The preseason is winding down and many are focused on the NFL's final cuts to a 53-man roster that will come on Saturday afternoon.
But before we get to that point, teams will have to play their fourth and final preseason game of the summer.
For the Patriots, that's Thursday night's trip to New York to take on the Giants. It will be a battle between mostly backups on both sides of the ball, but some guys will still be playing for their roster lives and football futures.
The Boston Globe offers up its five things to watch for with the Patriots facing the Giants.
The Boston Herald also puts together five things to watch for in the fourth preseason game. Herald columnist Steve Buckley urges readers not to get hung up with the fact that Tom Brady has been a little cranky with the media at times this summer.
The Providence Journal writes that the Patriots will have plenty in reserve for the preseason finale. The ProJo observes that some tough decisions loom for New England on defense. The ProJo also looks at Eric Lee fighting for his roster life this August.
ESPNBoston.com has a story on the interesting relationship between Patriots second-year tight end Jacob Hollister and former Giants tight end Kevin Boss.
WEEI.com writes that the trade of backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater from the Jets to the Saints illustrated the Patriots startling lack of a long-term plan at the position. WEEI.com notes that Dez Bryant won’t be coming to New England, or any other NFL city, anytime soon.
After guard Shaq Mason got his $50 million extension, NBC Sports Boston wonders which Patriots player – Rob Gronkowski? Trey Flowers? – might be next in line for a new contract. In an argument that no one will seemingly let die, NBC Sports Boston breaks down the idea that the Patriots would be better off if Jimmy Garoppolo was the team’s quarterback right now.
Heading toward final cuts, NFL.com includes Mike Gillislee among guys who are likely to be let go and Malcolm Brown as a possible trade option for New England.
The MetroWest Daily News says to expect the unexpected when the Patriots finalize their roster this weekend.
