Garoppolo, Brissett on field
Team hopeful one can start vs. Buffalo
PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK
FOXBORO — There were some encouraging signs on the quarterback front as both Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett were present at the start of Patriots practice yesterday.
As for how they looked, practice got closed to the media before either of the banged-up quarterbacks tossed a football. The Pats appear hopeful one will start Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, and perhaps both will be able to suit up for the AFC East encounter and final game of the Tom
Brady suspension. Garoppolo missed last Thursday night’s game against the Texans after injuring his right AC joint during the Dolphins game in Week 2. He suffered a Grade 2 sprain. Earlier yesterday, Garoppolo walked through the locker room, grabbed some practice gear and headed out without answering questions. He wasn’t in a sling and seemed free of any aids for the shoulder at practice.
As for Brissett, he had the right thumb he injured during the second half of the Texans win supported with tape. While in the locker room, he didn’t seem to favor the thumb in any way. He made a joke about never having so many people staring at his hand.
Garoppolo and Brissett were seen jogging and stretching during practice, which was held in light shoulder pads and shorts. Garoppolo didn’t favor his arm, although there weren’t any drills that required him to lift the arm up.
Brady ready
Just to cover all the bases in regard to Brady’s suspension, the quarterback cannot officially return to Gillette Stadium and resume football activities until Monday, per league spokesman Brian McCarthy.
A time was not specified. During his weekly interview on Westwood One Radio, Brady said he was doing his best to stay prepared and to be ready for his return.
“I’m trying to do the best I can to stay in shape and to keep the timing, and to really stay football-ready. I’m hoping our team has a great week of preparation and can get to 4-0, and then I’ll have an opportunity to be back next Monday, and I’m going to work as hard as I can to be ready to go for that week,” Brady said.
“It’s a big week for me, and it’s a big week for our team. Every week is a big week in the NFL, but not having been out there for four weeks, there is a lot of makeup time I’m going to need and the chance to be on the field with my teammates to see what kind of rhythm I can find in a short week of practice.”
On your toes
Buffalo head coach Rex
Ryan likes to dial up some exotic schemes, so the Patriots offensive line will have to be ready.
“We have to be prepared for anything when we play him,” right tackle Marcus
Cannon said. “Their front line is really good. ( Jerry)
Hughes, ( Kevin) Williams, their linebackers are extraordinary, and they have a lot of different looks. They give you different looks, and they’re always coming. The last couple games we played them, they’re always working. And you always see something different with them. It’s going to be a challenge.” Cannon and fellow tackle
Nate Solder have had the most experience dealing with Ryan, but the former didn’t necessarily consider that an advantage.
“I guess it could (help), but the way he schemes things up, it’s always something different,” he said. “I don’t know if anybody is ever ready for Rex. You have to study everything he does. There’s just so much.”
Cannon said communication is key.
“As an offensive line, you always want to have communication,” he said, “but that’s definitely going to be a big part, seeing what they’re doing, communicating and getting off the block.”
Special occasion
Special teams dominated the Texans last week. Topping the list was a pair of fumbles the Patriots forced and recovered on kickoff returns that were converted into touchdowns.
“We prepared all week, looking at all their return looks,” core special teamer
Brandon Bolden said. “And as a kickoff coverage team, we talked about all the things we could capitalize on, and basically it comes down to being prepared and being in the right place at the right time.” On Sunday, when kicker
Stephen Gostkowski is not booming the ball out of the end zone for a touchback, the Pats will try to lure the Bills returners out with the shorter kicks.
“Steve does a great job putting the kicks where they need to be, to make guys return the ball,” Bolden said. “It’s up to us to get down there and cover, and that’s what we try to do as best we can.” . . .
Former Patriots wide receiver Keshawn Martin signed a two-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers.