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Archives for August 30, 2021

Patriots Roster Projection 2.0

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Preseason is over, the Patriots finished 3-0 during the now shorter schedule with wins over Washington, Philadelphia, and New York. By 4pm EST tomorrow, the roster will be trimmed down to 53 players, as league rules demand.

Here’s my final 53-man roster projection:

Quarterback (2)

Cam Newton
Mac Jones

PUP – Jarrett Stidham

I have just two QB’s to start the season as I think Stidham will still be on PUP, no place for Hoyer either, whilst his experience is valuable, I can’t see the team using a roster spot on him. Potentially a practice squad addition?

I wouldn’t rule out Stidham being cut tomorrow either, he’s clearly not in the team’s long-term plans.

Running back (5)

Damien Harris
Rhamondre Stevenson
J.J. Taylor
James White
Jakob Johnson (FB)

A couple of weeks ago, I had six backs making the roster, but with Sony Michel traded to the Rams last week, I’ve decided to only keep the other five originally selected.

Damien Harris has established himself as the lead back with Stevenson and Taylor showing remarkable improvements over the last couple of months. James White will be the go-to pass-catcher in the backfield, Jakob Johnson is the team’s fullback.

Wide receiver (5)

Nelson Agholor
Kendrick Bourne
Jakobi Meyers
N’Keal Harry
Gunner Olszewski

Whilst Harry’s future is still up in the air, his injury won’t have helped his trade value, I can’t see him being moved right now and it makes no sense to cut him as he’s still on his rookie deal. Agholor, Bourne, and Meyers are locks. Olszewski makes the team for his return ability alone, he needs to work on his pass-catching.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see the team bring in a new face from waivers or the trade block.

Tight end (4)

Hunter Henry
Jonnu Smith
Devin Asiasi
Matt LaCosse

Four TE’s make it, and the first three are locks. LaCosse was injured during joint training with the Eagles, if he’s fit, he makes it on as the fourth option. The team will want to utilize multiple tight-end formations, but they need this group to stay healthy. Don’t be surprised to see the team active on the waiver wire/trade market in the next week or so.

Offensive line (8)

David Andrews (C)
Ted Karras (C/G)
Shaq Mason (G)
Isaiah Wynn (T)
Trent Brown (T)
Michael Onwenu (G/T)
Justin Herron (G/T)
Yodny Cajuste (T)

Eight make my final total for the offensive line, the majority are locks, but Yodny Cajuste is the one addition to the list I put in my first projection a couple of weeks ago. Cajuste had a strong finish to camp and for my money has earned his spot on the roster.

Rookie Will Sherman never made any strides to earn a spot, the likes of James Ferentz and Alex Redmond could be practice squad candidates.

Defensive line (6)

Henry Anderson
Christian Barmore
Lawrence Guy
Davon Godchaux
Deatrich Wise Jr.
Carl Davis

Christian Barmore has been really fun to watch in the preseason games, his strength stands out among all else as time and again he’s caused major disruption in the pocket against opposition QB’s. Henry Anderson makes the team, along with Guy and Godchaux, who I think will have a good year against the run. Deatrich Wise signed a big deal in the offseason, he’s not going anywhere, and Carl Davis is in for depth.

Linebacker (7)

Dont’a Hightower
Kyle Van Noy
Matt Judon
Josh Uche
Chase Winovich
Ronnie Perkins
Ja’Whaun Bentley

This is the position that will be fun to watch this year. The top four are locks, I have no interest in Winovich leaving, he makes my roster, I think he can have a big role this season, but, a small part of me thinks he may get traded. Perkins is in after a fairly quiet first camp for him, and Bentley, who’s had some flashes in the preseason, completes the group.

[Read more…] about Patriots Roster Projection 2.0

Preseason closes as the Patriots head to the Big Apple and take a bite!

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A win is a welcome sight, like that first cup of coffee after a sleep deprived evening watching your favourite team play.

But it is all about perspective, as I may have said before. Perception, a 22 – 20 win over the New York Giants that didn’t look easy. Concerns for the Patriots future, you bet your butt I have some.

That’s not to say they played terribly, but even after three preseason games, on the cusp of the commencement of the 2021 regular season, there are a lot of questions to be answered in New England.

I’m not really going to go into the quarterback kerfuffle because it’s the longest topic we have seen since Tom Brady had a dynasty, and even though a lot of people feel that from the way Mac Jones played (pretty decent, not great, not awful) and from how many snaps Cam Newton took, nine by the way, Cam Newton is probably going to be the regular season starter. When asked if he had decided who will be QB1 come September 12th, Coach said no.

So I shall refill my coffee mug and move right along folks!

Right now fans are wondering who is going to make the roster of 53 tomorrow, and a guy I thought maybe wasn’t as much on the bubble as he was last year is Gunner Olszewski. 

Unfortunately, his performance last night does not fill me with confidence. Now into his third Patriots year Gunner seem to struggle, and with some of the “bread and butter” of his position. A lovely throw from Mac Jones that hit his hands — the wide receiver should have caught that. 

Michael Jackson Sr was a name I heard all over the place at camp, and in a good way. However, last night was not his night, and that’s not great when you’re a “bubble guy.” He was in a multitude of unfortunate situations and penalties such as defensive holding and too many men on the field, and that helps bring a guys stock down. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a slight on him, it always sucks when players have to get cut. My perspective is the way he played last night may be unfortunate timing. 

Defense was something that was added to considerably in the off season and with some nice big bodies. Henry Anderson was one such nice big body. However, I don’t feel I have been delivered as promised. I was really excited to see this guy but it’s been so quiet surrounding him. I’m unsure if it’s just the addition of too much depth and he hasn’t really had his chance, or if he just hasn’t sparkled. But I have to admit I am concerned that a guy I thought would be a lock, may find himself out in the cold come Tuesday night. 

But hey I’m not all full of negativity this Monday morning! And whilst I’m trying to be full of coffee, I have still plenty of optimism left in the tank. 

Speaking of coffee, a player full of beans that pleased (ha! You see what I did there? Okay… Anyway…) was definitely J.J. Taylor. I was in on this kid last year and this year he just looks explosive. Small and compact with such power, Taylor wasn’t just sparkling, he was on fire!

It’s no secret the run game is a Patriot thing, and another running back who has really shown promise is Rhamondre Stevenson. His name popped up on the call sheet significantly too this game. I think I’m going to do one of those Cam Newton nickname thingies again and dub this kid Steamerson, this kid steams through the defense!

With some uncertainty at the cornerback position (I’m not getting into all the Gilmore stuff this morning, let’s just put uncertainty there and leave it at that), D’Angelo Ross really stepped up and played for his job. His tackle on the Giants’ tight end Evan Engram for an interception was delicious. If uncertainty continues to plague the position as well as injury, Ross may have put himself in a good position with his efforts last night.

Another player that stepped up during position depletion due to injury is Devin Asiasi. I will be honest here folks, although they may call me the Empress of Tight Endage (there’s also the Queen of TE’s, the Baroness of Blockers… it’s all in good fun) but I was ready to cut Asiasi whilst pondering my own 53.

I know I know some of you will say how unrealistic that may be considering the lack of healthy tight ends we have presently and the fact that he is a second year third round drafted player. But in my defense, I hadn’t seen much from this guy to get me excited and that what I wanted to see. Perhaps he got wind of me cutting him because last night he played great. Catching a back shoulder field route from Mac Jones, 4 receptions for 64 yards over all, Devin Asiasi may just find himself on ClazzyClare’s 53 man roster.

But in all seriousness now, Asiasi had been possibly dealing with the after effects of suffering from COVID as well as not the best first season a rookie can have training camp and experience wise. Many people have many good things to say about him and I think maybe last night he finally got the opportunity to display that.

So there you have it you lovely Patriots fans, the preseason is in the bag with a nice unblemished score card too. Let’s move forward with a little perspective, there’s still a lot to do and a lot of answers to find, but its Monday and it’s time to fill up your coffee mugs and just enjoy.

Go Pats!