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training camp battles

Patriots Training Camp Battle Preview: Running Back

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The Patriots ground game jumped from 17th in the rushing DVOA in 2016 all the way to third in 2017, good enough for their third-best ranking since 2000. But with leading rusher Dion Lewis gone to Tennesee, the Patriots will be looking to re-adjust their backfield, with first-round pick Sony Michel the centerpiece.

Despite the impressive season from the running backs, I felt like the Patriots went away from what worked best for them in the playoffs. In games where they gave Lewis the ball 10-plus times the team was 10-0, with a 15.6 average point margin of victory. That was on display against the Titans in the first round of the playoffs, but Lewis would get just nine carries against the Jags and Eagles in the last two playoff games.

I know it’s hard to complain when you put up as much yardage in the Super Bowl as the Patriots did, but they also lost the time of possession battle by 10 minutes and were 2-4 in the red zone. Lewis was second on the team in red zone touchdowns. For as much attention as Malcolm Butler draws in criticism of usage, I’d put Lewis up there as well.

But alas, Lewis is gone and the Pats will have to figure out who’s up next. They have a bunch of interesting options, but Michel’s ceiling could determine if this ground game can remain atop the league rankings in 2018.

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Patriots Training Camp Battle Preview: Wide Receiver

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After left tackle, there’s no more interesting position on the Patriots roster than wide receiver. After a major turnover in 2013, the Pats are once again looking at another evolution in 2018. Tom Brady hasn’t ever blinked before, managing to win even when those catching his throws had unimpressive names like Reche Caldwell, Kenbrell Thompkins and Brandon Lloyd.

Now, at 40, Brady will once again have to find a new set of go-to targets after the departures of Danny Amendola and Brandin Cooks, the pending suspension of 32-year-old Julian Edelman and the recurring absences of promising 2016 rookie Malcolm Mitchell. The Patriots have done well to prepare for this transition, going back into last season, but who clicks with Brady and can stay healthy is a near-impossible thing to predict.

Here’s a rundown of the wide receiver camp battle and who the favorites are to become the next clutch receivers.

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Patriots Training Camp Battle Preview: Left Tackle

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xttDAxpJNY

Remember when Nate Solder signed with the Giants this offseason? It was probably the most significant (and depressing) football move of the offseason as far as the Patriots were concerned, yet by now it’s faded to a distant memory behind all the superficial bullshit that was talked about in the months since.

But the impact of having not set succession plan at the important left tackle spot is the first and easiest place to start as I dive into breaking down the Pats’ training camp battles. Tom Brady‘s only had two starters protecting his blind side — Matt Light, then Solder, and that transition was about as seamless as they come. Solder was drafted in the first round of 2011, got plenty of experience as a backup and spot starter at right tackle as a rookie, then Light retired and Solder stepped in the next season.

There will be no such easy transition this time and the Patriots have taken a throw it all against the wall approach that featured a lot of rotation in OTAs. Dante Scarnecchia is one of the best offensive line coaches in the history of football and with plenty of bodies to work with he should be able to craft a new-look offensive line at 70 years old.

Let’s break down the contenders and how things might look when the 2018 Patriots take the field opening weekend against the Texans.

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