Strong's Out, Wheatley's In, Patriots Make Trade.

In 2022 during the fourth round of the NFL draft, the Patriots selected Pierre Strong. Strong was expected to be a possible replacement for James White and possibly Damien Harris. Strong did see much time during his rookie year.

In 2022, Strong touched the ball as both a ball carrier and receiver, a total of 17 times for 142 yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, Strong did not emerge as the back he was expected to be during the 2023 preseason and the Patriots traded him away for tackle Tyrone Wheatley.

Wheatley, who was buried on Cleveland's depth chart, is 6'6" 320 pounds. Wheatley went undrafted out of Stony Brook. Although he's viewed as a tackle, Stony Brook listed him as a tight end. It'm thinking subpar Mike Williams vibes.

According to The Football Database Wheatley played in 37 college games, starting 14 before entering the 2020 NFL draft. Wheatley turned 26 in February.

According to Oliver Thomas over at Forbes, "His 95.6 run-blocking grade qualified for second among tackles around the league in the preseason."

While Many list Wheatley as a developmental project, there's not much about his skill set. However, his dad played in the NFL and pretty much everyone has said that About the 26 year old. I guess that's all we need to know. 

Being acquired so late in the process, it's a pretty safe assumption that Wheatley makes the 53 man roster. I would also assume that the Patriots will be keeping Kevin Harris on the 53. In my roster projection, I have J.J. Taylor getting added once they place someone on injured reserve.

Patriots 53 Man Roster Projection

The Patriots 53 man roster cutdown is coming. August 29th the team must get down to a season regulation size roster. There's always the chance the Patriots could sign someone off of the waivers. But since I don't know who's getting cut from the other teams. I cannot put anyone not currently on the roster, on the initial 53 man roster. So here it is, my initial roster projection for 2023.

Quarterbacks 3

M. Jones

B. Zappe

M. Cunningham (released)

The Patriots will keep their slash. Cunningham has potential to be used like Kordell Stewart and Taysom Hill. Some think he will clear waivers, I don't think he will. However keeping him could make the Patriots thin at elsewhere. Do not expect him to jump Zappe this season.

Running Backs 3*

R. Stevenson

E. Elliot

P. Strong (traded for Tyrone Wheatley)

J. Taylor* > T. Montgomery (both released, let's see if I'm right about taylor)

I don't think the Patriots are going to risk cutting Strong yet. And I think they will want to develop him for one more season, while he sits behind Elliot. Kevin Harris needs the line to make holes and i don't think he's lived up to the powerback role he was drafted for. I have Taylor beating out Montgomery, providing he has a good game versus Tennessee and getting called up, once Bolden is placed on the injury reserve.

I was hoping Calvin Turner Jr would be on the roster but the Patriots haven't touched him. He's an upgrade over Montgomery.

Receivers 6

D. Parker

J. Smith-Schuster

K. Bourne

T. Thorton

D. Douglas

K. Boutte

I have the Patriots keeping 6 receivers. I think they need to play Thorton this season and I don't think the rookies will clear the waiver wire. While I think Bourne is on the trade block, he's with the team until they move him. Cunningham gives the team their seventh receiver.

Tight Ends 2

H. Henry

M. Gesicki

I don't think the other tight ends are at risk of being plucked. I expect that one of the practice squad tight ends may be activated for week one. Especially depending on how serious Henry's anf Gesicki's injuries are. I like Sokol and think he will end up on the roster at some point.

Offensive Linemen 10

T. Brown

C. Strange

D. Andrews

R. Reiff

M. Onwenu

C. McDermott (Put on Injured reserve, Patriots replaced by Vederian Love)

B. Murray (released, replaced by Wheatley)

J. Andrews

S. Sow

A. Mafi

(Patriots traded for Vederian Love)

I think Strange may go straight to the injured reserve to start the season. Which would allow the Patriots to call up someone from the practice squad, more than likely a tight end. The line is a liability, maybe Onwenu can fix it but I think the Patriots are in trouble. I think Vanterpool makes the practice squad, he got brought in too late in the process to compete for a roster spot.

Defensive Linemen 7

L. Guy

D. Ekuale

K. White

D. Wise

C. Barmore

D. Godchaux

C. Davis (released)

I have Davis making the roster because I think the Patriots are too light on the line. I thought Tavai would be better but he really hasn't shown much. I have a feeling Bill Murray will be doing double duty this season. The Patriots should've brought back Danny Shelton on a one year deal when they had the chance.

Linebackers 6

M. Mapu

M. Judon

Ja. Tavai

J. Uche

J. Bentley

A. Jennings 

The Patriots will use linebackers depending on the situation. Mapu I think will be a three down player. The others are going to depend on scheme. My question is who makes it to the practice squad of the guys cut.

Defensive Backs 12*

C. Gonzalez

M. Jones

Ja. Jones

Jo. Jones

K. Dugger

J. Peppers

A. Phillips

J. Mills

M. Bryant

B. Schooler

C. Davis

I. Bolden* IR

Jack Jones season is still pending. Bryant I think is going to float between safety and the nickel back. I think Mills is the starting free safety. Bolden I expect to make the 53, just to be placed on the injured reserve. He showed enough that I think he will get plucked if they release him and I think they will need him this season. I think speed could be elevated from the practice squad if Jack gets suspended or worse, locked up.

Special Teams 4

M. Slater

C. Ryland

J. Cardona

B. Baringer

Whether they trade or cut him, I don't think Folk is on the week one roster unless Ryland implodes between now and the time for the cutdown to 53. If he ends up on the roster by some chance, it will be at the expense of the offensive line. I wish Slater got used more on offense to help justify keeping him. At least Steve Tasker was a capable receiver. Slater is an alltime gunner but still.

If the Patriots make any claims from waivers during the cutdowns, it's got to be an offensive tackle and a nose tackle. Especially since they were unable to claim the nose tackle from Carolina due to a failed physical.

The Patriots Are Preparing The Future NFL Defense Today.

Whether it's a 3-2-6 dime or  a 5-0-6 dime, the future of the NFL is a Base dime defense. And the Patriots finally have allowed me to highlight what type of players are the prototypes for this defense.

The keystone or capstone to the foundation of this defense is a nose guard, a nose tackle. The last two the Patriots had of any value were Danny Shelton and 'Big' Vince Wilfork. Guys who could plug the middle on first and second downs and push the pocket back into the quarterback on third and passing downs. Lawrence Guy is not the guy the Patriots need and should stop forcing him into the position.

Then on the line, the Patriots need two defensive tackle / end hybrids. Most people remember Richard Seymour but if you don't, that's okay, the Patriots have Christian Barmore. He's strong enough to play defensive tackle and require double coverage but quick and fast enough to play defensive end and to hold his own.

While I don't like calling the position the edge, that's the only true name for this hybrid position. Guys like Willie McGinest, Rob Ninkovich have played the role but now Keion White. White was listed as being too small for an end and too big for an outside linebacker. In his small sample size, he has shown the ability to play end or outside linebacker.

Although I think safety can now play the role, if the Patriots need or want a true linebacker, Ja'Whaun Bentley is the mold. He has the speed, size and power needed to fill the middle linebacker role. Can be used to blitz or cover and can get all over the field.

For slot corner both Jonathan Jones and Marcus Jones have the speed and quickness needed for the position. They can play outside or possibly at free safety but their skills in the slot make them Ideal. They can spy the quarterback and cover the slot or the running back.

For the number two outside corner, J.C. Jackson and Jack Jones have the ideal skills to be a ballhawk. They will be bottom end number ones but as a number two, their skills should make them almost elite or shutdown.

The number one outside corner, the Patriots have had a slew at the position. Stephen Gilmore and Christian Gonzalez are the mold for what you want. Intelligent, quick and fast. Capable of going one on one in man coverage against anyone.

The strong safety has to be a middle linebacker that can cover. Dugger and Mapu are the prototypes for the modern era. Guys that should be able to to blitz, tackle a running back or cover a tight end. Having two of these guys on the field at once allows the Patriots to rotate and disguise who is the safety and who is playing linebacker.

And lastly, free safety. Devon McCourty and Jalen Mills and possibly Miles Bryant are what you're looking for. Guys with traits to be an average number two corner but are better suited as a free safety due to their intelligence. 

Looking for and drafting or signing guys who are physical clones of the players listed who show the same type of skills, is the future of the NFL. Especially with the way the game is evolving. The Patriots are trying to run a big nickel but it's the dime they should be moving towards. With these type of players the Patriots could run a 3-0-8, a 3-1-7, a 3-2-6, 5-0-6 and in an situation setting, a 5-1-5 and be successful. It's all about the type of players and football intelligence.

The Patriots Looked Mediocre Hosting The Texans

The Patriots first preseason game is in the books. The Patriots fall 20 - 9 in a game that wasn't as close as the score suggests. 

The Patriots only had 78 rushing yards and averaged under 5 yards a completion. The only reason the Patriots even had so many rushing yards, was because the Texans surrendered them.

The Texans had time to pass and were more aggressive, picking up 11 first downs via the air, compared to the Patriots 2. The Texans also had the ball 5 minutes longer than the Pats. 

 The secondary was okay but the rest of the team was crap. The biggest issue to me was a lack of play in the trenches. The offensive line was horrible and the defensive line was slow and gave up to many runs they should've stuffed.

Zappe went 12 of 14 with another of check Downs. Cunningham went 3 of 4 but the Texans played him more conservatively.

The running backs did better for the Patriots in the second half but part of that was the defense started backing off.

As for the pass catchers, seperation still looks like it's gonna be an issue but the team is going to need to go quick game more if they cannot get better protection up front. 

I thought Barranger the Punter's placement could've been better. 

What I saw from the Patriots was the the players that played seemed slight below to a whole depth chart level below the Texans personnel. The Patriots looked like a mediocre team. The team will have to come out strong when Mac takes the field.

The Patriots Aren't Ready For The Preseason

After the first week of practice, I came away with an opinion that the defensive was good but was having it's stats inflated by the offense. And that although the offense and special teams appear better than last year, that they were a work in progress.

After the put the pads on for the first time, I said I wasn't really going to write again until something significant happened. And unfortunately as of Saturday August 5th, that hasn't happened yet.

There was a point this offense season where people were saying the offense was looking like the 2021 offense as far as knowledge. Now, they're saying it's almost there. Matt Patricia was pretty much the best or near best of the bottom 8 coordinators and at the moment, I do not know how much better the 2023 offense will be. 

The offensive line is a huge hole. I'll be shocked if Douglas is a huge weapon come week one. Henry and Parker have been okay but JuJu and Gesicki have to make a leap. Bourne and Thorton honestly haven't been that spectacular. And Boutte just started playing well. 

Rylandbhas a stringer leg but he isn't looking anymore reliable than Folk. But the Patriots have Barringer. And I haven't seen any good news about the return game.

Don't be surprised if the offensive line gets destroyed in the upcoming preseason game. I don't think the offense is where it should be. And the missing Linemen don't help.

The Difference Between The X,Y, And Z Receivers.

I had a conversation earlier with another member of the Patriots Nation Fandom. We were talking about the Patriots receivers not getting seperation and they said it was because the Patriots didn't invest in a number one X receiver. I disagreed and realized we had a different opinion of the X position.

When it comes to the X-receiver spot, I think of a guy that's a minimum of 6'2" and between 225-245 pounds. They should have long arms and a high vertical. I expect them to run a 40 time between 4.5 and 4.75. I expect them to have a slower three cone time. It's not a position of seperation but if everyone is covered, they should be able to catch the ball. Basically, a last resort unless one wants to throw the ball away.

The Z receiver I think of a 6' 200 pound guy with a more advanced route tree. They might not have the best jump ball skills but they'll run a 4.3 to a low 4.5. While having an average three cone score. These are the burners that will get seperation on go routes and deep crossers and slants but are better used in the intermediate passing game.

The typical slot should be 5'10" and 180 pounds. They should have a better long jump than vertical. Their 40 time should be between 4.4 and a 4.65. However, they should have a fast three cone time.  These are the guys that are going to get seperation in the short to intermediate range horizontally and in the middle of traffic. They are the ones known for being a death of a thousand paper cuts.

There are two other types of slots. The big slot should have the size and 40 speed of an X receiver. The deep slot should have the size and 40 speed of Z receiver. Both hybrids should have a slightly lower three cone than a normal slot but still better than the other two positions.

Move tight ends I think of as a big slot that is 6'4" 245 pounds with some blocking ability. The h-back tight end I think of a guy that runs a 4.7 40 time with an elite three cone time. And the third down back (slot back) should be a typical 5'10" slot receiver only they should weight an extra 20-25 pounds.

When I hear Patriots fans talk about a number one receiver, to me they describe a Z receiver or a deep slot. They're not describing an X receiver. At least not what I would consider one this millennium. Jerry Rice ran a 4.71 40 time. He was a number one but by 2003, if played correctly, he was a big slot. Corners are too fast these days for a 4.7 receiver to be a speedy number one at the X. 

Worst part is. I don't even think most fans that describe Rice when talking about the X receiver position, know who he is. Everything is Randy Moss. And guys with his speed and skills do not come along every Draft. Moss is a lottery jackpot. The needle in the haystack. We're lucky if one maybe two of him come a decade. But back to the X position, it's not a number one because it gets seperation, if it's a number one, it's because it's your best chance at a completion when everyone is covered. 

So Far Nothing Significant Has Happened And We're Six Practices In To Camp.

My takeaway from practice has been the defensive looks elite against this offense, which, like the special teams, is a work in progress. And the Patriots either need to sign a halfback that can play fullback or an h-back that they can use as a fullback, slot back, and halfback. The pads came off on Tuesday, but did the team make any improvements?

Quarterback play got worse as we went down the depth chart today. For the sixth practice, the line cannot protect the quarterbacks. The backup offensive linemen were a grade level below the defense.

Pass catchers cannot get seperation for the sixth consecutive practice, some of that is due to the protection giving way. Jalen Hurd retired. Douglas continues to look better than Thorton and Bourne. Defense continues to shine, especially the pass coverage. Ryland got work and wasn't spectacular from short distance.

I figured as much as far as we weren't going to see much of difference. I keep waiting for something worth talking about and there really has been nothing. Until the offense gives us something to talk about, this will be a lackluster camp to report on. I'll keep paying attention but I'm not gonna write again until something significant happens.

The Patriots Put Pads On But It Didn't Make The Needed Impact.

My takeaway from the first four days of practice is the defensive looks elite against this offense, which like the special teams, is a work in progress. Today being the first day in pads, would that change, that is the question.

Offense continues to look like it's designed for Mac. No quarterback competition still. It's Mac's job to lose.

Harris looked good and got extra reps. Coach Ross Douglas got some reps at running. Tavaii was used at fullback instead of tight ends and looked bad. Montgomery's backup Jalen Hurd had a good day but may have gotten injured at the end of camp.

Damaris Douglas continues to standout. Juju and Boutte had a good day. Bourne five practices in, finally has one catch. Sokol had a good day.

Strange got injured and online appears to be banged up deep, at least eight Linemen were out. Alternative league Linemen brought in for workouts. Murray and McDermott had a good day. Reiff with another bad day.

Defense dominanted today due to lack of depth on offense. Mapu looked good again. Bolden had another good day.

Barringer had a good day, no word on the kicker battle. Cunningham saw work as a gunner.

Overall summary:

My takeaway from camp hasn't changed from yesterday. And the Patriots either need to sign a halfback that can play fullback or an h-back that they can use as a fullback, slot back and halfback.