- One of the more interesting signings (of the non-badboy variety) of recent Patriots memory took the field in training camp on Wednesday, as Jeff Demps suited up. I love that while the talking heads were focusing on whether Usain Bolt could play for ManU or the Cowboys (there’s no way either Jerry Jones or Dan Snyder would have passed him up), Belichick and Co. quietly went out and found someone who already had success as a division one football player. Classic move. I also respect that Demps turned down the chance to be a late round, ho-hum draft pick for a chance to represent his country in his better sport, one that pays far less money. Talk about a true Patriot. It will be interesting to see how this signing turns out, particularly because, if it’s a success, you know someone’s going to overpay for Bolt. Actually, how fun would that be to watch?.
- The Patriots’ preseason schedule is ridiculous. With three games in ten days, people who paid good money for tickets to the Eagles-Patriots game on Monday night got to see a skeleton crew of starters. Conspiracy theorists would suggest that this is payback for the cakewalk that should be the AFC East, but to quote the guys on ESPN, “C’mon man!”
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- In Vollmer We Trust. Sebastian Vollmer was back on the field this week, taken off the PUP, although he’s still dealing with a back injury. The Patriots O-line is definitely one of the big questions coming into this season and having the veteran right tackle back on the field, along with Logan Mankins, is a welcome sight even if we don’t know when these guys will be back on the field full time.
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- Very excited to see the starters (and a few key rookies like Tavon Wilson) take the field this evening. Well, as excited as anyone can be about preseason football. I’m all for reducing preseason to two games, lower the risk of injury and keep the quality up for the fans. The expectation is for Brady & Co. to play into the second half. Wes Welker didn’t participate in practice on Thursday, so it’s not definite that he’ll be playing this evening. For the first time, however, I’m less excited about watching the passing plays than I am about the kick returns.
