Need for Speed: Pats' ‘Developmental Player’ Replacing Isaiah Bolden?

As the New England Patriots walked to the practice fields on Tuesday afternoon, they were intently focused on two key objectives: getting healthy and getting ‘right.’

With a short week to prepare for their Friday night preseason finale against the Tennessee Titans, Patriots coach Bill Belichick is taking stock of his team’s strengths, as well as their areas in need of improvement. Accordingly, he is also keeping a close eye on his roster. 

“Real good week in Green Bay going to try to build on that and get ready for Tennessee and our last preseason opportunity,” Belichick told reporters just prior to Tuesday afternoon’s practice. “Should get a couple of guys back on the practice field that weren’t in Green Bay and see where they are.”

While fans and media alike will be focused on the practice fields for the return of such prodigal Patriots, one player who will be sidelined until further notice is rookie cornerback Isaiah Bolden. The Jackson State product continues to recover from a head injury which he incurred when inadvertently colliding with teammate Calvin Munson during the fourth quarter of New England’s preseason matchup with the Green Bay Packers last Saturday. Though Belichick was unable to offer a timetable for his return, the 71-year-old coach did confirm that Bolden is currently in concussion protocol. 

Should Bolden be forced to miss significant time, the Patriots may look to a fellow rookie to fill the void — in the form of sixth-round selection (no. 214 overall) Ameer Speed. 

Throughout training camp, the former Michigan State Spartan has split his time mostly between the second and third team defensive units. While he has shown flashes pro-ready ability, he continues to be an evolving project. 

“He's a developmental player," Belichick said. “He’s big, long … fast. And, [Ameer is] developing, and working hard. He was better last week than he was the week before. We will see how it comes along.”

Speed, a former member of the national championship-winning Georgia Bulldogs, transferred to Michigan State prior to the 2022 season. With his combination of height (6-3) and speed (4.33 40-yard dash), the ex-Spartan has the chance to earn a roster spot as a reserve cornerback. Speed’s best chance seeing the field in his rookie season may come on special teams, where he was credited with taking over 500 snaps during his time at Georgia. 

Though Bolden’s injury may provide him with additional looks over the next few days, Speed is still facing an uphill battle to earn a spot within a crowded depth cornerback depth chart — which includes veterans Jonathan Jones, Myles Bryant, Jack Jones, Shaun Wade, Marcus Jones, Rodney Randle Jr. and rookie phenom Christian Gonzalez. 

The Pats will practice on the fields adjacent to Gillette Stadium on Tuesday and Wednesday before traveling to Nashville on Thursday for their Saturday night tilt with the Titans at 7 p.m. ET from Nissan Stadium.