PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Pats Posits: More on the roster, the week ahead and needed number changes

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– The line between linebacker and safety seems to be disappearing. Linebackers used to only need to be slightly more athletic than offensive linemen, but now they must be able to run and cover tight ends, running backs and sometimes wide receivers, all of which run the gamut of size and speed. Belichick has long experimented with big safeties in the dime linebacker role, but that has seeped into many of the subpackages. 

– This speaks overall to the total athleticism of the defense now. There are just four defensive tackles, each a little different than the other, but generally where the only size exists on the defense. The defensive ends, linebackers and strong safeties all have plenty of crossover in coverage and need to be able to play in space at times.

– The Patriots have always been a gameplan defense but it’s going to be extreme this year. You simply can’t pencil in anyone in a particular side or position. The defensive tackles will be mixed however best fits to attack the offensive line whether it’s having two space eaters inside or using Easley to attack gaps.

– Then there’s the cornerbacks who I think will be in more man-to-man than any of us anticipated, but it will be about matching features, not just Butler on the left/ on the best receiver, etc. The safeties will factor into this as well. Put it this way, tracking the snaps and coverage is going to be a headache this year.

– With Stork back at practice I really have no idea what the OL looks like Thursday night. Although Jackson looks a little better than Mason, I wouldn’t rule out Solder-Mason-Stork-Wendell-Vollmer.

– Travaris Cadet is a wild card because there’s no tape on how the Pats plan on using him. He’s receiver-like in his route running and I think the Pats are going to use him to create a lot of favorable matchups.

– Remember September is always about experimentation, even to the point of losing games unfortunately. Guys are going to get chances in the first four weeks that don’t represent how good they actually are. Guys could be seen in September, get their chance, and never be heard from again if they don’t seize it. So don’t read too much into the lineup week one especially.

– Wouldn’t mind some number changes for Tre Flowers (74), Rufus Johnson (70) or Geneo Grissom (48) today. 52, 58, 59, 90, 98 are open.

– Dion Lewis is the RB to watch vs. Pittsburgh I think.

Parallel between ex-New England Patriots Reggie Wayne, John Lynch – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN

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Parallel between ex-New England Patriots Reggie Wayne, John Lynch – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN

Especially this weekend, these are a must-read from Reiss, including this tidbit on Justin Coleman, one of my best Patriots fits from my draft research. Hopefully he ends up on the practice squad shortly.

When a Patriots scout or coach works out a college prospect, it’s a little different. That was the word from rookie cornerback Justin Coleman of Tennessee in the Patriots’ locker room Saturday, as he explained how the club first sent a scout to work him out, and then position coach Josh Boyer. That was more attention than he received from any other team and it was more intense than the other four workouts he had with clubs. “They’re a little tough with workouts, try to see where you stand; do them at a certain tempo that most teams wouldn’t. I think it comes down to high expectations.”

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Patriots (Initial) 53-man Roster Thoughts

This thing is far from set, but there are enough interesting moves and non-moves that it’s time to reset.

Here’s where I was off:

Out – Reggie Wayne, Jonas Grey, Robert McClain, Brandon LaFell (PUP)

In – Chris Harper, Mike Williams, Eric Martin, David Andrews

Jonas Gray is the biggest surprise, most assumed he’d done enough to earn some carries. Strange run for Grey after getting those four TDs vs. Indy.

Wayne’s retirement is a bit of a surprise and now Aaron Dobson has a chance to show what he can do once again.  Especially without LaFell for the first six games.

Martin and Williams are two guys I need to take a little closer look at. Martin shined early in camp but was lost with an injury until the last preseason game. Not really sure how they fit outside special teams just yet.

Harper has a tall task ahead of him but they will very well need him at some point soon. I wouldn’t rule out a veteran addition here, but who knows if anyone could pick the system up quickly. 

Right now it looks like they’ll be small on the outside and tall on the inside, at least to start. Imagine Edelman and Amendola will see a lot action and who knows how easy they’ll have to go on Edelman’s ankle still.

I am a fan of keeping all six safeties, each has their own use and can play multiple roles. They’re thin at linebacker but Chung/Richards/Wilson are essentially dime linebackers so there’s some depth for both positions there.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/patriots-initial-53-man-roster-thoughts-this/

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Busy week ahead indeed and it starts today. Lotsa of rumors floating out there, let’s wait until the dust settles before we make any judgements.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/busy-week-ahead-indeed-and-it-starts-today-lotsa/

Pats Posits: Will there be another shocking move over Labor Day Weekend?

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I remember sitting in a diner getting a late breakfast over Labor Day weekend 2009 when the shocking news of Richard Seymour getting traded to the Raiders broke. The Pats had already lost a bunch of talent that offseason – Harrison/Bruschi retired, Vrabel and Ellis Hobbs were traded – the defensive rebuild was in full effect. Trading Seymour, one of the only elite players still in their prime left was a jaw-dropper.

But that’s just how the Pats do business and we shouldn’t be surprised if a similar move happens this weekend. Here are some thoughts on who it could be and other areas of interest as we start to gear up for the start of another season.

– Chandler Jones makes some sense. First, defensive end depth is very solid. They would still be better than last year with Ninkovich/Sheard/Flowers as the top three. Second, Jones will be due $7.79 million next year and then would require another huge contract. I like Chandler as a player more than most but I don’t think the 2015 Pats would be much worse-off without him. The Pats will need 2nd and 3rd round picks next year to make up for the lack of a first. If someone dangled a 2nd for Chandler they might have to take it.

– But the cap savings on Chandler are minimal this year, that’s why it might be a season too soon to move him.

– I’m not as sold on moving one of the tackles. Vollmer could make sense but I don’t want to move Solder. Given Vollmer’s injury history, would anyone be comfortable with Cannon and Fleming as our starting tackles? That’d be a very real possibility if they traded Solder. Moving Vollmer would save $3.4 million.

– Cannon could be another guy who goes, but that’d only open up $800K of cap space.

– Patrick Chung just got extended but cutting him would open up almost $2 million. With great strong safety depth I wouldn’t totally rule it out.

– Lotta people scrambling to find a fullback to replace James Develin but I don’t really see it. When they find a fullback they like and who fits, they use him but it’s not like the position is absolutely necessary to their offense. Nice piece to have but I believe they can plug Hooman in or honestly Shaq Mason (if he’s not starting at guard) into that kind of blocking role.

– I just don’t see Mike Williams making the team despite trading for him. Still see him as more a tackle than TE.

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(via The reasons for 2011-13 playoff losses – ‘Do Your Job: Bill Belichick and the 2014 Patriots’ – YouTube)

Wow, it’s like BB took these words directly out of my mouth over the last few seasons. I must’ve written it dozens of times that having Gronk healthy in the last game of the season might just be the biggest key for the Patriots. And as much as everyone wants to kill the Pats’ defense of 2011-2013, they were one or two plays away from winning a Super Bowl. The only real difference of 2014, ending two of the three playoff games with sealing interceptions.

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

https://www.patspropaganda.com/via-the-reasons-for-2011-13-playoff-losses-do/

Friday Patriots Q&A

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Friday Patriots Q&A

We’re finally off of Deflategate and the preseason and on to the Steelers! What an offseason it was. Doesn’t even really feel like there was one to be honest and here we are again, starting another campaign. And what a week it’s about to be. Roster moves galore this weekend, Do Your Job show Tuesday, America’s Game Wednesday and kickoff Thursday. 

So let’s open the floor for questions and comments. What are you guys most concerned about with the team as currently constituted?