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Post by philarhody on Mar 25, 2019 15:52:09 GMT -5
A bit of a tough break that the Patriots don’t get the opening Thursday night game this year. There’s no real “short week” leading up to it like a normal Thursday night game and you still get the benefit of an extra few days prior to week 2. The Bears and Packers did nothing to deserve this game. I wonder if the League is sensing some serious Patriots fatigue
Edit: apparently it’s been in the works for a while as part of the Leagues 100 year anniversary.
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Mar 26, 2019 10:41:23 GMT -5
Yea it takes time. The WWE actually does a great job training people for the entertainment industry. Gronk has a great personality and if he works at it I think he can be rather good. The Rock is obviously the gold standard, but even a Dave Bautista has been rather good in the right roles. He'll need a really good agent and have to pick the right roles. Not great for his back, though. I hope he avoids the WWE beyond a little showmanship. I don't think he'd become a full-time wrestler. Just inserted into their crazy teams or story lines. |
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Post by voiceofreason on Mar 26, 2019 12:01:09 GMT -5
Obvious prediction of the year, the Pats offense will revolve around running the ball.
Maybe they will develop a good passing game during the season but it is going to take time and a little luck. They could get Gordon back by midseason and someone else new could step up but 1 way or another they will need a great running game.
Given defenses are built to stop the pass these days it could be another genius move by BB to be built to run. With all the draft picks they could bolster both lines and plan on dominating the line of scrimmage. Which is pretty much what they did in the playoffs this year.
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Post by philarhody on Mar 26, 2019 13:10:19 GMT -5
Obvious prediction of the year, the Pats offense will revolve around running the ball. Maybe they will develop a good passing game during the season but it is going to take time and a little luck. They could get Gordon back by midseason and someone else new could step up but 1 way or another they will need a great running game. Given defenses are built to stop the pass these days it could be another genius move by BB to be built to run. With all the draft picks they could bolster both lines and plan on dominating the line of scrimmage. Which is pretty much what they did in the playoffs this year. A few quick thoughts on this: 1. I think it’s smart to build on a strong run game. For years now the league has been overvaluing “do everything linebackers” who can’t stop the run. Smart teams can neutralize players like Devin White and Devin Bush (Can’t wait to hear their names called prior to the Patriots’ pick) by mauling them in the running game. 2. Unfortunately for the New England, Rob Gronkowski was the key to point #1. Gronk was transcendent as both a receiver and a blocker, meaning that coverage backers and defensive backers were destroyed in the run game, while big linebackers and edge players were smoked in the passing game. 3. One thrifty way to continue exploiting these mismatches is through the running back position. Right now the Patriots lack a true dual threat running back. When Michel is in the game, he is either running the ball or is a decoy. When White is in the game he is essentially a slot guy. Mcaffrey, Kamara, Bell, Hunt and Barkley are all players who can gash you in the running game (like Michel) or expose you in the passing game (like James White). Last year, the Patriots efforts to dictate matchups to dictate matchups with Gronk were somewhat nullified by James White’s 3.5 yard scampers and Sony Michel’s dropped passes. This is why you saw Rex Burkhead get meaningful snaps in the playoffs. |
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mobaz
Veteran
Posts: 3,044
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Post by mobaz on Mar 26, 2019 13:46:13 GMT -5
Obvious prediction of the year, the Pats offense will revolve around running the ball. Maybe they will develop a good passing game during the season but it is going to take time and a little luck. They could get Gordon back by midseason and someone else new could step up but 1 way or another they will need a great running game. Given defenses are built to stop the pass these days it could be another genius move by BB to be built to run. With all the draft picks they could bolster both lines and plan on dominating the line of scrimmage. Which is pretty much what they did in the playoffs this year. A few quick thoughts on this: 1. I think it’s smart to build on a strong run game. For years now the league has been overvaluing “do everything linebackers” who can’t stop the run. Smart teams can neutralize players like Devin White and Devin Bush (Can’t wait to hear their names called prior to the Patriots’ pick) by mauling them in the running game. 2. Unfortunately for the New England, Rob Gronkowski was the key to point #1. Gronk was transcendent as both a receiver and a blocker, meaning that coverage backers and defensive backers were destroyed in the run game, while big linebackers and edge players were smoked in the passing game. 3. One thrifty way to continue exploiting these mismatches is through the running back position. Right now the Patriots lack a true dual threat running back. When Michel is in the game, he is either running the ball or is a decoy. When White is in the game he is essentially a slot guy. Mcaffrey, Kamara, Bell, Hunt and Barkley are all players who can gash you in the running game (like Michel) or expose you in the passing game (like James White). Last year, the Patriots efforts to dictate matchups to dictate matchups with Gronk were somewhat nullified by James White’s 3.5 yard scampers and Sony Michel’s dropped passes. This is why you saw Rex Burkhead get meaningful snaps in the playoffs. I wouldn't be surprised if they take a flier on a potential "dion lewis" type in the draft even after using 1st rounder and $$$ for Michel/White/Burkhead. |
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Mar 26, 2019 14:18:27 GMT -5
Interesting. That makes sense, double down at RB if a true 3 down guy is available. Easier said than done though, especially because this is a horrible RB class. We do need another RB though, a guy that can take Michel spot if he gets injured.
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Post by philarhody on Mar 27, 2019 3:08:19 GMT -5
It’s looking more and more like Daniel Jones might be a top 10 pick. Daniel Jeremiah called his pro day “flawless.” Big, smart athelete who throws a really nice ball.
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Post by rjp313jr on Mar 27, 2019 7:03:21 GMT -5
Interesting. That makes sense, double down at RB if a true 3 down guy is available. Easier said than done though, especially because this is a horrible RB class. We do need another RB though, a guy that can take Michel spot if he gets injured. Love from Stanford could be a nice steal in the 3/4 rounds. Was looking like a possible top 15 pick before his injury. |
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Post by rjp313jr on Mar 27, 2019 7:04:58 GMT -5
It’s looking more and more like Daniel Jones might be a top 10 pick. Daniel Jeremiah called his pro day “flawless.” Big, smart athelete who throws a really nice ball. Good - the more WRs, QBs and OL that are taken before the Pats the better. I know Jones was likely to be taken before the Patriots but it wasn’t a given. |
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Mar 27, 2019 9:18:12 GMT -5
Interesting. That makes sense, double down at RB if a true 3 down guy is available. Easier said than done though, especially because this is a horrible RB class. We do need another RB though, a guy that can take Michel spot if he gets injured. Love from Stanford could be a nice steal in the 3/4 rounds. Was looking like a possible top 15 pick before his injury. I wouldn't mind him, but he likely won't play next year. I'm also not sold he's a true three down RB either. He's great in space and would break a lot of big plays, but against Notre Dame they would stuff him a ton. He's also been banged up all the time. So I wouldn't mind him, but more like a Burkhead replacement than a true 3 down RB. If you go that route I think we still need another early down RB for next year. |
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Post by texs31 on Mar 27, 2019 9:23:15 GMT -5
I'm seeing 4 QBs projected in the top 15 picks based on the usual mock drafts that have been updated in the last 10 days or so (following the big wave of FA, the combine and a few pro days). This includes Lock (Kiper, some of the NFL.com, CBS, etc have him in the top 10 with Jones falling to Washington - 1 outlier has NYG passing on Haskins and taking Jones at 17 instead).
It's hard to get the recent consensus bc of when things update relative to new information but . . .
The QB thing should be interesting because taking a QB means:
1. How deep in the draft do you go before Player X isn't much better than how BB perceives Etling with 1 year in the system
2. Is there a QB that they'd take this year that would beat out Hoyer as the backup or . . .
3. Is there a QB that would convince BB to keep 3
Unlike Etling (whom NE was able to get to the PS, travelled with the team often and was able to be in the system to show his potential for a full year), I doubt anyone they'd draft in the top 4 rounds would be able to do the same.
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Mar 27, 2019 10:21:05 GMT -5
This QB class is very interesting. Some scouts love it, some think it's ok and some think it's really bad. Just depends how you grade a QB class. If it's all about top Guys this class is risky, lot of guys with limited playing time. Yet if you want depth, you know guys in the middle rounds I really like this class.
I'd say there are like 11 to 13 guys better than Etling. So rather easy to find one, yet you likely want a lot better than Etling right? So after the top four, I have six guys I'd look at drafting Grier, Finley, Stidham, Ta'amu, Thorson, and maybe Minshew. I didn't include Jackson because he just feels crazy raw. You can debate Rypien and Easton Stick has to be a late round consideration even if not at QB.
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Post by texs31 on Mar 27, 2019 11:12:45 GMT -5
Agree just wonder if BB will want 3 on the roster or be willing to keep 1 over Hoyer.
I guess added to all this would be whether Etling would even make it through to the PS again. Gotta believe a full year in the system would have value to another team (even if only for information).
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Post by rjp313jr on Mar 27, 2019 11:33:47 GMT -5
Mayo back as LB coach
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Post by rjp313jr on Mar 27, 2019 11:39:17 GMT -5
Agree just wonder if BB will want 3 on the roster or be willing to keep 1 over Hoyer. I guess added to all this would be whether Etling would even make it through to the PS again. Gotta believe a full year in the system would have value to another team (even if only for information). Pats don’t lose many guys directly from the practice squad during the year. Occasionally, it happens but I doubt Etling would be a threat to lose during the year if he were on it again. They would just pay him more. |
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Post by texs31 on Mar 27, 2019 11:58:51 GMT -5
Was actually thinking at cutdown where he can just be claimed prior to being re-signed to PS. Once he's there, yes, BB just pays (unless someone actually would offer him PT)
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Mar 27, 2019 13:30:03 GMT -5
Well if Etling is only a practice squad guy again it's no big deal if he get claimed. I'd be shocked if he was anything more than that.
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Post by texs31 on Mar 27, 2019 13:38:42 GMT -5
Sigh
The full discussion was pointing out the roster options and how that might relate to whether or not they target a QB in the draft.
Option 1 = 2 QBs - a draft pick would need to beat out Hoyer as the backup. Does Bill have enough confidence in the next tier to do that?
Option 2 = 3 QBs - not impossible but BB doesn't often do it
Option 3 = 2QBs + 1 PS QB - a draft pick would need to beat out Etling (maybe not that hard but we don't know how BB feels about the draft class related to DE whom he had travel with the team a lot last year) but also make it through initial waivers to get to the PS.
The last points were only to cover all bases that it's no lock that Etling would make it to the PS. It was only a caveat to my original posts.
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Mar 27, 2019 15:04:14 GMT -5
I just don't see option three as something teams do. You don't draft a QB to compete with a PS player to then go on the practice squad. You also don't not draft a QB you like because you have Etling and he might be able to make it to the practice squad and a new guy won't.
You draft a guy if you like him and see what happens. I think they easily carry three QBs if they find the right guy, they have done that a good amount as Brady got older.
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Post by rjp313jr on Mar 27, 2019 15:34:03 GMT -5
Pass interference being reviewed is going to be a nightmare.
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Post by jimed14 on Mar 27, 2019 15:39:39 GMT -5
Pass interference being reviewed is going to be a nightmare. Did that happen? I can't think of anything worse, considering there is pass interference on every single play. |
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Post by texs31 on Mar 27, 2019 16:15:27 GMT -5
The options are the results, not necessarily the intent. Also, it's listed 3rd for a reason (completeness).
But the Pats did just that last year (drafted a guy late and were able to stash him). They likely won't do that this year. BC once you get down to a "stashable" guy, he's probably not going to be much better than Etling (especially with 1 year in the system).
So then it comes down to whether they'll keep 3 on the 53-Man roster OR if they'll pick someone who can beat out Hoyer.
Summary point would be that drafting a developmental guy may be challenging given their preferred roster construction (2 QBs).
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Post by texs31 on Mar 27, 2019 16:19:16 GMT -5
Related a Fox Analyst said the Pats are among 3 teams "actively pursuing" Josh Rosen.
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Post by rjp313jr on Mar 27, 2019 16:20:01 GMT -5
Pass interference being reviewed is going to be a nightmare. Did that happen? I can't think of anything worse, considering there is pass interference on every single play. Yes unfortunately it did - very vague too and there will be booth reviews in last 2 minutes like everything else.... that cooks drop in the end zone likely would have been reviewed and a PI called because Gilmore grabbed his hand |
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Post by jimed14 on Mar 27, 2019 16:27:25 GMT -5
Did that happen? I can't think of anything worse, considering there is pass interference on every single play. Yes unfortunately it did - very vague too and there will be booth reviews in last 2 minutes like everything else.... that cooks drop in the end zone likely would have been reviewed and a PI called because Gilmore grabbed his hand Another nail in the coffin. Going to be absolutely awful. |
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