5 things to watch for in the Patriots’ preseason game against the Panthers
The most-hyped preseason game is upon us.
The New England Patriots play the Carolina Panthers in a Week 3 matchup that typically provides the most snaps to starters during a preseason game. The Panthers, a 2014 playoff team, should be a solid test for the Patriots as they work out the kinks and decide on their bubble players.
Here are five things to watch as we search for answers about the 2015 Patriots.
1. Can the Tom Brady work on chemistry with the starting pass-catchers?
So far this preseason, Brady has played 13 snaps — Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman have played zero. The Patriots’ “first-team’’ skill players in the preseason game against the Saints were a hodgepodge of bubble players — and Brady. That’s likely the reason the veteran quarterback is 3-for-9 passing for 23 yards this preseason. With Brandon LaFell and Edelman injured and Gronk held out of action, Brady has yet to work with his favorite pass-catchers. Plus, offseason addition Scott Chandler returned to practice with the Patriots on Thursday and could be looking to sync with Brady.
2. How does Jimmy Garoppolo look?
When Garoppolo is not throwing to Josh Boyce, he’s lights out, going 46 of 52 for 409 yards and a touchdown. He’s 2 of 9 for 19 yards with an interception when throwing to Boyce, which isn’t good news for the Patriots’ 2013 fourth-round selection, who could be on the cusp of getting cut. History tells us that Brady will play for the first half, but this preseason is unique with no clear Week 1 starter. Garoppolo may continue to get a large number of snaps — maybe with the first-team offense.
Could Garoppolo hook up with Gronk for a touchdown and the season’s first Gronk spike?
3. How does the Patriots’ defense respond to Cam Newton’s mobility?
Bill Belichick said that facing Newton in the preseason will be a good test for the Patriots, who will see a number of mobile quarterbacks in the regular season. Starting linebackers Jerod Mayo and Dont’a Hightower are both coming back from injury, and await their first snaps of the preseason. Mayo, Hightower, and Jamie Collins could play integral roles in bottling up Newton in the read-option and in tuck-and-run situations.
4. How will the Patriots use Devin McCourty?
McCourty lined up at cornerback last Saturday against the Saints for the first time since 2012. And while he’s one of the few defensive back in history to get a Pro Bowl nod at both safety and cornerback, he struggled in his return to corner, and was on the field when Duron Harmon — who was playing in McCourty’s place at a safety — watched Brandin Cooks catch a 45-yard touchdown. After the game, McCourty said “it didn’t feel great,’’ and expressed that he hoped the move wasn’t permanent, but a few days later — in typical Patriot fashion — he seemed to accept whatever role he was dealt, saying he’s “just got to go out and play.’’
The secondary looked unimpressive without McCourty in center field. But with no cornerback standing out aside from Malcolm Butler, Belichick might continue the McCourty-at-cornerback experiment.
5. Can a running back carve out a regular-season role?
With presumed starter LeGarrette Blount injured, suspended, and not a refined pass-catcher, the Patriots have snaps available. The third down role is up for grabs, and so too is the Week 1 starter. Jonas Gray showed burst in the first week of preseason, scampering for a 55-yard rushing touchdown. Smaller, shiftier backs like Dion Lewis and James White have both put forth strong preseason performances, demonstrating strong elusiveness. Each back will have plenty of opportunity to set himself apart, particularly as a pass protector, a skill invaluable to the Brady-driven offense.
This year’s group of backs has also been lining up a wide receiver. Whether that’s an innovation driven by necessity or choice, the running backs — James White in particular — could find a way into regular season action if they continue look comfortable in the slot and outside the numbers.
Patriots 2015 Draft Class
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