An Independent Patriots Blog
The Patriots obviously liked Ryan, the cornerback out of Rutgers, for a variety of reasons in picking him 83rd overall. One reason was ball skills, and when the club measured him against other cornerbacks in the draft, Ryan was rated to have the fourth-highest total of interceptions and pass breakups (behind first-round picks Dee Milliner and D.J. Hayden, and third-rounder Tyrann Mathieu).
https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-patriots-obviously-liked-ryan-the-cornerback/
Donald Jones, New England Patriots and the Importance of Finding Your Fit | Pre Snap Reads
Interesting read on a player we haven’t heard much about early in OTAs.
I’m curious if they will employ Leon Washington in the backfield at all, after he was really only a returner for the Seahawks.
But the simple version is Stevan Ridley as the first and second down guy, with Brandon Bolden spelling him, and Shane Vereen being a 2nd-and-long, 3rd down guy.
Bolden is an intriguing player to watch in camp. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him make a jump this summer, and push Ridley a bit.
Health will be important, but you’re right, it’s a good group that can do a lot of different things.
The real question is how much can the ground game carry the load while the new receivers start to gel and Gronk gets healthy.
I think we might see the effect a little more in the run and screen game, as they’ll be a little more familiar with eachother and how to block those intricate plays.
But it should help in pass protection as well. Continuity is always good. My focus will be on Dan Connolly, and whether or not Marcus Cannon poses a threat to him at right guard.
Tom Brady, New England Patriots experience early growing pains with wide receiver redo – ESPN Boston
Nice piece from Reiss, and yes, it’s to be expected that they’ll look sloppy now. The true test will be once training camp starts, and even then, what we see in the preseason will likely have little bearing on how they look once the bullets are real.
It’s a fascinating area to watch, and one of the most interesting turns of Brady’s career, one that will likely play a huge part in defining his final act.
Spikes for sure, think Hightower can develop it as well. Adrian Wilson should bring something to the party this year as well. There’s a fine line between having intimidators, and just having idiots who launch at people (cough Meriweather).
I do think in general the Patriots have a pretty physical defense, albeit not one that is scary. Wilfork especially is a dominant player in the trenches, and Tommy Kelly should make for a good combo with him this year.
