An Independent Patriots Blog
[Mike Reiss] reached out to Clayton to see where the Patriots ranked in total payroll for 2012, and it turns out they were eighth overall, at $138.3 million. So the Patriots spent the most, in terms of total payroll, of any playoff club this past season.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/mike-reiss-reached-out-to-clayton-to-see-where/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m8tlkun544
SUPER BOWL 36 (by SONICATTACK2013)
https://www.patspropaganda.com/super-bowl-36-by-sonicattack2013/
Pondering Patriots and big receivers – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston
Here’s one recurring theme that we’ll see plenty of in the coming months…
The Patriots could also be in the market for a big-bodied wide receiver, something they lacked in 2012 and an established presence they haven’t had since 2009. That was the last season that Randy Moss was truly effective for the Patriots, and since then, the team has been without a tall, physical wide receiver who can take the top off of a defense or win in 50-50 situations against a defensive back in man coverage.
The Patriots have been in seven of the past 12 AFC title games, and there is no reason to think they won’t be there again. The AFC East is once again set up for the Patriots to go 6-0 in divisional play, as they did in 2012. Though their overall 2013 schedule isn’t as easy as 2012, it’s far from daunting. They play a .508 schedule, which is the 13th toughest, but overall, they play only six teams that had a .500 record or better in 2012. Regardless of the schedule, no one will know how good the Patriots are until the playoffs. For years, the Patriots have meandered successfully through easy schedules and an easy division to be a top seed. Only the playoffs will tell if the Patriots are Super Bowl-worthy or have holes.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-patriots-have-been-in-seven-of-the-past-12-afc/
All-Bruschi Team unveiled – ESPN Boston
Four Patriots make the list from Bruschi:
Ninkovich:
How many times does the seven-year veteran have to make plays to be recognized as a star? He’s played outside linebacker in the 34, defensive end in the 43 and also shows up on special teams at times, and while Jerod Mayo and Vince Wilfork receive a lot of the attention, Ninkovich has emerged as a clutch performer who delivers when his team needs it most. When the Patriots signed him a few days into 2009 training camp, he had just been cut by the Saints as a long snapper but he’s developed into much more than that for the Patriots.
Woodhead:
How can you not get fired up watching him play? At 5-foot-8 and 200 pounds, he’s one of the smaller players in the NFL, and yet he still breaks tackles and comes up big when his team needs it most. He’ll produce in different ways. Run between the tackles? Done. Get a first down on third-and-17? Done. Beat a ‘backer in man to man coverage? Done. He is a football player. Period. He may be this team’s captain.
Wendell:
He just finds a way to get the job done despite being undersized (6-2, 300), a bit slow, and not overpowering. You look at him and ask, “How has he managed to stay in the NFL?” He’s crafty, a little bit nasty, and he plays with a lot of spunk. He’ll block his man by any means necessary, and like Brandon Moore, has come up the hard way as an undrafted free agent out of Fresno State.
Slater:
One of the true professionals in the game, he’s already made two Pro Bowls, so it’s more his journey that lands him on this team. It’s about hard work, faith and professionalism. He’s grown into one of the best in the business, with Bill Belichick drawing a comparison to perennial Pro Bowler Larry Izzo.
Frenz and I are going to have a little fun with the podcast tomorrow (11am EST), handing out our awards to deserving Patriots and others from another spectacular season in 2012. Some will be silly and some will be serious, but we wanted to open up the floor to our readers and listeners on some of the categories.
So we want to hear from you guys, you can answer in the comments below, or tweet or email us. Got your own award you want to give out, you can do that too. It’s all in fun and a way to celebrate a season that had a lot of great moments despite it’s disappointing end.
What’s the one Patriots game in 2012 you wish you attended in person?
What’s the one Patriots game in 2012 you’re glad you didn’t attend?
Who’s your favorite Patriot from 2012 (and why if you want to share)?
Who’s your most unfavorite Patriot from 2012 (and why)?
Best 2012 Patriots moment?
Worst 2012 Patriots moment?
We’ll read the best responses on the air and dish out the awards to those who get the most votes. We also have plenty of our own that we’ll be handing out. And the floor is always open if there’s a special one you’d like to give out.
Expect the Buttfumble to take home quite a few!
So what do you guys have to say?
Quick-hit thoughts around NFL & Pats – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston
In the deal, the Patriots traded quarterback Matt Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel for a 2009 second-round draft choice that was used to select safety Patrick Chung (34th overall). The final verdict: Neither team won. Although Vrabel was slowing down and had a high cap figure, the Patriots still could have benefited from his presence in 2009 (fractured locker room) and perhaps in 2010. Also, Chung couldn’t get on the field in the 2012 AFC Championship Game despite a clean bill of health and is likely to be playing elsewhere next season. As for the Chiefs, the investment in Cassel – the most important part of the deal on either side, given the importance of the position and contract they gave him – never paid off. One could argue that’s what ultimately cost general manager Scott Pioli his job as Chiefs general manager after four seasons.
It’s not the size of the dog in the fight that matters, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.