PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Patriots 53-Man Roster: Preseason Week 2 Edition

by

Some movement this week on the 53-man roster after getting a closer look at some guys against the Packers.

QB (2) T.Brady, J.Garoppolo 

RB (5) B.Bolden, T.Cadet, J.White, J.Gray, J.Develin (Blount SUSP Week 1)

WR (6) J.Edelman, B.LaFell, D.Amendola, B.Gibson, B.Tyms, M.Slater – Gibson in, Dobson out.

TE (3) R.Gronkowski, S.Chandler, M.Hoomanawanui

C  (2) B.Stork, D.Andrews – added Andrews after he looked okay in action at guard. Groom for interior swing role. 

G  (3) T.Jackson, S.Mason, R.Wendell – Can Wendell play LG is the biggest question.

T  (4) M.Cannon, N.Solder, S.Vollmer, C.Fleming

DE (5) R.Ninkovich, C.Jones, J.Sheard, T.Flowers, G.Grissom 

DT (4) S.Siliga, M.Brown, A.Johnson, D.Easley – Johnson vs. Branch is the key battle down the stretch. Branch not doing himself any favors early in camp. Might cut him just to avoid guaranteeing his salary.  Casey Walker in that mix now as well.

ILB(3) J.Mayo, J.Freeny, J.Morris – Freeny played a lot but wasn’t great on defense. His role will be mostly special teams. Morris the 53rd man.

OLB(3) J.Collins, D.Hightower, D.Fleming – Fleming one to watch this week if he gets on the field.

CB (5) M.Butler, T.Brown, R. McClain, L.Ryan, D.Roberts – Roberts over Fletcher.

SS (3) P.Chung, J.Richards, N.Ebner – Wilson out.

FS (2) D.McCourty, D.Harmon

ST (3) S.Gostkowski, R.Allen, J.Cardona

PUP in season (unavail until Week 6) – Chris Jones, Dane Fletcher

Priority Practice Squad: Rufus Johnson, Zach Moore, Eric Martin

Total players: 53
Created with Pats Picker: http://patsfans.com/patspicker

Will Cardona’s snap speed have any impact on the kicking game? I’ve heard one of the reasons against long FG attempts is that with the distance the kicker has to cover, by the time the snap is down, the defenders are on top of the ball. Will having a snap that gets back so quickly make any noticeable difference in FG attempts?

by

Wow I never even thought about that but it makes some sense. We’ll see if they’re more willing to try some long ones this year.

And how about Cardona getting no credit for just stepping in and doing a great job last night. We always take long snappers for granted until they rocket one over the punter/kicker’s head. 

I’m sure he’ll get some attention this season, but for now he’s strangely way under the rookie radar.

by

https://www.patspropaganda.com/1428/

by

Updated Patriots Depth Chart (post-Preseason Game One)

I don’t want to get too crazy and read too much into how guys were being played last night, but I do think we got some clarity on positional specificity like Rufus Johnson being at defensive end and Xzavier Dickson playing more linebacker.

One significant change is moving Brandon Gibson to the top of the X WR depth chart. I am curious to see how he looks next week with Brady and more of the real offense. But unless Dobson comes roaring back, Gibson has the inside track on the #4 WR spot.

Juggled the DTs a bit as well. I had them as DT and NT but I think there’s just so much crossover now it makes sense to just label them both DT. Antonio Johnson is at the top right now but I don’t know how firm that is. Alan Branch could knock him off once completely in shape.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/updated-patriots-depth-chart-post-preseason-game/

Thoughts on Boyce and Ryan?

by

I think Ryan is what we thought he was –  a slot corner with some outside versatility but probably not a guy who’s going to project to a long term starter. As I said yesterday, these were vanilla defenses and they played quite a bit of man, not exactly Ryan’s specialty. I think he’s fine, he’ll just likely remain in his role from last year as the fourth corner.

I’ve never really been enamored with Boyce and last night just reinforced every average feeling I’ve ever had about him. Last night was probably his last chance to shine unfortunately. He just doesn’t really seem to fit into the offense in a way that maximizes his strengths. Most obvious is that his play speed is not up to his timed speed. He has no zip and gives no defender problems with any particular skill set.

I think Brandon Gibson is now my favorite at the 4th WR spot, with whoever can get healthy first between Tyms and Dobson at the 5th spot. I’d give Tyms a slight inside edge due to special teams ability.

Am I the only one who doesn’t see any explosiveness and elusiveness in James White? Vereen was silky smooth and could use subtle head nods and planting skills to elude defenders, I just don’t see it with White… he can’t run anywhere after contact either… his body is uber slim and his stride isn’t fast, he just doesn’t seem like the type of guy that can be split out white and create favorable matchips, yet carry the ball for more than a yard… Had to get that off my mind, any thoughts?

by

I can’t entirely disagree. I did think he showed some good moves in the open field a couple times, but yes, I still like Vereen, Woodhead and Faulk more than I like White at this point. (Still wish we’d held on to Woodhead)

This is why after last night, I think the plan will be to replace Vereen with a combination of Cadet and White, not just one of them carrying the load, at least in the early part of the season.

Cadet has better size than any of those guys and could add a very different dynamic of a physical receiving back that we haven’t really seen before. In that context, having a change of pace, small/quick guy like White would be complimentary.

And let’s remember, White hasn’t played a game in a year. He’s better mentally now in the system, but physically he still needs to get his feel for true contact back.

Add in Bolden as well who can catch the ball and it’s a pretty solid group. It just might take time for one guy to emerge above the others, if anyone even does.