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Analysis

Five Patriots to Watch in Training Camp

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16 days away and the excitement for training camp is building! At this point, it’s best to take final inventory of the most critical areas of focus because once you get to the fields with 90 guys running around it can be overwhelming.

We know that the core of this Patriots team has been to four of the last six Super Bowls and if they stay healthy there’s no reason to think they won’t be right back in their ninth-straight AFC Championship.

Life without Gronk will take some getting used to and replacing two of the top three offensive tackles won’t help. But by December they should have it all figured out even if there’s some bumps in the road.

Who are the players that could bring something new and exciting to the team this year? Here’s where my eyes when camp starts.

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Patriots Position Battle Preview: Cornerbacks

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We’re just a little over two weeks from camp and it’s time to dive into the positional battles that are most fascinating. One thing about the Patriots, everyone starts on equal footing whether you’re the GOAT or an undrafted rookie. This means there are always surprises every summer, with unknowns and unexpecteds winning significant roles with the team.

The Patriots return all their starters from their 2018 Super Bowl run, led by shutdown corner Stephon Gilmore. Gilmore has had defining playoff plays in his first two seasons with the team and has firmly cemented himself as one of the best corners in the league. I still think Pats fans take him for granted but having a player like him makes things a lot easier on the rest of the defense.

In the slot, Jonathan Jones returned from injury in 2018 and immediately returned to his significant role. Jones is one of the fastest and most underrated players on the roster. He played half the defensive snaps during the season. He’s on a one-year, $3 million RFA contract, making this a big year for the 25-year-old. He could be a coveted player next offseason.

Jason McCourty returns on a two-year deal after proving to be a versatile fit at both corner and safety. He played 80 percent of the defensive snaps in 2018, however saw his playing time start to diminish in the playoffs as undrafted rookie J.C. Jackson started to emerge on the outside.

SB53 – Gilmore INT
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Projecting Roles on Patriots Defense

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Despite losing Trey Flowers and Malcom Brown, the Patriots brought in enough free agents and rookies, and have enough young veterans returning, that the 2019 squad shouldn’t miss a beat. The 2018 champs were as shutdown as any defense under Bill Belichick down the stretch, but this edition is more talented and deep.

The ability to morph in and out of different fronts and coverages defined the second dynasty defenses. How might this deep and versatile squad get deployed by Bill Belichick and the defensive staff (with unknown playcaller)? Let’s play.

The Additions

Michael Bennett has been a problematic pass rusher that Bill Belichick long coveted. Now that the Hoodie has him, expect Bennett to play to his strengths, which means getting after the quarterback from a variety of spots. The key with Bennett will be trying not to get him beat up in the run game early on in the year. If he’s still fresh in January he could produce the kind of game-changing plays Flowers has for the last three seasons.

John Simon was brought back after carving out a pass rusher role last season. If Simon can develop from there as Rob Ninkovich did he might seize a big role.

Rookie Chase Winovich could be an early contributor who can ease the early-down snaps for Bennett. Bringing an aggressive edge-setting mentality will really lock down a job for Winovich, but there’s also a good amount of competition for him.

Jamie Collins‘ return was unexpected and it sounds like Collins is right back to his old tricks within the Patriots defense. With Kyle Van Noy mastering the defense, the Patriots now have two really athletic linebackers. And that’s not including Ja’whaun Bentley, who showed a ton of promise last year before getting hurt.

Mike Pennel was one of the best run stoppers in the league last season and is a perfect fit to replace what Malcom Brown did. With Lawrence Guy coming off a career year and Danny Shelton also brought back, the middle of the defense looks solid.

Rookie Byron Cowart is another really good defensive tackle fit and could unseat Shelton.

On the back end it’s one of the most proven and deepest groups Belichick has ever had. Only rookie JoeJuan Williams would appear to have a shot at making the roster unless injuries strike.

So how will it all come together?

Run Downs/Regular

Guy and Pennel should anchor things inside when stopping the run is the priority. Behind them Elandon Roberts and Bentley should see plenty of action as the middle linebacker.

Deatrich Wise‘s development in year three is an area to watch. If Wise can emerge into an every-down edge-setting/pass-rushing end, the trickle-down effect will be immense.

The other edge spot is up for grabs after Bennett, who really should be saved from playing in the regular package. Ideally, Simon, Winovich or Derek Rivers wins the job in August. Those three should all see significant snaps early in the season at one time or another.

The outside linebackers finally have some depth, with Hightower, Van Noy and Collins all top-flight NFL players and edge setters in the run game. Collins’ return is great news for Hightower, who won’t have to play every snap right out of the gate.

The secondary core four has one question, who is CB2? J.C. Jackson? JoeJuan Williams? Jason McCourty? That will be determined in camp and the competition will only make a great secondary better.

Passing Downs/Sub

This is where the fun begins. The featured pieces upfront, Michael Bennett and Adam Butler on the line, with Hightower, Van Noy and Collins playing all kind of games behind them.

The versatility of those three linebackers is what will make the Patriots even better prepared to deal with the Chiefs this year.

After those five players, the Pats can search for the most effective combination, with Wise, Simon, Winovich and Rivers all getting opportunities. At least one should make some splash plays with the attention the linebackers will draw.

In sub, the Pats already go six deep with NFL experience and that doesn’t include the stud rookie Williams or last year’s top pick Duke Dawson. They have size, experience and an elite cornerback in Stephon Gilmore.

The key for the back-end are the safeties, especially Patrick Chung, who makes things work with his versatility. If there’s an Achilles Heel to this Patriots’ defense it might be losing Chung to injury. Having good linebacker depth is some insurance.

McCourty’s also versatile as Harmon has spent his career taking care of the back end and allowing D-Mac to move around. As a trio, there isn’t a better safety group in the NFL.

The Patriots have a veteran core that has led them to three Super Bowls and if they stay healthy there’s good reason to project this team back in the big game.

But there are still roles to be won and chances for new players to emerge. The team has a lot of really interesting depth which should make training camp fun.

As Tom Brady embarks on one of his final seasons, it’s nice to know the other side of the ball looks ready to carry things, if/when they have to and are set up to do so for a while.

Pats Posits: The Offseason Low Point Lives Up To Hype

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The end of June is the time when all those who play and follow the NFL take their vacations and any real meaningful news grinds down to a halt. Of course this is the perfect time for terrible social media debates to pop up and old friend Chris Simms was ready to strike with his latest rankings.

This time of year my superpower of not getting into pointless social media debates about who’s better is put to the test. Even if I managed to not give Chris Simms any attention other than updating that Hot Taeks History post, I was further tested by the Welker-Edelman debate.

Yes, it’s that time of year, when there’s just nothing really left to talk about so personal arbitrary rankings rule the day. At least there’s less than a month left until what I actually love most (football) starts, so let’s just try to get by until then.

Here are some Posits on those arguments and more as we start to gear up for a bunch of season preview posts starting next week.

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Patriots Trade for Tight End Michael Roberts

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In a move that should surprise exactly no one, the Patriots traded with the Lions for tight end Michael Roberts. After the departure of Austin Seferian-Jenkins, the Patriots depth was a little scary with Ben Watson facing a four-game suspension.

I wrote about the tight end situation a lot this offseason. After losing Gronk and Dwayne Allen, and trading Jacob Hollister, the Pats were in do-over mode at the position. Then, incredibly, they didn’t draft one, preferring just to add Matt Lacosse who is more of a move player, and bringing back Watson who was on the verge of retirement.

Roberts is the right fit because he’s the prototypical blocking tight end. Those aren’t sexy but they’re critical, and the Patriots really didn’t have a proven one on the roster. Watson, at this stage of his career, should be limited in his point of attack duties. Maybe Ryan Izzo can build off a solid training camp last year, he fits the mold, but Roberts gives them someone who has done it at the NFL level.

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Pats Posits: We’re on to The Void

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With the Patriots cancelling the final two OTAs and instead going on a team building paintball trip where Belichick shot Kyle Van Noy in the face, we’re now on to the worst part of the NFL calendar, aka The Void between the end of OTAs and the start of training camp.

Yes, it will be a long six weeks or so, and it’s unlikely there’s any earth shattering news. Though with this team you never know, especially when the depth at tackle and tight end still leaves a bit to be desired. Still, let’s just plan on taking a bit of a break before it’s balls to wall.

With that in mind, here’s a bunch of Posits. Tune into Patriots Unfiltered tomorrow (Thursday) from 12-2 at Patriots.com as I’m excited to be joining the guys in studio to talk Pats.

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Pats 2019 Minicamp Wrap: In It To Wynn It

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The Patriots wrapped up their mandatory minicamp on Thursday and now we embark on the six-week football void until training camp opens up.

After winning the Super Bowl for the third time in five years, this Patriots team still has much of their core still intact, but time is not on their side. That puts a spotlight into the critical spots where they are facing turnover — tight end, left tackle and wide receiver.

What have we learned about those glaring holes and everything else 2019 Pats from minicamp? Let’s break it down.

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