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Patriots Set Initial Practice Squad

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It’s important to remember that everything is fluid at this time of year, and really for most of the season. The Patriots never stop churning at the bottom of their roster, bringing guys in, sending guys out, recycling those same guys a week or two later. Roster building is never done, but they have to start somewhere so here’s the initial 2018 practice squad and some notes on each player.

Danny Etling — As expected the Patriots hung on to the rookie quarterback who will now be best known for his long preseason touchdown scamper against the Giants. I’ll say this all year: the Patriots should bring in any quarterback that they can. Finding Tom Brady’s eventual successor doesn’t have to be neatly tied up in a high-round-pick bow. It could come from anywhere so it’s important to not only keep Etling, but to stay vigilant for any quarterback who might blossom with the team.

Vincent Valentine — My favorite keep of the practice squad, Valentine was coming on as a rookie before losing his sophomore season to injury. He couldn’t quite crack the 53 with Shelton, Brown and Guy the top interior space eaters in front of him, but he could be needed in a pinch and will be a good player to continue to develop with some uncertainty next year (Brown and Shelton will be free agents).

Ralph Webb — The undrafted rookie running back had a sparkling debut the first week of the preseason and then wasn’t heard from much again. The Pats must’ve seen enough to want to continue working with Webb and with a running back corps that has struggled to stay healthy it’s not crazy to imagine Webb joining the team in a Jonas Grey-type capacity for a few games.

Riley McCarron — I have to be honest on McCarron, I have yet to see him really impress me and every opportunity was there this preseason. If he can’t make the roster this year, when the Pats kept just three receivers initially, and instead they chose to find two castoffs from other teams to fill those spots, I’m not sure if he has any kind of long-term potential. It’s good to have a young receiver in the wings but I’m not holding my breath for McCarron to break through in real football games this season, or ever.

Jomal Wiltz — Wiltz is a cornerback that didn’t quite get the love of Crossen or Jackson, but was very much on the coaches’ radar from what I saw at camp. Depth at corner on the roster is outstanding so it would have to be a long climb for Wiltz but you never know where injuries will strike.

Cole Croston — Croston made the roster last year but just missed the cut this year. This was probably due in large part to the holes that had to be filled at wide receiver. But he’s a versatile offensive linemen who could very well be needed to play a role this season. The coaches clearly like him and he could fill in at a number of spots. With just seven OL on the active roster, Croston is a lot closer to playing than just about anyone else on the practice squad.

James Ferentz — Like Croston, Ferentz isn’t all that far from getting called up to game action. He can play center or guard, and behind Ted Karras would be the top option if one of the interior starters gets hurt.

Trent Harris — Harris might’ve made the team if this was 2017, but the remade edge pieces ran six deep this season. Harris was one of the standout scrubs and had a handful of moments in training camp. As we learned last year you can never have too many edge players. Harris can develop behind the scenes and is excellent insurance at a vital position.

Patriots Cap Preseason with a Whatever Against the Giants

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There’s always a huge sigh of relief when the preseason is over. Injuries are the most impactful and most unknown factors of a football season, and to lose someone in August, before the games even matter, is always a downer.

Seeing Julian Edelman go down so soon after being a Super Bowl hero instantly put the team behind the eightball. But this year the 2018 Patriots were fortunate. There were certainly disappointments — Isaiah Wynn (who still isn’t on IR), Jordan Matthews and Kenny Britt being the prominent ones.

Otherwise, the Patriots will start the season with the team they wanted almost entirely intact. We can poke holes in where there could be depth problems, but every team has those. The fact once again remains, if the most key players of this Patriots team remain upright the entire season their chances at going to a toss-up Super Bowl are nearly assured.

There will be bumps in the road regardless of injuries. Remember, September football is very much an extension of the preseason. The team is still figuring out who they are exactly and what will make them unique amongst the last 18 seasons. They might look like total dogshit one week and lose a game to a team who might win four games all year.

But as the coaching kicks in, the players come together and begin playing to their strengths watch out. Those are the games where we’re reminded the New England Patriots Football Machine is still very much alive and well.

So, did we learn much of anything in the final preseason scrubfest? Were any roster spots won? Let’s take a quick look back before we totally turn the page to the roster craziness of the weekend and then the Texans.

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Patriots Gameplan: Preseason Week 4 at the G-Men

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The regular season is fast upon us! But first, we must sit through one last preseason scrub-fest. For many of those wearing the Flying Elvis tonight, it will be the last time they might ever put an NFL football helmet on. In that regard, I enjoy watching players on the fringe leaving it all out there like it’s the Super Bowl.

The hope is that no one important touches the field tonight. Of course, some who are kinda important will have to. Julian Edelman will likely see a good dose of snaps. So will Hoy-dog, not that anyone really cares about him. But the very most important pieces should be protected. Isaiah Wynn was an unfortunate casualty but appears to be the only significant injury loss of the summer.

Today’s final preseason gameplan will once again just be five areas to focus on. Next week we get into the PatsProp in-season schedule — Posits Monday, Film Tuesday, Scouting Wednesday, and Gameplan Friday being the blog staples.

Here’s the final “gameplan,” bring on the regular season!

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Patriots Preseason Week 4: Bubble About to Burst

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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.

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Five Trade Bait Patriots

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WIth news of Derek Rivers being flown back to Boston for an MRI on his knee and Kony Ealy getting banged up (but returning) in joint practices with the Texans, the Patriots already-precarious and inexperienced depth just took another blow. They’re down to Trey Flowers and Geneo Grissom as their only two fully healthy ends.

Could the Patriots explore a trade to bring in needed reinforcements at the position? Of course it will depend on the prognosis for Rivers and Deatrich Wise, who suffered a concussion in the first preseason game. Though even with those two fully healthy and in the mix, Ealy’s disappointing camp has still left something to be desired from this important position.

The Patriots never stand pat with their roster. As much as we want to do 53-man roster projections and think that that will be the 2017, the team is constantly tinkering with their players, bringing guys in off the street and via trade.

But to bring someone in via trade the Pats would have to give up something. Let’s take a look at five Patriots who could be trade bait.

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Patriots Positional Preview: Defensive Tackles

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The countdown to camp with positional excerpts from my season preview book continues today with the defensive tackles.

One of the most underrated groups on the roster, Alan Branch, Malcom Brown and Vincent Valentine did a fantastic job controlling the heart of the offensive line and winning the battles in the trenches in 2016. The result was the best-ranked run defense (4th in Football Outsiders DVOA) ever under Belichick.

This is even more of an accomplishment when you consider the Patriots now use two defensive linemen to do what three used to do.

Branch might’ve been the defensive MVP for a large chunk of the season. The huge veteran often lined up at nose tackle and was near unmoveable. While Brown doesn’t have much flash to his game, but he’s an athletic technician who always seems to be in the right spot. He should start to get even more notice in his third year.

Together, Brown and Branch gave the Patriots everything they could expect from two stout tackles tasked with occupying multiple blockers and controlling the line of scrimmage.

Valentine did an outstanding job filling in at times for Branch and Brown and should take more strides in his second season. His goal line stop in the AFC Championship (see GIF) was the highlight of his season and a play to build on.

While the starting trio returns intact, free agent signee Lawrence Guy is one of then most intriguing new players who is below many radars. Guy’s interior pass rush skills should be a huge asset while his role on early downs is something to watch.

Let’s take a closer look at all the defensive tackles!

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Patriots-49ers Film Review: Defense Edition

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Let’s dive into the All-22 to take a look at the Patriots defensive performance against the 49ers on Sunday.

— The Patriots started the game with a three-and-out, sending Patrick Chung on a blitz both on second and third down, with him picking up the punt-forcing sack on the third down. Little bit of extra aggression (sent five) early on was nice to see.

— On the second series, the 49ers picked up a first down on third-and-nine that sparked a scoring drive. Old friend Chris Harper, he of 2015’s Harper’s Muff, lost Malcolm Butler out of a bunch set and went for 19 yards. Appeared to be some kind of miscommunication by the trio of cornerbacks, or it might’ve been on Hightower who vacated the flat to cover the tight end even though McCourty already had him.

— Seemed like a conscious effort to attack the defensive left side of the offensive line, with the three down lineman (Flowers-Branch-Brown) shaded to that side. All three were effective in holding their ground against the run here on the second drive.

— 3rd-and-8, 49ers get 26 with a pass to RB Draughn with Hightower in coverage. Problem was again out of a bunch set where Hightower applied a jam but it occupied him long enough for Draughn get get wide open downfield.

— One interesting development this season has been the extensive use of Devin McCourty in the box. Puts another spin on re-signing Duron Harmon this offseason. If Harmon walks, McCourty won’t have as much flexibility.

— Pats made a goal-line stand to force the field goal (Bend-Don’t-Break yo), and Vincent Valentine’s first down run stuff was a big reason why.

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