The New England Patriots will be dark from this weekend.
The last practice at the Patriots Educational Camp, open to the media, will be Friday’s consultation (unless a last-minute replacement has been made for Sunday). That will give the Patriots two weeks of secrecy to prepare for their Week 1 game against the Miami Dolphins.
Practice reports will be limited to participation and perhaps some individual workouts after this weekend. It’s a difficult year for organizations and media to compare lists. Usually groups and the media get OTA, a mini-camp, an educational camp and 4 pre-season games to perceive what’s going on. This year we had 11 educational camp internships. Patriots have another week before they’re forced to reduce their size.
Watch above and read below for this week’s mailbag.
@CupAJoeKQuel Has UDFA seemed the most productive so far and has the potential to contribute something significant to the team this year? #mailDougJe I didn’t have an unmarried, unlisted on-hand agent for my last selection on the 53-player roster, which I found very strange.
Here’s my assessment of each and every un recruited free agent from the Patriots:
RB J.J. Taylor: It’s probably the most impressive UDFA, but that’s because it was given the maximum job. In the end, I think he will be excluded from the payroll, and the Patriots will keep four media (Rex Burkhead, Damien Harris, Sony Michel and James White) or Lamar Miller will return from the list physically unable to play, and New England will keep five players in position.
WR Will Hastings: You’re just having a hard time staying in the box for consistent rehearsals. If you impress enough until the end of next week, you may simply land on the practice team. Its speed stands out, but it’s small.
WR Jeff Thomas: If the Patriots feel they have a loose place on the list, then I can see him passing Thomas and then they’d make him a red blouse for the 2020 season. His biggest question mark in Miami was his maturity. He’s been stuck with the Patriots since April, so it’s transparent that anything fits the big game fast and wide. He began to show his possible practice on Thursday, catching 1-on-1 and 7-on-7 passes.
WR Isaiah Zuber: He’s got a lot of work to do, he also had too many drops. He failed to stand out in the crowd.
TE Jake Burt: Look at the part, but it had no impact.
TE Paul Quessenberry: It’s a wonderful story after spending five years in the Marines, but it also deserves to be easy to join the education team after so long out of football. This is a long-term option on the back.
LB Rashod Berry: Berry played the tight finish and supporter at Ohio State, however, the Patriots chose to use it on the defensive where it looks natural. Patriots don’t have many things on the edge of the defensive side/outdoor supporter. Berry’s best position is on the practice team. If the Patriots are afraid that some other team will ask, then maybe he’ll stay. Sometimes it’s been extraordinary.
DT Michael Barnett: It’s early for Barnett, since he was just signed. He’s unlikely to make the roster.
DT Bill Murray: Murray will also be part of the lineup because he hasn’t won much in training. He made the leap to the NFL from FBS William and Mary, and he might use a little more seasoning.
LB Scoota Harris: Caash Maluia and Terez Hall were better in the same position in training, but are also injured. Maybe Harris will just break the list if Maluia or Hall doesn’t come back quickly.
CB Myles Bryant: It’s probably the lowest totem for Patriots defensive backs. He’s made a few plays, but he’s no bigger than his corner mates D’Angelo Ross or Mike Williams, who face a tough war over places in the lineup.
So the answer is that none of the UDFA deserves to have a primary effect this season. It’s a tough year to be a low draft pick or an undrafted loose agent with the off-season truncated.
Surprise glasses MMMX_R2? It seems that the intensity in RB and CBI can actually not believe that Burkhead, Harris, Michel or White are cut, and those would be the real surprises of the ball carrier. In fact, I don’t think Lamar Miller is a padlock for the 53-man list, although you can still start the season on the PUP list. Time is running out for him to return in September, but the Patriots can hide it during the first part of the season at PUP/Reserve.
The corner is an attractive position. Obviously, Stephon Gilmore, JC Jackson, Jason McCourty and Jonathan Jones are padlocks on the list. Justin Bethel is a very valuable player because he is one of the most productive special team players in the NFL, and is a useful corner. It’s not like it’s Matthew Slater or Brandon King betting exclusively on special teams. It’s also a half corner.
Joejuan Williams was a second-round pick last year that has some versatility. D’Angelo Ross and Mike Jackson also performed well in the corner. I don’t know if Ross or Jackson have done enough to beat Williams, however, the 3 players are betting and could move as defensive chess pieces, Williams and Jackson are bigger corners, while Ross is a shorter slot device option.
@collin_dobnikarComment Is the kick festival taking place? I’m a wheelchair kick analyst, but Nick Folk seems much bigger than Justin Rohrwasser so far. The ball comes out of his biggest foot.
In an ideal world, the Patriots would keep Folk on their 53-man list and Rohrwasser on the injured reserve or in the practice team to continue the festival in the season. I doubt they find it difficult to get Rohrwasser to get exemptions to enroll in the education team.
YauntiWho does the educational team? It’s hard to say by creating a projection of the 53-player composition. Here are 16 names you would consider:
Field Marshal Brian LewerkeRB J.J. TaylorWR Will HastingsWR Devin RossWR Jeff ThomasTE Paul QuessenberryOL Ben BradenOL Justin HerronDT Bill MurrayDT Michael BarnettLB Caash MaluiaLB Rashod BerryLB Scoota HarrisCB D’Angelo RossCB Mike JacksonK Justin Rohrwasser
@EndresSven What does Cam look like in practice? Does he look healthy enough? Cam Newton looks … Ok. And it will be much bigger in a fit scenario where you can show your greater mobility.
He is still in the process of acclimatize with the offense, which he said on Wednesday, and which he can continue in the season. Fans will have to be patient with him and with the Patriots’ offense in general.
I think he’s healthy.
@sebbehnHey Doug, is it just me or have there been a lot of interceptions against Damiere Byrd? Anything to look at? #MailDougJe I haven’t noticed this, but I wouldn’t be entirely surprised if that was the case. Byrd is one of the team’s widest receivers and might be more likely to play than other failures.
I love Byrd’s speed element, and he has the credit for other team receivers like Devin Ross, Jakobi Meyers and Thomas. But I don’t know if it’s necessarily bigger than the players in the field of education.
That said, the Patriots want an open receiver who can stretch the field. Thomas is probably that guy, but I don’t know if he’d be in a position for the start of the season with limited practice trials. The Patriots will have to stay with Byrd or locate another receiver faster than Julian Edelman, N’Keal Harry, Mohamed Sanu, Gunner Olszewski and Meyers.
@Pats_SuperphatPouvez, do you rate the tackles in your opinion? 1. Jermaine Electemunor2. Korey Cunningham 3 Yodny Cajuste 4. Justin Herron
The Patriots will probably have to make a move toward their no. 3 or four offensive shots on the spot. It wouldn’t be unexpected if the Patriots’ offensive shots this season were Isaiah Wynn, Eluemunor, a pre-season swing, and Cunningham, Cajuste. o Herron as a progression player.
We’re going to shoot fast.
IshanSawai What is the PR/KR scenario this season? It would position Gunner Olszewski as the lead candidate for the recoil position. I may end up being the supporter of the kick. Damiere Byrd and Kyle Dugger can also be backup candidates.
@xxxcrustacion white toast or wheat #maildoug I like a toast or a bagel.
Despite a potential effect of $2.75 million this season and $1.1 million next year, is Beau Allen sure to consider that he has not yet been noticed in education? #MailDougLes Patriots cut Mike Pennel last season, so it’s all on the table. However, I suppose Allen will be a component of the team.
@sebbehnAvez, did you try Apple Pie KitKat? Thoughts #MailDougJe tried. I’m not a big fan of white chocolate, so it’s NFM, not me.
@tayfieuxWhat starts with a T, ends with a T and has T in it.A teapot.
I don’t have a smart appointment, I just need the season to start. Can’t I wait to see Cam play with you? Yes. Very. It’s going to be a season of laughter. I dazzlingly want this to happen in more general circumstances, however, it will be fun to see an updated offense.
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