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Patriots Have Many Holes To Fill In This Year’s Draft.

Now that Mac Jones is officially a Patriot let’s look at the big picture. The Patriots have many holes to fill. Defensively, they ranked 26th in 2020. They were one of the worst teams in the league in stopping the run. So where do they go from here? My guess is Bill Belichick will focus on the defensive line adding to the rotation. In this post, we will discuss three departments the team needs to restructure.

Middle Linebacker/Defensive Front

The good news is Donta Hightower is returning for the 2021 campaign. Other than that there is not much to get excited about. Edge rusher Josh Uche showed flashes of promise. Chase Winovich is gradually getting better. Number one pick Kyle Duggar has shown he can play. I personally feel they need to get more physical. Teams ran all over them last season, averaging 4.5 yards per carry. That statistic needs to improve.

New additions Henry Anderson, Davon Godchaulx, and Matthew Judon, and Kyle Van Noy will bolster the front seven. Stopping the run is priority number one in 2021.

Patrick Chung Retiring/McCourty Aging

In the off_ season safety, Patrick Chung retired. Chung was noted for his ability in stopping the run. Long time safety Devin McCourty a year older. Second_year safety Kyle Duggar is not ready to take over yet.

Replacing Julian Edelman

The biggest off season news was Julian Edelman announcing his retirement. Edelman is one of the greatest slot receivers in Patriots history. Known for his toughness,Edelman made one of the most clutch catches in Super Bowl history in the comeback win.

Two names to keep an eye on are Elijah Moore of Ole Miss and terrace Marshall Jr of LSu. Both receivers are excellent route runners with burning speed.

Conclusion

Poor execution was frustrating for Patriots fans. A 7-9 record is frustrating for Patriots fans But with the free _agent spending spree and new blood coming in,2021 will be an exciting year.

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Patriots Enter Free Agency With A Bang

Tuesday the Patriots, entered the NFL Free Agency with a bang. They added 8 pieces the most team history. Coming to terms were tight end Jonu Smith, defensive end Matthew Judon from Baltimore, wide receiver Nelson Agholor from the Raiders, Defensive end Henry Anderson of the Jets. Other signings were Davon Godchaux defensive tackle from the Jets, Jalen Mills Defensive back from Philadelphia. As of Wednesday, they locked up tight end Hunter Henry from the LA Chargers. In this post, we will review three reasons why these signings will improve the Patriots in 2021.

Tight End Position Addressed

For the first time in three seasons, the Patriots strengthened the tight end department. Si With the addition of Hunter Henry and Jonu Smith, quarterback Cam Newton has two huge targets to work with.

The 2020 draft class of Dalton Keene and Devin Asiasi did not pan out. Outside of Asiasi and Keene, the club has Ryan Izzo and Matt LaCosse. In 16 games last tight end department accounted for only 7 catches. Both Henry and Smith are elite blockers, which is a significant upgrade.

How Much Are They Improved From 2020?

The next question is how much are they improved from 2020. Head coach Bill Belichick has completely reshaped the roster. Jonu Smith and Hunter Henry are a significant upgrade. Edge rusher Matthew Judon is an All_Pro pass _ rusher.

In, Hunter Henry, the team is getting a quality tight end. In five seasons as a Charger, he has caught 196 receptions for 21 touchdowns. He is also an excellent blocker. Jonu Smith on the other hand provides many skills. He is one of the best route runners in the league and possesses excellent blocking skills. In, four years at Tennessee, he totaled 114 receptions and 16 touchdowns.

By signing Hunter and Smith, it marks the first time since the successful duo of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.

Risky Moves Versus Quality Moves

Receivers Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne are considered risky. In four years as an Eagle, Agholor had two decent seasons. In Kendrick Bourne, the team is getting another slot receiver. Overall, they should give the offense a huge boost.

As for the quality signings Hunter Henry, Jonu Smith, and Matthew Judon are all skilled players. Defensive back Jalen Mills brings stability and depth to the defensive backfield.

Conclusion

In all the signings fans have renowned hope in the Patriots again. Losing Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski was a culture shock. It was nice to see the Patriots being aggressive.

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Matt Patricia Returning Will Be Beneficial For Patriots

The Patriots announced last week, that former Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia will be returning to the organization. Patricia has served the Patriots in many capacities as a defensive coach. He first joined the team in 2004 as an offensive coordinator. a year later he switched over to the defensive side as a linebacking coach. He was also part of the success by winning two Super Bowls. In this post, we will review three reasons why a Matt Patricia return will benefit the 2021 Patriots.

Familiar With The Defense

Matt Patricia has served under Bill Belichick since 2004. During that span, he has seen many great players develop under his leadership. Players such Teddy Bruschi, Richard Seymour, Vince Wilforkhttp Devin McCourty, and Chandler Jones have all performed under Matt Patricia.

Last season, the team was last in stopping the run. Overall, New England allowed 5 yards per carry. One of its’s worst seasons under head coach Bill Belichick.

Front Seven Needs To Be Restructured

For years, New England has been known for their front seven. With players leaving and opt_outs the organization has suffered significantly. New faces have been leaving an impression on the coaching staff. Second_year linebacker Chris Winovich is developing into a team leader. Linebacker Josh Uche has shown he can make a solid contribution. And safety Kyle Duggar will compete for a starting spot next season.

The team finished 11th in the NFL last season. With the addition of Matt Patricia, the Patriot’s defense will be exciting to watch. With several holes to fill, this year’s draft will be interesting.

With ten draft picks available drafting defense, and a quarterback will be a priority. Players returning next season after opting out will be another issue. Linebacker Donta Hightower may retire. And Devin McCourty. Matt Patricia returning may prove significant with these decisions.

Excellent Working Relationship With Bill Belichick

During his 14 year tenure, Matt Patricia has shared brilliant success with Bill Belichick. Two Super Bowls were won under his leadership. A lot needs to be done in order to get back to Super Bowl _caliber.

New England has 60 million dollars in cap space available. Stopping the run was the club’s biggest weakness last season. If the Patriots spend their money wisely, the playoffs are possible.

Conclusion

The Patriots are at a crossroads. A well _thought game plan is a must this off _season. Step number one is a quarterback, Step number two is stronger defense, step number three is to get back to the Super Bowl.

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3 Possible Patriot Quarterbacks For a Bargain In 2021

The glory days of the Patriots dynasty is over. Unless Bill Belichick can find a possible Patriot quarterback fit for a bargain, it will be another depressing season for fans. Monday the team suffered its worst loss in club history at the hands of the Bills 38-9. In this post, we will explore three possible free _agent quarterback fits for the 2021 season.

3 Possible Patriot Quarterbacks

Tyrod Taylor

Tyrod Taylor has been around for a long time. The nine_year veteran is currently Justin Hebert’s backup for the Chargers. Taylor is in the middle of a two_year 11 million dollar deal. It guarantees him to make 6 million.

Earlier in the season, Taylor was diagnosed with a lung infection and replaced by Justin Hebert. He only appeared in two games, leading the Chargers to victory.

With the Cam Newton experiment a failure, it’s unlikely he will be back in 2021 as the Patriots signal_ caller. In 15 games this year Newton has thrown for only 5 touchdown passes. However, he has run for 12 touchdowns.

Taylor is only 29 years old and has plenty of upside left. The ex Baltimore Rave and Buffalo Bill is a good decision maker and accurate thrower. He has played in 72 career games with a decent rating of 89%. For the price, he would be the perfect bridge for the rebuilding patriots.

Jameis Winston

Jameis Winston was a former 1st found pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The ex Florida State graduate signed a one_year deal for 1.1 million dollars. Hampered by injuries, he has only appeared in three games this season.

Winston is a mammoth standing at 6″4″ weighing 231 lbs. His size and mobility would be attractive to the Patriots coaching staff. He is decent in the pocket and has a rifle arm when healthy.

With New England’s excellent offensive line, it may be a perfect situation for both parties. The Patriots are going to have to add receivers in the offseason. For the price, he may be the perfect solution.

Marcus Mariota

The interesting aspect of this situation is the price tag. The Raiders have two quarterbacks locked up for outrageous salaries. Mariota is the cheaper of the two at 20 million. His competition, Derek Carr is tied up 18 million per year.

Overall, the Raiders have had a disappointing season at 7-8. The most recent, a 26-25 loss to Miami. With all the cap space tied up in quarterbacks, one of the two will be cut. My guess is it will be Mariota.

Cutting Mariota could pave the way to a possible New England destination. He is only 27 and can scramble with the best of them. Not to mention a cannon of an arm. If he can stay healthy, he may be worth the risk.

Conclusion

With 51 million dollars in cap space, do not expect the Patriots to give away the farm on a quarterback. The club needs receivers in the worst way. This team is in for a total rebuild that will take two or three years. It’s safe to say the Patriots mystique is over.

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Patriots Success In 2020 Hinges Solely On The Defense

With the 2020 NFL season kicking off Sunday, The Patriot’s success hinges solely on the defense. With a new quarterback in Cam Newton, the team’s defense will be the key to their success., Last season, for example, the defense led the league in interceptions 23 and blocked punts 6. In this post, we will review three reasons the defense will be a major role in the organization’s outcome.

Patriots Success IN 2020 Hinges Solely On  The Defense                                                                                                                                                               

League High In Opt _Outs  For starters, the Patriots had a league_ high of eight opt_ outs. Team captain Donta Hightower is the most notable member to sit out the season.  After Hightower, the next player is Patrick Chung. Chung is a vital contributor to the third downs. Other missing pieces are Duron Harmon and Elandon Roberts.

Head coach Bill Belichick installing youth movement on defense. Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings, and Chase Winovich, and Jonathan Simon will lead the linebacking unit.

As for pass coverage, that remains the team’s strongest area.  Third_Year man JC Jackson has emerged as one of the leagues best. Stephon Gilmore is the best shut down back in the game.

Difficulty In Stopping the Run, The Patriot’s biggest challenge last year was stopping the run. Lamar Jackson of the Ravens had a field day mid_ way through the season last year.                

 Tennessee’s Derrick Henry ran for 183 yards in the wild card game.  If the Patriots have any hope of postseason dreams, they have to stop the run _heavy teams.                         

 

Front Seven Needs To Step It Up With the loss of Donta Hightower, the team will have to rely on the front seven. Adam Butler, Dieatrich Wise, and Lawrence Guy need to apply pressure. Newly signed Beau Allen has yet to step on the field.

Conclusion   The landscape has changed without Tom Brady. The Patriots have the game’s best head coach in Bill Belichick. With a thin receiving group,  Cam Newton has his challenges.  Look for a strong running game, especially from Cam Newton. My prediction is the Patriots will go 7-10 with Cam Newton calling the signals.

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Weighing In On The Patriots Opting Out Issues

It has been a trying 2020 offseason for the Patriots. The team is dealing with a slew of opting _out issues. Coved 19 is jeopardizing the upcoming season. Leading the way on the opt _out lists are Dont’a Hightower, Marcus Cannon, Brandon Bolden, Patrick Chung, and Danny Vitale. Hightower is the quarterback of the defense. If anymore opt_ out head coach Bill Belichick will have a problem on his hands. In this post, we will weigh in on the Patriots opt_out issues.

Weighing In On The Patriots Team Opting Out Issues                                                       

 Conspiracy Theorist Experts Taking Over  Events like opting_out promote conspiracy theories. Especially when they surround the Patriots. Bill Belichick is not the most popular person. With, Tom Brading signing with Tampa Bay this only sparks conspiracy The Patriots have been a victim of Spygate and Deflategate. Opting_out  from playing only makes it worse. With training camp underway, the next couple of weeks should be interesting. This makes suitable conversation for the local talk shows and podcasts.

Key Players Opting Out The Patriots defense will be seriously a Dante Hightower has been the leader for several years. Patrick Chung is a valuable cog in the defensive backfield. Without either, the Patriots will have to trade or sign an available free agent. Starting a rookie means growing pains and defeats.

The Team  Awarded Extra Cap Space  Before training camp, the club was awarded extra cap space.  The team came to terms on the Antonio Brown contract, and Aron Hernandez estate.

Instead of being under 1,000,000 dollars, the club has an additional  7.5 million dollars in cap space. Some names to keep an eye on are  James Harrison defensive tackle and edge rusher, Jedaveon Clowney.  Clowney would provide leadership left by Hightower. I personally like defensive tackle, James Harrison. Only 31 years old he’s a versatile run stopper.  He has recently played for the Jets and Lions.

Looking Ahead Depending on the pandemic the NFL season could be at stake. Players are opting_out  to protect their families. The Patriots have been one of the hardest _hit teams.  With the loss of Tom Brady and others, it could be a long season for Patriots fans.                                                                                                                                                                                               

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Why Jarrett Stidham Will Succeed As A Patriots Starter

As football fans wait out the pandemic, people are anxious to see quarterback Jarrett Stidham in action. Stidham has the arduous task of replacing the great Tom Brady. One thing is for certain, Jarrett Stidham will face many growing pains as a first_year quarterback. In this post, we will examine three reasons why Jarrett Stidham will survive as the Patriots starting quarterback.

 Why Jarrett Stidham Will Succeed As  A Patriots Starter

Came From A Great College Program  In 2019 the Patriots selected Jarrett Stidham in the fourth round out of Auburn. Stidham played two years under Auburn head coach, Gus Malzahn. While at Auburn, Stidham finished with 25 games under his belt. In that span of time, he threw 18 touchdown passes and threw for over 3,000 yards in  2017/18. Prior to Auburn, he played the 2015 season at Baylor. Both programs are highly regarded by NFL coaches.

Since joining the Patriots he has three NFL games to his credit. Much of his time was spent as Tom Brady’s understudy. He is also facing stiff competition from reserve Brian Hoyer. Many people expect Stidham to play the whole season as a starter.

Playing For One Of The Greatest Coaches In NFL History   Stidham has another advantage that most young quarterbacks don’t. Playing under Bill Belichick will only make him better. The best example is Tom Brady. Brady was a no _name  out of Michigan. Then in early 2000 starter, Drew Bledsoe got hurt and Brady never looked back.

Over the years, Belichick has been a shrewd judge of talent. He has drafted greats like Tom Brady, Tedy Bruschi, Vince Wilfork, and Matt Light. Now it’s Stidham’s turn to see if he belongs with the greats.

 Much Improved Offensive Line  One issue Tom Brady had was protection. Last season, center Dave Andrews was injured with a lung infection. In the offseason, Andrews was cleared to play. With a healthy Isaiah Wynn, New England should have a  much improved offensive line in 2020.

In the 2020 draft, Belichick selected three offensive linemen. If Joe Thuney can get his contract extended  Stidham should have significant protection in 2020. Also, joining the mix, are two new tight ends. Joining the mix are Devin Asiasi of UCLA and Dalton Keene of Virginia Tech. Asiasi was the best blocking tight end in the draft.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Looking Ahead With Bill Belichick and his superior staff, Jarrett Stidham will succeed  within time.

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Three Reasons Why The Patriots Will Return To The Playoffs In 2020

With Hall Of Fame quarterback, Tom Brady departed, its time for the Patriot’s to reboot.The organization had a robust offseason.  joining Brady, were Kyle Van Noy, Elandon, Roberts, Ted Karras, Jamie Collins, and Duron Harmon. All played vital roles in the Patriot’s last two Super Bowl victories. In this post, we will examine three reasons the Patriots will make the

Three Reasons The Patriots Will Return To The Playoffs In 2020

Fresh New Faces  Head coach Bill Belichick is rebuilding, starting with Jarrett Stidham. Stidham is in his second season as a Patriot Stidham has shown great poise and accuracy in his short tenure. His offseason workouts are going well as Stidham practices with the receivers.

If Stidham does not impress in preseason Belichick may turn to reserve  Brian Hoyer. Hoyer is in his third stint as a Patriot. Whoever wins the job, Patriots fans will be in for culture, shock without Tom Brady.

Healthy Offensive Line During the offseason, the team received grateful news regarding center David Andrews. Andrews was injured all of 2019 due to lung infection. With a healthy Andrews, the line should see a significant improvement in 2020.

In the draft Belichick rebuilt his line by drafting guard Michel Onwenu, Michigan tackle Justin Herron Tackle Wake Forrest, and center Dustin Woodard of Memphis.

With two mid _round picks, Belichick replaced Rob Gronkowski with UCLA’S Devin Asiasi and Virginia Tech’s Dalton Keene. Keene brings flexibility as both a fullback and tight end. As for Asiasi specializes in blocking skills. This is what Rob Gronkowski specialized in for years.

Flexible Defense The Patriots had one of the best defenses in the NFL in 2019. With the departures of Kyle Van Noy,  Elandon Roberts, Jamie Collins, and Duron Harmon, the Patriots added more speed in the defense.

The Patriots have to do a better job in stopping the run. Heavy teams like Baltimore and Tennessee. Derrick Henry had a career day running for 183 yards in the wild card game in 2019.

New England added defensive tackle Beau Allen Linebacker Brandon Copeland and safety Adrian Phillips. All three can drop back in cover and stop the run. Number one pick Kyle Duggar of Lenoir Rhyne. Duggar’s strengths are kickoff returns and his superb tackling skills.  These skills are what Belichick relishes.

2020 Projection   Grooming Jarrett Stidham will take time. But one thing he has going in his favor is the great coaching of Bill Belichick. With a balanced running game in Sony Michel. Rex Burkhead and James White it should be an interesting campaign will take time for Stidham to get to know N’keal . Jacobi Meyers, Julian Edelman, and Mohamed Sanu. If the team can stay healthy my projection is 10-7.

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Life In The Post Brady Era

Reality is starting to settle in for Patriots fans. The man who led them to six Super Bowls is now a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. The Jarrett Stidham era has begun. In this post, we will examine three areas of how life will be different without Tom Brady.                                                                                                         Life In The Post Brady Era                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Belichicks Faith  Jarrett Stidham  No one is a better judge of talent than Bill Belichick. Over the year’s Belichick has drafted Richard Seymour, Tedy Bruschi, Logan Mankins, Matt Light, Rob Gronkowski, Devin McCourty, and now Jarrett Stidham.                                                                                                       In 2019, the Patriots selected Stidham in the 4th round. After a brief career at Baylor, he transferred to LSU and put up colossal numbers. Scouts raved about his potent arm. A lot of scouts projected Stidham as a starting quarterback in the NFL. Head coach Bill Belichick raves about his work ethic and accuracy.

Whether Stidham begins the season remains to be seen. As in insurance policy, the team resigned Brian Hoyer in the offseason. In 2019, the Patriots released Hoyer, who was claimed by Indianapolis.

Two new tight Ends  This year’s draft produced two new tight ends. The Patriots selected Devin Asiasi of UCLA and Dalton Keene of Virginia Tech. Both are known for their blocking skills. Keene is a tireless worker. He can also play in the backfield as an extra receiver. Both Keene and Asiasi will join Matt Lacosse and Ryan Izzo in the tight ends department.

In the offseason Hall of Fame Tight end, Rob Gronkowski joined Tampa Bay. How Belichick and Josh McDaniels coach up should be interesting. Whatever the outcome is  Patriots nation will never forget Rob Gronkowski.

Restructured Offensive LIne  Life without Brady will be hard to adapt to. If Jarrett Stidham is going to be successful, he will have sufficient protection. This year’s draft class also two additional linemen. Offensive guard Michael Onwenu of Michigan. Onweanu’s strengths are his versatility. during his first two years at Michigan, Onwenu played both the offensive side and defensive side.

With the sixth pick, the team selected tackle Justin Herron of Wake Forest. At 6″5″ 305 pounds, Herron is projected as more of a guard than a tackle. His strengths are his length and footwork. His weaknesses are his run blocking. Both Herron and Onwenu will be work in progress

The Future                                                                                                                        Replacing Tom Brady will take time. Fans will have to get used to the post_ Brady era. One thing is for sure the team is still coached by one of the best in NFL history in Bill Belichick.

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Why The 2020 Draft Is The Most Important In Patriots History

Now that the Tom Brady era is over in New England, it’s time for a new chapter to begin. This marks the first true test of how Bill Belichick can restructure his team. Currently, the organization owns twelve picks in this year’s draft. The question is .will they select a quarterback or roll the dice with Jarret Stidham this season? The experts predict the team will choose AJ Espensea of Iowa with the first pick. Other analysts have Belichick moving up and taking quarterback Jake Fromm of Georgia. In any event, Thursday marks a new beginning for the New England Patriots. In this post, we will examine three reasons why the 2020 draft is the most important in Patriots history.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Why The 2020 Draft  Is The Most Important In Patriots History                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     The Greatest Quarterback In History Left  You could say that Tom Brady was the best bargain on the market this offseason. The owner of six Super Bowls Is now a Tampa Bay Buccaneer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Relying on Jarret Stidham could prove to be disastrous, On the flip side, many players say that Stidham is more than capable. With Brian Hoyer, as his back up only time will tell. With a minimal receiving group the Patriots will struggle.                                                                                                                                                                              Too Many Holes To Fill   The days of the Patriots putting up 40 points in order to win are over. The team will have to grind it out with an aging roster. If key veterans can stay healthy the Patriots may surprise people. Veteran Julian Edelman is 34. Tight end Ben Watson retired as Rob Gronkowski.  Relying on Matt  Lacosse will not cut it. Therefore, expect Belichick, and the Patriots to be very active on draft night.                                                                                                             Toughest Schedule in The NFL With Tom Brady departed, the club has one of the tougher schedules in 2020. Dates with Kansas City and San Fransisco are two. An improved Bills team twice. Plus Seattle and Denver are reasons to be skeptical.  Also leaving were Kyle Van Noy and Elandon Roberts. Look for a lot of new faces next season.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   The Future   Look for the Patriots to select AJ ESpensea with their first pick. The team needs to focus on its front seven. With twelve picks look for Belichick to draft either Nate Stanley of Iowa or Cole McDonald of Hawaii. The year 2020 shall be one of the challenging in recent memory.