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Patriots Tweets Of Note – Training Camp 07/29

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Photo – @MikeDussault19

A little less rain today on the training field as the players got into their second practice of the week. Let’s check out the Tweets of Note from Day 2 of Training Camp 2021!

The GOAT is back shooting down reporters in person, that’s the SB 51 winning missing Elvis jacket in case you’re wondering, Bill, looking well and on top form before today’s session.

Things are feeling more normal now, aren’t they?

Something which happened last night was the re-signing of QB Jake Dolegala, he was around last year on the practice squad before heading to Green Bay. Bill said earlier today that Stidham is going to miss some time, so Dolegala returns to add another active body in the camp reps.

This was the first time I’ve heard of Tre Nixon this camp, the last pick in this year’s draft noted as catching a touchdown slant on the coverage J.C. Jackson today. Nixon is an outsider to make the roster for sure but he will be a fun project to watch develop over the next few weeks.

A close-up from the NBC Camera Guys on Mac in action earlier today whilst building a connection with Jonnu Smith and Kendrick Bourne. I have an inkling that the QB competition needle won’t move all that much until the pads are on and the temp is turned up a notch.

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Patriots Tweets Of Note – Training Camp 07/28

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Football is back! This offseason felt like an eternity following the Draft in late April, but here we are, Training Camp 2021, fans, a rookie QB, bunch of FA signings, let’s check out a bumper edition of Day 1 Tweets of Note!

PatsProp founder Mike D posted his usual pre-practice panoramic picture, calm before the storm, but a great view from the gantry he had today.

One of the greats of yesteryear dropped a note ahead of the first practice of camp today, great to hear from Tipp, what a great photo that is.

Listen to the crowd roar, that’s something. Sure, uncontested open throw and catch didn’t blow me away, but nice to see Mac get some reps in front of a crowd, and great to see fans back having fun.

Also, Gunner looks quick, out of that cut across the backline of the end zone he really turned on the jets.

After a fairly uneventful mini-camp, Agholor got some notice today as Evan Lazar noted a few nice grabs from him as he managed to stand out as the top WR to get space in today’s session.

I’ve heard some say that they’re concerned that he is more of a broken-down play type of receiver, but whilst I agree he has shown in Oakland his capability of having big plays from broken routes, I think he’ll surprise a few people this season and have a productive year. Still early days, but a nice start to the new season for him.

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Succession Planning: Who takes over as coach after Bill Belichick?

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Source: sgbonline.com

In an ideal world Bill Belichick would continue to coach forever. The man is in my humble opinion the greatest to ever roam the sideline in any professional sport. Not only does he hold an incredible career as a head coach, but he also doubles as a Hall of Fame caliber General Manager. Some things only live as dreams and with Bill Belichick now being 69 years young he is at the tail end of his career. Including this season, I think he has 3 to 5 years left in him to chase Don Shula’s all time win record of 328. Bill currently sits at 280 wins and if he averages 10 or so wins per season this should get him there. I believe that he cares about breaking the record before hanging them up and will stick around to do so. It is the last remaining accomplishment to cap off a historic career.

There is also another aspect of continuing to coach into his early 70s that is not talked about enough. Not only does he get to do what he loves and is great at every single day, but also he gets to do it with his two sons. Brian and Stephen both serve on the Patriots coaching staff as the Safeties Coach and Outside Linebackers Coach respectively. This has turned into a family business of which is located in the area that all of his family lives. Even more reason for him to stick around.

With that being said, succeeding Bill Belichick as Head Coach of the New England Patriots is an impossible task. Similarly to following up Brady at Quarterback there is just no one that can ever live up to what they accomplished. Being the second person to succeed him after the first one is relieved of their duties, sure. However, being the first is a death sentence from the start.

Let us take a look at some potential suitors:

Josh McDaniels

This is probably the second most likely scenario but I truly do not think Josh sticks around long enough to see this play out. Every year his name is tossed around as a potential head coaching candidate. He still has some stank to him from the whole Indianapolis Colts debacle, but his resume speaks for himself and every passing season is another mile between his prior blunders (Broncos HC and Colts Houdini). When Josh wants another chance at the driver’s seat then he will have options to choose from. I suspect Josh hangs around for 1-3 more years (this season included). If for some reason the Patriots job becomes available during that frame then that is a different story.

A less likely possibility, but one still worth mentioning is that Bill steps aside as either Coach or GM to focus solely on the other role. Josh picks up whatever one Bill steps away from.

Matt Patricia

I truly have no confidence for Matt Patricia being a head coach. Some people are just made to be coordinators and are very good at it. There is no shame with that. Nothing that I have read from players, coaches, or management regarding Patricia in Detroit is good.

I foresee Patricia sticking in New England as an Ernie Adams type assassin. The man knows New England’s system very well and is a game planner. He will use his rocket science collegiate studies to dissect film of offensive and defensive game plans of future opponents. This will parlay nicely into finding NFL draft picks that fit what the Patriots do. Pencil in Patricia as the new Ernie. It seems as though Bill and Matt have a friendship off the field as well and genuinely enjoy working together. This should help Matt’s case to sticking around for at least the next 2-4 years (this season included) and potentially beyond.

Jerod Mayo

Jerod Mayo is the next Brian Flores. The man is a stud and a hot name as far as future head coaches go in the NFL. All of the Patriots players have rave reviews of Mayo. I think Jerod gets head coaching interviews at the conclusion of this season. He could opt to stick around if nothing tickles his fancy, but I think we only see Mayo on the New England sideline for one additional season after this year at most before he gets his shot.

Bill O’Brien / Brian Flores / Joe Judge / Mike Vrabel / Another former assistant from the Patriots system

It is likely that one of the former Patriots assistants is looking for work when Bill is thinking of stepping down. I do not necessarily think that any of them made a drastic impact or were here long enough to be considered a top-level candidate for the future opening. It all depends how their coaching careers develop between now and then but I would not expect any of these names to be the successor.

Other former assistants left off this list for obvious reasons:

Saban – He dies in Tuscaloosa

Romeo Crennel – Too old

Eric Mangini – No chance

Jim Schwartz – No chance

Outside candidates not listed

Always a possibility, but the New England Patriots is a tight knit family from top to bottom. I think for this important of a role they stay within the circle of trust.

Brian Belichick / Steve Belichick

This is where the future lies and is my pick as the most likely succession plan to Bill Belichick. As I stated earlier, the Patriots is a family business. The most likely succession plan with family businesses is to pass them down to the next generation. This will also motivate Bill to keep the franchise in pristine condition before he hands over the keys. Also, this will hinder either son from leaving the Patriots until their Father retires. I believe that Bill wishes he could have coached alongside his own father, also named Steve Belichick, but is now getting to live out a different side of that dream by coaching alongside both of his sons.

Steve will be the head coach due to his experience and high praise from Patriots defenders. The oldest son will get the reigns while Brian transitions to a co-head coaching role or coordinator position. The two will work in tandem in an attempt to create the next Patriots dynasty.

Bill does not strike me as the type to sit on the beaches of Florida for 10 months out of the year sipping daiquiris and enjoying retirement. The man quite literally eats and breathes football. He needs football just as much as football needs him. I fully expect him to be around the Patriots for 3 to 5 more years before he retires.

Patriots Roster: So Many Questions, So Few Answers!

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(Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)

As we count down the days to training camp we wait to see who, what and maybe. 

At the moment, we know only a little, really just who was signed and who has formally requested to be traded – I think that’s a new one. 

There are just so many questions to be answered, and many might not be answered until the end of August. 

There are lots of “good chances”. There’s a good chance Cam Newton is the starting quarterback, there’s a good chance Stephon Gilmore reworks his contract. I hope! 

But who makes that 53 man roster? 

How many running backs do they take with them? Will the drafted rookie be used or will he end up as a common Patriot running back with a redshirt year? Who will be the wide receivers? And with the two tight end sets they have might it even matter? Do they bring in another wide receiver, do they even trade N’Keal Harry, or will he play, or even be benched?

What does the o-line look like, just how strong is that defense? On paper both look pretty darn great. 

Will the Patriots have two kickers? (Okay, this last one is mildly crazy, but have you seen the kid’s leg? Boom!) And I find this fascinating, is it feasible to have two kickers on a 53 man roster? 

Common answer would be no. 

The most logical answer is no.

And that’s fair, but I kind of think kickers are underrated. 

The Patriots were spoilt. For 20 years they had a great quarterback. They also had a damn fine kicker for a lot of the time too. 

Then when Stephen Gostkowski took a turn for the worse fans were critical. That’s fair enough, but they say you don’t know how good you’ve got it until it’s gone. (No sh** Sherlock!)

Fortunately, Nick Folk has been solid and consistent. But can he keep it up? He moves into his 14th season in the NFL, and he’s on his 4th team with the Patriots. 

Do they roll the dice on the new kid? The one who can bomb it from 60+ yards… but can he keep it between the sticks? 

There’s just so much, and it’s crazy how the Patriots are into year two ATB (after Tom Brady) and there’s so much more we do not know than year one ATB. 

How great is that though? The fact that the Patriots have depth. I find myself in conversations of who might make the roster and there’s really good players that I just can’t make fit! 

In a few mere weeks we will see some of these kids in action (as such), and then in seven weeks (at the time of writing this) we will know. WE WILL KNOW! 

Ain’t being a football fan fabulous? 

Go Pats! 

BREAKING – Mac Jones signs rookie contract with the Patriots

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As first reported by Field Yates, the Patriots’ first-round selection from this year has signed a four-year $15.6 million contract that also includes a fifth-year option.

Another headline today following a few quiet weeks since mini-camp in New England, with N’Keal Harry requesting a trade via his agent earlier a few hours ago.

Jones is gearing up for a showdown with Cam Newton in Training Camp later this summer, so a potential distraction now fulfilled ahead of a busy first year.

Jones’ contract, a formality if we’re being serious, but nevertheless, I’m glad to have it out the way and his focus can now shift to Training Camp. As Mike Reiss noted, just Christian Barmore and Ronnie Perkins remain unsigned from this year’s Draft class.

Cap Update

Curious about the cap? Miguel at @Patscap always has us covered.

BREAKING – WR N’Keal Harry formally requests trade out of New England

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Well, I certainly didn’t see this coming.

Actually, that’s a bit of a lie, I saw Harry potentially leaving this off-season, however, I didn’t see him and his agent requesting a formal trade from the team.

I actually saw Harry’s first-ever NFL touchdown in person at the game against Dallas in 2019, a rookie season in which he struggled through injuries and not grasping the trust of Tom Brady.

Pro Football Ref

And really, the disappointment is visible in his career NFL stats..

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A quick dip into the tight endage pool

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(AP Photo/Stew Milne)

Now, I know that you all know I’m a fan of the tight end position. There are even t-shirts to say so (check out our prop shop folks!), and so I wanted to take you all on a bit of a dive into the current Patriots tight end core.

There may not be much going on at the moment but the tight end position is one that has already seen plenty of ‘action’ in free agency and because of that, it is pretty darn stacked right now.

The Patriots are currently holding five tight ends: Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith, Devin Asiasi, Matt LaCosse, and Troy Fumagalli. One tight end/fullback in Dalton Keene, one defensive end/tight end in Rashod Berry and there is also the fullback Jakob Johnson. Thats more stacked than the shelves of candy corn at halloween, and for me, much sweeter!

But what does it really mean?

When September 12th rolls into town, bringing with it the Miami Dolphins for Thursday night football, will there be many tight ends on the roster?

Firstly, Rashod Berry suited up on the defensive side of the ball in the three games that he played and although he can play tight end, that isn’t really what he is required for in New England.

Jakob Johnson, whilst not a tight end, is under that umbrella and works out with the tight ends. He currently has a ‘roster exemption spot’ and the only true fullback on the Patriots team at the moment. Pretty safe bet that if the Patriots stick with tradition and keep one fullback, Jakob is probably the pick. Don’t get me wrong folks, this is just my opinion, not fact. There’s always the chance that once he has to take up one of the 53, Jakob is let go and the Patriots run with no fullback…

…or they may decide to tag in Dalton Keene. Mr ‘H-back, fullback, tight end’ himself is rather versatile. Unfortunately, the forces working against Dalton are that he sustained a neck injury stifling his progress and his first year within the team did not give him much opportunity to really sparkle. If his injury isn’t an issue, Keene may take up that fullback roster spot.

Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, well these two are the rather expensive shiny new toys that Coach Bill brought in for the team to play with, and at a combined $87.4 million, I reckon their places on the 53 are a rather sure thing, health permitting!

Skipping back to a rookie, and we take a peek at Devin Asiasi. Did he not sparkle in 2020 because he didn’t get chance? Probably. Would he have performed better had he not suffered a family tragedy? Possibly. The kid was targeted only 7 times for 2 receptions. Not exactly a large enough sample size to get a picture from huh? Is 2021 a year he should be out there proving him self? Positively. They do say that tight end is a position that takes years to really mould into but Asiasi was said to be good going into his rookie season and with the depth brought in at free agency on three and four year deals he could do with not taking his sweet time to really shine. Whilst I think it’s unlikely the Patriots cut a third round drafted rookie before he has had chance to prove his worth, it’s not impossible.

Now as a tight end enthusiast it takes some effort for me to discuss the cutting of said players. However, realistic-ness has to win out and whilst I’m guessing Troy Fumagalli; previously of the Denver Broncos, a young talent that may have been held back by missing out on his rookie season due to sports hernia surgery and a stacked positional depth chart, makes the practice squad, there’s still a good chance he is cut. Particularly after training camp.

And because of all of the above I just do not think there is a place left for veteran Matt LaCosse and I do not say that with any detriment or malice towards him. Situation has it that the Patriots hit free agency hard with the two top guys available, and drafted two young ‘uns just his second year with the team… which he then opted out of. It’s just unfortunate that all this works against Matt, and his roster spot looks the least sure of all.

Now this is just my mildly biased tight endage stand point. If my predictions shall we say, pan out, that’s at least three tights ends on the roster with one fullback type player and a tight end on the practice squad, pretty plentiful.

And so as we await the approach of the season, I will be keeping my eye on those tight ends… hey, it is kinda my job after all. Well, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it…

Go Pats!