An Independent Patriots Blog
Pats # updates: Salas 17, Kirkland 19, Develin 46, Rivera 59, Tennant 69, Austin 72, Shiancoe 80, Bequette 92, Francis 94, Forston 98
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 2, 2012
No Hightower yet?
Can Salas break the curse of #17?
Bold taking 80, Shiancoe.
Very happy with the 92, 94, 98 changes.
In case you were wondering, this is – by far – the youngest opening-day roster that Bill Belichick has fielded. (Of course, they could change out six more guys by then) The average age of the 2012 Patriots is 25 years, 274 days. The next youngest was, according to STATS, LLC, the 2010 squad (26, 280), followed by Belichick’s first, the 5-11 juggernauts of 2000 (26, 329).
https://www.patspropaganda.com/in-case-you-were-wondering-this-is-by-far-the/
The good thing for them, is the fact they did bring in Gregory, who’s another smart player,” Harrison said. “I don’t think he’s on the level of Chung in terms of straight ability, but a lot of times you need a really smart player who’ll buy into the system. I think he’s one of those guys you can depend on. So if Chung gets hurt, that gives them a little more depth and reliability at that position. But the bottom line is still the same. You have to have everyone on the same page. You don’t have to have the most talented or the best players. But if you have players that are well disciplined, who don’t make a lot of mistakes, who don’t shoot themselves in the foot, it gives you a great opportunity to have success in that secondary.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-good-thing-for-them-is-the-fact-they-did/
With Carpenter’s release, the Patriots’ linebacker corps looks like this: Starters: Mayo (weakside), Brandon Spikes (middle), Hightower (strongside) Backups: Mike Rivera (middle), Tracy White (weakside), Rob Ninkovich (statring end who could play linebacker) This group looks a bit thin, although the Patriots have also been using safeties Tavon Wilson and Nate Ebner in linebacker-type roles in often-used sub packages.
Schefter: Pats release Carpenter – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston
You could even throw Jermaine Cunningham in at SLB in a pinch. The Pats will be fine without Carpenter, I was kind of surprised that we all had him easily on the 53-man roster. I just figured there was a special teams spot for him. Guess not.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/with-carpenters-release-the-patriots-linebacker/
Little bit on the double-nose defense:
They join old stalwarts like defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, weakside linebacker Jerod Mayo and safety Patrick Chung in a scheme that looks quite different from past Belichick-coached units. Gone is the trademark 3-4 defense with the big front – two 5-technique ends and one nose tackle – in favor of a lighter, more flexible four-man front that features two hybrid defensive ends/outside linebackers with two big tackles inside, and then three big linebackers behind them.
Which teams have youngest, oldest starters – NFC West Blog – ESPN
The Pats are 18th over all with the 5th oldest offense and the 28th oldest defense.
As always there were some surprises on Friday, and while there are sure to be some more changes, here are some thoughts on the initial cut down…
– Really not surprised at all by the move with Jeff Demps. He wasn’t ready to contribute this season, mentally or physically. It’s good that he got his feet wet but the safe move is to stash him and let him get back into football.
– Props to Mike Rivera for winning a special teams linebacker spot. Tracy White’s health still might knock Rivera off the team, but beating out Niko Koutouvides and Jeff Tarpinian, two players that had experience already in the system, was impressive. At the very least he’s headed for the practice squad shortly.
– There’s no question Branch’s release was a surprise. He was a luxury insurance and probably would’ve had a limited role this year. If any receiver comes back (or has to come back) I’d bet Branch is the one. He’s still enough quickness and savvy to be effective in short areas, but his days of being a threat on the perimeter are over.
– As of now it’s hard not to imagine that the Pats are going to get Julian Edelman a little more involved with the offense. His development could potentially cushion the blow if Welker leaves next off-season.
– I suspected they would keep four tight ends. With Shiancoe and Fells they have insurance for Gronk, but also blocking help for the young tackles. But it’s a clear commitment to protecting an offense that features their tight ends. Whether that translates into more commitment to the power run game remains to be seen.
– Love that kept lots of defensive backs and lots of defensive ends. Can never have enough of either in today’s NFL.
– The storyline of these three tackles is going to be one to watch. Can Vollmer hold up? Can Solder step up? Will Cannon be ready if needed? Stay tuned…
– Good for Marcus Forston. A lot of draftniks thought he should’ve stayed in school. He’s shown some burst in the center of the defense and that is something the Pats need.
– Oh speaking of interior pass rushers… what the Pats showed in preseason in pure passing situations was commonly Wilfork still, with Jermaine Cunningham inside. Cunningham was then followed by Justin Francis, then Forston. I really hope one of them can bring something, because I’m certainly not counting on Myron Pryor to.
– Chung was back at practice Friday. Phew…
– Not to sound mean but I like the Hoydog cut. It saved some money and at least it would be fun with Mallet. He might throw a ball threw someone’s chest but there’d be a couple rocket completions. Let’s ride with Mallet. For now.
There will be more to come obvs….
PFF: Patriots – Chiefs Re-Focused Brian Waters (+1.8) continued what has been a great season against the team he spent 11 seasons with. Perhaps he was subtly explaining to the organisation how they released him too soon as he gave Chiefs’ linemen numerous problems. Waters graded positively in all facets of the game demonstrating the […]