Name your pleasant Patriot rookie surprise

[fgssand]

As we countdown to camp....let's hear who you think will be a surprisingly good rookie from this years crop.

I would say that a surprise would be a rookie that steps up and either starts or contributes heavily.

While I would love to see that honor go to Meriweather (and he certainly could step right in and start from day one) - I am going to go out on a limb and pick the big "O" #49 Oscar Lua.

I think he will be a huge force on special teams and a solid back up in the middle, especially in goal line and short yardage situations.

 

[fair catch fryar]

As we countdown to camp....let's hear who you think will be a surprisingly good rookie from this years crop.

I would say that a surprise would be a rookie that steps up and either starts or contributes heavily.

While I would love to see that honor go to Meriweather (and he certainly could step right in and start from day one) - I am going to go out on a limb and pick the big "O" #49 Oscar Lua.

I think he will be a huge force on special teams and a solid back up in the middle, especially in goal line and short yardage situations.

I like Lua too, but a really nice surprise would be to see Mike Richardson step in and make a contribution, along with Meriweather of course.

 

[chowder]

Kareem Brown

 

[UGAPatsfan]

Lua, I doubt...he couldn't even start in college over a sophomore, and Pete Carrol is, if nothing else, a very solid defensive coach who clearly didn't see much in the kid.

Richardson would be great...but not holding my breath

My prediction, however, is Justice Hairston...the key will be how he looks on special teams.

Merriweather cannot be in this category because he is a #1 pick and thus expected to contribute in a big way early. It would not be a surprise for him to do well.

 

[fair catch fryar]

Lua, I doubt...he couldn't even start in college over a sophomore, and Pete Carrol is, if nothing else, a very solid defensive coach who clearly didn't see much in the kid.

Richardson would be great...but not holding my breath

My prediction, however, is Justice Hairston...the key will be how he looks on special teams.

Merriweather cannot be in this category because he is a #1 pick and thus expected to contribute in a big way early. It would not be a surprise for him to do well.

Good point! I'm so fixated on the D right now that I forgot about Hairston. As far as Lua, I really haven't read much about him except that BB drafted him and Reiss reported that he looked pretty impressive in mini-camp. I'm just basing my hope that Richardson would be a great surprise considering the state of our secondary. I'm certainly not banking on him either.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Oh drat, I was going to say Adalius Thomas, but you meant the kids.

DB Larry Anam
LB Kyle Bissinger
DL Kareem Brown
WR Chris Dunlap
OL Mike Elgin
QB Matt Gutierrez
RB Justise Hairston
OL Corey Hilliard
ILB Oscar Lua
DB Brandon Meriweather
OL Clint Oldenburg
CB Mike Richardson
OLB Justin Rogers
RB Quinton Smith - Even more than Bissinger & Dunlap, this kid gets the least love. I pick you Quinton, to be the Pats' most surprising rookie. :rocker:
DL Zach West

 

[italian pat patriot]

i say Hairston

 

[sparrow]

Lua lost out to one of the finest sophmore LB's in USC history so I wouldn't hold that against him too much. Maualuga is grade A prime cut beef in the middle for USC, no shame losing a starting job to that kid. Still not getting my hopes up but best to keep an open mind with the youngins.

I gotta think there's something more to the Oldenburg kid. Every single draft site had our second rookie tackle (Hilliard) ranked much higher then they did Clint yet we took him a full round and 3 picks later.

Harriston I like. Buried behind Brian Leonard and Ray Rice on Rutgers after showing real well early in his career. Decieded to transfer to a school barely on the map (no offense, CCSU alum) and proceeded to lead the nation in rushing. Good a choice as any at this point for a breakthrough.

 

[Mike the Brit]

I'll put two cents on Elgin.

 

[FarScapeR]

Meriweather's a 1st rounder, but he'd it'd be a pleasant surprise if he stepped into Asante's spot and grabbed 20 interceptions.

Realistically, though, I think Rogers becoming a sack machine would be a real pleasant surprise.

 

[Seymour93]

Mike Richardson. There's always tons of injures to the secondary and with Richardson's big game experience with ND, the transition might be a little easier for him.

 

[PatsFan37]

I'll put two cents on Elgin.

I would have said that, too, but I don't see where he "starts or contributes heavily" with so many experienced OL in front of him. What would count as a surprise, and this is what I think may happen, is he will make it to the PS over other players rated much higher. This year the roster is too tough for him to make at backup center/guard, with Hochstein and Yates in front. My prediction here is that Mruc is cut and Elgin makes the PS alongside Barthelmes. If they only keep one on the PS, the surprise keeper would be Elgin.

Thing is, I can't remember how many center/guard backups they kept on the roster last year.

 

[patsox23]

I don't see how I can go with anyone BESIDES Lua. Meriweather, being a 1st rounder, is sort of assumed to do well, and should be. And what would be most helpful to this team, roster-breakdown-wise, is to have one of the rookie LBs be a pleasant surprise. An influx of youth and playmaking skill at a position where pretty much every impact player is 30 or older is arguably THE biggest deal "upgrade" this team could have - for 2007 and going forward.

So yeah - Lua. No question.

 

[signbabybrady]

danny Baugher

 

[Crazy Patriot Guy]

Lua, I doubt...he couldn't even start in college over a sophomore, and Pete Carrol is, if nothing else, a very solid defensive coach who clearly didn't see much in the kid.

As sparrow mentioned, there's nothing wrong with being beaten out by Rey Maualuga. Barring injury, he will be an all-american this season and be selected in the top half of the 1st round if he decides to leave early.

There was once a CB that entered his senior year as a starter for a very defensive-minded head coach but lost his spot to a junior and went undrafted. His name is Randall Gay.

I'm not saying Lua is a lock to make the roster or anything, just that losing your spot to a star is not an insult or a clue that your career is over before it begins.

 

[MetalBleachers]

I don't see how I can go with anyone BESIDES Lua. Meriweather, being a 1st rounder, is sort of assumed to do well, and should be. And what would be most helpful to this team, roster-breakdown-wise, is to have one of the rookie LBs be a pleasant surprise. An influx of youth and playmaking skill at a position where pretty much every impact player is 30 or older is arguably THE biggest deal "upgrade" this team could have - for 2007 and going forward.

So yeah - Lua. No question.

Yes. Lua started before he got injured, lost out to a future 1st rounder, and helped groom the younger guy who started in front of him. Team player who understands defenses and has a lot of strength.

Remember, this thread is about surprises. Lua would be a nice one.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

Yes. Lua started before he got injured, lost out to a future 1st rounder, and helped groom the younger guy who started in front of him. Team player who understands defenses and has a lot of strength.

Remember, this thread is about surprises. Lua would be a nice one.

Believe me when I say that no one would be more excited if Lua proved me wrong...we desperately need solid youth (not life-long ST'ers) at LB. I would be thrilled...but given how difficult it is to pick up this defense at arguably the toughest position in said defense...I would say the odds are against him. I picked Hairston because RB is the easiest position to pick up quickly.
I am pulling for Lua though...I hope I didn't come across like I hated the guy or something...just skeptical after the "pierre woods will be a pro bowler" foolishness last year.

 

[MetalBleachers]

Believe me when I say that no one would be more excited if Lua proved me wrong...we desperately need solid youth (not life-long ST'ers) at LB. I would be thrilled...but given how difficult it is to pick up this defense at arguably the toughest position in said defense...I would say the odds are against him. I picked Hairston because RB is the easiest position to pick up quickly.
I am pulling for Lua though...I hope I didn't come across like I hated the guy or something...just skeptical after the "pierre woods will be a pro bowler" foolishness last year.

I think Hairston will get a lot of carries in preseason, actually, because the coaches already have a sense of what the veteran RBs can do. Patriots.com reported he had trouble catching the ball in rookie mini-camp, but I'd like to see how he works against live competition.

I think we're all pulling for Lua for the reasons you mentioned. It would be nice to have another young guy in the middle. This looks like a question for BB regarding the talent he wants right now vs. 2-3 years from now. I'll trust his decision.

 

[Mike the Brit]

I would have said that, too, but I don't see where he "starts or contributes heavily" with so many experienced OL in front of him. What would count as a surprise, and this is what I think may happen, is he will make it to the PS over other players rated much higher. This year the roster is too tough for him to make at backup center/guard, with Hochstein and Yates in front. My prediction here is that Mruc is cut and Elgin makes the PS alongside Barthelmes. If they only keep one on the PS, the surprise keeper would be Elgin.

Thing is, I can't remember how many center/guard backups they kept on the roster last year.

I ignored that bit of the original post because it seems to me that it is very unlikely to be fulfilled for anyone bar our first rounder, absent some other very unpleasant surprises (exceptionally heavy injuries or the unexpected loss of an established player as with Milloy/Wilson). The Patriots are built not to depend on rookies.

As you say, Elgin making the practice squad would already be a pleasant surprise.

 

[PatsFan37]

I ignored that bit of the original post because it seems to me that it is very unlikely to be fulfilled for anyone bar our first rounder, absent some other very unpleasant surprises (exceptionally heavy injuries or the unexpected loss of an established player as with Milloy/Wilson). The Patriots are built not to depend on rookies.

As you say, Elgin making the practice squad would already be a pleasant surprise.

Absolutely right. If you see a rookie starting or contributing heavily, it's usually an unpleasant surprise.

The real definition of a pleasant surprise is when a rookie outplays his draft round. For Meriweather, that means locking in a starting position without an injury above him (i.e. outplaying Wilson). For Kareem, it means outplaying Jarvis Green, which is pretty unlikely but would be an outstanding surprise. If you couple need with pleasant surprise, Lua and Hairston making the 53 would count as that.

Sometimes a pleasant surprise is as simple as having a promising rookie make it to the PS without getting snapped up by another team.