It’s a good thought and strong safety is certainly a position of strength for the Pats. Wilson has had a good camp on all accounts, and that hurts the predictions that Richards would immediately make him expendable. Still, there’s four preseason games to go so there’s always a chance for injuries. If Chung went down you’d sure want Wilson still around, and Chung certainly has a lengthy injury history. So is Richards ready to step in and effectively start at strong safety? I’m not so sure, so it might make sense to carry six safeties as I did in my latest 53-man projection.
I think it is clear that Tom Brady and his lawyers now have the upper hand given the information that has come out in the last two weeks. Do you think it makes more sense for Brady and his lawyers to not budge in settlement talks and hold out for a complete exoneration by the judge?
In my non-expert opinion I agree and it looks like Brady’s team has a compelling case and really, how could they not with how the NFL has handled this thing? But there’s always an element of unknown when you allow someone else to make the decision. Still, I think Brady will be steadfast that he didn’t do anything wrong and I can’t see the NFL meeting him halfway on anything without an admission of guilt. I could still see the judge letting a game or two suspension stick just for not being able to settle this thing without him, but given past precedent you have to think there’s a good chance the judge erases Brady’s suspension entirely.
Cue the Parcells “let’s not fit him for a jacket in Canton yet” qualifier since it is only camp, but I’m so psyched that Brown will be the #2 CB and that Butler is stepping up take over the #1 CB spot based on his noteworthy performance in camp. Put me in the minority, but a breakout season from MB, and a steady one from Brown and the defense will be fine.
I agree, let’s just hope Tarrell Brown can keep it up and stay healthy. That still feels like a lot to ask.
When people are worried about the cornerbacks I wonder why they’re ignoring the front seven. What would you rather have, three of the best linebackers in the game or two of the best cornerbacks? I’d argue that linebackers have far more effect on a game.
There’s no comparison between the front sevens of 2010 and 2011 to this front seven of 2015. Yes, there’s still some questions at DT, but there’s two first-rounders there, and at least one of them should blossom if not both.
Look at the cornerbacks from the Super Bowl winning years before last year – one really good guy (Ty Law, Asante Samuel) at LCB and some veteran castoff at RCB ( Otis Smith, Tyrone Poole). Even when they had to put Randall Gay out there in the Super Bowl it didn’t really matter because their FRONT SEVEN WAS AWESOME.
So yeah, those worried about cornerback are just giving themselves something to worry about. The defense will be fine.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on Boyce. In particular, what has been holding this guy back? He has exceptional straight line speed and I would think that this would create some mismatches, but he hasn’t seen much playing time at all thus far.
Boyce has a lot of supporters out there, but frankly I’ve always been lukewarm on him. His timed speed has just never seemed to translate into the NFL, he’s one of those guys who ran a 4.38 40 at the combine but when you see him on the field he doesn’t seem to be blowing by anyone. And he doesn’t have that agility to quickly get open from the slot like Edelman and Amendola do.
Add in the fact that he’s 5′11″, 206 and he doesn’t really have the downfield size typically needed from an X-receiver, unless your name is Antonio Brown.
I guess to put it simply, he has outside long speed but inside size so he just gets caught in the middle, without a true fit, at least in the Patriots offense.
Video of Malcolm Butlers great pass breakup via @SteveBalestrieri (via Butler great breakup – YouTube)
Somewhat reminiscent of the one in the Super Bowl that Kearse caught on his back. Not that I needed to be reminded of that. It’s the one play that still scares me whenever I re-watch the Super Bowl, which is frequently.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
https://www.patspropaganda.com/video-of-malcolm-butlers-great-pass-breakup-via/
Preseason Week 1 Patriots 53-man Roster Projection
As expected things have been made a little easier with some of the injuries, or more specifically the injury news, that we’ve gotten over the first week-and-a-half of training camp.
Here’s where I’m at on my 53-man, and I think it’s important to mention that this isn’t just about who makes the team, it’s about who you want to protect and who you want to guarantee salary to.
OFFENSE
QB (2) T.Brady, J.Garoppolo – Brady misses zero games.
RB (5) B.Bolden, J.White, T.Cadet, J.Gray, James Develin (Blount gets roster exemption for suspension) – Develin in, Gaffney out.
WR (5) J.Edelman, B.LaFell, D.Amendola, A.Dobson, M.Slater – Dobson’s got another injury. If he misses extended time they might be done with him. On the fence with Gibson and Tyms.
TE (3) R.Gronkowski, S.Chandler, M.Hoomanawanui – Pretty safe bet this is where we end up unless Chandler misses a lot of time and they need another vet.
OL (8) B.Stork, T.Jackson, S.Mason, R.Wendell, M.Cannon, N.Solder, S.Vollmer, Fleming: Considered keeping Kline but I think they have enough versatility to manage with this eight.
DEFENSE
DE (5) R.Ninkovich, C.Jones, J.Sheard, G.Grissom, T.Flowers – Exciting group who can be moved all over the place.
DT (5) S.Siliga, A.Branch, Z.Moore, M.Brown, D.Easley – Moved Moore here, I think he’s an interior tackle guy now, at least on passing downs. Antonio Johnson is a good story, I think his fate is tied to Branch. We’ll see if either stand out in preseason.
ILB(3) J. Mayo, J.Freeny, J.Morris – Fletcher will be on the PUP into the season (out 6 weeks), Freeny is a good veteran presence with special team value while Morris sneaks on the roster.
OLB(3) D. Hightower, J.Collins, D.Fleming – Fleming is one to watch on Thursday. Should play a lot and could take a big step forward this year.
CB (5) L.Ryan, T.Brown, M.Butler, M.McClain, D. Roberts – Fletcher’s a tough cut, but Brown has emerged. Roberts grabs one of the last roster spots. Jean is a good practice squad candidate as well.
S (6) D.McCourty, D.Harmon, P.Chung, J.Richards, T.Wilson, N.Ebner – Wilson having too good a camp to cut, he has special teams value too.
ST (3) S.Gostkowski, R.Allen, J.Cardona – Yup.
Total players: 53
Created with Pats Picker: http://patsfans.com/patspicker
Brandon Bolden has emerged as leader for Shane Vereen’s role
Brandon Bolden has emerged as leader for Shane Vereen’s role
I don’t love Bolden in this role, at least in the long term, but he’s reliable, great on special teams and is a pretty balanced back. My problem with Bolden is I don’t see a playmaking upside. He’ll get what’s there and not much more. However this will be only his fourth year in the league, it’s still too early to write him off, especially when he hasn’t gotten many extended opportunities.
Still, I think James White and/or Travaris Cadet will be a bigger part of the passing-down role by December.