Yates: Picked up pieces from first quarter of Eagles game

[MoLewisrocks]

Some interesting and solid observations about Edleman's muffed punt, Mallett locking in on Stallworth and not making a good throw or decision, Brace's performance improving, and Branch's continued value.

Picked-up pieces from 1st quarter review - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

 

[JackBauer]

Re: YatesL Picked up pieces from first quarter

Patriots defensive lineman Ron Brace, who was aligned over right guard Danny Watkins (a 2011 first round pick), got off on a great first step, locked his arms out on Watkins, and rode him laterally down the line before eventually knocking him on his behind. That play was a microcosm of the unique skills and overwhelming strength Brace brings at his size (some 330 pounds), and was very sound technique. The Patriots relied on defensive linemen gaining control of their blockers and being able to engage them towards the action of the football more often in their 3-4 system, but there's still a place for it in the team's now four-man front based defense. Just two plays later, Brace collapsed the pocket against Watkins, and bear hugged Eagles quarterback Nick Foles to the ground. The officials ruled that Foles was able to flick the ball out of his hands just in time to prevent a sack. More plays like that from Brace could result in both a spot on the roster and extended playing time.

Excellent....

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: YatesL Picked up pieces from first quarter

Excellent....

Imagine if they could actually rotate Brace, Love, and Wilfork through the big men spots. Or even use all of them at the same time in the 4-3.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

On to the second quarter and overall take on the half. The D was put in some unfortunate situations due to turnovers and mistakes were made by some bubble defenders, but by and large the increasingly second and third or lower string D had a very good showing under less than ideal circumstances (facing a #1 offense minus the guy they practiced for).

Picked-up pieces from 2nd quarter review - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

 

[Off The Grid]

Terrific stuff!!

Brother Mayo is fond of quoting Yates, who I have to say is one of the few Writers worth reading.

A few comments...

1 ~ This relatively quiet interlude may actually prove ~ ultimately ~ to be an Inflection Point for Ron Brace. He's obviously on the Bubble, and has had many issues, hereabouts...But he is, fundamentally, an outstanding D Tackle Prospect, and it may well be, after 3 years of travails, that it's finally all coming together for'm.

Indeed, my sense is that it is.

And if that's the case, he could prove to be an enormous and essential part of our Championship Quest.

2 ~ I have to say, too, that Ryan Wendell has finally grown into his Frame, and done so without losing any Athleticism. After hating on the guy for two years, I am delighted to have a double helping of Crow!!

Furthermore ~ and it astonishes me to say it ~ I believe we have another legitimate starting Center, here.

 

[AzPatsFan]

I felt really exposed that there was no backup for the 'Big Uglies'. Now it appears that Brace is becoming the player to fill the position that the Pats drafted him to be. A player who can give a Blow to Wilfolk, and not have the Pats create a hole in their defense, while V is resting.

I had already mentally committed to the Pats drafting a big DL in round 1 and a OL in Round 2 of the 2013 draft. Perhaps they will have the luxury of taking a WR to start developing for when the WR crew all go Over the Hill in a year or three together...

Ebner looks like a future stud at Safety too, joining Jones as Willie McG II, and Hightower doing a fair imitiation of Ray Lewis...

It's getting hard to find obvious places for more high draftees for the Defense.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

You can never have too many corners, and Arrington is a FA after this season and you can only sign them for 4 years now (with an option if taken in the first...). Chung will be a FA too unless extended in the interim or tagged. And Love will be a RFA.

Vollmer is a FA too though and you can truly never have enough TE's...

There will be plenty to draft.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

And Love will be a RFA.

Which means the Pats will, unless something bizarre happens, (A) have him at a reasonable price next year, (B) sign him to a long-term deal, or (C) get a nice high draft pick to take his replacement.

 

[ATippett56]

It's getting hard to find obvious places for more high draftees for the Defense.

2013 New England Patriots unrestricted free agents:

Offense
Hoyer
Branch
Edelman
Stallworth
Welker
Woodhead
Thomas
Vollmer
Waters

Defense
Brace
Pryor
Scott
Carpenter
Koutouvides
Barrett
Chung
Allen
Arrington
Cole

Draft picks alone won't replace all the New England Patriots currently on the roster.

 

[patfanken]

That looks like a relatively imposing list, but when you look at it more closely only around 7 of the 19 players you mentioned are likely to be signed, and only 3 of them are likely to cost more than 2MM/yr (Volmer, Chung, and maybe Arrington). Given the money saved releasing the 12 players I think will be gone, there will be plenty of money to resign the seven, add at least 6 draft picks, and a few free agents

In fact 3 or 4 might not make this roster let alone next year's .

Offense
Hoyer - Gone
Branch - Gone
Edelman - Signed cheap
Stallworth - Gone
Welker - Gone
Woodhead - Signed cheap
Thomas - Gone
Vollmer - Signed relatively expensive
Waters - Gone

Defense
Brace - Signed cheap
Pryor - Gone
Scott - Gone
Carpenter - Signed cheap
Koutouvides - Gone
Barrett - Gone
Chung - Signed relatively expensive
Allen - Gone
Arrington - Moderate money
Cole - Gone

 

[patfanken]

Some interesting and solid observations about Edleman's muffed punt, Mallett locking in on Stallworth and not making a good throw or decision, Brace's performance improving, and Branch's continued value.

Picked-up pieces from 1st quarter review - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

After a rookie season that he clearly wasn't ready for, Brace showed some flashes back in 2010 before he badly hurt his elbow. Last year was more pedestrian after he got off the PUP mid-way through the season, but competent. This season, he's shown the power to push the pocked and be a solid run stopper. He definitely looks like he's been in the DL rotation this season.

Just another example of fans need needing constant and immediate positive reinforcement from young players. Its the same with Cunningham. Personally I though he had a very good rookie year, given he was forced to start at a position that had usually taken players 3 or 4 years to master. The fact that he was able to set the edge and provide some pass rush was surprising, AND encouraging.

Last season he was a victim of the lock out. Actually victim is a bad word because it implies it wasn't his fault. But it was. He came in out of shape and ineffective. He deserved the most of the criticism he received. But he shouldn't have been dismissed. That being said, he has surprised even me with his acceleration off the edge. We saw nothing like it in his rookie year. That season he was more of a push guy than an explosive one.

With him, Jones, Bequette, Scott, and Hightower, his growth could very well make Andre Cunningham expendable....or at least make it easier not to meet his salary demands.

 

[captain stone]

Chung - Signed relatively expensive...

I disagree. Chung hasn't shown that he should be paid any more than what Steven Gregory signed for.

 

[BradyFTW!]

I disagree. Chung hasn't shown that he should be paid any more than what Steven Gregory signed for.

Agreed. He still has this season to prove that he's worth being paid more than a league-average starter, but he certainly hasn't shown it yet.

 

[Fencer]

It's getting hard to find obvious places for more high draftees for the Defense.

Not as long as there is a concept of "defensive back".