PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Assuming that Gronk is able to play for his normal ammount of snaps and is 100% ready to play in terms of speed, strength, mental toughness…. How does his return affect the capabilities of the running game? Whether as a blocker or keeping opposing safeties/LB’s out of the box?

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It’s huge in every aspect of offensive football. 

On the ground, you get back your best blocking tight end, so that improves the running game. He also could force defenses into more nickel packages which again, improves the running game.

In the passing game, you get back the best third-down and red zone threat in the NFL. Two areas the Pats have struggled most on offense this season. And not only can Gronk do damage when he’s catching the ball, just having him on the field will affect the coverage the Pats see. This will open things up a little more for the outside guys like Dobson and Thompkins.

Assuming he’s the same old Gronk (though I’m sure he’ll be a little rusty), you can’t understate how much of an impact he can and will have because he’s so good and so involved with every aspect of the offense.

I may just be trying to find the positives in these ugly situations but I feel like the rookies are getting and gonna get a ridiculous amount of experience that they wouldn’t have got without these injuries. I think the next couple of seasons the Pats are going to be a young team with a ton of experience! What are your thoughts?

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Ssshhh, you’re starting to sound like me. But as I said all offseason, there were bound to be bumps in the road early in the season, and that was before we started losing impact players almost every week to injury. It’s actually pretty amazing that the Pats have only lost one game to this point.

Look, I still don’t know how good Thompkins and Dobson can be, but both are showing progress and should only get better. And yes, the injury to Amendola only forced the Pats to give the rookies even more time.

Now, with Gronk coming back, it looks like the hardest part of the new offense is now behind us. Once Vereen returns it should get even better.

And this is not even mentioning the Pats’ defense. Like you said, this team is well-set on both sides of the ball for the future. Replacing Brady down the road will be a major deal, but whoever is the next QB should have a solid veteran team around him with a lot of talent.

Any way you cut it, the Pats are really set up to be good for the near future.

Chiefs’ Justin Houston wins second Pressure Points award | The MMQB with Peter King

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Chiefs’ Justin Houston wins second Pressure Points award | The MMQB with Peter King

Pats at 25th in pass rush by these metrics. I think this supports that most of the defensive improvement this year has been because of coverage on the back end. 

Throw Tommy Kelly and Armond Armstead back into the equation and let’s see what happens.

Yesterday I heard Felger and Mazz saying Gronk getting the black practice jersey of the week was a sarcastic slap to his face. They literally believed the Patriots were being condescending and trying to mock him with the practice jersey. Question: How do you react to absolute idiots on the radio saying things like this, and what podcasts/radio do you listen to in order to get real knowledgeable non-blood pressure raising commentary?

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Oh Felger and Mazz. Look, the only things I really listen to are BB and TB’s interviews each week, and even lately I’ve stopped listening to those due to D&C and BB no longer giving anything of interest to Salk and Holley unless he’s calling them out for asking dumb questions.

All the other stuff out there is just by design meant to get a reaction out of people. If I had to talk about the Patriots every day for three hours I’m sure even I would say some pretty stupid stuff sometimes, I probably do already.

If you’re looking for real analysis watch NFLN’s Playbook, or NBC Sports’ Turning Point, or you can even listen to the podcast that Erik Frenz and I do, or the 4th and 2 Podcast over at PatsFans.com.

I think it’s safe to say that blogger podcasts might just be the best thing around if you want to hear real football analysis, without blatant attempts to force a reaction or have a “HOT SPORTSZ TAKE”.

In regards to Gronk and the black jersey, it’s not really that hard for me to believe he was the practice player of the week given how well the Pats shut down Jimmy Graham. It’s certainly not as interesting or fun to talk about as what Felger and Mazz made up, but the truth rarely is.

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https://www.patspropaganda.com/9613/

Patriots-Jets Preview

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Geno Smith had a rough day the first time the New York Jets and New England Patriots faced off in 2013. It was one of those dreadful Thursday Night Football matchups, and despite the Pats barely hanging onto a 13-10 home win, the Jets kept feeling to be completely out of it due to Smith’s three interceptions (all to Aqib Talib). Smith has had moments where he’s flashed brilliance, however, so there is some optimism that the purchasing of New York Jets tickets won’t be in vain this week.

With that said, The Pats still present a major challenge, as Tom Brady probably would have carved up Gang Green in their first meeting, had it not been for a plethora of drops and poorly run routes by his receiving options. This time around, we suspect he will. 

Enter week seven, Brady and his offense have much better chemistry and the Pats might even get back stud tight end Rob Gronkowski. If Danny Amendola can play (concussion), the offense will be even better since the last time these AFC East rivals waged war.

With New England at 5-1 and trending upwards and the Jets at 3-3 and on the way down, however, this one may not be as close the second time around. Tickets for the game are averaging $229 with a get-in tag of $79. That’s 3% less than their average price for New England Patriots tickets on the road this season. On the other hand, that price is 27% higher than Jets tickets are normally are thanks to Brady and co., while the hype surrounding this divisional bout only adds to the value and appeal.

On paper one could make the case for a blowout by the hands of New England, but hits to their defense and injury questions could lessen the gap. One thing is for sure; if New York is serious about contending for the division, now is the time to do something about it.

Remember, for the best deals on NFL regular season, playoffs, and Super Bowl tickets, visit TiqIQ.com.
Thanks to our partners at TiqIQ for the write up – Mike D.