With training camp officially starting this week, it’s time to take a look at the full roster and see where the New England Patriots stand in 2019.
While there is plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the reigning Super Bowl champs, there are also reasons for pessimism as the team has some holes on their roster and some lingering concerns with their personnel.
Let’s take a look at three reasons to be pessimistic about the Patriots as they prepare for training camp.
1) Sony Michel’s knee is a lingering issue
When it was reported back in May that running back Sony Michel had undergone a knee scope, the belief was that Michel would recover in time for the start of training camp. He even doubled-down on that goal in early-July, when he said it was his goal “to be ready for training camp.” Fast forward to now; training camp starts on Thursday, and Michel is on the physically unable to perform list.
Though the Patriots may have a capable replacement for Michel, which is former Alabama RB Damien Harris whom they drafted this year, it doesn’t take away from the looming issues that Michel may still have with his knee. The second-year back can return whenever deemed appropriate during the preseason. Everyone will be hesitantly waiting for that moment.
2) Who is going to back up either tackle position?
Two players who will not be in attendance early in training camp are offensive tackles Cole Croston (PUP) and Yodny Cajuste (NFI). This leaves a gaping hole at the backup-offensive tackle positions. Cannon has a history of missing games (he missed 12 games over the past two seasons) and Wynn is just now returning from a torn Achilles. Neither player is guaranteed to play a full 16-game schedule in 2019, so there need to be other options available outside of those two players.
Dan Skipper and Cedrick Lang are the next men up according to the team’s official depth chart, but they can’t be viewed as anything more than special-teasers for New England.
Bringing in some free-agent talent is definitely an option. Former Raider Donald Penn may be an option for the Patriots. Penn played most recently for the Raiders and was a pro bowler for them in 2016 and 2017. He could plug a temporary hole for the reigning Super Bowl champs and at the very least provide some preseason depth to the position.
3) Who will be calling the defensive plays?
After the departure of defensive coordinator Brian Flores this offseason and Greg Schiano suddenly stepped away from coaching with the Patriots, it is still unknown who will call the defensive play-calls for New England. One can assume it would be head coach Bill Belichick, though it wouldn’t be surprising to see other candidates rise from the ranks of the coaching staff in a quiet manner.
Linebackers coach Jerod Mayo was seen calling plays during OTAs back in May, which may hint at the possibility of the former Patriots linebacker earning the trust of Belichick very early in his coaching career. But it remains to be seen how much responsibility Belichick will give Mayo going forward.
There may be a trial period for someone other than Belichick calling the defensive plays this preseason.
It could go well, but it might also be a disaster. Time will tell.
