{"id":15016,"date":"2018-01-07T05:00:58","date_gmt":"2018-01-07T10:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=15016"},"modified":"2018-01-07T00:10:56","modified_gmt":"2018-01-07T05:10:56","slug":"new-england-patriots-news-1-7-afc-east-notes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2018\/01\/07\/new-england-patriots-news-1-7-afc-east-notes\/","title":{"rendered":"New England Patriots News 1-7, AFC East Notes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Good morning, here are your <\/span>Sunday\u2019s Patriots news 1-7, & AFC East Notes.<\/b><\/p>\n

We hope everyone made it thru the first big winter storm that rolled thru the area this week. If you lived on the coast, some areas were hit really hard with some awful flooding. That\u2019s mother nature\u2019s way of reminding us that she can really pack a wallop. Let\u2019s hope everyone is ok and back in their homes soon.<\/span><\/p>\n

It Has to be Playoff Time When You See…:<\/b>
\n<\/b>Unless you\u2019ve been on a winter trip in the Amazon, by now you\u2019ve heard about the story in ESPN about the Patriots coming apart at the seams and the feuding going on between Patriots owner Robert Kraft, head coach Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. <\/span><\/p>\n

It never ceases to amaze that the network always \u201cbreaks\u201d these stories around the time the playoffs are going on…coincidence? A few of the items in the story just jump out, so our two cents on these, in no particular order:<\/span><\/p>\n

-Trade Demanded by #12: \u00a0<\/b>If you believe that Tom Brady forced Robert Kraft to force Bill Belichick to trade Jimmy Garoppolo, you just haven\u2019t paid any attention to what\u2019s been going on around these parts for the past 17 years. Brady lives for competition, it drives him and it has been why he\u2019s so successful. <\/span><\/p>\n

How many times have we talked about and remarked how competitive he is…in practice? Brady regularly treats practice in training camp like a playoff game. If the Patriots\u2019 coaches told him that Garoppolo is soon to take over, it\u2019s going to light a fire under his butt, not drive him to run to Kraft demanding Jimmy G. gets traded. <\/span><\/p>\n

Brady has always adopted an almost warrior-type bushido in his professional career. The average man looks at events that occur in his life as a blessing or a curse. The warrior looks upon those same events as a challenge. <\/span><\/p>\n

-Garoppolo Turned Down $17-18 Million Dollar Extension: <\/b>This one got into specifics and was perhaps the biggest surprise of the entire piece. Supposed, the Patriots went to Garoppolo and Don Yee, his manager, who also reps Brady and offered him a nice extension but were turned down. Two Patriots insiders Tom E. Curran, and Mark Daniels have their own sources and stated that this never happened. As for Garoppolo being locked out of the TB12 clinic next door? Please. This fall, I walked into the front door of the place, looking for alternatives to gel injections for arthritic knees and waltzed right in. That\u2019s one of the more ridiculous mentions. And as for Garoppolo claiming that Brady refused to help him? Well, a month ago Brady said that the two still talk regularly and have a great relationship. Garoppolo gave Brady credit for helping him in a presser for the Niners…hmm.<\/span><\/p>\n

-Brady and Belichick Are Feuding Over Guerrero:<\/b> While there may be a slight lingering of hurt feelings over Guerrero, I wrote here two weeks ago that even those I believe to be overblown. Belichick needs one voice in the locker room and on the field and that is the team\u2019s. Many of the beat writers have said that the relationship between the coach and QB has never been a close personal one but a close professional one.<\/span><\/p>\n

And you\u2019re dealing with big egos here. Are there going to be disagreements and even arguments? After a 17-year marriage? Are you kidding me? When you put two Type-A personalities in the same room, of course, there will be plenty of those…it comes with the territory. I can speak from personal experience. As the Commander of a Special Forces A-Team, it was never-ending. Put 12 Green Berets in a room to plan an operation, get your popcorn and watch the show. We used to joke that the only difference between God and a Green Beret was that God didn\u2019t think he was a Green Beret\u2026 So the fact that Belichick and Brady have huge egos isn\u2019t either news or a surprise.<\/span><\/p>\n

A few of the other tidbits, that the young players call Brady \u201csir\u201d…that is laughable. And if they did, shame on them. Many of the players, especially Brissett and Garoppolo when they were here cracked on Brady because of his age. And Brady bristling about not getting \u201cPatriots Player of the Week\u201d is pretty bizarre. He\u2019s never been about individual awards but about team accomplishments. See the first paragraph.<\/span><\/p>\n

But perhaps the most intriguing thing about this entire piece was the fact that the author got so many juicy quotes from team staffers. The beat guys work for years to build up relationships that open up a crack in an organization that is more locked down than Langley. And yet a guy, who rarely, if ever comes here, blows into town for a few weeks and gets over a dozen people to open up to him and give these incredible quotes which were the true meat of the story. <\/span><\/p>\n

In the words of the Wells Report\u2026<\/span>\u201dit is more probable than not\u201d<\/span><\/i> that there was just maybe a little bit of exaggeration there. Either that or the author missed his calling and belongs in the above-mentioned cubicles of Langley since it would qualify as a tremendous amount of elicitation in a record amount of time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe Stand United\u201d, Patriots Big Three Answer:<\/b>
\n<\/b>Again, you know it is playoff time when the Patriots have to answer questions about ridiculous scandals that never show up until January. The timing of the ESPN piece was not a coincidence since it was posted just hours after the team was released for a few days during the bye week before the Divisional Playoff prep.<\/span><\/p>\n

But respond they did, the Patriots released what they characterized as a joint statement from Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady to address the latest round of hoopla. The team minced no words on calling some parts of the article “highly exaggerated” or “flat-out inaccurate.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Perhaps the most intriguing of the team\u2019s response was the one line that could mean nothing or perhaps is telling where they addressed the future. \u201cWe look forward to the enormous challenge of competing in the postseason and the opportunity to work together in the future.\u201d Stay tuned. So, back to football<\/span><\/p>\n

Patricia\u2019s Defense Ends up Top 5 In Points Allowed: <\/b>
\n<\/b>For all the criticism about the Patriots defense in 2017 and much of it deserved, especially early in the season, Matt Patricia\u2019s unit excelled in the one area that is most important. Points allowed. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Patriots defense finished 5th in the NFL in points allowed, giving up 18.5 points per game. During the first four games of the season the unit allowed 128 points (32 points per game), however during the last 12 games, the defense allowed just 168 points (14 points per game). That speaks to the way that Patricia coached them to tighten up in the red zone. The Patriots defense was 4th in the NFL in the number of red zone TDs allowed and 1st in the league in the scoring percentage allowed in Red-Zone possessions.<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s not to say that the Patriots defense is a Top 5 unit, but are they good enough to get them to Minnesota and win in the Super Bowl? The short answer is yes. And Patricia who already has interviewed with the Giants and Lions for head coaching opportunities has a lot to do with their success.<\/span><\/p>\n

Who Takes Over as Coordinators if Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia Leave:<\/b>
\n<\/span>Just as the usual stories arise to distract the team every playoff season, the Black Monday coaches purges always bring many of the Belichick assistants into the limelight. <\/span><\/p>\n

McDaniels is rumored to be on the Giants radar as a frontrunner while Patricia is also rumored as the top choice for the Detroit Lions. So, if these two excellent coordinators do indeed leave this offseason, who takes over and is will there be an appreciable drop in the collective performances in each unit?<\/span><\/p>\n

The first part is easy, the second will have to wait. Chad O\u2019Shea would be the front-runner to replace McDaniels as the Offensive Coordinator, although the rumor mill has the Pats going after former coach Brian Daboll who is now the OC for the Alabama Crimson Tide who are preparing for the National Title Game against Georgia. O\u2019Shea has been with the team since 2009 and is currently the team\u2019s Wide Receivers Coach.<\/span><\/p>\n

The favorite on Defense is Linebackers Coach Brian Flores. Flores coincidentally is also in the interviewing process for the Arizona Cardinals as their next head coach as Bruce Arians retired. Flores is on the Cards radar for a reason, despite not having any coordinator experience, he\u2019s just about done it all with the Patriots. After graduating from BC, he joined the Pats as a scouting assistant. After two years, he became a full-time scout. Then after two years, he became a coaching assistant with the Special Teams. He\u2019s served as a defensive and offensive assistant, then became the safeties coach before moving over to the linebackers in 2016. <\/span><\/p>\n

Flores may be a year or two early for a head coaching job but he\u2019s an extremely well-rounded coach who garners great respect from his players. He has been being groomed for the DC job. He\u2019s called the defensive signals for both the 2016-17 preseason finales where Belichick begins the grooming for assistants. O\u2019Shea called the signals for the offense this season in the finale against the Giants as Patricia and McDaniels both got the night off. <\/span><\/p>\n

Will they succeed? Time will tell, but the way Belichick grills his assistants early and then grooms them for bigger and better responsibilities has always seemed to bear fruit. I would expect both to do well if indeed Patricia and McDaniels move on. <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison Signing Was a Potential Big Return on Small Investment: <\/b>
\n<\/span>Once James Harrison was released by the Steelers, the Patriots invited him to Foxboro and signed him for the remainder of the season. Which, cost them about $57K. After what we saw against the Jets, it was a bargain. <\/span><\/p>\n

After the normal drivel of \u201cthey signed him to get the Pittsburgh playbook\u201d nonsense, Bill Belichick put those thoughts to rest. After just about 4-5 days of prep time, Harrison played quite a bit against the Jets and played well. Regardless of his age, (39), Harrison keeps himself in excellent condition and has fresh legs, having played a total of 40 snaps for the Steelers all season. Harrison made a couple of nice plays, burying Robby Anderson with a big hit short of the sticks on a third down as well as a couple of sacks, including a strip sack of Bryce Petty.<\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison admitted to being a bit nervous about his first action with the team. Equating himself to a rookie stating, \u201cit is like starting your rookie season. New game plan, you got to pick things up.\u201d He even sounded a bit like Belichick when he talked about \u201cjust doing my job\u201d and gave credit to his teammates. \u201cI was getting a lot of help from the guys around me. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If Harrison can give the Patriots 25-30 plays like that in the next few weeks, it will be a boost for the defense. Don\u2019t forget, he had big plays against Eric Fisher and the Chiefs both last year in the playoffs and this season in the regular season. <\/span><\/p>\n

Brady, Gronkowski Named First Team All-Pro: <\/b>
\n<\/span>The Patriots dynamic duo were the only two members of the team named as first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press. It was Gronkowski\u2019s fourth time on the list while surprisingly it was just Brady\u2019s third selection.<\/span><\/p>\n

Brady easily distanced Eagles QB Carson Wentz after the Eagles signal caller went down with an injury forcing him on IR a few weeks. \u00a0Brady is expected to be named as the league\u2019s MVP. He also won the MVP in both 2007 and in 2010. Gronkowski, also, easily distanced himself from Chiefs Travis Kelce at tight end. <\/span><\/p>\n

Who Do You Like This Week NFL Wildcard Weekend: <\/b>
\n<\/b>Last week <\/span>13-3 <\/b>mark. Regular Season Total: <\/span>170-86.<\/b><\/p>\n

Saturday: Titans at Chiefs – <\/span>Kansas City<\/b>
\n<\/span>Falcons at Rams – <\/span>Atlanta<\/b><\/p>\n

Sunday: Bills at Jaguars – <\/span>Jacksonville<\/b>
\n<\/span>Panthers at Saints – <\/span>New Orleans<\/b><\/p>\n

Eastbound and Down\u2026AFC East Notes:<\/b><\/p>\n

Bills Need to be Creative Against the Jaguars: <\/b><\/p>\n

The Buffalo Bills have the 31st ranked passing attack in the NFL. Tyrod Taylor is the lowest ranked QB in the playoffs. They\u2019re on the road facing the #1 pass defense in the NFL that allows just 169 yards per game. Their work is cut out for them in the Wildcard Game. Is it season over for the BIlls? Not so fast.<\/span><\/p>\n

Buffalo can\u2019t go in with the mindset that they\u2019ve had all season by trying to be conservative and win by running the ball. If they do that, it will be a long quiet plane ride home. They\u2019re going to have to be creative and take shots in the passing game. <\/span><\/p>\n

Play action passes on first down, be willing to take risks, something Taylor is loathe to do will be the only way they score enough to win. Empty the playbook, get Kelvin Benjamin involved and let Taylor run. <\/span><\/p>\n

On defense, the Bills rush defense will be up against it with Jax\u2019s Leonard Fournette, but again, with an approach of loading the box and daring Blake Bortles to beat them may work. The Bills secondary can hold their own but a conservative approach won\u2019t win them the game. Sean McDermott is on the clock. How will they proceed? <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Landry fined $48K, Dolphins Fans Rejoice \u201cPatriots Downfall\u201d:<\/b><\/p>\n

The Miami Dolphins were assessed three fines for the finale against the Buffalo Bills. Worst hit was WR Jarvis Landry who assessed a $48,620 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct and abuse of an official. Kenyan Drake was fined $12,154. Landry was considered a repeat offender by the league and this was why he was tagged for more.<\/span><\/p>\n

But a couple of Dolphins\u2019 fan websites were more interested in the \u201cmeltdown in Foxboro\u201d as an omen that bodes well for Miami, more so than worrying about improving their own team. Word to the wise, believe about half what you read and when the season opens next year, prepare to see both Belichick and Brady across the field from you, and get Ryan Tannehill back and healthy. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Will the Jets Go After FA QB or Look to the Draft:<\/b><\/p>\n

The New York Jets over-achieved for Head Coach Todd Bowles in 2017, winning five games when many expected the Jets to finish similar to the Browns, winless this season. Much of their early-season success, when they went 3-2 was due to Josh McCown. If they were to pursue a FA QB like Kurt Cousins, then, of course, McCown would be gone, but if the Jets were to draft one of the big name QBs in the draft at #6, then McCown could and should be kept around as a bridge. <\/span><\/p>\n

Who could the team then approach the draft in a different light? Picking at #6, who could the Jets target?<\/span><\/p>\n

Rich Cimini of ESPN had an interesting take in his column. He made the case for taking Penn State running back Saquon Barkley. While running backs aren\u2019t normally taken that high much anymore, Barkley would be an intriguing addition to the Jets offense, especially with Bilal Powell turning 30. <\/span><\/p>\n

Follow me on Twitter <\/span><\/i>@SteveB7SFG<\/span> or email me at <\/span><\/i>stevebpatsfans@gmail.com<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Listen to our <\/span><\/i>Patriots 4<\/span><\/i>th<\/span><\/i> and 2<\/span><\/i><\/a> podcasts on blog talk radio as the writers Russ Goldman, Derek Havens and myself from <\/span><\/i>PatsFans.com<\/span><\/i><\/a> discuss the latest Patriots news Wednesdays at 12 noon.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you believe that Tom Brady forced Robert Kraft to force Bill Belichick to trade Jimmy Garoppolo, you just haven\u2019t paid any attention to what\u2019s been going on around these parts for the past 17 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