Sorry to interrupt this telenovela spring/summer for the Patriots, but there is actual football* being played, and it picks up again Tuesday in the first of three mandatory minicamp workouts on the Gillette Stadium practice fields.
(* - OK, so there still won't be pads, but this is as close to actual football as we can get in today's NFL ... we'll take what we can get.)
One of the key positions this summer will be the competition at receiver, where the Patriots have too many bodies for too few spots.
Amazingly, there are only two receivers returning who actually had a role on the field at the end of last season: Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett.
Then you have the injury returners: Julian Edelman, Malcolm Mitchell.
Weren't-in-the-mix guys: Matthew Slater, Kenny Britt, Riley McCarron, Cody Hollister.
Off-season acquisitions: Jordan Matthews, Cordarelle Patterson, Braxton Berrios.
That's 10 players (not counting Slater) for what are, typically, four to five spots. Maybe they could go to six, if the Patriots continue to treat the F "flex" position — typically a smaller tight end in the past — as a receiver spot.
There is a long way to go until the season opener, and a lot of things will happen — injuries, poor play, doghouses visited, etc. — that will factor into the final spots.
But there's no question the competition is on, and it will take another huge leap now that some guy named Tom Brady will be showing up to put these guys through their paces this week.
So periodically, we're going to give you our take on where the race is up to the final cutdown (not including Slater). Here's the snapshot/rankings going into minicamp:
No. 1: Julian Edelman
Position: Z slot with Flex abilities.
Cap/savings if cut: $4.166 million/$2.5 million
The good: Has slowly increased his workload on the field this offseason, as he comes back from the ACL. Looks good. Wouldn't say his cutting and burst is exactly at the elite status is was before the injury, but seems like it will get there -- or at least be good enough. Obviously has the best relationship with QB1.
The questionable: Will he have any of the sort of dips due to fatigue that are typical of guys coming back from an ACL? Will being close to Brady/Alex Guerrero actually be a negative given the state of things in Foxborough? But the biggest question: Will Edelman still be able to run the Z option route effectively after the injury? That's the whole key.
Skinny: We're expecting him to be close to usual self, but he may need to be managed, which could lead to team keeping an extra (third Z receiver) on the roster.
No. 2 Chris Hogan
Position: X with Z qualities and ability to play Flex.
Cap/savings if cut: $3.281 million/$3.281 million
The good: Same thing we've always seen — good hands, ability to get off man coverage, versatility to play any slot in the offense. If injuries happen, he's the guy who can easily play another spot in the game plan.
The questionable: Will he stay healthy? In two seasons with the Patriots, he's yet to play 16 games (15 and nine). It seems like every time he gets a bigger workload, he gets dinged up. Can he start? Or is he a platoon player?
Skinny: I would say Hogan's hold on this spot is tenuous, and only due to the fact there are so many new/unknown players. He really needs to stay healthy throughout camp. When he's on the field, he's really good.
No. 3. Kenny Britt
Position: X boundary receiver.
Cap/savings if cut: $1.453 million/$1.303 million
The good: Looks to be in phenomenal shape and seems to be buying into what's going on. Hasn't appeared to be too lost this offseason after having bouts of that in his spot time at the end of last year. Might be the second-best red zone threat to Rob Gronkowski.
The questionable: We don't know what's going on behind the scenes and whether or not he's being a good teammate. Still shows inconsistent hands. Will he be proficient enough with the scheme to Brady's liking? We'll get an indication of that this week. He's not that explosive, and will likely have a tough time against man coverage outside the red zone. Will that be good enough?
Skinny: If Britt can keep stacking success -- especially when Brady returns to the field -- then he could be the big surprise of camp. That being said, Britt has been the ultimate tease to this point in his career. His four (four!) previous teams all thought he was going to be the answer, and the missing piece ... and then were totally underwhelmed.
No. 4 Jordan Matthews
Position: Flex inside receiver with some Z abilities.
Cap/savings if cut: $1 million/$800,000
The good: Looks to be completely healthy and has more burst than he has shown in recent years. Has shown good hands so far. Very smart, which would indicate he'll take to the offense. Good teammate. Excellent against zone coverages.
The questionable: Will Brady take to him? In his previous stops, was a complete non-factor against man coverage. That's a big concern, and will be closely watched in camp. Can he give the team enough to be the third receiver as the Flex between the 20s? That may tell the tale.
Skinny: Looks to be the Next Great Patriots Reclamation Project so far, but can he find a spot in this scheme and prove his value? Will he catch the ball well once the pads come on? Or is he just an Underwear Olympics hero?
No. 5 Phillip Dorsett
Position: X with some Flex ability.
Cap/savings if cut: $1.394 million/$1.244 million
The good: After being known as an underachieving player with diva-ish, "The U" qualities in Indy, has shown to be an exceptional Patriot. He does everything and anything asked of him, especially when it comes to blocking. Good hands. Can function inside and outside. Made a clutch catch in the Super Bowl.
The questionable: Will his lack of size/strength be a lingering issue? Can he add anything on special teams to increase his value?
Skinny: Starting with the fifth slot, this is where things get interesting. Honestly, things could be in flux all the way through final cuts. Going with Dorsett to give another option on the outside behind Hogan or Britt, but this could easily go to an Edelman-esque backup (McCarron, Berrios) because Matthews can't function as a starting Z in the event Edelman misses time. Hogan could.
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