on the field in more key situations.
The goal was to get more physical with Ravens pass-catchers at the line of scrimmage and take away quarterback Joe Flacco’s first read. When Flacco doesn’t see his first read open, Patriots defenders said, he has a tendency to look at the rush, so New England tried to disrupt the rhythm of Baltimore’s passing game that way.
Mike Reiss
https://www.patspropaganda.com/a-tactical-change-which-came-after-the-patriots/
For those who missed it here’s Brandon Meriweather’s hit on Todd Heap. Is that a tooth that flies out?
Look I’m not going to condone this hit. Meriweather will be lucky to escape with a fine…
BUT…
This hit, along with a few others yesterday, are all the buzz today. Meriweather wasn’t the only Patriot to blast a Raven receiver. There was also Patchung! blasting Derrick Mason to hold the Ravens to a Field Goal.
So it’s a safe bet that a lot of NFL receivers are very aware this morning that the Patriots have some physical defensive backs. You can’t underestimate the effect that can have for a defense.
You don’t want to be known as cheap shot artists or head hunters, but you do want to be known as a physical defense that can intimidate opposing receivers.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
https://www.patspropaganda.com/for-those-who-missed-it-heres-brandon/
Lombardi: Pats Excerpts from Monday Column
Here’s what respected NFL.com coumnist Mike Lombardi had to say about the Pats in his Monday column…
In New England, the Patriots faced another tough team in the Baltimore Ravens and the game had a playoff feel. The Patriots are young, but in the last two weeks they had to overcome poor starts, plays and mistakes to win. This was a huge win for the young Patriots, because beating a tough team like the Ravens requires mental and physical toughness something they have worked all off season to achieve.
In one Sunday, Deion Branch caught the same amount of passes that Randy Moss had in four games with the Patriots. But more important than the amount of catches, was the location of those completions that makes the biggest difference. Branch is not in New England to replace Moss, but rather to help run routes that enhance the playbook.
The Patriots’ secondary was extremely physical and these young players are starting to grow up.
Bruschi on Tap: Six observations
5 Patriots Personnel Areas to Watch Follow Up
Prior to the game against the Ravens we posted five areas we’d be curious to watch when it came to the Patriots personnel area. Following up below…
1. Darius Butler Back?
Nope, they’re still going with Arrington though I thought I saw Butler in there late. I haven’t lost hope with Butler, but clearly he hasn’t turned it around just yet.
2. Brace vs. Deaderick
Deaderick got the nod at LDE, the position where Brace has been playing all season so it’s safe to say that Deaderick has passed him on the depth chart for the time being. The Pats held the Ravens to under 100 yards rushing and that was a huge key in stopping them, so regardless if Deaderick got turned a couple times, as a whole the Pats run D was strong.
3. Meriweather at 34 FS?
With James Sanders out it’s hard to tell if Meriweather is completely out of the dog house. Though after that hit on Heap, which BB looked none too pleased with, he could be back in it.
4. Hernan Expanded Role
As expected Hernandez was a frequent target of Brady. I’m willing to forgive his drops in overtime. He’s the youngest player in the NFL and he just learned how much he needs to stay focused.
5. OLB Snaps?
Jermaine Cunningham and Rob Ninkovich were out there a lot. Can’t wait to see Mike Reiss’ defensive snap totals because it seems like TBC has been reduced to a DPR role. I can’t believe Patriots Nation isn’t doing backflips right now that we found an OLB in the draft who is playing a lot and playing well. Each game I like Nink and Cunn more.