The Patriots opened the pre-season with a dominant 31-3 win over the Detroit Lions. Rookie quarterback Jarrett Stidham and rookie wide receiver Jakobi Meyers shined in the win. Here are five takeaways from tonight’s game. 1. Jakobi Meyers introduces himself to Patriots fans: Rookie undrafted free agent Jakobi Meyers has had a terrific camp thus far and continued turning heads with a strong debut performance last night. The rookie caught…
Patriots Preview: New England Patriots (0-0) at Detroit Lions (0-0)
The Patriots kick off the 2019 pre-season tonight with a visit to Detroit to battle the Lions. The two teams held joint practices all week leading up to tonight. The practices were organized by Bill Belichick and Lions coach and former Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. The practices served as a reunion of sorts. Besides Patricia and Lions general manager Bob Quinn, several former Patriots now play for the Lions….
Patriots: Tom Brady’s contract has us scratching our heads
The Patriots and Tom Brady announced a two year, $70 million dollar contract extension on Sunday. On the surface, this is great news. In reality, this is a year to year contract. In the short term, Brady got a raise for 2019. He will now make $23 million dollars instead of $15 million dollars. The new deal actually gives the Patriots $5 million dollars in cap space for this season….
Patriots: 2019 Running Backs Preview
Rookie Damien Harris could play a big part in the Patriots running back rotation. After a breakout rookie campaign from Sony Michel, the Patriots changed philosophically and became more balanced by running the football more. The Patriots were in more 21 and 22 personnel groupings than at any point in the last ten years. The shift in philosophy is designed to take pressure off of Tom Brady while at the…
Patriots: A breakdown of the joint practices between the Patriots and the Lions
Joint practices are well organized and orchestrated practices where two teams compete against each other over the course of three practices prior to a pre-season game. The Patriots begin joint practices with the Detroit Lions today ahead of their pre-season game on Thursday night. Here is what you can expect between the two teams. Individual stretch period: The two teams will stretch separately to start the two hour practice sessions….
Patriots: Day 3 and 4 Training Camp thoughts
Here are some of my thoughts from day three and four of training camp. 1. Patriots Director of Player Personnel Nick Caserio reiterated that Brady sitting out day two practice was the right thing to do. Clearly Brady got a “rest” day. Don’t be surprised if we see Brady get more time off this camp. It’s a maintenance thing. 2. The quarterbacks as a whole have struggled in camp thus…
Patriots: 2019 Quarterback Preview
Quarterbacks: Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, Jarrett Stidham Tom Brady is entering his 20th season in the NFL and is still playing at a high level despite what national pundits were saying last season. Brady is in a contract year so his contract situation will be worth monitoring. Brian Hoyer will once again be the back up. Hoyer is entering his 12th season in the league and his sixth with the…
Patriots: Day one and two training camp thoughts
Image courtesy of the Boston Herald Day three of training camp kicks off this morning. Here are some thoughts on camp thus far. 1. Julien Edelman’s broken thumb hurts because the Patriots have a lot of new faces to break in at receiver and tight end. They could use Edelman’s experience at the position. 2. Danny Etling moving from quarterback to wide receiver was the story of day one. Etling…
Patriots: Lance Kendricks is an intriguing camp addition
The Patriots signed tight end Lance Kendricks at the start of training camp yesterday. Kendricks is a move tight end who is an ideal fit as a second tight end who can line up as a wing or slot receiver. Kendricks played for defensive line coach Bret Bielema at Wisconsin and Josh McDaniels when he was the offensive coordinator with the St. Louis Rams in 2011. Kendricks best season statistically…
Patriots: Tom Brady’s contract should be addressed now before it becomes an issue.
Tom Brady is entering a contract year for the first time in his career. The greatest quarterback of all time is playing for his next contract this season. That is hard to believe because Brady’s contract has never been an issue but at age 41, the Patriots have a decision to make regarding their starting quarterback. On the surface, it is a no brainer. You extend Brady and ensure that…