What to Watch for in Final Patriots Pre-Season Game

What am I going to take a look at in Sunday’s Pre-Season finale versus the Washington Commanders?

First off, Head Coach Jerod Mayo mentioned that “anybody that’s wholesome will play on Sunday”.  The primary unit wants work.  Jacoby Brissett has not been sharp within the 1^st two Preseason video games.  Final week he led a gap drive down the sector, solely to throw a horrible interception on the purpose line that was returned 47 yards organising Philadelphia for a Discipline Aim.  Not solely didn’t they get the three factors or extra on their very own, however gave up discipline place, giving Philly a brief discipline and three factors.

Offensive Line stays the #1 downside for this staff.  Vederian Lowe, who coaches praised for making a lot progress in camp, seems to have a again harm that can maintain him out of the sport Sunday.  This must be monitored as this may power them to play gamers at Left Deal with they don’t need to.  Chuks Okorafor has not performed properly attempting to maneuver from the Proper Facet to the Left.  Rookie Caeden Wallace is attempting to make the same transfer from Proper Deal with and he has had issue making the transition.  Dangerous transfer by Eliot Wolf and the Patriots mind belief drafting a participant that has performed nothing however Proper Deal with in his 5-year faculty profession and try to change him to Left Deal with.  Wolf was unprepared for the run on Left Tackles within the 2^nd spherical.  They had been left empty handed.  It was identified earlier than the draft that they favored Wallace, however that they had Michale Onwenu at Proper Deal with.

The harm will power one other shift on the road.  Anticipate Mike Onwenu again at Proper Deal with, Layden Robinson, who has been the top-rated OL within the Pre-season per Professional Soccer Focus (PFF), at Proper Guard.    David Andrews could begin at Heart however will shortly give solution to Nick Leverett.  Andrews has some minor harm that can restrict his taking part in time.  Sidy Sow at Left Guard and Chuks Okorafor at Left Deal with.  Vederian Lowe has missed the practices this week and might be held out.  Caeden Wallace will play with the second unit at each sort out spots.  Liam Fornadel will once more be the three^rd Heart.  He has had hassle with the alternate and has had a mis-snap each observe.

Quarterback There isn’t any QB competitors.  Brissett is the starter and Maye the backup.  Maye has been bettering steadily by camp.  Brissett has had two dangerous pre-season video games.  I anticipate that Brissett may get two sequence earlier than getting lifted.  I hope that Maye will get some run with the 1^st staff Offensive line.  It’s very uncommon that the #1 QB performs on this final pre-season recreation, however the Patriots beginning unit wants reps collectively.   Want to see Maye observe up his final outing versus the Eagles with one other strong efficiency.  Understand that Maye is dealing with inferior competitors in 2^nd and three^rd staff gamers.  He’s scuffling with pre-snap reads and if he’s pressured to play, will see blitzes he has by no means seen earlier than.  My hope is that he doesn’t need to play in any respect this season.

Vast Receiver This has develop into fairly a contest.  Ja’lynn Polk has established himself because the #1 receiver.  Not far behind is Pop Douglas who has had an excellent camp.  The opposite starter (drum roll) Tyquan Thornton.  Sure, I wrote Tyquan Thornton.  AVP loves his skill to get deep.  The query is whether or not he has developed the Receiver expertise wanted to battle DBs for the ball.  KJ Osborn has been making a late cost for a roster spot.  However, Kayshon Boutte and Javon Baker have skilled a downturn.  Baker will make the staff based mostly upon his draft place.  Boutte makes some nice catches, however he has give you the dropsies in observe.  Reagor is correct within the thick of it and has particular staff kickoff return skill.  Two of the three will make it.  It could come right down to how they play Sunday night time.

Defensive Line They’ve been dealt a giant blow with the blood clots to Christian Barmore.  He’ll begin the yr on IR and will not be again in any respect this yr.  Mike Purcells was minimize this week in what I believed was a giant shock as a result of he’s the one DL in addition to Godchaux to have the dimensions for NT.  Detrich Smart has not performed properly and his spot could also be in peril.  Armon Watts has been invisible.  I believed he would story Lawrence Man’s spot.  Jeremiah Pharms has been the #1 DL to this point in camp.  He appears to be a starter in Barmore’s spot.  Dan Ekuale has been regular and good on the move rush.  I don’t assume Sam Roberts has the dimensions to make it a DL.  Trysten Hill has been exhibiting flashes.  He was a excessive draft decide of Dallas (2019 #2).  He has the dimensions at 6’3”, 310 kilos.

CB/S  There are a number of battles happening right here.  Seems to be like Isaiah Bolden and Shaun Wade are battling for a similar place.  Similar with UDFA Dell Pettus and veteran Josh Bledsoe.  To date it’s Pettus that has the sting.  He has simply been balling out in observe and he actually hits within the video games.  All 4 gamers are anticipated to play in Particular Groups.  Azizi Hearns was torched in observe however performed very properly within the two video games.  Seems to be like Jaylinn Hawkins will begin at Free Security, permitting Dugger and Peppers to wreak havoc from the hybrid LB/SS place.  Marco Wilson and Alex Austin are battling for the highest backup spot at CB.  Marcelleus Dial has minimize himself with poor play within the two pre-season video games.

Kicker It’s all going to return right down to this recreation.  Joey Slye has been the higher kicker however its shut.  Chad Ryland might want to carry out properly within the recreation Sunday to maintain his job.  Both means, whoever wins the job might be on a brief leash.

Edge William Bradley-King has been taking part in properly currently and is making a push as an edge participant.  Josh Uche was nicked up and unable to observe, opening the door for Bradley-King.  Let’s see how he performs.  I don’t anticipate Keon White to play a lot Sunday.  Bradley-King, Oshane Ximenes and Christian Ellis ought to get loads of taking part in time.

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