Will Green-Ellis Be A Patriot In 2012?

Will the Law Firm be back in 2012?

     With the lack of Green-Ellis being utilized in 2011, many suspect that since his contract is up and he'll be hitting Free agency, that he'll not return to the Patriots in 2012. Now, I for one think that Belichick would be completely stupid to do this. Of course, I also think he will. But Green-Ellis is a great back and deserves a 2012 contract. He has yet to fumble since he made it into the NFL, which is something Belichick loves in his players. He is also all but a guarantee to get a first down when you need him to. He made $1.875 million in 2011, which he has earned in my mind. I think releasing Green-Ellis and the probability that Faulk retires would make the Patriots backfield filled with Woodhead, Ridley, and Vareen. None are outstanding backs. Of course, there's always Aaron Hernandez at RB. But that's beside the point. When Faulk went down in 2010, Green-Ellis picked up the slack and rushed for over 1,000 yards. He's a key part to the offense. Especially on third downs. On third and short, who else in the NE backfield would be all but a guarantee to get it? I can't think of anyone. The Law Firm is our rushing workforce. That's why I think he should be back in 2012 with the Patriots.

Myra Kraft To Receive A Lifetime Achievement Award

     It has been announced that Myra Kraft will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Non-Profit Leadership from he New England Chapter of the National Association of Corporate Directors. The association will also be renaming the award the "Myra H. Kraft Award" after the late Ms. Kraft.

Do The Patriots Need WR Deion Branch? (With Branch Computer Background)

Do the Pats need WR Deion Branch? 

     I've heard a LOT of talk about how Deion Branch is likely to retire, and if he wants to come back another year, he'd only be paid just above minimum wage for NFL players. But does that seem stupid to anybody else? We can't afford to lose Branch right now. Look at the stats: Our other WRs were basically garbage last year except Wes Welker, who led the league in catches and yards by a long shot. Edelman only has 11 balls caught in his past 2 seasons with New England, even though he's been the #3 WR much of that time. Ochocinco didn't do much for New England last year with only 15 catches. Taylor Price couldn't stay healthy for anything so he was released. Matt Slater is only a Special Teams guy and nothing more. So New England has nobody even half decent at WR except their current starting duo of Welker and Branch. Now, maybe Ochocinco has a good year next year. Maybe he doesn't. Maybe he's not even here next year. There's a lot of if's with the guy. And sure New England might be able to go into Free Agency and snatch Vincent Jackson or Reggie Wayne, but in all actuality, they might be the same thing Ochocinco was last year. Branch is the Patriots insurance policy. Even if he doesn't start, he should be with the Pats next year. The front office should sit down and talk to Branch, and try to convince him not to hand up his cleats. What if New England gets Wayne, and he does really good? And then midseason, Wes Welker runs one of his great inside routes, let's say a slant route, and gets obliterated by a safety? And he gets a concussion? Or a re-injured neck? And the Pats next best option is a WR who plays more on defense because he doesn't make plays on offense? It seems whenever a team gets rid of their insurance policy player, they all of a sudden get injured and their entire season is moot. Example: The Chicago Bears last year without Forte or Cutler. We need Branch bad, and should be willing to pay the man to return and try to get another ring. What do you think? Comment below and tell me.

Should the Patriots Pursue Randy Moss? (Plus Computer Background)

Randy Moss has announced that he will be (or at least will try to be) coming back to the NFL in the 2012-2013 season, saying "Your boy be back for the upcoming season." He's 35, but from everything I'm told, he's still got it. I, for one, think that NE should try out every WR they can get their hands on, but especially Moss. Him and Brady have that connection. However, Moss is also known for giving up when he isn't happy, by not running routes and dropping passes, as well as skipping out on practice. However, the last time Moss was in New England, Moss was able to be kept from doing this for 3 years, before he started giving up and was released in the 2010-2011 season. From there he went to the Vikings, for a very short time, and then went to Tennessee for the rest of the season, before announcing his retirement. Many people think Moss is just looking for a paycheck, but when I look at him, I think I know why he's coming back. Look at his hands. See any rings? No? That's why I think he's coming back. Well, and to add to his legacy. But either way, I believe he wants to go out and ball for somebody, and I think he would prefer that somebody to be the New England Patriots. What do you think? Tell me below.

14 Free Agents That New England Should Go After

A lot of people don't care much about Free Agency, thinking their team will get what they need in the Draft alone. Where this logic comes from, I don't know. But it's most definitely not completely true. Sure, you can find some gems each draft, but the real assurance in choosing players comes from Free Agency. So here's a list of Free Agents NE should go ahead and take after (In no particular order):
     1) Mario Williams, DE/OLB, Houston
     We all know Mario is a monster. And he's a great edge rusher. What is one of NE's major priorities? Pass rush. So hey, why not chase one of the best in the biz? Mario Williams is a very proven pass rusher, and I think the Texans don't want him anymore when they have JJ Watt and several other good defensive lineman. So he could be very good for the Patriots if they went after him.
     2) Cortland Finnegan, CB, Tennessee
     Sure he's gotten in a few fights before, most famously the fight with Houston's Andre Johnson. But hey, New England has shown that they can tame wild beasts (Randy Moss, Chad Ochocinco). Finnegan is an underdog, no matter who he's lining up against, so he's always got that fire in him. He's aggressive. He hits guys. And most importantly, he's a pretty dang good cover CB. And he already said that if New England offered him a contract, he'd love to join the team. Sounds like a good plan to me.
     3) Calais Campbell, DE, Arizona
     In 2011, this Defensive End from the Cardinals had 72 tackles, and 8 sacks, as well as an interception and 2 forced fumbles. Not too shabby. And he's got some good size to him too, at 6 feet, 8 inches, and 300 pounds. He meets Belichick's requirements for D-Line, that's for sure. He's one guy that probably goes under a lot of people's radar, since he isn't a household name, but he can definitely be huge for the New England Patriots.
     4) Cliff Avril, DE, Detroit
     This guy is one of the great D-Lineman of the Detroit Lions, and at 6 feet, 3 inches tall, and 260 pounds, he's a quick guy that can get to the QB (11 sacks in 2011). He's also young, but has experience. Something New England could use on that defense. New England's defense is known for getting turnovers, and Avril got 6 forced fumbles in 2011, which is pretty good. He could definitely fit in in New England and get out there to start making plays early if NE signs him.
     5) Vincent Jackson, WR, San Diego
     Here we have a household name. Vincent Jackson. He's a WR that Tom Brady would love to have, and that New England needs. Sure Ochocinco didn't have a great year, but I think Ochocinco should stay in NE at least for training camp and see how it goes. Restructure his contract for less money. Then put Ochocinco outside, Jackson outside, and everybody's favorite White Wes Welkah in the slot? With Hernandez and Gronkowski too? Oh man, would that be an offense for the ages or what? Jackson is a big bodied WR, that would be great in the Red Zone, and he can stretch the field vertically, allowing Welker to make his dough underneath. It would be like 2007 all over again!
     6) Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans
     This guy is a good WR with size and speed. 6 feet, 3 inches, 225 pounds. In 2011, he caught 80 balls for 1,143 yards and reeled in 8 touchdowns, while getting 55 first downs. He could also help stretch the field for the Patriots, and get defenses scared of our deep ball again. Spread those defenses out a bit more so Welker's job isn't so hard. NE has been lacking WRs since the start of the 2010 season when Randy Moss left the Patriots. Since then, everything has been on Welker's shoulders to carry the receivers corps. And he's done a good job at that, but a tall receiver is definitely a major priority in Foxboro, and Colston fits that.
     7) John Abraham, DE, Atlanta
     This guy is known pretty well throughout the NFL as a great pass rusher, with 9.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles in 2011. And I'm sure he's tired of not getting anything in the postseason in Atlanta. He's nearing the end of his career at 34 years old, and he wants a ring on his hand. He doesn't have one yet. So I think he'd definitely take a little pay cut to come to the reigning AFC Champions and give that SB trip another go. He's got a much higher chance of getting some bling in New England than he does in Atlanta, despite Atlanta's good Offense and Defense. So I think he could be a nice addition for a season, but not more. He could be like Andre Carter was for New England in 2011. A man nearing retirement, who's a bit old, but still has what it takes for just a bit longer, and wants a ring more than anything.
     8) Brent Grimes, CB, Atlanta
     This guy may not seem too flashy out there, only hauling in 1 interception in 2011, but he can be good for New England, who's very short at Corner Back, and hasn't had a great SB since Asante Samuel. Grimes isn't too good on paper, but he's not too shabby when you watch him play. He could help out a lot in the young, inexperienced secondary of the Pats.
     9) DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadephia
     After being benched by his coach Andy Reid for a game during the 2011 season, it seems that the Eagles may not even negotiate with DeSean. He's known for showboating and being about as flashy and cocky as Primetime was, but he's got Wes Welker quickness and Randy Moss speed. He's a freak of nature. He does have attitude problems, but I'm sure Belichick could get him whipped into shape in no time. He's an incredibly skilled WR, Adding him to Brady's arsenal of weapons could be great, if he's willing to take a pay cut to come here. And I think, like most players, he would be.
     10) Steve Johnson, WR, Buffalo
     Bill Belichick is notorious for trading for players who he can't figure out how to beat (see Wes Welker), and Johnson is no exception. He's big, and not only would BB not have to deal with him anymore, he'd become a great asset. He's got size and speed, and he may not be a Randy Moss, he certainly has what it takes to play elite football. With a QB like Brady throwing to him, he could be huge for us.
     11) LaRon Landry, S, Washington
     Did anybody just have flashbacks of Rodney Harrison? Thought so. Landry is a great safety from Washington, who's notorious for hitting. Again, Rodney Harrison anybody? He's exactly what New England's defense needs in the secondary. Somebody who knows what's up (5 years experience), and he's tall. New England needs tall DBs, because it seems every single WR over 6 feet, 3 inches just eats this secondary for breakfast. New England wants teams to be afraid of playing us again. And I think Landry could be a big part of that.
     12) Jarret Johnson, LB, Baltimore
     This guy is kind of like the unknown man on the Ravens linebacking coprs. But coaches playing him always know who he is. He had 56 tackles in 2011, as well as 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. He bring experience to the table, as he's been in the NFL for 9 years. He knows what teams like to do, and he could be another key factor of this New England defense.
     13) Brandon Lloyd, WR, St Louis
     Lloyd is a very athletic WR who seems to very much enjoy working with New England's soon to be Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels. They were on the same team in Denver, when McDaniels took Lloyd as a free agent, and when McDaniels was fired and went on to be the OC of the St. Louis Rams, Lloyd soon followed in a trade. Lloyd says he would love to go to play up in Foxboro, and there's no reason not to believe him. He had 70 catches for 966 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2011, with Sam Bradford as the one tossing him the ball. Not shabby at all. Lloyd could definitely be a nice addition to the Patriots one-man-show WR corps.
     14) Tyvon Branch, S, Oakland
     Branch, a 6 feet, 0 inch safety from the Raiders, had a pretty nice 2011 season with 109 tackles, a sack, and an interception, as well as a fumble recovery. He has some height to him at six feet tall, and that is big for the Pats (no pun intended). Height and experience is necessary in New England's poor secondary. Branch brings both. That's why I think he could find himself with a Flying Elvis on his helmet pretty soon.

4 Patriots Plays That could Help Them Win SB XLVI

Here is just a few plays I came up with to help the Patriots get past the New York Giants. Hope you enjoy.

This play is basically just a running play, but I'm going to break it down. You have Hernandez left, Gronkowski on the end of the offensive line, Brady in the shotgun with Green-Ellis to his right, Welker in the slot on the right, and Ochocinco outside. But the most important part of this play is that Hernandez and Gronkowski are both on the same side, and the Giants are more than likely going to double both. And you need a big body of Gronkowski and Hernandez, like a linebacker. So now you have 2 linebackers to the left, and only one in the middle, because Welker and Ochocinco will have CBs on them. The free safety is going to hover over Hernandez and Gronkowski in an attempt at bracket coverage, and the SS will try to cover Welker and Ochocinco (mainly Welker). But the Giants have to put all their big bodies, all their beef, to the left on Gronkowski and Hernandez, so the smaller bodies will be right. Which is perfect for the Patriots. Play action to Green-Ellis from the shotgun. Now Green-Ellis is basically going to run a short flat route in basically a screen, with Welker and Ochocinco blocking their men, while right guard Marcus Cannon pulls to the right as another big body. In my mind, because the big defensive players will be on Gronkowski and Hernandez, this play could be big, and even be a touchdown.

In this play, Branch is lined up wide left, Gronkowski on the end of the line, Brady in the shotgun, Hernandez beside Brady as a running back (the Giants will immediately think run if Hernandez is in the backfield), Welker in the slot to the right, and Ocho wide right. Basically the same formation as the last play, with slightly different personnel. Brady's primary route will be Welkers, with his in-out route (he goes forward, then left, and then turns to his left to end up going right again), Ochocinco will be Brady's secondary route, with a corner-post route that I've seen Ochocinco run well many times. Branch will be third with his hitch, then Hernandez on his arrow-slant route. Gronkowski will be last on the read with his option out-post, because he likely won't be open on the route, but his big body will still require double coverage even if injured, and if he's open, it could be a great play. The key to this play is that it's outside. A couple different route on the outside, which isn't covered very well by the giants if they run the same defense they did the last time they played us (a lot of press coverage and doubling of both right ends, keeping the middle of the field cloudy so Brady couldn't figure out coverages).

This is a pretty simple defense I think could help shutdown the Giants O. The Giants like coming out in this formation, with Manningham outside left, Cruz in the slot to the left, Manning under center with Bradshaw behind him, Ballard on the end of the offensive line on the right, and Nicks wide right. I have Arrington in Nicks, Fletcher on Ballard, Mayo blitzing, Spikes dropping into a zone over the middle of the field, Ninkovich calling pre-snap whether he'll blitz or whether he'll pick up Cruz (if he does blitz, Spikes will be the bottom of the bracket coverage, with Ihedigbo over the top) and McCourty on Manningham. Ihedigbo will be dropping into pass coverage if Ninkovich doesn't blitz, and Chung would be doing the same. I think this defense could be good, with Wilfork requiring double-teams, and NE blitzing 5 total guys (unless Ninkovich covers Cruz) to help get pressure on Eli and stopping any outside run, with Spikes plugging any holes he sees over the middle.

This play is pretty simple, with New England in an unbalanced formation to combat Man coverage and Zone coverage. Ochocinco would be mid-way between the numbers on the field and the end of the line of scrimmage, Woodhead next to Brady in the shotgun, Hernandez on the end of the line of scrimmage on the right, Welker in a bunch with Branch. Ochocinco would be running a corner-post again, which would probably require double coverage, and if he isn't doubled, just heave that ball up there to him. Woodhead would stay behind to protect Brady, and Hernandez would be running basically a rounded post, so that he keeps speed through the whole route, to occupy the upper-middle of the field, causing a safety of linebacker to take him, Welker running an arrow route to the outside (basically running just past the line of scrimmage, to the outside horizontally), and Branch running a delayed Drag route. This play would keep safeties on their heals, as well as attack the Giants linebackers, making them play smart football. Welker would be Brady's first choice on this play, with Ochocinco being his second deep over the middle, Hernandez and Branch could be read at relatively the same time on the third routes, because Hernandez will be in the same line of sight as Branch on this play.

So what do you guys think? Would these plays work in the game? Tell me below in my comment box!

Bring Home the Lombardi for Myra!

New England Keys To Beating The New York Giants

Keys For New England To Beat The New York Giants

     This game obviously is huge for our beloved New England Pats. And there's a lot that goes on in a game that make a difference, so right now I'll name a few things New England NEEDS to do in order to beat the NYG.

     1) Rush Effectively

     The New York pass D may not be the best, but that pass rush is killer. So why not make sure that they don't know what's coming? Rushing well forces the Giants defensive lineman to look more at what's coming instead of just rushing head on. If they know NE is going to pass, that makes their job easier? Where's the fun in that? I expect the Patriots to rush early and often with the diverse rushing weapons they have to keep the Giants pass-rushers at bay. New England is 23-1 all time when Green-Ellis scores a touchdown, and 8-0 so far this year when he does. Rushing would also help New England manage the clock and keep our defense off the field, so they can play their aggressive style all day without being as tired. Which leads me to my next key:

     2) Play Aggressive On Defense

     All postseason, New England's Defense has played a very aggressive style, always attacking and never letting off the gas. The last time the New England Patriots played the Giants, the defense did a relatively good job of not letting the Giants go anywhere (until the fourth quarter hit). I distinctly remember early in the game, on a third and long. Obviously, the Giants are gonna pass. And Manning throws it deep over the middle to Jake Ballard, and right as Ballard goes to make the catch, he had a nice meeting with Brandon Spikes, which cause an incomplete pass. If New England can go out there and just hit somebody and play hard, they'll be alright in my mind. They also need to be aggressive at the line of scrimmage. Wilfork and his fellow D-Linemen, as well as any blitzing linebackers, have done a good job of making Offensive Linemen look like turnstiles as someones entering an amusement park, as the D-Linemen enter the park to have some fun. I think the D can do that early on and force some negative runs for the Giants, that will force Eli to pass. That might seem like a bad thing, but every incompletion is a clock stoppage, instead of a moving clock that rushing would cause. That would be great for the Pats, so the conservative offense can eat the clock up.

     3) Win The Turnover Battle

     The Patriots are normally really good at winning the turnover battle, but sometimes, and in playoff games of recent years, they don't. The Patriots need to maintain possession and not fumble or throw interceptions in this one. That's one reason I expect BenJarvus Green-Ellis to have a good game with a lot of plays. He doesn't fumble often. In fact, never in his professional career. So he should be utilized as New England's main rusher. And on defense, we know the Giants will try to pass because the New England pass D was 31st in the regular season. So the defense needs to make plays on the ball and get interceptions, as well as hitting people hard to seperate the ballcarrier from the ball. That is going to be big for the Patriots in this game.

     4) Use Our Receivers (yes, that includes Ochocinco)

     I was looking at the film from the Giants-Patriots Week 9 matchup, and the Giants did a lot of playing press coverage on the receivers and they doubled both tight ends, while also bringing their safeties in closer to the line of scrimmage, completely disrespecting the deep pass, because, well, New England wasn't throwing deep. So in this game, if Brady sees them try to do that, (and I suspect they will, because it worked last time) I expect that he'll audible a receiver like Ochocinco to a fly route, and let him beat the tight coverage like we know he can, and throw a deep bomb. I'm sure the Giants wouldn't play as tight of coverage anymore, so Brady could go right back to Welker or Branch or Gronkowski or Hernandez or whichever receiver is the best option. Keep their pass D on their heels. Make them pick their poison. New England has too many options to cover. Between two TEs that both demand double coverage and arguably the best route runner in the league. They can't cover everyone.

     If New England can accomplish these four simple things, I believe they can completely obliterate these New York Giants.

Will The Defense Continue To Shine In SB46?

Will The Defense Continue To Shine In SB46?

     So far in the Patriots playoff run, the defense has been playing with great heart and passion. But let's face it, the Broncos and Ravens aren't exactly good offenses to face. The Pats haven't faced an offense as hot as the Giants all year. Can the defense hold up? I think so. And here's a couple reasons why.

     1) The Patriots Are Playing For MHK

     No NFL analyst will dare say it, for reasons I don't know, but I just said it. The Patriots are playing for Ms. Myra Hiatt Kraft. The entire season is dedicated to her. And since the Playoffs started, there's been a feeling around this defense that wasn't there in the regular season. They're playing with a heart and passion that I hadn't seen them play with hardly at all in the regular season. It seems nobody is taking a play off ever. Especially that front 7. The defense is playing tough, agressive football. They're playing for MHK. They're flying to the ball, and making plays on the ball instead of making plays on the ballcarrier after he's already caught it. All around, they're playing real football. For the first time all year, we've seen the defense play a full game and tough it out until the end, just like Ms Kraft did. 

     2) The Patriots Defense Is Motivated

     All week, while the Patriots players have been eating their humble pie, the Giants WRs haven't been able to close their mouths. Between Manningham and Cruz taking stabs at Julian Edelman's defensive play, Cruz laughing at the entire defense (literally), and the Giants WRs basically saying it'll be a game of catch. Do you think the likes of Brandon Spikes, Jerod Mayo, Rob Ninkovich, Patrick Chung, and Vince Wilfork really enjoy hearing that? No. And do you think those guys can't wait to go out there and hit somebody, and hit them hard? Oh boy, this D can not wait. All year they've been laughed at, mocked, and told that they couldn't stop a nosebleed. They want to go out there and make a statement. A loud statement. And therefore, I think the Defense will go out there and smack those Giants receivers around, just like they did in the first half against the Giants in week 9.

     3) The Patriots Can Get Penetration Behind The Line Of Scrimmage To Stop Runs And Hit Eli

     This playoff run, the Pats D has been getting pressure and penetrating the opposing offensive line all day. Between the Divisional round where New England caused 14 plays for negative yardage, to the Ravens game in the AFC Championship where big 'ol Vince was out there decapitating offensive linemen and getting pressure on Flacco. And it worked. The D has been getting pressure the whole playoff run. And I think there isn't an offensive lineman in the league who can stop that right now. You have to double Wilfork. We all know that. And then you have the 2 men playing on the edge, whether they're Anderson and Deaderick or any other combination of DL guys. Plus the linebackers who will be blitzing I'm sure, with the way BB has made this prototype 3-4. Now, people have been saying that it doesn't matter how hard you hit Eli, he'll stick in there. Well, I think the Pats D wants to find out if that's true. If nothing else, the D will force Eli to leave a RB or TE behind to help block, and that could be big for the Pats secondary. 

     This is why the Patriots defense will continue to shine in this Super Bowl 42 (I promise I was trying to stay away from that topic for you guys) rematch between two newfound rivals.