The New England Patriots are gearing up for their next preseason game after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 31-22 in Week 1 and with Greg Schiano and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the schedule in Week 2, Bill Belichick and the team held joint practices during the week at Gillette Stadium.
The Patriots feel confident after winning the first preseason game and while that doesn't always translate into season success, it was the right way to start after a tough offseason. Quarterback Tim Tebow wasn't quite as sharp as he wanted to be in the opening game against the Eagles and he was thrown into action this time after Ryan Mallett suffered a head injury in the game. Belichick and Schiano have connections and both have a number of players that connect back to Rutgers, where Schiano previously coached.
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According to ESPN.com, the two teams have 18 players total that went to Rutgers and on top of that, the Pats now have running back LeGarrette Blount after he previously was with the Bucs. The Patriots feel that they are ready to get back to the Super Bowl despite losing Aaron Hernandez and with Rob Gronkowski coming back from an injury, things will be tight at the position for the Pats. It is unlikely that Tim Tebow will get much action at tight end, although the team could surprise and give him some snaps there.
Belichick said that the offense and the blocking schemes do not necessarily change when Tebow is in the game and one thing that he feels is valuable is Tebow running the scout team offense. Some of the defensive players have said that Tebow working the scout team has been essential to them this summer, since he can mimic other mobile quarterbacks and option offenses for them.
Tebow is likely to make it on the Patriots 53-man roster after he signed a two year deal, and Belichick added that he hasn't thought that far ahead yet, but that Tebow has improved since camp began. Belichick and the Patriots also have Blount in the fold and it will be interesting to see what he will do while mixed in with Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen.
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