Minicamp Updates - day two

[captain stone]

always a strong argument

Hey, at this point, all I have are hopes & dreams.

Besides, Larsen is bigger, a little taller, and was more highly-regarded this year than OBurger was last year. Just because Bill drafted OBurger at least 2 rounds too early doesn't mean that he's 2 rounds more talented than Larsen, who went about where he was projected to go.

All that Oburger has more than Larsen is experience with the playbook.

Once the helmets start knocking, I expect that Larsen will prove a more worthy candidate for the 53 as Koppen's primary backup than Oburger, or Connelly, or Wendell.

 

[sg14]

The day they drafted Larsen, or the day after, BB said in a presser that they drafted Larsen kinda in the opposite way of Orhnburger, in that O'Burger the college G would play C, and Larsen, a college C would play G.

At least that's how I heard it.

How are they lining up in OTAs?

I'd say Orhnberger has been conspicuous by his absence in reports of line groupings. He was a kind of peculiar draft pick to start with -- very different from the Patriot OL prototype. There was a lot of speculation they'd move him to center, but no sign of that either as far as I can see. :confused2:

 

[goheels22002]

Suffice it to say, I think Moss is wrong in his feelings on the team - note that he started making these comments originally before Wilfork was signed. His perception of the team has proven inaccurate - they just paid one of their stars. If we win SB 45, for instance, I think there is a huge chance that Moss will be back.

The Pats pay below market for their stars and above market for reserves. That's why they are the deepest team around come late season. There is a veritable parade of Ex-Pats in the passing game on both offense and defense (CBs and Safeties) who have left for better money, longer deals or bigger guarantees. Moss will have a decision to make after this contract is up. He puts fannies in the seats and eyeballs on the TV, so he'll get a longer term deal with a bigger chunk guaranteed than the Pats will offer. If I were him I'd scope that out and leave too unless it is to some team that is a mess like Buffalo where things will just suck and the pay check will not add to his legacy. Probably fodder for a new thread but who would suck most if Moss went there? The Browns? The Jets? Equal douchebaggery there IMO. The Colts? Ouch!

 

[TBradyOwnsYou]

The Pats pay below market for their stars and above market for reserves. That's why they are the deepest team around come late season. There is a veritable parade of Ex-Pats in the passing game on both offense and defense (CBs and Safeties) who have left for better money, longer deals or bigger guarantees. Moss will have a decision to make after this contract is up. He puts fannies in the seats and eyeballs on the TV, so he'll get a longer term deal with a bigger chunk guaranteed than the Pats will offer. If I were him I'd scope that out and leave too unless it is to some team that is a mess like Buffalo where things will just suck and the pay check will not add to his legacy. Probably fodder for a new thread but who would suck most if Moss went there? The Browns? The Jets? Equal douchebaggery there IMO. The Colts? Ouch!

The thing about Moss is he has always hungered for a ring and has been very close a couple of times (1998, 2007). I think if we can show this year that we're his best bet for getting a ring he'd be willing to take a discount and stay with the Pats. As a receiver, having TFB as your QB also has to play in to his decision as well. I understand Moss's want for a good contact to end his career, but I think him firing his agent and looking for "off the field" money might be an indicator that he's looking to supplement his NFL contract because he expects it to not be a record breaking deal... maybe from the "non-paying Pats"?

As far as the worst team he could go to I would have to say the Colts without a doubt. I've been a fan of his since 98 but if he went to the Colts he'd be dead to me.

 

[jmt57]

The day they drafted Larsen, or the day after, BB said in a presser that they drafted Larsen kinda in the opposite way of Orhnburger, in that O'Burger the college G would play C, and Larsen, a college C would play G.

At least that's how I heard it.

How are they lining up in OTAs?

Not sure where they've been lining up in OTAs, but I found the quote in question and the way I interpreted is that BB is looking for versatility, wanting both of them to be able to play all three interior line positions.

Bill Belichick Press Conference - 4/24/2010

Q: Is Ted Larsen unique in the switch to center? You don't see a ton of guys drafted in that position and does his background make that a little more unique?

BB: Well, I think he's shown that he can play the position again at a very high level of competition there in the ACC. He played for Coach [Tom] O'Brien, who has developed a lot of offensive linemen pretty much wherever he's been, including guys that we've taken from [Boston College]. I think that he's shown that he can play at that level. He played in the Senior Bowl against other good players there. He has some position flexibility, but he hasn't played a lot of guard, but that's certainly a position where we'll work him at. He's kind of the reverse of [Rich] Ohrnberger. Rich was kind of a guard that we worked at center. Ted's more of a center that we will work at guard, so ultimately, hopefully, those guys will be able to play all three positions to some degree. I mean, we'll see how that goes, but that will be the expectation that we at least try there and see what happens.