Training Camp Observations 8/5 - New England Patriots Forums

Patriot 37 · 08-05-2011, 05:33 PM

Just a couple thoughts from what I saw at camp today.

Where I was sitting I wasn't able to see a lot of OL vs DL drills. I mostly watched the WR vs DB passing drills (7 on 7s ect)

First Gronk looks like mid 90s Ben Coates, he made multiple catches when he was fairly well covered. In a red zone 7 on 7 drill Brady was going to him almost every time for 3 or 4 Tds.

Also, Price looked very good, (as a WR not as a PR). Everyone else about what you'd expect.

On Defense, Bodden looked very good even when people caught the ball on him it was a tough catch.

McCourty had a OK (by his standards below average) day, but made one spectacular play breaking up a deep sideline route.

I was very impressed with Arrington clearly the front runner for nickel. Close coverage and a couple nice break ups.

Butler looked well like Butler (ie bad). He did jump a route and broke up a pass to OchoCinco. Ocho yelled at him "stop cheating" then gave him a high five. So maybe he overheard the play.

My Ex-Binkie Wilhite looked god awful couldn't cover Jenkins and Barnes or anyone else.

As has been reported numerous times Mallett has a cannon and Ridley is niftier that advertised.

None of the RFAs really jumped out at me.

***DaBruinz*** · 08-05-2011, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patriot 37

Just a couple thoughts from what I saw at camp today.

Where I was sitting I wasn't able to see a lot of OL vs DL drills. I mostly watched the WR vs DB passing drills (7 on 7s ect)

First Gronk looks like mid 90s Ben Coates, he made multiple catches when he was fairly well covered. In a red zone 7 on 7 drill Brady was going to him almost every time for 3 or 4 Tds.

Also, Price looked very good, (as a WR not as a PR). Everyone else about what you'd expect.

On Defense, Bodden looked very good even when people caught the ball on him it was a tough catch.

McCourty had a OK (by his standards below average) day, but made one spectacular play breaking up a deep sideline route.

I was very impressed with Arrington clearly the front runner for nickel. Close coverage and a couple nice break ups.

Butler looked well like Butler (ie bad). He did jump a route and broke up a pass to OchoCinco. Ocho yelled at him "stop cheating" then gave him a high five. So maybe he overheard the play.

My Ex-Binkie Wilhite looked god awful couldn't cover Jenkins and Barnes or anyone else.

As has been reported numerous times Mallett has a cannon and Ridley is niftier that advertised.

None of the RFAs really jumped out at me.

What do you mean by RFAs? Did you actually mean UDFA (Undrafted Free Agents)?

Patriot 37 · 08-05-2011, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBruinz

What do you mean by RFAs? Did you actually mean UDFA (Undrafted Free Agents)?

Yeah I meant Rookie Free Agents (UDFAs) not Restricted Free Agents.

strngplyr · 08-05-2011, 06:28 PM

I think if we dump a WR this year Tate (assuming we value Slater's ST contributions that much) loses out and Price takes over a KR. I've heard nothing but great things about his TC so far, him and Gronk are also the only ones I don't recall reading about getting a case of the dropsies at all.

From what I've read so far it sounds like:
1a Welker
1b Ochocinco
2 Deion
3a Edelman (PR)
3b Price
4 Tate (KR)
5 Slater (ST only really)

Honestly have nothing against Tate, he just sounds like he's having a quiet (not even bad) TC in comparison to guys like Price.

How weird is it calling Gronk our veteran TE, too? Oldest on the roster and has 2 more games under his belt than Hernandez. I'm expecting a breakout (is that even possible after last season?) season for Gronk and I expect Price to see plenty of playing time, he sounds like the fastest guy on the roster, is this wrong? If he has good enough hands and runs his route he could fight his way into the top 3 before the season ends.

patriot lifer · 08-05-2011, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strngplyr

I think if we dump a WR this year Tate (assuming we value Slater's ST contributions that much) loses out and Price takes over a KR. I've heard nothing but great things about his TC so far, him and Gronk are also the only ones I don't recall reading about getting a case of the dropsies at all.

From what I've read so far it sounds like:
1a Welker
1b Ochocinco
2 Deion
3a Edelman (PR)
3b Price
4 Tate (KR)
5 Slater (ST only really)

Honestly have nothing against Tate, he just sounds like he's having a quiet (not even bad) TC in comparison to guys like Price.

How weird is it calling Gronk our veteran TE, too? Oldest on the roster and has 2 more games under his belt than Hernandez. I'm expecting a breakout (is that even possible after last season?) season for Gronk and I expect Price to see plenty of playing time, he sounds like the fastest guy on the roster, is this wrong? If he has good enough hands and runs his route he could fight his way into the top 3 before the season ends.

I agree with the Tate assessment. He just doesn't seem to have it. It's a shame to give up on the 3rd round pick who was supposedly a steal when we originally drafted him (first round talent). I recall Troy Brown mentioning that he doesn't think he's going to fit in either. I have more hope in Price developing.
However, his ST may be his saving grace. We seem to always undervalue the ST contributions of players. Perhaps he'll contract some mystery illness that sidelines him for the year.

We'll have to pay extra attention to his performance on kick returns this preseason. He could make or break his chances.

It's good to hear that Arrington is asserting himself out of the crop of players we have.

LesPaul · 08-05-2011, 07:30 PM

Why in the world is anyone surprised about Tate, he wasn't considered a good WR in college.

***ctpatsfan77*** · 08-05-2011, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strngplyr

How weird is it calling Gronk our veteran TE, too? Oldest on the roster and has 2 more games under his belt than Hernandez.

Ummm . . . GRONK is younger than both Yeatman and Smith. . . .

Patriot 37 · 08-05-2011, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patriot lifer

I agree with the Tate assessment. He just doesn't seem to have it. It's a shame to give up on the 3rd round pick who was supposedly a steal when we originally drafted him (first round talent). I recall Troy Brown mentioning that he doesn't think he's going to fit in either. I have more hope in Price developing.
However, his ST may be his saving grace. We seem to always undervalue the ST contributions of players. Perhaps he'll contract some mystery illness that sidelines him for the year.

We'll have to pay extra attention to his performance on kick returns this preseason. He could make or break his chances.

It's good to hear that Arrington is asserting himself out of the crop of players we have.

If everyones healthy the Wrs should be interesting to watch. Ocho, Wes, Branch, Eddleman obviously make the team, It would be insane to cut 2nd year 3rd pick who is having a great camp. My question is if Slater makes the team solely as a STer then why can't Tate make it solely as a KR ?

I realize 7 WRs is too many but we had 4 QBs one year.

patriot lifer · 08-05-2011, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LesPaul

Why in the world is anyone surprised about Tate, he wasn't considered a good WR in college.

I'm no college football guy, but I thought he did really well at UNC. Wasn't he considered to be a first round talent until his senior year injury? I thought this was a general consensus.

***DaBruinz*** · 08-05-2011, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LesPaul

Why in the world is anyone surprised about Tate, he wasn't considered a good WR in college.

This is false and total BS. Tate was considered a late developing WR with tons of potential.

Gotta love how people re-write history..