LOT'S to watch in pre-season - New England Patriots Forums

Urgent · 08-07-2011, 03:34 PM

Wow - football really came back fast.

This has been an interesting couple weeks, and sets up some fascinating competitions in the pre-season games.

Offense
With Matt Light on PUP, late-arrival Solder suddenly gets a shot at competing for the LOT spot.
Who are the starting WR's? Where does Price fit? Can Tate make the team?

Defense
4-3 or 3-4?
Who are the starting DE's in a 4-3?
Is Ellis a starter or rotational player?
Can Cunningham improve and hold down a starting position?
Does Anderson deserve a role as third-down pass rusher?
If 3-4, who are the starting OLB's? Cunningham, Ninkovich, Moore, Anderson?
Who is the star corner - Butler or Arrington?

Many more uncertainties than a normal pre-season.
At several positions more depth, but fewer stars.

This looks like a team built to battle attrition.

asfpnepRefugee · 08-07-2011, 03:37 PM

I'll probably just be so happy to see the Pats on TV again that I'll forget to watch any of that. I'll just have to come here afterwards and read what happened

Richardson · 08-07-2011, 03:37 PM

I can't wait to watch Mallett.

***AndyJohnson*** · 08-07-2011, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urgent

Wow - football really came back fast.

This has been an interesting couple weeks, and sets up some fascinating competitions in the pre-season games.

Offense
With Matt Light on PUP, late-arrival Solder suddenly gets a shot at competing for the LOT spot.
Who are the starting WR's? Where does Price fit? Can Tate make the team?

Defense
4-3 or 3-4?
Who are the starting DE's in a 4-3?
Is Ellis a starter or rotational player?
Can Cunningham improve and hold down a starting position?
Does Anderson deserve a role as third-down pass rusher?
If 3-4, who are the starting OLB's? Cunningham, Ninkovich, Moore, Anderson?
Who is the star corner - Butler or Arrington?

Many more uncertainties than a normal pre-season.
At several positions more depth, but fewer stars.

This looks like a team built to battle attrition.

Questions about which players will have which roles, or even who will make the cut are rarely evident in our preseason games.

Ron Sellers · 08-07-2011, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urgent

Wow - football really came back fast.

This has been an interesting couple weeks, and sets up some fascinating competitions in the pre-season games.

Offense
With Matt Light on PUP, late-arrival Solder suddenly gets a shot at competing for the LOT spot.
Who are the starting WR's? Where does Price fit? Can Tate make the team?

Defense
4-3 or 3-4?
Who are the starting DE's in a 4-3?
Is Ellis a starter or rotational player?
Can Cunningham improve and hold down a starting position?
Does Anderson deserve a role as third-down pass rusher?
If 3-4, who are the starting OLB's? Cunningham, Ninkovich, Moore, Anderson?
Who is the star corner - Butler or Arrington?

Many more uncertainties than a normal pre-season.
At several positions more depth, but fewer stars.

This looks like a team built to battle attrition.

Nice list; there are plenty of topics for discussion now that the lockout is over.

On offense, beyond the roster battle at WR (assuming the addition of Ochocinco means one incumbent will not make the team) there is also a very interesting question at RB. How many roster spots go to RBs? Which returning RBs don't make the team?

PatsBoy12 · 08-07-2011, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asfpnepRefugee

I'll probably just be so happy to see the Pats on TV again that I'll forget to watch any of that. I'll just have to come here afterwards and read what happened

Oh man, you just don't know how much I feel the same way. I can't believe that I will be watching the boys on TV come Thursday evening. I'm glad that I work that day, so time should fly by. I'm so excited that I can hardly believe it.

To the OP, you're right. There will be many story lines at play on Thursday evening and beyond. My eyes will be on Cunningham, Moore, and Mayo (for as long as he plays). I'm admittedly not as interested in the offense, as I believe that unit will take care of business.

gohogs14 · 08-07-2011, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richardson

I can't wait to watch Mallett.

This

ive actually learned a ton about the patriots since ive been keeping up with them since he was drafted

scott99 · 08-07-2011, 05:10 PM

I'm looking forward to see what role Shane Vareen has with the team. Will he be PUP'd, or Price'd (on the active list all season, but inactive during the games), or actually play some real games this year.