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Analysis

Will Josh Gordon to the Pats Work?

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QAiLZKL5hI

The Patriots once again proved that the team building process goes well into the season as they acquired wide receiver Josh Gordon from the Browns.

My initial reaction is just wow, because it’s so exciting to think what Josh Gordon playing at his best would do for the Patriots’ offense. But the chances seem remote that Gordon not only buys into the Football Machine but that he stays the straight and narrow, immersing himself in the culture and takes to it like Moss 2007.

Perhaps a more plausible case will be that McDaniels throws him some Patterson-esque plays, and he isn’t quite Moss 2007, but he’s a guy that can chip in with a couple plays a game (CAN YOU SAY UNDERNEATH CROSSERS?). After last weekend, even a couple plays per game sounds appealing.

It will be interesting to see how problem child Gordon takes to New England. It’s a huge opportunity for him, to finally tap his unquestionable talent, or let it all go to waste probably for the last time. It’s no easy task, he’ll have to totally buy in, and it’s been apparent that totally buying in was never his thing in Cleveland. Still, that’s Cleveland.

The Patriots have strong organizational stability and can afford to roll the dice on Gordon. He’ll be treated just like everyone else and he’ll either cut it or be cut.

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A Look Back: Patriots-Jaguars 2017 AFC Championship

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The 2017 AFC Championship was a dogfight down to the end, with the young and hungry Jags pushing the Patriots to the very limit. Really, the Jags exposed the Patriots in a way that the Eagles would build off of in Super Bowl 52. They had quite a few chances to put the game away, but the Pats do what they always do, hang on and make the key plays at the end.

Despite some limitations of Blake Bortles, the Jags are one of the teams vying to dethrone the Patriots from AFC supremacy, and they certainly have the defensive pieces to make it happen. But this is a different Patriots team than the one that played last January and that includes both good reasons and bad reasons.

What can we determine from last year’s matchup? That this will be a test for the 2018 Pats that truly tells if they’ve put the problems of last season behind them.

The Patriots had a slow start to the game, falling into a 14-3 hole. The Jags sniffed out most of the underneath stuff Tom Brady, with a stitched-up hand, loves to rely on. Much of the offense relied shot plays to Cooks, or the PI calls that came with them sometimes. It was a true grind-it-out offensive performance and one that will be hard to replicate with entirely new pieces.

The simple fact is that the primary players outside of Brady who helped the Pats win this game are no longer on the team. But the flip side of the coin is that the defense which made just enough plays to win is much improved.

So which side wins?

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A Look Back: Patriots-Texans 2017

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I took a look back at the Patriots last-second win over the Texans in week three of 2017. It was good to get reacquainted with Houston and a reminder that this will be a very tough game for the Patriots. Here was my film review at the time for the defense and offense.

The Texans have all the pieces, and if Deshaun Watson can make the kind of throws he was making in the second half last year, we could be in for another track meet with over 60 points scored.

Jadaveon Clowney and JJ Watt are major problems and their disruptiveness was apparent on every Patriots possession. The Patriots were still managing Nate Solder last time and were without Marcus Cannon. Hopefully, the upgrade to a fully healthy Trent Brown and Marcus Cannon will make a difference and help Tom Brady establish a better rhythm early.

The Pats’ focus on power running with Mike Gillislee will likely mean a lot of Jeremy Hill and possibly Rex Burkhead (if healthy) with James Develin paving the way.

Jacob Hollister had a catch and got lit up. He should get a chance at some payback this weekend.

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What Will 2018 Pats Unveil Sunday?

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-q7OC4su4Y

With the roster set and the first week of the regular season upon us, it’s time to find out who the 2018 Patriots are. Or at least get the first chapter of what will be a long book, with ups and downs. But this one counts and that means it’s time to see how the team has evolved for the new season.

Some pieces are obvious. Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and James White will make the offense go. Dont’a Hightower and Stephon Gilmore will be the playmakers for the defense. But who else will need to chip in? What are the options and what will they ride on both sides of the ball?

Let’s break out the crystal football and predict what we’re going to see from the Pats on Sunday.

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Breaking Down Patriots’ New Waiver Receivers

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With two open roster spots and just three wide receivers on the initial roster, it was little surprise that the Patriots signed two wideouts off the waiver wire. Chad Hansen and Amara Darbo are both second-year receivers who had nine catches as rookies with their respective teams.

Can we count on either to step in and contribute? The track record for in-season receivers is pretty poor outside of Jabar Gaffney in 2006.

Neither name has the sexiness of a Dez Bryant, but both are clearly Patriots-type receivers. Let’s take a quick look at them both.

Amara Darbo

A third-round pick by the Seahawks out of Michigan, Darbo’s best trait is his size and toughness. At 6’2″ with good arm length, Darbo is willing to do the dirty work even if he isn’t the fastest or quickest receiver. Usually that kind of player screams special teams and he did play a third of the Seahawks ST snaps last season.

The biggest concern with Darbo is his hands, with PFF making an apt comparison to Brandon LaFell in Darbo’s scouting report. That tells you what kind of fit he is and that he’ll likely looked at more on the outside at first, a spot where he’ll be behind Dorsett and Hogan.

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Patriots Set Initial Practice Squad

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It’s important to remember that everything is fluid at this time of year, and really for most of the season. The Patriots never stop churning at the bottom of their roster, bringing guys in, sending guys out, recycling those same guys a week or two later. Roster building is never done, but they have to start somewhere so here’s the initial 2018 practice squad and some notes on each player.

Danny Etling — As expected the Patriots hung on to the rookie quarterback who will now be best known for his long preseason touchdown scamper against the Giants. I’ll say this all year: the Patriots should bring in any quarterback that they can. Finding Tom Brady’s eventual successor doesn’t have to be neatly tied up in a high-round-pick bow. It could come from anywhere so it’s important to not only keep Etling, but to stay vigilant for any quarterback who might blossom with the team.

Vincent Valentine — My favorite keep of the practice squad, Valentine was coming on as a rookie before losing his sophomore season to injury. He couldn’t quite crack the 53 with Shelton, Brown and Guy the top interior space eaters in front of him, but he could be needed in a pinch and will be a good player to continue to develop with some uncertainty next year (Brown and Shelton will be free agents).

Ralph Webb — The undrafted rookie running back had a sparkling debut the first week of the preseason and then wasn’t heard from much again. The Pats must’ve seen enough to want to continue working with Webb and with a running back corps that has struggled to stay healthy it’s not crazy to imagine Webb joining the team in a Jonas Grey-type capacity for a few games.

Riley McCarron — I have to be honest on McCarron, I have yet to see him really impress me and every opportunity was there this preseason. If he can’t make the roster this year, when the Pats kept just three receivers initially, and instead they chose to find two castoffs from other teams to fill those spots, I’m not sure if he has any kind of long-term potential. It’s good to have a young receiver in the wings but I’m not holding my breath for McCarron to break through in real football games this season, or ever.

Jomal Wiltz — Wiltz is a cornerback that didn’t quite get the love of Crossen or Jackson, but was very much on the coaches’ radar from what I saw at camp. Depth at corner on the roster is outstanding so it would have to be a long climb for Wiltz but you never know where injuries will strike.

Cole Croston — Croston made the roster last year but just missed the cut this year. This was probably due in large part to the holes that had to be filled at wide receiver. But he’s a versatile offensive linemen who could very well be needed to play a role this season. The coaches clearly like him and he could fill in at a number of spots. With just seven OL on the active roster, Croston is a lot closer to playing than just about anyone else on the practice squad.

James Ferentz — Like Croston, Ferentz isn’t all that far from getting called up to game action. He can play center or guard, and behind Ted Karras would be the top option if one of the interior starters gets hurt.

Trent Harris — Harris might’ve made the team if this was 2017, but the remade edge pieces ran six deep this season. Harris was one of the standout scrubs and had a handful of moments in training camp. As we learned last year you can never have too many edge players. Harris can develop behind the scenes and is excellent insurance at a vital position.

Patriots Set Initial 2018 Roster

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At long last, the New England Patriots 2018 roster has been trimmed to 51 players and though there will continue to be moves made over the next couple days, the core pieces out of preseason are in place for another Super Bowl run.

Let’s start with the surprises — Riley McCarron was cut after sitting out the final preseason game. Usually, that means you’re safe and now the Pats don’t really have a punt returner. But ultimately, McCarron never showed much, his roster spot on my last projected 53-man was more by default than anything else.

The team also kept just two backup offensive linemen, Ted Karras and LaAdrian Waddle. Having only seven is light, especially when they had guys like Cole Croston in house. Adding depth on the OL could be an unexpected spot to watch Sunday and Monday.

A year removed from departures and injuries at defensive end, the Pats have re-stocked, welcoming back Derek Rivers and Keionta Davis from injury. With Trey Flowers, Adrian Clayborn and Dietrich Wise, the Pats have a good mix at an important position, one they were undermanned at last year.

The depth at wide receiver is scary, especially with Edelman not allowed near the building until October. I think an addition at the position (Leonte Caroo was always a favorite) makes a lot of sense, especially if they can return punts.

Three rookie cornerbacks made the team which is good news both on the outside, where Eric Rowe is in a contract year, and in the slot where both Duke Dawson and Jonathan Jones have had injury issues. Crossen or Jackson could still end up on the practice squad, it will just be easier to get them there with them on the initial roster. Still, I think the Pats will need at least one of them this season in a significant role.

Most excited about… The Defense

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