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Tweets of Note from Patriots Wednesday Practice

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They’ve been at it for just about a week and you can tell tempers are growing short out there. We’re just eight days away from the first preseason game so we can expect to start seeing things take shape to get them ready to play.

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Current Patriots depth chart. 

Still need some clarity on where the LBs are playing as well as some of the DBs. But generally this how things are shaping up so far.

Key:

  • Red: PUP or long-term injury (Gaffney)
  • Italics: Current injury issues
  • Yellow Box: Rookie

https://www.patspropaganda.com/current-patriots-depth-chart-still-need-some/

Patriots Training Camp Preview: Defensive End

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The Patriots defensive end group starts and almost ends with Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich. The two combined to play the most snaps by two defensive ends in the NFL.

Behind them the depth is either coming off injury or largely unproven. In a league where your defense lives or dies by their pass rush, do the Pats have enough horses to control the edges for five-plus months?

Here’s our take on the defensive end group.

Ninkovich and Jones are represent what the Patriots defensive end position has evolved into. Bill Belichick’s defensive ends used to look like Richard Seymour and Ty Warren. Now they’re more like outside linebackers in that old system, but playing mostly with their hands in the dirt.

Ninkovich plays primarily on the left side and is stout against the run. He’s also a timely playmaker and extremely durable. Jones has great length and has put up 17.5 sacks in his first two seasons. Jones’ length and athleticism are his biggest strengths.

Both can play every down, but they really shouldn’t be relied upon quite as heavily as they were in 2013, when combined to play 95 percent of the Patriots defensive snaps.

Michael Buchanan started the season off as the designated pass rusher but hit a rookie wall and was essentially replaced by veteran Andre Carter. Buchanan should develop with a full season under his belt and the Pats would love nothing more than if he retakes the DPR spot and becomes a passing-down terror. Whether or not he can hold up on early downs to spell NInkovich and Jones would be icing on the cake.

That job as the third early-down defensive end will likely go to veteran Will Smith, who had a down year in 2012, was moved to outside linebacker in 2013 and promptly tore his ACL before the regular season started.

Can Smith revive his career in New England? It’s certainly possible, but Buchanan obviously has more long term potential and comes at a bargain since he’s a 7th round pick.

If Smith recaptures the magic from earlier in his career, the Pats defense will be deadly and deep.

Jake Bequette enters his third season after two disappointing years. Bequette was a third-round draft pick and at 6’5", 274 pounds certainly has ideal size. He spent most of his time as a wide-9 pass rusher in college, but those skills have yet to translate to the NFL. The writing is on the wall for Bequette this summer, but the door isn’t quite entirely closed on him due to the lack of depth at defensive end. He just might be one injury away from a roster spot. He’s also one sub-par training camp from being out of a job.

Zach Moore was selected in the sixth round out of Division 2 Concordia where he set a school record for sacks (33). He’s raw, but demonstrated the kind of explosion numbers that intrigue. He might be at least a year away, but could be a dark horse in a wide open field behind Jones and Ninkovich.

Projection:

In a perfect world, the Pats wouldn’t have to run Jones and Ninkovich into the ground again this season. They should hope to find a reliable third option who can play base downs and get after the quarterback on passing downs. 

This might have to be done via committee with a likely scenario being Smith and Buchanan both working in. Ideally, one of them would emerge as a dual threat.

Jones could be primed to step into the spotlight as an NFL superstar this season with the improved secondary behind him. Ninkovich is no slouch either and is really the poster boy for Bill Belichick’s second defensive evolution with the Patriots.

But if injuries were to strike Jones or Ninkovich the Pats could be in big trouble. This is a position they must be wary of, whether it means adding another player via trade at the end of training camp, or throwing Moore immediately into the fire. Depth at defensive end is critical.

Previously:

Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Wide Receivers

Offensive Line

Tight Ends

Defensive Tackle

Patriots Training Camp Preview: Offensive Line

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The offensive line has long been a point of pride for the New England Patriots. But recent years have brought transition, and they will be further put to the test with this offseason’s departure of legendary offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia.

The Pats were able to reinforce their line in the draft this year, and with the return of Sebastian Vollmer, the Pats should once again be able to give Tom Brady top-notch protection.

Here’s our preview of the offensive line.

Heading into the draft, I felt it was critical that the Patriots used multiple picks to solidify the interior of their offensive line. Center Ryan Wendell and right guard Dan Connolly had inconsistent years in 2013, casting doubt on whether either of them are long-term solutions at their respective positions.

Wendell was re-signed for a low money deal, further reinforcing that he’ll have to win his starting spot in 2014. Connolly was thought to be a potential cap casualty, with a cap hit in excess of $4 million this season, but so far he’s remained on the roster. 

But he shouldn’t get too comfortable, especially with rookie Jon Halapio in the mix. Bryan Stork is another rookie who should compete directly with Wendell for immediate playing time, though he had his fair share of botched snap penalty laps in OTAs.

Stork (6’4", 313) and Halapio (6’3", 323) have better size than Wendell (6’2", 300) and Connolly (6’4", 305). If they don’t see significant time early in the season, they should figure in to the long-term plans of the team.

Of course, the tone-setter of the line is Logan Mankins, who, despite a reputation of being the premiere mauler in the NFL, still had his fair share of bad plays in 2013. He’s due for an $11 million cap hit in 2015, and if he’s not back on top of his game in 2014, he could be a cap casualty next offseason. A restructure might be in his future regardless.

At tackle, the Pats will return bookends Nate Solder and Sebastian Vollmer, one of the best starting duos in the NFL. Solder battled some inconsistency in his second full year as the starting left tackle, but his size and athleticism are second to none and he should continue to develop.

Marcus Cannon did an admirable job filling in at right tackle after Vollmer, was lost for the 2013 with a broken leg. He also has some versatility to play guard and that helps his roster chances. While there was a time when many thought Cannon’s best fit was at guard, it’s our view that he can simply fill in there if necessary, but he’s best served as a tackle.

Rookie tackle Cameron Fleming adds depth at the position, though the scouting reports felt he was primarily a right tackle. This could be good insurance for Vollmer, who has battled injuries and will account for a $6 million cap hit in 2015. Cannon also is in the last year of his rookie deal, so the selection of Fleming seems very much focused on protecting the Pats for this coming offseason more than it’s about 2014.

Josh Kline is a guard who showed some promise last season in spot duty. Braxton Cave, Chris Barker, Chris Martin and Jordan Devey round out the training camp roster, and will likely need injuries to make the squad.

Projection: Wendell is only a center, while Connolly’s cap hit is certainly not in his favor. Would the Pats be willing to cut loose two of their veteran interior offensive linemen in a move to save money and go with a youth movement? They’d likely take some lumps early if they do.

Perhaps keeping Connolly around, because he started 2011 at center as well, is the safest play while Stork and Halapio develop. 

The Pats are well-stocked at tackle and prepared for the future. An extension for Solder would make sense this season, as he’d likely be a hot commodity if he hits free agency next spring.

If Mankins returns to form and Stork/Halapio are able to solidify the interior problems, the Pats could be on track to restore the level of protection Tom Brady was used to for most of the last decade. 

And as Brady enters his late-30’s he’ll certainly need it.

Previously:

Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Wide Receivers

Patriots Training Camp Preview: Wide Receiver

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2013 was a year of transition at the Wide Receiver position for the Patriots. They weathered injuries to almost every receiver, save Julian Edelman, who came through as a breakout go-to star of the offense.

Things should be better for the Pats’ aerial assault in 2014, especially if they can stay healthy. With a year of development under their belt, the Pats collection of second-year pass catchers must be counted on to take significant steps forward.

Here’s our preview of the receivers.

We must begin with Julian Edelman, who turned in his first fully healthy season and snagged 105 catches for 1,056 yards, and six touchdowns. The Pats were wise to re-sign Edelman to a four-year deal.

Edelman became one of the few homegrown receivers to blossom in New England, joining the ranks of Deion Branch, David Givens and not really anyone else. It’s all the more impressive considering Edelman was a quarterback in college.

There’s little reason to think that Edelman won’t have another 100-catch, 1,000-yard season if he can stay healthy, but that’s never a given for a fearless competitor like Edelman who makes plays all over the field and in the punt return game.

What would make life even more easy for Edelman is if the other receivers around him progress and draw some attention away from him. Danny Amendola battled a groin injury for all but the first half of the first game of the season, but could be poised to blossom in his second year in the Patriots’ offense.

While many were frustrated that Amendola was hit by the injury bug, he had flashes of brilliance even with a torn groin, including catching the game-winning touchdown against the Browns. Still, zero catches on one target in the AFC Championship was disappointing.

A trio of rookie receivers all flashed at times in 2013. Aaron Dobson was the highest draft pick and has the highest ceiling. His season was derailed just as it looked like he was “getting it” with a five-catch, 130-yard, two touchdown performance against the Steelers.

Dobson would catch just six balls the rest of the season after sustaining a foot injury that would require offseason surgery and keep him out of OTAs. Dobson’s potential as the X-receiver in the offense in undeniable. He has good size and brings a much-needed vertical element. For Dobson it’s just a matter of getting healthy and picking up where he left off against the Steelers. The sooner that happens, the better, but if he continues to miss time he could get left behind.

Kenbrell Thompkins was an undrafted rookie who was one of the standouts of training camp last season. Thompkins has good size and is shifty enough at the line of scrimmage to beat press coverage. Once the regular season started Thompkins looked like a rookie. 

Like Dobson, he still flashed some potential, including the game-winning touchdown catch against the Saints. He also put up six catches for 127 yards and a touchdown against the Falcons in Week Four.

Also like Dobson, he faded as the season progressed and was a non-factor by the playoffs, due at least in part to his own injury. Thompkins has once against emerged in OTAs this spring. This is a positive sign that Thompkins is a legitimate player, and just needs to get more game experience that will slow the game down for him. He’ll push Dobson for the starting X spot in training camp.

Josh Boyce was a fourth round draft pick last season with elite speed, but he didn’t flash quite as much potential as Dobson and Thompkins did. He had just nine catches for 121 yards on the season, catching a pass in just four games. His season ended on IR. His best route to a roster spot might be as a kick returner where he saw time this spring.

The Patriots added veteran free agent Brandon LaFell as well this offseason. LaFell is a superlative blocker and has the kind of size the Pats need outside of Dobson. LaFell has been consistent in his first four seasons and the great unknown is how he will respond playing with Tom Brady. LaFell could end up starting at the X-receiver spot, or cut at the end of training camp – neither would be a surprise.

Behind the main group are seventh-round pick Jeremy Gallon, who is undersized but an explosive playmaker. He could sneak on to the roster, especially if injuries strike at the receiver position. He’ll be exciting to watch in the preseason and should be a fan favorite. If Edelman, Amendola and Boyce avoid injury, Gallon could be headed to the practice squad.

Reese Wiggins, Wilson Van Hooser and Jeremy Johnson round out the group.

Projection:

With depth extremely thin at the tight end position, the Pats could look to more 11 personnel this year, which means multiple wide receivers will see a lot of snaps.

Edelman and Amendola should help keep the Pats offense on time, but for them to truly hit the next level, they need Dobson, Thompkins or LaFell to be an outside and vertical threat.

Doesn’t really matter which of them does it, though Dobson seems to have the most potential on paper and Thompkins has put together two of the best offseasons by a receiver in memory. LaFell might be the fallback option, but his size is certainly a welcome addition.

For the other receivers to get into the mix they’ll have to rely on injuries, which seems likely given the respective track records of those atop the depth chart.

Previously:

Quarterbacks

Running Backs