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The Patriots never miss intriguing stories, and that is still the case with the approach of the training camp.
Here's what we'll see as Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, and Co. are on the ground for the first time. practice on Thursday:
GOING FROM THE DRAMA OFFER
This is an atypical offseason in Foxboro. Brady has rarely participated in the off – season training sessions, only appearing for the mandatory minicamp. In an interview with Jim Gray, Brady responded "I plead the fifth" when asked when he felt appreciated by Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft.
Gronkowski flirted with his retirement, refrained from voluntary training and held a strange press conference. Gillette Stadium will promote a Monster Energy Supercross event
Former players, such as Danny Amendola, have publicly questioned Belichick's decision to take Malcolm Butler's place at the Super Bowl LII .
Suffice to say: Standards of patriots.
But will all this be important? Will there be postponements?
Brady and Gronkowski are at the training camp. They are always among the best at their respective positions. Belichick is back for a 19th season with the Pats. The alignment is strong from top to bottom, and the AFC East is ridiculously weak. They are in good shape and are heading for the camp.
"The thing about the Patriots, and it's probably the biggest thing, is that they're so far away from their division at the moment," said L & # 39; ESPN analyst and the former NFL. quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. "They sort of have time to get by and get an idea when their (Julian) Edelman is back in. I know that they would never say that, and (let's say) that it's blasphemous , but honestly, I can say it Nobody escapes with the division if they stumble. "
TOM BRADY AT 41
Brady became the oldest player to win the NFL Player of the Year award a season ago with a total of 4,577 yards and 32 touchdowns
and he finished with a score of 100 in only three of his 18 other seasons (2007, 2010, 2011). From a statistical point of view, Brady improves with age
How long can he continue? [19659002] Peyton Manning fell off a cliff at age 39. Brett Favre had a terrific season at age 40, perhaps the best of his life, but he was cooked by 41. There are not many precedents for the quarters to support maximum performance at Brady's age.
Even if Brady takes a small step back, he will still be among the best smugglers in the league
a question: Will Brady connect with his new receivers? His best target, Edelman, is facing a four-game suspension. This means that Brady will be relying on players like Kenny Britt (signed last December), Phillip Dorsett (first season New England), Jordan Matthews (free), Cordarrelle Patterson (acquired off-season) and Braxton Berrios (rookie)
Brady normally builds a foundation with new receptors during spring training. He skipped these practices this year, however, he will start from scratch.
THE STATUS OF ROB GRONKOWSKI
The Gronkowski contract will spark discussions throughout the camp. The tight end of the superstar kicks off the last two seasons of an extension that he signed in 2012. At the time of the contract, the NFL salary cap was $ 120.6 million. That figure has since jumped to $ 177.2 million, and Gronkowski has seen many other smugglers reap the benefits.
The Sammy Watkins receiver will receive $ 30 million guaranteed over the next two seasons. He has totaled 1,023 yards in the past two seasons.
Dismissal of Jaguars Donte Moncrief is expected to earn a higher salary than Gronkowski this season ($ 9.6 million). He has not managed to reach 400 yards on receptions in each of the past two years.
Gronkowski is not grossly underpaid, but it is understandable that he wants an increase. Can this be settled before the start of the regular season?
A related note: Like Brady, Gronkowski spent the majority of the off-season away from the facility. He participated in a mandatory mini-camp, but skipped the voluntary part of the program. Although he seems to be moving to the minicamp, Gronkowski's physical condition is relatively unknown. We will know more after a handful of camp practices.
SUSPENSION OF JULIAN EDELMAN
In the past four seasons, the Patriots have played three games without Julian Edelman and
or Danny Amendola.
There is no doubt that September will be an offensive fit, as Edelman is serving a four-game suspension for breaking the league's performance-enhancing drug policy.
Perhaps a great catcher intervenes in the absence of Edelman. Kenny Britt, Phillip Dorsett and Jordan Matthews are candidates for significant play time alongside Chris Hogan.
Perhaps the Pats will be creative with their deep and talented team of halfbacks; Brady was 40-for-50 for 478 yards when the Patriots used two tacos together a year ago.
Maybe the Pats are relying on a tight double set, a possibility if Jacob Hollister continues to progress. "I really think they have a lot of talent," Hasselbeck said. "Everybody really does something different, their endurance group is really strong, very strong, their running back group is so versatile, and depending on what you get on the wide receivers they have a lot of different body types … But they are running out of a guy from the pure slot machine.Who is your next Edelman? Is it Riley McCarron? Jordan Matthews? "
The Pats will pass the have been tinkering with their staff and will decide how they will attack the defenses without Edelman.
REBOUNDING THE DEFENSE
The Patriots are the only NFL team to have opponents below 20 points per game in each of the past four seasons.
This is an impressive achievement. ] But they come from an embarrassing Super Bowl performance in which they awarded 41 points and 538 yards from the scrum (the most defeats of Bill Belichick). And there are some holes to fill.
There is uncertainty in the corner half opposite Stephon Gilmore, where Jason McCourty and Eric Rowe seem to be the best contenders. The rest of the corner half group is inexperienced.
The New England pass rush was ineffective in 2017 and its defense was unusually mediocre
Do not get me wrong: the Pats became a solid defense a year ago. They held their opponents under 17 points in 10 of the last 12 games of the regular season. But when the season was on the line, they were not good enough
The unit must take a step forward, starting this summer.
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