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The 10 Patriots you should watch in tonight’s preseason opener against Washington

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Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald

Patriots football is back the Washington Football Team travels to New England! Gillette Stadium will have fans back tonight for the first time in 585 days which will be a special moment for all in attendance.

Here are 10 Patriots you should keep an eye on tonight!

1. QB #10 Mac Jones

Of course, this will be the main focus tonight, the first time that we’ve had the chance to see Mac Jones in a legitimate game scenario. Reports earlier today confirmed the game would be split between Mac and Cam, so at least we know we’ll see the first-round pick in action.

Really, I just want to see Mac get it out fast, make some completions, and show that he can move the offense. I don’t care if he doesn’t get any touchdowns, I’d just like to see some good fundamentals tonight.

Washington will be playing their starters for some of the game, so Mac will get a chance to be tested by a good defensive front, with the likes of Chase Young bearing down.

He’ll also be wearing his college number 10 jersey, as confirmed today by the team. Sorry Jimmy G.

https://twitter.com/Ryan_Spags/status/1425852332089225223?s=20

2. WR #15 N’Keal Harry

After the whole trade request debacle, Harry will be wanting to continue to help his own stock rise following a string of good practices at camp. Harry is in his third season with the team and has yet to show any signs of being a first-round talent.

Either the team wants to keep him, or they want to trade him. Regardless, I think he’ll be getting some good snaps tonight. I want to see him use his size and strength when targeted, redzone dominance, run after the catch, the stuff we’ve been hoping we’d see more of.

He really has to flash tonight and across the next few games, and because of that, you should keep an eye on number 15 all night.

3. DT #70 Christian Barmore

There was, without doubt, a buzz when the Barmore pick was announced on Draft night back in April. The top-rated defensive tackle has shown glimpses of his pass-rushing power so far in camp, tonight he’ll get a chance to go full kilt against an NFL offensive line.

I’m not sure exactly what role he will play in the defense this season, but, if he can show the ability to bring pressure on the opposing QB, he’ll get some good time on the field this season I’m sure.

4. CB #41 Myles Bryant

The second-year UDFA CB has a chance to impress tonight and over the new few games as he tries to earn a roster spot.

Bryant featured periodically last season, his most noteworthy contribution was his first career interception against the Rams in Week 14. With Gilmore still absent, J.C. Jackson and Jon Jones locks for the roster already, expect to see Bryant involved throughout tonight.

5. DE #51 Ronnie Perkins

Heresssssssssssssssssssssss Ronnie.

Ronnie Perkins should be another Rookie you should have your eyes on against Washington. Pass-rush tried to compensate for the lack of run-stopping play last year, here’s hoping Perkins can develop into a deadly edge-rusher.

Perkins hasn’t blown anyone away so far in camp by reports, but tonight we’ll get a first real look at what he may be able to offer the team in the early part of the season, and what that role may be.

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BREAKING – Patriots TE Dalton Keene placed on IR, will miss 2021 season

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Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

It’s a bad day for injuries. Following the news earlier that Raekwon McMillan had torn his ACL, Dalton Keene has been placed on the injured reserve list following a procedure on his knee to repair an issue he dealt with previously in College.

It’s reported that Keene will have plenty of time to recover for the 2022 season, and really, the small silver lining here is that he will be protected for the season on the IR list as he wasn’t a sure-fire lock for the roster due to the arrivals in the TE group this year.

Mike Reiss notes that Keene joins McMillan in being placed on IR, effectively ending their season.

Some good news regarding tight ends did surface this evening also, Devin Asiasi was activated from the COVID list, we should see him back at practice tomorrow.

Here’s what the TE room looks like currently:

BREAKING – Patriots LB Raekwon McMillan out for the season with ACL tear

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Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images

As first reported by Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, LB Raekwon McMillan is out for the season with a suspected ACL tear. Awful news for McMillan, who suffered the same injury back in 2017 during his rookie season with Miami.

This injury comes at a time when McMillan, who only joined in free agency, was just starting to have some good practices over the last few days of Training Camp. A cruel, cruel game football can be sometimes. Well wishes to him for a speedy recovery.

Just as quickly as the news about the injury broke, Pelissero delivered the news that the team’s sixth-round pick from last year’s draft, Cassh Maluia was returning to the team, following his released this off-season.

Here’s a look at the current LB depth on the roster:

Tight Endage Excitement and Expectation!

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(AP Photo/Steven Senne)

It’s so easy to make player comparisons especially on a team that has had some of the best that ever were but the signing of the two tight ends, Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry, in free agency really ramped up the mentions of a Gronkowski and Hernandez duo, and it had already been whispered about when the Patriots drafted two tight ends back in 2020, Dalton Keene and Devin Asiasi.

Now it’s fair to say that Hunter Henry is not Rob Gronkowski. He is a sizeable and talented traditional tight end but there will only ever be one Gronk. That’s not to say Henry isn’t good, as most of you know, he’s my favourite going into this season!

The versatility of Jonnu Smith is already shining through in training camp within the different formations in which he is being placed, and the comparison with the athleticism of Aaron Hernandez is difficult to ignore.

The 2011 AFC Divisional game against the Broncos saw a slew of two tight end sets, and at one point Hernandez, and Gronk lined up on the same side, next to one another, Hernandez with his hand in the dirt and Gronk in a more H-back like position. On the snap, Gronk provided pass protection Hernandez ran out and became the pass catcher for a touchdown.

And that’s just spotlighting one single play. The Patriots utilised Hernandez in several other positions such as running back, a traditional ‘I’ formation fullback, a blocker as well as a receiver. And the exciting thing is Jonnu Smith may be able to tick all these boxes. 

Okay so that’s putting a lot on the shoulders of this 25 year old but the Patriots team was phenomenal with this kind of tight end set up and there may be hints that it can happen again. 

I know I know, I’m a tight endage enthusiast, but I bet there are plenty of fans out there who are excited to see this kind of dynamic tight endage sparkle in Foxborough!

Whats more, there is depth at tight end at the moment. It appears that Matt LaCosse and Troy Fumagalli are working hard at securing their own spots. LaCosse had a pretty rough start proving himself in New England after a year (2019) plagued with injury and then a covid-19 opt out year. Fumagalli, whilst experienced in the NFL, has always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and not had much chance to shine, but is definitely a name I’ve been hearing dropped around training camp this past week.

Further depth, but with a little less sparkle is David Wells who has been utilised mostly as a blocker. Devin Asiasi is (at the time of writing this) currently on the covid list following a positive test, and Dalton Keene who too is on a list, PUP to be precise. Whilst dropping a third round draft pick is highly unlikely, neither Asiasi nor Keene have had a full training camp or preseason since their drafting due to covid restrictions and now injuries.  Whilst Keene may see the wrong side of the PUP list for a while, Asiasi could return soon. The greatest concern may be the after effects of suffering from covid, stacked upon a large chunk of time missed from yet another years training camp. 

With just a week until the first preseason game against the Washington Football Team, tight end expectation and excitement is peaking!

Go Pats!

Patriots Tweets Of Note – Training Camp 08/05

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A rainy practice back in pads today for the Patriots as we move within a week of the first pre-season game against Washington next Thursday. Here are your Tweets of Note from Day 8 of Training Camp!

This is exciting, with the team picking up Wynn’s fifth-year option, he needs to have a better, more consistant season. Along with big Mike Onwenu, the left hand side could be a real force in the run game.

Nice to hear High’s name come up, by all accounts he’s settled back in well after a year off. Alex Barth noted him making a nice play to break up a pass by Brian Hoyer. Whatever the contract issues are, I hope it’s sorted out and we can enjoy watching Hightower lead the linebacker group.

I’ll admit, I’m covering more of Jones than Newton, that’s because I think Mac is the more intruiging player at the position to watch right now. From only reading reports and Tweets from those there, he appears to be improving on something every session.

Now, he’s still sounding sloppy and rookie-like as expected, but he seems to be doing things the right way so far. It’s going to be interesting to see how much time he gets against Washington next week.

Just something to monitor here, rookie edge rusher Ronnie Perkins was dealing with a hand issue late on in practice, Adrian Colbert also left early.

Man, the elemts were in play today. As we say in England, it was chucking it down out there. A good introduction into the New England weather cycle for the rookies and FA signings.

J.C. making some plays over the past few days, another noteworthy day for him this afternoon. With Stephon Gilmore absent, Jackson is the top cornerback in my view, he had a bunch of picks last year, and I’m hoping he can continue his excellent form through camp and into the regular season.

A lengthy absent list today, Nick Folk being one of the new ones. This gives an oppurtunity for Quinn Nordin to try and de-throne BDN as the teams kicker.

Van Noy still present, but wearing a non-contact jersey, as he has done since camp began.

Patriots Tweets Of Note – Training Camp 08/04

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Back to shells and shorts for Day 7 of Patriots Training Camp, let’s check out all of the Tweets you should take note of!

More good defensive work today with picks for Dmac and D’Angelo Ross. It’s hard to really judge the picks in a more chilled-out session with no pads, there’s always some doubt whether the play was designed for the QB to throw it out there, or, players not going at full speed. Either way, it’s still positive for the defense and a negative for the QB’s and receivers.

Another day, another notable catch by N’Keal Harry, he’s been making himself stand out over the last few sessions to the fans and media in attendance. I don’t know if he’s doing a whole lot else alongside the odd flashy catch, but at least this is something.

Positive news on the injury front, both Barmore and Anderson who had knocks returned today. It’s great that they’re back so quickly, we don’t want new players missing from these sessions, it’s vital for their chances of playing in the early part of the season/making the roster.

This caught my eye as I was scrolling through Twitter today, Mac with a dime over the top to Jakobi Meyers. Jones had a better day than Cam, in a more dialed-down session without pads.

If you were wanting a more substantial write-up from someone who was there today, Mike Reiss always has some insightful commentary from practice.

Last media available session tomorrow, and back in pads! LFG

Patriots Tweets Of Note – Training Camp 08/03

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We asked and we were rewarded. #PadTuesday rolled around with force, another nice day in Foxboro, and some hittin! Here are the Tweets of Note you should read from Day 5 of Training Camp!

This brought a smile to my face when I read this tweet, Onwenu was one of the top players for the team last year in a stellar rookie season, but clearly, he feels he can do more. Now, he’s clearly being modest, but, if he thinks he was just a C grade last year, I can’t wait to see what he brings to the line this season. He’s slowly becoming one of my favorite players.

Some work for the backs today as Michel and Harris, the two in Bill’s mind that are fighting it out for the lead back position got most of the reps today.

A shame this, I noted McMillan was having a great start to his camp in yesterday’s post, but a setback today with a foot injury cut short his session. Hopefully, it’s nothing major, but he joins Ted Karras and Henry Anderson with camp injuries.

Me like this a lot. Haven’t seen any good film of his session today, but I think we’ll get a real good idea of Barmore’s pass rush potential in the pre-season games. Exciting.

A good day for Cam, he was launching it by all accounts, a nice completion downfield to Jonnu Smith with the toe tip catch. Lovely stuff.

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