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Training Camp

Patriots Tweets Of Note: Training Camp Day 1

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Camp is back! This offseason has dragged along since the Draft in April, but finally, we have some football again. If you’re new here, Tweets Of Note breaks down Twitter posts of note from Pats reporters in attendance at Training Camp.

Mike D posted his obligatory training field photo early this morning, showcasing the beautiful weather over Foxborough for the first day of Training Camp.

Donning some new ‘BB’ shorts, Bill opened up his morning presser by confirming the day would be spent focusing on redzone work along with confirming that pads wouldn’t be worn until next Monday.

Not totally uncommon for the odd few players to try out on the opposite side of the ball early on in Camp, so something to watch as the days merge together on how Murray progresses on the offensive line.

Good start with no new absences for the first day, here’s hoping David Andrews, Jon Jones, Jabrill Peppers and others can get back on the field soon. Some questions still linger about James White and if he’ll be able to play a role at all this season.

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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.

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Patriots Roster Projection 1.0

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(AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Ahead of tonight’s second pre-season game in Philly, I thought it was time to have a first go at who I think will be on the 53-man roster given the current mood. Now, I’m going to include players that are actively on PUP, players already sent to the injured reserve are not included as their seasons are effectively over.

Quarterbacks – 3

Cam Newton
Mac Jones (R)
Jarrett Stidham

Notes:

Three QB’s this season, not in any particular order of depth when we know the starting job is being fought over between Mac and Cam, Stidham is still on his rookie deal so makes no sense to cut him. Hoyer, for obvious reasons, doesn’t make the cut.

Running Backs – 6

Damien Harris
Sony Michel
James White
Rhamondre Stevenson (R)
J.J. Taylor
Jakob Johnson

Notes:

J.J. Taylor squeezes onto the four locks at running back, he’s looked good so far this camp, and I think the team won’t want to risk losing if they decide to release him, a good depth option. Jakob Johnson will be the starting fullback for another season as the competition faded over the first few weeks of the pre-season.

Wide Receivers – 6

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

Notes:

This wasn’t really that difficult as there wasn’t a great deal of quality to choose from. The top three are locks and then we get to Harry, I don’t think he’s going anyway until at least mid-season or at the trade deadline, he’ll get opportunities to progress once more. Gunner and Slate make the team for the specialist roles.

Kristian Wilkerson misses out for his poorer performance in the first pre-season game and the joint practices with Philly, he’s dropped a lot of balls. It’s a real shame as I think the coaches like him.

Tight Ends – 4

Hunter Henry
Jonnu Smith
Devin Asiasi
Matt LaCosse

Notes:

To allow the Patriots to use multiple tight ends this season in various formations, they’ll need depth to support with rotation and potential injuries. Henry and Smith are obvious locks to the roster, as is Asiasi who starts his second season. Matt LaCosse left joint training against the Eagles this week with a head injury, but he makes my roster, barring any serious after-effects from the knock.

Offensive Line – 8

David Andrews – C
Ted Karras – C/G
Shaq Mason – G
Isiah Wynn – T
Trent Brown – T
Michael Onwenu – G/T
Justin Herron – T/G
Alex Redmond – G

Notes:

I did want to keep 9 for the line, but James Ferentz missed out as I needed the spot elsewhere. Business as usual for this list with Alex Redmond making the list as a depth option, but really I want to see more tonight from Cajuste, draft-pick William Sherman.

Regardless those who miss out will be in the mix to be on the practice squad, given the rules now in place to allow the team to have up to six players who have played more than two seasons on the squad.

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The 10 Patriots you should watch in tonight’s preseason opener against Washington

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Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald

Patriots football is back the Washington Football Team travels to New England! Gillette Stadium will have fans back tonight for the first time in 585 days which will be a special moment for all in attendance.

Here are 10 Patriots you should keep an eye on tonight!

1. QB #10 Mac Jones

Of course, this will be the main focus tonight, the first time that we’ve had the chance to see Mac Jones in a legitimate game scenario. Reports earlier today confirmed the game would be split between Mac and Cam, so at least we know we’ll see the first-round pick in action.

Really, I just want to see Mac get it out fast, make some completions, and show that he can move the offense. I don’t care if he doesn’t get any touchdowns, I’d just like to see some good fundamentals tonight.

Washington will be playing their starters for some of the game, so Mac will get a chance to be tested by a good defensive front, with the likes of Chase Young bearing down.

He’ll also be wearing his college number 10 jersey, as confirmed today by the team. Sorry Jimmy G.

https://twitter.com/Ryan_Spags/status/1425852332089225223?s=20

2. WR #15 N’Keal Harry

After the whole trade request debacle, Harry will be wanting to continue to help his own stock rise following a string of good practices at camp. Harry is in his third season with the team and has yet to show any signs of being a first-round talent.

Either the team wants to keep him, or they want to trade him. Regardless, I think he’ll be getting some good snaps tonight. I want to see him use his size and strength when targeted, redzone dominance, run after the catch, the stuff we’ve been hoping we’d see more of.

He really has to flash tonight and across the next few games, and because of that, you should keep an eye on number 15 all night.

3. DT #70 Christian Barmore

There was, without doubt, a buzz when the Barmore pick was announced on Draft night back in April. The top-rated defensive tackle has shown glimpses of his pass-rushing power so far in camp, tonight he’ll get a chance to go full kilt against an NFL offensive line.

I’m not sure exactly what role he will play in the defense this season, but, if he can show the ability to bring pressure on the opposing QB, he’ll get some good time on the field this season I’m sure.

4. CB #41 Myles Bryant

The second-year UDFA CB has a chance to impress tonight and over the new few games as he tries to earn a roster spot.

Bryant featured periodically last season, his most noteworthy contribution was his first career interception against the Rams in Week 14. With Gilmore still absent, J.C. Jackson and Jon Jones locks for the roster already, expect to see Bryant involved throughout tonight.

5. DE #51 Ronnie Perkins

Heresssssssssssssssssssssss Ronnie.

Ronnie Perkins should be another Rookie you should have your eyes on against Washington. Pass-rush tried to compensate for the lack of run-stopping play last year, here’s hoping Perkins can develop into a deadly edge-rusher.

Perkins hasn’t blown anyone away so far in camp by reports, but tonight we’ll get a first real look at what he may be able to offer the team in the early part of the season, and what that role may be.

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Patriots Tweets Of Note – Training Camp 08/05

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A rainy practice back in pads today for the Patriots as we move within a week of the first pre-season game against Washington next Thursday. Here are your Tweets of Note from Day 8 of Training Camp!

This is exciting, with the team picking up Wynn’s fifth-year option, he needs to have a better, more consistant season. Along with big Mike Onwenu, the left hand side could be a real force in the run game.

Nice to hear High’s name come up, by all accounts he’s settled back in well after a year off. Alex Barth noted him making a nice play to break up a pass by Brian Hoyer. Whatever the contract issues are, I hope it’s sorted out and we can enjoy watching Hightower lead the linebacker group.

I’ll admit, I’m covering more of Jones than Newton, that’s because I think Mac is the more intruiging player at the position to watch right now. From only reading reports and Tweets from those there, he appears to be improving on something every session.

Now, he’s still sounding sloppy and rookie-like as expected, but he seems to be doing things the right way so far. It’s going to be interesting to see how much time he gets against Washington next week.

Just something to monitor here, rookie edge rusher Ronnie Perkins was dealing with a hand issue late on in practice, Adrian Colbert also left early.

Man, the elemts were in play today. As we say in England, it was chucking it down out there. A good introduction into the New England weather cycle for the rookies and FA signings.

J.C. making some plays over the past few days, another noteworthy day for him this afternoon. With Stephon Gilmore absent, Jackson is the top cornerback in my view, he had a bunch of picks last year, and I’m hoping he can continue his excellent form through camp and into the regular season.

A lengthy absent list today, Nick Folk being one of the new ones. This gives an oppurtunity for Quinn Nordin to try and de-throne BDN as the teams kicker.

Van Noy still present, but wearing a non-contact jersey, as he has done since camp began.

Patriots Tweets Of Note – Training Camp 08/04

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Back to shells and shorts for Day 7 of Patriots Training Camp, let’s check out all of the Tweets you should take note of!

More good defensive work today with picks for Dmac and D’Angelo Ross. It’s hard to really judge the picks in a more chilled-out session with no pads, there’s always some doubt whether the play was designed for the QB to throw it out there, or, players not going at full speed. Either way, it’s still positive for the defense and a negative for the QB’s and receivers.

Another day, another notable catch by N’Keal Harry, he’s been making himself stand out over the last few sessions to the fans and media in attendance. I don’t know if he’s doing a whole lot else alongside the odd flashy catch, but at least this is something.

Positive news on the injury front, both Barmore and Anderson who had knocks returned today. It’s great that they’re back so quickly, we don’t want new players missing from these sessions, it’s vital for their chances of playing in the early part of the season/making the roster.

This caught my eye as I was scrolling through Twitter today, Mac with a dime over the top to Jakobi Meyers. Jones had a better day than Cam, in a more dialed-down session without pads.

If you were wanting a more substantial write-up from someone who was there today, Mike Reiss always has some insightful commentary from practice.

Last media available session tomorrow, and back in pads! LFG

Patriots Tweets Of Note – Training Camp 08/03

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We asked and we were rewarded. #PadTuesday rolled around with force, another nice day in Foxboro, and some hittin! Here are the Tweets of Note you should read from Day 5 of Training Camp!

This brought a smile to my face when I read this tweet, Onwenu was one of the top players for the team last year in a stellar rookie season, but clearly, he feels he can do more. Now, he’s clearly being modest, but, if he thinks he was just a C grade last year, I can’t wait to see what he brings to the line this season. He’s slowly becoming one of my favorite players.

Some work for the backs today as Michel and Harris, the two in Bill’s mind that are fighting it out for the lead back position got most of the reps today.

A shame this, I noted McMillan was having a great start to his camp in yesterday’s post, but a setback today with a foot injury cut short his session. Hopefully, it’s nothing major, but he joins Ted Karras and Henry Anderson with camp injuries.

Me like this a lot. Haven’t seen any good film of his session today, but I think we’ll get a real good idea of Barmore’s pass rush potential in the pre-season games. Exciting.

A good day for Cam, he was launching it by all accounts, a nice completion downfield to Jonnu Smith with the toe tip catch. Lovely stuff.

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