PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Patriots Training Camp Report: Friday (TFB-Day)

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Got back from another muggy Patriots practice, that featured alternating rain and glaring sun. I was on my game though, setting up right against one of the few trees on the hill that overlooks the stadium. The advantages up there: shade, slight wind, watching the practice from the end zone which makes it a lot easier to scout the players.

A lot of the important guys had their snaps limited, starting with Tom Brady, but also including Dont’a Hightower, Devin McCourty, Rob Gronkowski and Stephon Gilmore. That gave some of the younger players a chance at more reps with starting-caliber players.

Here are some of those who are getting some more chances:

— Christian Sam saw time playing with Hightower as the top nickel linebacker duo and seemed comfortable within the defense. He’s making strides.

— Riley McCarron got plenty of chances but he showed inconsistency. Not sure him or Berrios can stake a claim on a roster spot right now. Did think it was Berrios’ best practice that I’ve seen, gaining separation on Jomal Wiltz on one snap for whatever that’s worth.

— Wiltz and Ryan Lewis saw plenty of time at cornerback today. Neither stood out like JC Jackson has to me. Jackson is getting time as a gunner too, so he’s really looking like he could have an inside spot on a job at this point.

— Eddie Pleasant and Nicholas Grigsby look mostly like roster locks right now, playing multiple special teams units and getting valuable reps on defense as well.

— The whole offense took a lap after a sloppy exchange. They had already fumbled one. Funny to see Brady, who wasn’t really practicing at this point, take a lap with them. It drew happy birthday cheers from the audience, even though it was a penalty lap.

— Mike Gillislee was back in pads and looks explosive on a couple carries to me. Jeremy Hill has a spot on the kickoff return team right now so it’d look like he’s adding more value than Gillislee so he’s got his work cut out for him.

— I am so curious to see how Jacob Hollister looks in the preseason. He’s been great at camp, catching everything thrown his direction, consistently getting open. When we talk about filling in for Edelman weeks one through four, Hollister could be a significant part of the equation. Between him and Decker, the Pats will have some inside size this year that they’ve never really had.

— If you missed my 53-man projection from yesterday I can say that I feel even better about my defensive picks after today’s practice.

Patriots Add Eric Decker

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc9EutK6U2w

In a move that felt inevitable as soon as Jordan Matthews was lost for the season, the Pats signed receiver Eric Decker to a one-year deal. Though we all remember what a pain in the ass Decker was playing for the Broncos and Jets, he’s definitely near the end of the road. But perhaps a shot at a ring and nothing to lose with the best quarterback he’s ever played with 😉 can help him squeeze out one last productive season. You can see his most recent work above.

He was 1-6 vs. the Patriots with two touchdowns and under a 50 percent catch rate. Seems like I was more afraid of what he could do than he ever actually did. His best game against the Pats was six catches for 94 yards with the Jets in 2014.

I am eager to give him a look. He has good size and brings a similar physical presence inside that Matthews would’ve brought. Decker’s experienced and shouldn’t be holding anything back. It could turn into an interesting year with him and Brady, especially the first four weeks.

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Patriots Book Review: Gridiron Genius by Michael Lombardi

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I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of Michael Lombardi’s new book coming in September, Gridiron Genius. If you’re a fan of the kind of stuff I write… i.e. pretend Pats football GM, coach, team builder… this is the book for you!

Around 2014 I found a group of concrete articles I wanted to write every week. Mondays are Posits, just general thoughts about the team. Tuesdays are film review, Wednesdays are scouting reports and then Fridays are the big one, my favorite, the gameplan. Well, Lombardi pretty much gives you the real version of all these things and I couldn’t put it down.

First, I will obviously focus much on Bill Belichick in this review and he is a huge part of the book, but there are tons of great stories about Bill Walsh and Al Davis as well in here. As a fan of the game, anything about Bill Walsh instantly perks my attention and Lombardi spent plenty of times getting to know him. And of course, there’s Davis, who became somewhat of a cartoon by the end, but we forget what a passionate football mind he was and one-of-a-kind. He had his preferences and it’s interesting to see how the game changed on him.

That aside, the Patriots stuff, oh the Patriots stuff.

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Patriots 53-Man Roster Projection 2.0 (August 2nd)

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With one week of training camp under their belt, it’s an okay time to make another attempt at a 53-man roster. In case you missed them I’ve put up three training camp videos on my Youtube channel so far. Please subscribe!

QB (2) T.Brady, B.Hoyer — With a year on the practice squad, Etling could have some promise developing behind the scenes, a perfect spot for him.

RB (6) R.Burkhead, J.White, J.Hill, B.Bolden, S.Michel, J.Develin — Gillislee better get on the field quick or Hill will run away with the job.

WR (5) C.Hogan, P.Dorsett, C.Patterson, K.Britt, M.Slater — Projecting Britt based on OTAs but he has to get back on the field. Losing Matthews hurts the depth but really the top line is going to be the same once Edelman gets back. Dorsett will be a key contributor this season. Addition coming?

TE (3) R.Gronkowski, D.Allen, J.Hollister – Solid group led by Gronk. Allen is improved. Hollister continues to carve out a receiving role.

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Video: Patriots Training Camp Report 8/1

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It was a cool, overcast morning with a reduced crowd and I was able to get a seat in the sideline stands to get a closer look than I’ve had in any of my previous three practices. It was another pads session with a variety of special situations getting worked on, including bad field goal snaps and running back route running at the goal line.

In my latest video I have my five big takeaways, but perhaps the biggest dropped while I was editing — that Jordan Matthews was released after sustaining a serious hamstring issue. I spent most of the summer getting excited about Matthews, but just like that, not only a week into practice, he’s off the team. Riley McCarron was the beneficiary of extra snaps with the top team, but I’d bet there’s another receiver signing soon. Eric Decker, a big slot receiver like Matthews, makes a lot of sense.

Other nuggets that I forgot to mention in the video:

— Tom Brady and Bill Belichick spent a good minute talking at midfield before practice. Belichick was animated, appearing to explain something football-y? All the “are they having fun, is Brady-Belichick still mad” takes are pretty silly but maybe them talking pre-practice helps?

— Rookie JC Jackson and second-year corner Ryan Lewis continue to get second-team reps as well as significant looks on special teams.

–Bojorquez continues to outkick Ryan Allen, at least consistently in distance. He didn’t get any reps holding the numerous field goal tries with the top team today though.

— Burkhead is taking punt returns but muffed one. McCarron was consistent, Berrios was as well.

Patriots Rookie Power Rankings

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The Patriots have a day off today so it’s a moment to catch our breath. As you probably heard by now Isaiah Wynn caught a second punt attempt and won the team a day off. It won’t do them much good in NFL Power Rankings, but it was a welcomed break after five-straight days of work.

Belichick pulls this all the time in camp — Matt Light, Vince Wilfork caught punts, Stephen Gostkowski kicked a night off-winning field goal. But every time I can remember, all did it on the first try. I’m pretty sure Wynn was the first to drop one, but that doesn’t hurt his spot on my rookie power rankings after five training camp practices because he looks like a beast.

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10 Things We’ve Learned About 2018 Pats

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Four days, four training camp practices. Not that many, but enough to get some answers to some of the questions of the offseason.

I’ll be back at Gillette tonight for the in-stadium practice, which I’m very much looking forward to… sitting in a seat and not getting baked by the sun. Usually, these are special teams and autograph sessions. Still, I bet we get a good chance to see more of the Allen-Bojorquez competition. Despite one bad shank, Bojorquez very well could be in the lead.

One quick note, in case you’ve missed it I’ve added some videos to the blog this season. Please check them out and subscribe for more this season!

Here are 10 more things we’ve learned about the 2018 Patriots.

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