Mrs. B's Training Camp Report 8/16/06 AM

[bruschifan1]

August 16, 2006 (Morning Session 8:45-10:45)

This was the final morning practice of this year's training camp and it was nice and sunny and getting hotter! (Yes... Mrs. B likes HHH!) I'll be squeezing in some much needed Real Life stuff between sessions so here are the minimal tidbits for today:


* Practice took place in full pads and many of the vets weren't on the field today... No Brady, Brown, Seymour, Harrison, Miller, or Gramatica in addition to the usual MIAs.

* Scout work for Arizona continued today with emphasis on the running game once again.

* Catch of the Day: While working on scout, Willie Andrews (38) had a nice grab of a Cassel bomb close to the opposite endzone.

* Johnathan Sullivan took a lap as well as Eddie Freeman and then the entire Defense a bit later.

* Vrabel has clearly emerged as a major leader on the Defense....

* Gostkowski missed a couple of field goals pulling them far right (one looked like it was even outside of the net) but I couldn't judge the distance based on where I was sitting.

* Patrick Cobbs (41) is one to watch :-)

* Eugene Wilson ran some gassers on his own during downtimes.

* Linebackers signed after practice as well as Lonie, Cassel, Maroney.

* I made friends with a nice family today who kept me company on the hill :-)

I'll be back tonight for the final Evening Session and then again tomorrow for the last session of camp!
Listen to the sounds of this session on Podcast Show #84. www.patriotworld.com

[BelichickFan]

Gostkowski was our new PK 100% IMO heading into camp but all the reports I'm ready seem to have Gramatica as clearly more consistent. And his FG were better in the Atlanta game too. Reality set in for me that we need a consistent PK when we lined up for a game tyer in that game - and I'd feel a LOT better with Gramatica. As of this moment, I have little doubt Gramatica makes the team - and Gostkowski will only if we keep 2 kickers. Let see how the next three games play out.

[italian pat patriot]

as expected the kicker battle is interesting
probably we thought that Gostkowski could have 'won' easily but it seems now the contrary

let's see in the next 3 games and we will know

[BelichickFan]

* Gostkowski missed a couple of field goals pulling them far right (one looked like it was even outside of the net) but I couldn't judge the distance based on where I was sitting.
This was on Breer's blog :

"– K Stephen Gostkowski, all by himself for the first time, was impressive, booming a pair of kickoffs through the end zone and going 3-for-3 on field goals at practice’s end."

What's the real story ? :D

[BelichickFan]

Sounds like Mrs. B was right according to Reiss :

"Kicker Stephen Gostkowski made 6-of-8 field goal attempts at the end of the session, missing wide to the right on his final two tries, from 37 and 42 yards."

[Alk]

Saturday will be Gramaticas first kicking opportunity outdoors in Gillette. That should give a good indication. I am favoring Gramatica...if he is healthy, he can be one of the best...

Gramatica kicked out here in the middle of Kansas in a horseshoe stadium. Plus he played in the NFC Central which means two games a year in Chicago and Green Bay. I have no doubt that he's going to do just fine outdoors.

[14thDragon]

Gostkowski was our new PK 100% IMO heading into camp but all the reports I'm ready seem to have Gramatica as clearly more consistent. And his FG were better in the Atlanta game too. Reality set in for me that we need a consistent PK when we lined up for a game tyer in that game - and I'd feel a LOT better with Gramatica. As of this moment, I have little doubt Gramatica makes the team - and Gostkowski will only if we keep 2 kickers. Let see how the next three games play out.

But Gostkowski still has the bigger leg. He hits long and hard. I would hate to ditch a promising rookie who is not inconsitent, just less consistent, then an older player with injury issues. If we are going to go with only 2 QBs, then lets keep the 2 kickers. I for one prefer the long drive capabilty of Gostkowski to the marginal accuracy increase of Gramatica.

[BelichickFan]

If we are going to go with only 2 QBs, then lets keep the 2 kickers.
While we might do that, keeping 2 QB just creates a roster spot for someone - we don't have to be locked into using it for a 2nd kicker. Keeping a guy like Britt or Pierre Woods would also be a very viable option over a second kicker.

[Alk]

But Gostkowski still has the bigger leg. He hits long and hard. I would hate to ditch a promising rookie who is not inconsitent, just less consistent, then an older player with injury issues. If we are going to go with only 2 QBs, then lets keep the 2 kickers. I for one prefer the long drive capabilty of Gostkowski to the marginal accuracy increase of Gramatica.

IMO, there is more than a "marginal" accuracy increase not to mention the fact that Gramatica has had experience in playoff games and a super bowl. The way Cassell has looked so far, I think I would rather bring in a vet qb than keep two kickers. Therefore Gramatica it is.

[Jimke]

I hope the Pats don't give up on Gostowski too soon. If he is cut, some other

team will pick him up very quickly.

If Gramatica makes the team and has a good year, he will probably sign

on with the highest bidder next year and the Pats will be looking for

another kicker again.

[14thDragon]

IMO, there is more than a "marginal" accuracy increase not to mention the fact that Gramatica has had experience in playoff games and a super bowl. The way Cassell has looked so far, I think I would rather bring in a vet qb than keep two kickers. Therefore Gramatica it is.

Well, most of what I have read says that the two of them are in nearly a dead heat. As for experience, that is only something that Gostkowski will get with time. I think his superior physical skills make him a better long term fit for the job.

ETA: If we do decide to go with only one kicker. I would still prefer the young guy with more potential over the dimishing returns guy that we know what he can and more importantly can't do.

[PATSNUTme]

The Ghost may be tripping on a blade of grass real soon and going on the IR.

[BelichickFan]

IMO, there is more than a "marginal" accuracy increase not to mention the fact that Gramatica has had experience in playoff games and a super bowl. The way Cassell has looked so far, I think I would rather bring in a vet qb than keep two kickers. Therefore Gramatica it is.
I'd prefer to keep a Pierre Woods type. What QB is out there who's clearly better than Cassel ? Going on the assumption that Kerry Collins wants to play in the South or retire, as I heard.

[shmessy]

Albert Breer just got schooled by Mrs. B.

What else is new?

[JR4]

Didn't Gramatica miss one or two FGs during this camp ... previously reported?

Still even as far as the reports I've heard. Rather have the youth than
a guy who has been hurt ... getting older and may get hurt again.
Even if Gramatica has a slight edge ... go with youth.

[Crowpointer]

The Ghost may be tripping on a blade of grass real soon and going on the IR.
You beat me to that one. You'll know it's coming when they list the practice MIA's Jackson, Kaczur GOSTKOWSKI !!!!

[Slagathor]

Would the Pats spend a 4th pick on a kicker and then let him go?

Especially one whom so far is clearly not a bust, and who's only fault is lack of pro game experience.

Big leg, well above average accuracy.

Wasn't Vinatieri on the bubble under Parcells at one time?

I just don't see it.

If anything Gramatica might make great trade fodder just before the start of the regular season.

[14thDragon]

The Ghost may be tripping on a blade of grass real soon and going on the IR.

I doubt it. It would not do us a lot of good. The major knock on Gostowski is his lack of experience and average accuracy. These things are not improved with him on IR. They are improved with him on the feild making kicks.

[Slagathor]

IR for Gostkowski is OK with me. Crabgrass related injuries are the greatest contributor to short term disabilty claims in this country.

I doubt this will happen but I'd hate to see him get away from us somehow and become the next...well...Vinatieri....with some other team.

[Ochmed Jones]

Unless one of the kickers falters really badly, it's hard to imagine a situation where we don't have both on the "53" at the start of the season.

While at practice I saw the Ghost get some very nice kickoffs, sometimes 5-8 yards deep in the end zone. Kick off specialist may be a roster spot this year.

It's real hard to duplicate the November-December kicking conditions in August. At the end of the day, that's where this battle should probably be determined.

[mgcolby]

Hey we did win a superbowl with a punter that was so bad that NFL.com didn't even bother to list his stats.

http://www.nfl.com/stats/leaders/NFL/PNT/2003/regular

He was second to last in the AFC for Gross average. I am not down playing the significance of a good kicker, but I think many are getting to worked up about the situation.