Brent Schwartz
@brentschwartz.bsky.social
Partnerships, data in sports tech & media | Patriots 🏈 + NFL analysis
https://brentschwartz.blog/blog
Long live the 3-4 defense, two-gappers and fullbacks
https://brentschwartz.blog/blog
Long live the 3-4 defense, two-gappers and fullbacks
Qualified WR leaders in CROE (catch rate over expected) in '25 via Next Gen Stats
1. Kayshon Boutte (+24%) #Patriots
2. George Pickens (+13.9%)
3. Stefon Diggs (+13.8%) #Patriots
4. Puka Nacua (+13.3%)
5. Jaxon Smith Njigba (+13.3%)
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7. Mack Hollins (+12.6%) #Patriots
1. Kayshon Boutte (+24%) #Patriots
2. George Pickens (+13.9%)
3. Stefon Diggs (+13.8%) #Patriots
4. Puka Nacua (+13.3%)
5. Jaxon Smith Njigba (+13.3%)
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7. Mack Hollins (+12.6%) #Patriots
November 26, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Madden 26 was half off so I downloaded for fun. Playing my first game and this ended up being a TD catch by TreVeyon Henderson, who is right there next to Geno Stone lmao
After the TD, he glitched with a defender for about 10 seconds
After the TD, he glitched with a defender for about 10 seconds
November 22, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Madden 26 was half off so I downloaded for fun. Playing my first game and this ended up being a TD catch by TreVeyon Henderson, who is right there next to Geno Stone lmao
After the TD, he glitched with a defender for about 10 seconds
After the TD, he glitched with a defender for about 10 seconds
Vastly underrated Patriot. Key contributor to NE’s runs to Super Bowl LII & LIII + throughout the remainder of the Belichick era. Tough, versatile. Did the dirty work as a typical 3-4 D-lineman would. Also a great guy. Was lucky enough to meet him after SB53 while working in TV.
October 24, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Vastly underrated Patriot. Key contributor to NE’s runs to Super Bowl LII & LIII + throughout the remainder of the Belichick era. Tough, versatile. Did the dirty work as a typical 3-4 D-lineman would. Also a great guy. Was lucky enough to meet him after SB53 while working in TV.
Mike Vrabel heads back to TEN this week with his #Patriots. Here's a look at the Titans defensive scheme under DC Dennard Wilson. Wilson spent just one year in BAL, but he's brought over the Ravens 3-4 Under / Nickel 2-4-5 Over scheme, built around Jeffery Simmons as a super ⭐️ 3T
October 15, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Mike Vrabel heads back to TEN this week with his #Patriots. Here's a look at the Titans defensive scheme under DC Dennard Wilson. Wilson spent just one year in BAL, but he's brought over the Ravens 3-4 Under / Nickel 2-4-5 Over scheme, built around Jeffery Simmons as a super ⭐️ 3T
When Buffalo went to 13 or 22 personnel, the #Patriots combatted them with either a 3-4 front or beefy 4-3 look with Tonga, Barmore, Williams, Landry/White.
After losing the edge on his first snap, Tavai settled in as a strong-side 3-4 OLB / 4-3 OLB. Big addition to this defense
After losing the edge on his first snap, Tavai settled in as a strong-side 3-4 OLB / 4-3 OLB. Big addition to this defense
October 6, 2025 at 9:42 PM
When Buffalo went to 13 or 22 personnel, the #Patriots combatted them with either a 3-4 front or beefy 4-3 look with Tonga, Barmore, Williams, Landry/White.
After losing the edge on his first snap, Tavai settled in as a strong-side 3-4 OLB / 4-3 OLB. Big addition to this defense
After losing the edge on his first snap, Tavai settled in as a strong-side 3-4 OLB / 4-3 OLB. Big addition to this defense
A memorable week for me visiting Wiesbaden, Germany,🇩🇪 where I spent the first 13 years of my life. Then, a trip to the UK, which included an awesome event in Leaders Week, just outside of London 🇬🇧. Now, bring on football 🏈
October 5, 2025 at 5:14 PM
A memorable week for me visiting Wiesbaden, Germany,🇩🇪 where I spent the first 13 years of my life. Then, a trip to the UK, which included an awesome event in Leaders Week, just outside of London 🇬🇧. Now, bring on football 🏈
In classic Arthur Smith fashion, #Steelers are 2nd in 12 personnel usage (50.4%). PIT has an assortment of TEs w/ different skill sets. PIT is 1st in YAC / YAC Over Expected (per NFL Next Gen Stats), yet dead last in aDOT (5.33). PA bootlegs / stressing LBs in coverage likely in game plan
September 17, 2025 at 5:06 PM
In classic Arthur Smith fashion, #Steelers are 2nd in 12 personnel usage (50.4%). PIT has an assortment of TEs w/ different skill sets. PIT is 1st in YAC / YAC Over Expected (per NFL Next Gen Stats), yet dead last in aDOT (5.33). PA bootlegs / stressing LBs in coverage likely in game plan
No surprise, but #Ravens base formation remains a Nickel 2-4-5 Over/Over G. Some examples below:
EDGE: Kyle Van Noy
3T/DT: Nnamdi Madubuike/Broderick Washington
1T-2i/NT: Travis Jones/John Jenkins
EDGE: Tavius Robinson/Odafe Oweh
Washington replaces a DB in 3-4 fronts.
EDGE: Kyle Van Noy
3T/DT: Nnamdi Madubuike/Broderick Washington
1T-2i/NT: Travis Jones/John Jenkins
EDGE: Tavius Robinson/Odafe Oweh
Washington replaces a DB in 3-4 fronts.
September 8, 2025 at 9:22 PM
No surprise, but #Ravens base formation remains a Nickel 2-4-5 Over/Over G. Some examples below:
EDGE: Kyle Van Noy
3T/DT: Nnamdi Madubuike/Broderick Washington
1T-2i/NT: Travis Jones/John Jenkins
EDGE: Tavius Robinson/Odafe Oweh
Washington replaces a DB in 3-4 fronts.
EDGE: Kyle Van Noy
3T/DT: Nnamdi Madubuike/Broderick Washington
1T-2i/NT: Travis Jones/John Jenkins
EDGE: Tavius Robinson/Odafe Oweh
Washington replaces a DB in 3-4 fronts.
A look at the #Patriots base and what I like to now call "big" base (4-3 or 3-4) defensive formations in Week 1:
Nickel Over:
LEO: Chaisson
1T/NT: Barmore
3T/DT: Williams
EDGE (Strong): Landry
4-3 Under:
LEO: White
3T/DT: Williams
1T/NT: Tonga
5T/DE: Barmore
OLB: Landry
Nickel Over:
LEO: Chaisson
1T/NT: Barmore
3T/DT: Williams
EDGE (Strong): Landry
4-3 Under:
LEO: White
3T/DT: Williams
1T/NT: Tonga
5T/DE: Barmore
OLB: Landry
September 8, 2025 at 5:39 PM
A look at the #Patriots base and what I like to now call "big" base (4-3 or 3-4) defensive formations in Week 1:
Nickel Over:
LEO: Chaisson
1T/NT: Barmore
3T/DT: Williams
EDGE (Strong): Landry
4-3 Under:
LEO: White
3T/DT: Williams
1T/NT: Tonga
5T/DE: Barmore
OLB: Landry
Nickel Over:
LEO: Chaisson
1T/NT: Barmore
3T/DT: Williams
EDGE (Strong): Landry
4-3 Under:
LEO: White
3T/DT: Williams
1T/NT: Tonga
5T/DE: Barmore
OLB: Landry
Updated look at #Patriots projected Week 1 starting defense before 53-man roster cuts (barring Gonzalez's health).
Theme - Only Gonzalez, Barmore are surefire holdover starters (Peppers on cusp). Key Belichick picks (Dugger, Jennings, White) may be on outside looking in.
Theme - Only Gonzalez, Barmore are surefire holdover starters (Peppers on cusp). Key Belichick picks (Dugger, Jennings, White) may be on outside looking in.
August 22, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Updated look at #Patriots projected Week 1 starting defense before 53-man roster cuts (barring Gonzalez's health).
Theme - Only Gonzalez, Barmore are surefire holdover starters (Peppers on cusp). Key Belichick picks (Dugger, Jennings, White) may be on outside looking in.
Theme - Only Gonzalez, Barmore are surefire holdover starters (Peppers on cusp). Key Belichick picks (Dugger, Jennings, White) may be on outside looking in.
A textbook look at how the #Patriots '4-3 Under' defense is really a 3-4 in terms of look and personnel. They'll have three big defensive tackle-type bodies in the middle of the defensive line. If Keion White were to stand up on left side of the screen, we'd call this a 3-4.
August 19, 2025 at 3:35 PM
A textbook look at how the #Patriots '4-3 Under' defense is really a 3-4 in terms of look and personnel. They'll have three big defensive tackle-type bodies in the middle of the defensive line. If Keion White were to stand up on left side of the screen, we'd call this a 3-4.
A quick look at the #Patriots projected starting base defenses for Week 1, assuming Gonzalez is able to play. They could go several ways with the Nickel spot. May be a matchup-specific position.
August 19, 2025 at 1:57 PM
A quick look at the #Patriots projected starting base defenses for Week 1, assuming Gonzalez is able to play. They could go several ways with the Nickel spot. May be a matchup-specific position.
August 18, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Famously, this same 2018 #Patriots unit then shifted to 6-1 fronts (h/t Vic Fangio, Matt Patricia) to hold Sean McVay's outside zone/motion/bootleg scheme to 3 points in Super Bowl 53. "Rams 54, Chiefs 51" was the defining game of the regular season. NE beat both en route to a 🏆
July 27, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Famously, this same 2018 #Patriots unit then shifted to 6-1 fronts (h/t Vic Fangio, Matt Patricia) to hold Sean McVay's outside zone/motion/bootleg scheme to 3 points in Super Bowl 53. "Rams 54, Chiefs 51" was the defining game of the regular season. NE beat both en route to a 🏆
Sunday #Patriots film. 2018 AFCCG win in KC. Mahomes armed with prime Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce and others (Sammy Watkins, etc). New England opts to run single-high, in-your-face man coverage across the board on first three snaps (DMac help w/ Hill). Legendary defense & DB room.
July 27, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Sunday #Patriots film. 2018 AFCCG win in KC. Mahomes armed with prime Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce and others (Sammy Watkins, etc). New England opts to run single-high, in-your-face man coverage across the board on first three snaps (DMac help w/ Hill). Legendary defense & DB room.