Pre Camp Roster Talk

[jdlboot14]

I can't wait for camp to start. I can't wait to see this new team start putting it together on the field.
Here's some of my priority interests, concerns and expectations (excluding the QB position):

DEFENSE
1. Can Hightower regain form and captain the D after only opt-out man to remain.
( I don't think Lacosse or Bolden make the team)
2. With big money Judon and vet returner KVN, who will earn reps from the young guys?
- Uche, Jennings & Hall (who I really liked end of last year)
3. DL is going to lose some very talented young potential due to numbers. Who sticks?
4. Can Mills lock down CB2 if Gilmore is gone by week 2 - or prove he can be after this season?
(we have to sign JC long term)
5. Dugger has to take a major leap, he is the future once DMC retires (next year?)

OFFENSE
1. Can our tackles stay healthy all year?
(Our OL being dominant is the key to the season IMO)
2. Will Bourne and Agholor catch on to this system quick enough to provide essential production?
3. I think the efficiency of the offense is riding on the health and production of Smith & Henry.
(If we get consistent TE play, this offense will work no matter which QB plays)
4. Will Harris firmly take the RB1 role?
5. Can Myers and Gunner step into the big shoes left by JE11.
(as the only pass-catchers with experience in the system, they have to elevate)

 

[mgteich]

.

OFFENSE

2. Will Bourne and Agholor catch on to this system quick enough to provide essential production?
3. I think the efficiency of the offense is riding on the health and production of Smith & Henry.
(If we get consistent TE play, this offense will work no matter which QB plays)

Enough of asking whether ALL the new players will catch on to our system.

A BETTER QUESTION
is whether the coaching staff will be able to have whatever system we use maximize the production of Agholor, Bourne, Smith, Henry, Meyers, White and Harris.

 

[mgteich]

DEFENSE
1. Can Hightower regain form and captain the D after only opt-out man to remain.
( I don't think Lacosse or Bolden make the team)
2. With big money Judon and vet returner KVN, who will earn reps from the young guys?
- Uche, Jennings & Hall (who I really liked end of last year)

I would add W

DEFENSE

3. DL is going to lose some very talented young potential due to numbers. Who sticks?

OK, I thought I watched the roster pretty closely. Who are these "very talented young potential" that you are afraid of losing?

The DL will have Godchaux, Anderson, Guy, Wise, Barmore and probably Adams.

Are you worried about losing Thurman, Bower, Murray, Spence or Davis? I'm not. If everyone is healthy and one of these beats out Adams, then fine. In any case, a couple of these will be on the Practice Squad. IMO, no one who can't beat out Adams is deserving of a spot on the 53.

 

[TheRainMaker]

DEFENSE
1. Can Hightower regain form and captain the D after only opt-out man to remain.
( I don't think Lacosse or Bolden make the team)

I think a step will be lost, but he will be a veteran presence they need.

2. With big money Judon and vet returner KVN, who will earn reps from the young guys?
- Uche, Jennings & Hall (who I really liked end of last year)

You’re forgetting Wino and Perkins.

3. DL is going to lose some very talented young potential due to numbers. Who sticks?

Who are you referring to?

4. Can Mills lock down CB2 if Gilmore is gone by week 2 - or prove he can be after this season?
(we have to sign JC long term)

Mills was up and down in Philadelphia. I hope Gilmore stays.

5. Dugger has to take a major leap, he is the future once DMC retires (next year?)

They play different positions. However, we need to see more out of him this year with more talent being on defense. I need to see him being more of a nuisance in the running game and putting wide receivers or TE’s on their azzes.

OFFENSE
1. Can our tackles stay healthy all year?
(Our OL being dominant is the key to the season IMO)

It would be extremely disappointing to see Wynn go on IR for a 4th straight year.

2. Will Bourne and Agholor catch on to this system quick enough to provide essential production?

Yes.

4. Will Harris firmly take the RB1 role?

Yes.

5. Can Myers and Gunner step into the big shoes left by JE11.
(as the only pass-catchers with experience in the system, they have to elevate)

Yes, but a lot depends on the QB play.

 

[mgteich]

.

DEFENSE
4. Can Mills lock down CB2 if Gilmore is gone by week 2 - or prove he can be after this season?
(we have to sign JC long term)
5. Dugger has to take a major leap, he is the future once DMC retires (next year?)

We are screwed if Gilmore is gone by Week. If it happens, Mills will be one of three starters with Jackson and Jones.

I'm fine with Dugger in his present role. But, yes it would be great if he is good enough to be a start free safety for 2022.

I think that the team will do whatever to secure Gilmore's services for 2021.

THE PROBLEM AT DB IS IN 2022
Gilmore is unsigned.
Jackson is unsigned.
McCourty will likely retire.
Phillips is unsigned.

Yes, the team can deal with ALL of this. But, as of now, we have only Jones starting his contract year as our only starter for 2022. To be more clear, we have the best secondary in the NFL, with only our nickel back signed for 2022.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I can’t wait to go to camp this year. Last year was so miserable!

 

[Pape]

Op forgot third unit, Special Teams

1. Will Nick Folk retain the job? While he's adequate, Ryan doing the kick offs isn't an ideal situation...

2. Is this Matthew Slaters last ride? 36 withe a 2.6 m cap hit... It just might be... Who steps up as a potential replacement? Dude just oozes the Patriots way...

3. Gunner going to be the returner? He's good at it ... Should he try to move into the Edelman role?

4. Punter is set, long snapper is set...

 

[jah]

Not sure why Hall is listed with Judon/KVN/Uche/Jennings when he doesn't play edge.

 

[p8ryts]

We are screwed if Gilmore is gone by Week. If it happens, Mills will be one of three starters with Jackson and Jones.

I'm fine with Dugger in his present role. But, yes it would be great if he is good enough to be a start free safety for 2022.

I think that the team will do whatever to secure Gilmore's services for 2021.

THE PROBLEM AT DB IS IN 2022
Gilmore is unsigned.
Jackson is unsigned.
McCourty will likely retire.
Phillips is unsigned.

Yes, the team can deal with ALL of this. But, as of now, we have only Jones starting his contract year as our only starter for 2022. To be more clear, we have the best secondary in the NFL, with only our nickel back signed for 2022.

Let's just worry about this year. I'm certain BB has a plan for next year and it might not include any of those players. Regardless, he will address the situation and half of the people on the site will not like his plan.

 

[mgteich]

Let's just worry about this year. I'm certain BB has a plan for next year and it might not include any of those players. Regardless, he will address the situation and half of the people on the site will not like his plan.

Yes, let's focus on this year and do whatever it takes to have Gilmore play this year.

Sure, Belichick has a Plan A, Plan B, and many more plans for next year. So what? He cannot be sure that he can have more than one of the present starters for next year.

Sure, he could have a plan than means 4 new starters. I'm sure that will give a team that will compete. NOT!

 

[oceansizer]

I followed Mills in Philly and trust me he shouldn't be compared to Gilmore as a potential starter. He is a versatile player and BB would love it, I get it. However played as a typical outside CB he was roasted many times by WRs. I do not even want to consider him as our starter.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I followed Mills in Philly and trust me he shouldn't be compared to Gilmore as a potential starter. He is a versatile player and BB would love it, I get it. However played as a typical outside CB he was roasted many times by WRs. I do not even want to consider him as our starter.

Yeah I saw him as a scapegoat during the Eagles struggles.

 

[scott99]

I just can’t wait for the daily Cam & Mac reports. And then, in a month and 2 days, preseason Patriot’s football. Can’t wait to see Mac play.

 

[mgteich]

I followed Mills in Philly and trust me he shouldn't be compared to Gilmore as a potential starter. He is a versatile player and BB would love it, I get it. However played as a typical outside CB he was roasted many times by WRs. I do not even want to consider him as our starter.

When signed, I thought that Mills would be a fine backup at CB an S, and perhaps a replacement for McCourty.

 

[Deus Irae]

NFL is moving back to gradual roster cutdowns - 90 now, cut to 85 after first preseason game, 80 after second, then 53 on Aug. 31. That’s only seven weeks away …

 

[scott99]

I’m really hoping either Tre Nixon or Marvin Hall makes the team. They add speed. Agholor is pretty fast too, but it would be great to groom a young WR with good speed. Hall’s Pro Day numbers are pretty ridiculous, 4.28 forty and a 40” vertical. Coming off his best year, maybe he can become a David Patten type for the Pats. And of course, Nixon is a Pat’s draft choice, so rooting for him big time.

 

[ashley]

Reiss had a good piece last week on the RB position which is one of the teams strongest positions...a good read to get ready for camp.

 

[Sicilian]

I feel like the QB competition and the status of Stephon Gilmore are the two most important questions that need to be answered in TC. That much is pretty obvious, but I just wanted to get it out of the way

Aside from those though (but how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln), the most interesting things to shake out will be:

1) What roles is everyone going to be playing in the front seven? Are Uche and Winovich used more on the edge or stand up guys? Who gets the most snaps on the DL next to Guy? How much contribution can we reasonably expect early on from Barmore and Perkins (if any)? And who wins the depth jobs between guys like MacMillan, Bentley, and Hall? This has a chance to be a very versatile and deep group in the end, but a lot of shuffling likely needs to settle before we really know what we have.

2) How quickly can the new skill position players on offense gel? I think on paper they've upgraded a lot talent-wise (definitely at TE, less obviously at WR but still an improvement). But the four new guys have never played together before, and have never played with either of the projected starting QBs. Seeing some chemistry early would be huge for this team. Digging out of an early season hole is not going to be easy for the 2021 Patriots.

3) Assuming Gilmore is back, your starting secondary is pretty set, with the exception of safety next to McCourty. If Dugger takes a leap forward, you assume he's the guy, but Phillips should still see plenty of action there as well. It's the depth positions that are interesting to me here. Who's your outside guy in case of injury? Does Williams show anything in year three, or is he doomed to be a ST at best kind of guy? What can Miles Bryant contribute as a 2nd year UDFA (where the Patriots have a lot of recent success at CB)? With 17 games now, attrition will be tested more than ever, so knowing what kind of defense we can run if one of the top guys is out for a few games will be crucial.

 

[borisman]

A little off topic but where can I get the best news (on TV or website) on our sports teams? I can no longer watch early edition or BST. They just went south. I like Curran & Phil Perry but can’t tolerate anyone else. There’s nothing else on TV. I can follow camp news on this site or twitter but no other sources. Any other “shows” one can recommend?

add: I’m going to a couple of practices in 2 weeks so I’ll see some things and maybe report anything substantial.

 

[Hyped]

I can't wait for camp to start. I can't wait to see this new team start putting it together on the field.
Here's some of my priority interests, concerns and expectations (excluding the QB position):

DEFENSE
1. Can Hightower regain form and captain the D after only opt-out man to remain.
( I don't think Lacosse or Bolden make the team)
2. With big money Judon and vet returner KVN, who will earn reps from the young guys?
- Uche, Jennings & Hall (who I really liked end of last year)
3. DL is going to lose some very talented young potential due to numbers. Who sticks?
4. Can Mills lock down CB2 if Gilmore is gone by week 2 - or prove he can be after this season?
(we have to sign JC long term)
5. Dugger has to take a major leap, he is the future once DMC retires (next year?)

OFFENSE
1. Can our tackles stay healthy all year?
(Our OL being dominant is the key to the season IMO)
2. Will Bourne and Agholor catch on to this system quick enough to provide essential production?
3. I think the efficiency of the offense is riding on the health and production of Smith & Henry.
(If we get consistent TE play, this offense will work no matter which QB plays)
4. Will Harris firmly take the RB1 role?
5. Can Myers and Gunner step into the big shoes left by JE11.
(as the only pass-catchers with experience in the system, they have to elevate)

1.) H-Tower will be fine. He is supposedly in GREAT shape. Probably less miles on the tires too.... And Bolden sticks, IMO.
2.) That is a good problem to have, but for sure...we need one of the pups to step up as I think KVN's stay will only last a year.
3.) Another good problem to have: I think Guy, Godchaux, Barmore, and Anderson stick...Cowart/Wise will have to fight to make the team...for the rest of the DL...it depends on our OLB mix as well.
4.) I don't see Mills as a #2 CB...I see him as a guy that will back up all 5 spots in the defensive backfield.
5.) Dugger has been doing great by all accounts. I think he's the real deal. Don't think he's DMC's replacement...more of Chung's replacment. We have other good safeties as well.

1.) At least...if Wynn gets hurt...we can shift Onwenu outside to RT and move Brown to LT.
2.) I expect Bourne to be our new Edelman....and Agholor to be more of a decoy/deep guy...yes..both should pick up things quick.
3.) We will have a lot of production from the TE spot for damn sure...don't even count out Asiasi either!
4.) I expect HArris to take the #1 spot...but would keep Michel around....Harris hasn't proven to be durable.
5.) I believe Bourne is our new slot receiver...and Gunner will remain at PR, IMO.