PatsPropaganda

I do think the Ravens will bounce back this year, (though this Ray Rice press conference certainly seems like that issue will drag on a while longer for them). And it’s hard not to like the Colts after the weapons they’ve added. If they can protect Andrew Luck they’ll be tough to beat, especially at home.

I actually re-watched the playoff game between them and the Pats yesterday and it was a little closer than we might like to remember. I just think they’re a totally different team outside, especially in January. Will be very interesting to see how the Pats do against them in Indy.

Ultimately though I think it comes down to the quarterbacks. I’m sure some team will feast on an easy schedule and get into the playoffs, but I don’t think there’s much debate that Brady/Peyton/Luck/Flacco and Rivers are the only QBs to fear in the AFC (and I barely have Luck/Flacco/Rivers on there – depends on the game and the location).

The Bengals/Chiefs are in that second tier and who knows, could maybe upset one NE/DEN, but until a team outside of NE/DEN finds some consistency to sew up one of the top two seeds it’s hard to project a legitimate threat to Brady/Manning. 

The day is likely coming, probably sooner for Peyton than Brady, when the door will be open for another team to take over one of those top two spots in the AFC, but for 2014 I still think it’s NE/DEN then the field.

Thank you, a perfect non-Pats diversion. I could go with one of the major characters (Tyrion), but let’s stick with someone topical and go with Oberyn “The Red Viper” Martell. I think they’ve just scratched the surface of his awesomeness in the show. In the book he was such the perfect anti-Lannister. Finally someone who wasn’t intimidated by them and would say whatever he wanted. This next episode with be, uh, interesting though…

It’s huge and it’s really not something many Pats outlets are talking about. Here’s the nitty gritty from Jason LaCanfora.

Gronkowski is set to make $15 million alone in 2015, in the form of $5 million in salary (which is guaranteed only for injury but not for cap or production purposes), as well as a $10 million option bonus that the Patriots could opt to pick up at any point in the 2015 league year. Numerous sources who reviewed this contract said they highly doubt New England picks up that $10 million option, which would make Gronk a free agent. Should New England pick up that bonus, that triggers Gronkowski’s deal from 2016-2019 (worth $27 million).

Yes, Gronk is only 25 and when he’s on the field he’s the most complete tight end in the game. But he’s also already had seven surgeries (Back x2, Arm X3, Ankle and ACL). Those are significant and what hurts Gronk is that usually it takes until year two before players are fully back up to speed after an ACL.

And who knows if he’ll have to keep wearing that bulky arm brace. I tend to think he won’t.

So Gronk has to prove that he can stay healthy and productive, and that he’s worth that $27 million they’ll have to pay him from 2016-2019. 

It’s tough because Gronk’s size makes him really susceptible to injuries. The high ankle sprain that happened in the 2011 AFCCG was the perfect example. Defenders have to drag-down tackle him and often times that poses a risk to get caught up in his legs.

There’s a certain element of veteran savvy that can help players avoid injuries, especially for wide receivers who know how to get down and not take big hits, but as a Y tight end, it’s tough for Gronk to avoid being in the line of fire.

He’s going to be at the point of attack and in the middle of the field and the only way to tackle him is to either go for his legs to wrap up and hold on. Both pose consistent injury threats.

I truly hope Gronk can put together a healthy season this year. If he does I think the Pats will keep him. He’s just too good.

Yes, but they’re so versatile and ballsy they’ll go to a zone-blocking scheme if they need to, like against the Ravens last year:

And then you have a game such as Sunday’s 41-7 blowout win over Baltimore, in which the Patriots unveiled a new running game to neutralize a size disadvantage along the offensive line. The Patriots were undersized with 308-pound Logan Mankins at left tackle and 295-pound Josh Kline at left guard, so they switched from their power blocking scheme to a zone blocking scheme, which favors athleticism over bulk and could help negate the beefy defensive front of Arthur Jones, Haloti Ngata, Terrell Suggs, Terrence Cody, and others.

The Patriots broke out the old “stretch” run play that Peyton Manning and the Colts ran for years, in which the offensive line would all flow one way, and the running back would plant, cut, and go upfield against the flow of the defense for a big gain. The Patriots hadn’t run it much, if at all, this season, but LeGarrette Blount and Stevan Ridley pounded the Ravens for 130 yards on 31 carries, mostly out of the stretch play.

Generally though, they’re a power scheme that relies on a lot of pulling by their guards and using their athletic tackles in space as well. 

Haha, well I’m partial to the old PatsProp tee ad. I think I have to bring that one back. Still plenty of Obbeys, Gronkinators and Bruschi Legends for those out there that never got a chance to snag one.