Patriots Blog: Players To Watch In Preseason Finale
BOSTON (CBS) -- The final game of the preseason has arrived for the New England Patriots, and there are a number of players on the bubble.
Here are some players to watch as the Pats close out their exhibition season against the Giants in New Jersey.
Patrick Chung and Tavon Wilson
By most calculations, the Pats are only going to keep one of these guys. Wilson has actually stepped up on special teams and improved his play at safety this preseason. But Chung is a much more physical player, and if the Pats are looking for a hard hitting safety he'll win the spot. Neither of the two guys are any good at covering a tight end though, so this could be a toss up come cut-down day on Saturday.
Brian Tyms and Josh Boyce
Has Tyms already beat out Boyce for a spot on the roster? Tyms will miss the first four games of the regular season due to suspension, so that may give the Patriots some wiggle room when it comes to Boyce. They both should be on the field against the Giants. Jimmy Garoppolo will be taking the majority -- if not all of -- the snaps and one of these guys has to come away with the an impress performance.
Tyms has impressed all preseason long, so Boyce may need a break-out game.
Stevan Ridley
The back got eight carries against the Panthers last week, but most of them came when the starters were done for the night. He has 19 carries this preseason for 75 yards, and nearly lost a fumble against the Philadelphia Eagles.
There was talk that Ridley might not make the final roster, but he should get plenty of play against the Giants. This will be a big game for Stevan.
The Offensive Line
Everyone on the offensive line is on notice following the trade of guard Logan Mankins. If the Patriots can let go of Mankins, no one's job on that front is safe. Sebastian Vollmer, Dan Connolly, Ryan Wendell and Nate Solder better all have good games and put everyone's mind at ease. The guys behind them -- Marcus Cannon, Josh Kline and Jordan Devey -- have to step up as well.
The Patriots need to move on from the Mankins trade quickly, and a good running game (even if it's in the last preseason game) will help calm the critics.
Follow Levan Reid on Twitter @LevanReid.
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