What experts are saying about the Patriots-Giants preseason game
Who will open the season as the backup quarterback?
The Patriots will be looking to end the preseason without a loss Thursday night with a win against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium. With lots of questions having yet to be answered, this preseason game will be the final way to answer lingering roster questions. Here are what experts are saying about the Patriots’ preseason finale.
Who will be the backup quarterback?
Heading into the final preseason game, one of the depth-chart battles that remains unsettled is backup quarterback. The battle for the backup spot will be between two very different players in Brian Hoyer, who is entering his 11th season in the NFL, and Jarrett Stidham a rookie drafted in the 5th round out of Auburn. Both quarterbacks have played well so far this preseason, with Stidham getting the most snaps of the two, completing 69 percent of his passes and throwing for 506 yards and two touchdowns in the process. Hoyer has gotten fewer snaps, he’s thrown 22 passes compared to Stidham’s 62, but he’s looked good in his limited reps posting an absurd completion percentage of 82 percent to go along with 202 yards and two touchdowns. Hoyer’s absence from the Patriots’ preseason game against the Panthers only intensified questions about the current quarterback hierarchy. A strong — or weak –performance could make the difference in this final preseason game.
Bubble battles to watch:
With cut day looming, Patriots players on the bubble only have one more chance to impress before their fate is decided. Here are a few positions highlighted by experts:Tight end:Answers at tight end continue to elude the Patriots. Lance Kendricks, who was signed at the start of training camp, was suspended for one game by the NFL for violating its substance abuse policy. Ryan Izzo emerged as a possible candidate after a strong showing against the Panthers, but tight ends Matt LaCosse, Stephen Anderson, and Eric Saubert could all potentially still play their way onto the rosterLinebacker: The Patriots have shown to be deep at linebacker this season, with Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins, Chase Winovich, and Ja’Whaun Bentley all likely to make the roster. This leaves few spots for the remaining guys. The two major candidates still battling for a spot are Calvin Munson and Elandon Roberts, with additional linebackers Scooby Wright, Trent Harris, Terez Hall, and Christian Sam all on the outside looking in. Performance in this final preseason game will be crucial for these players looking to win the final linebacker roster spot. Cornerback:Similar to linebacker, the Patriots have a lot of depth in their secondary. Keion Crossen and Duke Dawson are looking to secure spots in a deep cornerback position, and both will look to prove themselves against the Giants
What does it mean if a bubble player doesn’t play?
While some guys will be fighting for roster spots on the field, those who will be on the sidelines Thursday night will be the ones to keep an eye out for. Generally, those who don’t play in the final preseason game are the ones who have clinched spots on the 53-man roster, with Doug Kyed from NESN saying, “
If a player doesn’t get in the game, it’s usually an indication he’s a roster lock.”
Daniel Jones will start.
The Giants have already named their starting quarterback for the game, and it will be the fifth overall pick from the 2019 NFL Draft, Daniel Jones. While it’s looking like Jones will open the season as Eli Manning’s backup, Jones will still prove to be a good test for the Patriots defensive players looking to make the roster.
