Five Patriots players with the most to prove against the Packers
COMMENTARY
Take your football fix where you can get it. The New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers are going head-to-head in the preseason opener on Thursday night, and while it’s not a high-stakes regular-season affair, it’s a very important game for several players on each roster.
Whether it’s a player fighting back from an injury-riddled season, a rookie scratching and clawing for positioning on the depth chart, or a second-year player proving that he can make a jump after earning a year of experience in the NFL, there’s something for everyone to prove.
Here’s a handful of Patriots players who need to stand out from the pack (no pun intended) on Thursday night.
Dominique Easley
Drafted in the first round in 2014, Easley did not give the Patriots an immediate return on their investment. He then started out training camp on the physically unable to perform list, but quickly found his way back onto the field and is “way ahead’’ of where he was at this time last year according to head coach Bill Belichick.
That being said, we’ll have to see more signs of progress from Easley than just getting back on the field. Easley notched seven quarterback hurries, three hits and one sack in 2014 according to Pro Football Focus. Chandler Jones had nearly the same production in one playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens (seven hurries, three hits). The Patriots drafted Easley to be disruptive; he’ll have to improve in that area if he wants to live up to the billing.
Darryl Roberts
There is a heated battle for roster spots at the bottom of the Patriots’ depth chart at cornerback. The three most prominent contenders for those spots are Bradley Fletcher, Robert McClain and Darryl Roberts.
Roberts has otherworldly athleticism, as he showed at Marshall’s pro day with a 4.38-second 40-yard dash, a 39-inch vertical jump, and a 6.66-second three-cone drill. Fletcher and McClain have the benefit of veteran experience on their side, but when it comes to experience in the Patriots’ defense, all three are on a level playing field in their first year in the system.
Roberts was one of few Patriots who had a strong day of practice on Tuesday’s sloppy practice in the rain. He broke up four passes (one of which was intercepted by safety Tavon Wilson) and nearly had an interception, were it not broken up by wide receiver Jonathan Krause. This is an opportunity for Roberts to show what he can do in a game environment and to build on some positive momentum from practice.
James White
Injuries ravaged the Patriots roster to the point where a whopping 24 out of 90 players were missing from practice on August 8. One position feeling a lot of that sting is running back, where Tyler Gaffney, Dion Lewis, LeGarrette Blount and Travaris Cadet have all missed time over the past week.
It’s to the point where there just aren’t very many healthy bodies. That could mean extensive playing time for anyone with a pulse — namely James White.
The Patriots’ 2014 fourth-round pick did not maximize his opportunities in the preseason last year, with 29 carries for 80 yards and four catches for 45 yards. He earned only nine carries as a rookie, and will if he wants that number to go up in his second season, he’ll need to make the most of his second chance to make a first impression.
Jimmy Garoppolo
Let me channel my inner Bill Belichick for a minute, because the Patriots can’t be worried about Week 1 right now. All that matters is evaluating the players who play in Thursday night’s game. Having said that, all eyes will be on Jimmy Garoppolo to show some signs of improvement ahead of the regular season — surely, the Patriots don’t want to wait until the regular season to find out whether or not Garoppolo has taken steps forward.
Garoppolo does not always thrive in practices, but he says he is more comfortable with the offense — “the terminology, calling the plays, reading the defenses’’ and the other mental aspects that come with playing quarterback in the NFL. He’ll have to show some signs of that mental development if he wants Patriots fans and coaches to have a high level of confidence in his ability to play.
Aaron Dobson
A third-year player recovering from injuries as a player in a “make-or-break’’ situation is about as cliché as a police officer in line at a Dunkin’ Donuts. But wide receiver Aaron Dobson doesn’t have time to worry about metaphors for his situation.
At this point, all he can do is make plays. His ability to do so, however, is in jeopardy.
Dobson has had a strong training camp, but he just can’t seem to shake the injury bug. He missed four practices with an undisclosed injury, but was spotted in full pads during warmups on Tuesday before leaving the field prior to the non-contact portion of practice.
He will probably play a limited role on Thursday night, if any at all, but if he is on the field, he has to make the most of his opportunities.
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