My take on the past few days

[Patjew]

Terrible post, Jays.

I just wanted to say something different than everyone else.

Awesome post, Jays.

 

[CanadianPat'sFan]

Jay52,

I would like to hear what you think of Cunningham and Hernandez?

I have agreed for a while that Guyton was serviceable but we need a presence in the middle next to Mayo is what this defense really needed. There was talk last night on NFLN that he may play SILB for the first two downs and move to OLB and rush on third to keep him on the field?

Nice analysis.

 

[5 Rings for Brady!!]

We are going from a very promising defense of last year to a stacked defense.

I believe it will be pass rush by committee this year, with guys like Warren and Lewis replacing Seymour more or less as two gappers taking up blocks so the linebackers can run free. And we do have guys like Tully, perhaps Cunningham, that will get after the QB from the OLB position.

We clearly have a lot of good d-backs and LBs. And Vince and Ty Warren. In an ideal world we would have one more dynamic DE that can pass rush out of a 3 man front, but BB at least got some more guys at that postion to keep their legs fresh.

This defense might end up being like one of those BB Giants defenses, where the LB core are basically household names. Mayo and Spikes.

 

[ausbacker]

Nice post.
Difference between 2001,2003,2004 Patriots
and 2005,2006,2009 Patriots
The first group played its best in the moist critical situations.
The second group did not (consistently)

Put 2007 into either group and either call them a mistake waiting to happen or 4 minutes of anomoly.

I haven't been in a moist critical situation AndyJohnson but I'm guessing by your last name, Johnson's like being in moist situations .

Great post jays. Makes you eager for the season.

 

[Irish Hooligan]

Awesome post, sobering, so I am off to the packy.....let's go calendar, get to Fall !

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

We are going from a very promising defense of last year to a stacked defense.

I believe it will be pass rush by committee this year, with guys like Warren and Lewis replacing Seymour more or less as two gappers taking up blocks so the linebackers can run free. And we do have guys like Tully, perhaps Cunningham, that will get after the QB from the OLB position.

We clearly have a lot of good d-backs and LBs. And Vince and Ty Warren. In an ideal world we would have one more dynamic DE that can pass rush out of a 3 man front, but BB at least got some more guys at that postion to keep their legs fresh.

This defense might end up being like one of those BB Giants defenses, where the LB core are basically household names. Mayo and Spikes.

I protest! (But you're on the right track.)

Lewis isn't noted for being very strong against the run. This pool of DL talent seems set to compete for specific roles:

Ty Warren - Starter 3-4 LDE and 4-3 DT/Heavy LDE, can kick inside on passing downs.
Wilfork - Starter at 3-4 & 4-3 NT, and 4-3 3-tech, and can fill in at 3-4 DE.
Wright - He can start at 3-4 & 4-3 RDE, but his strength (so far) is 3rd-D specialist (Third Down). He also has roles at 3-4/4-3 NT and 3-4 LDE, and 4-3 3-tech.
Pryor - 3rd-D, 3-4/4-3 rNT, 4-3 3-tech.
Brace - He's competing for 3-4/4-3 rNT and 3-4 rDE.
Lewis - 3rd-D, 4-3 3-tech.
Ger. Warren - Starter 3-4 DE, 4-3 NT/3-tech.
Richard - Competing for everthing but 3-4 NT.
Grady - Competing for 3rd-D, 4-3 rNT, 4-3 3-tech.
Gordon - Competing for 3rd-D, 4-3 rNT, 4-3 3-tech.
Deadrick - Competing for everthing.
Weston - Competing for everthing.

NE has 12 DL competing for 6-7 slots, and a couple PSquad openings. BB talked about the current trend with NFL offenses is coming back to the run.
Strong run defenders here are:
-- Ty Warren (one of the very best in the NFL),
-- Wilfork (a recent article called him the #1 NT in the NFL),
-- Wright (at NT he plays very well, and he does a good job at RDE, he struggles more at LDE),
-- Pryor
-- Brace (if he's made the speed/strength adjustment from college to the NFL and focused on his conditioning & technique he'll be a monster),
-- Gerard Warren (he's Seymour good when his motor is running, and NFL average other times),
-- Richard
-- Grady
-- Deadrick
-- Weston (he was used more as a penetrator at Georgia, but once he learns the technique, he could prove to be a beast against the run in a two-gap scheme).

3rd-D specialists:
-- Wright (he could surpass Jarvis Green with similar talent around him),
-- Pryor (a bowling ball with knives as they say),
-- Grady (he was more of a run stuffer at Louisville, but Indy drafted him for a reason),
-- Lewis (that's been his career),
-- Gordon (it was his strength at Stanford)
-- Weston (it's how Georgia used him).

Now that I've seen where the current DL pool is on paper, and heard BB's thoughts about the run, I'm excited to see the DL shaking out in camp. A nice mix of veteran and youngster, as well as run stoppers, pass rushers, and 3-down players.

Gordon was initially used as a 4-3 DE while at Stanford before they kicked him inside. I wonder if NE is thinking about taking 15-20 lbs off him and using him as a pass rush specialist who can line up anywhere? I wonder how Lewis would look if he was lighter and used strictly as a pass rush specialist.

 

[LuthierJr]

This Post was one of my favorite posts I've ever read. Props to the OP.

 

[BritPat]

Pretty exciting weekend, wasn't it? Some interesting things to take a look at, and some very exciting prospects were added. This is gonna be a lengthy one, and one I have to do on my mobile, so please be understanding of what should be frequent typos.

I think that I see some real objectives outlined by the Patriots in this draft, and from here on out I will switch over to the vernacular.

1) We must become more tough, both physically and mentally.
- McCourty really telegraphed this intent early. There were less physical players available when they were drafting. Indeed, likely more athletically gifted players were pretty abundant. What I love about McCourty is his incredible physicality and dedication to the team. He screams championship Patriot DB. Like many, I was a bit confused initially with the selection. After a bit of research, the selection made a ton of sense. I saw a highly agile, highly physical, highly competitive player. Then consider his fit in respect to the current DB's. Bodden and Butler both are of this ilk. Agressive, physical, highly agile guys who can flat out ball. They're going to be playing a lot of press this year, which is indicative of a more agressive concept with the front defenders.

-Spikes. Thank you Dawkins, they drafted a Mike!!! This was the most critical, most overtly glaring weakness from the past few seasons. I say this because unlike pass rush, the Mike cannot be schemed to create. Spikes is a violent, big, vocal leader. Mayo is a prototypical Will, and now they have their prototypical Mike. The run game will improve tremendously, and Mayo will be able to utilize his pursuit ability now. For the first time since Ted Johnson I think the backers will out physical the interior Oline. The physicality of a defense is usually dictated by the Mike and SS. With Spikes and Chung now in place, I am geeking hard about the coming mentality of this defense.

- Gronkowski you freakin meat stick, I love you. Meathead tight ends are on of the best things about football. Watch his run game use in AZ. Jet cracks, knocking the heads off of backers, burrying ends. The spread is killing the physicality of football, and it follows that it comes from the offense first. Gronkowski is great in the passing game, but his blocking is highly underrated. A physical TE can assert the will of an offense onto a spread defense. If strawman O'Brien can figure out motion blocking, this kid will be decleating backers. Especially those of a certain dome team known for the undersized pursuit defense.

2) Add players who know how to win championships.
- Consider the three Meyer recruits. All national champions. All SEC champions. All players who dealt with the pressure and challenges of complacency during their careers. All individuals who know how to focus and dedicate themselves to a singular pursuit. I love this thought process.

- Cut Thomas. 'Nuff said.

3) Create unity through restraint.
- Belichick is building with his men. Screw Marshall, screw Tomlinson, screw Dansby, screw all the high priced free agents. Belichick has these men assembled because he knows they are good. He believes in them like they should believe in themselves. Have you guys read the papers? Apparently we're a team of underachieving scrubs and don't care about building areas of need. F*ck that, men. You in this room are the only ones who can help yourselves, and you're better than those prima donna ****ies the others brought in. Football players are all about ego and galvanization. Give this to them with your actions and make them believe in you by showing how you believe in them.


This team has the pieces in place and the clear iniative to regain their signature heart and toughness. What happens with them will happen, but the direction and iniative are clear. They are getting tougher, their pride is coming back, and they are everybit as pissed off as the rest of us. Can you feel it? The attitude is exuding from this team. For the first time in several years this team feels like the Patriots. And they're pissed off.

I've got a hard on.

When you talk, others really should listen more.

 

[TheComeback]

Pretty exciting weekend, wasn't it? Some interesting things to take a look at, and some very exciting prospects were added. This is gonna be a lengthy one, and one I have to do on my mobile, so please be understanding of what should be frequent typos.

I think that I see some real objectives outlined by the Patriots in this draft, and from here on out I will switch over to the vernacular.

1) We must become more tough, both physically and mentally.
- McCourty really telegraphed this intent early. There were less physical players available when they were drafting. Indeed, likely more athletically gifted players were pretty abundant. What I love about McCourty is his incredible physicality and dedication to the team. He screams championship Patriot DB. Like many, I was a bit confused initially with the selection. After a bit of research, the selection made a ton of sense. I saw a highly agile, highly physical, highly competitive player. Then consider his fit in respect to the current DB's. Bodden and Butler both are of this ilk. Agressive, physical, highly agile guys who can flat out ball. They're going to be playing a lot of press this year, which is indicative of a more agressive concept with the front defenders.

-Spikes. Thank you Dawkins, they drafted a Mike!!! This was the most critical, most overtly glaring weakness from the past few seasons. I say this because unlike pass rush, the Mike cannot be schemed to create. Spikes is a violent, big, vocal leader. Mayo is a prototypical Will, and now they have their prototypical Mike. The run game will improve tremendously, and Mayo will be able to utilize his pursuit ability now. For the first time since Ted Johnson I think the backers will out physical the interior Oline. The physicality of a defense is usually dictated by the Mike and SS. With Spikes and Chung now in place, I am geeking hard about the coming mentality of this defense.

- Gronkowski you freakin meat stick, I love you. Meathead tight ends are on of the best things about football. Watch his run game use in AZ. Jet cracks, knocking the heads off of backers, burrying ends. The spread is killing the physicality of football, and it follows that it comes from the offense first. Gronkowski is great in the passing game, but his blocking is highly underrated. A physical TE can assert the will of an offense onto a spread defense. If strawman O'Brien can figure out motion blocking, this kid will be decleating backers. Especially those of a certain dome team known for the undersized pursuit defense.

2) Add players who know how to win championships.
- Consider the three Meyer recruits. All national champions. All SEC champions. All players who dealt with the pressure and challenges of complacency during their careers. All individuals who know how to focus and dedicate themselves to a singular pursuit. I love this thought process.

- Cut Thomas. 'Nuff said.

3) Create unity through restraint.
- Belichick is building with his men. Screw Marshall, screw Tomlinson, screw Dansby, screw all the high priced free agents. Belichick has these men assembled because he knows they are good. He believes in them like they should believe in themselves. Have you guys read the papers? Apparently we're a team of underachieving scrubs and don't care about building areas of need. F*ck that, men. You in this room are the only ones who can help yourselves, and you're better than those prima donna ****ies the others brought in. Football players are all about ego and galvanization. Give this to them with your actions and make them believe in you by showing how you believe in them.


This team has the pieces in place and the clear iniative to regain their signature heart and toughness. What happens with them will happen, but the direction and iniative are clear. They are getting tougher, their pride is coming back, and they are everybit as pissed off as the rest of us. Can you feel it? The attitude is exuding from this team. For the first time in several years this team feels like the Patriots. And they're pissed off.

This post made me want to put on a helmet and spear every person I see. Amazing.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Pretty exciting weekend, wasn't it? ...
1) We must become more tough, both physically and mentally.
...
2) Add players who know how to win championships.
...
- Cut Thomas. 'Nuff said.

3) Create unity through restraint.
....

This team has the pieces in place and the clear iniative to regain their signature heart and toughness. What happens with them will happen, but the direction and iniative are clear. They are getting tougher, their pride is coming back, and they are everybit as pissed off as the rest of us. Can you feel it? The attitude is exuding from this team. For the first time in several years this team feels like the Patriots. And they're pissed off.

Great take on what's happened and it certainly makes a whole lot of intuitive sense to anyone who's followed the team over the last decade or so. It's always risky to try to characterize what's going on in the Locker Room, but I think you're on to something; There's been "something missing" the last couple of years, no doubt. I hope you're right that this marks a turning point in an important part of what has made the Pats successful!

Thanks!

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Great post. I long for the days of the physical Patriots vs the finesse team with achilles heels. Looking like we're headed back that way.

 

[jays52]

Jay52,

I would like to hear what you think of Cunningham and Hernandez?

I have agreed for a while that Guyton was serviceable but we need a presence in the middle next to Mayo is what this defense really needed. There was talk last night on NFLN that he may play SILB for the first two downs and move to OLB and rush on third to keep him on the field?

Nice analysis.

Cunningham I think I need to put more work in on before I make a definitive call. With what I have seen if him, I can say that he is a high motor, physical guy. He seems to explode well out of his stance, and understands hand technique. He presses blockers up, peeks and sheds with good quickness in the run game. His jersey is always around the ball. I didn't see too much of him droping, but when he did it was pretty decent. He doesn't look like a 43 backer out of the two point, but there's enough evidence there for me to believe that he can at least play zone. I think he's a better player than Dunlap, actually.

I like the Hernandez pick. Quite a bit, actually. That said, I don't think tha he is going to flatten anybody anytime soon. He ran alot of option routes there, and had quite a good feel for cutting against pursuit angles when he had the ball. Good hands, good football intelligence, good athlete. Safe, productive reception tight end.

Towards Spikes moving outside, I don't know if I'm drinking that Kool-Aid. He seems like he is more than capable of getting after it from the Mike in the 34, but part of me thinks he doesn't have that eye catching burst that the outside guys require. Can he play Sam in a 43? Yeah, I could see some situations where you'd go big with Mayo, McKenzie and Spikes in a 43. If you're going to ask Spikes to play the Sam against the slot and motion happy teams out there you're going to be placing him in situations where he will get beat. I'd give McKenzie the starting 43 Sam (a natural fit), and Spikes the starting 34 Mike. Mayo plays 60 snaps at 34 Will, 43 Mike, and all subpackages. Guyton starts at 43 Will and in subpackages. That's a dope f*ckin inside backer corps.

 

[Patspsycho]

If you're going to ask Spikes to play the Sam against the slot and motion happy teams out there you're going to be placing him in situations where he will get beat. I'd give McKenzie the starting 43 Sam (a natural fit), and Spikes the starting 34 Mike. Mayo plays 60 snaps at 34 Will, 43 Mike, and all subpackages. Guyton starts at 43 Will and in subpackages. That's a dope f*ckin inside backer corps.

Yes it is a dope f** back corp, and you know we're not going to play Spike at Sam on the slot because we'd already be in the nickel in such an instance. (Balt is a motion-lovin' team and weren't we in nickel as base on them?) McGowan would be the man for that.