Casale 8/7/07 notes

[pats1]

http://www.patriots.com/search/index.cfm?ac=searchdetail&pid=26725&pcid=44&special_section=tc2007

8/7/07
Tuesday's camp notes
Tom Casale, Patriots Football Weekly

With the Patriots preseason opener just days away, the team had its most spirited practice of training camp on Tuesday.

...

Play of the Day: James Sanders made one of the best plays of training camp so far. Tom Brady threw a 35-yard pass into the corner of the end zone intended for Reche Caldwell. Sanders and Randall Gay converged on Caldwell to knock the ball free out of the receiver’s hands.
Sanders then snagged it with one arm while he was airborne for the pick.

Who’s hot: Reche Caldwell – Caldwell has been quiet for most of training camp but with Randy Moss sidelined, last year’s leading receiver took advantage of his opportunity and had his best day of practice to date. Caldwell made a couple catches coming over the middle in the two-minute drill where he really had to extend to bring the ball in. The battle at receiver has already taken a lot of twists and turns this summer but today was Caldwell’s time to shine. An honorable mention to James Sanders who had a great day of practice and is one of the stars of this year’s training camp.

Who’s not: Kelley Washington – He’s just not getting the reps. In all honesty, Washington may be behind Bam Childress in regards to the wide receiver pecking order. Washington spent most of Tuesday’s practice watching the action with his helmet in his hand and his head down. That can’t be good news for Washington in his quest to make the team.

Camp Notes
Kyle Brady was standing on the sidelines in street clothes talking with Ellis Hobbs before the start of practice…With Brady, Benjamin Watson and David Thomas missing practice, Matt Kranchick and Garrett Mills took all the reps at tight end…Mike Wright replaced Jarvis Green at right defensive end for the majority of practice…Sammy Morris struggled once again in his pass blocking. Morris will need to improve on his blocking if he plans on seeing the field in passing situations this season…With Randy Moss out, Reche Caldwell lined up at receiver along with Jabar Gaffney and Wes Welker…Tory James, Gemara Williams, Artrell Hawkins, Rashad Baker, Randall Gay and Eugene Wilson worked as gunners on kickoff coverage…Nick Kaczur reclaimed his spot at right tackle alongside Stephen Neal…After scoring on a quarterback sneak, Tom Brady jokingly threw the ball at Rodney Harrison. Being one of the few players Harrison isn’t allowed to hit, Brady can get away with that sort of stuff…A pesky pigeon was on the field for a couple of plays before Eugene Wilson scared it away. Wilson got a round of applause from the crowd for his efforts… Rookie Brandon Meriweather did a good job covering Wes Welker in the slot today. Even when Welker caught a pass, Meriweather was right there.

 

[DaBruinz]

Interesting. Casale says that Morris struggles in the pass-blocking while Breer says he's doing well.

It can't be BOTH, can it?

 

[patriot lifer]

Bye bye my Kelley. No way you make the team. And hello Bam.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Interesting. Casale says that Morris struggles in the pass-blocking while Breer says he's doing well.

It can't be BOTH, can it?

I honestly did not notice his pass blocking today. But, I notice that he was making good catches coming out of the backfield, one was excellent.

And yes, I had my eye on Kelly and he did not seem to be getting many reps at all. Let's see what he does Friday before we bid him goodbye.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Interesting. Casale says that Morris struggles in the pass-blocking while Breer says he's doing well.

It can't be BOTH, can it?

Sure it can. With multiple drills ongoing during a practice, and other distractions for observers doing this everyday while taking notes, moving to get a new field angle, changing laptop batteries... That said, I consider Albert the more reliable of the two, not that I haven't had differing opinions from his when watching a game.

 

[JackBauer]

It's nice finally having oodles of talented wide receivers.

And only good things about Meriweather and Sanders (!). Our presumptive safeties of the future.

 

[T-ShirtDynasty]

Come on Tom, we need more on Sammy's pass-blocking. What's the deal?

 

[mgteich]

Is Andrews injured? He was our top gunner last year.

 

[pats1]

Is Andrews injured? He was our top gunner last year.

Nope. There were 8 gunners on the first practice for punts. These are kickoff gunners.

 

[Seymour93]

What's wrong with Ben Watson?

 

[zippo59]

What's wrong with Ben Watson?

I think he was limping at the end of last night's practice.