patfanken

1.The 4-3 defense.
2.Tom Brady.
3.The tight ends.
4.Joey Galloway.
5.Julian Edelman.

I was going to do a "what to watch for thread" myself, but I thought they were all so obvious that it would end up being redundant. Until I saw Chrs' column and realized that his stuff was a lot different than mine, and THEN I thought maybe it wouldn't be so redundant after all. First let me comment on Price's thoughts.

1. I think we will see less 4-3 this week, and analysts will have field day trying to read more into it than necessary. I'm starting to think that we will see more 4-3 THIS season, but not THAT much more.

2. He's the QB stupid, he's always going to be the story. But I agree with Chris that Brady doesn't make it to the 2nd quarter. 2 maybe 3 series at the most.

3. Sometimes I think it gets personal with reporters. Watson is hurt, so he becomes the story, or rather the currrent whipping boy. Moroney says thanks.

4. Galloway is a lock for the wide out opposite Moss, but there are 3 more weeks for him to develop a rhythm with Brady. Not much of a story IMHO.

5. If Welker plays, Edelman is nothing more than a STer, and back up player in the second half. If he doesn't, then he will rise to a whole new level of Binkyhood.

Now to my list.

1. I'll be watching the QB, but not so much Brady, as the numerous snaps I think KOC is going to get. The biggest thing for me with be pocket presence and confidence. It is interesting to note that Matt Cassel's season turned around when he became more comfortable in the pocket. When he took the extra second to avoid the rush while still looking for a receiver. Young guys often look to take off at the first sign that the pocket is breaking down. It shouldn't shock anyone if that's what he does. It took Cassel almost a half a season of full time play before he got comfortable. The second thing is the decision making process. Is he throwing to the open man. If he is, then I'm OK even if he's not accurate all the time. That's a mechanical thing and can be corrected. The ability of make the right decision, ON TIME is the critical skill.

2. Pierre Woods. You can't have read the BOR/PP diatribe on Woods last week and not want to see who is right. Unfortunately as we have seen in that debate, that different people can watch the same thing and have two different positions. I'll give my opinions afterward, without the benefit of DVR.

3. Ron Springs - He's practiced a few times this week, so I hope he'll get some run, at least enough to see if he will add something to this "new look" secondary. I have great hopes for him, especially around the GL.

4. Second OL - I am guessing that guys like Volmer, Orenburger, Wendell, Connelly, Bussey, etc will get a lot of work, and it will be great opportunity to see who will get those 3 or 4 back up jobs that are going to be available. A lot of guys, and VERY few spots.

5. Tedy Bruschi - Like I said, in the one practice I DID see him, early in camp, he looked quicker than I remember. I want to see if Tedy has something to offer.

Well those are my five main things, I think there are several others that can be mentiioned of course, and we will....after the game. Enjoy folks and pray for no injuries, at least any long term ones.

MoLewisrocks

This is the most important playing time to date in KOC's career. Last year he didn't know the playbook and did what most rookies do, try to make a play. That is not what they want to see from a potential backup in pre season in year 2. They want to see that he knows the offense and can execute within it and maintain discipline (thus avoiding costly mistakes) even if those around him are performing miserably - which was the case last pre season. This season not so much...

It's not about moving the chains any way you can, it's about fine tuning execution - and the QB can't abandon the playbook even if his surrounding cast aren't executing consistently enough to allow him to successfully run the offense as intended. That was the mistake Gutz made last year that led to his being cut. He was trying to make things happen against second and third stringers to impress the coaches. Only that isn't what impresses them, just the fans and mediots. Coaches need each QB to run the offense as coached so they can at least evaluate all the competing pieces in meaningful context.

Urgent

Stuff I'll be paying attention to:

Run-blocking - the first line did a fairly poor job of this last week, after tremendous work last year.

DE/OLB sets and performance - yes, more 4-3 last week. But the DE's and OLB's weren't that effective, given that Philly was missing 3 of 5 OL starters. Burgess hasn't shown much yet. Woods was quiet last week. Thomas wasn't very active after reportedly a very good camp. I don't think we can answer the more 4-3 or 3-4 question until into the season, but I'd like to see some indicators of the performance of the outside front seven defenders.

#3/4 receivers - I'd like to see something from Lewis or Galloway.

Rookie performance - Chung, Vollmer, Ohrenberger if possible.

ST alignments - this will help determine some of the bubble competition - Ventrone, Slater, Aiken, Ninkovich, Alexander, etc.

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JSn

When did we sign Ron Springs?

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Box_O_Rocks

I'm not so sure, I think there are adjustments from the Philly game they will want to test and Cincy gives them a good opportunity to see if they've tweaked the run defense in the right direction.

Fewer first half reps yes, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them test some packages with a Welker/Edelman component.

Can he execute the offense?

Flying without a DVR, or at least using the VCR...tsk, tsk. You gave your assessment of Woods and I don't recall that we were that far apart, but's that's the analytical perspective vice the visceral emotionalism take.

You're a bit of an old time fellow I believe? I'll be interested in Shawn Springs myownself.

I wish Bussey could get healthy so we can see how he does. Orhnberger will hopefully get a longer test drive now that he's practiced a week. I'll be very interested to watch O'Callaghan and Britt.

I'm less concerned about something to offer and more interested in where he gets used.

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patfanken

Thank you for taking the time to articulate exactly what the Pats are looking for from KOC, and differentiating it from what the fans and media look for. Good job

patfanken

Ron...Shawn...at my age generational distinctions begin to blur... I think that's the second time I've made that mistake.

Calciumee

At least its the same family

patfanken

Yes, but they will also want to see the 3-4 on some significant amount of film THIS week, so they can start to make some determinations. Also IIRC, Ty Warren should make an appearance this week, all the more reason to work out of a base 3-4 now that the 3 amigos are all back in town.

I doubt very much we'll see Welker and Edelman on the field at the same time. Its called redundant skills. I think for this year, it will be one or the other.

Ah, I see you too has a keen sense of the obvious

No that's just too simplistic. When I concentrate on a player, I generally don't need 3 of 4 looks to guage an accurate first take. Not that 3 or 4 additional looks wouldn't help, but its anything but an "emotional take".

Not "old time' just OLD. 62 in fact. Yes its been 5 years since I gave up competitive Lacrosse and 3 yeas since stopped playing tag football on a regular basis. However since my heart surgery....I'm considering coming out of retirement.

I agree these are probably the most interesting battles left in camp and perhaps the most difficult for fans to evaluate.

That's an interesting distinction. You mean whether they'll put him in the middle in a 4-3, or allow him to be out there in a passing situation, etc.?

Ochmed Jones

Good list.

My list contains 1 element. Do we have a pass rush????? Can we get pressure on the QB? The thought of Manning standing in the pocket with all week to throw is illing me!!!!