An Independent Patriots Blog
Football Outsiders: Patriots #1 Overall DVOA
The Pats hung onto the top spot in DVOA obviously because of their bye and astronomical offensive score. Seriously, if you haven’t figured out DVOA yet you really need to get on it asap. These are the only rankings that really mean much, and I’m not just saying that because we’re number one.
The most interesting storyline for me when it comes to the 2010 New England Patriots is how the defense develops in year two of the rebuild. 2009 was year zero of the Belichick Patriots Defense version 2.0, and now in the second season we’ve started to see some interesting trends emerging as the coaching staff gets to know their new players better and better.
With a hat tip to Mike Reiss we break down the snaps played for each defensive player and try to read the tea leaves as to what it all means after the jump…
Branch is Back and wearing #84. Notice that scar on his knee, don’t remember that when being there when he left…
https://www.patspropaganda.com/branch-is-back-and-wearing-84-notice-that-scar/
http://www.hulu.com/embed/LJPvjWvUZpcCszaehkdWVQ
Patriots History Tuesdays: Super Bowl 39 Highlights
In honor of the return of Deion Branch, today we present highlights from Super Bowl 39. One of the things that most impressed me with Branch in this game were the number of difficult catches he made and hung on to. I know Branch is not the same player he once was, but the ability to hold on to the ball is not something that goes away with age. I’m sure Coach Belichick will put Deion in position to make best use of what his talents are now.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/patriots-history-tuesdays-super-bowl-39/
This week more than usual was an exercise in asking questions you know won’t get answered the way you want them to. Dennis and Callahan do their best to make their interview with Brady unlistenable, but Brady’s ability to dance around their stupid questions saves the day.
The Belichick WEEI interviews are always must-listen. Usually the hosts (Ordway, Deossie, Smerlas) ask pretty good questions, and Belichick is relaxed and a little more open than his usual press conference appearances.
This week we get a heavy dose of Randy Moss questions, but no real new insight or information. Shocking, I know. I don’t know why the hosts of these shows don’t just stop wasting their time asking things like ‘any news on the Logan Mankins front’, which has become a running joke on Belichick’s weekly spot.
Dennis and Callahan still seem to think that they’ll get Brady to crack one of these days and say something to the effect of “yeah guys, Randy Moss was a locker room cancer and I’m glad he’s gone”.
If you listen to just one, make it Belichick’s…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyGgimpSK9w
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Deion Branch has been traded back to the Patriots for a 4th round pick. Any predictions what number Deion wears (Welker’s got 83 now)? I say 13.
Branch is definitely on the down slope of this career but should be able to contribute in a lot of areas. Biggest of which could be leadership. And I’m sure Brady will be excited to have his OWW (Original Wes Welker) back.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/espns-adam-schefter-reports-that-deion-branch-has/
