Looking at the Patriots - 2018

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How about stop getting cute and just drill it out of the EZ?

#noneedforkickoffspecialists

#morerosterbodiesthatcontribute
 
Gumpboy45 said:
Mike Reiss
ESPN Staff Writer
The Patriots have signed veteran free-agent LB Ramon Humber, who is at practice today wearing No. 50. Humber, 31, has carved out a niche in the NFL as a top special-teams player and was with the Patriots in the 2016 offseason. Improving special-teams coverage is a top priority for the Patriots as they evaluate the team at the bye week.
Click to expand...

http://www.nfl.com/player/ramonhumber/2507644/profile
 
The biggest problem this year . Has been consistently they looked great for few games. Then serious struggled in others . All you have to do is look at lions , Bills , jags , bears & Titans game .
 
Smart article


When the New England Patriots’ reign as one of the top teams in the NFL comes to an end, we will not know it immediately. There have been so many false starts in proclaiming their decline that they are now presented tongue firmly in cheek, as evidenced by a FiveThirtyEight headline this season: “The Patriots Look Finished. So They Will Probably Win The Super Bowl.” Other offshoots of this genre include rounding up all of the times they’ve been declared finished.


New England ends up making a lot of people look stupid, and that is by design. Each season, it has flaws, some of them deep, none of them fatal. The gambit is to be the least flawed team of all the contenders and then win with situational football—a strategy which, if you haven’t noticed, the Patriots succeed with. They’ve been referred to as an Evil Empire, but they operate more like a casino. They maintain a series of tiny advantages over their opponents—scheme, personnel, cap management—and over two decades, like a casino, they’ve won a lot more times than they’ve lost. They made the Super Bowl last season with the worst pass rush in the NFL. They won it the season prior amid concerns about their secondary in late November. In December 2014, their offensive line was said to be their potential downfall. They finished the season as champions. These flaws are a byproduct of the most sensible roster-building scheme in the NFL. It involves eschewing highly paid players in favor of those making middle-of-the-road money, accumulating as many draft picks as possible and knowing exactly the right balance a roster needs to strike.


The Patriots, despite being 7-3, look like an incomplete team. On Sunday they lost 34-10 to the Tennessee Titans, which brought back memories of their uneven September, when they had another horrific loss, 26-10 to the Detroit Lions, during a 1-2 start. That a 7-3 record is panic-inducing is a testament in and of itself, but it’s also part of the process of Patriotsdom. Perfection isn’t part of the plan. The question is: In one of the weirdest NFL seasons in recent years, are the Patriots built to win big? They’ve bent the NFL to their will for so long, but the sport is changing. New England seems out of step in a moment when Drew Brees, Patrick Mahomes II, and Jared Goff are making us rethink what is possible from an NFL offense, much the same way that Brady and the Patriots did in 2007, when they rewrote record books.


Brees has completed less than 60 percent of his passes twice in his past 45 games. Mahomes just ended an eight-game streak of passing for at least 300 yards. Rams coach Sean McVay is a schemelord, and Jared Goff executes those schemes to perfection.

In a season when it’s easier to play offense than at any point in league history, the Patriots are averaging 0.2 yards fewer per play than they did last year. Brady is the league’s worst quarterback against the blitz. But to rule the Patriots out of contention is to fundamentally misunderstand them. First of all, they aren’t exactly the Buffalo Bills, ranking seventh in the NFL in points per game. The low point—the reason Bleacher Report is saying Tom Brady’s decline is “really happening” this time—is the loss to Tennessee. Football Outsiders is dubbing it a “very gradual decline.” The result set New England back in the race for the AFC bye, one game in the loss column behind the Pittsburgh Steelers, and two behind the Kansas City Chiefs.


New England’s roster construction takes on different meaning when you look at the stakes of Super Bowl contention in 2018: Teams have gone all in, and the Patriots have not followed suit. The Rams and Saints have made increasingly aggressive moves to win right now without an eye toward the future. If those teams are the guy at the poker table putting his car keys in the pot, the Patriots are the guy studying charts and playing everything completely by the book. It’s not for everyone. A buzzword when it comes to roster building is “windows.” The Jacksonville Jaguars have a two-year window to win with their defense as currently constructed. The Rams have a three-year window before Goff becomes expensive and some of their luxury items have to go, and the same is true for the Eagles with Carson Wentz. Teams are maximizing their windows. The Patriots have taken a decidedly window-proof approach. Their roster is probably less talented than many of the teams who are “all in” this season—they traded Brandin Cooks for a first-round pick and let Malcolm Butler walk in free agency. They play the percentages. It remains to be seen whether that is enough to beat the best teams in a season like 2018.


Even Brady—who along with coach Bill Belichick has been the NFL’s beacon of consistency—has had these types of struggles before. Last year he had one of the worst five-game stretches of his career. He made it to the Super Bowl, where he played in the most offensively explosive game in football history and could have won it. If you are the type of person who has declared Brady finished, you are also the person who watches James Bond movies, sees him drink a poisoned martini or be targeted with an impending laser, and assumes this is finally it for him. It hasn’t happened yet, and it’s tiring to keep predicting that it will.


New England has very real flaws, including a lack of consistent weapons, a banged-up Rob Gronkowski, and some Brady mistakes that may or may not be prompted by a loss of arm strength. The Patriots aren’t in the top 10 in preventing or gaining passing and rushing yards per game. They rank 31st in punt coverage and 29th in kickoff coverage, which is scandalous for Belichick. No head coach thinks about special teams more, yet his units are flopping. There’s a real case to be made that the Patriots simply aren’t good enough. Then again, that case has been made before, and proved wrong. They might not have the weapons to keep up or the defense to be elite, but consider how they compare with the other elite teams. New England’s defense ranks 16th in DVOA—comfortably ahead of the Rams, Chiefs, and Saints. Those last two teams are 25th and 27th, respectively. The Rams and the Chiefs can’t stop the run (the latter can’t stop the pass either). There is no perfect team, and the Patriots have built a dynasty in part because they understand that. They do nothing incredibly well except be the Patriots, and whether that’s enough in a changing era is a fascinating test.


As Tom Curran pointed out, the Patriots lead the NFL in strength of victory but have lost to some pretty bad teams:


Tom E. Curran ✔ @tomecurran
Here's a weird stat. They lead the NFL in strength of victory by a wide, wide margin. (.568) with wins over KC, Houston and Chicago leading way ... teams they beat are combined 36-23-1.
Losses to three teams that are combined 11-16.
​


You can read this as evidence that the Patriots can hang with good teams—their 43-40 win over Kansas City tells you that—or that they are inconsistent. Belichick, even in his best years, has clunkers. The 2015 team was 10-1 when it lost to an Eagles team that was steamrolling its way toward getting Chip Kelly fired. The 2004 team, which eventually won a Super Bowl, was 12-1 when it inexplicably lost to a 2-11 Miami Dolphins team. This intrigues me more than perhaps any other story line in the second half of the season.



Maybe the Patriots’ strategy of being the least-flawed team will pay off in an era of über-offense and questionable defense. Or maybe they won’t have enough offensive weapons to keep up over three playoff games. We don’t know, but that’s sort of the point too. With the Patriots you can never rule anything out. That’s the plan.


https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2018/...om-brady-bill-belichick-super-bowl-contention
 
Here's a formation that McVay uses frequently in the Rams offense with great success bc it's versatile for runs to either side or passes to the left, right or middle in the short to intermediate zone. It also keeps the pass rush honest. I bet BB is paying attention.



DsGqPCAXgAEut9M.jpg
 
Do you know Jack Easterby?

He's the Pats' Character Coach - Jack Easterby is the glue that holds the players together & the players love him.



Wide receiver Josh Gordon is an example of a player who, since joining the Patriots in a September trade from Cleveland, has relied regularly on Easterby for moral support.
“Jack’s been huge with helping me move in, get acclimated to the city, to the environment,” Gordon admits. “He’s been hands-on, very hands-on, [which] kind of just made this whole process that much easier for me. [I’m] really appreciative of him.”
Among the first people any player meets in the Patriots organization is Easterby, who isn’t afraid to speak plainly by offering encouragement with a refreshing dose of reality.
“You’re not God’s gift to the world,” Easterby tells them. “If they’re struggling with being too full of themselves, you remind them, ‘Hey, man, a third of the world didn’t eat today.’ You have to get over yourself.


https://www.patriots.com/news/you-don-t-know-jack-the-most-influential-patriot-you-ve-never-heard-of
 
Dan Koppen has opened a craft brewery in East Greenwich, RI



1500x500




1485 S County Trail, East Greenwich, RI 02818
 
Corey Bailey, a former Xaverian guy, NFL assistant coach/scout and former college coach has some thoughts about the Pats personnel. I've posted the impt ones, imo, here. As for his thoughts on the OL, he loves Thuney, likes Andrews very much, thinks Mason is too often injured and isn't as tough as Thuney or Andrews. Cannon is good but is too often injured. Dwayne Allen is a waste since he can't catch and this year he's not blocking well either - he's losing too many blocks.

Here are the rest of his thoughts. 2 parts bc it's long.

Part I

Wide Receiver
This group does have talent. The challenge is, how can McDaniels get them all on the same page as Brady. The lack of working together through the off-season has no doubt affected the continuity of this group. They have the pieces here but they need to be on time and in rhythm.
Julian Edelman: He’s perfect for this offense when it is functioning the way it has been built to do so. I believe there are really no lingering effects from his injury. His football IQ is very high and he does a tremendous job reading coverages on the fly. He has very good hands, is fearless, and plays hard. He also happens to take a lot of pride in his blocking. Having said all that, he is not a one-man show. He needs the rest of the group to be where they’re supposed to be when they’re supposed to be there in order for him to be truly effective.
Chris Hogan: Similar to Edelman, Hogan is a good fit for this scheme. He’s a high IQ player that plays hard and is reliable. He is a very good third or fourth receiver. I think he deservedly should be frustrated. He has been open quite a bit, but in being open, he’s been the third read in a lot of those situations. Typically, Brady would go to him if the offense was functioning properly.
Phillip Dorsett: I like Dorsett and I think the Patriots need to use him more. Prior to the Gordon signing, Dorsett was a key part of the Patriots pass game. He’s kind of been an afterthought ever since. He has a skill set that none of the other receivers have. I think he worked very hard in the offseason to learn the offense and appears to have some chemistry with Brady.
Josh Gordon: There’s no questioning this guys ability. However, much like the offense, he is inconsistent. The Patriots have been trying to accelerate his development and I think in doing so, that has hurt the team overall. He’s got top end speed but he’s not a quick acceleration guy and can be thrown off his path when jammed. I don’t view him as a fade ball or true speed/go route-type receiver. He’s a big-bodied guy who has incredibly strong hands. When he has space to hit stride, he is as fast as any receiver in the game. I’d like to see the Patriots use him in the slot more often. Potentially even give him the routes that Gronk ran. Force coverage matchups and give him space to pressure safeties vertical. I think he is a dig, post, slant, speed in, option-route kind of receiver.
Cordarrelle Patterson: He is not a receiver. I will write him up in the running backs group. I think that’s what he is. He has top end speed but he is not polished as a receiver. I don’t think he fits this scheme at its core.
Running Back
This group, although small in numbers, is talented. The challenge they have as a group is staying healthy. It is evident that the Patriots have a mold as to what they are looking for. If healthy, this group is good enough to win at a high level.
James White: This guy has been the Patriots’ offensive MVP to date. He’s done a great job running the ball and is capable of running both the power and zone run plays. He catches the ball very well and must be accounted for. He is the reason why teams have been forced to play more zone coverage. Matching him up on a linebacker from a leveraged position is a win for the Patriots every time. His only weakness is in pass protection. He really struggles in this area unless he’s just asked to chip a defensive end.
Sony Michel: His knee injury history really concerns me. He was really making progress prior to getting hurt. His strength is obviously in the downhill run game. He also happens to be better in pass protection than White. He appears to be a guy that needs reps in order to get better. I question how smooth he is in the pass game. He seems to have good hands but I don’t think he’s a guy that you can line up at receiver and expect him to run routes. The one-two punch of White and Michel is needed in order for the Patriots to make a run. I think the jury is still out on this guy. I liked his development but wonder if he’s ever going to be worth a first-round pick, particularly considering his injury issues.
Rex Burkhead: Once again, injury problems. He was their guy prior to getting hurt. If he’s able to come back and remain healthy, he is a productive player. He has the ability to run both the downhill and zone scheme. He also catches the ball out of the backfield very well. He could potentially make a difference in these last six games. Due to his versatility and professional experience, I’d rather have him and James White as the primary running backs for the remainder of the season.
Cordarrelle Patterson: To me, he is much more natural at running back than he is at receiver. His willingness to hit the hole was impressive. I think if he’s going to stick with the Patriots in the future, this is where he will add value in conjunction with his special teams play. He’s not a guy that will fit in the zone run game but clearly can run the downhill plays with a toss or two mixed in. I think he’s a good change-of-pace back.
James Develin: He’s a solid, reliable player. He’s not afraid to mix it up as a lead blocker and does a nice job in protection. Moving forward, I’d like to see the Patriots get a more athletic fullback who can be a threat in the pass game off of play action.
DEFENSE
Unlike the offense, I think the defense is very clear in terms of what they want to do. In studying the defense, one thing that surprised me has been the amount of zone coverage they’ve played this season. I’ve also been blown away by their run-fit challenges specifically with the linebacker position. In general, I think the defense is about as good as its going to get. They have talent deficiencies relative to the rest of the league.
Defensive Line
I really believe this group may be the weakest in terms of talent on the team. They are better at the defensive end spot and have some things they can do to make that group more effective verse the pass. Their defensive tackle position is below average. At both DE and DT they have attempted to fill this talent void with free agent signings that have not panned out. In the Patriots scheme, the defensive line is very controlled in a lot of situations. I think this has something to do with the value the Patriots place here.
DE Trey Flowers: This is the best defensive lineman in this group. He is active, plays with a good motor, and has the ability to get to the quarterback. He can also be disruptive verse the run game. He gets himself in trouble sometimes when he gets covered up by some of the bigger offensive linemen. Without Flowers on this defensive line, there really isn’t anyone else who would warrant special attention.
DE Adrian Clayborn: He’s clearly been a disappointment. I think he’s a one trick pony on pass rush, which he was brought in here to do. He does have a very good get off, when he wins with that, he is effective. However, with that being his primary move, he is generally handled. Once he engages with an offensive lineman he gets himself covered up and is rarely able to work back to a half man in his pass rush. He’s an average player against the run and like the other defensive ends in this group, he struggles to hold an edge.
DE Keionta Davis: Davis has been playing at defensive end. I think he’s out of position at that spot. He is absolutely someone that I could see teams picking on when he gets into the game. He doesn’t have the speed or quick twitch to be a pass rush threat and he gets handled in the run game.
DT Danny Shelton: Much like Clayborn, Shelton has been a miss. He was signed to sure up the DT spot and has only seen his reps get cut week in and week out. I don’t see any value in him. At best, he can cover up an offensive lineman and hold a gap. The problem with him is that he often gets reached verse the zone game and he has zero presence as a pass rusher.
DT Malcom Brown and Lawrence Guy: I grouped these two guys together because they are almost the same person to me. I think both of these players have potential and flash at times. They are not pass rushers but they are active and stout in the run game. To me, they should be the starters and need to reach their potential in order for the defense to get better. Both have a tendency to take plays off and it shows.
DL Adam Butler: Butler has seen his playing time increase over the past few games. My guess is that has been the result of effort issues with Brown and Guy. Butler isn’t as talented as those two but he does play hard and effort is not an issue with him. He does have some stiffness and gets knocked around as he struggles to play with good pad level. I think ultimately he is just a journeyman and the Patriots need to get better in order to be a good defensive line.
DE Deatrich Wise Jr.: He has shown some ability. He’s played both inside and outside. I think he is more comfortable at the defensive end spot but is properly more fit to be a 3-4 defensive tackle. In an attempt to get a better pass rush, the Patriots have played him as a true DT. He does show some twitch and gets off the ball. He is not stout enough to stand up against double teams in the run game.
Linebacker
 
Linebacker

(Linebacker, secondary, special teams and overall team thoughts are available to BSJ members. Join us today!)

This seems to be the second weakest position on the team in terms of overall talent. It absolutely hurt losing Ja’Whaun Bentley. He could run and was physical. As I look at this group, I think the NFL game has passed a lot of these players by. The prototype linebacker in the Patriots defense used to be the bigger type players that could hold a gap in the box, stop the run, and occasionally rush the passer. The game has evolved and the better NFL defenses have linebackers that might not be as big but can absolutely run. I believe the Patriots have realized this and are now trying to find guys that fit the new mold. The younger players are much more athletic.
Dont’a Hightower: His best days are behind him. I think he is best utilized as a pass rush guy. He gets bounced out of gaps and often seems out of place. He can play behind his pads and has shown that physical nature, however he doesn’t have the range or speed to do it consistently. I also have noticed him lack effort and give up on plays. In the pass game, he can only play zone coverage. He cannot handle a back in a one on one situation.
Kyle Van Noy: He is more athletic than Hightower but is most protective walked up in the hybrid end/outside linebacker-type position. On film, he actually looks uncomfortable off the ball. I think Van Noy does have ability and has a knack for creating plays, I just think he may be best utilized walked up. He also struggles in pass coverage and is not someone you’d want matched up on an athletic tight end or running back.
Elandon Roberts: I actually like this player. He is athletic, can run and plays with a high motor. At times, he looks very confused and misses gaps, but is the more athletic than Hightower and Van Noy. Roberts and Bentley will be fun to watch playing together in the future. He has the skill set that I think is required in the NFL today at the inside linebacker position.
John Simon: Simon flashes at times to me. He doesn’t play as much as the above guys but I’ve noticed him on film and gone back and realized it was him. He has a tremendous motor and seems to get himself in the right spot at the right time. Athletically, he’s closer to the Hightower mold but I think he’s got some ability. I’d actually like to see him play some more. He has also been used as an edge rush guy and has proven that he can get off the ball. I think he’s a quality back up player.
Secondary
This is the best group on the defense. I think by playing a little more zone coverage, the Patriots have taken some pressure off this group. They are a smart group that always seems to be at least close to where they are supposed to be. They could really benefit from some more pressure up front. They are also active verse the run and are often asked to be primary fitters.
CB Jason McCourty: This was one of the positive signings the Patriots have had in free agency. Their original thought was for him to be a safety. He has actually become arguably their best player in the secondary at corner. He is someone that teams have clearly tried to go after and he’s answered the bell. He rarely gets out of position and does a very good job with leverage in coverage. The Patriots are lucky to have him.
CB Stephon Gilmore: Up until the Titan’s game, Gilmore has lived up to his lofty contract. Dubbed as purely a man coverage guy, I’ve noticed him doing a nice job in zone coverage as well. He has a lot of range and very good hips. He’s also become active in the run game and showed some physical play this season which is nice to see. He’s often been placed on an island working out of the boundary and he’s held up very well.
S Devin McCourty: Obviously, a very smart football player, McCourty’s intelligence allows him to be effective in the Patriots scheme. He struggles when he has to play man to man coverage so he’s often the deep safety in their odd coverages. He is the epitome of the “Do your job” mentality that Coach Belichick embodies. He does lack some ability and that has appeared at times this fall. When he gets himself out of position, he becomes a below average player. He does still have top end speed and has shown that in chasing down some offensive players on big plays.
S Patrick Chung: Also, a very smart football player. Chung has once again had a solid season. I believe he was hurt against the Titans as that was his worst game of the season and missed tackles that he normally makes. He is often called on to handle more athletic tight ends and is the roll down safety in the Patriots odd coverages. He’s physical against the run and not afraid to mix it up with the big boys.
S Duron Harmon: Harmon has struggled this year. He has looked confused in the secondary at safety and has made some critical mistakes in coverage that have resulted in big plays or touchdowns. I don’t have a lot of confidence in him. I would think that the Patriots would use him only in certain packages and try to relegate him to specific roles within those packages.
CBs J.C Jackson and Jonathan Jones: Both players have athletic ability. Jones has seen more playing time, particularly at the nickel spot. Ideally, one of these two would’ve been the starting corner but were beat out by Jason McCourty. I like both of these players and think they provide quality depth and should factor into the future in the Patriots secondary.


https://www.bostonsportsjournal.com/2018/11/17/coachs-view-bye-week-self-scout-patriots/
 
In the passing game it’s just Edelman, Gordon & white. The rest has been non existent. I’m interested to see if Patterson is still getting carries once Michel is 100%.
 
Dwight Schrute said:
In its honesty.

Our Offense is old.

Our Defense is unskilled.

Our window is tiny, and all too dependent on an individual with questionable health.
Click to expand...

It's like watching the 89-90 Celtics. Except instead of sticking their head in the sand and not making any moves to improve the team - the Patriots (Kraft) haven't allowed the GM to do so.
 
TommyD420 said:
It's like watching the 89-90 Celtics. Except instead of sticking their head in the sand and not making any moves to improve the team - the Patriots (Kraft) haven't allowed the GM to do so.
Click to expand...

This is the last legit go with TB. The rest, of any, will be playing out the string.

Gronks already got the retirement seed firmly planted.

Jules is a battered workhorse.

Gordon seems to have bought in. But clearly time away atrophied his previous skill level.

There’s not much more on Offense to hang with fav’s.

Defense?

Please.
 
Mike Reiss‏Verified account @MikeReiss <small class="time"> 3h3 hours ago </small>
Last four teams to beat Patriots, and their record since beating NE:

Eagles: 4-6
Jaguars: 1-7
Lions: 3-4
Titans: 0-1

This was the theme of Patriots' bye weekend. Beating Patriots can be Super Bowl-caliber win, but foes have struggled to maintain afterwards.
 
TommyD420 said:
It's like watching the 89-90 Celtics. Except instead of sticking their head in the sand and not making any moves to improve the team - the Patriots (Kraft) haven't allowed the GM to do so.
Click to expand...

Can you elaborate a little? I'm not sure how you figure that or whether you're even serious.

Bill is the guy that presides over the draft and the last two have brought little fresh talent to the organization. Did Kraft have anything to do with that? Bill lately spends picks on vets, that often get cut or wash out or get hurt, like a drunken sailor on shore leave. No big deal, we just didn't like all the guys coming out who are now helping other teams win games. We like mature guys that fall apart when they get hit.

Also, we probably lead the league in guys who just play STs and seldom take a snap otherwise while we have a hard time pasting together a viable running back, TE, LB or WR corps.

Patriots Special Teams. Not really.
 
Hawg73 said:
Can you elaborate a little? I'm not sure how you figure that or whether you're even serious.

Bill is the guy that presides over the draft and the last two have brought little fresh talent to the organization. Did Kraft have anything to do with that? Bill lately spends picks on vets, that often get cut or wash out or get hurt, like a drunken sailor on shore leave. No big deal, we just didn't like all the guys coming out who are now helping other teams win games. We like mature guys that fall apart when they get hit.

Also, we probably lead the league in guys who just play STs and seldom take a snap otherwise while we have a hard time pasting together a viable running back, TE, LB or WR corps.

Patriots Special Teams. Not really.
Click to expand...

Jimmy Garropolo is gone, Brady and Gronkowski are still here.

If it were up to Belichick, that would not be the case.
 
chevss454 said:
Mike Reiss‏Verified account @MikeReiss <SMALL class=time>3h3 hours ago </SMALL>
Last four teams to beat Patriots, and their record since beating NE:

Eagles: 4-6
Jaguars: 1-7
Lions: 3-4
Titans: 0-1

This was the theme of Patriots' bye weekend. Beating Patriots can be Super Bowl-caliber win, but foes have struggled to maintain afterwards.
Click to expand...

That one way to look at it. The other is that we are losing to weak teams.
 
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