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Training Camp

Patriots 53-Man Roster Projection 2.0 (August 2nd)

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With one week of training camp under their belt, it’s an okay time to make another attempt at a 53-man roster. In case you missed them I’ve put up three training camp videos on my Youtube channel so far. Please subscribe!

QB (2) T.Brady, B.Hoyer — With a year on the practice squad, Etling could have some promise developing behind the scenes, a perfect spot for him.

RB (6) R.Burkhead, J.White, J.Hill, B.Bolden, S.Michel, J.Develin — Gillislee better get on the field quick or Hill will run away with the job.

WR (5) C.Hogan, P.Dorsett, C.Patterson, K.Britt, M.Slater — Projecting Britt based on OTAs but he has to get back on the field. Losing Matthews hurts the depth but really the top line is going to be the same once Edelman gets back. Dorsett will be a key contributor this season. Addition coming?

TE (3) R.Gronkowski, D.Allen, J.Hollister – Solid group led by Gronk. Allen is improved. Hollister continues to carve out a receiving role.

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Video: Patriots Training Camp Report 8/1

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It was a cool, overcast morning with a reduced crowd and I was able to get a seat in the sideline stands to get a closer look than I’ve had in any of my previous three practices. It was another pads session with a variety of special situations getting worked on, including bad field goal snaps and running back route running at the goal line.

In my latest video I have my five big takeaways, but perhaps the biggest dropped while I was editing — that Jordan Matthews was released after sustaining a serious hamstring issue. I spent most of the summer getting excited about Matthews, but just like that, not only a week into practice, he’s off the team. Riley McCarron was the beneficiary of extra snaps with the top team, but I’d bet there’s another receiver signing soon. Eric Decker, a big slot receiver like Matthews, makes a lot of sense.

Other nuggets that I forgot to mention in the video:

— Tom Brady and Bill Belichick spent a good minute talking at midfield before practice. Belichick was animated, appearing to explain something football-y? All the “are they having fun, is Brady-Belichick still mad” takes are pretty silly but maybe them talking pre-practice helps?

— Rookie JC Jackson and second-year corner Ryan Lewis continue to get second-team reps as well as significant looks on special teams.

–Bojorquez continues to outkick Ryan Allen, at least consistently in distance. He didn’t get any reps holding the numerous field goal tries with the top team today though.

— Burkhead is taking punt returns but muffed one. McCarron was consistent, Berrios was as well.

Patriots Rookie Power Rankings

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The Patriots have a day off today so it’s a moment to catch our breath. As you probably heard by now Isaiah Wynn caught a second punt attempt and won the team a day off. It won’t do them much good in NFL Power Rankings, but it was a welcomed break after five-straight days of work.

Belichick pulls this all the time in camp — Matt Light, Vince Wilfork caught punts, Stephen Gostkowski kicked a night off-winning field goal. But every time I can remember, all did it on the first try. I’m pretty sure Wynn was the first to drop one, but that doesn’t hurt his spot on my rookie power rankings after five training camp practices because he looks like a beast.

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Video: Patriots Training Camp Practice #4 Report

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Another great time getting a behind-the-scenes glimpse courtesy of the Patriots today. This will be my only time playing a real journalist this training camp but I still plan to hit up a few practices from the fan stands, where I’m more comfortable anyway and am still able to see just as much as from the sun-baked hill in front of the media tent.

Anyway, here’s a few things I left out from the video, while also expanding a bit on some of the five main takeaways.

— Berrios is stocky but reps are really limited for him right now.

— Patterson made another tough catch today, he’s making one per day now and earning trust. He’ll be a valuable player and the Pats are using him in a variety of ways on offense. He took some punts after practice and they were ugly.

— Brett Bielema is an active voice that stands out. I heard him often yelling coaching points to Jomal Wiltz for whatever that is worth. Wiltz did have a nice pass break up on Chris Hogan but has otherwise been quiet. Bielema’s presence is noticeable, especially to former Arkansas players like Trey Flowers and Dietrich Wise I’m sure.

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Video: Patriots Training Camp Practice #2 Report

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Great to finally see some football today at a muggy second practice! As we try to get Patshow Season #2 going I’m going to try and use my video producer skills to bring some more video content. Let me know what you guys think!

A few other things I forgot to mention in the video:

— Marcus Cannon did leave practice early, walking off under his own power. LaAdrian Waddle slipped into his reps. Hopefully Cannon is back sooner than later, though his injury history is starting to add up.

— Stephon Gilmore had an AFC Championship-sealer-esque diving pass break up over Julian Edelman. Gilmore is on the left side this year and is the a clear-cut number one cornerback.

— As much as I wanted to notice him nothing about Sony Michel really stood out to me. Again, IT’S NO PADS, DAY TWO. All the backs had their share of work, including Burkhead, Gillislee and Hill, and I can’t say any of them really stood out, though Burkhead always looks shot out of a rocket.

— As I mention, Edelman looks like Edelman, and it’s such great news.

— On and by the way, Brady is still Brady. Yikes.

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Patriots Open Training Camp!

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Was planning on being there at the first day of camp today, unfortunately, a sick kiddo is keeping me home, but I’ll be there on Friday and can’t wait to get a first look at the 2018 Patriots.

Yesterday’s kickoff Belichick press conference was predictable as Dan Shaughnessy, claiming to speak for the fans, grilled the head coach about 2017. Of course, I saw this coming down the pike a mile away and Belichick’s parries were just as predictable. It gives rise to that group of Patriots fans out there who are eager to flush 18 years down the toilet because the coach didn’t play Butler in the Super Bowl, and won’t ever be true fans again until Belichick explains why or the Pats win another Super Bowl.

Yes, that’s how deep loyalty lies after five Super Bowl wins in eight appearances.

I stopped taking the bait from guys like Shaughnessy a while back so that’s enough about him trying to steal spotlight from what is usually the most exciting time of year — the opening of camp, when hope springs eternal and for the last time, most of the team is healthy.

Here’s a quick rundown of my training camp preview articles and some quick hits of specific positions and players I’ll be watching in the early days of camp.

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Patriots Pre-Training Camp 53-Man Roster Projection

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With training camp just a couple weeks away, it’s a good time to take a quick reset on the roster and make a 53-man projection. Julian Edelman’s suspension being upheld, there’s an extra roster spot to play with at cutdown time. Despite it being a punishment, I always find those roster spots incredibly helpful in protecting promising young players.

Admittedly, this was a fairly easy projection. There are spots where I’m on the fence, but overall this is a deep team that got some good experience last year at the lower end of the roster. Add the influx of injury returnees like Dont’a Hightower, Harvey Langi and Derek Rivers and there’s a lot to be excited about. Training camp should be extremely competitive.

Here’s where I’m at and the spots that were the hardest to pare down.

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