There’s always a huge sigh of relief when the preseason is over. Injuries are the most impactful and most unknown factors of a football season, and to lose someone in August, before the games even matter, is always a downer.
Seeing Julian Edelman go down so soon after being a Super Bowl hero instantly put the team behind the eightball. But this year the 2018 Patriots were fortunate. There were certainly disappointments — Isaiah Wynn (who still isn’t on IR), Jordan Matthews and Kenny Britt being the prominent ones.
Otherwise, the Patriots will start the season with the team they wanted almost entirely intact. We can poke holes in where there could be depth problems, but every team has those. The fact once again remains, if the most key players of this Patriots team remain upright the entire season their chances at going to a toss-up Super Bowl are nearly assured.
There will be bumps in the road regardless of injuries. Remember, September football is very much an extension of the preseason. The team is still figuring out who they are exactly and what will make them unique amongst the last 18 seasons. They might look like total dogshit one week and lose a game to a team who might win four games all year.
But as the coaching kicks in, the players come together and begin playing to their strengths watch out. Those are the games where we’re reminded the New England Patriots Football Machine is still very much alive and well.
So, did we learn much of anything in the final preseason scrubfest? Were any roster spots won? Let’s take a quick look back before we totally turn the page to the roster craziness of the weekend and then the Texans.
— Cyrus Jones played a bunch and was ornery, standing out with some aggressiveness that I think could really help his cause. As expected the secondary in its entirety was on audition. JC Jackson (Two INTs), Keion Crossen, J-Mac and Jordan Richards at safety, Cyrus in the slot. The only lock is probably Richards!! His special teams and “ability” to play near the line make him the favorite over the other McCourty. I could make a case for keeping all three of the corners. Jonathan Jones appears a lock despite his injury status.
— Rough summer for early crowd favorite Braxton Berrios. Would love to get him on the practice squad, but there is no case for him making the 53. Amazing that there wasn’t really that sparkplug preseason darling who everyone is pulling for this year.
— I think a lot of negative buzz about this Patriots team comes from it being more a year to rely on internal development instead of flashy acquisitions. Guys like Wise, Butler, Roberts, Rivers, Hollister and Dorsett haven’t proven much in the NFL, but carry with them the ceiling of how good this team will be. Splashy free agents or draft picks is all that moves the meter when renewing excitement for another season, but allowing players time to improve and grow is an underrated talent of Bill Belichick.
— Vincent Valentine didn’t appear quite as dominant as I’d hoped he’d be. Butler clearly has a burst and that’s why he’s valuable and a near-lock as a sub rusher. Those interior snaps were good experience for Butler should they need him to play more running downs, but I don’t think we’ll see him much there. Valentine’s on the bubble but I really hope they’re able to keep him one way or another.
— Strange that Christian Sam didn’t play. That feels like a potential out-of-nowhere IR to give him a redshirt year. Expect there could be a couple of those.
I’m not sure any jobs were actually “won” last night. Jackson had two interceptions and even he had some bad plays. It would appear the bottom of the roster will be determined by how many cornerbacks they decide to keep.
To me, Adam Butler looked like the only surefire NFL player on offense or defense.
Final 53 Projection coming later today…
