Posts Tagged ‘Aqib Talib’

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Should the Patriots Re-Sign Aqib Talib?

Friday, November 8th, 2013

What does the future hold for Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib? (Photo: US Presswire)

NEPD Editor: Matthew Jones

Last season, the New England Patriots acquired cornerback Aqib Talib from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchanged for a fourth-round pick, then re-signed him to a one-year contract in the offseason. Both decisions, particularly the latter, now appear to be brilliant moves, but the fact remains that the Patriots will now be forced to make a difficult decision about Talib this offseason, where they must choose between re-signing their top option to a massive contract extension or allowing him to depart in free agency. In this article, cases both for and against Talib will be made; leave a comment and let us know what you think should happen this offseason!

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Posted in NFL, Patriots | 26 Comments »

Air Supremacy: How Patriots Cornerback Aqib Talib Grounded the Falcons in Week 4

Thursday, October 3rd, 2013

Aqib Talib closed off the airways against the Falcons in Week 4. (Photo: NFL Game Rewind)

NEPD Editor: Oliver Thomas

Over 11 months ago, the New England Patriots traded a fourth-round pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for a seventh-round pick and cornerback Aqib Talib. The deadline swap handed New England experience outside, and it also handed the 2008 first-rounder a change in scenery.

Talib’s first season in Foxborough, Mass., came along with six games, 19 tackles, an interception returned for a touchdown and two pass deflections. Yet after the 2012 campaign closed and unrestricted free agency opened, the 6’1”, 205-pounder was no guarantee to re-sign.

He did, inking one-year, $4.8 million “prove it” deal. And through the first quarter of the 2013 regular season, the 27-year-old has proved it. But on the road versus the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4, Talib established more than his worth.

He established air supremacy.

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Posted in NFL, Patriots | Comments Off on Air Supremacy: How Patriots Cornerback Aqib Talib Grounded the Falcons in Week 4

Turnover Breakdown: Patriots Defense Salvages Week 2 Win Over Jets

Saturday, September 14th, 2013

Thursday night’s Patriots-Jets game wasn’t pretty, but a win doesn’t require style points. (Photo: NFL Game Rewind)

NEPD Staff Writer: Oliver Thomas

Wide receiver Danny Amendola, halfback Shane Vereen, and tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Zach Sudfeld were absent from the offensive side of the ball, but the New England Patriots hung on to defeat the New York Jets, 13-10, in a Thursday night downpour at Gillette Stadium.

It was a stagnant process. Quarterback Tom Brady finished 19-for-39 passing for 185 yards and one touchdown to second-round wideout Aaron Dobson. The Jets held the Patriots rushing attack to just 54 yards on 24 attempts. And cumulatively, undrafted rookie Ryan Allen tallied more punts than the entire offense tallied first downs.

In turn, much of the weight rested on New England’s defense to make plays.

The unit did so.

Despite rookie quarterback Geno Smith and the Jets offense producing 318 yards and absorbing 34 minutes of possession, four mistakes changed the complexion of the divisional Week 2 tilt:

Three interceptions and a fumble.

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Posted in NFL, Patriots | 3 Comments »

Not All Is Lost: Revisiting Patriots’ Preseason Week 3 Loss to Lions

Monday, August 26th, 2013

The Patriots’ one-sided loss to the Lions was not without memorable glimpses. (Photo: USA Today Sports Images)

NEPD Staff Writer: Oliver Thomas

Preseason or regular season, losing by 31 points is unacceptable for an NFL team. And following the Aug. 22 shellacking by way of the Detroit Lions, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick reinforced that notion.

“We just have to get back to work and do better than that in every area of the game,” said Belichick in a next-day conference call. “I don’t think there’s anything different than what the picture was last night. There were a few good individual plays here and there but overall just, we can’t play like that and expect to do well against a good team.”

The Patriots were beaten in all three phases of the game during the 40-9 defeat last Thursday night. New England’s offense turned the ball over four times and went 5-for-16 on third- and fourth-down opportunities. The offensive line was beat physically and mentally, allowing two quarterback sacks, 15 hurries and an abysmal 68 rushing yards. And the defense – which was put in a tough spot early – broke down once the second- and third-teamers filtered in, conceding 24 second-half points.

The squad’s effort was certainly not enough, but not all was lost in the end result. (more…)

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Posted in NFL, Patriots | 3 Comments »

Tale of the Tape: First-Team Glance at Patriots’ Preseason Victory over Eagles

Saturday, August 10th, 2013

New England’s first-teamers left their mark on the field, and in the tape. (Photo: USA Today Sports Images.)

NEPD Staff Writer: Oliver Thomas

Despite a late surge, the New England Patriots managed to hold off the Philadelphia Eagles, 31-22, in the preseason opener. Yet for all intents and purposes, the final score was insignificant.

How individual players and personnel units fared was what carried weight.

Now like all exhibition contests, the Aug. 9 tilt was less so about the end result than it was about the performances that led to the end result. Cohesion is a work in progress at this point for the Patriots. And with a 90-man roster, the first-team offense and defense garnered a limited workload during Week 1 of the preseason.

But they still did garner a workload.

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Posted in NFL, Patriots | 4 Comments »

Patriots Secondary Still Lacks Long-Term Solutions

Sunday, March 17th, 2013

Despite signing players such as Adrian Wilson, the Patriots may find themselves looking for improvements next season. (Photo: US Presswire)

NEPD Editor: Matthew Jones

Much has been made of New England’s defensive back signings thus far in the free agent period; the Patriots re-signed slot cornerback Kyle Arrington to a four-year, $16 million contract, left cornerback Aqib Talib to a one-year, $5 million deal, and added former Arizona Cardinals strong safety Adrian Wilson on a three-year pact to solidify the defensive backfield. However, although these three signings do provide the team with a measure of certainty relative to their pre-free agency defensive backfield, their long-term stability at cornerback and safety is still a concern.

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Posted in NFL, Patriots | 15 Comments »

Patriots Resign CB Aqib Talib to 1 year Deal

Saturday, March 16th, 2013

Aqib Talib will be back in Foxboro for at least one more season.

NEPD Staff Writer: Tony Santorsa

In a matter of 24 hours, the New England Patriots secondary is finally appearing to be shaping up.

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Posted in NFL Draft | 18 Comments »

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