FOXBORO, Mass. — New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady both addressed the media Tuesday morning at Gillette Stadium. Here are a few leftover nuggets from their news conferences:
— The Patriots released three players Tuesday — running back Donald Brown, defensive tackle Frank Kearse and cornerback E.J. Biggers — and now have seven open spots on their 90-man roster, which must be trimmed to 75 by Aug. 30.
“He hasn’t been available for a while,” Belichick said of Brown, a seven-year NFL veteran who suffered an injury early in training camp. “It’s unfortunate. He worked hard. He’s a really good kid. We just never really got the chance to see him.”
What’s best for the team is the determining factor in all roster moves, Belichick said, but affording released players an opportunity to latch on with a new team also is considered.
“Obviously injuries, they’re a factor at this time of year for every team, so there are some positions where you need depth, some positions where you have depth and you can’t play everybody,” Belichick said. “I think that’s definitely the case, and in some positions for us, we have more players than we can really play (Friday) against Carolina.
“So if we’re not going to play them, and then we’re going to have to release them at the 75 cut after the game, then there is an argument for just doing that now, which gives the player an opportunity (and) kind of clears it up for us a little bit. I think there is some of that.”
Belichick did note, however, that every preseason snap a player plays should be viewed as a mini-job interview — either for his current team or for another potential suitor.
“Look, to me, every player that is here is competing,” Belichick said. “And they’re competing for us. But in reality, they may be competing for a spot on another team’s roster, too. Everybody is being scouted, we’re scouting everybody, and I’m sure everybody is scouting us.”
— One player who certainly is not on the roster bubble is rookie Joe Thuney, who’s started at left guard in each of the Patriots’ first two preseason games.
Belichick wouldn’t confirm Thuney has secured a starting spot, but he did say he’s closing in on one.
“Joe’s done a good job with what we’ve given him,” Belichick said. “… I think he’s certainly moving toward maybe being able to lock down something down at some point. I don’t think we’re there yet, but I think he’s certainly gaining on it. He’s had a good preseason and a good spring.”
— Brady said he “absolutely” hopes to play in Friday’s preseason game against the Carolina Panthers after sitting out New England’s first two exhibition tilts.
Belichick did not shed any light on whether Brady would see the field against the Panthers and reiterated that getting backup Jimmy Garoppolo ready for Week 1 is the team’s top priority.
“Nothing’s changed,” Belichick said. “All three quarterbacks are extremely important. Jimmy’s preparation for the Arizona (Cardinals) opener is the most important. Nothing’s changed, and that’s not going to change. That’s the way it’s going to be.”
— The Patriots still have two preseason games left to play, but Belichick said he and his staff “definitely have an eye” on Arizona, New England’s first regular-season opponent.
“We’ll tighten the focus going forward,” Belichick said, “but we’re certainly aware that is where we’re headed on opening day.”
The Cardinals set a franchise record for wins last season, going 13-3 and edging the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round before getting their doors blown off by Carolina in the NFC Championship Game. Most prognosticators — us included — expect them to be just as formidable in 2016.
Thumbnail photo via David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports Images
