An Independent Patriots Blog
New England is historically the leading and prototypical “bend but don’t break defense” even in the down defensive years, and 2011 was no exception. The Patriots forced opponents to march 19.23 yards for every point scored. To put it in perspective, opponents needed to churn out a daunting 134.6 yards to score the equivalent of a TD and extra point. Only San Francisco was better.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/new-england-is-historically-the-leading-and/
Asked around the league after the Patriots made the Michael Hoomanawanui signing official on Wednesday, and while he’s a good receiver (20 catches for 229 yards and three touchdowns in two seasons with the Rams), the one thing that came up on each occasion was the fact that he is a better-than-average blocker. Our pals over at Pro Football Focus have Hoomanawanui rated as a 2.7 pass blocker (ninth-best among all tight ends last season) and a 2.2 run blocker in 2011, putting up those numbers in 401 snaps last season with the Rams.
It’s easy for everyone to make fun of the Pats for signing so many tight ends but it’s clear that they needed a big blocker like Uh Oh, especially with their lack of depth at tackle.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/asked-around-the-league-after-the-patriots-made/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_6nTvJGoR0
Doesn’t look like there’s any straight up highlights of the 2003 playoff game against the Titans, but here are some full season highlights.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/doesnt-look-like-theres-any-straight-up/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvkuQh3WjHk
Titans 0, Patriots 59 A Snow Game (by patriotsfootballplc)
https://www.patspropaganda.com/titans-0-patriots-59-a-snow-game-by/
Of the active 53-man roster, 17 of those players were undrafted in the NFL. That number doesn’t include undrafted special-teamer turned linebacker Dane Fletcher, who is now on season-ending IR. That’s nearly a third of this season’s active roster filled with players passed up by every single team time after time … after time. No, the Patriots didn’t sign them all out of college, but they saw enough out of some early on in their careers to scoop them up before they established themselves in the NFL.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/of-the-active-53-man-roster-17-of-those-players/
The Patriots have always had two classes of tight ends. There is the traditional “Y,” whose job requirements read: 6 feet 5 inches or taller, at least 255 pounds, can run but absolutely must be a standout blocker. He has to be a viable receiver, but not a great one. The “F” or flex tight end is 6-3 or taller, around 235 pounds, must be able to run and be an excellent pass receiver. Does not need to be a good blocker. Everyone in the building agreed that Aaron Hernandez out of the University of Florida, where he did a little bit of everything, was the prototype “F.” There was disagreement on the Y. Some were scared off by Rob Gronkowski’s back surgery in college. There also wasn’t agreement on whether Gronkowski as a rookie could think quick enough to play with Brady. But at least one person did have Gronkowski ranked as the No. 1 Y: Belichick.
Rise after fall – Patriots – Boston.com
Back to back great reads from Bedard. Must read both of them!!
https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-patriots-have-always-had-two-classes-of-tight/
Tight ends are changing how defenses are constructed – Sports – The Boston Globe
Great read from Bedard, really interesting football evolution/personnel stuff that always gets me hot and bothered…
Belichick has long been interested with those types of versatile defenders, even back to his Browns days, where Savage was in the personnel department. The “star” is a fifth defensive back that ideally would be a little bit stronger than the cornerback most other teams prefer in the slot. The “money” is a sixth defensive back that is a safety/linebacker hybrid. In recent years, Josh Barrett and James Ihedigbo have been targeted for those spots. Now it’s Wilson and sixth-round pick Nate Ebner. In theory, those players are an even bigger asset now against tight end-driven offenses because they can stay on the field on multiple downs, especially against the (also rising) no-huddle attacks. “That’s going to become an important position,” said NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell. “That guy has to match up on people. That kind of guy can play a [Rob] Gronkowski, or at least has a chance. Belichick’s way of saying the defense has caught up to the spread offense, with all the speed and pressure packages that make it tough to protect, is to put two tight ends on the field. “We can line up in base offense and pound the ball against your smaller people if you choose to go with a sub package. Line up base, we’ll split out Hernandez and who are you going to put on him?” That’s why it’s important to find hybrid players that can play inside. It allows cornerbacks to stay outside.
NFP/Bowen: Why are the Patriots Tight Ends a matchup issue? I’ve tried to avoid the deep threat hysteria, but at some point during the Patriot careers of Gronk and Hernando they should be able to add some dangerous outside speed and that will make them even more difficult to defend. I’m okay with the savvy […]