By John Sarianides

With training camp off and running, here five priorities for the Patriots this summer. 

1. Play Brady in Three Pre-Season Games: Tom Brady is going to be 40 next week. While I am all for a pitch count at practice, Brady needs to get as many game reps as possible this pre-season.

 Bill Belichick and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels need to play Brady in theee of the four pre-season games. 

The Patriots should play Brady two series in the first game, a quarter in the second game and three quarters in the third pre-season game. Brady would sit it out the fourth pre-season game. 

Brady is going to need more reps to get into game shape because of his age. Not only that, but Brady needs to get his timing down with new targets Brandin Cooks and Dwayne Allen. 

2. Don’t Play Gronk This Pre-Season: Rob Gronkowski is coming back from back surgery. If I were Bill Belichick, I would not play Gronkowski this pre-season. 

We are all well aware of Gronkowski’s injury history. From that standpoint, there is no reason for him to play this pre-season. I would let him practice but I would hold him out of pre-season games. The less wear and tear on Gronkowski’s body, the better. 

3. Give Cyrus Jones Another Chance: Bill Belichick and his staff need to figure out what they have in Cyrus Jones. Last season was a diseaster for Jones. Belichick needs to throw Jones in the fire and see what he do. Have him return punts and put him in the nickel spot and see what he can do in sub packages. 

The Patriots need Jones to contribute this season. They need to carve out a role for him this season. If Jones struggles again this pre-season, he may not make the team. 

4. Get a Good Look at Mike Gillislee and Rex Burkhead: Look, the Patriots know what James White and Dion Lewis can do. They should get enough reps to practice any new plays and to stay in shape.

For the Patriots, it is all about finding out what you have in Mike Gillislee and Rex Burkhead. You know how talented they are and you know what they did in their previous stops. Now it is time to find out what they can do for the Patriots. Gillislee and Burkhead should get the most reps this summer. 

5. Find Depth in the Secondary: We talked about Cyrus Jones earlier. If he has a good camp, he could really improve the Patriots depth in the secondary. The Patriots know what they have in Eric Rowe but they need a dime corner. Justin Coleman, Jonathan Jones, D.J Killings, Dwayne Thomas and Will Likely will all compete for that position.