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Top 10 Games of Wes Welker’s Patriots Career
Flashback from this offseason to this article I put together for Welker’s Top 10 games with the Pats. Every catch and especially touchdown, I’ve seen him get this year with the Broncos felt like a stomach punch. Can’t even imagine what it will feel like when they’re coming at the Pats’ expense this weekend (assuming, as Brady does, that he will play).
Almost every significant play the Panthers had on offense was the result of Newton and the Panthers taking advantage of the Patriots’ aggressiveness. The 42-yard pass to Steve Smith in the first quarter? The Patriots rushed six defenders. The 9-yard touchdown pass to Brandon LaFell? Also on a blitz, with the throw landing in the spot that a blitzing Dane Fletcher vacated. Newton’s 24-yard run on third and 6 in the second quarter? Another six-man pass rush, with Newton running right past a blitzing Dont’a Hightower. The crucial defensive holding call on Devin McCourty on third and 7 on the Panthers’ final drive? You guessed it — another blitz.
Patriots’ blitz could not contain Cam Newton – Sports – The Boston Globe
Interesting. Especially when it’s such an easy criticism crutch to say the Pats D needs to be more aggressive.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/almost-every-significant-play-the-panthers-had-on/
Personnel Mismatch: The Week 11 Return of Patriots Halfback Shane Vereen | NEPatriotsDraft.com
Nice breakdown of Vereen’s return by Oliver Thomas.
Interesting comparison between Welker and the two guys who have combined to replace him.
Disclaimer – I pay ZERO attention to college football, potential free agents or the draft until the day after the Pats’ season ends.
DT: I think defensive tackle is easily the biggest need, but I’ve been beating that drum for three seasons now. Hopefully the right guy falls, but a young, dominant interior player is the most glaring missing piece. I like Chris Jones as a rotational guy, Vellano should have a spot as well. But even if Wilfork, Kelly and Armstead come back the group still needs a young boost.
WLB/MLB: They need another linebacker besides Mayo who can run and cover. I like Mayo, but I don’t love him. Especially after watching Luke Kuechly play (and yes, even hold). Not saying they should or will try to replace Mayo, but in today’s NFL you need at least a couple LBs who can really move.
Guard/Center: Even if they like Connolly they need some youth behind him and Wendell. I’d argue upgrading Connolly should be a priority. They have a decision on Wendell to make this offseason as he’s a free agent.
CB: Who knows what will happen with Talib. His injury and meltdown should lower his price a bit, but I’m no longer convinced the Pats will use the Franchise Tag on him. I think this hip is enough of a recurring problem it might limit the ceiling of any offer they’ll make him. Regardless they always seem to need corners. Arrington is tough and good in the slot, but I’d really like to keep him off the perimeter. Dennard is a building block (as long as he’s not going to jail) and honestly might be better than Talib though he’s undersized. How much of a priority a CB is might depend on how much they like Logan Ryan.
TE: I’d take a blocking tight end or a move tight end. They need to layer some depth in there. Not sure Mulligan or Hooman are long term solutions.
Safety: Still need a legit strong safety who can play the Money role. I like Gregory but I think Harmon could potentially replace him. Adrian Wilson was the right idea in theory. They could use a big, tough guy for sub-packages.
QB: They should start grooming someone behind Brady and the search should begin in his draft. Not sold Mallett is the answer.
Per Jeff Howe’s tweets below, it looks like it’s now official, no Armond Armstead or Mark Harrison this year.
On Harrison it’s probably good to give him a red shirt year. He was never healthy coming into camp and as we all know it takes time for receivers to pick up the system. He’ll be one to watch in camp as no other receiver has his size and speed on the roster.
Armstead is a real disappointment and no one seems to know what happened. Most were penciling him in as the top sub-rusher next to Wilfork this season, and everything looked okay until he suddenly was put on the PUP for what was called an “infection”.
How did he get the infection? Was it related to his heart issues that caused him to miss time in college? Nobody seems to know.
It’s even more disappointing because after the injuries to Wilfork and Kelly, the Pats really could’ve used some reinforcements along the defensive line. Hopefully the real story comes out eventually. It’s probably more likely to now that his season is over.
So yeah, more bad news. Anyone getting used to this yet?
Heard from the NFL that NFI players (Armstead, Harrison) must begin practice by “day after the conclusion of the 11th reg-season weekend.”
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) November 20, 2013
Since that day was yesterday and neither Armstead nor Harrison practiced today, their seasons are officially over.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) November 20, 2013
Here were my three reasons Brady is the best of all time, one of my most read articles in my time at B/R. So that gives you some of the answer. Fans eat this stuff up, especially ones who want to tell me how stupid I am in the comments (and there are PLENTY of those).
Everything has to be ranked in sports by the media and comparing the two best quarterbacks of their generation is inevitable.
Personally, I don’t really care who is better. The reasons I like Brady better are mostly superficial, even though there are plenty of stats to support the Brady is better argument.
Even if I wasn’t a Pats uber-blogger, I don’t think there’s much argument that Brady is just the cooler of the two. Peyton’s more like a dorky football Frankenstein with a big head, JV facemask, and little shoulder pads and a weird paunch belly.
But even I can see Peyton Manning’s brilliance as a quarterback and I do think he can make it look even easier than Brady at times. We get so caught up in the “who’s better” of it all we lose perspective of how special these matchups are and that they won’t happen many more times. Trying to have every player to ever play ranked nice and neatly to the point where there’s no more debate is pointless and impossible.
Let’s just enjoy watching two of the best of all time and let the better TEAM win.