Watch CBS News

Encouraging Signs From Dominique Easley

BOSTON (CBS) - The offseason signing and subsequent jubilation of getting Darrelle Revis has for the most part died down, so now in the midst of training camp all eyes and attention have turned to the quarterback battle to be Tom Brady's backup.

Jimmy Garoppolo, rookie second-round pick out of Eastern Illinois, against Ryan Mallett, the fourth-year pro out of Arkansas.

Garoppolo has looked much better than Mallett in the first two preseason games, but despite being the better quarterback in live, game action, most people covering the team feel like the team will employ three signal callers on the 53-man roster.

Zuri Berry of Boston.com is one of those people.

He joined 98.5 The Sports Hub's Rich Keefe Monday night for a discussion of all things Patriots.

"I believe all three quarterbacks are a lock to make this roster," said Berry Monday night. "Garoppolo has looked good, but for him to digest the entirety of the Patriots playbook, it's going to take more than a year. It's not just learning it, it's feeling comfortable in it. Mallett will be there and Jimmy G will be the no. 3. He's going to be inactive a lot of games, but that's okay and I think the Patriots are fine with that."

After talking about Rob Gronkowski and relaying how he looked in his first contact practice, the conversation shifted to another Patriots player on the mend.

Dominique Easley was drafted by New England with the 29th pick in the first round back in May. If not for ACL injuries to both knees in separate incidents, scouts agreed of his top-15 talent.

"I did see him in practice Monday and I thought, 'Wow. He's doing pretty good.' He actually won his one-on-one battles when he was out there, something we've been keeping track of pretty closely. The fact that he's showing this speed, and burst and ability to get under guys -- he's not the tallest person in the world -- that speaks highly for him," said Berry.

Adding, "Again, this is in practice and simulated drills. It'd be nice to see that in a preseason situation and how that would play out. They've been putting him at the defensive tackle, the d-end in 3-4 situations. He's been moved around a little bit. He looks good in practice today, which I believe is the first time we've really seen him involved in a one-on-one drill."

Listen below for the full conversation, including Stevan Ridley, James White and more:

Zuri Berry Boston.com

MORE PATRIOTS COVERAGE FROM CBS BOSTON

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.