With NFL training camp underway, here are 5 intriguing storylines to watch as the New England Patriots inch closer to their 2019 preseason schedule.
It’s seems like just weeks ago the New England Patriots raised the Vince Lombardi Trophy after capturing their sixth Super Bowl victory in nine appearances.
The 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams was not only an impressive victory, but one that symbolized the next transition for the team.
With Rob Gronkowski retiring in the months to follow, the new emphasis for the team appears to be surrounding a power running game and elite defense. Both the 2019 NFL Draft and free agency seemed to support that approach.
Aside from drafting wide receiver N’Keal Harry in the first round, the team went defense in the second round by drafting cornerback JoeJuan Willams and defensive end Chase Winovich in the third round. They also took Alabama running back Damien Harris in the third round further indicating the team’s transition from relying solely on the arm of 42-year-old quarterback Tom Brady.
While all of those young players are expected to contribute, they also added veterans like defensive end Michael Bennett, defensive tackle Mike Pennel, linebacker Jamie Collins, wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and veteran tight ends Ben Watson and Matt LaCosse to the mix.
Overall, an intriguing mix of young and veteran players that will create some interesting storylines throughout the preseason. Here are 5 of those storylines that will intrigue New England Patriots fans prior to the 2019 NFL regular season.
5. Who emerges at tight end
Life without Rob Gronkowski will be an interesting storyline throughout preseason and into the regular season.
In fact, if no one emerges at the position in weeks to come, the All-Pro tight end will continue to be involved in rumors or a possible return.
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So, it’s up to Ben Watson, Lance Kendricks, Matt LaCosse, Stephen Anderson or Ryan Izzo to step up at the position. While no one will replace Gronkowski, one or two of those players can be serviceable in a New England Patriots offense that will shift its focus to a power running game and big wide receivers.
Who emerges?
According to head coach Bill Belichick, this will be one of the most competitive position battles ahead of the 2019 NFL season.
"“Well, I think it’s a very competitive position,” Belichick said during an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio. “We have a couple of young players, and we have some experienced players. Obviously, Ben Watson – we go all the way back with Ben. But Ben’s a quality person. He has a lot of experience. One of the most athletic players we’ve ever had here for his size. He still possesses a great deal of ability.”"
While Watson should give the Patriots some production at the position in the passing game, LaCosse looks to be the player with the most potential to emerge. There is also a chance Stephen Anderson gives the team the explosive jolt they are looking for at the position.
In any event, it will be fascinating to see how the New England Patriots manage the position if no one emerges. Will there be a trade or will Rob Gronkowski be back in a Patriots’ uniform at some point in the season?
4. The return of Jamie Collins
Will Jamie Collins return and be a valuable player for the New England Patriots?
He certainly has the talent and knowledge of the system, but will he buy in this time around?
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So far through training camp, things appear to be shaping up quite will for the Patriots linebacker who join a group that consist of Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, Elandon Roberts and Ja’Whaun Bentley.
Not only has Collins impresses coaches with his work ethic, he has earned praise from Bill Belichick who shipped him out of town back in 2016.
"“He’s been great,” Belichick told the media at the beginning of August. “He had a great spring, he’s had a good training camp. I think he’s done everything we’ve asked him to do and he’s done it well. I’m glad we have him. I think he’ll help our team.”"
Collins, in return, appreciated the praise from Bill Belichick and appears to have a new since of respect for the coach and the organization after spending the last couple of seasons with the Cleveland Browns.
As long as he doesn’t freelance, Jamie Collins has the talent, size and ability to be a very impactful player in the Patriots defense. We saw it the first time around and with added maturity, he should make the defensive unit even more versatile.
3. What’s going on with Isaiah Wynn
The New England Patriots top draft pick in 2018 is the biggest question mark of training camp and going into the preseason.
One of the reasons, if not the main reason the team decided not to pay left tackle Trent Brown the big money was Isaiah Wynn.
Selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Georgia Bulldogs product was projected to be the left tackle before going down with a season-ending Achilles tear during preseason last year.
Now the team hopes he can work his way back to fill that void this season. So far in training camp, however, Wynn hasn’t been getting many reps. Is there a setback in his progression?
Only time will tell when it comes to the Patriots and dealing with player injuries and status, but Isaiah Wynn is certainly entering the preseason ready to get back into action and, despite not playing during his rookie year, does bring some necessary knowledge into his second year as an NFL player.
"“I feel like last year really gave me an opportunity to look on the brighter side of things and see how everything works, especially going as far as we went last season. Being able to see all of that as a rookie was special,” Wynn recently told the media. “Also, I was able to learn how plays operate, how practice goes, and how the guys take care of their bodies.”"
While Wynn continues to be a work in progress, the Patriots have to determine their options at the left tackle position. Do they trade for a veteran like Trent Williams? Or hope someone like Dan Skipper can hold his ground until Wynn is ready to take over the job of protecting Tom Brady’s blindside?
Whatever the end result, it will be an intriguing story to watch during the preseason.
2. The wide receiver mix
There’s Julian Edelman and first-round pick N’Keal Harry and then what at the wide receiver position?
Beyond the hopes that lie with second-year receiver Braxton Berrios that he will become the next great slot guy, the New England Patriots variety of wide receiver question marks that will play themselves out during the preseason…or so we hope.
Taking Josh Gordon out of the equation, the team has veteran options in Phillip Dorsett, Demaryius Thomas, Dontrelle Inman, Maurice Harris and newly signed receiver Cameron Meredith who could stabilize the depth chart. Of that bunch, Harris has been the veteran making the most noise during training camp. Thomas and Meredith are options who may not see the field until after the start of the 2019 NFL regular season.
That certainly puts Dorsett and Inman on the hot seat to even make the team, especially if undrafted free agent Jakobi Meyers continues to impress.
Along with Berrios, Ryan Davis, Damoun Patterson and Gunner Olszewski are receivers who could make a few plays to grab the attention of the coaching staff during preseason. While those players are long shots, the current mix of veterans, rookies and undrafted talent makes the wide receiver position probably more interesting than the tight end battle.
Who will emerge?
The answer will probably change game-to-game as the preseason forges on.
1. Gordon’s reinstatement plea
The main storyline New England Patriots fans will be intrigued by during the preseason is the status of Josh Gordon.
The often-troubled wide receiver who recently filed to be reinstated to the NFL following an indefinite ban from the league would give Tom Brady and the Patriots offense a boost.
Despite question marks at the position as highlighted in the previous slide, the defending Super Bowl champions are planning on having the talented receiver on the roster.
"“I think if I’m a Patriots fan, or if I am the Patriots, I think the plan is to not have Josh Gordon, and if you do it is gravy,” ESPN’s Field Yates said during a recent appearance on Dale & Keefe. “I am not trying to sound grim for his outlook, but it’s a long, long road ahead. Obviously, Josh has worked really hard to get back on the [right path], but the NFL has collectively bargained the disciplinary calendar for matters involving substance abuse and I think for Josh Gordon he is climbing an uphill battle here.”"
While Brady would love to have Gordon back in the mix, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick acknowledged the situation to the media by saying that the team has nothing to do with Gordon.
That may seem a bit harsh, but it’s Belichick. When it comes to overall team operations and expectations, he has to prepare to move forward with the players he has, along with the daily management of the team he could actually control.
It’s clear, whatever the outcome is with the reinstatement plea of Josh Gordon, it will be the most intriguing storyline during the preseason and perhaps into the season. It is also one that could change things quite a bit for the New England Patriots in 2019.