Big love for James Sanders...

[patsox23]

Belichick had some extremely encouraging, bordering on exciting, comments re: one of our rising young players...

I would say last year was a very defining year for James as a professional football player. There were times earlier in the year where things didn’t go as well for him as I’m sure he would have liked for them to go. The way he bounced back was to work harder, to prepare harder, to try to be more attentive on the practice field and really to try to correct the mistakes that he made. We’ve talked about that before with other players, guys like Kevin Faulk and people like that, where those guys make a mistake and you correct them on it, they’re obsessed with getting that straightened out and it not happening again.

I give James a lot of credit. For a young guy, really he stepped up. He addressed some things that he had trouble with. He improved them significantly and really by the end of the year they were strengths not weaknesses. That’s not easy for a player to do. Most players like to work on the strengths, work on the things that they’re good at and they’re not as anxious to work on their weaknesses or things that need a lot of work. They’d rather work on the things that they do well. I think a really good player, and a real professional player, does that. He knows that’s where he’s going to be attacked and that’s what he has to shore up.

James did a great job of that last year. It was really impressive for such a young kid.

 

[Patdown93]

First praise for Wilfork and now Sanders. It's always nice to see BB praise our players, but this one gives me hope that Sanders will take over very nicely once Rodney retires.

 

[ironwasp]

There's no question Sanders was one of the most imporved Pats over the course of the second half of the season and it's great to hear Belichick giving him the credit he deserves publicly.

That kid will be walking tall in the locker room today. Good on him. And good on BB.

 

[DarrylS]

It is nice to see our developed talent play to their potential in this system, BB chooses his words wisely.. it must go a long way on this team..

 

[PonyExpress]

It's gratifying to see a young player come into his own and earn his spurs. If Rodney chooses to ride off into the sunset after this season, I feel confident that Sanders can start and contribute to a playoff caliber defense in the future.

 

[mcbee]

Maybe he's talking him up hoping to trade him.

 

[mgteich]

bb has indicated that he is comfortable with any combination of our three safeties on the field (Harrison, Wilson and Sanders). Sanders is no longer considered a backup or a developmental defensive back. His time for contributing is now.

I would note that Miguel has Sanders as the starter at SS Also, please note that Sanders is only signed through 2008, same as Harrison. I think that it is misleading to consider Sanders the safety of the future.

 

[Isaac]

... Also, please note that Sanders is only signed through 2008, same as Harrison. I think that it is misleading to consider Sanders the safety of the future.

Yes, with Wilfork extended Sanders is the best young player (also Cassell) with a contract expiring in 2008. Extension?!?

 

[mgteich]

I disagree with regard to the value of Cassell.

In addition to Sanders, Wright and Gay should be considered for extensions, and perhaps even Wilson.

Yes, with Wilfork extended Sanders is the best young player (also Cassell) with a contract expiring in 2008. Extension?!?

 

[AzPatsFan]

The fans are the last to know. Miquel has Sanders as the starter and so do I. If Rodney has a good year it is a rotation; if he starts to fade he is the older reserve ex-starter depth...

 

[AzPatsFan]

Re: Big love for James Sanders...and drafters

I am becoming in total awe of the Patriots college and pro scouting organization. They have found lots of secondary starters and stars in the third and fourth round. Samuels, Hobbs, and now Sanders.

This last Pats draft is really amazing. And it adds to to other years of superb work. Going in and trading 3 of their picks for two young stars in their prime, one a HOF candidate, while arranging to have a second first rounder in 2008, would mean to most teams that their draft was shot.

It looks like they hit pay dirt with their first, once again, in Meriwether. Kareem's play on the goal line stand at halftime against the Titans was eye-opening. They appear to have hit with a fifth round developmental Offensive lineman who needs a couple years of development as he converts from TE, but he looks good even now.

They have found a DE/OLB conversion who may be more than reserve in Justin Rodgers in the 6th round. I maintain and I found a recent Belichick quote that confirms it.

"The toughest thing to do is to scout and find a DE to LB conversion player".

And last year they found an UDFA in Pierre Woods, and this year another who might be as good, or better. Both appear to be capable of being regulars after another year or two of seasoning. Mike Richardson has the look of a NFL reserve CB; Justin Hairston is on IR already, but is rumored that he would have made the PS.

Only Hilliard has the look of a failure in the sixth, but even he seems like a NFL capable reserve, but merely pales in comparison to fifth rounder Oldenburg and real find Mike Elgin in the 7th. And then there is 7th rounder Lua, who is not doing fine, but he could be a reserve ILB, and has clearly outplayed Corey Mays, except perhaps on STs, IMHO.

What would you have bet that with 4 sixes and 2 sevens would have resulted in zero but maybe one reserve player?. Instead they look like they might have one possible star in Rodgers, another possible eventual starter or two in Oldenburg and Elgin, a reserve DB in Richardson and another couple of possible reserves in Hilliard and Lua.

Awesome, Just Awesome.

 

[Isaac]

I disagree with regard to the value of Cassell.

In addition to Sanders, Wright and Gay should be considered for extensions, and perhaps even Wilson.

Wright, Gay, and Wilson expire in 2007 and therefore they get a lot of attention in terms of potential extensions. I was highlighting the future: 2008 was basically Warren and Sanders--one down. I don't have much of an opinion on Cassell, seems like an unknown at this point.

 

[sebman2112]

There's no question Sanders was one of the most imporved Pats over the course of the second half of the season and it's great to hear Belichick giving him the credit he deserves publicly.

That kid will be walking tall in the locker room today. Good on him. And good on BB.

Back when Sanders first came into the system Rodney Harrison said he believed Sanders could develope into a special player some day....maybe NE should hire Rodney to evaluate Safeties after he retires.

 

[BelichickFan]

The fans are the last to know. Miquel has Sanders as the starter and so do I. If Rodney has a good year it is a rotation; if he starts to fade he is the older reserve ex-starter depth...

Man, there is NO CHANCE Rodney is a rotation guy this year. Maybe he'll get a little more rest being older but it'll be few and far between IMO. Barring injury he is out there.

 

[RayClay]

More on Sanders "getting it" Wed. Reiss:

http://www.boston.com/sports/footba...8/22/diligent_sanders_is_now_a_strong_safety/

"Things are a bit different now, and sometimes Sanders and Brady walk onto the practice field together. Other times they chat in front of Brady's locker. They even talk some trash, but it's the X's and O's Sanders truly appreciates.

"Him being a quarterback, we talk about what he sees in a defense and how I can relate that to disguising coverages or how to prepare for certain routes," he said. "He's a great guy. For someone of his stature to take a couple minutes out to sit and talk to you a little bit, it says a lot about him."

A lot about Sanders, too."

"Sanders often arrived to practice 20 minutes early, working one-on-one with former Patriots defensive back Otis Smith. He credits Smith for helping him with the technical side of the game, and also realizes he's been fortunate to lean on players like Harrison, linebacker Junior Seau, and cornerback Ellis Hobbs, one of his closest friends on the team."

 

[Oswlek]

More on Sanders "getting it" Wed. Reiss:

http://www.boston.com/sports/footba...8/22/diligent_sanders_is_now_a_strong_safety/

"Things are a bit different now, and sometimes Sanders and Brady walk onto the practice field together. Other times they chat in front of Brady's locker. They even talk some trash, but it's the X's and O's Sanders truly appreciates.

"Him being a quarterback, we talk about what he sees in a defense and how I can relate that to disguising coverages or how to prepare for certain routes," he said. "He's a great guy. For someone of his stature to take a couple minutes out to sit and talk to you a little bit, it says a lot about him."

A lot about Sanders, too."

"Sanders often arrived to practice 20 minutes early, working one-on-one with former Patriots defensive back Otis Smith. He credits Smith for helping him with the technical side of the game, and also realizes he's been fortunate to lean on players like Harrison, linebacker Junior Seau, and cornerback Ellis Hobbs, one of his closest friends on the team."

I think it is very smart to do what Brady and Sanders are doing, but I find that quote kind of odd. Do other QBs distance themselves from the team? Is it really that uncommon for two teammates in opposing positions to compare notes. Why does it say that much about Brady that he would want to help a teammate out?

I am not disparaging Brady, just trying to figure out why two teammates working together, regardless of team stature, would ever be considered exceptional.

 

[DW Toys]

Cousin, I agree.
This guy was awful last year. With the playoff game on the line, it told me what he was made of as he did not want to touch Adai and let the whole team down.
BB has to be pumping him up to trade him. I don't see the practices. He might be the best Pat practice guy on the team. We sure he wasn't talkng about how good "Bob" Sanders was?
I think this guy is terrible. He can't cover for sure but ya know what? My opinion does not count so if all the experts out there that feel they are superior in intellect go for it if it makes you happy. You guys are just plain smarter I am sure. You can't prove it by his play on the field that is for sure,
Has anyone watched the play on the two yard line when Adai scored? Yet you give the guy a free pass?
As the Don said "That I cannot forgive".
DW Toys

 

[shakadave]

Re: Big love for James Sanders...and drafters

I am becoming in total awe of the Patriots college and pro scouting organization. They have found lots of secondary starters and stars in the third and fourth round. Samuels, Hobbs, and now Sanders.

Then there was the year we drafted Guss Scott (3rd round) and Dexter Reid (4th round).

 

[patriot lifer]

Re: Big love for James Sanders...and drafters

Then there was the year we drafted Guss Scott (3rd round) and Dexter Reid (4th round).

but you had to love Dexter Reid...too bad he couldn't cover...

 

[stinkypete]

Re: Big love for James Sanders...and drafters

I am becoming in total awe of the Patriots college and pro scouting organization. They have found lots of secondary starters and stars in the third and fourth round. Samuels, Hobbs, and now Sanders.

This last Pats draft is really amazing. And it adds to to other years of superb work. Going in and trading 3 of their picks for two young stars in their prime, one a HOF candidate, while arranging to have a second first rounder in 2008, would mean to most teams that their draft was shot.

It looks like they hit pay dirt with their first, once again, in Meriwether. Kareem's play on the goal line stand at halftime against the Titans was eye-opening. They appear to have hit with a fifth round developmental Offensive lineman who needs a couple years of development as he converts from TE, but he looks good even now.

They have found a DE/OLB conversion who may be more than reserve in Justin Rodgers in the 6th round. I maintain and I found a recent Belichick quote that confirms it.

"The toughest thing to do is to scout and find a DE to LB conversion player".

And last year they found an UDFA in Pierre Woods, and this year another who might be as good, or better. Both appear to be capable of being regulars after another year or two of seasoning. Mike Richardson has the look of a NFL reserve CB; Justin Hairston is on IR already, but is rumored that he would have made the PS.

Only Hilliard has the look of a failure in the sixth, but even he seems like a NFL capable reserve, but merely pales in comparison to fifth rounder Oldenburg and real find Mike Elgin in the 7th. And then there is 7th rounder Lua, who is not doing fine, but he could be a reserve ILB, and has clearly outplayed Corey Mays, except perhaps on STs, IMHO.

What would you have bet that with 4 sixes and 2 sevens would have resulted in zero but maybe one reserve player?. Instead they look like they might have one possible star in Rodgers, another possible eventual starter or two in Oldenburg and Elgin, a reserve DB in Richardson and another couple of possible reserves in Hilliard and Lua.

Awesome, Just Awesome.

Was Kareem Brown on the line during that goal line stand? I didn't notice.