Patriots Preseason Week 4: Bubble About to Burst

 

I have to admit, I love the annual tradition of the preseason Week 4 scrubfest against the Giants. Yes, it’s grown into an unfortunate reminder of 42 and 46, but at this point, even those games bring a little nostalgia. Though 2007 can never be topped as the worst loss ever, the two more Super Bowl wins have largely canceled those two out.

I’m not even sure I see SB52 as all that disappointing in retrospect. The team, and especially Tom Brady, once again showed why this run is so unprecedented. Despite all the hoopla about who didn’t play, about how terrible the defense was, they were still only one play from winning their third Super Bowl in four years for the SECOND time.

Only one play either way in the Super Bowl. To get that EIGHT times is just spoiled. Winning it five of the eight? Unreal.

Anyway, let’s get this last hunk of junk off our plate so we can turn the page to the campaign for number six.

While I believe 80-90% of the 53-man is already set, there are still a few spots (cough cornerback) where there is still some uncertainty and jobs to be won.

Let’s list off who’s on the bubble and who needs a big game. Here’s my current 53-man roster v4.0.

1. Cornerbacks — Jason McCourty, Cyrus Jones, Jonathan Jones, Keion Crossen, JC Jackson. Two, maybe three of these guys will make the roster, but it’s a toss-up.
2. Linebacker/Special Teams — Nicholas Grisby, Marquis Flowers, Christian Sam: Grigsby looked really fast at back-up Mike linebacker last week and he looked comfortable calling plays. I’d give him the inside track. Sam showed some promise to me and would be a good practice squad keep.
3. Offensive Line — LaAdrian Waddle, Ulrick John, Matt Tobin, Ted Karras, Cole Croston: I think Waddle’s close to a lock and maybe Karras too, but how comfortable are they with Cannon’s health and Trent Brown at left tackle. Someone like John or Tobin could be good insurance. Croston made it last year, they must like him.
4. Vincent Valentine — He’s going to play a bunch Thursday night and it’s a huge opportunity. With Malcom Brown and Danny Shelton hitting free agency next offseason, a promising defensive tackle like Valentine is important to hang on to. Maybe they think they can get him to the practice squad but I think Valentine could be needed very soon.
5. Keionta Davis — I know Davis is a hot name and on a lot of 53-man rosters but I’m not sold on his lock status. Sometimes the Patriots throw guys out there for a ton of preseason snaps but it’s more about riding the low end of the depth chart than it is about them being real first-teamers. Even with a couple flashes, Davis would still be buried behind Flowers-Clayborn-Wise-Rivers.
6. Punt Returner — Riley McCarron, Braxton Berrios: Berrios has been buried-os on the depth chart and dealing with an injury. McCarron has gotten the bulk of the first-team punt returner reps, but hasn’t done anything remarkable other than not muff any in a game. I think they’re both probably off.

That’s right I didn’t put Jordan Richards on there. He’s a lock. BB loves him. I don’t get it either.