The 53 For Game One

[Mack Herron]

Someone has to return punts.

Or they could put Chung in to FC.

 

[AlexB]

I'm not a fan of Houston punting to him they know all his game.
All we need is a muffed grab.
Because they know how to hit it or what to do to throw him off.

If McCarron can't fair catch a punt because the Texans know his game, he shouldn't be on the roster at all.

 

[maineman209]

Could also be Cannon if he'd not ready to go

Cannon was listed as "Full Participation" all week. Even though he's listed as "Questionable", I'm guessing that he'll be active. OTOH, he may not start.

 

[maineman209]

So you're in on McCarron?

Not really "in on McCarron". However, if the Pats are going to have four WRs active, McCarron seems the logical choice over Hansen due to his familiarity with the system. McCarron may see minimal or zero snaps on offense, but he's there if they absolutely need him.

This is assuming that Hollister is OUT, which seems likely at this point. If Hollister was healthy, he'd probably be active over MCcarron.

 

[maineman209]

I'm not a fan of Houston punting to him they know all his game.
All we need is a muffed grab.
Because they know how to hit it or what to do to throw him off.

You realize that there are 10 other Patriots players on the field on punt returns, right? McCarron's "game", if he even has a "game", isn't the be-all/end-all of punt returns. We don't know exactly what Joe Judge has in mind for those other 10 guys or what his specific instructions to McCarron will be. Neither do the Texans.

And, for all we know, the Texans may have enough respect for his potential that they'll punt away from him.

 

[DarrylS]

Now Patsfans are worried about a WR/PR who may be active or inactive, and may be part of the 47 and may fumble a punt because the team he played for previously knows him well????

Someone oughta call BB and Joe Judge about this, they may not be aware.. Sheesh it has been a long preseason..

Just a point of information, McCarron was signed as a free agent by the Texans after the 2017 draft, he was cut when they got down to their final 53, he then joined the Texans practice squad for two weeks before being let go, he then joined the NEP practice squad shortly after being let go by Houston. HE NEVER FIELDED A PUNT IN A REGULAR SEASON NFL GAME....HE HAS NEVER PLAYED IN AN REGULAR SEASON NFL GAME.

One might venture a guess that the Pats probably know McCarron better than the Texans..

 

[maineman209]

Now Patsfans are worried about a WR/PR who may be active or inactive, and may be part of the 47 and may fumble a punt because the team he played for previously knows him well????

Someone oughta call BB and Joe Judge about this, they may not be aware.. Sheesh it has been a long preseason..

Just a point of information, McCarron was signed as a free agent by the Texans after the 2017 draft, he was cut when they got down to their final 53, he then joined the Texans practice squad for two weeks before being let go, he then joined the NEP practice squad shortly after being let go by Houston. HE NEVER FIELDED A PUNT IN A REGULAR SEASON NFL GAME....HE HAS NEVER PLAYED IN AN REGULAR SEASON NFL GAME.

One might venture a guess that the Pats probably know McCarron better than the Texans..

It may also be worth noting that, last year, O'Brien volunteered that he really liked McCarron's potential and was sorry to see him go.

O'Brien was dealing with a lot of injuries to crucial players last season. Seemed like there was a new personnel disaster over there every other week. I'm sure he had a lot of roster concerns that superseded the importance of a developmental WR/PR prospect, no matter how good O'B thought he might be eventually.

 

[Mack Herron]

Not really "in on McCarron". However, if the Pats are going to have four WRs active, McCarron seems the logical choice over Hansen due to his familiarity with the system. McCarron may see minimal or zero snaps on offense, but he's there if they absolutely need him.

This is assuming that Hollister is OUT, which seems likely at this point. If Hollister was healthy, he'd probably be active over MCcarron.

Probably right. Hollister and Michel were both "limited" and "questionable" so we could be down a couple of targets from an already light receiving corps. I question whether the recently signed guys (Hansen, Anderson) have learned enough to contribute, but things are getting thin.

 

[patriot1136]

I'm more concerned about the O-line as a whole, not just for this game.

 

[goheels22002]

The Texans have five guys on their injury report with hamstring injuries including OLB/DE Whitney Mercillous who is probable. Their starting cornerbacks are 34-year-old Johnathan Joseph and Kevin Johnson who just got cleared from a concussion. Brady's going to pick these guys apart.

They have three WRs on the injury report with hamstring issues including Will Fuller. The Texans look less imposing than I thought. Their top back is Lamar Miller who is good but not elite. The Pats can can handle Hopkins and Ellington WR with the veteran secondary.

Week 1: Patriots - Texans Injury Report

 

[mgteich]

McCarron is more likely to be active than Hansen or Hollister as an emergency receiver.

Now Patsfans are worried about a WR/PR who may be active or inactive, and may be part of the 47 and may fumble a punt because the team he played for previously knows him well????

Someone oughta call BB and Joe Judge about this, they may not be aware.. Sheesh it has been a long preseason..

Just a point of information, McCarron was signed as a free agent by the Texans after the 2017 draft, he was cut when they got down to their final 53, he then joined the Texans practice squad for two weeks before being let go, he then joined the NEP practice squad shortly after being let go by Houston. HE NEVER FIELDED A PUNT IN A REGULAR SEASON NFL GAME....HE HAS NEVER PLAYED IN AN REGULAR SEASON NFL GAME.

One might venture a guess that the Pats probably know McCarron better than the Texans..

 

[WaterfallJumper]

I'm curious to see how much play the rookies earn. I'm rooting for Crossen. This kid has an awesome attitude.

Patriots cornerback Keion Crossen never let himself quit - Sports - providencejournal.com - Providence, RI

 

[PatriotsNumero1Fan]

I expect heavy man coverage from the Texans. Let’s see if these wrs can beat that.

 

[DarrylS]

IMO it is unrealistic to expect Hansen to just step into a playing role this week, no matter how good you are or what potential you have there is a learning curve for Pats WR's...

 

[AlexB]

IMO it is unrealistic to expect Hansen to just step into a playing role this week, no matter how good you are or what potential you have there is a learning curve for Pats WR's...

I'm not expecting anything from him this year. It's nice to have another WR signed for next year, though.