The New England Patriots are at the halfway point in their preseason schedule. Here are five standout players who have impressed the first two games.
Coming off a Super Bowl championship, the New England Patriots entered the preseason schedule with questions at some key positions.
With a nice mix of veterans and young players, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and his coaching staff will have some tough decisions to make partly due to some of the impressive performances they have seen on the field from their younger players.
While we have yet to see the star players like Tom Brady, Julian Edelman, Stephon Gilmore, James White, Sony Michel, Michael Bennett, Dont’a Hightower etc, it is clear the team will be very deep at some key positions and even the veteran players will have to do their job to play a role on the 2019 version of the New England Patriots.
As the team is 2-0 coming off an 22-17 comeback victory over the Tennessee Titans Saturday night, here are the top five players who have stood out so far in the preseason.
5. Damian Harris, Running Back
Rookie running back Damien Harris saw his debut in the second preseason game against the Tennessee Titans and certainly impressed.
Not only did the New England Patriots third round pick out of the University of Alabama show he can hit holes with force, he also showed off his pass-catching skills.
In all, Harris rushed for 80 yards on 14 carries while hauling in four catches for 23 yards. Most impressive was his 20-yard run that set up the team’s first touchdown early in the first half of the game. Not only did it show his burst, it also showed why the Patriots may have been very smart to draft him where he did.
When asked about Harris’ running style following the 22-17 win over the Titans, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick lauded his toughness.
"“He’s been a tough player throughout his career, in college,” Belichick said. “That was our first look at it, a real live run, and I thought he ran hard.”"
That hard-running style may just elevate Damien Harris into the team’s power back role, especially in short-yardage and goal line situations. Both of those were areas of weakness for projected lead back Sony Michel.
4. Danny Shelton, Defensive Tackle
When it comes to veteran, no player is making a greater push to carve out a role than Danny Shelton.
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So far, through training camp and the first two preseason games, the former first-round pick of the Cleveland Browns has positioned himself ahead of Mike Pennel. Not only has he received more snaps, he has shown more comfort in the defensive scheme.
Add his overall hunger and motivation to succeed and that talent may just reach its potential in 2019. If Shelton can become that disruptive force in the middle, the New England Patriots overall defense will be that much better.
After signing just a one-year deal return to the Patriots, it looks like things are starting to work out for Shelton.
Here is what Bill Belichick had to say about the big defensive tackle.
"“I think he’s a lot more comfortable with the scheme,” Belichick said, as transcribed by the Providence Journal. “We have more experience with him as a player. There are certain things that we can do to put him in a good position to be productive, and he’s worked on things that he knows he needs to do in our scheme that may be a little bit different from other schemes that he’s played in. He’s better prepared, he’s in good condition, he’s had a good camp and a good spring, so I’m glad he’s here. I think he’ll help us.”"
In the two preseason games, Danny Shelton has two combined tackles and a sack to show for his effort. Let’s remember, for his position, it is not the numbers that are important, it is the presence and physicality that allows other players along the defensive line and front seven make plays.
Let’s hope this upward trend continues.
3. Jarrett Stidham
New England Patriots fans haven’t been this excited about the backup quarterback since the days of Jimmy Garoppolo.
That’s exactly who fourth-round pick Jarrett Stidham is being compared to after two preseason games of impressive football.
While Stidham did make a couple of passes that could’ve had disastrous results, he did lead an impressive 99-yard dive that ended with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Damoun Patterson to put the team ahead for good.
Overall, Stidham was 14 of 19 for 193 yards passing and a touchdown in the game after a preseason debut in which he went 14 of 24 for 179 yards and a touchdown. In all, his overall composure and ability to make plays with his arm and legs has been impressive so far in his young career.
As he stated in his postgame conference Saturday night, comfort is playing a role in his success through two preseason games.
"“Again, just the more I’m around these guys in the meeting room with Josh (McDaniels), and Mick (Lombardi), and Tom (Brady), and Brian (Hoyer), just learning as much as I can” Stidham said. “You know, we have a bunch of really good players on this team, so that makes my job a lot easier. Just getting the ball to those guys, and those guys up front did a great job, so I’m just trying to learn as much as I can and just continue to grow.”"
If he continues to grow and show more promise on the field during the next two preseason games, the New England Patriots may have something. Perhaps the reason why Tom Brady only got essentially a one-year deal.
2. Chase Winovich
The third-round pick out of Michigan has come as advertised.
Along with his high-spirited personality, Chase Winovich has shown on the field that he has a high-motor that has already made him a favorite amongth fans and will certainly win him points with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.
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In two preseason games with the Patriots, Winovich has a total of 9 tackles and 2.5 sacks. As an edge rusher, the rookie defensive end is showing a very good habit of not giving up on plays and being just about everywhere on the field.
Where does his high-motor and motivation come from?
In speaking to the media following Saturday night’s effort, Chase Winovich attributed it to his grandmother rewarding him with a $5 bill and a chocolate bar if he got through a game with playing hard and also without being injured. While that was more symbolism to what truly fuels his energy on the field, it really shows off that motor.
"“Chase (Winovich) knows how to play,” Belichick said following the game. “He plays hard, very good in pursuit. You see it in the kicking, you see it on defense. He’s a good motor.”"
It’s just the preseason, but if Chase Winovich plays this hard during the regular season, he’ll be on the field more and more as the season progresses.
1. Jakobi Meyers
Will undrafted rookie free agent receiver Jakobi Meyers be the next Kenbrell Thompkins or something more with the New England Patriots?
From the start of training camp is was clear the Patriots found something in the N.C. State product and the more he plays, the more the average fan has to wonder why he wasn’t drafted.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound wide receiver followed up an impressive preseason debut by hauling in six receptions for 82 yards in Saturday night’s victory over the Tennessee Titans.
He isn’t extremely fast or flashy, but simply knows how to get open. It is that maturity and playmaking ability that makes him just about a fit to make the 53-man roster.
"“He’s has just done a great job,” Bill Belichick said of Meyers. “Even going back to OTAs I remember him making some big plays, and you are kind of looking like, ‘All right, this kid is making some plays.’ He has just continued to build on that and build on that. He has worked really hard. It is paying off for him.”"
With Julian Edelman and Demaryius Thomas off PUP and the reinstatement of Josh Gordon, the New England Patriots suddenly have a very interesting and deep receiving group if everyone works out with those players.
Jakobi Meyers will really get to make a name for himself playing with and behind those players.
The scary part is, Tom Brady hasn’t even been on the field with him yet.