PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Tom Brady’s Most Clutch Third-Down Receivers

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Yesterday, Phil Perry’s excellent series of Great Patriots Debates continued by pitting Deion Branch against Danny Amendola. After putting some thought into it, I had to stick with Branch by a hair. It was still like choosing between my kids.

Essentially, Branch was THE guy in 2003 and 2004 and he delivered in the biggest spots just like Amendola did in a more reserve role. Yes, Amendola probably had more “holy shit” moments and he was everything getting to Super Bowl 52.

But we can’t forget Branch was every bit as clutch without any big names, except 2004’s Corey Dillon, around him. Amendola had Julian Edelman and/or Rob Gronkowski for most of his five seasons.

The debate got me wondering, who are Tom Brady‘s most clutch receivers? Is there a stat to find out? Let’s jump in.

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Pats Posits: 10 Days To Go

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We are just 10 days away from the start of training camp. This never gets old, especially when you’re coming off a sixth Super Bowl. I jumped in with a bunch of content last week about the things I’m most excited to look for when things get going.

The PUP list, left tackle, tight end and new receivers headline things.

If you have never had a chance to make it to a training camp practice I can’t recommend it enough. Entry is free, you’re up close to the players and surrounded by fellow crazed fans. There’s games, arts and crafts and some pockets of shade if you know where to find them.

And if you happen to be there on August 3rd for Tom Brady’s birthday there will be free cake.

Teeing everything else up in some Monday Posits!

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Predicting the Patriots PUP List

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Over the next week, the Patriots will announce their Physically Unable to Perform list, a group of guys still recovering from injury/surgery who need more time to get healthy.

Anyone who opens camp on the PUP list is eligible to stay on the list when the regular season starts, costing them the first six weeks of their season. This can be a good way to create an extra roster spot, but missing more than the first two months of the season can be detrimental.

Now, with two players able to be placed on IR but brought back the same season, there’s a bit more flexibility when dealing with injuries.

The PUP list can also include players who don’t pass the conditioning test, which former PatsProp contributor Adam Magnacca tortured himself doing a few years ago.

Based on OTA and minicamp attendance, who might start training camp on the sidelines, not including any fat bodies who can’t make the run, which rarely happens now outside of free agent defensive tackles.

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A Closer Look at Patriots’ Wide Receiver Depth

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There are a lot of questions surrounding the Patriots’ wide receiver corps in 2019 but they’ve done a good job layering in a lot of interesting depth. At the top of the line we have Julian Edelman and rookie N’Keal Harry, the only two true roster locks in my opinion.

Then there are the unknowns in Demaryius Thomas, coming off a torn Achilles, and Josh Gordon, who is facing an uncertain suspension. Those two players at their best would give the team two proven outside targets. But again, it’s hard to count on either at this point and know exactly what the team might get out of them.

Let’s take a look down the depth chart to see who might emerge, since there are certainly a couple roles to be won, especially out of the gate with Thomas and Gordon possibly limited and unavailable.

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Will Damien Harris Lead the Patriots in Rushing?

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The rise to health and success of Sony Michel and Rex Burkhead was an underrated aspect of the 2018 Patriots offense. Both players had lengthy injury histories but when it mattered most, both players delivered.

It was the first playoff run of the entire Patriots dynasty where the team topped 150 yards on the ground in every game. Previously, they had only topped 150 four times ever in the playoffs.

Schedule & Game Results Table
ScorScor OffeOffe
Week OT Rec Opp Tm Opp PassY RushY
12W8-3@New York Jets2713283215
13W9-3Minnesota Vikings2410311160
14L9-4@Miami Dolphins333434477
15L9-5@Pittsburgh Steelers101727296
16W10-5Buffalo Bills2412117273
17W11-5New York Jets383244131
DivisionW12-5Los Angeles Chargers4128343155
Conf. Champ.WOT13-5@Kansas City Chiefs3731348176
SuperBowlW14-5NLos Angeles Rams133253154
Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/10/2019.

Many analysts seem to undervalue the ground game these days and I understand that passing drives offenses these days. But with Tom Brady closing in on 42 it makes more sense than ever for the Patriots to ensure their running game can take some heat off him.

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Five Patriots to Watch in Training Camp

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16 days away and the excitement for training camp is building! At this point, it’s best to take final inventory of the most critical areas of focus because once you get to the fields with 90 guys running around it can be overwhelming.

We know that the core of this Patriots team has been to four of the last six Super Bowls and if they stay healthy there’s no reason to think they won’t be right back in their ninth-straight AFC Championship.

Life without Gronk will take some getting used to and replacing two of the top three offensive tackles won’t help. But by December they should have it all figured out even if there’s some bumps in the road.

Who are the players that could bring something new and exciting to the team this year? Here’s where my eyes when camp starts.

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Patriots Position Battle Preview: Cornerbacks

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We’re just a little over two weeks from camp and it’s time to dive into the positional battles that are most fascinating. One thing about the Patriots, everyone starts on equal footing whether you’re the GOAT or an undrafted rookie. This means there are always surprises every summer, with unknowns and unexpecteds winning significant roles with the team.

The Patriots return all their starters from their 2018 Super Bowl run, led by shutdown corner Stephon Gilmore. Gilmore has had defining playoff plays in his first two seasons with the team and has firmly cemented himself as one of the best corners in the league. I still think Pats fans take him for granted but having a player like him makes things a lot easier on the rest of the defense.

In the slot, Jonathan Jones returned from injury in 2018 and immediately returned to his significant role. Jones is one of the fastest and most underrated players on the roster. He played half the defensive snaps during the season. He’s on a one-year, $3 million RFA contract, making this a big year for the 25-year-old. He could be a coveted player next offseason.

Jason McCourty returns on a two-year deal after proving to be a versatile fit at both corner and safety. He played 80 percent of the defensive snaps in 2018, however saw his playing time start to diminish in the playoffs as undrafted rookie J.C. Jackson started to emerge on the outside.

SB53 – Gilmore INT
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