Preseason Rookie Evaluations

[WaterfallJumper]

Just thought a consolidated thread for comments, rants, and other random thoughts regarding this year's crop of rookie players might prove useful.

We've discussed the Solder situation ad nauseam, it seems, and until Ridley's minor injury, he was the greatest running back ever. (Hah. Love overreacting fans; also, I am one myself!) I want to discuss a couple other players for now.

One of the things I noticed about Markell Carter, for example, was how much stronger he was against the run in this game compared with his first few preseason games. His technique has improved drastically. He's much lower off the snap, his hand placement has improved, and he didn't get rag-dolled. I was also pleasantly surprised that his pass-rush actually won him double-team attention on several snaps. Solid all around showing for a fringe guy. I fully expect him to make the PS.

Dowling: Wow! He looked fantastic. I only remember him giving up one catch, and he was right there to make the tackle. I thought he played his press technique very well, and his strength was evident when receivers tried to release off the line. Loved how he kept shedding blocks versus the run and flying to the ball. Mostly lined up on the left side, but it looked like he took snaps on the right and also as a goal line safety. He will be the Patriots most versatile defensive back by the end of the year. I think he can have a Charles Woodson type of career, lining up against wideouts, slot receivers, tight ends, etc, as well as blitzing and playing safety in some packages. I've wanted him on the Patriots since 2008, so I loved watching his debut.

Anyone else want to talk about their favorite rookies? Let's see some undrafted love, perhaps! Have fun.

 

[randomk1]

I was just about to make a thread asking about how Dowling looked since i missed the game. Glad to see he performed.

Any input on Vereen? His numbers didn't look all that amazing.

I'm so-so with Solder...definately alot of potential.

Ridley is my favourite pick in the draft so far. Decent burst,love his running style,can get tough yards and bounce outside if need be. If he also has solid hands and can do a decent job of picking up the blitz then i'm in love...not in a gay way though.

 

[Dufflebagz]

I was just about to make a thread asking about how Dowling looked since i missed the game. Glad to see he performed.

Any input on Vereen? His numbers didn't look all that amazing.

I'm so-so with Solder...definately alot of potential.

Ridley is my favourite pick in the draft so far. Decent burst,love his running style,can get tough yards and bounce outside if need be. If he also has solid hands and can do a decent job of picking up the blitz then i'm in love...not in a gay way though.

Nothing special but when he started getting a good number of carries we were to the point where you can take any player evaluations other than the o-line and toss them out (Ok, not completely toss them out but still....).

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

Nothing special but when he started getting a good number of carries we were to the point where you can take any player evaluations other than the o-line and toss them out (Ok, not completely toss them out but still....).

This......

By the time his carries came we had a big rookie (playing like one too) and a bunch of people who won't be here tomorrow playing the O-line. They were not exactly moving a lot people at that point. Sanders couldn't have got yards with those guys last night.

That said, there were certainly enough moments that flashed just a bit to get you excited about his prospects. He's really fast off his cut and could get down range in a hurry if given just a little more room. Very exciting prospect. Def. has the potential to be the most explosive back we have.

 

[jsull87]

hard to really evaluate vareen today. The OL was getting blown up alot for those negative playes... even for some of the posative ones. Ras I looked ok out there today... need a biger sample size i guess.

 

[BlueThunder]

I thought Dowling looked comfortable out there from what you could see on TV....he was always close to his man and didn't look lost.......


Vereen should improve his numbers with more carries and running behind the first string OL...he gets into second gear fast and made a couple of nice bursts up the middle......running him wide behind that pourous 2/3 string OL was disasterous.....The RB position looks like it could be strongest Pats have had in a while....

Solder being moved all over the OL is good experience for the youngster in a game that didn't matter.......never know when an OL goes down he may be asked to fill in.....(sure wish Cannon was active tho).....get well soon Marcus !

 

[RxJock1120]

In a somewhat limited role, Dowling looked very good. Especially when you consider how little he's practiced. I guess that the benefit of playing in a similar system in Virginia.

However, the stand out of the preseason was definitely Steven Ridley. Hard runner, hungry to get in the end zone, and even showed good speed turning the corner. He really looks like a more athletic Law Firm, and a perfect goal line RB. I am salavating for his return!!

 

[Gumby]

caveat my comments with: all I saw was the game highlights at NFL.com.

BUT that said:

Vereen: He better start doing a lot better at running the rock; because his ST contributions were HORRID. he was the guy who let the guy escape outside at the LoS. Wasn't it his fumble as well?

Medelin: from his ST plays also very slow and looked fat on the webcast

 

[Rob0729]

caveat my comments with: all I saw was the game highlights at NFL.com.

BUT that said:

Vereen: He better start doing a lot better at running the rock; because his ST contributions were HORRID. he was the guy who let the guy escape outside at the LoS. Wasn't it his fumble as well?

Medelin: from his ST plays also very slow and looked fat on the webcast

You gotta give Vereen a break. He is a rookie who missed most of the preseason and got burnt on a special teams play that the entire punt team got smoked on.

I thought he actually ran well last night considering the o-line was horrid. The guy got speed and a quick decisive cut when he had somewhere to run to.

As for Medelin, he had little to no chance to make the roster anyway. Now he just has no chance.

 

[b72s]

At the game keyed on RAs I

got Better as game went on

Initially blitzed which Carr picked up and threw to his cover.

Backed off a little on a curl.

Then started pressing coverage and staying in WR face.

Seems to have better closing speed then Butler and ball awareness.

Butler was frustrating again never knows were ball is.

 

[Betterthanmost]

Vereen has ended yet another Giants player's year. His chop block has taken out the knee of the Giant's linebacker and he is out for the year after being out most of last year with a torn ACL.

 

[Robdude]

Vereen has ended yet another Giants player's year. His chop block has taken out the knee of the Giant's linebacker and he is out for the year after being out most of last year with a torn ACL.

I have no way of going back and checking this right now but I am pretty sure you are wrong on this. Vereen did have a penalty for a chop block on the same play that there was the injury but they were not related.

The knee injury occured while the Giants player was trying to make the tackle

 

[mcsully]

You gotta give Vereen a break. He is a rookie who missed most of the preseason and got burnt on a special teams play that the entire punt team got smoked on.

I thought he actually ran well last night considering the o-line was horrid. The guy got speed and a quick decisive cut when he had somewhere to run to.

As for Medelin, he had little to no chance to make the roster anyway. Now he just has no chance.

Agree with you here.. Actually I thought Vereen looked good when he had the chance to find a hole.. He's looked patient on one run and waited for the blocking and the next run (maybe a couple later) he saw the hole and hit it.. No Maroney with him..

 

[WaterfallJumper]

I have no way of going back and checking this right now but I am pretty sure you are wrong on this. Vereen did have a penalty for a chop block on the same play that there was the injury but they were not related.

The knee injury occured while the Giants player was trying to make the tackle

That's correct. Clint Sintim just got his legs tangled while tackling Yeatman. Vereen didn't injure anyone.

 

[Holy Diver]

Vereen: http://www.tremainedance.com/images/Ben Vereen crop 400w.jpg

Ras I : http://www.digitalbusstop.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Ras-al-Ghul.jpg

Solder: http://pubpages.unh.edu/~ljs36/project/images/soldier.jpg

Ridley: http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/43/e4/56/ripley-s-believe-it-or.jpg

Lee Smith: http://www.qweb-images.com/Content/ProductImages/5012613_A.jpg?maxwidth=200&maxheight=200

Great class so far via nicknames alone....

Ben Vereen

Ras Al Ghoul

Unknown Solder

Lee "Save" Smith

Ridley: Believe it or not (Believe it)




Side:
I think its sad that we are still evaluating Butler....the writing is on the wall playah, I was pulling for you big time, but I bet you are a Giant next week.

 

[TruthSeeker]

I have no way of going back and checking this right now but I am pretty sure you are wrong on this. Vereen did have a penalty for a chop block on the same play that there was the injury but they were not related.

The knee injury occured while the Giants player was trying to make the tackle

This is correct. At first I heard chop block, and a player hurt his knee and thought the two were connected, but then saw the replay. I think the Giant player whipped his knee around the receiver and other defender.

 

[TruthSeeker]

If I had to grade them:

Ridley- B+, way better than I expected. I agree with everyone's thoughts on him, runs hard, runs downhill, good hands, and more speed and wiggle than expected. I am hoping big time his absence is merely precautionary, because he looks like he can be a nice addition to this offense. He reminds me of a couple of different greats, Of course our own "Clock Killin" Corey Dillon, and Ricky Waters, in the way he attacks when he runs.

Solder- B-, definitely has struggled, but has also show immense promise. As stated on draft day, I love this pick. I'm drooling at a future line of Solder, Mankins, ? at center, Cannon & Vollmer.

Smith- D, haven't really noticed him at all, Yeatman has definitely looked better

Vareen, Dowling & Cannon, Incomplete, but from I did see last night, Dowling looked pretty darn good, and Vareen, whom I thought looked small (can't change that part) and slow, except on the one 14 yard run. I need to cut him some slack, but a bunch of RB's picked AFTER him sure looked good.

 

[hornetfb85]

First post here but have been a long time lurker.

I think this rookie class can be special but we can't get ahead of ourselves.

Solder has the opportunity to be our LT for a long time.
Dowling is such an imposing figure at the CB position but he has to stay healthy (which I think he will).
Ridley and Vereen will both provide excellent depth behind BJGE and Woodhead this year. I am somewhat surprised by people judging Vereen off of one performance behind our 2nd and 3rd stringers who proved to be non-adequate at best.
Cannon High character kid whom I hope everyone is rooting for. If he can get in game shape he could be that RG to finish off our line.
Mallett looks like a steal that just needs to sit and learn for a few years. 1st round talent that some will be kicking themselves for looking past.

Just my opinion. Cheers :eat1:

 

[patchick]

I thought Vereen looked exceptionally quick on the rare occasion when the scrub OL gave him a chance to take more than 2 steps.

 

[D-Money]

Finally we might have a corner that can press wrs.I hope he starts against the dolphins!!!Throw him out there!!!