Projecting the 53

[Eddie Jurak]

I think he might be back, but the bigger news on it is it likely means Douglas is returning punts (he did in preseason when Reagor didn't). Might be some indication of where the new staff views him (or not, some coaches are willing to put key WRs/RBs on punt return even if most don't). I guess maybe it means Jones will be ready and take that role too, but for now Douglas would be PR #1

Marcus Jones is an all-pro level punt returner. They should not overthink this. If he's healthy, he's got to be the guy. He's one of the most dynamic players on the team with the ball.

I'm not sure Marcus Jones is s viable returner at the moment. He was injured all of last year and missed a lot of camp. Returning punts is a good way to get injured again. Also, they have a new ST coordinator and given all Jones' missed time, I'm not sure how many reps he actually got returning kicks under the new system.

If there is an injury concern around who returns punts, using Douglas, who is both fragile and irreplaceable in the offense, is incredibly stupid. Especially since he's not even a good PR.

I'd rather it be anyone but Douglas. What is Vince Wilfork up to these days?

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Practice squad signings:

https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-seven-players-to-the-practice-squad

The following seven players were signed to the practice squad: T Liam Fornadel, RB Kevin Harris, RB Terrell Jennings, WR Matt Landers, DE Jotham Russell, DB A.J. Thomas and TE Mitchell Wilcox. All of those players went to training camp this past summer with the Patriots.

Happy to see Fornadel (showed some promise as a backup C), Harris, Jennings back. Ambivalent about the others.

 

[Cellar-Door]

https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-seven-players-to-the-practice-squad

7 of the cuts to the PS.
Harris, Jennings, Fornadel, Wilcox, Landddd, Russell and Thomas

 

[Ale Xander]

Very happy about Harris “staying”

But man, when the only good pick you made was Marcus Jones (and maybe Roberts?) that’s a bad draft.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Here are the cuts that made room for the 4 waiver claims:

Evan Lazar: Added to 53-man roster - LB Curtis Jacobs, OT Demontrey Jacobs, DT Eric Johnson, T/G Zachary Thomas Waived/Cut - Jalen Reagor, Trysten Hill, Michael Jordan, Isaiah Bolden

View: https://twitter.com/ezlazar/status/1828887423004385365


That's right. The Patriots have waived G Michael Jordan.

 

[Reggie's Racquet]

Here are the cuts that made room for the 4 waiver claims:

Evan Lazar: Added to 53-man roster - LB Curtis Jacobs, OT Demontrey Jacobs, DT Eric Johnson, T/G Zachary Thomas Waived/Cut - Jalen Reagor, Trysten Hill, Michael Jordan, Isaiah Bolden

View: https://twitter.com/ezlazar/status/1828887423004385365

Interesting information on Demontrey Jacobs. Is he worth a shot?

https://www.milehighreport.com/2024/8/28/24230637/patriots-claim-former-broncos-offensive-tackle-demontrey-jacobs-off-waivers

 

[JohnnyTheBone]

Interesting information on Demontrey Jacobs. Is he worth a shot?

https://www.milehighreport.com/2024/8/28/24230637/patriots-claim-former-broncos-offensive-tackle-demontrey-jacobs-off-waivers

What say you, @j-man ? Can this dude play?

 

[Ale Xander]

Here are the cuts that made room for the 4 waiver claims:

Evan Lazar: Added to 53-man roster - LB Curtis Jacobs, OT Demontrey Jacobs, DT Eric Johnson, T/G Zachary Thomas Waived/Cut - Jalen Reagor, Trysten Hill, Michael Jordan, Isaiah Bolden

View: https://twitter.com/ezlazar/status/1828887423004385365


That's right. The Patriots have waived G Michael Jordan.

If the Bears don't sign him, something is wrong with America.

 

[mcpickl]

For the very little it might be worth, and in a small sample size, both the offensive linemen they claimed graded out really well at PFF this preseason.

Jacobs at LT and Thomas at LG/RG

 

[Cellar-Door]

For the very little it might be worth, and in a small sample size, both the offensive linemen they claimed graded out really well at PFF this preseason.

Jacobs at LT and Thomas at LG/RG

sample on that has to be tiny right? Like less than a game?

Edit- found it, about 50 snaps, Thomas at guard.

Funny thing, PFF had the PAtriots as the 6th best team in preseason. (apparently playing your starters is good for the grade).

 

[mcpickl]

sample on that has to be tiny right? Like less than a game?

Edit- found it, about 50 snaps, Thomas at guard.

Funny thing, PFF had the PAtriots as the 6th best team in preseason. (apparently playing your starters is good for the grade).

Yes

101 snaps at LT for Jacobs, 107 for Thomas 78 at LG, 29 at RG

 

[streeter88]

Rams waived G Zach Thomas despite a strong preseason as their top 2 interior linemen were just better with depth on the outside as well if need be. Must be nice…

Thomas was another player that showed out in the preseason, but didn't earn a spot on the 53-man roster. The third-year guard didn't allow a single pressure on his 57 pass blocks snaps during the preseason, according to Pro Football Focus, and his 81.6 pass blocking grade ranked third on the team.
"It's not what he didn't do, it's what Logan Bruss and Beaux Limmer did do," McVay said.
Limmer, a sixth-round pick in this year's draft, had the top pass block grade (85.9) and also didn't allow a single pressure on 53 pass blocking snaps at the center position. Bruss, meanwhile, is a former third-round pick by the Rams who has been with the team since 2022. He allowed just one pressure on 72 snaps and has a familiarity with the offense.
McVay felt the Rams have abundant depth on the interior line as well as others who can slide in from the outside if need be.

https://www.therams.com/news/ol-zach-thomas-and-wr-xavier-smith-highlight-tough-decisions-made-for-53-man-roster

 

[AB in DC]

If the Bears don't sign him, something is wrong with America.

Rams waived G Zach Thomas despite a strong preseason as their top 2 interior linemen were just better with depth on the outside as well if need be.

And Miami needs to sign this guy.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

.@BrandonThornNFL thought new #Patriots OL Zach Thomas had potential as a swing/spot starting tackle in a zone scheme who needed work in pass pro Given Thomas' experience at IOL this preseason, he could have 4+ position versatility for Scott Peters and Co to work with

View: https://twitter.com/tkyles39/status/1829248583843098963

 

[j-man]

What say you, @j-man ? Can this dude play?

well was on denver all of last season and never got a call up even in the last 2 games when denver had nothing to play for
9 broncos who did not make the 53 got shots with other teams
so idk if it means denver is getting more talent or they hate their coach lol

he has great size but raw worth a gamble

 

[JohnnyTheBone]

he has great size but raw worth a gamble

Thanks, j-man. Size is something you just can't teach, and taking up space is usually the last skill to deteriorate.

 

[Cellar-Door]

View: https://twitter.com/MikeReiss/status/1829253058125279634


More PS signings

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Mike Reiss had some info today about the waiver claim process last week:

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/41061422/next-patriots-qb-drake-maye

3. OL targeted: The Patriots were awarded offensive tackle Demontrey Jacobs(Broncos), guard Zach Thomas (Rams), defensive tackle Eric Johnson II (Colts) and linebacker Curtis Jacobs (Chiefs) on waivers last week. To protect themselves in case the two teams ahead of them in the waiver priority claimed those players, the Patriots also put in "backup" claims on three other offensive linemen and one defensive lineman, per league sources. It is a reflection of how the front office viewed the offensive line and defensive line as the top priorities coming out of training camp -- which seemed obvious.

I didn't know there was such a thing as backup claims. I guess the Pats got their top choices.

4. Waiver wire chatter: The Patriots weren't the only team to put in waiver claims on Jacobs and Johnson, with the Cardinals attempting to claim Jacobs and the Bengals putting in a claim on Johnson, according to league sources. Having the No. 3 priority on the wire -- based on last season's 4-13 record -- proved advantageous to the team. The Broncos were also planning on signing Jacobs to their practice squad if he cleared waivers.

 

[brendan f]

I didn't know there was such a thing as backup claims

There isn't, hence the quotations. He just means they put in additional waiver claims in case the guys they wanted most got snatched from them.