February 2012
5 posts
4 tags
ESPN: Patriots Report Card
A nifty little poll that’ll let you put your own thoughts on the Patriots players for the 2011 season - I figure most players would have to get a B, since after all, we did make the Superbowl where 30 other teams didn’t.
Click here to grade the players at ESPN.
3 tags
Third Quarter Thoughts
Big momentum shift early in this half, with the Patriots comfortably driving down the field, including a cameo catch from Chad Ochocinco. The defense then made a couple of big physical hits to keep the Giants to a field goal.
We saw again the mental toughness from the Patriots, scoring 17 straight points after going down 9 points at the start of the game. It seems like this toughness will be...
2 tags
Second Quarter Thoughts
It’s looking like the Giants run game is doing well, which isn’t looking good for the Pats chances to stop the play action later in the game - the Pats have really been focused on the pass game.
With a couple of deflected passes at the line, the Pats offensive line need to spend more time cutting the ends, or throwing down the middle.
The Giants have done a really good job so far of...
2 tags
First Quarter Thoughts
Seems to be very similar to the Week 9 game, where the Pats had very little possession, but it turned out to be close in the end.
The Pats have proved their mental toughness, so being behind early isn’t too worrying. Very uncharacteristic of the Pats to have a 12 men on defense penalty.
last minute superbowl thoughts
the game plan for the patriots must be to use the running game to slow down the pass rush, and then restrict big plays and hold the giants in the redzone.
let’s go Pats!
January 2012
21 posts
8 tags
2011 Defense: Best the Patriots Have Ever Brought...
At the beginning of the 2011 season, Patriots fans were quietly optimistic about a renewed defense, augmented with free agent defensive linemen, some new and some newly healthy defensive backs, and a knowledge that Bill Belichick was changing the defense to a more 4-3 look, with the hope that the defense would be much more stalwart than in 2009 or 2010. However, absent a good performance...
9 tags
Second Half Thoughts
By clamping down on the run and forcing Flacco to beat them with the arm, the Patriots have unearthed another threat - Flacco beating them with his feet. This might led the Pats to take a man out of coverage to go to a spy position.
Potentially a big injury to Gronkowski, but the Pats were able to move the ball down the field regardless of his injury, although Gronkowski later came in on a goal...
9 tags
Second Quarter Thoughts
With the Ravens selling out on the run to stop the pass, the Pats scored the first td of the game behind Benjarvus Green-Ellis, who is looking strong and tough.
Good comeback from the Ravens offense, hitting a couple big pass plays. The Patriots look to be trying to make Joe Flacco beat them with his arm, which he might do if they aren’t careful.
On the Patriots quick no-huddle drive, sure...
first quarter thoughts
huge for the pats to stop ray rice on the first play of scrimmage. what are the chances the ravens had exactly the same play called as two years ago?
this is shaping up to be a great matchup, with the ravens giving up nothing easy on defense. baltimore look like they are going softer on the run, knowing the pats would rather pass on them on every down.
pats defense are playing lights out, with...
4 tags
Less than 10 minutes to the big game!
Let’s get it done Pats!!
12 tags
Patriots interceptions season totals
A list of the Patriots’ regular season interceptions (by interceptions, then by return yards):
Kyle Arrington: 7 interceptions
Vince Wilfork: 2 interceptions
Antwaun Molden: 2 interceptions
Devin McCourty: 2 interceptions
Rob Ninkovich: 2 interceptions
Sterling Moore: 2 interceptions
Jerod Mayo: 2 interceptions
Gary Guyton: 1 interception
Sergio Brown: 1 interception
Patrick Chung:...
10 tags
Patriots sacks season totals
A list of the Patriots regular season sack totals:
Andre Carter: 10 sacks
Mark Anderson: 10 sacks
Rob Ninkovich: 6.5 sacks
Vince Wilfork: 3.5 sacks
Kyle Love: 3 sacks
Brandon Deaderick: 2 sacks
Jerod Mayo: 1 sack
Patrick Chung: 1 sack
Gerard Warren: 1 sack
Shaun Ellis: 1 sack
Mike Wright: 0.5 sacks
Myron Pryor: 0.5 sacks
TOTAL: 40 sacks
15 tags
Patriots receiving season totals
A list of the Patriots regular season receiving totals:
Wes Welker: 1,569 yards (9 TDs)
Rob Gronkowski: 1,327 yards (17 TDs)
Aaron Hernandez: 910 yards (7 TDs)
Deion Branch: 702 yards (5 TDs)
Chad Ochocinco: 276 yards (1 TD)
Benjarvus Green-Ellis: 159 yards (0 TDs)
Danny Woodhead: 157 yards (0 TDs)
Matthew Slater: 46 yards (0 TDs)
Julian Edelman: 34 yards (0 TDs)
Kevin Faulk: 34 yards (0...
14 tags
Patriots rushing season totals
A list of the Patriots regular season rushing totals:
Benjarvus Green-Ellis: 667 yards (avg 3.7)
Stevan Ridley: 441 yards (avg 5.1)
Danny Woodhead: 351 yards (avg 4.6)
Tom Brady: 109 yards (avg 2.5)
Shane Vereen: 57 yards (avg 3.8)
Kevin Faulk: 57 yards (avg 3.4)
Aaron Hernandez: 45 yards (avg 9.0)
Wes Welker: 30 yards (avg 7.5)
Julian Edelman: 8 yards (avg 2.0)
Rob Gronkowski: 2 yards...
8 tags
Pats-Ravens no longer a rivalry game
As we approach the AFC Championship game, it seems like most years the teams often in the game know each other pretty well, and are often division or conference rivals (Colts, Ravens, Jets, Steelers and Patriots).
But leading up to this week, it sure doesn’t feel like a typical AFC rivalry game. Both teams are being incredibly respectful to one another, without even any feud...
12 tags
Curran: How the Pats could lose
On PFT Live today, Tom Curran from CSNNE talked about how the Patriots offense could be slowed: “Hit Gronkowski, hit Welker, hit Hernandez.” Curran stressed that keying on these Pats offensive weapons, together with getting quick pressure on Brady is the key. To break it down further, the game will become a series of line matchups, to see if “can Suggs beat Nate Solder, can Ngata...
7 tags
What's your score prediction for the AFC Championship game between the Patriots and Ravens?
5 tags
4 tags
Gronkowski: “(Hernandez) is a beast, and I’m looking forward to practice, and playing with him out there.”
Simms: “He called Hernandez a beast, and he’s not the only one.”
7 tags
Fourth Quarter Thoughts
Great punt playcall by the Patriots, loved to see Brady kick that one down to the 10 yard line to keep everyone healthy. Lack of class from Von Miller on the play though.
Tebow completed a few more passes in this quarter, but as we’ve seen all season, the defense solidified in the red zone and didn’t allow any points after Denver having a fourth and goal from the 3.
From this...
6 tags
Third Quarter Thoughts
Great to see a huge confidence booster for the Patriots defense, who are destroying the Broncos offensive line on almost every play.
Tebow is being let down by his receivers, who’ve dropped a number of easy completions. The Patriots have only had one or two dropped passes all game.
Denver has gone away from the option, which hasn’t been successful all night against this defense.
...
8 tags
Second Quarter Thoughts
The best running back for the Patriots in this game seems to be Aaron Hernandez so far, with multiple first downs.
Logan Mankins has missed a couple of downs, being replaced by Ryan Wendell.
Great discipline and penetration by the Pats defensive line which is causing all sorts of problems for Denver’s option running game. In the second half, I’d expect Denver to go more towards a...
7 tags
First Quarter Thoughts
Rob Ninkovich is having the big game as expected, with a strip sack, pressure and tackle for loss.
Tom Brady looked great until the interception, which led to a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter this looked like a blowout after two minutes, but the Broncos might make a game of it yet if they can take advantage of the Pats mistakes.
Go Pats!
11 tags
5 points from the Wildcard game between Broncos-Steelers the Patriots should key on:
1. 3 man rush - Once the Broncos had a lead, they repeatedly sent 3 linemen against 6 blockers of the Steelers, and Ben Roethlisberger was not able to find gaps in their zone defense. Hopefully they try the same against Tom Brady and zone-killers Wes Welker and Deion Branch.
2. Man coverage - The Steelers played...
10 tags
Patriots-Bills Game Observations
A few observation from the Patriots last regular season game:
As mentioned in some of Bill Belichick’s conferences before the game, teams with nothing playoff-wise to play for call much riskier plays than they would otherwise. This was evidenced in the first quarter with the Bills going for a fake punt on the very first possession, and going for it on 4th and 4 in the first quarter.
The...
December 2011
5 posts
11 tags
Patriots-Broncos Game Observations (First Half)
A few observations from the TV copy:
Although its difficult to assess special teams play on the TV copy, what is obvious on kickoff coverage is that WR/S Matthew Slater or WR/DB Julian Edelman are always the first guys to get down the field near the turner. It’s not suprising Slater leads the team in special teams tackles.
The Patriots return of a botched extra-point can be taken two ways...
3 tags
Patriots Offense Line - Stat Check
A snapshot of where some of the Patriots offensive players are at statistically, with reference to the rest of the league:
The Patriots average yards per rush is 4.0, which is good for 21st in the league.
The Patriots have 11 rushing touchdowns, which puts them tied for 11th in the league.
The Patriots have given up 22 sacks, which is the equal fifth lowest in the league.
The Patriots have...
13 tags
Patriots-Redskins Game Observations
A few observations from watching the TV copy of the game:
The Patriots again used the hardcount shift on defense at the goal line, and again it worked to draw a false start penalty. It seems like a useful tool at the goalline or in short yardage situations which has resulted in a high amount of false starts. The drive resulted in a field goal.
LB Dane Fletcher had a good first half, drawing a...
3 tags
Patriots Offense - Stat Check
A snapshot of statistics relating to the Patriots:
The Patriots are third in the league for overall points (362).
The Patriots are equal fourth in the league with plays run from scrimmage (802).
The Patriots are equal 23rd in the league, having given up 21 sacks.
The Patriots are equal 19th for lost fumbles, with 5.
The Patriots time of possession per game averages at 28:33, which is 27th in...
10 tags
Patriots-Colts Game Observations
A collection of thoughts from the TV copy:
Good defensive line shift by the Patriots on 3rd and goal at the one yard line, drawing a false start penalty by the Colts. It looked like a hard count shift by the defensive line, and the movement in unison drew a useful penalty, setting the Colts back to the six (and the Patriots got a sack on the next play). They tried this shift again three times...
November 2011
11 posts
5 tags
Patriots Offensive Players - WR/TE Stat Check
A snapshot of where some of the Patriots offensive players are at statistically, with reference to the rest of the league:
Wes Welker is first in the league with 1,143 yards.
Wes Welker is also first in the league with 82 receptions (second is Jimmy Graham, with 67).
Wes is third in the league for targets, with 107 (Roddy White is the leader with 113).
Rob Gronkowski is the best Patriot for...
11 tags
Patriots-Eagles Game Observations (Second Half)
More thoughts from the TV copy:
LB Tracy White seems to be the kind of player who always plays to the whistle seeking out turnover opportunities. Three times in this game I saw him pick up an incomplete pass and run back with it before the whistle called the play over. That sort of determination and awareness could be key whenever an offense makes a mistake in fumbling the ball.
A lot of media...
8 tags
Patriots-Eagles Game Observations (First Half)
A few observations from the TV copy:
It looks like the Patriots use WR Tiquan Underwood’s speed as a decoy on some running plays, hoping that the defense takes a safety out of the box in order to guard against Underwood making a long play (which he’s never done for the Patriots in a regular season game).
A lot of quarterback hits (4 in the first quarter) on QB Tom Brady early in this...
4 tags
Patriots Offensive Players - RB Stat Check
A snapshot of where some of the Patriots offensive players are at statistically, with reference to the rest of the league:
Benjarvus Green-Ellis is equal 23rd in the league with 541 rushing yards.
Benjarvus Green-Ellis is equal 19th in the league with 136 rushing attempts.
Benny’s average of 4.0 yards per attempt is equal 29th in the league.
Stevan Ridley has the longest Patriots run of...
13 tags
Patriots-Chiefs Game Observations
A few observations from watching the TV copy:
3 good punt returners in this game, with Jeremy Horne, Javier Arenas and Julian Edelman. All had an average return of over 18 yards (league around 11 yards).
Nice tackle by S Sterling Moore on RB Thomas Jones, saving a touchdown with 4.15 to go in the fourth quarter. Moore didn’t go for the big hit (and possibly whiff), but came towards Jones...
3 tags
Patriots Offensive Players - QB Stat Check
A snapshot of where some of the Patriots offensive players are at statistically, with reference to the rest of the league:
QB Tom Brady is second in the league with a QB Rating of 102.0.
Brady is second in the league with passing yards of 3,032.
Brady is tied second in the league with 23 passing touchdowns.
Brady is third in the league with a completion percentage of 66.1%.
Brady is tied for...
15 tags
Patriots-Jets Game Observations
A collection of thoughts from the TV copy:
On the Patriots second drive, QB Tom Brady audibled to a running play when he saw S Eric Smith come down into the box instead of a linebacker. The blocks were good on the play, except for C Dan Connolly, who was beat and forced RB Stevan Ridley into the arms of defenders, for no gain.
The touchdown run by QB Mark Sanchez was a nice offensive play call,...
8 tags
Patriots-Giants Game Observations (Second Half)
More thoughts from the TV copy of the game:
On Tom Brady’s fumble, it seemed like all of the offensive line and Hernandez, who was in blocking, thought it was an incomplete pass, because there was no scrum for the ball as usually follows a fumble. Perhaps a missed opportunity, and one that Patriots coaches will likely pick up - the offense should attempt to recover any incomplete pass that...
9 tags
Patriots-Giants Game Observations (First Half)
A collection of observations from the TV copy:
Some good tackling in this game by the Giants, especially on TE Aaron Hernandez (who usually can make the first man miss) on the Patriots first series by S Antrel Rolle.
Best hit by a Patriot this season: LB Brandon Spikes on TE Jake Ballard at the 8-min mark of the game. Spikes just stopped all of Ballard’s forward motion, not letting him get...
12 tags
Patriots-Steelers Game Observations (Second Half)
A few more observations from the TV copy:
The Patriots second drive of the half uses a few more unconventional plays in order to get the offense going - a delay to TE Rob Gronkowski, play action to WR Deion Branch, and a quick screen to Branch.
Good sportsmanship by RB Kevin Faulk to alert the Steelers bench of an injury to CB Ike Taylor - the player was on the ground along with a number of...
8 tags
Patriots-Steelers Game Observations (First Half)
A few observations I had while watching the TV copy of the game:
Poor defensive playcalling on the first Steelers drive - three times the Patriots blitzed the linebackers, allowing QB Ben Roethlisberger to complete quick passes to TE Heath Miller under the safeties. On the Steeler’s first play of their second drive, LB Brandon Spikes was in coverage and managed to break up a pass for Miller...
October 2011
5 posts
14 tags
Patriots-Cowboys Game Observations (Second Half)
A collection of thoughts from the TV copy of the game:
Andre Carter’s second sack of the game came where Vince Wilfork and Carter each faced one blocker, and Albert Haynesworth faced three. Carter beat his man, and Haynesworth caused enough to keep his men occupied while Tony Romo went down. Wilfork was a non-factor as he was spun around on the play.
Great tackle by Danny Woodhead after...
9 tags
Patriots-Cowboys Game Observations (First Half)
A collection of thoughts from the TV copy of the game:
On the Patriots first drive, on a 2nd and 6 at the 8 yard line, Brady had time but couldn’t find an open receiver on the play. One option looked open throwing to Wes Welker, who may not have been able to make a catch, but would probably have been able to draw a Pass Interference penalty as the defender on him illegally pushed him to the...
7 tags
Patriots-Jets Game Observations (Second Half)
A few observations from the TV copy of the game:
Charting dropped passes (flat out drops, not misthrows or pass breakups) from Jets receivers : 5 in the game.
On Joe McKnight’s 88 yard kickoff return, it seemed that because McKnight was returning the kick from 8 yards deep in his endzone, the Patriots coverage team arrived down at the Jets end of the field still in a wide line across...
14 tags
Patriots-Jets Game Observations (First Half)
A few observations from the TV copy of the game:
On the Jets very first 3-and-out, Keller ran a good slant pattern on Bodden, but Sanchez threw the ball behind Keller, which resulted in the incompletion. This clearly showed that taking Keller away was part of the Pat’s game plan, as he was being covered by a corner, rather then a linebacker or safety.
On the Patriots first touchdown drive,...
11 tags
Patriots-Raiders Game Observations
On the Patriots first drive, I was surprised not to see the Patriots offensive line (particularly Logan Mankins) be more defensive of Tom Brady when he was thrown to the ground by Richard Seymour (it was called a penalty). It seemed like a play which the offensive line could’ve taken personal offense at the treatment of their quarterback by an opposing player, after the whistle. Seymour...
September 2011
9 posts
6 tags
A gif of Tom Brady’s 2 yard completion to Danny Woodhead, where Rob Gronkowski looked like a better option.
13 tags
Patriots-Bills Game Observations (Second Half)
A few observations I made while watching the TV copy of the game:
Charting missed tackles from our new safeties, Josh Barrett had three missed tackles in the game, and Sergio Brown had two missed tackles (plus one more on special teams). Obviously that’s got to be an area of improvement.
I don’t think Woodhead will continue to get too many conventional runs (between the tackles &...
9 tags
Patriots-Bills Game Observations (First Half)
A few observations I made while watching the TV copy of the game:
The Patriots fast start to this game is a testament to the great protection provided by the offensive line in the first few drives. Tom Brady had plenty of time and space to step up and throw.
Rob Gronkowski’s first TD was an example of why he’s a big red zone threat - Jarius Byrd had good coverage on him, but Brady...