FOXBORO, Mass. – New England, “Don’t waste another minute crying”. The 2020 edition of the Patriots may not be the same well-oiled device you’re used to.
Some expansion pains will be unavoidable for a team that misses Tom Brady, Dont’a Hightower, Patrick Chung, Marcus Cannon, Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins, Duron Harmon, Nate Ebner, Phillip Dorsett, Ted Karras, Elandon Roberts, Danny Shelton and Array Stephen. Gostkowski, James Develin, Brandon Bolden and their 38 Super Bowl combo rings.
This is not news. But it’s evident when you watch the first educational sessions at the Patriots’ educational camps.
These players can be replaced in the box with names like Jarrett Stidham, Cam Newton, Josh Uche, Kyle Dugger, Jermaine Eluemunor, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Shilique Calhoun, Adrian Phillips, Cody Davis, Gunner Olszewski, Hjalte Froholdt, Brandon Copeland, Byron Cowart, Justin Rohrwasser, Jakob Johnson and Damien Harris.
Patriots are changing their joy over uncertainty. There are no two tactics to do so, and Patriots enthusiasts want to prepare for what may be a more careless product when you leave the door.
That doesn’t mean the Patriots looked bad on the education field and possibly wouldn’t play the season badly. But we’re used to seeing Brady’s accuracy at the beginning of camp as he competes at a high point with the Patriots’ skilful defense.
So far, he’s noticed more intercepts than the usual quarterbacks. There have been more dropouts through pass receivers and there are valid position battles throughout the list.
This time, last summer, we were wondering who might start well and be the eleventh player in defence. Now we only have a general concept of who can play simply as a quarterback, the offensive half, the open receiver, the closed wing, the right tackle, the defensive tackle, the outside supporter, the internal supporter and forged security.
The strength of the Patriots remains their best school. Stephon Gilmore is the corner in football, JC Jackson is almost up to him, Jonathan Jones, Devin McCourty and Jason McCourty are wise and experienced veterans and the protection of rookies Kyle Dugger came here on big Wednesday with his interception of now as several days and 3 breaks.
But beyond this group, patriots are more questions than statements. And if players like Uche, Dugger, Eluemunor, Harris and the rookie tight finish Devin Asiasi are going to play vital roles in 2020 without a single preseason game, then anyone can guess how they’re going to play on stage.
And, of course, the quarterback position is the ultimate in the Patriots’ long-term success, and there’s a valid option for Newton, Stidham or Brian Hoyer to be in the middle of Week 1. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick did not ruled out a quarterback’s option. platoon at the start of the season.
“If you’re helping us win, then I’d do anything,” Belichick said Wednesday on a conference call.
That’s not out of the question, as the Patriots have treated the first few weeks of the season as a summer extension in recent years. You’d think the Patriots would like to see their quarterback take a live photo before deciding which headline of the season.
No matter who wins the job, this quarterback probably wouldn’t be as accurate and protective of football as Brady.
The Patriots, as a team, have a high roof. From quarterback to strong security, they have players with potential. But it may take longer than the usual ones to get in shape this season. It’s not necessarily as much defamation as reality, and it’s a case where enthusiasts can find it hard to see four Super Bowl appearances in six seasons.
Photo Eric Adler / New England Patriots