It was quite the kickoff to the 2015 season for the reigning Super Bowl-champion New England Patriots. It all started, of course, with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell upholding the four-game suspension for quarterback Tom Brady over the cacophony that is “Deflategate” on the Tuesday before players were to report to Foxboro.
When camp opened on Thursday, all 10,000-plus pairs of eyes were on Brady and the question of who will get more first-team snaps, Brady or second-year backup Jimmy Garoppolo, began to rattle throughout the grounds of Patriot Place. The murmur was quickly quelled as Brady handled his usual first team duty with notable pinpoint accuracy even for the future hall-of-fame quarterback.
Head coach Bill Belichick and Co. were their typically mum selves on matters of controversy. When asked about Brady’s suspension, Garoppolo answered,”We’re not really looking that far ahead. I don’t think anyone is.”
To boot, about an hour into practice, a plane flew overhead pulling a banner that read “Cheaters Look Up! @JetsFanMedia.” Patriots fan responded with a pro-Patriots banner the following day, then it was finally back to football — a sentiment made by Julian Edelman.
“You know, it’s pretty funny actually to see those kinds of things. It’s awesome to hear the fans–how they support everything. Ultimately our minds are on just trying to get in here and get to work and try to mold our team. That’s what we’re thinking about.”
What a lot of people are thinking about when it comes to the Patriots is how the defensive secondary will look following the departure of starters Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner, both of whom were critical to the team’s championship season.
The first week has already showcased much from the position.
The team signed veteran cornerbacks Bradley Fletcher, Robert McClain, and Tarell Brown to compete for the vacancies. In addition, safety Jordan Richards and cornerback Darryl Roberts were drafted and undrafted rookie defensive backs Jimmy Jean and Brandon King were signed.
When asked about McClain, Belichick was gave a strong show of support for the fifth year corner.
“He’s a smart kid, very disciplined, works hard, very hard working guy, has a good understanding of football, the different positions on defense, the different positions in the kicking game,” Belichick said. Continuing,”[H]e’s a great kid to have around – really alert, bright, good learner, good teammate. I just think he fits in well with this team. I’m glad we have him.”
McClain and Brown, who made a highlight play at practice on Sunday breaking up a pass from receiver Brian Tyms after initially getting beat off the line, appear to have the lead on making the roster. They would join Logan Ryan and Super Bowl-hero Malcolm Butler, who has looked strong so far this summer.
Richards, seemed to be a head-scratcher to many on Day Two of the NFL Draft. Despite already having five safties on the roster, the Patriots selected the former-Stanford Cardinal in the second-round. While it remains to be seen where his playing time will come from as last season’s starters Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung were resigned, Richards has impressed with fluid movement and an instinctive ability to break on the ball.
If you were wondering how impressive he has been, you won’t get an answer from Belichick.
“He has a good feel for the ball and awareness. He’s a good communicator back there. We’ll see how it goes.”
Informative as always, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see how things continue to develop in New England.
