new england patriots

Has anyone else been enjoying the Pats fighting in camp? Shows they’re hungry and feisty. I love it.

Oh, those fighting Patriots. Is anyone else getting a kick out of this besides me? For three years, I watched every Patriots preseason practice. And not only was there not a fight, there wasn’t even a hint of a fight. No one would dare. On the other hand, over the course of those three years, the defense got worse and worse, showing an inability to tackle on a variety of occasions. Now, suddenly, there is talent. They can hit. They can rush. And it sounds like the offensive line is getting pretty pissed. That’s why you hear about LT Nate Solder and C Dan Koppen tossing guys around, igniting skirmishes. It’s cool that Bill Belichick pretends to be upset, and how Tom Brady spoke to the troops. But you know Belichick is amped that his defense is feisty again. That they have a little swagger. The more frustration the offense shows, the more optimism there is about the defense. As for the Patriots offensive line… they’ll be fine. Always are. Brady unloads quick and helps with protection, propping that unit up. There will be no issues going forward.

Unless an injury thins the ranks, it’s hard to see where free-agent defensive end Andre Carter would fit with the Patriots right now. Between Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich, Trevor Scott, Jermaine Cunningham, Jake Bequette and even high-motor rookie free-agent Justin Francis, the Patriots look pretty well-stocked at end. One thing to keep in mind: If Carter comes back, it probably cuts right into Chandler Jones’ playing time. While Carter could be a terrific mentor to Jones, his presence might also block Jones’ development.

Fiametta and Gallery are both off now. 

Donald Thomas was an easy add.

Spencer Larsen wasn’t.

Will Allen/Josh Barrett (special teams is a big factor there).

Ron Brace looked good early, he could still sneak in. Especially if Myron Pryor can’t get back out there.

It’d be risky trying to get Bequette to the practice squad, but he’s certainly tempting to try with, at least if Jermaine Cunningham continues to have a positive training camp.

At what point does it become tempting to stick Dennard on IR and give him a red shirt year?

Gerard Warren’s an easy cut and re-sign, he’s not going anywhere else.

Wonder how the Weems vs. Kopa is playing out. Leaning Weems now only because I saw him called “nasty”.

Stallworth is now in over Branch if only because I could see Branch on a similar plan as Gerard Warren.

The latest…

QB (3) Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett

RB (4) Stevan Ridley, Danny Woodhead, Shane Vereen, Brandon Bolden

WR (6) Wes Welker, Brandon Lloyd, Jabar Gaffney, Julian Edelman, Donte Stallworth, Matthew Slater

TE (3) Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Visanthe Shiancoe

C  (1) Dan Connolly

G  (4) Logan Mankins, Brian Waters, Ryan Wendell, Donald Thomas

T  (4) Nate Solder, Sebastian Vollmer, Marcus Cannon, Darrion Weems

DE (5) Rob Ninkovich, Chandler Jones, Jermaine Cunningham, Trevor Scott, Jake Bequette

DT (4) Vince Wilfork, Kyle Love, Brandon Deaderick, Jonathan Fanene

ILB(4) Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes, Dane Fletcher, Tracy White

OLB(2) Donta Hightower, Bobby Carpenter

CB (5) Devin McCourty, Ras-I Dowling, Kyle Arrington, Sterling Moore, Alfonzo Dennard

SS (2) Patrick Chung, James Ihedigbo

FS (3) Steve Gregory, Tavon Wilson, Josh Barrett

ST (3) Stephen Gostkowski, Zoltan Mesko, Danny Aiken

Total players: 53

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Good summation from the great site Ourlads.com.