PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

GQ: Do Football Writers Really Know Their Xs and Os?

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GQ: Do Football Writers Really Know Their Xs and Os?

I’ve been thinking alot lately about how much more I enjoy reading NFL fan blogs than “professional” columns like Peter King, Gregg Easterbrook, etc. Sure, the pros get access, like King did earlier this week with Tom Brady, and some are fair and level-headed analysts (Mike Reiss), but the great majority write simply to invoke a reaction (Felger) and thus get more clicks.

At least with bloggers you know where their allegiance lies, and you can trust that sites like arrowheadpride.com and yes, even turnonthejets.com, know their team better than anyone and want to share that knowledge. That’s what I enjoy reading as a football fan.

Clearly knowing Xs and Os is not required for someone like Felger and I wonder if he’s even made an effort to understand what exactly’s going on out there. Seems like Randy Moss has suffered as much as anyone due to most sportswriters complete and utter lack of real football knowledge.

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http://www.hulu.com/embed/0W6F_7Mbo4hsKvVrsobdBA

This is how I prefer to remember Tedy Bruschi. Nothing against his second career as an ESPN analyst, but it’s tough to hear your favorite player criticizing your favorite coach and team. I guess I had always just hoped Tedy would become a defensive coach for the Pats or end up working in the organization somehow. He was special to Pats fans, and now I feel like he’s just another blabbing talking head on ESPN take stances with rigid opinions. I understand you can’t be a TV analyst and give a pass to your old team, but sometimes it feels like he goes so far the other way just to make the point that he is fair and balanced.

Oh well, let’s just remember Tedy for his infectious leadership, habit for making big plays on the biggest stages, and his comeback from a potential career-ending stroke. He’ll always be #54 to me…

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

https://www.patspropaganda.com/this-is-how-i-prefer-to-remember-tedy-bruschi/

Lombardi: A New Course For Brady

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Lombardi: A New Course For Brady

The more I think about it the more impressive the Pats winning the AFC East was last season. Brady was rusty, Moss was hurt, and they lost arguably their four biggest leaders on defense in the offseason (50,37, 54, 93), including Bruschi and Seymour just prior to the opening game.

I’ve heard Coach Belichick talk about how he admires what the 49ers did with two different quarterbacks in the 80s/90s and I think that enjoys the similar challenge of building a new defense from scratch. Last year there were a lot of growing pains, which has to be expected when you lose the key leaders of your defense. How many NFL defenses could replace 7 starters on defense and still win their division?

From the article above it’s clear that Brady recognizes the challenge ahead of them. I fully expect the offense to be better this year, even before Welker returns. With the free agent and rookie additions on the defensive side of the ball I expect continued growth, new leaders coming into their own, and the foundation to solidify.

Let’s not forget that while this young defense was scorched by the Saints, they held Peyton Manning in check for much of the game before folding like a lawn chair. The potential and talent is there, it will just take a little experience to return this defense to the “elite” conversation.

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“[Our] philosophy on first and second down is to stop the run and play good zone pass defense. We will occasionally play man-to-man and blitz in this situation. On third down, we will primarily play man-to-man and mix-in some zone and blitzes. We will rush four or more players versus the pass about ninety-percent of the time.

“In all situations, we will defend the inside or middle of the field first – defend inside to outside. Against the run, we will not allow the ball to be run inside. We want to force the ball outside. Against the pass, we will not allow the ball to be thrown deep down the middle or inside. We want to force the ball to be thrown short and/or outside.

“… Finally, our job is to take the ball away from the opponents’ offense and score or set up good field position for our offense. We must knock the ball loose, force mistakes, and cause turnovers. Turnovers and making big plays win games. We will be alert and aggressive and take advantage of every opportunity to come up with the ball … . The trademark of our defense will be effort, toughness, and no mental mistakes regarding score or situation in any game.”

Nick Saban’s Coaching Philosophy (learned under BB)

https://www.patspropaganda.com/our-philosophy-on-first-and-second-down-is-to/

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Ross Ventrone DB

I always find it kinda funny how Coach BB has a soft spot for Navy players and undersized white crazies like the Ventrones. I don’t really see how he makes the roster with so many talented draft picks and young players already there, but I don’t think you can ever count a player like a Ventrone out.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/ross-ventrone-db-i-always-find-it-kinda-funny-how/

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Pat Paschal RB

Looks a little thin to me, and I’m really not sold on 35. Long shot.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/pat-paschal-rb-looks-a-little-thin-to-me-and-im/