2020 Patriots off season

If you are on Twitter, and don’t follow Ned, you are missing out...

Roster at 80 now after signing Miller, Leggett, Kilgo and C Tyler Gauthier (if you missed it, they also re-signed Isaiah Zuber last week).

Woodard retiring and Coe released.

Umm I'd say that's a very negative view from a guy who doesn't think a season will happen.

QB- If you believe that Stidham is a guy who they would easily start. The position is fine, Cam is the upside guy that could make the position elite. I'm really not worried one bit. Worst case it's Hoyer and you can win games with him.

RB- Michel being out is likely a good thing. RJP Harris was your guy and they add Miller. With Taylor just sitting there.

WR- More than enough talent. Yet only Jeff Thomas looks like a true deep threat. Good mix for Stidham, yet besides Thomas not a great mix for Newton. Still though Edelman, Sanu, Harry and Myers isn't horrible and could be rather good.

RT- Not worried again, as reports say Thuney could play there if needed. It's overall line depth. That is an issue because the depth guys haven't played.

Edge- I really don't have an issue. They have a bunch of guys returning

LB- Likely the biggest need/worry area on the team for me. It was a worry before Hightower opted out. Chung opting out also hurts because there goes using Duggar as a LB. Kinda shocked they haven't brought in some veterans. Hope maybe a Rivers moves inside or something like that.

Kicker- I think last year showed even a guy off the street won't kill you.



You left off TE, a position they already tried to sign a guy and just brought in two more TEs for workouts. Especially if you think Keene is more fullback or H- back than TE. It's just Asiasi and Izzo.

I also think DT depth is a huge issue, especially with our LB issues. Though they did at least just sign another NT to give them two.

My two worry areas are LB and offensive line depth. You'll have to have guys step up that don't have any track records. Depth isn't good, yet Bill replaces a lot of guys every year. Yet the opt outs do make it a much bigger challenge. They are likely to play more DBs than any team in football next year.

A balanced outlook between rip being conservative to negative in his approach and bumped up against umass's heavy positive approach. They are missing alot of vet experience on both sides of the ball. I tend to lean towards rip, but, Bill, is the GOAT of coaching. But, time will tell. It appears they have a hole on defense with the linebackers. and no depth in the middle of the line. Does that open them up to teams running more on them? Do not know. I am sure that umass will have an opinion on that which will be different than mine. The offense is full of question marks. Is Cam going to work out? Stidham has not played a down in a real game in the NFL. If he plays how will he do? Until he actually plays in several games we will not know the answer. Moving thuney to tackle could very likely open a hole at guard. Depth is a real issue with the line because, wynne at the other tackle has had injury issues and not played a full season yet. RB is kind of up in the air. Will they be run dominate? The receivers will have to learn to work with more than one new QB. I am not overly impressed with the group, but here again who knows. I am not saying the sky is falling. But, there are many questions to be answered. Again Bill is still the coach and has overcome questions in the past and done exceedingly well. Time will tell. Playoffs possible, but do not think they a SB contenders.

Jeff Thomas is out for 3rd straight day... i get it’s early but for a long shot this seems like a death sentence... Harry also not at practice today which is not good

Right now, it looks like Edelman-Sanu-Harry are the only locks, with Byrd, Gunner O, Meyers, and Ross fighting for probably two spots. Based on practice reports, I'd guess Byrd and Gunner make it as of now. I didn't think Gunner was an NFL caliber player last year but multiple people have been praising his performance so far, and until someone else wins the punt return job he's got the inside track.

Thomas should be easy to stash on the PS at this point.

Starting to be some chatter about a QB platoon. Just shocking enough for Belichick to try, especially given the lack of competitive reps with no preseason.

EDIT: Some great play by Dugger yesterday. I'm really excited for him, hoping he's much more McCourty than Harmon on team impact.

When Bedard is complimentary, I take notice because he doesn’t blow smoke.



“It starts with the offensive line, a unit that is hell-bent on proving their 2019 struggles were an aberration. Isaiah Wynn, Joe Thuney, David Andrews and Shaq Mason have all been terrific so far. I need multiple hands to count the number of times there have been gaping holes for the backs to run through, and they’re often not seeing contact for 5-plus yards past the line of scrimmage.

Jermaine Eluemunor has been one of the surprises of camp and has solidified the unit, and just might be an upgrade over Marcus Cannon when things are said and done. He and Mason have had some great double teams at the point of attack, and Eluemunor brings a little more athleticism to the position. I would not bank on Eluemunor for the long-term, however. He’s been a player who has been motivationally challenged throughout his career (it’s part of the reason why the Ravens were done with him). But Eluemunor saw what Trent Brown did in 2018 and the contract he landed with the Raiders off one good year with the Patriots … let’s just say Eluemunor is working from the same playbook.

It’s not even just the starters. Hjalte Froholdt, one of the biggest busts of camp a season ago, looks like a completely different player this year and has basically locked down the backup interior spot and solidified the depth behind Andrews. Sixth-round pick Justin Herron and Korey Cunningham (a nobody a season ago after the trade from the Cardinals) have been so good the Patriots have shown no inclination to bring in a veteran tackle. Mike Onwenu, another sixth-round pick, is going to be a player at guard for this team in time.”



www.bostonsportsjournal.com/2020/08/22/nfl-notebook-despite-looks-patriots-offense-different-confident-path-2020/

This is certainly encouraging. But, they have not played any games yet. Not to be a pessimist, but, does this speak to the fact the o line is improving. Or that our  d line may be weak against the run. I am leaning towards the o line improving. Of the qb's who benefits the most from an improved running game? It certainly looks like the o line depth has improved.

Could be both if we are being honest. The reality is we know that 4/5s of this line is top notch when healthy so that really just leaves the right tackle and depth.