Snaps: Patriots defense at midpoint – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston
Good breakdown of who the key cogs on defense are. Joe Vellano and Alfonzo Dennard are two surprise snap leaders.
Gronk & Brady discuss their plans for the much-need and well-timed bye week. #Patriots
https://www.patspropaganda.com/lolpats-gronk-brady-discuss-their-plans-for/
Handing out midseason New England Patriots awards – ESPN Boston
Handing out midseason New England Patriots awards – ESPN Boston
Great stuff in here, and I have to say my opinions line up a little closer with Field Yates’.
My choices:
Offensive MVP: Tom Brady
It hasn’t been his best season stats-wise and it might be easy to overlook him, but Brady has stood tall in the face of unprecedented adversity and come through with some clutch moments despite some inconsistency.
Defensive MVP: Devin McCourty
The back end of the Patriots defense has been a major problem since 2010, but now with McCourty back there, the Pats haven’t been hemorrhaging passing yards any more. We knew a full offseason working at safety would help. McCourty’s been one of the best in the NFL.
Rookie of the Year: Chris Jones
Little debate about this one, Jones has been outstanding replacing Vince Wilfork and Tommy Kelly. With his interior rushing skills he should be a long-term fixture on the defense. He should be even better with a rotation around him.
Game of the Year: Saints
There hasn’t been a last-minute miracle win like this one for the Pats in a long time. Certainly wasn’t a perfect game and left us with concerns, but it showed the Pats once again have a fearless team that will fight until the end.
Best Coaching Decision: Cover 1 Robber Defense
Look back at the tape of when the Pats were getting shredded in recent seasons and almost always you’ll see soft zone coverage. Maybe it’s been Aqib Talib or maybe it’s just the better talent all over, but the Pats have been primarily a man-to-man defense and it’s made a big difference. Steve Gregory excels in the robber role, coming down into the box against the run or to cut off the short inside routes. They still don’t get over-aggressive but they have the corners to execute the scheme and the results are clear.
Unsung Hero: Michael Hoomanawanui
I’m with Reiss on this one, Hooman has come through with a few big catches playing 71.1 percent of the offensive snaps. That could dip a bit now with Rob Gronkowski back, but the Hooman did an admirable job playing a big role.
Second-Half Player to Watch: Aqib Talib
I’m excited to see what Shane Vereen does, but I think the Patriots playoff hopes live or die with Talib’s ability to be the shutdown corner he was early this season. If he can do that the Pats will be a very tough out.
Thompkins left his feet on 22 of the 48 passes thrown his direction (Thompkins has been targeted 56 times, but I removed the passes he no chance on). He also used a “double catch” on seven passes. It’s hard to tell if those dives were necessary, but at least a few were the result of Thompkins putting himself in poor position to receive the ball. Those traits alone aren’t enough to keep him off the field – Brandon Lloyd also had a penchant for leaving his feet – but it’s not always the best approach and immediately erases the possibility of gaining extra yards.
Nice study by Nick Underhill, always seemed to me like he left his feet or double-caught the ball alot. Things to work on…
https://www.patspropaganda.com/thompkins-left-his-feet-on-22-of-the-48-passes/
New England is averaging a respectable 4.4 yards per rush, but Tom Brady has been sacked 26 times — which is one shy of the number of times he was taken down all of 2012 and puts him on pace for a career-high 46. Those 26 sacks are fifth-most among starting quarterbacks in the NFL this season; Miami’s Ryan Tannehill has been taken down 35 times, including six times in the second half by the Patriots.
Patriots’ problems on offensive line are perplexing – Sports – The Boston Globe
Don’t think this is all on the offensive line, when receivers are winning at the line of scrimmage, or running the right hot routes, it’s just as much their fault as the offensive line. What matters most is that Brady isn’t forcing things. He takes the sacks when there’s nothing there and lives to fight another down. I do think Connolly, Mankins and Wendell have all struggled at times, but it’s hard to pin it all on them.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/new-england-is-averaging-a-respectable-44-yards/
MIKE!! CAN WE WIN IT ALL!?!?! Okay, but seriously, as much as I’m loving how the defense has stepped up. How Chandler Jones, McCourty,Nink, and Dennard are growing. How The Brady Bunch are starting to get the offense going. Can we really overcome the losses of Wilfork and Mayo. I didnt say Aquib because i pray he gets healthy. I felt like this was the year our defense gets us over the hump. THOUGHTS!?!?
Despite the injuries on defense, there’s a lot to feel good about, especially in the long term. The foursome you mentioned are really having impressive years and that has helped them overcome the losses of Wilfork and Mayo.
The injuries have also forced them to rely on some young defensive tackles and developing that kind of depth will be a big plus down the road. Chris Jones especially is just the kind of player I’ve wanted to add to this defense for a couple years now. He might be the best interior rusher on the roster, including Wilfork and Kelly.
There’s no question the defense is just playing at a higher overall level than they have since 2009. Part of that is the young guys getting experience and part of it is that they just have more talent in key spots. If they can bring back Talib, add some talent at defensive tackle in case Wilfork doesn’t come back as the same player we all remember him as, they’ll be well set for the next few years.