An Independent Patriots Blog
Greg Cosell’s NFL Classroom: Sometimes, the defense wins
Nice X-and-O bit in this one from the Pats’ regular season matchup with the Colts, specifically focusing on Jamie Collins’ recognition and adjustment that forced an interception on the other side of the field.
Thanks to @NotRon_Jaworski for sending this my way. And on a side note I really had no interest in seeing Batman vs. Superman until the real version of this new trailer. Wow. I’m in.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/brady-vs-goodell-youtube-thanks-to/
Some tough quotes in here from Brandon LaFell speaking on how much Revis and Browner pushed the Pats’ receivers to be better every day in practice. And just when I thought I was over the sick feeling of letting two impactful players go. Still, over the years of 2009-2012 I often joked that the Pats’ offense must simply roll right over the Patriots’ bend-don’t-break defense in practice since the strengths and weaknesses of the two seemed to blatantly favor the offense.
The offense, designed to take whatever the defense gives them in the short-to-intermediate routes, while the defense was geared to allowing those short plays and not allowing the long ball, something the Pats haven’t exactly been deadly at in that time period. It’s always been an interesting philosophical dynamic to me.
Now it’s up to guys like LaFell and Edelman to return the favor to the cornerbacks on the roster, helping them the same way Revis and Browner helped the receivers last year. Iron sharpens iron. The shoe is just on the other foot this year.
Best of Julian Edelman | Offense Defense & Special Teams Highlights | 2009-2015 – YouTube
Pretty much every play Edelman has ever made as a member of the Patriots. The most impressive might be how well he tackled when he was playing defensive back.
We know all the names of the old dynasty, but no one sums up the success of the 2010′s better than Edelman. He had 37 catches as a rookie then had just 32 over the next three years. Most guys would’ve faded out of the league, especially someone who didn’t even have an NFL position coming out.
Instead Edelman hung in there, fought through injuries and being down the depth chart, and capitalized on his chance in 2013, developing into the Wes Welker replacement that everyone thought Danny Amendola was supposed to be.
And then, he comes through with some of the most clutch catches in Patriots history in the Super Bowl, not to mention every other huge play he made every step of the way.
Cheers to Edelman, who now seems headed for the Pats Hall of Fame when it’s all said and done.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/best-of-julian-edelman-offense-defense-special/
I know I’m going to miss some but here are a few that jump to mind.
1. 2006 AFC Divisional Playoff vs. SD – third down throw to Reche Caldwell to set up the GWFG. 49 yards on 3rd-and-10.
2. SB39 – Touchdown pass to David Givens – This pass always stood out to me as Brady went through all his progressions, then came back to Givens with an almost sidearm throw that was on the money.
3. 2014 AFCDG – GW Touchdown pass to LaFell. Just dead on at a critical moment.
4. SB49 – Amendola Touchdown Pass – Still amazed by the end zone view of this pass, just barely clearing the hands of four Seahawk defenders.
5. 2007 vs Giants – 50th TD Pass to Moss – Just a record-breaking bomb. Plenty to choose from in 2007 but let’s go with this one.
Couple others:
2011 GWTD vs. Cowboys to Aaron Hernandez. Just a perfect pass.
2013 GWTD vs. Saints to Kenbrell Thompkins. Perfectly placed laser.
Peyton Manning. Or Revis (ugh).
Kidding. Yeah, can’t go wrong with Watt, he’s a beast and right in my wheelhouse.
