Patriots Minicamp Thread

[varjao]

Well, Michael Willians tore his ACL, that may deserve it's own thread since it affects the picture about the OL/TE group considerably, I believe he was in the near lock category.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Well, Michael Willians tore his ACL, that may deserve it's own thread since it affects the picture about the OL/TE group considerably, I believe he was in the near lock category.

Interesting you say that. I thought he was very much on the bubble. At TE he's clearly outclassed by Gronk and Bennett, while Derby and Harbor have considerably higher upside as pass catchers. We have plenty of OL, particularly on the interior after drafting two and trading for another one. While we may not have great depth at tackle, do you really think Williams beats out Cannon or Fleming? I have a hard time believing that. Where do you think he slots into a 53 man roster?

 

[varjao]

Interesting you say that. I thought he was very much on the bubble. At TE he's clearly outclassed by Gronk and Bennett, while Derby and Harbor have considerably higher upside as pass catchers. We have plenty of OL, particularly on the interior after drafting two and trading for another one. While we may not have great depth at tackle, do you really think Williams beats out Cannon or Fleming? I have a hard time believing that. Where do you think he slots into a 53 man roster?

Well with the logjam of players in these positions "near lock" status may be a bit of a reach indeed, but I don't think he was just another guy on the bubble too, versatility is what he brings to the table here and BB loves some versatility. He has a year in the system and although he didn't flash he didn't stink either. Cannon is a question mark, even though we hate him around here thinking from a hypothetical BB/Scar perspective he may deserve another shot but Fleming is garbage, I think Willians would beat Fleming easily for a spot if it came down to one spot for these 2.

 

[ashley]

I'm not sure if Williams would have made this team or not, but you hate to see someone lost for the season in mini camp!!!

 

[AtomicDawg]

Well, Michael Willians tore his ACL, that may deserve it's own thread since it affects the picture about the OL/TE group considerably, I believe he was in the near lock category.

Well, as far as the TEs, we still have Bennett, Gronk, Derby, Harbor, Scheu, and Bryce Williams. Very lucky the depth at that position.

 

[AtomicDawg]

Phew. Hope so. Howe says they're coaching him hard, which is a good sign. Just hope it's not to his detriment later.

 

[TheRazorsEdge]

From the notes it seems Patriots really want Foster to stick. Working him hard 1 on 1 in special teams.. finding a place to stick him while the RB situation clears up.

 

[Deus Irae]

I'm not sure if Williams would have made this team or not, but you hate to see someone lost for the season in mini camp!!!

While I agree with your overall post, The sad reality of the NFL means that the injury may actually have benefited Williams financially. He'll now get his money. He wouldn't have if he'd been cut.

 

[Ring 6]

Then we take the opportunity to recover a draft pick and trade him.

Once the pads come on every practice better be like it was today to have a chance to make the team.

And he'd better show so much toughness that we start lamenting why can't Edelman be tough like Dobson.

Why would Dobson have to be the best player on the fid to be the 4th WR?

 

[BobDigital]

Phew. Hope so. Howe says they're coaching him hard, which is a good sign. Just hope it's not to his detriment later.

He will be fine i think. The break over the weekend will help. If DJ Foster makes this team i honestly expect him to get injured more often than other RBs cause I don't think he has the size for the position. However I think he is still worth keeping. We probably need to accept like Dion Lewis he will get banged up though. Just to hopefully those injuries are not non-contact ACL things.

 

[AtomicDawg]

IS BRADY'S JOB IN JEOPARDY???!! (will be asked on some radio frequency from 2-6pm)

 

[bbobbo]

IS BRADY'S JOB IN JEOPARDY???!! (will be asked on some radio frequency from 2-6pm)

by the start of the season, he should be completing 150% of his passes.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Brissett will be the QB once brady hangs them up. I really believe this is Brady's last contract. He's signed for another 4 years and will be 42 by then. Brissett gets 4 years in the system. Look for Garappolo to be traded after next season.

 

[Bradyking12]

Brissett will be the QB once brady hangs them up. I really believe this is Brady's last contract. He's signed for another 4 years and will be 42 by then. Brissett gets 4 years in the system. Look for Garappolo to be traded after next season.

Who knows, if Brady is still elite at 42 which is very possible in 2020 he could sign a 2yr deal or extension which is not far fetched because he will only be 44 in 2022

 

[BobDigital]

My final mini camp thoughts. Overall I liked a lot of what i heard this camp.

Michael Williams getting injured was unfortunate but i am confident one of Derby or Harbor can be a good 3rd. Derby it seems was the more talented of the 2 but inconsistent with his hands more than Harbor. I think this match most likely depends on how consistent Derby can show himself to be at this point. Either way I don't think we can go wrong as i think we will have a solid #3 TE one way or another at this point.

WR was very interesting. It is early but that 3 year 12M deal with Hogan is looking like a smart move right now if reports are to be trusted. He seems to "get it" with this offense overall and fills the role they want him to very well. It was generally to be expected he would looks good but it is better to hear good early reports than not with WRs in this offense. That vets that get it seem to do so fairly quickly. Dobson is the big story of camp as he throws a wrench into the projected 53 perhaps. Generally an after thought now i think taking a wait and see approach is the only thing to do. Clearly he is more talented than Martin and has more upside but he needs to show he can be consistent and trust in game like situations. If he has a good preseason I think you need to keep him. Lucian, Harper have been 2 of the last players off the field but neither seems to be creating much buzz as of yet. I surprisingly have heard almost nothing about Washington as well. Mitchell was injured a bit this camp but had a very strong day 3 and flashed some. All you can ask from a rookie WR. Right now if you twist my arm I pick Martin for the 5th spot due to his versatility but Dobson deserves another look and will get one.

At RB Foster is exactly what I thought he was. I love his quickness and explosiveness. If he is healthy he will make this team and force you into making a hard decision. Frankly I think they should PUP Lewis. Lewis will not last 19 games even if you use him sparingly. PUP him. The Patriots play the Steelers week 7 which is probably the key AFC game this year. Something to keep in mind. The Broncos if they by chance matter are week 15. I would love the idea of a 100% healthy and rested Lewis going into Pitt. White continues to run good routes and Brown is showing to be a solid vet presence who might be the 2nd best RB (at running the ball) on the team. A nice little tidbit i read is Develin went sleeveless this mini-camp and the only player to do so. Appears on a mission. I am curious to see what the team does here. This spot has few locks but a lot of interesting options.

DB play was overall encouraging. The safeties played well. Not much else needs to be said. Richards actually played a bit of center field which was interesting to hear. Probably just making sure to have a back up plan. At CB with no Ryan it didn't feel there was a drop off to me. This is a salute to the guys behind him and not an insult to Ryan. The Jones boys both played well and Roberts/Coleman did as well. The top 3 already seem set if this keeps up as Butler/Ryan/C. Jones. My personal preference is to keep Roberts and Jonathan but we will see. Either way the Pats will be very deep this year. Remember when the Pats had a hard time putting 2 competent CBs on the field for years? Of course it starts with Butler. If he could possibly improve any more that would be fantastic but he already is a clear #1 CB.

LB I don't think Ninko at LB means much. They just want to be sure he stayed up with his ability to play in that area. They did the same thing last year IIRC. If Nink plays LB something has gone very wrong. I have not heard much about McCellin which was honestly a little disappointing. I guess he didn't make many plays. I don't think it means he played bad but it is it worth noting as i expected to hear something and got nothing but crickets. Collins/Hightower will see most the action regardless but you want that #3 spot to be better at LB this year. We will see how the next camp goes.

 

[patsbrasilpatriotas]

IS BRADY'S JOB IN JEOPARDY???!! (will be asked on some radio frequency from 2-6pm)

by the start of the season, he should be completing 150% of his passes.

Our 3rd backup QB >>> All Jets scrubs

 

[patsbrasilpatriotas]

My final mini camp thoughts. Overall I liked a lot of what i heard this camp.

Michael Williams getting injured was unfortunate but i am confident one of Derby or Harbor can be a good 3rd. Derby it seems was the more talented of the 2 but inconsistent with his hands more than Harbor. I think this match most likely depends on how consistent Derby can show himself to be at this point. Either way I don't think we can go wrong as i think we will have a solid #3 TE one way or another at this point.

WR was very interesting. It is early but that 3 year 12M deal with Hogan is looking like a smart move right now if reports are to be trusted. He seems to "get it" with this offense overall and fills the role they want him to very well. It was generally to be expected he would looks good but it is better to hear good early reports than not with WRs in this offense. That vets that get it seem to do so fairly quickly. Dobson is the big story of camp as he throws a wrench into the projected 53 perhaps. Generally an after thought now i think taking a wait and see approach is the only thing to do. Clearly he is more talented than Martin and has more upside but he needs to show he can be consistent and trust in game like situations. If he has a good preseason I think you need to keep him. Lucian, Harper have been 2 of the last players off the field but neither seems to be creating much buzz as of yet. I surprisingly have heard almost nothing about Washington as well. Mitchell was injured a bit this camp but had a very strong day 3 and flashed some. All you can ask from a rookie WR. Right now if you twist my arm I pick Martin for the 5th spot due to his versatility but Dobson deserves another look and will get one.

At RB Foster is exactly what I thought he was. I love his quickness and explosiveness. If he is healthy he will make this team and force you into making a hard decision. Frankly I think they should PUP Lewis. Lewis will not last 19 games even if you use him sparingly. PUP him. The Patriots play the Steelers week 7 which is probably the key AFC game this year. Something to keep in mind. The Broncos if they by chance matter are week 15. I would love the idea of a 100% healthy and rested Lewis going into Pitt. White continues to run good routes and Brown is showing to be a solid vet presence who might be the 2nd best RB (at running the ball) on the team. A nice little tidbit i read is Develin went sleeveless this mini-camp and the only player to do so. Appears on a mission. I am curious to see what the team does here. This spot has few locks but a lot of interesting options.

DB play was overall encouraging. The safeties played well. Not much else needs to be said. Richards actually played a bit of center field which was interesting to hear. Probably just making sure to have a back up plan. At CB with no Ryan it didn't feel there was a drop off to me. This is a salute to the guys behind him and not an insult to Ryan. The Jones boys both played well and Roberts/Coleman did as well. The top 3 already seem set if this keeps up as Butler/Ryan/C. Jones. My personal preference is to keep Roberts and Jonathan but we will see. Either way the Pats will be very deep this year. Remember when the Pats had a hard time putting 2 competent CBs on the field for years? Of course it starts with Butler. If he could possibly improve any more that would be fantastic but he already is a clear #1 CB.

LB I don't think Ninko at LB means much. They just want to be sure he stayed up with his ability to play in that area. They did the same thing last year IIRC. If Nink plays LB something has gone very wrong. I have not heard much about McCellin which was honestly a little disappointing. I guess he didn't make many plays. I don't think it means he played bad but it is it worth noting as i expected to hear something and got nothing but crickets. Collins/Hightower will see most the action regardless but you want that #3 spot to be better at LB this year. We will see how the next camp goes.

If reports are correct McClellin is playing as ED, so there is not much pass rush in tranning camp so i guess he can surprise us

 

[Joey007]

What's the word on how Daryl Roberts is looking out there?

 

[supafly]

Brissett will be the QB once brady hangs them up. Look for Garappolo to be traded after next season.

Some bold statements, right there.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

What's the word on how Daryl Roberts is looking out there?

Behind Coleman, but competitive, from what I can gather. He was one of my draft binkies last year, so I'd like to see him succeed.