Tag Archives: Bill Belichick

Brady Talks Relationship With McDaniels, Chemistry With Receivers (@steveA1127)

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In a series of recent interview, Tom Brady has addressed topics such as his relationship with Josh McDaniels, Bill Belichick, and his new core of wide receivers.

Brady Does Not Like The Boston Globe

Via CBS Boston

It was an offseason unlike any other for Tom Brady. The QB had some time with his family, traveled the world, and worked on getting ready for another football season. Tom Brady did interviews this offseason with Oprah Winfrey and Jim Gray. In those, he hinted that the end is coming sooner rather than later. Also, he pleaded the fifth when asked if he felt appreciated by Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft.

Tom Brady skipped all offseason voluntary workouts and only attended when he had to be there. Brady spoke with local reporters for the first time on Saturday and the question about Alex Guerrero and Julian Edelman really seemed to get under his skin. He abruptly left the podium, sending the mass media into a frenzy.

Tom Has Great Relationship With McDaniels, Mum On Relationship With Belichick

Brady was asked about his relationship with Josh McDaniels and if he had a role in bringing him back. Brady responded, “Josh and I had a great relationship for 18 years, and he’s one of my best friends. I love working with him and we have a very special relationship that I cherish. It’s kind of been that way for a long time. We talk about everything, and like I said, he’s a great friend of mine. I love him, I love his family, and we’re very close. When you work together with somebody for that long, you have a great rapport and relationship. I’m happy he’s on our team, happy he’s coaching me, and I want to go out there and do well by him.”

When Tom Brady was asked about his offseason drama with Bill Belichick, Brady responded, “I have no thoughts.”

It’s been reported that Brady looks rusty through the first four practices of camp. Perhaps his absence from the voluntary workouts has caught up with him. Brady was asked if he was behind with his chemistry with the receivers at the moment. His response was, “I don’t know. Yeah, I don’t know. I mean, we have a long time. We have a lot of work to do. We’ll do the best we can every day to get the work in when we can and try to go out there and have a great year.” The overall sentiment was that it’s probably nothing to worry about long-term. Hopefully, the age doesn’t become the excuse factor; Brady turns 41 this week.

The Ego’s Are Getting In The Way

Every organization has disagreements. Belichick and Brady have been around each other for a long time. They both want to win, but their egos are getting in the way. It won’t stop them from winning, but you might see what happened in last year’s Super Bowl happen again: benching a star player to make Brady do it all himself.

It will be interesting to see how this all plays out come regular season.

Bill Belichick Won’t Answer Anything From Past Seasons

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Bill Belichick Won’t Answer Questions From Last Season

Bill Belichick is ready for another football season to start. Training camp begins Thursday and he’s in midseason form with his press conferences. Belichick will never answer questions from previous seasons or talk about past players. When asked about the Malcolm Butler Super Bowl benching, he replied, “I’m focused on doing the best that I can for the 2018 Patriots.” Boston Globe sports columnist Dan Shaughnessy asked and pressured Belichick for the answer. But Belichick wasn’t about to go there.

Bill Belichick Didn’t Deny He Was Texting Jimmy Garoppolo

https://twitter.com/IanSteeleABC6/status/1022107381600149505

Belichick was also asked about texting Jimmy Garoppolo last season. His response: “Yeah… those are things that happened months ago.” Clearly, he did text Garoppolo last season after his wins in December. Belichick says he has lots to improve on with his coaching style. Is one of those benching a player that would help you win a Super Bowl? What’s interesting is not one question about Brady was asked throughout that whole press conference. Brady turns 41 in August and is coming off an MVP season. Belichick wouldn’t talk about contracts or the Malcolm Mitchell situation.

Garoppolo Part of Belichick’s Legacy?

Belichick is a great coach but his ego has also gotten in the way recently. Felger and Mazz made a great point yesterday: Jimmy Garoppolo is part of Belichick’s legacy. If Garoppolo goes on to win a Super Bowl, that’s a reflection of Belichick for drafting him and making him the next great quarterback in the league. That is why Belichick is so high on Garoppolo and talked him up so much. Belichick drafted Tom Brady and won a Super Bowl he then drafted Garoppolo and could have done the same thing. It’s like Theo Epstein going to the Red Sox and winning a World Series then going to Chicago and following suit.

Everyone knew Belichick wasn’t going to talk about any previous season at all. Belichick is focused on the 2018 season and that’s all he cares about with the media. He might still text Garoppolo, but that won’t stop him from coaching the Patriots to put them in the best position to win.

Jimmy Garoppolo Sees Himself as the Underdog (@stevea1127)

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Bill Belichick Saw Tom Brady in Jimmy Garoppolo

New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Bill Belichick saw something special in Jimmy Garoppolo from the beginning. Whispers around Foxborough from the moment Garoppolo was drafted claimed he had the same attitude that Tom Brady had when he was drafted. That drive that everyone was better than him and he was the underdog. Bill Belichick loved that in Brady and he loved it in Jimmy Garoppolo too. The relationship with Kyle Shanahan played also a part as to why Belichick sent Garoppolo to the 49ers. Belichick has a lot of respect for Garoppolo and wanted to give him the best chance to win. Garoppolo wasn’t going to get that opportunity in Cleveland.

Bill Belichick Congratulated Garoppolo After Every Win

After every game in December Bill Belichick texted Jimmy Garoppolo congratulating him on his wins according to Sports Illustrated. Now people will spin that and say was he texting Brady after every win he got? That answer is no. For Belichick to text Garoppolo after every win is clear. Belichick really wanted to keep Garoppolo and knows he’ll be something special in years to come.

Garoppolo Was in the Shadow of the Patriot Way

Jimmy Garoppolo looked up to Brady and was excited to be in his shadow. He wanted to really be just like him but in his own way. Garoppolo told the Bleacher Report that he was really trying to get the starting job. That was his goal but Brady was standing in the way of that. Jimmy Garoppolo’s mother said, “Bill really, really liked Jimmy. Not like they were warm and fuzzy—but they both knew it was there.”

I wonder how many former players receive a text from Bill Belichick after a win? The answer I’m sure is not many. Jimmy Garoppolo is his own person who idolized Tom Brady and the Patriot way. He has taken that with him to San Francisco in hopes to bring a Super Bowl to Tom Brady’s childhood favorite team.

Patriots Training Camp Preview: Linebackers

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There are many new faces on the Patriots compared to last year. The Pats acquired four guys from trade, fifteen from free agency, and nine from the NFL Draft. They also lost nine players from trade and free agency and had three players retire.

In this new series, I will be looking at every player from each position leading up to training camp. For this installment I will talk about the linebackers. The linebacking core last year for New England was very depleted due to injury. They managed to maintain their depth while also drafting two linebackers this year.

Dont’a Hightower #54 (2012-Present):

Dont’a Hightower is now in his seventh season in the NFL and for the Patriots. Hightower was the 25th overall pick by New England in the 2012 NFL Draft out of Alabama. In his rookie year, Hightower was playing with guys like Jerod Mayo, Rob Ninkovich, and Brandon Spikes. In 2012, he played in 14 games and had 60 tackles, four sacks, and one TD. The next three years saw him appearing in 40 games, and racking up 279 tackles and 10.5 sacks. Hightower’s 2016 season saw him playing in 13 games and having 65 tackles and 2.5 sacks. This season got Hightower recognized by the NFL, as he was named to the AP All-Pro Second team.

Hightower has also shown up in a big way in the playoffs. His first four playoff games consisted of 22 tackles and one INT. He came up huge in Super Bowl 49 against Seattle, where he tackled Lynch at the one yard line to prevent a late score. The Patriots’ next Super Bowl proved to be a big one for Hightower as well. He had what many people call the “turning point” of the Super Bowl when he strip-sacked Matt Ryan.

https://twitter.com/patriotszn/status/924497845494996993

Dont’a Hightower had high expectations heading into the 2017 season. However, those expectations were ruined as seven weeks into the season as he suffered a torn pectoral muscle. The Pats placed him on the IR, and he finished with 14 tackles and two sacks. A healthy Dont’a Hightower is one of the best linebackers in all of football. With a guy like Hightower back, the Pats are in it for another Super Bowl run. He is a lock to make the team come regular season.

Kyle Van Noy #53 (2016-Present):

Kyle Van Noy is entering his fifth NFL season, and third for New England. Van Noy entered the league as the 40th overall pick for Detroit in the 2014 draft. After two and a half years in Detroit, Van Noy was traded to New England. He played seven games for New England after the trade, and had 27 tackles, one sack, and one INT. In 2017, Van Noy started in 12 of the 13 games he appeared in. He had his best season in the NFL, as he totaled 73 tackles, and 5.5 sacks. Van Noy also stepped up big in the 2017 playoffs when he had 16 tackles and one sack.

Van Noy was a very solid mid-season addition by New England in 2016. He was pushed into a very big role after the Hightower role, and he stepped up big. Van Noy can cover tight ends and rush the passer when needed to. Overall, considering the skills Van Noy has, and the lack of depth at linebacker, I think he will make the team.

Elandon Roberts #52 (2016-Present):

Elandon Roberts was the 214th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He is now entering his third NFL season. As a rookie, Roberts played in 13 games and started five. He totaled 45 tackles and one forced fumble in that span. Roberts also played in all three of the Pats’ 2016 playoff games, having seven tackles. He had a larger role in his second season due to the injury to Hightower. Roberts played in 15 games while starting 14 and had 67 tackles, two sacks, and one fumble recovery. He played in the three playoff games, and had 15 tackles. His play in the Super Bowl garnered a lot of hate from Pats fans, however. This was due to the amount of blown coverage by Roberts that led to the Super Bowl defeat.

Roberts has exceeded a lot of fans’ expectations as a sixth round pick. He has had a solid career so far, but his Super Bowl 51 woes need to be fixed. Overall, he is still very young in his career, and I think he is more than likely going to have roster spot for next season.

Marquis Flowers #59 (2017-Present):

Marquis Flowers is heading into his fifth year in the NFL and second for New England. He was selected 212th overall by Cincinnati, and played three seasons there. His career with the Bengals was mainly as a special-teamer, as he had only 13 tackles over 32 games. He was then traded to New England before the 2017 season. Flowers played in all 16 games for the Pats, while having 30 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He also played in the three playoff games, totaling six tackles and one sack in that span.

Flowers was a quiet pick up for New England, as many people viewed him as a special-teamer only. He managed to show that he can rush the passer at will, or drop into coverage. After the season, Flowers signed a one-year deal with the team to remain in New England. Overall, with the ability that Flowers possesses it will be tough to cut him.

Christian Sam (Rookie):

Chrisitan Sam was the 178th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft for the New England Patriots. Sam played all four seasons during his career at Arizona State. In Sam’s first two seasons for the Sun Devils he played in 22 games. In that span, Sam had 114 tackles, four sacks, and two INTs. He was a medical redshirt in 2016 when he suffered a season ending foot injury in the first game of the year. Sam came back, and had his best season to date. He played in 12 games and had 127 tackles, three sacks, and one INT.

Sam is a very athletic linebacker who works best in zone coverage. He has great vision and makes quick reads, almost like a safety. Sam will still have to fight to make the team, but he brings a lot skills that the Pats did not have before. He could make it to the practice squad, but the Pats risk him being picked up by another team.

Ja’Whaun Bentley (Rookie):

Ja’Whaun Bentley was selected in the fifth-round with the 143rd overall pick by the Patriots. He was a four-year starter at Purdue where he played in 37 games. In Bentley’s first three seasons at Purdue, he had 175 tackles, one sack, and one INT. Bentley played in 12 games in his senior season, and had 97 tackles, one sack, and one INT. Bentley was an honorable mention for the All-Big-Ten team and was a Pro Football Focus All-American for his 2017 season.

https://twitter.com/SchutteCFB/status/932015422978785280

Bentley is a lot different than his fellow member of his draft class, Christian Sam. Bentley is more of a hard-hitting run-stuffer. He does not excel being in coverage or pass-only situations. The Patriots did draft him higher than Sam though, and they see something in him. Overall,

Harvey Langi #48 (2017-Present):

Harvy Langi is looking to enter his first healthy season for the Patriots. Langi was an undrafted free agent out of BYU when the Pats picked him up in 2017. He was one of the four undrafted free agents last year to make the final roster. Things did not start out well for Langi as tragedy struck him before the season started. In October, a driver rear-ended Langi’s car which lead to injuries to his neck, head, and back. Langi was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list due to his injuries, and missed the rest of the season.

Langi’s 2017 season was a sad one as he only played in one game. He has a chance to show what he would have been last year as he looks to make the roster again. It will be tough to make the roster with the addition of the two new draftees. Langi could be cut then placed on the practice squad, but anything can happen with him.

Nicholas Grigsby #50 (2017-Present):

Nicholas Grigsby is entering his third season in the NFL and second for the Patriots. Grigsby was an undrafted free agent out of Pitt before he signed with the Rams. He spent most of his season for the Rams on the practice squad before playing the final six games. Grigsby was then waived before the 2017 season, and was picked up by the Baltimore Ravens. He did not play one game for Baltimore and eventually the Patriots picked him off of their practice squad. Grigsby played in 5 games for New England in 2017, and had 5 total tackles.

Grigsby is primarily a special-teamer. I believe out of all the linebackers on the Pats, he will have the toughest time making the team. His best chance is by making the practice squad.

Overall, the Patriots have a few new additions at linebacker. Guys like Sam and Bentley can come in right away and contribute. Also, the return of Langi and Hightower from injuries could be key in another Pats’ Super Bowl run.

Tom Brady Had A Say In Bringing Back Josh McDaniels (@steveA1127)

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The Bizarre Offseason

Courtesy of Jim Rogash

There is no question that this offseason for the Patriots has been the most bizarre offseason in 18 years. It began immediately after the Super Bowl up until Tom Brady skipping OTA’s. It was reported last week by Greg Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal that Belichick is upset that Robert Kraft is intervening in football decisions. Then, it was reported by Karen Guergian of the Boston Herald that Brady had a say in bringing back Josh McDaniels.

Brady Overstepping His Boundaries?

Guergian wrote “As for Belichick, he is reportedly irritated because he believes Brady tugged on (owner) Robert Kraft to make moves (Jimmy Garoppolo, Josh McDaniels) which ultimately forced Belichick’s hand.  My sources confirm Brady had a hand in bringing McDaniels back at the 11th hour, after the latter was headed to Indianapolis to be the Colts coach.”

In my opinion, this will be Bill Belichick’s last season with the Patriots and he’ll retire. Once Belichick found out Brady had a say again in a football decision, it was all over from there. Belichick is now preparing the team so it’s decent when Josh McDaniels takes over next season as the head coach. Josh McDaniels needed to know what his status was going to be with the Patriots before he came back. Once McDaniels found out he’d be the successor , the right decision was to come back to Foxoborough.

The End is Near

This also gives Tom Brady a year under Josh McDaniels before he too retires. There’s no way Brady is playing until age 45. While Brady is excited to begin his 18th season on the Patriots, posting on Instagram that he’ll play until age 45 is for the fans. In reality, he’s likely going to retire at the end of the 2019 NFL season. Enjoy the final two years because the end is coming sooner rather than later. Go check out his interview with Oprah if you don’t believe me.

Julian Edelman Will Not Appeal His Suspension

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Julian Edelman Won’t Take Further Action

(AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

Julian Edelman will not take any further action and appeal his four-game suspension. He will be out for the first four games of the season. This is a blow to the Patriots offense to begin the year with the loss of Amendola. Tom Brady will have to rely on other players to step up and make plays. Chris Hogan, Malcolm Mitchell, and Rob Gronkowski will have to be key parts to the offense to begin the year. Julian Edelman was popped for a PED substance following the injury to his torn ACL. Alex Guerrero came to the defense of Edelman and said it had nothing to do with his treatment at TB12.

Julian Edelman Will Be Missed

The schedule for the Patriots in September is against the Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions, and Miami Dolphins. Julian Edelman won’t take the same road Tom Brady took during his deflate-gate suspension. Julian Edelman has been working out with Tom Brady privately this offseason in the practice field house. Edelman did attend the OTA’s this offseason in an attempt to start off on the right foot after missing all of last season.

Bill Belichick can’t be happy Edelman will be missing the first four games, but like always, will do what’s best for the football team. With training camp beginning Thursday, we’ll catch the first glimpse of everyone on the practice field behind Gillette Stadium. Everyone is expected to be there and Brady will supposedly be there early as well. Rob Gronkowski will also be there early.

Julian Edelman Will Be Ready To Go In Week Five

Julian Edelman is a loss, but I would have him serve the suspension at the beginning of the season rather than in December. It’s still a mystery what Edelman tested positive for because the NFL won’t release that information. Whatever it was that got him suspended, he’ll be ready to go in week five.

From 2000 To Today: A Dynasty In Peril? (@steveA1127)

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2000 Was A Great Year In New England

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR_PDDCZkss

I was eight years old when Tom Brady was drafted in 2000. When the Patriots drafted Brady in the sixth round pick (199th overall), nobody outside of New England thought this run would last 18 years. The Patriots have won five Super Bowls and have been to eight of them from 2001-2017. From the beginning, Robert Kraft has let head coach Bill Belichick run the football operations. From letting players go no matter how good they are, Belichick always has said he does what’s best for the team, not for an individual player (except for Brady).

Robert Kraft Has Grown Close To Tom Brady

Via Boston Herald

Robert Kraft is like a father to Tom Brady and would never let Bill Belichick trade him.  However, things in Foxborough started to shake a little when Tom Brady’s play started to slip and Belichick was looking towards Tom Brady’s successor. From 2010-2013, Tom Brady threw 134 touchdowns and 35 interceptions. In 2014, Bill Belichick made a pick at quarterback and selected Jimmy Garoppolo. Belichick said at a press conference after they drafted Garoppolo, “We know what Tom’s age and contract situation is. I don’t think you want to have one quarterback on your team. I don’t think that’s responsible to the entire team or the organization.”

Tom Brady Played Better After Garoppolo Was Drafted

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Axj4FVhkoL8

That is when Tom Brady really shifted into gear with preparation. He knew how he got his job and didn’t want the same to happen to him. The power struggle probably started in 2014, when Belichick drafted Jimmy Garoppolo. Tom Brady threw 129 touchdowns from 2014-2017 and only 26 interceptions. Brady also would lead the Patriots to two Super Bowls victories and have the greatest comeback in Super Bowl History, down 25 points.

Every Relationship Has Tension

At the start of the 2017 NFL season, Brady was really pushing his TB12 brand. Brady was also saying he wanted to play until his mid 40’s. Meanwhile, Belichick was planning for the future of the franchise, preparing for the next quarterback to fill Tom Brady’s shoes. Belichick wanted to do what was best for the football team – moving on from someone, regardless of how much they mean to the organization. However, what Belichick fails to realize is that Tom Brady is bigger than the team. He’s earned that right to stick around based solely on how many championships he’s won.

Belichick Likes To Do What’s Best For The Team

However, when you play for Bill Belichick, he doesn’t see it that way. He wanted to go with Jimmy Garoppolo to be set for the next decade. But when Brady reportedly went to Kraft and asked to trade Garoppolo, that’s when Belichick really got upset. Kraft shipped Garoppolo to the San Francisco 49ers, which prompted Belichick to talk very highly of Garoppolo during the immediate press conference. That is when Tom E. Curran first reported a rift, even before ESPN did in January.

The Transitions Are Coming, From Ownership To Players

Kraft said before the Super Bowl last season that in every relationship, there’s going to be tension and that people aren’t always going to agree on things. Greg Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal wrote last week that relations between Kraft, Belichick, and Brady have still not been worked out. Belichick is upset that Kraft is getting in the way of football decisions. Between trading Garoppolo to bringing back McDaniels and almost trading Gronkowski, Belichick is likely not too happy. Bill Belichick has traded every possible weapon that could help Brady.

I still believe Belichick is retiring at the end of the season, which is whyJosh McDaniels was brought back. McDaniels needed to be assured that the head coach position would soon be his. This conversation surely took place.

Brady Hinting He Will Be Reporting To Training Camp Early

Via Patriots Instagram

Since Jimmy Garoppolo has been gone, Brady has talked about spending more time with his family and has skipped all offseason voluntary workouts. All of the “in denial” Patriots fans will say that the voluntary workouts aren’t important. Yet, Brady has attended them for 17 seasons and nobody said that it wasn’t a big deal in those years. Tom Brady has hinted he will be reporting to Patriots training camp on Sunday four days early. All of his vacations are over and it’s back to work for the almost 41-year-old quarterback.

This year begins the 18th season between Belichick, Brady, and Kraft. It’s been a great ride for the last 18 years and this one might be the last we see these three in the same building together. Brady, like I’ve been saying, will likely play out his contract and retire after the 2019 season. In 2020, Josh McDaniels will have a brand new team to work with and try to bring more championships to Foxborough for the next decade.

Top 5 Tuesday: Players to Watch in Training Camp (@devansh0429)

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It’s almost that time again. Training Camp is a time for players to prove themselves to have that shot at a roster spot. As it looms around the corner, let’s take a look at five players to keep an eye out for in this week’s entry of Top 5 Tuesday.

5. Jason McCourty

Finally, the McCourty brothers are reunited at last. Patriot Nation was ecstatic to see the trade made for the veteran corner. But questions do linger in all of our minds… Why did McCourty barely get any reps in minicamp? Can the twin really replace Malcolm Butler?

4. Braxton Berrios

I’m sure everyone’s summer was going great until they heard this dreaded news: Patriots’ Julian Edelman was suspended four games for use of PED’s. So, now it’s time for New England to invoke one of their oldest mottos: next man up. Now, there are a variety of options, but I would love to see the kid from Miami work his way into that slot role.

3. Derek Rivers

The Patriots’ pass rush was absolutely atrocious in the Super Bowl. Rivers was our first pick last year, but unfortunately went down with ACL tear for the year. Now, it’s time to see if he is the real deal and help our defense make a leap from its poor performance in the Superbowl.

2. JC Jackson

Jackson was the talk of minicamp and even sparked yours truly to look into him further. He is a strong candidate to be one of the undrafted players that finds a way to make the team.

1. Sony Michel

Michel looks like he can do it all. He is an electrifying back with incredible agility, and it will be very fun to watch him in the preseason. Is he enough to fill the void left by Lewis? Remember to look for his name come training camp and preseason.

 

Don’t agree with our list? Have another player you would like to see in training camp? Let us know in the comment section below.

Follow me on Twitter @devansh0429

Eye of the Tiger: Part 2 of Patriots Training Camp

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This is Part 2 of the 10 Patriots with the most to prove heading into training camp. To read the first five Patriots visit Part 1.

Who’s got the eye of the tiger?

The thrill of the fight…

Heading into the 2018 training camp for the New England Patriots, there are 90 hungry young men vying for 53 roster spots. Who wants it most? Which player will fight off challengers for a roster spot? Training camp is the place to find answers to these questions. The quest for a sixth championship begins with the start of the regular season. There is lots of work to be done in that time.

For your pre-training camp look at which Patriots have the most to prove, we have dived deep into the roster and dissected position depth, contract details, and likelihood of making the roster. Of course, we will apply the highly scientific Shakeup Factor to let you know the potential impact if these players do not make the team.

Elandon Roberts, LB

Roberts has performed admirably for a sixth round pick. He has started for the bulk of two years with the Patriots and won a Super Bowl while playing in another. However, his limited coverage abilities have been exposed and the Patriots may be looking for younger, better replacements.

Shakeup Factor: 4.8

He has definitely fallen short of being the “best linebacker in the Draft.” But Roberts has made a very positive impact and replacing his snaps will have to come from Hightower or some of the unproven players on the team.

 

Mike Gillislee, RB

When the Patriots signed the restricted free agent from Buffalo, many thought that he would turn into the next big thing at running back. It didn’t quite work out that way. In fact, he was not even active for a good portion of the later part of the season. With just under 2.2 million in cap space, it seems unlikely that the team will allow the Gillislee experiment to continue.

Shakeup Factor: 5.2

The SF number takes into account the likelihood that Jeremy Hill will get cut as well. It seems logical that the two big backs are battling for one roster spot. If Sony Michel, Rex Burkhead, and James White are ready to shoulder the load, then it could be that the Patriots don’t keep another RB at all. This logic is surprising, but not unthinkable.

 

Phillip Dorsett, WR

Trading away a young, cost-controlled quarterback that had already shown he can win games as a rookie would normally result in shockwaves. The Patriots trading Jacoby Brissett for a lackluster Phillip Dorsett was only the second highest QB trade they completed last season. After a year of limited impact, Dorsett has a good foundation and could make more noise this year in the crowded group of receivers. But it will be a dogfight for the speedster to make the team.

Shakeup Factor: 5.5

Trading away a quality QB prospect for a single season of poor production from a wide receiver would be considered a bad deal by any team out there. Dorsett getting cut before the year starts would go down as one of the poorer evaluations from Bill Belichick.

 

Dwayne Allen, TE

Despite his lack of quantifiable production in 2017, Dwayne Allen made a big impact that didn’t necessarily show up on the stats sheet. As the second tight end on the depth chart, his blocking abilities were surely underestimated. Will that be enough for the Pats to keep him, especially with a 13.4 million cap hit and no dead money over the next two seasons? It doesn’t seem likely.

Shakeup Factor: 7.3

Allen has competition at the tight end spot. The Patriots signed Troy Niklas and Will Tye as veterans and reports on Jacob Hollister have been just short of glowing. Allen will have to turn in his playbook if someone steps up and shows they can block as well as be productive in the passing game. That 5 million cap space could probably be used more resourcefully than for a blocking pylon.


Joe Thuney, OG

The story of Joe Thuney is a compelling one; he was a third round offensive line prospect that won the starting job as a rookie and has started every game since. The current chapter may be coming to an end.

Thuney has struggled at times. Alongside the smaller David Andrews at center, struggles between the two can contribute to breakdowns on the offensive line. Still, there are a lot of questions to be answered. Does Trent Brown win the starting left tackle job? If Isaiah Wynn plays guard this season, do the Patriots value Thuney as a backup? 

Shakeup Factor: 8.2

The Patriots have always been relatively unconventional with their offensive line. O-line savant Dante Scarnecchia has surely gained the right to make the risky roster decisions. If Thuney is the best option, he will play. If they can get good value for him, he will get a second chance somewhere else. Regardless, the offensive line should be better for the 2018 season and help the Patriots back to the Super Bowl.

Training camp will shake the tree and the nuts will tell the story. Stay tuned.

 

All photos courtesy of Getty images unless noted otherwise.

Be sure to check out other great articles for all your favorite Boston sports teams on Bostonsportsextra.com

Follow me on Twitter @ALykins32
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Ten Patriots That Need to Have the Eye of the Tiger: Part 1

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Who’s got the eye of the tiger?

The thrill of the fight…

 

Heading into the 2018 training camp for the New England Patriots, there are 90 hungry men vying for 53 roster spots. Who wants it? Who has what it takes? Training camp is the place for answers to these questions. The Patriots’ quest for a sixth championship begins with the start of the regular season.

In the first part of this series we take a pre-training camp look at which Patriots have the most to prove. We’ll take go deep into each position’s depth, contract details, and likelihood of making the roster. We’ll apply my scientific Shakeup Factor to let you know how critical it is for them to make the roster. 

10. Jeremy Hill, RB

The veteran running back signed with New England late in free agency. If he wants to make the team, he will have to show that fire that he possessed in 2014. As a rookie he rushed for over 1100 yards. However, Hill is recovering from an ankle injury that ended his 2017 season and has very little money guaranteed.

Shakeup Factor: 1.5

This is all gravy! If he returns to form and produces well. There is no downside here if he doesn’t make the team.

9. Jordan Richards, DB

This was one of Belichick’s more head-scratching picks. When he selected the Stanford Cardinal in the second round, nearly everyone else had the player as a day three pick. Richards’ ups and downs have been numerous. And the moments have been trending towards more downs.

Shakeup Factor: 1.8

It would be disappointing to see another premium draft pick not pan out. However, the CB/DB position is one of the deepest on the team. He does face some stiff competition. Will he rise to the challenge?

8. Ryan Allen, P

We are witnessing the very rare and mysterious left-footed punter competition. Allen needs to fend off the young Corey Bojorquez in order to secure his place on the team. Can Allen take his game to the next level and solidify his spot? Don’t forget he took the job from the Zoltan in an epic puntoff.

Shakeup Factor: 2.5

This is punting we talkin’ about. While Allen has been solid, reliable, and accurate he hasn’t established himself as a top guy. And let’s not forget that there was a grand total of one punt in the Super Bowl, and it wasn’t from the Pats’ guy.

7. Eric Lee, DE

Sometimes the Patriots treat the rest of the AFC East like it’s their minor league farm system. It seemed like a minor move when they grabbed the practice squad player from the Bills in November. And after his first two games with the Patriots, it looked like armed robbery had taken place. Over two sacks and an interception will make you sit up and notice. His production tailed off down the stretch and suffered some miscues. Lee needs to make these corrections and claw his way up the depth chart in order to make the squad next season.

Shakeup Factor: 3.4

Starting to get into temblor territory here. Pass rush is at a premium and he displayed some ability in that area. The defensive front is always in flux with the Patriots and the best guys will play more. Lee aims to be that guy.

6. Cyrus Jones, CB / PR

Fumbles will kill your career on the Patriots faster than Super Bowl confetti falls. Faster than Tom Brady’s anger when you run the wrong route. Faster than… You get the picture. In ten games during his rookie season he dropped five and recovered two. Ask Stevan Ridley for directions to BB’s doghouse. Still, when he wasn’t coughing up the ball to opponents, he showed a flash on returns and looked pretty good on defense. Then he suffered a knee injury in the 2017 preseason. Classic make or break season for the young guy.

Shakeup Factor: 3.9

The potential is there. He just needs to put it all together and stay healthy. There is lots of competition in the DB room that will make it difficult. Needs a standout camp and preseason and for good reasons.

Look for Part II coming soon…

All photos courtesy of Getty images unless noted otherwise.

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