Preseason #1: Patriots at Redskins, Thurs, Aug, 7, 7:30PM

[Parliament10]

Game Preview
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2014080702/2014/PRE1/patriots@redskins#menu=gameinfo&tab=preview

[Parliament10]

(Is) Smith the answer as Patriots' No. 3 (Defensive) end?



http://www.csnne.com/blog/patriots-talk ... s-no-3-end

How many snaps can a player play before his level of fatigue or wear-and-tear reduces him to a level below that of his next backup?

There has to be a line.

For New England's defensive ends Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich, that line was more than blurry. It was just about non-existent. Clearly New England's two best and most versatile defensive linemen in 2013, they rarely came off the field....

If Jones or Ninkovich were removed from the field, New England's next two true defensive ends on the depth chart were rookie seventh-rounder Michael Buchanan and Jake Bequette.

This offseason, the Patriots addressed that particular spot with the addition of veteran defensive end Will Smith. They also drafted first-rounder Dominique Easley -- who could have the versatility to play all over the line -- and Zach Moore in the sixth round.

But it's Smith who has the track record that suggests he could be a dependable fill-in for Jones and Ninkovich if and when the need arises.

The 32-year-old is going into his 11th season coming off of a season-ending ACL injury that essentially ended his career with the Saints, who drafted him out of Ohio State in 2004. He was cut in February and signed with the Patriots for the veteran minimum last month.

[Geoffrey P]

Hopefully. He hasn't played since 2012 but before that he played 139 out of 144 games but I would call that pretty reliable.

I could see them winning something like 12 games this year. I'm really only worried about the teams with an actual QB (Indy, Denver, GB) but I'm really hoping that Revis and Browner will take pressure off of that defense. I really do think the defense could have been decent last year but the passing game and injuries just killed them.

[Parliament10]

Patriots announce first set of Training Camp dates



http://www.patriots.com/news/article-1/ ... 296706c385

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Now that summer has arrived, the countdown to kickoff for the upcoming NFL season has officially begun. The Patriots will report to training camp a month from today and will kick off the 2014 preseason at Washington against the Redskins on Thursday, Aug. 7, just 45 days from now. This year marks the 55th annual training camp for the Patriots, including their 12th consecutive camp at Gillette Stadium. Veterans will report to camp on Wednesday, July 23. The following day, the Patriots are scheduled for their first training camp practice on Thursday, July 24 at 9:15 a.m. on the fields located behind Gillette Stadium. The Patriots’ 2014 Training Camp is presented by Optum. The daily practice sessions are free and open to the public. The Patriots will practice once daily and have confirmed that they will be conducting practices beginning at 9:15 a.m. on Thursday, July 24 through Sunday, July 27. As dates and times for training camp are confirmed, they will be updated on the Patriots website, http://www.patriots.com/trainingcamp.

[Geoffrey P]

- Reiss says Logan Ryan could be starting opposite of Revis
- Jamie Collins listed at #5 for players "Making the Leap" in 2014

Not much going on. Just need the season to start already.

[truth18]

Took a look at our roster and I'm very happy. We're incredibly deep and should be a real defensive threat this year. Depth at secondary and qb depth is nuts.

[KGboss]

Excited that preseason is only 3 weeks away. Time flies. We have a great team this year for sure. Defense should be amazing.

[LobCityRondo2KG]

cant wait to watch some football.. crazy how preseason is 3 weeks away..

[sully00]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nf ... /13036417/

Coach Bill was just blabbing away today

"He's been here," coach Bill Belichick said Wednesday at Gillette Stadium. "He would be ineligible to (appear on PUP list) because he's been cleared to play."

[Geoffrey P]

God I hope they're not rushing him back to play against the freaking Vikings, Raiders, etc.. I don't care if he takes half of the season off, I just want him to be healthy for the post season.

[truth18]

God I hope they're not rushing him back to play against the freaking Vikings, Raiders, etc.. I don't care if he takes half of the season off, I just want him to be healthy for the post season.

Agreed.

[rockmanslim]

[Parliament10]

Following practice on Sunday, we heard from Julian Edelman, James Develin and Stevan Ridley on getting back into football shape and gearing up for 2014.

http://www.patriots.com/media-center/videos/Julian-Edelman--Stevan-Ridley-gearing-up-for-2014/3f1fabf4-b296-43b4-a544-6e847f07fa64


Stevan Ridley in running for new deal
By: Jeff Howe

The intense competition among the running backs will continue for the next six weeks in preparation for the regular-season opener in Miami, and Ridley has been a prime example of the euphoric highs and soul-searching lows that ball carriers will experience.

If he fulfills his obligations, he’ll earn the reps that turned him into the league’s seventh-leading rusher in 2012. If not, he knows he may be reacquainted with the feeling of a cold metal bench in wintertime.

One way or another, Ridley knows he controls his fate as he preps for the final season of his rookie deal. To date, there have been no contract discussions between the two sides, but Ridley knows his most important bargaining chip lies between the white lines.

[Geoffrey P]

Well he better hold onto the ball that's for sure.

I went through the top 20 RBs in yards and attempts.

Top 20 in attempts:

Code: Select all

Rank   Name   Attempts   Fumbles   Attempts/Fumble
1   McCoy   314   1   314.00
5   Lacy   284   1   284.00
11   Stacy   250   1   250.00
12   Bell   244   1   244.00
13   Moreno   241   1   241.00
14   Jones-Drew   234   1   234.00
3   Forte   289   2   144.50
4   Mathews   285   2   142.50
7   Johnson   279   2   139.50
16   Green-Ellis   220   2   110.00
18   Murray   217   2   108.50
19   Rice   214   2   107.00
20   Jackson   206   2   103.00
2   Lynch   301   3   100.33
6   Peterson   279   3   93.00
8   Gore   276   3   92.00
10   Charles   259   4   64.75
9   Morris   276   5   55.20
17   Mendenhall   217   4   54.25
15   Bush   223   5   44.60
25   Ridley   178   4   44.5


The top twenty in terms of yards isn't much different but anyway:

Spoiler:

Code: Select all

1   McCoy   314   1   314.00
8   Lacy   284   1   284.00
14   Stacy   250   1   250.00
17   Bell   244   1   244.00
12   Moreno   241   1   241.00
20   Jones-Drew   234   1   234.00
18   Williams   201   1   201.00
2   Forte   289   2   144.50
7   Mathews   285   2   142.50
11   Johnson   279   2   139.50
10   Murray   217   2   108.50
16   Jackson   206   2   103.00
6   Lynch   301   3   100.33
5   Peterson   279   3   93.00
9   Gore   276   3   92.00
19   Ivory   182   2   91.00
3   Charles   259   4   64.75
4   Morris   276   5   55.20
15   Spiller   202   4   50.50
13   Bush   223   5   44.60
21   Ridley   178   4   44.50


Now in yards per fumble:

Spoiler:

Code: Select all

1   McCoy   1607   1   1607.00
8   Lacy   1178   1   1178.00
12   Moreno   1038   1   1038.00
14   Stacy   973   1   973.00
17   Bell   860   1   860.00
18   Williams   843   1   843.00
20   Jones-Drew   803   1   803.00
2   Forte   1339   2   669.50
7   Mathews   1255   2   627.50
10   Murray   1121   2   560.50
11   Johnson   1077   2   538.50
16   Jackson   890   2   445.00
5   Peterson   1266   3   422.00
6   Lynch   1257   3   419.00
19   Ivory   833   2   416.50
9   Gore   1128   3   376.00
3   Charles   1287   4   321.75
4   Morris   1275   5   255.00
15   Spiller   933   4   233.25
13   Bush   1006   5   201.20
21   Ridley   773   4   193.25


Yea, might be a little problem.

[Celtics_Champs]

Browner and Revis look great apparently.

Such a nice thing to read.

[Parliament10]

Patriots Projected Depth Chart: Rookie James White Emerging As Key Reserve
by Doug Kyed | NESN

http://nesn.com/2014/08/patriots-projec ... y-reserve/

The New England Patriots released their first unofficial depth chart over the weekend, and quite frankly, it’s a bunch of bunk.

In typical Patriots fashion, the team listed all of their rookies last on the depth chart, despite mounting evidence from practice that certain first-year pros could have big roles on the 2014 team.

Because the Patriots’ depth chart can’t be trusted, NESN.com has filled out a more accurate version based on what we’ve seen at training camp practices. Check out where each player ranks as the Patriots are preparing to play their first preseason game on Thursday against the Washington Redskins.

[Geoffrey P]

Jake Ballard retired. I remember he used to kill the Pats so they signed him in 2012 after his torn ACL and never played. He played 8 games after that for the Cardinals but he said his body never felt the same after the injury. Can't really blame him

[truth18]

Browner and Revis look great apparently.

Such a nice thing to read.

Yeah, I've been hearing really positive stuff from my friend who works in the org. Also, Revis is THE MAN. Love his interviews. Glad he's on our team this year.

Can't watch the first preseason game but I'm really excited. GO PATS

[Parliament10]

You see this mess!
Finch almost blew it, fumble. It got called back though.

[Parliament10]

Darelle Revis has got that Cornerback position buttoned down. Who gets in behind him, and in what order?