When asked how much analytics informs the New England Patriots‘ decision-making in key situations, Bill Belichick answered simply, “less than zero.” This prompted several snide responses from the Twitter machine, such as: Obviously “less than zero” is a mathematical impossibility, and it’s hard to imagine that the famously thorough Belichick is utterly unfamiliar with the…
The best playoff game of the 2018-19 NFL season was without a doubt the AFC Championship. The headlines wrote themselves. Tom Brady, the ageless wonder, playing for a championship at age 41 against the wonder kid and eventual league MVP Patrick Mahomes. A team gunning for their sixth Super Bowl title in 18 years against…
Since 2000, every franchise had selected a wide receiver in the first round—except the New England Patriots. That streak ended Thursday night, when New England tabbed Arizona State wideout N’Keal Harry with the 32nd selection. The Patriots’ spotty track record choosing receivers, along with concerns about elements of Harry’s game, raises some interesting questions. In…
For the Patriots, as with everyone else, the draft is a critical time to address your needs. Not only their success but also Bill Belichick’s emphasis on versatility makes his drafting strategy one of interest. So, Dave Archibald wonders, what the heck is with the fifth round? On Friday, the New England Patriots traded a 2020 fifth-round…
One of the major storylines in the NFL this season, and not just during Super Bowl LIII, is the job that Los Angeles Rams’ head coach Sean McVay has done with young quarterback Jared Goff. After being selected with the first overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft, Goff seemed like a potential bust in…
Playing running back for the New England Patriots is different than most teams, as Sony Michel has been finding out this season. Lining up right next to or behind Tom Brady brings on added responsibility. Under Bill Belichick’s tenure New England has made a priority of getting smart football players who have a deep understanding of the…
The level of play across the National Football League is generally down. Many players coming into the league lack fundamentals and it shows. You see the discussion most frequently regarding quarterbacks and offensive lines, but I would extend this to other positions, particularly defensive backs. Quality coaches do not grow on trees despite the fact…
The New England Patriots fascinate me. They have been the class of the NFL for a long time. Depending on your definition of a dynasty, you could state that New England’s has spanned the last two decades. Or they had one in the early 2000s and we’re presently living in the second iteration. Either way,…
Each year during the NFL Draft, the league opens its doors to hundreds of young, aspiring athletes looking to continue their dream and make a name for themselves at the highest level of competition. What happens after the draft, however, is ultimately more important. Unfortunately for these players, their ability to actually bring those dreams…
Inside The Pylon works to deliver quality football content to our readers. This Week in Football Writing collects some of our favorite pieces from friends and colleagues last week and shares them with you. For years, former CU and Broncos lineman Ryan Miller refused to tell his full story. Not anymore. Nicki Jhabvala reveals how…
The NFL’s rules are designed to create parity with the draft and roster turnover through free agency. But don’t tell that to Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. As if you didn’t already know, the Patriots have had unprecedented success in the last two decades – winning five Super Bowls in that span. And…
It’s to be expected that each of Bill Belichick’s players are told to simply “do their job”. The phrase “Do Your Job” is basically the approach of being prepared to execute the assignments given to a player. It’s a team-first philosophy where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This is why…
I fell asleep. To say this is surprising is an understatement. I mean, I don’t fall asleep easily even under normal circumstances. Yes, over the last week, for a work project, I reversed day and night and I had been up for close to two days with a brief nap in between … but still:…
This millennium, the New England Patriots’ defense has consistently ranked better by points allowed than it has by yards allowed. For many of those seasons, the difference in its rankings has been notably large. Such disparities have led announcers, fans, and analysts alike to conclude that the Patriots employ a “bend but don’t break”-style defense…
The Philadelphia Eagles have a new quarterback in Carson Wentz to run a new coach’s offense. Sean Cottrell checks the film to evaluate how their new receiver, Dorial Green-Beckham, will fit in. Since wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham was traded to the Eagles from the Titans last Tuesday, there has been much debate among Philadelphia fans and media about the…
