Patriots: Preparing for Kickoff – What to Expect
Thursday, August 11, 2011
It’s finally here.
The kickoff to the 2011 NFL season – albeit the “pre-season” – arrives tonight at 7:30 pm when the Patriots play the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium. From a pure entertainment perspective it’s a day many of us have been waiting for with great anticipation, since no one was really sure we’d have football this season.
Now that labor strife has been settled, and the players are going about the business of actually playing…we can go on about the business of watching and learning about the ’11 edition, and whether or not it can be a true title contender before the year is completed. Here are a few key items to keep in mind, as you watch the Patriots begin play:
Injuries
There are, and will be, a lot of them over the next few weeks…and several will drag into the start of the regular season in September. This will be the case for every team in the NFL, not just New England. In order for players to be ready over the long haul of the season, anyone with a “ding” or a “dent” during training camp isn’t likely to see much time until later in the pre-season, if at all. Bill Belichick said this week that if they’re not in practice, they probably won’t be in games…a good rule of thumb to go by here. Yet, there are numerous players who are fighting for roster spots…with 90 on the current roster and only 53 actually making the final roster, it bears watching who makes the effort to be out there, and when they DO get out there.
Veteran Playing Time
You might see some veterans play a little, but as many fans know…the pre-season is the time for rookies and newcomers to make an impression on the coaching staff. That won’t change much this year, even with the overall lack of team “work” for players due to the lockout through the spring. Belichick’s philosophy of “whoever needs to play, will play” won’t change. Starters might get a series or two tonight, but expect rookies, newly-signed free agents and back-ups to see most of the playing time. That is, if they’re healthy.
Game Plan
There probably won’t be much of an actual “game plan” for the Jaguars, although with a perceived contentious nature between Belichick and Jacksonville head coach Jack Del Rio (who has been accusatory recently toward the Patriots for sideline communications going down during games), you might see a wrinkle or two in play-calling normally associated with a regular season game. The first couple of pre-season games are always more about “us,” than “them.” That’s why you rarely see a sense of urgency to win in the pre-season. Get the work in, get experience, learn about your guys, get out with as few injuries as possible and if you win – it’s a bonus. But not a necessity.
Learn Some New Names
If you’re looking to learn the names and numbers of every newcomer to the roster…you might be wasting your time. There are 37 players currently on the roster who won’t be here this time next month. But if you want some names that have a shot of sticking around awhile, watch for these players – if they’re considered healthy enough to play: DE Andre Carter, DE Mark Anderson, OL Mark Wetterer, RB Stevan Ridley, QB Ryan Mallett, TE Lee Smith, DB Malcolm Williams, DL Kade Weston and of course WR Chad Ochocinco…all players new to the roster who have impressed at one time or another so far during camp, or come to the team with expectations of contributing. If you’re wondering about Albert Haynesworth, he probably won’t play (see above under “injuries”). Same for draft picks (Shane Vereen, Ras-I Dowling) and free agents (Shaun Ellis) not mentioned here…see above.
Training Camp/Pre-Game Notes
The Patriots open the pre-season at home for the fifth time since Gillette Stadium opened up in 2002…the game against Jacksonville is just the 6th time in the last 27 pre-season games for the Patriots to play a team from the AFC…this is just the second time for the Patriots and Jaguars to play in the pre-season, with the first time a forgettable 31-0 loss for New England in the 2004 exhibition finale at Gillette Stadium…the last regular season match-up came December 27, 2009 when the Patriots blasted the Jags 35-7, also at Gillette…the Patriots have never lost to Jacksonville during the regular season (5-0), and are 3-1 vs. the Jaguars all time in the post-season…
Not that it matters much here…but the Patriots have been undefeated at home the past two regular seasons. They’ve won 17 straight regular season games at Gillette…as we reported here Wednesday, don’t expect to see Jacksonville QB David Garrard, he’s out with a back injury – or RB Maurice Jones-Drew. Rookie QB Blaine Gabbert from Missouri will step in…practice Wednesday was centered around “game-preparations” for the team inside of the stadium, with running out of the tunnel and coin-toss issues decided…players of note who returned to the practice field included TE Rob Gronkowski, who missed all of Tuesday’s practice…
Players you can expect NOT to see for Thursday: Albert Haynesworth, Mike Wright, Brandon Spikes, Chris Morris, Josh Barrett, Shane Vereen, Eric Kettani, Brandon Tate, Dan Connolly, Ryan Wendell, Ras-I Dowling, James Sanders; Marcus Cannon (active/non-football injury list); Kevin Faulk, Matt Light, Shaun Ellis, Ron Brace, Brandon Deaderick (all active/PUP list)…
Patriots owner Robert Kraft met with members of the media Wednesday afternoon at Gillette Stadium, and stated “football is back in Foxboro.” He thanked reporters for the privacy and respect shown to his family during their time of grief over the passing of his wife Myra, and then had to pause to compose himself. “We’ve gotten letters and people supporting us from all over the world,” Kraft said. “I am committed to reading every tweet, email, and letter. I have two boxes of letters that are still packed. The reach of my sweetheart is unbelievable.” As reported Wednesday, the players and coaches will wear a patch with the initials “MHK” for Myra Hiatt Kraft throughout the season in her memory. Kraft also touched on the business side of football, and while he’s proud of having a direct hand in 10 years of upcoming labor “peace” between players and owners, he’s also excited about the prospects for the newcomers – young and old – to the roster. Kraft then added “I hope that us locking up our core veterans and bringing in these seasoned veterans, and probably you'll see our good friend Logan Mankins will be signed up soon -- hopefully to be a Patriot for life -- that couldn't have happened if we didn't do our planning for when we went into the lockout.” Later Wednesday, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported the Patriots have agreed on a new six-year contract extension with Mankins...
Training Camp Schedule
Friday
Players’ Day Off
Saturday
1:30 pm – 4:00 pm Practice open to the public
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