Workouts

[Box_O_Rocks]

Patriots host 4 for workouts - Reiss' Pieces - Boston.com

The Patriots have one open spot on their eight-man practice squad, and perhaps with that in mind, the team had the following four players in for workouts earlier this week:

DE Angelo Craig (Cincinnati) - He was on my 2008 LB draft board. A bit slow and a tad undersized, he nevertheless was a playmaker who could play knuckle down or standing up and was always around the ball. Bulk him up and I can see him at ILB with the versatility to play OLB as needed.
WR Joel Filani (Texas Tech) - 6'2" 211, 4.6 speed, he played well for TT.
WR Scott Mayle (Ohio) - 6'1" 178, 4.4 KR, sprinter/jumper in track.
WR Marquay McDaniel (Hampton) - 5'11" 205, 4.5 speed but his splits are slow, he's not explosive at all.

I'd love to see Craig get a shot on the Practice Squad.

 

[Tunescribe]

Patriots host 4 for workouts - Reiss' Pieces - Boston.comDE Angelo Craig (Cincinnati) - He was on my 2008 LB draft board. A bit slow and a tad undersized, he nevertheless was a playmaker who could play knuckle down or standing up and was always around the ball. Bulk him up and I can see him at ILB with the versatility to play OLB as needed.
WR Joel Filani (Texas Tech) - 6'2" 211, 4.6 speed, he played well for TT.
WR Scott Mayle (Ohio) - 6'1" 178, 4.4 KR, sprinter/jumper in track.
WR Marquay McDaniel (Hampton) - 5'11" 205, 4.5 speed but his splits are slow, he's not explosive at all.

I'd love to see Craig get a shot on the Practice Squad.

Why are we always looking at free-agent/no-name wide receivers? I swear, BB has a blind spot at that position. Thank God we hit the lottery with Moss and Welker.

 

[Sicilian]

Why are we always looking at free-agent/no-name wide receivers? I swear, BB has a blind spot at that position. Thank God we hit the lottery with Moss and Welker.

I think that's your answer right there. When you can get a pair like those two, you don't go out and bring in another marquee name that's going to want the ball a lot, because let's be honest, they're not getting it.

We're probably looking for depth and ST right now, because after Gaffney we have Sam Aiken and... and... yeah.

 

[Tunescribe]

I think that's your answer right there. When you can get a pair like those two, you don't go out and bring in another marquee name that's going to want the ball a lot, because let's be honest, they're not getting it.

We're probably looking for depth and ST right now, because after Gaffney we have Sam Aiken and... and... yeah.

But this has been going on for years. I guess it's just a squirrelly position. Too bad we don't still have Bam Childress to bring off the PS.

 

[Scouse Patriot]

It's the talent race also, you might unearth a gem. If you can bring guys in and work them out go for it.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

But this has been going on for years. I guess it's just a squirrelly position. Too bad we don't still have Bam Childress to bring off the PS.

Why not look at FA no-name WRs in week 13? What's the worst that can come of it? They suck and aren't re-signed after the season? Big whoop. On the other hand, it generally takes a WR three years to develop and these three remainders from the 2008 draft were "names" in their respective conferences (Big-12, MAC, Mid-East Atlantic), enough that scouts even invited them to the Combine. I could stand to see Gaffney, Aiken, Washington, Slater, and Ventrone pushed for their roster slots and I don't mind if it's done on the cheap.

 

[Pats726]

Good to see even on turkey day they are bringing possibles in...

 

[Keegs]

hey a useful thread.

thanks Rocksface, that's good to see.

 

[JSn]

I think if they have all they need in OLB's and WR's on the cheap (and they better extend Guyton!) it means the draft/FA can focus on our defensive backfield.

Between Redd, Crable, AD, Vrabel (sparingly) and one more option, we should be set at OLB, unless a monster ala Mayo is ripe for the picking in the draft.

I wouldn't be surprised if we see a huge statistical jump in the quality of our DB play next year, especially with Meri getting better and better and maybe even Rodney coming back for one last skull bashing hurrah (though I won't hold my breath there).

 

[Pats726]

Patriots host 4 for workouts - Reiss' Pieces - Boston.comDE Angelo Craig (Cincinnati) - He was on my 2008 LB draft board. A bit slow and a tad undersized, he nevertheless was a playmaker who could play knuckle down or standing up and was always around the ball. Bulk him up and I can see him at ILB with the versatility to play OLB as needed.
WR Joel Filani (Texas Tech) - 6'2" 211, 4.6 speed, he played well for TT.
WR Scott Mayle (Ohio) - 6'1" 178, 4.4 KR, sprinter/jumper in track.
WR Marquay McDaniel (Hampton) - 5'11" 205, 4.5 speed but his splits are slow, he's not explosive at all.

I'd love to see Craig get a shot on the Practice Squad.

Do you think he could be a real run plugger inside?? That would be great...I also think one of these wideoiys might NOT be a bad addition

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I think if they have all they need in OLB's and WR's on the cheap (and they better extend Guyton!) it means the draft/FA can focus on our defensive backfield.

He's already signed for next season, :rocker: and in 2010 he'd still be an exclusive rights free agent (i.e., all they have to do is offer the minimum for a third-year player).

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Do you think he could be a real run plugger inside?? That would be great...I also think one of these wideoiys might NOT be a bad addition

I don't know, I liked him when I watched Cincinnati last season. He's the same size as TJ, the question is does he have the strength to take on an OL and bottle up a run lane? He was used as a DE and OLB in college, he's sloooow, but he's got a motor. His NFL Draft Scout profile suggests he might be best working off the line on the strong side - SILB is the position we're supposedly looking for to keep Mayo at WILB and Guyton rotating in as the Nickelbacker.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

I think if they have all they need in OLB's and WR's on the cheap (and they better extend Guyton!) it means the draft/FA can focus on our defensive backfield.

Between Redd, Crable, AD, Vrabel (sparingly) and one more option, we should be set at OLB, unless a monster ala Mayo is ripe for the picking in the draft.

I wouldn't be surprised if we see a huge statistical jump in the quality of our DB play next year, especially with Meri getting better and better and maybe even Rodney coming back for one last skull bashing hurrah (though I won't hold my breath there).

I think we are still delusional if we think we are all set at OLB. Looks at the Giants they were loaded with playmakers between Kiwanuka, Tuck, Osi before he was injured, and Strahan last year.

You can never have enough players who can get to the qb.

when AD was healthy we had issues still getting to the qb.

AD and Vrabel are only getting older. We have no idea what crable is. woods is functional.

we need pass rushers!!

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I think we are still delusional if we think we are all set at OLB. Looks at the Giants they were loaded with playmakers between Kiwanuka, Tuck, Osi before he was injured, and Strahan last year.

You can never have enough players who can get to the qb.

when AD was healthy we had issues still getting to the qb.

AD and Vrabel are only getting older. We have no idea what crable is. woods is functional.

we need pass rushers!!

Sure, the trouble is where and how you get them. As you noted Crable is an unknown as is each of the other young OLB projects. This is Woods third season, we're just beginning to see what he can do. Tully Banta-Cain was in year four before showing any ability - decent pass rush, minimal coverage skills, marginal run stopping. At least Woods is ahead of that schedule.

The trouble with drafting a demon pass rushing DE is they need to transition to OLB in the Pats 3-4 - ask the NYJ how soon they expect Gholston to progress beyond a few Special Teams reps. Until he learns how to drop into pass coverage and set the edge against NFL blockers he's a liability at OLB - and that's before he found out his speed and athleticism wasn't enough for a pass rush in the NFL, he needed to learn technique too.

If the Pats want a pass rushing demon, they need to make a trade or sign a Free Agent. Perhaps they can find another Vrabel amongst the reserves on the 2009 market, more likely they feel a healthy Vrabel and Adalius, without the burden of nursing along rookies at ILB, will be able to partner with Woods to bring more pressure off the edge. On a short term positive note, Guyton has been showing up on blitzes and having an impact - his pressure has created rush lanes for others or forced the QB into someone else (the most recent was Vrabes sack of Penny, Gary took an outside rush pulling the blockers out and away to allow Vrabes an inside rush to reach Penny).

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Why not look at FA no-name WRs in week 13? What's the worst that can come of it? They suck and aren't re-signed after the season? Big whoop. On the other hand, it generally takes a WR three years to develop and these three remainders from the 2008 draft were "names" in their respective conferences (Big-12, MAC, Mid-East Atlantic), enough that scouts even invited them to the Combine. I could stand to see Gaffney, Aiken, Washington, Slater, and Ventrone pushed for their roster slots and I don't mind if it's done on the cheap.

Exactly. Why re-sign vets Gaffney, Aiken, Washington to bigger cap space contracts if you can find a young, fast, good sized WR with potential who can contribute on STs? Excepting replacing The Hut, any newbie would not be demanded to contribute much as WR in '09. I think that the move speaks to lack of development by Slater in particular.

 

[JSn]

Exactly. Why re-sign vets Gaffney, Aiken, Washington to bigger cap space contracts if you can find a young, fast, good sized WR with potential who can contribute on STs? Excepting replacing The Hut, any newbie would not be demanded to contribute much as WR in '09. I think that the move speaks to lack of development by Slater in particular.

I'd like to see Gaffney stay, personally. Now if Chad Johnson comes along, I guess I might change my mind, but I think Gaffney brings more to the table than we're giving him credit for.

 

[Pats726]

Well...Washington and Aikens are signed for 09....It's the Gaffney, Ventrone, Slater situations I think they might be looking at. Gaffney is a solid 3rd receiver..I would love to have him back...but there MIGHT be others who could challenge for the other roles. And getting on the cheap is NOT a bad thing at all...as well as developing wide outs for teh future. They also have Price on the PSquad who could be a factor. Filani was in earlier in teh year for a try out...will be interesting to see who if any sticks..

 

[Jimke]

The more linebackers the Pats have on their roster and practice

squad, the better they will be heading into 2009. Mayo and Guyton

are the ILBs of the future with Rudd competing for the backup position.

Crable, Redd, and Robertson can compete against Woods for backup

positions in 2009. Vrabel and Woods will be UFAs after 2009. If Craig

showed anything in his workout, add him to the mix at linebacker.

I'm sure if a linebacker is the BPA when the Pats are drafting, the

Pats will select one.

 

[JSn]

The more linebackers the Pats have on their roster and practice

squad, the better they will be heading into 2009. Mayo and Guyton

are the ILBs of the future with Rudd competing for the backup position.

Crable, Redd, and Robertson can compete against Woods for backup

positions in 2009. Vrabel and Woods will be UFAs after 2009. If Craig

showed anything in his workout, add him to the mix at linebacker.

I'm sure if a linebacker is the BPA when the Pats are drafting, the

Pats will select one.

I kinda think in two years the only current VET LB's we'll still have from this version of the Pats are Woods and Thomas.

 

[Leave No Doubt]

Exactly. Why re-sign vets Gaffney, Aiken, Washington to bigger cap space contracts if you can find a young, fast, good sized WR with potential who can contribute on STs? Excepting replacing The Hut, any newbie would not be demanded to contribute much as WR in '09. I think that the move speaks to lack of development by Slater in particular.

Why not look at FA no-name WRs in week 13? What's the worst that can come of it? They suck and aren't re-signed after the season? Big whoop. On the other hand, it generally takes a WR three years to develop and these three remainders from the 2008 draft were "names" in their respective conferences (Big-12, MAC, Mid-East Atlantic), enough that scouts even invited them to the Combine. I could stand to see Gaffney, Aiken, Washington, Slater, and Ventrone pushed for their roster slots and I don't mind if it's done on the cheap.

Exactly. Nothing wrong with working out some WR's, especially as you guys point out, cheap(er) guys who can help our always needy ST plus perhaps enable us to unload some of our pretty- good- but- not- spectacular contract eaters coming up for next year. Guyton's locked in but we still need Big Vince and freeing up a lil room might be nice in case we decide to tag and bag a certain sumbuddy

I kinda like Ventrone just because he seems sort of versatile.