It was a slow day here on the blog the last couple of days because I spent all of Sunday frolicking in the waves at the beach and that pretty much put me out of commission on Monday. Yes, I am getting old. But the good news is going to be at 9pm can really recharge the batteries so let’s dive back in on some stuff that I missed the last couple days.
First, let’s get some deflategate nonsense out of the way with the news that Brady will attend settlement hearing tomorrow in New York. Mike Florio mentioned last week that though the judge said Brady and Goodell didn’t have to attend, it’s a good idea to show up and send a message to the judge how important this is. So I think it’s a good idea Brady’s attending.
The other interesting bit of news is that witnesses can be called tomorrow. Florio thought McNally and Jastremski were outside of the realm of possibility but those attached to the investigation certainly are not, so yes, I’m holding my breath and praying Jeff Pash, Ted Wells or, less likely, Mike Kensil have to testify under oath. If this hearing really is about whether or not the process was fair to Brady then it seems reasonable to think these guys have some explaining to do.
Now for some football stuff – Pats traded Jordan Devey to San Francisco today for tight end Asante Cleveland. I think this is mostly a depth move to avoid having to play Gronk or overuse Hooman in the preseason games. They’re down Chandler and Bequette right now.
Of the other injured guys I’d most like to see back out there soon, Stork and Cadet top the list, but Flowers and Butler aren’t far behind. Most of all I’m curious how Cadet looks compared to White and Bolden, especially catching the ball.
Lot of defensive backs rotating positions the last couple days as well with the safeties seeing time at corner and the corners playing both inside and outside. Don’t read too much into this. Now is the time to get guys some reps at different spots. Better to do it now than have to throw them into it cold in the middle of the season because of an injury. It also lets the coaching staff look at how versatile the guys are.
Pats also have an open roster spot. Here’s the current depth chart as I see it (guys on PUP are at the bottom, obviously LaFell will be back at the top when he returns).
Looking forward to some quality practice reps against the Saints the next two days.
