Tag Archives: Patriots

The Patriots back at minicamp

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The Patriots take the field

The Patriots started mandatory minicamp this week. Quarterback Tom Brady took the field once again as he turns 42 in August. Brady didn’t take part in OTA’s for the second straight season, but worked out with a few receivers and by himself to prepare for minicamp. Tom Brady looked sharp and hasn’t looked like he’s missed a step. Brady has already worked with N’Keal Harry and Julian Edelman at his home, but it’ll be interesting to see how they connect as offseason workouts go on.

They have some work to do at the Tight End position

With Rob Gronkowski retired and Austin-Seferian Jenkins released their tight end position is thin. Benjamin Watson is also suspended for the first four games of the season. When Watson does comeback though, hopefully the chemistry between him and Brady is pretty solid and he can get some good production. They’ll also miss Gronkowski’s blocking. He was such a big guy to have block when running backs or receivers were headed his way with the ball.

The Patriots secondary is also pretty solid. Lots of leadership between Patrick Chung, Stephon Gilmore, and the Mc.Courty brothers. That defense helped the Patriots win their sixth Super Bowl in February. They also have Michael Bennett, who can help as a pass rusher. Bennett had nine sacks last season, and hoping to have more this season. He is very open to the media, which is non Patriot like, so we’ll see what happens if the Patriots turn him around. If he wants to win he’ll just listen and say what he’s told to say.

Before you know it training camp will be starting and it will be August. The Patriots really have everything going for them heading into the season. They are coming off another Super Bowl victory and get their rings on Thursday night. It should be a fun year with the chance at another Super Bowl run.

The importance of Julian Edelman

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Julian Edelman Is a Massive asset for the Patriots

Julian Edelman’s impact on the Patriots is massive. The three-time Super Bowl Champion, and most recently Super Bowl MVP, has come up in big spots in big games. He’s also earned the trust of quarterback Tom Brady. Edelman brings that power and drive to the offense on the receiving side, and the chemistry between him and Brady is so good it’s the best in the league. He has a career 30 touchdowns and 5390 yards. His memorable catches are many, especially during the Super Bowl win against the Falcons.

Edelman comes up in big spots

When the offense was struggling last season it was Edelman who stepped up big and delivered, just as online gambling sites anticipated. He and Brady always stay on the same page and workout together consistently. Without Edelman Brady would have few reliable targets to throw too. If defenders double cover Edelman it makes way for other receivers to step up and get open. Edelman can do anything from running, catching, and even throwing. When Amendola was on the team, those two had great chemistry and made defenses work harder.

Via Boston Herald

First-round pick N’Keal Harry is already working with Edelman and Brady. Edelman can teach the new guys techniques and advantages they can use during the games. Harry is learning from the best. From the coach all the way to the players. As Edelman singed his contract extension last week, it’s clear he’s here because Brady is here and they both want to win more championships. Without Edelman, it would be much harder for Brady to find guys open and get the offense going. Edelman finished the Super Bowl with 10 catches for 140 yards. It was very low scoring, but he was always in the right place at the right time.

The Super Bowl catch against the Atlanta Falcons will go down as the greatest Super Bowl catch of all time. It is even better than the David Tyree catch in Super Bowl XLII. The Tyree catch is probably second, but in general, having number 11 on the Patriots is so huge. Brady is going to be 42 in August and needs a reliable receiver out there catching passes and making big plays. Julian Edelman sure is that.

Image Credit: NESN.COM

Does it matter Tom Brady misses OTA’s?

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Tom Brady skipping offseason workouts for the second straight season

Tom Brady for the second straight year is missing OTA’s. Last year he also missed to have more family time and prepare for the season his way. He went to TB12 last year and worked out in the practice facility. Another reason he skipped was the tension last off-season. His play dropped a little, but they still won the Super Bowl. If it was any other quarterback he would face criticism, but because of how much he’s won he can do whatever he wants.

Brady has different Receiving and Tight End groups from last year. First round draft pick N’Keal Harry will have to wait until minicamp to work with the Hall of Fame quarterback. Brady, before Garoppolo got drafted, raved about going to the offseason workouts and how it helps connect with your teammates. By missing OTA’s, Brady will be behind with his new Receiving group. Now that he’s been to the Super Bowl four times since Garoppolo got drafted he probably thinks he can do just as good on his own workout plan.

Brady also wants to have more time with his family, which he expressed last season. The off-season workouts give him less time with his family as they just won the Super Bowl three months ago. Brady’s the type of player who really is above it all. He’s earned that though with the number of success he has.

The difference between this offseason and last offseason is that there’s no drama. They just won the Super Bowl so people aren’t really talking about Brady skipping OTA’s. I’m sure he’ll be fine, and hopefully have a better connection with his receivers than last year. Thomas, Harry, Edelman, Dorsett, and Gordon when he comes back, is a solid Receiving core.

Patriots sign N’Keal Harry to a rookie deal

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N’Keal Harry could be a great receiver for the Patriots

The Patriots have signed their first-round pick N’Keal Harry to a four year $10 million contract. In three seasons with Arizona, Harry had 73 receptions for 1,088 yards and nine touchdowns. He will compete for a starting position at Wide Receiver with Julian Edelman, Deymarius Thomas, Phillip Dorsett, etc. Harry seems to want to learn the Patriot system and how to be a great player in the league. He has a future Hall Of Fame quarterback throwing to him, and great veteran receivers guiding him in the right direction.

He’ll be learning from the best organization in the league

Harry has met with the media and can’t wait to get to work. He spoke at minicamp saying “The way they did things, like I said earlier, it’s a great organization. They’ve obviously won a lot of Super Bowls and there’s a reason for that. So when I came here for the visit, I just felt like there was something different. There was a different approach and a different mentality.” With Rob Gronkowski retired, Harry will have to be a factor to make some plays for the offense. He also brings some young talent on the team, and can run fast to get open.

He wants to get pushed around by coaches and Brady. That’s the only way he’s going to get better as a player. Getting coached hard can make him a better person on the field and off it. Also with how he handles the media and saying the right things. If Brady can find him the ball, he will get open. Brady is 42 in August, and is going to need help from his offensive line and receivers to make plays. Harry has the potential to be a great receiver for the Patriots. It’s too early to compare him to anyone, but it seems he has some talent which is great.

Bill Belichick will call defensive plays

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Bill Belichick will be the defensive coordinator

The Patriots are heading into the season without a Defensive Coordinator. Belichick called the defensive plays in 2010 before handing the play calling to Matt Patricia, who is now with the Lions. Belichick is used to calling plays on the defensive side of the ball, even before he became a head coach. Brian Flores called the defensive plays last year before taking the Miami Dolphins Head Coaching position after the Super Bowl.

Belichick has experience calling the plays on the defensive side

The Patriots will be fine having Belichick call the defensive plays. His football smarts are through the roof, and he will go down as the smartest coach of all time. He’s had so many different players in his career it’s crazy. He also knows the 3-4 defense and other defensive schemes more than any other coach in the game today. Belichick was the Defensive Coordinator for the New York Giants in 1985 under head coach Bill Parcells. The Patriots did hire Greg Schiano, but he left in March after one month on the job.

With Josh McDaniels handling the offensive side of things, they’ll be good. They’ve stacked up on Tight Ends and Wide Receivers. Belichick also has help with Jerod Mayo and Steve Belichick on the defensive side of the ball. The Patriots are coming off their sixth Super Bowl title since 2001. Question is can they head back to the Super Bowl again? The answer is most likely yes. Belichick can pretty much do what he wants because they win so much. Belichick calling the plays on the defensive side will be good because he knows the system and does what’s best for the team.

Robert Kraft shouldn’t be suspended

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Kraft shouldn’t be suspended, especially if the case is dismissed.

The Patriots are coming off their sixth Super Bowl championship. Right after that, another Patriots scandal happened involving the Patriots owner Robert Kraft. I don’t need to go into the details. We all know what happened at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa. In my opinion, Kraft shouldn’t be suspended by the league because it’s not a football issue, and also not a domestic violence issue. The Patriots won’t lose draft picks, and I really don’t think he should be fined. He could’ve gone about it a different way, like flown to Vegas or have girls come to his hotel room, but it is what it is.

I’m sure he isn’t the only rich person to do that either. Many others without mentioning names have done the same thing. The only difference is Kraft got caught and those guys didn’t. He’s done a lot for charity and for different communities, so he was stressed out before the AFC Championship Game. What’s the big deal? Everyone on the Patriots will be on Kraft’s side through all of this and not let it get in the way of the upcoming season.

The Patriots are the best at handling distractions

We all know the Patriots are the best at handling distractions. They let nothing get in their way of winning. They will continue to win to make the rest of the Country hate that the Patriots win all the time regardless of whatever distraction comes up. Robert Kraft shouldn’t get suspended. It’s not a league issue and the case could even get dismissed. So why would the league suspended him if the case could get dismissed? It makes no sense. He’ll walk away with nothing, but hopefully know that he shouldn’t go about it that way again. Fly to Vegas. He’s a billionaire, he doesn’t need to go to a strip mall for that.

Patriots going into 2019 with no tight end?

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The Patriots could enter 2019 with nobody at tight end

Bill Belichick is the smartest coach in the league. After Rob Gronkowski announced his retirement there was speculation that the Patriots would draft a tight end during the draft, but they didn’t. There’s also a strong rumor that former tight end Benjamin Watson was going to come out of retirement and join his former team. The Patriots could go into the season with no tight end, and they haven’t had that happen in awhile.

They’ve had much success at the position

The Patriots have had a tight end since the beginning of the Belichick era. From Jermaine Wiggins to Benjamin Watson and Rob Gronkowski. They really had been dominant at the position. Dwayne Allen didn’t turn out well, and the Patriots released Jacob Hollister. However, having no tight end could work. The Patriots could have five wide receivers lined up. The signing of Demaryius Thomas, and having Julian Edelman on the other side, will be good. Also when Josh Gordon returns from the suspension that adds another dominant force to the offense. Also, they have the new draft pick N’ Keal Harry, who people are already comparing to Dez Bryant and Phillip Dorsett.

They could go with five wide receivers

Tom Brady is used to having all kinds of different receivers to throw to. With him playing at an elite level still, Belichick knows Brady can handle anything thrown his way. Brady will just find the open receiver. Yes they’ll miss the blocking from Gronkowski, that just means other guys will have to step up.

That will probably be a full depth chart at receiver when Josh Gordon comes back from suspension. If he can remain on the field he would be a great factor to make plays on offense. With Brady still playing it’s safe to say they may not even need a tight end. They did win a Super Bowl without Rob Gronkowski. And who knows, he could comeback in November if he feels right. Belichick will always do what’s best for the football team regardless.

Bill Belichick knows the age and contract situation with Tom Brady

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Did the Patriots draft Brady’s successor?

  • AUBURN, AL – SEPTEMBER 15: Jarrett Stidham #8 of the Auburn Tigers looks to pass against the LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Bill Belichick drafted a quarterback higher than he did a season ago. Tom Brady is entering the final year of his contract and will be 42 in August. He is the only player left in the 2000 NFL Draft. When Belichick drafted Jimmy Garoppolo in 2014, the Patriots hadn’t won a Super Bowl since 2004. After drafting Garoppolo Belichick said we all know Brady’s age and contract situation. However, after that Brady really stepped his game up and has won three Super Bowls and had Garoppolo traded away. This time may be different, though, because I don’t see Brady playing until he’s 50.

What will drafting a QB mean for Brady?

  • FEBRUARY 5, 2019 – BOSTON, MA: New England PAtriots Tom Brady waves the Super Bowl trophy and salutes the fans on Boylston St during the rolling rally. (Staff photo by Nicolaus Czarnecki/DigitalFirst Media/ Boston Herald)

Belichick drafting Jarrett Stidham is planning for the future post Brady. He knows Brady has at least three seasons left, and they’re needs to be a plan at the position whether Brady likes it or not. Brady I’m sure will not give any hint the his job could be taken. Look at how many Super Bowls he’s been too. If anything it would motivate Brady to play at the highest level and not drop at all. The slightest drop from Brady would be the signalling the end is near for thr future Hall Of Famer.

They aren’t going to draft the next Brady but they could draft the next Garoppolo. Maybe Stidham could be the next Jimmy G, we won’t really know until we see him in games during the preseason. It’s a fact that Danny Etling will either be traded or remain on the practice squad. It’s clear he wasn’t ready for the NFL when he was drafted last year. I’m sure Stidham will be anxious and nervous to get started. But if he paid attention when Garoppolo was traded he’d know that Brady never sits the bench and plays hurt constantly.

I’m hoping for some competition like we saw between Garoppolo and Brady. Belichick had a decent draft planning for the future and getting Brady some talent at the receiver position. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Does Brady show Stidham the ropes at being a good quarterback? Or does he give him the Garoppolo treatment and let him learn on his own?

McAuliffe 3.0: Full First Round Mock Draft (With Trades)

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Here is my last mock draft before one of the most anticipated and unpredictable drafts in recent memory.

Please contact me on Twitter (@max_mcauliffe) with any questions.

First Round:

1. Cardinals

Quinnen Williams, IDL

2. 49ers

Nick Bosa, EDGE

3. Redskins (via Jets)

Kyler Murray, QB

4. Raiders

Josh Allen, EDGE 

5. Buccaneers

Ed Oliver, IDL

6. Giants

Rashan Gary, EDGE

7. Jaguars

Jawaan Taylor, OT

8. Lions

Greedy Williams, CB

9. Bills

Montez Sweat, EDGE

10. Bengals

Devin White, LB

11. Bengals

Andre Dillard, OT

12. Packers

T.J. Hockenson, TE

13. Dolphins

Jonah Williams, OT

14. Falcons

Brian Burns, EDGE

15. Jets (via Washington)

Clelin Ferrell, EDGE

16. Panthers

Cody Ford, OT

17. Giants

Dwayne Haskins, QB

18. Vikings

Garrett Bradbury, IOL

19. Titans

Marquise Brown, WR

20. Steelers

Devin Bush Jr., LB

21. Seahawks

Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S

22. Ravens

N’Keal Harry, WR

23. Texans

Chris Lindstrom, IOL

24. Raiders

Byron Murphy, CB

25. Eagles

Nasir Adderley, S

26. Colts

Christian Wilkins, IDL

27. Raiders

Joshua Jacobs, RB

28. Chargers

Jerry Tillery, IDL

29. Browns (via Seahawks)

DeAndre Baker, CB

30. Packers

Johnathan Abram, S

31. Rams

Amani Oruwariye, CB

32. Patriots

Noah Fant, TE

What to expect from the Patriots during the NFL Draft

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What to expect from the Patriots in this year’s NFL Draft

Always expect the unexpected when it comes to the Patriots and the NFL Draft which begins on Thursday. Everyone thought the Patriots were going to select Lamar Jackson in the first round last year and that didn’t happen. They didn’t select a quarterback until the seventh round in Danny Etling, who ended up on the practice squad. Realistically they probably won’t select a quarterback in the first two rounds with Brady around for another three years. Rumors suggest it’s a stronger quarterback draft next year so that might be the year they select one. Belichick always pulls something people weren’t expecting, so expect that this year.

Don’t expect them to select a quarterback in the early rounds

Via Notre Dame Insider

The Patriots need help on defense and they also need a Tight End. However, I don’t see them selecting a Tight End in the first round. Instead I see them selecting Jerry Tillery, a defensive lineman out of Notre Dame, at pick number 32. In 2017 Tillery started 13 games and collected nine tackles for losses and 4.5 sacks. He was also named AP second-team All American last season as a senior. The Patriots second pick, number 56, I’m going with Tight End Irv Smith out of Alabama. He finished last season with 44 receptions for 710 yards and seven touchdowns.

At the wide receiver position, they don’t usually select a Wide Receiver early in the draft. They do need one though, as Brady’s only consistent target on the depth chart right now is Julian Edelman. Demaryius Thomas is coming off an injury, and I want to see how he does in a game before making any assumptions as to what type of impact he’ll bring. Also, Josh Gordon is unreliable, and they have a bunch of guys that nobody’s heard of. Parris Campbell out of Ohio State could be a perfect match for the Patriots. Campbell was pretty reliable for Ohio State and appeared in 14 games last season. He recorded 90 receptions for 1,063 yards and 12 touchdowns. He could add value to the Patriots receiving core, as Brady is 42 in August and will need reliable guys at the position.

If the Patriots do select a quarterback it won’t be until late in the draft in my opinion. They have Danny Etling, who may or may not have improved from a year ago. We won’t know until the start of training camp and the preseason. In order to find the next Jimmy Garoppolo, they may have to wait until next year. Overall, though, whatever Belichick does seems to be right. And they make the Super Bowl year after year.