Almost There

There's just a hint of fall in the air today. 

Did I say fall? I meant football.

The first round of moves made by the Patriots were hardly surprising, unless you were shocked by the trade of Duke Dawson to the Broncos (not surprised). 

It turned out Bill Belichick and Dante Scarnnechia were every bit as worried about the depth options on the offensive line as you were so they made three separate trades for a backup guard, tackle, and center. Check, check, and check.

The players cut on Friday were a who's who of who's that?

The first real bubble to burst came Sunday morning as we learned Braxton Berrios had been released. I don't know who the Dolphins think will be returning kicks for them in 2019 but I think it might be Berrios.

The release of Berrios has to be good news for those of us shipping Gunner Olszewski, the Feel Good Story of Summer Camp 2019. Bill Belichick loving a kid who can play offense, defense, and special teams? Not too much. Still, roster spots are at a premium, in particular if you believe Bill will keep three quarterbacks (I do - unless another team makes an offer Trader Bill simply can't refuse).

With the return of Josh Gordon and Demaryius Thomas to game action last Thursday, the seating chart in the wide receiver room just got real tight. It also has the good citizens of Patriots Nation saying crazy things, like, this may be the best weapons Tom Brady has ever had (it isn't).  Gordon, Thomas, and Julian Edelman. Gordon, Thomas, Edelman, and Phillip Dorsett/Jakobi Meyers/N'Keal Harry (depending on if you want to stretch, go big, or attack the middle of the field). It will be all about matchups. I heard that somewhere. It also means you probably shouldn't draft any New England wide receivers for your fantasy team.

Shilique Calhoun, Derek Rivers, Dietrich Wise, Jr. Who stays? Who goes (to Miami)? Who catches the Foxborough Flu? Will I be able to post this before we know? So many questions. All three flashed during the preseason but there may not be room for one or any of them on a stacked Patriots defense. Even if you're thinking of stashing one of them on IR Return, remember, they would first have to make the Final 53. 

Elandon Roberts or Calvin Munson? Munson reportedly has more value on special teams, perhaps a bit more athletic. Maybe Roberts goes to Miami to replace disgruntled LB Kiko Alonso?  Alonso has asked for a trade and I'd wondered how/if rookie HC Brian Flores would be able to coexist with a player I think is one of the dirtiest/cheap shot artists in the NFL. Apparently not. Roberts seems like the kind of player Flores would like to have. Too obvious?

Perhaps the biggest question of the day is just how many 6th or 7th round draft picks Belichick can stockpile in cutdown day trades.

We'll see how it goes.