PatsPropaganda

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Tom Shaw-Mellors

Belichick Conference Call – We’re on to Training Camp

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Fresh from his yearly postseason break in Nantucket, Bill Belichick graced fans and reporters with his presence during a conference call this afternoon. It’s been the first time we’ve been able to hear from the HC since the Draft in April. Let’s recall what’s happened since we last heard from Bill.

Firstly, James Develin’s decision to retire in late April, the shock Cam Newton signing, and more recently, the six players who decided to opt-out of the upcoming season.

Players weren’t the only changes, this past week the team announced it’s coaching staff adjustments for the new campaign, one of which included Bill’s son Brian, who has been promoted from assistant coach, to take over the safeties position.

I can’t wait for the envy in teams to grow, it’s hard enough planning to get the upper hand on one Belichick, let alone three.

So what were the conference call talking points?

Bill Belichick during his conference call 07/31
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Let’s talk Fullbacks

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Following the retirement of James Develin this offseason, the hope would have been for Danny Vitale to help fill the void in the backfield. We all know how Belichick can use the position to great effect. Whilst the offense may look different this season, the Patriots Fullback position will still be a vital need for the run game.

So who’s in contention?

Jakob Johnson

  • (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Clearly, Johnson would be a safe bet to fill the role if he continues to improve and can stay healthy. The 6-foot-3, 255lb German became part of the roster under the NFL’s International Player Pathway system in 2019. He was only able to make three starts last season before being placed on IR with a shoulder injury.

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Two Patriots opt-out of upcoming NFL season

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As reported first by Jarrett Bell for USA Today, newly acquired FB Danny Vitale is opting out of the upcoming season over Coronavirus safety fears. Guard Najee Toran has also taken the option to sit out the year.

To be honest, it’s hardly a surprise that Patriots players have exercised this option, but now the concern for coaching staff will be if more players follow. I hate to speculate, but rumors are also circulating that Marcus Cannon is considering his options regarding an opt-out.

Under the agreement, players who decide to opt-out of the season will be paid a stipend salary of $150,000.

The first NFL player to opt-out was Chiefs starting RG Duvernay-Tardif who has given up around $2.6 million to sit out the season and help the fight against COVID-19 in his local community.

By no means can you blame any player that decides to sit out the season, it’s a crazy world right now and football certainly isn’t the most important thing.

But as a football fan, it will be worth keeping an eye out for any further movement on this leading up to the opt-out deadline on August 3.

Hello from (Old) England!

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Growing up in the UK, you’d need to go out of your way to find the NFL.

I first discovered the Patriots during the 2012 season, It was the first time I’d followed a team for more than one regular-season game. The first game, a win over the Jets in OT thanks to a Stephen Gostkowski field goal. The second, a 45-7 thrashing over the St Louis Rams when they played at Wembley Stadium. Oh, and do you remember Gronk’s changing of the guard TD spike before 84,000 British fans in London? I do, I was hooked.

Gronk spike at Wembley in 2012
Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

You know those awkward icebreaker introductions at the start of a job interview? Yep, here it comes.

I’m Tom Shaw-Mellors or ‘TSM’. I’m from Nottingham UK, home of the mighty Notts County FC (soccer fans if you look them up, yes, I’m aware they’re not very good). I’ve been away from writing since I finished my degree in Sports Journalism back in 2018. University was a great time for me to follow and understand the sport in greater depth, I also played 3 years for my college football team as an offensive tackle.

Due to the current situation going on in the world, I’ll be working from home until 2021. Luckily enough, I’ve been given this great opportunity to offer you all new Patriots content as we head into the 2020 training camp!

I’ll be providing content on current/future international players on the team, as well as offering an alternate viewpoint on the organization as a whole. We’ll also be covering breaking team news as it happens, because, as you all know, there’s never a dull moment following the Patriots.

You can follow me on Twitter @ShawMellors, and make sure you follow @patspropaganda for all of our content as soon as it’s posted!

2020 Season – L F G