2017 Season Officially Starts Today

[CreepCreep2014]

ounds like the hybrid LB/S role may be headed to Langi, though it's a bit early to declare that... But like all other positions/players.... It's less about the position or player and more about the role.... Chung was great in his role last year, but can someone else play that role?

Hmmm, never thought of Langi in that role. That would be interesting. I do think he has a way to go. He was a top recruit at RB before transferring and becoming a LB. He is raw, but has the speed and instincts to get to the ball. Not the strongest guy, and misses a decent amount of tackles. Right now, maybe just getting him in on passing downs might be where he starts. Not sure who can play Chung's role right now, besides Chung...LOL

 

[CreepCreep2014]

Many NE posters hated Ebner early on, Most hated Harmon, Most hated Ryan, McCourty sucked his 2nd year and had to be moved to S. Chung has been let go already and we brought him back.
See the pattern? We often develop our secondary.

We are developing Richards. He must make it this year or he'll be gone. He will play this year.
Cyrus has what it takes to make the team. He must get out of his own way!

The thing for me; and I could be wrong, was that Harmon, Ryan and DMC were seeing actually reps on defense, not just ST. I never hated on Ebner, I knew what he was coming in and I think he has done a damn good job on ST and stepping in when needed.

Cyrus can play, I agree....but at what point does he start to think he can't?? Then it's all down hill from there. He was so down on himself after last season, and now the start to this off-season.....makes me nervous for the kid. I am hoping it was rust and he bounces back for OTA's this week.

 

[Shoeshine Boy]

Isn't this Chung's last yr??

No. 2018.

 

[Shoeshine Boy]

Less than seven months after his college career ended and his NFL potential seemed imperiled by a serious knee injury, former Maryland cornerback and return specialist Will Likely III has been given a new lease on his football life — by the Super Bowl champions, no less.

The New England Patriots announced on their website Monday that the team has signed Likely in advance of its three-day minicamp that starts today.

Cleared by doctors, former Terps cornerback-returner Will Likely III signs with Patriots

As in "Will Likely replace Vyrus Jones?"

 

[BigKen]

Hey Shoeshine,

Are you saying that most likely, if his knee is sound, that Will Likely, will likely, replace Vyrus Jones????

 

[Shoeshine Boy]

I like the idea, at least.

 

[BigKen]

A stop-the-hype practice for Patriots' offense draws Bill Belichick's wrath

play
Brady working on connection with Cooks early (0:15)

During Patriots practice, Tom Brady airs a pass out to new receiver Brandin Cooks, who hauls it in for the catch. (0:15)

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5:33 PM ET

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  Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer
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  • Covered Patriots since 1997
  • Joined ESPN in 2009

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- If Bill Belichick has any concern over New England Patriots offensive players believing some of the media hype this offseason, he can simply fire up the film from Tuesday's rain-soaked mandatory minicamp practice to deliver some of his favorite dessert: humble pie.

This was definitely a stop-the-hype practice.

The entire offense was punished after a series of miscues -- among them a botched center/quarterback exchange involving Jimmy Garoppolo and then another with Jacoby Brissett -- as every offensive player was ordered to run a lap around the field. In all, players had to take two laps. After one of the laps, Belichick addressed the unit.

"We're not really used to doing that, so it wasn't very pleasant doing it, but it was deserved," Garoppolo acknowledged afterward. "We weren't happy with our play. Coach wasn't happy with our play. And we had to run because of it."

Jonathan Jones, specifically, had two pass breakups while continuing to work as the top nickelback alongside Stephon Gilmore and Malcolm Butler.

The competitive spirit of the practice was evidenced by the defense -- which had intercepted Tom Brady in last Thursday's organized team activity -- often letting the offense know it had the upper hand as players raised their voices in celebration (Brady didn't have a completion in one 7-on-7 segment of practice).

As for some other miscues, there were several dropped passes, with tight end Dwayne Allen a repeat offender in that category. Receiver Brandin Cooks also had a drop, and overall the ball was on the ground far too often in a practice that included a focus on the no-huddle attack, among other things. Some players (Danny Amendola, for example) also struggled with footing on the wet field.

Not to say there weren't highlights -- a Brady connection to receiver Chris Hogan up the left sideline in team drills was maybe the best of the day -- but this wasn't a practice that would spark anyone to think of a comparison to the Patriots' 2007 record-breaking offense.

The conditions of the day added to the challenge for the offense, as it was raining steadily and temperatures barely reached 50 degrees. But no one was making any excuses.

"It was rainy, it was windy, it was wet, it's all part of the game. Whatever the conditions are, you have to go out there and play," tight end Rob Gronkowski said.


A bit later, Gronkowski was asked by a reporter if the offense seems as stacked as it has ever been in his time with the club (2010-present). It was a reasonable question based on the names on the roster, but after Tuesday's sloppy practice, it was hard to imagine any player thinking along those lines coming off the field.

"We always have a lot of things to work on, especially myself," Gronkowski said. "We feel like, as a team, we just need to get better every single day. Personally, I don't look at how good we are on paper. We have to step up on the field and practice hard every day."

And hopefully avoid a repeat of what unfolded Tuesday.

 

[CreepCreep2014]

Cyrus Jones is not going anywhere...he field all 8 of his punts today. IF anyone is going, it's Coleman. Looks like the other Jones is going to be the slot CB with Rowe and Jones as the back-ups....

 

[BigKen]

The New England Patriots added a high-profile wide receiver this offseason, but they apparently have no intentions of letting their longest-tenured wideout go.

The Patriots and Julian Edelman are “moving toward” a contract extension that is expected to be completed “in the next day or so,” NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo reported Thursday, citing sources.
Edelman is entering the final year of a four-year, $17 million contract he signed in 2014 and will become an unrestricted free agent in 2018 if New England doesn’t extend him. But unlike they did with linebacker Dont’a Hightower, the Patriots apparently would rather not have the veteran receiver test the free agent market.

Edelman is coming off his most productive season as a pro, in which he caught 98 passes for a career-high 1,106 yards and three touchdowns while starting all 16 games. He also added 21 catches for 342 yards and a touchdown in three postseason games, and his incredible juggling catch in Super Bowl LI was a catalyst in New England’s comeback win over the Atlanta Falcons.

The Patriots added speedster Brandin Cooks to a crowded receiving corps that already includes Edelman, Chris Hogan and Danny Amendola. But Edelman still figures to be Brady’s top target outside tight end Rob Gronkowski, as the 31-year-old veteran has led all Patriots receivers in catches and yards in each of the last four seasons.

 

[BigKen]

FOXBORO, Mass. — Malcolm Butler was not in attendance Thursday as the New England Patriots wrapped up their three-day mandatory minicamp.

Butler, defensive lineman Lawrence Guy and offensive tackle Andrew Jelks all were absent, with Guy missing his second consecutive practice and Jelks missing his third in a row.

Defensive end Kony Ealy exited practice midway through the session, walking slowly off the field and toward the locker room after the first round of 11-on-11 drills. He wasn’t accompanied by a coach or member of the training staff, and the reason for his early departure was unclear.

Linebacker Dont’a Hightower, wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell and defensive tackle Alan Branch all attended practice did not participate in drills, as was the case throughout minicamp.

The Patriots will hold three more days of organized team activities next week before breaking for the summer. Training camp will begin during the final week of July.

 

[BigKen]

Derek Rivers signed his Rookie Contract today. All four of the Patriots draftees are now signed.

Edelman signed a two year extension.

Rumors are flying that Butler and the Patriots may be about to agree on a two year extension.

2017 - $8M
2019 - $10M
2020 - $12M

$16M guaranteed.