Random Patriots thoughts for the early 2018 season

1. I'm hoping Brown can make the transition to LT. If he can, that might put the rookie in at LG, and that might mean that we could see less of Thuney. That would be a good thing.
2. The major problem with the lack of linebacker speed still has not been addressed.
3. Walking may be good for you, but it sucks getting caught out in the rain.
   
4. It's disheartening to think that Cyrus Jones and Jordan Richards are still in position to make the team. That's a failure of the offseason, to date.
5. I just got a Blackstone grill. I'll be using it in tandem with my regular grill this summer. It should really make things much easier when it comes to cooking for company. Next up: Big Green Egg
   
6. Vinatieri to Gostkowski. Bledsoe to Brady. Parcells to Belichick (yeah, with Carroll in between, but still). Raise your hand if, back in the late 90s, you thought that trio would all yield to arguable upgrades that would keep things going for more going on two decades.
7. Eric Rowe is not the answer.
8. Sturgeon roe is delicious.
9. If the big fatty from Cleveland can handle 2-gapping in New England, and the big fatty from the IR can develop into even a serviceable rotation DT, this team could put Hightower at MLB and become very tough to run on up the middle. If they can't, it could be another long season on the defensive side of the ball.
10. Speaking of Ball, Lonzo must be wondering where the hell he's going to be playing next year.
11. Between the Brady drama, the Gronk drama, the potential Edelman suspension, the loss of Lewis, the injuries to pretty much the entire offensive line, and the lack of a QB of any high ranking being brought in this off season, thank goodness McDaniels came back. If he didn't, the line to the Tobin jump off point might be miles long.
12. Everyone should keep a small LED flashlight in their car. You can get one that is only about 4 inches long and runs on 1 "AA" battery, and you can get them for a great price. And, if you get them in multi-packs, you can give them as little stocking stuffer type gifts for Christmas.
13. The NFL seems intent on ruining kickoffs for everyone, but this year should be interesting from a play creativity standpoint, at least early in the season.
14. And one last thought from the annals of Amnesia Lane: Remember the Viking Kitties! Viking Kittens

I'm going to make them all work hard. You'll see.

Deus Irae said:

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1. And one last thought from the annals of Amnesia Lane: Remember the Viking Kitties! Viking Kittens

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Wow

I've re-watched quite a few games and I can't figure out Elandon Roberts. Sometimes he comes through the LOS and wreaks havoc in the backfield. Other times he seems to stand behind it and wait for the play to happen, but what happens is that a big fatty comes through and blocks him out of the play.

Is that his fault for being too passive? The D-linemen for allowing the penetration? Or the coaches for not using him more unpredictably? He doesn't seem slow or unathletic.

BobDigital said:

The other thing to watch on D early is the DEs. How much do Rivers and Wise jump out to us. We know Flowers is one of the most underrated players in the NFL and he will get paid next year but we need more pass rush options.

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1.I am very curious to see how Flowers will look switching to the L side, where he’ll pretty much be playing exclusively, or at least while Clayborn is on the field due to his medical condition.

2.How will that affect Wise, and where he lines up?

3.Will Belichick choose between Butler and Valentine, and if so, who gets the nod? Valentine has more upside as a big bodied run stuffer, but Butler can mix between DT/DE, shows more pass rushing potential, and was a good example of someone who worked hard and earned his opportunities. Is there a scenario where they both make it?

4.How much will Rivers play + the obvious question regarding his development. We don’t see too many redshirted players excel after missing their rookie seasons. There are some exceptions, but they are rare and not the norm.

5.As Deus mentioned, where is the speedier, more athletic coverage LB? As a matter of fact, LB may be the biggest question mark on the team in terms of trying to project who will make it. At the moment, we have Hightower, KVN, and a bunch of guesses.

When the season starts, Wise lines up on the bench.

There is room for both Butler and Valentine. DT's get hurt often. We need five, especially given how weak we were last year against the run. This works since both Butler and Guy play DE in certain sets, so both are DT/DE's. We will really have 3 fatties: Brown, Shelton and Valentine.

Because of the weakness at OLB, Hightower and Van Noy may need take lots of reps out there. For me, that means that Roberts is likely be retained as a run-defense only LB. This is a frequent use of one of the backup LB's (and yes, a youngster COULD beat him out; there is lots of "competition").

supafly said:

1.I am very curious to see how Flowers will look switching to the L side, where he’ll pretty much be playing exclusively, or at least while Clayborn is on the field due to his medical condition.

2.How will that affect Wise, and where he lines up?

3.Will Belichick choose between Butler and Valentine, and if so, who gets the nod? Valentine has more upside as a big bodied run stuffer, but Butler can mix between DT/DE, shows more pass rushing potential, and was a good example of someone who worked hard and earned his opportunities. Is there a scenario where they both make it?

4.How much will Rivers play + the obvious question regarding his development. We don’t see too many redshirted players excel after missing their rookie seasons. There are some exceptions, but they are rare and not the norm.

5.As Deus mentioned, where is the speedier, more athletic coverage LB? As a matter of fact, LB may be the biggest question mark on the team in terms of trying to project who will make it. At the moment, we have Hightower, KVN, and a bunch of guesses.

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Mike the Brit said:

I've re-watched quite a few games and I can't figure out Elandon Roberts. Sometimes he comes through the LOS and wreaks havoc in the backfield. Other times he seems to stand behind it and wait for the play to happen, but what happens is that a big fatty comes through and blocks him out of the play.

Is that his fault for being too passive? The D-linemen for allowing the penetration? Or the coaches for not using him more unpredictably? He doesn't seem slow or unathletic.

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It depends upon the defense called as well as the offensive play called.

Most often a lb has an area of responsibility he must cover before chasing the play.
Sometimes this is a 2gap responsibility. In that case let’s say for example his area are the gaps on either side of the G. Until the call crosses the G he cannot cross the G. In most cases, but not all his resp would be the step up into the G area and take on the blocker.
Some lbs in a two gap instead of taking on the OL try to avoid the OL which involves guessing as well.
If he has one gap resp he is either blitzing or shooting that gap when he reads the play coming his way. Rarely in a patriot defense is he free and just runs to the ball.
Now other than a blitz he has to read run before stepping up.
Play action, counter action, pulling guards, and indecision can affect how he reacts also.

The front 7 is still a fundamental weakness. The team is relying heavily on young guys stepping up and Flowers/Hightower staying healthy

Still time to add pieces but the LB and edge groups are horribly thin. Hightower is the only quality LB and the depth is (on paper) awful. Not much better at edge, I think people will be disappointed by Clayborn and I don't know that Wise is more that a situational guy.

Another year hoping Hightower stays healthy or that the offense is ridiculous to score enough to win. We saw how that worked out last year though.

I think I need to subscribe to NFL's "Game Pass" which is only $99 a year.

I have been re-watching the 2017 season (Done with K.C. and @ New Orleans...now on Houston)….and rewinding....playing in slow motion...and etc...still hard to see what a defender is supposed to do on a certain play. I think with the "all 22" view...I'll be able to see things better (e.g. where the safeties are lined up...and whether they have their eyes set on the QB or the RB).