PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

If the Pats can make it to the bye at 8-1 (or 7-2) how impressive would that be?

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Pretty damn impressive for sure. These next two weeks are going to really define what kind of season this will be I think. Whether the Pats will essentially run away with the division once again, or if it will be a dogfight down to the end.

The Pats do have a tough late November and December, but if they can get to the bye with only a couple losses they should really start to get reinforcements by then with Vereen, Gronk and maybe even Armond Armstead, who could provide a boost for the DTs.

Either way, the Pats have put themselves in a good position even here in mid-October, but the next six games will tell us pretty much everything we need to know.

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A league source insisted that the reported rift between Gronk and the team is overblown, and that the Patriots are understanding of Gronkowski’s precaution; they want him to be productive for several more years as much as he does. But the Patriots feel he is as ready to play as he’ll be this season, and they have put the decision to return squarely in Gronk’s hands.

Caution is in play with Rob Gronkowski, as are future earnings – Sports – The Boston Globe

https://www.patspropaganda.com/a-league-source-insisted-that-the-reported-rift/

The lack of investment in DL and interior OL over the last few years, especially on draft day, is puzzling to me. So far the Patriots had most got away thanks to V. Wilfork and D. Scarnecchia’s magics. But obviously they have been exposed this year with Wilfork on IR and the IOL playing poor football to this point. For all the talk about the inconsistent rookie WRs, the tranchees are where the big games will be won in January. I hope the front office devotes more resources there next offseason

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I agree on the DL, but on the offensive line you’ve got two first round picks in Solder and Mankins, and a second rounder in Vollmer. Connolly and Wendell might not have high draft pedigrees, but both have been generally solid.  No question that Connolly is replaceable, but I like the attitude that Wendell brings and think he has long-term potential.

But on DL, I’ve been banging that drum every draft season since 2011, and I really think it’s a head-scratcher how they ignored such an important position for so long. I thought Tommy Kelly was a great signing, but they had no backup depth and the worst-case scenario has come true.

There’s no question that they’ll have to address DT early and often next offseason.

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pottsisstarksheart:

There has been a feeling watching the Patriots early this season that they are hanging on by their fingernails, surviving and advancing through a series of clunkers, waiting for the holes in their roster and in their attack to be stitched up and for the seamlessness to arrive. Maybe it will never come, not even when a physically compromised Gronkowski finally returns. Still, the Patriots were able to stun the New Orleans Saints 30-27 on Sunday — not with dazzling talent, but with relentless resourcefulness. [X]

https://www.patspropaganda.com/pottsisstarksheart-there-has-been-a-feeling/

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One of the themes with the Patriots is that they view victories the same way as defeats, often focusing on the negative aspects of their performance as part of a hard-driving approach that focuses on constant improvement. One area that figures to be looked at closely this week: Negative runs. They had three of them in the first half, in addition to another rush for no gain. The Saints get some credit for that, too. Also, the way Saints coordinator Rob Ryan mixed his calls was reflected in how Tom Brady was sacked four times in the first half – some coverage calls rushing just three, and some overload blitzes. It’s a fun scheme to watch.

Picked-up pieces from 2nd-quarter review – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

Did a quick stat look-up… 

Patriots negative runs per game:

  • 2010: 2.66
  • 2011: 2.54
  • 2012: 4.06
  • 2013 (thru 6 games): 4.33

https://www.patspropaganda.com/one-of-the-themes-with-the-patriots-is-that-they/