Tag Archives: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Julian Edelman is a True Patriot

Leave a reply

“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination  and hard work,” as said by retired four-star general, Colin Powell.

Sweat, determination, and hard work is what got Julian Edelman where he is today. He came into the NFL as a seventh-round quarterback out of Kent State. Now, he is a star wide receiver with two Super Bowls to his name. He made this illustrious transition because he took action to achieve success. Julian Edelman is a true Patriot, not only for this organization, but for the country.

Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Awards 2017 - Show

Photo Credit: Getty Images

The Story

Recently, Julian Edelman took action on a matter unrelated to football. The wide receiver just potentially saved lives. According to the New York Times, he received a DM from one of his followers that read, “Dude, there is a kid in your comment section saying he is going to shoot up a school, I think you should alert the authorities.” Edelman notified his assistant who then called 911. They located the boy in Port Huron, Michigan. The 14-year old had admitted to posting the threat and two rifles belonging to the mother were also found. He is now in a juvenile-detention center.

Thoughts

Edelman, and the person who notified him, are both heroes to this country. The fact is that the boy could have shot up a school and killed people. People with families who love them. As a South Florida boy myself, I can see the effects of the lives lost on people close to me from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting. It can change one’s whole perception on life. Mass shootings should never happen, and I for one am proud of the students at MSD who are bringing about change. I also want to personally praise Julian Edelman and the boy who notified him. Hearing about this down here, you don’t understand how much this means. You guys are true Patriots. Thank you.

Miami Open 2018 - Day 6

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Can We Move on from Malcolm Butler?

Leave a reply

Move on from Malcolm Butler

FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 24: Cornerback Malcolm Butler #21 of the New England Patriots has an Interception against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images)

The Super Bowl was two months ago, and people are still on the Malcolm Butler benching. Yes, he should’ve played in the second half. However, there’s a reason he didn’t. That reason is very simple: he never traveled with the team. Instead of seeing a doctor before the team left, he saw one on the day of the team was leaving.

All this talk about Malcolm Butler being benched is really annoying. He was benched because he missed the team plane. By the time he got to the Super Bowl the Patriots already had their game plan in place. The plan was Malcolm would have a limited role. However, Butler didn’t have a good week in practice, so he never played in the game.

Belichick Will Go Around the Answer Because It’s “the Patriot Way”

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick stands on the field before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)Bill Belichick always has his way of doing things. Butler should’ve went to the doctor before he left. The plane is huge. He could’ve gone to the doctor and sat by himself on the team plane. They gave him a chance with a limited role when he got there. However, he wasn’t into the plan and didn’t play in the game at all.

Butler should’ve played in the game because it’s the Super Bowl, but Bill was trying to prove a point. Now you can argue that wasn’t a time or place to have a teachable moment. But if we know Belichick, he doesn’t care what game it is. If he’s trying to prove a point he will. The reason has already been out about Butler. You just have to read in between the lines.

Reason number one: Butler didn’t travel with the team. Reason number two: he didn’t have a good week in practice, and was then benched for the entire game. Butler has moved on, or so we thought, since he likes to keep talking about it. The Patriots sure have moved on, and maybe somebody else will as well soon. Stay tuned.

Addressing a Need: Tight End

Leave a reply

With Rob Gronkowski’s future unclear and lacking depth at tight end, Bill Belichick may look to the 2018 NFL draft for answers. According to reports, the Patriots have been one of the most active teams in scouting tight ends. Let’s take a look at the top prospects in this draft class.

  1. Mark Gesicki (Penn State)

Gesicki is an incredible athlete who was an All-American in high school, and one of the most coveted tight ends of his recruiting class. He chose to go to Penn State, where he played in thirteen games as a freshmen. His best season came this year where he posted 48 receptions, 679 yards, and 5 touchdowns. Gesicki is considered to be one of the best pass-catching tight ends in this draft class. He has great body control and is able to win at all levels of the field. Gesicki is another one of those “basketball” tight ends, who has great size and jumping ability. However, his best asset might be his incredible hands, the tight end does not have a dropped pass in the last two seasons. Gesicki is expected to be drafted in rounds 1-2.

     2. Mark Andrews (Oklahoma)

Andrews is another top tight end in this draft class. He was a red shirt freshman who broke out with Second Team All-Big 12 honors. Andrews also received first team honors his junior season. In his final collegiate season, Andrews compiled 62 receptions for 958 yards and 8 touchdowns. This season, Andrews was asked to do more in the passing game and he delivered. The tight end has great body control and is able to “box out” smaller defensive backs at the top of his routes. He can be used as a security blanket for a quarterback due to his great footwork and athleticism. Andrews is projected to be drafted in rounds 3-4.

     3. Dallas Goedert (S. Dakota State “Missouri Valley”)

Dallas Goedert was not a household name until he began to fly up NFL draft boards. This Walter Peyton Award finalist (2016) amassed several All-American awards and first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors. He placed in the top 15 in the country with 92 recpetions, 1,293 yards, and 11 touchdowns. Goedert has the ability to win at all three levels of the field due to his above average size, speed, and athleticism. He is another “basketball” tight end who knows how to use his large frame to “box out” smaller defenders. Unlike the other tight ends mentioned, Goedert can also be used as an inline blocker. Goedert is expected to be drafted in rounds 1-2.

4. Hayden Hurst (S. Carolina)

Hayden Hurst is an all around athletic freak. Hurst was drafted by the Pirates in 2014. As a football player Hurst walked on to the Gamecocks and played 12 games as both a receiver and a tight end. He had a breakout year in 2016 posting 48 receptions for 616 yards. The following season he was honored with First Team All SEC honors with his 44 reception 559 yard and two touchdown effort that year. He is another tight end prospect that can win at all three levels. Hurst has above average size and speed that allows him to beat defenders with not only size, but also elusiveness. He also does not mind contact, he will make the extra effort to gain more yards.

Coach Belichick values depth above all else. As it currently stands there is no depth when it comes to a pass catching tight end. Dwyane Allen was a very good blocker last season, but did not add much in the passing game. With two picks in the second round and the option of trading back in the first, Bill Belichick as plenty of options and way to acquire sufficient depth at tight end.

Josh McDaniels: Next Head Coach?

Leave a reply

Josh McDaniels Will Be the Next Head Coach

Via SI.com

Josh McDaniels spoke for the first time since he came back to the Patriots. He told the Boston Globe, “I wasn’t 100 percent sure what the future was. I just hadn’t had any clarity on that. So, where did I fit in? Were there any plans? I just didn’t have much clarity on what my role was here moving forward.” Reading into that, he’s basically asking moving forward if will he be the next head coach for the Patriots or not. He basically asked Robert Kraft and Belichick after the Super Bowl loss, “How can you help me get there”.

He would go on to say to the Globe, “The opportunity to stay here and work for who I think is the greatest owner in sports and the best head football coach in the history of our game, to work with the best quarterback that has ever played … I’m privileged to have the opportunity to do that and when they kind of crystallized that — ‘Hey, here’s what we see going forward and here’s how we would like you to fit into it’ — it gave me a reason to stop and say, ‘All right, what’s the best decision for me?’ And certainly, it was difficult. But I made the decision on my own, nobody pushed me into it. Once I heard from Robert and Bill on that Tuesday, it just gave me the reason to pause and consider this whole situation.”

It’s so obvious after this quote he’s next in line to take Bill Belichick’s job. Belichick has been quite happy as of late, calling a press conference on Sunday. Will Bill have an executive role with the team this time next season? Or will Belichick not hand the keys to McDaniels yet? That still remains to be seen. Of course, Tom Brady had something to do with him coming back too.

The State of the New England Patriots Offensive Line

Leave a reply

There may not be a more important unit in football than the offensive line. A good and a bad offensive line oftentimes are the difference between wins and losses. The Patriots offensive line is in something of a flux this off-season after Nate Solder signed with the New York Giants. Fortunately, the Patriots offensive line situation clarified itself after New England re-signed tackle LaAdrian Waddle. With the draft less than a month away, let’s take a look at the state of the New England Patriots offensive line.

The New England Patriots Offensive Line Situation

Right Tackle: Marcus Cannon

Starting right tackle Marcus Cannon has had one of the more interesting careers on the Patriots. Selected in the fifth-round of the 2011 NFL Draft, Cannon played sparingly as a swing tackle until 2015. Injuries forced him into the starting lineup, and he did not play well. His worst game of the season came in the 2015 AFC Championship Game, when Von Miller blew by him on seemingly every snap.

However, despite that poor season, Cannon has gone on to establish himself as one of the better right tackles in football. Thanks to the return of offensive line coach Dante Scarneccia, Cannon had a great 2016 season, culminating in a Super Bowl title.

Cannon began 2017 where his 2016 left off. He played like one of the best right tackles in the league through seven games. Unfortunately, an ankle injury prematurely ended his season. If Cannon can fend off injuries, he’s one of the best right tackles in the league. However, that’s a big if. Throughout Cannon’s career, he’s only played one full 16-game season, and that was when he was a backup. 2016 saw him start in 18 of a possible 19 games, but he’s no guarantee to stay healthy.

Right Guard: Shaq Mason

Image result for shaq mason

Right guard Shaq Mason has evolved into one of the best guards in the league

Image credit: The Tennessean

While Cannon carries upside with injury risk, right guard Shaq Mason only carries upside. Mason has been a phenomenal run blocker ever since entering the league, and has steadily improved as a pass blocker. Between Cannon and Mason, the Patriots should be able to run to the right with great success. Mason is easily the best guard to enter Foxborough since longtime star Logan Mankins. The right guard position is nothing to worry about so long as Mason stays healthy.

Center: David Andrews

Andrews was one of the best surprises of the 2017 season. He was a league average center his first two years in the league, and earned a modest three-year, 11.7 million dollar contract. The deal clearly made him the Patriots center of the future, and he spent 2017 earning every penny.

Andrews 2017 season was easily the best of his career. The third-year center was one of the best in the league at his position, constantly winning the tough fights in the trenches. New England’s offensive line ranked as the best run blocking unit in the league, and Andrews was a big reason for that.

Additionally, Andrews has stayed remarkably healthy over his career. Andrews has played in all but four games in his career, and only missed two due to injury. Just as with the right guard position, there’s no need to worry about the guy lining up at center.

Left Guard: Joe Thuney

The weak link on the 2017 offensive line was the left guard, but that says more about the rest of the line than it does Thuney. While the rest of the line was above average to great, Thuney was just solid. That’s not to say he was bad – far from it – but he was only a serviceable player.

However, there’s plenty of reasons to believe Thuney is the long term answer at guard. Thuney has been a starter ever since entering the league in 2016, and has improved in every season. He’s undersized for a guard and probably won’t ever become a top-ten player at his position. However, he’s further along than Andrews was last season, and it’s not unrealistic to expect a similar third-year jump out of Thuney.

Left Tackle: LaAdrian Waddle

Image result for laadrian waddle

LaAdrian Waddle projects as the 2018 starting left tackle

Image credit: MassLive.com

This is where things get interesting. After losing Nate Solder to the Giants, New England turned to his longtime understudy to fill the starting role. While there are worse tackles than Waddle, there’s certainly room for improvement.

He’s below average as both a pass blocker and a run blocker, but he’s not so bad that he’s an active liability. Additionally, there’s reason to believe in his pass blocking. After struggling in 2015 and hardly playing in 2016, Waddle had an encouraging 2017. Filling in for Marcus Cannon, Waddle didn’t allow a single sack all season, per Pro Football Focus. It’s unrealistic to expect him not to allow a sack in 2018, but there is hope that his development as a pass blocker is still improving.

Much like with Cannon, injuries have plagued Waddle’s career. The former Detroit Lion has never played in more than 12 games in a season, either due to injury or being benched. With the injury history of both Waddle and Cannon, the chances of both players starting all 16 games are incredibly slim. The organizational depth will likely be tested.

Tackle Depth

With so many questions with the starting tackles, it goes without saying that the depth is questionable at best. Currently, the only other tackles on the roster are underwhelming options such as Andrew Jelks, Matt Tobin, Cole Croston, and Antonio Garcia.

All the aforementioned players either lack experience or success at the NFL level. However, of this bunch, Garcia has the highest ceiling. The second-year Patriot was drafted in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, but lost his entire rookie season to blood clots. He was recently cleared to play, but it’s anyone’s guess how effective he will be.

In summary, the interior of the Patriots offensive line should be one of the best in the league. Mason and Andrews are two of the best at their positions, and Thuney should only get better as his career goes on. If this group can stay healthy, as they have throughout their careers, then New England should have nothing to worry about.

The tackle issue, however, is a problem. Cannon is an above average starter, while Waddle is just serviceable. However, both have injury problems and the depth behind them is less than inspiring. Heading into the draft, the Patriots will need to address this issue.

 

Cover image courtesy of Football Scoop.

Boston Sports Extra Mock Draft 1.0

Leave a reply

After a crazy free agency, teams are left with different needs. BSE projects how the first round will look like in its first mock draft:

1.Cleveland Browns – Sam Darnold, QB

Pac 12 Championship - Stanford v USC

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Darnold is the best QB in the draft, and someone they desperately need. Tyrod Taylor is not a long-term plan, and the addition of Carlos Hyde means that they really don’t need Barkley here. QB of the future is the pick here.

2.New York Giants – Saquon Barkley, RB

PlayStation Fiesta Bowl - Penn State v Washington

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Barkley gives the Giants a spark in their offense and takes pressure off Manning. They could also trade down to the Bills if they get a good deal.

3.New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts) – Josh Rosen, QB

Josh Rosen Picture

Photo Credit: Getty Images

They gave up three second-round picks to move up three spots. The most polished passer in the draft is the right pick here especially with the Jets’ addition of Terrelle Pryor.

4.Cleveland Browns (via Houston Texans) – Denzel Ward, CB

p

Photo Credit: Getty Images

With Barkley gone, the Browns go to their true top need outside of quarterback: a true lockdown corner.

5.Denver Broncos – Quenton Nelson, OG

USC v Notre Dame

Photo Credit: Getty Images

The Broncos addressed their QB need with the signing of Case Keenum and pick someone to protect him with one of the most bust-proof prospects in the draft. The Broncos had a terrible offensive line unit last year, so Nelson is the pick here.

6.Indianapolis Colts (via New York Jets) – Bradley Chubb, DE

Bradley Chubb North Carolina v North Carolina State

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Chubb is arguably the best defensive player in the draft, and falls to the team that needs a pass-rusher the most.

7.Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Minkah Fitzpatrick, S

CFP National Championship presented by AT&T - Alabama v Georgia

Photo Credit: Getty Images

With the additions of Vinny Curry and JPP, the Buccaneers look to improve their secondary with the best player available.

8.Chicago Bears – Tremaine Edmunds, LB

Virginia Tech v Syracuse

Edmunds is considerably the best and most versatile linebacker because he can rush the passer, drop back in coverage, and can stop the run. The Bears can use him effectively as they need someone who can consistently do this.

9.San Francisco 49ers – Derwin James, S

Derwin James Alabama v Florida State

Photo Credit: Getty Images

While it is not a dire need, the 49ers take a great hard-hitting safety. The pick makes sense to bolster the secondary along with Richard Sherman and the fact that starting safety, Eric Reid, is a free agent.

10.Oakland Raiders- Roquan Smith, LB

SEC Championship - Auburn v Georgia

Photo Credit: Getty Images

After addressing the secondary in free agency, the Raiders choose someone who can help them from Day 1. Smith is a fast, athletic playmaker which is a player the Raiders defense desperately needs.

11.Miami Dolphins – Vita Vea, DT

Vita Vea PlayStation Fiesta Bowl - Penn State v Washington

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Vea can fill a Ndamukong Suh sized hole left in the Dolphins defense. A QB can be a pick here but doesn’t seem likely after the Brock Osweiler signing. He is the best interior DL according to Mike Mayock.

12.Buffalo Bills (via Cincinnati Bengals) – Josh Allen, QB

Wyoming v Boise State

Photo Credit: Getty Images

The QB-needy Bills’ best bet is to roll with McCarron and Allen, two young quarterbacks with great promise.

13.Washington Redskins – Mike Hughes, CB

Central Florida v SMU

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Redskins lost Kendall Fuller and are likely to lose Bashaud Breeland. They draft a two-phase playmaker that can also contribute as a kick returner.

14.Green Bay Packers – Marcus Davenport, DE

Marcus Davenport NFL Combine - Day 4

Photo Credit: Getty Images

The Packers pick a player that adds much-needed pass rush off the edge.

15.Arizona Cardinals – Baker Mayfield, QB

Baker Mayfield Photos - 34 of 618

Photo Credit: Getty Images

One thing the Cardinals have learned over the years is you can never have too many quarterbacks. Bradford is injury-prone, and Glennon lost his job to a rookie. Mayfield is the pick here. Another option would be a wide receiver who can learn from the great Larry Fitzgerald.

16.Baltimore Ravens – Calvin Ridley, WR

CFP National Championship presented by AT&T - Alabama v Georgia

Photo Credt: Getty Images

Ridley is the top-rated receiver in the draft and falls to the Ravens, who is needing offensive weapons even after signing Michael Crabtree.

17.Los Angeles Chargers – Lamar Jackson, QB

Lamar Jackson Photos - 4 of 507

Photo Credit: Getty Images

The Chargers choose to groom their quarterback of the future with their pick here. Jackson could strive under the coaching of Anthony Lynn.

18.Seattle Seahawks – Mike McGlinchey, OT

Mike McGlinchey Temple v Notre Dame

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Seattle had an abysmal offensive line unit in 2017. Here is a player that can tremendously improve it.

19.Dallas Cowboys – Maurice Hurst, DT

Maurice Hurst Cincinnati v Michigan

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Hurst is a first round talent that has shown he can disrupt the passer and get off blocks.

20.Detroit Lions – Da’Ron Payne, DT

Daron Payne Alabama v Auburn

Photo Credit: Getty Images

The Lions found their workhorse back in LeGarrette Blount with Ameer Abdullah to complement him.  Here, they draft a player who can stop the run and rush the passer on the interior defensive line.

21.Cincinnati Bengals (via Buffalo Bills) – Will Hernandez, OG

Will Hernandez Picture

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Cincinnati picks Hernandez to improve the interior offensive line and give Joe Mixon a powerful player to run behind. He may lack height but makes up for it in strength and toughness. He has all received comparisons to Pro-Bowler Richie Incognito.

22.Buffalo Bills – Rashaan Evans, LB

Rashaan Evans CFP National Championship presented by AT&T - Alabama v Georgia

Photo Credit: Getty Images

The Bills look on defense after targeting a quarterback with their first pick. Evans is a fast and skilled tackler who can fill the hole of tackle leader, Preston Brown.

23.Los Angeles Rams – Courtland Sutton, WR

Courtland Sutton North Texas v SMU

Photo Credit: Getty Images

The Rams pick a big-bodied receiver to replace Sammy Watkins and give Jared Goff a new target.

24.Carolina Panthers – Ronnie Harrison, S

Ronnie Harrison Alabama v Mississippi State

Photo Credit: Getty Images

The Panthers are looking for a leader and difference-maker at safety. Harrison fits the bill.

25.Tennessee Titans – Harold Landry, OLB

Harold Landry Quick Lane Bowl - Boston College v Maryland

Photo Credit: Getty Images

The Titans need a consistent pass-rusher. Landry displays the quickness and hustle to get to the quarterback.

26.Atlanta Falcons – Taven Bryan, DT

Taven Bryan SEC Championship - Alabama v Florida

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Bryan is a versatile player who can play both tackle and end. He should help the Falcons right away, especially with the losses of Dontari Poe and Adrian Clayborn.

27.New Orleans Saints – Mike Gesicki, TE

Mike Gesicki Rutgers v Penn State

Photo Credit: Getty Images

The Saints draft class of 2017 might have been one of the best. They filled a lot of holes on their team last year. One thing they do need is a new weapon for Brees to take the load off Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara. The trio would be a nightmare for defenses to guard if they pick this athletic touchdown machine.

28.Pittsburgh Steelers – Leighton Vander Esch, LB

Mountain West Championship - Fresno State v Boise State

Photo Credit: Getty Images

With Ryan Shazier out for the 2018 season, the Steelers look for a capable inside linebacker in the Boise State product.

29.Jacksonville Jaguars – Dallas Goedert, TE

Image result for dallas goedert

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Although they signed Austin Sefarian-Jenkins, the Jaguars could look to add a long playmaker capable of being a go-to guy for Blake Bortles.

30.Minnesota Vikings – Jaire Alexander, CB

Jaire Alexander Photos - 10 of 14

Photo Credit: Getty Images

With 39 year old Terrence Newman likely to leave in free agency, the Vikings draft a tough physical corner who can replace Newman as the nickel.

31.New England Patriots – Lorenzo Carter, OLB

Rose Bowl - Oklahoma v Georgia

Many mock drafts have New England drafting a tackle with the loss of Nate Solder. However, the resigning of LaAdrian Waddle, return of Tony Garcia, and signing of Matt Tobin provide the team with enough depth. Garcia does have to get back to football shape, but his college tape shows that he is a more than capable linemen. In the meantime, Waddle can start while Garcia can develop. He was drafted because the Patriots planning a future without Solder. In turn, New England looks to add talent and depth to a depleted core group. The Patriots have shown interest and could use someone like Carter who is fast, athletic, and capable of getting to the quarterback.

32.Philadelphia Eagles – Hayden Hurst, TE

Hayden Hurst

Photo Credit: Getty Images

The Eagles do not have a lot of holes on their team. Behind Zach Ertz, there is no real depth. Therefore, the Eagles draft Hurst who is a big-bodied catch-and-run threat who fits perfectly in the scary Eagles offense.

Johnny Football In Foxborough?

Leave a reply

Johnny Manziel in a Patriots Uniform

Via For The Win – USA Today

Johnny Manziel, who completely destroyed his NFL chances once before, is attempting to make a comeback in the league. Manziel worked out for 13 NFL teams yesterday, one of those teams being the New England Patriots. When he first got drafted by Cleveland, Manziel made that stupid money sign like he’s getting paid millions. He didn’t care if the Browns were terrible. Then the reality check stepped in fast and he went on a downhill spiral.

The Patriots are trying to get their locker room back. They re-signed Matthew Slater and signed Devin McCourty’s brother, Jason, for this very reason. Why would you bring in someone who is a complete dysfunctional mess and doesn’t care about anybody but himself? Patriot fans who say Belichick can fix Manziel, because he’s done it before with other problem players, need to realize this- Belichick has completely lost his locker room. With that clown in there things would only get worse.

Manziel Belongs on a Terrible Team

Via 247Sports

Manziel belongs on a dysfunctional team. He needs to be on a team where he’ll have to earn a championship and not just get one because he’s on the Patriots. The Patriots should just draft a quarterback and develop him. The difference between Tebow being here and Manziel was that Tebow isn’t a punk.

The only reason Manziel wants to come to the Patriots is that he wants a championship now. He might also be eyeing the starting job down the road. Yesterday, Johnny spoke after the workout saying, “I feel like my head’s on right. If people get a chance to be around me and sit down and get a chance to see where I’m at, maybe they’ll see something different than in the past, maybe I won’t come off as entitled or arrogant or cocky or whatever it might have been in the past that rubbed people the wrong way.”

I’ll believe it when I see it. He could be all talk so a team can pick him up.

Realistic Expectations for Adrian Clayborn

Leave a reply

The New England Patriots entered the offseason with a desperate need for an edge defender. The 2017 Patriots struggled to stop outside runs and lacked consistency getting to the quarterback. Two days into free agency, the Patriots addressed that problem with the signing of former Altanta Falcons defensive end Adrian Clayborn. But what are realistic expectations for Adrian Clayborn as a Patriot?

Setting Realistic Expectations for Adrian Clayborn

Clayborn Rushing the Passer

Image result for adrian clayborn

Clayborn’s six-sack game against the Dallas Cowboys won’t be the norm

Image credit: SI.com

Clayborn finished his 2017 season with 9.5 sacks, but that number is a little deceiving. Six of his nine and a half sacks came in one game, against Dallas Cowboys backup left tackle Chaz Green. Take out that game, and he only had 3.5 sacks in 15 games.

This isn’t meant to take any credit away from Clayborn – six sacks in a game is an incredible feat – it’s merely to point out he’s not an elite pass rusher. Anyone expecting the second coming of Richard Seymour is asking for disappointment.

While Clayborn isn’t a Hall of Famer, he’s still a huge upgrade as a pass rusher. He’s never had a double-digit sack season. However, he consistently gets to the passer. He’s capable of lining up all over the Patriots defensive line, although he’s best when lining up wide off the edge.

While he doesn’t always bring down the quarterback, he’s phenomenal at generating pressure. Per Pro Football Focus, Clayborn pressured the quarterback on 54 snaps, despite having just 9.5 sacks. If Clayborn can continue to bring pressure and move the quarterback off the spot, then the rest of the defense can finish the job.

Ultimately, Clayborn won’t fix the pass rush all by himself. However, pairing him with fellow defensive end Trey Flowers should give the Patriots one of the better pass rushing duos in the league. Factor in edge rushers Deatrich Wise Jr. and Derek Rivers coming off the bench, and suddenly the Patriots have one of the deeper groups of pass rushers in the league.

Clayborn Against the Run

While Clayborn is an above average pass rusher, he’s not quite as good against the run. Per Pro Football Focus, Clayborn finished his season with 18 run stops overall. While that’s not an elite number, it’s fine for a player whose game is primarily rushing the passer.

However, he doesn’t need to be an elite run defender to be an upgrade. The 2017 Patriots edge defenders couldn’t set the edge to save their lives. Cassius Marsh was a failed experiment, while younger players like Wise and Adam Butler just didn’t have enough experience to play the run and the pass. Outside of Flowers, the only player capable of setting the edge all last season was former Pittsburgh Steeler James Harrison.

Clayborn is an upgrade on all of the non-Flowers defenders in the run game. While it’s not his speciality, he’s still capable of setting the edge, eating up a blocker, and allowing linebackers Dont’a Hightower and Kyle Van Noy to finish the play.

How Adrian Clayborn Fits

Image result for trey flowers

Trey Flowers will be happy to have Clayborn in town

Image credit: ESPN

Essentially, New England is getting a lesser version of Chandler Jones. While Clayborn isn’t the same pass rushing threat that Jones is, he’s capable of generating pressure on a snap to snap basis and getting to the quarterback. Like Jones, Clayborn is an adequate, if unspectacular, run defender. He’s not a liability, but it’s certainly not his strength.

Ultimately, the Patriots got the ideal #2 edge defender on a good deal. Clayborn should be a perfect complement to Flowers, and Flowers will have a genuine pass rushing threat alongside him.

Clayborn, Flowers, Wise, Butler, and Rivers should combine to be a ferocious pass rushing unit on passing downs. The base defense of Clayborn, Malcolm Brown, Danny Shelton, and Flowers won’t be one of the elite run stopping units in the league, but they’ll certainly be capable of holding their own against opposing offensive lines.

Clayborn came over on a two-year, $12 million dollar deal and he already looks like a bargain. He fits an immediate need on the Patriots defensive line and should be a Week One starter. While this free agency has been turbulent for Patriots fans, this is one move that absolutely goes New England’s way.

 

Cover Image Credit: USA Today

Biggest Risers and Fallers in Free Agency Thus Far

Leave a reply

In one of its craziest offseasons, the NFL has seen a flurry of free agent moves and trades. Which teams are likely to rise and improve? Which teams are likely to fall and decline?

Risers

Cleveland Browns – This was a gimme. The Browns looked like they belong playing in college football, with winning only one game in two years. What does new GM and resident savior in Cleveland do? John Dorsey reshaped this whole team by trading for Jarvis Landry, Tyrod Taylor, and Damarious Randall, and signing seven free agents, most notably being Carlos Hyde, T.J Carrie, Chris Hubbard, and Darren Fells. They did take a hit with the retirement of Joe Thomas, though. With a transformed offense and still having two of the top five picks, the only way this team can go is up.

See the source image

Photo Credit: theplayoffs.com

Chicago Bears – One of the most complete offseason so far, the Bears have acquired good players in all three aspects of the game. They signed two receivers and a tight end in Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, and Trey “Philly Special” Burton, which gives now second-year quarterback Mitch Trubisky some much-needed weapons on offense. They also signed OLBs Aaron Lynch and Sam Acho, along with resigning Prince Amukamara to bolster the defensive side of the ball. The Bears also contain a high draft pick to address the defense too. Along with the signing of kicker Cody Parkey, these Bad News Bears have the chance to change their name.

See the source image

Photo Credit: dynastyleaguefootball.com

Tennessee Titans – Am I upset that two of my favorite players are on different teams? Absolutely. Do I wish the best for them? Absolutely, they deserve it. The Titans now boast a two-headed monster with the shifty Dion Lewis and powerful Derrick Henry. Malcolm Butler is going to a secondary that already boasts the interceptions leader and a very promising rookie. There isn’t a lot of weakness on the team. Linebacker is the biggest need and will most likely be addressed in the first round of the draft. Face it, Titans are going to be a scary team this year.

See the source image

Photo Credit: theplayoffs.com

Other risers: Rams, Texans, 49ers

Fallers

Seattle Seahawks – Russell Wilson might as well scramble every play with that offensive line that’s “protecting” him. Seattle also lacks a real run game although potential standout Chris Carson is returning from injury, and they lost pass catchers Paul Richardson and Jimmy Graham. The breakup of the Legion of Boom and losses of Michael Bennett and Sheldon Richardson leaves this team with too many needs on both sides of the ball.

See the source image

Photo Credit: worldstarhiphop.com

Detroit Lions –  The Vikings got Cousins and Richardson, the Packers got Graham and Wilkerson, and the Bears got A-Rob and Taylor Gabriel (and more). All other teams in their division got better which leaves the Lions grasping for whatever leftovers they can get. They did sign LeGarrette Blount who will improve their otherwise nonexistent run game. However, the losses of Haloti Ngata, Tahir Whitehead, and Eric Ebron are drastic. Deshawn Shead and Devon Kennard can improve the team a little bit, but they are going to need a great draft, a couple more FA signings, and a bigger beard from a certain someone in their management.

See the source image

Photo Credit: redandblack.com

Arizona Cardinals – The solution to losing an injury prone quarterback? Get another one. And better yet, pay him $20 million a year. Especially when your offensive line needs serious improvement. Why not cut one of your best defensive players while you are at it? This was a pretty easy one. Sam Bradford is a high-risk player and the loss of Tyrann Mathieu is devastating.

See the source image

Photo Credit: onsizzle.com

Other fallers – It was hard to really say if a team was a faller because many teams lost notable free agents, but made signings that could make up for it. Those teams would be neutral or undecided until further notice.

Jason McCourty: Just What the New England Patriots Needed

Leave a reply

So far, free agency has been a complete and utter frenzy for the New England Patriots. After losing Super Bowl LI, everyone in Patriots Nation wanted New England to get a big name cornerback. When that fell didn’t happen, hot takes were everywhere. Belichick was asleep at the wheel, and the 2018 Patriots defense was already a failure. However, the Patriots acquired longtime cornerback Jason McCourty from the Cleveland Browns, and he is just what the Patriots need.

Jason McCourty is Just What the New England Patriots Need

What the Patriots Need

With the departure of Malcolm Butler, there was no denying the Patriots needed to look into acquiring a cornerback to start opposite Stephon Gilmore. However, that need was a little overblown among Patriots fans due to how ugly the Super Bowl was. Yes, Eric Rowe struggled against Philadelphia Eagles receiver Alshon Jeffery, but once he switched off him he had a really good game.

The front seven and poor coaching decisions were the main reasons the defense played so poorly, so signing a top-tier cornerback wasn’t a necessity. If New England could get players to fix their front seven, then a typical number two cornerback would easily suffice in the secondary.

What Jason McCourty Brings

He’s not a superstar along the lines of Aqib Talib or Richard Sherman, but McCourty is still a quality starting NFL cornerback. Initially selected as a sixth-round pick in the 2009 NFL draft, McCourty has carved out a nine-year NFL career as a defensive back.

While the Cleveland Browns were terrible in 2017, McCourty was not. He had moments where he looked like a true number one cornerback, and finished the year as the 27th ranked cornerback in the league, per Pro Football Focus. By comparison, Malcolm Butler finished the year ranked 51st among cornerback. If McCourty can have a similar 2018, the Patriots should have one of the better cornerback duos in football.

Additionally, McCourty’s style of play is a perfect fit for the New England Patriots. McCourty is at his best when he’s playing press coverage, which perfectly aligns with what Gilmore excels at. When Gilmore and McCourty, the Patriots can run tough, physical man coverages and don’t have to worry about the corners getting beat off the line.

Lastly, McCourty does the little things well. Just like his twin brother and teammate, Devin McCourty, Jason McCourty is a great tackler. He’s not afraid to play the run, lower his shoulder and do the dirty work. Some cornerbacks shy away from making tackles, but McCourty is not one of them. Nobody values fundamentals more than Bill Belichick, which just gives McCourty more value on the Patriots.

Money Talks

While it would have been great to see Sherman, Talib, or Trumaine Johnson in a Patriots uniform, it would have taken a lot of money to make that happen. Per @patscap, The Patriots currently only have a bit over $21 million in cap space. Signing any one of those players would have taken up a sizable portion of that cap space.

Instead, the Patriots got the significantly cheaper option of Jason McCourty. McCourty only has a $3.6 million dollar cap hit in 2018. This minimal hit on the salary cap means that the Patriots got a good player without sacrificing roster depth.

Additionally, it cost nothing to get McCourty. The Patriots swapped their late sixth-round pick for the Browns early seventh. That small drop in draft positioning makes it such that the Patriots got McCourty essentially for free.

Had they signed a free agent, this would not be the case. Currently, New England will probably receive two third round compensation picks and an additional sixth rounder for the departures of Solder, Butler, and Lewis. If the Patriots had signed a free agent cornerback, that would affect their compensatory pick formula.

Obviously, there’s no way to know how much a free agent cornerback would have affected New England’s compensation picks, but now there’s no need to worry about that. Free agent signings are the only factors that play into the compensation formula. Since McCourty was acquired via trade, he has no effect on how the compensation picks are determined.

 

Cover image courtesy of NBC Sports.