NEPD Staff Writer: Tony Santorsa
The New England Patriots might have Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, Brandon Bolden, LeGarrette Blount and Leon Washington to make up their running back corps—but you can always improve.
The way that I look at it: You can never have enough running backs.
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.
Daniel McCullers is not a small man.
NEPD Contributor: Matthew Mochal
Daniel McCullers came into his first year in Knoxville with high expectations, and may have exceeded those with his impressive season in which he had 39 total tackles with 5.5 for a loss and one sack. Playing in all 12 games, primarily as the NT in Tennessee’s 3-4 he showed the ability to be the traditional plugger NT but also flashes rare burst and closing speed for a man his size [6’6 377 pounds].
He shows the versatility of a prospect who could play all over the line in either the 3-4 or 4-3 [DT/NT/5T], where he is able to use his size and strength to contain the rush to the sideline, while also eating gaps and linemen freeing up pass rushers and linebackers behind him.
Aaron Dobson isn’t just talented at football. (Photo: ESPN.com)
NEPD Staff Writer: Tony Santorsa
If there’s one thing that we’ve learned about Bill Belichick over the years is that he admires players that have excelled in two sports.
In the most recent case, Belichick has recognized Aaron Dobson’s basketball background and told the media on Friday that it certainly was a plus in his scouting report, as basketball players tend to have “good hands.”
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.
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
Film Room: Josh Boyce vs. Boise St. (2011)
Previewing New England’s 2014 NFL Draft Needs: Defense
Report: Felix Jones Visiting with the Patriots
