German_Force » Next Man Up: Patriots defensive play caller

Joejuan Williams NFL Jersey , Brian Flores Every New England Patriots fan knows our head honcho, Bill Belichick, as a defensive wizard. This can partially be credited to the 16 years he spent learning as a defensive assistant and coordinator, especially during the years under Bill Parcells. In fact, Belichick’s defensive game plan from Super Bowl 25, is now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Even looking at the Patriot’s past 18 years, the offense has had two cornerstones of consistency and success with Belichick and Tom Brady, but the same cannot be said about the defense. This season marks a new wave of defensive faces and attitudes, all being led by Brian Flores. The Patriots have had defensive captains that were critical to both the on and off field success of the team. Names like Ty Law, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Vince Wilfork, and Jerod Mayo have been at the heart of the New England defense. More recently, Dont’a Hightower and Devin McCourty have been leading the charge under previous defensive coordinator, Matt Patricia. I’ll admit, though the defenses under Patricia had been frustrating at times, there were a lot of great moments we witnessed Joejuan Williams NFL Draft , and I will definitely miss that trademark beard and humble graphite pencil behind the ear. Patricia accepted the head coaching job of the Detroit Lions this past offseason, leaving a void in the defensive play caller position. In steps Brian Flores, a native of Brooklyn, New York. Flores started his career in Massachusetts by playing linebacker at Boston College from 1999 to 2003. During his last year at Boston College, he tore his quadriceps muscle, further preventing his jump to the NFL. However, that injury might have been the best thing for Flores as he took a job as a scouting assistant with the Patriots in 2004. Since then, he has been through it all from scouting, special team assistant, defensive assistant, safeties coach, and his most recent position, linebackers coach. So, it is safe to say that Flores understands the Patriot Way — also known as the “fear based” or “no-fun” organization, right Lane Johnson? Like Belichick, Flores has paid his dues, learned from the best and has developed a tough Joejuan Williams Buffalo Bills Jersey , aggressive approach to his coaching and game planning. While it is impossible to predict what kind defensive season the Patriots will have this in 2018, I do believe we are in good hands with Flores. Take it how you may, but in the preseason this year, the Patriots have registered 14 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 3 interception, and 1 defensive touchdown. It is noticeable that our pass rush has improved, and it is great to see players like Derek Rivers, Adrian Clayborn, and Ja’Whaun Bentley making an impact early. Again, this is preseason where everything is speculation and optimism, but it is definitely an exciting time to see how Brian Flores will bring his flare to this team. New England has made a pair of moves." Patriots NewsPatriots re-sign offensive tackle Cole Croston; waive rookie cornerback D’Angelo Ross with injury designationNew,49commentsNew England has made a pair of moves.EDTShare this storyShare this on FacebookShare this on TwitterShareAll sharing optionsShareAll sharing options for:Patriots re-sign offensive tackle Cole Croston; waive rookie cornerback D’Angelo Ross with injury designationTwitterFacebookRedditPocketFlipboardEmailPhoto by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesToday is a busy day for the New England Patriots. Not only did the team return to the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium to hold its twelfth overall training camp session, it also swung a trade with the Atlanta Falcons to add Eric Saubert to its tight end depth chart. On top of it all, it now looks as if the reigning world champions also made a pair of additional transactions today (according to ESPN’s Field Yates).Patriots re-sign offensive tackle Cole CrostonCroston originally joined the Patriots as an undrafted free agent signing out of Iowa. Moving between the active roster and the practice squad during his two years with the team, he appeared in a combined six games: he saw in-game action in four contests — including the AFC Championship Game — in 2017, and in two more last season. All in all Color Rush Joejuan Williams Jersey , however, he played just seventeen snaps so far (twelve on offense, five on special teams).In late June, the Patriots temporarily pulled the plug on Croston’s tenure: the team decided to release him with a non-football injury designation in late July. Two weeks later, the 25-year-old is now back in the fold to add depth to a offensive tackle group that just saw left-side starter Isaiah Wynn have his most active day of practice this summer. Behind Wynn and right tackle Marcus Cannon, however, the depth is suspect. Croston will at least add another body to the equation.Patriots waive cornerback D’Angelo Ross with injury designationThe Patriots signed the New Mexico product as part of their first wave of rookie free agency additions this year. Given the comparatively low investment on the team’s side and his status as a draft-day afterthought, however, the 22-year-old entered training camp on the roster bubble. That being said, he looked good during New England’s early training camp and appeared to be headed at least to the practice squad.He failed to build on his practice performance during last week’s preseason opener, though, and was on the field for just six combined snaps (two on defense, four on special teams). It looks like an injury might have been the reason for his almost nonexistent output: the Patriots waived Ross with an injury designation today. He will now go through the waiver wire and revert to New England’s injured reserve list if not claimed.