We’re just one week away from the start of the Patriots 2016 season, making today the last football-free Sunday until February. It’s hard to believe another offseason has gone by and here we stand, ready for one more run at this thing with Belichick and, eventually, Brady.
With all the focus on the 53-man roster over the last two days, it’s a good time to catch up on some things we might’ve missed and some of the more interesting news around the web today.
Here’s some of their stuff, along with some leftover thoughts as we turn all of our focus to the Arizona Cardinals.
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 4, 2016
Now that Brady’s suspension is officially underway, the Patriots have erected a wonderful tribute to him. Why not just leave this up forever? And if it spits fire out of the 12 at the top that would really take it to the next level.
Stickergate
Speaking of Brady, as you probably know now, he hasn’t been wearing the NFL sticker on his helmet dating all the way back to spring practices. Honestly I’m kicking myself for not noticing this first. Everyone knows how obsessed with helmets and “looks” I am. This should’ve been right in my wheelhouse.
Friend of the site and overlord of PatsFans.com Ian Logue had a great breakdown of the the rules surrounding the helmet sticker. We all know the NFL is humorless about everything and this dares them to do something.
We now know that Goodell could in fact suspend Brady even further for not wearing their sticker on his helmet. That’s how deep his unquestionable power goes. But would he? The NFL gets bad press about everything but that would take the cake, especially because it would become the even more ridiculous standard-bearer for comparison to other suspensions.
There were plenty of nervous Pats fans, wishing Michael Hurley had never even broke the story. But as Hurley pointed out, protests are meant to garner attention, not to just be Brady’s private little middle finger to the NFL. And believe me, the NFL was finding out one way or another.
Now that Brady is suspended the media can’t even ask him about, which they would surely like to. Had they noticed anytime sooner they could’ve. And it was in front of their face the whole spring and summer.
We’ll now have to wait to see how the NFL responds but given their track record I’m a little uneasy. Will the sticker return when Brady does? Will he respond to questions about it then? I’m guessing absolutely not.
Cuts
My full notes on the initial 53-man roster are here. Again, it’s still very fluid. More cuts and additions could happen today.
I am surprised Keshawn Martin got cut after receiving a two-year, $3 million extension last season. I thought he was a pretty good insurance policy to Edelmand and Amendola, plus he returns punts. Not that I thought he was much more than “just a guy” and once he started missing time in camp with injury then got hurt again against the Giants he simply didn’t seem reliable enough. Hopefully Amendola and Mitchell are ready to go soon and then things will be fine.
Keshawn Martin was outright released. The $600,000 signing bonus was the most the Pats have surrendered in first year of deal since 2012.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) September 4, 2016
Let’s get excited about Ted Karras and hope he sticks around, though he might very well be the #53 guy right now. For those of us who love mauling linemen and were sad to see Logan Mankins and Bryan Stork leave the last few seasons, Karras is just the right kind of ill-tempered guard that you love to watch run over fools.
I’d love to see Elandon Roberts overtake Jonathan Freeny at some point this season at middle linebacker. Yes, that’s probably a long shot and if McClellin and Mingo stay healthy, along with Collins and Hightower of course, neither may see the field on defense. But I just love Roberts’ aggression. He comes downhill HARD.
Practice squad will get put together today and I’ll have full thoughts once it’s set. Expect Geneo Grissom and Kamu Grugier-Hill to be priorities.
Early Cardinals Thoughts
Openers are almost always weird games. With the lack of tackling in camp now, things are usually sloppy. That’s the kind of football the Patriots are built to avoid, but even they (almost) always have a stinker in September, whether it’s the opener or the few weeks after.
So I’m expecting a defensive struggle. The Cardinals are coming for Jimmy. They’re going to bring pressure constantly and how he does in the face of that will determine the outcome. This means knowing where the hot read is and getting the ball out quickly to it. If his reads are muddied, the biggest key, as I’ve been saying all summer, is not to force the ball. Take the sack. Fight another down.
The Cardinals downfield passing game will be interesting. Pressure is vital, but the Pats have more pass rushing options than ever before. Will we get the Carson Palmer of most of 2015? Or the one that fell apart in the NFC Championship?
Expecting Ryan on Floyd (he usually takes the bigger receivers), Butler on Brown and Coleman on Fitzgerald. Could see a flip on Fitzgerald depending on how things unfold. But make no mistake the Cardinals want to get the ball downfield.
But the biggest problem could be David Johnson. He’s a fantastic back who can do it all. Dont’a Hightower should be all over him all game long.
The Cardinals (especially in Arizona with Jimmy under center) are a worthy opponent but this game matters least of the first four. That’s a good way to ease into the football stress.
As I’ve said before, I love watching Patriots football more than anything else, but damn it can be stressful. The offseason can be just as interesting but at a lower stress level. Now that it’s time to turn the page to the potential of things like losses and season-affecting injuries, it takes a small adjustment in attitude. And the return of those lovely butterflies that slowly build to a crescendo each week until game time.
One. More. Week.