First announced by Jim McBride, the Patriots informed the players this morning that Cam Newton would be the team’s starting QB.
BREAKING – Patriots announce Cam Newton as starting QB, team captains
Announcement
BREAKING – Patriots releasing WR Mohamed Sanu
First reported by Ian Rapoport, the Patriots are releasing veteran WR Mohamed Sanu.
A bit of a surprise this one, initially at the beginning of camp, I thought Sanu could be a cut candidate given his poor first season in New England along with his injury issues, but following a fairly strong camp, I had him as a lock, but no more.
The Patriots acquired Sanu in a trade last year with Atlanta, where the team exchanged their 2020 second-round draft pick for his services. On reflection, fans will look back at this being one of the poorer trades of Belichick’s last decade as HC.
The release didn’t make the wire today, so there’s still a chance a team may come in to trade for him, but one thing’s for sure, his time in Foxborough is now over.
Per @patscap the release of Sanu will not inflict a dead cap hit and has created $5.75m in cap space.
Look out for my final 53-man roster projection which is being released tomorrow!
Patriots sign rookie FA WR Andre Baccellia
Following a successful workout with the Patriots on Wednesday, WR Andre Baccellia was officially signed by the team today.
Following WR Will Hastings’ exit on Friday, it was rumored that the team would bring in another body at the position.
After going undrafted this year, Baccellia signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on April 30, before being released on August 19.
Baccellia played in 48 games during his collegiate career at Washington and caught 107 passes for 1,183 yards and five touchdowns. A speedy receiver who also ran a 4.28 40 at his pro-day.
Unfortunately, now media access to practice has ended, we won’t get much coverage on the latest signing, my thoughts are that he probably won’t make the 53-man roster which is due to be cut down next weekend, a potential candidate for the PS though.
Follow the above tweet for a good thread and analysis by @GimRari on the Pats new wide-out, including some film review.
Patriots release WR Will Hastings
News coming in today that the Patriots have waived WR Will Hastings. Hardly a surprise in all fairness, Hastings has struggled to remain on the practice field following a number of absences during camp, he’s now been cut for a second time, which will probably be for good.
I wrote in yesterday’s Tweets of Note that hopes of rekindling the “Auburn connection” between him and QB Jarrett Stidham were all but over, now confirmed.
This move will drop the current roster number to 79, and following a number of WR tryouts on Wednesday, I’d expect to see a new face added over the weekend.
FA WR’s at tryouts – Andre Baccellia (University of Washington/Chiefs), Greg Dortch (Wake Forest/Jets-Panthers-Rams), Tony Gaiter (Florida International) and Matthew Sexton (Eastern Michigan)
Current WR depth – Julian Edelman, N’Keal Harry, Mohamed Sanu Sr., Damiere Byrd, Devin Ross, Jeff Thomas, Jakobi Meyers, Gunner Olszewski, Isaiah Zuber
Patriots sign K Nick Folk and DT Michael Barnett
The Patriots today announced two signings, taking the team to its 80-man roster limit.
K Nick Folk
After Justin Rohrwasser’s unusual start to camp, I felt it was only a matter of time before another K was brought into the mix, and today that became a reality at the Pats re-signed Nick Folk.
Folk, a 12-year veteran in the league, went 14/17 FG and 12/12 XP for the Patriots last season where he suited up in 7 games. With Rohrwasser dealing with an injury that may be the cause of his inconsistencies so far, a kicker battle is now set to ensue.
DT Michael Barnett
The 6-foot-4, 304-pounder out of Georgia joins the team to add depth to the d-line position. Barnett went undrafted this year after playing in 46 games over his four-year career for the Bulldogs.
Can’t expect much more than a camp bubble chance for Barnett, even with Beau Allen missing from practice so far, the position is pretty deep and he’ll need to do something spectacular to earn a spot with the time remaining.
DT depth- Adam Butler, Beau Allen, Byron Cowart, Bill Murray, Xavier Williams, Michael Barnett
Patriots acquire CB Michael Jackson from trade with Lions
First announced by the Lions themselves, the Patriots have traded an undisclosed 2022 draft pick in exchange for CB Michael Jackson.
Initially picked by Dallas 158th overall in the 2019 draft, Jackson was signed from the Cowboys practice squad by the Lions last October. During his time in Detroit, he only suited up for one game and didn’t record a defensive snap.
Per the Lions website this morning, Jackson was part of a number of cuts from their roster, but clearly, Bill Belichick didn’t want to risk losing him on waivers, so for the cost of what I would assume to be a late-round 2022 pick, Jackson is a Patriot.
The current depth at the CB position:
Stephon Gilmore
Jason McCourty
Jonathan Jones
J.C. Jackson
Joejuan Williams
D’Angelo Ross
Myles Bryant
Michael Jackson
It’s far to early to tell what this new addition will bring, Jackson was considered a good prospect coming out of college but seems to have struggled to click at the pro level.
Casting Call: Patriots Super Fan Comedic Digital Short
Excited to announce that I’ll be producing some scripted comedic content this summer and we’re immediately looking for local actors and comedians who might like to be a part of it.
For the first project, I’m reaching out first to my readers of PatsPropaganda, the most passionate Patriots fans I know. While we’d love people with acting and (possibly) improv experience, what matters most is getting authentic Patriots fans.
For this scripted digital short, we’re especially looking for funny couples! Have a spouse or significant other that’s just as passionate as you and wants to have some fun as well? Perfect! Submissions with two people who already know each other and can play a couple will get first consideration for this first episode.
Otherwise, we might match our single auditioners, who are still very much welcome, especially if they have improv/comedy experience. Future episodes can be tailored to actors we like even if they don’t quite fit episode 1.
For consideration, please send me an email (patspropaganda@gmail.com) with a link to any previous acting experience, reel, etc. If you don’t have experience but are still interested (we’ll be looking for crew too!) please feel free to send me an email! Subject: DIGITAL SHORT
For more on my non-PatsPropaganda television producing experience please visit applewood.media.
Episode 1 casting details below:
SCRIPTED PFO.com/PATSPROPAGANDA/APPLEWOOD MEDIA DIGITAL SHORT
(PFO.com Episode 1)
MALE (20s-40s): New England local, huge Patriots fan, a lovable dope kinda like Gronk.
FEMALE (20s-40s): New England local, huge Patriots fan, knows more about football than anyone in the bar.
ASSORTED COUPLES (20s-60s): New England local, passionate Patriots fans sharing a love of the team. Characters welcome.
SUBMIT HEADSHOTS/RESUME: PatsPropaganda@gmail.com, subject: DIGITAL SHORT ACTOR. Please include any personal Patriots wardrobe/props you’re willing to wear or use.
SHOOT DETAILS
— ONE mutually agreed upon afternoon shooting in a public park (approx. 1pm-5pm), Foxboro/Walpole area.
— Fully scripted, with comedic improv areas.
— Exposure/Meals/Credit/Future Consideration. UNPAID.