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Patriots Tweets Of Note – Minicamp Edition – #3

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So here we are at the end of spring! The time since the Draft has flown by and we’ve had the chance to take a first look at the Patriots 2021 rookie class.

Training camp is next, but first, let’s check out all of the Tweets of Note from the third and final day of media availability at minicamp.

A big moment today as Ernie Adams took part in his final training session with the team. Bill allowed Ernie to have the final five minutes or so of his press conference as he took questions from the media.

It’s bittersweet to see Ernie go, bitter because it’s now the start of a number of long-serving coaches that will be soon heading into retirement and Ernie is not replaceable. But sweet because he’s earned his rest in his later life, a veteran of almost half a century in the NFL.

Thank you Ernie.

A strong day back for Newton by all accounts, struggled the last few days with the weather and just accuracy in general, but today, he was the top QB.

The reports of Mac Jones becoming frustrated and angry with his performance during the latter part of the session intruigs me, I think it’s a good sign of the kid knowing he has to be better and holding himself to a higher standard. It’s the first time we’ve heard about that sort of emotion from Jones, I like it, shows he cares.

As expected, the same five miss out on the final day of spring practice. The focus towards camp will be on the health of Jonnu Smith and a few other players who picked up knocks during the past few weeks.

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Draft value verses draft weight – an Offense Perspective

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Tony Dejak/AP

Okay, so the draft may be long gone, but the weight of that draft may be sitting heavy on some younger players shoulders, and not just from this year.

The expectations on a high draft pick are, as expected, high.

With the way that the draft turned out in 2021 (and I’m pretty sure plenty of years prior) is this really a fair perspective?

I am not knocking Mac Jones, no sir I am not. I’m ready to get behind this guy, and that isn’t because he was drafted 15th overall… although that doesn’t hurt! But my point on this one is he was originally pegged as second round talent. Then the quarterback frenzy began and within mere weeks, he was rocketed to possibly the third overall selection.

Wowzers!

Now okay, he didn’t GO third overall, he went 15th, but he was the fourth quarterback chosen in the top, well… 15!

What about N’Keal Harry?

I think this guy has nations divided! Patriots Nation that is. He was a first round selection… at 32, so like the last one in round one… But I don’t think that the issue at hand here was his actual draft position selection more so the fact that players taken after him have proven to be so very much better.

Now not so little N’Keal hasn’t had the greatest of success what with being 115th overall on the PFF stats for wide receivers in 2020. Eep. Especially when undrafted Jakobi Meyers ranked 25th!

How heavy does that round 1 shirt weigh on Harry’s shoulders? To be honest, there are plenty of other factors, but I want to look at the flip side for minute.

This years New England Patriots final pick in the seventh round was Tre Nixon, also a wide receiver. So has this guy got less to worry about?

Well, put it in perspective, last year a player picked even later than Nixon, chosen 250th overall in the seventh round, this particular tight end was expected by many to fill the HUGE shoes of Rob Gronkowski and be a TE1. A role he wasn’t really skilled enough to fill, but worked as hard as he could to produce.

So don’t get resting on those laurels, Mr 242 Tre Nixon.

Now I’m not just singling out N’Keal here, but the Patriots draft history has been really rather light on high round draft picks, let alone high offensive player choices.

Does their sum of previous parts weigh heavy on the kid’s shoulders too?

Or is this guy just not quite what they thought he was going to be?

Sony Michel was drafted in 2018 at the number 31 spot and I don’t think I would be remiss in saying people were quick to judge too, but he managed to perform really well, mostly. You could add how his college team mate Nick Chubb was picked at number 35 and well, we’ve all seen what that guy can do!

The pondering will be is Harry good, great, in the wrong system, or just a bust? Is this kid being crushed by the weight of the draft? And if so, how heavy is the weight of that number ONE on Mac Jones?

Like everything, time will tell, but as always, it’s fun to find out! Go Pats!

Patriots Tweets Of Note – Minicamp Edition – #2

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Let’s check out all of the Tweets of Note from day 2 of media availability at minicamp.

Where the media team has been positioned so far this offseason, coverage of the defense has been sketchy apart from scrimmage parts of the session, and by the sounds of things, it was another strong day for the defense.

Josh Uche’s name has come up a few times this spring, here’s hoping he has a big second-year jump, he could get some great opportunities this season.

Nope. Don’t like that.

It was a relief to see Smith at practice, albeit he wasn’t involved today as normal, his appearance nods towards the hamstring issue from yesterday not being all that serious, let’s hope he’s back catching balls tomorrow.

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Patriots Tweets Of Note – Minicamp Edition – #1

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Minicamp is here! – Mandatory attendance is required or the team can fine missing players who aren’t given an excused absence.

Let’s check out all of the Tweets of Note from day 1 of media availability at minicamp.

Well, this was on the cards since last season, Gilmore is not attending minicamp as he enters the final year of his contract with the team. Gilmore will probably get paid eventually, but one thing is for sure, he’s not showing up until he does.

Cam was back today following his hand injury circus, he led the reps, followed by Jones, who for most in attendance, had his best media attended practice. Newton didn’t look great from the clips that surfaced on Twitter, clearly struggling in the elements today.

Stidham also had another positive day with a number of good throws, Hoyer had a practice to forget.

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Patriots Tweets Of Note – OTAs Edition – Week 3

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Third and final week of OTAs in New England! – Next week is minicamp and is mandatory for all players, but for now, let’s check out all of the Tweets of Note from Week 3 of OTA media availability.

Bill spoke to the media before today’s session and was asked straight away about the condition of Cam Newton following his widely reported hand injury last week.

Bill was fairly open about the matter and confirmed Cam would be absent from today’s session, but thinks “he’ll be alright”. With no Cam, the understanding would be more reps for Stidham, Jones, and Hoyer.

BOOM was back on the practice field today following over a year out of action. This was great to see, so many reports and rumors about Hightower retiring this offseason were put to bed.

Now, he looks a little leaner for sure, but, he was straight into the action and had a notable presence on the field. A massive boost for the defense having High back, let’s go!

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Patriots Tweets Of Note – OTAs Edition – Week 2

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Yesterday saw the second opportunity for media to attend Patriots OTAs, and there was plenty to review.

Let’s take a look at the Tweets of Note from Week 2 of OTA media availability.

Let’s start with the major news, Newton suffered an injury to his throwing hand during a drill. RapSheet reports that it’s not considered major, but, don’t expect to see much more of him until later this off-season.

This is a real chance for Mac Jones to get more starter reps in practice along with Stidham, which for me is a great thing, I was Jones to be involved in first-team reps at every available opportunity.

A blow no doubt for Cam, who was at OTAs for a reason, unlike many veterans, fighting for a spot on the team.

A solid day for Jarrett Stidham by all accounts, noted by most reporters who attended as the best QB on the field. As noted above, more reps coming Stidham’s way.

Bob Socci got some good footage of Josh McDaniels working closely with Jones. Noticeable on the right leg was a sleeve around the calf of Jones but this didn’t look to hinder him in this pass-rush drill. He showed good movement and the ability to get the ball out on the move in the pocket, obviously different when a 350lb lineman is running at you, but a closer look at his mechanics.

Numbers aren’t official, but Mark Daniels reported 17 players were absent from yesterday’s session, down from 25 the week before.

I still think there isn’t much to take from this as the workouts are still voluntary, one of the drafted rookies was missing in the bunch as Rhamondre Stevenson was absent for the second straight Friday session.

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Bye Bye Burkhead!

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(AP Photo/Frank Victores)

Well there you have it folks, Rex Burkhead has become a Houston Texan. Great. Fabulous. Wonderful.

Anyone feel like Nick Caserio is picking off Patriots like candy!? Hmm, a piece of candy… oh another piece of candy… No, just me? Okay, never mind.

Now, forgive me, it is great for Rex. Kentucky born, raised in Texas. Houston is perfect location wise, especially for his family. 

But I mean come on! Anyone wanna grab a box of tissues and have a bit of a sob with me? This guy was a powerhouse in 2020 for the offence, and his versatility is outstanding! He can run the ball, catch passes, block in pass protection AND play on special teams! Talk about the gift that keeps on giving, am I right?

But we, as Patriots fans, know that Coach Bill lets players go whilst there is still a bit in the tank and I think that this is the case here, that and well the running back room is probably a bit of a squeeze at the moment. 

I know I’m an emotional fan, I openly admit to this, possibly daily, and whilst I completely see the reasoning behind it all, I can still be bummed out, at least a little bit.

As I have mentioned here before, that’s what being a fan is, passion. And so I still stood on my soap box for Ryan Izzo, kept my fingers crossed that the Patriots drafted Pat Freiermuth (he’s the future baby!) Even though there were technically three fullbacks (counting Dalton Keene) on the roster I was still gunning to see Danny Vitale, and so I still hoped that even though he is a 30 year old, coming off injury running back, Coach would ensure the return of Sexy Rexy to the fold.

But alas t’was not meant to be and in all seriousness I wish him nothing but well, and really hope he gets to play out the end of his career in the way he wants to. 

And as for the Patriots running back depth we are presently looking at:

James White

J.J Taylor

Sony Michel

Damien Harris

Brandon Bolden

Tyler Gaffney

Not forgetting the drafting of Rhamondre Stevenson, so I guess none too shabby really!

So whilst we wave goodbye to one of the beloved Patriots who was with us for some of the Super Bowl era shouting “We love you Rex! Thanks for everything! We will miss you!”, we march onwards and upwards and on to Cincinnati I guess, or should that be Houston even…