The Patriots will have a new defensive coordinator for 2019
News story: In a move that has been widely anticipated for weeks, the Patriots are moving towards adding Greg Schiano to their coaching staff, with @globejimmcbride reporting it will be as defensive coordinator. https://t.co/kTGYIP0h03
The New England Patriots will have a new defensive coordinator for the 2019 season. According to the Boston Globe, Greg Schiano will take that role. The Patriots didn’t have a defensive coordinator for 2018 as Brian Flores was the defensive play caller. With Flores now the head coach of the Miami Dolphins it was rumored for weeks that Schiano would take the role as defensive coordinator. Schiano has been friends with Belichick for a long time. Schiano coached Belichick’s son Steve at Rutgers. He also coached Devin McCourty, Jason McCourty, and Duron Harmon.
Greg Schiano has famailarity with the coach and some players on the team
Belichick as always supported Schiano and called him a great coach. “I think Greg’s a tremendous coach, I’ve learned an awful lot from him. Had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with him when he was at Rutgers. … He’s one of the very best coaches in our profession. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Greg and the way he runs the program and the job he does.” Belichick said this around the time reports came out about Schiano’s connection with the Penn State scandal involving Jerry Sandusky.
Devin McCourty once called Schiano a tougher coach then Belichick. After him hinting about retirement during Super Bowl week it’ll be interesting to see if McCourty decides to play next season under Schiano. “Toughest coach I’ve ever played for. I don’t know, maybe I should say Bill because then he might feel better and think he’s tougher on us. I don’t know if this will get me in trouble, but I’m going go to go with Coach Schiano.” McCourty said in 2014 on NESN Live.
His brother Jason McCourty also called Schiano a tough coach to play for when McCourty got here last off season. “He can be a tough guy to play for but the one thing you’re always going to respect about Coach Schiano is the way that he worked.” Jason McCourty said at the time. Schiano comes to a championship environment with familiarity with the coach and some of the players. He could be also here to groom Steve Belichick who is a coach to become the defensive coordinator someday.
There was no way a 33 year old rookie coach was going to outcoach the greatest of all time. Sean McKay admitted after the game that he was outcoached. This was Bill Belichick’s second best defensive performance in a Super Bowl since the first one. Belichick’s defensive strategy to pressure Goff and make him throw passes into coverage was outstanding. I haven’t seen this good of a defensive performance since the early 2000 Super Bowls.
Early saying goes defense wins championships. The defense played a huge part in those early Super Bowl wins, from Teddy Bruschi to newly elected Hall Of Famer Ty Law. In 2014 the defense came up big with a Malcolm Butler interception to win Super Bowl 49. When Belichick benched Butler before last year’s Super Bowl he took so much heat for it. Now this year he put a plan together to give them the best chance to win.
Bill Belichick made up for last year’s loss
Belichick made a defensive plan that Sean McVay wasn’t expecting. Jared Goff and the offense couldn’t get anything going. Goff threw to Cooks a few times but other than that the Patriots were shutting everything down. Hightower had a great game, and so did Kyle Van Knoy. After Chung got hurt Jason McCourty was all over the field. Gilmore had that great interception to end the game as the Rams were driving. They only allowed three points against the second-ranked offense in the league.
The Patriots will be back next year
Again Belichick made up from last year’s bad Super Bowl defensive performance. People saying the game was boring don’t realize that it was a defensive battle with one team having the greatest quarterback of all time. After those back to back losses in December, they needed to find an identity. Well, they found it at the right time. They demolished the Chargers, put up a fight against Kansas City, and played a great defensive game with the Rams.
Watching Sean McVay call plays on offense is like watching someone paint. True art, beautiful design, Sean McVay is a true innovator. All someone needs to be a head coach these days is have a cup of coffee with him. Let’s take a look into what McVay does best and how Flores and Belichick can stop him.
McVay and his misdirections
To start, McVay makes a living off of misdirections and different offensive line shifts. This freezes the second and third levels of the defense. Against the Saints, he called play actions and pulled his guards to one side of the field, then had Goff throw to the opposite side. This froze the linebackers and forced them to go up and play the run, while his receivers quickly got open. This will be hard for the Patriots to defend against as they will be looking to stop the rushing attack early. Expect these tricky play action passes early in the game to try and create uncertainty for that Patriots defense.
Stop the run
One key for the Patriots will be stopping the Rams in 11 personnel (one runningback and one tight end). The Rams run out of that personnel at the highest rate in the NFL, and will look to find success out of that formation early. The goal is to unleash their play action pass, which is their forte, and a weakness of the Patriots. The Eagles early establishment of their run game last year was extremely detrimental to the Patriots defense, and ended up deciding the game. That defense could not stop a nosebleed. Hopefully history does not repeat itself. Expect the Patriots to take the ball to start the game if they can. They want to dictate the game and make the Rams play catch up with them. Both teams will want to start fast, put points on the board, and expose the other team’s defense early.
Belichick’s starting alignment
Belichick will likely start the defense by lining up one defensive tackle in the A-gap and then another in the B-gap. Look for the defensive starters to look something like Flowers, Butler, Guy, and then the surprising Adrian Clayborn. Belichick will likely line up both ends in a seven or nine technique off the very edge of the tackles to establish the edge. This will force Gurley and Anderson inside. This will also keep Goff in the pocket and give him struggles, as he has struggled identifying edge pressure before.
Fighting against the misdirections and nifty play action McVay calls will not be easy. Although the Bears and Lions had success with the strategy of straight up ignoring it earlier this season.
Will McVay be enough?
The key will be stopping the run early to prevent Los Angeles from really digging into their playbook in that first half. Winning the first half will be key for the Patriots to win as getting into a shootout with this Rams team is not something anyone wants to do. The good news is the gameplan has been similar for the Patriots in both playoff games. If the Patriots can stick to the gameplan on defense and start hot, McVay and his genius mind will not be enough to finish on top.
From Malcolm Butler to David Tyree to Tracy Porter, Super Bowls are often home to small time players making gargantuan plays. Butler’s pick, Tyree’s catch (that shouldn’t have been a catch if the referees called ‘in-the-grasp’ on Manning before the throw, but water under the bridge), and Porter’s pick-six on Peyton Manning are some of the many examples of this. These are the players that don’t get an entire segment dedicated to them on NFL Network. They don’t get the most popular podium on Opening Night, or even any podium for that matter. But, these players, or X-factors, are more often than not the heroes of the Super Bowl.
The Patriots and Rams are both star-studded on either side of the ball. Names like: Aaron Donald, Julian Edelman, Todd Gurley, Stephon Gilmore are just a few of the Pro-Bowlers on both rosters. Players of this caliber are expected to show up, have a big game, and be in the running for Super Bowl MVP.
However, every so often, a player on the bottom of the depth chart comes out of nowhere. They come off the bench and can either be the hero or the villain who isn’t welcomed back into the city afterwards. This is usually the difference between a team winning and a team losing. There are of course blowout games like Super Bowl 48 where Seattle didn’t need any depth players to come through. Although, as Patriots fans, we know to not expect a blowout in the Super Bowl. X-factors will be needed in this Super Bowl for both teams, the question is who are these players?
Will another Malcolm Butler type player show up in Super Bowl 53?
Here’s a list of some of the potential X-factors for both teams that could shape how this game turns out:
Rex Burkhead, RB Patriots
Off the bat, you may think Burkhead doesn’t fit the description of an X-factor. He is of course coming off a two touchdown game against the Chiefs in the title game. However, when you take a closer look at that game, Burkhead didn’t play so well. He had 41 yards on 12 attempts and was stopped on a crucial fourth down in the fourth quarter. It wasn’t until the end of the game where Rex really began to break through with the two TD runs.
Against the Rams, expect Sony Michel to get a majority of the touches when the Patriots are in the “I” formation and when Tom Brady goes under center. The Patriots have had a lot of success with Michel in these packages the past few games and shouldn’t deviate too much. James White will once again be the primary third down back, being more of a receiver than runner.
So where does that leave Burkhead? In the past, he has been used either when Michel needed a break or in specific circumstances. He won’t get the number of touches that Michel will, but it’s what he can do with his touches that make him an X-factor. The Rams will be prepared for Michel’s style of running and should have a plan in place to stop him. If Burkhead can come in with some different looks on offense and gain chunks of yards, that will be a huge difference in how the Patriots offense runs.
Rex Burkhead scored two go-ahead touchdowns in the AFC title game and needs to replicate that performance to set up the Patriots offense.
Josh Reynolds, WR Rams
Los Angeles has quietly one of the best wide receiver tandems in the NFL with Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks. Cooks, as most Patriots fans know, is incredibly fast and a legitimate deep threat. Woods is a terrific complement to Cooks with the way he’s able to get separation in the slot, similar to Edelman. New England should have a similar gameplan in place to deal with Cooks as they did with Tyreek Hill. One cornerback lined up with Cooks with immediate safety help over the top is the look I would expect. With Woods, Stephon Gilmore should be able to shadow him effectively.
Next on the Rams depth chart: Josh Reynolds. Reynolds hasn’t had a monster year, garnering just over 400 yards, but it’s not his stats that are worrisome. He stands at 6’3″ and will likely not be given a whole lot of attention compared to the other two LA receivers. 4 years ago in Super Bowl 49, New England faced a similar threat in Chris Matthews. He was third or fourth on Seattle’s depth chart but made play after play thanks to his height and Kyle Arrington covering him.
Jason McCourty or J.C. Jackson will likely draw the responsibility of guarding Reynolds. Jared Goff has been trusting him more and more this postseason and if he has a big game, it could spell disaster for New England.
Samson Ebukam, LB Rams
Linebacker isn’t one of the Rams strongest positions on the defensive side. Pro-Bowler (for special teams) Cory Littleton is their best linebacker, but other than that there’s not too much overflowing talent. However, one of Tom Brady’s weakest points in his game is his inability at times to see the cover linebacker. Last week in the AFC title game he threw a pick directly to linebacker Reggie Ragland in the endzone. In Super Bowl 49 Bobby Wagner intercepted Brady and two weeks before in the AFC title game D’Qwell Jackson jumped in front of a ball meant for Gronk (which started Deflategate).
Samson Ebukam is an outside, cover linebacker for the Rams that nearly picked off Dak Prescott in the Divisional round. He has multiple touchdowns on the year, two against Kansas City, and is very quick moving. Given the right situation, he has the potential to cause Brady some trouble with Wade Phillips calling the plays.
Samson Ebukam has a couple of interceptions on the season so Tom Brady will need to be on the lookout for number 50.
Deatrich Wise Jr. or Adrian Clayborn, DE Patriots
So far in the postseason Deatrich Wise Jr. has been inactive. Against the Chargers he had a nagging ankle injury but he was a healthy scratch for the AFC title game. Adrian Clayborn got the nod over him and played decent, but didn’t make any spectacular plays.
In order for the Patriots to keep having the pass rush success they’ve been having, they need to get more productivity from the other DE position. Trey Flowers can’t do it all by himself, even though at times he seems like he can. Whoever is active between the two, because its been one or the other thus far, needs to get to Goff. He isn’t a running quarterback so there should be no excuse for not pressuring him.
Rushing the passer is the main reason the Patriots have had so much success on defense this postseason. If they want to take home the Lombardi, they will need to find a way past the Rams offensive line. Accomplish that, and L.A. head coach Sean McVay will be sweating in his khakis.
Tom Brady entered Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles coming off one of the best seasons in his hall of fame career. Just seizing his third MVP trophy and on the verge of his sixth super bowl ring. Then on February 4th, 2018 the world came collapsing around Brady and the Patriots. Despite throwing for over five hundred yards Tom Brady saw his chance at another Super Bowl ring slip right through his fingers. As Nick Foles hoisted the Lombardy trophy controversy surrounded the Patriots following the benching of number one corner Malcolm Butler. During the legendary dynasty of the Patriots there have been devastating losses but none had eve felt like this one did, this loss cut deep.
The offseason only validated the divide inside of the walls of Gillete Stadium. Thirty one of thirty two quarterbacks showed up for voluntary passing camp and OTAS the only one who did not Tom Brady. The once brushed aside story of a crack in the foundation of the Patriots dynasty had become a reality. Belichick and Brady very much seemed at odds as Bill traded away Brandon Cooks, and let one of Brady’s most reliable targets in Danny Amendola walk away in free agency. As the season came along it was hard not to think that the dynasty was coming to a close.
Tom Brady was quoted saying that “this team needs a great quarterback”. The question however remained could the aging legend still be a great quarterback? For much of the regular season Brady looked like a 41 year old quarterback. He seemed slow on his reads, he was not stepping into his throws the way he use to, and was ducking out of throws to avoid contact even when it was not imminent. Brady finished the season with 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on route to leading the Patriots to an 11-5 record. The team appeared to be mentally soft going 3-5 on the road. Losing to the dreads of the league in the Lions, Jaguars, and Dolphins. With a home divisional game against the 12-4 Chargers around the corner the Patriots appeared to be in danger of a first round exit.
As the Patriots walked out of the tunnels onto the turf of Gillete Stadium in front of a sold out crowd it was hard not to remember what Brady said about this team “it needs a great quarterback”. That statement remained true and despite an up and down season Brady came out of the tunnel with one goal. To be the best player on the field for the next sixty minutes. The Patriots went onto to embarrass the Chargers jumping out to a 35-7 halftime lead. They became the first team to score a touchdown on its first four offensive drives in a postseason game. After the Patriots 41-28 playoff win Brady stood on the field during a postgame interview with CBS letting the world know that the Patriots heard the noise. Brady embraced the underdog roll saying “I know everyone thinks we suck, and can’t win any games,”. What lied ahead was a trip to Arrowhead stadium to face the prolific Chiefs offense and rookie sensation Patrick Mahomes. a game that everyone expect the Patriots thought they would lose.
Following a season where the Patriots had proven they could not win on the road consistently. Winning a game in the most hostile environment in the NFL seemed all but impossible. Tom Brady showed everyone once again why picking against him is asking for trouble. Leading his less talented roster to an overtime victory and a chance at redemption. Converting three consecutive third down throws setting up Rex Burkhead’s eventual walk off touchdown. 364 days filled with drama and controversy. 364 days of thinking about the one title that got away.
The Patriots and Tom Brady will have a chance to play for the Lombardi trophy against the Rams exactly nineteen years after winning their first one. No one can predict what will happen on Sunday. But if the Rams are going to win this game they are going to have to give up their lives. Since Brady has giving up his already.
Opening night at the Super Bowl is the new Media Day. Both teams have an hour to speak to all the media throughout the world. They are asked questions about everything from the game to their favorite food. The Rams were first and they just seem happy to be there. I don’t see that desire they want it bad enough like the Patriots do. Jared Goff looks caught up in the moment and so does head coach Sean McVay. They were introduced individually while the Patriots were introduced as a team. Remember in Super Bowl XXXVI the Patriots started the custom of being introduced as a team.
The Patriots are ready to play on Sunday
The Patriots look loose and ready to go. Rob Gronkowski was dancing before being introduced, which could be his last time at opening night. They all seemed relaxed and not caught up in the moment. Bill Belichick was dressed in a suit proving that this is a business trip and there’s still work to do on Sunday. Devin McCourty hinted that he could retire after the Super Bowl after winning with his brother, there’s really nothing else that would top that. Brady loves the haters saying “What do we do about the haters? We love ‘em, We love them back because we don’t hate back. We appreciate it, we love them, and we wish them the best in their life.”
This is nothing new to this Patriots team which gives them the edge. Also, this is a home game for them. Tom Brady got the biggest ovation from the crowd and Jared Goff looked nervous sitting right next to him. Brady wasn’t about to give Goff any advice for being in his first Super Bowl. Goff was only seven when the Patriots won back in 2002. Aquib Talib and Tom Brady joked about when Talib was in at receiver one time during practice.
The Patriots don’t care too much what people think or say. They just show up and perform on the field on Sunday. But the Rams look uptight while the Patriots look loose and ready to go.
February 3rd, 2002 the favored St. Louis Rams and the underdog New England Patriots were about to play in the Super Bowl. It was a red, white, and blue themed Super Bowl after 9/11. America was coming together as Patriots to defend their Country from terrorism, and the New England Patriots were looking for their first Super Bowl win in franchise history. The Patriots had a new coach in Bill Belichick, and a new quarterback named Tom Brady. Little did they know they were about to make history. They were the first team to ever be introduced as a team during the Super Bowl. The Rams were introduced individually. Throughout that whole game, the Patriots played with passion and knew they could win it. A last minute drive from Tom Brady and a game-winning kick from Adam Vinatieri would win the game for the Patriots and mark the beginning of the greatest dynasty in sports.
Silence Of The Rams Again
On Sunday it’s part two of these two teams meeting in the Super Bowl. A lot has happened since these two last met. This will be Tom Brady’s ninth Super Bowl appearance, including Super Bowl XXXVI. Brady has emerged as the greatest quarterback to ever play the position. His numbers haven’t dropped and his performance level is still elite. The St. Louis Rams are now the Los Angeles Rams, and had 5,000 fans at their sendoff rally. The Patriots had about 35,000 at their sendoff rally. After the first Super Bowl win the fan base has grown up not afraid to root for the team because they win so much.
This time the Rams have no Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Tory Holt or even Issac Bruce. They have a young coach in Sean McVay, a young quarterback Jared Goff, Brandin Cooks, Aaron Donald and Aqib Talib. The Patriots have had the same style of play for almost two decades and it all started with that first Super Bowl. Before the Patriots won their first Super Bowl they were a laughing stock in the NFL, but not anymore. Now, a perfect storybook ending would be for Brady to retire at the end as it started with the Rams. But he’s not going anywhere. He’s still here, Belichick is still here, and the New England Patriots are still here.
The Greatest Leader in sports-Tom Brady is going back to his 9th Super Bowl. Brady’s gone from the 199th pick in the draft, to arguably the greatest Athlete of all time. Brady’s play on the field is well documented, and his numbers are historic. The country has watched him grow as a player since 2001 and he’s gotten even better with age. Tom Brady could have 2 HOF careers, 2001-2007 and 2007-2018. It’s incredible what he has accomplished, and he has this team hungry to atone for last years’ Super Bowl loss.
Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Brady Is A Born Leader
Tom Brady has been a leader for the Patriots since his first start. Troy Brown was asked when he knew Brady was going to be great: “When Tom came to the huddle in Super Bowl 36.” Brown says “He was calm and said let’s go win this, I could see it in his eyes and I knew we were going to win.”
The Pats did drive down the field to win, just as Brown thought after seeing Brady’s leadership in the huddle. Tom was young back then, trying to lead players older than him. Brady recently has been dealt a new challenge. Leading players who are much younger than himself, and he’s done it for years now. This year in particular is amazing, with no teammates being over 15 years old when Brady won his first ring. Brady is just a born leader, and he’s found a way to reach every teammate, young or old.
Players Talking Tom Terrific
As New England is preparing for another Super Bowl, players are raving about Brady. Jason McCourty puts it best on why Brady is such a great leader: “After the game, you see Tom’s excited to celebrate with the offense, with the defense, with the special teams guys.” McCourty continues, “Obviously for a guy like Tom, this guy is the GOAT, you’ve seen him do it so many times that sometimes you take it for granted.”
The way Brady knows everyone from Gronk to practice squad players is truly amazing. Brady’s leadership quality is overlooked nationally, but not by his teammates.
One player who’s spent the least amount of time with Brady is Obi Melifonwu, who grew up a Patriots fan and is now a teammate of Tom’s, describes his quarterback: “He’s such a great leader. I can’t even say enough about his character and the type of guy he is, on and off the field. He’s the type of guy you want to play for.”
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Leading New Players, Young Players Or Vets…No Problem
Another new teammate Trent Brown: “He’s a great leader and it trickles down to the rest of the team.” Brown also said there’s one word that sums up all of Brady’s accomplishments: “There’s one word, GOAT, that’s it.”
Josh McDaniels said: “Brady is the first guy in the building to know a persons name.” Tom Brady is a living legend, yet somehow finds a way to connect with every player. Phillip Dorsett said: “We all know he’s much older than everyone in the locker room, but we do what we can to keep him young.”
The living legend was asked how he connects with every player so well: “I just play the role I can given the person and what I think they need at the moment.” Brady added: “It could be a rookie. It could be a veteran.”
The age gap this year is as big as it’s ever been, and Brady has mastered the art of relating to different generations.
Being a leader isn’t just about winning, it’s about being relatable, taking time to get to know your teammates, and no ones ever done it better than Tom Brady.
The National Media Does Have Bias Against The Patriots
During the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, a green laser was pointing toward Tom Brady in the fourth quarter. The only media attention is that the NFL is investigating. Colin Cowherd from Fox Sports One put it the best. If that happened to Patrick Mahomes in Foxborough it would lead every major news station. Spygate and deflategate lasted years because the Patriots are disliked nationally, because they always win. If that happened to a less popular quarterback it would be a nonstory. People want the Patriots to lose, and if there’s a chance the Patriots have controversy it’s the top story on ESPN.
Imagine A Laser Was Pointing at Patrick Mahomes in Foxborough
The media’s bias towards the Patriots gives them fuel to go out and keep winning. They don’t care that Max Kellerman said Brady is falling off a cliff. Or Trent Dilfer said Brady isn’t good anymore. They take what people say and shut them up on the field. Also, the media also makes excuses saying the Patriots were lucky to beat the Chiefs. It isn’t luck the Patriots make the right plays to win, and Kansas City went offsides on a Brady interception. Kellerman saying its luck the Patriots won that game needs to have a reality check. Rob Parker from Fox Sports One called Brady the LOAT, Luckiest Of All Time. It’s not luck, it’s knowing how to be clutch in big games.
What Controversy?
If Kansas City won the game Sunday nobody would be saying they were lucky. If Kansas City was playing with deflated footballs it would be a non story. Also, if another quarterback or team is caught with a controversy it’s a non story. The Seahawks have been fined $400,00, and lost a fifth round draft pick in 2017. They violated team practice rules in the off-season. That barley got any coverage, maybe just a mention. Also, the NFL shut down any debate of the Steelers using deflated footballs during the preseason. All of this proves the deflategate nonsense from 2014 was because it was the Patriots.
The bias with the media will always be there, because it’s the Patriots.
The Patriots are headed to another Super Bowl for the fourth time in five years. Tom Brady is the only quarterback ever to make good receivers great in big spots. Chris Hogan and Phillip Dorsett, who have been absent all season, were great when it mattered the most. That offensive line was also exceptional in protecting Brady throughout the game. Then Brady found Edelman on those third downs in overtime to keep the drive alive, were was Edelman elite and clutch again.
Brady’s swagger is hated around the country, except for Patriot fans. He takes what people say and uses it as motivation. He even said he’s the baddest mother (bleeper) on the planet. He’s earned the right to be cocky, going to the Super Bowl for the 9th time in his career. He went to Kraft and said drafting him was the best decision this organization has ever made as soon he was drafted. Boy was Brady right.
Whether it’s 17-17 in Super Bowl XXXVI with just over a minute left, down 28-3 to the Falcons in Super Bowl LI, or the back and forth game in this years AFC Championship. There’s no other quarterback I’d rather have than Tom Brady. However, Patrick Mahomes is second. The kid has talent and will have a great career in the NFL.
Brady’s calmness with the game on the line is something you might never see again
Brady’s calmness in the pocket with the game on the line is insane. The pressure doesn’t phase him, and puts it in the guys minds to take it one play at a time. Belichick wouldn’t want to have any other quarterback than Tom Brady. Brady wouldn’t want to have any other coach than Bill Belichick.
The Patriots are the Yankees of football, and Brady is the Derek Jeter of the Patriots. If you want to say Bill Belichick is the Joe Torre of football you can. He puts a team together every year to make a run for a championship. Everybody hates them because they always find ways to win every single year. Sorry America Brady, Gronkowski, and the Patriots are still here.
