11 players to watch closely in the preseason opener: Roy Finch, Justin Jones and more

We've heard plenty about big names like Brandon Browner, who else should you be watching tonight? (AP PHOTO)

Preseason.

In this piece, we could focus on some of the obvious things you'll need to watch out for. That is, how cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner or quarterbacks Ryan Mallett and Jimmy Garoppolo perform.

However this is information I would assume you, the reader, already know. Mallett is essentially fighting for a starting position on another team, so it is integral that he has a strong preseason. Particularly since he hasn't had a strong camp. Garoppolo is the new kid, and who some assume to be the eventual heir apparent to Tom Brady. He has struggled mightily in camp, so it bears watching if he performs.

Revis and Browner? They are the big name free agent acquisitions who are expected to shift the identity of this Patriots defense. So, yeah, you should pay attention to them.

That's not all you should look for though. Here are some other players you should keep your eyes on that might not be so obvious.

Photo by Bill Grady/nePatriotsLife.com

After that intro, its a bit ironic that we then go to some of the most famous players on the roster. However, this may be one of the most important things to watch tonight.

The Patriots are getting a lot of buzz for their defense this off-season. Mainly that is due to the Revis and Browner additions. Other than that, there isn't really much they have done on the defensive side of the ball. However, some of the biggest additions this year will be players that were already under contract, that is Vince Wilfork, Jerod Mayo and Tommy Kelly.

All of these players played integral roles in the Patriots defense, but were lost early last season due to injury.

For what it's worth, Vince Wilfork looks as disruptive as ever on the defensive line. He recently said that his achilles has not bothered him. That much is evident from just watching him play. You may have seen the video below before (Revis' pick six of Brady in camp), but did you watch how it is Vince Wilfork who essentially causes this interception as he bursts through the line?


Mayo has also looked like his old self in camp.

Alfred Morris just got JACKED UP by Mayo and dropped a pass. Best hit of training camp so far
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) August 5, 2014

Tommy Kelly meanwhile is still battling for a roster spot. He may have caught a break with Sealver Siliga going down with a serious injury but he still has some promising young players on the defensive line behind him. A 33 year old vet coming off an ACL injury is no roster lock, so Kelly perhaps bears the most watching tonight.



The next trio to watch is at the safety position. This is another well documented battle, but one that may be the most important of all. Who will line up next to Devin McCourty?

I asked McCourty this back after minicamps had concluded. He, of course, did not get into much detail (he's a Patriot after all) but did enforce that now, during preseason and joint practices, is the time when those competitions will be decided.

I think first right now at the safety position we have good competition right now. Each guy has competed: Nate Ebner, Pat Chung, Tavon Wilson, Duron Harmon, myself. All returning guys that have been out there. We all know the guy that started last year, Steve Gregory, is gone. So everyone knows there's an open spot.

It's tough, you don't really decide a starter in minicamp. Bill says it all the time. We enter OTAs and minicamp with no starters, everything is open. That's the attitude you have to take and training camp will really give guys an opportunity to earn that spot. And preseason games and joint practices, those are the times you really get to go out there and earn a position and earn a spot.

Second year man Duron Harmon would seem to have the inside track for that position as the starting strong safety, but he does have some decent competition. Patrick Chung recently re-joined the team, and while he is known more for giving up long pass plays, that was mainly due to the team being forced to play him out of position towards the end. He is still a hard hitter and capable of pushing Harmon for playing time. Of course, he will have to prove it starting tonight against the Redskins.

Wilson is likely on the outside looking in. He was a surprise second round pick that has not shown much since. It will be interesting to see if he has improved during his playing time tonight, but ultimately he is likely more in a battle with fellow safety Nate Ebner for a special teams role. The same could also be said of Chung, mind you.

This is one of the tightest competitions though and one bad game could vault any of these guys out of a starting spot, or even the roster.


Justin Jones is a giant tight end. Listed at 6'8", 275 lbs he is easily one of the biggest players on the team. The undrafted rookie free agent is no roster lock, but he has sure garnered a lot of attention from fans.

Gronk and Justin Jones. There is someone bigger! pic.twitter.com/LcXLtlABXL
— PatriotsLife (@PatriotsLife) July 31, 2014

Through camp so far, Jones has done enough impressive things to warrant attention. Particularly in the red zone. He will get a chance to shine tonight with the Patriots thin at the tight end position. Rob Gronkowski will obviously not play as he remains back in Foxborough recovering from his torn ACL dating back to last season. Michael Hoomanawanui has been injured since the fourth practice of camp and D.J. Williams suffered a leg injury in Tuesday's practice. This means more playing time for the other tight ends: Jones, Asa Watson and even James Develin. With the Gronkowski's health always being a concern, the battle for tight end depth is one that Pats fans should really pay attention to.

Jones could be the "diamond in the rough" type find that Pats fans love to brag about so much.

redskins.com

For those playing fantasy football this year, keep an eye on Redskins tight end Jordan Reed.

Reed has been getting a lot of attention in camp, and is sure to test the Patriots linebacking corps. Our own Ned Brady went into this in his Redskins Week: 5 matchups to watch piece.

A lot has been made about the stiff competition receivers have faced in the Patriots camps, going against Revis and Browner, but as Ned notes, the linebackers have not been challenged in coverage since the biggest name they have been facing in team drills is probably Michael Hoomanwanui. Ned was right to point out Reed as someone to watch this week, as he has been abusing this Patriots' secondary.

Ben Volin, Boston.com:

Washington’s Reed looks like a star. He was open all practice, and hauled in a really nice catch over the outstretched arms of Revis and Devin McCourty along the sideline. I think Reed is in line for a big season, especially with the Redskins having so many weapons at receiver (DeSean Jackson, Garcon, Andre Roberts).

Donta Hightower: Got burned badly by Redskins TE Jordan Reed for a big gain down the post in 11-on-11 drills, and still looks to be a step too slow in coverage.

Tight end coverage has always been something of a concern to Patriots fans, so keeping an eye on how Reed fares in this game could be a decent gauge on where the linebacking corps is at.



Speaking of coverage linebackers, thus far in camp James Anderson has been one of the best.

Anderson was an under the radar signing by the Patriots. The veteran came into the league as a third round draft choice of the Carolina Panthers back in 2006. He spent one year with the Bears last season before signing with New England all the way in early June. As it often goes with the Patriots, some of the late off-season additions prove to be some of the most valuable (see Carter, Andre or Waters, Brian). Anderson could very well turn into that this season. With the team already thin at linebacker, especially ones that can cover, the 30 year old could carve himself out an essential role on the 2014 squad.

Of course, training camp is one thing, actual games are another. While you are watching the Redskins' Jordan Reed, keep an eye on who is covering him. It could very well be Anderson.

For more on Anderson and the other great coverage linebacker on the team, Jamie Collins, check out our own Adam Bogdan's piece here, Coverage linebackers: new element to Patriots defense.


The two rookie runningbacks who have been making the most noise in practice thus far are James White and Roy Finch.

White was a fourth round draft choice for the team and has been turning heads in practice. He has broken off big runs, held onto the ball and even has shown skills in the passing game. That type of versatility is exactly what the Pats need, Bill Belichick even went so far as to call him a three down back. White has also got the attention of Tom Brady, who had nothing but praise for the rookie.

Being so young, its doubtful that White will grow into a major role right away, especially with the experienced Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley ahead of him. Still, both those backs have had their fair share of issues and they each enter their contract years this season. Is White the running back of the future? That's something Pats fans should be watching out for tonight.

ALEXA WELCH EDLUND

As for Roy Finch, he is an undrafted rookie highlight machine. The running back out of University of Oklahoma has been standing out in training camp too. He has been handling kick returns, which you will likely see tonight, but has also shown off some great moves as a runner, displaying great speed and lateral quickness.

He could be another fan favorite, "diamond in the rough" type player. He will, of course, have to prove it tonight.


There's an extensive list of some of the most important players to watch tonight, based on what we've heard and seen in camp so far. For even more detailed info, be sure to check out Ned Brady's post on the 5 Matchups to watch this week.