Giants vs. Patriots: Previewing New England's Preseason Week 4 Matchup
NFL fans justifiably complain about the length of the preseason, but this is when coaching staffs make or break hundreds of professional dreams around the league. For the New England Patriots specifically, injuries have forced head coach Bill Belichick into striking a tricky balance between supplementing positions with necessary depth and keeping more talented players who might get squeezed out in the numbers crunch.
Indeed, Thursday night's game against the New York Giants won't be about quarterback Tom Brady or the rest of the first-stringers, but rather the depth players whom New England will inevitably lean on as the season wears on. Competitions at running back and cornerback that are too close to call at the moment could see their resolutions based on the last extended look at preseason game action.
Gillette Stadium should be on fire in a week's time, but for now, the Pats are rounding out the roster that they'll roll out in defense of their Super Bowl title on September 10. Read on for all the top storylines and players to watch from a New England perspective headed into the matchup.
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: WBZ-TV CBS (local), replays on NFL Network
Preseason Week 3 Results and Recap
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Though it wasn't a disaster on the level of the second preseason game against the New Orleans Saints, the Patriots first-teamers again put forth a mixed bag in a 17-16 win against the Carolina Panthers.
Without his top three targets from 2014, Tom Brady capped off a substandard preseason with a 7-of-13, 84-yard performance that included two interceptions. Brady did end his preseason with an 80-yard touchdown drive, capped off by an 18-yard toss to Scott Chandler, salvaging an otherwise poor performance.
Fortunately, the defense has provided much more to smile about, especially since the first half of the Saints game. The first-team defense limited the Panthers to six first-half points, as Cam Newton ended his night with a meager 5.7 yards per attempt. Dominique Easley was particularly disruptive behind the line of scrimmage, a highly encouraging sight we'll touch on later in this article.
Jimmy Garoppolo didn't get any first-team reps for the second straight game, a mild surprise given Brady's ongoing suspension saga. Nevertheless, Garoppolo has certainly overwhelmed the reserves he's seen this preseason.
After a stellar 13-of-17 performance against Carolina, Garoppolo is now averaging 6.9 yards per attempt on 76.3 percent passing on 80 pass attempts this preseason. There will be a massive jump in competition if Garoppolo does start during the regular season, but his clear development from last preseason suggests the Pats should be able to survive with him under center if necessary.
Garoppolo will likely take the vast majority of the reps this week and could be the only Week 1 starter to see meaningful time. With the defense's impressive form and the numerous offensive starters trying to get healthy, New England doesn't need to see much more from anyone else.
News and Notes
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Easley Among Best of Week 2
Every week, SI.com's Chris Burke pens a "First Down, Fourth Down" segment highlighting the best and worst of the past weekend's action. After his disruptive performance against Carolina, Patriots defensive tackle Dominique Easley landed on the positive side of that ledger this week:
"The Patriots have waited a long time to see Easley at 100%, too. They drafted him in Round 1 last year despite the Florida product tearing his ACL in Sept. 2013, then they placed him on injured reserve midway through last season.
If Friday was any indication, he's all the way back. Easley (two tackles, 1.0 sack) was a menace up front, consistently getting the first step off the snap and creating a push at the line.
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After playing right defensive end for most of the first two preseason contests, it was interesting to see Easley get more run at the 3-technique defensive tackle spot most figured he would play in the NFL. Though Easley has looked more comfortable on the edge during his short pro career, the Pats' depth on that area of the roster would likely inhibit his path toward playing time.
Easley isn't likely to play in the preseason finale, especially given his injury history, so we won't get any more hints on Bill Belichick's plans for him until the regular season. But Easley's first-step explosiveness is much more evident than it was at the end of last season, and the former first-rounder has earned a larger role in the defensive line rotation this season.
Covering Tight Ends a Hidden Issue
Every team has question marks at this stage of the year, and the Patriots are no exception. But while depth issues at positions like cornerback, wide receiver and guard have received plenty of attention this summer, the Boston Herald's Karen Guregian recently highlighted a more undercovered issue in pass coverage:
"Even though there were plenty of positives to take from the defensive performance in the 17-16 win, marking Panthers tight end Greg Olsen wasn’t one of them. He had six catches for 51 yards in the first half. Safety Patrick Chung simply was no match for him. … Given the tight ends on the docket this season, it’s certainly something Bill Belichick and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia will pay attention to going forward. Early in the regular season, the Pats have to defend Heath Miller (Steelers), Charles Clay (Bills), Jason Witten (Cowboys), Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener (Colts) and Jordan Cameron (Dolphins). The point is the middle of the field is going to be exposed if help is needed on the outside at the corners to contain receivers.
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The Pats do possess plenty of athleticism at linebacker in Jamie Collins and Jerod Mayo, as well as solid safety depth with the likes of Patrick Chung, Tavon Wilson and Jordan Richards all comfortable playing in the box. But that personnel hasn't produced results—based on Football Outsiders' DVOA metric, the Pats were the 30th-ranked defense in covering tight ends last season.
The seam is schematically a vulnerable spot in two-high safety coverages like Cover 2 and Cover 4, which the Patriots might employ more than they did last season. Tight end coverage isn't necessarily something that will cripple the defense, but it's certainly a potentially problematic X-factor to keep an eye on this season.
Cadet on Roster Bubble
After shaving the roster down to 75 players this week, Belichick and the front office will need to cut 22 more players to reach the 53-man regular-season limit. Some players will end up stashed away on the practice squad, but free-agent signing Travaris Cadet isn't among those with taxi squad eligibility. Consequently, NESN's Doug Kyed sees Cadet as a player whose roster spot could be in jeopardy after this week:
"Cadet hasn’t been a full participant in practice since Aug. 8, when he limped off the field with trainers. That can’t help his status on the Patriots’ 53-man roster with Dion Lewis burning up the field in preseason games.
Cadet was considered a top candidate to fill the Patriots’ third-down back role left vacant by Shane Vereen, but now Lewis, James White and Brandon Bolden are considered the front-runners. The Patriots signed Cadet to a two-year, $1.715 million contract with just $65,000 guaranteed, so money isn’t an issue.
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For those wondering, Cadet can't begin the year on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list since he has already practiced during camp. And given the stellar performances of Dion Lewis and James White in the passing back role, Cadet likely won't warrant the short-term injured reserve spot, which would allow him to return after eight weeks but can only be used once per year.
Other players on Kyed's bubble watch list, such as Zach Moore and David Andrews, likely harbor more realistic roster chances than Cadet. In this instance, the old adage of "you can't make the club from the tub" seems to have held true.
Latest Injury News
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The majority of starters who sit out on both sides will be healthy scratches, but those still injured are now serious question marks for the start of the regular season. So from both teams' perspectives, consider this a sneak peek at what ingredients could be missing from the Week 1 lineup.
New England's biggest concern at the moment is Brandon LaFell, who remains on the PUP list and could stay there for the first six weeks of the year. Per ESPN.com's Mike Reiss, LaFell and Bryan Stork are the only starters who remain absent from practice. On the whole, the Patriots' health has steadily improved, even as the likes of Julian Edelman, Aaron Dobson and Rob Gronkowski remain out of game action.
The Pats did suffer two big blows recently, though, with James Develin and Darryl Roberts ending up on injured reserve. Develin suffered a fractured fibula against Carolina, while Roberts never recovered from the wrist injury he suffered in the first quarter against Green Bay. While neither is a foundational piece on his side of the ball, both had the potential to occupy important niche roles and provide quality depth.
New York has had a nightmarish offseason at safety, which we'll touch on shortly. Apart from the catastrophe at that position, the G-Men's top priority is Victor Cruz. Though he's healed well from the debilitating patellar tendon tear that ended his 2014 campaign, Cruz may now miss the start of the regular season with an ailing calf, per the New York Post's Steve Serby.
Starting middle linebacker Jon Beason, perpetually injured over the past three years, is also a question mark after hurting his knee in the team's second preseason game against Jacksonville.
New York looks like a top-heavy team that will need its stars to shine this year. But with the likes of Cruz, Beason and Jason Pierre-Paul sidelined, the Giants' precarious house of cards is on the verge of toppling over before the start of the season.
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Key Matchups
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Reggie Wayne vs. Giants Cornerbacks
Wayne didn't get much run in his Patriots preseason debut last week, garnering just a single target and failing to catch a pass from Tom Brady. The 15-year veteran does need reps in New England's byzantine passing system, and though he likely won't receive them with Brady this week, Wayne could use the opportunity to knock off some more rust after sitting out the majority of the offseason.
Granted, the 36-year-old isn't likely to play extensive snaps, especially given his importance at the start of the season. With LaFell's availability for the start of the regular season appearing increasingly dubious, Wayne will likely start the year as a core component of three-receiver sets. Moreover, given Edelman's injury woes throughout camp, Wayne might rotate into two-receiver sets as Edelman works his way to full strength.
Top New York corners Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Prince Amukamara aren't likely to play much either, but head coach Tom Coughlin typically gives his starters some run in the final preseason game. Though keeping Wayne fresh is the top priority, it can't hurt for him to get some more reps against legitimate starting defensive backs before the games count.
Jabaal Sheard vs. Ereck Flowers
Patriots fans are salivating by now at the defense's pass-rushing depth, and Sheard has certainly done nothing to dissuade that excitement. New England's top free-agent signing has rotated at both left and right end as part of smaller pass-rushing packages while also playing some off-the-ball linebacker in base packages.
That versatility highlights the appeal New England saw in Sheard, who spent extensive time in both 3-4 and 4-3 systems in Cleveland. Assuming ironmen Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich get the night off, Sheard will likely run full time with the starters, where he'll get the chance to face off against New York's first-round draft pick.
Flowers is a raw project who is only playing left tackle because of Will Beatty's pectoral injury, but the hulking tackle should provide a nice test for Sheard's technique.
In general, edge defender looks like the deepest spot on New England's roster, especially when factoring in how well Dominique Easley and Rufus Johnson have played against opposing reserves. Sheard should carve out a significant chunk of playing time himself, and Thursday night will be his last tuneup before we see how Belichick really wants to deploy his depth on the edge.
Cameron Fleming vs. Owamagbe Odighizuwa
Among the reserves who will play the vast majority of the game, tackle Cameron Fleming is a particular player of interest. While Fleming's roster spot is not in question, the former fourth-rounder could use a strong performance to reinforce the coaching staff's confidence in him after a solid rookie campaign.
With Marcus Cannon potentially missing the game, Fleming could very well go wire-to-wire, especially if starting bookends Nate Solder and Sebastian Vollmer sit out.
The Stanford product has struggled this preseason, however, particularly in the first two games against Green Bay and New Orleans. After seeing time as a tackle eligible in New England's six-linemen "Jumbo" packages last season, Fleming's preseason performance hasn't warranted a similar role come the regular season.
Fleming won't get a chance to square off against the sidelined Jason Pierre-Paul, but the third-round rookie Odighizuwa should provide a stiff test. The UCLA product has excelled in the preseason, likely earning his way into the Giants' defensive line rotation. The powerful end should be a nice test for Fleming as he makes his case for a niche role in the preseason finale.
Matchup X-Factors
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Patriots X-Factor of the Week: Dion Lewis
Headed into training camp, most figured to see either James White or Travaris Cadet inherit Shane Vereen's role as New England's passing back. However, dark horse Dion Lewis has since seized control of that race and now looks like the favorite to receive the majority of the snaps in that role.
The fourth-year pro hasn't played in a game since 2012, but the talent that once made him a fifth-round pick has been on display this preseason. Since getting a look-see with the first team, Lewis has seized the opportunity and compiled 80 yards from scrimmage along with two scores the past two games.
He's not only been New England's most consistent playmaker, but also one of the league's best backs overall this preseason:
"PFF's top-6 overall RBs this preseason: Khiry Robinson, Ronnie Hillman, Matt Jones, Zach Zenner, Dion Lewis, Rajion Neal.
— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) September 1, 2015"
Most importantly, Lewis has distinguished himself in pass protection, a crucial area where White and Cadet have yet to prove themselves viable options. Injuries have sidelined Lewis' career the past two years, but it looks like he'll finally receive an opportunity to carve out consistent snaps come the regular season.
Giants X-Factor of the Week: Stevie Brown
There isn't a tire fire quite like the Giants' safety position right now. An already perilously thin position headed into the preseason, Big Blue has since seen three safeties go down with season-ending injuries. That figure doesn't even include injuries that have kept Landon Collins and Nat Berhe out of action for much of camp and could threaten their availability for the start of the season.
Consequently, it was hardly surprising to see New York reunite with former starter Stevie Brown upon his release from the Houston Texans. Brown compiled eight picks in 2012 but missed all of the 2013 season with a torn ACL and got benched while playing for New York last season.
Still, system familiarity and track record gives him a leg up over the rest of the Giants' ragtag group. Assuming Collins' sprained MCL heals in time for the start of the regular season, he and Brown will likely start at safety, with castoffs Brandon Meriweather and Jeromy Miles serving as potential bench alternatives.
Brown has gotten preseason reps, so he's not coming in totally rusty. However, if hulking tight end Scott Chandler plays for the Patriots, Brown could receive an important coverage tuneup against a proven receiving tight end before the start of New York's season.
Prediction: Patriots 18, Giants 16
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The score of the fourth preseason game might be the most irrelevant factoid that exists in the NFL as currently constructed. We'll give the Patriots the nod here based on how well the backups have played the past two games, but the scoreboard is academic on Thursday night.
But it's not a useless exercise, and hardcore fans need to tune in if they want their last sneak peek at the crop of players who might ascend into important roles when the games begin to count. After all, Malcolm Butler and Jonas Gray were once anonymous players who toiled away in preseason junk time before finding their way into the prime-time spotlight for the world champs.
That doesn't mean we'll see a 200-yard rusher or Super Bowl hero, of course, but it's almost certain that a player who gets significant run on Thursday night will find himself in a similarly prominent role this season, whether during the regular season or playoffs.
The roster that currently exists on paper won't be the same one that takes the field in December, and when plans go awry, the Patriots will need their depth to come through once again.
Patriots fans shouldn't have to pay full price to attend a game where wins and losses are a secondary concern. But those who pay up will likely see players who will have a tangibly significant impact on New England's season, even if we don't quite know who those individuals are yet.
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