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Sunday Supplement 02/21

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(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

As the first weeks without football go by, attention turns to the new NFL league year in March and most importantly, free agency and the Draft.

I’ll be taking a dive into both in the coming weeks, but first, let’s round up the latest news from the first few weeks of the Patriots offseason.

Coaching Additions

Whilst the team is yet to dip their toes into the player market, they have begun adding to the staff ranks.

Following on from Matty P’s return a few weeks back, the team is expected to bring in Bo Hardegree as an offensive assistant. Hardegree has been a coach in the league since 2014, moving between Denver, Chigaco, and under Adam Gase, at Miami and New York.

Given Bill’s friendship and respect for Gase, it’s not hard to imagine that a good word was put in to secure Hardegree’s new role with the team.

Later this week, Mike Reiss reported that former Super Bowl-winning offensive lineman Billy Yates was expected to stick around and join the coaching team for the upcoming season.

As noted in Reiss’ tweet, Yates spent time with the Patriots in 2015 camp as part of the Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship, before cutting his teeth with Detroit as an assistant coach.

Hogan Switches Sports

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BREAKING- Matt Patricia to rejoin Patriots coaching staff

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(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

As first reported by Jim McBride, former Patriots DC Matt Patricia is returning to the team following his release as HC of Detroit. Per the report, Patricia is returning to New England to assist the coaching staff in a variety of roles.

I don’t mind this at all, especially given Patricia’s experience with the team before he went to Detroit, interesting how it’s in more of an overall assisting role and not a specific positional coach role though.

By the looks of things, he’s put in a good word for Evan Rothstein, who was with Matty P at the Lions, he now joins the Patriots coaching team.

Both Breer and Ian Rappoport say that Patricia will be in an evaluation role also, similar to Mick Lombardi previously. One would assume this means he will be heavily involved in free agency and Draft evaluation for the Patriots following the departure of Nick Caserio.

PatsProp – End Of Season Awards

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(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

With the 2020 season now in the rear-view mirror, it’s time to reflect and recognize the brighter moments of an otherwise disappointing year for the Patriots.

As voted by the readers of PatsPropaganda, here are the PatsProp 2020 – End Of Season award winners.

Rookie Of The Year

(T) Michael Onwenu

(AP Photo/Stew Milne)

After being picked in the sixth round of this year’s Draft, there were no major expectations for Mike Onwenu to make the sort of impact he did in his rookie season. But, following the opt-out of starting RT Marcus Cannon, Onwenu enjoyed his first season in New England splitting reps with Jermaine Eluemunor and making quite the impression across the league in the process.

PFF ranked Onwenu on a number of occasions as one of the best performing Tackles in the league during the season, as well as his inclusion in the PPF 2020 All-Rookie Team.

A great building season for Mike, with potential turnover at the offensive line position coming in the next few months, Bill will be pleased with the early performances from the former Michigan Wolverine.

2nd Place – Kyle Dugger

Team MVP

(P) Jake Bailey

(Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)

No surprise here, Jake Bailey has been a stand out performer for this Patriots team in 2020. Coming off a solid rookie season, Bailey continued to execute enormous punts (there were a lot of them), aiding the team with better field position in the process.

His performances also earned him a Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection, his first in both categories. Along with punting, Bailey also handled placekick holding and kickoff duties. I started the #ProBowlBailey bandwagon back in training camp and I’m glad the readers chose him to receive the team’s MVP award.

A real Swiss army knife as a specialist, what a great player.

2nd Place – Damien Harris

Offensive POTY

(RB) Damien Harris

Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Cries from Patriots fans for a Damien Harris breakout year were answered in Week 4 again Kansas City, Harris started that game in the place of an injured Sony Michel and secured his first career 100-yard performance on the ground.

Although his season was cut short at the end due to an injury, Harris still managed to rack up 691 yards on the ground, along with two touchdowns, a promising second-season, as many see him as new leader at the position.

Harris, along with Jakobi Meyers were the only real good offensive breakout performances this year. Both were worthy of the OPOTY award, but Harris edges it in the reader vote.

2nd Place – Jakobi Meyers

Defensive POTY

(CB) J.C. Jackson

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

An obvious choice was confirmed in the voting this time, unlike his ridiculous Pro Bowl and All-Pro snub, J.C. Jackson has been an interception machine this season, and wrapped up his impressive haul against the Jets last Sunday with his ninth pick.

Jackson, originally an undrafted free agent, has excelled to one of the league’s best cornerbacks, along with Stephon Gilmore. Some may argue that Jackson’s picks covered up for some discrepancies in his play this year, which may be true, but results matter, and Jackson snagging almost double-digit interceptions in just one season is a cause for celebration.

J.C. is a restricted free agent this offseason, expect the patriots to place a tender on him and potentially look to a long-term deal, or a trade-in the coming year.

2nd Place – Stephon Gilmore

Comeback/Emergence POTY

(C) David Andrews

Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

No real surprise with this one. After coming back from a near career-ending health emergency, David Andrews returned and was, for the most part, a solid rock at the heart of the Patriots offensive line.

Missing Andrews was felt last season and, along with Joe Thuney and Shaq Mason next to him, he put together some solid performances which enabled the run game to flourish at times. Andrews is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and with Thuney expected to leave, retaining Andrews should be a high priority for the Patriots.

The fans felt his return, as they chose him as the comeback player of the year.

Patriots GameDay Supplement 01/03

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Faith Ninivaggi/ Boston Herald/ Media News Group

Here’s your Patriots GameDay supplement for all of the latest news ahead of today’s Week 17 season finale, as the Pats host the NY Jets at Gillette Stadium!

Roster Moves

Main Roster
CB Dee Virgin (Free agent signing)
TE/DE Rashod Berry (Signed from PS)
CB Michael Jackson Sr (Signed from PS)
LB Cassh Maluia (Signed from PS)
OL Ross Reynolds (Promoted from PS)*
CB D’Angelo Ross (Promoted from PS)*
*Main roster promotions will revert back to PS after the game
Practice Squad Signings
K Roberto Aguayo
Released
OL Earl Watford
TE Jordan Thomas
Placed On IR
LB Josh Uche
DT Tashawn Bower
RB Damien Harris

Now confirmed, Damien Harris and Josh Uche’s rookie seasons are both over after they were placed on IR. With nothing to play for and both players having slight ailments, this isn’t a big surprise. A few players were signed to fill the gaps left by the IR movements, including Cornerback’s Dee Virgin and Michael Jackson Sr, one would assume that these are more of a backup option with a view to seeing them in the offseason.

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Three Patriots earn Pro Bowl selections

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NO J.C. JACKSON? WTF? – But congratulations to the three Patriots who earned selections. There will be no actual Pro Bowl game in the new year, but let’s recognize the talent from this year’s roster.

P Jake Bailey

I called for the #ProBowlBailey trend to get started at the beginning of the season, and I finally got something right! Jake Bailey has been arguably the best player on the Patriots roster this year.

Following Ryan Allen’s departure, Bailey has become New England’s most consistent player into his second NFL season. For his brilliant play this year, he’s earned his first Pro Bowl selection.

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Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore suffers partially torn quad

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Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images

News has emerged that Gilmore’s injury whilst better than first feared, will require surgery and end his 2020 season.

Here’s the injury from yesterday.

Rapsheet reports that Gilmore suffered a partially torn quad muscle in a non-contact play during yesterday’s game in Miami.

Better news for both Gilmore and the Patriots, as originally, the concern was that it may have been a serious knee injury. Thankfully the consensus is that he will be back to 100% for the start of 2021 pre-season, whether that be in New England or elsewhere.

Patriots Preview: Week 14 vs Los Angeles Rams

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On Thursday night, the 6-6 New England Patriots travel to SOFI Stadium to take on the 8-4 LA Rams.

Date: Thursday, December 10, 2020
Game Time: 8:20 PM EST
Venue: SOFI Stadium, LA
Network: CBS
All-time record: Patriots lead series 9-5-0 (including playoffs)

When They Last Met…

Patriots 13-3 Rams
February 3, 2019
Super Bowl LIII

Yes, that’s right, the last time these team’s faced off was in Atlanta at Super Bowl LIII.

The Rams made it to the Championship Game in dubious circumstances following the NFC Championship game against the Saints and that infamous PI no call. The Patriots on the other hand needed overtime to see the Chiefs in one of the best football games I’ve ever seen.

The Pats got off to a bad start on their first drive as Tom Brady’s pass intended for Chris Hogan was intercepted by Corey Littleton. Patriots then got the ball back and put together a nice drive before stalling, Stephen Gostkowski’s field goal went wide left.

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