Tag Archives: flores

How Did it Happen? Patriots are Atlanta Bound

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At almost every turn this regular season, the Patriots found themselves doubted. Constantly counted out and disregarded, teams went to play them with a higher level of confidence than years prior. Now, they head to Atlanta where they are currently three point favorites against the Los Angeles Rams. 

Gameplan

Yesterday was a marvelous performance and featured phenomenal execution. The gameplan on offense was really no secret. The plan going in was to establish the run game, create unpredictability in the playcall, and most of all dominate the time of possession to keep the ball out of the hands of Mahomes. 

Coaching 

The coaching was stupendous however not flawless. Some questionable playcalls and decisions almost cost them the game on both sides of the ball, but that happens in the NFL. On the flip side, the coaching staff for Kansas City appeared blatantly unprepared for this game. The Patriots game plan came as no surprise to even some of the most casual fans, yet Kansas City struggled to stop the run on almost every try early in the game. Virtually every run in the first and second quarter broke for nice gains into the second and third levels of the defense. 

Defensive Line

The Chiefs failures to stop the run early on killed their chances to get anything going in the first half. Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs might want to look at the tape from this game and look at how one dimensional their offense became. The depleted running attack forced Mahomes to throw. Andy Reid and the staff did him no favors by calling almost exclusively medium to long ball plays. This only made the job easier for Patriots pass rush, who was steamrolling an offensive line, going after a quarterback holding onto the ball for too long. Trey Flowers and the crew had big games attacking a offensive line that was pretty solid this season.

Long Drives 

The long, sustained drives that the Patriots put together early in the game were just pure football art. The mix of run and pass had the defense guessing wrong almost every time in the first and second quarter and allowed for the Patriots to hold the Chiefs offense to zero points in the first half. Complementary football at it’s finest.

Tommy Boy 

Also, of course, how can anyone forget? Tom Brady. How does Brady continue to put together these wins late in the game, seemingly by himself. Sure the offensive line was spectacular and Edelman and Gronk played big roles in the final two drives, but Brady put on a clinic by marching down the field twice to go ahead on both occasions. Name another quarterback who deserves to even be mentioned in the same sentence as him. It might take a while. 

Chris Amendola

It was encouraging to see Chris Hogan make some of the plays he did late in the game, which only inspires hope for Patriots fans that he can take on the Patriots’ Playoff Amendola role. 

Offensive Line and Running Game

The offensive line as mentioned before was marvelous. They did a great job, paving the way for Michel, White, and Burkhead to run where they wanted at will. The question remains to be asked of where this offensive line and team would be without re-hiring Dante Scarnecchia back in 2016. 

Roberts and Kyle Van Noy 

The last real encouraging performance was the performance of Kyle Van Noy and Elandon Roberts. Two frequently unappreciated linebackers went and put together some nice plays and tackles to make things difficult for Mahomes and company. Van Noy’s performance was especially impressive and very encouraging going into the Super Bowl against a very good running game.  

Stage set in Atlanta

Now, Brady and company will head off to Super Bowl 53 in a highly anticipated matchup versus the Los Angeles Rams. Hopefully, the Patriots can follow the pattern of the Red Sox and themselves, who both beat LA teams earlier this year (Dodgers and Chargers). Regardless of the outcome of this Super Bowl bout, it is hard to see the Patriots going down without a fight. 

Tune in: Sunday, February 3rd, 2019 

6:30PM 

Mercedes-Benz Stadium 

#BEATLA

Who will replace Flores and McDaniels if they leave?

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Both Brian Flores and Josh McDaniels have generated interest from multiple teams to be their head coach. The Broncos, Browns, Packers, and Dolphins have requested to interview Flores for their head coaching positions, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. In addition, the Packers and Dolphins have requested to interview Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Schefter reported.

The Backstories

Photo Courtesy of Getty Images

McDaniels has been with the Patriots for all 5 of their championships as some form of assistant, coach, or coordinator. He took a head coaching job in 2009 and spent two seasons with the Denver Broncos. After an incident, he was fired and was eventually named the Rams offensive coordinator in 2011, before returning back to the Patriots. McDaniels was originally going to take the Colts head coaching job last year, but had backed out of it last minute. He is currently the highest paid offensive coordinator.

Flores has also been with the Patriots as some form of assistant, coach, or coordinator since 2004. This year, he has taken over the Patriots’ play-calling duties on the defensive side.

Homegrown

Can you sense the pattern? The Patriots find and promote their coaches from within for the most part. So, with this in mind, who is next up after McDaniels and Flores?

Chad O’Shea, Wide Receivers Coach

Photo Courtesy of Getty Images

O’Shea has been with the team for nine seasons, and it seems like the Patriots have been planning for him to move up the ladder at some point. Last year, he called plays in the preseason as it looked like teams might go after McDaniels. Belichick has high praise for his abilities as a coach and mentor.

“Chad’s an excellent teacher (and) a very good fundamental coach,” Belichick said recently. “He has a good relationship with his players, has a good relationship with all of the staff members and is easy to work with…He comes from a football background — of course, his dad, Mike O’Shea, is one of the great trainers in his profession of all time…Chad’s done a really good job for us.” (BSJ 2019)

O’Shea is the most obvious candidate for the offensive coordinator job if McDaniels leaves.

Options for Defensive Coordinator

The choice for the next man up for the defense is not clear. Outside of Flores, the longest-tenured defensive coach with 10 seasons with the team is cornerbacks coach, Josh Boyer, if the front office goes on seniority. Obviously, Steve Belichick, the safeties coach, is an option too. However, Bill Belichick could also go without naming a defensive coordinator for the season to maybe allow the defensive staff to develop more, if that is what he sees fit.

Photo Courtesy of Getty Images

Now, those were all internal options. Externally, it is hard to pinpoint who exactly the Patriots would go after. One option is Greg Schiano, who is the defensive coordinator for Ohio State. It is reported that he and Bill Belichick have a good relationship, and that he was wooed by the Patriots in early 2018 before deciding to remain at Ohio State (NBCSports 2018).

Patriots Training Camp Preview: Defensive Tackles

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There are many new faces on this Patriots team compared to last year. The Pats acquired four guys from trade, fifteen from free agency, and nine from the NFL Draft. They also lost nine players from trade and free agency and had three players retire.

In this new series, I will be looking at every player from each position leading up to training camp. For this part of the series, I will take a look at the defensive tackles. The Pats acquired one DT via trade, and two as undrafted free agents. They also were able to keep their main defensive tackles from last season.

Malcom Brown #90 (2015-Present):

Malcom Brown is entering his fourth year in the NFL and for the Pats. He was New England’s first-round draft choice in 2015, as he was taken as the 32nd overall pick. Brown played all 16 games in his rookie season while starting 12. In those 16 games, Brown had 48 tackles, 3 sacks, and 2 fumble recoveries. He also played in the two playoff games that year where he recorded six tackles. Brown’s 2016 season saw him play all 16 games while starting in 13. He had 3 sacks, 50 tackles, and a safety, over the course of that season. Brown played in 13 games and started 12 last season. He suffered an ankle injury which made him miss three games. In the 13 games, he did play in, Brown had 49 tackles and 2.5 sacks. He also had 6 tackles in the Super Bowl 52 defeat to Philadelphia.

The Patriots recently declined Brown’s fifth-year option which will make Brown a free agent next offseason. Brown has been a very good player so far with New England. He can stuff the run, but also occasionally rush the passer. Brown has a very likely chance of making the roster, but with the Pats declining his option anything can happen.

Danny Shelton #71 (2018-Present):

Danny Shelton is going into his first year in New England and his fourth in the NFL. Shelton was the 12th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft and was the only defensive tackle picked ahead of Malcom Brown. In Shelton’s rookie season he played in 16 games and started 15; he had 36 tackles. His 2017 season saw Shelton start all 16 games and had 59 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Shelton suffered a calf injury in the 2017 season which caused him to miss 2 games. In the 14 games he played in, Shelton had 33 tackles.

https://twitter.com/DLineVids/status/842044399164968963

The Pats acquired Shelton via trade with the Cleveland Browns. The trade included the Pats receiving a fifth-round pick and Shelton for a 2019 third-round pick. New England declined Shelton’s fifth-year option making him a free agent in 2019. Shelton is a very big man whose only really good at stuffing the run. He is a very good compliment to guys like Brown, Flowers, and Clayborn because of that. Shelton has a very likely chance of making the roster, but he can not show up overweight.

Lawrence Guy #93 (2017-Present):

Lawrence Guy is heading into his seventh NFL season and his second for New England. Guy was a seventh-round draft pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Colts. In his first five seasons, he played for three teams, Indianapolis, San Diego, and Baltimore. Over those three seasons, he appeared in 67 games, and had 129 tackles and 6.5 sacks. Before the 2017 season, Guy was signed to the Patriots on a four-year deal. His first season saw him start in 15 games and appearing in all 16. He had a career-high in tackles (58) and had 1 sack. Guy also played in all three playoff games having 21 tackles and 1 sack.

Guy is a very versatile defensive-lineman as he can be a pass-rusher on the outside or a run-stuffer on the inside. With a lot more competition this year on the d-line, Guy will have to still battle for a roster spot.

Vincent Valentine #99 (2016-Present):

Vincent Valentine was the 96th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He is now entering his third year for the team and in the NFL. Valentine’s role in 2016 was primarily to backup guys like Malcom Brown and Alan Branch. He played in 13 games and started 2. In those 13 games that he played, Valentine had 19 tackles and 1 sack. Valentine did not play one snap the entire 2017 due to a knee injury.

Valentine is primarily a run-stuffer as a 330 lb defensive linemen. With him coming off an injury, and the Patriots adding to the defensive line, it is going to be very tough for him to make the roster. Valentine’s best chance of making the team is most likely through the practice squad.

Adam Butler #70 (2017-Present):

Adam Butler was a pleasant surprise for the Patriots last year as an undrafted free agent out of Vanderbilt. Butler was forced to step up after many of the Patriots defensive linemen got injured. He appeared in 16 games his rookie year and started 6 of them. He had 19 tackles and 2 sacks over those 16 games. Butler also contributed in the playoffs with 3 tackles and 2 sacks in three games.

https://twitter.com/dbc5361/status/952380761415536640

Butler has shown so much potential as an undrafted rookie to be a good player in the NFL. However, even though he had a solid season last year that does not mean he will be a lock to make the roster. Butler is going to have to work very hard in preseason and training camp if he wants to make the 53 man roster.

Frank Herron (Rookie):

Frank Herron was picked up by New England as an undrafted free agent out of LSU. Herron was a four-year player at LSU but only played in 23 games over those years. His college career consisted of him having 67 tackles and 2 sacks.

Herron’s character issues are what dropped him out of the draft, but he did do well in the games he played. If Herron can stay on the field, I think he will have a career in the NFL as a backup. Herron’s best chance of making the Pats is by practice squad.

John Atkins (Rookie):

John Atkins was also picked up by New England as an undrafted free agent. He is joining his former college teammates, Sony Michel and Isaiah Wynn, as a rookie for the Patriots. Atkins had a four-year career at Georgia where he played in 36 games. Over the span of his career, Atkins had 81 tackles, 0 sacks, and a fumble recovery. He was a key factor in Georgia’s National Championship appearance.

Atkins is a run-stuffer only he has had zero sacks over the span of his career. The 330 pound defensive tackle will have to work very hard to make the team. His best chance to make the team is by practice squad, or a key-player getting hurt.

Overall, the Patriots defensive tackle group has only gotten better. The addition of Danny Shelton added to guys like Brown, Butler, and Guy will be a key reason to why the Patriots make another Super Bowl run.

Patriots Training Camp Preview: Defensive Ends (@bigmike7772)

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There are many new faces on this Patriots team compared to last year. The Pats acquired four guys from trade, fifteen from free agency, and nine from the NFL Draft. They also lost nine players from trade and free agency and had three players retire.

In this new series, I will be looking at every player from each position leading up to training camp. For this part of the series, I will take a look at the defensive ends. The Pats acquired one DE via free agency and one as an undrafted rookie. The defensive end position was a concern last year due to health issues, but a lot of guys will be coming back.

Adrian Clayborn #94 (2018-Present):

Adrian Clayborn was acquired by New England this off-season during free agency. Clayborn is entering his 8th season in the NFL, and 1st for the Pats. He was drafted by Tampa Bay in the first round of the 2011 Draft and played four seasons for the Bucs. Over those four seasons, he only played in 36 games due to injuries. Clayborn was then signed by Atlanta in 2015 as an unrestricted free agent. His first two seasons in Atlanta started off slow with him only having 7.5 sacks in that span. However, his 2017 campaign proved why he was a first-round pick. He played in all 16 games that season, but only started 2. In those 16 games, Clayborn had a career high in sacks (9.5) including a game against Dallas where he had 6 sacks.

Clayborn is a welcome addition to what was a depleted front seven for the Pats last year. Adrian will look to team up with Trey Flowers and wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks. He will definitely make the team for the upcoming season.

Trey Flowers #98 (2015-Present):

Even though Flowers was drafted in 2015, he is the longest-tenured Patriot at defensive end. Flowers is now entering his 4th season for New England in 2018. Trey missed most of his rookie season after a shoulder injury placed him on injured reserve. Flowers’ 2016 season was a massive breakthrough the Pats needed for their Super Bowl run. He played in all 16 games that season and had seven sacks. His real breakout on the national level came in Super Bowl 51 against Atlanta. In that game, Flowers had 2.5 sacks and a crucial one on 2nd down to push the Falcons out of field goal range.

Flowers had another solid season in 2017 where he had 6.5 sacks. Overall, Trey is the leader of the defensive line for New England at such a young age. He can only get better and will most certainly make the team for next season.

Derek Rivers #95 (2017-Present):

Derek Rivers is entering his second season in the NFL. He was the highest draft pick for New England in 2017 as he was taken 86th overall. Rivers did not play one snap during the season though as he suffered a torn ACL. He played college football for Youngstown State at the FCS level. He quickly became one of the best pass-rushers of all-time in FCS. Rivers totaled 41 career sacks over his four-year career. This was a school record and is fifth all-time in sacks at the FCS level.

https://twitter.com/DLineVids/status/825481079683325952

Rivers has a lot of potential for the upcoming season. He is a complete pass-rusher and can get to the QB at a high rate. I believe he will make the roster for the upcoming season.

Deatrich Wise #91 (2017-Present):

Deatrich Wise is entering his 2nd season in the NFL and for the Pats. He was drafted by New England in the 2017 NFL Draft with the 131st overall pick. Wise got a lot of playing time in the 2017 season due to the injuries to the Patriots front seven. He played in all 16 games, and had 5 total sacks. He also had 2 sacks against Tennessee in the divisional round of the 2017 NFL Playoffs.

https://twitter.com/ezlazar/status/1010230976356716544

Wise has shown as a fourth-round pick that he can contribute to this team. He is a very good pass-rusher and can also occasionally be put on run situations. I believe that Wise will make the roster for next season.

Eric Lee #55 (2017-Present):

Eric Lee is entering his second year in the NFL and 1st full season for New England. Lee was picked up by Houston as an undrafted free agent but was later released after the preseason. The Bills picked Lee up and placed him on their practice squad until October. He was picked up by New England in November of that year. Lee played 6 games for the Patriots and had 3.5 sacks and one INT. His only INT came off the team that cut him a month earlier, the Buffalo Bills.

Lee was a good pickup for New England halfway through the season last year. He showed what he brings to the table last year, but will still have to battle to get a spot on the roster.

Geneo Grissom #96 (2015-Present):

Geneo Grissom was actually drafted 14 picks before Trey Flowers in the 2015 NFL Draft. Grissom will be entering his fourth season in the NFL and for the Pats. Grissom has definitely not outplayed Trey over his stint in New England. Over his three year career, he has played only 34 regular season games with only one sack. His best game came against Tennessee in the 2017 playoffs where he had two sacks.

https://twitter.com/DLineVids/status/952697712398426112

Grissom has been a disappointment in New England. I believe he was only kept on the roster last year due to the lack of depth at pass-rusher. Grissom is a candidate to get cut for the upcoming season if he doesn’t show his talent in training camp.

Trent Harris (Rookie):

Trent Harris was picked up by New England as an undrafted free agent from Miami. Harris had a four-year career at the “U” where he played in 44 games. Over that span, he had 15 sacks and 26.5 tackles for loss. His senior year he had 8.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss.

Harris is a DE/OLB hybrid as he can also cover tight ends and slot receivers. Trent’s best option of making the team is practice squad unless he does something amazing in preseason or training camp.

The defensive end group for New England this year is a major upgrade from last year. With additions like Derek Rivers and Adrian Clayborn, the Pats are bound to make another Super Bowl run.