Josh Boyce was a critical component of Texas Christian’s 2011 upset of Boise St. (Photo: US Presswire)
NEPD Editor: Matthew Jones
The new England Patriots spent their fourth-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, #102 overall, on Texas Christian wide receiver Josh Boyce. After the jump, take a look at some film cutups of Boyce in action against Boise St. during 2011, his sophomore season.
It will be interesting to see how New England plans to employ Armond Armstead in 2013. (Photo: US Presswire)
NEPD Editor: Matthew Jones
On Sunday morning, we took a look at New England’s potential 2014 NFL Draft needs on the offensive side of the ball, which you can read here; today, we’ll consider some of their possible areas of weakness on the defensive side of the ball, taking into account as diverse a range of possibilities as possible, including potential free agent losses, 2014 salary cap hits/savings, and player performance.
Gronkowski no es fiesta. (Photo: US Presswire)
NEPD Staff Writer: Tony Santorsa
Rob Gronkowski will indeed face yet another setback in rehabbing his twice-broken forearm.
WIll T.J. Moe make this Patriots roster or is he destined for the practice squad?
NEPD Staff Writer: Oliver Thomas
The New England Patriots’ 53-man roster spends their weekdays preparing for an opponent they’ll play on Sundays. Meanwhile, an eight-man roster spends their weekdays preparing for an opponent they’ll watch on Sundays.
They’re called practice squad players.
Most of these NFL hopefuls were released during the final cut-down days of training camp and latched onto an organization in a lesser capacity. Each week, these players work collectively as a scout team. They mimic the nuances of opposing players in an effort to acclimate their teammates for battle.
The camaraderie is there; practice squad players are part of the team. But no, not every team brings guys to away games just to stand in sweats on the sidelines.
In essence, their job is to practice.
Tom Brady is the elder statesmen of an otherwise youthful Patriots team. (Photo: US Presswire)
NEPD Editor: Mike Loyko
Now that the NFL Draft and the majority of the free agent signing period has passed, the Patriots 2013 roster is starting to take shape. A clearer picture of the roster is beginning to take shape, although this roster is far from a finished product. There is still almost three months until the start of camp and plenty of time to add more pieces to the roster.
Where can the Patriots afford to add more help? What positions still need some depth? What moves could the Patriots still make?
I examine what types of moves might be made between now and the start of training camp.
Starting right guard Dan Connolly (63) may be playing elsewhere in 2014 due to his prohibitive $4.08 million cap figure. (Photo: US Presswire)
NEPD Editor: Matthew Jones
The New England Patriots targeted pass rushers (Jamie Collins and Michael Buchanan), wide receivers (Aaron Dobson and Josh Boyce), defensive backs (Logan Ryan and Duron Harmon), and a linebacker (Steve Beauharnais) in the 2013 NFL Draft, attempting to address nearly every position of weakness from their 2012 season. Read on for an early look at which positions they may target on the offensive side of the ball in next April’s draft.
The Patriots chose to add speed and athleticism during the draft. Afterwards, they ordered some beef.
NEPD Staff Writer: Oliver Thomas
The New England Patriots drafted seven players over the weekend. The list of Bill Belichick pick-ups included two wide receivers, two defensive backs, two edge-rushers and an inside linebacker. Each choice addressed a need, and it was a good haul by most standards.
But one position was notably missing from the draft pile: defensive tackle.
Even with USC and Canadian Football League standout Armond Armstead and ex-Oakland Raiders Pro Bowler Tommy Kelly in the fold, many still considered interior pass rush a top draft priority. Some were clamoring for a Kawann Short from Purdue, or a Jesse Williams from Alabama, or even a Bennie Logan from LSU.
The Patriots, obviously, weren’t listening.
Projecting New England’s Opening-Day Wide Receiver Depth Chart
Patriots Off-Season: Monitoring the Progress of Brandon Spikes
Patriots sign coveted UDFA Mark Harrison
The Five Most Intriguing Veteran Players in 2013
Report: Rob Gronkowski May Need Back Surgery
Major 2012 Contributors on the Roster Bubble in 2013
Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley: The Symbiotic Patriots Backfield
Patriots Sign Veteran Guard Tyronne Green
Bill Belichick’s Affinity for Greg Schiano, Rutgers Should Be Questioned
