FOXBORO -- When the Patriots take on the Packers on Thursday night, it will give many of the team's unknowns on the 90-man roster an opportunity to shine.
Here are the five names at key spots that Patriots fans will know by the time the clock strikes zero on New England and Green Bay's preseason opener.
David Andrews, C: All eyes will be on Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo since Tom Brady is not expected to play, but the man snapping the ball to Patriots signal-callers will merit some attention as well. Andrews, an undrafted rookie out of Georgia, has impressed with the repetitions he's been given since an undisclosed injury has forced Bryan Stork to miss a few days of training camp practice. Patriots coach Bill Belichick worked out Andrews during the pre-draft process, and now the 6-foot-3, 294-pounder is focused on getting his quarterbacks the football however they please -- even if it's on a silver platter.
(Other names to watch on the offensive line: Chris Barker and Mark Asper. Those two could be asked to man the left tackle spot if Nate Solder does not play. Barker spent the majority of last season on the New England practice squad, while Asper was acquired as a free agent during camp. Solder missed part of the team's practice on Monday and the entire session on Tuesday for unknown reasons.)
Darryl Roberts, CB: The Patriots seventh-round draft choice has drawn attention to himself with his ability to get his hands on passes during training camp. He has had some difficulty when matched up against the team's top receivers -- during one stretch last week, he allowed three consecutive completions, including two touchdowns -- but otherwise has appeared to consistently be in the right place at the right time. Roberts is an athletic specimen who ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, posted an 11-foot-1 broad jump, a 39-inch vertical and benched 225 pounds 23 times at his pro day at Marshall. With his physical skill set, he could potentially put together a performance in New England's first preseason game similar to the one we saw at this time last year from little-known rookie Malcolm Butler, who played well in the team's opening exhibition against the Redskins.
(Another name to watch in the secondary: Jimmy Jean. An undrafted rookie corner out of the University of Alabama Birmingham, he has good size (6-3, 180) that could help him stand out on defense or special teams.)
Jonathan Freeny, LB: Signed as a free agent this offseason, Freeny has shown up in a variety of different situations during training camp. He's contributed on special teams, something he did throughout his three-year career in Miami, and played both on the edge as well as inside in the Patriots defense. With Dont'a Hightower not expected to play since he has yet to participate in any contact drills this summer, Freeny could be the beneficiary of snaps that have become available. Belichick said of Freeny earlier this week, "He brings a good level of experience to the team both in the kicking game and on defense. [He’s a] smart player, picks up things well, tall, rangy, runs well, is a good athlete, has got good size, has got some experience. I think he has an opportunity to contribute on all four downs -- defensively and in the kicking game. We’ll see how it goes. He’s got a lot to work with. He’s been a good addition to our team. He works hard -- he’s been dependable and tough." Freeny is one of the team's four University of Rutgers products.)
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(Other names to watch in the linebacking corps: Rufus Johnson and James Morris. Johnson has also been used in a variety of roles, including with his hand in the dirt as a defensive lineman in pass-rush situations. Morris, who spent last year with the Patriots on injured reserve, has seen a significant amount of time at inside linebacker helping to spell Hightower and Jerod Mayo.)
Jimmay Mundine, TE: With Scott Chandler unlikely to play to an injury that has kept him out of the last several days of training camp practices, and with Rob Gronkowski unlikely to see many snaps deep into the game, Mundine -- whose first name is pronounced JAH-may -- could be the team's top receiving tight end at the end of the night. Though he has had an up-and-down camp that included some time missed due to injury, Mundine will have an opportunity to show that he deserves a chance to remain on the team's roster as the preseason wears on. At times he may line up with an offensive group that includes undrafted rookie receivers Zach D'Orazio and Chris Harper as well as wideout Jonathan Krause, who spent much of last year on the Patriots practice squad.)
(Another name to watch among the tight end group: Logan Stokes. Primarily a blocking tight end, Stokes could see plenty of action late in the game if the team opts to lean on its running attack with newly-acquired quarterback Ryan Lindley under center.)
Tony Creecy, RB: The Patriots are hurting at the running back position. They could be without LeGarrette Blount, Travaris Cadet and Dion Lewis, all of whom have missed practice time due to injury lately. Many of Thursday's snaps could go to Jonas Gray, Brandon Bolden and James White, but in order to avoid further injury to an already shallow position group, Creecy, a recently picked-up undrafted rookie out of NC State, could get an opportunity to show what he's been able to learn since signing on Monday.
(Other backs to watch: Veteran fullback Eric Kettani, a Navy graduate who spent time with the Patriots organization from 2009-12, could see some carries given the team's low numbers and his knowledge of the New England offense. During training camp practices, he's been especially involved in goal-line situations.)
