TAMPA - Now the fun begins.
Unfortunately for the high-paying patrons who go to Gillette Stadium, they will only get to see it on television.
They got the no-name show against the Jaguars, and will get a cameo appearance by Tom Brady & Co. in the exhibition finale against the Giants Sept. 1.
If that.
With just five days between the final two exhibitions, Patriots fans might not see Brady throw a pass in person until the Week 2 matchup with the Chargers.
Welcome back, NFL.
In between, the roster will be settled on the road. First up, the Buccaneers tonight at Raymond James Stadium. Then a trip to Detroit to take on the Lions.
Two good tests for the Patriots against young and improving teams that need to prove their mettle.
Bill Belichick and his assistants should have their roster settled by the end of this stretch, but there is still much uncertainty.
Injuries have clouded the futures of several players behind the Great Blue Curtain. Only those on the inside know exactly what will unfold.
The rest of us are left to guess whether the likes of receiver Brandon Tate will ever see the field again to prove worthy of a roster spot.
Two of the Patriots’ top three draft picks, cornerback Ras-I Dowling and running back Shane Vereen, lasted all of one practice before heading to the sideline.
For Dowling, this is nothing new. He played five games in 2010 at Virginia and has a lengthy injury history that stretches back at least until his junior year in high school.
Vereen never missed a game at Cal. But a guy with sprinter-type speed has missed out on a chance to take the kick return position, among other things. Dowling and Vereen have lost invaluable practice time, and lessened their chances of having a big impact this season.
But green or not, they’re undoubtedly headed onto the 53-man roster. Since they practiced, albeit briefly, they are not eligible for the physically unable to perform list, which would allow them to get back on the roster after Week 6. It’s either injured reserve or the roster.
The jury is also out on veterans Ryan Wendell (guard/center), Mike Wright (defensive line), and James Sanders (safety). They also practiced.
Wouldn’t worry much about big Albert Haynesworth. The Patriots saw what he could do, and are likely just getting him fit for the season. It wouldn’t be a shock if they kept him out the entire preseason, a la Randy Moss in 2007. Why put on film what you can keep hidden from opponents? It’s not like one-gapping on a four-man line is rocket science.
As far as the players who are still on the field, the competition ratchets up tonight. Here’s a look at the positions that will be in the spotlight:
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