PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

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.

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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.

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Four Downs: AFC East

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FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Four Downs: AFC East

Don’t think there’s much question that tight end is the biggest need for the Pats, but with everyone mocking Jace Amaro in the first round to us, I think that’s kind of a stretch.

Why? I’m not convinced Amaro is truly ready to step in at the “Y” tight end spot and play every down. That’s what the Patriots would expect out of a first-round pick at the position. Let’s remember even Gronk went in the second round, and the Pats haven’t taken a tight end in the first round since Ben Watson ten years ago.

Amaro is more of a fit at the F spot, which Hernandez played. He played mostly as a receiver at Texas Tech and was rarely asked to block. That kind of rookie is not going to step into the NFL and be a three-down tight end. They need an F, but the priority has to be finding a Y who can block and threaten the seam. Amaro would be more of a luxury pick at that point given the value and his skill set.

That’s why you see a lot of Pats pundits mentioning Scott Chandler in free agency. He’s the kind of tight end they need.

I also disagree that the Pats offense is specifically building the two-tight end offense again. I think it just kind of worked out that way. No one knew a fourth round pick like Hernandez would become such a potent weapon. Would they like to get back to that? Of course. Is that specifically what they’ll try to do in the draft? Only if the opportunity presents itself for good value.

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https://www.patspropaganda.com/7370/

Chandler Jones’ Emergence Key To Patriots’ Defense Excelling In 2014 | New England Patriots | NESN.com

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Chandler Jones’ Emergence Key To Patriots’ Defense Excelling In 2014 | New England Patriots | NESN.com

Lotta good points in here from Doug Kyed. I think the key to Jones emerging is getting another legit defensive end (or two). Take the attention off Jones. Don’t make him play every snap. It’s a “one step back to take two steps forward” kind of a deal.

Then you can move Jones around, pick your spots with him and then on that key third-and-long he comes flying off the edge to force a hurried throw. That’s what you want.

Have the Patriots valued the correct positions at the top of their roster? QB is obvious, but then there are run defense guys and run offense guys and TE’s who can’t stay on the field. What positions need to be more heavily valued and how quickly could the Patriots shift this balance?

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I honestly think that pass rushers, both inside and outside, need to be prioritized as a group almost as highly as a quarterback.I think the mantra should be that you can never have too many guys who can get after the quarterback.

This would include specialized interior defensive lineman who can be a little lighter to add more quickness and a strongside/outside linebacker who must be accounted for. 

Defensive ends are a little trickier, at least your base two, who, in the age of mobile quarterbacks, must be able to contain as well as rush the QB. But if you’ve got a third defensive end/linebacker who can be moved around specifically to attack the quarterback, that’s ideal.

I don’t think the Pats have put quite enough value on this kind of thinking, though the picks of Bequette (granted he’s likely a bust but at least they tried), Collins, Buchanan and even picking up Armond Armstead and Chris Jones show some awareness to this kind of thinking.

Guys like Spikes and Hightower do leave me scratching my head a little bit. There was a definite need for Spikes after how the Ravens ran all over the Pats in the 2009 playoff game. But how many games have the Patriots lost because they couldn’t stop the run?

Now, as I see it, you need athletes at all levels of your defense, but the vital part of defense is pressure. You can cover any defensive deficiency with pass rush. The 2004 Pats winning the Super Bowl with Randall Gay covering Terrell Owens is proof of that. The saying is “defenses win championships” but I think it’s closer to “defensive front sevens win championships”.

As for guys who can’t stay on the field, I don’t put much weight in guys being “injury prone”. Sometimes, like in Ras-I Dowling’s case it has merit, especially if you’re taking that guy at 33rd overall. But generally injuries are impossible to predict, just look at Edelman vs. Amendola this year. Edelman was every bit as “injury prone” as Amendola coming into 2013, and that had no bearing on him putting in 16 games.

You have to find guys they like, take note of their injuries, but ultimately make a decision based on who they are when they’re healthy.