What’s up with the hair dude?
Patriots Mini-Camp Day 2 Wrap
Never fun when real work and fake work (i.e. blogging) collide because the one that pays me is going to win out every time, and that ain’t blogging. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t have one eyeball on all things Patriots mini-camp related today.
Some points of interest to pass along:
It seems like a pretty safe bet that Wes Welker will be back sooner than later in 2010, but as we saw last year, a lack of 3rd and 4th receiving threats killed the Patriots offense. So this year all eyes are on Brandon Tate and Taylor Price, two young wide receivers who could make an impact this year. One quote I found particularly interesting from Andy Hart:
My early read on the young WR competition between Taylor Price and Brandon Tate is this – Price is the more fluid route runner with softer hands. Tate probably has better speed.
Nice to know they’re not the exact same player, and I hear more than one mention of Price looking a lot like David Givens.
The two areas on the defense that will be watched closest in training camp will be at OLB and RDE. Right now it sounds like former Raider Gerard Warren is getting a look at RDE, though it’s hard to read too much into a run stopper when they’re practicing without pads.
Meanwhile it sounds like everyone is getting a chance to show what they got at OLB, but early on it seems like TBC, Gary Guyton, Jerod Mayo and Derrick Burgess are the starting foursome. This is how an old coach of mine used to handle things when there were a lot of talented younger players… the vets got the early nod, putting the onus on the young guys to unseat them. So don’t rule Spikes, Cunningham, Crable or McKenzie out of the equation just yet.
The other player I’m expecting big things out of this year is Patrick Chung. Check out what Breer had to say about him:
Patrick Chung seems to be evolving into the type of “Swiss Army Knife” defensive back he was at Oregon, lining up all over the field. At times, he’d stay on the field when the first and second groups were switching, so it’s clear the coaches are trying to throw as much at him as possible. It’ll be interesting seeing how he’s employed in the fall.
It’s hard to read too much into these practices because you the coaches are rotating players thru all the positions, throwing a lot at them, and seeing what sticks.
Today’s recaps:
Patriots Schwag Hunt: Patriots Tree Face
Hard core fans are sure to want this? Uh, sorry guys but no, I don’t need to freak the crap out of people in my backyard with a weird Mr. Potatoe Head face wearing a Patriots hat. What’s the theory behind this? That the tree not only a person but also a Patriots fan? Do any other teams have this? Could we make another tree in my yard a Jets Tree Face and then chop it down? The Tree Face just raises more questions than answers, and with each one I only want it more and more.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/patriots-schwag-hunt-patriots-tree-face-hard/
For those who don’t know we’re really pulling hard for Shawn Crable to destroy the NFL this year. He’s been lost to injuries for the last two years, but now he’s healthy so it’s time for him to become the pass rusher the Pats need. It will be a long road for Crazy Legs, but with calves like that no one will stop him. No one!
https://www.patspropaganda.com/for-those-who-dont-know-were-really-pulling-hard/
Patriots OTA Day 1 Wrap Up
On days like this, when there’s a lot of Patriots news pouring in, and my real job that pays the bills is really slammed I can get pretty frustrated. So now as I wolf down some frozen Trader Joes Indian food I bring to you a collection of observations from around the interwebs as to how things went at a Mankins-free day of OTAs.
Play of the day went to Terrence Wheatley when he broke up a pass intended for Randy Moss. Sounds like Wheatley had been running with the scout team. Clearly he has an uphill battle in camp, but I’ve got to imagine he should be able to give Jonathan Wilhite a pretty good run for starting nickel.
New grad Taylor Price was in attendance and look impressive by numerous accounts, even getting praise from Brady after a good catch. Sounds like Brandon Tate’s getting lots of opportunities with the big guys as well.
We’ve heard Zoltan Mesko’s been up and down punting but today it sounded like he was just killing the ball. I’m still not totally sold he’s a lock as the punter. Hopefully he can develop some consistency.
The Tom Brady new helmet experiment is officially over.
Kaczur is manning the RG spot vacated by Mankins.
You can read the rest of the first hand reports here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOZRPbgFD0Y
Adam Schein thinks Wes Welker’s early return will help Pats? Hmm, I don’t know Adam. You’re really going out on a limb with that one.
(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)
https://www.patspropaganda.com/adam-schein-thinks-wes-welkers-early-return-will/
