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Patriots Roster: So Many Questions, So Few Answers!

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(Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)

As we count down the days to training camp we wait to see who, what and maybe. 

At the moment, we know only a little, really just who was signed and who has formally requested to be traded – I think that’s a new one. 

There are just so many questions to be answered, and many might not be answered until the end of August. 

There are lots of “good chances”. There’s a good chance Cam Newton is the starting quarterback, there’s a good chance Stephon Gilmore reworks his contract. I hope! 

But who makes that 53 man roster? 

How many running backs do they take with them? Will the drafted rookie be used or will he end up as a common Patriot running back with a redshirt year? Who will be the wide receivers? And with the two tight end sets they have might it even matter? Do they bring in another wide receiver, do they even trade N’Keal Harry, or will he play, or even be benched?

What does the o-line look like, just how strong is that defense? On paper both look pretty darn great. 

Will the Patriots have two kickers? (Okay, this last one is mildly crazy, but have you seen the kid’s leg? Boom!) And I find this fascinating, is it feasible to have two kickers on a 53 man roster? 

Common answer would be no. 

The most logical answer is no.

And that’s fair, but I kind of think kickers are underrated. 

The Patriots were spoilt. For 20 years they had a great quarterback. They also had a damn fine kicker for a lot of the time too. 

Then when Stephen Gostkowski took a turn for the worse fans were critical. That’s fair enough, but they say you don’t know how good you’ve got it until it’s gone. (No sh** Sherlock!)

Fortunately, Nick Folk has been solid and consistent. But can he keep it up? He moves into his 14th season in the NFL, and he’s on his 4th team with the Patriots. 

Do they roll the dice on the new kid? The one who can bomb it from 60+ yards… but can he keep it between the sticks? 

There’s just so much, and it’s crazy how the Patriots are into year two ATB (after Tom Brady) and there’s so much more we do not know than year one ATB. 

How great is that though? The fact that the Patriots have depth. I find myself in conversations of who might make the roster and there’s really good players that I just can’t make fit! 

In a few mere weeks we will see some of these kids in action (as such), and then in seven weeks (at the time of writing this) we will know. WE WILL KNOW! 

Ain’t being a football fan fabulous? 

Go Pats! 

BREAKING – Mac Jones signs rookie contract with the Patriots

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As first reported by Field Yates, the Patriots’ first-round selection from this year has signed a four-year $15.6 million contract that also includes a fifth-year option.

Another headline today following a few quiet weeks since mini-camp in New England, with N’Keal Harry requesting a trade via his agent earlier a few hours ago.

Jones is gearing up for a showdown with Cam Newton in Training Camp later this summer, so a potential distraction now fulfilled ahead of a busy first year.

Jones’ contract, a formality if we’re being serious, but nevertheless, I’m glad to have it out the way and his focus can now shift to Training Camp. As Mike Reiss noted, just Christian Barmore and Ronnie Perkins remain unsigned from this year’s Draft class.

Cap Update

Curious about the cap? Miguel at @Patscap always has us covered.

BREAKING – WR N’Keal Harry formally requests trade out of New England

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Well, I certainly didn’t see this coming.

Actually, that’s a bit of a lie, I saw Harry potentially leaving this off-season, however, I didn’t see him and his agent requesting a formal trade from the team.

I actually saw Harry’s first-ever NFL touchdown in person at the game against Dallas in 2019, a rookie season in which he struggled through injuries and not grasping the trust of Tom Brady.

Pro Football Ref

And really, the disappointment is visible in his career NFL stats..

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A quick dip into the tight endage pool

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(AP Photo/Stew Milne)

Now, I know that you all know I’m a fan of the tight end position. There are even t-shirts to say so (check out our prop shop folks!), and so I wanted to take you all on a bit of a dive into the current Patriots tight end core.

There may not be much going on at the moment but the tight end position is one that has already seen plenty of ‘action’ in free agency and because of that, it is pretty darn stacked right now.

The Patriots are currently holding five tight ends: Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith, Devin Asiasi, Matt LaCosse, and Troy Fumagalli. One tight end/fullback in Dalton Keene, one defensive end/tight end in Rashod Berry and there is also the fullback Jakob Johnson. Thats more stacked than the shelves of candy corn at halloween, and for me, much sweeter!

But what does it really mean?

When September 12th rolls into town, bringing with it the Miami Dolphins for Thursday night football, will there be many tight ends on the roster?

Firstly, Rashod Berry suited up on the defensive side of the ball in the three games that he played and although he can play tight end, that isn’t really what he is required for in New England.

Jakob Johnson, whilst not a tight end, is under that umbrella and works out with the tight ends. He currently has a ‘roster exemption spot’ and the only true fullback on the Patriots team at the moment. Pretty safe bet that if the Patriots stick with tradition and keep one fullback, Jakob is probably the pick. Don’t get me wrong folks, this is just my opinion, not fact. There’s always the chance that once he has to take up one of the 53, Jakob is let go and the Patriots run with no fullback…

…or they may decide to tag in Dalton Keene. Mr ‘H-back, fullback, tight end’ himself is rather versatile. Unfortunately, the forces working against Dalton are that he sustained a neck injury stifling his progress and his first year within the team did not give him much opportunity to really sparkle. If his injury isn’t an issue, Keene may take up that fullback roster spot.

Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, well these two are the rather expensive shiny new toys that Coach Bill brought in for the team to play with, and at a combined $87.4 million, I reckon their places on the 53 are a rather sure thing, health permitting!

Skipping back to a rookie, and we take a peek at Devin Asiasi. Did he not sparkle in 2020 because he didn’t get chance? Probably. Would he have performed better had he not suffered a family tragedy? Possibly. The kid was targeted only 7 times for 2 receptions. Not exactly a large enough sample size to get a picture from huh? Is 2021 a year he should be out there proving him self? Positively. They do say that tight end is a position that takes years to really mould into but Asiasi was said to be good going into his rookie season and with the depth brought in at free agency on three and four year deals he could do with not taking his sweet time to really shine. Whilst I think it’s unlikely the Patriots cut a third round drafted rookie before he has had chance to prove his worth, it’s not impossible.

Now as a tight end enthusiast it takes some effort for me to discuss the cutting of said players. However, realistic-ness has to win out and whilst I’m guessing Troy Fumagalli; previously of the Denver Broncos, a young talent that may have been held back by missing out on his rookie season due to sports hernia surgery and a stacked positional depth chart, makes the practice squad, there’s still a good chance he is cut. Particularly after training camp.

And because of all of the above I just do not think there is a place left for veteran Matt LaCosse and I do not say that with any detriment or malice towards him. Situation has it that the Patriots hit free agency hard with the two top guys available, and drafted two young ‘uns just his second year with the team… which he then opted out of. It’s just unfortunate that all this works against Matt, and his roster spot looks the least sure of all.

Now this is just my mildly biased tight endage stand point. If my predictions shall we say, pan out, that’s at least three tights ends on the roster with one fullback type player and a tight end on the practice squad, pretty plentiful.

And so as we await the approach of the season, I will be keeping my eye on those tight ends… hey, it is kinda my job after all. Well, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it…

Go Pats!

Patriots Tweets Of Note – Minicamp Edition – #3

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So here we are at the end of spring! The time since the Draft has flown by and we’ve had the chance to take a first look at the Patriots 2021 rookie class.

Training camp is next, but first, let’s check out all of the Tweets of Note from the third and final day of media availability at minicamp.

A big moment today as Ernie Adams took part in his final training session with the team. Bill allowed Ernie to have the final five minutes or so of his press conference as he took questions from the media.

It’s bittersweet to see Ernie go, bitter because it’s now the start of a number of long-serving coaches that will be soon heading into retirement and Ernie is not replaceable. But sweet because he’s earned his rest in his later life, a veteran of almost half a century in the NFL.

Thank you Ernie.

A strong day back for Newton by all accounts, struggled the last few days with the weather and just accuracy in general, but today, he was the top QB.

The reports of Mac Jones becoming frustrated and angry with his performance during the latter part of the session intruigs me, I think it’s a good sign of the kid knowing he has to be better and holding himself to a higher standard. It’s the first time we’ve heard about that sort of emotion from Jones, I like it, shows he cares.

As expected, the same five miss out on the final day of spring practice. The focus towards camp will be on the health of Jonnu Smith and a few other players who picked up knocks during the past few weeks.

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Draft value verses draft weight – an Offense Perspective

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Tony Dejak/AP

Okay, so the draft may be long gone, but the weight of that draft may be sitting heavy on some younger players shoulders, and not just from this year.

The expectations on a high draft pick are, as expected, high.

With the way that the draft turned out in 2021 (and I’m pretty sure plenty of years prior) is this really a fair perspective?

I am not knocking Mac Jones, no sir I am not. I’m ready to get behind this guy, and that isn’t because he was drafted 15th overall… although that doesn’t hurt! But my point on this one is he was originally pegged as second round talent. Then the quarterback frenzy began and within mere weeks, he was rocketed to possibly the third overall selection.

Wowzers!

Now okay, he didn’t GO third overall, he went 15th, but he was the fourth quarterback chosen in the top, well… 15!

What about N’Keal Harry?

I think this guy has nations divided! Patriots Nation that is. He was a first round selection… at 32, so like the last one in round one… But I don’t think that the issue at hand here was his actual draft position selection more so the fact that players taken after him have proven to be so very much better.

Now not so little N’Keal hasn’t had the greatest of success what with being 115th overall on the PFF stats for wide receivers in 2020. Eep. Especially when undrafted Jakobi Meyers ranked 25th!

How heavy does that round 1 shirt weigh on Harry’s shoulders? To be honest, there are plenty of other factors, but I want to look at the flip side for minute.

This years New England Patriots final pick in the seventh round was Tre Nixon, also a wide receiver. So has this guy got less to worry about?

Well, put it in perspective, last year a player picked even later than Nixon, chosen 250th overall in the seventh round, this particular tight end was expected by many to fill the HUGE shoes of Rob Gronkowski and be a TE1. A role he wasn’t really skilled enough to fill, but worked as hard as he could to produce.

So don’t get resting on those laurels, Mr 242 Tre Nixon.

Now I’m not just singling out N’Keal here, but the Patriots draft history has been really rather light on high round draft picks, let alone high offensive player choices.

Does their sum of previous parts weigh heavy on the kid’s shoulders too?

Or is this guy just not quite what they thought he was going to be?

Sony Michel was drafted in 2018 at the number 31 spot and I don’t think I would be remiss in saying people were quick to judge too, but he managed to perform really well, mostly. You could add how his college team mate Nick Chubb was picked at number 35 and well, we’ve all seen what that guy can do!

The pondering will be is Harry good, great, in the wrong system, or just a bust? Is this kid being crushed by the weight of the draft? And if so, how heavy is the weight of that number ONE on Mac Jones?

Like everything, time will tell, but as always, it’s fun to find out! Go Pats!

Patriots Tweets Of Note – Minicamp Edition – #2

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Let’s check out all of the Tweets of Note from day 2 of media availability at minicamp.

Where the media team has been positioned so far this offseason, coverage of the defense has been sketchy apart from scrimmage parts of the session, and by the sounds of things, it was another strong day for the defense.

Josh Uche’s name has come up a few times this spring, here’s hoping he has a big second-year jump, he could get some great opportunities this season.

Nope. Don’t like that.

It was a relief to see Smith at practice, albeit he wasn’t involved today as normal, his appearance nods towards the hamstring issue from yesterday not being all that serious, let’s hope he’s back catching balls tomorrow.

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