Rounding Up the Latest New England Patriots Offseason Buzz
Now that organized team activities have wrapped and mandatory minicamp is set to begin, we're finally getting an idea of what the 2015 New England Patriots will look like and what they'll be all about.
There have been some major changes at some positions, such as cornerback and offensive line, but other positions are experiencing a bit more continuity than before, such as wide receiver and linebacker.
There are competitions at several positions with developing battles between rookies and veterans. There are injured players recovering from surgery or who are just receiving their initial diagnosis.
In short, there is no shortage of news to follow even during what could be classified as a "down time" in the NFL calendar (if there is such a thing). With that, here's a look around the news wire at what's going on with the Patriots.
Brandon LaFell Spotted in a Walking Boot
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For the most part, if a player is missing from practice, reporters will not get the answers from the coaching staff as to why they are absent.
Thankfully, Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe has done the leg work (no pun intended) to find out that wide receiver Brandon LaFell was missing from practice due to an issue with his foot. LaFell was wearing a walking boot at a charity event hosted by fellow Patriots wideout Danny Amendola.
LaFell's health is of utmost importance to the Patriots' season. His almost-instant chemistry with Tom Brady was a key factor in the offense finding its footing (again, no pun intended) after the first four games of the season. LaFell went on to finish third on the team in receptions and yards and second in receiving touchdowns.
Sebastian Vollmer Is on Track for Training Camp
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The Patriots should not be without their starting right tackle when training camp kicks off at the end of July.
According to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, right tackle Sebastian Vollmer is recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum and should be ready at the start of training camp.
He has missed time in five of his six seasons in the NFL—some due to injury and others due to rest—but he's dealt with some serious injuries over the past few years. He missed most of the 2011 season with back issues and half of the 2013 season with a knee injury. He also suffered the torn labrum last year.
With changes at other spots on the offensive line, the Patriots need their stalwart right tackle to be at 100 percent to avoid a similarly catastrophic start up front to the one they endured last year when Tom Brady was sacked nine times in the first four games.
Dont'a Hightower Is a Candidate for the PUP List
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Dont'a Hightower and Sebastian Vollmer may have had surgery to repair the same issue, but both men are on much different timetables.
In addition to providing the scoop on Vollmer, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe also reports that Hightower underwent surgery on a torn labrum and that he may not be available to start the 2015 regular season. Why such a quick turnaround for Vollmer and such a long turnaround for Hightower? Volin explains:
"David Chao, formerly the Chargers' team doctor for 17 seasons, said the answer lies in the equipment each player wore while playing through the injuries last year. Go back and watch the last few games of the 2014 season, and notice that Hightower is wearing a brace on his right shoulder that extends to his biceps. Chao said the brace is only needed for a significant tear that makes the shoulder unstable. The brace keeps the shoulder in the socket and allows athletes to play with the injury.
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Hightower missed a couple of games early in the season, but he played nearly every snap when he participated—97.5 percent, to be exact, according to Pro Football Focus. If he is unable to start the 2015 season in the starting lineup, the Patriots may have to enlist the services of Dane Fletcher or another backup linebacker to fill the void.
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Patriots Sign Matt Flynn as Jimmy Garoppolo's Backup
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The Patriots did not need to get much of a look at backup quarterback Garrett Gilbert to know that he would not be the answer for them in a worst-case scenario. With Tom Brady facing the possibility of a four-game suspension to start the season, Jimmy Garoppolo will be the starter in the meantime, which would mean that the No. 3 quarterback would be one injury away from playing a significant role on the team.
That's why, according to Diana Marie Russini of ESPN, the Patriots signed Matt Flynn to be their No. 3 quarterback.
Flynn started four games for the Green Bay Packers in 2013 when Aaron Rodgers was out with a broken collarbone. He led the Pack to a 2-2 record in that time, completing 61.4 percent of his throws with seven touchdowns and four interceptions. The Patriots would not be asking Flynn to carry the team on his shoulders—only to keep the team afloat for a short stint without Brady.
Flynn has only started seven games in his NFL career but has shown enough that the Patriots feel confident he can manage the game as a holdover until Brady comes back, and that's assuming Garoppolo ever comes off the field.
Everyone Is Getting a Turn at Cornerback in OTAs
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The Patriots have made some dramatic changes to their secondary in the past few months, which have left them with an open competition at the two starting cornerback spots.
Early evidence in practice shows that those competitions will be as open as they can be.
Nearly everyone has earned opportunities to prove that they can hold their own on the perimeter. Logan Ryan, Bradley Fletcher, Daxton Swanson and Darryl Roberts earned a majority of those opportunities in the first two practices, and after returning to practice, Malcolm Butler also got some chances.
The Patriots hope that, with an open competition, the best candidates will reveal themselves, and the cream will rise to the top.
Unless otherwise noted, all practice notes obtained firsthand.
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