WEEI.com: Our top five questions about the 2009 rookie class

[Christopher_Price]

Hey all ... now that rookie minicamp is in the rearview mirror and we've had a chance to really watch the 2009 draft class, here are our five rookie-related questions for the Patriots:

Christopher Price | The Hot List: Our Favorite Rookie Questions

As always, let me know your opinion.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Good work as always.

I see the prospect of a vet QB as remote, though; if they wanted to do that, the time to do it was before the draft, not now. Besides, O'Connell appears to be on the Brady/Cassel path: #3 (or #4) rookie season, #2 sophomore season.

 

[Christopher_Price]

Good work as always.

I see the prospect of a vet QB as remote, though; if they wanted to do that, the time to do it was before the draft, not now. Besides, O'Connell appears to be on the Brady/Cassel path: #3 (or #4) rookie season, #2 sophomore season.

I agree ... there doesn't seem to be many options out there. And I know they really like O'Connell. If Brady doesn't play in the preseason, it'll be interesting to see how he handles the promotion to No. 2.

 

[Clonamery]

Thanks, Chris. Good questions to ponder.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Don't see a veteran QB in the mix, and if there was one he'd be the #3. Edleman will have to do a lot of things reasonably well, none of them under center, to make the 53. We always get caught up in thinking no player who can't quite make it here will make it to the PS. I think much as anything he's here to help the defense practice against the wildcat in camp and in season. Something we did nada last season before week 4 'cause who knew...

Hoyer made it to round 8 so he will certainly make the PS. Whether he makes the 53 depends on whether Gutierrez, who didn't get a whiff off waivers or even get signed to the PS here until days after Brady went down, learned his lesson last August. They want to see poise and development within the system from the backups here, not desperation driven sandlot plays to move the chains in preseason. Much as the media crowed about the organization's love for him, he was the guy who let O'Connell's selection rattle him. Cassel did what the coaches asked him to even as the fans and media eviscerated him for not making things happen in the pre season. When his job was essentially to allow the coaches to see what else was or wasn't working within the system... Vets were still tired coming off 18-1, some weren't motivated absent Brady, BB wisely decided Brady wasn't going out there until it counted given the way the Neal-less OL was performing. Matt took one for the team. It amazed me how many media lemmings fell in line and refused to see that. What did Matt do to you guys, kick someone's dog or act too ****y??? LOL

I like the picks, just gonna wait to see them in pads among vets or in pre season facing borderline NFL game speed and early on against actual game planning before I annoint any of them as the core of the future. I think Mayo is clearly earmarked for the next generation core, but the true test for him will come at re-up time... It's the guys who do who truly form that core.

Do wish there had been an OLB in that mix now that Vrabel is gone. I think that's where we need to see a vet signed to stand immediately behind whoever is starting opposite AD or whomever is backing each of them up!

 

[mayoclinic]

Very nice write-up Chris. I particularly like the details about Chung and Butler having developed a close relationship. Last year Mayo and Guyton really pulled together and studied particularly hard to learn the offense. If Chung and Butler do the same this year, we could have something very special by the end of the year. I have very good vibes about our secondary right now.

 

[furry]

Really looking forward to seeing Chung and Butler.

Good feeling these two both go on to become mainstays of our backfield for years to come, maybe even pencil both in as starters by the end of the season

 

[Buchanty]

Very nice article, especially covering some of the lesser acclaimed picks. Of course the Chung/Butler tandem is the one that whets the appetite the most, but I also like the coverage of Lonnie P's replacement, an area where we have had such consistency over the years that we tend to take it for granted.

In general though I am surprised at the minimal coverage given to the change in our Special Teams which is a major question mark. The loss of Seely, Izzo, Washington, Hobbs and Paxton is almost overlooked or diminished. Not much on the replacements so far but is there any chance Edelman could be one of the kick returners? Who are likely to be the gunners? It's intriguing with so many new names going to camp.

However the best report was on Vollmer and the unstated inference that he could be the NFL's answer to Dirk Nowitzki. I already admired his size and nimbleness of feet, but your article has persuaded me to make him my binkie for 2009 season.

 

[Christopher_Price]

Very nice article, especially covering some of the lesser acclaimed picks. Of course the Chung/Butler tandem is the one that whets the appetite the most, but I also like the coverage of Lonnie P's replacement, an area where we have had such consistency over the years that we tend to take it for granted.

In general though I am surprised at the minimal coverage given to the change in our Special Teams which is a major question mark. The loss of Seely, Izzo, Washington, Hobbs and Paxton is almost overlooked or diminished. Not much on the replacements so far but is there any chance Edelman could be one of the kick returners? Who are likely to be the gunners? It's intriguing with so many new names going to camp.

However the best report was on Vollmer and the unstated inference that he could be the NFL's answer to Dirk Nowitzki. I already admired his size and nimbleness of feet, but your article has persuaded me to make him my binkie for 2009 season.

Buchanty -- thanks for the kind words. I agree with you on the special teams stuff. I've tried to hit on it a few times in my coverage, particularly since the Hobbs trade. No matter what you think of him as a CB, he was a better-than-average kick returner. And no more Paxton, Izzo and Washington. Will there be an appreciable dropoff in special teams play? For a team that places such a premium on special teams, I think it's a legitimate question.

I will say this -- they are very high on new special teams coach Scott O'Brien. I've talked to a bunch of current and former players who have played for him, and they all loooooooove O'Brien. Very gonzo coach who has some unique ideas.

As for Vollmer, I think your pick of him as a binky is a good one. I'm really intrigued by him--I think he could be a really good story by the end of the season. If you come for training camp, you will be amazed as to how big a guy he is.

 

[JSn]

As for Vollmer, I think your pick of him as a binky is a good one. I'm really intrigued by him--I think he could be a really good story by the end of the season. If you come for training camp, you will be amazed as to how big a guy he is.

Would that make him the biggest OL in the NFL?

 

[Christopher_Price]

Would that make him the biggest OL in the NFL?

He's got to be close. I know there's a couple of 6-foot-8 guys out there. (Ryan O'Callaghan is 6-foot-7, 330--he was the biggest guy on the Pats' roster.) Vollmer is probably in the Top 5 in the league.

 

[Tunescribe]

Chung and Butler = the next Milloy and Law?