They haven't even played a single preseason game, we still don't know what's going on at left tackle. Or tight end. The wide receiver position group is a pu pu platter of Julian Edelman and stories yet written of hopes and dreams and redemption. Their starting quarterback and his dad-bod just turned 42-years-old, making him literally old enough to be the father of at least three members of the current roster.
Back-to-back Super Bowl wins?
Back-to-back Super Bowl wins!
I haven't attended camp so all my information is second-hand at best and yes it's just practice but I can't help but anticipate yet another Patriots run at the Super Bowl and an unprecedented 7th Lombardi Trophy based on the early returns from training camp.
Okay. Regardless of any good news from the practice fields of Foxborough, there's still Belichick and Brady and after everything I've seen from those two it's hard not to feel good about the 2019 Patriots.
Tom Brady + Top 5 Defense = Super Bowl and given the early returns, even minus Trey Flowers (Michael Bennett has been an absolute terror), the defense that held the Rams to just 3 points in SB53 looks like they're back for an encore. They're stacked on the line of scrimmage, stacked at linebacker (welcome back, Jamie Collins), stacked at defensive back. There are some good defensive players in Patriots camp who will wind up playing meaningful regular season snaps for the Miami Dolphins.
Unless Bill Belichick can trade one or two of those defensive players for a replacement level tight end or backup/swing tackle.
Maybe I'm filled to the gills with Wild Bill Belichick Blueberry Kool-Aid but I'm not even freaking out a little bit about Dan "Gigantor" Skipper taking first team snaps at left tackle. He's huge (6'9" and 325 pounds) and given Brady's quick release, by the time a defensive end circumnavigates Skipper the ball is probably out of Tommy Touchdown's hand. Factor in Skipper coming to the Pats from Friend of Bill (and Patriots D-Line coach) Brett Bielema's University of Arkansas program, and that he's learning to play NFL-level football in Dante's Dojo, and I'm actually feeling pretty good about this.
Will I feel better when Isaiah Wynn is fully participating in 11-on-11 drills?
Yes.
The answer is yes.
You just know Belichick and Scarnecchia will figure this out, don't you? Maybe it's kicking Joe Thuney out to LT with Ted Karras stepping up to starting LG. Maybe Skipper is good enough at LT with Thuney helping inside. Or maybe Wynne will be ready for the regular season and perform like the player New England drafted in the first round two years ago. One of those things is going to happen and by Thanksgiving pigskin pundits and bobbleheads will be marveling at how the Patriots always find a way.
The level of concern amongst local pigskin pundits in regards to the wide receiver group seems just a bit over the top but then, when haven't the locals complained about the lack of "weapons" that Bill the GM has given Brady? (2007 Randy Moss excepted.) I've already heard comparisons to the 2013-14 rosters with Kenbrell Thompkins, Josh Boyce, Aaron "IR" Dobson, and Bryan Tyms. (Maybe the important point is that nobody has yet to compare this group to the 2006 team that targeted Reche Caldwell 102 times.) Maybe preseason action will cool my jets but a WR room with Julian Edelman, Phillip Dorsett, N'Keal Harry, Maurice Harris, and Jakobi Meyers sounds pretty good to me. We know who Edelman and Dorsett are but I'm thinking the best case for the new guys goes something like this…
- N'Keal Harry - Young Anquan Boldin
- Maurice Harris - Mashup of Danny Amendola/Cordarelle Patterson - that guy who underperformed for other franchise(s) only to come to New England to author a career year playing with Tom Brady
- Jakobi Meyers - Taller, faster Troy Brown being coached up by Troy Brown
I'm not even counting on Demaryius Thomas or Josh Gordon (or Cameron "Damaged Goods" Meredith) and I still love this plan! I'm excited to be a part of it!
That part being me sitting on the couch in my gray Patriots hoodie with an ice cold Sam and slice or two of pepperoni pizza.
As far as it goes, I'm a little more concerned with tight end than I am about either the LT or WR positions…
Maybe I should say I'm more worried about TE and LT than WR given my assumption the 2019 Patriots offense will revolve around an impressive running back group that looks dangerous both rushing and catching the football. Imagine playoff Sony Michel for a full regular season, backed by draft day steal Damien Harris, with Rex Burkhead and James White as primary pass catchers and prodigal son Brandon Bolden ready to step in when Burkhead inevitably goes down with an injury. Assuming reports from camp that Michel is catching passes in camp mean something then Josh McDaniels will be able to run when the personnel group shows pass and pass when the personnel group shows run. Brady will just check to the best match up. Boom Shakalaka.
Perhaps it's the uncertainty adding to the anxiety surrounding the tight end position. Presumed TE1 Ben Watson will start the season on a 4-game suspension. It doesn't help to settle the nerves that recently signed veteran Lance Kendricks began his Patriots career by limping of the field part way through his first practice. It also doesn't help that I've heard more about pass-catching TE/HB Stephen Anderson than any of the blocking tight ends. I want to hear about Matt LaCosse throwing a crushing block. Anything he contributes in the passing game is just jimmies on the sundae. I'm far more interested in any news about Ryan Izzo and UDFA Andrew Beck than I am in whose catching passes from Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham. I may have to wait until next Thursday's first preseason game to get a feel for who might get that TE2 (or TE3?) spot on the roster.
Yeah, I think this all takes care of itself in early November. Watson is a pro's pro and he'll be fine. LaCosse will wind up as TE2 and half the time the Patriots go with three tight ends they'll probably use Skipper or Karras as the extra blocker.
Gronk withdrawal.
It's real.
No comments:
Post a Comment