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Channing vs. McClain: Idiot vs. Idiot

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There’s been a lot on “SpitGate” today. Did Le’Ron McClain spit in Channing Crowder’s face? I can imagine Crowder probably said something to deserve it if he did. And I can also imagine McClain denying it even if he did it. So who really cares, they’re both idiots.

Patriots fans don’t really have alot of love for either Crowder or McClain. We all remember when Crowder said something personal to get Matt Light to pound his head like he did in the picture below.

            

And then there’s McClain, whose stupid penalty against the Patriots cost the Ravens the game earlier this year. 

The only question is who’s the bigger idiot.

Advanced NFL Stats: Pats vs. Ravens Game Graph

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Advanced NFL Stats: Pats vs. Ravens Game Graph

I love Advanced NFL Stats game graphs as they put a visual representation to the ebb and flow of each and every NFL game. You might remember last year just about every Patriots loss looked like a slow build towards victory before suddenly falling off a cliff at the very end, resulting in numerous shocking losses.

Well this past weeks game graph looks just the opposite of those, and reassures us that the 2009 Pats are dead and buried.

ProFootball Focus: Pats vs. Ravens Stats

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ProFootball Focus: Pats vs. Ravens Stats

Patriots: Three performances of note

Brandon Spikes (+6.4) had an excellent day in run defense and is a major reason why Ray Rice was shy of 100 yards (88) despite 28 carries on the day. Spikes was not only impressive knifing through gaps to break up play, but he was routinely stuffing holes by taking blockers head-on and not losing ground. This was easily the rookie’s best performance to date.

Running back Danny Woodhead (+1.0) didn’t have the best grade imaginable, but it’s noteworthy because of the contrast with “The Law Firm,” Benjarvus Green-Ellis (-1.6). Green-Ellis had just one fewer carry than Woodhead, but gained 43 fewer yards, 21 fewer yards after contact, and did it at a 3.7 fewer yards-per-carry average. Woodhead also proved to be a weapon in the passing game and even stuck his head in to pick up a blitzing Ray Lewis.

Corner Kyle Arrington (-2.2) didn’t have a good day, allowing seven completions on the eight passes thrown in his direction and getting called for a pair of penalties in coverage (albeit one of which was declined because the ball was caught anyway). With Darius Butler grading terribly before Arrington began starting, the Patriots are in danger of having some real weaknesses at corner.

Lombardi: Pats Excerpts from Monday Column

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Here’s what respected NFL.com coumnist Mike Lombardi had to say about the Pats in his Monday column…

In New England, the Patriots faced another tough team in the Baltimore Ravens and the game had a playoff feel. The Patriots are young, but in the last two weeks they had to overcome poor starts, plays and mistakes to win. This was a huge win for the young Patriots, because beating a tough team like the Ravens requires mental and physical toughness something they have worked all off season to achieve.

In one Sunday, Deion Branch caught the same amount of passes that Randy Moss had in four games with the Patriots. But more important than the amount of catches, was the location of those completions that makes the biggest difference. Branch is not in New England to replace Moss, but rather to help run routes that enhance the playbook.

The Patriots’ secondary was extremely physical and these young players are starting to grow up.

5 Patriots Personnel Areas to Watch Follow Up

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Prior to the game against the Ravens we posted five areas we’d be curious to watch when it came to the Patriots personnel area. Following up below…

1. Darius Butler Back?

Nope, they’re still going with Arrington though I thought I saw Butler in there late. I haven’t lost hope with Butler, but clearly he hasn’t turned it around just yet.

2. Brace vs. Deaderick

Deaderick got the nod at LDE, the position where Brace has been playing all season so it’s safe to say that Deaderick has passed him on the depth chart for the time being. The Pats held the Ravens to under 100 yards rushing and that was a huge key in stopping them, so regardless if Deaderick got turned a couple times, as a whole the Pats run D was strong.

3. Meriweather at 34 FS?

With James Sanders out it’s hard to tell if Meriweather is completely out of the dog house. Though after that hit on Heap, which BB looked none too pleased with, he could be back in it.

4. Hernan Expanded Role

As expected Hernandez was a frequent target of Brady. I’m willing to forgive his drops in overtime. He’s the youngest player in the NFL and he just learned how much he needs to stay focused.

5. OLB Snaps?

Jermaine Cunningham and Rob Ninkovich were out there a lot. Can’t wait to see Mike Reiss’ defensive snap totals because it seems like TBC has been reduced to a DPR role. I can’t believe Patriots Nation isn’t doing backflips right now that we found an OLB in the draft who is playing a lot and playing well. Each game I like Nink and Cunn more.