Tight end Troy Fumagalli might be a revaluation to the local media but the talented tight end is a great scheme fit for the Patriots. Each year we try to identify players who could surprise and make the roster. When I look at the Patriots training camp roster, there are six names that come to mind if players who I think could make the team. Here are the six players…
Images courtesy of Kathryn Riley/Getty Images In his heart of hearts, Bill Belichick is a 3-4 guy. When you look at his career, he has had the most success in a 30 front. Based on the composition of the Patriots defensive line, it is built like a 30 front. Belichick uncharacteristically spent a lot of money in free agency this off-season. One of the areas he spent a lot of…
The Patriots linebacking corp struggled last season thanks to free agent defections, opt outs and inexperience. Linebacker should be a strength of this team entering this season with the return of WILL linebacker and team leader Dont’a Hightower and SAM linebacker Kyle Van Noy. Hightower opted out last season due to COVID-19 but he’s returned in great shape and ready to assume his role as the leader of the defense….
The Patriots have had one of the best secondaries in the NFL in recent years and this year should be no different. Provided Stephon Gilmore returns and stays in New England, the Patriots secondary will once again be amongst the best in the NFL. Losing Patrick Chung to retirement hurts because he is so versatile and can play in all three levels of the defense but Bill Belichick added Jalen…
After going 7-9 last season, you knew Patriots owner Robert Kraft and coach Bill Belichick weren’t going to sit idly by and let it happen again. They didn’t. The Patriots were the most active team in free agency committing over $100 million dollars in contracts to several free agents most notably EDGE Matthew Judon, tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith and hybrid defensive back Jalen Mills. Belichick also addressed…
The Patriots open training camp today but we are already looking to the end of August when final cuts have to be made. There could be some surprise names on the waiver wire come the end of this summer. With the addition of several high profile free agents, many of established veterans on the roster could find themselves on the bubble and possibly cut. Here are seven veterans that are…
Only one week remains in our look back at the unexpected AFC title run in 1996, but before we discuss the Pittsburgh and Jacksonville games later this week, we’re going to take a step away from the AFC for a moment. Today, we look back at what the NFC landscape looked like following the 1996 regular season. Of course New England would eventually see Green Bay in the Super Bowl,…
The Patriots open training camp this week but before camp officially opens here are five things we’ll be watching for in camp. 1. The quarterback competition:All eyes in camp will be the quarterback competition between Cam Newton and Mac Jones. Bill Belichick isn’t calling it a competition, but it is a competition. Jones will have plenty of opportunity to prove he can be the starting quarterback of this football team….
About a week ago now, we devoted one of these 25 days to the offensive coordinator of that 1996 team and an unsung hero, Ray Perkins. Today, it’s only fair we take a look at the defensive coordinator, Al Groh and what he meant to that team. Groh had a lengthy college and NFL coaching career beginning at Army in 1968. Stints at Virginia, Air Force, North Carolina, Texas Tech…
Patriots Co-Offensive Line Cole Popovich will not coach in 2021. Co-Offensive Line Coach Carmen Bricillo will assume full time coaching duties for the season. Popovich is sitting out the season due to the NFL’s vaccination mandate. Popovich was spotted wearing a mask during June’s mandatory OTA’s so it is safe to assume that he is not vaccinated. With Popovich sitting out the season, it does stretch the Patriots coaching staff…