Inside the Pylon wants to provide quality, educational and engaging content to our readers. Got a question about football? We will answer it, either here in a future edition of the ITP mailbag or in a longer article. Thanks for reading! Drocca: Other than QB, what is the most important position on the field in…
New England Patriots RB Travaris Cadet becomes the latest depth addition to the backfield. Brian Filipiak examines how the fourth-year pro might help fill the void left behind by departed pass-catching back Shane Vereen. After the New Orleans Saints non-tendered Travaris Cadet, making him a restricted free agent, New England signed the running back in…
With 11:24 remaining in Super Bowl XLIX, a bruised and battered Tom Brady stood in the shotgun once more as the New England Patriots trailed the Seattle Seahawks by 10. Brady had thrown an interception on New England’s first drive of the second half and, by the end of the third quarter, New England had…
Tom Brady secured the MVP trophy for Super Bowl XLIX with a masterful passing performance against the Seattle Seahawks, but he was one of many candidates. Julian Edelman caught nine passes for 109 yards and a score before Malcolm Butler turned in one of history’s greatest goal-line plays. And Shane Vereen’s overlooked 11-catch night was…
Despite two near-perfect fourth-quarter drives by the New England offense, Super Bowl XLIX was by no means a flawless contest for Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. On the second possession of the game, the veteran signal-caller inexplicably forced a throw into the end zone that came to rest in the hands of Seattle…
Confidence is an NFL gambling preview using advanced statistics, matchup analysis and other metrics to create predictions for readers to use at their discretion. Guess what topic won’t even be mentioned in this column? Here’s a hint: It’s something everyone and their mother is talking about. It’s controversial and provocative. And if you haven’t had…
In part one, Mark Schofield went deep on the Seattle Seahawks secondary, examining their oft-used coverage schemes and the four key components of the Hawks’ defensive backfield. While those players are great talents, there are holes to be found against Seattle through the air. Two areas the New England Patriots could exploit in Super Bowl…
The Seattle Seahawks enter their Super Bowl XLIX matchup with the New England Patriots with the best statistical defense in the NFL. The Seahawks finished the regular season with the fewest points and total yards allowed for the second consecutive season. After reviewing the tape, the stats don’t lie —— the reigning champs may be…
Mark Schofield finishes his countdown of the five most important New England Patriots offensive plays of the year, with Julian Edelman‘s touchdown pass against the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round. Click here for Play #2: Gronk’s Rumble, Play #3: Amendola’s Scramble, Play #4: Edelman’s Dash and Play #5: Wright’s Catch. Top 5 Patriots’ Offensive…
Mark Schofield counts down his five most important New England Patriots offensive plays of the year, with Rob Gronkowski‘s unstoppable tour of the Indianapolis Colts secondary. Click here for Play #3: Amendola’s Scramble, Play #4: Edelman’s Dash and Play #5: Wright’s Catch. Top 5 Patriots’ Offensive Plays of 2014 – Play #2 – Rob Gronkowski…
It is no secret that the NFL is a copycat league. Coaches and scouts scour hours of game film trying to find a play, a concept, a blitz, or a formation to gain an advantage over an upcoming opponent. Mark Schofield reviewed the Indianapolis Colts’ defensive footage from 2014 to identify concepts that the New…
Cries of foul play follow the New England Patriots, and legendary coach Bill Belichick, as night follows day. The latest incident found Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh claiming the Patriots use of an unbalanced line and ineligible receivers was somehow “deceptive.” The NFL has deemed the plays “legal” and another media-driven controversy is underway. The…
The New England Patriots qualified for their fourth consecutive AFC Championship game after defeating the Baltimore Ravens, 35-31, in an instant classic between the two rivals. In previewing the game, we noted that Brady and the offense would likely see the Ravens’ double overload pressure concept at a crucial point in the contest. The Patriots…
After losing Stevan Ridley for the season, the Patriots turned to a varied run game, mixing and matching Shane Vereen, Jonas Gray, and LeGarrette Blount. Brian Filipiak explains in Part 2 of his Patriots vs Ravens Rushing Preview how the Patriot backs’ differing styles allow them to tailor their rushing plan to opposing defenses, with…
Having earned home field advantage in chilly Foxboro, the New England Patriots welcome the Baltimore Ravens in the 2015 Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. Both teams are looking at the film, trying to find matchups to exploit and schemes that can work – be sure to check out our developing coverage of the game…
The New England Patriots eeked out a victory against the New York Jets, who harassed Tom Brady and the offense into short drives. Defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson feasted on the Patriots offensive line, taking advantage of injuries to the “five guys” who protect Brady. New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan and defensive coordinator Dennis…