Jeff Tarpinian might see more time with the loss of Dane Fletcher. (Photo: US Presswire)
NEPD Editor: James Christensen
Come back every Monday, Wednesday and Friday as I choose my five favorite New England Patriots and NFL Draft links to share. Feel free to submit your own links in the comments.
Can Brandon Spike stay healthy for an entire season?
NEPD Editor: Mike Loyko
Training camp starts on Thursday and we begin to wind down our positional previews by taking a look at the linebackers on the current roster.
The Patriots have assembled a talented and young linebacker unit, mainly using high draft picks on the position. With roster spots limited, the linebackers along with the defensive backs, will be the toughest position to cut down.
Who will make the final 53 and will any surprise cuts occur?
NEPD Staff Writer: Doug Kyed
It was no Christmas Carol, but if Charles Dickens wrote this game, it would be called “A Tale of Two Halves.”
At this point, we’re used to the Patriots starting off slow, but we’re not exactly used to the Patriots starting out slow for an entire half. That first half was by far the worst we’ve seen the Patriots offense play. I put very little blame on the Patriots defense. They didn’t have time to get off the field with all the three and outs Brady and co. were supplying.
Here’s some observations I made during the game:
NEPD Staff Writer: Doug Kyed
Tom. Brady. That’s all you really need to say about this game.
I think we were all a little worried after the first Dolphins drive, but in a hot, muggy Landshark Stadium, this Patriots team played about as well as anyone could have expected.
An eerily similar circumstance thankfully ended with a different result for Patriots fans.
Last year, a 4th down call in their own territory led to an Indianapolis Colts victory and a few weeks of talk-radio debate. A similar call today gave Patriots fans from coast-to-coast more 4th-quarter excitement than they bargained for.
When outside-linebacker Derrick Burgess re-signed with New England this may, the Patriots assured themselves of a veteran presence to hold down the OLB fort opposite Tully Banta-Cain until rookie Jermaine Cunningham was able to take over the reigns. Or so they thought.
Per reader request, we’re going to look at who NEPD, and our great readers, think will be the last five Patriots to make the 53-man roster. Conversely, we’ll also speculate on who will be the last five to be seen by “the Turk.”
Patriots Off-season: Ten Post-Minicamp Thoughts
Setting the Stage for Ryan Mallett’s Third NFL Season
Making Sense of Tim Tebow’s Signing with the New England Patriots
How the Patriots Will Use Tim Tebow
Report: Patriots Have Signed Tim Tebow
Breaking Down Ras-I Dowling’s Fit in New England
Breaking Down Jermaine Cunningham’s Fit in New England
Breaking Down Tavon Wilson’s Fit in New England
