Welcome to first and 10, a roundup of all the (mostly) Patriots-related news you need to start your Tuesday. Grab your coffee and let’s get to it.
As we've mentioned before, there's a distinct feeling of change around Gillette this week. It's starting to take on a regular-season vibe, and we're not just talking about the cooler temperatures.
The third preseason game -- "The Dress Rehearsal" -- is Friday in Carolina against the Panthers. That's the preseason game with the greatest sense of urgency. It's the contest with the closest thing to regular season football, at least until the real thing comes along. That means a change from the training camp routine of the last few weeks.
This year, with so much of the roster pretty much locked in, it's also the game where bubble guys have the most to gain or lose when it comes to landing a roster spot. I'd estimate roughly 90 percent of the Patriots' 53-man roster is set, (barring some sort of horrible injury). This is one of the last real chances for someone on the bubble -- especially those at the back end of the depth chart at wide receiver, running back, offensive line and cornerback -- to show themselves worthy of landing a roster spot. That should make practices this week and Friday's game all the more interesting.
Now, on with the links...
1. Greg takes his second shot at predicting the 53-man roster. Most of the cuts are fairly obvious, but there are a few surprises, including a replacement for Isaiah Wynn, a switch at receiver and an additional cornerback.
2. I spent some quality time with Jordan Richards, who talked about being the victim of the helmet rule in Thursdays win over the Eagles. “Watching the film … I … whether I agree or don’t agree, it doesn’t matter. It’s a 15-yard penalty. It hurts the team,” said Richards. “At the end of the day, you have to play the game the way it’s being officiated. (The Eagles) had two or three of them as well that I felt were more ‘deserving’ than mine, necessarily, for lack of a better way to put it. But that’s the way they were calling the game. You have to play within the way they’re calling it.”
3. I had a tremendous Q&A that ran the gamut from roster moves to possible trades to future contract situations. So many great questions, we had to keep it open for an extended stretch. Check the transcript here.
4. Our pal Phil Perry has his latest 53-man roster projection. Just so we're all clear -- this is a slideshow. But we like Phil, so it's worth it.
5. Phil also has a look at Keionta Davis, who has caught the eye of the coaching staff.
6. From the weekend: Mike Reiss opened his notebook with a closer look at Adrian Clayborn.
7. Old friend (really, really old friend) Adam Vinatieri hit a 57-yard field goal Monday night for the Colts against the Ravens. Hard to believe, but the 45-yar-old has now kicked longer for Indy than he did for New England.
8. Writing for the Charlotte Observer, Jourdan Rodrigue says it's a blessing in disguise for the Panthers to face the Patriots this week, especially after last week's underwhelming Miami-Carolina game. "Coaches around the league call the third game of the preseason a “dress rehearsal,” because it’s the most complete version of the team shown before the season opener," she says. "Well, this matchup in particular is like going from a third-grade production of 'Cats' to the dress rehearsal for 'Hamilton.'"
9. Our buddy Mike Tanier of Bleacher Report looks at stocks that have been rising and falling over the last few days, and says the Patriots are on the rise. "It's adorable how they disguise themselves as businesslike and as being above such considerations as revenge and then run the score up on the Eagles in the first half like it's a 2007 Dolphins game," he writes. "But yeah, they look good—and just a bit angry."
10. Adrian Clayborn is part of PFF's Week 2 "Team of the Week" for his performance against the Eagles. "Coming off a career year, Clayborn played 24 snaps as a starter against the Eagles and was one of the chief beneficiaries of Halapoulivaati Vaitai’s disastrous game at left tackle," writes Sam Monson. "Clayborn racked up a sack, a hit and two hurries in 19 pass-rushing snaps.
Extra Point:
Tom Brady and Josh McDainels fist bumping at today's #Patriots practice #WBZ pic.twitter.com/MINZVYIwV1
— Joe Giza (@JoeGiza) August 21, 2018