6 players to watch during New England’s preseason finale Later today
http://www.newenglandpatriotsteamonline.com/adam-butler-jersey , the New England Patriots will play their fourth and final preseason game of
2018. As usual during the last week of exhibition games, the majority of the
Patriots’ starters and roster locks are not expected to play – clearing the way
for players on the roster bubble to showcase their skills and value to the team
one final time.With that in mind, let’s take a look at six players to keep an
eye on tonight:Mike Gillislee: Will he make a final push for a roster spot?After
a mostly disappointing 2017 season, Mike Gillislee failed to show consistent
progress in his second offseason in the Patriots’ system. As a result, he is
currently fighting for his roster life against free agency addition Jeremy Hill
– the better of the two running backs this summer. Could a late push by
Gillislee make the battle interesting again? It will be hard, but not impossible
depending on the ultimate performance.Riley McCarron: Will he win the fourth
wide receiver spot?After the release of Kenny Britt and Eric Decker’s
retirement, Riley McCarron founds himself on the verge of making New England’s
roster as a depth wide receiver and punt returner. However, his spot on the team
is not set in stone: the Patriots could still opt to bolster depth elsewhere or
bring in outside reinforcements. A good performance tonight could therefore be
crucial for the second-year man.Ulrick John: Will he again be the first
offensive tackle off the bench?First-round rookie Isaiah Wynn tearing his
Achilles opened the door for another offensive tackle to make the team. The
battle for this appears to still be on, but offseason acquisition Ulrick John
might have the best odds of winning it: during last week’s regular season “dress
rehearsal”, he was the first offensive tackle off the bench. It will therefore
be interesting to see how his role and performance look like tonight
Womens Marcus Cannon Jersey , and whether or not the game against the New York Giants could be an indicator for his future.Vincent Valentine: Will he show
his value as a rotational defensive tackle?Having spent all of 2017 on injured
reserve, Vincent Valentine had a rather quiet training camp and preseason and is
consequently not guaranteed a spot on the 53-man team. A solid outing against
New York – like he showed at times during his 2016 rookie season – could
ultimately turn out to be crucial when it comes to him making the team as the
fifth option at the defensive tackle position.Marquis Flowers: Will he build
momentum with roster cuts looming?Like Valentine, Marquis Flowers also was
rather quiet over the summer. He received increased playing time last week
versus Carolina, but that does not definitely earn him a roster spot as a depth
linebacker and special teamer. Flowers will still have to outperform his closest
competition – Nicholas Grigsby – in order to make the team. Tonight is his final
chance to do that and prove that his solid 2017 season was no fluke.J.C.
Jackson: Will he finally live up to the training camp hype?Every training camp
has its surprising performers, and this year’s is undrafted rookie cornerback
J.C. Jackson. The Maryland product saw plenty of snaps with the starting defense
and was active and competitive in team and one-on-one drills. His practice
success has not yet led to in-game success, however. Tonight is therefore
Jackson’s last chance to show the Patriots and other teams around the league
that he is worth a roster spot.Which player or players will you most closely
watch during today’s game? Let us know in the comments. The New England Patriots
may not have made any trades at the NFL’s trade deadline, but they still made a
transaction: according to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Patriots have placed
cornerback Eric Rowe on injured reserve. The 26-year old, who is in his third
season with the club, has been dealing with a groin injury for much of the year
and has missed a total of four games because of the issue.After the Patriots let
Malcolm Butler go in free agency
Womens Devin McCourty Jersey , the former Philadelphia Eagles second-round draft pick originally earned the number two cornerback spot opposite Stephon
Gilmore over the summer. However, he hurt his groin in week two and has been
limited to just 45 defensive snaps ever since. Considering this, Rowe moving to
injured reserve does not drastically alter New England’s defensive
backfield.Jason McCourty will serve as the top perimeter option alongside
Gilmore, with Jonathan Jones as the nickel cornerback in the slot. Second-round
rookie Duke Dawson, who himself could get activated off injured reserve as early
as next week, will likely serve as a rotational number three/four option
alongside Jones. Fellow rookies J.C. Jackson and Keion Crossen are depth players
at this point during the season.Like Dawson, Rowe could theoretically return off
injured reserve later during the season. However, this appears to be unlikely as
running back Rex Burkhead seems to be the frontrunner to receive the second and
final return designation. Consequently, Rowe’s season and potentially his tenure
in New England – he is an unrestricted free agent next offseason – may have
found its end today.The move creates an open spot on the Patriots’ 53-man
roster.
