Logjammin'

One of these guys is going to have a career in the NFL. They just may not have that career in Foxborough.

 

Malcolm Butler and Brian Tyms continue to be the favorites to answer this year’s “Who will be the UDFA that makes the final 53?” question. They continue to shine, even as they’re asked to step up and play more meaningful snaps.

Tyms may have moved ahead of Josh Boyce on the depth chart. Boyce had another brutal game where everything good he does physically is negated by a mental lapse. Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and Aaron Dobson are locks. Kenbrell Thompkins and Brandon LaFell impressed on Friday night, as did Tyms.  Boyce has been projected to kick return duties as his best shot to make the roster but if Roy Finch can take care of the return game, my bromance with Josh Boyce starts to look a lot like, “It’s not you, it’s – no wait, it is you.”

The Butler did it again Friday night. It seemed like Malcolm Butler was constantly around the ball, highlighted by his forced fumble/fumble recovery play in the 3^rd quarter. The Patriots are so deep in the defensive backfield they recently traded a healthy cornerback for an injured defensive tackle. Can the Patriots keep Darrelle Revis, Brandon Browner, Logan Ryan, Alfonzo Dennard, Kyle Arrington and Malcolm Butler? Whatever happened to Daxton Swanson who flashed ball skills in training camp and what of little seen rookie Jemea Thomas? Given the multiple personnel combinations the Patriots like to play, it’s sometimes difficult to know who’s a cornerback and who’s a safety

The defensive backfield isn’t the only position group where Belichick will face some tough choices.

Offensive in a Good Way

Jordan Devey, the former practice squadder, is a human monkey wrench on the offensive line. He’s big, smart and he has position flexibility. Let’s assume New England keeps nine offensive linemen. Let’s assume Nate Solder, Logan Mankins, Dan Connolly, Josh Kline and Sebastian Vollmer are the starters. If the Patriots keep all of their draft picks – Brian Stork, Jon Halapio and Cameron Fleming – that leaves just one spot up for grabs. Stork’s injury status argues for Ryan Wendell holding onto his spot on the roster. Marcus Cannon has been a solid backup at tackle and guard, playing well when called upon; on the other hand, he hasn’t yet been able to secure a starting role except through the misfortune of others. Like Ryan Mallett, Cannon is in his walk year and could be traded. (The Cardinals aren’t happy with Jonathan Cooper, the Colts lost Donald Thomas to season-ending injury, etc.) And then there’s Devey, who has played every snap in both preseason games.

Show Running

Yes, it was second half action against second and third stringers but it’s hard to ignore Jonas Gray’s 12 rushes for 98 yards last Friday night, a significant chunk of the 250 yards totaled by the Patriots on the ground. Brandon Bolden made me want to take back every bad thing I’ve said about him in trying to make a case for Roy Finch, who also had a nice game. James White had one nice run for a 1^st down but otherwise has been the opposite of spectacular, failing to translate his much lauded work in practice to the playing field. And Stevan Ridley fumbled again.

Ridley’s fumble was recovered by the Patriots (James Develin) and local pigskin pundits and bobbleheads noted that the fumble probably would’ve been overturned on replay but Bill Belichick made it clear in post-game comments there are no mitigating circumstances when it comes to grading a play.

If White was putting up numbers in the preseason games that matched the pub he’s received from practice, Ridley’s job might be in jeopardy. At this point, it may be impossible for Ridley to escape his narrative as a serial fumbler in New England. A change of scenery seems inevitable but in the short run, if not Stevan Ridley, then who handles the heavy lifting in the running game?

There isn’t an obvious LeGarrette Blount on the 2014 roster.

So maybe the answer is “no one.” Maybe the Patriots play Bolden, Shane Vereen, Finch, White and Gray in situational rotation, depending on opponent, by down and distance. Maybe none of them gets 150+ carries; maybe they all get 85-90 touches.

Yeah, I don’t see that happening. I just don’t see a “Running Back Two Years Removed from his Best Season with Ball Security Issues” market developing for Stevan Ridley. Not that Ridley won’t find work if he’s cut. As noted above, Ridley doesn’t look like he’ll be with the Patriots in 2015. Belichick will necessarily balance winning now and winning 1-3 years from now. Not to punch Jonas Gray’s ticket for Canton but for example’s sake, keeping Ridley would likely put Gray on the street with no guarantee he makes it to the Patriots’ practice squad.

I think we’ll see Ridley the Week 1 starter. He’s probably the best bridge to James White/Tyler Gaffney in 2015.

The theme song for the NFL’s 2014 preseason…

Look at the flags, look at the flags they threw...