An Independent Patriots Blog
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKbSGMbBDWs
For all those predicting the Jets as the 2010 Super Bowl champs I present this little reminder of what happened the last time the Jets and Pats faced off.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/for-all-those-predicting-the-jets-as-the-2010/
Patriots Schwag Hunt: Giant Helmet Jacket
This sweet jacket is on sale for $61, down from $99 so get over to NFLShop.com and make a purchase. Personally I just find this jacket lazy, whoever designed it just decided to throw the huge helmet patch on the back. Why not just buy a helmet instead and wear that? Who does this jacket appeal to? People who love helmets but hate wearing things on their head I guess.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/patriots-schwag-hunt-giant-helmet-jacket-this/
Patriots Ebay Find: Belichick Hope T-Shirt
This t-shirt applies to the 2010 Patriots Defense and why we have reason to believe it could be pretty good. At the very least it will be better than it was last year.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/patriots-ebay-find-belichick-hope-t-shirt-this/
Don’t have time to sift through Patriots master beat reporter Mike Reiss’ chat? We got you covered with the most interesting tid bits:
– I think Crable is on the bubble. Right now, he’s ahead of the rookies simply based on experience. I thought he got some quality reps at today’s practice in the base 3-4. So I wouldn’t count him out yet, but I sense the coaching staff is poking and prodding to try to bring out the best in him.
But keep an eye on second-year LB Thomas Williams. I think he’s had a solid showing this offseason and is giving himself a chance to be a surprise candidate.
– I’ve noticed Derrick Burgess playing more of that traditional OLB role than we saw last year, when he was mostly a sub rusher playing forward and not backwards.
– (On who’s getting the most playing time beside Meriweather) Probably an even split with McGowan and Chung. With McGowan not practicing, it’s opened the door for Chung a bit.
– [Wilhite’s] probably their top slot corner right now. I think they are still high on him.
– Spikes has a long way to go. That was one of the notes I scribbled down today after watching how his reps came after Jerod Mayo, Gary Guyton, Tyrone McKenzie and Thomas Williams. He could make up the ground in training camp, but right now, he looks deep on the depth chart, which is to be expected for a rookie at that position.
– (Top 3 Storylines for Training Camp) 1. Wes Welker’s status; 2. How do they piece it together at OLB?; 3. What is the story with Logan Mankins and Tom Brady when it comes to contracts and how is that affecting things?
– I can’t get over how big Gronkowski’s hands are. They are like catcher’s mitts. Hernandez has missed this week (undisclosed physical ailment), while Price remains out because Ohio hasn’t graduated yet. I watch Tate and the first word that comes to mind is “raw” but there is potential there. Going to be fun to watch him in training camp.
Some good observations from Hart. Some nuggets I found interesting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsefm50LEJI
Reminder: Jerod Mayo is awesome. He was playing hurt last year, but being healthy in 2010 should immediately return him to a level like the game above in 2009 when he had 20 tackles.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/reminder-jerod-mayo-is-awesome-he-was-playing/
The Patriots are scheduled to have mini-camp next week but I’m not sure if there will be media access, so this could be the last chance we have to hear about what’s going on in Foxboro these days until training camp.
First off, there’s a report from the Denver Post that the Pats sent Logan Mankins a letter notifying him that if he doesn’t sign his RFA tender by next week they will decrease his pay for 2010. Basically it comes down to this simple math for Logan:
Either way the Patriots hold all the cards. I’m sure the media will begin hammering the Pats for this, but look, they’re playing by the rules. I know everyone wants to live in a land where the best players get huge deals and are with the team forever but it’s far from that simple. If the NFLPA doesn’t like it, then they should negotiate to kill that, along with the Franchise Tag, in the next CBA.
It’s hard for fans to swallow when the team has power over a player, but that’s professional football. Get over it.
On to the OTA Huddle up after the jump…
Mike Reiss finally reports some news on Tyrone McKenzie, as well as a Ron Brace update:
Patriots followers haven’t seen much of Tyrone McKenzie, the 2009 third-round draft choice who missed his rookie campaign with a torn ACL. His reputation is as a Ted Johnson-type run-stuffer who could be a first- and second-down type option, and then coming off the field in passing situations in favor of more speed. But that might be underselling McKenzie, who at one point in this practice was the lone inside linebacker on the field in a sub package. He should be one of the more interesting players to watch in training camp as we learn more about his skill set.
With starting left defensive end Ty Warren not practicing, 2009 second-round draft choice Ron Brace stepped in next to Vince Wilfork when the team was working in its base 3-4. This was a reminder that while Brace didn’t see much time during his rookie campaign (approximately 50 defensive snaps all season), he very much remains in the team’s plans.
McKenzie played in three college programs and produced in all of them. His versatility is vastly underrated to this point, and he could even project as a pass rusher. Everyone wants to put the young Patriots linebackers in a box… a Ted Johnson-type, a Mike Vrabel-type, and so on… but the fact is that no two players are the same, and BB will use them each to maximize their strengths. What those are we’ll just have to wait and see.
As for Brace, a solid year on run downs from him would be greatly helpful to the Pats organization that could desperatly use a young, stout defensive lineman. He will be a player to watch in training camp.
Ian Rapoport has a Crazy Legs update:
It appeared that Shawn Crable got more looks with the big team, while Marques Murrell was with the scout team
It’s minor progress from last week for Crazy Legs, when he was running only with the scout team, but it’s progress none the less. Biggest question I have is whether or not he’s playing special teams.
Albert Breer (not FakeAlbertBreer) has an update on the one and only Patriot I can’t stand, Matthew Slater:
Matthew Slater, likely a player on the bubble, got some love from his teammates after making a great sideline catch on an out cut near the goal line (there was no defense for the drill); several receivers slipped trying to make the same catch on the wet grass.
Slater seems like a hard working, good kid, but I am DONE with him as a kick returner. It’s been two seasons of him catching the kick and running full speed into the closest oncoming defender, getting himself absolutely laid out, and thus firing up the other team. I get it. He’s fast. He works hard. He also never started at UCLA and there’s a reason. Lack of vision. I try not to be a hater, but I really would like to see the team say “Later Slater”.
Some other minor notes to pass along: