Before we get into our latest 56-man roster projection after the Panthers game and before the joint practices with the Raiders in Vegas this week, let's hit on some of the latest newsy items:
- What's going on with Kendrick Bourne?
- Is Isaiah Wynn on the trade block? And how does Trent Brown's day off figure into this?
- And, as it relates to the final roster, does the injury to Tyquan Thornton really change all that much for the Patriots (as in, you need to keep another receiver)?
Let's dive in:
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
KENDRICK BOURNE
I will readily admit I don't know 100 percent what's going on with Bourne — it is strange that the Patriots and Bourne are being very quiet — but in conversations with various league sources with knowledge of the situation, a few things definitely stand out and factor into him not being dressed for the Panthers game. Bourne loved his growing role in the Josh McDaniels offense, and the current Raiders head coach was largely responsible for Bourne being signed as a free agent (that's not abnormal ... various coaches submit priority lists for Belichick in the offseason; it would make sense for McDaniels to have more autonomy on the offensive side of the ball). It's safe to say Bourne is not the biggest fan of the various offensive changes. I don't know how vocal he has been, but it's widely known around the team.
Bourne got off to a slow start in camp and saw his playing time cut mostly because of the quick rise of Thornton. Bourne got reamed out by Belichick at the first Panthers practice for getting tossed by an official for not wearing the proper equipment. Bourne threw punches at a player with his helmet on. Bourne was largely demoted the next practice. Bourne's locker at the stadium was open after the game, indicating he was in the building (Trent Brown and Kristian Wilkerson's were not). His gameday uniform was on his pads in the locker, indicating he was expected to suit up.
For all of those reasons, I think Belichick benched Bourne, probably as a last-ditch attempt to reach him and bring him back into the fold. The Patriots need him, especially with the Thornton injury. Bourne is very talented, they don't really have another receiver who can do everything and run every route. He's got more shake after the catch than all of them put together.
But if he's not happy, he's not happy. Other teams were watching Bourne's situation and that could have been caused by Bourne's agents, who know their client is not exactly thrilled in New England. I do think he could be traded — his contract and various abilities make him much more valuable to other teams than Nelson Agholor — and the Raiders and McDaniels could be a prime candidate this week. Do I think it's going to happen? No. I put the odds of him being dealt at 40 percent.
ISAIAH WYNN
We've been talking and writing about this for a while, especially when Wynn started missing multiple practices, so there's not much that needs to be said. If the Patriots think Yodny Cajuste, Arlington Hambright — or Mike Onwenu after his impressive RT stint on Friday night — can do the job similar to Wynn and stay on the field (along with Trent Brown holding the fort at left tackle ... more on that in a second) then why wouldn't they try to find a taker for Wynn's $10.4 million cap hit? Wynn obviously doesn't believe in the offseason workouts, and seems to be on his own program. They likely aren't going to have him back next year, so why not?
Speaking of benchings, Mike Reiss basically came out and said Trent Brown was benched for lack of practice effort last week, and wasn't just given up the night off as a veteran against the Panthers. Kind of stunning, if you ask me. I didn't notice anything specifically, but there's no question at times Brown is on his own schedule getting to the huddle and the line in practice.
Back to Wynn, I think the Patriots would love to move Wynn, but they will likely have to eat some of his contract and the compensation would be minimal unless someone suffers an injury (speaking of that, the Raiders have had a rough time at right tackle).
Onto the roster, and the Thornton fallout:
So, yeah, not much has changed.
As far as Thornton goes, I'm not panicking and putting another receiver with marginal skills like Lil'Jordan Humphrey or Tre Nixon on the initial 53. I'm fine dealing with the fallout if Humphrey and/or Nixon are claimed or signed elsewhere. Provided Bourne is still here, the Patriots have four receivers plus Ty Montgomery. That's plenty.
The only change I have on this roster is I'm swapping Henry Anderson for Sam Roberts. I think Roberts has played really well and is like a young Deatrich Wise. I really like Anderson and would like to have him around — he might take a veteran practice squad spot — but I'm afraid Roberts could be snatched up. Mitchell is also possible there.
NOTES ON FIVE
DE DaMarcus Mitchell: When it comes to moving Thornton to IR after the final cutdown, I would not be surprised if DE DaMarcus Mitchell is the person signed back to the roster — he's on a ton of special teams and showed up with some great pass rushes the other night — but remember you can do the elevation thing at any point. They'll have 16 on the practice squad, and then figure out what they need later with injuries and the gameday roster.
S Brenden Schooler: I still hate the move to keep all the special teams guys — they'll have seven and possibly Mitchell as well — but I fear Belichick will do it again. It's who he is, and he was probably embarrassed by the unit last year and won't let it happen again.
CB Shaun Wade: Probably the toughest cut after the two games — he really showed well and will likely be claimed as a result — but I just don't think he's that good.
S Jabrill Peppers: He needs to have a big week in Vegas or else he could be one of those veterans signed here who get released late (Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, Reggie Wayne, etc). What has he done to show what he can do? It's all rep right now.
RB JJ Taylor: He's making a push, but he has one play a game that just makes you scratch your head.