WHO WILL LIKELY BE THE PATRIOTS RETURN SPECIALIST?

The weakness of last year's Patriots team was the special teams.  While Stephen Gostkowski and Ryan Allen didn't have great seasons, kicking the ball wasn't the Patriots' problem in 2016.  The biggest problem for the reigning champions last season was what would happen when the ball was kicked in their direction.   

Instead of hoping for a big return, most of the time we were hoping that we would avoid a turnover or an injury.  With only 4 practices in the books, I'm pretty confident in saying that the return game will be less stressful and fun once again. So, who is likely to give us the return game we are hoping for?  No, not "who", but Will Likely is that player.

Likely was signed to the 90-man roster in early June after passing his physical with the Patriots.  Will played his college ball at Maryland where he primarily served as a cornerback and kick returner for the Terrapins.  Besides that, he also played some running back and wide receiver his junior and senior year.  After having an All-American season on special teams his junior year, Will didn't get much of a chance to repeat it as he suffered from a torn ACL midway through his senior season.  

If you've had the chance to make it to a Patriots' practice this summer, there's a chance you might not have noticed him.  Yes, you read that correctly.  The reason you might not have "noticed" him is because he is one of two players wearing number 33 at camp.  Yes,he's wearing blue for defense and speedster Dion Lewis is wearing white for offense, but with them being pretty much the same size and both having that ankle breaking change of direction ability, Likely may have slipped your radar.  Don't worry, you've got time to learn about him before the season starts.

Friday I got the chance to interview Likely and this is the information I gathered:

Has already mastered speaking "Patriot"- 

• he is glad for the opportunity
  
• looking to find a role with the team
  
• feels there is lots of competition at camp
  
• focused on doing things right during drills.
  

Multi-sport athlete in high school-

• played football, obviously
  
• point guard in basketball
  
• sprinter (200, 4 x 100, and 4 x 400)
  
• long jump
  

His favorite athlete growing up was Allen Iverson.

• Don't worry, he understands the importance of practice
  

Knee is good

• He said the knee is feeling good
  
• When asked, he didn't know about the eating habits of Tom Brady to heal faster.  I did inform him about avoiding tomatoes to prevent swelling.