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

[pats4life12]

Did you have to show ID to prove you lived in S. Walpole or Foxborough? Or were they handing them out to everyone?

I got my tickets from a season ticket holder but I had a guy next to me who went up and asked a security guard where to find tickets and he just gave them to him without IDing them. I also had friends who went for dinner in Patriots place and they said they were just handing them out to anyone who wanted them. So I'm gonna say no they where not IDing people.

 

[rochrist]

Brady, Rodgers, Brees, Rivers, Kaepernick are just some QB's that spent a year + holding a clipboard.

And not for nothing, Cassel and Hoyer did also. They might not be elite, but they are both in the mix for starting jobs with their teams. I'm a believer in grooming QB's. They don't all have to be Manning's and Lucks drafted first overall and start from day 1.

Tony Romo sat for year as well. He's particularly interesting in that he came from the same school as JAG, and is the guy whose records JAG annihilated.

 

[Wheelman]

Why are people nicknaming Garoppolo JAG?

 

[reflexblue]

Why are people nicknaming Garoppolo JAG?

its better than Carapallo

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Why are people nicknaming Garoppolo JAG?

Because JAG are his initials

Next question...

 

[Bombdog]

Question to anyone who has been to the practices. How is Justin Jones looking and does he have a legitimate shot at making the 53 man roster? I like this kid I really hope he can make it.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I only saw the last, in stadium practice. BB had Mallett throwing to J2 several times. He dropped the 1st pass in traffic. Should have caught it. 2nd pass he dove forward and up for it. It hit his hands making it technically a drop but would have been a highlight catch. A 6' 3" guy would not have gotten near it. Caught the 3rd pass thrown his way. A work in progress. None of these were inside the 20 yd line post up and jump for it passes. all were variations on slants across the middle.

 

[Joker]

I've seen a tad more than just Friday's fan candy practice and I've sorta kept track of his reps. I saw how Hooman alligator armed a sure TD ,in person down in Miami last season. My OPINION is two TE's 6'7 or taller with good hands will present an extreme problem for opposing defenses in the red zone. In that regard, I hope they keep the kid on the roster as TE # 3 and give him at least the shot that Sudsfelltotheground got last year.

 

[Mack Herron]

By all accounts, Jones has not lit it up, as they say. But they have to keep some TE besides Gronk, and I would be surprised if they kept 2 mediocre TEs and Develin. So it's the potential of the new guys vs. the reliability of Hooman. Not too many Hooman fans here, but who knows what Bill thinks?

 

[supafly]

By all accounts, Jones has not lit it up, as they say. But they have to keep some TE besides Gronk, and I would be surprised if they kept 2 mediocre TEs and Develin. So it's the potential of the new guys vs. the reliability of Hooman. Not too many Hooman fans here, but who knows what Bill thinks?

If that's what it comes down to, I'd have to think that Hooman would get the clear nod. I'd think that he'd be a much more capable blocker with a better knowledge of our system, even if he can't contribute to the passing game worth a damn.

 

[Efstratios]

If that's what it comes down to, I'd have to think that Hooman would get the clear nod. I'd think that he'd be a much more capable blocker with a better knowledge of our system, even if he can't contribute to the passing game worth a damn.

I dunno man, I was talking to my grocer (who's a Seahawks fan) the other day, and he said that this year will be the year where Hooman breaks out and realizes his potential as the elite TE he was always destined to become. My grocer considers Hooman to be a beautiful amalgamation of Gonzalez, Sharpe, and Toucan Sam, so I'm really looking forward to seeing what he brings to the table. I can almost visualize it perfectly... and since I tend to give each season an apt title (dating back to 01, when I, as a bushy tailed lad, first got into football), I figured that I'll preemptively call title the 14' campaign: "Hooman All Too Hooman".

But in all seriousness, it's regrettable what the TE situation has come down to, and just thinking about it only enhances the fury I feel towards He Who Must Remain Incarcerated (even if he wasn't exactly a pure/blocking TE). We'll just have to hope that Gronkenstein sustains limited injuries. Without him, our TE game becomes poor. However, the moment a healthy Gronkasarus steps on the field, our O will be amongst the best in the league.

 

[jmt57]

Deontae Skinner has passed his physical and been activated off NFI

Lots of players competing for roster spots to backup Mayo, Hightower and Collins.

Jerod Mayo - 7
Dont'a Hightower - 3
Jamie Collins - 2

James Anderson - 9
Chris White - 4
Steve Beauharnais - 2
Darius Fleming - 2
Ja'Gared Davis - 1
Cameron Gordon - R
Taylor McCuller - R
James Morris - R
Deontae Skinner - R

 

[ausbacker]

I dunno man, I was talking to my grocer (who's a Seahawks fan) the other day, and he said that this year will be the year where Hooman breaks out and realizes his potential as the elite TE he was always destined to become. My grocer considers Hooman to be a beautiful amalgamation of Gonzalez, Sharpe, and Toucan Sam, so I'm really looking forward to seeing what he brings to the table. I can almost visualize it perfectly... and since I tend to give each season an apt title (dating back to 01, when I, as a bushy tailed lad, first got into football), I figured that I'll preemptively call title the 14' campaign: "Hooman All Too Hooman".

But in all seriousness, it's regrettable what the TE situation has come down to, and just thinking about it only enhances the fury I feel towards He Who Must Remain Incarcerated (even if he wasn't exactly a pure/blocking TE). We'll just have to hope that Gronkenstein sustains limited injuries. Without him, our TE game becomes poor. However, the moment a healthy Gronkasarus steps on the field, our O will be amongst the best in the league.

The Tight End situation will be fine if Gronkowski can stay fit (i.e. people stop diving at his knee to bring him down). I can't think of too many situations in the NFL that run two All Pro/Pro Bowl Tight End schemes. The Patriots situation has regressed back to the norm and that's OK if the WRs and RBs pick up the slack.

On the note of RBs, I'm rather excited by the reports coming out of Foxboro regarding James White. I picked him as my binkie and believe he has all the tools to make an immediate impact. Two RB sets (hopefully Vereen and White) will make for interesting viewing and hopefully slow down the opposition's pass rush with swings/dump offs etc.

 

[PatsBoy12]

I guess Keller's knee must be shot. I know it is not out of the realm of possibility that they sign him sometime after week one, but I think that's unlikely. If they thought he had anything, I truly believe he would be here already. I really had high hopes for that potential signing.

 

[Efstratios]

The Tight End situation will be fine if Gronkowski can stay fit (i.e. people stop diving at his knee to bring him down). I can't think of too many situations in the NFL that run two All Pro/Pro Bowl Tight End schemes. The Patriots situation has regressed back to the norm and that's OK if the WRs and RBs pick up the slack

Oh I agree, and obviously the lack of receiving options was one of the big reasons why the 13' team fell apart eventually (that and the injury ravaged D).

I'd wager that so long as they have one reliable RB, a solid O line, Gronk, a steady presence at the slot, and one solid to good outside option, the Pats will be alright offensively.

 

[TruthSeeker]

I know it's crazy, but we have a bunch of TEs now. I can't see Gronk NOT being ready for the season now unless he has a setback. I've seen video of him running full speed, hell he's ahead of where he was last year. Hooman should make the team, and then probably DJ Williams, and then one of Jones or Watson makes the team. I'm leaning towards Jones since he gives us a huge red zone target (should have drafted Fauria last year). Watson is redundant with Williams and Hooman. 2 Hernandez size TEs and 2 Gronk size (or bigger with Jones). I feel Watson would have to pull a Sudfeld to beat out Jones.

 

[jmt57]

In case we are looking for a veteran free agent at TE, the pickings are slim.

• Tony Gonzalez ---- 38, retired
• Jermichael Finley - neck injury at TE is a huge concern
• Fred Davis -------- injury history, under achiever
• Dustin Keller ------ apparently not healthy enough to play
• Ben Hartsock ----- Hommanawanui wannabe
• Chase Coffman --- 4 receptions in three seasons; a Hartsock wannabe
• Kellen Winslow ---- cut after one 1-reception game with Pats in 2012
• Dallas Clark ------- now 35, couldn't make the team two years ago
• Nate Byham ------ being cut after five days is not an impressive resume builder

 

[Deus Irae]

Question to anyone who has been to the practices. How is Justin Jones looking and does he have a legitimate shot at making the 53 man roster? I like this kid I really hope he can make it.

From what I saw:

He doesn't adjust to the ball well, he doesn't have speed, and he's not going to fool anyone on his cuts. This means, IMO, that you don't really want to be using him as a pass catcher much outside the offensive red zone. On the other hand, with his height and his leap, he should be able to win a lot of jump balls, and he should be good on throws designed to go to a spot (i.e. out route at the 5 yard line). But, really, we're just trying to polish a turd, here. The Patriots don't have a legit TE3 right now, except for the guy who's playing the role of TE2.

I won't be surprised if Develin gets more TE-type snaps this year, because this team's pure TE situation really kind of sucks.

 

[supafly]

Hooman should make the team, and then probably DJ Williams, and then one of Jones or Watson makes the team.

So, you envision 4 TEs making the 53 man squad? I strongly disagree.

I think we have ONE tight end who can actually catch the football, and TWO tight ends that can block when you count Hooman.

DJ Williams is battling with the rookies for the last spot in most opinions, and those 3-4 remaining guys aren't exactly looking too hot at the moment.

That doesn't mean that I don't feel that the offense will be just fine, only that we will have something of a weakness at the TE position after Gronkowski.

 

[supafly]

In case we are looking for a veteran free agent at TE, the pickings are slim.

• Tony Gonzalez ---- 38, retired
• Jermichael Finley - neck injury at TE is a huge concern
• Fred Davis -------- injury history, under achiever
• Dustin Keller ------ apparently not healthy enough to play
• Ben Hartsock ----- Hommanawanui wannabe
• Chase Coffman --- 4 receptions in three seasons; a Hartsock wannabe
• Kellen Winslow ---- cut after one 1-reception game with Pats in 2012
• Dallas Clark ------- now 35, couldn't make the team two years ago
• Nate Byham ------ being cut after five days is not an impressive resume builder

Odd that Hartsock contributed 33 catches for the 2003 OSU team and went in the 3rd round the next year. I think the hopes for him were much higher, judging by the round selection.

The only real possibility that I could see would be Dallas Clark. The rest of the list looks like this:

--Gonzalez--retired
--Finley--is weighing his 10m dollar insurance policy vs a new pact that would pay him similar money
--Davis--complete headcase, recently arrested or re-suspended
--Keller--apparently is not worth taking a shot at, from any of the 32 teams' perspectives
--Hartsock--already covered
--Coffman--even worse than Hartsock
--Winslow--where do we even start? recently arrested for smoking synthetic weed and masturbating
--Byham--already cut from our team once this year