PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Sunday Supplement 01/31

by

Whilst we’re still a ways from free agency and the Draft, there’s still plenty of movement in the NFL and with specific Patriots interest. Let’s dive into the current QB market for the Pats and five players who sparked in yesterday’s Senior Bowl.

QB Situation

I woke up this morning to the news that Detroit had traded Matthew Stafford to the LA Rams in return for Jared Goff, two first-round picks for 2022 & 2023, and a third-rounder for 2021.

I knew a trade was set to be finalized before the Super Bowl as reports suggested, but I can’t believe how much LA gave up just to dump Goff’s cap and get rid of him. Detroit has Goff under contract now until 2024 along with an extra pick this year and two future first-rounders.

[Read more…] about Sunday Supplement 01/31

BREAKING- Matt Patricia to rejoin Patriots coaching staff

by

(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

As first reported by Jim McBride, former Patriots DC Matt Patricia is returning to the team following his release as HC of Detroit. Per the report, Patricia is returning to New England to assist the coaching staff in a variety of roles.

I don’t mind this at all, especially given Patricia’s experience with the team before he went to Detroit, interesting how it’s in more of an overall assisting role and not a specific positional coach role though.

By the looks of things, he’s put in a good word for Evan Rothstein, who was with Matty P at the Lions, he now joins the Patriots coaching team.

Both Breer and Ian Rappoport say that Patricia will be in an evaluation role also, similar to Mick Lombardi previously. One would assume this means he will be heavily involved in free agency and Draft evaluation for the Patriots following the departure of Nick Caserio.

Patriots FA’s – Who stays? Who leaves?

by

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

With the yearly Draft hype underway, I thought it would be a good time to have a rundown of each of the team’s 25 free agents, and give my take on who should stay and who should go.

Future free agency and Draft content is on the way (including big boards and mock drafts), so keep an eye out!

LB Shilique Calhoun (UFA) – Leave

Think the team can find better options than Calhoun moving forward, along with continuing to rebuild the Linebacker group. I don’t think he should return.

WR Damiere Byrd (UFA) – Stay

Byrd had a solid year as he assumed the WR2 position, I didn’t expect him to play in that role when he signed a one-year deal last offseason. I can’t imagine Byrd will cost much more than what we signed him for previously, I’d take him back on another one-year deal.

DT Adam Butler (UFA) – Stay

Butler had ups and downs through-out the 2020 season, but, he was the team’s best pass rusher. If the Pats can agree on a new deal, I would like him to return and continue developing, think he has a bright future.

[Read more…] about Patriots FA’s – Who stays? Who leaves?

PatsProp – End Of Season Awards

by

(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

With the 2020 season now in the rear-view mirror, it’s time to reflect and recognize the brighter moments of an otherwise disappointing year for the Patriots.

As voted by the readers of PatsPropaganda, here are the PatsProp 2020 – End Of Season award winners.

Rookie Of The Year

(T) Michael Onwenu

(AP Photo/Stew Milne)

After being picked in the sixth round of this year’s Draft, there were no major expectations for Mike Onwenu to make the sort of impact he did in his rookie season. But, following the opt-out of starting RT Marcus Cannon, Onwenu enjoyed his first season in New England splitting reps with Jermaine Eluemunor and making quite the impression across the league in the process.

PFF ranked Onwenu on a number of occasions as one of the best performing Tackles in the league during the season, as well as his inclusion in the PPF 2020 All-Rookie Team.

A great building season for Mike, with potential turnover at the offensive line position coming in the next few months, Bill will be pleased with the early performances from the former Michigan Wolverine.

2nd Place – Kyle Dugger

Team MVP

(P) Jake Bailey

(Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)

No surprise here, Jake Bailey has been a stand out performer for this Patriots team in 2020. Coming off a solid rookie season, Bailey continued to execute enormous punts (there were a lot of them), aiding the team with better field position in the process.

His performances also earned him a Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection, his first in both categories. Along with punting, Bailey also handled placekick holding and kickoff duties. I started the #ProBowlBailey bandwagon back in training camp and I’m glad the readers chose him to receive the team’s MVP award.

A real Swiss army knife as a specialist, what a great player.

2nd Place – Damien Harris

Offensive POTY

(RB) Damien Harris

Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Cries from Patriots fans for a Damien Harris breakout year were answered in Week 4 again Kansas City, Harris started that game in the place of an injured Sony Michel and secured his first career 100-yard performance on the ground.

Although his season was cut short at the end due to an injury, Harris still managed to rack up 691 yards on the ground, along with two touchdowns, a promising second-season, as many see him as new leader at the position.

Harris, along with Jakobi Meyers were the only real good offensive breakout performances this year. Both were worthy of the OPOTY award, but Harris edges it in the reader vote.

2nd Place – Jakobi Meyers

Defensive POTY

(CB) J.C. Jackson

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

An obvious choice was confirmed in the voting this time, unlike his ridiculous Pro Bowl and All-Pro snub, J.C. Jackson has been an interception machine this season, and wrapped up his impressive haul against the Jets last Sunday with his ninth pick.

Jackson, originally an undrafted free agent, has excelled to one of the league’s best cornerbacks, along with Stephon Gilmore. Some may argue that Jackson’s picks covered up for some discrepancies in his play this year, which may be true, but results matter, and Jackson snagging almost double-digit interceptions in just one season is a cause for celebration.

J.C. is a restricted free agent this offseason, expect the patriots to place a tender on him and potentially look to a long-term deal, or a trade-in the coming year.

2nd Place – Stephon Gilmore

Comeback/Emergence POTY

(C) David Andrews

Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

No real surprise with this one. After coming back from a near career-ending health emergency, David Andrews returned and was, for the most part, a solid rock at the heart of the Patriots offensive line.

Missing Andrews was felt last season and, along with Joe Thuney and Shaq Mason next to him, he put together some solid performances which enabled the run game to flourish at times. Andrews is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and with Thuney expected to leave, retaining Andrews should be a high priority for the Patriots.

The fans felt his return, as they chose him as the comeback player of the year.

Patriots vs Jets – Player Ups & Downs

by

(AP Photo/Stew Milne)

The season for the Patriots is officially over, and they finished on a win. Lots of changes coming in the offseason! But first, let’s look back on Week 17’s Ups and Downs.

Ups ⬆️

Jakobi Meyers

What a way to end his second season in the NFL, led the team in receiving yards and also threw his second touchdown of the season. Jakobi Meyers is a lock for my roster next year already, his coming of age as a reputable WR in this league has been a joy to watch, brilliant again.

Devin Asiasi

Both rookies in the Tight End position have been disappointing this year, whether not playing due to injury, or having zero production, but, we got a small spark from Asiasi on Sunday as he snagged his first career touchdown. Whilst his overall rookie year has been one to forget, this was a nice way to end it.

[Read more…] about Patriots vs Jets – Player Ups & Downs

Patriots GameDay Supplement 01/03

by

Faith Ninivaggi/ Boston Herald/ Media News Group

Here’s your Patriots GameDay supplement for all of the latest news ahead of today’s Week 17 season finale, as the Pats host the NY Jets at Gillette Stadium!

Roster Moves

Main Roster
CB Dee Virgin (Free agent signing)
TE/DE Rashod Berry (Signed from PS)
CB Michael Jackson Sr (Signed from PS)
LB Cassh Maluia (Signed from PS)
OL Ross Reynolds (Promoted from PS)*
CB D’Angelo Ross (Promoted from PS)*
*Main roster promotions will revert back to PS after the game
Practice Squad Signings
K Roberto Aguayo
Released
OL Earl Watford
TE Jordan Thomas
Placed On IR
LB Josh Uche
DT Tashawn Bower
RB Damien Harris

Now confirmed, Damien Harris and Josh Uche’s rookie seasons are both over after they were placed on IR. With nothing to play for and both players having slight ailments, this isn’t a big surprise. A few players were signed to fill the gaps left by the IR movements, including Cornerback’s Dee Virgin and Michael Jackson Sr, one would assume that these are more of a backup option with a view to seeing them in the offseason.

[Read more…] about Patriots GameDay Supplement 01/03

Patriots Preview: Week 17 vs NY Jets

by

A formality game to end a disappointing season for Patriots fans. Whilst some will be hoping that the team does indeed lose against the Jets, to get a higher pick in the Draft, Bill will send out those who are healthy to try and win a game of football on Sunday.

Date: Sunday, January 3, 2021
Game Time: 13:00 EST
Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
Network: CBS
All-time record: Patriots lead series 68-54-1

How The Patriots Win

Almost two months on since these sides last met in November, the Jets have won a couple of games in a row and are no longer in the picture to draft Trevor Lawrence. And, with that now confirmed, the Patriots could very easily lose this game.

Firstly, they’ll need to make Sam Darnold, who, has looked good in recent weeks and was absent when these teams met earlier in the season. Pressure Darnold, force some mistakes and don’t let their passing game garner any consistency.

The Jets will be without future HOF’er Frank Gore, who’s out with a lung problem and La’Mical Perine, who tested positive for COVID-19. Usually a team would take some reassurance by this news, but given how bad the the Pats run defense has been this season, I still think backups Ty Johnson and Josh Adams can still deliver damage. If they want to win, they’ve got to contain these backs.

With no word on any change to the quarterback position for Sunday, I assume Newton will start in his final contractual game for the Patriots. If so, please go out with a bang and just try and make some plays through the air. Away from Cam, I think Jakobi Meyers is key to getting the W on Sunday, he’s been one of the most reliable offensive weapons this season, he is the passing game.

Whether it’ll be Damien Harris or Sony Michel leading the backfield on Sunday, they’ll need to run the ball well to put themselves into position to score points, with how bad the passing game has been, running the ball will be key.

TSM’s 5 Keys To Victory-
-Pressure Darnold
-Stop Jets backup RB group
-Cam goes out with a bang
-Jakobi Meyers
-Running the ball

[Read more…] about Patriots Preview: Week 17 vs NY Jets