The Pats we’re itching to see
Football is back in focus with the first practice of training camp on Thursday. It won’t be long before we get a feel for how the 2016 team is going to look come September.
We had a glimpse during the early camps, but none of those sessions were padded affairs. With the hitting of training camp comes a better idea of who will emerge as someone to watch. There are first impressions to be made and camp is where the fans, media and team can witness them.
With that as a backdrop, here are the players we’re most looking forward to seeing during camp:
RB D.J. Foster
At this point last year, it was Lewis who piqued everyone's interest based on his performance in the early camps. He carried that out of camp before suffering a seasonending injury in Week 9 vs. the Redskins. This time around, it's Foster, an undrafted rookie, who has tipped the interest meter, thanks to showing well during the passing camps. He looked smooth and sleek with a great set of wheels whether carrying the rock or catching passes. He left the impression he'll be pushing for a job. He suffered a hamstring injury during minicamp so we'll see what he looks like with pads on running between the tackles.
OL Jonathan Cooper
Acquired in the Chandler Jones trade, Cooper is a bit of a wild card. The first-round pick (seventh overall, 2013 draft) was a major disappointment in Arizona, but if there's anyone who can shake some talent out of a stick, it's offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia. Minicamps were not the place to measure how any of the offensive linemen were doing. But when the pads come on in training camp, and we get to see some legitimate one-on-one battles, it's a much better gauge. So we'll see if Scarnecchia works his magic and revives Cooper, who could very well be the starting right guard.
QB Jimmy Garoppolo
For the first time since 2008, someone other than Tom Brady will be starting a game of importance for the Patriots, and that someone will be Jimmy G. He's the man who has to hold the fort during No. 12's absence. The curiosity here is how he'll handle this camp with the scrutiny and the pressure of being the interim starter now fully thrust upon him for the first time. He looked confident and in command during the spring camps, but as we get closer to September and the first game of the season, it will be interesting to see how he maintains that control.
RB Dion Lewis
He made an appearance during OTAs, showing that his surgically repaired knee was progressing and on track. But the next test for Lewis is training camp and to what extent he will be allowed into the mix when the contact starts. He was placed on the PUP list yesterday, perhaps suggesting that he's not quite ready yet, but he can come off that list at any point during camp. If and when he does, the team is counting on him to be a significant contributor once again.
CB Cyrus Jones
After watching the rookie both in the defensive backfield and in the return game during the early sessions, we were left wanting to see more. The second-rounder out of Alabama — the Pats' first selection in the 2016 draft — Jones has an explosiveness as a returner, but also seems to have a knack for being around the ball when playing corner. He's in the mix for the starting job at slot corner in between Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan on the outside.
DE Rob Ninkovich
Is it defensive end Ninkovich or is it linebacker Ninkovich? Seeing how that plays out and getting a better handle on that little detail will certainly be of interest. During OTAs, Ninkovich saw a lot of time playing inside linebacker. It could have been to give him a feel in the event of an emergency or perhaps it was a sign of a flip to a 3-4 defense. Then again, we could have been reading way more into it than necessary. The veteran is in a contract year. He's been one of the steadiest and most clutch performers for the team in his seven prior seasons. We're curious to see what ultimately takes shape.
DL Terrance Knighton
When he played for the Broncos, especially against the Patriots, he was a beast in the middle of the line. The Pats had no answer for him. He dominated games. However, he wasn't anywhere near the same type of player in Chicago, providing a bit of a mystery as to what he has left in the tank. Seeing how he comes to life during his upcoming one-on-one battles with the offensive linemen will give us our first clue about the Knighton we might see during the season. If he's anything like the player in Denver, the Pats should have a formidable front along with Malcom Brown and Alan Branch in the middle.