Archives for August 2, 2016

We’re five training camp practices into the 2016 Patriots season and while we’re far from knowing anything definitive, we can start to get a sense of how things are shaping up for this campaign. Here’s 10 thoughts on what we’ve seen so far.

1. Shea McClellin has continued to work as defensive end, while Rob Ninkovich has continued to see time at linebacker, which makes me wonder about the Pats depth at linebacker. It was one of the priority areas to fill this offseason as I saw it, especially with Jerod Mayo retiring. Jonathan Freeny struggled to get off blocks as the middle linebacker in fill-in duty last year and I’m not too psyched about seeing more of that. I thought McClellin would slide right in at linebacker, the position he seemed to settle into the last two seasons in Chicago. I’m sure things will be fluid with how the linebackers and defensive ends play, but if the Pats start getting gashed on the ground, you wonder what their regular personnel will look like, whether it’s a 4-3 or 3-4, both of which you’ll see at times.
2. I’m really trying to warm myself up to the fact that Donald Brown could be a significant part of the team’s plans early in the season, at least until Dion Lewis returns to the fold. Along with MLB, RB was one of the biggest needs I saw this offseason and I really wanted to attack both spots in the draft. Rich Hill had this piece on Brown which made me feel a little better about him. I just don’t want to see the offense end up as one-dimensional as it was at the end of last year and there isn’t much more depth this year even at this point.
3. I’m trying to contain my snark on Aaron Dobson because there really would be nothing better than seeing him live up to his draft status and add an element of size that the offense could use on the outside. But here’s the thing — I never thought Dobson fit the Patriots offense. Look at the receiver who have been successful in this system. If they’re not small, shifty and instant open, they’re physical with reliable hands. Dobson doesn’t really fit either of those molds. He’s a good red zone target, where his success in practice is showing up, but I need to see more of him in the open field. If he’s catching the ball with his hands (something Tom E. Curran said he still wasn’t doing earlier this week) and not immediately falling down after making catches in the preseason we could be on to something.
4. DeAndre Carter has been this year’s little guy who’s just making plays and I’m excited to see if he can light it up in game, especially if he’s getting extended snaps with Tom Brady. Either him, Keshawn Martin or Chris Harper should be groomed as potential Edelman/Amendola replacements with a roster spot. And with Martin missing some time with an injury the door appears to be open if Carter can show something.
5. Chris Long has been getting lots of time as an interior rusher. It seems clear how things are shaking out at defensive end, as Sheard seems like he’ll slip into the RDE spot for Chandler Jones, while Ninkovich and perhaps McClellin see time at the other spot. Long will take the role Sheard had early last year as the top designated pass rusher. Perfect role for Long at this point. He can ease into things, worry less about injury since his run defense snaps are limited, and focus on what he’s done best over his career — getting after the passer. I continue to believe the pass rush will be better this year with this main trio of DEs.
6. The rookies are earning a ton of praise, with Joe Thuney, Cyrus Jones and Malcolm Mitchell leading the way. But don’t rule out Ted Karras at right guard either. After Jonathan Cooper went down, Karras got significant reps there, though Josh Kline saw time with the 1s last night. Shaq Mason is being eased back too and will be in the mix. Thuney however seems like he just might be a lock to step into the starting left guard spot ala Logan Mankins as a rookie in 2005. Jones has shown up well in the kick and punt returns and that will take some heat off of Edelman and Amendola in that regard.
7. Reports have been up and down on Chris Hogan, who suffered a shoulder injury on Sunday and was not seen on Monday. I’ve seen everything from Hogan being a perfect fit to others saying he might not make it on the field in two-receiver sets. Certainly any time he misses doesn’t help, though the belief is that his injury is nothing significant. Overall it’s a little disconcerting that the Patriots two prize offseason free agency signings aren’t exactly showing up like we thought they might. Still early of course, but I’ll have eyes on both Hogan and McClellin all preseason.
8. Gronk and Bennett have looked unstoppable for good portions of training camp so far and that’s what we really expected. Now we just hold our breath and pray both have full healthy seasons in them. If they both have 19 games in them, look out because records will be falling. Even if one of them misses some games here and there the offense should still be in pretty good shape. But what it’s all about is having those two guys feeling good in early February. Not sure who could stop them if they do.
9. Not much mention of Tre Flowers, Rufus Johnson and Geneo Grissom yet. All three should get significant looks as far as the long-term health at the defensive end position. At least two of them should make the team, though Grissom is the only one who plays special teams. That helps his chances to make the team, but muddies how much we can project of him in the defense. In that regard, Flowers could be the heir apparent should anything happen to the top three guys. These are three important players that I’ll have a microscope on in preseason.
10. Kamu Grugier-Hill has been drawing a lot of praise, but he also falls into that category of not being quite sure what his ceiling in the defense is. Sure, he will probably end up a significant special teams player and those are important, but I’m more curious what his role is on defense. Is he Patrick Chung? Or is he truly a linebacker?