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Frenz: Where does Fletcher fit into Patriots defense

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Frenz: Where does Fletcher fit into Patriots defense

By now everyone is well aware of my man crush on Dane Fletcher and our buddy Frenz put together a nice overview of where we stand with Fletch, or as I might like to call him from here on out “Mr Poon”.

The thing with Mr. Poon is that it’s pretty rare for a rookie linebacker to even see the field, much less play… in order of frequency… nickel linebacker, inside linebacker, and outside linebacker. Clearly BB thinks he’s got the tools, and if he adds some weight who knows what his ceiling is.

But he’s definitely one guy who could be looked to to help the pass rush sitch.

60MaxPowerO.com: The beginning of the Patriots hybrid defense

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60MaxPowerO.com: The beginning of the Patriots hybrid defense

Good stuff from the guys over at 60MaxPowerO.com. There’s also a part one to this article but it was more about BB’s Giants defenses and I really don’t care much about his philosophy back then because you know, he had Lawrence Taylor and that makes things a lot easier.

The focus of this article is really Willie McGinest…. 

Using McGinest in a joker type role allowed him to roam and exploit gaps he was going to rush. The key here is that McGinest could position himself down or up on the line, thus creating a link from 4-3 to 3-4. So one of a QB’s reads are: who’s on the edges? If McGinest is standing up he’s probably in pass coverage (one may think ) and if he’s down, he’s rushing (again, one might think). Now, use the inverse and there’s the QB’s conundrum – is he coming or dropping? 

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BB at the B’s game last night (via Barstool). Love how he always pops up at the other Boston sporting events. Clearly he lives for competition. And short sleeves. And visors.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/bb-at-the-bs-game-last-night-via-barstool-love/

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“You try and match what OTA’s would be like at this point, try and get out there and running on the field and throwing and working drills as well as lifting,” said Fletcher, who lined up at multiple linebacker spots last season. “Just do as much as you can do to be on top and try to stay on top of things.”

“There are definitely people out there grinding. I’m working out a lot, throwing — Fletcher and I, we’re always out there grinding every day about five times a week,” Gronkowski said. “We’re just ready to play some football and hoping there’s a season. I’m ready to play.”

Dane Fletcher and Gronk via WEEI

Worth mentioning that Chris Price said in a tweet that Fletcher looked like he had put on some good weight. Really hoping we have a training camp so he can have a chance to show how much he’s improved. Working out with Gronk certainly has to help.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/you-try-and-match-what-otas-would-be-like-at/

CoachHoover: Notes on Belichick Coaches Clinic

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CoachHoover: Notes on Belichick Coaches Clinic

Another great find! Here are the notes taken by a coach attending a coaching clinic by BB. Some great stuff, but since we’re on a defense schemology week we’re only posting the notes from that side of the ball. Note the very last note at the bottom…

Defense

  •        Just because you have 11 guys wearing the same-colored jersey doesn’t mean you are a coordinated unit.

Pass Defense – must collision WRs so they don’t just run down field uncontested. 

  •         Get on WRs quickly – don’t give them any space.
  •        Don’t let them inside – keep good inside leverage.
  •        He showed his team cut-ups of Arizona’s WRs running downfield uncontested to reinforce what NOT to do.  Then show examples of what you do want to do.
  •        Pass Defense – DBs – job #1 – defend the deep ball.

Run Defense – set the edge – turn the ball back inside toward pursuit.

  •        Don’t just run upfield – must attack at correct angle. 
  •        Don’t let the ball outside for uncontested yardage.
  •        Force player – once you force it inside, shed block and get in on tackle.  You want to push back the  LOS.
  •        Must teach players how to defeat blocks.
  •        QB as runner – Offense will always out-gap you.  Somebody must be a two-gap player.
  •        Backside of Defense – still want to set the edge for Reverse, Cutback, and Misdirection.
  •       Every week – emphasis is on setting the edge.
  •      Tackling – don’t leave your feet – run thru the RB.

Pass Rush – worst place to be is behind the QB.

  •      Must collapse the pocket to get at depth of QB.
  •       Must have push up the middle – don’t let QB step up in pocket.
  •       Michael Vick – obviously would play differently.
  •       Pass Rusher behind QB – worst position in football that you can be in.
  •       Pass rush helps the coverage more than having four Champ Baileys will do.