CHARLOTTE - We could blast you with a dozen of these, from who's playing guard to how much Reggie Wayne gets revealed, to whether or not there's a need for Julian Edelman and Gronk to take preseason reps with Jim. But we settled on these three things to look for instead:
QUARTERBACK REPS
On Monday, Bill Belichick said Tom Brady's "situation" won't be weighed until after the final preseason game. Which seems to mean that, even though there's a four-game suspension is on the horizon, it's business as usual on the field. In the third preseason game, Brady has traditionally played the first half and even into the third quarter on occasion. Will he get that many reps tonight? Would those starter reps be better taken by Jim Garoppolo, who has never started a regular-season NFL game, but is on the hook to make his first start in less than two weeks. At first glance, yes. What will Tom Brady learn that he doesn't know if he's not out there for the first offensive reps against the Panthers? What will the coaching staff learn about Brady? Garoppolo needs to do everything a starter does to be ready for Pittsburgh. And that includes starting a game. Of course, nitwits throughout the region will hyperventilate and allege the Patriots are seen to be pulling their support for Brady if Garoppolo starts. But nitwits will nitwit regardless. In terms of preparing for the Steelers, Brady could be currently listed as "out." If that changes between now and Sept. 10, the team can respond accordingly.
CORNER ROTATION
A lot to look at here. Does Devin McCourty head back to safety after an uneven outing last week against the Saints (almost definite). Do Tarell Brown and Bradley Fletcher get every possible rep (providing they are good-to-go physically to make their case for the starter's job opposite Malcolm Butler)? Has the coaching staff seen enough of Logan Ryan in two seasons, plus most of a training camp, to conclude that he's not done that much with the opportunities given? Ryan isn't abysmal. He just seems anxious and impatient at the spot. It's a condition that could go away with reps and experience or it could be a permanent state. The Patriots will need to make a declaration one way or another.
THIRD-DOWN BACK
Dion Lewis and James White made cases last week. Now, do we get to see Travaris Cadet make his? The free agent from New Orleans hasn't gotten on the field for either of the preseason games because of a leg injury but may get a shot at seeing him in Carolina. If he does go, he should show a different style than either Lewis or White and we could see him used a little differently. He's got wide receiver skills as well. Of the other two changeup back candidates, I'd like to see more Lewis. His explosiveness, receiving skill and running power were all evident last week. Are they consistently on display in game situations? Need to know.
New England Patriots
