http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mimAMOwYgfk
The most memorable play of Darius Butler’s just-ended Patriots career?
(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)
Darius Butler
Is there anyone more happy than DBut that Braylon’s not on the Jets anymore?
https://www.patspropaganda.com/is-there-anyone-more-happy-than-dbut-that/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csAEY5EX8QE
I know I’m killing a lot of my readers anytime I post something to do with the playoff game from January but I really find it’s the best game to evaluate the Pats from because it was all on the line.
In other games you weren’t sure if guys were being rested, or if there was some experimentation going on. We can judge a lot from this game, so today we’re looking at the first half third downs. Third down in a playoff game is where the real players show up and make plays. And where the scrubs get exposed.
3rd & 5: Incomplete pass. Player who made the play: Rob Ninkovich getting just enough pressure to force an overthrow by Sanchez. It’s not always sacks that matter, and as we saw with Cunningham on Peyton Manning, just getting an arm in the QBs face and forcing an uncomfortable throw can be huge.
3rd & 18: Run stopped short. Player who made the play: Vince Wilfork who blew up a screen on 2nd and 13 forcing the Jets to stay conservative with a run on 3rd down. Meriweather and Sanders with the 3rd down stop.
3rd & 5: Successful Conversion: Player who didn’t make the play: Darius Butler, allowing too much cushion to Jerricho Cotchery and was unable to make the stop short of the first down. Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but how can you be in soft slot coverage on 3rd and 5? Doesn’t look like Butler was ready for the snap so props to the Jets for going with a quick count and not letting the Pats get set.
3rd & 6: Incomplete Pass: Player who made the play: Mark Sanchez, mostly an overthrow, he had the time, but Brandon Meriweather’s presence surely gave Dustin Keller pause.
3rd & 6: Successful conversion: Player who didn’t make the play: Darius Butler, who was beat by Braylon Edwards for the long completion. Pats only rushed 3 and had all their initial coverages, but Sanchez was able to get outside the pocket and find Braylon down the sidelines. That’s two 3rd down conversions on Butler who clearly must be having nightmares about Braylon all off-season.
3rd & 4: Conversion via Penalty: player who didn’t make the play: James Sanders, who almost got away with a savvy veteran pass interference. The Jets love this quick passes and nothing can be more frustrating. Tough play for Sanders but one that has to be made in a playoff game, especially when he was in the position he was in. Seemed like he knew it was coming, just got caught with PI on Holmes’ right arm.
3rd & 4: Pass Broken Up. Player who made the play: Devin McCourty, who fought off the same move Sanders faced with Holmes on the previous third down. The difference was McCourty’s physicality at the line of scrimmage, which threw Holmes’ rhythm enough that he couldn’t corral the quick pass from Sanchez.
3rd & 5: Keller stopped short. Player who made the play: Dane Fletcher, who’s sure tackling brought Keller down short of the first down. It’s plays like these that get me excited about Fletcher, coming through when it’s all on the line.
3rd & 5: Edwards TD. Player(s) who didn’t make the play: Devin McCourty (and somewhat Brandon Meriweather). For the third time on 3rd down the Jets go with a quick inside pass but this time Edwards is too strong for McCourty to stop. Braylon drags him and Meriweather into the end zone.
Some general notes on all these third down plays:
- Of the nine 3rd downs the Patriots faced, eight of them were four to six yards.
- I would not qualify a lack of pass of rush as responsible for any of the conversions unless you want to say they should’ve gotten Sanchez when they rushed three and he completed the long pass to Edwards. But when you’re dropping eight I’d have to put that more on the coverage.
- The quick three-step passing game was what the Jets went with most often since most of the third downs were short.
- The Jets converted on 4 of 9 third downs in the first half which is about 45%. A killer playoff defense would be holding them to about 30%. The Patriots season average was about 49% so you’re really not seeing those two extra plays you need to win in the playoffs.
We’ll put our second half third down defensive analysis up as soon as the video is posted.
(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)
https://www.patspropaganda.com/i-know-im-killing-a-lot-of-my-readers-anytime-i/
We saw enough of Braylon burning Butler in 2010 didn’t we? Especially this one in the playoffs that was a big 3rd down conversion off a broken play where the pressure actually got to Sancheese.
Sounds like Butler was working a lot in the slot at the BC session. Beating out Wilhite for nickel/dime might be his only chance to make it this year. Butler seems like the classic case of a guy with all the athletic talent in the world but he’s had trouble in his first two seasons getting down the mental part of the game. It’s easy to see how those are the kind of guys that can kill your draft because there’s no way to ever know for sure if a guy has the noodle to pick up the system.
Don’t worry, I’m not posting the video of Braylon “Dougie’ing” on him week two.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/we-saw-enough-of-braylon-burning-butler-in-2010/
Looking back at some 2010 New England Patriots tape
Last night I was longing for some Patriots football so I took a look at the last two games of the 2010 season, the final win versus the Dolphins and yes, some of the playoff loss to the Jets (mostly second half).
I focused on a few different players to see what we might expect out of them in this coming season.
- You’d think Darius Butler might’ve used the opportunity against Miami to show that he had improved since his brutal start to the season, but no such luck. He looked just as bad against a lifeless Dolphins squad as he did against the Jets in week 2 when Braylon Edwards “dougied” at him. Watching him struggle in the same ways he struggled earlier in the season gave me the feeling he better be spectacular in camp this summer if he wants to make the team.
- Brian Hoyer’s laser touchdown to Brandon Tate against Miami was really an incredible play. Especially because Hoyer got absolutely blasted as he let go of the ball. That’s the kind of throw that will have other teams drooling. Tate laid out and managed to hang on with a great catch that should inspire some confidence he has some deep threat potential. Both players have bright careers ahead of them, and with Tate especially, I think we’ve only scratched the surface.
- I really enjoy Dane Fletcher’s game, he’s steady and consistent. He can run, but he’s also a good tackler. Right now it would seem as though his base defense position would be at weak inside linebacker spot, however he was tried at OLB versus the Jets in December. Mostly he was used as a sub package spy/blitzer. Interestingly, I even noticed that he was used as an interior rusher in the A gap versus the Jets. The point is that BB used him all over the field, in just about every way you can use a linebacker, so I have to imagine this means bright things are ahead for Fletcher. He should really push Guyton hard this year for the top coverage linebacker role.
- Jermaine Cunningham is a tough, physical player. Against the Colts especially he was a dominant force that gives tackles all they can handle. With a full year in the system I don’t think it’s too much to expect big things from Cunningham in year two. The biggest thing is just getting more and more experience, but he has the makings for a three down outside linebacker in my eyes.
- Rob Ninkovich doesn’t garner a lot of excitement amongst Patriots fans, but I believe he’s one of the most unsung players on the roster. Ninkovich is one defender who showed up to play in the playoffs. He was consistently generating pressure, setting the edge, and dropping into coverage (2 passes defensed). He did lose contain/miss a tackle against Ladainian Tomlinson that resulted in a big gain, but otherwise he was out there making plays when it counted most. I think he’s a lot more of a building block that many of us give him credit for. Losing him to a knee injury in the third quarter of the Jets game definitely did not help.
- The play that ultimately did the Patriots in against the Jets was the first one of the fourth quarter. The Pats had just closed the game to 14-11 with an entire quarter to play. They were a stop away from a field goal to tie. Coming out of the break the Jets caught the Patriots in their run stopping defense and Sanchez hit Cotchery on an underneath cross through the slot that went for 58 yards. Two plays later the Sanchez threw a perfect touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes and the game was effectively over.
- I also watched a bit of the San Diego game, and it was crazy how the offense was so similarly ineffective as they were for most of the playoff game. Had it not been for the Chargers turnovers the Patriots would never have won that game. In hindsight that performance really set the stage for what would happen the following week in Cleveland.
Top 5 Patriots who could be on the chopping block in 2011
The Patriots have nine draft picks in the upcoming 2011 NFL Draft and while it’s unlikely that they will take nine players there is sure to be some talented new blood at training camp this summer, including any free agent acquisitions.
What it really comes down to is replacing the “solid but not spectacular” types with guys who “could potentially develop into spectacular” types.
Let’s take a look at 5 areas where players who had a significant role in 2010 might be looking for work in September.
1. Darius Butler – What a difference a year makes. Entering training camp of 2010 Butler was penciled in as a promising second year starter across from Leigh Bodden. It’s safe to say that had Bodden not gotten hurt, Butler wouldn’t even have been the starter at RCB in week one and two where he was torched and put on the bench for most of the remaining games. When Jonathan Wilhite went to IR it opened up a dime spot for Butler and he looked okay in that role. But he’s one of the most penalized corners in the NFL.
Butler has been penalized more yards than any other New England defensive back in each of the last two seasons (84 this year and 62 in 2009). His 146 penalty yards the last two years is fifth most in the NFL among defensive backs.
In 2011 Wilhite and Bodden will be back and the logical corner lineup appears to be McCourty and Bodden as the outside guys, Arrington as the nickelback and Wilhite in a dime slot role. Butler seems more of an outside guy so it might take another injury (Hoodie forbid) for him to stick around.
2. Ron Brace/Brandon Deaderick/Kyle Love Cage Match – With the return of Ty Warren, Mike Wright and Myron Pryor, along with the likely addition of at least one high round defensive lineman and possibly the re-signing of Gerard Warren, it’s likely that one, and maybe even two, of these young d-lineman could be out of a job or headed to the practice squad (not sure on eligibility).
It’s hard to tell who that would be. Deaderick and Brace both had off the field issues, while Love was undrafted but saw his playing time continue to grow as the 2010 season went on. You could make arguments for keeping or cutting just about any of them. But it’s clear that the competition along the defensive line will be fierce and that’s just the way you want it.
3. Tully Banta-Cain – TBC’s big contract, lack of production, susceptibility to losing contain, and penchant for untimely stupid penalties make him a real bubble player for 2011. His extension last off-season was probably more about him being a solid-not-spectacular player who knew the system and bought into the “Patriot Way”. But that will only get you so far.
Eric Moore started over him in the playoffs, and appears to be primed for an expanded role in 2011. Jermaine Cunningham should be healthy and much improved as well, and there’s a good chance a high round OLB will be drafted. What the Patriots need is a 3-down outside linebacker and TBC is never going to be one. He’ll need a big camp to stick around.
4. Julian Edelman – I know a lot of the readers won’t like that Juju is on this list, and the fact is he still has a very good chance of still being with the Pats in 2011, but he will need to show more consistency in training camp. He ended 2010 strong, with some great punt returns. Clearly he adds value there, but his development as a receiver slowed in 2010, making a handful of untimely drops and miscues over the course of the season. If the Patriots bring in another receiver it’s likely Brandon Tate, Taylor Price and Edelman will have a pretty good competition to make the club. Given what each brings to the table, Juju could be on the short end of the stick. Certainly if looks are part of the competition he’s a roster lock, at least according to my female readers and tweeps.
5. Brandon Meriweather vs. James Sanders – There’s a pretty good chance that both these guys will be back in 2011, but there are reasons to think that one or both might not be. Sanders is a solid, but unspectacular pro. He’s due to make $2.6 million in 2011 which isn’t a huge number but compare that to the $650K Meriweather is due to make. Both are entering the last years of their deals.
Where Sanders might be a financial casualty, Meriweather might be more of a case of his stock never being higher. Ultimately his low salary will probably save him, but he’s consistently inconsistent and is far from a lock to be the free safety ballhawk of the future. I expect free safety to be a position that the Pats could draft higher than a lot of people expect this year. If they do it could come at the expense of Sanders or Meriweather.
Who do you guys think is most likely to not be a Pat in 2011?