***THE OFFICIAL 2014 New England Patriots training camp thread***

[Brit patriot]

In all seriousness, I hope no-one starts jumping on Jimmy G's ass. Everything he did at college was out of the shotgun, so will have to get used playing under centre. He is here for his fundementals. His issues however mean two things.

1) We don't cut Mallett

2) We pray TB12 stays healthy

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

With all these picks by Revis how soon before we start reading "Brady in decline" articles from the mediots? Followed by "Internal dissension in Patriots as frustrated Brady lobbies for Revis to be cut".

 

[pats4life12]

I was at the practice today I got a say Lefell was not good. He was dropping everything the balls were right at him too. He better start catching the ball or he is going to Lefall off the roster.

 

[PatsBoy12]

I was at the practice today I got a say Lefell was not good. He was dropping everything the balls were right at him too. He better start catching the ball or he is going to Lefall off the roster.

I'm hearing this far too often so soon into camp. Hopefully it's just jitters, but this is beginning to feel like "he came as advertised." The drops were talked about with Carolina and he apparently has not disappointed early . . . unfortunately.

 

[PatsFan37]

The best thing to happen to this offense is this defense. The only way to keep the offense from collapsing in championship games is to have a playoff defense challenge them at every practice.

THIS is what they've been missing for so many years.

 

[signbabybrady]

I'm hearing this far too often so soon into camp. Hopefully it's just jitters, but this is beginning to feel like "he came as advertised." The drops were talked about with Carolina and he apparently has not disappointed early . . . unfortunately.

I have not been impressed by Lafell thus far but at least one of his drops today would have been a really good catch and hard to fault at least one of em.

 

[QB12]

The best thing to happen to this offense is this defense. The only way to keep the offense from collapsing in championship games is to have a playoff defense challenge them at every practice.

THIS is what they've been missing for so many years.

Good point.

 

[Deus Irae]

The best thing to happen to this offense is this defense. The only way to keep the offense from collapsing in championship games is to have a playoff defense challenge them at every practice.

THIS is what they've been missing for so many years.

What's been missing "for so many years"

2007 SB - Brady's ankle health, TE health, Neal after start of game
2008 missed playoffs - Brady
2009 - Welker
2010 - Nothing, they just choked
2011 - Gronk's ankle health
2012 - Gronk
2013 - Gronk

 

[BradyFTW!]

@DougKyedNESN: Logan Ryan and Sealver Siliga stood out in individual drills. Siliga is an underrated pass rusher.

Siliga has been quite the find.

I didn't even realize he was 'rated' as a pass rusher

 

[Brady6]

Apparently there were a lot of drops today, probably mental being the first time in 5-6 months a lot of them have been in the position to take a hit.

Counting up the drops: A lot of dropped passes in this practice. An unofficial tally was eight drops -- from receivers Kenbrell Thompkins (2), Danny Amendola (1), Josh Boyce (1) and Brandon LaFell (1), running backs Brandon Bolden (1) and Jonas Gray (1), fullback James Develin (1). Thompkins, in particular, sputtered a bit after a strong first two days.

 

[Brady6]

I have not been impressed by Lafell thus far but at least one of his drops today would have been a really good catch and hard to fault at least one of em.

On 295 career targets Brandon LaFell has 18 drops, 7 of which occurred his rookie season. It is his third day of practice and he is learning a new offense, that is a lot more complex than the run first offense he was in out in Carolina, concentration is key to catch footballs and if he is distracted by learning routes, etc. it is not surprising that he is having some issues with drops. If he is still having these problems in 2-3 weeks, it will be concerning but right now I am not concerned, he has the most career receiving yards, and touchdowns of any WR on the Patriots and he is only entering his fifth NFL season, he is a productive player historically.

 

[Sciz]

@DougKyedNESN: Logan Ryan and Sealver Siliga stood out in individual drills. Siliga is an underrated pass rusher.

Siliga has been quite the find.

Adjusted for the number of pass rush snaps, Siliga was roughly as efficient of a pass rusher as Chris Jones last season, albeit in a much smaller sample size and at a different DT position.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Adjusted for the number of pass rush snaps, Siliga was roughly as efficient of a pass rusher as Chris Jones last season, albeit in a much smaller sample size and at a different DT position.

I think Jones and Siliga could be real terrors for opposing OLs if the Pats have a good DT rotation where they only have to play, say, about one-third of snaps each.

 

[Brady6]

Adjusted for the number of pass rush snaps, Siliga was roughly as efficient of a pass rusher as Chris Jones last season, albeit in a much smaller sample size and at a different DT position.

True story –
Chris Jones – 786 snaps, 30 total pressures = 3.8%
Sealver Siliga – 215 snaps, 8 total pressures = 3.7%

 

[Brady6]

I think Jones and Siliga could be real terrors for opposing OLs if the Pats have a good DT rotation where they only have to play, say, about one-third of snaps each.

How do you see the DL depth chart looking? I am thinking something like this:

LE – Ninkovich, Buchanan, Bequette
DT – Kelly, Easley, Jones
NT – Wilfork, Kelly, Siliga
RE – Jones, Buchanan, Moore

I do not think Will Smith will make the team, I could be wrong though; I have to see how he looks in the preseason before I conclude.

 

[BradyFTW!]

On 295 career targets Brandon LaFell has 18 drops, 7 of which occurred his rookie season. It is his third day of practice and he is learning a new offense, that is a lot more complex than the run first offense he was in out in Carolina, concentration is key to catch footballs and if he is distracted by learning routes, etc. it is not surprising that he is having some issues with drops. If he is still having these problems in 2-3 weeks, it will be concerning but right now I am not concerned, he has the most career receiving yards, and touchdowns of any WR on the Patriots and he is only entering his fifth NFL season, he is a productive player historically.

Pretty much- I expect any WR who's working with a new QB for the first time to have early struggles.

 

[Brady6]

Pretty much- I expect any WR who's working with a new QB for the first time to have early struggles.

I am a big advocate of Brandon LaFell, I wanted to sign him entering UFA, and I was pleased when we did. He is a good player; he will do many different things for us, playing a Joker role where he goes inside and outside using his speed against linebackers and safeties, and his size against nickel cornerbacks. I think he can do many of the thing Hernandez did in the receiving game. I would not label him a tight end like some suggest he could be. I would rather say a Joker wide receiver.

 

[PatsBoy12]

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-...4765307/observations-from-patriots-camp-day-3

Just read Reiss' observations from the first full pads scrimmage:

• Revis is apparently looking the part. He's looking like everything we hope he will be, everything he has been. An upgrade. Look how the D looked when Talib was in. Now, inject someone who is worlds better? Wow. In fact, I've read other observations that say the secondary as a complete unit has looked incredibly impressive all three days of this young camp.
• Chandler Jones looks good. Many of us wait anxiously to see this kid take yet another step. We're waiting for him to take his place among the elite pass rushers on the edge in the league. Better yet, he's turning into one of the best all-around DE's in the game. He even got looks at DT last season. The versatility of the D is going to be mind-blowing.
• Siliga continues to shine. I like him. He will make the roster. I have no doubt.
• Logan Ryan is still showing up and making good plays. It's just one line, but I'm still super excited to hear this. Anyone who ever pays attention to me on here (LOL) knows that I have raved about this kid since last training camp, and he made me look good throughout the season. I was afraid he could get lost in the now crowded NE secondary, but he'll be fine if he keeps up the good coverage. He could probably eventually become an even better slot corner than Arrington (I don't hate Arrington).

Just a few things I took away from the article that made me feel a optimistic about this team. I think we really have something special. I now it's early. I know an injury or two can change things. I know they're easing into things. But I still feel good reading these early reports.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

I am so ****ing pumped to see this D. Very excited

 

[PatsBoy12]

I am so ****ing pumped to see this D. Very excited

Yeah, I really think we have something special.