Patriots Notes: Team Fairly Healthy, Not Concerned With Goodell Towels

The New England Patriots take on the Kansas City Chiefs this Thursday for kick off the NFL season. With the team prepping for the game, the first few injury reports of the season have been released.

The injury report released has nothing major to look at. DT Vincent Valentine and OT Cameron Flemming were both DNP’s. But other than them, New England looks fairly healthy on their active roster.

With being the leagues opening game, the New England Patriots get the opportunity to unfold their Fifth Super Bowl banner in front of the entire nation. For tight end Rob Gronkowski, the atmosphere will be something special.

I mean, it’s going to be a super great atmosphere for the fans with the banner dropping down, just the atmosphere running out of the tunnel, probably fireworks going on everywhere, probably the Air Force planes flying across. I mean, for the fans, it’s going to be a great atmosphere and a great time.

Since the Patriots will be hosting a Super Bowl 51 pregame ceremony, they are asking fans with tickets to arrive early on Thursday. They are asking fans to be in their seats by 8 pm and will be opening gates at 6 pm and the parking lots at 3:30 pm.

With it being Thursday night game, fans will be arriving at Gillette Stadium during evening rush hour. For that reason, Gillette Stadium is asking fans to allow for extra travel time to and from the stadium.

One of the bigger storylines heading into the game against the Kansas City Chiefs is the fact that Barstool Sports plans on handing out 70,000 Roger Goodell Clown towels at the game. For the team, they aren’t concerned with this noise.

Yeah, I’m not really too concerned about all the exterior things with the game.” said coach Bill Belichick” Just trying to get ready for the Chiefs.

Patriots vs Chiefs kicks off at 8:30 pm on Thursday. Trifecta Sports Network will have you covered with the latest in New England Patriots news.

Patriots Talk: NFL Analysts Have The Team At No.1 In Power Rankings

The Patriots have had a very interesting off-season that has many watching to see if them going all-in on this year will be worth it or not. Current NFL Analysts like NBC, NFL Network, CBS or ESPN have agreed that the New England Patriots are currently the only ‘safe bet’ to make the top of the list. This was similar to last season where the team had been in Top 5 in Rankings before losing to a shut out to Rex Ryan and the Buffalo Bills in Week 4.

However, the team alongside the Pittsburgh Steelers are already projected as locks to make the AFC Championship Game for 2018. However, that doesn’t mean really that much considering how the Patriots have played them in the last 16 years. To give context, here is what Tom Brady‘s stats look like against the Steelers:

• Brady has10-2 W-L ratio against them in his whole career
  • 3-0 in the playoffs.
• Tom Brady has thrown for 29 TDs to only 3 INTs in his career against the Steelers defense.

To say Brady and the Patriots don’t have the Steelers’ number is an underestimate. The reality is that the Patriots are the overwhelming favorites right now to win it all with their best case scenario being 16-0 to their worst being 12-4 (that is the WORST that this team seemingly can be at right now with its roster).

Even in 18th year, Tom Brady expects nerves on opening night. https://t.co/6xb0QoPezR #Patriots

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) September 4, 2017

Tom Brady is still shown no decline in his game and has repeatably stated to the public he wants to continue playing for awhile longer. (At least till he is 45 years old) With the additions or Philip Dorsett and Brandin Cooks, Brady now has receivers that have some serious speed now. (If Dorsett has a turn around season for himself after being labeled a first-round bust, every team in the league will re-consider trading anything to the Patriots, if they have any choice.)

As of right now, even with Julian Edelman‘s injury going down, there are many players who are willing to step up into the role including Danny Amendola. Edelman is the team’s heart but the Patriots always have used that plug-and-play style to their advantage. Nobody expects that the Patriots don’t already have something in the works for thsi upcoming season opener.

From the lighter side: "DA" is the DJ, as @DannyAmendola creates vibe in Patriots locker room with music. https://t.co/tKoeYV22hJ

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) September 5, 2017

We are officially less than 48 hours away from the season opener at Gillette Stadium against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday Night Football. The game will be broadcasted, as always on CBS at 8:30 PM EST.

Patriots Football Talk: So You Don’t Think Preseason Matters

If you don’t think Preseason NFL Football matters, let me take you through a rundown of what we learned before the Regular Season.  Lets just see how much it mattered:

We learned that Rob Gronkowski is fully healthy and ready to play.  He actually played a few snaps this Preseason.  Something that he hasn’t done since the 2012 Season.  He took off the elbow brace.  Yes, that annoying brace that he had on his elbow that got those Pass Interference calls is now gone.  Finally!  We can see him perform at 100%.  It looks to be an exciting year for him.  Look for his exceptional blocking and catching, in their first Regular Season Game.

We learned that Tom Brady can still throw.  It wasn’t so much as a question as more of a typical reaction to a 40 Year QB still playing Football.  He proved that he still has the arm this season.  His deep strike to Chris Hogan 50 Yards or so really showed off his talent.  I think we can all rest easy knowing that his status remains still Starting for the Patriots.  Hey, we just needed to see that to know he’s good, ok?

We learned Jacoby Brissett can play.  He showed off in last weeks Preseason Game with 4 Touchdowns and 38 Points.  Listen I said he was looking pretty good out there on Thursday.  So good in fact that he got traded a few days later.  He has all the poise to be a good QB for another team.  Here’s to me hoping it works out for him!

We learned that Jimmy Garroppolo will be the back up QB.  With Jacoby Brissett being traded, the lone position of Back Up QB will be Jimmy G’s.  Hey, he played well this Preseason.  And although I thought he might get traded this Off season, he seemed to really relish the opportunity to play for the Patriots if Brady has a bad day.  Listen this is a good thing Jimmy G is a solid Back Up to Brady.  He is competitive and smart but more importantly, he is a team player.  Which is something you want from a Back Up.

We learned that Julian Edelman will be out for the Season.  Listen it’s heartbreaking to see a player go down on an injury during the Preseason.  I feel for him not to mention all the other players who had Season ending Injuries.  It just flat out sucks!  I mean it really is a terrible thing but there are a few things that make Preseason a must.  And they are full speed, full contact, plays.  These are the things that you can’t simulate in practice.  Yes, you can have unlimited “Up Downs”, as my Pop Warner Coach used to call ’em, but you can’t get the feel of Football without actually contact.  I know it sucks but it’s the truth!

We learned that the Patriots need to work on their Defense.  Listen they gave up so many Points this Preseason.  It seems like defense is their Achilles Heel!  They can overpower them with Offense but when it comes to the other side of the ball, they need the “Next Man” to stand up.  I know that they lost some amazing players on defense this Off-season.  But you still need to get your assignments right and do all the little things to make a stop or a turn over.  It should be their Number 1 concern going into the Regular Season!

At the end of the NFL Preseason you should be ready to watch your favorite team play and I feel like the Regular Season can’t come soon enough.  I’m ready to watch the Patriots play, right now, never mind Thursday.  I feel that Preseason is merely a vehicle to get the guys ready to play!  It’s a rude awakening to Opening Kickoff!  As the saying goes, “The Baggage has Been left at the Door”, and I feel that’s what Preseason is about.  Cutting the Baggage and having a fresh start out there on the field.  Because you know, now each game counts!