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A Quick Analysis of the Patriots’ Week 5 Match-Up Against the Buccaneers

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A short week of preparation for the Patriots after suffering an unexpected loss at home against the Carolina Panthers Sunday. A defensive breakdown by the Patriots caused a full-blown shootout between Cam Newton and Tom Brady. And it just so happened that the Panthers’ defense showed more resiliency.

There’s no doubt that the Patriots’ coaching staff this week focused solely on improving the defensive game plan. Currently, this season’s Patriots defense ranks as one of the worst since 2006. On average, in the past ten seasons the Patriots have ranked third in the league in touchdowns allowed per drive, out of every drive they have allowed six points 17% of the time. In the past four weeks that statistic for this year’s defense skyrocketed to 31.1%, ranked worst in the league. So far on goal-to-go situations this season the opposing team has scored 100% of the time, being ranked 30th in the league. Though it is early in the season, the Patriots’ defense is statistically slipping already.

Source: ESPN Stats & Information Group

 

This week the Patriots are tasked with another rare opponent, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A Thursday night match-up in Tampa will be more difficult for the Patriots to prepare for than the Bucs. This will be New  England’s third NFC South match-up out of four still early in the season, and have had no trouble against the Buccaneers in the past. However, the Patriots and Bucs have not met in the past four years. Since then the Buccaneers have made a great addition with Jameis Winston. Luckily for the Patriots, the Buccaneers are one of the seven teams Tom Brady is undefeated against in his career.

Stopping the Buccaneers on Offense

Unlike any team the Patriots have faced so far this season, the Buccaneers boast a two tight end set on offense. Tight ends Cameron Brate and rookie O.J. Howard share playing time with either one blocking with the offensive line or both running routes over the middle of the field. Just last week when the Buccaneers squared up against the New York Giants, O.J. Howard burned the defense on a simple bootleg play-action pass because the corners were fixated on Brate and receiver Chris Godwin running the opposite way.

 

In addition to this set, the Buccaneers offense possesses a huge vertical threat in Mike Evans and speedy route-runner and returner DeSean Jackson. Rookie Chris Godwin is up-and-coming as well. At running back, the Bucs have Doug Martin, who in the past has ripped up defensive lines for huge gains. Jameis Winston is the perfect guy to sling the ball them. He has a cannon of an arm and in recent years has become more accurate. The Patriots’ defensive line will get a break this week when it comes to rushing the QB because Winstson does not scramble that often.

The most feasible way for the Patriots to stop this top-10 offense is to help each other as much as possible. Zone coverage and conservative play calling will help against the pass. Stephon Gilmore has struggled so far making mental errors, including one that cost the Patriots the game last week. If he continues to play as the team’s number-two corner, he should have someone helping in the backfield to reduce the field for him. Patrick Chung would capitalize on coverage like that and could force some turnovers. Dont’a Hightower will have to come up big on coverage in the middle of the field. Devin McCourty will have to hold down the top of the zone as well if Chung drops down.

Getting the Patriots Offense Going

Tom Brady has kept the Patriots’ offense alive, despite all the injuries plaguing his receivers. He has picked up his tempo and slinging the ball more, but there is only so much that he can do individually. Chris Hogan and Brandin Cooks have been lighting up secondaries and finding the end zone without much adversity. Danny Amendola has successfully has been filling Julian Edelman’s slot-reciever role in his absence. With Rob Gronkowski the newest entry on the injury report, and Rex Burkhead continuing to be out this week, the Patriots will bring the next man up. Vernon Hargreaves and Brent Grimes will be tough to get catches over. However, Brandin Cooks has the capacity to out-speed Grimes win in a jump ball situation against Hargreaves. This leaves the middle passing game open for Danny Amendola to get open.

In the backfield, Mike Gillislee and Dion Lewis have shared reps on the team’s dismal running game. James White has gotten few targets in the backfield as well, which could be used against the Buccaneers defense. Linebacker Lavonte David is the only factor to interfere against a halfback screen. Expect this game to continue the trend of being pass-heavy for the Patriots.

A Quick Analysis of the Patriots’ Week 4 Match-Up Against the Panthers

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A once-in-a-blue-moon meeting for the Patriots to prepare for this weekend. The Patriots will face the Carolina Panthers, a team they have not played in the regular season since 2013. After a Monday Night Football game in week eleven of that season, the Panthers came out on top in the waning minutes of the match to win 24-20. The game finished with controversy over the referees picking up a penalty flag for defensive pass interference on the last play of the game where Tom Brady took a shot in the end zone to Rob Gronkowski.

Since 2013 the Patriots and the Panthers have been present in a Super Bowl: the Patriots winning two and the Panthers appearing in one. The Panthers have had both successful and unfortunate seasons since this season but have learned from their mistakes. Both teams are very different from four years ago, however Tom Brady and Cam Newton still reign.

Stopping the Panthers’ West Coast Offense

Cam Newton is one of the more popular quarterbacks in the NFL, mostly because of his impressive mobility. He can turn on the burners in an instant and run with the ball himself on a split second decision. At the same time he possesses the arm strength to heave the ball downfield. The Patriots had a similar task last weekend against rookie Deshaun Watson whose pocket presence and speed kept defenders from containing him.

Cam Newton might be quicker than Watson, but the Patriots’ defense should be working on pressuring the quarterback more in this week’s practice. Heavily relying on zone coverage will not fair well against Cam Newton and his strong running back corp. Jonathan Stewart is a well-used power runner who is deadly on screens in the back field. A similar principle goes for rookie Christian McCaffrey, a quick runner and can punish on running an angle or wheel route.  To stop Cam Newton, man coverage QB containment and a few crafty blitzes will come in handy. As for the Panthers’ backs, that’s when cover 3 should be used. Dont’a Hightower, pending if he returns this week from injury, will have a big task covering Stewart and McCaffrey. Malcolm Butler will also have to size up 6’5″ wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin.

Rallying on Offense

The Panthers used to boast one of the stingiest secondaries in the league two years ago under Josh Norman. Lately, they have become more centralized on building up the defensive line along with the linebacker corp: Charles Johnson, Julius Peppers, Star Lotulelei, Kawann Short, Mario Addison, Shaq Thompson, Luke Kuechly, and Thomas Davis. All of these powerful defenders work together on the defensive line. To beat a stacked defensive line like that, Tom Brady will have to replicate his performance last week. It is imperative that he gets the ball off quickly on short routes to receivers. The Patriots’ offensive line faces an even bigger task. Coach Dante Scarnecchia this week has more than likely hammered on his offensive line after they allowed Tom Brady to be sacked multiple times.

Quick slants will help beat a defense that will be trying to capitalize on rushing Brady. Danny Amendola is a perfect receiver for short passes and Rob Gronkowski is always a vertical threat. Chris Hogan might have a mixed role this game where he will catch short passes but at the same time run deep like he has done in the past two games. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

Analysis of the Patriots’ Week 3 Match-Up Against the Texans

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A 2016-17 AFC Divisional rematch in Week 3 is quite an interesting pairing. In the past year the Houston Texans and Patriots have clashed on three separate occasions prior to Sunday. The Patriots won two of these games in this short series, but each victory has been on separate terms. In a 2016 Week 3 match-up Jacoby Brissett and LeGarrette Blount brought the Brady-less Patriots to a shutout victory. The Texans and Patriots squared up again in the Divisional Round of the 2016-17 playoffs, where Dion Lewis and Tom Brady were the offensive heroes that brought home a win. And this season the Patriots and Texans played in the preseason and Deshaun Watson secured a decisive win for the Texans.

This upcoming battle will showcase current CFB Playoff MVP Deshaun Watson against prevailing Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady. Watson became the starter for the Texans in the second half against the team’s loss against the Jaguars recently. Since then, Watson has racked up a modest 227 yards along with one touchdown and an interception. Texans Coach Bill O’Brien’s offensive game plan in the foreseeable future is to develop Watson as fast a possible. However, Coach Bill Belichick, a friend of O’Brien, is aware of that and will bring defensive pressure on Watson quickly.

Stopping the Texans’ Offense

The Texans run a balanced offense consisting of short and medium passes along with a few different types of run plays. Deshaun Watson is a west coast-schemed quarterback, meaning he likes to throw short slant, curl, and dig routes to receivers. At the same time, he has the skills to tuck and run with the football by himself, as advertised by him against the Patriots in the preseason. For a rookie, Watson has showcased some impressive pocket presence, and knows how to roll out of the pocket to keep the play alive rather than giving himself up for a sack.

Deshaun Watson is able to use an receiving corp that has undergone an overhaul to suit the team. The top receiver on the squad is DeAndre Hopkins, a deep threat who runs primarily fly and cross routes. Will Fuller V is the go-to guy when passing short or medium over the middle of the defense. Ryan Griffin, the team’s primary tight end, mostly pass blocks or runs short routes like a curl off the line. Lamar Miller, the workhorse of the offense, is a one-cut back who can punish the defense on a wheel route.

Expect Bill Belichick to stop the Texans’ offense at the source. The Patriots’ edge rushers and linebackers must step up this week to keep constant pressure on Deshaun Watson. Blitzes and quarterback contain plays will keep Watson in the pocket and make a naive mistake against the Patriots’ secondary.

Tackling the Texan’s Stingy Defense

The Patriots offense redeemed themselves last week against the New Orleans Saints after getting blasted by the Kansas City Chiefs in week one. However, the Saints defense statistically let up a lot of points, and in the last three years they are ranked 30th+ points allowed. The Texans’ defense is on the other end of the spectrum, ranking within the top-five defenses in the league. Stacked on the defensive line the Texans at full strength boast the talents of J.J. Watt, Whitney Mercilus, and Jadeveon Clowney. This defense makes up for a weak secondary by bringing constant pressure to the opposing quarterback and stopping the run.

With an ailing offense and now Chris Hogan and Danny Amendola being among the eleven players questionable to play this week, the offense needs to be cautious. Therefore screen passes to Mike Gillislee and James White will work like a charm. Rob Gronkowski and Dwayne Allen are both vertical threats that can shred up the Texans’ secondary. Tom Brady on average takes about 2.5 seconds to drop back and get the ball out of his hands. Statistics show as his career has progressed, Brady has become increasingly accurate after passing the ball that quickly. This skill will come in handy against an aggressive Texans’ defensive line. The pass rush will be frequent in this game for the Patriots offense. The offensive line and the rest of the offense can still shine if everyone does their job.

CTE : Is It Going To Be The End Of Football ?

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Unless you have been living under a rock, any true football fan has heard of the medical term CTE.  CTE stands for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease.  It has gained prominence recently with a study showing that virtually all ex-NFL players brains tested had the disease.  A study published in July of this year revealed that 110 of 111 players tested showed various levels of the disease.

Could the prominence of CTE in NFL football players be the end of football as we know it?  I do believe that CTE is a serious health issue that needs to be investigated further.  I would like to give you a little perspective, and tell everyone to not give up hope yet.  There is more to this story and I hope I can share some of my insight with all of you.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CTE

To give you some context, consider the most common signs and symptoms of CTE: Most common sign is cognitive impairment, which is difficulty thinking clearly.  To be a true CTE symptom, it has to be a symptom that lasts beyond 48-72 hours after first being noticed; short term memory loss, impulsive behaviour, emotionally unstable, substance abuse increases, and most importantly suicidal thoughts.  As you can quickly figure out, all of these symptoms are quite scary.  The issue presently is how to diagnose CTE early enough to alleviate long term complications.

 

DIAGNOSIS OF CTE

Here is where the issue lies with CTE and contact sports like football.  CTE presently is the degeneration of brain tissues and the presence of a protein called Tau along with other proteins.  The only way that CTE can be confirmed as a diagnosis is by detection of these markers upon performing an autopsy.  This iwill have to change to make it a disease that can be managed.  Without earlier detection, there is no hope of keeping the condition in check at the earliest possible stages.

Personally, the articles and studies that I have read  now tend to compare CTE to Alzheimers with regard to the importance of early detection.  This makes great sense, because Alzheimers does not have one true test that is definitive, and I doubt that CTE will either.  The key will be educating all parties that will be involved to note symptoms and act appropriately.  Defining what those appropriate actions will be the key, and needs buy in from all stakeholders.

Alzheimers’ sufferers have a few medications available in the last number of years that have the ability to greatly slow the disease’s progression.  The key is early detection, and staringt the patient on the medication as soon as possible.  It looks like CTE may fall into the same category where early diagnosis will be paramount.  That’s lacking right now.

HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: Chris Long #95 of the New England Patriots kneels before Super Bowl 51 against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

 

IS CTE FROM REPEATED HEAD TRAUMA ALONE?

A lot of research is needed here with regards to CTE and playing football.  Everyone knows that repeated blows to the head will damage anyone.  The odds of this happening in a bone-crunching sport like the NFL is quite a bit higher.  I want to point out the fact that CTE happens in other cases where head trauma is not an issue.  Military veterans, chronic epileptics, and even domestic abuse victims are also people that have shown CTE without the repeated physical head trauma.  This fact leads me to think that the best test is going to have to be detecting the TAU protein and then developing a treatment to “deactivate it”.

UNLOCKING THE SECRETS OF TAU

Presently the TAU protein destruction method is being explored in treating Alzheimers with relatively good success.  The treatments used could easily apply to athletes and others without any issues.  I think that there should be a pilot project with some current and ex-players and the drug manufacturers to see if there is symptom alleviation.

Believe it or not, the basic substance of curcumin (isolated from tumeric) is among substances under study.  If this turns out to be as good as initial tests have shown, then off to the grocery store we go for this.  This substance has so far been shown to neutralize the TAU protein and allow the body to clear it out.  The keys that are being explored is detection of the disease (CTE or Alzheimers) and then starting treatment.  One study is presently looking at starting some athletes on this before they show any signs.  The issue with this theory centers on  the baseline examined.

DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES

With the recent story of former Patriot Aaron Hernandez having been diagnosed with stage 3 CTE after his death, the CTE debate rages on.  I caution people to look back at what I mentioned previously in this article.  With only one diagnosed concussion in his career, was football the only source of his troubles?  Did his former gang activities, checkered past, or even prison time served have any bearing on his CTE development?  We have to answer these questions so we can stem this tide.

I hope I have demonstrated the threat of head trauma on NFL players. We all have to be more conscious of it and it’s effects. Minimizing illegal hits, late hits and unnecessary hits by players is definitely a good start.  As I have said, I believe there is more to the issue and that is what we have to figure out and fast.  Players should stop playing football unless only as a personal choice.  With further updates in safety and rules, I believe football can be as safe as any other sport.  We need to make sure that head injuries are taken very seriously, and treated as such.  It should have started many years ago, but hindsight is always 20-20.

 

 

Jardine’s Means: The Keys To Beating The Saints

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Well folks, as Coach Belichick would say “we are onto New Orleans”.  It will be refreshing for players and fans alike to get to the next game.  We all just hope that that first game was just a reminder to “do your job” and play.  Let me give you my keys to the Patriots beating the Saints tomorrow.

 

HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: James White #28 of the New England Patriots with the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. The Patriots defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

USE THE RUN TO SET UP THE PASSING GAME

One key to beating the Saints this week is controlling the game on the ground.  This will accomplish many things if executed properly.  First, it will allow the offense to get into the game and draw the Saints’ defense closer to the line of scrimmage.  By drawing the defense closer to the line over time this will allow for play action passing.  Brady is a master at reading the defense.  The more of them at the line the better.

Running the ball also eats up the clock nicely.  This allows the Patriots’ defense limit time on the field which keeps them very fresh.  Running the ball accomplishes the most important goal of all, keeping Drew Brees and the Saints’ offense on the sidelines.  They cannot score when they are on the sidelines looking at their tablets.  The Patriots really failed at this in their first game.  I guarantee you that Coach Belichick chewed the ear off Coach McDaniels about this very subject.

Expect a big ground game from Gillislee after Coach Belichick’s comment that “he could be a little better”.  Yes Gillislee scored three touchdowns.  But that was about it for positives in game one.

 

USE THE ENTIRE PASSING GAME

Anyone that watched the first game against the Chiefs probably shouted at their TV at least once during the game.  The most likely phrase screamed at the TV was probably “why the hell are the Pats throwing it deep all the time?”  Maybe that was just me, because I know I shouted that at least once.

The Patriots will move into their passing attack mode after running the ball.  This strategy will also be much more effective than my “spreading the ball around” and not just throwing deep.  Having Cooks and Hogan down the field was almost having a new toy for Brady last week.  Like anything new, you don’t want to wear it out from overuse.  The Pats have so many weapons in their passing arsenal that they should be OK.  By spreading the ball to Gronk, Burkhead, White and friends, then it should allow for deep throws sometimes.   Just don’t fall in love with the deep ball, Tom, because you don’t have to.

This so called spreading of the offensive wealth should allow for a better result then last week.  The Patriots have such a wide and varied offensive attack that things should work themselves out this week.

BACK ON TRACK

With the slight change of our teams’ offensive outlook, the result of this game should be better.  Keeping the Saints’ offens,e off of the field as much as possible, and grinding their D are going to be the keys to victory.  T,ake a deep breath Patriot Nation, because I think that loss last week will be a blessing.  Let’s Go Patriots.  Check out more great Patriot articles at BostonSportsExtra.com

Baltimore: America’s Sports Armpit

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Worse than New York

Though I now live outside Washington, DC and spent most of my adult life a nomad, I will always consider myself Bostonian to the core. There is only one kind of chowda, and only one way to say it.   Dunkin Donuts kicks Krispy Crème’s ass. And, of course, New York sucks.

I hate everything about New York – from the filth in the streets to the noise pollution that is their accent. I hate the Yankees, the Giants, and all their fans – certainly in part because much of my childhood misery came at their hands. However, like most rationale Massholes, as much as we hate our neighbor to the south, we have to respect them. New York is a strong, important city with character and the Yankees and Giants have great traditions of winning.

The same cannot be said for the landfill three hours further south. Baltimore has not one redeeming quality. I’d rather live in Baghdad, again, than spend more than an hour in that cesspool.

Baseless Arrogance

Baltimore, a city that burned itself to the ground in a race riot two years ago and needed the National Guard and 1,000 police officers to restore order, still somehow presumes to lecture Boston on racism. I get it, the Red Sox were the last team in baseball to integrate. Yeah, it was almost six decades ago. Progress has been made.

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Maybe they haven’t heard that Red Sox principle owner John Henry is so overwhelmed with guilt that he doesn’t sleep well? The sport’s most aloof owner is “haunted” by the ghost of Tom Yawkey, who – like Scrooge’s Marley – apparently walks the concourses of Fenway Park in the dark of night howling racial epithets.

Perhaps it was Yawkey’s ghost who threw racial slurs at Adam Jones on that fateful night in May. That’s the only plausible explanation how in 2017, in a crowd of a thousand cellphone cameras, nobody caught the incident on video, nobody saw who said it, and not a single witness has been found. I’ve seen enough Discovery Channel to know you can’t see ghosts. It couldn’t possibly be that Adam Jones wasn’t telling the truth or just hates a divisional rival. Of course not.

Besides Jones, of course, my least favorite bird has to be Manny Mochado. Mochado spiked Pedroia on a dirty slide back in April and Pedroia hasn’t really been healthy since. If there were any justice in baseball he’d take a heater in the ribs every at bat in Fenway for the rest of his career.

The O’s are led by an equally unbearable ass. Buck Showalter once managed the Yankees, but since landing in “Charm City” has found the nerve to complain about baseball’s uneven financial playing field. Even more than the fact that he’s a hypocritical ass, I hate that he absolutely owns the Red Sox. Since taking over in 2011 the Orioles lead the head-to-head matchup with Boston 72-56. Thankfully, he’s simply awful in the post season, having one exactly one post season series in 19 years and posting a 9-14 record.

Showalter and his team love to talk about “playing the game the right way” and the unwritten rules of baseball. Save it. You haven’t even been to a World Series since 1983. Please stop talking until you do.

Whiney Losers

The truly sad thing is that the Orioles are actually Baltimore’s likeable team. Led by the whiniest coach this side of the University of Michigan, the Ravens may be the most disgusting franchise in all major North American sports.

I get the whole Edger Allen Poe thing, but let’s face it, only reason they chose the Raven as their mascot is that the NFL wouldn’t let them put the image of a battered spouse on their helmets. The greatest players in the history of the franchise are a murder and two spousal abusers. By the way, brave stance there with Ray Rice – once the video leaked anyway. Terrell Suggs? Oh, he’s still productive on the field so let’s not discuss his domestic abuse history.

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The Ravens aren’t just bad, they’re stupid. Baltimore once made Joe Flacco the highest paid player in league history – the self-appointed “elite” QB with a career QBR lower than Rich Gannon. Rich Gannon. Take a moment and let that sink in.  And, of course, who can forget the 2015 AFC Divisional playoff game when New England twice took advantage of the same innovative, but fully-legal, formation to conceal eligible receivers to get critical first downs on scoring drives against Baltimore.

Harbaugh, of course, lost his mind – first on the field with the officials, then in the post-game press conference, and finally in the off season when Baltimore joined other teams to petition the league to change the rules. To this day, Harbaugh cries foul, despite the fact that the league has confirmed time and again that the formations were legal.

The Ravens didn’t make the playoffs last year.  They probably won’t this year either.  Neither of those facts will stop Harbaugh from being a whiney sideline diva.

One Good Thing

We are a week away from the final Red Sox – Orioles series of the year.  Baltimore will most likely miss the post season again – for the fifth time in Showalter’s eight years as manager. With any luck they will finish below .500.  But, as we head into this final series, we should recognize that Baltimore has in fact given us one thing for which we should be thankful: the HBO series The Wire. It’s saying something that this city’s greatest contribution is a cable drama about their crime and political corruption.  As we assess the Orioles and Ravens, their contemptible players, their unlikeable leaders, and their seemingly unending jealousies of the Red Sox and Patriots, I offer this final thought, from The Wire’s great warrior poet Omar Little: “you come at the king, you best not miss.”

 

Blessing In Disguise– Gaining From a Loss

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Well folks, if you are like me, I’ll bet you are glad that the first game is over.  The Pats got a slice of humble pie that I believe they needed.  On a positive note, I believe that the loss to KC will prove a true blessing in disguise.

FOXBORO, MA – SEPTEMBER 07: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts on the sideline during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on September 7, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Why I Think the Loss Will Help Us

The loss to the Chiefs at Gillette on September 7th was more than a little disheartening to Patriots’ fans. A large portion of Patriot Nation already planned out the SB route for next February. Even before we had played one quarter.  I believe some of the players believed the hype, even though Coach Belichick would definitely say otherwise.  There are reasons you play the games, because anything can happen.  The Patriots lost, Hightower and Amendola before the last play and it looked like all was lost.  To tell the truth, it made it evident to fans and even coaches that the Patriots had some work to do.

I believe the media can be blamed as culprits for starting the perfect season pressure for the 2017 season.  With the loss to the Chiefs, the Patriots just have to go out and play their games.  The pressure  to win to keep up the undefeated string went up in musket smoke, as did “dreaming the impossible dream”.  By not having that large monkey hanging off their backs, the Pats may just run the table now out of sheer determination.

What The Loss Will Show Us About The Patriots

This recent loss will truly be a blessing to the coaching staff of the Pats because they will constantly remind the players of it.  Knowing players like Brady, Amendola, Hightower, and many others, they just want to get back to winning. The loss will also show us that the team will have to go back to “Patriot Fundamentals” and just “do their job”.  Not trying to do too much or something that is just not your strength  got the team wrapped around the axle.  Brady firing the bomb way too often, and running up the middle without extra blockers  —  just a couple of examples of what I’m talking about.

Anyone who knows me also knows that when the Patriots’ offense slows down, I’m always screaming the same thing at the TV.  “Go to up tempo no huddle” and whenever we do, it succeeds.  The offense finds a rhythm and the opposing defense just ends up being gassed.  This stops them from putting up much of a challenge.  That would be our savior on one side of the football, but our defense may need more tweaking than that.

 

HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on from the sideline during the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

What The Defense Can Learn From The Loss

We saw more than a few little gaps exposed on the Patriots’ defensive unit during the loss against Kansas City.  It is very evident to myself that Dont’a Hightower is truly the key to our defense.  His role became painfully evident when he left     the game.   Other players and the coaches could truly see that for themselves.  A solid effort is going to be required by the defensive unit this week against the Saints.   Getting pressure on Drew Brees is always the key, and the Minnesota Vikings did a great job of that this week.  Getting QB pressure has been challenging for the Patriots’ defense.  The D unit is going to have to find a way this week to get the W,.

How do you get pressure on the QB when you are struggling to do so?  That’s easy in my opinion.   You do things that your opponent does not expect.  If you bring pressure on Brees from the safeties, corners, or even blitz LBs up the middle at unexpected times you will have success.  The key to this?   Getting in Drew Brees’ face.

I believe the running game for the Saints should be non-existent if our D-line plays the way we know they can.  Forced into the passing game, the defense has to hurry Brees. The defense also has to cover the backs out of the backfield.  Those are Brees’ safety valves,  lacking a multitude of other offensive weapons to bail him out.  By blitzing, it will be difficult for Brees to use his other reliable safety valve of Colby Fleener.  Fleener would be required to block for Brees or risk getting him creamed..

 

All Is Not Lost

Everyone soon will see that the loss against the Chiefs was a true blessing in disguise for the Patriots.  No more listening to the reporters and analysts go on about the flawless season, and if it can be kept up.  Listening to the coaches and knowing that if you all “do your job” than this team should win.  I truly believe we have a great chance of this team hoisting another Lombardi trophy in Minnesota next February.  Do not give up hope.   e have the best leaders in the sport on this team.  Let’s go Patriots!

Check out more stories on the Patriots at www.BostonSportsExtra.com by myself and our other great writers.

 Edelman’s Unexpected Replacement

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Pats fans, please follow me @StevenViner1 and I will follow you back. Oh and I ALWAYS answer questions!

The Patriots good health lasted about as long as Bill Belichick contemplating a rap career.

Not only was I on board for the 19-0 train, I shoveled the coal, I was the conductor, I wore a silly little hat to collect tickets. Of course, a prediction like this is predicated on good health. You can’t lose a top-five player for the year and expect to achieve perfection. Tom Brady, Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski, Dont’a Hightower, Trey Flowers — all irreplaceable in some way.

A Jule lost from the crown

When GQ Edelman went down with a torn ACL, a mass celebration erupted amongst Patriots Haters. They did their white-boy dance to Abba’s Dancing Queen like a drunk uncle at a wedding. They whiffed on their nerdy high-fives. They grabbed the ball that they took home every time the game didn’t go their way, and went back out to do what they always do … play by themselves. When they were kids, mom tied a pork chop around their neck so the dog would play with them. Mom would say to these ass-clowns, “You don’t need friends, Little Joey. I’ll be your friend!” Pathetic. These people are losers. Because let’s face it, that’s what losers do—they root for the Express train known at the Patriots to get injuries.

Let me tell you what I am not all aboard on—the Patriots’ fans mantra of “Next man up.” Unless a clutch-gene-injected-27-year-old-big-testies Wes Welker walks through the doors at Gillette Stadium, there is no replacement for Edelman. So who could possibly try to make up for Julian’s production? The answer is not Tom Brady, and it is not a wide receiver.

Being Brady’s Brain

The #1 reason why Brady is the best quarterback in the league against the blitz is his mind. His ability to read the defense pre-snap, and ultra-quick decision making after the snap make blitzing him as useful as Johnny Manziel attending church. The best slot receiver in NFL history, Julian Edelman, was reason #2. No one in the NFL gets open as quickly as #11. He’s Brady’s fail safe.

When the defense and coverage challenge Brady, he simply looked to Jackrabbit Julian, and waited the .002 seconds it took for him to juke away from his defender before tossing a strike for the first down. Brandin Cooks is physically the closest to emulating Edelman’s ability, (Cooks’ shuttle times at the combine were exceptional) but he’s not a slot receiver. Danny Amendola is a good slot receiver who does nothing but catch big passes in big games, but he can’t shake defenders the way Edelman could. Hogan and Mitchell are terrific receivers, and Dorsett is as fast as Cooks, but there is a difference between fast, and quick.

It’s why every receiver who runs a 4.2 forty is not a success. Straightaway speed is great. But if you can’t cut on a dime, and run precision routes, you better stop by Walmart and pick up a spatula to flip burgers, because you won’t last in the NFL. It won’t be a player who replaces Edelman, but playerSSSSS. (Plural.)

Who will make up for the loss of Edelman? Nate Solder, Joe Thuney, David Andrews, Shaq Mason, and Marcus Canon.

Five for the cost of, well… five

Brady’s brain and quick release along with Edelman’s ability to get open in the blink-of-an-eye had covered up for the Patriots offensive line’s deficiencies. When one of the Buddha-bellies whiffed on a block, it went unnoticed by Brady, consistently getting rid of the ball before the pass-rusher destroyed him. I know this from my obsession with re-watching Patriots games several times and focusing on line of scrimmage play. Brady bails these guys out … a lot.

But there’s hope.

In 2016-2017, the O-line showed incredible improvement over the previous year. So, if the O-line has to take another step forward, and give the G.O.A.T. quarterback a consistent, extra second to survey the field.  Give their new deep-threat toys a chance to get open, and the Patriots should survive without Edelman.

THE TRAIN IS RUNNING AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

Look for a drop in the Patriots’ 3rd down conversion numbers from last year, but the total points to rise from more big plays. IF the big boys up front can build a Great Wall of Foxboro around TB12. Patriots Haters may want to leave the basement and head upstairs, see if mom bought any more pork chops for Fido across the street, because it’s gonna be another loooooong winter outside of New England.

If the O-line doesn’t step up, the New England Patriots Express could get derailed, and lose a game or two. Bye-bye 19-0. Guess Patriots fans will have to settle for a sixth Super Bowl Championship with a 17-2 record. Bear down, Pats fans. Tough times are ahead … tough times indeed.

Pats fans, please follow me @StevenViner1 and I will follow you back. Oh and I ALWAYS answer questions!

Roger That !! Goodell Scores a Five-Year Contract Extension

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Imagine this if you will.   Just visualize the insanity I speak of.  As the chairman of a large corporation, you have a great relationship with your board but a lousy one with all of your other employees. Probably not the recipe for a rather large contract extension you would not think? Only in the bizarro world that is the NFL would this craziness ever actually take place.

Despite all of the chaos that has occurred in the back offices, in court, and on the field, Roger Goodell has received a five year contract extension through the 2024 NFL season. Looks like money talks to the owners, really all they care about in NFL world. The extension starts at the end of his current contract, which runs out in 2019. Terms were not directly disclosed, but it is thought to be for around 40-42 million dollars annually (sorry that is not a misprint).

Goodell Still Has The Owner’s Support

Goodell took on probably the two most powerful owners in the NFL in Kraft and Jones.  But that does not seem to have cracked the foundation holding up that giant inflated head of Goodell. The owners appear to be solidly on Goodell’s side as long as the NFL machine continues to make money.

Both of Goodell’s run-ins with the Patriots (I won’t even say anything about, this I promise) and the Cowboys involved player suspensions. I personally thought that the owners would turn on Goodell like a pack of wolves with these suspensions. Brady’s four-game sentence came right out of the Dark Ages, requiring no proof if the Overlord (that’s Goodell by the way) wants things to happen a certain way. That’s enough of the old wound, Pats’ fans. The suspension that the NFL and mainly Goodell levied against Ezekiel Elliott seemed along the same lines, in my opinion. Elliott avoided a  criminal offence charge, but the NFL forged ahead with a six-game suspension. I am not saying that Elliott is a model citizen, but six games seems like a hefty suspension without the man even getting criminally charged. If the Overlord wants it to happen, then damn it make it happen, he says. Let’s not forget the  whole “Bountygate” fiasco where Goodell hung the entire Saints organization out to dry because he felt like he should.  Ridiculous.

Show Me The Money

The NFL has taken a hit in the ratings department recently, but that does not stop the cash from flowing into the NFL vault. The league makes bushels from TV rights, merchandise sales, multimedia rights, and ticket sales, the rationale for owners signing Goodell to the whopping extension. If the owners are making money and Goodell takes the flak for all of the stupid moves he makes, then they will welcome him with open arms.

Another reason that Goodell gets the owners’ blessings?  There will likely be labor unrest when the current CBA ends in 2021. Goodell and the owners previously locked out the players and hammered out a deal that has benefited the owners handsomely. The players got screwed in the current CBA and the owners made out like champs, and this is what the owners are hoping for again. I will bet you that the whole mess of guaranteed contracts will be the stickiest point for the two sides to deal with, That will be a nasty negotiation and may require a long work stoppage.

Can The Clown Negotiate A New TV Deal?

Goodell’s biggest challenge, outside of the new CBA, will be negotiating the new TV contracts for the NFL. The cable companies have crapped the bed and only the major networks will be carrying around any cash for the NFL. I do not see how they will be offering the enormous dollar figures that the league has become accustomed to. Let’s see how Goodell will spin that around to make it look like someone else’s fault.

To sum things up, you can be a gem of a person to your immediate superiors who are the NFL owners and you will receive a great new contract. It does not matter that you treat the actual employees of the company (the players) like a herd of cattle.  Goodell does not believe that the growing body of evidence that playing football causes head injuries has merit.  This fact alone makes Goodell a major idiot in my books. How can you deny something so obvious?   Simply ridiculous to believe otherwise. Oh yeah, because the owners want him to think that way. Goodell might be an ass, but he is a rich one that is way up the owners’ butts.

Recap of the Patriots’ First Preseason Win in Detroit

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Tonight’s game was a bittersweet game for the Patriots as they earned their first victory of the preseason against the Detroit Lions. Players showed evident improvement this week as they continue to prepare for the regular season.

A fast-paced start from the Patriots’ starting offense was quickly brought to a halt, at the sound of a whistle for an injury timeout. Julian Edelman went down in the opening minutes of the first quarter with an apparent knee injury and was shortly carted off into the locker room.

Ian Rapoport and mutliple sources have reported after the game’s conclusion that Edelman has suffered a torn ACL, and will undergo an MRI in the days to come.

With Edelman’s season likely over prematurely, fellow wide receivers Chris Hogan and Danny Amendola are expected to step up. Whoever takes over the role left vacant by Julian Edelman will likely run more complicated routes in the middle of the field, rather than simple fly routes like Brandin Cooks.

On a more optimistic note, on the other side of the field, the Patriots’ defensive starters showed marked improvement in this game compared to their last two matchups. Stephon Gilmore had a great performance early in the game, while only batting down a pass and recording a tackle he showed success in covering his assignment. The starting defense as a whole made key stops in order to shut out the Lions starters in the first quarter.

The backup defense appeared better this week, but the secondary squad allowed a comeback in the second half against the Lions starters. The influx of points let up by the backup squad was expected by Coach Belichick, but he saw it as a challenge for them.

Overall, the Patriots are showing the growth and development needed to live up to their high expectations this season.

New England Patriots v Detroit Lions : News Photo