Tom Brady hints that he’ll play tonight for the Patriots

The dozen or so scouts watching the game were there primarily to get a line on players who might end up on waivers in three weeks.

While Packers-Patriots was Thursday’s marquee fixture, there were five other games to kick off week one of the NFL pre-season.

A LOT has happened since we last saw Jimmy Garoppolo drop back to pass against another NFL team. The former UDFA from Tennessee, Neal has something to prove to get into some regular season games behind known players like Eddie Lacy and James Starks. But with the drama nearly behind us, it’s time to get back to the gridiron.

“Any opportunity to be out there especially in regard to preseason games I think is very important”, he said. “Training camp is always a grind. but we definitely look forward to getting out there in a game situation.”.

Michael Giardi of CSN New England reported that Brady is trying to convince the coaching staff to let him play against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night despite missing practice time.

New England fell to the Packers, 22-11, after leading, 11-9, at the half. While Tolzien is clearly not expected to play in the exact same way as the Green Bay Packers lead quarterback, the NFL team looks forward to seeing him show similarities in controlling the offense and working the system of the group.

Aaron Rodgers completed 11 of 19 passes for 117 yards for Green Bay. If Garoppolo can’t go through his progressions with more authority, New England is in some trouble. Rookie Brett Hundley from UCLA was 4-for-6 for 60 yards and a 10-yard touchdown pass to John Crockett to close the scoring midway through the fourth quarter.

A day after appearing before a federal judge hearing the appeal of his “Deflategate” suspension, Brady played just two series – a three-and-out and a four-and-out. He hit on 10 of 17 throws for 90 yards. That means that one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history must step aside to allow Jimmy Garoppolo to get first-team preseason reps. But after being sacked seven times, he’s lucky he finished the night in one piece. The longest run from scrimmage for the Patriots in 2014 was a 43-yard run by RB Stevan Ridley vs. Cincinnati on October 5, 2014. Despite his limitations, he made plenty of plays during his nine-year run with the Pack.

It was 3-0 Packers at the end of the first quarter thanks to a Mason Crosby 25-yard chip shot field goal. Ultimately New England was well out of field goal range and forced to punt. Training all summer long and showing off his chops to the rest of the NFL team, the backup player has exhibited notable improvements in his performance.

These teams met in the regular season last year, with the Packers toppling the Patriots 26-21 on November 30. Harris led the running attack with 41 yards on seven carries. Harper was signed by the Patriots as a rookie free agent out of California.

New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. seems recovered from a minor hamstring injury and is expected to play in the preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals Friday, according to Jordan Raanan of NJ.com. Linebackers Dont’a Hightower and Jerod Mayo didn’t play either.