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Patriots Preseason game three recap wrap – Ode to the forgotten guy
And so the Patriots preseason has concluded with a loss at Tennessee of 7 to 23, and that sound you heard, Pats Nation, was a collective sigh of relief with a hint of concern.
It was a tough game to watch, and that’s got nothing to do with the fact that it was on at crazy’o’clock in the morning for us not on eastern time!
On reflection the most difficult thing for me now, is the fact that whilst we are worrying, and looking over it saying how bad the game was, there were guys out there fighting for their livelihoods. It may be a game but it’s also a business, a job, and so for that reason I want to give respect for the players that did well but probably aren’t going to be on that 53 list that gets cut down just a bit later on, and champion those in my final preseason game recap wrap of 2023.
Now, don’t misunderstand me you lovely lot, I’m not here to gloss over the bad, there was plenty. I will call out how the offensive line still looked weak, how Bailey Zappe played possibly one of his worst games so far, and how Jack Jones may be feeling the effects of the distraction his legal case could be. I know there are still so many questions we want answering, so much of the offense we (thank goodness) didn’t see and may just be so much better than we expect, and how well will that first round draft pick really end up being.
But, as I mentioned, this preseason recap wrap is to remind you of those guys who really tried to kick butt and take names on Friday night.
The first note I made this game was defense are stopping the run, something that wasn’t happening earlier in the preseason and something that is a key to success in this ever evolving sport we love.
Calvin Munson first hit my notes in the middle of the first quarter with a great play stopping the run, and then i’m guessing he shows up in everyone’s note book with his end of the first quarter interception!
Diego Fagot has been released as I write this, however I would still like to champion his efforts in Tennessee as his was one name that appeared in my notes multiple times and perhaps we see him back on the practice squad. To close out the second quarter Fagot took out the runner Chestnut with a thump that had the guy somersaulting and fumbling. Mid third quarter Fagot had multiple instances of good coverage on the receiver, and unfortunately sustained a shoulder injury. However, he was back in the game and mixed in to take down the runner. Definitely a name I would like to see on game day sheet in the near future.
Sam Roberts chased down Malik Willis rather quickly for a big guy on multiple occasions, and again as I write this Carl Davis was released perhaps Roberts did enough to secure himself a one of the 53.
Thyrick Pitts opened the second quarter with a great catch and a powerful run through people! I do love it when a received runs through people. Unfortunately, with the current depth at receiver Pitts may have been playing more as an interview for another team at this point.
Anfernee Jennings may not exactly be fighting for his roster spot, but with the NFL you never truly know and he had a strong game. He stepped it up whilst stopping the run early in the first quarter. A big, physical guy from Alabama who really fits in with the Patriots way at defense.
One side note, the broadcast I was privy to was some sort of Titans network and they moved away from the game plenty when it was time for Patriots offensive plays, perhaps they were saving us from ourselves! I jest, mostly. But, they did mention, in regard to the pending cut downs, how the Titans may keep five but more certainly four, tight ends. FOUR?!? FOUR tight ends?! I won’t lie, I got a little flush!
But back to the Patriots, we have survived the preseason and next the real football is back and we all wait with bated breath to see who makes the 53. My main hopes at this moment are a third tight end… but right now my heart goes out to the guys who don’t make the team, particularly those that don’t make any team and wish them lots of luck in their future endeavours!
Go Pats.
Pats Preseason game two recap wrap!
Firstly, at the time that I write this we have heard good things following Isaiah Bolden’s on-field injury. He was taken to the hospital, had feeling in all of his extremities and was conscious. He returned to Foxborough with the team. This week’s joint practice has been cancelled, and the team will travel to Tennessee on Thursday. The last report I saw on social media was that Isaiah was in good spirits, pretty much the best we can hope for.
So here we are on Monday with a Patriots preseason win* of 21 -17 over those pesky Green Bay Packers! (*possibly more accurately an incomplete game that was 21-17 Patriots when called).
I don’t know about you, but I left this game with more questions than answers, but right now that’s okay, it is preseason after all.
With the roster cut down looming just over a week away, there are many names that we are noting down in the game book with statistics that may be on the practice squad or even an opposing team come the regular season, so we really shouldn’t get too attached, but easier said than done, right?
For the third year running I know that I for one am not the only Patriots fan to succumb to the delights of JJ Taylor and his preseason performance. He was the second name on the stat chart for both passing and rushing, with 4 attempts for 29 yards and 4 targets for 3 receptions for 27 yards. Perhaps third time’s the charm for the jitter bug?
It feels like all we talk about is the offense, and whilst I have a huge soft spot for tight ends, and a bit of one for offensive linemen too, my respect for the defense runs deep. It’s just at the moment it seems like we know what the defense can be, the first round draft pick Christian Gonzales is growing momentum, Jalen Mills is stepping well in to the shoes of the veteran leader, but the offense, still a bit offensive.
For me the woes are the o-line. The trouble is it doesn’t appear at this stage to be scheme, but talent. And you lot know me, I hate to say stuff like that, but right now I’m as grumpy as heck because I just want some good o-line-age!
Trent Brown took to the field, yay, and then just over two minutes into the game, false started. Now, you can’t slate a guy for one penalty, these things happen. But in that case of this particular left tackle, they need not to.
The carousel of offensive linemen continued, and to highlight that the Patriots utilised the talents of one Matt Sokol, tight end blocker.
I am all for them having plenty of tight ends out there. You know this. Give me four, but it’s not a good thing when they do because the line is weak.
On the topic of receivers, in what feels like it might be a more positive topic is the depth. With Kayshon Boutte and Demario “Pop” Douglas out proving they are worth consideration, the musical chairs of wide receivers may see a guy you weren’t expecting to be chairless come the regular season.
Kendrick Bourne is back doing Kendrick Bourne stuff, showing us why he shouldn’t have been in the Rocket Scientist dog house (if he was, of course) and whilst neither of the veterans DeVante Parker and JuJu Smith-Schuster have put up much in the way of statistics, second year Tyquan Thornton really, really hasn’t either!
So, as I mentioned still many questions but now isn’t the time for answers, yet, the Titans are the next mountain to climb, and then the real football begins!
Go Pats!
The return of the Pats Preseason game recap wrap!
Apologies for my tardiness, but I missed my flight to get to training camp… Okay, obviously I am teasing, making light of an offensive lineman’s unpunctuality.
But anyway! Monday morning has dawned, shedding new light upon what we witnessed Thursday night (or Friday morning if you’re in one of the more UK type time zones).
Or does it?
Well, the Patriots certainly thought so as Saturday they signed a tackle! The position we have been crying out for!
Whilst, like me, you may not of heard of Micah Vanterpool, he is a tackle, and I don’t know about you, but right now I’m hoping he’s a diamond in the rough that Adrian Klemm can polish until he’s darn shiny!
As we look back at the first pre season game for the Patriots of 2023, it really is the o-line that is the glaring issue. And so, about that light that needs to be shed.
Now, with that said, it doesn’t really need to be said how pre season games aren’t really about the statistics or even the scores, but about evaluating the players. As Patriots fans we have had a little taster of some of the newbies.
Keion White showed up and proved his versatility when it comes to which side he can play on. He was flipped to the left side in the game’s second quarter after a late in the first quarter tackle on the Texans quarterback. But, we kind of already knew was destined to be great. Just listen to the college tape on him, total bruiser.
Fortunately for the fans and for him, first round draft selection Christian Gonzales improved after his “welcome to the NFL” moment that was so early in the first quarter we could almost say it doesn’t even count as the preseason! Okay perhaps not, but the guy improved during the game and the media darlings were impressed.
There wasn’t exactly much to report on the play by play situation. The defense played well, the offense were pretty bland, but in my opinion that was mostly due to the offensive line and their lack of cohesion together. But with any luck by September we may have some more solidity there.
The offense had some late game sparks I’ll admit, and Malik Cunningham was the match to light that flame with his movement to get outside of the pocket well on containment, producing a beautiful throw to Tre Nixon in double coverage, towards the final four minutes of the final quarter. But before you say I am beating the drum for Cunning-hum (see what I tried to do there? – okay, okay I’m sorry) this was the first game of the preseason and I am waiting to see Mac Jones in action in September. This fan is a bit of a self confessed homer, and my quarterback is Mac, baby.
One more positive to throw into the mix was the Jalen Mills experience. Experiment? Either way, the huge loss that was felt with the retirement of Devin McCourty had a small bandage stuck over it by some quality Jalen play. In particular, an early first quarter interception and an end of the first quarter off the corner safety blitz to stop the runner. I have high hopes that this guy will add some kindling to the fire that should be stoked in the locker room this season, too.
So, we chalk up the first loss of the preseason, but now as they say, we are on to Green Bay! Go Pats!
What is happening at the Tight End, end of the Patriots roster!
Okay you lovely lot, so, with the signing of the tight end Anthony Firkser and the lack of the Patriots drafting any tight endage I thought it was prime time to have a bit of a deep dive and get us all up to date with what we are looking at, at the tight end, end of the Patriots roster.
The Patriots managed to send Jonnu Smith to Atlanta for a 7th round draft pick in 2023, number 245, which the Patriots in turn used for the corner back Isaiah Bolden. Smith is an athletic tight end who just didn’t fit into the Patriots system for one reason or another. Over the course of two years in New England he played 30 games with a total of 83 targets, 20 carries and 1 touchdown.
The second signing the Patriots made during that 2021 free agency season was Hunter Henry from the LA Chargers. A bit of an injury history plagued Hunter, but his first season with the Patriots was a productive one and his connection with rookie quarterback Mac Jones clearly evident. Playing 17 games Hunter was targeted 75 times for 9 touchdowns. Unfortunately, with the way the Patriots offence was run in 2022, Hunter wasn’t utilised as much with just 59 targets for 2 touchdowns.
Predominantly through the 2022 season the Patriots practice squad held the bodies of Matt Sokol and Scotty Washington.
Washington was picked up by the Patriots in September 2022 after being released from Cincinnati and only played a single game. Ironically his debut was against the Bengals in week 16 after which he was placed on the practice squad injury reserve.
The pick up of undrafted rookie Johnny Lumpkin out of Louisiana may mean Washington isn’t even headed back to the practice squad in Gillette, but time will tell. A long limbed tight end with good blocking ability and a reasonable nimbleness for his 6’6” size, Lumpkin is definitely a potential for the practice squad and even a future roster spot if he develops well.
Matt Sokol made a little bit more of an impact than Washington. Spending most of his time on the practice squad, Sokol was elevated for three games during the 2022 regular season. His blocking abilities were leaned upon against the Lions week 5, the Dolphins week 17 and the Bills week 18.
An undrafted rookie in 2019 Sokol has bounced around more practice squads than I have Patriots apparel. Starting his career with the LA Chargers, Sokol hopped on and off their practice squad until he headed to Detroit. After a small stint there, he headed back to LA and played 2 games before shipping off to Jacksonville. With a small detour back to Detroit, Matt found his place in New England in November 2022. Definitely a candidate for the 2023 practice squad but this traveller could just as easily be heading to another location.
Now, you all know about the signing of Mike Gesicki and I KNOW you know how excited I am to see him in a Patriots uniform, the season simply cannot come quick enough for me!
An athletic tight end, Gesicki uses his length well, and at 6’6” he definitely has plenty! The change in coaching staff at Miami, and the incoming of some excellent receivers saw Gesicki’s usage on the Dolphins take a slide, and I for one couldn’t be happier. A great deep threat with YAC abilities, Gesicki has the height and athletic ability to win contested catches, and I predict him dominating the end zone for New England. (Check out episode 65 of A Clare Perspective, a Patriots podcast for a particular sandwich bet I have with my lovely assistant on this.)
Finally, the most recent signing, the aforementioned Anthony Firkser. And whilst I can’t seem to pronounce Firkser very well, this signing has given me a little fizzle of interest!
Firkser has been in the NFL for five seasons, playing four for the Titans and the 2022 season for the Atlanta Falcons. His career stats come in at 69 games played, 115 receptions, 1207 yards and 5 touchdowns.
At 28, this 6 foot 2, 241 pound tight end also has the ability to play fullback which is a position the Patriots may not utilise under Bill O’Brien, but didn’t even have the option to, prior to the signing. So, this may be that blocking, TE3!
So there you have it folks, my tight end wrap up! I hope you enjoyed reading it, and have a fabulous holiday weekend too!
Round One recap of the 2023 NFL Draft
There you have it you lovely lot, day one of the 2023 NFL draft is complete!
I truly hope you have had more sleep than I. I watched until the final pick, as just between you and me, I needed to know where Michael Mayer went, and he hasn’t yet!
Now, it does feel like the draft sort of began at the number two pick, the Texans. Most of NFL Nation was sure the Carolina Panthers were taking Bryce Young of Alabama. I don’t know about you, but they should have just submitted the pick three weeks ago like they would in the 1984 draft or something, but they were on the clock and made their selection.
The Texans did the thing that they probably should have done, and scooped up a quarterback in C.J. Stroud. Then they sent the 12th overall pick with the number 33 pick (a first and third in the 2024 draft too) to receive pick 105, and the third overall pick to select linebacker Will Anderson Jnr out of Alabama.
Another quarterback off the board, Anthony Richardson was selected by the Colts. Followed by another trade with the Seahawks and Broncos. Seattle selected, possibly the top cornerback of this draft, Devon Witherspoon.
Arizona shifted around the board trading with Detroit, and the Cardinals selected the Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr.
Texas Tech defensive end Tyree Wilson was taken by the Las Vegas Raiders, and then the first running back was picked at 8! Bijan Robinson goes to the Atlanta Falcons.
As great as the running back is, and he really is, I was kind of relieved that the Falcons scooped up Robinson, I am not sure if Bill Belichick could have passed by the elite running back talent, but I think a lot of us really wanted him too!
Super Bowl runners up the Philadelphia Eagles moved up to nab the defensive end out of Georgia, Jalen Carter.
The Bears mixed it up with trades and took offensive tackle Darnell Wright. Mike Vrabel and the Tennessee Titans picked one of my favourites at 11 in Peter Skoronski the OT from Northwestern.
More trades than you could have coffee so late at night and the Lions selected Jahmyr Gibbs the running back at 12. Green Bay drafted Iowa defensive end, edge guy, Luke Van Ness and then the Steelers make THAT trade with New England and hopped up to the 14th pick.
Patriots fans groaned and held their breath as the Steelers had their choice of talent and chose my favourite OT guy in Broderick Jones. This possibly resulted in the Jets being pipped for their guy, we will never truly know, and the Jets selected defensive end Will McDonald out of Iowa State.
Washington picked cornerback Emmanuel Forbes at 16 and then… the Patriots had a selection.
They didn’t trade, they stuck and they picked up a dynamic cornerback that you will hear plenty about today! Yes folks, the Patriots selected Christian Gonzalez out of Oregon.
The Lions got to pick again and took my favourite line backer Jack Campbell, followed by Tampa Bay selecting defensive tackle Calijah Kancey and then the Seahawks started the run on wide receivers taking Jaxon Smith-Njigba at 20.
22nd, but technically taken 21st because of those naughty Dolphins, was Quentin Johnston, selected by the LA Chargers.
Hearts became broken in New England as Zay Flowers from Boston College was picked by the Ravens, and rounding out the stint of wide receiver selections was Jordan Addison who was taken by the Vikings.
The Giants got antsy and moved up in a trade with the Jaguars to select corner back Deonte Banks from Maryland, then the Bills moved to take one of the top tight ends Dalton Kincaid of Utah.
To those of you that reached out to ask my opinion on this selection, firstly thank you! Secondly, I wasn’t happy. Obviously I want all the good tight ends to go to the Patriots, but seriously now, did he really have to go to the Bills?! Not exactly looking forward to the Patriots having to face that top talent at least twice a season.
The Cowboys selected the defensive tackle from Michigan Mazi Smith, followed by the Jacksonville Jags finally selecting, where they took Anton Harrison from Oklahoma.
Myles Murphy went to the Bengals. New Orleans selected defensive tackle Bryan Bresee. The Eagles picked up another mammoth player from Georgia, and drafted Nolan Smith and, finally the evening rounded out with Felix Anudike-Uzomah of Kansas State going to the Kansas City Chiefs!
So there you have it folks, lots of speculation confirmed, or blown out of the water, and so much talent left “on the board” for tonight! I do hope the Patriots select some of those tight ends I am wanting so much but hey, that’s what it is to be a fan right?
On that note, keep smiling you lovely lot, and Go Pats!
The Pats Propaganda Draft Off!
It’s that crazy time of year again! Big boards, mock drafts, draft stock movements, all to be finalised in just over a week!
Yes, you lovely lot, soon we will be put out of our misery and we will know who the Patriots take 14th overall… if they do of course. Until then, mock drafts are a-flyin’, player drafts stocks are risin’ and a-fallin’ and draft crushes are formin’!
And so to add to the mania, the fantabulous Tom Shaw-Mellors and myself have done… drum roll please… a mock draft off!
The first ever, (possibly the last, it depends how it goes) Pats Propaganda draft off. And so, not only will you get to see how Tom and I draft, but you will also be able to vote, on Twitter for your favourite mock draft!!
Tom’s draft selection (@ShawMellors)
Ok, so these four picks are players that I would be happy with if the Patriots chose them in the upcoming draft.
Round 1 – (14) – WR Zay Flowers (Boston College)
Zay Flowers could be the answer for the Pats. I saw Zay play for BC in 2021 during a trip to Boston and he was a cut above anyone else on the field in terms of athleticism and IQ as a wideout.
There has been a lot of hype around him due to his local connections at BC, and I also nod that his college career wasn’t plated at the highest level, still, I think he could be a star in this league and would gladly take him at 14.
Round 2 – (46) – CB Julius Brents (Kansas State)
Back-to-back positions of need are being filled in my draft-off selections here!
He has everything I like in a corner, good size at 6″3 which immediately makes me think of all of those mismatches poor Marcus and Jack Jones had last season.
Height is a big factor (reminds me a bit of Tariq Woolen, who I wanted last year) – Brents also has decent speed and would be a solid addition, and perhaps a BB guy too with his build.
Brents also had a decent outing at the Senior Bowl, leading me to think he could follow in the footsteps of a number of current Patriots who took part in that competition. (Cole Strange (2022), Mac Jones (2021), Rhamondre Stevenson (2021), Kyle Dugger (2020)
Round 3 – (76) – TE Tucker Kraft (South Dakota State)
This one’s for your Clare!
It’s been a long time since a Patriots TE draftee actually materialized into anything exciting, but aside from his namesake to our beloved owner, Tucker Kraft could be that man!
Has the size at 6″5/250 lbs to really lend assistance in the run game, he’s also a physical specimen with strong athletic testing performances at the combine.
Alongside Gesicki and Hunter Henry, Kraft would make a healthy addition to the offensive room under Billy O.
Round 4 – (107) – CB Riley Moss (Iowa)
Shoutout to Evan Lazar and Mike Dussault from http://Patriots.com for bringing me around on this final pick.
After watching some of Moss’ tape, I can see why they both are really high on him to be the fourth player added to the Patriots’ 2023 draft class.
At 6″1 he has decent size and has been a strong tackler during his collegiate career which spanned 2,606 snaps over five seasons (per PFF).
I agree that Moss probably wouldn’t come in and settle as an out-and-out traditional CB, perhaps with his size he could transition to safety, but it just screams a cliche Bill Belichick pick.
Clare’s draft selection (@clazzyclare)
I fell down the rabbit hole of mock drafts for almost a day for this. The problem is, I was never quite sure of which position I really wanted to prioritise as there are several important ones this year, and then a random guy would fall and be too good to miss! Not to mention, how it’s ever so annoying when the guys you want keep going just ahead of your pick (am I right?!). But to that end, curtesy of the PFF draft simulator, I produced a draft I think I would be happy with if the Patriots copied it. Whilst I know it’s not going to give everyone tingles, I put on my GM cap and did (to the best of my ability!) what I thought would be best for the team not only for 2023 but going forward too. I may have overdrafted a little, taken a guy a little earlier than he is expected to go, but it depends upon what you read. When I did the simulator it changed significantly, so I have been as realistic as possible. Here goes!
Round 1 – (14) – T Broderick Jones (Georgia)
At this pick I was increasingly torn as to which position to take, but I just couldn’t ignore the high end offensive line guys. To be honest Jones is an easy switch out for me with Peter Skoronski of Northwestern, both are early to mid first rounders off the board and for me one or the other would be awesome. I chose Jones over Skoronski just because of the edge he seems to have. To be honest there isn’t much in it, with Jones measuring at 6’5″ and 311, and Skoronski 6’4″ and 313. Even though he is lacking in experience, Jones threw a coach out of the club at a skill drill in the combine, and has sheer explosiveness I would love to see on the Patriots offensive line.
Round 2 – (46) – TE Sam Laporta (Iowa)
I couldn’t help myself, the talent in the tight end class is so delicious I had to draft one of the higher class guys. By 46 the top wide receivers are long gone so I decided to utilise the offensive weapon skill set over on my favourite position. LaPorta has been one of my favourites for a while now and whilst he didn’t hold the official title of “draft crush” he came darn close. LaPorta is a solid framed, 6’ 3.5” versatile pass catcher with a powerful looking lower body. Electric after the catch LaPorta has many strengths but there is a little work to be done with his contested catches. Definitely a good choice for the Patriots as a rookie starter behind two experienced tight ends in Henry and Gesicki, and stocking the cupboard for a TE1 of the future.
Round 3 – (76) – CB Riley Moss (Iowa)
Cornerback is definitely a position that I hope the Patriots address this draft and, whilst it’s not possible to take the top tackle, wide receiver AND cornerback, I did what I could with the board that I was dealt. After I did my mock I read Tom’s and realised he has also taken Moss but with the 107 pick, so I may have played it a little safe and selected the cornerback I wanted, but some mocks have him going in round three and that’s when I scooped him up. Moss is productive, experienced and an elite athlete with great coverage instincts, worth the 76th selection in my humble opinion.
Round 4 – (107) – TE Luke Schoonmaker (Michigan)
I had to do it, all my other positional preferences had gone by 107 and so I had to grab some more future tight endage. A lovely blend of size, athleticism and blocking ability Schoonmaker is a tall, lean built, inline Y tight end with the room to add weight. He is good in the run game, and whilst not necessarily dynamic, he shouldn’t be overlooked as playmaker.
Don’t forget to chose your favourite draft selection in the Pats Propaganda twitter poll!