Analysis

Tonight the Patriots will play their fourth and final game of the 2016 preseason, and if they can just get through this one without an injury they’ll have escaped an entire summer without a season-ender. That’s pretty impressive and of course, the injury risks are somewhat lessened because most of the big names will see limited, if any, action.

But let’s not get too excited yet, because who knows what Belichick’s plans are for Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo. Both players could play and anytime the (two) starting quarterback(s) play in the preseason, I’m holding my breath.

Julian Edelman travelled with the team as well and if he enters the game that’s one to hold your breath for as well. Otherwise it should be a scrubfest and there’s not a ton we can take from anything we see.

Still, for all the debate that rages in Patriots nation right now, all that really matters are injuries. Tell me in January how many guys are on Injured Reserve and I’ll tell you exactly how the Patriots season went and what their Super Bowl chances are. I know this is the boring take, but it’s the truth.

That’s where the Patriots are now. They’re a hand-picked, finely-tuned football team that is better coached than any one else. The only way they don’t make it within a play or two of their fifth Super Bowl is if the wrong guys get hurt.

While people invent talking points like Brady hating Garoppolo (or whatever it is they’re saying because I don’t really listen to it) or Marcus Cannon being little more than a turnstile in a Patriots jersey, it’s all just noise. And as I love to say here on the blog, Ignore the Noise.

So let’s just try to enjoy one last mostly-stress-free football games before things get intense.

Here are some things to keep an eye on and some ramblings on what’s about to go down over the next four days.

[Read more…] about Random Pats Musings on the Final Preseason Game of 2016 (and more)

So much in motion these days it’s hard to stay on top of it all. And just after you write someone off as retiring or getting traded they unretire or their trade is negated when they fail a physical. Yes, I look forward to things next week, when we get back on a firm schedule and the roster movement is more contained.

Of course that won’t be the case this weekend, when there’s a good chance the Pats add some player currently on another roster who steps in and immediately plays a significant role. No, that player isn’t on anyone’s 53-man roster projection right now, and that’s what always makes Labor Day weekend so exciting.

Except when it’s something like Richard Seymour getting traded to the Raiders.

Here’s a catch up of everything that’s been going down and a rough guess at who the roster locks are right now.

[Read more…] about Tuesday Pats Roundup

Two weeks from today, the New England Patriots will take the field in Arizona to face the Cardinals and get their 2016 campaign under way. Yes, the excitement is palpable.

As I touched on in the Posits after the game, I kind of find it funny how there’s a sizable portion of the fanbase, fanned by many voices in the local media, freaking out about Jimmy Garoppolo. It’s four games people. The Patriots season will not be lost or broken in those four games unless there’s a season-ending injury to someone important.

Garoppolo won’t be perfect, but he should play safe enough to keep every game winnable. Yes, the defenses he’ll face are all pretty good. But you also have to like how the Patriots’ defense matches up with the opposing offenses. And let’s remember the Pats have started 2-2 in two of the last four seasons, WITH BRADY.

All I really care about is the team that we’ll take into the playoffs, so all this freaking out about Garoppolo seems pointless. And again, if he doesn’t turn the ball over, the Pats will have a chance to win every game.

Here’s some holdover thoughts after re-watching Panthers game…

[Read more…] about Sunday Almost-Fun Day: Pats Leftovers

Before I begin my “What we watched, what to watch piece”, I just want to ask a question, I know we’re all hopped up on outrage about the latest whatever, but seriously, can everyone chill the f— out?

In the last week, there’s been plenty of unnecessary spikes in blood pressure for Patriots fans.

First, it was the Dion and Vollmer news. Driving to work, I received texts that read simply: “Dion.” Then right after. “Vollmer.” I jumped on Twitter, nearly crashing my car, assuming both players had murder/suicided each other.

For perspective, read Mike’s piece. My take: Vollmer has been injured a lot in his professional career, so the team has prepared for this eventuality and likely think Cannon (under Scar) can fill in capably. And Dion Lewis was coming back from an ACL that he tore November 8th last year. While we’ve been spoiled by quicker returns (see Alien Gronk), it can take up to a year to return from ACL surgery and with a setback Lewis will be back within a calendar year.

Then there’s the absurd press conference hubbub to explain Brady’s absence over the last few days. Obviously there’s nothing to see here, but that doesn’t stop the Hucksters from hucking. The hucksters of Boston are numerous, but just as numerous are the smart objective and analytical takes that you can find on any number of sites, and certainly at Pats Propaganda with Mike and the rest of our crew. Just because we’re addicted, doesn’t mean we need to go buy the cheap stuff under the bridge.

Just a reminder, the Patriots made it to the AFCCG game last year (and nearly won) without either Lewis or Vollmer. Let’s all take our beta-blockers, a hit on the hookah and remember that Brady and Belichick nearly won a Super Bowl with Reche Caldwell as the primary weapon. Reche Caldwell!

Thanks for indulging: On to what we watched and what to watch…

[Read more…] about Review/Preview: 5 Things We Watched & 5 Things to Watch