New England Patriots: 3 ‘grinders’ looking to make a name for themselves
As the New England Patriots prepare for their third and final preseason game against the New York Giants there will be a few players looking to make their final claim to that 53-man roster.
As now retired Patriots receiver Julian Edelman calls them, these “grinders” will be not only looking to make the 2021 squad, but also make a name for themselves just like the former Kent State quarterback did for himself before he became who he became.
So, as these “grinders” look to make their final impressions, it is what Edelman said before the team’s 35-0 preseason victory over the Philadelphia Eagles that really stands out. Ahead of last Thursday’s game, he tweeted, “second to last preseason game. All you grinders, looking to make a name for yourself. Today’s the day.”
Here are three players who made their statement even during or before that game and who will further look to stake their claim to a roster spot this upcoming Thursday night.
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3. Harvey Langi looking to make his second stint with the New England Patriots count
The New England Patriots have a lot of talent on defense. They have so much talent that there could be some surprise cuts and/or trades involving veteran players.
One player making a push for a roster spot is linebacker Harvey Langi who the Patriots initially signed as an undrafted free agent back in 2017. Some bad luck off the field involving a car accident literally put a roadblock in the BYU product’s career. He did play one game with the team that season but didn’t play a regular season game in 2018.
Call it self-determination, but Langi kept grinding and in the last two seasons with the New York Jets, showed he belongs on the field. Coming off a 2020 season in which he combined for 60 tackles in 14 games played, Langi earned himself a second shot with the Patriots and he has been really flying around the field this preseason.
Langi really impressed in the 35-0 win against the Eagles with an interception and almost adding a second interception. He also had a sack and two QB hits. Considered a longshot to make the 53-man roster, his play last Thursday night could lure Bill Belichick to find a way to keep him on the team. With any position, you can never have enough depth and Harvey Langi is a grinder who just may earn himself some time on the field in a Patriots uniform in 2021.