PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

x and o

What Makes The Patriots Offense So Difficult For Wide Receivers? – Extra Points – Boston.com

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What Makes The Patriots Offense So Difficult For Wide Receivers? – Extra Points – Boston.com

If you read one thing today, make it this great article from Erik Frenz breaking down the Patriots’ requirements for wide receivers. It’s the best thing I’ve read on the topic with a lot of insight from the receivers.

Are Hybrid Defensive Fronts the Future of NFL Defenses? | Bleacher Report

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Are Hybrid Defensive Fronts the Future of NFL Defenses? | Bleacher Report

Good read for those out there like me who really enjoy scheme reads. I think the one thing I’d add to this is that essentially nickel is the new base defense. If you’re talking about 3-4 or 4-3, an outdated conversation regardless, you’re really only referring to a team’s run-stopping defense.

The Patriots have been in the so called “base” around 36% of the time the last four seasons. The “sub” package, with five or more defensive backs? 61% of the snaps.

With this in mind, the interesting evolution to look at is away from nose tackles and run-stuffing middle linebackers (hi Brandon Spikes) and toward designated pass rushing defensive ends and slot cornerbacks. These are essentially starters now.

This is also what made/makes Vince Wilfork so special. He can two-gap as a zero-technique nose tackle, but he’s also quick enough to be a traditional one-gap defensive tackle. It’s also why Dominique Easley is now worth a first-round pick in the Patriots’ eyes, whereas in the mid-2000’s he wouldn’t have been.

Another player who is a modern defensive specimen is Jamie Collins, who has outside linebacker size but can run like a safety. In these new hybrid defensive fronts, the ideal players are hybrid defenders and I’d bet we’ll see the Patriots trying to acquire more and more of them.

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In other words, receivers coming out of these systems are forced to learn a new way to speak about and learn the game. Instead of simply being told to run a slant or a go route, which makes learning a playbook much easier, they have to understand the concepts of each play and their assignment within in.

Simplistic college offenses have created new hurdles for NFL teams | masslive.com

https://www.patspropaganda.com/in-other-words-receivers-coming-out-of-these/

Patriots’ Secondary Additions Prove Bill Belichick’s Ability to Adapt

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Patriots’ Secondary Additions Prove Bill Belichick’s Ability to Adapt

Great read here from Matt Bowen at B/R on the impact of Browner and Revis.

McCourty played at a Pro Bowl level last season from my perspective and has the range, plus the transition skills (hips, footwork, speed out of his pedal), to benefit greatly as a middle-of-the-field defender with Revis and Browner on the field.

AFC Championship Game is a case study of how NFL defenses are evolving | The MMQB with Peter King

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AFC Championship Game is a case study of how NFL defenses are evolving | The MMQB with Peter King

Wow, I am both relieved and proud to have written a complimentary article to Andy Benoit, a football writer I have long respected, that makes a lot of the same points about the Pats and man coverage that I made in my piece. It’s times like this I almost feel like I know what I’m talking about when it comes to x’s and o’s.