PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

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The Patriots, as we know, used three running backs in featured roles during Week 3, but weren’t the only team to go with a by-committee approach. The Falcons, who were without Jackson in Week 3 (and likely will be again in Week 4), relied upon both Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling to combine for nearly 200 yards of total offense. How will each running back rotation play out this weekend? Might the Patriots ride the hottest hand and again feature Brandon Bolden early? Or will Stevan Ridley reassume his top back status? For the Falcons, count on Rodgers to be the starter and early down back, with Snelling providing straight-line running and very good pass catching in a reserve role.

W2W4: Five things for New England Patriots at Atlanta Falcons – ESPN Boston

https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-patriots-as-we-know-used-three-running-backs/

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The Patriots will likely get a boost on offense Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons with the return of All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski and wide receiver Danny Amendola, according to a league source.

Source: Plan is for Gronkowski, Amendola to play Sunday – Extra Points – Boston.com

Let the misinformation game continue. I honestly still wouldn’t be surprised if neither dressed.

And here’s a report from John Clayton that neither are expected to play. Well played this week, BB. Well played…

https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-patriots-will-likely-get-a-boost-on-offense/

What books/articles/other stuff would you recommend reading or doing in order to better understand the theoretical concepts of football (the x’s and o’s level)?

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For books Pat Kirwan’s Take Your Eye Off The Ball is a great place to start. You can also dig through the archives of SmartFootball.com. There’s a wealth of Pats-specific information in there. Chris Brown also wrote The Essential Smart Football, which is a collection of his best articles. Here’s one of his best Pats articles, Ode to the War Daddies.

Blood, Sweat and Chalk is another one I enjoyed that touches on the evolution of schemes in football. There are plenty of more specific books, but those are some good places to start.

How do you like Atlanta’s O-line vs. Jones, Ninkovich, Wilfork, Kelly, and company? If Atlanta’s unit is as dinged up as I’ve heard they are and the Pats can get pressure from 4 like they did in the first 3 games, do you think Atlanta still scores 27+ points (which most predictions have slated them for)? Will the matchup be easier or more difficult than the D-Line-O-Line matchups in Games 1-3?

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This here is really the key to the game. Both starting tackles are out, Ryan is not a threat to run, that means the pass rush has to cause disruption. They have to get Ryan off the spot. If they don’t, it won’t matter how well the secondary plays.

This is the kind of game where Chandler Jones could make a name for himself on national television. He’ll get moved all over the line to give him an advantage, but now’s when we get a good barometer of where he’s at. Will he be a top defensive end in the NFL? Or is he still an inconsistent work-in-progress?

I expect Ninkovich to be his usual solid self, and I’d even expect a couple blitzes from the linebackers. Tommy Kelly is another big key.

I know I’m a defense-first guy, but I think this game is won or lost by the Patriots front seven.

Not a patriots related question but do you think that the broncos can sustain this high powered offense to a Super Bowl win, it reminds of me the 07 patriots where they started off really hot then started to cool down, what do you think

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It’s certainly not going to get easier for them as they put more on tape, the opponents get better, and the weather gets worse, even at home.  That was one thing about Peyton with the Colts, he always had that dome, but now even his home playoff games he’s going to have to deal with the elements.

I think part of the 2007 Pats running out of steam was that they were playing so angry the first few months of the season, fueled by the Spygate baloney. You can only run on that for so long.

But the interesting corollary is Wes Welker. You look at the Pats teams of 2007-2012 and even in the losses you’ll see Welker still picking up a bunch of catches. For that reason my idea right now, if I’m an opponent, is to focus on Thomas and Decker and force Peyton to throw 15 5-yard passes to Welker to move the ball.

That’s what always killed the Pats offense with Welker. Not only do you force continued execution, you add up hits on Welker and by the end of the game he won’t be as sharp as he was at the start.

I think if teams start to do this in the coming weeks, the wear and tear will start to build up on Welker. Still, Thomas and Decker are great players and Peyton will make some pinpoint throws to them.

The key is just to stay close and make the plays in the clutch, and hope they don’t. But yes, I expect they’ll slow down.