Patriots Cutdowns: Pierre Strong traded to Browns for backup OT - JJ Taylor kept showing his value vs. Titans

News Item:

Tyrone Wheatley Jr is the former RB's son. Out of Stony Brook. From one scout: "Really talented, tight end conversion. Has some swing value."

That would leave JJ Taylor and perhaps Kevin Harris as the other RB options to stick.

Why Taylor?

Bedard illustrated this against the Packers.

It happened again against the Titans:

Yes, the Patriots offense looks better this summer than it did at this same checkpoint a year ago. Thank goodness. I couldn't tolerate another year of that nonsense. It was borderline fork-in-the-eye bad. But this group does have something in common with that unforgettable (and not in a good way) unit from a year ago: its primary players. Mac Jones, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, Hunter Henry, and Rhamondre Stevenson all return. The team swapped out Jakobi Meyers for JuJu Smith-Schuster, and there needs to be proof there's much difference there. Mike Gesicki is an upgrade over Jonnu Smith. Then again, any able-bodied pass catcher would qualify as such. Ezekiel Elliott is here and should help, but when healthy, ex-Pat Damien Harris had more giddy-up in his legs than Zeke. 

So, what am I getting at? The Pats need playmakers. It's conceivable rookie wideout Demario "Pop" Douglas can give a spark, but he'll have to be managed at 5'8", 180-ish pounds. Heck, the first time he got tackled in a preseason game cost him a couple of days of practice with a cranky shoulder. So where else can Bill O'Brien find someone who can make defenders miss? May I suggest J.J. Taylor?

That run Friday night in Tennessee should have gone for a loss of one or two yards by all rights. Instead, it's a gain of three. That came versus the Titans starters and behind the makeshiftiest of makeshift lines. It was reminiscent of a James White or a Danny Woodhead play. It was making something out of nothing when nothing was the easiest path to take.

The very next play was a designed screen for Taylor. The week prior, the diminutive running back had done an excellent job in blitz pickup, something that's always been a concern with him because of his lack of size. But Taylor has spent a lot of time in the weight room. He's gained strength while maintaining his speed. And, at least this summer, he looks like he can handle that part of the job. 

Anyway, Taylor smartly slows down the blitzer before getting into his route. Realizing where his blockers were and the angles the nearest defenders were taking on him, the 4th year pro darts to the outside, getting to the edge in a hurry. Ten yards later, the Pats have a first down, and Taylor put another play on tape that should earn him a spot on the 53-man roster, if not here, then somewhere else.