Tag Archives: Julian Edelman

How Injuries and Actions May Really Hurt the NFL Longterm

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If you are even a marginal NFL fan, you are aware that injuries are a part of the game.  It is a contact sport and injuries are to be expected. During this season in particular, some of the NFL’s biggest stars have suffered season-ending injuries. These injuries have not only hurt those teams, but the NFL itself.  Let me tell you how I feel the NFL will hurt as a league because of these injuries.

 

MANY STARS HAVE FALLEN

This season alone so many of the NFL’s most marketable stars have gotten injured. The list is very long, including Aaron Rodgers, Julian Edelman, Odell Beckham Jr, Deshawn Watson, JJ Watt, and Carson Palmer being some of the most notable. As a fan you might think that this sucks for the player and also for the team as well.  What you might not be aware of is that these injuries to these star players has hurt the NFL.

By taking these players out for the season, it appears that networks have taken notice. Many of the networks that show NFL games such as CBS, ESPN, and NBC have tried to maximize their viewership. They have done this by trying to show games that they feel people will watch. The injuries to star players has made this an incredible challenge. Teams such as Houston, Green Bay, and the Giants have really had a hard time with these key injuries. Just note their records since these injuries occurred if you don’t believe me.

What this is going to do to the NFL in the long run is soon to be noticed. With declining viewership, declining sponsor dollars, and market constraints, the networks will negotiate tough on the next TV deals. The big cash cow that the NFL used to count on will not be as lucrative. This is likely going to cause friction in the next CBA negotiations. I believe this item will be the issue that the owners will try and get the most mileage from. The owners are those very rich men and women that sit in those ritzy boxes and watch games with binoculars. They are more than a little out of touch in my opinion. Just remember Bob McNair’s “can’t have the inmates running the prison” statement if you’re unsure of this.

WHAT WILL IT MEAN FOR THE FANS?

The NFL fan experience will be quite different in the next few years I believe. Some of the league’s most marketable players are getting up there in years. Players such as Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Carson Palmer (who may retire from his current injury), Larry Fitzgerald, etc., are only going to be playing a few more years. Many of these players are some fans’ only link to the NFL.  Once they depart, are the players of today like Cam Newton going to be able to fill the void? If how Newton handles press conferences is any indication, then I would say maybe.

Some of the younger players of today are much more brash and in your face then in years past. Players like Odell Beckham Jr. going on a boat trip right before a playoff game, and the whole Ezekiel Elliott mess are just a couple of examples. Are these players setting examples that you want other players to follow? Are they acting in the best interest of their team, ownership, and fans?  I believe the answer you are looking for is a resounding “HELL NO”.

Many of these players have turned off fans by their actions, and many have cost even themselves (ie. Cam Newton’s comments in a recent press conference cost him sponsorships). Not exactly a role model you want your kids to look up to is it? Their actions are costing themselves now and in the long run with lower viewership.

WOULD YOU BLAME FANS FOR NOT WATCHING?

Some of the actions by a few notable players have hurt the league in the last few years. The actions are one thing, but how the league has handled these actions has turned a lot of people off.  The whole Ray Rice disaster was really the start of things in my opinion. The Greg Hardy issues are also ones that stand out in my mind as poorly handled by the NFL.

If you want people to watch your product and respect your league then handle things like these properly. What is the proper way to handle these things you ask? I believe a small group of middle school students could have made better judgement calls then Commissioner Goodell (aka Peckerhead).

If there is not a better outlook by some of the players and owners then the NFL is going down the crapper. The injuries that have happened this year are unfortunate but they will heal. Let’s hope that the league gets a decent commissioner soon and looks after their affairs in a much more effective and fair manner. If this happens then hopefully we will get to continue to enjoy this great game.

 

 

 

Bruins Notes: Bergeron and Edelman; Tuukka Rask

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The Bruins miss Patrice Bergeron like the Patriots miss Julian Edelman. They’re grasping at straws without Patrice Bergeron, their number-one center, not unlike the Patriots trying to replace Edelman’s production. For the Patriots, the result is a 3-2 start and an offense yet to really find their rhythm. For the Bruins and their 1-2 start, you’re witnessing the importance of  Bergeron to this Bruins team.

Back to the Bergeron. First it was Ryan Spooner centering the top line.  That didn’t work, and now the Bruins need to figure what to do with Spooner. He’s simply not progressing and you can’t keep a center on the team that only plays PP minutes. Last night it was Riley Nash, a career fourth-liner, and as predicted, not a good fit. Enter the real issue –  Bergeron’s natural replacemen, David Backes, is also on the shelf, David. Backes is a natural center forced to play wing for a team supposedly strong up the middle. Without Bergeron’s leadership, some of the younger guys will continue to struggle. If he is out a longer, look for the Bruins to recall JFK to the lineup.

Tuukka Rask

If you’re a Tuukka Rask hater, the season has started swimmingly for you.  Before you jump all over me, I get it.  The team hasn’t looked good, but that does not absolve Rask of his share of the blame. The puck he poorly played in Monday’s game is inexcusable. The player was not bearing down on him.  A terrible decision, making the game 3-0 and all but thwarted any chance of a Bruins comeback.  Soft goals continue to plague him, as they did in last year’s playoff series versus Ottawa. The season is young and maybe he just needs more time to find his game, but so far this season he is providing more fuel for his detractors.

Better Days Ahead

That’s the bad news. The good news? We’re three games into the season in which the entire league seems upside down. Vegas is 3-0, the Pens lost 10-1 and the Oilers, everyone’s pre-season Stanley Cup pick, is off to a slow start at 1-2. Bruins fans have zero patience — a staple of this fan base. But we’re going to have to dig deep and exercise some.  This team will right the ship.

Amendola Meeting Pats Expectations

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The Next Wes Welker?

When the New England Patriots signed Danny Amendola in 2013, fans were ready to call him Wes Welker 2.0. This opinion quickly shifted from Amendola to Julian Edelman. Edelman put up more than 100 receptions and 1,000 yards that same year.

Amendola put up solid numbers in his first season with the Pats (54 receptions for 633 yards), but for most of his Patriots tenure, his production has mediocre when compared to Edelman.

The 2017 season has provided different circumstances (Edelman out for season with torn ACL, Gronk on and off injuries), and Amendola is flourishing, becoming the player that fans were hoping he would be. He is the most experienced player in the wide receiver group for the Patriots this year. Quarterback Tom Brady is beginning to show trust in Dola as a top option in the passing game.

Can’t Cover Amendola

Brady is calling Dola “uncoverable” this season, adding “he’s just been so great for us this year.” This trust has been shown during the early part of the 2017 season, with Amendola already matching the number of receptions from the previous year (23 receptions total in 2016).

Second year Patriots receiver, Chris Hogan, has been Brady’s go-to option in the end zone. Dola has made some huge plays down the stretch when needed most. On 3rd and 18, Amendola caught a pass to set up the game winner against the Houston Texans in Week 3. A pass from Brady to receiver Brandin Cooks, in the endzone, sealed the victory.

Currently, Amendola is on pace for 854 yards this season. This would surpass his previous season high of 689 (2010) by nearly 200 yards. His efficiency has been key, he has 23 receptions on 27 targets. Opposing teams usually place a linebacker on him, while they put their defensive backs on Hogan and Cooks. This leads to many match up problems that have been key to Dola’s efficiency thus far.

Next Man Up

It is safe to say that Edelman’s sudden rise to stardom was unexpected in the 2013 season. His production has been consistently high as the number one receiving option for Brady. Sadly, his preseason injury will keep him on the sidelines for the entirety of 2017.

In his absence, Amendola is becoming the reliable option that Brady needs to be successful at 40 years old. Brady is currently on pace for his best season of his career in terms of yards. Danny Amendola has been a key factor, along with Hogan, Cooks, and Gronkowski.

Most expected Cooks and Gronk to perform at a high level. Few expected what they have seen from Dola. His emergence as Brady’s go-to option has been exciting for fans to witness each game this season. If he continues to perform this well, the Patriots offense will be very dangerous down the stretch.

Do Your Job

Amendola has gone under the radar since signing with New England. He is quickly emerging into a receiver Brady can look to in the clutch. Brady has connected with Amendola in clutch situations before (both Super Bowl XLIX and LI featured a clutch touchdown from Amendola), and is now connecting with him in the regular season as well.

Whileans dearly miss Edelman, and hope for a speedy recovery from the ACL injury, Amendola is doing his best to fill the void in the offense. The Week 1 Loss to the Kansas City Chiefs showed a lack of trust between Brady and his receivers. As the season has progressed, Brady has developed a strong rapport with Amendola, and the offense has clicked.

Dola started out the season being considered a third or fourth option in the passing game. Now, opposing defenses will need to key in on Brady’s most trusted option of 2017. If Brady’s mentions of Dola being “uncoverable” are true, defenses will struggle heavily trying to stop him.

Andy’s Candor: Matchup of the Game!

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“If a defensive lineman sacks a quarterback in the forest does he make a sound?”

The Patriots

That’s how I feel about the state of the defensive line of the New England Patriots. In the opener against KC they had some positives. Flowers had a good stat line of two sacks, six hits and eight pressures, but that was it. We knew coming into this season that the between the new faces and lack of star power manufacturing pass rush was the order of the day. The youthful energy and solid secondary would produce the finished product. So far, the returns are unimpressive. Other members of the front seven barely cracked the stat sheet, and with the loss of Hightower, the game against the Saints has taken an ominous tone.

The Saints

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 11: Everson Griffen #97 of the Minnesota Vikings sacks quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints in the third quarter of the game on September 11, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

But fear not Patriots Nation! If the state of our pass rushing sucks, then the offensive line of the Saints is downright deplorable! Heading out of training camp without LT Terron Armstead, they lost RT Zach Streif before two quarters of the 2017 season was over. This caused a normally explosive offense led by the prolific Drew Brees to fizzle and produce just 19 points. Including netting four field goals in the red zone.

Why it’s Important

This matchup is important for a multitude of reasons. Let the young guys get experience and confidence. Allow the Patriots defensive coaches to further gather information on their own personnel. Making sure that Drew Brees doesn’t get too comfortable and be able to pick apart the secondary. But, the biggest reason is that they need to prevent this game from becoming too big of a shootout. The offense still has kinks to work out and Brady has to be forced to trust other receivers on third down. And his Edelman and Amendola security blankets have been put in the wash and you have to get Tom used to the Hogan, and Cooks stuffy now, so it can pay off dividends in January.

Comment and share with your friends. You can express your displeasure with me on Twitter @ALykins32 and be sure to read and follow @BosSportsExtra for more original content from great writers.

For the Love of the Game…

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It’s game day.

Your buddies are over your house.

Pacing the room with excitement for kickoff.

Running to the fridge to grab another round of beers.

High-fiving when the Patriots score.

Maybe toss the pigskin around the yard at halftime?

Nothing better, right?

Meet Matt

Matt will never be able to do any of these game day routines.

Matt is 8 years old and holds a diagnosis of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).  SMA is a disease that robs people of physical strength by affecting the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, taking away the ability to walk, eat, or breathe. It is the number one genetic cause of death for infants.

SMA sucks, but what this disease has not robbed Matt of is his love, passion and flat-out acumen for all-things-sports.

This is not about SMA.  This is about a kid who smiles through all his challenges and many of those smiles appear on his handsome face when he is watching sports.  Sports, in particular, the New England Patriots, allows Matt that same feeling of excitement we all get when enjoying our favorite teams play the games.  Watching sports puts Matt on a level playing field with the rest of us.  And while Matt can not run around and play catch or high-five his older brother, he gets that same pit of joy in his belly when kickoff/first pitch/tip-off happens.

Matt is 162 Red Sox kid.  An 82 Celtics kid and certainly a 16 (ok, 19) Patriots kind of guy.

This boy is an animal for it all….and a student.

Matt knows football

Here is his quick pre-season rundown he spits out to Mom on a ride to the doctors the other day…

Matt on the Pat’s Season

Matt absorbs sports knowledge like a sponge.  He can literally rattle off every play in order when watching Superbowl 51…because he has literally watched it 51 times (at least).  Being with Matt during a game makes it better.  He doesn’t miss a play, a pitch or a jump shot.

Here is another clip right before kickoff Thursday night…

Matt is “pumped”

He rattled off every NCAA March Madness seed to me last spring.  How about doing your math homework instead, chief?

I caught Matt watching a 2012 NBA finals game on-demand.  Were the Celtics even in that one, weirdo?

I almost told his parents to have him committed for a psychiatric evaluation!

Matt makes you truly appreciate those high-fives and games of catch that he can’t participate in.  In perhaps its’ purest form, Matt demonstrates why we love sports and that his passion can not be taken away from him by any ailment or perceived “disability”.

Matt is the man.  (Did I mention he is my nephew?)

And lastly, if you are ever in a bar debating what was the greatest touchdown in football history, I’ll settle the bet for you, ’cause Matt scored it in the storied Westford Pop Warner E season opener of 2015.

What to Watch in Pats 2017 Season

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By: Mark Saber Jr.

The 2017 season is days away.  We can almost picture that fifth banner being revealed. As New Englanders expect another damn-near perfect season, we need to be on the lookout for quite a few players, plays and coaches.

Focal points of the Patriots offense

There was so much hype in the off-season about the Brady-Cooks connection. While that sounds great, I do look forward to watching the Brady-Gronkowski connection after a year without it. Gronk has suffered quite a few injuries to his back, so the question lingers.  Will Gronk actually be Gronk? Will he get the same snap count Coach Bill used in the 2014 season? Or will he turn him loose?

New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) scores a touchdown Denver Broncos strong safety Mike Adams (20) and defensive end Shaun Phillips (90) in the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

I would be willing to bet anything that the behemoth tight end will be put on a snap count, but off his leash. Just like Belichick says “The first quarter of the season means nothing.”   Meaning it all rides on how you finish (example: Five rings).

Life without Crown Jules

Another situation that bears watching: how the Patriots can bounce back from the Edelman ACL season-ending injury. Yes, I understand the Patriots have not looked this stacked on the offensive side of the ball since 2007. But I do expect some sort of lag, just not for too long.  A short-term lag. Brady without his security blanket might look a little strange. Remember when the Pats let Welker go and everyone thought the world ended?   Edelman and Amendola stepped up to help keep it going.

Of course Edelman wound up locking down Wes’ old job.  It will be a tad heart wrenching not seeing Minitron out there on the field. Tommy will end up creating another strong relationship with another receiver.  A deep bench with Gronk, Cooks, Amendola, Mitchell, Hogan, etc.  Bottom line — I feel the Patriots should be just fine.

Focal Points of the Patriots defense

Something I do look forward to see: the duo between Butler-Gilmore. The Patriots haven’t had two true shut-down corners like this since the 2014 season. I am stoked to see this come to fruition.  I feel now that Gilmore had the whole off season to get fully acclimated with the Patriots scheme.   I expect him to shine.

I understand that the Kony Ealy trade did not work out for NE, but I still predict the defense to make at least top 10. I’d say they rank #6 overall. But I do expect an overall strong season from the Pats D. My bold prediction for the defensive side of the ball for the Pats season?  The secondary holds the torch. They won’t allow opposing offenses to get their stud receivers in the game. I think we will see a ball-hawking defense. Scratch that, I expect that gritty ball-hawking defense. We all know how much Coach Bill takes pride in his front seven, so I do expect another overall solid season from them as well.

Bottom Line

Clearly the Patriots suffered a significant blow to the team when Julian Edelman went down with injury. But I expect the Patriots to remain on top as the juggernaut of the NFL (as always) and the offense will still torch opposing defenses. The same goes for the defense — it will crush opposing offenses. Things might be a little strange at first, but there is no one who is better at filling roster gaps than Bill Belichick.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter @iAMmarkSaberJr, @PatriotsExtra, & @BosSportsExtra, for the latest news, and the hottest topics regarding the NE Patriots.

 

 

 

2017 Patriots’ Opener: The Average Fan’s Day

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Gillette Stadium seats approximately 66,000 people.  As, a lifelong New Englandah’ I will describe with confidence the exact experience that about half of those ticket holders will endure. This coming Thursday, our Super Bowl Champion Patriots take the field to kick off the 2017 NFL season.

Am I making some biased judgements and stereotyping about our fans?  You betcha.  Am I accurate?  Yes, yes I am.  (Remember that Saturday Night Live skit?  It’s pretty much like that with a football game included)

The average Patriots fan’s game day experience

Fan’s Name: Jimmy “Murph” Murphy

Occupation: Verizon Technician

Hometown: Weymouth, Massachusetts

September 7th, 2017

8:11AM

Murph texts his game buddies some ridiculous motivational message like “GameDay bitches” or “#LetsGO”

9:28AM

Snoozing in his Verizon truck counting the minutes until he can duck out of work

11:17AM

Crushes a Subway Italian B.M.T. bragging to his fellow lineman ‘How f*cked up he is gonna get at the game‘ and probably will be ‘”bangin’ in sick on Friday‘

Lyin’ to go to the Rayzah ain’t a lie

2:26PM

Punches out early and races home

2:27PM

Pulls in to Kappy’s Liquors.  Grabs two 30 racks of Bud Heavies, a bottle of Fireball for the game and a tallboy Heineken single for the ride to the house.

3:01PM

Slaps on his “vintage” Doug Flutie Patriots jersey to complement his Lee carpenter jeans and Timberland workbooks (take a few hits off the bong while waiting for his jackass buddies to pick him up.  (“Where are these assholes?” mumbles to himself).

 

Jet Fuel?  Check.

3:24PM

Finishes packing cooler.  Grabs ticket.  Sitting on froth steps.  Two more beers imbibed during this ‘process.’

3:39PM

Murph’s buddies roll up to his house in a 2012 Ford F-150.  Truck is packed with a full tailgate spread, a TV and that bumper sticker of the guy pissing on a New York Yankees emblem.  Tobes, Dunny and, the driver, Moose are ready to roll.

3:48PM

Tobes spills beer and gets screamed at and mocked by the other three

3:49PM

Tobes: F*ck you guys.

4:18PM

Traffic on Route 1 sucks.  Dunny has to piss and they are not pulling over so he fills the empty Gatorade Skoal dip-spit bottle he found under the driver’s seat.  Pours said urine out drivers side window.  Some sprays on Moose.  Dope slap delivered to Dunny’s dome.

4:39PM

Enter Gillette parking lot.  Tailgate setup is down to a science.  Murph and Dunny immediately start playing 10-car length catch and do zero of the work.

5:01PM

Grill is lit, TV is on, crew is about nine-beer level and the insane statements and predictions begin.

“16-0…definitely.”

“Edelman sucked anyway.”

“I heard Brady has hair plugs.”

“You get any of those Bahstool towels?”

“Goodell is a piece of sh%t.”

6:22PM

FIREBALL!

Beer goggles

6:36PM

Dunny attempts to ‘get some girls ovah heeya’.  

7:03PM

Murph throws up a little behind the truck.  Hides it from the boys.

7:32PM

‘We should get in there’.  Two beers shotgunned all around to get the buzz up knowing they are looking at $11 Bud Lights inside The Big Razor.

7:46PM

March in to Gillette begins.  Moose nearly gets in a fight with “some p#$$y with a Jets jersey on“.

7:48PM

Tobes forgot his ticket on the dashboard.  Has to run back.  Murph throws an 1/2 empty beer at him as he turns back.

7:52PM

Quick hit of the one-ie for Dunny.

7:55PM

Enter gates

Blitz for Six — it’s on

8:07PM

Stadium rocking.  Goodell hate-chants begin.

8:15 – 11:45PM

Banner, Anthem, and the complete dismantling of the Kansas City Chiefs

11:45PM – February 2018

ROAD TO SUPER BOWL 52!

 

P.S. Murph never made it to work the next day.

Should Starters Play in Preseason Games?

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Friday night in Detroit the New England Patriots faced off against the Lions, the third preseason game for the Patriots. The starters took the field in the first quarter and completely burned the Detroit defense. But the excitement of watching the points pile up ended abruptly in the worst possible way.

Julian Edelman.  Down on the field.  Not springing up and running into the huddle.  Out came the injury cart.  And down dropped the hearts, if not hopes, of Patriot Nation.  On the following day, the worst fears revealed on an MRI.  A torn ACL, ending the 2017 regular season for one of the Pats most reliable and revered players — Julian Edelman.

Unnecessary Roughness?

Should the starters even play in a game that doesn’t count?  In my opinion, no.  Why expose any starter to injury when it means nothing in the standings? Either cover those players in bubble wrap or have them play a series, maybe two, then get them out of there.

The loss of Julian on offense hurts.  No doubt about that.  While the Pats still have Cooks, Hogan, Amendola, Gronk, and Allen, Edelman is Brady’s go-to guy. Without that amazing catch in Super Bowl LI, who knows what would have happened.  Julian is something special.   He has earned his spot in the organization and his place as one of the best receivers in the NFL.

Julian started talking about his recovery right after the game, even though most feared the ACL diagnosis.  But If anyone knows how to make adjustments to put the team in the best position possible to win football games, it’s Bill Belichick.

 

Belichick has a conference call today at 4 and most likely won’t comment on his injury as he only talks about players on the field. Pats fans look at it this way, Gronk was out last year and they still won the Super Bowl. This year Edelman is out. They still will win the AFC East, and have their place in the AFC Championship game atleast. Most importantly will be playing in the Super Bowl once again. So don’t say the season is over because Edelman is out you still have Tom Brady, other targets on offense, and a pretty good defense.

 

How Will Tom Brady Share the Wealth?

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Tom Brady has a bevy of quality receivers at his disposal for this upcoming season. We all know Tom Brady is not only the best quarterback in the NFL, or even just the best quarterback in NFL history, but in fact the greatest being to ever grace this Earth with his presence. He will get everyone their looks, each receiver will have their day. But how can we expect those receptions to be split up?

Wide Receivers

Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots makes a catch during a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on January 1, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Julian Edelman is the old standby at wide receiver. He is Tom Brady’s most trusted target. The two of them know what each other is thinking and Brady can rely on Edelman being where he is supposed to be. Edelman is 31 now and has been banged up in recent years, but he will still get fed. In his four years as a starter he has averaged 104 receptions per 16 games played. Problem is, he doesn’t usually play in all 16. With Cooks in the fold there is a chance we see a slight decline in targets this year, but I don’t think it will be much. If Edelman can stay on the field I would expect to see 90+ receptions from him again this year. About 6 receptions per game seems about right for him.

Brandin Cooks is the hardest to predict since he is the newcomer. Yes, he is coming to New England with Tom Brady, but he was already in a great offense in New Orleans. Also, with New Orleans he had less competition for targets. The Patriots are loaded with pass catchers, the Saints were mostly Cooks and Michael Thomas. Cooks averaged 81 catches the last two years for 1156 yards and 8 touchdowns. I know a lot of people are expecting huge things from Cooks, but I think that sounds about right for him again this year. He can help spread the field and open up more lanes underneath, he can also catch some of those short screen passes at the line and try to make something of them. But with 4 good wide receivers, a few pass catching backs and Rob Gronkowski I don’t see Cooks suddenly increasing his catch total. If anything goes up I think it will be his touchdown total.

Malcolm Mitchell is a good receiver, capable of starting on most teams. On the Patriots he is behind a wealth of others on the pecking order. He will keep a role in the offense however, provided he can stay healthy. Mitchell caught 32 passes and 4 touchdowns in his rookie season last year. He really came on late in the year though, catching 21 passes between weeks 9 and 12 while scoring all 4 of his touchdowns. He even caught 6 passes in the Super Bowl during the Pats late comeback. There will be some weeks where we don’t see much of Mitchell and others where he is thrown to quite a bit. I think the Patriots “3rd” wide receiver will be matchup based, Mitchell and Hogan both having their days in the sun. I’m thinking 40-45 receptions for Mitchell this year if he can stay on the field. He has had knee problems dating back to college. The larger likelihood is Mitchell winds up missing a few games and finishes closer to 35 receptions.

Chris Hogan is the forgotten man. After bringing Cooks into the fold people have seemingly forgotten about Chris Hogan. He had 38 catches last year for 680 yards, leading the league at 17.9 yards per catch. He then came up huge in the postseason with 17 catches in 3 games and 19.5 yards per catch. His play will be a bit sporadic, matchup based. Teams that are susceptible to the long ball Hogan will be given a lot of run. Teams beat more by good route running and shorter to medium range passes I think Mitchell will see the field more. Counting the playoffs Hogan had two 100 yard games and three 90 yard games last year. I expect his stats to be hit and miss again this year. 35 catches with 600 yards seems to be doable.

Danny Amendola is still around after taking a third pay cut to stay in New England. I don’t see him doing a whole lot though unless injuries ahead of him free up targets. If everyone stays healthy Amendola may fall short of 30 catches for the third time in five seasons.

Tight Ends

Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots makes the Broncos defenders look silly. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Rob Gronkowski hasn’t played in all 16 games since 2011 (though he did play 15 two years ago). I see no reason why the Patriots wouldn’t scale back his snaps with all these other offensive weapons they have. There is no reason to risk injury by sending Gronk onto the field for 60, 70 snaps a game. They have another tight end who is also a good blocker, and they have plenty of good to great pass catchers. Gronkowski’s snaps should be limited in an effort to keep him healthy and playing through January. Due to this, I don’t see Gronk catching 70, 80 balls like he has in the past. If he can stay on the field for all 16 games maybe 65 catches, but that’s a big if given his history. The touchdowns should still be there regardless. When healthy Gronkowski is an unstoppable force, impossible to cover and dragging defenders down the field like a man playing amongst boys. In a full season double digit touchdowns is still likely, but I’d hope and expect his snap count is brought down this year.

Dwayne Allen was brought in to fill the Martellus Bennett role. He is a younger, cheaper version of Bennett. Biggest problem with him is he has missed games in each of the past 4 seasons. Hopefully he can stay on the field and take some pressure and snaps off of Gronkowski. Allen is a good blocker, but also has capable hands. He scored 8 touchdowns in 2014 and 6 last season. I see him still catching some touchdowns down near the goal line. Opposing defenses will focus on Gronkowski, or maybe on the run game, freeing up a lane for Allen to slip free unnoticed. For catches I see him in the 35 range, but coming with about 6 touchdowns. That’s if Gronk can stay healthy. If Gronk goes down we could see Allen creep up closer to Bennett’s 55 receptions from a year ago.

Running Backs

HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: James White #28 of the New England Patriots with the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. The Patriots defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

James White is the main pass catching back. Honestly, that’s why he is here. He doesn’t make many guys miss and isn’t a huge threat as a runner. White is out there on the field to catch passes, create mismatches lined up against linebackers who can’t cover him. In fact, although he is a running back White has caught 35 more passes in his career than he has carries! He caught 60 balls a year ago and then added 18 more in the playoffs. He will still be the Patriots top receiving back, but they now have 4 capable runners who all have decent hands as well. They don’t have anyone like Legarrette Blount this year who has to be taken out on passing downs. All of them can catch the ball and make things happen. I see White’s receptions dropping some this year, maybe into the 45- 50 range.

Mike Gillislee has been assumed to be the main runner all offseason, and I think that will still be the case. However, the Patriots have always loved to play the matchups and I think each of their running backs will have their Sunday in the sun. Each will have a big game, but overall Gillislee probably leads the team in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. He is also a capable pass catcher, so unlike with Blount last year it won’t be obvious the Patriots are running when their main back is in the game. I think he stays in the game and becomes a dump off option on passing plays, picking up 25-30 receptions.

Rex Burkhead is making some late noise in the competition for reps at running back. Burkhead was given a chance to start in week 17 last year with the Bengals and ran for 119 yards and 2 touchdowns. He is in the same kind of mold as a Danny Woodhead, if he carves out a starting role over Mike Gillislee he could catch 40+ balls this season. As it stands now I expect Gillislee to get the most work, but I think Burkhead will have a couple big games. I have him pegged for 25 receptions, with the ability to corral a lot more with playing time.

Dion Lewis is the shiftiest of the Patriots running backs. He can make guys look downright silly out on the field when the ball is in his hands. Lewis gets banged up though and misses a lot of time, so it’s hard to envision him having a huge role. In 2014, Lewis caught 36 passes in only 7 games as the Patriots featured him a lot more that year. Given his injury history he won’t be as heavily used. However, he did manage to catch 17 passes last year in his 7 games after returning from injury. This leads me to believe Lewis will still have some sort of role. Even with the crowded backfield he could catch 2-3 balls per game.