It’s that time again for a random bunch of Pats notes that I’ve been kicking around or getting into arguments about. With so much in motion at this point in the preseason, it’s impossible to cover everything in every article we put up, so here’s some catch up thoughts as we are just 19 days away from the opener.
— Few people pointed out that I was crazy for leaving Vincent Valentine off my 53-man roster so let’s talk about that a bit. First, I have to disclose that I didn’t get the pick then and I don’t get it now. Not that I don’t understand picking a guy because of the Planet Theory, but when you have two pretty well-paid veterans that are roughly the same amount of huge, not to mention a first-round pick from last season who will rarely leave the field and Valentine was already looking uphill at any kind of significant role this season. Then add in that my untrained scouting eye just wasn’t all that impressed with him from the crappy YouTube highlights, nor has he done much of anything to stand out in two preseason games, nor can I recall a single mention from any training camp practices. So yeah, I see a big body that’s hard to find but that’s about all I’ve seen so far. No, he probably won’t get cut, but does anyone want to bet he gets an “injury” sometime in the next two weeks. A red shirt year this season, then see what happens with Branch/Knighton next year and then the time might be right for Valentine.
— DJ Foster and Keshawn Martin were back in full pads on Monday and they’re two guys we should keep a close eye on over the next two weeks. I have Martin as pretty much a roster lock (Yes, I caught some flack for this too on my 53-man). Why? Because he’s a serviceable backup to Edelman and Amendola, can return kicks/punts, and did show some progress in his first year in New England. Martin’s just a classic BB player — no one’s that impressed with him but he sticks around because he can do a lot of things pretty good. The Pats also gave him a two-year, $3 million contract last year. They wouldn’t throw that money around to a JAG.
— I’ve heard great rumblings about Foster and if he’s able to get into one of these last two games and see some catches/carries, he’s going to bring some electricity to things. Keep your radar up for Foster going forward.
— Is there a more polarizing player on the Patriots right now than James White? I know I’ve had my issues with White, but I’m not arguing that he’s still on the bubble. Now with Lewis out, White is on the team. My issue with White is that he’s a one-dimensional pass catching back. Yes, he can scoot. Yes, he can make plays. But everyone in the stadium knows what kind of play is coming when White is on the field. I do expect him to be deadly on screens with Garoppolo’s quick release, we’ve already seen a preview of those. There’s a whole subsection of Pats Nation that demands everyone think he’s a spectacular player, but I don’t see it. Maybe things will click a bit more for him this year. But let’s remember he was in Year Two last year and still was invisible when Dion Lewis was healthy. To me that says Lewis does everything White does and more (i.e. he can also carry the ball). So yes, White is on the team, but don’t make me act like he’s ever going to be a well-rounded multi-threat out of the backfield. He is what he is.
— Tom Brady has been excused from practice on Monday and Tuesday for personal reasons and no one knows for sure what it means. Of course, the Boston media is dying to speculate at something controversial going on.
— Not sure I can remember being more excited for a preseason game than I am for this Friday’s contest in Carolina. What a perfect test for Garoppolo in his last dress rehearsal (will he play vs. Giants?). An NFC team with a tough front on the road is just what the Hoodie ordered. Garoppolo’s four game tour comes down to mistakes. If he stays steady, doesn’t make bad plays worse by trying to force things, Garoppolo will give the Pats every chance to win each game. Doesn’t mean he will go 4-0, but I feel like the Pats can beat anyone with the calm, steady Garoppolo. It will just come down to how much he turns the ball over.
— As we’re 19 days from the regular season kickoff, we’re getting closer and closer to the matchup with the Cardinals, one that fascinates me from a pure football perspective. It will likely be an ugly, defensive battle, as most season-openers are, many of which are often decided on one weird play or mistake. David Johnson is going to be a huge test but as long as the top pieces are in place (especially 54/91), I think the Pats run defense will be up to the task. If they follow the coverage of last year it would likely be Butler on Fitzgerald, Ryan on Floyd, Coleman/Jones on Brown.
— Biggest surprises of camp: AJ Derby, Anthony Johnson (after one game!) and Joe Thuney.
— Biggest disappointments of camp: Jonathan Cooper, Vincent Valentine, Donald Brown.
— Roberts, J. Jones and LeBlanc are going to have a fascinating battle for the last corner spot over the next two weeks. The Pats should do their best to make sure none of them get away if they have to cut two of the three. This is the best corner depth we’ve ever seen in NE.
