New England Patriots Reportedly Plan to Rest Key Starters vs. Eagles

The NFL's preseason means more for some teams than it does for others, and Bill Belichick's New England Patriots seem to have their first team in order with the regular season slowly approaching.

According to NFL Network reporter Albert Breer the Patriots will use Monday night's preseason battle against the Eagles to give their younger players more time to prove themselves:

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Our desk at NFL Network reports that word from Foxboro is Brady, Mayo, Lloyd, Hernandez, Welker and Gronkowski won't play tonight.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) August 20, 2012"

This shouldn't really come as a surprise. It may disappoint Patriots fans hoping to see Brady and company perform in Foxboro Monday evening, but there is no reason to risk injury at this stage in the season.

Success in the NFL almost always depends on depth, and the Patriots are wise to use this opportunity to build theirs. Sitting Lloyd and Welker gives players like Julian Edelman, Jeremy Ebert and Matthew Slater a chance to earn more meaningful snaps.

Resting their Pro Bowl duo at tight end gives Visanthe Shiancoe and also Alex Silvestro a chance to play. In Shiancoe's case, he will have a chance to show he can contribute to New England's spread attack.

In my opinion, Brady should always sit at this point in the year. What else could he possibly learn? And it's hard to imagine him being "rusty." Allowing Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett to refine their game in an essentially meaningless game will give the New England offense some insurance should Brady go down in the regular season.

Expect Tracy White and Jeff Tarpinian to receive more time with Jerod Mayo riding the bench as well.

The players I mentioned are just some of the names Patriots fans can expect to see Monday evening. Sitting starters points to Belichick wanting to use anyone and everyone against Philadelphia.

This is what preseason is all about. Young players will get a chance to earn their roster spot, and role-playing veterans will get a chance to entrench themselves on the Patriots roster.

Tune in to see who steps up with New England's regulars watching from the sidelines.