Your biggest POSITIVE camp surprise?

[patchick]

For me it's Shawn Crable. Even his big supporters said "situational pass rusher" early in his career: a fast, athletic guy not ready to drop into coverage, and not bulky enough to anchor. But he's looked remarkably comfortable in coverage, and surprisingly strong at the line. And you have to love those long, long arms batting passes out of the sky.

How about you?

 

[PonyExpress]

For me it's Shawn Crable. Even his big supporters said "situational pass rusher" early in his career: a fast, athletic guy not ready to drop into coverage, and not bulky enough to anchor. But he's looked remarkably comfortable in coverage, and surprisingly strong at the line. And you have to love those long, long arms batting passes out of the sky.

How about you?

We knew Crable could run; it's his strength that is remarkable. His upper body strength and long arms allow him to stack and shed extremely well for a rookie. He competes against Olinemen and TEs very well, I have yet to see him ragdolled. If he has been physically overmatched, it generally hasn't repeated itself two plays in a row.

One thing I would like to see from Crable is the ability to bend coming off the edge. Most of his impact plays thus far have been pursuit and coverage sacks.

Slater's instincts at FS are eye opening. He comes up lightning fast and does not miss the tackle on the edge. His game speed is noticeably fast, the product not just of his athleticism but his intelligence, decisiveness and ability to judge angles. We know he can catch considering his KO return history and the game against the Ravens, so he may develop into an impact FS.

 

[DefenseRules]

Our Entire Rooky class has been a POSITIVE for me. The play of Matthew Slater really surprised me. When we traded up for him, my friends and I all said...Who the F is that? What is BB/Pioli doing? This kid is IMPRESSIVE. His play on Defense during the Giants game was eye opening. I'm rooting for all of them to succeed, but Slater is my Rooky binky.
When the veterans on our team all said how much they liked these kids, and are impressed with their work ethic, that's a VERY POSITIVE SIGN, IMO.

 

[everlong]

For me it's Shawn Crable. Even his big supporters said "situational pass rusher" early in his career: a fast, athletic guy not ready to drop into coverage, and not bulky enough to anchor. But he's looked remarkably comfortable in coverage, and surprisingly strong at the line. And you have to love those long, long arms batting passes out of the sky.

How about you?

His coverage has blown me away. He looks so natural out there. I don't know one person who predicted it, I certainly didn't.

 

[Tyler.Durden]

Ray Ventrone in the slot, quick cutting, staccato stepping and good hands.

Wes Welker II.

 

[DSal]

Our Entire Rooky class has been a POSITIVE for me. The play of Matthew Slater really surprised me. When we traded up for him, my friends and I all said...Who the F is that? What is BB/Pioli doing? This kid is IMPRESSIVE. His play on Defense during the Giants game was opening. I'm rooting for all of them to succeed, but Slater is my Rooky binky.
When the veterans on our team all said how much they liked these kids, and are impressed with their work ethic, that's a VERY POSITIVE SIGN, IMO.

The way Slater plays is very impressive. He's a very disciplined player and is not afraid to deliver the hit. He certainly doesn't seem like a rookie.

This entire draft class has been a pleasure to watch.

 

[Tyler.Durden]

They are saying Slater has a GREAT attitude. So i hope it takes him far.

 

[mdhprime]

I'd have to say Ventrone. His ability to catch and hold on to the ball in traffic was a little Welker like. I am glad it looks like he may get a chance to show something during the regular season (I do wish Welker a speedy return of course!)

 

[BelizePats]

The rookie class has been a real pleasant surprise! It still pisses me off that our second 1st was taken away. I'd love ot see who the player wopuld have been. I know, "get over it"!!!

 

[patchick]

The way Slater plays is very impressive. He's a very disciplined player and is not afraid to deliver the hit. He certainly doesn't seem like a rookie.

...let alone one who couldn't make it onto the field in college! After seeing a bit of Slater at safety, it's even more baffling to me that UCLA never found him a position.

Ray Ventrone in the slot, quick cutting, staccato stepping and good hands.

I'm thinking he must have spent the offseason at the Wes Welker soccer academy.

 

[FilPats]

For me it's Shawn Crable. Even his big supporters said "situational pass rusher" early in his career: a fast, athletic guy not ready to drop into coverage, and not bulky enough to anchor. But he's looked remarkably comfortable in coverage, and surprisingly strong at the line. And you have to love those long, long arms batting passes out of the sky.

How about you?

Yeah. Crable > Gholston. G:singing Pats

 

[mgteich]

Wheatley

We didn't know much about the guy and how long it would take until he could contribute.

 

[lazarusinthesanatorium]

I loved Crable during the months leading up to the Draft, and I, too, gotta admit I was taken by every scmuck analyst who said He was JUST a pass-rush specialist... So I'm going to have to divert and give some proverbial "props" to Kevin O'Connel whom I read from the same Draft "specialists" had great "leadership intangibles" but His "pass accuracy" was "terrible." I realize, now, what BB obviously knew ALL along when He moved up to grab this Kid...That in the NFL, You cannot Teach poise, confidence, leadership, etc., BUT IF there's one thing You can teach, It's HOW to Throw a Football with better accuracy... I feel a hellofa lot better about our backup situation with Him in the mix, and wish O'Connel all the best...

of note: One thing that also suprised me was the Play of Matt Cassel... In 17 SERIES under center, He lead this Team to 2 Field Goals. I, in fact, had him pegged ALL wrong, Not believing He could lead Us to Any Points whatsoever...

 

[Horace's Ivories]

I was very positive post draft on Wheatley just based on is youtube clips and intelligent interviews so I would have to say Guyton as you rarely expect an UDFA to stick.. congrats!

 

[jarnhestur]

As a Michigan fan, for me it's Crable. Not a surprise that he has real potential because he's a great natural talent, but because he's adjusted so quickly to the NFL game. It really makes the coaching staff at Michigan even worse in retrospect.

 

[Leave No Doubt]

We struck gold in this draft,it's hard to choose just one! Very impressive group, both on the field and off apparently. Great attitudes, great work ethics, smart players...awesome picks by Belioli.

Crable's got those freaky long arms and athleticism tho-the stuff incredible plays are made of

 

[Jimke]

The overall showing of the rookies. Even the UDFAs looked good.

My biggest surprise was the speed of Gary Guyton running dowm

the return man,

 

[patchick]

Great attitudes, great work ethics, smart players...

I don't ever recall hearing so much about a rookie class as a group, rather than just a collection of new talent. Report after report of their hard work, intelligence and above all esprit de corps. It seems like they've really relied on each other and learned together--how awesome must it be for so many of them to make the roster together. That could set a great foundation for the team's next generation.

 

[fair catch fryar]

I know being a 1st round pick that the expectations are there, but I never expected him to be ready to start week one and after watching and hearing about Mayo throughout the preseason, I think we have addressed one of our biggest weaknesses with a future pro-bowler.

 

[Rob0729]

Ventrone. The guy has been on our practice squad in 2005, IRed in 2006, cut in 2007, signed with the Jets in 2007, cut again in 2007, and then added to our practice squad again in 2007. I figured this guy would be nothing more than a body in practice who may spend another year on the Pats' or someone else's practice squad before he ended his NFL career. He actually played well above my expectations.