PatsPropaganda

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Cue the Parcells “let’s not fit him for a jacket in Canton yet” qualifier since it is only camp, but I’m so psyched that Brown will be the #2 CB and that Butler is stepping up take over the #1 CB spot based on his noteworthy performance in camp. Put me in the minority, but a breakout season from MB, and a steady one from Brown and the defense will be fine.

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I agree, let’s just hope Tarrell Brown can keep it up and stay healthy. That still feels like a lot to ask. 

When people are worried about the cornerbacks I wonder why they’re ignoring the front seven. What would you rather have, three of the best linebackers in the game or two of the best cornerbacks? I’d argue that linebackers have far more effect on a game.

There’s no comparison between the front sevens of 2010 and 2011 to this front seven of 2015. Yes, there’s still some questions at DT, but there’s two first-rounders there, and at least one of them should blossom if not both. 

Look at the cornerbacks from the Super Bowl winning years before last year – one really good guy (Ty Law, Asante Samuel) at LCB and some veteran castoff at RCB ( Otis Smith, Tyrone Poole). Even when they had to put Randall Gay out there in the Super Bowl it didn’t really matter because their FRONT SEVEN WAS AWESOME.

So yeah, those worried about cornerback are just giving themselves something to worry about. The defense will be fine.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on Boyce. In particular, what has been holding this guy back? He has exceptional straight line speed and I would think that this would create some mismatches, but he hasn’t seen much playing time at all thus far.

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Boyce has a lot of supporters out there, but frankly I’ve always been lukewarm on him. His timed speed has just never seemed to translate into the NFL, he’s one of those guys who ran a 4.38 40 at the combine but when you see him on the field he doesn’t seem to be blowing by anyone.  And he doesn’t have that agility to quickly get open from the slot like Edelman and Amendola do.

Add in the fact that he’s 5′11″, 206 and he doesn’t really have the downfield size typically needed from an X-receiver, unless your name is Antonio Brown.

I guess to put it simply, he has outside long speed but inside size so he just gets caught in the middle, without a true fit, at least in the Patriots offense.

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Video of Malcolm Butlers great pass breakup via @SteveBalestrieri (via Butler great breakup – YouTube)

Somewhat reminiscent of the one in the Super Bowl that Kearse caught on his back. Not that I needed to be reminded of that. It’s the one play that still scares me whenever I re-watch the Super Bowl, which is frequently.

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

https://www.patspropaganda.com/video-of-malcolm-butlers-great-pass-breakup-via/

Preseason Week 1 Patriots 53-man Roster Projection

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As expected things have been made a little easier with some of the injuries, or more specifically the injury news, that we’ve gotten over the first week-and-a-half of training camp.

Here’s where I’m at on my 53-man, and I think it’s important to mention that this isn’t just about who makes the team, it’s about who you want to protect and who you want to guarantee salary to.

OFFENSE

QB (2) T.Brady, J.Garoppolo – Brady misses zero games.

RB (5) B.Bolden, J.White, T.Cadet, J.Gray, James Develin (Blount gets roster exemption for suspension) – Develin in, Gaffney out.

WR (5) J.Edelman, B.LaFell, D.Amendola, A.Dobson, M.Slater – Dobson’s got another injury. If he misses extended time they might be done with him. On the fence with Gibson and Tyms.

TE (3) R.Gronkowski, S.Chandler, M.Hoomanawanui – Pretty safe bet this is where we end up unless Chandler misses a lot of time and they need another vet.

OL  (8) B.Stork, T.Jackson, S.Mason, R.Wendell, M.Cannon, N.Solder, S.Vollmer, Fleming: Considered keeping Kline but I think they have enough versatility to manage with this eight.

DEFENSE

DE (5) R.Ninkovich, C.Jones, J.Sheard, G.Grissom, T.Flowers – Exciting group who can be moved all over the place.

DT (5) S.Siliga, A.Branch, Z.Moore, M.Brown, D.Easley – Moved Moore here, I think he’s an interior tackle guy now, at least on passing downs. Antonio Johnson is a good story, I think his fate is tied to Branch. We’ll see if either stand out in preseason. 

ILB(3) J. Mayo, J.Freeny, J.Morris – Fletcher will be on the PUP into the season (out 6 weeks), Freeny is a good veteran presence with special team value while Morris sneaks on the roster.

OLB(3) D. Hightower, J.Collins, D.Fleming – Fleming is one to watch on Thursday. Should play a lot and could take a big step forward this year.

CB (5) L.Ryan, T.Brown, M.Butler, M.McClain, D. Roberts – Fletcher’s a tough cut, but Brown has emerged. Roberts grabs one of the last roster spots. Jean is a good practice squad candidate as well.

S (6) D.McCourty, D.Harmon, P.Chung, J.Richards, T.Wilson, N.Ebner – Wilson having too good a camp to cut, he has special teams value too.

ST (3) S.Gostkowski, R.Allen, J.Cardona – Yup.

Total players: 53
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Brandon Bolden has emerged as leader for Shane Vereen’s role

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Brandon Bolden has emerged as leader for Shane Vereen’s role

I don’t love Bolden in this role, at least in the long term, but he’s reliable, great on special teams and is a pretty balanced back. My problem with Bolden is I don’t see a playmaking upside. He’ll get what’s there and not much more. However this will be only his fourth year in the league, it’s still too early to write him off, especially when he hasn’t gotten many extended opportunities.

Still, I think James White and/or Travaris Cadet will be a bigger part of the passing-down role by December.

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I’m not sure who I want to change their facemask more – Flowers or Malcom. C’mon guys, what is this? (via Patriots Training Camp – 8/10/2015 | New England Patriots)

https://www.patspropaganda.com/im-not-sure-who-i-want-to-change-their-facemask/

Tweets of Note from Patriots Training Camp on Monday

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The Patriots were off yesterday and it appeared a chance for them to reset their roster a bit and decide what changes needed to be made after a rash of injuries late last week had left them a little thin at a number of positions. Even the top gambling site reviews won’t like the Patriots chances in September if they’re without so many key players, so they’re protecting themselves with solid moves now.

They announced two moves earlier today, the first swapping out Matt Flynn, who still hadn’t passed a physical for former Cardinals quarterback Ryan Lindley. Obviously if Brady’s suspension sticks, they need a backup for Jimmy Garoppolo who can actually hit the field. It’s sure to be a steep learning curve for Lindley, but let’s hope we never have to see him take a snap outside of the preseason.

They also traded fifth-round pick Matthew Wells to the Bears for guard Ryan Groy, who started some games last year as a rookie. Obviously with Wendell still on PUP, they needed some experienced depth because while Tre Jackson might step in and start from day one, Shaq Mason probably needs some more experience in the passing game.

The Pats did get a boost today with a number of guys returning, including Julian Edelman, Brian Tyms, Matthew Slater and Alan Branch.

Here are the tweets of note from practice…

Malcolm Butler making these big plays is incredibly encouraging. It appears like he and Tarrell Brown are the favorites to start on the outside, though I expect we’ll see everyone get a chance to show what they can do, even in January.

Let’s just keep an eye on Solder, that’s a big injury to monitor…