Tag Archives: Patriots

Don’t Panic Patriots Fans!

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Put away your pitchforks and torches, estranged Patriots fans. The sky is not falling.

Patriots fans across the nation were left speechless after an astonishing loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the inaugural game of the 2017-18 season. The Patriots celebrated the unveiling of their newest banner commemorating their victory in Super Bowl 51, but their play was nothing close to the caliber of their performance back in February. A swift bout on consecutive drives energized supporters as the Patriots soared to a 17-7 lead in the second quarter. However, Gillette Stadium fell to a murmur after the Chiefs’ offensive resurgence in the second half, the Patriots fell 42-27.

The Patriots? Losing? In their home opener? Armageddon must be upon us. What happened to going 16-0 in the regular season?

The truth is that there were too many factors adding up early into this season that made being perfect impossible. The Patriot’s schedule in its own is rigorous enough to raise a few eyebrows. Tonight’s home opener against the Chiefs was one of the Pats’ true tests in the waking moments of the season. The Chiefs coming into the season are ranked as the 7th best team, per ESPN, and have only improved after adding depth into their powerful defense like linebacker Ukeme Eligwe. Other notable tough match-ups later into the season include the vengeance-seeking Falcons, and away both against the Raiders and Steelers.

The Patriot’s performance did not amount up to their Super Bowl 51 victory. However, it is noteworthy that the Patriots have become mechanically different from they were in February.

Both injuries and free agent acquisitions shook up the roster. Star reciever Brandin Cooks joined the squad as well along with running backs Mike Gillislee and Rex Burkhead.

Two of the more prevalent roster changes are that of which Rob Gronkowski returning to his starting role after dealing with injuries for the past two seasons, and Tom Brady’s go to receiver Julian Edelman suffering a torn ACL and planning to miss the entire year. Emotions for those faithful of the Patriots became high when Edelman took the field during the pregame banner ceremony.

Kansas City Chiefs v New England Patriots : News Photo

Another huge loss for the Patriots came from a surprise retirement from linebacker and defensive end Rob Ninkovich. Since his departure with the team the Patriots’ edge rushing core has been far from the same. This and the dwindling wide receiver depth has proved to be the Patriots’ challenges early on. Without a proven edge rusher adjacent from Trey Flowers the defense has shown struggling on pass rushing Week One. Dont’a Hightower seemed to be the answer to this call until he left the game with a right knee injury. Tom Brady also showed frustration after his new primary target Danny Amendola left the game with a head injury. All production thereon out came to a halt in the second half. Subsequently the team’s morale fell as their lead depleted.

Coach Belichick was blunt with his answer on how he felt the game went in his post game interview:

A new year and huge expectations for a seemingly stable squad, when really some cogs in the machine are now replacements. September for Coach Bill Belichick is a month of trial and error with his ever-changing squads each year. The first weeks of the regular season are used to revise any holes on the roster and exploit player’s strengths. Jonas Gray, Malcolm Butler, and Dion Lewis all metamorphosed before fan’s eyes by Belichick’s system.

Fear, not Patriots fans, this loss is not one that marks any end of the dynasty. Like in 2014 when critics began to echo “Brady’s time is up”, the Patriots will come back swinging. Future Hall of Famer Coach Belichick has seen situations like this before with the team and is capable of making fixes to better the squad for the future.

Did the Chiefs outplay the Patriots? Yes. Have the Patriots lost all chances to make a postseason run already after losing this game? Absolutely not.

We’re on to New Orleans.

 

The New England Patriots Dynasty

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After completing the “Drive for Five”, the Patriots have moved on to the “Blitz for Six” as if nothing ever happened last season. As if the Patriots didn’t appear in their record breaking 9th Super Bowl. As if they didn’t orchestrate the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history by coming back from a 28-3 deficit. Why? Because they reset every single season. Win or lose, they refuse to dwell on the past but rather choose to focus on the present and the future. It is this very simple aspect of their organization that has made them one of the greatest, if not THE greatest, dynasties in NFL history. Their favorite ring is indeed the next one. This mindset starts at the very top of the organization with the Krafts, and it trickles down to Belichick, then Brady and the rest of the team.

Owner Robert Kraft, President Jonathan Kraft, Coach Bill Belichick, and QB Tom Brady

BOSTON, MA – APRIL 13: From left, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, New England Patriots President Jonathan Kraft, head coach Bill Belichick, and quarterback Tom Brady hold Vince Lombardi trophies on the pitchers’ mound at Fenway Park on April 13, 2015, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

THE KRAFTY BUSINESSMAN

Let’s start with Kraft. Unlike some owners, looking at you Jerry Jones, Kraft knows to stick out of the matters at the team level. Little things like who should start at a specific position or who the Patriots should pick up in free agency. Kraft knows to stick out of this. Kraft instead focuses on the business side of the Patriots and excels at his job. For example, by the start of Kraft’s first season, every single game was sold out. To put this in perspective, this had never happened in any of the prior 34 Patriot seasons. Also, what does Kraft say almost every time they win? “This is unequivocally the sweetest one.” His favorite one changes every time they win.

Patriots head coach - Bill Belichick

HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on from the sideline during the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

THE BRAINS BEHIND THE ORGANIZATION

What is arguably Kraft’s greatest move? Hiring Bill Belichick. Bill Belichick has done something the mere mortal coaches could only dream of doing. Not only coaching a record breaking 7 Super Bowls but winning 5 of them. As GM and Coach, Belichick knows exactly who and what he’s dealing with each and every season. He resets his focus every season, builds an offense around his super-mega-uber-star QB, and builds tough defenses out of mainly non-star players. What was that chant Belichick led in the 5th Patriots parade? “No days off.” He’s focused on the next ring.

Patriots 2016-17 QBs: Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Jacoby Brissett

Jacoby Brissett, Tom Brady, and Jimmy Garoppolo (left to right) at the Patriots 2017 ring ceremony

 

THE GOAT

This finally leads us to Thomas Brady Jr. The comeback kid. Tommy terrific. THE GOAT. I firmly believe that Tom Brady is the greatest thing to ever happen to the Patriots organization. What was it that rookie-Brady told Kraft? “I’m the best decision this organization has ever made.” And he was right. If I had to count all the records Brady’s demolished, we’d be here all day, but let’s just say he’s broken almost every significant NFL record. He has the insane stats, and he’s got the rings. And the cherry on top is deep humility and his insane drive to win every single game.

Tom Brady celebrating his 5th ring and 4th Super Bowl MVP after winning Super Bowl 51

HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates after the Patriots defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

 

THE THREE KINGS

It’s these three focal points – Kraft, Belichick and Brady – and the fact that they all have the same vision that has made the Patriots the greatest dynasty in NFL history. Each the best at their respective roles, they do what’s best for the team and the organization. The Patriots are now on the Blitz for Six to cement their legacy as the greatest team ever, and we are all lucky enough to be able to witness it.

The Patriots Next Undrafted Superstar Is … ?

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Pats fans, please retweet this and if you follow me, I will follow you back. Thank you!

When it comes to finding undrafted free agents, Bill Belichick is like some shady yard sale hunter taking advantage of the other 31 General Managers. These knuckleheads clean out their basements and attics, overlooking their “junk” by practically giving it away for nothing.

Picture this: Belichick approaches the brainless GM, and asks, “*snort* How much for the *throat clear* beat-up cup?” The GM shrugs, and says, “Uhhhh. One dollar?”

Belichick hands the GM a buck, then brings the beat-up cup, which happens to be the Holy Grail Jesus Christ drank from, to an auction. He sells it for a cool billion. Meanwhile, the GM sees the cup all over the news and internet, and says, “Heyyyyyy. Dat’s my cup!”

This is yet another way that Belichick has out smarted everyone else. He makes it a point on a yearly basis to not only make certain that an undrafted player makes the team, he sometimes turns them into stars. How does this benefit the Patriots exactly?

Every year hundreds of college players who have potential go undrafted. The second the draft is over, GM’s across the league call these players in hopes of signing them to their training camp roster. Belichick now has a reputation that’s so strong in this player pool, these diamonds in the rough wait to see if Belichick calls them first, before committing to another team. Why are they keeping their fingers crossed that Belichick calls? They’re hoping The Hoodie will turn them into the next Wes Welker, or Danny Woodhead, or David Andrews, or Malcolm Butler. And trust me, there’s a ton more.

The proof of this? Out of what were considered the top 10 undrafted free agents in 2017, The Patriots signed the top SEVEN. (After all, who the hell wouldn’t want to play for the greatest franchise in sports while backstroking in the tears of Patriots Haters?) And one of these players is going to be a stud!

D.J. Killings, Jacob Hollister, Austin Carr, Adam Butler, Cole Croston, Kenny Moore, and Harvey Langi were all undrafted and signed by Belichick. Killings got injured during camp, while Carr, and Moore were released after training camp. Carr and Moore were immediately claimed by other teams, while Hollister, Butler, Croston and Langi made the Patriots roster. So amongst these players, who is the next undrafted Patriots Super Star?

Once again … the Butler did it!

Here’s what you need to know about Adam Butler. He’s #70. He went to Vanderbilt. He has lost 30 pounds since the combine. He is now a ferocious monster who will be flattening quarterbacks like a teenager with a learners-permit mowing down pylons in Drivers Ed.

While I keyed on Butler during the preseason games, I noticed he pancaked FOUR offensive lineman. To put into perspective how ridiculous this is, a “Pancake” is a college stat kept for offensive linemen who knock a defender onto their ass. Butler is a DEFENSIVE lineman who in 3 games, has knocked FOUR offensive linemen onto their Goodell’s. Three of these Pancakes were done with a bull-rush, (this is how a pancake is usually accomplished) and one was by a spin move. A flipping SPIN move!

There was also a play against the Lions where he nearly killed quarterback Matt Stafford. There was no replay of the hit, and it was barely visible because the camera followed the ball as Stafford just released the throw. But Butler had beaten his man, gained a full head of steam, and hit Stafford so hard he could taste his own jockstrap. The next camera angle showed Stafford coming back to the huddle rather gingerly. (And probably spray spitting the taste from his mouth.)

There are other indications that suggest Butler will be a breakout star. He’s nearly 300 pounds and the Pats like to play him at defensive end. Reports from training camp have buzzed about him and in the fourth preseason game when all of the backups played and every starter sat, Butler was one of the players Belichick kept off the field for the meaningless contest.

Keep an eye on this kid. He will be a force by the end of the year. This following statement will have people demanding I take a drug test: I believe Butler could be a poor man’s Bruce Smith. And trust me people, I’m as anti-drug as they come. No dope for this dope.

Pats fans, please retweet this and if you follow me, I will follow you back!

Patriots vs Chiefs Preview

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Embed from Getty Images

We are hours away from the Opening Night in the NFL. The Patriots will reveal  their fifth Super Bowl Banner then it’s game time against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Patriots are 13-17 overall against the Chiefs, but this year is a little different. The Patriots are stacked even with Julian Edelman out for the year. Chris Hogan, Danny Amendola, a healthy Rob Gronkowski,  and newly acquired Phillip Dorsett. Kansas City doesn’t really have a standout player other than Tyrek Hill, they’re wide receiver.

If you look at the Coaches Andy Reid, and Bill Belichick sorry NFL Network but I’m going with Belichick. Belichick is 201-71 since coming to New England in 2000. You’re on something if you think Andy Reid is a better coach. The quarterbacks no question I’m going with Tom Brady at 40 years old, it’s the new 25.

The running backs with White, Burkhead, Gillislee. Kansas City running backs are Kareem Hunt, and Charcandrick West. I’d take the Patriots running backs all day. The Patriots have won 9 of their last 10 season openers. There’s no way they lose this game.

I’m excited to see Stephon Gilmore, and Malcolm Butler on both sides as the corners. Malcolm singed his tender in the off season that kept him as a Patriot for this season. I’m interested at how the defensive line shakes up with the absence of Ealy who was really no big loss. You still have Flowers, Guy, and rookie Adam Butler who made the team. But the rest of the team is stacked.

I’m predicting Brady goes to Brandin Cooks for the first touchdown Thursday night. Hogan, and Amendola both have a good game and Gronkowski even catches a touchdown pass. Stephon Gilmore get’s an INT, and so does Malcolm Butler. The Patriots beat the Chiefs by a score of 31-17 and get their first win.

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Brady Is Immortal: The Madden Curse Falls on Brady’s Favorite Reciever

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When it came out back in May that Tom Brady would grace this year’s cover of Madden 18, the announcement met with a mix of support and outrage. The dreaded “Madden Curse.” Some, including Brady, say there’s no such thing as curses. Others said that he shouldn’t be on the cover. It will destroy his season. Who, can forget when Rob Gronkowski was the cover boy last year, then sidelined for the season.?

Now, Julian Edelman, Tom Brady’s best friend and most trusted receiver, done for the season with a torn ACL. You can argue about whether starters should be playing in a preseason game.  That’s not the point here. The point is that Tom Brady is immortal and turned the curse on Julian Edelman his favorite reciever and best friend.

Why do I say that? We’ll because look at how Edelman wants to be like Brady. Tom Brady has his “TB12” brand, and Edelman has his “JE11” brand. Last year Edelman was supporting Tom when Brady was on suspension saying he couldn’t wait for him to get back.

Let’s face it Brady is a 40 year old quarterback who wants to keep on playing, giving people tips that 40 is the new 25, with the fitness workout he’s on, and his meals. So back in May Brady shrugged at the “Madden Curse”  in May and pretty much said if he could go through an suspension fine, then he could make it though the season being on the cover of Madden. So if Brady is immortal to the so called “Madden Curse”  it literally went to Julian Edelman a Super Bowl hero, to a torn ACL out for season.

Roger That !! Goodell Scores a Five-Year Contract Extension

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Imagine this if you will.   Just visualize the insanity I speak of.  As the chairman of a large corporation, you have a great relationship with your board but a lousy one with all of your other employees. Probably not the recipe for a rather large contract extension you would not think? Only in the bizarro world that is the NFL would this craziness ever actually take place.

Despite all of the chaos that has occurred in the back offices, in court, and on the field, Roger Goodell has received a five year contract extension through the 2024 NFL season. Looks like money talks to the owners, really all they care about in NFL world. The extension starts at the end of his current contract, which runs out in 2019. Terms were not directly disclosed, but it is thought to be for around 40-42 million dollars annually (sorry that is not a misprint).

Goodell Still Has The Owner’s Support

Goodell took on probably the two most powerful owners in the NFL in Kraft and Jones.  But that does not seem to have cracked the foundation holding up that giant inflated head of Goodell. The owners appear to be solidly on Goodell’s side as long as the NFL machine continues to make money.

Both of Goodell’s run-ins with the Patriots (I won’t even say anything about, this I promise) and the Cowboys involved player suspensions. I personally thought that the owners would turn on Goodell like a pack of wolves with these suspensions. Brady’s four-game sentence came right out of the Dark Ages, requiring no proof if the Overlord (that’s Goodell by the way) wants things to happen a certain way. That’s enough of the old wound, Pats’ fans. The suspension that the NFL and mainly Goodell levied against Ezekiel Elliott seemed along the same lines, in my opinion. Elliott avoided a  criminal offence charge, but the NFL forged ahead with a six-game suspension. I am not saying that Elliott is a model citizen, but six games seems like a hefty suspension without the man even getting criminally charged. If the Overlord wants it to happen, then damn it make it happen, he says. Let’s not forget the  whole “Bountygate” fiasco where Goodell hung the entire Saints organization out to dry because he felt like he should.  Ridiculous.

Show Me The Money

The NFL has taken a hit in the ratings department recently, but that does not stop the cash from flowing into the NFL vault. The league makes bushels from TV rights, merchandise sales, multimedia rights, and ticket sales, the rationale for owners signing Goodell to the whopping extension. If the owners are making money and Goodell takes the flak for all of the stupid moves he makes, then they will welcome him with open arms.

Another reason that Goodell gets the owners’ blessings?  There will likely be labor unrest when the current CBA ends in 2021. Goodell and the owners previously locked out the players and hammered out a deal that has benefited the owners handsomely. The players got screwed in the current CBA and the owners made out like champs, and this is what the owners are hoping for again. I will bet you that the whole mess of guaranteed contracts will be the stickiest point for the two sides to deal with, That will be a nasty negotiation and may require a long work stoppage.

Can The Clown Negotiate A New TV Deal?

Goodell’s biggest challenge, outside of the new CBA, will be negotiating the new TV contracts for the NFL. The cable companies have crapped the bed and only the major networks will be carrying around any cash for the NFL. I do not see how they will be offering the enormous dollar figures that the league has become accustomed to. Let’s see how Goodell will spin that around to make it look like someone else’s fault.

To sum things up, you can be a gem of a person to your immediate superiors who are the NFL owners and you will receive a great new contract. It does not matter that you treat the actual employees of the company (the players) like a herd of cattle.  Goodell does not believe that the growing body of evidence that playing football causes head injuries has merit.  This fact alone makes Goodell a major idiot in my books. How can you deny something so obvious?   Simply ridiculous to believe otherwise. Oh yeah, because the owners want him to think that way. Goodell might be an ass, but he is a rich one that is way up the owners’ butts.

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.

 

Recap of the Patriots’ First Preseason Win in Detroit

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Tonight’s game was a bittersweet game for the Patriots as they earned their first victory of the preseason against the Detroit Lions. Players showed evident improvement this week as they continue to prepare for the regular season.

A fast-paced start from the Patriots’ starting offense was quickly brought to a halt, at the sound of a whistle for an injury timeout. Julian Edelman went down in the opening minutes of the first quarter with an apparent knee injury and was shortly carted off into the locker room.

Ian Rapoport and mutliple sources have reported after the game’s conclusion that Edelman has suffered a torn ACL, and will undergo an MRI in the days to come.

With Edelman’s season likely over prematurely, fellow wide receivers Chris Hogan and Danny Amendola are expected to step up. Whoever takes over the role left vacant by Julian Edelman will likely run more complicated routes in the middle of the field, rather than simple fly routes like Brandin Cooks.

On a more optimistic note, on the other side of the field, the Patriots’ defensive starters showed marked improvement in this game compared to their last two matchups. Stephon Gilmore had a great performance early in the game, while only batting down a pass and recording a tackle he showed success in covering his assignment. The starting defense as a whole made key stops in order to shut out the Lions starters in the first quarter.

The backup defense appeared better this week, but the secondary squad allowed a comeback in the second half against the Lions starters. The influx of points let up by the backup squad was expected by Coach Belichick, but he saw it as a challenge for them.

Overall, the Patriots are showing the growth and development needed to live up to their high expectations this season.

New England Patriots v Detroit Lions : News Photo

 

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.

Recap of the Patriots’ Preseason Week 2 Loss in Houston

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The Patriots returned to Houston for the first time since their Super Bowl victory at NRG Stadium 195 days ago. The memory of that monumental win (including some confetti left over from the game), still sat fresh in the minds of Patriots’ veterans and coaches. Unfortunately, the outcome of the preseason match-up against the Texans did not live up to the team’s expectations. Though, still early in the preseason, the Patriots have shown struggles on both sides of the field. At the same time they have shown hints of talent in certain positions. This is to be expected to happen when the team inserts players into certain schemes or situations in a game to see their long term worth. These are the most prevalent aspects to take away from this loss:

Rex Burkhead Rolls with the Starting Offense

Burkhead showed early that he can keep up with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’s interchangeable game plan. He made a short appearance in the game lining up in the backfield, however performed well as a receiving back for Tom Brady. Rex ran for 20 yards on seven attempts but his stats were more impressive catching the ball, racking up 50 yards and a touchdown from 3 catches. Burkhead’s highlight of the game was being able to pull away from his defender in the second quarter to easily haul in a touchdown pass from Tom Brady.

Rex Burkhead is slated to become a special teams threat and has the potential to make plays like this, accumulating reps from both on the ground or in the air. Rex has strong competition at the running back position behind Mike Gillislee, James White, and Dion Lewis, but he can serve his purpose in special situations on offense for the Patriots. He is stocky and quick enough to run the ball in on the goal line, and at the sametime share reps with James White as a receiving back.  

Defensive Breakdown

So far in this preseason the Patriots defense has been less than perfect. The backups have looked sluggish and have struggled to make plays. Two missed tackles on a slant route in the third quarter led to a whopping 63 yard gain for Texans’ D’Onta Foreman. A short pass that turns into a huge gain is never pretty for a defense, especially backups fighting for a job.

The drive ended with another defensive breakdown where Kony Ealy failed to bring down Deshaun Watson in the backfield. Deshaun Watson then capitalized by running up the middle of his offensive line and into the endzone with ease. Kony Ealy is presumed to start at defensive end, mistakes like this should be corrected before the season starts.

Malcolm Butler, another starter for the defense, gave up a touchdown in broken coverage in the first quarter. This is an issue which certainly needs to be worked on before the regular season begins.

New England Patriots v Houston Texans : News Photo

Offensive Line Looks  Lost

The backup offensive line did not protect Jimmy Garoppolo to their best ability to say the least. Defensive pressure and failed coverage led Garoppolo to make some mistakes against the Texans. He gave up a fumble due to a failed blocking assignment in the third quarter and more of the same lead to an interception in the early stages of the fourth. In general Garoppolo did fairly well despite the turnovers. It definitely would have helped if he had more time to set up in the pocket from play to play. Offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia transformed the Patriots’ offensive line back to its former dignity in his first season back with the team last year, but this preseason has shown some regression with the backups, showing he has some work to do in next week’s practices.

Cyrus Jones Impresses as Return Man

Cyrus Jones has actively been trying to fix his special teams problems from last season. In his rookie season he fumbled the ball five times and was ultimately pulled from the return team. This preseason, the Patriots have been giving him chances to return the ball again, and has so far impressed coaches. After the game Coach Bill Belichick praised Cyrus’s work, saying to the press, “I though Cyrus did a good job in the return game, both in punts and kickoffs. Ran hard. Ran aggressively. Made good decisions with and without the ball. Had a couple of situations where the ball either hit the ground or was going out of bounds. I thought he did a nice job”.

Coach Belichick’s words might translate into Cyrus regaining his returning role back, and certainly will help him gain opportunities to return the ball for the team in the final two preseason games.

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