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Patriots Tweets Of Note – OTAs Edition – Week 2

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Yesterday saw the second opportunity for media to attend Patriots OTAs, and there was plenty to review.

Let’s take a look at the Tweets of Note from Week 2 of OTA media availability.

Let’s start with the major news, Newton suffered an injury to his throwing hand during a drill. RapSheet reports that it’s not considered major, but, don’t expect to see much more of him until later this off-season.

This is a real chance for Mac Jones to get more starter reps in practice along with Stidham, which for me is a great thing, I was Jones to be involved in first-team reps at every available opportunity.

A blow no doubt for Cam, who was at OTAs for a reason, unlike many veterans, fighting for a spot on the team.

A solid day for Jarrett Stidham by all accounts, noted by most reporters who attended as the best QB on the field. As noted above, more reps coming Stidham’s way.

Bob Socci got some good footage of Josh McDaniels working closely with Jones. Noticeable on the right leg was a sleeve around the calf of Jones but this didn’t look to hinder him in this pass-rush drill. He showed good movement and the ability to get the ball out on the move in the pocket, obviously different when a 350lb lineman is running at you, but a closer look at his mechanics.

Numbers aren’t official, but Mark Daniels reported 17 players were absent from yesterday’s session, down from 25 the week before.

I still think there isn’t much to take from this as the workouts are still voluntary, one of the drafted rookies was missing in the bunch as Rhamondre Stevenson was absent for the second straight Friday session.

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Bye Bye Burkhead!

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(AP Photo/Frank Victores)

Well there you have it folks, Rex Burkhead has become a Houston Texan. Great. Fabulous. Wonderful.

Anyone feel like Nick Caserio is picking off Patriots like candy!? Hmm, a piece of candy… oh another piece of candy… No, just me? Okay, never mind.

Now, forgive me, it is great for Rex. Kentucky born, raised in Texas. Houston is perfect location wise, especially for his family. 

But I mean come on! Anyone wanna grab a box of tissues and have a bit of a sob with me? This guy was a powerhouse in 2020 for the offence, and his versatility is outstanding! He can run the ball, catch passes, block in pass protection AND play on special teams! Talk about the gift that keeps on giving, am I right?

But we, as Patriots fans, know that Coach Bill lets players go whilst there is still a bit in the tank and I think that this is the case here, that and well the running back room is probably a bit of a squeeze at the moment. 

I know I’m an emotional fan, I openly admit to this, possibly daily, and whilst I completely see the reasoning behind it all, I can still be bummed out, at least a little bit.

As I have mentioned here before, that’s what being a fan is, passion. And so I still stood on my soap box for Ryan Izzo, kept my fingers crossed that the Patriots drafted Pat Freiermuth (he’s the future baby!) Even though there were technically three fullbacks (counting Dalton Keene) on the roster I was still gunning to see Danny Vitale, and so I still hoped that even though he is a 30 year old, coming off injury running back, Coach would ensure the return of Sexy Rexy to the fold.

But alas t’was not meant to be and in all seriousness I wish him nothing but well, and really hope he gets to play out the end of his career in the way he wants to. 

And as for the Patriots running back depth we are presently looking at:

James White

J.J Taylor

Sony Michel

Damien Harris

Brandon Bolden

Tyler Gaffney

Not forgetting the drafting of Rhamondre Stevenson, so I guess none too shabby really!

So whilst we wave goodbye to one of the beloved Patriots who was with us for some of the Super Bowl era shouting “We love you Rex! Thanks for everything! We will miss you!”, we march onwards and upwards and on to Cincinnati I guess, or should that be Houston even…

Patriots Tweets Of Note – OTAs Edition – Week 1

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We’re back! Sorry for the lack of content since the Draft, my laptop died, and I’ve only just got it back from repairs, just in time for OTAs!

Before the official training camp gets underway later this summer, let’s take a quick dive into some of the main TON from the first week of OTAs.

Friend of the blog Mike D posted a great pano shot from a glorious day in Foxborough yesterday. One note from this specifically, you’ll see that the fields have been flipped horizontally, giving media a full sideline view.

Phil Perry chimed in with some info that all of us were waiting to hear, how Mac Jones looked. Now, I wasn’t expecting any QB1 calls, or the Jones blew anyone away, but, I’m just so excited to see how he gets on as the summer moves forward. Accurate throws are what he was known for in college, it’s something we should be seeing from the off, so good to hear he delivered yesterday.

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Opponent Crushing Patriots for 2021?

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Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

It’s no secret that the Patriots stocked up in free agency and the draft on some big guys who may be making their way to Foxborough this season.

There’s some talk around town of a bit of bully ball maybe being the Patriots way this season and heck I love it.

Sure the league maybe getting quicker, leaner, but you know what they always say, Bill Belichick plays chess whilst everyone else is playing chequers, or something along those lines.

For starters, fullback is rather an under used position in the NFL now. It doesn’t even exist in some teams, only approximately 14 of the 32 squads regularly line up a fullback, but the Patriots sure do! Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see Dan Vitale play in 2020 with a Covid opt out season, but this guy is a bit of a beast, and I’m pretty sure he could make a couple of holes in a defence to get a running back through, not to mention taking hold of the ball and making himself a bit of space! Fancy a spot of Dan Vitale in 2021? Yes please!

Then, there’s the fact Coach brought back the, well, rather huge Trent Brown. Can you imagine trying to rush the passer and hitting that brick wall of 6 feet 8 inches and 380 pounds!?

So offences may be speedier, how about they go up against some of the newest signings onto the Patriots roster? 6 feet 6 inches, 300 pounds of Henry Anderson as well as 6 feet 3 inches, 311 pounds of Devon Godchaux and thats only naming a few of the defence guys!

I mean heck it doesn’t matter how fast you can run if you’ve got 6 feet 4 inches and 310 pounds of Christian Barmore clinging to you right?

Even the running back the Patriots selected in the draft, Rhamondre Stevenson is 6 feet and 244 pounds, a little bit of Blount force trauma style coming back? Big and solid? Yep, box checked, thank you very much.

I don’t know about you lot but I’m ready to watch my team crush the opponent, literally, figuratively… both? Bring it on… LFG baby!

Report – Patriots 2021 leaked schedule

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(Staff Photo By Faith Ninivaggi/ Boston Herald/ Media News Group)

We knew the NFL wouldn’t get their chance to announce every team’s full schedule during prime time this evening, their plans spoiled as most of the schedule was leaked throughout this morning/afternoon.

So let’s take a look at the soon to be confirmed Patriots schedule-

The big ones off the bat are the return of Brady to Gillette Stadium and Belichick vs the number one pick Trevor Lawrence in early January.

This list has been confirmed by multiple reporters, but the official schedule will be confirmed tonight during the NFL’s schedule release on NFL Network.

Personally, I’m excited about the Titans game late in November, I’m planning on heading to Boston again for Thanksgiving! The season is getting closer! LFG

LB Harvey Langi returns to New England on a one-year deal

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Credit – NESN

A familiar face returns to the Patriots as Harvey Langi signs a one-year contract with the team ahead of the new season.

After going undrafted in the 2017 Draft, Langi joined the Patriots on a 3-year deal. Having earned a spot on the original 53-man roster, his rookie year was cut short following a serious car crash that left him with multiple injuries.

After recovering, Langi was released as part of the 2018 53-man roster cutdowns. Following a stint on the Jets’ practice squad, he was part of their roster during the 2020 season, making his first start in week nine and playing six games.

It’s nice to see Langi return for a second chance with the team, played well against the Patriots last season which I’m sure spurred some interest for Belichick. Not a roster lock by any means, but will offer some interesting competition in training camp.

Current LB Depth

(R) – Rookie
* – Last year of contract

Draft Review – Who are the eight new Patriots?

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Picture – OU Athletics

We are only two days removed from an exciting draft, one that saw the Patriots select eight rookies to join their team ahead of the 2021 NFL season. Already the discussion has moved to training camp and what positional battles lay ahead, so, let’s have a quick dive into the new recruits!

QB Mac Jones | Round 1 (15)

After weeks, if not months, of speculation about what the Patriots would do on the first night of the draft, they ended up staying with their given pick at 15, and selecting Mac Jones out of Alabama.

Jones, who originally committed to the University of Kentucky, opted to instead enroll with Alabama and redshirted his first season in 2017. After Tua Tagovailoa got injured in 2018 and eventually declared for the 2020 Draft, Jones took over as the starter for the remainder of his collegiate career in Alabama.

I was intrigued by Jones heading into this year’s Draft, in his final college season, he set the NCAA record for pass accuracy (77.4%) and led the Crimson Tide to the CFB National Championship, you can’t teach winning.

In the days prior to the first round, Jones was considered the 49ers top pick at number three, but, as it turned out, they had other ideas as Trey Lance was selected after Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson. Jones’ fall didn’t last past 15 as the Patriots selected a first-round quarterback for the first time since taking Drew Bledsoe in 1993.

Observations:
Accurate – Set the NCAA record for passing accuracy last season, something which is a top priority for signal-callers in the NFL.

Winner – Regardless of the juggernaut team around him, Jones still had to do the business, and he did last year, leading Alabama to Nick Saban’s seventh National Championship.

Competitiveness – Highly competitive and spoke of how he always wants to win in whatever he does. Being competitive in a regime under Nick Saban should translate well to a Belichick regime here in New England.

DT Christian Barmore | Round 2 (38)

Another Crimson Tide alum, Barmore was acquired by the Patriots following a trade with the Bengals to move up in the second round.

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