New England Patriots News 6-7 and Notes Around the AFC East
 Aaron Dobson is looking to regain his position in the Patriots offense in 2015. He's had a good spring thus far and will be trying to gain some chemistry with QB Tom Brady. (USA TODAY Images) |
Good morning, here are Sunday’s Patriots news notes and what’s happening around the division:
Dobson, Ryan Making Most of 2nd Chances: With OTAs in full swing this spring, several members of the Patriots have been amongst the missing, still recovering from injuries and/or surgeries. With WR Brandon LaFell still out, WR Aaron Dobson who himself was in the same position as LaFell with off-season surgery last season, has taken advantage of the situation and has been trying to rekindle some rapport with QB Tom Brady.
Dobson, 23, had a successful rookie campaign catching 37 passes for 519 yards in 2013, but he missed all of OTAs, mini-camp and most of training camp recovering from foot surgery. In his absence, the newly signed LaFell developed a close working relationship with Brady and became the outside the numbers WR in 2014. Dobson is working hard this off-season to become a bigger factor in the passing game as the player who runs the deep routes in the passing offense.
Ditto for Logan Ryan; he had a very impressive rookie season but the additions of Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner pushed Ryan deep down the depth chart. With the rise of Malcolm Butler in the Super Bowl, most thought he would be one of the starting cornerbacks once the 2015 season begins.
But with the absence of Butler thus far from OTAs, Ryan has used the opportunity to vault himself back into contention as a starting outside corner. He’s performed well to this point and will bear close watching once mini-camp begins during the June 16-18 timeframe.
Cardona Signs, Leaving Only Brown Un-signed: Patriots LS Joe Cardona signed his contract for the 2015 season this week, leaving top draft choice Malcom Brown the DT from Texas as the lone un-signed draft pick. Cardona was allowed by the Navy to be released from his military commitment for the 2015 season. Beyond this season is still in the air.
A common question this week on sports talk radio is “When will Brown sign?”, but Patriots shouldn’t worry. Our own Miguel Benzan, @PatsCap on Twitter wrote earlier on Saturday that 2014 top draft choice Dominique Easley didn’t sign until June 23 last year.
With the parameters for rookies laid out in the new CBA, Brown’s deal should be done fairly quickly now.
McCourty Wants to Remain at Safety: Lots of rumors continue that the Patriots want to move Devin McCourty from safety to cornerback due to the large turnover at the position this spring. We wrote our opinion on that earlier in the week that in moving him to corner, the Patriots would be essence weakening two positions rather than strengthening one.
McCourty was asked point blank if the team had plans to make him switch after an OTA session on Thursday. “I want to play safety but it’s out of my control,” McCourty said. “Whatever the coaches decide is what it will have to be. It’s up to the coaches.”
Davis Retirement Going to Be a Familiar Scenario: Much of the NFL has been abuzz with the sudden retirement of 49er right tackle Anthony Davis, citing health concerns at age 25. Niners coach Jim Tomsula said the decision wasn’t a shock and that the team wishes him the best. The Niners have had four players retire this spring, Patrick Willis, Justin Smith, Chris Borland and Davis.
With the health concerns surrounding the concussion issues around the league, Davis’ case will probably become much more prevalent. Former Patriots WR Wes Welker is looking for a new team and open to coming back to New England, the Patriots might be wise to steer clear of him. And it would probably be in Welker’s best interests, long-term health wise if they were to do just that. Having sustained numerous concussions over his career, it may be wise for Welker to call it a career.
Davis has stated he’s open to returning to the NFL in a year or two…..someone close to him should just tell to enjoy his retirement….just like Welker.
Cadet “A Work in Progress” As Potential Third-Down Back: In looking to replace the departed Shane Vereen as the Patriots 3rd down back, the Patriots have several options. The most experienced of the group, Travaris Cadet was primarily a pass catcher for Drew Brees in New Orleans.
But as Mike Reiss from ESPN pointed out this week, catching the ball is only part of the package, that backs have to be proficient as pass blockers as well, something Vereen excelled in. "More and more every day I'm getting comfortable. The more and more I do it, the more you're going to get better at it," Cadet said. That will bear watching in mini-camp and training camp in late July.
Gronkowski, Chandler a “Big” Red Zone Option: One of the best signings by the team this off-season was Scott Chandler the big 6’7, 260 tight end formerly of the Bills. Chandler will team with 6’6, 265 Rob Gronkowski to give Tom Brady two excellent red zone targets in 2015. While Chandler isn’t quite athletically on a level with Gronkowski, he’s a very good tight end that can line up either in-line or split wide. He can threaten the seam and block out would-be defenders by using his size.
It was a good sign this week during early OTAs to hear that while the rest of the team was working on kickoff returns, Chander, Gronkowski and Brady were off to the side working on combination routes down inside the red zone, (via Mike Reiss also).
Eastbound and Down…..News from around the AFC East:
Rex Ryan: 'I think we will be in the playoffs this year': Never one to shy away from guarantees or bombastic predictions, Rex Ryan was at Yankee Stadium this week and was chatted up by the media and had this to say:
“I think we’ll be in it this year,” Ryan said speaking about the playoffs. Asked if it was a guarantee, Ryan laughed and said. “That isn’t a guarantee,” but then thinking about it for a second, he added, “I can guarantee that teams won’t want to play us.”
Dolphins Rookie Parker Has Foot Surgery, to be Ready for Week 1: Miami rookie wide receiver DeVante Parker who has impressed thus far in rookie mini-camp and OTAs has had foot surgery, replacing a screw that has been bothering him. But the surgery isn’t considered major and he’s expected to be ready for the start of the season.
Parker has been bothered with his foot and missed seven games with it at Louisville last season. The surgery which was a success was considered a long-term solution to his foot problems and replaced a screw in his foot.
But meanwhile, his development will be set back a bit as he will miss the remainder of the spring and quite possibly the majority of training camp. Parker was competing for a starting role, but now will have to start the season as a backup. It wouldn’t be surprising however to see him in a starting role before 2015 is over.
Jets Wilkerson Not Optimistic On New Deal: Jets disgruntled defensive tackle Muhammad Wilkerson spoke for the first time this year about his contract situation and stated he was considering on whether or not to show up for next week’s mandatory mini-camp.
Wilkerson has skipped the voluntary portions of the Jets off-season workouts and OTAs thus far. Both sides want a new deal but have talked little since the 2014 season ended. But he’s expected to be there for the Jets mini-camp Wilkerson is due to earn $6.97 million dollars in the final year of his contract.
"I just thought, you work hard on the field and do what you have to do on and off the field, and that's how you're supposed to get rewarded," said Wilkerson this week. The Jets right now hold the ace in the deck, as they drafted DT Leonard Williams, considered the top player in the draft.
Rumors were the Jets would try to trade Wilkerson during the draft but nothing materialized. During his time away from the team, he’s been working out with trainers in Maryland as well as Atlanta.
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