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shea mcclellin

Patriots Tuesday 10 Pack

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One of my favorite things in life is ending up in a conversation with another Patriots fan who has no idea that I have been faithfully blogging about the team for nine years. That was the case on Monday when I jumped into a conversation with a couple unknowing people at my real job and listened their deeply held beliefs about this Patriots team.

One of them wasn’t feeling the magic this year, the other thought the offense looked terrible against the Rams and that the only hard game left was Miami. The conversation ended before I could interject any of my own analysis, and really they didn’t seem to care, even though I could at least give them some perspective that they both badly needed.

So my frustration from that conversation has spilled over here into the Tuesday 10 Pack, where I vent about the Monday over-reactors as the dust settles from win number 10.

Here we go…

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5 Patriots Who Could Break Out Tonight

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After six long months (and change), the New England Patriots football team finally takes the field once again tonight to start their journey on the 2016 campaign. Ah, it felt good to write that. And I can’t lie, the loss in last seeason’s AFC Championship to Denver is still really chapping my ass. Maybe that’s because it’s the second time in three years that’s happened (along with a Super Bowl win of course), or more likely it’s because I still can’t believe the Patriots lost to that anemic offense, that they missed a gaddam extra point that cost them at least overtime and that Peyton beat Brady the last time they’d play.

Whatever. The new season is here and it’s time to really turn the page. The Patriots have certainly evolved this offseason, though half of that battle was just getting some of their important pieces back fully healthy. Still, there are plenty of new veterans, young players looking to make their mark and rookies who are about to get their feet wet for the first time.

While we can’t read too much into any preseason game, there’s always something special seeing our favorite team take the field and bang heads with an opponent.

With that in mind, here are five Patriots I’ll be most curious to see.

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Shea McClellin’s Position Fit in Patriots Free Agency 2016

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Shea McClellin is the Patriots’ highest paid free agent acquisition on defense this offseason at three years, $9,050,000. We can safely assume that he will play a significant role in the team’s long term plans. The most buzzing news around the media circuit right now regarding NFL player props is how big his role with the Pats will be. He was largely considered a bust after being selected in the first round of the 2012 draft when he failed to live up to expectations. He was the 19th overall pick. However, he restored some hope for the Boise State product’s future when he moved to inside linebacker.

McClellin’s athleticism and versatility were perfect for his new role off the line, but he and the Bears both believed that a fresh start is essential for both sides. Because of this, the Monsters of the Midway didn’t agree to pick up his fifth year option. According to them, it was for McLellin’s own good and his best interest. They believed that right from the start Chicago wasn’t the most appropriate fit for him. Some people consider him to be Rob Ninkovich‘s successor because of his versatility as a defender. However, based on the observations from his first four years in the NFL, many believe that this future looks most promising as an inside linebacker.

Patriots sign Shea McClellinSTRUGGLING ON THE DEFENSIVE END

McClellin struggled during his first few years playing for Chicago. This was despite him having a productive college career. He wasn’t able to portray the balance and agility required to bend around the edge. He also didn’t have the capacity to use his lower body power to perform exceptionally. He didn’t have violent hands nor a wide range of moves in his arsenal. Additionally, since the very beginning McClellin was never the best in being an edge defender. He lacked the appropriate size which made him average in the trenches. The evidence is shown clearly by his lack of NFL strength and caliber power which are required for the position. However, if he’s not asked to play the edge full-time, McClellin’s experience as a pass rusher and in space only gives the Patriots more options how to deploy him in New England.

UNTAPPED POTENTIAL AS A LINEBACKER

McClellin’s value significantly increased when he moved to the inside linebacker in the Windy City. However, his struggles were still evident. He was left exposed because Chicago lacked the necessary double team-demanding defensive linemen. He struggled in shedding blocks from offensive linemen. He had no choice but to chase them down from behind or tackle ball carriers when they have already burst through the line. He also had troubles regarding pass defense. He would occasionally pass runners off for no particular person. Sometimes, he fails to gain the appropriate depth in his zone drops. McClellin also has the tendency to be aggressively engulfed in play action. He usually makes huge opening passage windows in the field. Thankfully for the Patriots fans, his position as a linebacker suits him well. He is considered to be an effective blitzer and a sound tackler. In his past games, he runs well and gives quick reactions. He was where he needed to be without forgetting his main responsibility. In general, he did well in avoiding cut blocks from linemen.

In New England, with some monstrous linemen like Alan Branch and Terrence Knighton in front of him, McLellin should have less oncoming linemen to deal with and he should flourish with his speed.

HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO NEW ENGLAND

McClellin’s lack of NFL level physical prowess can be mitigated in New England’s scheme. It is understandable why Belichick and the rest of the Patriots personnel saw potential in him. He is an amazing athlete who has high football IQ. Regarding his instincts, it can be improved by coaching sessions and more exposure to play time.  Looking at his past experiences with Chicago, it is safe to assume that McClellin will be the third linebacker for the Patriots and can be mixed and matched with Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins in various  ways. His presence in the defense will be the best position for him to make use of his talents. He could potentially be a great gem among Belinchik’s list of reclamation projects.

Patriots sign Shea McClellin

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What a day Wednesday was! Just when we thought we had the Martellus Bennett deal to digest for a bit, the Patriots sign Shea McClellin, a linebacker also from the Bears, to a reported three-year deal.

I can’t lie, I really like this signing because McClellin was one of my favorite players coming out of the 2012 draft. I had him 12th overall on my Patriots-only big board. McClellin started out as a defensive end but seemed to find his stride once he was moved to linebacker in 2014. What I loved about him was his athleticism, and now, joining Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins, McClellin should fit right in.

Experience Everywhere

He has experience doing just about everything the Pats could ask him to do — rushing the passer, playing in space, covering. You can easily see him atop the depth chart at middle linebacker in regular, or doing any number of things in a sub-package. This is essentially what they do with Collins and Hightower now and why McClellin’s athleticism and versatility make so much sense for New England.

In short, he’s the perfect kind of swiss army knife Belichick loves and best of all he fills a significant need at linebacker. It also makes me happy to see it being a three-year deal. You love to have guys like Chris Long and Bennett brought in, but on one-year deals you know you can’t get too attached.

That’s not the case with McClellin, who should see a significant role on defense and compliment Hightower and Collins really well. Jonathan Freeny now slides down the depth chart and can focus more on special teams. The lack of an impact third linebacker really killed the Pats last year and they should add another one in the draft as well. But for now, McClellin solidifies things at the top.

So yes, that makes four former first round picks in two days for the Pats (not that I’m holding much hope for getting anything out of Donald Brown but still…).

I’m liking how this 2016 team is shaping up.