2013 New England Patriots Preview: Six Things to Watch Heading Into This Season

[PatsFans.com Article]

2013 New England Patriots Preview: Six Things to Watch Heading Into This Season
By: Ian Logue

As the Patriots 2013 football season gets set to kick off, fans should be feeling pretty good about this team's chances this season....

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[manxman2601]

Good article.


It might not be the seventh or even eigth most important, but I'll throw Michael Buchanan's progression out there too. His performance against the Giants left me salivating for what he might be able to do as a pass rusher in a limited role. In previous games he'd shown an ability to get off the snap quickly and bend the corner but to little effect. Thought he made use of his length much more against the Giants to greater effect. I'm hoping there's some evidence there of "getting it". That length and athleticism is an exciting combination.

 

[everlong]

Although partially covered by #3 and the secondary play whoever is playing with McCorty at safety is a huge component of how this team does.

Also perhaps the biggest component not covered and I can make a case for it being #1 is the coverage of the linebackers. People beat up the secondary but somebody posted the numbers but I can't find them and the Patriots were in the bottom 3 in covering running backs and tight ends and it was really bad on 3rd down. I believe the numbers were from football outsiders and the the article confirmed what my eyes have long been telling me. I don't know how many times the past few years teams have picked up a 3rd and 4-8 dumping to the back or TE and keeping the defense out there. If they could improve in that 10% honestly there defense would go from average to very good right there. Couple that with how many more drives Brady would get and this team could be special.