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.

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.

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.

Is the Super Bowl Ochocinco's time to shine?

Is The Superbowl Ochocinco's Time To Shine?

You know, there's been a LOT of hate towards Ochocinco this year. I don't get it though, because he's done relatively well when he's gotten play time. But BB hasn't given him much. So do you think he can be big against the Giants? I say yes. And here's why.

     1) The Giants will play press coverage

     The last time the Patriots played the NYG, they played a lot of press coverage on everybody. And it worked amazingly well. They stood Welker and Branch up at the line, while double covering Gronkowski and Hernandez, which left New England begging for ways to move the ball, as most of the day, the Pats O only got a few yards each pass play. But Ochocinco is a deep reciever. He can beat a tight coverage, and then be wide open for a deep bomb TD. The Giants won't be expecting it, as I doubt they've gameplanned for Ochocinco at all. So if Brady sees tight coverage, and drops a beauty into Ochocinco's hands for a deep TD, do you think the Giants will stop playing such tight coverage? Yes, they will. They'd be stupid not to. And that would open everything up for Welker, Gronkowski, and Hernandez. That could allow the Patriots to keep the ball moving all day.

     2) He's playing for his Father

     Just like how the entire New England team has been playing for Myra this year, Ochocinco is now playing for Myra and his Father. If he plays like Brett Favre did after he lost his father, the Giants D will be in for a very long day.

     3) The Giants like to blitz

     We all know about the Giants defense and how they enjoy blitzing their linebackers like Mathias Kiwanuka. But we all also know that blitzing leaves less men to cover receivers. So let's say the Giants only blitz Kiwanuka and their 4 linemen. That's 5 blitzers and 6 men in coverage. So there's 6 Giants defensive players in coverage against 5 NE receivers (barring a RB or TE staying behind to block). And even with Gronkowski injured, the Giants will want to double him, and double either Hernandez or Welker. So now there's 2 defensive players covering Gronkowski and 2 defensive players covering Welker, with one on hernandez and one on Branch. So who's going to cover Ochocinco? They'll have to take a man off Welker to cover Ochocinco, or just not think of Ocho as a threat, just like the Broncos did against New England in the regular season matchup. And when the Broncos did that, Ochocinco got a wide open touchdown. So in my mind, there's too many weapons for the Giants to cover. 

     This is why I think Ochocinco will have a stellar performance against this New York Giants defense, and lead New England to their fourth Super Bowl title in 11 years.

Patriots Offense Photo

Patriots-Redskins Postgame Analysis

     The game was rather disappointing. I think it was probably the most dis-satisfying win of the year. Sure the Colts game was close, but they weren't close all game. They only got close when BB started using the prevent and when he started experimenting more. But the Skins keeping up all game? NOT good.  So here's some things we learned.

     1) This defense, as Bart Scott said last year, can't stop a nosebleed.
     Allowing Rex Grossman to dictate the tempo? Allowing huge runs? Deep bombs to Jabar Gaffney, Santana Moss, and the like? Not even coming close to the WRs in coverage, but instead allowing nobody within 5 yards of them? As Charles Barkley would say, that's turrible. Sure there was that trick play, but where was the tackling? Just bad. There's absolutely no communication between defensive players. Jerod Mayo and Rob Ninkovich were supposed to be the new Tedy B and Mike Vrabel. And Brandon Spikes should have been the new Ted Johnson. Now, Spikes is still out, but what's wrong with Jerod Mayo this year? Him and Ninkovich NEED to talk before the snap so they know what they're doing. Ninkovich has been a pleasant little surprise though. I mean, I knew he was good, but he's playing great out there. Blitzing, reading plays, etc. I think he's the new captain of the defense. Also, we need pressure on the QB still. Andre Carter may have had that streak of several sack games, but the fact of the matter is that those sacks were because of bad quarterbacking. It's taking too long to get pressure. We need our lineman to get in on the QB early in the play so that he needs to hurry with his decision making. Hurried decisions are usually bad decisions. With this defense continually allowing bad QBs to throw for 300+ yards, I'm worried about our playoff chances. Every team that's currently leading their division, and most in the Wild Card hunt have good QBs. Flacco, Roethelisberger, Schaub, Carson Palmer, Andy Dalton, etc. Those QBs will eat our defensive backs for breakfast.
     2)  We need to utilize Chad Ochocinco
     OK OK, sit back down and pick up the mess you just made when you spit out your coffee. I'll be here when you get back. Ochocinco, sadly, had the surest hands on the team yesterday. Sure he only caught one ball, but he didn't drop any. He was hardly on the field. Even if he won't get the ball, put him on the field. Have him run some deep routes. Posts, seams, go routes, and corners. Let him stretch the D. Welker can't be the only #1 caliber WR on the team even with Gronkowski and Hernandez. Ocho showed to me that he can run routes properly in the system. That out route against Washington was beautiful. It may have only been 15 yards, but it was a pretty 15 yards. And it got us a first down when we needed it. I think if we can manage to use Ochocinco to stretch the field, like he did against the Jets, Welker and Gronk and even Branch can get done their work underneath. And if the safety dosn't follow Ocho deep and instead doubles Gronkowski, well, just throw it up to Ocho. Let him do his job. He could still be a great part of this offense.
     3) Bill O'Brien isn't cut out to be an OC
     With Julian Edelman being an ex-QB all though college, why have I yet to see him throw the ball after catching it? We ran a play like that with Moss, who never played QB, so why isn't a QB doing it? And why are there no screens to the RB and hardly any to the WRs? Why have we not seen any trick plays other than a little WR reverse? O'Brien needs to start being predictable. We lost in the playoffs last year because we kept trying the exact same thing over and over. The same thing we ran all year. Nothing unpredictable. The same thing this year. Welker running a slant, Gronk running an out, Hernandez on a hitch, it goes on. Early this year, we had Welker running 30-40 yard routes. And the defenses never knew what to expect. So you combine that with no-huddling, and the defense couldn't stop us. But now it's all the same. No variety. All it takes is doubling Gronkowski and knocking Welker down at the line (let's be real here, most corners have a 20-40 pound advantage on him), and we'll be forced to give the ball to Hernandez and Branch. Those guys aren't our big playmakers. We need to mix it up. And we need to no-huddle more on the first series. Because facing some of these high-powered offenses, we'll need points early. Run a lot of fast routes early on, run the ball a lot, and then run a nice play action. Keep the D off balance.
     4) This team can not make it deep into the playoffs
     Now, I know we all wanna think that Brady can play exceptional football for the 4 games straight that he'd need to in order to carry this team, but the fact of the matter is, well, he can't be amazing EVERY game, and the odds of this defense stepping up when he doesn't are slim. To beat some of these teams like Baltimore and Pittsburgh and Houston, Tom Brady would have to light it up with at LEAST 3 TDs, and have BJGE get at least one more. Because these offenses in the playoffs are incredibly talented and can run all over this D. We need to make sure the O can keep up, but right now, in all honestly, playing a D like Pittsburgh, the offense will end up being stopped several times. Which means out D will need to do the same. I'm not sure it can. If BB can manage to find something to motivate this defense, then we have a shot. So BB, get started finding motivation, cause right now this team looks un-motivated as ever.