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Tweets of Note from Patriots’ First Joint Practice with Saints

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The Patriots hit the field with the Saints down in West Virginia today, getting a chance to hit someone else for a change. It’s especially good to go up an established team with an “elite” quarterback as well as a different defensive scheme that will challenge the Patriots in new and different ways.

Here are the tweets of note…

This might give some people a scare, but in the long term it’s probably one of the best things that can happen to Butler at this point. He’s going to give up catches this year and what’s most important is how he responds. So to get lit up in practice a bit will show him what he needs to work on. We still can’t deny that Butler has looked very good this summer but let’s remember he’s still very inexperienced and has a way to go.

I think there’s something brewing here with the three safety looks and that’s why I think we could see six safeties stick on the roster. If they will be playing more zone it makes sense to put your smartest and most experienced guys on the field, but there’s also the element of physicality that this group brings that will make tough sledding for opposing offenses across the middle of the field.

At this point I’m just hoping they can manage Tarrell Brown and have him ready to go for the start of the season. It seems like Butler, Brown and McClain are the favorites to start the three corner spots.

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Updated Patriots Depth Chart (post-Preseason Game One)

I don’t want to get too crazy and read too much into how guys were being played last night, but I do think we got some clarity on positional specificity like Rufus Johnson being at defensive end and Xzavier Dickson playing more linebacker.

One significant change is moving Brandon Gibson to the top of the X WR depth chart. I am curious to see how he looks next week with Brady and more of the real offense. But unless Dobson comes roaring back, Gibson has the inside track on the #4 WR spot.

Juggled the DTs a bit as well. I had them as DT and NT but I think there’s just so much crossover now it makes sense to just label them both DT. Antonio Johnson is at the top right now but I don’t know how firm that is. Alan Branch could knock him off once completely in shape.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/updated-patriots-depth-chart-post-preseason-game/

Pats Posits: 15 Thoughts on Pats-Packers Preseason

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And we’re off! Who cares about the scoreboard, there was a ton of new information to process. Here are my initial reactions to the players and plays of preseason week one.

1. The defense looked pretty good. They played plenty of man defense and generally the coverage was better than we probably expected. Malcolm Butler has picked up right where he left off, being right there to make a play on the ball multiple times.

2. Chandler Jones can’t seem to get the respect Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins get, but Chandler is very very good. He’s long, athletic and really playing the run well. He’s a force and could be in for a monster season.

3. Jabaal Sheard really impressed me with his strength in all facets of the game. He looks like the perfect fit we’ve always thought he would be.

4. Jonathan Freeny played most of the game and had some ups and downs. Still, in a mostly special teams role I think he’s close to a lock to make the roster. 

5. Slot cornerback Robert McClain impressed me with his tenacity and making at least one nice pass breakup (that was unfortunately negated by a Ninkovich offsides penalty). 

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6. Darryl Roberts also had his moments before leaving with a hand or wrist injury. Roberts looks like a good fit to go the route Butler went last year, assuming Tarrell Brown continues his hold on the likely starting right corner spot.

7. Upfront I thought the defensive tackles ran hot and cold. Easley and Brown both had their moments in both directions. Antonio Johnson looked okay and could possibly sneak onto my next roster projection.

8. Down game for Tavon Wilson I thought, just not making the plays when he’s right there. Wilson will need to be better but it appears that a strong camp didn’t translate in this game. Meanwhile Jordan Richards looked like he fit right in.

9. Tre Flowers looks like an exciting addition, let’s hope he’s not injured significantly. What a sack on Rodgers!

10. On offense I have to start with the guards, Mason and Jackson, who I thought did pretty well, especially in the run game. I know the pass protection was ugly overall, but I think these two rookies have real promise.

11. Really wanted to see a big play out of Jonas Gray and he delivered. His long touchdown is a big highlight coming out of this one.

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12. James White was up and down for me as well. But I liked some of his moves in space, getting extra yardage. I’m thinking he will work in tandem with Cadet to replace Vereen.

13. Overall Garoppolo looked about how we expected. A little slow at times, but still making some good throws in the face of porous protection. If he has to play a game or two he’ll be fine with a real OL and Gronk/Edelman.

14. Brandon Gibson shot to the top of the WR competition behind the big three. Dobson and Tyms are hurt and Boyce hasn’t progressed. Gibson is my top X now until LaFell returns or Dobson re-enters the conversation.

15. Where did Rufus Johnson come from? Wow, not a mention about him anywhere from camp. I had him as a linebacker, but he’s a DE and really stood out. The DE position is a log jam right now, we’ll see if he can sneak on but might take an injury.

5 Areas of Focus for New England Patriots’ Preseason Game vs. Green Bay Packers

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5 Areas of Focus for New England Patriots’ Preseason Game vs. Green Bay Packers

New one up on Athlon about the guys on the lower end of the depth chart that I’ll be watching. 

I can’t state this enough: DO NOT OVERREACT TO WHAT UNFOLDS IN THE GAME. There are no gameplans. There is a lot of experimentation. It’s about finding out who guys do individually moreso than how the team performs as a whole. 

Tweets of Note from Patriots Training Camp on Monday

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The Patriots were off yesterday and it appeared a chance for them to reset their roster a bit and decide what changes needed to be made after a rash of injuries late last week had left them a little thin at a number of positions. Even the top gambling site reviews won’t like the Patriots chances in September if they’re without so many key players, so they’re protecting themselves with solid moves now.

They announced two moves earlier today, the first swapping out Matt Flynn, who still hadn’t passed a physical for former Cardinals quarterback Ryan Lindley. Obviously if Brady’s suspension sticks, they need a backup for Jimmy Garoppolo who can actually hit the field. It’s sure to be a steep learning curve for Lindley, but let’s hope we never have to see him take a snap outside of the preseason.

They also traded fifth-round pick Matthew Wells to the Bears for guard Ryan Groy, who started some games last year as a rookie. Obviously with Wendell still on PUP, they needed some experienced depth because while Tre Jackson might step in and start from day one, Shaq Mason probably needs some more experience in the passing game.

The Pats did get a boost today with a number of guys returning, including Julian Edelman, Brian Tyms, Matthew Slater and Alan Branch.

Here are the tweets of note from practice…

Malcolm Butler making these big plays is incredibly encouraging. It appears like he and Tarrell Brown are the favorites to start on the outside, though I expect we’ll see everyone get a chance to show what they can do, even in January.

Let’s just keep an eye on Solder, that’s a big injury to monitor…