What to Watch For: Patriots vs. Giants Preseason Game 4
Joe Calabro, GoLocalProv Sports Team
What to Watch For: Patriots vs. Giants Preseason Game 4
See What to Watch for in the Slideshow Below
The game presents a final opportunity for players to secure a roster spot and or improve their standing on the team.
"I think every day, every game is an opportunity. We'll see what the people who get the opportunity, what they're able to do with it and just weigh it all in in the end. But sure, every game is an opportunity," said Patriots head coach Bill Belichick in his weekly press conference.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTIt is unclear which regulars are going to play, however, it was reported that all three quarterbacks made the trip to New York.
"It's really not my call. You always want to be out there with your guys. It's just the nature of the beast; you're a competitor, you want to be out there, but whatever Coach asks me to do, I'll do," said Jimmy Garoppolo.
Bounce Back Game for Garoppolo
The game would give Garoppolo a chance to bounce back after struggling in the Patriots third preseason game against Carolina.
"We've got to move on from that. We're moving on to the Giants week, getting ready for those guys. We've just got to get ready for them," Garoppolo said.
Against the Panthers, Garoppolo went 9 of 15 for 57 yards while being called for intentional grounding, having the ball knocked out of his hand and nearly throwing an interception.
"There was good and bad, obviously. We didn't score as many points as we'd want to, but we started off the first drive with points. That was something that we were looking to do the last couple of weeks and we finally got that done. There were obviously some positives, but there are negatives, too, that you have to come away with," Garoppolo added.
The Patriots begin the season with Garoppolo under center in just over a week on the road against Arizona.
"We're worried about the Giants right now, we're not worried about opening day yet, so we'll get there when it comes," Garoppolo said.
Important Dates
The Patriots play their fourth and final preseason game tonight. After that, here are some need to know dates,
Following the game, the Patriots, as well as the rest of the NFL, must cut their rosters down to 53 players by Saturday at 4 p.m.
Tom Brady's suspension officially begins on Saturday, September 3 at 4 p.m. and the Patriots open up the regular season on Sunday, September 11 on the road against Arizona.
That game is set for 8:30 p.m. as it will be on Sunday Night Football.
Preseason ends tonight.
See What to Watch for in the Slideshow Below
5 Things to Watch for: Patriots vs. Giants Preseason Game 4
Aaron Dobson
This could be Aaron Dobson's final game as a New England Patriot.
According to reports, the Patriots are trying to trade Dobson who has played 128 snaps for the Patriots in the preseason.
Dobson was drafted by the Patriots in 2013 and caught 37 passes and 4 touchdowns in his rookie season. However, his career has been plagued by dropped passes and injuries over the last couple of seasons.
Dobson is in a battle for a job with other receivers such as Keshawn Martin, Chris Harper and Malcolm Mitchell.
Injuries
It is the final preseason game, the regular season starts in a little over a week. One could argue that the most important thing in this game is for everyone to leave the field healthy.
The Patriots have already suffered numerous injuries in training camp and throughout the preseason including Sebastian Vollmer, Dion Lewis, Danny Amendola and Rob Ninkovich as well as a few others.
Vollmer and Lewis will start the season on PUP, which means that they will miss at least the first six games of the season. Vollmer is likely to miss the entire season.
Nate Solder
Nate Solder is returning from an arm injury this season and in the Patriots last preseason game against Carolina, he had a rough go of it.
Solder was called for a false start early in the game and then allowed defensive end Mario Addison to get a pressure which led to Kony Ealy's sack of Tom Brady in the second quarter. The sack was the last play of the night for Tom Brady.
Historically, the Giants are know for their defensive line and rushing the passer so this will be another good test for Nate Solder before the season starts for real next week.
Jacoby Brissett
The final preseason showing for backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett and if past preseason game 4's are any indication, expect to see a good amount of him.
Throughout camp and preseason, Brissett has shown the ability to throw the ball down the field, get away from pressure and make plays with his legs.
Last week against Carolina, Brissett came in halfway through the third quarter and went 9 for 9 passing, including a touchdown pass to help the Patriots get the win. Granted, it was against Carolina's back ups but it was impressive nonetheless.
Starting on Saturday, Brady is gone and the Patriots will need to decide if they should sign another quarterback or not. Brissett has another opportunity to further help their decision with his performance.
Jimmy Garoppolo
As good as Garoppolo looked in the game against Chicago two weeks ago, he looked almost equally as bad in the game against Carolina when he went up against a first team defense.
Garoppolo finished last weeks game going 9 of 15 for 57 yards but that was only the beginning. Garoppolo took an intentional grounding penalty, nearly through a interception on a miscommunication with Edelman and then had the ball stripped from his hand during a scramble, luckily James White recovered.
"There were ups and downs, little things here and there that we need to get corrected and we will take care of it," said Garoppolo after the game.
All three quarterbacks made the trip to New York, according to Comcast Sportsnet, however it is unclear how much each quarterback will play.
Historically, starters don't play much, if at all, in the fourth preseason game but with this season being extenuating circumstances I'd expect Garoppolo to see time. Watch for him to try and bounce back from last week.
