Previewing the New England Patriots' 2015 Training Camp

Previewing the New England Patriots' 2015 Training Camp

Tom Brady New England Patriots Quarterback
Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots have the longest running dynasty in the NFL today. Last season, Tom Brady cemented himself as the greatest quarterback of all time, as he helped the Patriots win a fourth Super Bowl since 2001. However, the team’s window is closing and they lost a lot of talent last offseason, especially on defense. They will need some players to step into bigger roles during training camp, July 30th, and here is a preview of their camp.

Quarterbacks

Jimmy Garoppolo New England Patriots
Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports

Quarterbacks

Jimmy Garoppolo New England Patriots
Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady is firmly entrenched as the starter, but given his pending suspension for Deflategate, the team will need to make sure they have a backup quarterback ready to go. Jimmy Garoppolo looked great in very limited action last season, but he needs to prove that he is capable of starting a few games during training camp and the preseason. He should be able to do that, and Matt Flynn is a decent enough option if not.

Running Backs

LeGarrette Blount New England Patriots Running Back
Matt Kartozian – USA TODAY Sports

Running Backs

LeGarrette Blount New England Patriots Running Back
Matt Kartozian – USA TODAY Sports

Losing Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley is going to hurt the team, but not all that much. Bill Belichick loves to use a back-by-committee system, and that figures to be the situation again this year. LeGarrette Blount and Jonas Gray will be the physical backs while Travaris Cadet figures to replace Vereen as the pass catching back. Also don’t sleep on Dion Lewis, who could impress during training camp and earn a role in the backfield.

Wide Receivers

Julian Edelman New England Patriots Wide Receiver
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Wide Receivers

Julian Edelman New England Patriots Wide Receiver
Andrew Weber – USA TODAY Sports

Julian Edelman is the best receiver for the team, but he is a product of the team’s system. Brandon LaFell is a decent number two target, while Danny Amendola was great in the playoffs but not during the regular season. The team expected Aaron Dobson to improve last season, but he regressed and he may end up being a bust. Ideally, a young guy will step up during camp and develop into top notch receiver, but that seems unlikely.

Tight Ends

Rob Gronkowski New England Patriots Tight End
Richard Mackson – USA TODAY Sports

Tight Ends

Rob Gronkowski New England Patriots Tight End
Richard Mackson – USA TODAY Sports

Obviously Rob Gronkowski is the best player on the team’s offense. He is a beast. The real thing to watch in training camp is who the backup tight end will be. Michael Hoomanawanui figures to lead the way as the main blocking tight end, while veteran Scott Chandler will probably be more of a combination player. The team also likes AJ Derby, and converted defensive end Jake Bequette could impress during camp as well because of his size.

Offensive Line

Ryan Wendell New England Patriots Offensive Line
Stew Milne – USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Line

Ryan Wendell New England Patriots Offensive Line
Stew Milne – USA TODAY Sports

The offensive line figures to be better this season if some of the rookies can step into the lineup. Notably, Tre’ Jackson should start at left guard, and he will upgrade the interior line. The rest of the interior is only decent as Bryan Stork was okay, but Ryan Wendell was not very good. Rookie Shaq Mason could take over for Wendell if he continues to struggle. The tackles, Nate Solder and Sebastien Vollmer, are the best along the line.

Defensive Line

Chandler Jones New England Patriots Defensive End
Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Line

Chandler Jones New England Patriots Defensive End
Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports

This is the strength of the Patriots’ defense. The team will have an interesting competition amongst their defensive tackles, as rookie Malcom Brown and second year player Dominique Easley will battle Alan Branch and Sealver Siliga for playing time. Brown will likely be the only potential three down player. The team will probably use a three man rotation at defensive end consisting of Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich and Jabaal Sheard.

Linebackers

Jamie Collins New England Patriots Linebacker
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Linebackers

Jamie Collins New England Patriots Linebacker
Greg M. Cooper – USA TODAY Sports

This is another strong unit for the team, but they don’t have much depth. Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins are both young studs that are continually improving, while Jerod Mayo is a solid player when healthy. The team lost Akeem Ayers in free agency, so they need to look for a solid fourth linebacker. Dane Fletcher is favored to be in that role as of now, but Jonathan Freeny and Dekoda Watson may give him a run for his money.

Secondary

Malcolm Butler New England Patriots Cornerback
Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports

Secondary

Malcolm Butler New England Patriots Cornerback
Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports

Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung will start at the safety positions. That much is certain, and they should be solid again this season. However, the cornerbacks are a mess. The team lost Darrelle Revis and didn’t add a suitable replacement. The team will now rely on the undersized Logan Ryan, Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler, and the unproven Justin Green, who the team traded last season. The unit will likely struggle mightily.

Special Teams

Stephen Gostkowski New England Patriots Kicker
Stew Milne – USA TODAY Sports

Special Teams

Stephen Gostkowski New England Patriots Kicker
Stew Milne – USA TODAY Sports

Stephen Gostkowski is undoubtedly the best kicker in the league. Gostkowski was 35/37 kicking field goals last season, and he should have similar success this season. Ryan Allen did a solid job as the punter, and he had the 10th best average in the league (46.4 yards). The return game should also be decent, as Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola will be good once again.

Position Battle to Watch: Starting Cornerbacks

Logan Ryan New England Patriots Cornerback
Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports

Position Battle to Watch: Starting Cornerbacks

Logan Ryan New England Patriots Cornerback - Copy
Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports

The cornerback battle will be very fun to watch. The team has a plethora of players, but none of them seem to be more than number two corners. Logan Ryan should be the nickel corner, and the two starting jobs will be decided by an open competition between Malcolm Butler, Justin Green, Bradley Fletcher and Derek Cox. I would give Butler and Cox the early edge to win the starting jobs.

Position Battle to Watch: Starting Defensive Tackles

Sealver Siliga New England Patriots Defensive Tackle
Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports

Position Battle to Watch: Starting Defensive Tackles

Sealver Siliga New England Patriots Defensive Tackle
Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports

The team is going to have to figure out how to use all of their talented defensive tackles. While Sealver Siliga and Malcom Brown are better against the run, Dominique Easley is better against the pass. Alan Branch is equal in both facets. If I had to guess, I’d say Siliga and Brown will start and Easley will rotate in as a pass rush specialist. Branch will rotate in periodically as necessary.

Position Battle to Watch: Running Back Rotation

Jonas Gray New England Patriots Running Back
Winslow Townson – USA TODAY Sports

Position Battle to Watch: Running Back Rotation

Jonas Gray New England Patriots Running Back
Winslow Townson – USA TODAY Sports

It’s impossible to know what Bill Belichick will do with his running backs. While LeGarrette Blount looks like he’ll be the starter, he could lose in competition to Jonas Gray. Adding Travaris Cadet, Brandon Bolden, Dion Lewis and James White to the mix makes this one of the more interesting battles for the team. Blount, Gray and Cadet will probably win the top three jobs, but anyone who makes the roster will get some touches.

Patriots' Training Camp Outlook

Bill Belichick New England Patriots Head Coach
Kyle Terada – USA TODAY Sports

Patriots' Training Camp Outlook

Bill Belichick New England Patriots Head Coach
Kyle Terada – USA TODAY Sports

The Patriots are still at the top of the AFC East, but this is one of their most important training camps in recent memory. Despite winning the Super Bowl, they still have a lot of unanswered questions that they need to be able to answer during training camp. Belichick and Brady are always a threat, but this could be the year that the duo falls off their pedestal if they don’t fix their roster during training camp.

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