An Independent Patriots Blog
I do not like Tom Brady as a competitor or someone that is playing against him, because he’s a competitive player. But I respect the piss out of him because the guy knows how to win. You can say whatever you want to say about him, but he is a true champion. He understands it. Do I feel that he should be suspended for four games? I’m going to tell you no,
Bernard Pollard, unlikely voice of reason
https://www.patspropaganda.com/i-do-not-like-tom-brady-as-a-competitor-or/
Completely. This looks like an amoeba defense with so many athletes in all spots along the front seven. The defensive end role is already one that has the ability to rush or drop, so it’s hard to identify the edge players and who’s coming or going – this was a key principal of the original 3-4 and BB has maintained that element even in their nickel front. That pick by Ninkovich is a perfect example.
As I’ve said before I think Mayo is a big key because his speed in the flat would really allow Collins and Hightower to add to the edge versatility. For an easy example you could have Nink at DE/Hightower at SLB off his outside shoulder, but Ninko drops and High rushes. You could do the same thing with Collins/Chandler on the other side.
Or a nickel front with Chandler inside, Sheard on the right edge and Collins at outside linebacker. Any one of those guys could drop or rush. That makes presnap reads really murky. Add in that they’re all tough against the run and it would seem on paper to be an ideal defensive front for the modern NFL.
I was really excited to watch the secondary last year, but this year the front seven has the same kind of crazy potential.
Friday Training Camp Pic of the Day! (via Patriots Training Camp – 7/31/2015 | New England Patriots)
https://www.patspropaganda.com/friday-training-camp-pic-of-the-day-via-patriots/
Malcolm Butler’s pass breakup highlights evolving CB picture – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN
Interesting takeaways as always from the trusted Mike Reiss, with him pointing out the corner combo for this session was Ryan and Butler with McClain coming on as the slot corner. Of course, this all remains extremely fluid, but one part of maintaining a dominant team over a long period of time is unproven guys stepping up. The door is still wide open to everyone right now.
The Circuits are split as to whether manifest disregard of the law is still a reason for vacating an arbitration award. While the Eighth Circuit, which includes Minnesota, has not exactly been consistent on this issue, it generally says it is not. The Second Circuit, on the other hand, which includes New York, says that it is.
Thus, Brady and his team are actually better off in Giants territory than they would be in the land of the Vikings. This would certainly be a critical play for Brady to call given that the under-inflation rule appears to apply only to teams not players and carries only a $25,000 fine.
Alan Milstein
http://sports-law.blogspot.com/2015/07/more-of-brady-bunch.html
Interesting and I recommend reading the whole article. Of course, this whole thing has been a crash course in Sports Law and who knows exactly how this will play out, but I like seeing reasons for optimism about the location that the NFL picked themselves (and potentially shot themselves in the foot)
https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-circuits-are-split-as-to-whether-manifest/
I think it will help him stay healthy. The big problem with a young quarterback is holding on to the ball to long, resulting in taking sacks, aka punishment. So he needs to be able to withstand that. Add in his mobility and I’m sure we’ll see plenty of tuck-and-run when the reads aren’t clear, so again, he’s getting tackled. But otherwise I don’t think it should affect his game too much.
James White and Travaris Cadet may be after one role. The 2014 fourth-round pick left a strong impressing as he worked as a pass-catching back on Friday, looking smooth as he caught a pass thrown behind him at the knees and cut upfield in 7-on-7 work. And as for Cadet, who caught 38 passes for the New Orleans Saints last season, the back lined up out wide and beat linebacker Jamie Collins on a stutter fade, catching the ball overhead in the back of the end zone.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/james-white-and-travaris-cadet-may-be-after-one/