Who's your darkhorse candidate to make the team?

[JoeSixPat]

Every year I tend to pick a darkhorse, unknown and unheralded player I pull for - last year for me it was Gemara Williams

This year I'm leaning towards BenJarvus Green-Ellis

OK - I'll admit, its mostly because of his quirky name that evokes images of a bizarre cloning experiment involving Ben Watson, Jarvis Green and Ellis Hobbs, but one can never have too much RB depth on a roster IMO either... and as the 4th RB on the roster right now he might actually have a chance.

I also think playing for Mississippi left him underrated going into the draft - though I'm not expecting him to be much of a pass catcher, RBs can often find a place on Special Teams.


So who's your dark horse - either someone you think will make it or just someone you're pulling for to make it?

 

[363839]

BenJarvus Green-Ellis!?
He's three of our guys already.

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

Matt Slater, not a surprise, but the way we have been cutting draft picks, just a thought..

Also CJ Jones...

 

[tombonneau]

CJ Jones would be a huge surprise. Wasn't he on the PS last year? I think his only chance is if an injury hits.

I think it will have to come at a position they are thin at, and it's not much thinner than TE. I know next to nothing about Stupar, but I think he has a shot, considering he only has to beat out an aging Pollard and journeyman Spach.

 

[True_Patriot_Blue]

Vince Redd...the undrafted LB out of Liberty.

 

[jeffbiologist]

I would like to see either Redd,Ruud, or Guyton (LBs) overtake a ST spot instead of Alexander. I know having 3 rookie LBs isnt likely(Mayo,Crable)but I simply cant remember Alexander making any plays...

 

[drew4008]

Jonathan Stupar or Stephen Spach at TE.

 

[AzPatsFan]

I'm going to give you two picks.

On is the unexpected player to make the team.

He is Gary Guyton. He has spectacular speed and and a story. The story? He played occasionally as an OLB and sometimes as a MLB. MLB is his natural position, I think. But there was a problem on the Georgia Tech Squad. Phillip Wheeler was the MLB.

He was a good to great player, so Guyton played behind him, and occasionally next to him, and out of position. Wheeler got drafted by the Colts in round three, and is slated to be their MLB. What chance did his caddy have to shine?

Guyton wil get his chance with the Pats inside, covering half as much lateral territory as a usual MLB . Lateral quickeness is not Guytons forte` but he does have a LB instincts, is tough straight ahead, and can be expected to do well in the vertical aspects of a 3-4 ILB's cover territory.

If the injury bug continues on the Pats right side of their offensive line, then I predict a surprise move up to a starting position at ROT. I think Wesley Britt moves over from reserve LOT, and grabs the ROT position, and settles in for half a decade or so.

There are now a couple of experienced reserves who can mend and fill in behind Light. There was no one to do that the past two seasons. Clements and Ross, could try and even succeed, as a creditable LOT, for a while if Light gets dinged, using wiley veteran tricks to get by.

So I gave you a surprise keeper among the newcomers; and a surprise breakout to starter status.

 

[patman52]

AZ, I dont know why you said Guyton does not have lateral quickness, my understanding was that was his strength, placing top 10 in both shuttle and 3 cone in the combine.

Mike Richardson is my choice.

 

[wdkantro2]

I would go with Guyton. He ran the best 40 of all linebackers at the combine and could infuse some much needed speed into special teams with Larry Izzo getting up there in years.

 

[AzPatsFan]

I'm going to give you two picks.

On is the unexpected player to make the team.

He is Gary Guyton. He has spectacular speed and and a story. The story? He played occasionally as an OLB and sometimes as a MLB. MLB is his natural position, I think. But there was a problem on the Georgia Tech Squad. Phillip Wheeler was the MLB.

He was a good to great player, so Guyton played behind him, and occasionally next to him, and out of position. Wheeler got drafted by the Colts in round three, and is slated to be their MLB. What chance did his caddy have to shine?

Guyton wil get his chance with the Pats inside, covering half as much lateral territory as a usual MLB . Lateral quickeness is not Guytons forte` but he does have a LB instincts, is tough straight ahead, and can be expected to do well in the vertical aspects of a 3-4 ILB's cover territory.

If the injury bug continues on the Pats right side of their offensive line, then I predict a surprise move up to a starting position at ROT. I think Wesley Britt moves over from reserve LOT, and grabs the ROT position, and settles in for half a decade or so.

There are now a couple of experienced reserves who can mend and fill in behind Light. There was no one to do that the past two seasons. Clements and Ross, could try and even succeed, as a creditable LOT, for a while if Light gets dinged, using wiley veteran tricks to get by.

So I gave you a surprise keeper among the newcomers; and a surprise breakout to starter status.

Just an update:

Gary Guyton has been mentioned twice for good plays; a blitz beating a back, and a ST play...

Wesley Britt has started at ROT, first team, for all the 5 practices so far...

 

[PonyExpress]

Guyton. Guyton has the talent to start in the NFL, eventually. I hope the Pats keep him over Alexander, if it comes down to that.

 

[cstjohn17]

Good question, CJ Jones, stranger things have happened. I remember he was pretty impressive as a kick returner last year.

Everyone loves Guyton, I guess I do too.

My pick is Aiken, he can play special teams and add a physical presence to the WR. I don't see it as impossible that he makes the team over Chad Jackson.

 

[wdkantro2]

Good question, CJ Jones, stranger things have happened. I remember he was pretty impressive as a kick returner last year.

Everyone loves Guyton, I guess I do too.

My pick is Aiken, he can play special teams and add a physical presence to the WR. I don't see it as impossible that he makes the team over Chad Jackson.

I would've agreed a few weeks ago but after hearing Belichick's comments that he liked seeing Chad out there I'd be surprised (or shocked) if he didn't make the team. It depends on what Washington's role will be, but it might be tough to keep another Washington-type (Aiken) if Washington is in a similar role as last year. Then again, with Andrews gone, they might be looking to keep Aiken as a second gunner.

 

[cstjohn17]

I guess it depends on how you read BB's comments. I thought he said "Chad is very talented physically", the other half of the statement is "but he is not the brightest bulb..."

I hope Jackson can get his stuff together and at least provide the Bethel Johnson big play kick return ability and run the fly pattern. He is an enigma, he just doesn't seem to have his stuff together and roster spots are too valuable to hold just because he is fast and chiseled.

I see Aiken exactly in the Kelley Washington role, solid veteran, won't wow you but will play ST and make the occasional play when given a chance.

 

[pheenix11]

I'm hoping that Brady kid can make it, I heard he has a lot of upside.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Gary Guyton had another great play or two. Wesley Britt finally was not the starting ROT for the first time; he was the starting LOT, with Kazur backing him up, and turned in a nifty stop on Crabel.

Bruschi and Pioli talked Guyton up on Sirius radio; BB had nice words to say about Britt.

Another good practice.

 

[TB146]

I was thinking BenJarvus Green-Ellis, but the more I hear about Guyton, the more I'm impressed and excited about him. I, too, think he will make the team.

 

[JMarr]

Not a dark horse, but someone not in camp and who hasn't been mentioned.
Junior Seau. We are getting younger on defense, thank God, but Junior still has a huge role to play in this defense IMO. He only needs to play situationally at this point--so there should be more than enough still left in the tank. He would also have an invaluable iinfluence on the younger/newer players. I'm not at ALL sold on this group of LBs right now. Anyone talking Mayo up as defensive Rookie of the year is in dreamland--any regular PT for him this year would be a surprise.

Seau can be the glue for these guys. I'm hoping he wants to come back.

 

[AzPatsFan]

AZ, I dont know why you said Guyton does not have lateral quickness, my understanding was that was his strength, placing top 10 in both shuttle and 3 cone in the combine.

Mike Richardson is my choice.

Well he didn't seem to excel as an OLB at Georgia Tech. And he has great speed, and played well at MLB, when given the occasional opportunity. So he appeared to have shed and LB instincts, and so what could be the problem? Lateral Quickness, not speed...