new england patriots

Three nuggets from Bedard that I found most interesting:

CB Ras-I Dowling is starting to make strides on a consistent basis. Physically he looks better than he did in the off-season practices, and he’s doing a solid job in coverage. 

Bolden continues to get more running attempts than Shane Vereen.

Dont’a Hightower looks like a natural at the strong-side linebacker position. He consistently holds his own against tight ends and tackles at the point of attack. Hightower has been the most physical player in camp. He absolutely stopped FB Spencer Larsen in his tracks on a running play. Completely stood Larsen up. He has also shown better instincts in coverage than previously thought.

Chandler Jones continued his dominance from right defensive end during one-on-ones, breezing by Darrion Weems (as he should) during his first attempt, and Nate Solder on his second try. Immediately after beating Solder, Belichick shouted from across the field to give Jones a tip on hand movement. If Jones beat Solder a little cleaner with his hand placement, it wouldn’t have been a contest. Even with that victory, Belichick was coaching Jones hard.

French historian Jacques Barzan once said “Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball.” Which was all well and good in the 1930s.  In the 21st century, America is all about your New England Patriots, and the Chinese have figured that out.  So while we sit here fat and happy, stuffing ourselves with pork rinds, pounding PBRs and watching Synchronized Diving, the Red Menace is over there studying Belichick’s tactics, taking lessons from Mr. Kraft’s business savvy and probably cloning an army of Bradys in a government lab somewhere.