I think Harper is the better fit, but I’ve always liked Delmas. I just think with McCourty and Harmon as more free safety-types, they could really use another strong safety-type like Harper.
New England Patriots rookie review: DTs Chris Jones, Joe Vellano, and Sealver Siliga | masslive.com
New England Patriots rookie review: DTs Chris Jones, Joe Vellano, and Sealver Siliga | masslive.com
Good read on three of the most interesting guys from 2013. If you had told me Wilfork and Kelly would be lost for the season by October, I would’ve had a panic attack. But Vellano, Jones and Siliga came through out of nowhere and once again proved the “next man up” philosophy is alive and well in Foxboro.
Jones and Siliga look like they’ll have long-term futures for the Pats. Vellano I’m not so sure about.
What do you think is mcdaniels biggest strength and weakness as OC
His biggest strength is his creativity and adaptability to create unique attacks based on the pieces he has. Check out Michael Holley’s WAR ROOM for some insight into how he put the pieces together for the 2007 offense.
As for weakness I think he tries to get too cute at times with some of the gadget plays. Of course, whenever you call a gadget play it’s either going to turn out awesome or embarrassing. Still, sometimes I think his timing is a little off.
Overall, I find it hard to truly evaluate an offensive coordinator from the outside. I know a lot of people get upset about “play calling” but there are so many unknowns it’s hard to really accurately put those solely on McDaniels. Maybe Brady changed the play at the line of scrimmage. Maybe the defense was in one look and got out of it just before the snap. Maybe the play had been clicking all week in practice and just didn’t work in the game. A lot of variables there.
But I do think McDaniels has shown a really good ability to develop offenses that can attack weaknesses, whether it’s with a heavy dose of the running game or a spread attack that goes no huddle.
Patriots.com – 2013 Season Highlights Video
Patriots.com – 2013 Season Highlights Video
What a crazy year it was. One of favorites, it completely erased the boring 2012 season from my memory.
29. New England Patriots – Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame
The vast majority of mock drafts have the Patriots taking Jace Amaro or another TE with this pick, and I don’t disagree. If they are going to get a tight end in the draft it better be early, because I believe there is a tremendous drop off in talent after the second round or so. I believe the defensive line is the biggest need on the team, whether it’s the tackle or end position, I think it’s an area that will be addressed early.
Mike Loyko’s Pre-Combine 2014 NFL Mock Draft | NEPatriotsDraft.com – 2014 NFL Draft
Always enjoy Mike Loyko’s mocks and it’s hard to disagree on picking Nix in the first round. My focus is DL and OL with that first pick for now, depending on how free agency pans out.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/29-new-england-patriots-louis-nix-iii-dt/
I was wondering if you could go a little more in depth about belichick stopping what opponents do best. Do you think he goes by players or situations. Why does when he go against a team he limits what he wants (to a degree) work compared to other teams.
I think it’s both players and situations. For example, I think he asks his defensive ends to be far more conservative against mobile QBs than most teams are. BB seems far more willing to challenge a quarterback to beat him with his arm than most coaches do. The result that we’ve often seen is that the quarterback will torch the Pats defense, but throw one or two interceptions and that will decide the game.
I think football is the kind of game that whenever you can simplify it for the players, they’re far better prepared to succeed. It also helps that BB knows football as well or better than anyone, and has a legendary ability to identify the critical characteristics of the opposition.
Forgive me for a Star Wars reference, but it’s just like Luke hitting that small exhaust pipe that started a chain reaction to destroy the Death Star. BB finds those exhaust pipes and makes sure his players know exactly how to hit them.
Whether it’s a favorite play on third down, a favorite receiver, and preferred coverage matchup, it’s all about not letting the opposition do what they want to do and force them to beat you with something else.
