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          Patriots' preseason opener should provide extended look at RB Tyler Gaffney

          You can expect to see Tyler Gaffney taking repeated handoffs from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in the Patriots' preseason opener against the Saints on Thursday night. Photograph by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire
          • Mike Reiss, ESPN Staff WriterAug 11, 2016, 12:10 PM ET
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              Mike Reiss is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the New England Patriots. Reiss has covered the Patriots since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2009. In 2019, he was named Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. You can follow Reiss on Twitter at @MikeReiss.
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          FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots host the New Orleans Saints in the preseason opener Thursday (7:30 p.m. ET). Here's a quick-hit primer at each position:

          QUARTERBACK

          Tom Brady isn't playing, Jimmy Garoppolo gets the start, and here are three things the Patriots will be looking for: 1) Leadership; 2) Accuracy/decision-making; 3) Operating the offense efficiently. This will be the first time Garoppolo has faced a live pass-rush and tackling this year.

          RUNNING BACK

          This should be a good chance for an extended look at Tyler Gaffney, who has been a primary ball-carrier in practice. Gaffney, who spent each of the past two seasons on injured reserve after he was claimed on waivers from the Panthers in 2014, has the word "determination" tattooed on his right arm. Is he a viable candidate for a backup role behind LeGarrette Blount?

          TIGHT END

          We know all about Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett, but 2015 sixth-round draft choice AJ Derby has shown up in recent practices and will look to keep up the momentum as he vies for the No. 3 role.

          WIDE RECEIVER

          If fourth-round draft choice Malcolm Mitchell plays, he might remind some of a David Patten-type target -- fast, good route-runner and pretty good hands. DeAndre Carter is the type of player who is easy to root for -- at 5-foot-8, 190 pounds, he's one of the smaller players on the field, but he competes hard.

          OFFENSIVE LINE

          The competition at center between David Andrews and Bryan Stork bears watching, while third-round pick Joe Thuney has been locked in as the top left guard from Day 1.

          DEFENSIVE TACKLE

          Markus Kuhn, a free-agent signing from the Giants, has received considerable repetitions in training camp and could be working his way onto the roster. One of his best assets is playing strength.

          DEFENSIVE END

          Trey Flowers, the 2014 fourth-round draft choice out of Arkansas, had flashed in last year's preseason opener before injuring his shoulder. The Patriots have also worked him inside in passing situations.

          LINEBACKER

          Sixth-round draft choice Kamu Grugier-Hill (6-2, 220) of Eastern Illinois plays with great pursuit and is a core special-teamer.

          CORNERBACK

          Top draft pick Cyrus Jones projects mostly to the slot, but he has also lined up outside, and he shows up as a punt and kickoff returner. Undrafted free agent Jonathan Jones and second-year player Darryl Roberts are among those battling for a reserve roster spot.

          SAFETY

          Bill Belichick recently called it one of the deepest positions on the team. This will be a good opportunity to gauge the development of 2015 second-round pick Jordan Richards.