Type Armond Armstead’s name into YouTube, and you’ll stumble upon a six-minute clip that highlights the talent of the 22-year-old defensive lineman. As expected, there are plays of hell-raising, and backfield penetration throughout the video. It’s supposed to be that way — it’s a highlight film after all — and then once you watch a full-length game of his, you’re supposed to come away somewhat disappointed.
Except you don’t.
No, he’s not a real-life Benjamin Button too, although it’s possible. We’ll await confirmation.
The Patriots like to pass the football a fair bit. You may have noticed this, and it’s a product of their quarterback being named Tom Brady. While no one was near Matthew Stafford in pass attempts during the 2012 season because the concept of running was entirely foreign to the Lions (he finished with 727 attempts), Brady was one of only three other quarterbacks to attempt at least 630 passes (he finished at 637).
That means anyone in the Patriots’ offense who gets targeted with any degree of frequency will have some fantasy value. Clearly on the high end of that right now are Danny Amendola, and the fearsome tight end duo of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. But there’s value to be had further down both the Patriots’ depth chart, and your draft board.
That’s Stevan Ridley, and he’s bigger than you. You may be taller (he’s 5’11″) and you may even be fatter (he weighs 220), but he’s still bigger because he’s both of those things. He’s a lean and finely tuned athletic machine, and now he’s sculpted himself even further to make hurting people easier.
I began this glorious day by looking at three players — yes, actual people, and not just picks — who could be traded over the next three days. This will shock you, so you should probably sit down: I forget things. Sometimes, I forget what day it is, and several times I’ve even almost neglected to put on pants in the morning. It happens.
On this particular day, I forgot to include Ryan Mallett in that post, as he’s also a very worthy candidate to be traded and employed by a different team in the very near future. So let’s make up for that omission now, because the Mallett to Cleveland talk is a thing again.
Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez underwent offseason shoulder surgery, according to Ian Rapoport.
#Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez underwent shoulder surgery this offseason, I’m told, likely knocking him out of OTAs and mini-camp this spring.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 16, 2013
Hernandez, who has missed ten games over the last two seasons due to injury, will likely miss the team’s OTAs and minicamp, but is expected to be ready for the opening of training camp. Last season, the Patriots’ fourth-round pick in the 2010 draft recorded 51 receptions for 483 yards and five touchdowns.
The Patriots, who may be without Rob Gronkowski for the start of the regular season, currently have tight ends Daniel Fells, Michael Hoomanawanui, and Brad Herman on the roster.
The New England Patriots may be without Rob Gronkowski for their season opener if he requires another surgery to his forearm to clear up an infection, according to a report in the Boston Herald.
Gronkowski, who originally underwent surgery in November after breaking his left forearm, had a second surgery after re-injuring the arm in the playoff loss to the Ravens. Recently though, he has reportedly been dealing with an infection in an area where a second metal plate was placed to repair the arm.
The New England Patriots are reportedly close to signing wide receiver Michael Jenkins. Jenkins was drafted by the Falcons in 2004 and has played for both Atlanta and the Vikings in his career. This is likely a depth signing for the Patriots but is just another weapon in Tom Brady’s arsenal.
Patriots are signing WR Michael Jenkins
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 28, 2013
Last season, Jenkins appeared in all 16 games for the Vikings and finished the season with 40 receptions for 449 yards and 2 touchdowns. In 130 career games, Jenkins has 354 receptions, 4,427 yards and 25 touchdowns.
