Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - LOCKED ON PATRIOTS- 8/17/17- Updates From Joint Practice #2 With the Texans

Episode Date: August 18, 2017

Chris Simoneau, Patriots Insider for Scout.com, gets you updated on today's notes from Day Two of joint practices between the Patriots and Texans. #patriots Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Learn more about our healthy benefits at fepblue.org slash getmore. Good evening, I'm Chris Simino, Patriots Insider for Scout.com, and also your host of Locked on Patriots. Today is Thursday, August 17th, 2017. I'm going to get you guys updated on all the notes from the Patriots' second joint practice with the Texans as they lead up to their preseason game that will be on Sunday. So we'll get you guys up to date on all of that and also talk a little bit about Scout.com and some of the changes that we've made over there so you guys can take

advantage of that too. Before we get started, I just want my listeners to know that I can be found on Twitter under the handle Chris underscore Simono, that's C-H-R-A-S underscore S-I-M-O-N-E-A-U. We can also be found under the name LockedOnPatriot. If you have any questions for the show, be it about the Patriots, myself, Patriots Insider, or if you're looking to advertise here on LockedOnPatriots, you can email me directly at simono.christopher5 at gmail.com. If you are a member of Patriots Insider on scout.com, you can contact me on the site

directly, and that's the easiest way to get a hold of me, and probably the best way to get a hold of me. So, we're not going to waste any time. I'll get you guys started right away with some of the notes today and some of the things that some of the takeaways from camp so Steph Gilmore was out on Monday they kept him out of practice actually was on on Tuesday

sorry on Monday they were traveling after they show a little workout they had New England but they were traveling down on Monday though but yeah on Tuesday he did not practice but today he did and he looked good. He said the reason why he was not practicing was he, quote, I just stayed out, felt like it was a good time, had to listen with the coaches or whatever they wanted me to do. They wanted me to stay out, so I stayed out. So that makes sense. They were at that point of the summer where they sought to manage guys,

and the Patriots have learned in the past, namely 2015, when they had the injury bug, they don't want to deal with that again. So they're already having some guys like Adrian Waddell and Derek Rivers and some of these other guys. Derek Rivers got actually sent home to get looked at, and we'll get into that soon. You know, got a lot of stuff going on as it is. The last thing they need is their star cornerback

that they just paid a ton of money getting knocked down and getting knocked out for any amount of time, so that would be bad. Gilmore covered Bruce Ellington today, the newly signed Bruce Ellington, because he was with the San Francisco 49ers not too long ago, and he got cut. I thought the Jets put in a claim on him, but apparently I'm wrong. But Gilmore was all over him, did a good job of covering him. Ellington's a good player, too.

It's not like he's some kind of scrub or anything like that. So it should be fun to watch him this year with Gilmore and Bartlett back there. It's quite a combination, so it's going to be fun to watch. I know Patriots fans should be definitely excited about that, and it's good to know that yesterday when he wasn't out, wasn't out there, at least it wasn't an injury issue, which none of us really thought it was, but you never know. So it was not an injury. He was dominant today, so Patriots fans get excited because this kid looks good and he definitely fits in with what they're looking to do. So back

to Derek Rivers. So Derek Rivers had a leg injury that happened during a kickoff during practice. So the Patriots are optimistic that there's no tear and there's nothing serious, but they haven't had the MRI results come back yet, so we'll see how that all goes. He got sent back to Boston, so we'll see. That would be a big blow to them, and that would be a big blow to Rivers, too, in his development as a player. It's not good to get knocked out your rookie year that can definitely set

guys back so this would be a big big loss for them he went down hard to he didn't look good so it's his left knee it just it's just one of those things you know with the knee he can be as optimistic as you want you know Brady walked off the field in 2008 too and next thing you know he had a 20 ACL. I would be cautiously optimistic. I know the Patriots seem optimistic, but I'm not optimistic until I see that he's back on the field again. Rivers was too bad too because he was really starting to do a good job there in practice over the last

couple weeks. Really starting to do a good job there in practice over the last couple weeks really starting to do well against other teams in practice too which is you know that shows that he doesn't have any fear and he's a good football player and he's ready to go so to not have him and not have his availability and i think that's going to really hurt them if he's out for any amount of time here so it's unfortunate he was he was starting to work his way into the rotation you know starting to make plays make plays. In fact, he had a sack yesterday on the first play of the day in the 11-on-11s, and now he's done. Now he's out. So I really hope it's not torn. I hope it's, you know, if it's torn at all, hopefully it's partial and something that they can, you know, rehab and get him back soon. But it's unfortunate.

He's actually helped out on special teams too, so we'll see how that all works out. But again, it's unfortunate that Derek Rivers is hurt, and hopefully it's not something that's going to last. And like I said, Adrian Waddell also got hurt. He got hurt actually, I believe it was on the same play. Waddell is another one as far as the depth of the Patriots' offensive line. I'm in the midst of writing a long piece for scout.com

that will be posted tomorrow about the questions of the depth on the Patriots' offensive line. Everyone was questioning their interior depth. I don't think the interior is the problem. I think the depth issues that they have right now are going to be at tackle because it looks like some injuries are going on there. So this is just another thing to keep an eye on with Waddell going down too. So, you know, Derek Rivers and Adrian Waddell,

two guys that could fill depth roles. They don't sound like the biggest names, but depth is big, and that's a big part of what the Patriots do. They have the best middle class on their roster in the league. That's what they've been known for for a long time, and those guys are the third-round picks and the Adrian Waddles who are inactive all season last year and who would probably be active week one and start a tackle

and would do a good job. It's just the truth. That's what they do. And if they don't have him, it's just another guy that they don't have available and it's just going to make them lean on some young kid that they either signed as an undrafted free agent or possibly have to hold on to Cam Fleming who's looked downright awful during camp. So keep an eye on that all together. So injuries are definitely starting to have an

effect on what could happen with this depth shot going down the line. Something definitely to keep an eye on. Jeff Howe had a good tweet today. Jeff Howe, former host of this show, great writer, great reporter for the Boston Herald. He tweeted, Jimmy Garoppolo didn't throw an interception over the last six practices of camp, which was 71 throws during that span, and his last pick was on August 5th. So that's interesting.

That's a good sign. That means that Jimmy definitely wasn't quite as experimental, I would say, but definitely I'm sure he was still throwing to guys and putting them into tight spots like he always does. He does a good job of that. He's not afraid. There's no question about that. He has no fear.

But maybe he's starting to improve his practice habits a little bit too. So good for Garoppolo, cleaning that up a little bit. Good stat by Jeff Howell again. Thanks, Jeff. You always provide some good stuff, and we always at least get one nugget of information from you every show. So that's some good stuff right there. Hopefully that continues. So now when you talk about Rivers going down, Dietrich Wye is still battling.

He's got a concussion issue going on. Coney Ealy has been a complete bust pretty much since he's been here. And Rob Ninkovich retired. So we've got an issue. It's definitely something to think about. I know the Patriots are definitely concerned that this could be an issue going forward into the season. You know, you've got to do something here.

I know that there's some free agents out there, some veterans available. Again, I've talked about possibly them making trades from depth areas on the roster that are pretty stacked at the moment. But with the way things are as far as injuries are concerned, the only area that I look at that's overly stacked I think would be the secondary, and I don't know if any of those guys are players that the Patriots are going to want to trade at the moment. So the Ninkovich thing, in the beginning of camp I thought it was going to be something they wouldn't have that big of a problem replacing. I know Nink was a good player, but last year his production was down.

He only had four sacks. He wasn't quite as good. He was getting swallowed up in the run game a lot too. He just wasn't the same guy. But to not have him at all and to replace him with who knows what they're going to replace him with it could be a little hairy out there for a little while. So Patriots fans might need to be a little patient with how the replacement for Rob Ninkovich develops and how long it takes to happen. Because the truth of the matter is, you're replacing the guy that was not just good, but he was smart and he knew how to help the rest of the defense and he knew how to set

the edge. And that's something that in the NFL is not easy to do. And right now the Patriots, I just don't know if they have anybody to replace him. So that's a major, major question going into the season. Keep an eye on that Sunday. See who's going to be starting against the Texans and hopefully whoever that is has a good game and hopefully these other guys can get themselves healthy

because Wise is clearly a pretty good player. Rivers looks like he's the real deal, too. And if they can get them both going, you know, they could be okay. And even Coney Ealy, who knows, the other day in practice he was dominant. Then all of a sudden he went back to his old self. Got hurt in practice yesterday but came back in, which is a good sign. Hopefully he can get it together, too. But right now, the Rob Ninkovich replacement situation, major issue.

Probably the biggest thing to keep an eye on as we go through the rest of camp here. One of the things that's been really good about camp so far, especially the joint practices, is the Patriots are getting pushback here. It's not like they're facing themselves. They're practicing with other teams now. This is the second time they've done it. They're going to do it again with the Lions. And it's really helped them because they're practicing against teams that don't like them. And they don't like the teams I'm sure that they're practicing against too. So it's competitive. The Texans are really challenging the Patriots. It's good

stuff. The defense has really given the Patriots fits. Patriots offense has given their defense fits, too. And I know that people may be worried, oh, you know, the Texans are going to be able to gain advantages from this and practice them with them. Well, it works both ways. And I'm a firm believer that actually in offense, when they get to work against a defense in practice, that gives them a bigger advantage than the defense getting to work against an offense.

Because an offense knows what they're going to want to do. They're going to be able to dictate to a degree. And if the defense is talented enough, yes, they'll be able to get their pass rush and be able to do what they want to do. But when the Patriots are facing them during camp right now, their offensive line is getting an opportunity to face their defensive line. They're getting a taste of it. Now, I know it's not full speed, but I'm sure at moments that it is. And they're getting a taste of it. Now, I know it's not full speed, but I'm sure

at moments that it is, and they get a taste of it, so they know what they're going to be up against. And the same goes for the Texans. Yes, I know what the Patriots' offense, but again, offense dictates what they want to do, and defense has to react. So I definitely think that this, if anybody's going to have an advantage out of these joint practices when they play in the regular season, eventually if they play in the playoffs, which they probably will, I think actually the advantage will probably go to the Patriots. It's just good, though, that the Texans are not pushovers and that this has actually been a very tough couple days of practice.

Brady was 14 out of 24 in team drills today. He had completed five passes to Brandon Cooks, three to Chris Hogan, two to Julian Edelman, two to James White. James O'Shaughnessy made an appearance with one, and Rex Burkhead also pulled one and two. Garoppolo was seven out of 15. He hit O'Shaughnessy three times. Good to see him really step up a little bit after I questioned if he would make the team the other day. Dion Lewis had a catch. Gronk had a catch. Dwayne Allen and Austin Carr also contributed one catch each, too.

Jacoby Brissett was 4 of 8. He only got one period. He worked with the third team. He hit Tony Washington, K.J. May, Cody, and Jacob Hollister. So spreading it around a little bit, that's good to see. He only had four completions, which was to four different receivers. Hopefully Brissett can continue that and start getting it going with his short passing game because right now he throws absolute rockets at people's faces from five yards away,

and that's not going to work. He's got to start getting a little touch on those short passes. Again, like I said, Derek Rivers had a nice sack on Tom Savage the other day, but unfortunately didn't work out because he ended up getting hurt. There were some good things in practice. Like I said, Gilmore was blanketing Bruce Ellington. He was all over him. Lawrence Guy, he was flashing today. He did a good job. Lawrence Guy is a guy who might be the one that ends up replacing Ninkovich. That's something to keep an

eye on. Kyle Van Nooy, he walked up and basically stole the ball away from Steven Anderson on one play. It was kind of weird. It looked like, I don't know, he thought that he had a fumble recovery or something. I don't know. Van Nooy is kind of an oddball sometimes, but he does okay for himself. So good for Kyle. People know what I'm talking about. Coney Ealy again.

He was out there. He got hurt yesterday, came back in. That was good. Today, again, he was inconsistent. He did get a sack in the 11-on-11s. That was good, but the next play he got completely destroyed. So the guy just can't get a read on him. Whitney Merciless was awesome again today.

And this is, again, Cam Fleming. I'm very concerned about him. And Cam Fleming got whooped today. There's nothing else you can say. He got destroyed today by Merciless. He got to Brady on the second play of the 11-on-11s. And then they got to him again. It's just no matter what they tried to do to him, he kept getting to Brady,

and that's just not good. So they definitely need to figure out what they're going to do over there at left tackle while they try to get their starter there, Mr. Solder, healthy. So, again, Texans' defense was good today. Patriots' offense was not so good. Actually, Brady at one point was one of six and seven on sevens. It was pretty ugly. So then he went four or five and the next 11 on 11, so he picked it up.

But still, Brady was struggling a little bit. Again, like I said, O'Shaughnessy made a catch today. It was a nice one, too. He went up the seam. Brady hit him. It was actually a really nice catch, too. Good for O'Shaughnessy because they catch today. It was a nice one, too. He went up the seam. Brady hit him. It was actually a really nice catch, too. Good for O'Shaughnessy because they traded him, and they definitely like him. So, you know, he's a guy that they definitely want to make the roster, but who knows.

Adam Butler, the young defensive lineman, picked up another sack today. That's a good thing to see. Trevor Bates, again, a little time on the edge there today. He picked up a sack to Sean Watson. That's impressive. That's not easy to do. So that was some good stuff today from the Patriots. Patrick Chung, you know, got a little hectic today on special teams.

You know, got in front of this guy, Will Likely. Great name, Will Likely. Will Likely to what? Make the team or get cut? We'll see. But he was basically, you know, pick on someone your own size type thing. It was funny. It was just interesting to watch.

I love Chung. He's a gamer and he's a tough kid. He's been a good player for the Patriots since he's come back from Philadelphia. A lot better than he was when he was here before. I used to call him Eugene. You older fans will know that. Eugene Chung was a bust for the Patriots back in the early 90s. Well, Patrick was a bust when he first came here,

but he's turned out to be pretty good in the second tour of duty, so good for him. Malcolm Mitchell made an appearance today, had a nice play. He actually broke up a pass from Garoppolo. I know he had his little streak going there that I talked about that Jeff Howe noted. But today Garoppolo had his bacon saved by Mitchell on a bad throw. But, you know, he made the play. Landon Roberts, again, inconsistent. Just, you know, he's not very good in coverage, that's for sure.

But he does a good job stopping what's in front of him. You know, if you've got to get behind him, you're going to have a problem. He's not going to be able to cover it, and I think it's just because he's too small. But when the ball's in front of him, run game, screen game, things like that, he does a good job. So it was good to see him do a good job in that respect. So at least he can use him on first and second down, but third and long you're not going to see a Landon Roberts on the field. And you're not going to see David Harris out there either because he was getting torched on a regular basis today.

David Harris is a first and second down guy. Malcolm Butler had a decent day today. McCourty, Jonathan Jones, I thought flashed pretty good. Eugene Chung, like I said, he had a pass breakup today too. So that was good. Edelman and Cooks put the ball on the ground each today. That wasn't good, but it happens, especially when you're facing a good defense. Occasionally you'll get a little bit of the dropsies. Jaylen Strong for the Texans, a guy I like. I've talked about him in every podcast this week.

He's had another good day. He had a touchdown today. So that was good for the Texans, also good for the Patriots. Brady hit Hogan today for a 60-yard touchdown. Beautiful pass. It was his perfection. Hogan's looked really well. He's played really well and looked good during this preseason.

So hopefully that continues and he can, you know, continue to hold on to that role that he had last year and just make this offense even better than it was last year, considering they're going to have Brandon Cooks with them too. So all in all, pretty competitive day, both sides. The Texans did a good job at times. The Patriots did a good job at times. I thought the Texans' defense maybe had the upper hand just a little bit,

but the Patriots did make some big plays like they always do. And again, they're getting a chance to play against a team that they are going to play. Well, they're going to play them in the preseason. They're going to play them in the regular season. And they're going to play them probably in the playoffs. So, no, they're going to be used to each other. So get used to these guys because I have a feeling this is going to be the Patriots' new rival in the next few years.

If they get a quarterback, they're going to be the Patriots' new rival in the next few years. If they get a quarterback, they're going to be really good. So that was their final practice of a training camp. So, again, like I said, the Patriots will travel to Houston. They're going to play on Saturday night. Sorry, I've been saying Sunday night. They're actually going to be playing on Saturday night. That's my mistake.

I've got Sunday on the brain already. I'm ready for regular season, as you guys can probably tell. So definitely make sure that you guys tune in, check that out. We'll have a pregame and a postgame show like we always do. We'll have a show for you guys tomorrow too, get you guys updated on any injuries and things of that nature. But definitely make sure you check out the pre- and the postgame show. Everyone really seemed to like it,

and it was willing to do 10 minutes each before and 10 minutes after. Rapid fire. Get you all the information you need. Kind of like what we've done here tonight. I just want to make sure all you guys are subscribing to Scout.com. Go on Patriots Insider on Scout.com and subscribe today. We recently were purchased by

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You're going to get all the other coverage from everywhere else too. And you'll actually be able to know what your team is going to be going up against. Again, scout.com slash NFL slash Patriots. Sign up today. This is a no-brainer. Get it done. I want to thank you guys all for joining us for this Thursday night edition of Locked On Patriots. Be sure to go to iTunes, subscribe to our show today, like right now, and tell your friends about us too. Here at Locked On Patriots, we're all about getting Patriots fans the most info you need

to be the most in-the-know Patriots fans. Have a great night, Patriots fans. Look forward to talking to you tomorrow. What you doing? I'm running out of space on my phone, so I'm deleting some stuff. Bye singing dog. Bye goal. Bye wedding ceremony.

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