Great read from Frenz on Hightower. Expecting big things out of the second-year linebacker.
4 Veterans Who May Be Cut By The Patriots :Pats Pub
4 Veterans Who May Be Cut By The Patriots :Pats Pub
Good take on these four from Steve. Right now I’ve got all four of them making it, though I think Fells is the most on the edge.
Cunningham still appeals to me more than Bequette and Buchanan, even if Buchanan will likely be the better player down the road. I don’t think Cunningham will earn a new contract from the Pats, but I think they need him this year for depth at multiple spots (DE, interior rusher, even OLB).
I still think either Hooman or Fells make it as insurance for Ballard until Gronk comes back. I consider Sudfeld more in the Hernandez role, and his playing time will be likely closer tied to Dobson/Edelman/Boyce.
I think Adrian Wilson makes it, but I wouldn’t be shocked if he didn’t. It just comes down to value and it looks like he could be effective in a sub linebacker role. Tavon Wilson might not be as savvy for that spot, but he certainly runs better at this point. So we’ll see.
Finally I think Leon Washington makes it, no question. He’s the best kick returned on the roster and the only reasonable pass-catching backup to Shane Vereen.
I have to say on paper this is definitely the deepest, most complete defense since mid-way through the 2007 season. #Patriots
— Mike Loyko (@NEPD_Loyko)Aqib Talib’s addition, Devin McCourty’s move to FS and the depth of the LB/Starting DE took this defense up a notch.
— Mike Loyko (@NEPD_Loyko)
I agree with Loyko’s tweets above, it’s been a long process since the defensive rebuild began in 2008 and went into high gear in 2009. Chandler Jones was such a huge missing piece and if he elevates his game to the level we all think he can this year, this defense should be really good.
There are no more excuses. This isn’t 2009 when they had fill-ins miscast in roles like Gary Guyton at Mike and Jarvis Green at defensive end in the base defense. All the players on the defense fit their spots and were groomed/acquired for them.
Again, the mantra: No more not losing games. It’s time to win games.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/artwnoeasel-i-have-to-say-on-paper-this-is/
Keeping both safeties in coverage often means a conservative defensive scheme, which is antithetical to what people associate with a Belichick-coached defense. But it’s been years since Belichick used his complex concoctions of rotating hybrid coverages, 3-4 blitzes and innovative new schemes each week.
Patriots Preview: A New Offense with the Same Approach | The MMQB with Peter King
Good stuff from Andy Benoit, though I think he undersells Hightower and Thompkins a bit. Still, good scheme stuff as mentioned above.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/keeping-both-safeties-in-coverage-often-means-a/
Receiver Danny Amendola said he has been impressed with the team’s rookie receivers, noting, “Guys are coming to work willing to learn and put forth the effort. [It’s a] good group of guys. They should have some haircuts by tomorrow.” That’s an annual tradition for the Patriots, the veterans giving the rookies a buzz.
Rookie haircuts are coming! I think we can say goodbye to Sudfeld’s eyebrows…
Picked-up Patriots pieces – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston
https://www.patspropaganda.com/receiver-danny-amendola-said-he-has-been-impressed/
Gronkowski was seen doing agility drills with a trainer for the first time all training camp, and looked smooth and relatively healthy as he returns from back surgery. Gronkowski, wearing shorts and a T-shirt, ran short sprints forward, backward, and sideways inside a group of cones, and also caught and threw passes with his trainer. Gronkowski had surgery June 18 to repair a herniated disk, and it is unclear when he will be ready to play in the regular season. The rehab for his surgery is generally about 12 weeks, which puts a potential return date right around the season opener. Gronkowski reportedly is unlikely to play early in the season — after facing the Bills, the Patriots’ second game is against the Jets on a short week — but he could potentially be ready to play in Week 3 against the Buccaneers on Sept. 22.
Danny Amendola returns to practice; Rob Gronkowski looks good in workout – Sports – The Boston Globe
https://www.patspropaganda.com/gronkowski-was-seen-doing-agility-drills-with-a/