In case you missed it yesterday I had the chance to go on Patriots Unfiltered with Fred, Paul, Erik and Megan. Was really cool to talk Pats with some of the experts and I was happy to jump right in to talk about the tight end situation, Nick Caserio and one of my favorite topics, Patriots jerseys, among many other things over the two-hour show.
Patriots Trade for Tight End Michael Roberts
In a move that should surprise exactly no one, the Patriots traded with the Lions for tight end Michael Roberts. After the departure of Austin Seferian-Jenkins, the Patriots depth was a little scary with Ben Watson facing a four-game suspension.
I wrote about the tight end situation a lot this offseason. After losing Gronk and Dwayne Allen, and trading Jacob Hollister, the Pats were in do-over mode at the position. Then, incredibly, they didn’t draft one, preferring just to add Matt Lacosse who is more of a move player, and bringing back Watson who was on the verge of retirement.
Roberts is the right fit because he’s the prototypical blocking tight end. Those aren’t sexy but they’re critical, and the Patriots really didn’t have a proven one on the roster. Watson, at this stage of his career, should be limited in his point of attack duties. Maybe Ryan Izzo can build off a solid training camp last year, he fits the mold, but Roberts gives them someone who has done it at the NFL level.
[Read more…] about Patriots Trade for Tight End Michael RobertsPats Posits: We’re on to The Void
With the Patriots cancelling the final two OTAs and instead going on a team building paintball trip where Belichick shot Kyle Van Noy in the face, we’re now on to the worst part of the NFL calendar, aka The Void between the end of OTAs and the start of training camp.
Yes, it will be a long six weeks or so, and it’s unlikely there’s any earth shattering news. Though with this team you never know, especially when the depth at tackle and tight end still leaves a bit to be desired. Still, let’s just plan on taking a bit of a break before it’s balls to wall.
With that in mind, here’s a bunch of Posits. Tune into Patriots Unfiltered tomorrow (Thursday) from 12-2 at Patriots.com as I’m excited to be joining the guys in studio to talk Pats.
[Read more…] about Pats Posits: We’re on to The VoidPats 2019 Minicamp Wrap: In It To Wynn It
The Patriots wrapped up their mandatory minicamp on Thursday and now we embark on the six-week football void until training camp opens up.
After winning the Super Bowl for the third time in five years, this Patriots team still has much of their core still intact, but time is not on their side. That puts a spotlight into the critical spots where they are facing turnover — tight end, left tackle and wide receiver.
What have we learned about those glaring holes and everything else 2019 Pats from minicamp? Let’s break it down.
[Read more…] about Pats 2019 Minicamp Wrap: In It To Wynn ItTweets of Note: 2019 Patriots Mini-camp Practice #1
The Patriots opened mandatory minicamp on Tuesday and yes, that means that Tom Brady was in fact in attendance. As aa credential-less blogger, I’m relegated to living vicariously through those who were there to watch it go down.
Here are the tweets that stood out and my thoughts on them.
Oh yes, another season with the GOAT, how lucky we are.
[Read more…] about Tweets of Note: 2019 Patriots Mini-camp Practice #1Let’s Talk Patriots Tight Ends
With the announcement of Ben Watson’s four-game suspension, Austin Seferian-Jenkins missing in action at the first OTAs of the offseason and Gronk living his post-retirement dreams, the tight end position for the 2019 Patriots is very much up in the air.
Along with Gronk retiring, they traded away the oft-injured Jacob Hollister. Hollister made the team two years in a row and had plenty of spectacular training camp catches but it never panned out on the game field.
I can’t help but lament not hanging on to Dwayne Allen, who signed with Miami. He was never going to be a threat in the passing game really, but he at least gave them a strong NFL-caliber blocker.
Now I’m not sure they can even say that, at least for September. The Patriots are back at tight end ground zero.
[Read more…] about Let’s Talk Patriots Tight EndsMy Bruins Diary: These Bruins Don’t Blink
Every once in a while my urge to write about the Bruins overtakes my edict to keep this a Patriots football-only blog. Now, with the Bruins taking game one of the Stanley Cup finals, it’s time for another edition of My Bruins Diary.
Your regularly scheduled Patriots programming, featuring me white-knuckling it thinking about the tight end situation will return tomorrow. Today, it’s Bruins.
In truth, since moving back to Boston I’ve been more heavily involved in the Bruins (and hockey in general) than the Patriots. I’ve enjoyed producing videos for CLNS last season and Bruins Daily this season. The Bruins give access to blogs that the Patriots don’t and I’ve been lucky to be in the press conferences and locker room soaking it all up. It’s hard not to feel especially close to this team and it’s been a joy to see how well they’re playing.
