PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

I feel like the AFCE is gonna be more of a challenge this year. Which actually makes me excited. With all the meat that’s been added to the Dolphins, jets, and bills and how much turn over there is with the Pats it looks like it’s gonna be a fun ride to the AFCE crown this year

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I agree. I know it kills you when you see your rivals making splashy moves in March while your team stays relatively quiet, but the NFL season is so much more fun when your rivals are good or at least have some hype going into the season. Who wants 16 games a year against the Jaguars or Titans? That’s no fun. 

There’s also a reason why a team like the Jets has the money and the need to rebuild almost their entire secondary through free agency – because the Pats blew up yet another AFC East team. And I really though Rex Ryan was closer than any other AFC coach to figuring out how to beat the Pats. Yes, the Pats looked dominant on paper, but just about ever game, save a couple, went right down to the wire. 

It will be interesting to see what he does with Buffalo to replicate how close he got the Jets to challenging the throne. But that’s the unknown with Todd Bowles. He’s a defensive coach who likes to blitz. Can he and his new coaching staff figure out the same kind of scheming Rex did to slow down the Pats? Those game plans have been out there since 2009 and not many teams can reproduce the *fairly* consistent success Rex had in slowing down Brady, which centered on a confusing mix of pressure and coverage, coming from all directions.

The Dolphins have a good front four, but the depth and talent everywhere else on their defense is very questionable. 

It should be a fun year in the AFC East. I’m very much looking forward to it.

Pats Posits: Regrouping on the Free Agency Front

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The initial rush of free agency is over and yet, even more holes remain for the Patriots than when it started. Yes, they signed Jabaal Sheard, a slam dunk fit for them by all accounts. But significant questions remain at guard, running back and cornerback. Here are some thoughts on what the current rumors and what the Pats might do next.

– There were reports on Thursday that Eagles guard Evan Mathis could be available via trade, and then a later report said the Pats were “interested”. Who know what “interested” really means. If it means they made a call to see what the Eagles want for him, it’s one thing. If it means they’re ready to actively pursue him, it’s something else. Still, the fit makes sense and if they could get him and Connolly back, they’d be in good shape headed into the draft, where I’d still expect them to take a guard by the fourth round. Mathis would be similar to Brian Waters in 2011, who gave them one great year at the end of his career.

– The next shoe to drop could be at the running back position where Reggie Bush and CJ Spiller remain available. Even if it’s not one of those two guys, the Patriots will almost certainly make an addition at this spot. I don’t really have a favorite of the two, though Spiller is three years. Both have had their injury issues and would bring an element of risk.

– As for cornerback, I don’t know what the immediate answer is. There are still a couple names out there, but with new free agents getting released every day, maybe the Pats are waiting for something we can’t predict. 

Of course, that’s the optimistic approach, although Chimdi Chekwa, despite doing nothing of note in Oakland was once a pretty highly regarded cornerback taken in the 4th round.  Far from a lock he even makes the team, much less plays cornerback, but this is what the Pats do. Most of us felt the same way about Rob Ninkovich when he was signed.

Still, I know the thought of a Dennard-Arrington-Ryan-Butler starting secondary is scary at the moment. There will be changes.

– Terrence Knighton came off the market late Thursday, not that I really saw him as a target. Instead I think Red Bryant is more intriguing and a lower-risk signing. Of course the could also bring back Alan Branch as well. Still veteran options out there, but the core is likely going to be Chris Jones/Siliga/Easley and possibly a high-round pick. Randy Starks would be another guy who’d fit, or they could just bring back Wilfork.

– Just don’t see the need for any of these big name wide receivers like Dwayne Bowe or Stevie Johnson. Michael Crabtree would probably make the most sense to me.

– Still would love to see Scott Chandler come to New England. He’d be a perfect addition with Gronk and Wright, essentially upgrading Hooman both as a blocker and receiver. Not to mention he’s killed the Pats recently. BB always seems to go after guys like that. Anthony Fasano would be another good choice.

Don’t worry. I’m not panicking. I’m embracing the mystery. Just something I wanted your thoughts on: if the Patriots do end up playing more zone on account of, you know, not having their man-coverage corners anymore, how well do you think they’re set up at Safety? McCourty is good, but Chung is pretty weak in coverage, I have no idea what Harmon is, etc. More specifically, what kind of Safety play do different schemes necessitate and do the Patriots have players who can make that happen?

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Yeah this is one of my biggest questions because they did just extend Chung. There obviously is still a place for him to excel in Cover 3 Robber, which is basically the same role he had last year and a coverage the Pats played a lot of with Rodney Harrison.

But if their corners need lots of help and they have to go more Cover 2, you’re going to see a lot more of Duron Harmon I think.  I still don’t think Chung is incapable of playing back, at least in Cover 2. He’s just not a centerfielder in Cover 1.

There’s ways around it, but they’re not going to be a full zone team and there are a number of big receivers they know they’ll have to deal with – Demaryius, Decker/Marshall, even Sammy Watkins is 6′1″, Dez Bryant. Those matchups are the ones that appear to be problems at this point in free agency.

And embracing the mystery is always the way to go at this point in the offseason. We can panic about holes/potential holes in mid-May.