New England Patriots Links 12/07/11 - Protecting the Football Key to Pats' Four-Game Win streak

by Marima on Dec 7, 2011 10:38 AM EST in New England Patriots Links

Bill Belichick turns the page to the Washington Redskins.

[We're] getting familiar with a team here, the Redskins, that we don't know very well but we have some background with some of their coaches. Of course Coach [Mike] Shanahan does an excellent job offensively. He creates a lot of problems for the defense in terms of formationing and utilization of personnel. He forces the defense to make a lot of adjustments that you don't normally make. It changes a lot from week to week. Defensively, same thing. They have a lot of different schemes that are a problem and they give you a bunch of different looks. It starts with them and of course there are a lot of good players there in all three phases of the game. They have a good secondary, some guys that can really rush the passer, an outstanding returner in [Brandon] Banks, coverage player in [DeAngelo] Hall.

Offensively, a solid offensive line and a good group of skill players, [Roy] Helu is really doing a good job of running the ball. Their running game is a great team running game. Their play action running game all ties in with it. He's averaging almost five yard a carry. They're really solid across the board. They've lost a couple of tough games, like last week against the Jets, Dallas in overtime, twice on a last minute field goal, [they] lost to them. It's a good football team that's had a couple of tough breaks but overall, they're impressive to watch.

Nick Caserio responds to a question about why we haven't seen much of Ron Brace since his return.

Those guys, there are a lot of guys that play on the defensive front. We shuffle guys in and out of the game. Ron is a smart guy, he's strong a strong guy, he's got good playing strength. When he's had his opportunities, he's been productive. He started the year a little bit behind relative to some of the others, but he works hard, he prepares and when he gets his opportunity, our expectation is that he's going to go out there and perform.

Bill O'Brien is asked if the new combination of players on the O-Line had anything to do with the lack of a good rushing game Sunday.

No, I would say that what led to not rushing for as many yards was probably the way the game went. Just having gone back and watching it a few times, we were in a decent amount of no-huddle. There were a couple of drives there where we threw the ball on every play - that was because of what Indianapolis was giving us and we're always going to take what the defense gives us. I wouldn't look too much into those rushing stats. As far as it relates to the line, I would say that they played, again, a very solid football game.

TEAM TALK

Game Preview: New England Patriots at Washington Redskins. Broadcast info, series history, team connections and more.
Andy Hart points out that the offense wasn't doing much either, while the defense was giving up big plays against the Colts.
Kate Hedlin writes about Tom Brady, Caleb Hanie and the New York Life Protection Index.
Ask PFW: Start to finish.
Conference Call Transcripts: Bill Belichick - Bill O'Brien - Nick Caserio.
Patriots Today - Belichick, Wilfork on WEEI. (4.04 min. video)
Patriots Today - McDonald makes his mark. (2.23 min. video)
Patriots Today - Patriots make a Super School visit. (2.14 min. video)
PFW in Progress - 12/06/11 (2 hr program)
Patriots Playbook - 12/06/11. (2 hour program)

LOCAL LINKS

Mike Reiss finds one of the common threads in the Patriots' four-game winning streak is taking care of the football.
Karen Guregian says Bill Belichick is still playing mix and match with his defense.
Karen Guregian notes Bill Belichick has used 36 players on defense this year and 24 different starters.
Mark Farinella addresses the negative slant taken by the media following Sunday's win, but says they only write about what Belichick wants them to write about.
Greg A. Bedard reports Mike Shanahan's O-Line took another hit with the NFL suspensions of LT Trent Williams and TE Fred Davis for multiple failed drug tests.
Mike Reiss takes a closer look at the Pats-Broncos flex option.
Greg A. Bedard spotlights the performance of 11-year veteran Matt Light.
Christopher Price offers five takeaways from the Tuesday conference calls with Bill Belichick, Bill O'Brien and Nick Caserio.
Karen Guregian reports Matthew Slater got to bring his "hero" to school yesterday - his father, Pro Football Hall of Famer Jackie Slater.
Carolyn Thornton writes about the Pats' visit to North Providence students to urge kids to get out and play.
Monique Walker attended the NFL Play 60 charitable event that included Matthew Slater, his father Jackie and several Patriots to a local RI school.
Jeff Howe thinks Rob Gronkowski's spike against the Colts actually traveled 35 yards and 19 other Patriots thoughts.
Mike Reiss charts where the Patriots rank in key statistical categories, with the Redskins and their key stats included for comparison.
Mike Reiss tells us the Patriots (18-1) have the second best record in the final four games of a season since 2006. Chargers are first (19-1).
Christopher Price tells us who has been Tom Brady's favorite receiver through 12 games.
Mike Reiss lists the sacks and hits on Tom Brady this season.
Christopher Price breaks down the Patriots penalties through 12 games.
Mike Reiss looks at the weekly Patriots tackle leaderboard, headed by Jerod Mayo on defense and Tracy White on special teams.
Karen Guregian Patriots Notebook: Patriots could clinch the division with a win over the Redskins and a loss by the Jets; Belichick will be coaching against his longtime friend Mike Shanahan; Pats' RBs haven't been catching as many passes this year because of two reasons: Rob Gronkowski & Aaron Hernandez; The NFL & the networks are still haggling over whether to flex the NE-Denver game; Nick Caserio still expects good contributions from Ron Brace.
Mike Reiss answers his weekly Patriots mailbag, with one topic being Devin McCourty's struggles Sunday.

NATIONAL NEWS

Ian Rapoport (Sporting News) New England Patriots team report: No-huddle proving to be Brady's 'secret weapon'.
Kevin Fishbain (Pro Football Weekly) Patriots-Redskins matchup of the day: OLBs Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo vs. OTs Matt Light and Nate Solder.
Albert Breer (NFL.com) Credit Patriots for targeting Gronkowski in draft.
Clark Judge (CBS Sports) Rodgers, Brees MVP frontrunners, but don't dismiss Brady.
Kevin Fishbain (Pro Football Weekly) Patriots rookie report: Week 13.
Les Carpenter (Yahoo! Sports) Pats' Chung makes big hits like reggae star mom.
Gregg Rosenthal (ProFootballTalk) Flex game for Week 15 still up in the air.
Kevin Fishbain (Pro Football Weekly) Patriots 60-second rant: Patriots not striking fear with current play.
James Walker (ESPN) AFC East Stock Watch.
Don Banks (SI) In 2011, surprise impact players have stopped remaining nameless. Kyle Arrington gets some love.
Erik Frenz (Cold Hard Football Facts) Patriots and Packers on pace for records of dominance, futility.
Peter King (SI) MMQB Mail: Three storylines to watch as playoff race gets interesting.

VIEW FROM WASHINGTON D.C.

Mike Jones and Mark Maske (Washington Post) NFL suspends Redskins' Trent Williams, Fred Davis.
Rich Campbell (Washington Times) Redskins to trudge on amid drama.
Dan Daly (Washington Times) Redskins' rebuilding goes up in smoke.
Mike Jones (Washington Post) Ryan Kerrigan, defense 'disappointed' by lack of sacks.
Christopher Mudd (Redskins.com) Helu continues to show promise as a starter.
Mike Jones (Washington Post) Roy Helu: 'Complacency is one of my enemies.'
Mike Jones (Washington Post) Redskins promote NT Chris Baker to 53-man roster.

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Comments

Liked Karen Guregian's article:

Jackie Slater is a mammoth man. It’s easy to see how he would be an offensive lineman. His son doesn’t quite have the same physique. Did Matthew ever worry he wouldn’t make it in the NFL given his lack of size?

"I did. You always hear bigger is better, especially as a young man," he said. "I thought I was going to be an offensive lineman like my dad, but that didn’t quite work out. The more you play the game the more you realize that size doesn’t matter. Some of the best players in the league, and some of the best players on our team, are not very big. It’s about heart and it’s about working hard and doing what you’re asked, and if you do that, hopefully, you’ll have a chance."

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
Belichick is looking for a new name for his boat: VI Rings sounds pretty good.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Dec 7, 2011 11:25 AM EST reply actions

Les Carpenter's piece is also worth a read.

Can hardly wait to hear Ka-Chung! again.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Dec 7, 2011 11:43 AM EST reply actions

Erik Frenz article is interesting.
Patriots and GB are first and second in giving up the most passing yards
Patriots and GB are first and second in passing yards on offense.
At same time they are first (GB) and second (NE) in interceptions.

by prioris on Dec 7, 2011 12:18 PM EST reply actions

Makes sense

Good passing offense leads to being up early, which leads to the opponent passing a lot, which in bend don’t break results in lots of yards but also creates more opportunities for mistakes to capitalize on (interceptions).

by indy pats fan on Dec 7, 2011 12:33 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

This.

This is why these “passing defense yardage” stats being thrown around by every talking head can be very misleading.

No excuse for the 4th quarter collapse against the Colts last week, but putting up 30+ points on nearly every team like Brady and Rodgers routinely do is bound to make the defense look bad as the opposing team attempts to regain a flurry of points.

Can I Scream?

by Adam Fox on Dec 7, 2011 12:57 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t think it is misleading. If the teams don’t tighten up come playoff time, there will likely be no superbowl for either of them. We could even throw NO in the mix. NE, GB and NO can win games with pathetic defenses by the sheer power of their offenses. These teams don’t have to necessary play stellar defense for every playoff game but just enough. If their offenses sputter enough, it’s lights out for them in playoffs. If their secondaries don’t make enough turnovers, that will be another factor.

The misleading thing about the NE passing defense when it comes to playoffs is that they haven’t had any stability in secondary. The injuries to Mayo and Spike also effected passing defense greatly. When NE is healed and the secondary settles down, they should tighten up to some degree.

by prioris on Dec 7, 2011 2:59 PM EST up reply actions

That’s what the hope is.

by Patriots12 on Dec 7, 2011 11:41 PM EST up reply actions

Interesting Article

It seems that Andre Carter got stifled by the Colts rookie offensive lineman. I obviously don’t watch game tape but that’s too bad that an 11 year vet got shut down by a rookie.

by richardlight86 on Dec 7, 2011 2:18 PM EST reply actions

but it also mentioned that he was playing a different technique

which could have had something to do with it too

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Dec 7, 2011 2:38 PM EST up reply actions

Plus this I think:

DE Mark Anderson – 25 of 73

by frogfromthemud on Dec 7, 2011 2:46 PM EST up reply actions

The Patriots played a 3-3 with James I in the box. Why I’m not sure. But they played that way for most of the game.

by Patriots12 on Dec 7, 2011 11:42 PM EST up reply actions

PArt of that was the different scheme

but it also makes me think of the time when rookie Sebastian Vollmer shut down Dwight Freeney in his first start.

by furiousd on Dec 7, 2011 3:23 PM EST up reply actions

good point

Defensively our best pass rush seems to be when both of them are on the field is that fairly accurate?

by richardlight86 on Dec 7, 2011 3:19 PM EST reply actions

I’d say you’d be correct.

by Patriots12 on Dec 7, 2011 11:42 PM EST up reply actions

The new guy on the PS, Dorin Dickerson

6-2 227lbs, and runs a 4.4 40.

He’s played WR, TE and LB.

Kind of one of those players that you wonder what the heck Hoodie will do with him. He’s wearing #80.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Dec 7, 2011 4:31 PM EST reply actions

WR, TE, and LB?

I would use sarcasm font to say that he’ll probably play him as a safety, but I’m not so sure that he wouldn’t.

by indy pats fan on Dec 7, 2011 4:35 PM EST up reply actions

I know, right?

by SlotMachinePlayer on Dec 7, 2011 4:56 PM EST up reply actions

don't forget kick returner

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Dec 7, 2011 5:45 PM EST up reply actions

Yep, that to.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Dec 7, 2011 5:58 PM EST up reply actions

He is a human HYBRID like Hernandez.

I was thinking what type of WR I’d like the Patriots to get.
It was something along the lines of Dickerson – a hybrid.

GB is suppose to have 5 TE’s on their roster. That is the direction
I’d go in in terms of draft receivers.

First potential receiver I am a little excited about in a while.

The big question is – how good are his hands

If they are good then maybe he becomes Ocho’s replacement

by prioris on Dec 7, 2011 5:42 PM EST up reply actions

In his senior year, Dickerson had 45 receptions for 508 yards (11.3 avg.) and 10 touchdowns as a tight-end.

From his wiki page.

Don’t know the targets or how precise his routes needed to be or anything. If he was in a Taylor Price type offense.

Here he benches 405.

Upside is Herndo light, but with more speed.

So you can have Gronk, Herndo, Welker, Branch, and Dickerson.

Someone is going to have a ridiculous matchup going on. Either speedy vs slow, tall vs short, or big vs little.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Dec 7, 2011 6:03 PM EST up reply actions

by prioris on Dec 7, 2011 6:08 PM EST up reply actions

i think somehow integrating one more TE into receiver mix would make the Patriots a more formidable offense.

by prioris on Dec 7, 2011 6:13 PM EST up reply actions

Any idea as to the reason he was unnoticed enough for the Pats to get him on the practice squad?

He has to have some sort of (at least perceived) slight against him, otherwise he would have been picked up on an NFL roster by now.

But anyways, if he does turn out to be another Hernandez-like player, that’s one hell of an offense on paper. Gronk – Hern – Dickerson – Welker – Whichever RB ends up becoming the #1 (my guess would be Vereen, although Ridley has certainly shown promise too). That group in the no-huddle would leave defenses helpless (as if Brady isn’t already good enough at it).

by indy pats fan on Dec 7, 2011 6:34 PM EST up reply actions