Paul Perillo: Belichick made Ventrone his PS scout WR last year - New England Patriots Forums

SeanBruschi54 · 09-02-2008, 05:15 PM

Perillo just said belichick was so impressed last season of how Ventrone looked as a scout WR that he wanted him to take the role seriously and come into this year as a WR for the team.

The end result was a success. Ventrone makes the roster over Jackson and Belichick gets a potential 4th WR/ST's gunner.

***pats1*** · 09-02-2008, 05:42 PM

Yeah, Belichick has mentioned that many times before this offseason. Nothing new.

Most recently:

http://www.patriots.com/mediacenter/...d=45&pid=33473

Quote:

Q: How has Ray Ventrone handled the change to wide receiver?

BB: Ray has handled it well. We used Ray last year on the practice squad to run routes for the defense as an offensive receiver and he really did a good job. At the end of the year when we had our postseason evaluations we talked about putting him at receiver and using him there because he had already had a year of defensive meetings. I think he has been able to keep up with some extra work with coach [Dom] Capers and coach [Dean] Pees just on keeping up on his assignments on defense for any adjustments or little things that have changed. I think he has had a year of fundamentals and background on that so he has a decent idea of what is going on with that. Offensively, he has spent the bulk of this year over there and from time to time we flip him back and forth. I think he can play both receiver and defensive back at a competent level. I think he has done a good job as a receiver when he has had the opportunity to play. He is a tough kid, he runs hard, he catches the ball well and he showed up in the kicking game. His versatility is his number one strength at this point but when he does play he has been productive in defense, special teams and offense. He is a unique guy.

MrBigglesWorth · 09-02-2008, 06:29 PM

I'd say the kid has excelled. Now it's game time and let's see what he can do.

Zeke_Mowatt · 09-02-2008, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pats1

Yeah, Belichick has mentioned that many times before this offseason. Nothing new.

Most recently:

http://www.patriots.com/mediacenter/...d=45&pid=33473

Think we can end up with 10 2 way players with Brady and Bruschi (? he's the only one that doesn't catch TDs or play FB

) going 1 way each? LOL - I have to say, I love the versatility he installs in our guys, the character guys especially. Imagine Slater and Ventrone #4/#5 WR #4/#5 Safety, redundancy opens up roster slots, especially in backups!

Pats726 · 09-02-2008, 06:34 PM

yes...I heard it before as well..versatility can be very important...and Ventrone is a tough player...Not sure how many the team can find...Dillard who is on the PSquad only played the last 2 college years on D..before that was a RB. I really LOVE that though utilization to the utmost.

stinkypete · 09-02-2008, 09:52 PM

Ventrone has become my binky this preseason. He looks like he knows what he's doing, even when he misses the ball he's where he needs to be, and he can make a tough play.

I can see him deveoping into a nice reciever if he can develop that timing with Brady.

PATRIOT64 · 09-02-2008, 09:55 PM

How fast is this kid? - I have not seen him play all that much

Does he compare with speed to a guy like Welker or Gaffney?

PATRIOT64 · 09-02-2008, 09:57 PM

Ventrone kind of reminds me of Banta Cain who was on and off the roster till he finally got a shot in 06 and was good enough to start but got released a season later but found a new home in SF

***ctpatsfan77*** · 09-02-2008, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PATRIOT64

How fast is this kid? - I have not seen him play all that much

Does he compare with speed to a guy like Welker or Gaffney?

Ventrone ran track in HS, so I'm guessing he's faster than Welker, but doesn't accelerate as quickly (then again, I honestly think that Welker may be one of the five fastest players in the NFL over the first 5-10 yards).

fnordcircle · 09-02-2008, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeke_Mowatt

Think we can end up with 10 2 way players with Brady and Bruschi (? he's the only one that doesn't catch TDs or play FB

) going 1 way each?

Bruschi is great for dropping passes on 4th down punt attempts against the Broncos.