PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

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Since Brady took over as the Patriots starting quarterback three games into the 2001 season, New England has started only two men under center (Matt Cassel is the other). Over the same 13-year span, the rest of the AFC East has cycled through 38 starting QBs (the Dolphins have had 16, the Bills 12, and the Jets 10).

Burning NFL thoughts on Cam Newton, Clay Matthews, Tom Brady and more | The MMQB with Peter King

https://www.patspropaganda.com/since-brady-took-over-as-the-patriots-starting/

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https://www.patspropaganda.com/1945/

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“When you talk about up front, I think I’d have to go to defensive tackle as opposed to an end, because tackles are harder to take out of a game plan by an offensive coordinator,” Schwartz opined. “You can chip a defensive end with a running back, (or) you can put a tight end to that side (and) make him redirect. But the defensive tackle is closer to the quarterback, and he’s harder to scheme. About the only way you can really scheme is slide the center his way, and most of them are good at dealing with that.”

“They’re the closest guy to the quarterback,” Schwartz later continued. “That quarterback wants to set up in the pocket. They can be a factor in every single play. If the quarterback throws quick – he throws on three steps, or even some of the one-step stuff that guys do now – defensive ends can be rendered ineffective on a lot of that. It’s hard to speed rush, it’s hard to be able to affect the quarterback if he’s throwing the ball so quick. But defensive tackles are always in the fight.”

Jim Schwartz: defensive tackles, not ends, have more value in modern NFL – Buffalo Rumblings

This is why I’d never complain about the Pats going DT in the first round the last two seasons.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/when-you-talk-about-up-front-i-think-id-have-to/

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https://www.patspropaganda.com/1950/

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https://www.patspropaganda.com/1953/

How pumped are you about the return of Brandon Spikes? I like this move more than the resigning of Patrick Chung. I think that if Spikes embrace the thumper role he can bring big plays (FORCED FUMBLES!) and the attitude that we lost with the Browner cut.

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I know Patriots nation is somewhat divided on Spikes return but personally I never wanted him to leave in the first place. I get that he was a bit of a meatball off the field in his first stint, and the “four years a slave” tweet certainly didn’t endear him to anyone but I look at it like this:

Spikes might be better against the run than any other Patriots defender is at any one thing. He also brings a presence to the heart of the defense that few other players do.

I know his limitations and in an ideal world he’s not playing in sub packages, but he just so good on early downs I believe he’s worth a roster spot. Belichick has never shied away from specialization and despite not being the best in coverage, I don’t think he’s ever been a total liability. Let’s remember he had a big interception in the 2011 AFCCG vs. the Ravens (that Brady blew with an ill-advised deep pass interception).

Simply put, he’s a great tool for the toolbox and brings not only experience in the system but a meanness that ever defense craves. I’m excited to see how he fits into things now and it’s certainly beneficial to have him out there now with Mayo/Hightower not out there.