Playing time
This is obviously always the major topic heading into a preseason game. For the opener, teams tend to pull their starters after one or two series, but there are different circumstances this year: a more intense training camp than usual, quarterback Tom Brady returning from his injury (more on that below) and a slew of new faces who are still in the midst of their adjustment period.
"It's been a different training camp this year, so I don't know what [head coach Bill Belichick] has got in store," Brady said Tuesday. "From his tone and the message he's been sending to the team, it doesn't sound like it's going to be a [typical] first preseason game for us. I think he wants to see what we're all about."
The Patriots held 22 practices in their first 13 days of training camp, including 10 double sessions and one day off. Don't expect an exorbitant increase in playing time for the starters, but you'll definitely see them treating their on-field time more like a regular-season contest than anything you'd typically see in August.
Quarterback situation
Even if the first-team offense stays on the field for four or five series, I wouldn't expect Brady to be out there the whole time. This has little to do with his left knee — he looks fine, almost true to form again — but more about the backup situation.
Belichick might want backup quarterbacks Kevin O'Connell and Andrew Walter to be a little more comfortable with the first-team offense after what happened to Brady last September. The familiarity in game situations could prove to be helpful in an emergency situation down the road.
It's also going to be very interesting to see which quarterback replaces Brady. O'Connell entered camp as the clear-cut second-stringer, but since last week's signing of Walter, O'Connell's reps have taken a hit and it looks as though Walter is the No. 2 guy right now. Walter might not know enough of the playbook to be effective as the first quarterback off the bench — you wouldn't want his performance to slow the progression of the receivers. But if Walter is currently considered the backup, it's not a good sign for O'Connell, who has had a difficult training camp.
Defensive formations
It looks like the Patriots will run more 4-3 formations than in years past because they're so talented on the defensive line and pretty thin at linebacker. With the addition of Derrick Burgess, who could play left defensive end or left outside linebacker, the Pats have themselves a quality pass rusher who provides versatility. If he moves to the outside on the defensive line, Richard Seymour would move to defensive tackle alongside Vince Wilfork, and Ty Warren would remain as the right end.
Even further, we'll see how comfortable Burgess looks at outside linebacker — if Belichick decides to line him up at that position — and in which situations he'll be used. He is more effective as a pass rusher (moving forward) than in coverage (moving backward), so we'll get a better glimpse at the rotations between Burgess, Pierre Woods and Shawn Crable at linebacker.
And lastly, rookie defensive tackle Ron Brace has been impressive in camp, so he might get some early playing time. With his Boston College roots, he is most familiar playing in a 4-3 system, but Brace has the size to fill in at nose tackle in the 3-4. We'll see how comfortable he is in each situation and if Belichick wants to see him perform with the first-team personnel groupings.
Rookie surprises
Offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer and wide receivers Terrence Nunn and Julian Edelman have performed well beyond expectations thus far in training camp. How early they see some playing time will be a good indicator of their standing on the depth chart. Vollmer might even be challenging Wesley Britt and Ryan O'Callaghan as the top backup tackle.
Edelman, who played quarterback at Kent State, has been so versatile as a receiver and kick returner that he's making a serious case to make the 53-man roster. This is after he had an ugly case of "the drops" back in spring camps.
Nunn has been a complete surprise. An undrafted free agent, Nunn was an extreme long shot to make the team — to the point where, as the joke went, his last name represented his chances to earn a spot on the roster. But he's been outstanding in receiving drills. He's got good speed, and he simply catches everything. Nunn still figures to be on the outside looking in, and the Patriots would probably love to sneak him onto the practice squad. But he has at least given himself a legitimate chance of making the team.
Plans at fullback
There aren't any fullbacks on the Patriots' roster, and after the quick signing and release of Patrick Pass during minicamp, it doesn't look as though Belichick has any plans to carry one. Belichick hasn't always been a fan of carrying a consistent fullback, so this will open up a roster spot somewhere else, potentially at tight end. It will be interesting to see if the Patriots use any formations with a "fullback" and who might fill that role.
Remaining position battles
There are a few more position battles to keep an eye on. It's unlikely Shawn Springs will play because he hasn't practiced lately, so that opens up an opportunity at cornerback. Leigh Bodden figures to have earned one of the starting jobs, and Jonathan Wilhite has emerged as the next best player at the position. Second-year corner Terrence Wheatley and rookie Darius Butler need to take advantage of the extra playing time.
There is also a low-profile battle at long snapper between veteran Nathan Hodel and rookie Jake Ingram, both of whom are vying for Lonie Paxton’s former spot. Ingram might have the early edge.
Finally, there is a logjam at running back and tight end, but that doesn’t appear to be as much of a depth chart battle as it is about situational use.
