PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Predicting the Patriots PUP List

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Over the next week, the Patriots will announce their Physically Unable to Perform list, a group of guys still recovering from injury/surgery who need more time to get healthy.

Anyone who opens camp on the PUP list is eligible to stay on the list when the regular season starts, costing them the first six weeks of their season. This can be a good way to create an extra roster spot, but missing more than the first two months of the season can be detrimental.

Now, with two players able to be placed on IR but brought back the same season, there’s a bit more flexibility when dealing with injuries.

The PUP list can also include players who don’t pass the conditioning test, which former PatsProp contributor Adam Magnacca tortured himself doing a few years ago.

Based on OTA and minicamp attendance, who might start training camp on the sidelines, not including any fat bodies who can’t make the run, which rarely happens now outside of free agent defensive tackles.

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A Closer Look at Patriots’ Wide Receiver Depth

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There are a lot of questions surrounding the Patriots’ wide receiver corps in 2019 but they’ve done a good job layering in a lot of interesting depth. At the top of the line we have Julian Edelman and rookie N’Keal Harry, the only two true roster locks in my opinion.

Then there are the unknowns in Demaryius Thomas, coming off a torn Achilles, and Josh Gordon, who is facing an uncertain suspension. Those two players at their best would give the team two proven outside targets. But again, it’s hard to count on either at this point and know exactly what the team might get out of them.

Let’s take a look down the depth chart to see who might emerge, since there are certainly a couple roles to be won, especially out of the gate with Thomas and Gordon possibly limited and unavailable.

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Will Damien Harris Lead the Patriots in Rushing?

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The rise to health and success of Sony Michel and Rex Burkhead was an underrated aspect of the 2018 Patriots offense. Both players had lengthy injury histories but when it mattered most, both players delivered.

It was the first playoff run of the entire Patriots dynasty where the team topped 150 yards on the ground in every game. Previously, they had only topped 150 four times ever in the playoffs.

Schedule & Game Results Table
ScorScor OffeOffe
Week OT Rec Opp Tm Opp PassY RushY
12W8-3@New York Jets2713283215
13W9-3Minnesota Vikings2410311160
14L9-4@Miami Dolphins333434477
15L9-5@Pittsburgh Steelers101727296
16W10-5Buffalo Bills2412117273
17W11-5New York Jets383244131
DivisionW12-5Los Angeles Chargers4128343155
Conf. Champ.WOT13-5@Kansas City Chiefs3731348176
SuperBowlW14-5NLos Angeles Rams133253154
Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/10/2019.

Many analysts seem to undervalue the ground game these days and I understand that passing drives offenses these days. But with Tom Brady closing in on 42 it makes more sense than ever for the Patriots to ensure their running game can take some heat off him.

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Five Patriots to Watch in Training Camp

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16 days away and the excitement for training camp is building! At this point, it’s best to take final inventory of the most critical areas of focus because once you get to the fields with 90 guys running around it can be overwhelming.

We know that the core of this Patriots team has been to four of the last six Super Bowls and if they stay healthy there’s no reason to think they won’t be right back in their ninth-straight AFC Championship.

Life without Gronk will take some getting used to and replacing two of the top three offensive tackles won’t help. But by December they should have it all figured out even if there’s some bumps in the road.

Who are the players that could bring something new and exciting to the team this year? Here’s where my eyes when camp starts.

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Patriots Position Battle Preview: Cornerbacks

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We’re just a little over two weeks from camp and it’s time to dive into the positional battles that are most fascinating. One thing about the Patriots, everyone starts on equal footing whether you’re the GOAT or an undrafted rookie. This means there are always surprises every summer, with unknowns and unexpecteds winning significant roles with the team.

The Patriots return all their starters from their 2018 Super Bowl run, led by shutdown corner Stephon Gilmore. Gilmore has had defining playoff plays in his first two seasons with the team and has firmly cemented himself as one of the best corners in the league. I still think Pats fans take him for granted but having a player like him makes things a lot easier on the rest of the defense.

In the slot, Jonathan Jones returned from injury in 2018 and immediately returned to his significant role. Jones is one of the fastest and most underrated players on the roster. He played half the defensive snaps during the season. He’s on a one-year, $3 million RFA contract, making this a big year for the 25-year-old. He could be a coveted player next offseason.

Jason McCourty returns on a two-year deal after proving to be a versatile fit at both corner and safety. He played 80 percent of the defensive snaps in 2018, however saw his playing time start to diminish in the playoffs as undrafted rookie J.C. Jackson started to emerge on the outside.

SB53 – Gilmore INT
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Projecting Roles on Patriots Defense

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Despite losing Trey Flowers and Malcom Brown, the Patriots brought in enough free agents and rookies, and have enough young veterans returning, that the 2019 squad shouldn’t miss a beat. The 2018 champs were as shutdown as any defense under Bill Belichick down the stretch, but this edition is more talented and deep.

The ability to morph in and out of different fronts and coverages defined the second dynasty defenses. How might this deep and versatile squad get deployed by Bill Belichick and the defensive staff (with unknown playcaller)? Let’s play.

The Additions

Michael Bennett has been a problematic pass rusher that Bill Belichick long coveted. Now that the Hoodie has him, expect Bennett to play to his strengths, which means getting after the quarterback from a variety of spots. The key with Bennett will be trying not to get him beat up in the run game early on in the year. If he’s still fresh in January he could produce the kind of game-changing plays Flowers has for the last three seasons.

John Simon was brought back after carving out a pass rusher role last season. If Simon can develop from there as Rob Ninkovich did he might seize a big role.

Rookie Chase Winovich could be an early contributor who can ease the early-down snaps for Bennett. Bringing an aggressive edge-setting mentality will really lock down a job for Winovich, but there’s also a good amount of competition for him.

Jamie Collins‘ return was unexpected and it sounds like Collins is right back to his old tricks within the Patriots defense. With Kyle Van Noy mastering the defense, the Patriots now have two really athletic linebackers. And that’s not including Ja’whaun Bentley, who showed a ton of promise last year before getting hurt.

Mike Pennel was one of the best run stoppers in the league last season and is a perfect fit to replace what Malcom Brown did. With Lawrence Guy coming off a career year and Danny Shelton also brought back, the middle of the defense looks solid.

Rookie Byron Cowart is another really good defensive tackle fit and could unseat Shelton.

On the back end it’s one of the most proven and deepest groups Belichick has ever had. Only rookie JoeJuan Williams would appear to have a shot at making the roster unless injuries strike.

So how will it all come together?

Run Downs/Regular

Guy and Pennel should anchor things inside when stopping the run is the priority. Behind them Elandon Roberts and Bentley should see plenty of action as the middle linebacker.

Deatrich Wise‘s development in year three is an area to watch. If Wise can emerge into an every-down edge-setting/pass-rushing end, the trickle-down effect will be immense.

The other edge spot is up for grabs after Bennett, who really should be saved from playing in the regular package. Ideally, Simon, Winovich or Derek Rivers wins the job in August. Those three should all see significant snaps early in the season at one time or another.

The outside linebackers finally have some depth, with Hightower, Van Noy and Collins all top-flight NFL players and edge setters in the run game. Collins’ return is great news for Hightower, who won’t have to play every snap right out of the gate.

The secondary core four has one question, who is CB2? J.C. Jackson? JoeJuan Williams? Jason McCourty? That will be determined in camp and the competition will only make a great secondary better.

Passing Downs/Sub

This is where the fun begins. The featured pieces upfront, Michael Bennett and Adam Butler on the line, with Hightower, Van Noy and Collins playing all kind of games behind them.

The versatility of those three linebackers is what will make the Patriots even better prepared to deal with the Chiefs this year.

After those five players, the Pats can search for the most effective combination, with Wise, Simon, Winovich and Rivers all getting opportunities. At least one should make some splash plays with the attention the linebackers will draw.

In sub, the Pats already go six deep with NFL experience and that doesn’t include the stud rookie Williams or last year’s top pick Duke Dawson. They have size, experience and an elite cornerback in Stephon Gilmore.

The key for the back-end are the safeties, especially Patrick Chung, who makes things work with his versatility. If there’s an Achilles Heel to this Patriots’ defense it might be losing Chung to injury. Having good linebacker depth is some insurance.

McCourty’s also versatile as Harmon has spent his career taking care of the back end and allowing D-Mac to move around. As a trio, there isn’t a better safety group in the NFL.

The Patriots have a veteran core that has led them to three Super Bowls and if they stay healthy there’s good reason to project this team back in the big game.

But there are still roles to be won and chances for new players to emerge. The team has a lot of really interesting depth which should make training camp fun.

As Tom Brady embarks on one of his final seasons, it’s nice to know the other side of the ball looks ready to carry things, if/when they have to and are set up to do so for a while.

What Can Patriots Expect from Jamie Collins the Second Time Around?

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Collins pictured in action (#91) in his first spell with the Patriots (Photo
by: runneralan2004, CC BY 2.0)

Jamie Collins is back with the New England Patriots and will be looking to re-write how things ended the first time around. The 29-year-old had an exciting initial three-year spell with the Patriots between 2013 and 2016, but his stay in New England came to an unexpected end.

On his way out the door, Collins was criticized for failing to stick to the gameplan and freelancing too much within the Patriots’ structured system. A simpler explanation was that Collins was just going to be too expensive for the Patriots and the team got what they could for him (third-round comp pick) and still went on to win a Super Bowl. Either way, the Pats sent him packing midway into the 2016 season.

After including that pick in a package for Brandin Cooks in 2017, the Pats then moved Cooks to the Rams, complicating the return on Collins. The ultimate result of the Collins trade? One year of Cooks, and current Patriots Deatrich Wise, Isaiah Wynn, Keion Crossen, Ryan Izzo and rookie Byron Cowart. Yes, the Pats turned Collins into a ton of value and now he’s back.

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