5 Biggest New England Patriots Rumors Heading Into 2015 NFL Training Camp

5 Biggest New England Patriots Rumors Heading Into 2015 NFL Training Camp

By Nick Sardina

July 16, 2015

5 Biggest New England Patriots Rumors Heading Into 2015 NFL Training Camp

New England Patriots — Despite being just over five months removed from winning their fourth Super Bowl title, the New England Patriots have plenty of question marks as they near training camp. As usual, accompanying question marks is speculation and rumors surrounding how the Patriots can fill some holes and improve perceived positions of weakness. Here are five rumors as the Pats head to training camp.

Despite being just over five months removed from winning their fourth Super Bowl title, the New England Patriots have plenty of question marks as they near training camp. As usual, accompanying question marks is speculation and rumors surrounding how the Patriots can fill some holes and improve perceived positions of weakness. Here are five rumors as the Pats head to training camp.

5. Bradley Fletcher Not Safe

Bradley Fletcher

5. Bradley Fletcher Not Safe

Bradley Fletcher — After losing Darrelle Revis to the New York Jets, the Patriots decided to clean house at cornerback. After moving on from Brandon Browner, Alfonzo Dennard and Kyle Arrington, the Pats' first move was to sign veteran Bradley Fletcher. While he gives the Patriots experience at corner, if young players like Derek Cox, Justin Green and rookies Darryl Roberts and Jimmy Jean show enough in camp, don’t be shocked if Fletcher is looking for another team.

After losing Darrelle Revis to the New York Jets, the Patriots decided to clean house at cornerback. After moving on from Brandon Browner, Alfonzo Dennard and Kyle Arrington, the Pats' first move was to sign veteran Bradley Fletcher. While he gives the Patriots experience at corner, if young players like Derek Cox, Justin Green and rookies Darryl Roberts and Jimmy Jean show enough in camp, don’t be shocked if Fletcher is looking for another team.

4. Evan Mathis To Be Signed

Evan Mathis

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4. Evan Mathis To Be Signed

Evan Mathis — Improving the interior of their offensive line was one of the main offseason priorities for the Patriots. The Patriots drafted guards Tre’ Jackson and Shaq Mason to compete with Ryan Wendell for starting roles. However, after the Philadelphia Eagles released Pro Bowl guard Evan Mathis, many were hoping he’d be fitted for a Patriots jersey. Unless Jackson and Mason struggle, I don’t think the Pats will make a run at the veteran.

Improving the interior of their offensive line was one of the main offseason priorities for the Patriots. The Patriots drafted guards Tre’ Jackson and Shaq Mason to compete with Ryan Wendell for starting roles. However, after the Philadelphia Eagles released Pro Bowl guard Evan Mathis, many were hoping he’d be fitted for a Patriots jersey. Unless Jackson and Mason struggle, I don’t think the Pats will make a run at the veteran.

3. Hold It On Mayo

Jerod Mayo

3. Hold It On Mayo

Jerod Mayo — Linebacker Jerod Mayo is a Bill Belichick favorite, and when healthy he's a top linebacker. That being said, Mayo hasn’t played more than half a season since 2012, and how he bounces back from surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon in his right knee is anyone’s guess. If Mayo doesn’t resemble the Pro Bowl linebacker he was earlier in his career, he could be a surprise cut. Mayo’s large cap numbers in 2016 and 2017 also make him vulnerable.

Linebacker Jerod Mayo is a Bill Belichick favorite, and when healthy he's a top linebacker. That being said, Mayo hasn’t played more than half a season since 2012, and how he bounces back from surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon in his right knee is anyone’s guess. If Mayo doesn’t resemble the Pro Bowl linebacker he was earlier in his career, he could be a surprise cut. Mayo’s large cap numbers in 2016 and 2017 also make him vulnerable.

2. Brandon Bolden Third-Down Back

Brandon Bolden

2. Brandon Bolden Third-Down Back

Brandon Bolden — Finding a capable third-down back to replace Shane Vereen is one of the biggest questions for the Patriots. The Pats brought in Travaris Cadet and Dion Lewis to compete with James White for the critical role in the offense. If none of the mentioned are able to gain the confidence of Tom Brady and the coaching staff, look for the versatile Brandon Bolden, who is an ace on special teams and a rotational back, to add another role to his duties.

Finding a capable third-down back to replace Shane Vereen is one of the biggest questions for the Patriots. The Pats brought in Travaris Cadet and Dion Lewis to compete with James White for the critical role in the offense. If none of the mentioned are able to gain the confidence of Tom Brady and the coaching staff, look for the versatile Brandon Bolden, who is an ace on special teams and a rotational back, to add another role to his duties.

1. Devin McCourty Moving Back To Corner

Devin McCourty

1. Devin McCourty Moving Back To Corner

Devin McCourty — There has been a ton of speculation about moving safety Devin McCourty back to corner this season if the Pats struggle at the position. McCourty was drafted in the first round as a corner and played two-plus seasons on the outside. However, McCourty has flourished after moving inside, and I look at this as a last resort. You don’t take your best player in the secondary and move him to a spot where he’s not as comfortable or accomplished.

There has been a ton of speculation about moving safety Devin McCourty back to corner this season if the Pats struggle at the position. McCourty was drafted in the first round as a corner and played two-plus seasons on the outside. However, McCourty has flourished after moving inside, and I look at this as a last resort. You don’t take your best player in the secondary and move him to a spot where he’s not as comfortable or accomplished.

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