analysis

2014: PatsPropaganda Blog Year in Review

February 10, 2015 by Mike Dussault

The Patriots finally won the Super Bowl in 2014 and it’s been a long road of blogging to finally get to celebrate a championship in this online space. As I do each year, it’s time to take a look back at all the fun that was had this season.

The PatsPropaganda name began as a twitter feed in 2009 and it was in April 2010 that it became a blog and since then it’s been a fun hobby that just seems to keep getting better each season. Hopefully it didn’t peak this season.

This year I have to thank nrgenergy for their partnership first and foremost. Every cool thing that happened here for the blog in 2014 started with that.

First, I got to send my sisters to the Patriots kickoff party where they got to hang with the Patriots and from there things just got better.

I gave away tickets to multiple games, sending deserving fans to awesome seats to root on our team. There was also plenty of swag giveaways, with signed Danny Amendola footballs, hats and gloves.

My only request of the partnership was that I could attend the Broncos game and they came through, not only with tickets but with more great stuff to give away in the parking lots.

The weekend of the Broncos game began when the Bill Belichick Hoodie article I wrote in the Summer of 2013 went viral. Someone had posted the chart I had used in the article on Reddit and before long, Deadspin, SI and all the major Boston media outlets had picked it up. It was the kind of national attention I’ve never gotten before and it was just the precursor to an awesome weekend.

The day of the game, the snow was coming down early. It was Patriots football weather as we made our way from Southie to Foxborough, and that was a good sign, especially against Peyton Manning.

My sister Mary and I met up with Nick “Fitzy” Stevens and George Kippenhan (aka “the other guy” in the Shit Pats Fans Say videos) and started giving NRG stuff away. Later, we met up with Jerry Thornton, someone I had been wanting to meet for a long time who was every bit the great guy you’d expect, and all of us walked around mingling with the great fans of Patriots Nation, giving away swag bags and even tickets to the Bills game.

Walking around a Patriots tailgate with Fitzy and Jerry was like being with two Boston celebrities. People went nuts for them. It was a total blast.

The Pats could’ve lost to the Broncos that day and it still would’ve been an all-time awesome day. Instead, it unfolded as if me, Nick and Jerry had written the script beforehand – Tom Brady and the Pats blowing the doors off of Peyton Manning and the Broncos. Just perfect.

I never thought my 2006 AFC Divisional Playoff game experience could be topped, but it was this day.

I had already purchased tickets to the Pats @ Chargers game early in the summer, so I asked if NRG could hook me up with some more stuff to shower on some worthy Pats fans and once again they came through.

I had a Stevan Ridley-signed ball to giveaway and saw a kid in a Ridley jersey just as we parked in the lot. It was his birthday and he was thrilled to get it.

I spent the rest of the tailgate with childhood friends from home and met up with Kristen Shilton, who now writes for USA Today and still has the record for best Pats blog name – The Foxhole. Awesome Pats fans everywhere.

Once again the Patriots delivered a thrilling victory with big plays in the fourth quarter. I had two great game experiences in 2006 – the opener and the Charger win – but my two this year were even better.

After the game, Belichick and Brady even commented how San Diego felt like a home game. I took that as a personal compliment.

The rest of the season was watched from the comfort of my living room and we all know how it unfolded. I grew up a Patriots fan and attended many games in the old stadium watching them get their butts kicked. Nothing can ever take away from the special feeling of that first Super Bowl win, but this one was special on a new level.

I’ve been blogging about the Patriots since December 2007, a hard core year-round fan since 2006. I feel like I was truly there in lockstep with this team every step of the way over the last nine seasons. Every game. Every twist and turn, regular season or offseason.

But there was something even more poetic about this season.

Back when I was just a messageboard poster at PatsFans.com, I was a huge fan of Nick Stevens’ Fitzy webcasts. He so perfectly captured what it was like to be a post-dynasty Pats fan masshole. His videos were always so spot-on and he was a huge inspiration to me as I started all this blogging/tweeting stuff.

After every gut-punch Pats loss, you knew the Fitzy videos would be poignant and make you laugh at your own devastation and somehow his foul-mouthed, burping hilarity helped us move on from a disappointing turn by our beloved team.

Sometimes Fitzy’s videos were all we had to get us through those dark days like the Indy 2006 AFCCG comeback, or Spygate, or 18-1, or Bernard Pollard, or 4th-and-2, or 45-3 turning into 14-28, or Bernard Pollard again followed by another miracle catch loss to Eli, and so on.

In 2009, I was tailgating with my sisters in back of the Route 1 liquor store across from Gillette, pregamming for the opener against the Bills. Across the way I spotted Fitzy himself, tailgating just a few cars over.

Now it’s a little known fact, but my real job has me meeting and interacting with famous people pretty consistently and I never really care or get nervous. But when I saw THE Fitzy I couldn’t bring myself to go over and say hi. Instead I tweeted that it was a good sign Fitzy was nearby and went about my tailgating, slightly disappointed I didn’t go crack a beer with him.

The next day I got a tweet from Nick, asking why I hadn’t come by and said hi, and that began an email relationship. We’d eventually meet at 2010’s Blogapalooza and even join forces to attend the 2011 Giants game (that of course, the Pats blew).

Over the last five years we’ve developed a Pats palship as you might expect two Patriot-loving idiots might. Not only is Nick the hardest working guy I know in showbiz, he’s one of the most down to earth and sincere guys you’ll ever meet.

Obviously, the Broncos game experience seemed like destiny after that first time I was too scared to go say hi in 2009.

A few hours before the Super Bowl last week, I gave Nick a call. I don’t think we’ve ever actually spoken on the phone outside of just before the Pats Super Bowl of 2011. We save the actual phone conversations for the special Pats moments.

His Fitzy-esque sermon on putting all the haters and misery of the last decade to bed was inspirational and as we hung up, it felt like there as no way we could lose.

And, as you know, we didn’t.

But maybe the best part of the whole last week was seeing Nick’s latest Fitzy video – one that he himself admitted had him a little emotional to make. It brought back all the memories of when I first discovered Fitzy and what his videos meant to me then.

Now, to see his Super Bowl winning one and to be able say Fitzy was now a friend, well, it was a special year indeed. Thanks to all who played a part in it, big or small!

Pats Posits: Development Needed From These Key Patriots

February 9, 2015 by Mike Dussault

The most unrecognized form of offseason team building is the development of players currently on the roster. Too often the general mode of thought is that if the team was weak at a position, they must sign a high-priced free agent or use a high-round pick to upgrade it.

But there are players already on the roster that could blossom with healthy offseasons or just the chance to get on the field.

Here are some of those kind of Patriots who will hopefully elevate their play with a good offseason and step into a more significant role next year.

Dominique Easley: Easley showed some flashes in his rookie year but was ultimately shut down and told to get ready for 2015. I still have high hopes for the 2014 first rounder, potentially to surpass Chris Jones as the top interior rusher. Easley surprised me with his ability to play some defensive end as well against the Colts (see below). He should have all of his excellent burst back in 2015 and I expect he should make a big impact.

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Tim Wright: Wright had 26 catches for 259 yards and six touchdowns after being traded for Logan Mankins. Now, with a full offseason in the playbook and a chance to really be integrated into the offense, we could see Wright take off and help the Pats show some more 2011/2012-esque looks with the two tight end offense.

Aaron Dobson: With the emergence of Brandon LaFell, Dobson has become an afterthought for many in Patriots nation, but he does have a unique skillset and some downfield speed that isn’t present on the rest of the roster. The 2013 second rounder is facing somewhat of a make or break year, and dethroning LaFell as the top X-receiver seems like a tall order given LaFell’s superlative physicality, a trait the Patriots coaches love. Still, there could be a third or fourth receiver role for Dobson. His first task, showing a more well-rounded game than Brian Tyms to secure a roster spot.

Zach Moore/Michael Buchanan: The lack of depth at defensive end continues to be a story for the Patriots headed into this offseason. Can Moore or Buchan develop into a legitimate third defensive end who can rotate with Chandler and Ninkovich? That’s a big question. The Pats overcame the midseason loss of Chandler by acquiring Akeem Ayers, but he seems like a possible better fit at linebacker than defensive end. If Moore and/or Buchanan can develop, it will take a major offseason need off the board.

Sealver Siliga: Vince Wilfork is due a $4 million bonus on March 10th and there’s no guarantee the Pats will pick it up. Perhaps Wilfork can be re-structured, but if not, it will be up to Siliga to take over as the top interior space eater for the defense. Siliga showed some brilliant flashes in 2014, but once again struggled with injuries. He needs a healthy and productive year in 2015 to continue to his development and ascension.

James White: Shane Vereen had a redshirt year in 2011 and James White had a similar one in 2014. With Vereen hitting free agency, there’s on guarantee he’ll return. Is White ready to step into the lead receiving back role? That might be a stretch, but it could certainly be there for the taking if Vereen walks.

Malcolm Butler: The Super Bowl hero doesn’t want to just be remembered for one play, so it will be up to him to take significant strides this offseason. What is his ceiling? He can play man defense, but how is his zone awareness? There are still a lot of questions about Butler, but his knack for making plays on the ball is undeniable. Could he unseat Kyle Arrington in the slot? That might be his most direct route to full time status, assuming Revis and Browner return.

Pats Posits: The Sound and the Fury

February 6, 2015 by Mike Dussault

I’m not sure what’s better about winning a Super Bowl – the happy, glowing feeling I’ve had all week, or being able to watch all the extensive Super Bowl coverage after the game.

The last two Super Bowls I went into a football hibernation immediately as the games ended, and have never watched Inside the NFL, Sound FX or Turning Point from either of those debacles.

All that changed this week, with each of those three programs giving great behind the scenes sites and sounds. Plus all were at least an hour long and just filled with Patriots goodness.

Here are some thing that stuck out to me in getting these revealing looks behind the game.

– Julian Edelman steals the show. We know Edelman has put together two years that have elevated him to being one of the best receivers in the game (note I didn’t give him the dreaded “slot receiver” qualifier), but this game should put Edelman up there as a Patriots’ legend. He went toe to toe with Richard Sherman and was a leader on the field, picking his teammates up throughout the game. His catch on third-and-14 will never be forgotten and was the spark that started the comeback. I was just blown away by how much heart Edelman plays with, something you can see in any game, but it’s even more magnified when you can hear what he’s saying all game long.

– It’s funny how Belichick literally uses “Do Your Job” constantly. Now that it’s been turned into a team slogan and is all over hats and t-shirts (I’d like to think I helped blaze that trail), it remains a main coaching point for BB. Getting a chance to hear him coaching up the team on both side of the ball is always a treat. I especially liked him telling Brady in the fourth quarter how Seattle was reeling on defense and would struggle to put together three good plays. The gist of the message? Just no negative plays.

– Brady’s pregame speech about being honored for winning this game got things a little misty in the Ministry of PatsPropaganda. Brady seemed locked in all game long, but it was good seeing Josh McDaniels telling Brady to let his first interception go.

– I gave Richard Sherman some credit yesterday for going to shake Brady’s hand immediately as the game ended, but Sherman also went to shake Brady’s hand after the first Seattle interception. I don’t like to celebrate a Super Bowl win at anyone’s expense, but it really feels good to shut up Sherman as far as we’re concerned for the foreseeable future.

– The Patriots short passing attack was as deadly as it’s ever been in this one, surgically picking apart the Seahawks defense. Take away Brady’s two interceptions and I’m not sure this one isn’t a Patriots blow out. The entire game plan just illustrates how well-coached and prepared the Patriots were. The Seahawks had no answers on defense. Still, some won’t give the Pats any credit for this kind of attack for whatever reason, but it’s an offense in complete harmony and it’s something special to watch.

– Found it strange how much the Seahawks were telling each other they were “the best” on the sidelines". I guess it’s a confidence thing.

– There were just as many Patriots telling each other that the loved each other. Maybe that is telling.

– The credit goes to Belichick and the Patriots coaches for the final play. This has been lost in the “should they have called timeout” or Pete Carroll’s playcalling debate. The Patriots were prepared for that play and did not flinch, even on their one-yard line. They earned this Super Bowl win and deserve more credit than they’ll probably get.

Now we just have to wait for the fourth installment of Three Games to Glory!

We’re On To The Patriots Offseason!

February 6, 2015 by Mike Dussault

Okay, there will still be plenty of 2014 posts coming (Butler INT will be reblogged at least another 1000x), but today we start looking forward at 2015.

While everyone can’t wait for all those mock drafts to start pouring in, we’ll begin mostly with free agency here, since the Patriots will likely fill just about every major hole long before the draft gets here.

As for the draft, I pay zero attention to college football until now. So I’ll start looking into guys and putting together my big board for the fifth year in a row.

Let’s start with the depth chart. I’ve left holes where starters are hitting free agency, or are under option like Revis, and I’ve bolded players that I generally think are locks to remain, i.e. probably won’t be cut or restructured. Doesn’t mean it won’t happen of course.

Based off the depth chart, and the weaknesses of the 2014 Patriots, here are some general priorities as a starting point. This list is highly fluid, but given the Pats current roster and strengths/weaknesses of the past couple years, this is where I’d start.

1. Darrelle Revis/LCB – There’s no question the first priority is to try to get Revis an extension before they have to pick up his huge option or he hits free agency. There’s no corner I’d rather have. It’s a no-brainer to keep him while he’s still in his prime.

2. Devin McCourty – McCourty seems a good candidate to be franchise tagged, but if there’s a way to give both him and Revis long-term extensions, things will be looking good on the back end, especially with so much depth. Honestly, I love McCourty, but if I had to choose only one, I’d pick Revis.

3. Dan Connolly/LG – Connolly seemed to settle the line once he moved to left guard. Is he an elite guard? Nope. But he’ll give you a solid presence and he should be cheaper than his last deal. I’m sure there will be plenty of people who want to go after another guard in free agency (I like Clint Boling from Cinci), but I think the best play is sign Connolly and another low priced FA, then draft at least two.

4. Stephen Gostkowski – This is where things start to get interesting with the Pats and kickers. Let’s not forget they tagged Vinatieri twice (one time he was later extended, the second he played it out). Gostkowski has shown no sign of slowing down. It would be hard to let him walk, but he won’t come cheap.

5. Shane Vereen/3rd Down RB – The Pats do have James White waiting in the wings, but it will be hard to forget Vereen’s clutch performance in the Super Bowl. Still, there have to be priorities and I don’t think it’s a lock that Vereen returns. I don’t think he’s irreplaceable.

6. Right Guard – We didn’t even know Ryan Wendell could play guard until last season. He proved he can do it pretty well, but I still think we can upgrade him. While I don’t expect the Pats to spend big money on external free agents, they need to add at least a couple legitimate guards to the competition, assuming one of them is Connolly. Using a high-round pick on a guard seems like a good idea. The found Stork last year, he needs a mauler next to him with good size.

7. Big Defensive Lineman – Wilfork’s future seems to once again be up in the air. Maybe he retires? Or maybe the Pats try to re-work his deal again. Either way, we know New England will end things a year early rather than a year late. Wilfork had an amazing year coming off an Achilles tear, but with Siliga waiting in the wings, how much more can they squeeze out of Big Vince? A defensive tackle with size could be an excellent draft target. Bringing back Alan Branch is a possibility but I thought he was just okay. Ideally I’d like to upgrade with a big ugly who can play multiple spots. Easley/Chris Jones have the penetrator-type covered.

8. Defensive End – Chandler Jones hits free agency next year while Rob Ninkovich just turned 31. A third developmental defensive end could be a good ideal, depending on how they feel about the futures of Zach Moore, Michael Buchanan and Jake Bequette. Re-signing Akeem Ayers would be a good step as well. We saw what happened last year when Chandler went down and they had to trade for Ayers. They can’t keep running Ninkovich and Chandler into the ground, it will come back to haunt them eventually.

9. Early Down RB – The Pats do have some depth already in this spot, including Blount, Jonas Gray and Tyler Gaffney, who was a rookie this year who spent the season on IR after being snapped up from Carolina. Maybe re-signing Stevan Ridley to a prove-it deal makes sense. Or they could just wait until the draft which I think would be fine as well.

10. Box Safety – Patrick Chung had his best season as a pro and earned an extension, but the search should never end for a strong safety with size who can cover tight ends. That was a big weakness for the Pats this year and one they should continue to try to address.

Pats Posits: Winding Down on 2014

February 5, 2015 by Mike Dussault

Maybe it was the excessive (and wonderful) celebration at the parade yesterday, or just the realization that the offseason is now upon us, but I’m starting to feel the football void now.

I still can’t seem to shake the horror that the miracle Kearse catch brought upon me. Not even the elation of Butler’s pick could get that feeling out of my system. I’m sure it will fade in time, but for now it still can’t quite sink in what the Patriots pulled off.

It’s funny how you look back on all the debate surrounding the team since last offseason, about who they did or didn’t sign, about the games they lost early in the season and why, about their strengths or weaknesses and what would be their fatal flaw.

In the end, it comes down to one play, made or missed.

Sometimes the answers are just too simple when we need to write and talk about sports 24/7. If the Patriots make an interception in 2007 or 2011, the script is completely flipped. If Butler misses the interception or Lynch powers it in, the script is completely flipped this year.

But the breaks went the way they went, and this Patriots team can be remembered as “great” while the other two who couldn’t make that last play are just footnotes in NFL history.

So for all the talk of the Pats shitty offensive line, or lack of a deep threat or great pass rush, none of that really matters today. But of course, it will matter going forward this offseason as weaknesses must be strengthened.

Two stats are most remarkable to me, and speak directly to the kind of football this team played to win the Super Bowl is their red zone offense that went 12-for-14 in three playoff games and their third down defense, which only allowed a first down 23.3%. That’s just a ridiculous level when you consider they’ve been in the 40%-50% range the last four years.

Red Zone defense had come to define this defense in 2014, but they were quite as elite in the playoffs as they had been toward the end of the regular season. However, they were clutch.

Overall they allowed TDs on 8 of 11 opponent red zone possessions. But those three stops, were what allowed them to take the lead and beat the Ravens and Seahawks.

So now the blog will transition to the team-building portion of the season. I love watching football games, but I find putting the 2015 Patriots together pretty enjoyable (and less stressful) as well.

Top 10 2014 Patriots Plays of the Year

February 4, 2015 by Mike Dussault

Here they are, the 10 best plays of the 2014 Patriots regular season. The winners of the best three were: 1. Gronk’s catch vs. Denver 2. Gronk’s Catch & Run vs. Indy 3. Amendola’s Catch vs. Jets

Wilfork game-sealing interception vs. Raiders.

Danny Amendola game-winning TD vs. Jets

Chris Jones game-saving blocked FG

Brian Tyms Deep Threat TD vs. Bills

Gronk TD Rumble vs. Colts

Browner Hit on Chargers

Edelman long TD vs. Chargers

Chandler Jones Blocked FG

Gronk runs over Bears

Gronk one-handed catch vs. Broncos

GIFs That Defined Patriots Super Bowl Win Over Seahawks

February 2, 2015 by Mike Dussault

As expected, this was a game that was tied at the half and went down to the final play. The Patriots found themselves in a 10-point hole in the fourth quarter and, after giving up four-straight scoring drives, things were looking a little bleak as the Seahawks got the ball back.

First, I have to start with a 3rd-and-1 red zone stop of Marshawn Lynch, a play that everyone seems to forget about when talking about the last play of the game. Without this stop, we might’ve been looking at overtime. Siliga does a great job holding the POA while Ninkovich crashes down to make the stop.

Now we’re in the fourth quarter, and the Patriots had to get a stop to keep the game from slipping completely out of comeback reach. So this nextGIF, a Rob Ninkovich sack (thanks to great coverage) is the spark that ignited the rally.

The Seahawks punted, but things still weren’t looking good for the Pats after a sack on first down put them into a hole. This 3rd-and-14 conversion to Julian Edelman was one of the best plays of the game and Edelman paid a vicious price for making the catch. Without this play, the Pats probably would’ve lost.

Edelman makes another huge third-down catch on this same drive, and it almost look like a carbon cop of the last one. Brady climbs the pocket and shows great touch to set the Pats up inside the red zone. They’d score a touchdown two plays later to cut the lead to 24-21.

Seattle got the ball back with clinging to a three-point lead with momentum clearly on the Patriots’ side. Once again the defense rises to the challenge, forcing a three-and-out. Credit great initial coverage from Jamie Collins on this third down to get the ball back in Tom Brady’s hands.

The Patriots wouldn’t face a third down on the game-winning drive, due to a couple great plays to Rob Gronkowski. This one on 2nd-and-11 got the Pats into Seahawks territory and at least on the edge of field goal range.

Then this one to Gronk got them inside the red zone with the chance to take the lead. Everyone contributed on the last two drives, including Shane Vereen and Brandon LaFell, who would make the next two plays after this one. The Pats would take the 28-24 lead a couple plays later.

Once again, Tom Brady got the Patriots a lead in the Super Bowl and it came down to the defense getting a stop. After the miracle catch by Jermaine Kearse, the Seahawks were set up inside the 10 yard line. This stop on first down by Hightower and Chung was a championship-saver. Knowing now that Hightower was playing with a torn labrum makes it look even more impressive. Everyone will remember the last interception, but this gritty stop was every bit as important.

And of course, the play that everyone will remember for all of NFL history.

See the entire season of GIFS THAT DEFINED THE GAME here.