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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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Patriots Tweets Of Note – Minicamp Edition – #1

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Minicamp is here! – Mandatory attendance is required or the team can fine missing players who aren’t given an excused absence.

Let’s check out all of the Tweets of Note from day 1 of media availability at minicamp.

Well, this was on the cards since last season, Gilmore is not attending minicamp as he enters the final year of his contract with the team. Gilmore will probably get paid eventually, but one thing is for sure, he’s not showing up until he does.

Cam was back today following his hand injury circus, he led the reps, followed by Jones, who for most in attendance, had his best media attended practice. Newton didn’t look great from the clips that surfaced on Twitter, clearly struggling in the elements today.

Stidham also had another positive day with a number of good throws, Hoyer had a practice to forget.

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Patriots Tweets Of Note – OTAs Edition – Week 3

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Third and final week of OTAs in New England! – Next week is minicamp and is mandatory for all players, but for now, let’s check out all of the Tweets of Note from Week 3 of OTA media availability.

Bill spoke to the media before today’s session and was asked straight away about the condition of Cam Newton following his widely reported hand injury last week.

Bill was fairly open about the matter and confirmed Cam would be absent from today’s session, but thinks “he’ll be alright”. With no Cam, the understanding would be more reps for Stidham, Jones, and Hoyer.

BOOM was back on the practice field today following over a year out of action. This was great to see, so many reports and rumors about Hightower retiring this offseason were put to bed.

Now, he looks a little leaner for sure, but, he was straight into the action and had a notable presence on the field. A massive boost for the defense having High back, let’s go!

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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!