Needs to be rush job
McGinest sees growth in Wise
The Patriots didn’t land a game-changing pass rusher during free agency of the NFL draft. Free agent Adri- an Clayborn is a nice addition and should have a positive impact, but he doesn’t quite fit into the category of an every-down difference maker.
So who’s going to complement Trey Flowers and help make opposing quarterbacks miserable come September? The answer can be found in the 2017 draft.
The Patriots might have only made four picks, but two of them were edge players. Deatrich Wise Jr. and Derek Rivers were taken in back-to-back rounds and should figure prominently into the pass rush mix this season.
Wise flashed in spots last year, with five sacks as a rookie. After a promising start to his first training camp, Rivers tore his ACL during joint practices with the Texans in August, but he will be someone to keep an eye on.
Rivers, expected to be ready for the season, was projected to play a key role on the edge. We might get our first look at him during the first OTA session the media is allowed to view on Tuesday.
Patriots Hall of Fame linebacker Willie McGinest doesn’t think it’s outlandish to assume Bill Belichick will be relying quite a bit on those younger players to control the edge and rush the passer when necessary this season.
“I think they have young guys they have a lot of confidence in,” McGinest told the Herald last week. “They have guys who can get it done. They’re young, and they’re talented. Sometimes we get caught up on names, and you think they’re the only ones who can come in and make a difference. But guys come out of nowhere, kind of like Flowers did a year ago.”
McGinest paid a lot of attention to Wise. He’s chatted with the former Arkansas defensive end a few times, and has tried to offer a few pointers to a player who figures to be even better this season.
“I like Wise,” McGinest said of the 6-foot-5, 271-pound defender. “He has long arms and a lot of length. I think he does a great job with that. I talked to him about using his hands, using his length, creating separation. I think he can get a little stronger in the weight room, but he has great size, and great potential. And I think he wants to be a good pass rusher. He’s got multiple jobs, but when it’s time to get after the quarterback, he’s got to be able to do that.”
The Patriots weren’t particularly effective getting after Nick Foles in Super Bowl LII, as he racked up 373 yards and three touchdown passes. While the Pats collected 42 sacks on the season, they spent most of the year playing with a lead, which forced opponents to throw more often. The statistic that was more eye-raising was the Pats getting pressure on just 32.5 percent of opponent dropbacks, a below-average rate.
“I think getting (Dont’a) Hightower back will also help, because they bring him a lot, as they did with Jamie Collins,” said McGinest. “Clayborn to me, he’s a solid guy. I don’t think he’s going to come in and change the game. He had that one big game against Dallas (with six sacks). That was pretty much it when Tyrod Smith was hurt.
“But I think they have guys that can get it done. They’re still making their names. Look for those young guys.”
Rivers, who could rotate in as a nickel rusher, is an unknown at this point, but the Pats appear to have faith. He had 41 sacks while at Youngstown State, so he can get to the quarterback.
Eric Lee and Harvey Langi,
who was lost for the season in a car accident in which he and his wife sustained significant injuries, should also figure into the mix.
The Pats are also reportedly bringing in Joe Kim,a
pass rush consultant coach who has worked with Justin Houston and Tamba Hali
in Kansas City, and Danny Shelton in Cleveland.
McGinest sees the benefit, particularly having someone who’s so skilled in the martial arts helping out.
“I tell guys all the time, or kids I work with, ‘Hands are a lost art.’ They’re not being taught enough to use their hands,” the NFL Network analyst said. “I do these Nike camps all over, working with the pass rushers. I show them how deadly their hands can be. Most of these guys have long arms. It’s the offensive line’s job to eliminate space. They want you close, they want you compact so they can grab you. It’s our job to create space. You create the space with your arms and hands by keeping their hands off of you. I think it’s a great thing they’re bringing a guy in. I know they’ve been active in doing that over the years. I know it’s not the first time. I guess they’re sharing the secret a little bit.”
McGinest said he was taught by Hall of Famer Andre Tippett when he came to New England. Tippett was the best in the business at hand combat.
“Tippett is probably still the most dangerous guy in the building,” said McGinest.
He also thought defensive lineman Shelton was a good addition and would be a contributor up front.
“His feet are unbelievable for a big man. He has some of the best feet I’ve seen for a guy his size,” said McGinest. “If you’re looking for an athletic big guy that can clog the middle, he’s the man. He should play in the run game, and bring that push inside against the pass. I know he has the athletic ability for sure.”
Tom taking his time
The Patriots offseason program hits Phase Three on Monday. What does that mean?
The Tom Brady debate will continue, especially if he continues to stay away, work out on his own and spend time with his family. (He was with them in Brazil on Friday, according to his Instagram account.)
There’s been the view he should be with his teammates, especially now, when there’s an opportunity to establish a rapport with the new receivers before training camp.
During this phase, there are OTA practices prior to mandatory minicamp (June 5-7), where they’ll have 7-on-7, 9-on-9 and 11on-11 drills. They’ll also typically do work in the red zone, two-minute, and hurry-up. Granted, there’s still no contact, but this is best known as the “passing camp” phase.
Offensive coordinator
Josh McDaniels said as coaches, “selfishly, we always want them all here,” but he respected Brady’s decision to be away.
Ditto Rob Gronkowski.
Said McGinest on Brady being ready when the time comes: “I don’t think they have to worry about that part.”
Remembering Andy
Former Patriots running back Andy Johnson passed away in Georgia early Wednesday morning following a long illness.
A fifth-round pick out of Georgia in 1974, Johnson, a former quarterback, was with the team eight seasons.
Former Patriots lineman Pete Brock, who blocked for Johnson and Sam “Bam” Cunningham in the late ’70s, recalled what Johnson meant to that team.
“He was a very smart player, and very athletic, to be able to make that transition from quarterback to running back,” Brock said when reached last week. “Him and Sam Cunningham in that backfield, running behind the likes of John Hannah and Leon Gray in that Ron Erhardt model of offense really fit well with Andy and his abilities.” Brock described a play called “Flow-36” that Johnson ran particularly well, timing blocks between Hannah and Cunningham.
“It took an awful lot of timing. We could run it against any defense. Even if they knew we were running it, we could still be successful with it,” said Brock. “It was a pleasure to watch him. He wasn’t overwhelmingly fast, and he wasn’t overly powerful with anything. But the way he was able to time blocks down field, he would set you up, and make you look good as a blocker down field.
“It was a lot of fun to play with him.”