Emerging stars on this year's team....

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I think there are a few guys that should be able to emerge into being a great football player for the Patriots

I love the upside David Thomas has, That one particular catch he made over the middle last year was superb - He has great ball handling skill, rarely fumbles and learns routes quickly from what I have seen in his albeit briefly - it appears he has taken his near legendary TE performances at the UT and brought it all to the NFL

If he can get more into the rotation I think you will see much more david and less of Ben...I really think he is going to be better than Watson in time,Reminds me of a very young Russ Francis and is our secret offensive weapon no one talks about
IMO if at the end of the year you see that Welker and Thomas were 2 of the biggest contributors to this offense I would not be surprised.

I didn't see enough from Maroney in his rookie year to proclaim him as a future star at this point, He needs to get the dancing behind the LOS to stop and just use his physical power to mow down defenders as we had seen earlier in the 2006 season - once his shoulder heals hopefully at near 100%, he will have to prove it was the injury that put him virtually as a no show for the last 1/4 of the season and not because of lack of effort when the OL could not open gaps for him.

I also think that Ellis Hobbs will emerge as a great player in the secondary and if his wrist is not still hampering his ability to do everything he has to,then he will be a great player for many years and we may someday soon say Asante who?

I think he will emerge as a corner that no QB wants to throw the ball to his way within the next several years...He has that much talent,Now he just has to show it and starting by avoiding those critical PI calls he gets at least several times a year, it will be a beginning on the road to success for Ellis on this team.

 

[Brady to Brown]

Look for Merriweather to become a star. Belichick does not miss in the 1st round. Welker and Thomas will be great :singing:

 

[CrayzeeNepFan1]

I agree whole heartedly about Hobbs still i'd love to have a secondary of Hobbs, Samuel a resurged Wilson maybe a Kenny Phillips?

Call me a dreamer. Yes, that's right I still have high hopes for my boy Geno, knock 'em out Wilson!

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I agree whole heartedly about Hobbs still i'd love to have a secondary of
Hobbs, Samuel a resurged Wilson maybe a Kenny Phillips?
Call me a dreamer Yes that's right I still have high hopes for my boy Geno knock em out Wilson!

Wilson needs to show me 2 things before I can have faith in his future on this team

1) He needs to show me he can play as well as he had done a few years ago when Harrison was healthy all season and can play just as well when Harrison is gone - This is a time where we need to start seeing some leadership from Wilson - Hell knows we don't want Asante in charge of leadership or the whole secondary may demand 10 mil a year when thier contracts expire

2) The obvious - stay healthy all season

 

[JoeSixPat]

The guy we took with our 4th round pick looks to have some pretty good potential. I'll go with him.

 

[patpatriot]

Thomas is going to be better than Fauria not as good as Francis/Coates. That still means damn good.

 

[Patjew]

I wouldn't call him "emerging", but I haven't heard anyone talking about Colvin this year. I expect him to have a huge 2007.

 

[OhExaulted1]

Logan Mankins will make the Pro-Bowl, James Sanders will make significant contributions and rookie Clint Oldenberg will work his way into the OL rotation.

Oh yeah, and look out for that Junior Seau guy. He may be the best 60 year old in the NFL.

 

[WhiZa]

its sad, but the only way Mankins makes the probowl is if Maroney has a monster season. Which is definitely in his reach

 

[WhiZa]

As for an emerging player, I will have to say Wilson. He's one of the bigger Pats FA next year and he has Merriweather pushing him for a spot so there's no where to go but up. If he does do well tho it will be tough to resign him.

 

[363839]

its sad, but the only way Mankins makes the probowl is if Maroney has a monster season. Which is definitely in his reach

I think Mankins will have a real good season. Because of this and coupled with the addition of stud recievers, I think Maroney will have an extraordinary season.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I'm very high on James Sanders. Rumor is that he put on 6-8 lbs of muscle in the offseason so he can play more in the box in the SS role. My perception is that he has played well, has shown spots of playmaking ability and has good football smarts.

 

[dryheat44]

Thomas is going to be better than Fauria not as good as Francis/Coates. That still means damn good.

Boy...there's a whole lotta room in between there. I'd have to agree with you. He'll be better than a part-time starter, but not as good as perennial all-pros.

 

[dryheat44]

its sad, but the only way Mankins makes the probowl is if Maroney has a monster season. Which is definitely in his reach

Naa. Pro Bowl goes by reputation in general, and that goes about quadruple for offensive lineman. The word on Mankins is out as one of the top 2 young guards in the NFL (along with Andrews on Philly). I'll be shocked if he doesn't make the Pro Bowl, regardless of how Maroney performs.

 

[dryheat44]

And if I may indulge myself in a triple-post, I think Ellis Hobbs is the best cornerback at this stage of his career (after his first two seasons) than anybody we've had since Raymond Clayborn. He might play the role of Asante Samuel in 2007.

Another guy I really like, but I may be alone, is Antowain Spann. I definitely think he has starter potential.

Dave Thomas is also a good choice, and I think Wilfork could show vast improvement and be considered the equal of Jamal over in SD.

 

[shakadave]

Emerging stars, I suppose, by definition have never been considered stars before. So I'll go with

1. Watson (stardom comes a year late!)
2. Welker
3. Cassel in whatever year he moves to another team

 

[DaBruinz]

its sad, but the only way Mankins makes the probowl is if Maroney has a monster season. Which is definitely in his reach

I 100% disagree with you. The two are not interlinked. Also, Who cares about the Pro-Bowl. Mankins will be an ALL-PRO.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

And if I may indulge myself in a triple-post, I think Ellis Hobbs is the best cornerback at this stage of his career (after his first two seasons) than anybody we've had since Raymond Clayborn. He might play the role of Asante Samuel in 2007.

Another guy I really like, but I may be alone, is Antowain Spann. I definitely think he has starter potential.

Wrong spelling of Antoine. It's Antwain Spann, as opposed to Antowain Smith and Antwan Harris and Antwaan Randle-El and Antoine Cason and . . .

 

[WhiZa]

Naa. Pro Bowl goes by reputation in general, and that goes about quadruple for offensive lineman. The word on Mankins is out as one of the top 2 young guards in the NFL (along with Andrews on Philly). I'll be shocked if he doesn't make the Pro Bowl, regardless of how Maroney performs.

I agree with reputation, that is why Ogden gets voted in every year even tho he's on the decline. Mankins, tho he was a first round selection, doesn't have that reputation so the only way he will be able to make his mark is if Maroney does very well and shines a spotlight on the O-line. It was the same deal with Marcus McNeill last year.

 

[JDP111]

Gostkowski, Ben Watson and Wes Welker. Ty Warren will be known around the league, as will Vince Wilfork. My Wild, Wild Card: Corey Mays.