The Ex-pats Podcast - A Patriots Podcast

Phil Perry and Rob Ninkovich break down the Patriots win over the Chargers, and preview the Patriots-Chiefs AFC Championship game. (1:00) Rob Ninkovich explains why he was so confident the Patriots would have no problem with the Chargers (3:00) Ninkovich explains why he is not being a homer when he says he would put his money on the Patriots against the Chiefs (7:00) Rob Ninkovich breaks down what the Patriots defense did that was so successful against the Chargers (9:30) Do the Patriots need to change the scheme they used defensively against the Chargers when facing the Chiefs? (12:00) Why were the Chargers so bad on Sunday? Who is to blame? (19:30) How will the weather in Kansas City impact practices and the game on Sunday? (20:30) Rob Ninkovich gives a player perspective on what it is like to play in the cold (23:30) Do the Patriots have to play from ahead to beat the Chiefs? Should they take the ball first if they win the toss? (26:00) How much have the Patriots-Chiefs changed since playing in Week 6?

Rob Ninkovich talks with Phil Perry about attending the Bears game this weekend, and why he was accidentally dressed as an Eagles fan. Ninkovich also breaks down the Patriots-Chargers game, and explains how he would attack the Chargers offense. (1:00) Rob Ninkovich was in attendance at the Chicago Bears game this weekend as a fan. He tells Phil Perry what it was like to see Bears fans deal with the crushing loss. (4:30) Ninkovich explains why he accidentally looked like an Eagles fan at the game (8:00) Patriots- Chargers preview, Ninkovich gives his key to a Patriots win. (12:30) How will Gus Bradley’s defensive schemes for Chargers give Tom Brady trouble? (21:00) Will we see a different Rob Gronkowski in the playoffs? (22:30) How can the Patriots defense slow down the Chargers offense? Ninkovich explains why he wouldn’t blitz Philip Rivers. (28:00) Rob Ninkovich predicts who will be the MVP of the Patriots-Chargers game.

4:10 - Patriots beat the Jets and get the first-round bye in the playoffs.6:20 - Did something click with Tom Brady? Did he get healthier from the previous week?. Rob Ninkovich says Brady just gained confidence.9:05 - Josh McDaniels and the Patriots adding the missile motions to the playbook. How are defenses going to prepare against it?14:10 - Patriots are using more two-back set than any team in football.19:20 - Are you feeling better about the Patriots run defense now?20:20 - Which team would you want to face in the divisional round: Texans, Ravens, or Chargers?23:10 - Vich of the Week - Trey Flowers. Do You Even Lift Bro? - Adrian Clayborn 26:30 - Phil Perry and Rob Ninkovich’s New Years Resolutions.

In this epsiode of the Ex-Pats Podcast with Phil Perry and Rob Ninkovich...5:30 - Was this an encouraging win over the Bills? It might not have been pretty, but the Patriots got the job done.7:05 - Patriots passing offense has really struggled recently, and now they have lost a offensive weapon with Josh Gordon. Do they have enough in the passing game to win a Super Bowl?9:05 - The AFC seems wide open this year. Ravens are a team that would have no fear playing the Patriots in the playoffs.13:30 - Patriots have to be successful in the running game to win, and because of that, the referees could play a big factor in the playoffs.16:35 - Will the Patriots defense be able to carry them throughout the playoffs?19:55 - Special team has made a huge impact this season.21:50 - Giving out gifts to the Patriots i.e. Chris Hogan getting some targets23:10 - Why was Adrian Clayborn a healthy scratch last week against the Jets?24:55 - 'Vich of the Week': Patriots offensive lineman

2:05 - How bad was the loss to the Steelers? Phil Perry and Rob Ninkovich debate.8:10 - Is there a motivation issue with this team after all the recent success?10:30 - How much talent do the Patriots actually have? Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, and Julian Edelman all seem a little bit banged up.14:10 - Steelers played better against the Patriots on defense than they normally do. Patriots offense was not able to generate enough chances.16:00 - Brady is feeling the pressure in the pocket and isn't stepping up in the pocket like he should.18:50 - Comparing the 2009 vs. 2018 Patriots21:10 - Is this Patriots team not as mentally tough as previous teams?25:23 - Is it possible for the Patriots to fix their problems before the playoffs begin? What can they learn in the final 2 games of the regular season?

In this episode of the Ex-Pats Podcast with Phil Perry and Troy Brown:04:18- Why was Devin McCourty missing from the field on the final play of the game?12:30- Patriots defense: Running defense's big plays and ability to handle an unpredictable offense 20:50- James White and Gordon are doing better than expected26:06- Brady's knee brace: was it an injury or just uncomfortable?33:40- Troy Brown gives out his "Vitch" of the week

Phil Perry and Rob Ninkovich break down the Patriots win over the Vikings. (1:00) Were the Patriots real good? or were the Vikings just bad? (5:00) Rob Ninkovich breaks down what the Patriots defense did scheme wise successfully against the Vikings. (9:30) How overrated are the Vikings? (12:00) Why was the Patriots offense so “check down” heavy against Vikings? (14:30) Rob Ninkovich discusses how tough it is to play down in Miami (19:00) Ninkovich gives a grade on how good of a trash talker Bill Belichick is (22:00) Did Rob Ninkovich and Matt Patricia ever butt heads?

Phil Perry and Rob Ninkovich give their takeaways from the Patriots win over the Jets. Rob Ninkovich explains why a well balanced offense is even more important now for Tom Brady later in his career, and reacts to Cordarrelle Patterson's "grab on Sunday.Rob Ninkovich discusses his decision to retire when he did, and how conscious current players should be for their future health. (2:00) Rob Ninkovich explains why he absolutely hates the Jets, and always has. (5:00) Why did the Patriots struggle against the Jets for 3 quarters? (9:00) How difficult will be upcoming matchups for the Patriots be? (13:00) Rob Ninkovich explains why it’s more important now in Tom Brady’s career to have a balanced offense (17:00) Nink gives his 1 key for the Patriots to improve on going forward (22:30) How bad were the officials on Sunday? (30:00) Rob Ninkovich reacts to Cordarrelle Patterson’s “grab” on Sunday

NBC Sports Boston Patriots insider Phil Perry is joined by Rob Ninkovich to break down the Patriots 34-10 Week 10 loss to the Tennessee Titans:2:51 - "This is the worst loss in November under Bill Belichick." Phil observes that the Patriots seemed confused in the locker room after the tough loss to the Titans.4:12 - Rob Ninkovich says that the big-picture takeaway from the loss is that the Patriots "got their ass kicked" and that they need to "take that whole day and bury it."7:09 - Phil wonders if this team has a problem with focus based on their poor performance on the road throughout the season. Nink makes some suggestions for what the Patriots can do to mix it up and what the defense needs to do differently to get better results.15:38 - "Did the inside knowledge the Titans had of the Patriots on their calls on the offensive line have an impact?"22:46 - Phil and Nink discuss what Josh Gordon has brought to the team and if he's figured out the Patriots offense yet.26:39 - Nink breaks down the failures of th

Former Patriots offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer joins Phil Perry and Rob Ninkovich on this week's Ex-Pats Podcast:0:30 - Phil and Rob catch up with Sebastian Vollmer as the Ex-Pat recalls stories from his time with New England.14:50 - Vollmer discusses what the Patriots offensive line did well in the Patriots 31-17 victory over the Green Bay Packers and how the unit's success allowed Cordarrelle Patterson to have a breakout night.18:50 - Ninkovich and Vollmer discuss how the Patriots defense was able to keep Aaron Rodgers in check all night and specifically how the pass rush put up it's best performance of the season.22:41 - The pair of Ex-Pats discuss who on the Patriots had the best performance and earned the "Vich of the week" as well as which player from the game had a disappointing night.

Phil Perry and Rob Ninkovich break down the Patriots Week 8 win over the Buffalo Bills and discuss the team's inactivity at the NFL trade deadline and what it means for the team going forward.3:01 - "The Bills played tremendous on defense . . . but they are the worst offense in the NFL."5:39 - Phil and Nink discuss the Patriots' own success on defense despite dealing with trick plays from a desperate Buffalo offense.11:33 - Phil wonders if the crowd noise contributed to the Patriots struggles in the red zone.16:39 - Phil on New England's inactivity at the trade deadline: "The Patriots didn't do a damn thing, are you O.K. with that?"24:50 - Instead of giving his honorary 'Vich of the week,' Rob Ninkovich gives his 'Vich of the first half' to a deserving and often-underappreciated linebacker.

In this episode of the Ex-Pats Podcast with Phil Perry and Rob Ninkovich:1:56 - Breaking down the Patriots vs. Bears matchup and discuss some of the uncharacteristic mistakes made by New England.4:56 - Patriots interior pass rush vs the Bears defensive line8:05 Adam Butler replacing Deatrich Wise on the defensive line11:05 - Jonathan Jones making a great interception12:00 - Mitch Trubisky making mistakes throwing the ball13:50 Gronkowski’s back issues16:56 Dont'a Hightower’s punt block

(1:30) Rob Ninkovich gives his takeaways from the Patriots win over the Chiefs (3:00) How does the speed and talent of the Chiefs rank amongst the best Ninkovich has seen? (5:00) How has the run game been able to improve in the past two weeks? Will it continue to be a theme? (8:30) Is there a concern that the Patriots cannot get enough pressure on quarterbacks? (15:00) Rob Ninkovich discusses calling Travis Kelce a ‘glorified receiver’ (22:00) Why is Gillette not a loud stadium? Is it the fans or the stadium design?

Troy Brown replaces Rob Ninkovich in this week's episode to break down the Patriots Week 5 victory over the Colts with host Phil Perry.1:32 - Troy Brown discusses Julian Edelman's return to the field and Belichick's decision to get him involved in the passing game early.5:23 - Phil asks Troy if receivers new to the Patriots organization have trouble adjusting to Tom Brady's style with certain routes.8:56 - Troy and Phil discuss how Brady picked about the Colt's zone defense, especially now with pieces like Josh Gordon and Edelman on the field.12:13 - "There's a different energy when he's in the room there." Phil and Troy talk about what Edelman brings to the locker room, and Troy tells stories about how former teammate Willie McGinest was a presence in the locker room.21:08 - With the Patriots giving up 24 points to the Colts, Troy still has some concerns with New England's defense and it's ability to finish strong.24:18 - Phil and Troy look ahead to the Patriots' Week 6 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs an

Phil Perry and Rob Ninkovich break down the Patriots huge win over the Dolphins, and what they can build off going forward. (3:30) How was the defense able to improve so much against the Dolphins? What did they do different? (6:00) How key was Dont’a Hightower’s performance to the dominance on defense? (13:00) How confident are we in the Patriots upcoming matchups?(15:00) How important was running the ball in the Patriots success? (17:30) What should our expectations be for Sony Michel? (19:30) Ninkovich explains why as a player he is not a fan of the Thursday Night games. (21:30) Why does Ninkovich think the Texans and the Colts are ‘soft’ (25:30) Rob Ninkovich talks about working out with Julian Edelman (30:00) Rob Ninkovich explains why he wants expectations on Julian Edelman to be low.

(1:00) Rob Ninkovich voices his biggest concerns after seeing the Patriots lose the Lions. (6:00) What can the coaching staff do to turn things around for the Patriots? (8:30) Is there just a talent deficiency on Patriots? (12:00) Which player can motivate the Patriots to get better? (13:00) What defensive changes would Nink make to switch things up? (16:00) What does Bill Belichick say to his team after such a rough start? (18:30) Rob Ninkovich reacts to Gronk confirming he threatened to retire if he was traded.

Rob Ninkovich and Phil Perry react to the Patriots drafting Josh Gordon, and debate how long it will take for him to earn the Patriots trust. (3:30) How much did loss to the Jaguars factor into bringing in Josh Gordon? (5:30) Will Chris Hogan be angry losing targets to Josh Gordon? (12:00) How long can Josh Gordon last on talent alone? (13:00) How can the “Patriots way” lead Josh Gordon down the right path? (20:00) Breaking down the Patriots loss to the Jaguars, what can the Patriots learn from the loss?

Rob Ninkovich and Phil Perry break down the Patriots week 1 win over the Texans. (5:00) Ninkovich gives his first impressions of the Patriots defense under Brian Flores. (8:30) Will the Texans offensive line be the worst line the Patriots face this season? (11:20) What grades do we give the Patriots offense after game 1? (17:00) Dont’a Hightower joins our crew to break down the Patriots week 1 win, and how it felt to be back on the field. (21:00) Rob Ninkovich gives his studs and duds from the Patriots-Texans game.

Mike Giardi is joined by former NFL quarterback Bruce Gradkowski to discuss the 2018 Draft Class, including Logan Woodside from his alma mater, Toledo. Gradkowski talks about his draft experience and how the combine results are way overblown in terms of translating to success in the league.

Mike Giardi chats with Executive Producer of "NFL Matchup" (and NFL Films) Greg Cosell to talk about some of the players that have been linked to the New England Patriots in one way or another for the 2018 NFL Draft. Players discussed in this episode include Louisville QB Lamar Jackson (1:50), Oklahoma St. QB Mason Rudolph (4:55), Washington St. QB Luke Falk (7:13), Maryland WR DJ Moore (9:45), offensive tackles Kolton Miller of UCLA and Connor Williams of Texas (11:37), Edge prospect Lorenzo Carter of Georgia (16:45), LB's Leighton Vander Esch of Boise St. and Rashaan Evans of Alabama (18:25). Also, Cosell talks about a couple of under the radar later round picks he likes - LB Darius Leonard of South Carolina St. and DT Derrick Nnadi of Florida St.Make sure and follow Greg on Twitter @gregcosell