PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

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Why The New England Patriots Need Jonathan Wilhite Healthy

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Jonathan Wilhite is in his third season with the Pats and after a somewhat promising rookie year, where most of his mistakes were forgiven because he was a rookie, he became Whipping Boy of the Secondary in 2009.

You’ll probably notice Wilhite standing there, looking around confused, in any number of 2009 Patriots lowlights after the opposing team just burned him for a touchdown. The most famous one being the winning touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne against the Colts.

In 2010 Wilhite has been decent playing only the inside nickel cornerback position, but he’s missed the last three games with a hip injury. It might not seem like a big deal to not have him, but the trickle down effect has hurt the Patriots because Patrick Chung has been forced to take over Wilhite’s coverage duties.

Chung was having a breakout season until he himself dealt with a knee injury sustained against the San Diego Chargers, then upon his return he’s had to play nickel. Chung is best utilized as a versatile safety, who can cover or rush the quarterback and using him at nickel has limited his effectiveness. 

If Wilhite can return against the Jets we should seem some more impact plays out of Chung.

Some Afternoon Patriots Linkage…

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Some good stuff popping up around the internets this afternoon as the frenzy of buildup to MNF continues.

First is this article from the New York Post that pretty much sums up what we already know… that the Pats have been bending and pretty close to breaking all year long and need to depend on Brady. It’s nothing we haven’t been talking about all season long but they do have some good stats that are informative and give some context to where this Pats D ranks. I think just because it’s from a New York paper it might fire people up a little bit, but they’re just stating facts.

To counter the negativity in that one we have this little gem on BB from Mike Freeman, who has written some pretty scathing anti-Pats articles in the past. We know about the Pats defensive struggles but everyone seems to leave out that this defense has been nearly completely turned over and rebuilt in the last two seasons. This 2010 draft class has really cemented the foundation and it looks like no matter how this season ends up the Patriots will be a solid team for the next 4-6 years at least. Put it this way, when Brady’s ready to hang them up this defense will be a veteran group that should help ease the transition to whoever is the next QB. Yes folks, I think about long term domination.

Finally we wrap it up with this Belichick Breakdown from the Lions game. BB’s breakdowns are always my favorite part of Patriots All Access, if only I could embed them…

Measuring the Patriots “Bend-Don’t-Break” Defense

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If you’ve seen many Jets fans previewing the upcoming clash you know two things:

  1. They have access to an NFL statistics website.
  2. They look at said statistics sites and are thus confident New England’s poorly ranked defense will be unable to stop the unstoppable Holmes-Crotchery-Edwards-Keller-Tomlinson receiving threats.

But it seems pretty apparent none of the have really watched the Patriots’ games, because if they did they’d know that yes, teams can move the ball on the Pats, especially through the air. However the Patriots are actually ranked 12th in Cold Hard Football Facts’ Bendability Index and have had a knack for coming up with timely interceptions.

CHFF Quality Wins: Pats vs. Jets Comparison

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So against quality teams the Patriots are 5-1, while the Jets are 2-2. The Pats average 28.5 points for, 22.7 points against. The Jets average 17.0 points for, 14.0 points against. 

So say what you will about the Pats defense but 6 of their 11 games have been against good teams. If the playoffs started today the Jaguars and Jets would be the only AFC playoff teams the Patriots haven’t beaten.

If the Pats win Monday Night and the Colts rebound and win the AFC South, New England will have beaten every AFC playoff participant. Sorry Kansas City, I think the Chargers are taking the AFC West.

2010 Draft Classes: Patriots vs. Jets

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I could tell you the Patriots have absolutely white washed the Jets when it came to drafting this year but you’ll probably think I’m biased, so I’ll let the excellent Jets blog “Turn on the Jets” tell you. It’s also worth noting that they fail to mention Brandon Deaderick, Kyle Love, and Dane Fletcher, all rookies who have played multiple games and contributed…

New England

  • Corner – Devin McCourty – 61 tackles, 5 INTs, 12 PDs
  • Tight End – Rob Gronkowski – 25 receptions, 310 yards, 6 TDs
  • Tight End – Aaron Hernandez – 36 receptions, 462 yards, 3 TDs
  • Linebacker – Brandon Spikes – 54 tackles
  • Punter – Zoltan Mesko – 43.7 yards net average
  • Linebacker – Jermaine Cunningham – 26 tackles, 1 sack

Jets

  • Corner – Kyle Wilson – 20 tackles, 4 PDs
  • Guard – Vladimir Ducasse – Inactive every week but one
  • Running Back – Joe McKnight – Normally inactive, 4 carries, 12 yards
  • Fullback – John Conner – 2 receptions, 9 yards

Let’s be honest, to this point Wilson, Ducasse, and McKnight have all been major disappointments. Drew Coleman has outplayed Wilson all season, who has struggled both at corner and punt returner. Ducasse was easily beaten out by Matt Slauson in training camp for the starting guard job and is the team’s 3rd backup OL behind Wayne Hunter and Robert Turner. McKnight…well, what can you even say about him? At least we have The Terminator leading the way for years to come at fullback.

I don’t know who’s going to win Monday night. But I do know that the Patriots have a lot more talented young players who are locked up long term. Doesn’t mean the Jets won’t continue to sign quality free agents, and from the sound of it every player in the NFL wants to play for Rex Ryan.

While this young Patriots defense has struggled what’s clear is that there are young playmakers at every level, and that bodes very well for New England’s future.