Frezo

Can he stop the run?

The_Riddler

My 2 binkies from today's camp were Nate Solder and Ryan Mallett.

I thought Solder looked real good today especially given the small amount of time he's had on the field. When he walked up to the line in the 11v11s, he looked mammoth. He is a natural LT, his stance the way he sets up post snap on his step-back, his technique looked excellent and his footwork very fluid, he more than handled his own. He honestly looks like he could step right in day one in Sept.

Mallet is ready to take the #2 spot, tall and impressive in the pocket and ball jumps out of his hands on slants and outs. Throws frozen ropes and his accuracy looked really good today. You can tell he has the fire, he wants it. He was constantly talking to the coaches about routes when Brady and Hoyer were taking snaps, there was no down time for Ryan. The other great thing to see was Ryan staying after practice and working with the WRs. This kid wants it, it was great to see.

Price looked good, smooth, nice routes and good hands, he's definately going to get himself on the field in regular offensive sets, no question.

Didn't see Tate out there, not that it matters, because I think that WR ship has sailed anyway, but I'm not sure if he's hurt or what.

Gronk looked like John Mackey out there. Caught everything remotely close to him and ran over one of the safeties, may have been Sergio. He's predicted to have a Pro Bowl year and if you've seen what he's been doing in camp you'll know why.

Impressive today were:

Solder, Mallet, Gronk, Hernandez, Edelman and Slater, yes Slater, not only on ST but as a WR, the kid ran some nice routes and caught every ball thrown to him by Mallet.

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Hey Rex have you met our new Tightends? Say Hi to Aaron and Gronk !

fgssand

I thought for sure you would discuss the moment we picked up on when they worked situational football plays the PUNTING TEAM!!

This is yet another reason why I think BB is tops, I don't know for sure, but how many other coaches, in training camp practice, would call for a punt with 13 seconds to go - instruct the punter to kick it out of bounds and then totally go off on Mesko when he booted it down the middle of the field. He looked at him, swore at him, said are you kidding me and made the kid run two laps, and deservedly so.

Situational football - that's what it is all about and I guarantee, Mesko kicks it out of bounds when it counts should the situation comes up during the season or playoffs.

While I am here, let me also add to the growing Nate Solder fan club by saying this kid seems to have it all. He looks great (after three practices anyway).

Finally, my 2011 binkie is ,ahem, #82 -- Vincent Brisby, I mean Jeremy Ross Brisby!! At 5-11 215 pound and runs a 4:35 40, he looks more like a running back than a WR. I don't know how he will make this team, but he sure does seem to me to have talent. Maybe practice squad? Check out his Cal page -- Player Bio: Jeremy Ross - The University of California Official Athletic Site
Keep your eye on him if anyone happens to make it to Foxboro.

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sg14

Your comment about Mallet made me think the reason that BB likes him was because of his "love of football" attitude in addition to his skill. The football attitude over-rode any worries about the off field stuff.

I also think he has an approach that could push TB, I seem to remember he was quoted as saying he wasn't going to dink and and dunk like Brady does.

Jared

A great Tuna-ism went something like "'Potential' is another way of saying 'haven't done jack yet.'"

I am not going to put much stock into the training camp performance of a rookie QB when the vast majority of QBs who come into the league never become anything better than career backups. This is even more true outside of first rounders. I'm not saying that Mallett will be terrible or anything, I'm just saying that I'm ignoring him. I would only be paying attention if I was hearing BAD things about his character and work ethic.

However, some other positions, including RB and OL, are places that a young guy can come in and excel. Because of this, I have high hopes for Solder and Ridley, hearing that they are both doing well. Vereen and Cannon already have health issues that may hold them back, but I hope one or both can contribute soon, as both are at positions where they will both have the opportunity to compete for starting jobs if they can.

gmtaxi27

Thank you everyone for the updates. This thread is awsome.

I noticed all the reports are pretty positive, but are there any areas that need work?

Someone in another thread said the O-line's pass blocking was piss poor today. I am sure they are just a little behind everyone else, but because of the bad o-line in the last 3 playoff losses this is a concern for me.

betterthanthealternative

The instructions to the punter are the simplest things any coach gives any player at anytime in a game. "Kick it out of bounds." If he can't do that...he should be running for a couple of hours, not just a couple of laps. Jeepers.

TheBaronPatriot

I was at practice today as well...

The oline signed autographs today and Solder came right in front of the section I was sitting in. He's a very large human being. But he's skinny - like a basketball powerforward. His stomach is very close to being flat. I was going to make a comment about his needing to hit the buffet but thought better of it. Then, when Dante came by to sign I thought I about telling him...

Aside from that I noticed solder playing high in his stance. This resulted in him catching from the DEs rather than attacking and setting the tone. He was also a bit high on run plays and did not get an especially strong push. At one point Dante was coaching him up but after that was done Solder was sort of hanging his head. I think he needs to work on sitting lower in his stance and delivering a punch to re-direct rather than catching. These are things he will get in due time. And I'd also like to see him put on some weight!

Woodhead looks like weighs a solid 205-210 right now. He went from a cornerback physique to a kevin faulk like physique. And it looks like it's all in the thigh/lower leg area. Solder needs this as well along with a little girth to his waist.

During the goalline drill... I saw Fletcher DESTROY Koppen on a MLB blitz! He blew him 3 yards into the backfield. Lucky for 67 it was a run right. Fletcher has looked really good. Smooth when running with RBs and around the football. Hard to believe he was a DE. He looks natural playing MLB.

McCourty looks very sharp. Sticking to receivers like glue and making a play on the ball when it's in the air.

I hope the 2 rookie TE's make the team. They are large, powerful monsters.

livinginthe past

Thanks for all the camp reports guys - very interesting to read

Snake Eyes

Mallett said he was looking forward to learning the dinks and dunks that Brady does. Montana was great at 'dinks and dunks', he said it was much more wearing on a defense than getting a quick TD with a long pass.

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