Players Exceeding Expectations

[PatsWickedPissah]

As an antidote to the abject misery posts in the game threads I thought I might reflect on and appreciate players so far exceeding expectations. I had high expectations for some listed here, but they exceeded my optimistic hopes. In no particular order...

Offense:
Waters - has been solid despite being let go by KC as over the hill
Solder - exceeded 1st round expectations from game one, a monster blocker
Connolly - filled in in an unexpected area of need, just contrast the horrific fill in performances by Jets and Bills 2nd tier OCs
Wendell - same, at least for 1 1/2 games
Welker - who expected league leading WR stats and big yardage TDs from this always excellent player in his 2nd year back from a collapsed knee?
Gronk - did everyone expect this kid to be breaking TE records his 2nd yr? Well maybe some did but I couldn't leave him off the list.

Defense:
Carter & Anderson - unheralded FAs with low expectations racking up the sacks & pressures
Love - solid 2nd year performance
Ninkovich - always liked him but he's become a solid reliable LB and a sorely needed playmaker, something this D has lacked for years
Ihedigbo - ST guy has learned the safety position that seemed a deep mystery to his predecessors, covers and hits. When he goes down we all hold our breath
Arrington - following up last years unexpected contribution with solid starting CB performance game after game. Another playmaker. Covers better than Asante did/does and yet he still racks up the INTs.
Moore - maybe the weakest case, but anyone whose presence keeps whipping boy Sergio "Crash" Brown out of the backfield is deeply appreciated
Edelman - out of total left field, decent slot WR coverage & tackling making big stops, and to some of us shows promise as a potential FS. Oh and good PR #s.

There are others on the cusp of making this list given more games to go. It's amazing to look at this list of unexpected strong contributors mostly from nowhere. Helps makes up for some of the under performance from a few vets well discussed in other threads.

 

[patsfan-1982]

for me Carter & Anderson are the big stand outs i did not think they would even make the team and they are two of the best pass rushers in the BB era

 

[DarrylS]

Isn't this what the Patriots do take average players, and develop them into good team players???

We have been doing this for the past 11 or so years now, and one of the reasons that I like this team so much.. blue collar is good.

 

[mgteich]

I agree with all your choices except Solder.

Solder is performing as expected for the #2 or #3 OT in the draft, and as expected given where he was chosen in the draft.

As an antidote to the abject misery posts in the game threads I thought I might reflect on and appreciate players so far exceeding expectations. I had high expectations for some listed here, but they exceeded my optimistic hopes. In no particular order...

Offense:
Waters - has been solid despite being let go by KC as over the hill
Solder - exceeded 1st round expectations from game one, a monster blocker
Connolly - filled in in an unexpected area of need, just contrast the horrific fill in performances by Jets and Bills 2nd tier OCs
Wendell - same, at least for 1 1/2 games
Welker - who expected league leading WR stats and big yardage TDs from this always excellent player in his 2nd year back from a collapsed knee?
Gronk - did everyone expect this kid to be breaking TE records his 2nd yr? Well maybe some did but I couldn't leave him off the list.

Defense:
Carter & Anderson - unheralded FAs with low expectations racking up the sacks & pressures
Love - solid 2nd year performance
Ninkovich - always liked him but he's become a solid reliable LB and a sorely needed playmaker, something this D has lacked for years
Ihedigbo - ST guy has learned the safety position that seemed a deep mystery to his predecessors, covers and hits. When he goes down we all hold our breath
Arrington - following up last years unexpected contribution with solid starting CB performance game after game. Another playmaker. Covers better than Asante did/does and yet he still racks up the INTs.
Moore - maybe the weakest case, but anyone whose presence keeps whipping boy Sergio "Crash" Brown out of the backfield is deeply appreciated
Edelman - out of total left field, decent slot WR coverage & tackling making big stops, and to some of us shows promise as a potential FS. Oh and good PR #s.

There are others on the cusp of making this list given more games to go. It's amazing to look at this list of unexpected strong contributors mostly from nowhere. Helps makes up for some of the under performance from a few vets well discussed in other threads.

 

[Mack Herron]

Rising from the ashes of Wilhite, Wheatley, Bodden, Dowling, and even the regression of McCourty, and with no help from Ed Reed (or a reasonable facsimile)---Kyle Arrington.

 

[reflexblue]

The guys in the backfield, whatever their names are.

And Edelman, hes playing out of his mind.

 

[signbabybrady]

I have to say Edelman is playing way better in the secondary than I thought he ever could.

Since I predicted Gronk would break Moss' TD record I think he is slightly underwhelming my expectations.

Brady. I know his expectations are through the roof but somehow he just keeps doing better than I think.

Seriously though I think one guy really defines outplaying expectations and that would be Ihedibo. None of us expected anything more then STs contributions and he is no doubt our second best safety now.

I think Love, Anderson, Waters, and Arrington definitely deserve mention.

As do Carter, Ninkovich, Welker and I am sure a few others but since I had significant expectations for these players I am mentioning them last.

 

[mvrabel50]

I would add antwaun molden to that list too, wasn't expecting him to do much after being cut by the texans, but even though he's made a few mistakes, i think he's doing a pretty good job.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Ventrone! I never expected a player to be cut, resigned and cut and resigned so many times.

 

[Ivan]

As an antidote to the abject misery posts in the game threads I thought I might reflect on and appreciate players so far exceeding expectations. I had high expectations for some listed here, but they exceeded my optimistic hopes. In no particular order...

Offense:
Waters - has been solid despite being let go by KC as over the hill
Solder - exceeded 1st round expectations from game one, a monster blocker
Connolly - filled in in an unexpected area of need, just contrast the horrific fill in performances by Jets and Bills 2nd tier OCs
Wendell - same, at least for 1 1/2 games
Welker - who expected league leading WR stats and big yardage TDs from this always excellent player in his 2nd year back from a collapsed knee?
Gronk - did everyone expect this kid to be breaking TE records his 2nd yr? Well maybe some did but I couldn't leave him off the list.

Defense:
Carter & Anderson - unheralded FAs with low expectations racking up the sacks & pressures
Love - solid 2nd year performance
Ninkovich - always liked him but he's become a solid reliable LB and a sorely needed playmaker, something this D has lacked for years
Ihedigbo - ST guy has learned the safety position that seemed a deep mystery to his predecessors, covers and hits. When he goes down we all hold our breath
Arrington - following up last years unexpected contribution with solid starting CB performance game after game. Another playmaker. Covers better than Asante did/does and yet he still racks up the INTs.
Moore - maybe the weakest case, but anyone whose presence keeps whipping boy Sergio "Crash" Brown out of the backfield is deeply appreciated
Edelman - out of total left field, decent slot WR coverage & tackling making big stops, and to some of us shows promise as a potential FS. Oh and good PR #s.

There are others on the cusp of making this list given more games to go. It's amazing to look at this list of unexpected strong contributors mostly from nowhere. Helps makes up for some of the under performance from a few vets well discussed in other threads.

Nice, good to see a positive thread. While all the focus has been on the failures of haynesworth and Ocho there have been many positiive contributions made and many personel decisions that have panned out. While other teams come undone when they lose key players the Patriots continue to win through them year after year, and many of the contributions come from unlikely places.

 

[Leave No Doubt]

for me Carter & Anderson are the big stand outs i did not think they would even make the team and they are two of the best pass rushers in the BB era

Truth. Amazing how they work together, great combo.